Frequently Asked Real Estate Questions-Ep. 23

Will any remodeling project add value to my home?

Many will add value, but not all.

For instance, combining two smaller bedrooms to create one larger master bedroom may be better for your life style, but not for everyone. If it changes your house from a 3 bedroom to a 2 bedroom that might not be the best plan as most buyers will want at least a 3 bedroom house. If it changes it from a 4 bedroom to a 3 bedroom, it might be ok, depending on the part of town you live in and your neighborhood.

Another thing to keep in mind, installing high-end materials may not always be the best choice. Not all buyers want the additional cost; they would rather get a more affordable home. You don’t want to over improve it for the neighborhood. You have to keep the finishes and upgrades in line with your neighbors to get the most back out of a project.

Painting is an inexpensive way to make sure your house shows the best it can. BUT, you need to keep it a neutral color, so the buyers can choose their own style and envision their personal belongings in your house. Painting the wrong colors can turn off buyers.

Don’t forget the outside! You want to make sure your house has curb appeal so buyers will want to stop in and take a look. Most times the outside is the first picture of your house a buyer sees. If it does not look inviting, they may not even look at the rest of the pictures and just remove it from the list. BUT don’t overdo it with expensive landscaping.

To get the biggest bang for your buck, start from the outside and work your way in. I HIGHLY recommend you consult with a Real Estate agent BEFORE making changes/improvements to your home to ensure you do not over improve and you do the things that buyers will pay the most attention to. If you or someone you know is looking to sell your house call me today, I would be happy to discuss the best things to do to get your house ready for the market.

Frequently Asked Real Estate Questions-Ep. 22

When selling my home, can I be present for showings?

This one is simple, NO! The potential buyer of your house wants to look around the house without feeling like they are invading your space. They want to look in closets and check out cabinets to know if they will be happy in this home. If you are there, they will not feel comfortable doing that. They need to be able to envision themselves living in this home to see if it is the one.

Some sellers think they need to be present so they can get feedback from the buyer. Most buyers are not going to provide you with honest feedback. They just won’t want to hurt your feelings with anything negative. They will give their agent that information and the agent will pass it on to your agent. The feedback from their agent will be 10 times more valuable, because it will be what they really thought about it.

I HIGHLY recommend you not be present during any of the showings at your home. Prepare your house for all showings and plan to be gone. Allow the buyers the space they need to decide if this is the home for them.

If you or someone you know, are planning to sell your house in the next 3-6 months, give me a call and we can discuss what you need to do to get it ready for the market. This is a GREAT time to be on the market. If your house is presented well and priced right, it will sell!

Frequently Asked Real Estate Questions-Ep. 21

How do I find an agent to help me buy or sell my home?

It is important to work with a full time professional agent when you are buying or selling your home. It is one of the largest investment decisions you will make and you need to work with a professional to help guide you during the process. Where do you find the right agent?

Ask for referrals. Do you know someone who bought or sold a house in the past year? Ask them who they used and if they were happy with their agent. If so, give that agent a call to see if they are a good fit for you.

Stop at open houses. Go in and meet the agent at the open house. Find out if they sell full time and chat with them about working with you. You can decide if they might be a good fit for you.

Look online. Top agents have websites, blogs and use social media to promote their listings and themselves. You can get to know them by reading information about them online and review testimonials from their past clients.

Odds are if you ask enough people someone knows a great agent they can refer you to. That is the best way to find an agent. Get a referral from someone who recommends their agent.

Frequently Asked Real Estate Questions-Ep. 20

I've decided to buy a home, what do I do FIRST?

Get pre-approved for your mortgage OR hire a real estate agent who will then help connect you with a mortgage professional to get pre-approved for a loan to purchase your home. This is the most important step. You want to know exactly what you can afford and what monthly payment you are comfortable with.

There are lots of loan options. You want to make sure you have done your homework and know what your options are. Some mortgage loans require you to put more money down than others, but the payment will be less if you can put more down. You just have to review all of the options and decide what is best for you and your current situation.

Once you are pre-approved you can shop with confidence and know exactly what price range to start looking in. You need to be pre-approved before you start looking so you can begin your search in the correct price range.

Once you have decided, or even if you are just considering looking, getting pre-approved should be your first task. Call me today and I can help you get started.

