How to Determine a Budget for Buying a House

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Whether it’s your first or fifth time buying a house, the process is generally the same. It can be exciting when you are finally in the market for an upgrade and it seems like the possibilities are endless. But there are a lot of important pieces that go into buying a house, and one of the most important ones is determining a budget. A big mistake that some homebuyers make is not being realistic with what they can afford.

Debt to Income Ratio

If you are applying for a home loan, banks will look at your DTI, otherwise known as your debt to income ratio. A DTI considers the ratio of your total monthly debt and your pre-taxed monthly income. Some lenders might say you qualify for a high debt to income ratio, but many experts recommend not to exceed 36%. The 36% limit allows for a cushion in case something unfortunate happens and you are temporarily not bringing in income.

Affordability

When looking at affordability, you want to start by tracking all your monthly debts, including various types of loans such as your car or schooling. You will also need to consider your household income. If you are planning on purchasing a home with someone, you both should determine how your mortgage will be paid.  Next, you need to ensure that you have enough money in your savings account to cover a complete down payment and at least 3 months of housing payments. In case something happens, you want to make sure you have enough to pay your mortgage and various expenses. Read more

The Benefits of Hiring a Real Estate Agent to Help Sell Your Home

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You might be in the market to sell your home and are debating whether you want to hire a real estate agent. There are plenty of people who choose to sell their homes on their own, and they can be quite successful. However, there are many benefits to hiring a real estate agent to help you with the home-selling process.

Experience

Chances are, this is your first or second time selling a house. A real estate agent has education and sometimes years of experience in house selling, and this can be of use to you. An agent will be able to filter through serious buyers and people who only want to tour houses. Also, it’ll be their job to take the weight off your shoulders when it comes to the technical side of house selling. The amount of paperwork that goes into selling can be very extensive, so having an agent to take care of it is something you should take advantage of.

Knowledge

Real estate agents are well versed in the housing market. They will be able to guide you through financials and how much homes are selling for. Agents will also be able to provide information about your neighborhood and its statistics. Real estate agents know to take note of school information, crime rates, recent foreclosures, and demographics. These factors can affect the process of selling your house, so it is best to have someone there who is educated.

Negotiating

When someone is interested in your house, they might come to you with conditions or a price that might not be what you are looking for. A real estate agent can act like a buffer between you and the buyer and negotiate terms that are fair for both parties. Another benefit to hiring an agent is that all the negotiating will be done through them with full confidentiality.

Selling your home with the help of a real estate agent is worth the money and will prove to be of great help to you. Don’t be afraid to be picky when it comes to who you hire to help sell your house. You can reach out to us for help finding a real estate agent that suits your needs!

Help! I Want to Buy and Sell Simultaneously

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Buying a new home and selling your current home are both complex and time-consuming processes. So what happens if you want to do them both at the same time? As long as you have the right guidance from an experienced real estate agent, you can sell your home and buy a new one simultaneously. Here are the tips and tricks you need to know.

First, Study Your Local Market

According to Forbes, 2019 is the most important year for housing in 10 years. That’s a bold statement that can work well in your favor! Thanks to population growth and job growth, more people are searching for homes than ever before. This puts you in a great position to sell your current home. Low supply and high demand will allow you demand your full asking price.

On the other hand, this trend could make finding your new dream home more challenging. Start your search early, and don’t hesitate to make an offer.

Make a Schedule

Will you buy first, and then try to sell? Sell first and trust that you can buy quickly? Each plan has its own benefits and drawbacks. The ultimate decision should be based on your finances. If affording a second mortgage, even for a few months, is unrealistic, then work to sell your home first. If your budget isn’t an issue, talk to your real estate agent for guidance. Read more

How Do Great Real Estate Agents Succeed?

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Have you watched in awe as other real estate agents have closed deal after deal after deal? You can be one of the top performers too, as long as you know the secrets that great real estate agents use to succeed. Give the following habits a try; they may just help you meet and surpass your goals this New Year.

Make Technology Your Advocate

There’s virtually no end to the potential uses of technology in your real estate practices. If that feels overwhelming, you don’t need to pressure yourself into becoming a master of every social media platform of Android app out there, but you do need to strategically use the best technologies available.

The sad truth is that texting and email – once the ultimate advancements in real estate – are no longer enough! Start by selecting a social media platform and building a following. You may choose Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other popular site. Post live tours, new listings, contests, fun facts, local events, and other interesting posts to keep your followers coming back for more.

You can also try to master a brokerage CRM or download helpful apps onto your phone. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it’s okay if it takes you all of 2019 to feel comfortable with some of the newer tech tools. It’s better than standing still in the dark ages!

Embrace Your Local Area

You should always be in tune with the pulse of the neighborhoods in your local area. Beyond just understanding the real estate market values, you should become an expert on the best schools, restaurants, amenities, and subdivisions in your target areas. It’s also helpful to appreciate the issues of your area as well in order to address them for concerned buyers and sellers. In essence, you want to become a walking, talking encyclopedia about your region. This will help you exude confidence and competence that customers will be drawn to. Read more

Can You Sell Your Home Quickly in the Winter?

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Conventional wisdom tells you to sell your home in the spring or summer, but that doesn’t mean selling in the winter will be a disaster. In fact, selling your home during the holidays can actually be a wild success. Use these tips to guide yourself through a surprisingly easy and hassle-free winter home sale.

