how to buy a home: 5 Top Tips for Visiting Open Houses
- 03/22/19 06:38 AM
The real estate agent at an open house works for the seller.
In many states, there is a sign, usually next to the sign in sheet, saying the agent at the open house works for the listing brokerage and the seller.
If you are new to the real estate game, be polite to the open house agent but don't divulge too much about your personal situation. You don't want to compromise your bargaining position if you intend to put an offer on a house.
Here are a few tips on what to do when visiting an open house.
Don't show your hand-Remember, the … (27 comments)
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how to buy a home: Should You Consider a Post Occupancy Agreement
- 09/24/18 11:56 AM
A post-occupancy agreement happens when a buyer & seller agree to allow the sellers to stay in the property after settlement.
Photo by Roberto Nickson (@g) on Unsplash
When it goes well, the seller leaves the property on or before the agreed upon date. The buyer completes the final inspection with their buyer's agent and finds no problems. At that point, buyer & seller agree to release the security deposit funds (security deposit from the seller held in escrow by the settlement attorney) and everyone is happy!
But the post-occupancy agreement can get complicated and messy especially when the buyer and/or seller don't understand how it works. So here … (10 comments)
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how to buy a home: I Don't Like Real Estate Agents
- 07/25/18 09:43 AM
In the movie, Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, the Baudelaire children's Aunt Josephine has an irrational fear of Realtors. But is it so irrational?
Fear of Realtors
I met a young lady today who started our conversation with, "Don't take this the wrong way but I don't like real estate agents!" And then she tells me why and I completely get it.
People get burned by bad real estate agents and it's very hard for them to come back from that experience. After all,
a home buyer is making the biggest financial purchase of their life. They need to know they can trust and count … (15 comments)
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how to buy a home: Top 5 Effective Communication Skills
- 05/29/18 12:43 PM
Photo by Peter Boccia on Unsplash
A Successful Home Buying Experience Begins with Your Story.
Why are you buying a home? Do you have a mental picture of what that new home will look like? If so, you'll need to share this information with your buyer agent. The sooner everyone is on the same page, the faster you will find your home.
Here are a few key points for Buyer Agents to keep in mind as they work with their home buyers.
1. More Listening, Less Talking-as experienced Realtors, we have important information to convey to our Buyer clients. We want to share the good and bad things we … (2 comments)
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how to buy a home: How to Buy a House in a Hot Market
- 05/15/18 03:16 PM
Buying a home this Spring can feel like a race to the finish line!
How can you win a bidding war against 7 or 8 other contracts? We serve home buyers in Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C. In the District, the competition for condos, rowhouses, and single family homes is fierce. For our home buyers looking in Howard & Anne Arundel Counties, there seems to be more inventory available and less competition.
Still, the best way to find your home this Spring is to understand the market and know what strategies will work best for you and your family.
Remember, know your … (0 comments)
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how to buy a home: #1 Way Real Estate Agents Get Sued
- 04/02/18 08:40 AM
Real Estate Agents are required to take continuing education classes to keep their licenses active.
Photo by Tyler Nix on Unsplash
At the Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors otherwise known as GCAAR, we have an ethics instructor who is a lawyer. He's acted as general legal counsel for the Maryland Association of Realtors since 1984.
The stories he shares come from real life experiences and they are scary!
The #1 way real estate agents get into trouble is failing to disclose material facts. If the seller chooses to disclaim instead of disclose, they still need to disclose a latent defect. (that's a fault with the property that couldn't … (7 comments)
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how to buy a home: The Psychology in Real Estate
- 01/19/18 08:07 AM
The decision-making process is more complex than you may think
Photo by Letizia Bordoni on Unsplash
Buying a home is a big deal. It takes focus and dedication to the process to get it right. You will make a list of what you want & need in a home. You and your partner will choose a neighborhood after considering your daily commute and other important factors. And even when you've checked off all the "must-haves" on your list, you could be missing an important piece of the process.
There are subtle details that can drive your decision-making process Understanding what drives your choices will help you make … (17 comments)
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how to buy a home: #1 Best Advice for Selling Your Home
- 10/09/17 11:28 AM
Over the weekend, I toured 24 houses for sale in Montgomery County Maryland.
My buyers are ready to buy their first home! We've discussed how to buy a home and what to look for in a property. As exclusive buyer agents, we see lots of houses! So what is our best advice for selling your home?
Clean it!
Why is something so simple the best advice? Because dirt is a major turn off. Out of 24 houses, I saw one house was clean. Only one! And I wasn't being overly picky! I'll break down the major turn-offs for buyers. If you're house is on the … (4 comments)
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how to buy a home: Buying a Home for The First Time
- 10/05/17 05:42 PM
If your a little nervous just thinking about buying a house, we get it!
Buying your first home is a serious commitment. It's likely to be the most expensive purchase in your life. So be a good boy scout and
PREPARE
Like any great adventure, you begin with trusted companions. You want to surround yourself with people who know what they are doing and are really good at it! As a home buyer, you need 100% loyalty from your real estate agent. Learn about exclusive buyer agents who serve only home buyers. Interview agents and make sure you are a good fit. … (2 comments)
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how to buy a home: Drones for Home Inspections
- 09/26/16 04:37 AM
A great home inspector will tell you what is right and wrong with a house.
