Tag: property

5 Things to Get Your Home Ready to Sell

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1. Have a pre-sale home inspection. Be proactive by arranging for 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 be able to make repairs before open houses begin.

2. Organize and clean. Pare down clutter and pack up your least-used items, such as large blenders and other kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and exercise equipment. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or basement. Clean the windows, carpets, walls, lighting fixtures, and baseboards to make the house shine.

3. Get replacement estimates. Do you have big-ticket items that are worn our or will need to be replaced soon, such your roof or carpeting? Get estimates on how much it would cost to replace them, even if you don’t plan to do it yourself. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home, and will be handy when negotiations begin.

4. Find your warranties. Gather up the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer and dryer, dishwasher, and any other items that will remain with the house.

5. Spruce up the curb appeal. Pretend you’re a buyer and stand outside of your home. As you approach the front door, what is your impression of the property? Do the lawn and bushes look neatly manicured? Is the address clearly visible? Are pretty flowers or plants framing the entrance? Is the walkway free from cracks and impediments?

HOW do I really buy a home?

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Do you wonder about what the basic steps are to actually buy a home? What’s the FIRST step? How long does it REALLY take? Here are some tips and the basic outline of the process, simplified to hopefully ease some of the anxiety of where to start!

  • To begin with we can meet, discuss what you’re looking for in a potential home, the features you want, the features you’d settle for, and things that you could or couldn’t go without. (Example: Garages, fireplaces, room count, etc.)
  • Then the fun begins! We start searching for your new home, visit some houses, and this can vary as far as how long it takes.
  • Once we find your new home we make an offer! Then it’s just a Pre-Approval letter from your lender, and what is called an Earnest Money Deposit. (Usually $1000) This is refundable if the offer doesn’t get accepted or if there is a problem with the sale down the road. (For example if the inspection wasn’t satisfactory). If approved it goes towards your down payment at closing!
  • If the offer is accepted we have a 10 day inspection period. This is when the home will be inspected. (The cost varies on location and square footage but usually around $250-$350)
  • If everything is good to go we move forward. If everything is not up to par then we can ask the seller to do some repairs and/or negotiations (depending on if its bank owned or not) or simply move on to another home.
  • Your lender will be collecting documentation from you during this time and will order the appraisal. (Most lenders are having the buyers pay for the appraisal out of pocket which varies depending on many things but usually around $500-$700)
  • If the appraisal comes back supporting our offering price then we move forward and we go to closing
  • Then you get sign a LOT of papers 😉 (Please note however, that you do not get the keys when you sign the closing documents)
  • After the sale records (this is just the county verifying the sale took place) you get the keys to your new home!

As always, if you have ANY questions or concerns about anything please do not hesiate to contact me! Call, email or text! 🙂