Tag: First time home buyers - page 2

What to Expect When Hiring a Real Estate Agent

Real estate agents are your fairy god-parents when it comes to buying or selling property because their job is to keep an eye on the market to know where a house needs to be sold and which one is being eyed a lot by the buyers. Quite honestly, the average man does not know about the homework it takes to be a good real estate agent. Hiring one can significantly improve your chances of carrying out a deal in your favor.

Real estate agents work for both buyers and sellers.  Here is what you can expect from them under each case.

For Sellers

This is the faction where most of the real estate agents are employed. Essentially, the job of the agent is to place a price on the house which is acceptable in the market. You can expect your agent to know everything about your locality, the plot where your house/apartment’s building is located, and the traffic in the market for buying houses in your area. The level of competency of the services you get depend on you staying fully honest with him/her, because there is a chance that he/she will instruct you to carry out a few repairs before you put your house up for grabs on the market.

Payment

In the case of the seller, there is an agreed band that the agent and the seller follow according to which the agent states the amount of commission he/she will be taking if the house gets sold. In addition, there is a primary hiring fee that you will have to pay in order to get the services, but considering how you can expect a great result in the end, it is certainly an investment worth making.

For Buyers

This is the faction where fewer real estate agents are employed.  The main tasks of the buyers include searching for houses in the areas where the hirer wants one, bargaining with the sellers regarding the cost, getting the pre-approval letter for the house loan readied (if applicable), and informing the buyer about the condition of the house and any problems relating to the house or the neighborhood where it is located. Even though the number of real estate agents employed for buying property are quite less, because at the end of the day it depends on the purchasing power of the authority wanting to buy a house, the costs you can save in the short and the long run are certainly worth the effort of finding a good agent.

Payment

The buyer usually takes a fixed a percentage of the amount for which the house was sold, in monetary terms. Payment is rarely ever done in installments because once the documentation procedure is over and the place is handed over to the new owners, the job of the real estate agent comes to a close. In any case, you can expect the cost and wait to bear excellent results for you by the end.

Learn more about C21 Lady of the Lakes Realtors and the numerous services they offer including: buying a new home, selling a home, or renting a home at www.ladyofthelakes.com.  To contact one of our real estate agents call 734-426-6060 today.

Buying and Selling During a Seller’s Market

Buying a home during any type of market offers many different demands of your time and resources.  There are times in which the situation may be more demanding of the buyers than others, one such time is during a seller’s market.  This is when the housing market is experiencing a low inventory of houses with an exploding population of buyers looking.

When you are looking for a new home and/or selling a home during a seller’s market you need to work with a local realtor that understand how the market for the home you are selling and looking to purchase work.  A local real estate agent can answer all of your questions and detail the local amenities, schools, and neighbourhood climates.  This allows them to highlight your property and answer questions that buyers have about your home.  The same is true of homes you are looking at.

When selling your home it is important to know exactly what the realtor is going to do for you.  What type of marketing will they offer?  How do they use social media?  Do they offer a responsive website design to feature your home?  These things are all crucial elements in developing a plan to market your home.

Agents must consider and completely understand the market that currently exists.  Buyer’s markets, seller’s market, and balanced markets are the three common real estate markets.  A seller’s market exist when there are several buyers competing for the identical home due to a shortage for housing options available for sale.  A buyer’s market exists when there is an abundance of homes available for sale.

For most people buying a home is the single most expensive purchase that they will make at any stage in their life.  For this reason it is a good idea to grasp the ins and outs of buying real estate along with the present day market situations before you begin the search for a new home.  It is however important to consider the market at the time and determine if the market is a seller’s or buyer’s market to see if this is the right time to buy or sell.

The real estate market is a perfect example of the economic principals of supply and demand.  When the supply is abundant and the demand is low the market is in favour of the customer.  On the flip side, when the supply is scarce and the demand is high the market is in favour of the seller.  Buying and selling during these market ups and downs is by no means impossible however it is important that you understand the challenges and limitations that can be faced during each.

Learn more about C21 Lady of the Lakes Realtors and the numerous services they offer including: buying a new home, selling a home, or renting a home at www.ladyofthelakes.com.  To contact one of our real estate agents call 734-426-6060 today.

7 Things Buyers Need to Know in a Seller’s Market

A hot property market indicates a period in the real estate pricing cycle where the advantage goes to the seller, rather than the buyer. This scenario occurs when there is greater demand for houses than the supply of homes for sale. If you are buying into this type of market, then you need to ensure you are getting the best value.

