Tag: real estate

Are You Ready to Be a Homeowner?

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Real Estate.

If you’ve been following the ups and downs of the house market in the last five years, you may be hesitant or uncertain about whether now is the time to purchase your first home. If you are wondering whether or not you are ready to be a homeowner right now, you are not alone. This is a large investment and not a decision to be taken lightly. However, homeownership is definitely worth the hassle and risk if you do happen to be ready. 

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What First Time Homebuyers Need to Know

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Real Estate.

The first time you go to buy a home, the process can be overwhelming and confusing. Not only do you need to have a thorough understanding of your own financial situation, and how it applies to purchasing and lending, but you need to have a decent handle on the real estate market and what is, or isn’t, needed to purchase the home you are hoping for and still get a good deal out of the arrangement.

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Top Tips for Buying a Home This Year

Top Tips for Buying a Home This Year

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Real Estate.

Each year the real estate market looks a bit different. In 2021, it appears that home inventory is still low and demand is high. That makes this year a seller’s market. So, if you have a home to sell – good news – you’re in demand! However, if you are looking to buy a home this year, things will be a bit tougher. Don’t give up on your home buying dream! There are still ways you can set yourself up for success this year.

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Avoiding Home Buyer Red Flags When Selling

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Real Estate.

Even the best staging can’t hide everything when it comes to the home selling process. If you are looking to sell your home this year, here are some things that potential buyers are looking for (and hoping to avoid) that could impact whether or not they start the contract process for your home.

Here are our best tips for avoiding some of the ‘red flags’ that may turn off a potential buyer.

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Preparing to Buy Your Next Home

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Real Estate.

Even with the craziness of the past year, plenty of people are looking to purchase a home. Homeownership is a prize worth seeking but it can seem overwhelming for anyone going through this process for the first time. Even if buying a home is a long-term goal for you, there are some things you can (and should) focus on right now to get prepared to buy your next home. 

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Tips for Selling Your Home in Winter

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Real Estate.

When it comes to selling a home, most realtors will tell you that spring is king when it comes to the best time to sell. Spring listings always seem to move faster, and the better weather seems to be naturally set for open houses.

But you don’t always get to pick when you have to put your house on the market. If you’re putting your home up for sale during the winter, then you need to check out the following tips on how to sell your home faster.

4 Tips for Selling Your Home in Winter:

  • Let’s talk about decorations — First off, let’s address the elephant in the room. Is it acceptable to decorate your home for the holidays while you are trying to sell your home? Some realtors will say yes, and others will say no. But the reality lies somewhere in between.

    Yes, decorate your home. In fact, some realtors point out that the “homey” family quality goes a long way towards selling a home. But, don’t go overboard with lots of inflatables that block the view of the home. Instead, your decorations should be modest. Also, after the holidays have passed, make sure that you take all the decorations down. You don’t want to be that person who leaves them up year-round.

  • Lighten up — One reason why spring is sometimes preferred for home sales is that the sun doesn’t set until around 8:00, giving plenty of sunlight for people getting off work to check out the homes. During the winter, you don’t have this option since it probably starts getting dark around 5:30 or so. To help with this, set up outdoor floodlights that can help light up the property and show it off for people driving through the neighborhood.
  • Get comfy and cozy — When you’re staging the interior of your home, make sure to play up the coziness of the locale. Make sure you have your heater set at a comfortable temperature, but not so warm that it becomes stifling. If you have a fireplace, light it up and have lots of warm blankets and other touches visible to help set the stage for a comfortable home.
  • Get good outdoor pictures — When you are taking pictures for the online listing, you may think that your property looks great with a dusting of snow. While this may be true, it also may not be able to sell a home if all of your pictures show it covered in snow. Exterior pics should accentuate all the great selling points of your home and this is hard to do if the property is covered in snow and ice.

If you’re trying to sell your home this winter, it’s not a good idea to decorate it as bright as the Christmas Vacation home. But there are some tasteful, modest things you can do to help emphasize your home’s “cheery” qualities that make it feel like a great home for the holidays.

 

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Whether you’re buying, selling, refinancing, or building your dream home, I’m here to help you explore the many financing options available. Ensuring that you make the right choice for you and your family is my ultimate goal. I am committed to providing my customers with mortgage services that exceed their expectations. Find out more by visiting my website.

What Buyers Need to Know About Home Inspections

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Real Estate.

For those in the market for a new home, there are lots of different pieces of advice that people will try to offer you about buying a house. But one piece of advice is so good that you can take it to the bank.

It is absolutely imperative that you get a good home inspection before you sign on the dotted line. Failure to do this can result in getting burdened with a real money pit instead of your dream home.

Here’s a rundown on what you need to know about home inspections:

  • Request an inspection — First, you want to put into your contract that you wish to have a home inspection performed. Once the contract is signed, then you have a couple of weeks (depending on how much time is specified in the contract) to find an inspector, have it conducted, and then decide on how to act based on the inspection.
  • Find an inspector — Next, you need to find someone who can perform an inspection on the house. Generally speaking, you want to start with your real estate agent. They usually have a list of inspectors that they trust. You can also check on their credentials by looking at online reviews of their past work. Also, be sure to check out their certifications so that you know they are up to date on everything.
  • Conduct the inspection — When the inspection is conducted, you should make plans to be there in person. Not only do you want to know how things go, but you also should be there to ask questions and to ensure that everything is checked out thoroughly. Your inspector needs to check out all of the areas of the property, including basement, cellar, and attic. The inspector will also need to ensure that all of the major systems such as plumbing, HVAC, and electrical are thoroughly inspected.
  • Review the report — Once the inspection is complete, you will receive a formal report from the inspector. Then, sit down with your real estate agent and review the findings of the inspection. Then, you are faced with a few choices such as whether to adjust your offer based on the inspection findings or require repairs to be made as a contingency of you buying the house. Additionally, if the inspection finds a major structural problem, it is still possible to walk away from the sale.

Buying a new home is one of the largest investments a person will ever make. To protect yourself from buying a home with major problems, it is imperative that you get a home inspection. This will protect you and ensure that your home is a safe one that you won’t throw your money away on.

 

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Whether you’re buying, selling, refinancing, or building your dream home, I’m here to help you explore the many financing options available. Ensuring that you make the right choice for you and your family is my ultimate goal. I am committed to providing my customers with mortgage services that exceed their expectations. Find out more by visiting my website.