Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Category: Tips for Buyers & Sellers

  • How to Spot a Good Real Estate Agent

    If you are looking to purchase a home or sell a real estate property, having a skilled and experienced agent is essential. It can sometimes be hard to find; relying solely on online reviews and testimonials will only tell you half the story. Consider the following tips to unveil an accurate representation of potential real estate agents.

    Ask friends/family for referrals

    Referrals are an excellent way to reveal the quality of services offered by a real estate agent. Ask your friends and family for referrals and ask why they recommend that particular agent. This will provide you with detailed information, which can be used to determine whether a specific real estate agent is suited to help reach your real estate goals.

    Read online reviews/testimonials

    The internet is a great place to evaluate the quality of potential real estate agents. Many real estate agents share client testimonials on their website, whereas others share them on social media platforms. These testimonials, however, are unlikely to disclose any negative feedback.  To ensure you have an accurate representation of a real estate agent, conduct an online search for user-submitted reviews and testimonials. You must collect the pros and cons of the services offered based on unedited experiences.

    Look for a real estate agent with thorough knowledge of the neighborhood

    Neighborhood knowledge is a valuable asset. The more a real estate agent knows about an area, the better. Your real estate agent should be highly knowledgeable about the area you’re selling or buying in to ensure your goals are met efficiently and effectively.

    Interview multiple agents

    Once you have a collection of potential real estate agents, conduct interviews to narrow in on the specifics of each.  There are various techniques real estate agents use to help clients buy or sell a home, as well as different levels and areas of expertise. These can include the number of years in the industry and communication styles. It’s crucial to find a real estate agent who aligns with your personal goals and preferences to ensure a successful experience.

    Realistic recommendations and pricing for sellers

    No real estate agent should suggest that you list your house at the highest price without first considering key factors. When selling your home, get listing presentations from at least three separate agents. They will be able to tell you how much similar homes have sold for within the area, how long they took to sell, and other valuable information and recommendations that are well calculated. Listing a price too high will result in it taking much longer to sell, or worse, buyers may not even look at it. The longer a house sits on the market, the more people will start to think something is wrong with it.  Always select a real estate agent who provides realistic recommendations and listing prices.

    Look for a REALTOR®

    When beginning your search, know the difference between a real estate agent and a REALTOR®. A real estate agent is someone who has taken classes and/or passed the licensing test for their state.  REALTORS® are members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The requirements to join this prestigious professional organization involve more than just being licensed and active in the industry. REALTORS® follow a strict code of ethics. Once you have identified a real estate agent you like, check to make sure they are a REALTOR®, simply search their name on and area served on realtor.com.

     

    The success of your investment depends greatly on the real estate agent you choose. Follow these guidelines to narrow down your search for a real estate agent who will help you navigate your home buying or selling process with ease.

  • Top 5 Home Improvements That Increase Your Home’s Value

    With all the home improvement ideas out there, discovering the ones that’ll increase your return on investment can be difficult. The bathroom and kitchen are the hubs of the home and improving these will instantly add value to your property. These two areas are always an excellent place to start your home improvements. However, if your kitchen and bathroom already look great and are in excellent condition, there’s no reason to disturb their aesthetics. Instead, implement these five budget-friendly home improvements throughout your home to boost your home’s value.

    Hardwood flooring

    Updating the floors is one of the best home improvements you can do to increase your home’s value. However, you don’t have to tear apart the entire house to receive these benefits. Instead, focus on larger and/or weathered areas to highlight your home improvements. Replacing old carpet or tile with modern options, such as hardwood or mosaics, will bring an immediate rise in property value.

    • Refinish hardwood floors for a cost-effective home improvement

    Update fixtures

    Some of the best home improvements can be done throughout your entire house without having to tear or rip anything apart. Old fixtures can be found in every room, including light fixtures, door handles, faucets, and cabinet knobs.  Although small, if the fixtures are worn and dated, they can negatively affect the entire appeal of your home. It’s a small, yet incredibly effective update.

    • Replace old fixtures with modern options to receive an immediate increase in your home’s value

    Revamp old cabinets

    Another home improvement tip for one of the most important rooms in the house is to revamp old cabinets. This doesn’t have to be restricted just to the kitchen. If the cabinets in your bathroom or even dressers in the bedrooms are worn, give them a paint job or re-stain them. It’s a quick fix that is also affordable and will increase the value of your home.

