Sep 22, 2015 | Home Buyer Tips
When making the decision to purchase a home, there can be an array of questions to ask regarding location, size, style and additional features that will complicate things. If one of the considerations among these is whether to buy new or old, though, you may want to be aware of new home warranties. While buying new can seem like a risk, this type of warranty may help make at least one decision easy when it comes to your home purchase.
It’s A New Home Benefit That’s Often Guaranteed
Currently, there are a number of places in North America where a third-party warranty or a builder’s warranty are now required so the quality of a builder’s work can be assured. While some builder’s may offer a warranty when you purchase a home through them, a third-party warranty that is guaranteed in many regions will mean that you don’t have to worry about paying out of your own pocket when a problem occurs with your new home.
The Coverage Included In New Home Warranty
Generally, a new home warranty will include insurance on your deposit and a guarantee against flaws with the work, the materials or the structure that may appear down the road. While this type of warranty will commonly cover standard issues that can occur with a new home, there’s often the option for more extensive warranty coverage that will safeguard you in the event that issues beyond the basic appear.
What You Can Expect From Your Builder
If you’ve decided on a new home, you will want to research your builder and choose one that is reliable, up-front and will follow-up on any issues you may have with your new home. Once your house is close to completion, you’ll have the opportunity to do a home inspection with the builder to take notes of any issues with your house – like a sticky drawer or a chipped cabinet – that may be present. The builder should be able to offer a completion date for these issues, and also provide you with information you need to keep your new house in tip-top shape.
There are no assurances when it comes to buying a house, but new home warranties are a good guarantee that you’ll be covered in the event that a problem occurs. If you’re interested in learning more about making a new home purchase or this type of warranty, you will want to contact your local real estate professional for more information.
Sep 20, 2015 | Home Buyer Tips
It might seem like selling a home and moving to a new place is enough pressure on its own, but buyer’s remorse is a well-known phrase for a reason. If you’re currently considering a home and are concerned about taking the plunge into purchasing, here are three strategies you will want to utilize before making a final decision.
Choose A Reliable Real Estate Agent
If you’re venturing into purchasing a new home, making sure that you have the right person by your side to help you with all of the aspects of your home purchase. The agent you’ll want to work with should be someone who is knowledgeable and experienced in your area, and whom you will feel comfortable trusting with the questions you can’t answer yourself. When it comes to making this choice, trusting your instincts is a must.
Make Sure It’s The Home You Really Need
It can be easy, once you get into the spirit of looking for homes, to veer off and start considering things beyond your price range that you don’t really need, but get back to square one. If you find a home that you’re seriously considering, make sure that it possesses most of the features you were originally looking for whether it’s location, size or style. Before making the final decision, look over the list of things you’re looking for and make sure any potential cons of your purchase are things that won’t be a deal breaker after.
Consider Cost And Resale Value
It’s not only important to make sure you’re paying a price that you can afford for your new home, you’ll also want to ensure that the resale value is something you can be happy with down the road. It may be hard to discern what a home’s value will be in five or ten years, but thinking about what kind of renovations you want to do should determine if upgrading an outdated bathroom or kitchen will be worth it. While you’ll want to be in a home you can enjoy in the present, ensure it’s something that should have good market value in the future.
Buying a new home can be stressful enough without realizing that you didn’t get what you really wanted after the fact, so it’s important to think twice about what you’re looking for. If you’re wondering about more strategies for a purchase you can be happy with, you may want to contact your local real estate professional for advice and expertise.
Sep 17, 2015 | Home Buyer Tips
With mortgage bubbles and real estate issues still in recent memory, one might feel that their best option is to buy their next home using cash instead of borrowing the necessary funds. In today’s article we’ll explore the pros and cons of paying cash for that next house or condo.
The Pros Include A Feeling of Complete Ownership
There’s a feeling of pride and joy that comes with owning a home outright. There are several other reasons for paying cash instead of signing on the dotted line and getting and being strapped to a 30-year mortgage. Perhaps the best reason is having 100 percent equity in the home.
The cash will be there to borrow in case of an emergency. Having cash on hand is great if a water pipe bursts or there’s a huge car repair bill. In addition, instead of paying a monthly mortgage, that money could be used to start a college fund, to grow savings or to invest.
And, credit problems wouldn’t be an issue since there wouldn’t be a need to check credit history in the first place. The homeowner may be able to negotiate a better price, which may result in a likelihood of a smoother sale, and attract more prospective buyers.
The Not So Great Reasons To Pay With Cash
Buying a home is one of the largest financial investments a person will make in his or her lifetime.
However, buying a home outright most likely means that a significant percentage of cash will be tied up in the house. Less cash will be on hand for savings, college funds, and emergencies like a plumbing malfunction or an expensive car repair.
While paying in cash may result in a mortgage life, if the property value drops for whatever reason, there’s no purchase protection. For instance, if the market value of a $100,000 home loses 10 percent that will be a loss of $10,000. Take this example and apply it to a mortgage down payment. If the market value falls, there’ll be a loss of $10,000, but the bank would take a loss for the remainder of the property value.
Also, when paying with cash, there is no third party property evaluation to ensure the buyer isn’t overpaying for the home. Banks will send a professional to provide a property evaluation check to verify the correct home value.
Buying a home is a significant personal decision. In today’s tough economy, homeowners are finding ways of cutting back on expenses. Owning a home outright, without the stress of mortgage payments can be extremely liberating. Sit down with a professional real estate agent today before making the decision to use cash to pay for a home.
