lori webster: Do You Hate When Real Estate Agents Ask You This Question?
- 03/07/17 09:08 AM
Have you ever gone to an open house? Or called a real estate agent about a listing you see? Maybe e-mail an agent about a property he/she has listed? You just want to check out a house. Maybe you're just curious. Or, maybe you're even pretty serious about buying a house. Doesn't matter. All you're doing is wondering about a house. That's it. That's what you want to talk to the agent about...the house you came to see, or called about. And it seems like one of the first questions an agent asks you is, "Do you have a house to (2 comments)
lori webster: An Open Letter from an Agent to Anyone Considering Selling Their Home
- 02/28/17 07:34 AM
So you're thinking about selling your home? I realize you didn't arrive at this decision lightly, and that you might be nervous or scared. There are so many things that are probably going through your head right now. I'd like to help you by offering some advice, and hopefully putting your mind at ease. First, do some research.It's important for you to understand how much money you can expect to get for your home. We need to be realistic. Unfortunately, checking online sites like Zillow or Trulia isn't going to give you the most accurate picture of your home's value. This is (0 comments)
lori webster: 7 Signs You Have Picked the Right Agent
- 02/24/17 12:56 PM
Buying or selling a home can be a complicated and stressful experience. There can be a lot of moving parts involved that may come as a surprise to people who have never been through the process before. This is why having a great real estate agent is critical. Picking the right agent isn’t always easy, but you’ll definitely know if you’ve picked the right one for you. Here are seven signs that you’ve made a great decision in picking your real estate agent: 1. You like being around themYou don’t have to be head over heels in love with your real estate (3 comments)
lori webster: 10 Things Everyone Assumes About Real Estate Agents That Aren't True
- 02/20/17 11:53 AM
Real estate is a prolific profession. Everyone either knows a real estate agent, or is connected to one through six (probably less) degrees of separation. Between friends and relatives, and the stereotypical representation of real estate agents on television and in pop culture, the general public has a adopted some assumptions about agents that are very far from the truth. Here are ten things that people assume about real estate agents that just aren’t true: 1. They make “easy money”HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH. The only people who could ever possibly make the case that being an agent is an easy way to make money are (1 comments)
lori webster: 8 Signs That You Were Destined to Work in Real Estate
- 02/10/17 10:04 AM
Very few people are lucky enough to know what they want to do from a young age and even fewer are fortunate enough to see their dream through. You might have wanted to become an astronaut when you were 4 years old, but the chances that you're currently orbiting earth in the International State Station are fairly slim. But what we think we want to do and what we're destined to do aren't always the same thing. Many real estate agents try various professions before they find their true calling. There's an old saying, "A (wo)man does what he can, until (3 comments)
lori webster: 3 WAYS TO GIVE YOUR KITCHEN A MINI MAKEOVER
- 02/08/17 11:31 AM
Your kitchen is often the heart and soul of your home. It's where many homeowners spend a significant amount of their time - preparing meals for friends and family, trying out new recipes or just gathering their loved ones for a glass of wine and a conversation. Doesn't it make sense to keep the kitchen as up to date as possible? Here are some tips to make your kitchen the very best it can be: 1. DeclutterThe last thing you want in any room is clutter. Having too much stuff - especially stuff that you don't use - can make your kitchen (3 comments)
lori webster: Have you saved enough to cover the closing costs?
- 01/23/17 09:04 AM
There are many potential homebuyers, and even sellers, who believe that they need at least a 20% down payment in order to buy a home or move on to their next home. Time after time, we have dispelled this myth by showing that many loan programs allow you to put down as little as 3% (or 0% with a VA loan). If you have saved up your down payment and are ready to start your home search, one other piece of the puzzle is to make sure that you have saved enough for your closing costs. Freddie Mac defines closing costs as: “Closing costs, also called (1 comments)
lori webster: 6 Books You Should Read Before Buying or Selling Your Home
- 01/11/17 11:57 AM
Buying a home for the first time or selling a home for the first time are both huge endeavors. And most homeowners go into the process blind. Having never experienced the process of buying or selling, homeowners can easily find themselves losing time, losing money and losing patience, all because they were under or ill-informed. But it doesn't have to be that way! There are a ton of incredible resources out there for first time buyers or sellers to help walk them through the process, including the good old-fashioned book. Here are 6 books you should read before buying or selling (1 comments)
lori webster: Is Getting a Home Mortgage More Difficult?
