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Thursday, September 15, 2011

Increase Your Home's Curb Appeal

Chances are that the person who ends up buying your home will drive by at least once when making the decision. It is a fact that making your home as appealing as possible upon first glance will shorten the amount of time it is on the market.

Entrance

It is very important that your home be easy for potential buyers to find, so make sure the house numbers are easy to see from the street. Have an objective person approach your door to see things you might not notice.

      - Does the door need to be painted or replaced?
      - Is there a polished doorknocker or working doorbell?
      - Are the railings secure and sturdy lookin?

These intial impressions can help any interested buyers make their decision.

A clean and neat exterior will let the potential buyer know that you have kept the house in good repair. Hire a window washing service to professionally clean windows and clear away cobwebs and debris.

Siding, Roofing and Gutters

A main concern for most home buyers is the condition of the roof. No one wants to buy a house that might need a costly new roof in only a few months. Hiring a home inspector will help identify potential problems, like leaky roofing, that could interfere with the sale.

Additionall, the paint or siding on your home should be in good shape and not peeling or chipping. Walk around your house and make a list of any areas in need of repair. Arrange to have these items fixed well before listing your home. Loose gutters, missing roofing shingles and chipped paint will leave potential buyers wondering how well the house has been cared for, and they could lower the offer you receive for your home.

Plants, Yard and Decorations

Potted plants and a few decorative items will add some character to your home's exterior, and help make your home pleasing to visitors. Well-tended flowerbeds and neatly pruned bushes and trees will also give a positive impression.

Grass that is burned, overgrown or imbedded with weeds will not be appealing to most homebuyers. A professional lawn service can help remedy unhealthy grass or can lay new sod for an instantly perfect lawn. If you have children, make sure their toys are neatly stored, rather than strewn across the yard. The same goes for gardening equipment.

Last Minute Tips

Remember that potential buyers will also drive by at night. A well-lit exterior will make your home look welcoming and lived-in from the street. Leave a few lights on inside the house to give a warm glow from the exterior.

Lastly, if your agent is showing your home to potential buyers, quickly sweep the steps and walkway and move garbage cans to an area where they are not easily seen. Hopefully these steps will help you with a quick and easy sale of your home.

--Tips courtesy of Service Magic


Source:: Real Estate Agent.com


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Tuesday, August 30, 2011

The Dos and Don'ts of Buying a New Home

The thought of finally having your own home and not having to worry about throwing your money away on rent each month can be very exciting. Of course, before you get too enamored with the idea of becoming a homeowner, you need to temper that excitement with rational thinking. The following dos and don’ts can help buyers such as you save some money and be happier in the long run.

The Dos

Credit Check-Up: Even before you start your search for your home in earnest, you need to check your own credit and pull if from the three credit bureaus. You can get the information free of charge, and it won’t damage your credit. Rather than just looking at the credit score, you need to check and see if there are any mistakes. You will also want to know check for bankruptcies, tax liens, and judgments. If you notice any problems on your report, challenge them and make sure that the corrections show up on all three bureau reports.  If you have questions about items on your credit report ask us for help as we have years of experience dealing with these sort of issues.

Pre-Qualify: Once you know that your credit is in order, you need to know how much house you are able to afford, and this means contacting a mortgage company to get pre-qualified. Just because you might be able to get a loan for a large sum of money doesn’t always mean that you are going to be able to afford the home. You need to make sure that you will still be able to have enough money left over after paying the mortgage each month so you can pay all of your other bills and still live comfortably. : Be Realistic: When choosing your home, make sure that you are living within your means. You might not need to have a house as big as the one that you’ve been looking at. It might be a better move financially to choose a smaller home that fits your current needs. It will almost certainly be closer to your budget as well. When choosing a home, consider the location in regards to schools and your commute.

The Don'ts
There is a long list of “don’ts” when it comes to buying a home, but these are 2 of the most common ones we see:

Take on A New Debt: Don’t buy anything large right before you buy a house unless you are paying in cash. If you buy a car and have a large car loan, it can make getting a loan for a home more difficult.