Sep 15, 2015 | Home Buyer Tips
It is common for those who are interested in buying real estate in the near future to tune into news stories about the real estate market, and many may have heard that there is speculation about a real estate bubble that may pop soon. While this gloomy outlook on the real estate market can strike fear in some hearts and may deter a purchase until a later date, the fact is that this is an excellent time to purchase property. In fact, there are three good reasons why potential buyers may want to start moving forward with their buying plans soon.
Low Interest Rates
Most who have plans to purchase real estate will need to apply for a mortgage loan to complete their transaction, and today’s low interest rates are highly competitive. Low interest rates make the cost of borrowing money to purchase real estate lower, and this means that the mortgage payment that may be locked in may be lower. There is some speculation that interest rates will rise in the coming weeks or months, and this means that now may be a great time to take advantage of lower interest rates.
Great Deals Available
More than that, there are some great real estate deals available for buyers to take advantage of. Real estate values in many areas have rebounded in recent years, but some areas are still off historic highs. In addition, there may be foreclosures, short sales and other types of transactions that can result in buyers saving money on their property purchase.
The Benefits Of Home Ownership
Another benefit associated with making a purchase now is that home buyers can start enjoying the financial benefits of home ownership sooner. These benefits include the ability to build equity through debt reduction and value appreciation as well as tax benefits associated with owning property. These are benefits that can have a true impact on a person’s financial situation, and it may be financialy advantageous to have access to these benefits sooner rather than later.
There will always be speculation about what the real estate market may do in the coming weeks, months and years, but it is impossible to accurately determine how the market may act. With this in mind, it may be best for buyers to take advantage of currently great market conditions rather than attempt to time the market in the future. Home buyers can get more information about market conditions by speaking with their trusted real estate professional.
Sep 9, 2015 | Home Buyer Tips
One of the most stressful parts of selling a home is the dreaded home inspection. Getting the most value from a home inspection is crucial, especially since any missed item can cause a significant amount of trouble a few years or decades down the road. With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few tips on how one can get the most value from a home inspection.
Keep Calm And Inspect On
Having a stranger poke around every corner of a house with a microsope is frustrating. Homes have emotional value and no one wants to hear about their homes’ flaws. The key to a successful inspection lies in remaining calm. Getting angry and or arguing with an inspector is a sure way to lose money.
Stay calm, smile, and accommodate the inspectors. The payoff is worth it.
Understanding The Process
Buyers depend on home inspections to protect them from purchasing a money pit. They want to know what they are getting into. This means that the buyer hires the inspector, not the seller. The seller must do everything they can to present a good face to the inspector because the inspector is not on their side. Inspectors investigate every aspect of a home from the roof to the yard. They look for problems that require immediate address and problems that might arise down the road. Negotiations take place once the buyer receives the inspection report.
Good Presentation
Home inspections are rather like selling the house all over again. Take the time to dress for success. First impressions are very important when it comes to any sale. Dress nicely and act politely. Clean up the home. Touch up areas that need new paint and put some new flowers in the garden. Repair minor problems like loose gutters, faulty steps, and trim work. Make the inspector work to find problems instead of providing obvious issues.
Update The Indoors
Most homeowners are aware of what needs to be done. The time to take care of existing issues is before the inspection. Get electrical systems and heating and cooling systems tuned up by a professional. Take care of minor roof repairs. Address any plumbing issues. Not only does this save sellers money during negotiations, it also shows that they take good care of their home and can go along way towards getting the best price for the home.
The best way to get the most from a home inspection is to talk with an experienced real estate agent. The next best way is a good presentation and addressing known issues prior to inspection. Inspectors look more closely at homes with obvious problems than homes that appear to be well taken care of. Don’t wait. Start preparing for your inspection today.
Aug 27, 2015 | Home Buyer Tips
You’ve found it: A large new home for your family. It’s in the area of the city that you love, with the perfect architectural style and lots of room for entertaining guests. It would have been perfect for you, but there’s only one problem – you’re not quite ready to pay the price the seller is asking for. You’ll have to put in an offer below the seller’s asking price – a risky move.
Although you will be rolling the dice with an offer below asking price, there are ways that you can increase the likelihood that your offer will be successful. Before you submit your offer, use these three strategies to make it more appealing.
Work Out Other Terms In The Seller’s Favor
If you’re going to ask for a lower selling price, it helps to show that you’re willing to compromise on other terms – that way, you come across as a reasonable human being and not a bargain hunter. By offering to give the seller the better deal on other terms, you’re showing that you want to close a sale – and the seller will see you making an effort to come to an agreement and respond in kind.
There are several ways to do this. When you submit your offer, see if you can negotiate an arrangement that has you paying the closing costs or a closing date that works better for the seller. Or, offer to make the down payment in cash or give the seller a larger deposit.
Arm Yourself With Facts To Make Your Case
If the home you want to buy is priced well above fair market value, you can easily use that to your advantage and turn it into a benefit for the seller. First, you’ll want to look up property values for similar homes in the area. You should also investigate how long it takes homes in that area to sell and the difference between the average asking and average selling price in the area.
If you can show the seller that their asking price is above their neighborhood’s average sale price or that their home has been on the market longer than the average home (or both), then you can make a strong case for a lower offer.
Submitting an offer below asking price can work, but it’s not something that should simply be done on a whim. It takes careful planning and a great strategy to actually win a bid if you’re coming in below asking price. Contact you trusted real estate professional to learn more about how to submit a below-asking-price offer.
