Buying Tips and Selling Concerns

There are many factors to take into considerate when buying or selling a home.  As a result, there are many chances for mistakes.  The good news is this: these mistakes are preventable.  Here are common, preventable, concerns when selling a home, as well as tips for those buying.

Buying Tips

Talk to Others

Speak to trusted sources about their experiences. What are they glad they did? What decisions do they wish they could do over? What did they learn from their buying experience?

Get Pre-Approved

Sellers love cash offers. Pre-approval of your mortgage loan before you start the buying process puts you in a stronger negotiating position with the seller. When you talk to your banker, remember that “pre-approval” is different than “pre-qualified.”

Assess the Property

The old real estate saying, “Location, location, location,” is so well known for a reason. The neighborhood of your new home affects your quality of life as well as its future resale value. To fully assess the location of your potential new house, there are several factors to notice including: are there open lands nearby that can be developed? does the neighborhood meet your lifestyle and family needs? are you comfortable with the traffic regardless of time of day? Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

Question Pricing

Don’t be swayed by the asking price of the home. Sellers can put any price they want on their house, but it may not reflect an accurate value of the house. Have your realtor to a current market summary that will show what other comparable homes sold for and how long they were on the market.

Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

Staging a home is just that: staging. Don’t dismiss a beautiful and well-built home at first sight because of tacky furniture or lime green carpets.

Inspect the Home

Before you purchase the house, have it thoroughly inspected by a reputable, professional property inspector. Discuss with him what he covers in his inspection and what protections his report will offer should hidden problems with the house appear after you’ve bought it.

Talk to People Who Know

Banks need and want business too. Many times, they are willing to negotiate mortgage rates. If you are unsure about what is a reasonable loan rate, talk to others who understand those markets and then talk to your banker to see if you can get a lower interest rate.

Research

Research your home insurance well in advance of your purchase date. Give yourself the time to study plans and find the best price.

Read

When you buy a house, you will have a lot of papers to read. Get the papers early and spend the time to actually read them before signing them.

Get it in Writing

A written document is more legally binding than an oral agreement. No matter how much you like or trust the other party, always get it in writing!

Talk to Experts

Real estate transactions have contracts that outline your rights as well as your obligations. Problems can arise if you are unaware of them. Talk to experts in advance so they can explain to your what you need to know.

Selling Concerns

The Price

We get it – pricing your home is a difficult process.  It may even feel personal.  Despite all of this, it is crucial your home is listed in an appropriate margin.  Asking too little for your home means, well, just that.  Though your listing may be snatched quickly, you will be getting less money for your home than you could.  However, asking too much for your property comes with its own issues.  Not only does it usually take much longer for the listing to be taken, more often than not, the property sells for less than its value. 

The Showcase

We were all taught not to judge a book by its cover.  However, in real estate, that rule is out the window.  Whether we like it or not, potential buyers will judge your home based on its appearance.  Taking the extra time to get your listing “dolled up” will absolutely be worth it.  It will be the difference between potential buyers seeing themselves in your home or not. 

The Realtor

If there is one take away we want you to have it is this: invest in a good realtor.  A realtor understands the community, the state of the market, the listing, and the rates of comparable homes.  They also know what questions to ask to determine your priorities.  Prioritize finding a realtor who can help you determine the accurate value for your home. 

The Market

Are there more buyers than sellers?  More sellers than buyers?  Is the market balanced?  This will help you know what to realistically expect in terms of price and sell time of your listing. 

The Potential Buyers

There are two types of people in the real estate world: those who are “just looking” and those who are “buying.”  Perhaps you have already had your first showing, and you met an incredible couple who seemed interested in the listing.  After a few days and a couple back and forths, you discover they are “just looking.”  It is important for you to sift out those who are trying to get their feet wet in the market and those who are ready to commit.  It will save you time and energy in the long run. 

The Other Realtor

Just as you want to sell your home for as much as possible, someone wants to buy it for as little as possible.  It is just the way the real estate game works.  And just as you have your realtor you trust, the buyer probably has a realtor they trust, too.  Be cautious of the relationships between realtors.  You want to keep your best interest in mind.