Have you heard the incredible story behind the home on Warren Road?

When we first interviewed this couple when we were listing the home, their genuine love and care for this house was felt and embedded in every detail. We are thankful to have captured this beautiful story as they turned to a new chapter in life. We are honored that they trusted us as their Real Estate Agent and Team to help them make a huge move and sell their home.
Fast forward to now…their home SOLD for $25,000 OVER asking price!
We are even more excited to share their testimony video with you. Make sure to stay tuned!

When you’re selling your home, you’ve got so much to do! Minor repairs and updates, clearing closets and cabinets of clutter, staging, choosing a Realtor, deciding on as asking price, and, of course, dreaming of getting your “big check.”

So in the midst of all of that, it’s understandable that some things just get overlooked. If you’re thinking of selling your home soon, don’t forget to do these five important things … and of course No. 6, which is to call us!

1. Give your home the Yelp treatment

You’d be amazed at the small things that can turn a buyer off. A doorbell that doesn’t work, a garage door that squeaks, missing window screens – all of these are minor problems, but they can leave a bad taste in the mouth of prospective buyers. Go through your home and imagine it as a hotel you’re staying in. How would you rate it on Yelp? Better yet, get a friend to come over and do it for you. They’ll notice things that you overlook because you see them every day.

2. Clean inside everything

Prospective buyers are going to open your cabinets and closets and cabinet drawers. While potential buyers generally understand that you’re still living in your home (& therefore the junk drawer STILL exists!), having dirty or exploding drawers and closets can be a turn-off. Make sure everything is as inviting on the inside as it is on the outside. Yes, even your silverware drawer needs to be organized. Yes, you need to vacuum INSIDE your closets. Clean your aquarium. Hide the embarrassing stuff under your bathroom counter. People who visit your home are looking to make one of the biggest purchases of their lives. While everything doesn’t have to be spotless, don’t let your home’s hidden areas send your home shoppers running for the door.

3. Google your address

90% of all buyers look for homes online, so it’s a good idea to make sure all the information you can find about your home online is correct. Websites like Zillow can give an estimate of your home’s value, but if the details about your home are wrong, the estimate will be, too. Also, the Google street view of your home may miss recent upgrades. If so, you’ll want to mention that in your home listings so potential buyers will know ahead of time that what they see on Google is different from what they’d see in real life.

4. Make a list of everything that does not convey

Most every purchase agreement says that anything that is attached to the house (wall, ceiling, outside, etc.) is sold with the house unless stated otherwise in the contract. So if you want to

keep the flat-screen TV that’s mounted in the living room, your grandmother’s antique chandelier, or those handmade towel rods, you’d better make a list of exclusions now so you don’t end up in an argument (or court) later.

5. List all the improvements you’ve made to the home

Buyers love to know that they won’t have to worry about costly repairs for a while if they buy your home. That’s why you should go through your house and write down every improvement you’ve made. A new furnace, roof, plumbing, and other big-ticket items are especially tempting to prospective buyers. Plus, showing that you’ve invested time, money, work and love shows that you truly care about the home (and therefore have probably taken great care of it).

6. Call a great Realtor (like us!) who will walk you through all of the above steps

You want the advice of a seasoned Real Estate professional to maximize your home sale profit. Call us today and we’ll do our very best to earn your business. You’ll be surprised to learn about all we have to offer.

Thinking of buying your first home? Congratulations! It’s a big step in the right direction toward a stable financial future, and a place to make your most precious memories. However, there are some common first-time homebuyer mistakes that can potentially derail your plans, cost you more money, and significantly raise frustration in the home-buying process. Here are 5 common first-time homebuyer mistakes you definitely want to avoid.

Putting off saving for your down payment

The down payment is typically just a small percentage of the overall price of a home, but that doesn’t mean you should take saving for it lightly. You’re not going to be able to get that kind of cash out of your couch cushions. (& if you are able to, invite us over for movie night!)

The ideal amount to put down on your home is 20% of the purchase price, because at 20% you won’t be required to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI). PMI typically costs about 0.5%-1% of the loan amount annually. For instance, on a $200,000 mortgage, avoiding PMI by putting down 20% or more might result in savings of over $80-$160 a month for the first 2-5 years of the loan!

It’s worth the time and effort to save as much as you can for your down payment. Start now, even if you don’t plan to buy a home for 5 or 10 years. A 20% down payment on a $200,000 home is $40,000.

Can’t hit that mark? Don’t panic, you’re not alone, and that shouldn’t discourage you from buying a house. Since 1991, the average annual increase of home values is around 3.5%, which means you’re still making gains despite the cost of PMI, and PMI doesn’t stay around forever. There are loan options out there for first-time home buyers than will allow as little as 3% down. Still have questions about mortgages? Click here to learn more, or give us a call! (734) 707-7992

Not knowing your credit status

Nothing is worse than getting excited about a house but then finding out your credit isn’t good enough to get a mortgage. Meet with a trusted lender to discuss mortgage pre-approval (which includes a credit check), just so you know where you stand. If there are errors you need to take care of, this will give you time to get things in order before you fall in love with a home. That leads us to our next avoidable mistake…

Forgetting to get a pre-approval letter

A pre-approval letter shows the seller that you have been vetted by a mortgage company and are likely to be able to get a mortgage. Most sellers will not accept an offer without a pre-approval letter.

It’s relatively easy to get a pre-approval letter. Just contact a lender and tell them that you need to be pre-approved. You’ll have to furnish documents proving your income and debt, and they’ll run a credit report. Once everything is delivered and checks out, you’ll get a letter you can use whenever you put in an offer on a house.

Not budgeting for end-of-sale expenses

When you think of buying a home, you probably think of the down payment and your mortgage payments, right? That’s certainly the biggest chunk of money, but that’s not everything you’ll need to budget for.

Closing costs, moving expenses, repairs, home inspection, homeowners insurance … there are lots of small expenses to consider that happen at the end of the process. Having a buffer of cash will make your life much easier. Keep in mind that closing costs alone tend to be between 2-5% of your loan amount.

Hiring the wrong buyer’s agent

As a first time homebuyer, you need guidance from a professional that’s empathetic to your needs. You want to look for a buyers agent that’s willing to act as a teacher, mentor and guide – educating you every step of the way and eliminating any confusion.

The best way to find the right buyer’s agent is to start reading reviews online, and then interview your candidate in-person. Always choose someone that’s not only well-reviewed and recommended, but also that you get along with well.

We want to be here to guide you through this process, so if you’re looking for more first time home buyer tips, advice or support, we’re here to listen! Schedule a no-obligation consultation with us today.