Finding the right real estate agent can make all the difference when buying or selling a home. Selecting an agent can be overwhelming, but knowing what qualities to look for can help you narrow your search and find the perfect match. The designation “realtor” often gets thrown around interchangeably with “real estate agent,” yet it signifies a membership with the National Association of Realtors (NAR). This membership isn’t just for show; it distinguishes those agents who adhere to a strict code of ethics designed by the NAR. This code not only mandates that realtors operate with the highest ..read more

Are you aware of the latest real estate scams? Protect yourself and your investment by staying informed. Knowing how to spot scams before they happen can save you time, money, and stress. Learn what it takes to stay safe in real estate. Don’t let scammers take advantage of you – arm yourself with knowledge and stay one step ahead of the game. What are the latest real estate scams and how can you best protect yourself? Types of Scams Foreclosure Scams: Scammers target homeowners facing foreclosure, promising to help stop the foreclosure process for a fee or by having the homeowner sign over th ..read more

Looking at older homes to buy? There could be many issues that the seller is not aware of and some that the owner hides. While legal action can be taken after the fact, it’s inconvenient and can be expensive. A few examples of what you should look for that are easily concealed are: Pests: They can end up causing thousands of dollars worth of damage. Pests are experts in hiding and often are infested in parts of the home that are out of the way or not in view like attics and crawl spaces. Although spotting pests–from wildlife and bats to termites, rodents, and other creepy crawlies–may be ..read more

Home improvement does not have to break the bank! A quick scroll through Pinterest and Instagram will give you plenty of ideas for DIY projects you can tackle in just one day of your weekend. Paint: A can of paint can make a dramatic difference in many ways. If your walls have scratches and dirty paint, an outdated color, or fading wallpaper, paint them. Bring new life to old tiles in a bathroom by painting them. Wake up cabinets in the kitchen and bathrooms with paint or stain and add new drawer pulls and door knobs. Updating your front door by painting it can change the entire look of your ..read more

There are many reasons other than your home being priced too high that can prevent a sale. Buyers have tons of options, your home is just one of the many on the market. Even after falling in love with the marketing online of your home, once they pull up in front to see it in “real life” and the curb appeal passes the test, there could be some turn-offs that are hard to get past. Here are a few: Noise: If your home is under the flight path of an airport there isn’t too much you can do about the noise. Your beautiful online photos will get them to come to see your home, but once there, they wil ..read more

Longer days and warming weather make this time of year fun to get outside and tackle some of these projects. Spring home maintenance is essential for homeowners to ensure that their properties are in the best condition. Clean, repair, paint, and replace, and if you are preparing to sell your home, have your agent walk around and give their expert ideas. Here are some good tips to keep your home in tip-top shape. Roof | Gutters: Winter can be brutal and cause wear and tear on your roof and little problems can turn into big, expensive problems fast. Check for missing or damaged shingles, and ch ..read more

An assumable loan allows a home buyer to take over the seller’s existing mortgage, including its outstanding balance, interest rate, and repayment term, rather than obtaining a new loan. The buyer must qualify for the loan by meeting the lender’s credit, income, and asset requirements. If approved, the buyer pays the seller for any home equity as a down payment and assumes the monthly mortgage payments.  Positives Reasonable Interest Rate: The most advantageous benefit is to secure a lower interest rate than what’s currently available. If the seller’s interest rate is lower than the ..read more

The money you have saved for a down payment is not the only cash you will need when buying a home. You’ll also need an additional amount to cover closing costs. More than half of homebuyers are surprised by the extra money needed at closing as found in a survey done by ClosingCorp. New regulations have tightened, forcing mortgage lenders to disclose these costs in loan estimates, however, buyers still find themselves shocked when they see the final tally, which can add up to as much as 5% of the total loan amount. Closing costs are fees and payments that need to be made to different individua ..read more

Your house has been postured to be put on the market after getting everything cleaned, refreshed, landscaped, and staged. You’ve interviewed and hired the best realtor. Pictures have been taken, the marketing is perfect and you’re ready to go. But – there is a problem. A neighbor’s unkempt or other various forms of bad neighbors including being noisy or disruptive. These situations can negatively affect your home’s desirability and cost you some real money. Respectfully and diplomatically, visit with the offending neighbor (s) and have a conversation with them, letting them know that you are ..read more

Putting your home on the market can involve several stresses and strains. Regardless of the reason behind selling, the goal is to sell it for the most money in the shortest amount of time. With the lease hassles and distractions. There is a lot to think about, prepare for, to organize. You must be objective about all the details in this your financial asset, your home. Hire the most experienced realtor in your area to help you price your home right. The first thing buyers look for in their initial search for a home is the price. Your home might be perfect but if the price is too high you will ..read more