- 72% of buyers who purchased homes this year have put down less than 20%.
- 76.4% of loan applications were approved last month.
- The average credit score of approved loans was 727 in September.
Saturday, October 27, 2018
Buying a Home Can Be Scary… Until You Know the Facts
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
"I Need 20% Down" and Other Home-Buying Myths About MortgagesTips for shopping around for a mortgage — even if you think you don’t qualify. Read |
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House-Hunting Tips to Avoid #Facepalm MomentsWhat to look for when buying a house — and what not to do. Read |
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6 Ways to Lose at Negotiating a House PriceReal estate negotiation tips so you can buy your dream home — and not overpay. Read |
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You'll Be Glad You Did These 4 August Tasks When January ComesGo ahead and get that energy audit. And schedule snow plowing. Read |
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5 Disasters That Always Leave New Homeowners CluelessLike what to do when a tree falls. Read |
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Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this. © Copyright 2018 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® |
Realtors
-
"I Need 20% Down" and Other Home-Buying Myths About Mortgages
Tips for shopping around for a mortgage — even if you think you don’t qualify. Read
-
House-Hunting Tips to Avoid #Facepalm Moments
What to look for when buying a house — and what not to do. Read
-
6 Ways to Lose at Negotiating a House Price
Real estate negotiation tips so you can buy your dream home — and not overpay. Read
-
You'll Be Glad You Did These 4 August Tasks When January Comes
Go ahead and get that energy audit. And schedule snow plowing. Read
-
5 Disasters That Always Leave New Homeowners Clueless
Like what to do when a tree falls. Read
Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.
Copyright 2018 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
Myths About Down Payment
Myths About Down Payment Requirements!
“Despite limited awareness, every state has programs that provide grants and loans to make homeownership more attainable, with average assistance in various states ranging from $2,436 to $21,171.”
Bottom Line
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Housing Is Still Affordable in the United States!
“A value of 100 means that a family with the median income has exactly enough income to qualify for a mortgage on a median-priced home. An index above 100 signifies that a family earning the median income has more than enough income to qualify for a mortgage loan on a median-priced home, assuming a 20 percent down payment.”
- The national index results for August came in at 141.2.
- This is up from 138.9 in July, but down 8.3% from last August’s value of 153.9.
Bottom Line
Sunday, October 21, 2018
1. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage Before You Start Your Search
2. Know the Difference Between Your ‘Must-Haves’ and ‘Would-Like-To-Haves’
3. Research and Choose a Neighborhood You Want to Live In
4. Pick a House Style You Love and Stick to It
5. Document Your Home Visits
Bottom Line
Saturday, October 20, 2018
1. Time It Right
2. Let Your Agent Take the Lead
- Staging your home, or recommending a reputable stager that you can hire
- Ho
- Communicating with home buyers and buyers’ agents
- Receiving feedback during the open house and communicating that feedback to you
Your agent will also recommend that, actually, you should probably leave while they show off your house to strangers, who will look under your sinks and peek into your closets. Why should you heed that advice? Because it makes good business sense for you.- A home owner’s presence can make it awkward for the buyer. Buyers want to make assessments on their own, without worrying about how the seller might react or try to influence them.
- Buyers may have trouble picturing themselves living in the house when the owner is right there, say, serving lemonade in the kitchen.
- Sometimes sellers say too much. You might point out something that you think is a nice feature or amenity of your home, when it’s something that might turn off a buyer. (That busy arcade bar down the block may have been your favorite place to meet friends and play Pac-Man during weekends, but it could be a deal breaker for a buyer looking for a peaceful block.) You might blurt out something that could tip your negotiating hand, like how motivated you are to sell (soon!), or that you always wanted to update the retro kitchen — but just never got around to it.
The last things you want buyers to think after the open house is, “This place needs work,” or “This seller is desperate — I have the upper hand.” So, let your agent take the lead. This won’t be their first rodeo. They know the nuanced ways to show your home in its best light so that buyers will oooh and ahhh. They also know how to strategically answer questions from buyers to help set you up for success later, during negotiation.Your agent can also stage a broker’s open house on your behalf. Unlike standard open houses — where buyers can stop by — at broker’s open houses, only real estate agents and other industry professionals are invited to attend. Generally, a broker’s open is held within the first few days of a house being put on the market. Complimentary lunch is often served as an incentive to get more people to show up.There are two main benefits of having a broker’s open house:- It gives your listing more exposure.
