Real Estate News

Considering selling your home? Here are five important reasons you should use a real estate agent!

Selling your house can be an exciting time. Some people find it intimidating, but others decide they want to do it themselves. Sometimes sellers think it makes sense to do a FSBO - For Sale by Owner. This is usually because they think they'll potentially save money by not having to pay an agent's commission fee.

In all reality, selling your own home is a more intricate task than you might believe.

Here are five reasons why using a real estate agent is the best decision:

1. Listing at the right price - Deciding what price to list your house at can make a huge difference in your time on market. A real estate agent like me will have an in-depth understanding of the local market. We also have access to all kinds of market data and statistics that aren't available to the general public. This helps us make sure you list your house at a price that ensures a timely sale while still getting a great price.

2. Better marketing and more exposure - Agents like me have ample ways to get your listing the most exposure possible. From my website, to the MLS, listing portals, open houses, social media, my list of existing contacts, other agents with buyer clients, etc. Rest assured, I will get lots of eyes on your listing. More potential buyers seeing your listing means a quicker sale and better offers.

3. Better showings - Showing homes is something I do a lot. A successful open house or single showing can absolutely improve the chances of someone making an offer. Staging, lighting, highlighting the most important features and updates, answering tough questions - these are all things I feel totally comfortable handling.

4. Get more offers - Everything I've mentioned so far are crucial aspects of getting more offers from buyers. And more offers usually means a higher price. I know how to handle multiple offer scenarios, and I have the negotiation experience necessary for making it all as smooth as possible.

5. Reduce your time on market - As I've mentioned already, there are lots of factors in how long it takes for your home to sell. Nobody wants to sit around waiting forever while their house just sits on the market. This is especially important if you're buying another home and it's either contingent on the sale of your current house, or you'd like to avoid making two mortgage payments.

All things considered, the chance of saving anything on commission fees isn't worth the uncertainty of getting a lower sale price, sitting on the market forever, or not reaching a successful sale at all.

I'd love to help you navigate the market and sell your home as quickly as we can for the highest price possible. If you have any questions, or you'd like to discuss working together, just call me and let's get started.

Find out what your house might be worth!

What's my house worth?

Buying a home? Here's what you need to know.

Buying a house is a huge event in a person’s life. A house is not only a serious investment, but also a place that’s all your own. Although, the homebuying process can potentially seem scary and complicated! Even second-time buyers can struggle with the process. However, buying a house doesn't have to be overwhelming. Just follow these steps and don't forget, I'm always ready to help you!

Get Your Down Payment Together
The first step is saving your money for a down payment. There are lots of different financing options when buying a home, and different loan programs available for different situations. Ideally, you'd like to have a good amount to put towards a downpayment if possible. Of course, the most logical thing to do is discuss your options with a lender and ask lots of questions.

Get Pre-Qualified
Getting pre-qualified is the first step in the mortgage process. All you need to do is set up a meeting with a bank or lender to discuss your finances: assets, debt, income, and credit score. After a quick evaluation, which can be done over the phone or online, then the lender can give you an estimate of the mortgage amount you may receive. This first step in the mortgage process is easy, and usually free, but is just an estimate of what you might expect to get. However, getting pre-qualified is important because you can also speak with a lender about your needs, questions, and goals.

Get Pre-Approved
After a pre-qualification, the next step is getting pre-approved. You will have to go through an official mortgage application which will have an application fee. Then, your lender goes through an extensive financial background check. Once this process is done, you will have a much better idea of the interest rate you will be charged. Getting both pre-qualified and pre-approved is crucial before you start looking for your home. You will save a lot of valuable time searching for a home in your known budget, rather than searching for homes you think you might be able to afford.

Decide on Location
When choosing a home, a lot goes into picking a location. What exactly are you looking for? Closeness to your job? Do you want your kids to be in a certain school district? Maybe you want to be somewhere quieter as opposed to a big busy street. There are tons of things to think about, especially if you plan on being in this house for quite a while.

Pick a Type of Home
Depending on where you are exactly, there are many different types of properties out there: condo, town house, patio home, duplex, one story, two story, new construction, and much more. Narrowing down those choices before meeting with a real estate agent will make the process faster. Find out what exactly you need from your home. Are you raising a family? Just need a place to stay in-between travel? Then, learn about the various types of homes to find one that best fits your needs.

Find a Real Estate Agent
A good real estate agent will be an expert in the area and know the local market. Once you explain what you're looking for and your budget, an agent will take you to the homes that fit your criteria. The right real estate agent will also be able to answer any questions and make your home search less stressful. I'd love to be the agent you choose!

Find "The One"
The house search can sometimes be tough, even with a great agent by your side. Most likely, the first place you see will not be your perfect dream house with every feature you want, for a price lower than you expected. I'm not saying it never happens, it's just uncommon. Sometimes you'll have to make sacrifices (hopefully on small things) and remember that there's a lot you can do to really make a home your own.

Make an Offer
Once you find the house you've been looking for, we'll work with you to decide on an offer that makes sense. We'll then create a contract, and the terms the buyer will need to meet to complete the transaction. We'll ensure all the contracts and legal matters are resolved.

Secure a Mortgage
When your offer is approved you will need to secure your mortgage. If you have been pre-approved and pre-qualified then your mortgage application process should be pretty quick.

Get an Inspection
Now, you need to have the property inspected by a professional home inspector. Your real estate agent works with many inspectors and will direct you to one to check over the property. An inspector will check for problems within the home including: foundation, plumbing, roof, and much more. Hiring an inspector is very important.