The first thing to do is learn how to identify a great deal when you see one. Do your research and examine sales for at least the past three months in the area you wish to purchase.   If a home that you are interested in has a listing price of $120,000 but other homes in the area are only going for $90,000, there is a good chance the home that you are looking at is overpriced.  A home that is overpriced will have a difficult time being appraised for what is needed.

Getting the right agent is a must as they will give you every little detail you need to know to write up a compelling offer. Plus, they will also be able to guide you into making the best decisions.  Find a local real estate agent that is familiar with the area, different neighborhoods in the area, the schools, and more.  Their knowledge is incomparable.

Use logic when making your purchasing decision. If you fall in love with a house, you are more likely to make a ridiculous offer and pay too much. Reducing your decision to cold hard logic will help you get the best value.

Set your budget and stick to it. It’s a seller’s market and this means you won’t get your dream home at a price that is a fraction of its value. You have to accept that sellers are only going to take full price, or close to it, so only look at homes with prices that fit within your budget.

Get yourself into a position where you can offer more cash up front. A higher cash deposit can be the deciding factor on whether your offer gets accepted or not. The greater amount of cash you have to offer the stronger your offer will be.

Don’t overlook a home for sale that is a fixer upper. Sure, it may need a coat of paint or a new driveway, but if you can get it at the right price, the investment may well be worth it. And don’t forget, many renovations can dramatically increase the value of a home.

Consider if buying a home now is worth the stress. A sellers’ market often means you are going to be on the hunt for quite a while as offer after offer gets rejected. It may be better for your stress levels if you wait until more homes become available. Real estate values go up and down in cycles so you may even get in on a low point if you decide to wait.

Learn more about C21 Lady of the Lakes Realtors and the numerous services they offer including: buying a new home, selling a home, or renting a home at www.ladyofthelakes.com.  To contact one of our real estate agents call 734-426-6060 today.

 

Is Now The Right Time To Sell Your Home?

Are you thinking of it is time to put your home up for sale?  Ask any real estate agent and they will agree that if you are looking to sell a home this is the perfect time!  Working with a professional agent aids in the sale of your home whether it is in a sub division, on a golf course or on a lake.

This article will help you know what signs to watch out for and how to know the right time for you to sell your home.

  • Change of Status: This seems pretty obvious but when your home no longer suits your lifestyle, then it’s time to sell it. If your family size is larger than the size of your home, if your kids have moved out, or if you want to change your location then it sounds like you are ready to sell your house.

No matter why you are selling it is always wise for buyers to look to make sure the new homes mortgage matches their budget.   Buying a bigger home is only wise when the payment is similar to the smaller one because of the large down payment you have from the sale of your house.  It is also wise when downsizing to consider a significant down payment from the sale of your previous home.

  • If you have the money to buy another home: There are times when you are bored or you want something new. If you can afford to buy a new home then selling your home isn’t a bad idea.

It is important that clients make investments that can help them in the future when they are putting their homes on the market.  Simple changes such as a fresh coat of paint or updated appliances often attract realtors.  If you can afford to remodel specific places like your bathroom and kitchen it will be a great advantage when selling your home. This is one place buyers pay attention to. You don’t need expensive countertops however updated faucets and fixtures go a long way. It is nice to keep your closets and shelves neat or tidy make your home look larger and attractive as well.  If you can do this then your house will sell.

In conclusion, there are no straightforward formulas to determine when and how to sell your home, but a real estate agent can help you decide.  People sell their homes for many reasons.  If you are looking to sell your home make sure you are doing it for reasons that satisfy you.

Learn more about C21 Lady of the Lakes Realtors and the numerous services they offer including: buying a new home, selling a home, or renting a home at www.ladyofthelakes.com.  To contact one of our real estate agents call 734-426-6060 today.

 

What Buyers Need To Know When Buying A Home

A little knowledge goes a long way when buying a home during a sellers market such as the one we are currently experiencing.  Whether you are a first time home buyer, an investor, or a well seasonsed buyer there are many things that this article will identify that need to be addressed when you are purchasing real estate.

Are you considering a home that has been forclosed on?  It is important to identify items that wil have to be completed before you can occupy the home.  The same thing needs to be considered when you are looking at homes that are vacant and have not had regular maintenance provided to them. Consider the HVAC system, pest infestations, plumbing issues, and electrical maintenance.

Onе area оf thе fоrесlоѕurе mаrkеt thаt уоu mау wаnt to consider iѕ HUD fоrесlоѕurе hоmеѕ. Thеѕе hоmеѕ аrе houses thаt hаvе been financed bу FHA mоrtgаgе lоаnѕ аnd have gоnе intо fоrесlоѕurе. You may аlѕо bе аblе tо buу a HUD fоrесloѕеd hоmе with only a one hundred dollar dоwn рауmеnt. HUD iѕ currently оffеring programs wеrе you саn buy оnе оf thеir fоrесlоѕеd hоmе with a small downpayment using FHA financing.

