Guide to Selling or Buying a Home
Buying or selling real estate is stressful enough, we're here to make it easy. Here's a helpful guide to getting your home ready to sell as well as information about the home buying process.
How to Sell Your House
- Know the market! Is it a buyer's or seller's market? If you need to sell your house it might not matter, if you can wait, selling your home when there isn't much on the market can guarantee you a premium.
- Get the curb appeal. A fresh coat of paint and new landscaping can do wonders for making your home stand out from the competition. Invest in a cleaning your windows, cleaning your gutters, weeding and mowing your lawn, and remove the clutter.
- Price it to the market. Don't overprice your home. A good real estate agent will tell you what you can likely get for your home. If you overprice your home and then have to lower your price, you may make less overall than if you priced it correctly.
- Find an agent that will meet your needs. Shop around! Finding the right real estate agent is essential to selling your home quickly and at a the best price.
How to Buy A House
- Know the area. Buying a home is one of the most important decisions you will make in your life. The reason for buying your home is important for selecting an area. If you're buying a family home and want to raise your children, you may want to consider the school district and the distance to key activities. If you're buying a home as an investment you may want to consider the average rents. Either way you'll want to research the area you're looking to buy in first and foremost.
- Get a preapproval letter from a lender. This lets buyers know you're serious about buying and can help guide you to homes within your budget. Keep in mind you may need extra funds for moving, fees and closing costs, new appliances, and updates.
- Expect to miss out on a few perfect places. Also consider that those perfect places may not have been ideal if you'd actually lived there. The best place is going to come to you when you're ready.
- Be consistent, be persistent, and be prepared. You'll need to have steady income for at least two years, a credit score above 650 for most lenders, and a solid down payment. Keep the down payment in an account that you don't touch and don't move the money or change banks during the transaction.
- You'll need to be responsive. Buying a house includes a lot of paperwork. You'll need to be available to answer your phone, attend home inspections (occasionally) and be open to viewing new listings.
Get the most out of your experience by connecting with a trusted real estate agent who can help navigate the process for you.
