All Blog Posts Track Closing Costs Be prepared and know who’s responsible for the variety of fees and expenses at the closing table. *Lenders keep funds for taxes and insurance in escrow accounts as they are paid with the mortgage, then pay the insurance or taxes for you. ** Because such costs are usually paid on either a monthly or yearly […]
All Blog Posts How to Recognize a Qualified Buyer Offers can be exciting, but unless your potential buyer has the resources to qualify for a mortgage, you may not really have a sale. Your real estate professional will try to determine a buyer’s financial status before you sign the contract. But it’s good for you to know what buyers with follow-through potential looks like. […]
All Blog Posts Improve the Odds of an Offer Price it right. Set a price at the lower end of your property’s realistic price range. Consider: Comparable properties: A “comp” is what real estate professionals call home sales that can be reasonably used to help determine the price of your home. But just because you’re in the same neighborhood doesn’t mean that the houses […]
All Blog Posts About the Appraisal Process Once you are under contract, the buyer’s lender will send out an appraiser to make sure the purchase price is in line with the property’s value. Appraisals help guide mortgage terms. The appraised value of a home is an important factor in the loan underwriting process. Although lenders may use the sale price to determine […]
All Blog Posts Checklist For Better a Home Showing Remove clutter. Clear off counters and pack unnecessary decorative items. Put extra furniture in storage, and remove out-of-season items. Don’t forget to clean out the garage, too.  Let it shine. Cleaning windows and screens will help bring more light into your home. Replace burnt bulbs, and consider higher wattage in low-light areas. Clean the walls […]
All Blog Posts How to Attract Buyers These tips will help you convince buyers your property offers top value for their dollar.  Amp up curb appeal. Look at your home objectively from the street. Check the condition of the landscaping, paint, roof, shutters, front door, knocker, windows, and house number. Observe how your window treatments look from the outside. Something special—such as […]
All Blog Posts Prepparing for a Photo Shoot With the majority of buyers shopping for homes online, high-resolution slide shows and video tours are a must. Here’s how to make your home shine on camera. Understand the camera’s perspective. The camera’s eye is different from the human eye. It magnifies clutter and poor furniture arrangement so that even a home that feels comfortable […]
All Blog Posts How to Clean When Your Home is For Sale Executing a deep clean before putting your home on the market will not only help it shine, but it will make tidiness easier to maintain between showings. Here are some power-cleaning tips to try.  Clean windows make a huge difference.  Remove window screens and place them outside on a tarp or other clean, waterproof surface. […]
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All Blog Posts How to Add Curb Appeal Trim bushes and branches so they don’t block windows or architectural details. Set a pot of bright flowers (or a small evergreen in winter) on your porch or front walkway. Install new, matching locks and knobs on your front door. Repair any cracks or holes in the driveway, and clean oil spots with degreaser and […]
All Blog Posts How to Hire a Remodeling Contractor Shop around for the right company. Get at least three written estimates. Ask for and check references. If possible, look at jobs the contractor recently completed.  Check with your local chamber of commerce or Better Business Bureau for complaints. Be sure the contractor has the necessary licenses and insurance, and the ability to obtain permits. […]
All Blog Posts How to Hold a Successful Garage Sale Garage sales can be a great way to get rid of clutter and earn a little extra cash before you move. But make sure you plan ahead; they can take on a life of their own. Don’t wait until the last minute. Depending on how long you’ve lived in your home and how much stuff […]
All Blog Posts Before Putting Your Home up for Sale Here are a few items to take care of before listing your home. This can make the sale process quicker and easier in the long run. Consider a pre-sale home inspection. An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll […]
All Blog Posts Calculate Capital Gains When you sell a stock, you owe taxes on the difference between what you paid for the stock and how much you got for the sale. The same holds true in home sales, but there are other considerations. How to Calculate Gain A Special Real Estate Exemption for Capital Gains Up to $250,000 in capital […]
All Blog Posts When Considering Selling These questions will help you decide whether you’re ready for a home that’s larger or in a more desirable location. If you answer yes to most of the questions, you may be ready to move. Have you built substantial equity in your current home? Check your annual mortgage statement or call your lender to find […]
All Blog Posts Agency & Agency Relationships The term “agency” is used in real estate to help determine what legal responsibilities your real estate professional owes to you and other parties in the transaction.  The seller’s representative (also known as a listing agent or seller’s agent) is hired by and represents the seller. All fiduciary duties are owed to the seller, meaning […]
All Blog Posts Question To Ask When Using a Realtor How long have you been in residential real estate sales? Is it your full-time job? Like most professions, experience is no guarantee of skill. But much of real estate is learned on the job.  How many homes did you and your real estate brokerage sell last year? This will touch on how much experience they […]
All Blog Posts 7 Reasons to Work With a REALTOR® REALTORS® aren’t just agents. They’re professional members of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribe to its strict code of ethics. This is the REALTOR® difference for home buyers: An expert guide. Selling a home usually requires dozens of forms, reports, disclosures, and other technical documents. A knowledgeable expert will help you prepare the best […]
All Blog Posts For the New Owners Before the property changes hands, consult this list to make sure these items are transferred with the house. Owner’s manuals and warranties for any appliances left in the house.  Garage door opener(s).  Extra set of house keys.  Other keys. Think beyond the front doors; do you have any cabinets or lockers built into the home […]
All Blog Posts Prepare for Your Move Update your mailing address. You can do this at usps.com or fill out a change-of-address form at your local post office.  Change your address with important service providers, Such as your bank(s), credit companies, magazine subscriptions, and others. Create a list of people who will need your new address. Whether you plan on sending formal […]
All Blog Posts Pack like a pro   Plan ahead. Develop a master to-do list so you won’t forget something critical heading into moving day. This will also help you create an estimate of moving time and costs.  Discard items you no longer want or need. Ask yourself how frequently you use an item and how you’d feel if you no longer […]