Top Tips for Buying and Selling a Home

Buyers

Looking for a home

-Use Internet for overview of properties, communities, and schools.

-Visit potential neighborhoods at different times of day.

-Research price trends in communities and neighborhoods.

-Consider resale prospects on home before you purchase.

Get your new home inspected before you buy.

-Hire a home inspection professional who is certified or licensed.

-Attend inspection, ask questions and take notes.

-Use inspection tour to verify home fits your needs.

-Submit inspection problems to seller for remedy.

Research home financing options before making a decision.

-Fixed rate. The interest rate you pay is fixed over the term of the loan.

-Adjustable rate. Interest rate changes at end of adjustment period.

-Seller financing. Mortgage contract between property seller and you.

-Avoid paying Private Mortgage Insurance. An insurance fee charged monthly to higher-risk borrowers less than twenty percent down payment.

Retain a real estate attorney and buyers real estate agent. -An attorney should review contracts before you sign them. -Your attorney is your legal advocate from contract to closing/escrow. -Locate a real estate agent who has a fiduciary responsibility to you. -Fiduciary. Part of the common law of agency, indicates a relationship based on trust.

Understand common contract terms.

-Contingencies. A provision in a contract requiring certain acts to be completed before the contract is binding.

-Approvals. Contract period where the sellers, their attorney, you or your attorney can approve or void the contract.

-Earnest money deposits. Money given to the seller at the time of contract is made as a sign of the buyer's good faith.

-Tax Pro-rations. Credit issued at closing from the seller to the buyer for unpaid property taxes.

Sellers

Gather opinions of value from professionals on your home.

-Invite three real estate agents to submit a price range based on recorded recent sales.

-Consider hiring an independent real estate appraiser.

-Use similar properties based on age, condition and size.

-Properties sold in the last six months offer the best indicators of value.

Stage your home before buyers come through.

-Streamline clutter and place the focus on your home.

-Neutralize colors so buyers can visualize their belongings in your home.

-Visit new-construction model homes to gather ideas from the pros.

-Invite family, friends or real estate agents over for feedback.

Internet marketing provides wide exposure for your home.

-Have a virtual or digital tour of your home in multiple websites..

-Post interior and exterior photos of your home on the Internet.

-Hire a professional to write a description of your home.

-Utilize maps to showcase your location for out-of-town buyers.

Understand the elements of a contract to purchase.

-Require all offers to be in writing.

-A good contract has favorable terms in addition to price.

-Limit fixtures excluded from sale of home to a maximum of three.

-Keep negations non-emotional and amicable.

Recognize the variables that real estate agents can't overcome.

-Buyers bypass over-priced homes.

-Homebuyers discount homes in poor condition.

-Homes with poor locations have longer market times.

-Buyers are more relaxed and curious during showings when sellers are gone