- It allows you to get feedback from real estate agents on your home.
If your house “shows well,” as they say in the industry, the agents who toured your home may recommend it to one (or more) of their buyer clients. If your home doesn’t get rave reviews, your agent will relay that feedback to you, and may suggest improvements before the next open house, such as staging certain rooms.sting the open house - If the kitchen drain stinks, drop in a cup of baking soda, then two cups of white vinegar. Enjoy the bubbling, then let the mixture sit for 20 to 30 minutes. Finally run hot water for 15 to 30 seconds to flush the odor.
6. Put Your Pictures (and Valuables) Away
You want your home to feel cozy and inviting, but not like someone specific (you, for example) is living there. Personal belongings such as family photos, awards, and religious art can distract home buyers and make it harder for them to imagine themselves living in your home. You don’t have to go overboard — the idea isn’t to eliminate every trace of yourself — but consider temporarily hiding some pictures and personal effects out of sight during the open house.There’s a safety element to stowing your personal belongings, too: Though your agent will be at the open house, you’re inviting strangers into your home.- Securely store checkbooks, jewelry, prescription medications, family heirlooms, and other valuables.
- Alert your neighbors to your open house date — as a courtesy, but also to ask that they let you know if they notice any suspicious activity, in the unlikely event suspicious activity occurs.
- Make sure your agent signs visitors in and asks them to show I.D., so that you have a record of who was in your house. (Bonus: With the sign-in sheet, your agent can follow up with buyers to find out if anyone is interested in making an offer.)
- Lock windows and doors after the open house.
We’re not suggesting that visitors have any intention other than potentially buying your home. It’s just a good idea, generally speaking, to keep your home secure.7. Let the Light In
Light doesn’t only (literally) brighten up your space. It also makes rooms look and feel larger. On open house day, open all curtains and blinds to let natural light in. (And in the week before the open house, make sure curtains and blinds are squeaky clean.)Replace every single burnt-out light bulb in and outside the home — buyers should see a working light every time they flip a switch.8. Give Your House Some Extra Curb Appeal
Buyers will judge your house on its outsides. So make last-minute improvements to turn up your home’s {{ start_tip 102 }}curb appeal{{ end_tip }}. Cut the grass, prune the trees, and trim the shrubs. Touch up porch fixtures and furniture with a little paint. Heck, paint the whole porch, if your budget allows. Plant new shrubs or set out potted flowers.Small, relatively low-budget outdoor enhancements will make your home look all the more enticing to buyers — and can add some last-minute value to its price.9. Draw Attention to Your Home’s Best Features
After your agent signs in and welcomes buyers to your home, they typically will have some time to wander around on their own. Even though you won’t be there, you can still draw visitors’ attention to features in your home that you’d like to highlight.Prior to the open house, post (friendly, aesthetically pleasing) signs around the house with calls to action such as, “look down, new hardwood floors,” or “gas fireplace, push this button.” Buyers will likely appreciate the help, and that they’re working with a conscientious seller.10. Serve Refreshments
Serving warm cookies or freshly baked brownies at an open house is one of the oldest tricks in the book. That’s because it works: Buyers love being greeted with a sweet treat and a cold or warm beverage depending on the time of year. Refreshments also give people a reason to stay longer: No one will rush off because they’re hungry or thirsty.Your agent may even have relationships with a local cafe or bakery, which might offer snacks for free advertising at the open house.What to Do During and After the Open House
Once you’ve done everything you can to make your house look and feel amazing to buyers — and your agent is on site to assume their hosting duties — the time during your open house is yours to enjoy. Go to the park, get a three-course lunch, do whatever you like as long as you’re free to take calls.Your agent may need to get in touch with questions, so make sure you’re available and have good cell phone reception. (A movie, for example, is not a great activity for you during the open house for that reason.)After the open house ends, your agent will share with you what questions buyers asked and any comments they overheard by visitors. Buyers’ remarks will likely run the gamut, including some that could be negative. (“Why is the closet such a mess,” for example.)The important thing is to stay open to buyers’ feedback, and to follow your agent’s advice about how to respond. Based on buyers’ reactions, your agent may recommend that you make certain repairs, do some painting, or invest in additional staging before your next open house. Whatever they advise, it’s not personal — it’s just the business of selling your home.