ryan vaught: Tips for sellers: How to get buyers to notice your home (continued)
- 12/17/09 08:28 AM
December 17, 2009Here are some more simple ways to make your house look its best for showings without spending much money. If you missed last week's blog, check it out to see how to add curb appeal to your house for sale. 1. A Nice Entryway Impress buyers right off the bat with a beautiful entrance. Think about things such as adding a fresh coat of paint to the front door. Door handles are also a first impression. When we went through our house before we bought it the first thing I noticed was the chipped and weathered door handle on … (1 comments)
ryan vaught: Tips For Sellers: How to get buyers to notice your home
- 12/07/09 10:15 AM
December 7, 2009 Over the next two weeks I will be sharing some ideas for sellers for how to make your house more appealing to buyers. These are simple but effective tips. Lets start with the basics- Create some curb appeal!Many home searches are now done on websites (i.e. like mine: www.ryanvaught.com). Buyers like to be able to search for a home in the privacy of their own space and make a list of houses they wish to view. There is an upside and a downside to this-they are the same! You only get one chance to make a solid impression … (1 comments)
ryan vaught: Top 10 Home Buying Mistakes That Can Cost You: Mistake #1 Waiting for the market to improve or not buying at all
- 11/03/09 10:40 AM
November 3, 2009 Finally! We've made it to the #1 home buyers mistake that can cost you:Waiting for the market to improve or not buying at all. No one can can read the future and knows exactly where the market is going, so trying to time your home purchase with the bottom of the market is probably not the best idea. If you're financially (#1) ready and have compelling reasons for owning a home (i.e. it would save money in the long run because you are paying more for rent, you need more space with your growing family etc.) then it's probably a … (1 comments)
ryan vaught: Top Ten Mistakes Homebuyers Make: Mistake #2 Making an offer without contingencies
- 10/27/09 11:21 AM
October 27, 2009 Having a back-out plan is a must for smart home buying. If the home has an irresolvable flaw, it doesn't appraise for the purchase price, or your lender refuses to fund your loan, having contingencies on your contract gives you the right to cancel the transaction. Think about it this way: would you spend $100 in a store that doesn't have a 30-day return policy? If your answer is no, you wouldn't want to put hundreds of thousands of dollars on the line without the right to bail. This is why it is important to have a real … (0 comments)
ryan vaught: Top Ten Mistakes Homebuyers Make, Mistake #3: Not reading the fine print
- 10/06/09 10:59 AM
October 6, 2009 If you did your homework, you had your trustworthy real estate attorney review all your paperwork and discuss it with you so you don't get a nasty surprise at closing. Let's face it -- you won't have time to read that six-inch stack of legal documents at the closing table. Fortunately, there are a select few documents and items that are truly critical, and you can request a copy of these in advance. This gives you time to review them and ask questions before closing.Buying a home is a life-changing event that involves 3 M's: mortgage, money and … (1 comments)
ryan vaught: Top Ten Mistakes Homebuyers Make: Mistake #4: Forgoing a home inspection
- 10/01/09 11:05 AM
October 1, 2009 Even if a home looks flawless, it's a mistake to assume that it's actually problem-free. All homes have defects -- even fairly new ones and brand new ones. So even though home inspections fall on the buyers list of things to pay for, getting a professional inspection before making the commitment to buy is crucial. Be sure to attend the inspection so the inspector can explain any issues. Home Inspection 101: Here's a glance at how home inspections are supposed to work: 1. Every house should be inspected.Otherwise, you're relying on the seller to be honest enough to … (0 comments)
ryan vaught: Real Estate Joke
- 09/25/09 10:00 AM
September 25, 2009 A little funny for your Friday. Happy Weekend! Next week I will be back on track with mistake #4 of the top ten home buying mistakes. The FSBO:WHEN A real-estate agency hadn't sold our house, we decided to do it ourselves. I placed ads in the local papers, spray painted a "For Sale" message on a sign board and posted it outside.When my husband came home that evening, he told me, laughing, that my sign was the most truthful one he had ever seen. Confused, I rushed outside to take a look. In my haste I had printed … (5 comments)
