realtors
October 31, 2017
Buying a home for the first time can be a stressful, albeit exciting, rite of passage. Knowing what your first few steps should be can tremendously lower the amount of stress you’re probably already feeling. Without any further ado, here’s how we tell people they should start: Get Your Finances in Order When you’re about six months out, you need to start organizing your finances. First, this means checking your credit score and making sure your score is maximized. Creditworthiness is a huge factor in loan approval. Higher credit scores can mean significantly lower interest rates and higher pre-approved values. There are a ton of factors to balance (pay off your balances in full, don’t add debt like buying a […]
October 24, 2017
Buying a home as an investment, and becoming a landlord, can seem like an easy way to rake in some extra money, but it’s still an investment of your time and money. It’s important to be prepared and know what to expect. Know Your Limitations First and foremost: if you’re going to get a mortgage, make sure you can handle the monthly payments if the property is vacant. I’ve known too many people start to build a portfolio only to have sell their new property quickly when it goes a few months without a tenant. It’s great for me, but less-than-ideal for you. Also: remember that tenants can be demanding on getting things fixed quickly. If you don’t have spare […]
October 17, 2017
Buying a house for a great price, fixing it up, and then reselling it sounds pretty exciting, which is why there are so many shows on HGTV about doing just that. In Miami, there is certainly a cottage industry of people that dedicate their time and money to flipping homes. If you’re thinking of buying a flipped house, you may need to do a little extra homework before making an offer. Before you buy a flipped house, be sure to ask these questions to make sure its in great shape and that all repairs were done professionally. Who’s Selling? Whenever a home is selling for $100,000 (or more) over its previous sale less than a year ago, you need to […]
October 11, 2017
When you’re trying to put a price tag on your home, determining its value is a given. But, what is value exactly? Two types of “value” will come up in the conversation around selling your home: assessed value and market value. They may seem similar but the numbers can be different, and they’re used in distinct ways. Understanding the two will give you an advantage as you sell your home. What Is Market Value? Market value refers to the likely price that a property will sell for, or what a buyer is willing to pay for. Market value can be based on many factors, like location and exterior and interior aspects, including lot size, condition of the home, energy efficiency, […]
October 4, 2017
If you’re like most people, you’ve probably accumulated a mass amount of stuff over the years. So, when it’s time to move, just thinking about transporting it all might bring on a panic attack. Moving is the best time to do a major clean-out of closets, drawers, and your entire space. The more you can purge, the better you’ll feel. Downsizing makes the move a lot easier, but it’s also freeing. Think About Your New Space Are you moving to a bigger or smaller place? Keep this in mind as you consider what to take. Consider what will fit and what style you’re going for, and get rid of what won’t fit or work in your new space. Think about […]
September 12, 2017
A beautiful, spa-like bathroom is alluring to buyers. You want them to envision themselves enjoying its luxuriousness every day of their lives. The reality is that most of us don’t have perfect bathrooms. So, if you’re selling your home, you need to do a little work to get buyers to fall in love with yours. Before you get too concerned: we’re not talking about a major remodel. Instead, you can really maximize and capitalize on the space you have. These staging tips will help you turn your bathroom in to a coveted oasis—and sell your home. Create a Blank Canvas Clear off all the countertops and remove all of your everyday toiletries, like soaps, toothbrushes, and other supplies. No one […]
August 29, 2017
Buying a home is a huge commitment. If you’re a commitment-phobe or just new to the process, it can seem incredibly overwhelming—maybe even terrifying. The most important first step is finding the right realtor to help guide you through the process. You can rely on your realtor’s expertise, but you also need to educate yourself on the home-buying process so that you understand what’s happening at every stage. These tips will help you get through the process of buying your first home like a pro. Get Preapproved for a Mortgage If you’re planning to take out a loan to buy your house, you need to talk to a lender about getting preapproved for a mortgage. Preapproval provides credibility to your […]
August 22, 2017
Hosting an open house is a great way to get lots of potential buyers through your door. You just need to make sure your home is ready to be seen. It’s important for buyers to envision how they will use your space. Sometimes the best way to prepare is to stage your home so that it looks inviting but not too lived in. To get ready for an open house, use these tips: Clean Up Too much stuff on the kitchen counter or other surfaces can turn buyers off. Clutter makes it hard for visitors to picture themselves and their stuff in your home. You should consider putting some of your excess things in storage. A thorough cleaning should be […]
August 15, 2017
The appraisal is one of the most intimidating parts of selling a home. It can also be one of the most confusing. Buyers and sellers rarely understand the purpose of an appraisal. Appraisals, which determine the value of a home, are usually required by mortgage companies and typically take place after a listing price has been determined and an offer has been made. The appraisal takes away any emotional attachment that the seller and buyer feel toward the house, because it assigns an unbiased value. If you’re a little unclear or confused about appraisals, here are five myths explained: The Appraisal Vs. the Inspection The appraisal and home inspection are often used as a safeguard for the buyer, but they […]