Enjoy Less Competition

It’s no secret that the spring real estate market is bursting with properties, many of which may be located right around the corner from your home. Rather than facing the competition of their beautiful inground pool or three-car garage, you can sell in the winter when your home will be one of the few on the market in your area. Homeowners will find you easier, and you may even have your choice of offers and buyers!

Stage Your Home With Some Holiday Magic

Nothing makes for a more inviting indoor atmosphere than the holiday season. Take advantage of the magic of the holidays by putting candles in the windows, lighting the fireplace, and making your kitchen smell like freshly baked gingerbread. Potential buyers will definitely remember your property and the welcoming, inviting environment you created. They will want that sense of home for themselves!

The Internet Is a Powerful Weapon Year Round

It might be winter outside your window, but the Internet has no seasons. In fact, if anything, buyers are even more likely to browse online listings in the winter when it’s too chilly to venture outside. You can trust that your real estate listing will receive plenty of views throughout the winter. Read more

The Sneaky Title Defects That Could Threaten Your Home Ownership

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The real estate market is one of the backbones of the American economy, but every transaction is vulnerable to some level of risk. This is why title insurance has existed for more than 125 years to protect home buyers and lenders alike.

Title insurance is a simple insurance policy that exists in two forms. If you are the buyer of a real estate property, title insurance protects your investment in the unlikely scenario that a title defect is discovered after your sale. Title insurance also covers the institution providing the buyer’s mortgage loan for the same reason.

Most home buyers are surprised to learn that the title of their home might not be free and clear. The following three title defects are a few of the problems that could threaten your newly purchased home without title insurance.

Unknown Liens

Lien is a claim that can be placed on a home in response to money owed by the homeowners. It serves as a legal notice that the home cannot be sold until the debt is resolved. Mortgage companies don’t offer financing until all liens are cleared from a property. Liens are typically uncovered before a home is sold, but it’s possible for an unknown lien to be discovered after you’ve already purchased your new dream home. Without title insurance, you would risk losing your home due to a lien you never caused. Read more

How to Generate Buzz For Your New Listings

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A beautiful listing is nice to admire, but it won’t help you sell a home unless it generates buzz and captures the attention of nearby homeowners-to-be. In a world saturated with marketing ploys and advertisements, it can feel challenging to create enough buzz for your listings. These tips will help you make the most of each listing you create and close deals like a pro.

Use Social Media For All It’s Worth

Social media is a powerful tool when used the right way. You can leverage so much more than just your own profile to spread word about your new listing:

  • Create a post and pay to “boost” it to your local community. It only takes $20 or $30 to make sure you ad is seen by thousands of hopeful homeowners.
  • Create and post a video tour of the new home – you can even use Facebook Live to give an exclusive “First Look” that gathers extra viewers
  • Join local groups that are most likely to discuss, post, and search for real estate, and use the forum to offer your new listing as the exciting opportunity it is.

Read more

4 Excellent Social Media Tips For Real Estate Agents

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Whether you love it or hate it, social media has become an absolutely essential platform for real estate agents. The Internet has transformed the home buying process, with 94% of younger generations and 84% of baby boomers using online sites and tools to search for their future homes. Use the following social media tips to make sure you are properly capitalizing on this steadily growing wave of Internet power.

Add Services and Reviews

Facebook makes it possible to add descriptions of the different services that you offer as a realtor. This might include a free buyer consultation or a free market valuation for sellers. Emphasize your best services as well as the services most likely to attract new customers. These will be featured on your social media profile for any visitors looking to learn more about you.

The same goes for reviews. Ask past clients for reviews of your services and make sure you have permission to post them publicly. These testimonials will speak for themselves and help potential clients identify you as a trustworthy, reliable, and knowledgeable local real estate agent.

Participate in Local Groups

Social media houses countless groups for just about every purpose in your local area. Join groups that have the potential to be relevant to real estate – like swap groups, neighborhood chat groups, and local events groups. Participate in the discussions to publicize your name and capitalize on any opportunity to subtly advertise one of your properties. Read more

Title Insurance: What You Need to Know

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We all know the purposes of health and life insurance, but what about title insurance? When buying or selling a home, title insurance is an important factor that shouldn’t be overlooked. In fact, it is an essential component of the home buying process thanks to the protections that it provides. Here’s everything you need to know to be an informed buyer.

Title Insurance Guarantees Your Home Is Actually Yours

A home cannot be transferred into your name without a clear title. The title is a document that grants you ownership to the land and the rights to modify or transfer what you own. Unfortunately, the process of passing the home’s title from owner to owner can get complicated.

There is always a chance that your seller actually lacks free and clear ownership of the house and property. If you unknowingly purchase a home that does not have a clear title, you could lose everything, including your investment and the home itself. Title insurance is a form of indemnity insurance that prevents this nightmare from happening to you. Read more

Realtor Safety 101: What to Do to Keep Yourself Safe During Showings

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When asked to list dangerous jobs, most people would list law enforcement or construction, but any buyer’s or seller’s agent knows that there is plenty of danger in the real estate field as well. Since agents commonly need to meet strangers in empty, isolated homes at unconventional hours to host showings, the potential for an attack should always be taken seriously.

If you are a real estate agent yourself, use the following tips to keep yourself as safe as possible during showings.

Always Meet in the Office First

Even in broad daylight on a busy street, it’s not the best idea to meet a total stranger for a showing in an unfamiliar home. Always meet clients in your office first. This gives you an opportunity to learn more about your client and identify any suspicious or threatening behaviors. Read more