How to Find Your Dream Home Within Your Budget

Imagine what your new home is going to look like. Fabulous cherry cabinets with granite countertops, an open floor plan, a large master bedroom with an amazing en suite bath. It’s time to get your head out of the clouds if you are a first-time buyer. Your home is definitely going to be special to you, but it probably won’t have everything you are looking for.

Get Real

What you have to remember is that when you are starting out, you won’t be able to afford everything you want. The goal is to find a starter home that has most of what you want and all of what you need. You can always move up later on.

Know What Matters

Figure out what really matters to you. It may not be the same thing as what is important to other people. This also means figuring out what you can live without. You may discover that you could be happy in a condo instead of a detached house. A condo is often less expensive while giving you the features that you love.

On the other hand, having a yard may be more important so you will settle for basic features inside. It’s all about compromise when you are buying your starter home, and you have to know what things are right to compromise on.

Consider an Older Home

While many people like the thought of moving into a brand new house that no one has lived in, you can get more for your money if you look at older homes. If you are willing to work with a fixer, you may even get a better deal. You can work on making it what you want over time and add value to the property. It is often a smart decision if you can live with a house the way it is now and see its potential.

Be Willing to Move

From your desired location, that is. Some neighborhoods are more expensive than others. If you do not want to sacrifice on the house you want, you may have to be willing to compromise on location. In some areas, you can barely get a 1,000-square foot house for a decent price. Move a few miles away and you can find a sprawling home with plenty of room and the latest upgrades for the same price.

In the end, it’s all about compromise and knowing what will make you happy and what you can live without. Be prepared to make some changes in your mind as you search for the dream home you want. If you are ready to begin that journey, contact me. I can help you start your search for the home that is right for you.

Why Won’t Your Home Sell?

Each day that goes by without an offer on your home when you are trying to sell can feel like an eternity. You are limbo, waiting for someone to buy your house so you can move on to the next stage in your life. The key to selling your home when you don’t have buyers beating down your door is to figure out why it isn’t selling now.

The Wrong Price

A house that is priced too high won’t sell. Period. To find out what your home is worth (not what you think it is worth) is to see what other homes in the area are selling for. Ask your agent for his or her advice on pricing. Don’t forget that agents see a lot of homes and will know how yours compares to the competition.

Lack of Promotion

People used to drive around and look for houses with For Sale signs in their desired neighborhoods. Now, people search online before they ever take the next step in house-hunting. If your house is not listed prominently online, no one may even know it is for sale.

It Has Problems

Is it obvious that your house is outdated or worse, in poor shape?  Does your decorating preferences hit people in the face when they walk in? Whether you have serious repair issues or design problems, these are things that can keep people from making an offer on your house. Your agent should be asking buyer’s agents for feedback and figuring out what needs fixed to make your house sell.

Make Sure It Sells Well

Take a look at your house through objective eyes. If you see personal touches, get rid of them. This includes photos, knick-knacks, even color schemes that are too limited. Remove anything that can keep buyers from imagining themselves in a home. It might be too much furniture, too many pictures on the wall or even an odd-looking art piece.

If you work on these issues and partner with a reputable, experienced real estate agent, your home will sell. Contact me if you are ready to sell your home and need help.

Living in a Home You are Selling

Living in a home while it is on the market is often a stressful situation. That place where you spent your last few years now feels like a stranger’s home. Or you are worried that someone will want to see the house and you will have stuff lying around. Here are a few tips to make it easier to live in a place with a For Sale sign without losing your sanity.

Use Storage

Start packing for your move. Consider what you don’t need and either sell it, throw it away or pack it up. Pack out-of-season clothing, photos, knick-knacks and even the guest room. If you have a lot of furniture, pack that up and put it in storage. Just keep out a few pieces for you to use and that looks nice for showing.

Sort magazines and even your books or toys to see what you can live without for a few months and pack it away. It will be easier to keep your home clean if you have less stuff.

Clean

Go through your house and clean it from top to bottom. It will look good for open houses and showing. In addition, it will be easier to clean when you get a last-minute phone call asking to see the house right away. It also reduces the stress because you might only have a few things to pick up or a counter to wipe down to make your house sparkle and shine. At the same time, you can relax and enjoy being at home because you know it won’t take much to get it ready for visitors.

Lock Away Valuables

Whether your agent is holding open houses or just hosting showings, people will be going through your stuff. Keep private items and information locked away. Don’t just hide them since people will be looking in drawers and closets. Lock them away where you know where to find things you need. Remove valuables, especially small items like jewelry.

Deal with Pets

If possible, it is ideal to send your pets to your family or friends’ houses while your home is on the market. Otherwise, keep them contained and clean up after them immediately. Crate the cat and dog when the house is being shown to avoid scaring or distracting anyone.

Create a checklist of last-minute things that must be done when you get the call for a showing. This ensures that you leave the house looking good and that it takes minimal time. For instance, you want light left on and the right temperature. You can even set out a basket of fruit or a vase of flowers to be a warm welcome. Spray a fresh scent to make the place feel inviting and clean.

If you do the necessary work, it won’t take long for your house to sell and you won’t be living this way for more than a few months. If you are ready to sell your home, contact me and I can help you get it on the market.

Finding the Right Selling Agent

One of the first and most important steps you will take to sell your home if finding the right real estate agent for the job. Your first thought may be to use the same person that helped you buy your first house. That may be a good choice but before you settle on him or her, make sure that the agent is the right person to sell with as well as to buy with.

Look for Experience

You want to work with an agent who has had success with selling other homes, especially those in your area. If so, that person will know the current market and what prices other homes in your neighborhood are bringing. While he or she can do the research, the information will be more accurate and timely when comparing other houses.

Look at Reputation

It doesn’t take long for any professional to get a bad reputation, but it can take some time to establish a good one. Ask around and find out what others have to say about the agent you are considering. Someone should be able to tell you of personal experience.

Look for Local

An agent that is local to your area is essential. Not only can that person provide better information, they can give more details to buyers’ agents. A local real estate agent can tell others about the schools, the neighborhood and other details that someone not familiar with the location won’t know. It is those details that can make a buyer decide he or she wants the house and help your home sell faster.

Look for Someone Current

With more people looking online when they buy homes, you want your agent to be comfortable with the internet. He or she should have a strong online presence and know how to use social media and other online marketing techniques to his or her advantage. Check out other listings by the agent and see how they are being marketed. The homes should look appealing and you should see postings of them on social media sites as well as the typical realtor sites.

Consider Personality

Since you will be working closely with your agent for the next few weeks or months, you want someone that you can get along with. You want to be able to be upfront and honest with that person, and you want him or her to do the same with you. Having a positive, professional relationship with your real estate agent is essential to help your house sell fast and for the most money.

If you are ready to sell your home, contact me and we can meet to see if we are a good team.