ryan vaught: How To Avoid Falling for "Love at First Sight"
- 09/14/09 09:01 AM
September 14, 2009 Buying the first house you look at it is kind of like marrying the first person you go on a date with -- not necessarily a good idea. The average homebuyer looks at least 10 homes over an eight-week search before making an offered. While you don't need to visit every home in the neighborhood, you should compare at least three homes before making a decision. Here are the top 4 reasons to shop around: You might find similar features in another home. When you go on your first showing, you have nothing to compare the home's pros … (2 comments)
ryan vaught: Tope Ten Home Buying Mistakes That Can Cost You: Mistake #5: Falling for love at first sight
- 09/10/09 03:16 AM
September 10, 2009 Buying the first house you like is not necessarily a good idea. If you don't shop around and see what else is out there, you could miss out on a good deal or potentially regret your purchase. While you don't need to visit every home in the neighborhood, you should compare at least three homes before you make a decision to ensure that you're getting the right house at the right price. So, if you happen to think that the first house you view is the one you want to buy, just make sure to look around at … (0 comments)
ryan vaught: Avoid Mistake #6, Buying a House You Can't Afford: Tally Your Expenses- ALL OF THEM!
- 09/02/09 08:36 AM
September 2, 2009 This is from a good article I found on www.frontdoor.comabout how you can avoid being in over your head on house payments if you are honest and conservative in figuring out all of your monthly expenses. In all your excitement about the prospect of buying a house, you'll be tempted to twist your financial numbers so you appear more desirable to a potential lender. Instead of admitting the balance on your Visa is $7,000, you give the more rosy figure of $5,000. It will be lower in a few months, right? Remember: Buy too much house and you'll be flat … (0 comments)
ryan vaught: Top 10 Home Buying Mistakes That Can Cost You, Mistake #6: Buying a house you can't afford
- 08/31/09 08:24 AM
August 31, 2009 Just because a lender is willing to loan you a fortune doesn't mean you should take it. Buying more home than you can afford can quickly lead to financial trouble. As a rule of thumb, your mortgage payment should be less than 28 percent of your gross monthly income. Besides your mortgage payment, be prepared for the additional costs of homeownership, such as insurance, property taxes, utilities and maintenance. You may want to scale back the size of the home you're looking for in order to bring the whole package in line with your budget. Check back this … (0 comments)
ryan vaught: What to Know About Fixer-Uppers: Is Buying a Fixer-Upper For You?
- 08/26/09 08:28 AM
August 26, 2009 Ambitious first time buyer? Want a custom home but can't afford to buy new? Not afraid of spending some cash and possibly getting your hands dirty and doing some work yourself? Like the neighborhood and the price but not the condition? If you answered yes to these questions then maybe you are a person that should consider the idea of buying a fixer-upper? Sometimes referred to as "handyman specials" and sometimes referred to as "red flags", fixer-uppers can range. They are usually homes with physical problems that may go further than "skin deep". Some of the problems are … (0 comments)
Yeah, so this example of a house...?...is extreme but it is true that fixing up a fixer-upper can be quite expensive. Know what you're getting into before buying a home that needs major repairs. Mistake #7: Buying a foreclosure or fixer-upper without doing your research Some homebuyers are so set on finding a bargain, they overlook the fact that buying a … (0 comments)
ryan vaught: How to Choose a Neighborhood: Steps #4 & 5
- 08/21/09 11:26 AM
August 21, 2009 5 steps to finding a place where you belongHere are the last two steps, #4 & 5 to choosing a neighborhood. If you missed the others, check out my blogs from earlier this week. Hope these tips have helped you in your home search. STEP 4 -- Find the Clues Once you've done the background research, visit neighborhoods that made the preliminary grade in person. There's no better way to paint a real picture of life in the neighborhood. Use your senses to get a complete picture of the prospective community. Sights: Remember your first impression. What do … (0 comments)