- 11/30/16 06:38 AM
If you can qualify for a mortgage, you should by a home now, period! More info here The median family wealth for Homeowners is $195,400, with their home the most valuable asset for most; the median family wealth for renters is $5,400. That is signifigant, don't you think?
LoriWebsterSellsAZ.com
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lori webster: What are you Thankful for?
- 11/23/16 11:26 AM
Everyday of the year, I write down 10 things I am Grateful for. Most days, the top 5 are the same. Once in a while something special happens and I get toadd a new one to the list for that day. I have made it such a habit that I don't even have to time block for it. Today, I was able to add to the list that I am grateful for a special client. She referred her daughter to me a while back and we closed and recorded on the daughters new home today. Just in time for the Holiday. What a (2 comments)
lori webster: Why Are Mortgage Rates Increasing?
- 11/21/16 10:34 PM
Whenever there is a presidential election, there is uncertainty in the markets as to who will win. One way that this is noticeable is through the actions of investors. As we get closer to the first Tuesday of November, many investors pull their funds from the more volatile and less predictive stock market and instead, choose to invest in Treasury Bonds.
Read More Here
Bottom Line Interest rates are impacted by many factors, and even though they have increased recently, rates would have to reach 9.1% for renting to be cheaper than buying. Rates haven't been that high since January of 1995, (2 comments)
This one is "Guess the Movie by looking at the house" Guess the Movie Quiz.....
How do you feel about on-line puzzles?
Lori Webster & All Things Real Estate
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lori webster: How Do Real Estate Agents Get Paid?
- 07/11/16 07:28 AM
Real estate is hot right now, home values are appreciating and many people are rushing to get their real estate license. But, sadly, many people do not ask this question, “How does an agent actually get paid”? Listed below are some answers to common questions about real estate commissions: How much does the regular agent make on a sale? A typical commission for an agent can range from about 3% to 7% of the final purchase price of the home. Land and Commercial properties can command an even higher fee. That figure is usually split between the Buyer’s agent and the Sellers (0 comments)
Since the first HOA emerged in 1964, HOAs have grown very common in the United States. HOAs can have a number of positives but also some downsides, causing some people to stay away from communities ruled by HOAs. If you live in a condo, townhome, or house that's part of a homeowner's association, you'll be subject to the rules in the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs). If you’re unsure whether or not your potential neighborhood has an HOA, ask your real estate agent. THE PROS AND CONS OF HOAs
Pro: Community Appearance, Maintenance & Amenities Homes within an HOA must meet the (0 comments)
If you are selling a home for the first time or the 100th time, you may be unaware that you are missing out on opportunities to get the most out of your home sale. Here are some proven tips, tricks, advice, and best practices that can help you take advantage of every opportunity to sell quicker and profit from your sale.
Making a Great First Impression When showing your property, there are many things you can do to improve upon the first impression potential buyers get. You want to make the home attractive, appealing and memorable. You want to allow people to imagine (2 comments)
lori webster: Real Estate Terminology made easy
- 06/27/16 12:07 AM
Understanding real estate terminology can be of great assistance in buying or selling a home, commercial property, or investment property. In order to help you understand words commonly used in a real estate transaction, I have prepared a list of real estate terms you should become familiar with. Thanks again and be sure to contact me for any of your real estate needs in Maricopa County, AZ. Terms: Interest Rate The monthly effective rate paid (or received if you are a creditor) on borrowed money. Expressed as a percentage of the sum borrowed. MLS- IDX IDX, or broker reciprocity, is a listing (5 comments)
lori webster: A Beginners Guide to Buying a New Home
- 06/12/16 11:56 PM
If you’ve never done it before, buying a home can be extremely daunting. What are the steps? Where do you start? What paperwork do you need? How much money will you need? Never fear. If you’re buying a home for the first time, read on to have all of your questions answered. Finances Before starting to shop around, take a serious look at your finances. You would hate to find your dream home, only to realize you cannot afford it. Your savings should be at minimum of 3 (3 comments)
lori webster: A Guide for Downsizing Your Home
- 06/02/16 10:38 AM
If you’re preparing to move into a smaller space, you may find that you have accumulated way too much stuff. It’s probably a burden to move and a burden to find places for everything. Downsizing is a great way to eliminate a lot of the stress of transporting your possessions in a move and a fantastic way to start fresh in a new home. Here are some tips for downsizing. Determine What You Actually Need We all tend to keep things “just in case” or “for sentimental” reasons, when in reality, we should get rid of a lot of the things (3 comments)