what you need to know before you buy

I just wrapped up “What you need to know before you sell”, so Let’s dive right in to the buying side…

• Always. Always. ALWAYS start by consulting with a lender! They will be able to pre-qualify you quickly so you have a great understanding of how much you can spend. Most sellers require a pre-qualification (a pre-approval is different) with an offer, plus why look at $500K house if you qualify for $300K, right?
• KNOW THE DON’TS. Knowing what you DON’T want in a home helps narrow down your search faster than what you do want. If you are tired of, or too busy to care for a large yard at your current home, don’t set yourself up to get carried away by a home’s beautiful interior if it is on a 1 acre lot with tons of green space.
• USE A GREAT REALTOR® THAT YOU ENJOY SPENDING TIME WITH, AS WELL AS RESPECT. A good Realtor® knows the market value of different neighborhoods & will help you find the best investment & fit for you. You will likely be spending a good chunk of time with each other. We will negotiate on your behalf throughout the purchase, inspections & will stay on top of everything to bring you to a successful closing. BEWARE of the broker who is obsessed with winning! While it seems like it may be a good trait to get the best deals, they can be more caught up in the win that they lose sight of getting their client the home they want.
• DONT MAKE ANY MAJOR OR REVOLVING CREDIT PURCHASES WHILE BUYING! Definitely do not open any new accounts! Even depositing large amounts of cash into your bank account can raise a red flag with lenders & delay or destroy the closing. Consult with your lender before you do anything that could affect your loan.
• HAVE THE PRE-APPROVAL LETTER ready to go so that in a hot market, our offer will be taken seriously!

So there you have it; buying & selling how to’s from your truly. 🙂 I would love to have the opportunity to show you what I would do to help your sell your home or in finding your dream home!

 

 

What You need to know before you sell

You’ve decided to sell your home. Congratulations! That usually accompanies a new journey in your life. Your home is likely your biggest investment & you want to protect its value & maximize your return on your investment when you sell it. How can you bet on that? Here are some ways:

• INTERVIEW & HIRE A GREAT FULL-TIME REALTOR®! I recommend interviewing 2 months prior to your intention to list your property. This will give ample time to find the right fit, as well as give your Realtor time to explore the property & come up with the best game plan for your property!
• LISTEN TO THEIR ADVICE! Why? Because we know what makes a home sell! A qualified broker is up trend in the current market you are in. Think your red kitchen is beautiful? It probably is, but it’s a specific taste & you want to appeal to the widest range of buyers as possible, right? While you are prepping your home, now is a good time to repair that leaky faucet, trim the overgrown bushes, touch-up stain or paint as needed, and put away those personal treasures & photographs. You want your potential buyer to envision themselves living there and some people have a difficult time doing that when they are faced with a lot of photographs of your family. Trust us! Realtors® know the market & what buyers are wanting! They/I study the market every day & we can tell you the best time to put your home on the market, as well as what price range it will likely sell for. We know the value vs. other homes in your market.
• A HOME THAT IS MOVE-IN READY {as opposed to “as is”} WILL ALMOST ALWAYS SELL FASTER & FOR MORE MONEY. 
• TIME TO PACK! Pack away as many of your personal items, non-seasonal clothing, tchotchkes, etc. as possible prior to listing your home! As I mentioned earlier, it’s best to create a simple canvas for future buyers to envision their items & themselves in. Don’t worry about doing this before you meet with your Realtor®. We are the only ones who can look past that! 🙂 You will be packing when the house sells anyway, so why not get a head start?
• REQUEST MARKET DATA FROM YOUR LISTING AGENT. At Better Homes & Gardens | Go Realty, our sellers will have access to the most current information on their neighborhood, with updates throughout the process. Let your Realtor® know your expectations regarding updates & communications methods upfront.

Now, you have the knowledge! You are ready to go, find a Realtor® (I would love the opportunity to speak with you!) & sell that house…

NEXT UP….“WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BUY”

Will your furniture fit? How’s the neighborhood? You know you are curious what the inside of this beautiful home looks like! Come check it out for yourself on:

Saturday AND Sunday {1/16 & 1/17)
from 2:00 – 4:00pm

Come see your new home!

9612 Heathermill Lane, Raleigh . NC  27617

NEW YEAR. NEW YOU. NEW HOME.

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS GORGEOUS North Raleigh cul-du-sac home in a highly desired location. Some of the awesome features of this home include:

• Walk-out basement that is fully-plumbed, framed and equipped with electric!
• 3,455 sqft 5 bedroom / 4 bathrooms
• 2-story family room with built-in cabinets
• Granite, stainless steel, cherry cabinetry…..and much more!

Aside from the great features this home has to offer,  you will be close to shopping, country club living & excellent schools!

Hurry! Call me to schedule your tour, but in the meantime take a virtual tour of your future home!!