helpful tips for Home Sellers
 Preparing your home
While preparing your home to sell, remember the importance of first impressions.read more...
Outside Your Home
Make the most of your homes first impression. When people drive by and see the “For Sale” sign in the yard, they could be drawn in to see more, or not, all based on the outside appearance, or curb appeal, of your home. read more...
Inside Your Home
Living in your home is different than “selling” your home. Something you may not notice or possibly overlook could stand out to a potential buyer. Step back and look at your home from a buyer’s perspective, rooms should be clean, dusted and uncluttered. read more...
Reminders for Showing Your Home
Other Reminders
helpful tips for Home Buyers
 You are to be congratulated on your decision to purchase a new home. This is quite possibly the largest and most important investment you will ever consider. Whether you are a first time home buyer or have simply outgrown your current home, homeownership provides a financial return on your investment.
Tax deductions- Applicable to interest payments and property taxes, for federal and state income taxes, these payments are usually totally deductible.
Appreciation – Owning a home is considered a safe, steady investment. The value of a well maintained home should increase each year. Typically home values appreciate at the rate of inflation, plus 1 or 2 percentage points. Hence, the home value will rise as the debt amount drops.
Equity – Equity, or the portion of the property that is actually owned, also increases over time. The down payment on a home provides immediate equity in the home and as the loan amount reduces the equity increases. According to NAR statistics, first-time home buyers’ normal down payment is approximately 3 percent, while repeat buyers can typically put down about 22 percent, due to the equity in the first home.
Below are several steps to consider in your search for a new home.
1. Define your needs in a new home.
Decide what features are important to you. It is a good idea to make two lists: read more...
2. Pre-approval or Prequalification
With your home needs defined, it is to your advantage to also define what your budget can afford. There can be nothing more disappointing than finding just the right home and then discover you cannot afford it. read more...
3. Search for your new home
your requirements and budget range defined, you are ready to begin your search. read more...
4. Make an offer
Once you decide which home will best fulfill your needs it is time to make an offer. read more...
5. Negotiating the buy
After your offer is presented, it can be accepted or rejected by the seller. However, frequently the result will be a counter offer made by the seller. You and your agent will need to be in close contact during this process so you can review and respond to any changes presented. Your agent will assist you through this common process.
6. Home inspection and other needed service providers
Following acceptance of the offer, scheduling a home inspection is beneficial and quite often required by lenders. read more...
7. Prior to closing
Before the closing date, you should ensure all necessary paperwork will be completed and delivered to the proper location by the appropriate date. Find out what amount or form of payment, if any, you will need to bring to closing and to what party the payment should be made out.
8. Closing
This is a formal meeting attended by most parties in the transaction and transfers legal ownership from the seller to the buyer. Closings are a smooth process when all parties are prepared and bring the necessary completed documents and payments.
9. After Closing
Congratulations! You are a homeowner! All that is left are some moving basics, turning on utilities, phone, cable, etc. Move in and enjoy your new home and all the advantages that come with it. |
