Tips for Buyers

A few thoughts to be proactive when buying property:

Get Qualified -

Before taking steps for your property search, it is advisable to get pre-qualified with a lender. What does this mean? You will know exactly how much and on what terms a lender is prepared to offer you. This will then give you guidelines for your spending power.

Run some numbers -

Before taking the steps for your property search, now you have your pre-qualification figures, do a little homework. You know how much you can borrow, but how much can you afford? Get all your monthly bills on paper and run some numbers. Then you can calculate exactly how much you can spend on your house payment.

Make A List -

List what you need and what you would like, what would be great to have but not essential. Take a little time to put this together, it will help you to organize your thoughts and priorities.

The Most Important Choice of All -

Your Realtor. Now you have all your information together, choosing the right Realtor for you is just as important. You want to know that you have an experienced professional looking out for your best interests, someone you trust and can rely on to identify and show you all the potential properties for sale most suited for your specific needs and requirements. Your choice should be based on your Realtors ability to listen and to negotiate, their expertise and years of experience together with knowledge of the area.

Tips for Sellers A helpful look at what to do and what not to do when preparing for a showing.

Preparing Your Home for Sale

Trim trees, prune shrubs, mow and water the lawn. Make sure that sidewalks are swept, and the front door is clean.
A minor investment in paint will pay dividends in the form of a better price and or a quicker sale.
Open curtains/blinds and clean the windows so a prospective buyer may see how bright and cheerful your house is. Dark, dreary rooms are not appealing to buyers.
It’s always good to tighten up door knobs, kitchen cabinet doors, all it takes is a screwdriver. Pick up unnecessary clutter, empty the trash, clean the ceiling fans.
Make bathrooms and kitchens sparkle. Clean sinks and toilets and repair any damaged or discolored caulking. Pet odor, lingering food and cigarette smoke smells are unwelcoming to potential buyers. The aroma of fresh coffee or Ferberize can make a home more welcoming and smell better.

Showing Your Home at Its Best:

Make lighting in your home welcoming for prospects. Turn on all the exterior and interior lights, include accent and picture lights, use as much natural light as possible, and add extra lamps to dark rooms.
In fall and winter, light a fire in the fireplace. In spring and summer, flowers or pot plants add freshness.
If there are too many people around during a showing, buyers may feel like intruders and want to rush the showing. Take a nice drive or walk with the kids and dogs while your house is being shown.
When your home is being shown, have all TV's turned off, turn off stereo or put on background music.
Pets - When you go for your drive or walk it would be an excellent idea to take your dog or with you, it makes for a more peaceful showing for the potential buyers.
Showing etiquette: If you are present, be courteous and friendly, but do not encourage conversation, they are there to view your property, do not socialize, a buyer may feel pressured by you.

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