Appraisers take into account many factors when determining the worth of a home. While some of these, such as location, can’t be helped, there are things a homeowner can do to ensure that the home is appraised for maximum value. Some things do impact a home’s value more than others; the bottom line is that […]
It may seem that homebuyers and sellers don’t agree on much, but they share one important concern: that the transaction is successful. This comradery is never more evident than during the appraisal process. It’s only natural, since the results of the appraisal can send the deal spiraling out of control. It’s largely based on the […]
If you think about everything that needs to be done to sell your house, you certainly will feel overwhelmed. Take one step at a time, one small task at a time. Break it down to manageable-sized chores and you’ll have better results. First things first – have a garage sale. Whatever doesn’t sell needs to […]
If prospective buyers walk into your house greeted by the smell of cat litter, cigarette smoke, mildew or pet accidents, there is little chance that even a reduced sales price will persuade them to buy. So the first thing to do is: Clean, clean, clean. This includes walls, floors, inside closets and cabinets – everything. […]
Closing costs vary wildly and depend on the type of loan, the amount of the down payment, and a host of other factors. Unfortunately, this lack of information frequently causes real estate deals to disintegrate. To avoid this particular problem, pay attention to all communications from your lender. First, you will receive a form called […]
The real estate industry does a great job of reminding homebuyers that they’ll need a down payment – typically from 3 percent to 20 percent of the total loan amount – when they purchase a home. What they often fail to inform real estate consumers about are the loan’s closing costs – the money you […]
All homes – even newly constructed ones – may have problems. Going into the process not fully understanding this can set you up for a failed real estate deal. Of course, you ideally want to find a home that was owned by Mr. or Mrs. Clean who conscientiously took care of it during their entire […]
When you purchase a home in a managed community governed by a homeowners association (HOA), you’ll be given a ton of paperwork to read and approve. Because there may be deal killers included in the fine print, it’s important to get to this task immediately upon receipt of the documents. Look for any information about […]
A sellers’ market can move very quickly to assume that the homeowner will negotiate over price. While the type of market may determine when to jump in, interest rates can also cause excitement in the housing market. Low rates and relaxed lending guidelines, present a prime opportunity for many would-be buyers who previously couldn’t afford […]
A buyers’ market—when there is a large selection of homes for sale and few other buyers in the market—is a great time to purchase a home. Unlike a sellers’ market, prices aren’t rapidly escalating and you won’t be competing against a slew of other buyers. These markets are more relaxed so homebuyers can take their […]