Obtain Insurance
Homeowners insurance will protect your property in the event of fire, thefts, and various liabilities. Title insurance is something all buyers should also take into consideration. This insurance will protect you from financial losses from defects in the property. Of course, this is something you'll want to discuss with an insurance professional.

Close the Deal
Your real estate agent will work with you to make sure all necessary documents have been signed. Mostly, the closing consists of closing costs and fees, but once you have paid the fees you are officially a homeowner!

I have experience as a local real estate agent and I'd love to help you buy a home. I know my experience, knowledge, and expertise will be a big benefit to you throughout the whole process.

Click here to search homes

Please feel free to call me with any questions you have.

Contemplating selling your home? Here's what to expect.

Selling a home involves quite a few steps before you can make the sale. Here's an overview of the steps when you're ready to sell your home.

Step one - Make the decision to sell your home. This may seem obvious, but make sure you go over each option, like should you buy a house before selling your own? Is it the best time of year to sell? What does your timeline look like? Everyone's situation is going to be different, and it's crucial to find the best option for you.

Step two - Choosing a qualified real estate agent. A great real estate agent will work with you to create the perfect plan for you to sell your home. They will work with you to save time, receive the best price, and even help you stay out of legal trouble. A good agent will be able to work with you on determining the right price for your home. They will look at prices of homes in the market, and have an unbiased opinion of the value of your house. As you'll see in step four, they'll be in charge of the marketing of your home. Finding a helpful agent is easy, you're already on this website! Check out our contact page, and let us know how we can help. We'd love to assist you.

Step three - Putting your home on the market. Your real estate agent will schedule times for potential buyers to visit your house. There may even be times when your real estate agent will hold an open house to allow walk-ins to visit your home. Your responsibility is to make sure it's in the best shape possible. Clean up, light a candle, put the dog out, turn on all the lights, open blinds, etc.

Step four - Marketing your house. Your agent should be a big help on this one. They'll make sure your home is on the MLS, showcased online, on their website, etc. They should send e-mails to their contacts about your listing, an open house, and anything else along the way. The best plan is to get as many eyes on your home as possible.

Step five - Making the sale. You and your real estate agent will negotiate a price between the buyers. Once a price is mutually agreed upon you will start a series of legal requirements. Your real estate agent will work with you through the legal documents to make sure everything is taken care of.

Step six - Hand over the keys. Congratulations, you just sold your house! This may be both the easiest and most difficult step of all.

It's important to remember that even though the process can seem intimidating or difficult, an awesome agent will be with you through the whole process.

As an experienced real estate agent in the local market, I'd love to be the one that helps you through these steps! Please feel free to reach out to me anytime.

Find out what your house might be worth!

What's my house worth?

Click here to get more info about selling your home.

Selling your home? Make sure and avoid these common mistakes!

 1. Picking the wrong real estate agent (or trying to go without one) - I made this number one on the list because it honestly affects all the rest of the potential mistakes you might encounter. When sellers try and do FSBO or For Sale By Owner instead of using a licensed real estate agent, there are tons of potential pitfalls. But, when you have an experienced agent on your side, they will know exactly what to do, what to look for, and how to get through the process smoothly and quickly. They should be able to guide you through and help you avoid the rest of the seller mistakes you're about to read. Of course, that's assuming you choose the right agent. Often times, people just default to a friend or family member instead of picking an agent with the experience, success, or specialty that would be in their best interest.

 2. Neglecting sales prep and curb appeal - Even when the decision to sell is well planned, sometimes sellers ignore some of the most important things a potential buyer will see. Making sure your house looks good inside and out is often the first step in generating real interest with buyers. Having the inside professionally cleaned goes a long way. Make sure everything looks as organized and clean as possible before pictures are taken and before any open houses or showings. Anything could turn off a potential buyer - a bad pet smell, dirty floors or window treatments, or even just cluttered rooms. Of course, the outside of the home is extremely important as well. Make sure the landscaping is freshly done, any necessary repairs are completed, and the driveway/sidewalk/porch are cleaned off.

 3. Mispricing the home - Maybe the most important aspect (and most common mistake) of selling a house is pricing! It's often how buyers conduct their searches. If you shoot too high, you may not even show up on someone's radar. If overpriced, it can be the reason a home sits on the market forever. If underpriced, you could be missing out on money. However, if priced right in the sweet spot, it can garner enough interest to sell pretty quickly while still getting you as much as possible. But picking the right price can be difficult. A real estate agent is a serious asset in this area. Often times people have an emotional attachment to a home that can unjustly increase the price they're looking for. A good real estate agent will understand the local market, be able to look at comparable sales in the area, and help you decide on the perfect price.

 4. Withholding information from buyers - In real estate, honesty is the best policy. When it comes to disclosing information to potential buyers, it might sound enticing to leave out a few details, but in the long run it's not worth it. Crossing your fingers and hoping a buyer won't notice the leak underneath your kitchen sink or the fact that your back yard tends to flood can lead to serious problems. It can make for a really ugly negotiation period, or even potential lawsuits after a sale. Besides, a home inspection will probably reveal most everything anyway. It's best to be honest with a buyer and work things out in an open, fair, transparent way.

These are just four of the many mistakes sellers can make, especially if they aren't working with an experienced local real estate agent. I'd love to earn your business and help you make the process of selling your home as pain-free as possible!

Wondering what your house might be worth? Click the button to find out!

What's my house worth?

Have questions? Give me a call or shoot me an e-mail anytime.