Tag: real estate

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.

Questions to Ask Before You Buy Your Next Home

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Real Estate.

Buying a new home is not something you do on a whim or the spur of the moment. It is something that takes meticulous planning and careful decision making.

Whether you are buying a first-time starter home, expanding your house with the size of your family, or downsizing in your later years, there are certain aspects you need to know before you sign on the dotted line.

Here are the big questions you need to ask before you buy your next home:

  • What is my total budget? Begin with a little soul-searching about just how much money you can spend each month on a mortgage. As a rule of thumb, calculate your average monthly income. A mortgage should never be more than 25% of that figure. If it is, then you are not going to be able to afford basic living expenses.
  • How much do I need to put down on the home? For many people, the problem isn’t being able to afford the monthly mortgage. Rather, it’s the difficulty of putting together the down payment all at once. Put down as much as you can afford.
  • What’s the neighborhood like? If you have your eyes on one particular house, you need to also look at the neighborhood. Talk with your local police department or check the local newspapers to see if it is a high crime area. You can also check with them to see if anyone in the neighborhood is a registered sex offender. If you’re a parent or hope to be soon, look at the quality of the schools to see if they can provide a good education to your children. Finally, look to see if the home is in a flood plain or is prone to any other potential disasters.
  • How long has the house been on the market? This answer can really impact how much you have to offer on the home. If the house is a brand-new listing and the price is right, you may find yourself in a bidding war as multiple buyers jump in. However, if the home has been listed for months (or even more than a year), you may want to ask yourself what is wrong with it that others are passing it by. If it still seems like a good home, then offer less than the asking price and see if the homeowner is desperate enough to bite.
  • What other costs are involved? Buying a home is never easy, so you need to be prepared for hidden costs. First, estimate how much you expect to pay at closing. Also, pay close attention to the appliances and HVAC system and determine if these will need any upgrades or outright replacements. Finally, find out how much the property taxes are each year so you can include that in your budget.

If you are buying a new home, it is imperative that you do your homework first and get all the details down before you make your purchase. This is a major commitment and not one you want to make without all the facts in front of you.

 

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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.

When’s the Right Time to Sell Your Home?

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Real Estate.

There’s an old adage that the three most important words in real estate are “Location, location, location.” But maybe it’s time to add a fourth one to that mix—time. As in, when is the best time to try to sell your home? There are many different currents of thought that suggest the best time of year to list your house.

Here are aspects you need to consider for your specific house and market before making the decision on  when to sell your home:

Spring is Generally Best

The standard has generally been that spring is the best time to sell your home. During this time of year, people are out and more active now that the weather is getting warmer. As a result, you have more traffic going by to notice your house is for sale. Also, the weather is generally better which means it is easier to move. All of this adds up to a good combination which often leads to more sales. If you plan to put your home on the market during the spring, then it is a good idea to do repairs and touch-ups during the fall and winter to have it ready for the sales season.

Spring May Not Be Best

OK, you’re probably saying, isn’t this the exact opposite of what you just said. Yes, it is, but bear with me. Spring is usually packed with lots of people trying to sell their homes. Yes, you will get more foot traffic viewing your home, but you will also have A LOT of competition from other homeowners who are also following the old spring standard. Some studies have found that you may get more for your home if you try to sell in the winter (from November to March). This is because there are fewer homes on the market and those who are desperate to move don’t have a lot of negotiating room.

What About Summer and Fall?

Generally speaking, these have been slower times of the year for house sales. Depending on the weather in your area, summer is often too hot for people to want to get out and walk around properties. Also, people have other things going on like vacations and summer family activities. Similarly, fall is usually taken over by back-to-school activities. When you couple this with the sun going down earlier and the weather being rainy, then you can see why people don’t tend to go out to house shop during this time of year.

There are lots of different ideas as to when is the best time to sell your home. Ultimately, you need to find the date that works best with your market and your needs. Talk to your real estate agent to find the time that is perfect for you.

 

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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.