Guide to Buying Great Real Estate
Owning your own home is a universal and timeless dream.
In many ways, this dream is more accessible today than ever before. However,
one of the first realizations a prospective real estate buyer often comes to is that
the "dream home" does not always seem affordable.
Buying a home has changed in the New Millennium. Before, buyers usually shopped
for the best house they could find, then "took out” a loan to pay for it.
Today, prospective buyers must shop as thoroughly for the best financing as
they do for the best house.
Buying a home is a wise decision because property is one of the best and most
secure investments available. Rarely, if ever, does Real Estate decrease in
value. Depending on the area in which you live, buying a home may boast
significant tax advantages over apartment or home renting. Home equity is another consideration. The
equity you build as your home appreciates in value will allow you to borrow for
expenses like a new car or college tuition. Your home’s equity is also the
ideal down payment on the purchase of a second real estate property or an "escape property" or
vacation residence.
Emotional Advantages to Owning:
Buying a home also has several emotional advantages. The independence
of ownership means that you’ll no longer have to worry about rent increases and
the demands of a landlord. Another advantage is a homeowner’s power to
personalize! When you own your own home, you can paint and decorate as much as
you want. It’s your place!
Do I Need A Real Estate Sales Representative?
An Important Question Before You Start Looking:
Many potential home buyers may wonder, do I really need a Real Estate Sales Representative?
In a word: Yes! A committed and professional Sales Representative will make the
complex process of purchasing a home both simple and painless.
A good Sales Representative should:
- Know market conditions in your community.
- Show updated knowledge of financing and mortgage rates.
- Know what is negotiable in a contract and what is not.
An experienced Sales Representative will also understand the complexities and importance of:
- Title
- Taxes
- Survey
- Zoning and building laws
- Insurance
Buyer Representation Agreement
A written contract called a Buyer Representation Agreement establishes
"Buyer Agency". It explains services the company will provide, establishes a
fee arrangement for the Real Estate Sales Representative's services and specifies what
obligations a buyer may have. The buyer's Real Estate Sales Representative works for the
buyer and is legally obligated to look after their best interests throughout
the entire real estate transaction. This Sales Representative owes full
fiduciary responsibilities, duties and loyalty to the real estate buyer.
[ Top ]
MIAO Criteria For Buying - When Looking For A Home, You Should Seek Out:
- A Home That Fits Your Needs.
- A Suitable Location.
- The Best Possible Terms.
- The Best Possible Price.
- All of the Above In the Most Convenient Way Possible.
Finding you a great home, in a good community, with the best possible terms and
at the lowest possible price, is what we do. The Home free Buyer’s Guide is how
we do it. Home free’s eight-step buying program will ensure your new residence
is exactly what you’re looking for.
Our Secret To Finding You The Home Of Your Dreams:
1. Home Buyer Information
This is where you're Higher Standards Sales Representative learns everything they
can about you, including:
What you want in a home?
What you need in a home?
When you want to move?
2. Property Information
You're Higher Standards Sales Representative will walk you through an examination
of your current residence and discuss your likes and dislikes.
3. Area Selection
This is where you're Higher Standards Sales Representative will help you
determine the areas that are the most convenient for your lifestyle.
4. Financial Information
By considering your income, equity and debt, we will help you determine a
suitable price range and financing requirements.
5. Property Selection
We will evaluate specific homes to determine if they meet your needs. Together
we will find a home perfect for you.
6. Purchase Analysis
We will prepare a Purchase Analysis to ensure that the home you’ve selected is
appropriately priced.
7. Negotiations and Closing
In this important period, your Higher Standards Sales Representative will
monitor each step leading up to closing, including:
Preparing the offer
Loan applications
Title reports
Home inspections.
8. Relocation and Moving Following the closing of your home’s sale, your Higher
Standards Sales Representative will help you coordinate every aspect of your
move.
[ Top ]
Preparing Your Home For The Marketing Process
- Stay on top of your lawn mowing and maintenance and tidy up your front landscaping.
- Plop a new, colorful welcome mat in front of the door.
- Embellish your door area with a nice, big potted plant to the side of the front door.
- Slap a fresh coat of paint on your door.
- Move all the toys, bicycles, and scooters away from the front of the house.
- Clean all your windows until they're sparkling.
- Invest in a new doorknob and lock--this will jazz up your door and provide greater security.
- Make sure your street numerals are polished and in place. Or, invest in a nice new set that stands out among your neighbors' standard numerals.
- Place a seasonal wreath or arrangement on your door.
- Repair any loose shingles -- the last thing a potential buyer wants to worry about is the roof.
- Paint and repair your gutters.
Once the exterior wows your potential buyers, you'll need to continue to make an impact on them when they make their way inside. You can almost think of it as preparing for a formal dinner party. For starters, you can:
- Remove all the clutter - make sure kitchen and bathroom countertops are as clear as possible, try to keep toys organized in closets and shelves, temporarily remove any excess knickknacks or family photos if you tend to have a lot.
- Hang fresh clean towels in the bathrooms.
- Touch up your paint if your walls have a few rough spots. You probably already have the extra paint sitting in your garage.
- Vacuum your floor each morning. You may also want to think about getting your carpets clean before potential buyers view your house.
- Make sure all your faucets are drip-free.
- Replace any nonfunctioning bulbs in your light fixtures and vanities.
- Thoroughly clean all your appliances, including the inside of your oven and microwave.
- Place a beautiful centerpiece in the center of your dining room table.
- Eliminate odors as much as possible--place potpourri in the bathrooms, use air freshener and deodorizer, especially if you have indoor pets or there's a smoker in the house.
- Let the light in--open all your blinds and curtains. If your house's natural light leaves some rooms dark during certain portions of the day, turn on the lights if you know your house may be shown that day. If you have any decorative or track lighting, be sure it is on.
- Clean your fireplace.
- If you have too much furniture, place some of it in storage.
- Add some final touches, a couple of fresh bouquets of flowers and some nice potted plants in decorative containers can do wonders.
[ Top ]