How to Get the Home You Want

Before I give you some tips on how to get the home you want, I'd first like to take a moment to say thank

you to all my clients, friends and family! This accomplishment comes from all of your support and continuous referrals and love for what I do each and every day! I couldn't do what I do without you. I love helping people buy or sell their biggest purchase in life. The feeling you get when you know you have truly helped someone and made a difference in their buying or selling process is super rewarding!!! I am looking forward to helping many more families in 2020!!! Thank you all!♥️🤗

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Now...are you wondering how to get the home YOU want? Well, some people can't afford to hold two mortgages so if you must sell your current home to afford a new one, consider putting it on the market before starting your search. You can often negotiate a better deal on a purchase if your property is under contract or you already have the cash in hand.

Here are three simple but effective tips to find the home of your dreams.

1. Get Ready

• Talk to your mortgage professional about your financial situation and credit history to determine your loan options. It's important to know how much house you can afford based on your down payment and income. A strong letter of pre-approval can really add to your bargaining power.
• Have a meeting with your real estate agent. Discuss your needs and preferences and establish the best method for your agent to send listings and communicate with you about available properties. Tap into his or her knowledge of the local market. When it comes time to act, your agent will represent your interests in negotiations and work to ensure a smooth transaction.

2. Shop Smart

• Expect to pay more for a showplace; if you consider a fixer-upper, judge structural deficiencies more harshly than cosmetic flaws. It can be costly to replace major components or to change the layout, but redecorating with flooring, fixtures or paint is relatively easy and sometimes offers instant equity potential.
• Location is Key. Even if the site seems perfect for you at the present time, think about whether it will appeal to a large pool of buyers if you should decide to sell in the future.

3. Go For It!

• To write a winning offer without overpaying, look at the prices for comparable sales. Consider whether the property is in a high-demand area or if there is plenty of competition. Ask your agent to find out why it is for sale and if the seller seems motivated. If you accommodate the seller's preferred closing dates or other terms, he or she may be more flexible with the price.

Do Your Due Diligence

Schedule a home inspection after coming to terms. Many sellers expect to address issues related to safety or building codes, and additional repairs (or a credit) may be negotiated. Make sure all of your questions or concerns regarding the home's condition are answered through the inspection process.

If you need information regarding your mortgage, please read our past blog with our own Mortgage Specialist, Rhonda Lorimer here. https://youaremytoppriority.blogspot.com/2019/06/mortgages-with-rhonda-lorimer.html

That's it for now. Thanks again for your continued support and for taking the time to read. Until next time - Keep It "REAL"

Essential Tips for Selling Your Home

It is a SELLERS market out there folks. If you want to get top dollar for your home, now is the time to put it on the market. So, if you are you thinking of selling your home? Here are some essential tips to help prepare you and guide you through the process.

Smart Strategies for Sellers - Putting a home up for sale can be stressful, and some owners have a hard time making objective decisions when it matters most. Did you know, 68% of homeowners believe the value of their home has increased over the past two years.

Price It Right - To ensure we list your home with the best price, I will create a current market analysis. This means I will look closely at the sales of similar homes that have closed in the past few months and take the number of available listings into account when we talk about an asking price.



Keep In Mind

• I may recommend you do some repairs to fix up some visible flaws - or even suggest staging your home so it feels more spacious. This is so potential buyers can picture themselves living there. 
• Homes that have failed to attract a buyer in a reasonable time period may be overpriced.
• Foreclosures or short sales in your area can impact your home's market value.
• It doesn't pay to set the price too high; most buyers will need financing and the bank will generally use an appraisal based on recent sales to justify the loan amount.

Take Advantage of Your Market Debut - Pricing your home competitively from the beginning increases the odds of a quick sale.

• Many buyers look online for properties when they begin their home searches. Nearly 52% intend to stay within their budgets and aren't willing to compromise on price. If your home is priced too high when it hits the market, you run the risk that active, qualified buyers will scroll right past it.
• New listings are called "hot" for a reason - buyers get excited about them. Showings are likely to noticeably slow down after the first 30 days on the market.
• When weighing an offer, make sure to consider the potential costs of holding on to your property longer than you want or need to (including the mortgage, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, etc.)

AND...if you want to "Sweeten the Deal"...

Sellers who agree to pay the buyer's closing costs can make it easier for first time home buyers to obtain financing, while offering to throw in appliances, upgrade allowances or other perks that could swing a buyer's decision in your direction. Just something to think about.

Well, that's it for now. Thanks for taking the time to read, feel free to share and I appreciate your continued support.

Until next time - Keep It "REAL"

For tips on staging - read my past blog posts here -->
https://youaremytoppriority.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-importance-of-staging-part-1_19.html
https://youaremytoppriority.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-importance-of-staging-part-ii.html



Source: Buffini & Company