ryan vaught: How to Choose a Neighborhood
- 08/19/09 10:16 AM
August 19, 2009 5 steps to finding a place where you belong Steps #2 & #3. Check Monday's blog for step #1 on how to choose a neighborhood. STEP 2 -- Zero In on the AreaIf you're moving within the same city, you probably already know the various neighborhoods. Choose the ones that best match your list of wants. If you're moving to a new city, you'll have to do more research. This is where working with a Realtor familiar with the area can also help. They can help you narrow down your choices, possibly based on how close you want … (1 comments)
ryan vaught: Top 10 Home Buying Mistakes That Can Cost You: Mistake #8: Not researching the neighborhood
- 08/17/09 10:30 AM
August 17, 2009 Mistake #8: Not researching the neighborhood Week 3 of my 10 week series on home buying mistakes that can cost you. This week we're looking at mistake #8, "Not Researching the Neighborhood". Here's the scenario: You've just moved into your dream home but you didn't have time or didn't even think to research the neighborhood and now, due to not liking the neighborhood, you are thinking your dream home might be your nightmare home...if only you had done your homework! Make sure you go in the right order: Step #1- find a neighborhood/location you like, then step #2 … (0 comments)
ryan vaught: Ingredients of a Great Real Estate Investment Continued...#3 & #4
- 08/14/09 11:42 AM
August 14, 2009 Boost your odds for a successful resale down the road with these four essentials As promised from Wednesday here are #3 & #4 In-Demand Amenities to look for in your next house. If you haven't read Wednesday's blog, start there to read the #1 & #1 in-demand amenities. #3: Modern MustsMany buyers, 46% to be exact, are looking for a home with energy-efficient features. These features include: newer, dual paned windows, Energy Star appliances, and a well maintained HVAC system. Many buyers also want to be able to have cable and satellite connections, including access to high-speed … (0 comments)
If you're buying an investment property, buying your first home or buying your dream house it's important to think about the amenities. If you plan wisely and purchase a property with these following "in-demand" amenities then when you go to sell you will be able to tip the resale scale in your favor. #1: The Coolest House on the BlockMost buyers want a cool house-literally, a cool house. In a National Association of Realtors survey, almost 75% of the people ranked it as … (0 comments)
ryan vaught: Top 10 Home Buying Mistakes That Can Cost You: Mistake #9: Thinking short-term
- 08/11/09 09:16 AM
August 11, 2009 Top 10 Home Buying Mistakes That Can Cost You: Avoid these blunders that homebuyers commonly make Mistake #9: Thinking short-term Shop for a home with your successors in mind. Look for buyer-friendly features, such as ample storage space. You want to think about purchasing a home that is a place that you and your family feel comfortable in, but don't forget the other side of it-home buying is probably the largest purchase you will ever make. When shopping for a home it is a good idea to consider how long you think you will live in that home. … (2 comments)
ryan vaught: Pre-qualification versus Pre-approval: Learn What The Difference Is
- 08/07/09 10:24 AM
August 7, 2009 I found this great article from www.frontdoor.com that does a great job explaining the difference between pre-approval and pre-qualification for a loan. Know Your Terms Before Looking for a Home Before you begin house-hunting, it's best to know from your lender if you pre-qualify or are pre-approved for a loan. The distinction between the two is that pre-qualifying determines how much a lender will lend you. It involves obtaining a letter from the loan officer who looks at your debt ratios, gross income, and work history to see if you're qualified to make the monthly payments. This usually … (1 comments)
December 17, 2009Here are some more simple ways to make your house look its best for showings without spending much money. If you missed last week's blog, check it out to see how to add curb appeal to your house for sale.;)
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