by KatieM | May 21, 2020 | For Sellers
Selling a house can not only be stressful; it can also be expensive. The longer your property remains on the market and unsold, the more it tends to cost you. This is especially true if you’ve already moved into a new home and are making mortgage payments on the house you’re trying to sell. With that in mind, you’ll want to sell your house as quickly as possible.
The following are 3 home selling tips to help you do just that:
- Know when to sell – The best time to sell a house is typically in the spring and summer seasons. Many buyers are too busy with the holidays during the winter and simply don’t want to trudge around in bad weather looking at homes.
- Price your home to sell – Overpricing your home is going to make it more difficult to sell. You need to understand your local real estate market so you can price your house correctly. If you need to sell fast, consider pricing it under the home’s market value. Buyers will jump on a good deal.
- Use a local real estate agent – Even though a local real estate agent will take a percentage of what you make on the home sale, it’s well worth the investment. This is because a real estate agent can price the house correctly, help prepare the house for sale, and utilize networks of agents and buyers to find motivated buyers in a hurry.
Use these home selling tips to sell your house quickly. To speak with real estate agents about what they can do to help you sell your home as fast as possible, be sure to contact us at Randy Lindsay today.
by KatieM | May 14, 2020 | For Buyers
If you’re looking to buy a new home, it’s a good idea to work with a real estate agent. A knowledgeable agent can provide you with a wealth of information and advice about buying a home. They will also have a large network of resources to help you find the perfect property.
These are 5 questions you should ask your agent when buying a home:
1. Is the house properly valued?
An agent can find out how much similar homes have sold for in the same area to determine if the price is fair or not.
2. How long has the house been on the market?
If the house has been on the market for a long time, it lets you know that there’s not a lot of demand for it (or that the house is overpriced). This puts you in a better position to negotiate.
3. What are the associated costs of ownership?
You’ll want to know about HOA fees, utility costs, and property taxes before deciding to make an offer.
4. What is the neighborhood’s marketability?
Your agent can tell you if the area is in high demand. Future events (such as the construction of a nearby highway) could affect this demand, and real estate agents have access to that type of information.
5. Why is the owner selling?
An agent can learn the real reason the owner is selling. If the owner is in a hurry to sell, it can give you some negotiating power when it comes to making an offer.
These are a few questions you should ask an agent about buying a home. To speak with a professional real estate agent about your home-buying needs, be sure to contact us at Randy Lindsay today.
by KatieM | Apr 23, 2020 | For Sellers
Before selling a home, it’s a good idea to invest in a few upgrades. Doing so can help improve the value of your property. As a result, you’ll not only be able to ask a higher price, but buyers will be more attracted to your home as a result of the improvements you made.
However, be careful about what you decide to upgrade when it comes to selling a home.
What Upgrades Should You Avoid?
Upgrades tend to add more value to your home and attract buyers’ interest when they add functionality. Investing in luxurious, superficial upgrades may be a bad use of your money.
For example, you don’t want to install a crystal chandelier in the dining room or a pool in your backyard. If anything, buyers will see these upgrades as unnecessary costs, and upgrades like a pool can result in higher insurance premiums.
What Upgrades Are Worth the Money?
Just because you put a $1,000 into upgrading something doesn’t mean your home will be worth $1,000 more. With that in mind, focus on areas where upgrades will result in a high ROI (return on investment). Upgrading kitchen cabinets, kitchen flooring, kitchen countertops, bathroom sinks, bathroom tiles, and more, can improve your home value significantly. Small upgrades, such as upgrading faucets, lighting, and hardware (such as cabinet and door handles and knobs) add value too.
Knowing what to upgrade and what to leave alone is key to obtaining the highest possible ROI. To receive more specific guidance regarding upgrades to your home that will help it sell, contact us at Randy Lindsay today.
by KatieM | Apr 9, 2020 | For Buyers
Being a first-time homebuyer is exciting, but there’s a lot about buying a house you may not know. For example, odds are you’ll need to apply for a mortgage. Where should you go? What’s needed? The following are some of the questions you might have about first-time homebuyer programs:
What are first-time homebuyer programs?
There are many different home-buyer programs established to encourage people to become first-time homebuyers. Look into the FHA and USDA loan programs and the HomePath Ready Buyer™ Program. There are also loans available to homebuyers with specific qualifications, such as the VA loan program and the Good Neighbor Next Door buyer aid program.
Why consider a first-time homebuyer program?
First-time homebuyers may not have a lot of credit history. Many of these loan programs are easier to qualify for if you don’t have a high credit score.
Some first-time homebuyers haven’t had a chance to save a lot of money for a down payment, either. First-time homebuyer programs tend to require much smaller down payments and lower credit scores than conventional loans. Some even provide closing costs assistance.
What are the requirements for a first-time homebuyer program?
Many of the loan program requirements vary, so be sure to compare. For example, an FHA loan typically requires a credit score of 580 and a 3.5% down payment. Or, you might qualify with a score of 500 but will have to put 10% down.
For more in-depth advice on first-time homebuyer programs, be sure to contact us at Randy Lindsay today.
by KatieM | Mar 26, 2020 | Events
Spring is one of the best times to sell a house! In fact, most real estate agents agree spring and summer are the peak home-selling seasons. With that in mind, use these 5 tips to prepare your home to sell this season:
- Clean your home interior – Do a little spring cleaning. Ensure all clutter is removed. A dirty, messy house won’t affect the property value, but buyers will be distracted from the positive features your home has to offer. Clutter and messiness will not leave a good impression on potential buyers.
- Consider new paint – If the winter did a number on your exterior siding, consider repainting your home. You might want to repaint interior walls and cabinets as well if they are beginning to look their age or have an outdated look.
- Make repairs – Have a thorough inspection done on your home to identify what needs repair. Even minor fixes, such as making sure the railing leading to your entrance isn’t wobbly, are important. Unless you have a “fixer-upper” listing to sell, major repairs will have to be addressed or buyers won’t be interested.
- Stage your home – Even if you haven’t moved out, stage your home. Consider adding spring décor and always have plenty of light to make your home more inviting to potential buyers.
- Tidy your yard – Winter can leave your yard looking a little dry and shabby. In addition to clearing your yard of all debris, trim bushes and trees. You might want to plant flowers during this time to add a bit of color to your property. This can boost curb appeal.
Use these 5 tips to prepare your home in order to sell it this spring. For additional advice on selling your home this spring, contact Randy Lindsay today.