Quit Your Job: While many people dream of owning their own business, wait until AFTER you buy a home to do so if you are in the market.  If you are newly self-employed, you may have to wait a few years before trying to get a mortgage loan. During those first couple years of self-employment, it can be difficult to qualify for a home loan.

Tips For Choosing The Right Mortgage Lender

If you are getting ready to purchase a home, or are trying to refinance your loan, you need to make sure that you are working with the best mortgage lender. That means finding a lender who will get you a great rate, but will also make sure that you understand the process and important paperwork involved with your new loan with the least amount of stress. With so many changes happening in the industry and the sheer number of lenders available, it can be difficult to know if you are choosing the right one.  Here is our guide to choosing the right mortgage lender.

Tip #1:  Ask Lots of Questions
The best thing you can do in the beginning is ask questions. Understand what the fees are, and if you feel as though the lender is being dishonest or not answering the questions to your satisfaction, you should probably move on to a new lender.

Tip #2:  Be Honest About Your Situation
You also need to be honest with the lender when it comes to anything that could affect your chances of getting a loan through them. It is much better to be honest with them and see if there is a way that they can help you work around the problem. As you are researching the lender, check to see what other options they have. Many lenders today have several different mortgage options and ways of helping people qualify for the loans they need.

Tip #3:  Check Their Rates
One of the most important things to consider choosing the right lender is the rates. Check the rates of several different companies so you will be able to find the one that offers the most competitive rates. Those who have trouble with their credit will likely find that the rates they have to pay are going to be higher, but should still be able to find a lender.

Tip #4:  Consider Their Experience
While experience isn’t the most important thing, it can be very important especially in today’s complex world.  Mortgage companies who have survived and prospered through the last few years should have good experience in the industry and can use that knowledge and expertise to make sure you are getting the best loan.

Tip #5:  Look For Testimonials
You can check sites on the web to learn about them, or you can talk to friends and family and see if they have recommendations. If someone you know had a great and easy experience buying their house recently, ask them if they wouldn’t mind sharing the name of the lender. It can help reduce a lot of the work you would normally have to do on your search!

Source:Stephanie Weeks-NOLA Lending

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Real Estate Contracts >Selling Before Buying Timing can sometimes be difficult if you have to sell a home before you can buy another one. Most people need the equity from the sale of their first home for the down payment on the new house. If your present home goes on the market first, you may be concerned that it will sell before you find the one you want to buy. On the other hand, if you find the perfect home before your present home is under contract, the sellers may be reluctant to accept your offer, and you may be too nervous to sign a contract. It is a good idea to sit down with a good real estate agent for some professional advice before you begin your search. It will probably be necessary to be flexible on the closing date, because it can be easier to find a home that you want to buy than to sell your present home. After finding the house you want, you can ask the lender about arranging a short-term bridge loan that can make the purchase possible before you sell your current residence. See All Tips In The "Real Estate Contracts" Category > See Complete Library Of Hundreds Of Tips In 30+ Categories >

Q  What is the oldest U.S. capitol in which a state legislature still meets in its original chambers? A  New Hampshire's State House See More Real Estate Trivia >

Kim Higgins, Realtor, ABR, e-PRO Keller Williams Realty Services 1522 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville LA 70471 USA Each Office Is Independently Owned & Operated. Licensed Realtor In Louisiana. Direct Cell: 985-705-1910 Personal Office: 985-727-7166 Main Office: 985-727-7000 Fax: 985-727-7001 Email: kimhiggins@kw.com LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE...I Do! Real Estate is my profession as well as my passion. Every client I work with has different needs, certain likes & dislikes, & specific goals. I will listen to what's important to you, follow through, provide the information you need and get you the RESULTS you expect. I'm a hardworking, consistent top producer in St. Tammany Parish and I'm different from other agents. It's about YOUR needs, YOUR time frame, & YOUR goals. Experience the difference today. Please call me...When Time & Money MATTER! www.KimHiggins.com is brought to you by Kim Higgins, real estate for Mandeville, Covington and Madisonville, Louisiana Read Kim Higgins' Privacy Guarantee, Terms of Service, and Free & Without Obligation Pledge