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Choose the Right Agent
Selling:
Find an agent who can guide you to the best listing price... this doesn't necessarily mean the most money. An experienced real estate professional will help you determine a strategic list price based on the market value of your home, local inventory and your timeline for moving.
Savvy REALTORS ® also have a marketing plan! They know buyers form quick impressions when searching for properties online, so they put their best foot forward with professional photos, articulate and vivid descriptions, and a variety of web and social media tools.
The right agent will have the tools to sell your home, while helping you find your next one!
Buying:
Find an agent with the experience, knowledge and technology to help you find what you're looking for.
Looking for homes with 4 beds, 2.5 baths in a certain school district? Your agent will send you homes based on your specific browsing behavior, and alert you to relevant listings as soon as they become available!
Get Pre-Approved
A pre-approval letter is one of the most crucial items needed to purchase a house! It shows you're a serious buyer and can afford the home you are submitting an offer for - putting you a step ahead of other buyers!
Be ready to provide your lender with the necessary financial documents (W-2 statements, paycheck stubs, bank account statements, etc.). Once they verify your financial status, you'll have a better sense of your budget. You'll know how much you can afford and how much you can borrow.
Securing a pre-approval letter puts you on the fastest path to home ownership!
Have the Home Appraised
As a buyer, your lender will secure an appraiser to provide an unbiased, professional estimate for the value of the house. The appraiser will form their report based on similar homes, market trends and, of course, the home itself (floor plan, amenities, etc.). An appraisal is meant to confirm that buyers and sellers have arrived at a fair price for the home.
Expect Escrow & Closing Costs
When you purchase a home, there will be closing costs. These costs include fees for processing, title insurance, closing, title search, mortgage taxes, appraisals, and more. Within closing costs, there are third-party fees that come from companies that don't work for mortgage lenders yet provide essential services like escrow.
Escrow is when an impartial third party holds on to funds and distributes them accordingly to process a transaction. This fund, also known as earnest money, is a form of good faith that the buyer will hold for the seller if they breech the contract. Definitely consult an attorney if you have a question!
Have the Home Inspected
The purchase of your home is typically contingent upon an inspection which checks for signs of structural damage and other issues with the home. Your agent will arrange to have this inspection conducted within a few days of your offer being accepted by the seller.
The home inspector will examine the roof, plumbing, electrical, appliances, HVAC systems, windows, fireplace and chimney, foundation, etc.
Once the inspection is complete, buyers and sellers will be notified of the home inspector's findings, which buyers can choose to address prior to closing. Before the sale closes, buyers have a "final walk-through" of the house to confirm all the agreed-upon repairs have been made.
Get Camera Ready
The majority of home searches start online, so if your home doesn't look good on desktop, tablet and mobile devices, it won't entice buyers to take a look in person. Your REALTOR ® should showcase your home with crisp, high-resolution professional photography to grab and keep buyer attention. Having the right angles, shots, and editing go a long way in getting people through the doors of your home.
The right agent will work with you to get your home ready to sell! At times, this takes de-cluttering, de-personalizing, and taking a step back to think like a buyer rather than an owner. If your home is in need of professional staging, your agent can make recommendations and point you in the right direction.