Frequently Asked Real Estate Questions-Ep. 19

How does a buyer’s agent get paid?

Buyers can be hesitant to work with an agent, because they don’t know the process and how the agent gets paid. They wonder if it will cost them thousands of dollars. The unknown might keep a buyer from hiring an agent.

The buyer’s agent is paid from the seller’s agent or listing agent. When a homeowner lists their house for sale they hire an agent and pay them a commission fee. The list agent then pays out a portion of that commission to the buyer’s agent at time of closing. The buyer’s agent is paid from the seller’s agent not from you the buyer. However, that doesn’t affect the dedication and service I provide when helping you find the home of your dreams.

Do not hesitate to hire a buyer’s agent when purchasing a new home. Working with the right agent can turn a very stressful process into an enjoyable one. You want to team up with someone who works with several buyers a year to help guide you along during the process to ensure nothing is missed. This is one of the largest investments most people make, you want to make sure you have a professional helping you along the way.

A Realtor brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the business of buying a home. In fact, a licensed real estate professional provides much more than the service of helping you find the home of your dreams. Realtors are not just sales agents. They are expert negotiators and seasoned financial advisors. They are members of the National Association of Realtors and must abide by a code of ethics and standards of practice enforced by the National Association of Realtors. A professional Realtor is your best resource when buying a home!

If you, or someone you know, is looking for a new house, please hire me to be your buyer’s agent!

Frequently Asked Real Estate Questions-Ep. 18

Do I really need a home inspection?

According to American Society of Home Inspections, Inc., a home inspection is defined as: An objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a home, from the roof to the foundation.

To have as few surprises as possible, you’ll want to learn as much about the home you are purchasing as you can, before you buy it. Buying a home will most likely be the largest investment you will ever make. A home inspection will provide you with information about major repairs that are needed as well as what maintenance needs to be done to keep it in good shape for years to come.

The inspection will include a report that will tell you the condition of the following items and more. Heating system, AC, interior plumbing and electrical systems, the roof, attic, walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, foundation, basement and structural components.

The best way to find a home inspector to hire is to ask friends or business acquaintances to recommend one they were happy with. Your real estate agent should also be able to supply you with some names of home inspectors their clients have been happy with in the past.

I recommend all my clients get a whole home inspection before purchasing any home. Doing this will allow them to move forward with their new home purchase with confidence. It also allows them to learn many things about the house that they can refer to for future reference while owning the home. So my answer is YES, you really need a home inspection!

Frequently Asked Real Estate Questions-Ep. 17

What should I do to get my home SOLD FAST?

This is a great question! You are ready to move into a new house, maybe you need a smaller house or a larger house, or you have been relocated to a new city or you just want to take advantage of the amazing low interest rates and move into your dream home. Whatever the reason you want to get your house sold quickly and move on. What are some tips to get your house sold fast?

If you price your house correctly, present it well and hire the right agent, you will get your house sold! I want to cover a few simple tips you can do to present your house in the best way to perspective buyers, which will result in you getting your house sold quickly.

1. Neutral Colors! This is a must. I understand that everyone’s favorite color is not tan and beige, but that is the color palette your walls need to be in when trying to sell it. Buyers want to be able to MOVE RIGHT IN. Which means, they need/want the walls to be neutral so no matter what color their furniture is, it will work with the existing wall colors.

2. Remove Clutter! Another must! I know people do not live in a clutter free home all the time, but when you have it listed for sale, it needs to be clutter free!

3. Light! Open the blinds and let it shine in. Leave lights on for showings and add a lamp to a room that is dark.

4. Clean! Clean like you never have before. Windows, under beds, closets, floor trim, ceiling fans etc…a clean house sells faster, no doubt about it! Buyers can tell the difference and will feel like the house has been well taken care of, which will put it to the top of their list.

5. Smell! What does your house smell like? No matter what you think every house has a scent. You need to make sure your house scent is a good one. Clean and fresh is the goal. DO NOT use strong room sprays before showings, and if you have pets, make sure the buyers cannot smell their odors.

These are my top 5 presentation tips. If you or someone you know has a house to sell quickly, I want to help! There is no cost or obligation to meet with me and discuss how we can get your house sold!