    • Re-stain or repaint cabinets, drawers and dressers

    Enhance curb appeal

    The exterior of your home should not be forgotten when executing home improvements to increase the value. When you decide to list your home, it’s the first thing prospective buyers will see. It takes a second for an initial impression to be made and you want to ensure your curb appeal entices offers instead of repelling them.

    Invest in some new plants, flowers and maintain your front lawn. Analyze the exterior of the home and tackle any repairs that contribute to the overall curb appeal, such as a cracked driveway, crooked fence, chipped paint, etc.

    • By addressing the curb appeal, you’ll bring in more offers at a higher value.

    Make it energy efficient

    Prospective buyers are interesting in buying a home that’s affordable beyond the mortgage. Cold drafts coming through the windows, poor electrical, outdated fixtures and incandescent lights will drive buyers away due to the extra cost of living.

    Spend time to upgrade various features of your home to embrace an energy efficient lifestyle. Trade out incandescent lights for LED, reseal windows, replace old weather stripping, and fix the leaking tap. Instantly, prospective buyers will see your home as being more affordable than the others.

    Focus on these five elements that prospective buyers favor when purchasing a new home.

  • 5 Tips on How You Can Survive a Seller’s Market

    Searching for the perfect home can be challenging, regardless of the market, and even more so when it’s a seller’s market. It can feel like you’re constantly hitting roadblocks and meeting dead ends, as the sellers are in full control.  However, all you need is a bit of momentum, encouragement, and these five tips from our Ask a Pro expert Karlton Utter to survive a seller’s market and find your perfect home:

    1. Come to the Table Prepared with a Prequalified Loan

    Be fully prepared with a prequalified loan as soon as possible. Obtaining a prequalified mortgage shows sellers that you are a serious buyer who is able to meet your end of the sale to close the deal. This puts you on an entirely new playing field, with a little more control than what you would have had without a prequalified mortgage.

    2. Be Taken Seriously by Bringing all the Paperwork

    Show the sellers that you’re not kidding around. In a seller’s market, it’s important to show them that you mean business and that you and your offer should be taken seriously. Show up to the table with not only a prequalified loan but with all the paperwork that supports the proof of funds, such as an approval letter from the lender. Actions speak louder than words, and this will definitely entice the seller to work with you!

    3. Be Flexible and Discuss Compromising

    In a dry market, it’s important to remain flexible. Placing too many limitations on the real estate market will make it even more challenging to find a home. Widen your horizon within the real estate market, as this could introduce you to new homes that you would have never seen otherwise. Being more flexible can also make the process of buying a home easier. If you are hesitant to look outside of your pre-determined boundaries, it’s important to consider compromising. You may be required to give something up – such as a desired feature in a home – just to stay within the area you’re set on. Sometimes by compromising a little, you could have it all and possibly for less.

    4. Be Readily Available to Sellers as Much as Possible

    With so many buyers looking for homes, timing is essential. It’s important to remain readily available and open for communication with your sellers, and be prepared to make a move on an offer at a moment’s notice. Make it a goal to respond quickly and follow up on requests – or just follow up to get updates if you have not heard back. Communication is not only important for timing, but it also builds rapport with your seller. This can make the difference in getting the offer and property that you want.

    5. Don’t Play Hard to Get

    Now is not the time to play hardball. A seller’s market leaves very little control to you as a homebuyer. As such, you need to be willing to follow the seller’s lead, as opposed to challenging it with bullheaded negotiation tactics that work in other situations. Limit the contingencies, make a bold offer and if the sellers make a counter offer, proceed carefully by negotiating from there.

    With the proper approach, you can find your ideal home – at your ideal price – even in a seller’s market.

  • Planning an Affordable Wedding (So You Can Buy Your First Home)

    With many new couples looking to buy a home as soon as possible, knowing how to plan an affordable wedding is a valuable skill. After all, if you’re spending on elaborate centerpieces, expensive venues, and high-end catered food, you won’t have as much left over to put towards a down payment when buying your first home later. The good news is you don’t have to sacrifice your dream day just to have funds for your dream house. You just have to know the amazing wedding planning tips that are finance-friendly. So, start planning your big day with these wedding tips, and don’t forget that you and your partner will also have an incredible future together that you want to be able to invest in.