Be flexible with what you are willing to look at in homes. Don’t limit yourself to certain criteria that might not fit the market that you are currently pursing.  Yоu mау have to ѕасrifiсе some оf уоur еxресtаtiоnѕ in order tо livе in thе neighborhood of уоur сhооѕing.  Think about looking outside of your current list of desires and look at all of the options that are available.

If уоu mаdе thе ѕеllеr аn offer thаt was rеjесtеd, thеу may still find ѕоmе way to mаkе thе hоmе аffоrdаblе ѕо уоu buу it. The ѕеllеr might bе willing tо meet уоu hаlf wау, соvеr сlоѕing соѕtѕ, or finаlizе ѕоmе rераirѕ. It nеvеr hurtѕ to соuntеr оffеr аnd ask what they are willing to compromise on and what agreements can be met to make the deal workable for both of you.

If you are uncertain аbоut уоur finаnсiаl future, уоu should bе саrеful whеn соnѕidеring purchasing a hоuѕе. Whеn уоu ѕign уоur mortgage agreement, уоu are hеld responsible fоr the payments, nо mаttеr whаt. If thingѕ аrе unsure аt the office, then ensure уоu саn make several mоnthѕ оf рауmеntѕ еvеn without income before you commit to buying a home.  This is especially true for first time home buyers.

Hоmе insurance is a necessity fоr anyone buying a house. It muѕt be dоnе рriоr tо moving in. Mortgage companies will make it a priority for you to put insurance on your home the minute the take your mortgageon.  They know that putting thiѕ off mеаnѕ that thе inѕurаnсе may not kiсk in if ѕоmеthing bаd happens.  Mоthеr Nature can bе quiet unpredicactable at times, as we all know.

Yоu need tо еxресt extra fees or соѕtѕ if уоu аrе buying a hоmе. Thе сlоѕing соѕtѕ fоr the buуеr are uѕuаllу dеtеrminеd bу аdding the рrо-rаtеd taxes with thе down payment and bаnk fееѕ. Hоwеvеr, mоѕt of the time, еxtrа thingѕ are inсludеd in сlоѕing costs, ѕuсh as improvement bоndѕ, ѕсhооl taxes, and оthеr ѕресifiс itеmѕ related tо thе аrеа.  Take this into account when considering the amount of downpayment you can put down while keeping a safe cushion in your savings.

When уоu are ready to start looking for a new home it iѕ еxtrеmеlу important that уоu hаvе a good rеаl estate agent wоrking with уоu especially in a sellers market such as the one we are currently experiencing. No matter what stage you are as a home buyer professional real estate agents know a thing or two about getting you the most bang for your buck.

Learn more about C21 Lady of the Lakes Realtors and the numerous services they offer including: buying a new home, selling a home, or renting a home at www.ladyofthelakes.com.  To contact one of our real estate agents call 734-426-6060 today.

Buying Recreational Real Estate

The number one thing most buyers are looking for when buying a home is finding a place that meets their needs inside and out.  For many this includes finding a home that offers the benefits of recreational living.  Who wants to spend every weekend stuck in traffic heading north to sit amongst the wilderness or south to get a few rounds of golf in when you can find a local home that offers you these benefits.  It is a dream to find a home that meets your recreational wants as well as your family’s needs.

Sailing, golfing, hiking, fishing, and most any outdoor activity is more enjoyable when you are able to come home and enjoy a solid night’s sleep in your own bed.  Buying a home that meets your recreational desires is a sure fire way to leave everyday stress behind when you are at home.  When your home is a vacation spot in itself there is no way you won’t be able to relax and enjoy some downtime.

This is one reason that working with a professional real estate agent that specializes in recreational living when searching for a new home.  The process is simplified when you choose to work with a local real estate company that is known for offering homes for sale that focus on recreational real estate.  Nothing is more important to a realtor than finding a property that exceeds your expectations as quickly as possible without going over your budget.

This is never more important than when looking to relocate to an unfamiliar location.  It is often impossible to know what is available outside of the area you are currently living in without the help of a professional realtor.  The key to finding a home that matches your lifestyle, level of adventure, family’s needs, and is affordable is possible with the right real estate agents right beside you.

Don’t be afraid to allow your realtor a little freedom to look a little bit outside of your original scope.  An experienced real estate agent often knows more of what you really are looking for in a home than you do; especially if they have spent a few weeks going in and out of different homes with you.  Communication between the buyer and the realtor is a key element in each and every real estate transaction.

