FAQ

First impressions matter in business, but especially in real estate. Anyone walking through a house or touring it virtually will be looking for ways to pass or negotiate down on the price. We help clients make sure that the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical system all work properly. Each room should look clean and decluttered with no overt damage insight.

Getting a pre-sale home inspected is never a bad idea, especially to get you the best price for your home. Some homebuyers will feel uncomfortable purchasing a house without seeing a home inspection. Many will often hire their own inspector. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Once the house is on the market, it may take anywhere from four to six weeks to sell. However, if the market is fairly hot, a seller could see their house off the market within a week. On the flip side, if there is a lull in the market or issues arise such as negotiation, lack of exposure, or house conditions then the property can sit on the market for months.

The selling price of a house fluctuates depending on multiple factors. The most common ones are the neighborhood and what similar-sized houses are currently selling for. Also, look at the age and condition. Do major repairs need to be done? If so, that might lower the property. And again, the market matters. Like everything else, home prices vary depending on supply and demand. My job as a Realtor is to best inform you about these different factors and accurately list your house.

A public tax assessor gives the assessed value for a property. This assessment typically occurs yearly for taxation purposes. The fair market value is an agreed-upon price between a willing buyer and seller. There is usually a difference between the assessed value and market value. For homeowners, the assessed value is a double-edged sword. Because, if your annual assessed value increased then your yearly taxes will also be raised. On the flip side, when selling a house it can help boost its market value.

In a real estate transaction, the agent is usually paid by the seller via commission as opposed to a flat free. Typically, a real estate commission fee is 5–6% of the home’s final sale price. In many cases, both the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent split the commission fee 50/50. Both receiving 2.5–3%. Also, know that some real estate agencies will work at a discounted rate of around 3% or for a flat service fee. The discounted rate and flat fee can be cheaper, but can also result in a lower quality of service.

Yes, almost everything in real estate is negotiable. Typically, there is a difference between a home’s list price and how much it actually sells for. The current market’s saturation will determine how much wiggle room there is for negotiation.

The absolute first step is to get approved for a mortgage. Without being approved for a mortgage it will be quite difficult, if not impossible, to purchase a new home. We can guide you to a reputable mortgage lender and advisor that we trust.

The answer primarily depends on one’s funds and ability to find temporary housing. If you need more equity to purchase a new home or meet a mortgage plan, then it is best to sell one’s current home before purchasing your next one. That being said, you will most likely need temporary housing at a friend or relatives, or by arranging a short-term rental elsewhere.

Yes. A home inspection is one of the most vital steps when purchasing a property. A professional inspector has a keen eye for how well the house has been taken care of. The inspectors can comment on structural and cosmetic issues, along with any local code issues. Moreover, a home inspector will help you better determine the home’s value.

A final walk-through is not required but highly recommended. Final walk-throughs give buyers a chance to make sure nothing has changed since their initial inspection or previous visits. Also, if repairs were requested as part of the sale offer then a follow-up visit ensures all repairs are done according to the agreement and contract.

Earnest money is similar to a deposit when renting a place. It is made in good faith to demonstrate to the seller that the buyer’s offer is legitimate. As a real estate agent, you should ask your client for the earnest money as a deposit in the form of a check or cash. The amount is usually 1-2% of the selling price and essentially takes the property off the market. The money also gives the buyer extra time to conduct a title search, get an inspection and property appraisal, and financing.

You can now see houses online by taking virtual tours or seeing detailed photographs. We can help by giving you access to our online systems so that you can view as many properties as you desire. Once a list is narrowed down, we can visit the properties with you or on your behalf.

If you get cold feet about a property that is okay. Sometimes, buyers have second thoughts or want to go in a different direction. Know that you will have to forfeit the earnest money, which again, is around 1–2% of the home’s sale price.

A mortgage is a type of loan to finance a property. The majority of people are not wealthy enough to purchase a house in total. Thus, a mortgage serves as a secure loan that comes with a fixed interest rate and gets paid off over 15 or 30 years. If need be, you can refinance your mortgage and payments in the future.

An escrow is a term that refers to a neutral third party hired to handle the exchange of money, property transaction, and related documents. The escrow holds the money and documents in a trust until all terms and conditions of the sale are satisfied. When depositing the earnest money, it is wise to use an escrow account.