Tuesday, August 11, 2015

9 Things You Need to Know Before Selling Your Home


Step 1- Are you ready?
The home-selling process typically starts several months before a property is made available for sale. Selling a home is an important matter, and there is often a good reason to sell such as a job change or a need for more space. Your reason for selling can impact the negotiating process so it's important to discuss your needs and wants in private with the REALTOR® who lists your home.

Step 2- When should you sell?
Generally speaking, markets tend to have some balance between buyers and sellers year-round. The marketplace tends to be more active in the summer because parents want to enroll children in classes at the beginning of the school year. However, the summer is also when most homes are likely to be available. There may be fewer buyers in late December, but there are also fewer homes available for purchase. Home prices tend to rise or fall because of general demand patterns rather than the time of the year. Owners are encouraged to sell when there is a desire to sell, the property is ready for sale, and the services of a local REALTOR® have been retained.

Step 3- Experience Counts
When selling your home, the right real estate agent makes a difference. Whether you are selling a house, a condo or an investment property, selecting the right real estate agency is important. Take the time to find an agent from an experienced agency who can understand your concerns and objectives.

Step 4- How Much Is My House Worth?
Price per square foot is a time-honored method of real estate valuation and can give you an idea of what your home is worth. However, it doesn't account for a choice location, a move-in-ready home, or other personal criteria. A market-savvy REALTOR® can give you a idea of what your home it worth. Even if you're not planning to sell your home right away, many REALTORS® will be willing to prepare a comparable market analysis for you, showing the prices of recently sold and comparable homes on the market.

Step 5- The Professional Appraisal
Unlike a CMA, a professional appraisal is rarely free. However, the several hundred dollars you pay for an appraisal could be money well spent. Appraisers rely on an in-person inspection, recent sales of comparable homes, and additional data to arrive at an opinion of your home’s value.

Step 6- How to improve your home’s value
The general rule in real estate is that buyers seek the least expensive home in the best neighborhood they can afford. You want a home that fits in the neighborhood but is not over-improved. Cosmetic improvements, such as paint and landscaping, and often are good investments, and mechanical repairs, to ensure that all systems and appliances are in working condition, are required to get top price.

Step 7- What is an acceptable offer?
A number of factors determine whether a buyer's offer is acceptable. With the help of an experienced REALTOR®, owners need to carefully review offers, consider marketplace options, and determine whether an offer is acceptable. Ask questions such as: Is the offer at, near, or above the asking price? Are there discounts or seller costs within clauses and contract additions? Does the owner have enough time to wait for other offers? and What are the alternatives?

Step 8- What is a counter-offer?
When a home placed on the market, the owner is essentially making an offer to buyers. A counter-offer is nothing more than a new offer. Buyers can choose to make a counter-offer on a home. The seller can then choose to accept, decline, or make a fresh counter-offer. The REALTOR® who lists your home can explain the local bargaining process in detail and assist in the actual negotiations.

Step 9- How do you negotiate?
Real estate bargaining typically involves compromises by both sides. Negotiating should be seen as a natural business process. Buyers should be treated with respect, and owners should never lose sight of either their best interests or their baseline transaction requirements- their personal standards which must be met before the home can be sold.



For more information, go to www.SussyDeleon.com.
To contact Sussy Deleon, email sussydeleon@yahoo.com or call (401) 331-8855.

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

10 Steps to Owning the Home of Your Dreams


Step 1- How much can you afford?
Before looking at houses, it is important to determine how much you can afford to spend. Take into consideration your income, credit rating, and currently monthly expenses. Understanding how much you can afford will help you to make a better decision when purchasing your home.

Step 2- Know your Rights
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination because of race/color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, and handicap. Most housing is covered under the Fair Housing Act. Additionally, if you, or someone associated with you, have physical or mental disabilities, your landlord cannot refuse to let you make reasonable modifications to your dwelling or common use areas of the house.

Step 3- Shopping for a Loan
When shopping for a loan, it is a good idea to look around and compare different prices and terms. Keep in mind that there terms are often negotiable. Taking the time to assess your options can save you a significant amount of money in the long term.

Step 4- Learn About Assistance Programs
If you feel you may need additional help when buying your home, educate yourself on the various assistance programs in your area. Rhode Island offers more than 40 housing programs and services to those looking to purchase a home. See if you qualify for any of these programs before making your purchase.

Step 5- Find an Agent
A licensed realtor can help ease you through the home-buying process. When searching for an agent, take the time to find the one that is right for you. You can find a realtor by asking friends, family, and coworkers about their experiences or searching online for agent listings.

Step 6- Shopping for a Home
Shopping for a home is the most exciting part of the home buying process. Before searching, make a wish list of any elements you may want in your home. Ask yourself how many bedrooms or bathrooms you want. Keep in mind any special features you are looking for, such as wheelchair access.

Step 7- Making an Offer
Before making an offer on a home, ask yourself these questions. Is it a Buyer’s or Seller’s market? What is the competition? How many homes are on the market? What is the average number of days on the market? Are interest rates high or low? and What is the average list price to sales price ration?

Step 8- Getting a Home Inspection
Having a home inspection could help save you money in the future. A qualified home inspector will notice problems that you may overlook. Be an informed buyer and make sure you are satisfied before completing your purchase.

Step 9- Shopping for Homeowners Insurance
When shopping for homeowners insurance, take the time to explore your options and ensure you are receiving the best deal. Improving your home security, maintaining a good credit record, and purchasing auto policies from the same insurer are all ways you may be able to lower your insurance costs.

Step 10- Signing the Papers

In the final step of the home-buying process, you will be signing the final mortgage and the property will legally be yours. To avoid feeling rushed, read all of the documents sent to you prior to closing. It is important that you understanding everything in the documents before you sign. Do not hesitate to ask questions if you do not understand.


For more information, go to www.SussyDeleon.com.
To contact Sussy Deleon, email sussydeleon@yahoo.com or call (401) 331-8855.