If you’re buying or selling a house, you’re probably going to use the services and expertise of a real estate agent. Having someone on your side making some of the biggest decisions of your life can be a life saver. But do you know what you should be asking them before and during the process? Read More
“Open House: 7 Questions to Ask Your Real Estate Agent”
Category: Selling a House
Open House: Selling Your Home Online – The Real Cost of Convenience
We all have seen the news articles pop up on our news feeds and screens: the housing market is HOT. Interest rates are low. There aren’t enough homes for sale for the amount of buyers looking. You think, maybe it’s time to move? Plus, being stuck inside for the better part of a year or more is enough to make anyone realize you could really use more space. So, you decided to enter the housing market to sell your home. Now the question is: are you going to sell traditionally, or sell your home online?
With the rise of national websites offering to pay cash for your home, promising no showings and fast closings, it can be tempting to sell your home online to these companies. But what would you lose by doing so? Read More “Open House: Selling Your Home Online – The Real Cost of Convenience”
Staging a Home: How to Choose the Right Home Stager
Staging a home is one of the best ways to increase the selling price of your home without making significant improvements or repairs prior to sale. But it is an investment, so you want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. That means choosing a staging company that has the right services and products to match your home and your budget. Here’s how to find the right home stager and how to use a home staging checklist to maximize the value of your home.
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Questions to Ask to Get the Most Value from a Home Inspection
There are a lot of steps to buying a house, and while they are all important, some are just more valuable than others. Writing an earnest money check, for example, is necessary, but it doesn’t do much for you as a buyer. A home inspection, on the other hand, can be extremely valuable, potentially helping you save money when you negotiate the home price or keeping you from buying a total lemon.
Getting the keys to your new home is a monumental moment after a long waiting period. To be confident about your builder, a final home inspection can be done before your final payment. The inspection report can give you up-to-date information relating to the nature and location of any defects (if there are any). However, to get the most value out of your home inspection, you need to ask the right questions.
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How Accurate is Online Home Value Estimate?
Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a home, major real estate sites like Zillow and Redfin make it easy to get a home value estimate. The information is listed prominently when you look up any address or use their search tools. But housing markets are in constant flux and there are countless variables that factor into a home’s true value. So, just how accurate and reliable are these estimates? To help you make the most of online resources and get the best possible price for your home, here’s a look at how online calculators determine home values and how you can use that information to your advantage.
How to Improve Curb Appeal When Selling Your Home
What your home looks like on the outside surely doesn’t matter as much as the quality of the interior, the number of rooms, etc. But ask anyone who’s tried to sell an “ugly home” and they’ll tell you that curb appeal matters. In fact, the National Association of REALTORS says that “homes with high curb appeal tend to sell for an average of 7% more than similar houses with an uninviting exterior,” and that number can climb to 14% in slower markets. Good curb appeal also helps sell your home faster. So, making a few small upgrades can produce great return on investment (ROI), and improving your curb appeal on a budget is possible. Here are some tips on how to improve curb appeal when selling your home.
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Negotiating House Price Tips for Sellers
In the real estate world, the list price of a home is somehow both extremely important and ultimately meaningless. Yes, buyers use price as a major factor in their home search, and sellers and agents spend lots of time figuring out what a home is worth to develop a good pricing strategy. But in the end, the list price is just a jumping off point as you enter negotiating house price with the buyer. The actual sale price will be determined during the negotiation process. While this can be a bit intimidating to some home sellers, it’s a crucial part of selling your home. Here are some tips for how to get the upper hand in negotiations and come away with the best price for your house.
How to Save on Closing Costs for Sellers
Selling a house for the first time can bring lots of unexpected challenges, and depending on the market you’re in, it can take longer than you would like. But closing day is the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s the time when you’ll finally be able to consider your home officially sold and the selling process completed. While you may remember paying closing costs as a buyer, there are closing costs for sellers as well. To make sure everything goes smoothly and to help you save as much money as possible, here’s everything you need to know about closing costs for sellers.
How to Prepare for a Home Appraisal
Did you know that one of the biggest reasons that real estate transactions fail is because of a low appraisal? The buyer’s lender typically won’t issue a loan for more than the appraised value. So, when you sell your home, it’s critical you do everything you can to increase the appraised value as much as possible. But how exactly do you do that? And what exactly is a home appraisal anyway? Here’s everything you need to know about how to prepare for a home appraisal.
How to Prepare for a Home Inspection
When selling a house, it’s all about putting your best foot forward and making your home as attractive as possible to potential buyers. Staging and other elements can make your home look its best. But when it comes to the structural components of the house, buyers aren’t going to just take your word for it. Most real estate transactions involve a home inspection where a professional combs through your house to check for any potential issues. This can be a bit nerve-wracking, especially if you have an older home. But it’s an important part of selling a house, and one you really need to understand to get the best price for your home. To make sure the entire process goes according to plan, here’s everything you need to know to prepare for a home inspection.