Learn more about C21 Lady of the Lakes Realtors and the numerous services they offer including: buying a new home, selling a home, or renting a home at www.ladyofthelakes.com.  To contact one of our real estate agents call 734-426-6060 today.

Choosing a Realtor

Finding a local realtor to work with when buying or selling a home can be quite a challenge but not impossible.  Finding a professional real estate agent that is attentive to your wants and needs is important.  This is especially true when looking into a home that fits into your recreational life style such as on a lake or a golf course.  Working with a local realtor that knows the area you are looking in is always a bonus.  This will allow you to focus less on navigating and more on day dreaming of your new home.

The most important thing a buyer can do before meeting with a real estate agent is to meet with a lender to get prequalified.  This will give the agent a starting pointing in determining if they will be able to get you the home of your dreams within your budget.  If it is going to prove to be an unrealistic goal then they can help you by showing you what type of homes around the area are within your budget.

Realtors have access to an interactive database of homes that allows then immediate access to homes that become available on the market.  Many times relationships between different realtors and agencies within the community will share information on homes that are going to become available even before they are on the market.  Finding a realtor with the inside scoop on homes within the area you are seeking is invaluable.

Sellers meeting with agents for the first time should ensure they are prepared with key information like when updates to the home were performed, recent upgrades, and financial information in regards to the mortgage pay off, taxes, and such.   The goal for an agent selling a home is to market your home and give you ideas how to increase the value or how to arrange the home in a better manner to draw more attention to areas that are important.

A good realtor will start talking about and drawing interest to your home the minute they know you are interested in selling.  This will help draw attention to your home.  Finding a buyer for your home without having to waste time listing and showing it day after day is every realtor and sellers dream.  The amount of stress that goes along with keeping your home in shape to show it at a moment’s notice can be quite overwhelming after a few weeks.

No matter if you are looking to buy or sell finding a professional real estate agent that understands your end goal is invaluable.  It is important to work directly with an agent that you can easily communicate with during both processes.   This allows the entire process to proceed seamlessly and with any luck quickly.

Learn more about C21 Lady of the Lakes Realtors and the numerous services they offer including: buying a new home, selling a home, or renting a home at www.ladyofthelakes.com.  To contact one of our real estate agents call call 734-426-6060 today.

The Final Steps To Buying Your New Home

After you have gotten your financial house in order, met with a realtor and narrowed down your objectives it is time for the fun part of buying a home.  It is time to sort through the list of inventory available that meet your criteria and actually start to scope houses out.  Your realtor will get a list of homes currently on the market for sale with your objectives in mind and the process of finding the perfect home will begin.

Your realtor will begin showing you houses that meet the criteria.  These homes will be homes that have most everything you are looking for, in your price range while staying in the area that you are hoping to purchase in.  When looking at these homes keep a detailed log of each home. Bring a camera along to document the good and bad points in all of the homes you are seeing.  It can become overwhelming to keep track of everything if you don’t document it somehow along the way.  The first day out is especially taxing; there is so much to consider.

If you have exhausted the list of homes that met your criteria but aren’t meeting your expectations it may be time to reevaluate.  This happens more often that one would think in buying a home.  At first you make think it is so important to have a lake front home however when searching lakefront homes you realize what is really important is land.  To find land and a lakefront might take time; time might not be an option for you.  Priorities change when you are actually exploring different homes.

Make sure that you keep open lines of communication with your realtor.  If the real estate that you are being shown is in the not what you had envisioned you need to tell your agent sooner rather than later.  It is a waste of your valuable time to be shown homes that you are totally not interested in.  This also may be the time when you start doing driving by the property before your realtor sets up viewings.

Before you know you have found the home of your dreams!  Now comes the part that most home buyers and sellers for that matter dread; the offer and acceptance process.  Thankfully real estate professionals are there to guide you through this process.  This process goes much smoother if both the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent work with their clients on bring reasonable demands and expectations to the table.

After your offer has been accepted you move on to the final steps in the home buying process; inspection, title, appraisal, insurance, escrow and closing.  The final step moves fairly quick as you are preparing to move, setting up utilities and handling all the unexpected events that come with buying a home.  A lot of the final steps are behind the scene and won’t involve a lot of input from you as the buyer.  Your agent and mortgage lender will handle many little details in order to make the transition of ownership easier.  Before you know it you will have the keys to your new home in your hand and will be knee deep in excitement making your new home yours!

Lake and Land Real Estate is Livingston County’s premiere realtor out of Pinckney, Michigan serving homes that provide a recreational lifestyle including golf courses, lakes and the Huron river chain of lakes, throughout Hamburg, Pinckney and Howell. Information can be found at http://www.lakelandmi.com/buyers-resources.php