While more than half of home sellers interview only one real estate agent before hiring someone, it’s wise to meet with at least three before making a decision. Here’s a checklist to help you through the process of choosing the right listing agent. Start with referrals. Ask trusted family members and friends for referrals. Assemble… Read more »
As the COVID-19 outbreak causes real estate agents to move away from holding open houses, many pros have quickly transitioned to online marketing for their listings. Here is what your social media savvy agent knows for sure. Real estate websites. First and foremost, your home should be listed by your agent on the Multiple Listing… Read more »
Nearly 30 percent of home buyers today are using loans secured by the Federal Housing Administration or FHA — reason enough for home sellers to consider making their homes FHA-friendly. Here are a few tips to help understand the FHA process. Lending limits. Head to HUD.gov to see if your home qualifies for an FHA… Read more »
Eco-friendly homes are a growing segment of today’s real estate market. Tap into that environmentally conscious mindset with these tips for both buyers and sellers. Green agents. In most markets across the country, agents are earning a “green” designation from the National Association of REALTORS®. Already, close to 5,000 agents have been trained. If environmental… Read more »
A great open house can be just what you need to set your home apart and land an offer. For the novice seller, preparing for an open house can be intimidating. Take the guesswork out of getting your home ready with this checklist of the top 10 questions to ask before scheduling an open house…. Read more »
An abandoned, decaying house in your neighborhood — also known as a ‘zombie’ house — could mean big trouble for you and your neighbors, especially if you’re planning to put your home on the market any time soon. How to recognize a zombie. Typically long abandoned, a zombie house may have broken windows, a collapsing… Read more »
When prospective buyers put an offer on your house, how can you tell if they are solid prospects? To avoid needlessly tying up your house, look for these seven indicators. They are preapproved for a mortgage. It’s easy to confuse the terms “prequalified” and “preapproved.” The first means a lender has taken a cursory look… Read more »
Your “handyman special” needs so much work, you’re not sure it’s worth the time, effort and money it will take. Here’s a step-by-step approach to evaluating your fixer upper. Before selling, ask yourself if you can afford to fix the house. List the most important things that need repair and get estimates from reputable contractors…. Read more »
When a home languishes on the market, sellers find themselves in a difficult position, asking tough questions. Should we relist it? If so, do we relist with the same agent? Above all else, what can we do differently? It’s difficult to get over the disappointment of an unsold home but owners need to look at… Read more »
Not only has the internet made it possible for potential buyers to find your house online, they can post feedback after touring your home via online survey tools. How can you benefit from this? Almost instant feedback. Savvy agents know that ratings and comments provided by potential buyers help them improve the presentation of listed… Read more »
Members of the millennial generation represent a growing segment of homebuyers. They have been slower to buy homes than previous generations and have different priorities. Understanding their mindset is key when marketing your home to the next generation. Bang for their buck. Millennials have been hit hard by tough job markets and hefty student loan… Read more »
The conventional wisdom is true — home sales are cyclical. Listings surge in the spring and buyers more actively shop for new houses between March and August. The weather is nicer and families with children prefer to move before the start of a new school year. But is it the best time of year to… Read more »
When you decide to sell your home yourself, you’re taking on the job normally handled by an agent. Your first task, a crucial one, is setting the asking price. Price it too high and your home could languish on the market, causing buyers to wonder what’s wrong with it and forcing you to backtrack on… Read more »
Putting out a “For Sale By Owner” sign is tempting. You certainly cannot be blamed for wondering if you could do it all yourself. It’s not impossible, but it may be a bigger job than you realize. Before taking it on, here are six issues to seriously consider. Agents are home-marketing specialists First and foremost,… Read more »
The complexities of selling a home can be daunting. You don’t have the time or inclination to sell it yourself so what should you expect when hiring an agent to list and sell your home? A specific plan. The agent representing you should put together a detailed plan for marketing your home for the best… Read more »
When buying or selling a home, most people look into hiring a professional. But what type of professional is best? Agent? Broker? REALTOR®? You may have used the terms interchangeably, but there are significant differences. Here’s what you need to know about each type of real estate pro. The real estate agent is the entry-level… Read more »
The Multiple Listing Service, or MLS as it is known in the real estate world, is the No. 1 source of listing information on homes for sale in the United States. Whether buying or selling, the MLS plays a big role in the marketing and sales of homes across the country. What exactly is the… Read more »
Before taking the leap to sell your home yourself, it’s a good idea to spend some time educating yourself on each aspect of the real estate selling process. Consider Everything that an Agent Does The real estate agent performs many jobs: researching the value of your home, listing your home on the Multiple Listing Service,… Read more »