     

    Planning an Affordable Wedding (So You Can Buy Your First Home) - bhgrelife.comCut the Guest List

    If you have a large family, cutting the guest list may not be a plausible option. However, cutting the list is worth considering, especially if you haven’t seen your great uncle since you were three years old. Be realistic about with whom you truly want to share this special day. A smaller wedding can be much more personable and special.

  • Top 5 Fixes to Sell Your Home

    No one wants to spend money on a home they aren’t going to be living in, so when it comes time to prep your house for the market, you may wonder what kind of fixes will bring the most value to your home without breaking the bank. Consider making these five fixes to help your property sell.

    Top 5 Fixes to Sell Your Home - bhgrelife.com1. Paint the walls

    A bucket of paint doesn’t have to break the bank, and can make a world of difference. Tone down any vibrant wall colors and spruce up the other walls with a fresh coat of neutral paint. Avoid any tones that are intense and dark to ensure that your home appeals to the widest range of people.

  • 10 Tips for First-time Home Buyers

    After months – maybe years – of preparation, you’ve decided to finally go for it and purchase your first home. Congratulations! This is a very exciting time for you, but it is important to never let the anticipation of being a first-time home buyer get in the way of making crucial decisions in the buying process. Although purchasing your first home is an amazing experience, it can also come with some challenges. With some tips and first-time buyer knowledge, the task can be less daunting and all the more exciting.

    10 Tips for First-time Home Buyers - bhgrelife.com

    1. Determine your budget

    The very first thing every first-time home buyer needs to determine is what he or she can afford. That will make your search significantly more effective. When calculating your budget, include all additional costs, such as insurance premiums, homeowners insurance, property taxes, HOA fees (if applicable), etc. Once you have determined your budget, you will know which homes are within your reach.

    2. Determine where you stand with lenders

    To make the buying process easier, know where you stand with lenders. If you have a credit score of 720 or above, you can shop around for a loan with the lowest interest rate. However, if you have a lower credit score, you may be restricted to higher rates. There are still many promising options available, but this could certainly increase your budget.

    3. Consider cost-saving moves

    As a first-time buyer, you want to get as much bang for your buck. There are several potentially cost-saving moves you may be interested in. Look for properties that are in foreclosure, or shop in neighborhoods with a high number of properties for sale to get the highest value for your dollar.

  • 5 Things to Look for During a Listing Presentation

    When it comes time to sell your home, it is crucial to find a real estate agent who you trust will get the job done effectively and efficiently. Take the time do your research, and narrow in on some real estate agents that truly appeal to you. The more agents you meet, the better informed you will be about the process of selling your home. Then you can schedule a listing presentation with those you’ve selected. A listing presentation is essentially an interview with the real estate agent so you can gain a better understanding of their personality, skillset, experience and industry knowledge. There are some key things to look for that can help you choose the best agent for your house and needs.

    5 Things to Look for During a Listing Presentation - bhgrelife.com1. Experience

    Experience is by far one of the most important things to look at during a listing presentation. However, that’s not to say that new real estate agents can’t do the job for you, and in this case, you want to consider their background within the industry, such as education and certifications. If you are meeting with an experienced real estate agent, review their records of sales to see if they are familiar and successful with the type of property you’re listing. You also want to see if they are familiar with your area, as this can be a huge selling factor.

  • Top 10 Staging Tips for Your Home

    The key to staging your home is to take a look at it from an outside perspective and view this as an investment: staging is a huge selling factor when it comes to putting your home on the market. It can greatly assist you in selling quickly and at your asking price. Although clearing out your memorabilia and personal touches can be a daunting task, it is incredibly important to prepare your house for selling. Your home needs to appeal to a broad range of people within the target market. So, once you’re ready, these tips will help you stage your home to perfection:

    Top 10 Staging Tips for Your Home - bhgrelife.com1. Enhance the Curb Appeal

    First impressions are everything, and it will take a split second for potential buyers to form an opinion of your home and to determine whether it is for them or not. Although your house may be stunning on the inside, with all the best features, if the exterior doesn’t reflect this, potential buyers may skip the opportunity to check out the interior. Enhance the curb appeal with some TLC. Power wash siding and walkways, keep windows clean, maintain the landscape and repaint where needed.