He or she will also use lots of cool gadgets so you, the home buyer, can know as much as possible about a house.
Using a smart phone, the home inspector controls the drone and takes pictures of the roof, chimney and gutters. Our home inspector, Glenford Blanc with Pro-Spex, took many pictures which were used in the home inspection report.
Looking for a good home inspector? Make sure they are..
Members of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors Accredited by the Better Business Bureau Recommended by their clients … (4 comments)
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how to buy a home: Living in Silver Spring Maryland
- 09/16/16 09:47 AM
Downtown Silver Spring features shops, restaurants, and cafes
The Silver Spring Metro stop is an easy walk to the AFI Silver Theatre, Fillmore Silver Spring and the headquarters for Discovery Channel. Silver Spring is a blend of locally owned businesses and restaurants and national chains like Panera and Starbucks. There are hi-rise condominiums close to the Silver Spring Metro and single family homes are within walking distance of the Metro too.
We love Silver Spring for the wonderful restaurants. Thai, Burmese, Chinese and 10 Ethiopian restaurants! Our favorite is Lucy on Georgia Avenue in downtown Silver Spring. The restaurant Lucy is named for the … (0 comments)
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how to buy a home: Market Update for the Greater Washington DC area
- 05/09/16 11:19 PM
First Quarter of 2016
in Washington DC, Alexandria, Arlington & Maryland suburbs
Median Home Price $370,400
graph from Realtor.org
Housing supply is still low but there's been plenty of Buyer activity in Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C. In the District, homes sales have been robust and competitive. In fact, the general rule is the closer to D.C. the more competitive the housing market.
Here are a few suggestions for Home Buyers
Have your listings sent ASAP and get out to see a house of interest the day it comes on the market. Sometimes, this gives you an advantage. … (0 comments)
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how to buy a home: Consider the "Not So Perfect House"
- 04/16/16 10:12 PM
When I was looking for our home, I had a vivid mental picture of what it would look like and it did not include shag carpet and an old kitchen.
House after house, I kept looking for my perfect dream home, despite the fact that I was on a very tight budget. The first day I saw our house, I walked out saying, "Nope!" The second time, my exclusive buyers agent pointed out all the positives-
brick construction
hardwood floors throughout
backyard backs to woods & looks like a private park
on a cul-de-sac in an established neighborhood with trees
fireplace
3 full bathrooms
I walked out of my house again but … (33 comments)
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how to buy a home: Buying A Home in a Competitive Market
- 04/11/16 09:05 PM
In the Maryland Washington DC, and Northern Virginia housing market, there are more Buyers than Sellers.
Just last week, we submitted an offer on a little townhouse in Maryland. Our offer was one of 8 and the Sellers asked for the "last and best offer" from all the Buyers.
How do you buy a home in a competitive housing market?
Use this checklist as a guideline. There are key players you need for a successful home buying experience.
Find an excellent Realtor. Ask your family and friends who they recommend. Your Realtor will guide you, step by step, through the entire home buying … (0 comments)
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how to buy a home: Accurate Real Estate Information
- 03/15/16 10:35 PM
Finding accurate real estate information on the Internet is challenging
There is so much misinformation to sift through that Buyers don't know who to trust or where to go for accurate information.
Most Buyers research homes and neighborhoods on sites like Zillow and Trulia. These home search sites are easy to use and have great pictures. But if you are searching for accurate real estate information, like trying to compare home prices, you should consider working with a Realtor. Realtors have access to the Multiple Listing Service or the "mother ship" of real estate information. The MLS database provides the most accurate and … (2 comments)
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how to buy a home: Decorative Window Bars and Grilles
- 01/15/16 03:56 AM
Secure Your Home With Attractive Window Bars and Window Gates
There are thousands of condominiums in Washington D.C. and we have seen plenty of them! We've toured 550 square foot condo's and 2000 square foot condo's with one and two levels. So many different buildings and styles, there is no generic condo style or building in Washington D.C.
Condo's and Co-op's offer housing for home buyers who want to live where they work, in Washington D.C.
Our super cool clients have discerning taste and we finally found their dream condo! We were pleasantly surprised to find a condo with a brand new kitchen, two full new bathrooms … (6 comments)
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how to buy a home: Selling Your Home? Make Sure it's Clean
- 11/17/15 04:27 AM
Home Buyers want to buy clean houses
When you find a buyer for your house and make it through the home inspection and other contingencies-it's time to celebrate! After all, you are out the door and already decorating your new place. But wait a second, before you leave your old house behind-make sure it's clean.
It's not only the nice thing to do it's the legal thing to do as well. According to the GCAAR contract, used in the Greater Washington DC area-
"Except as otherwise specified herein, Seller will deliver the Property free and clear of trash and debris, broom clean and in substantially the same physical condition … (4 comments)
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how to buy a home: Buying a Home in Ellicott City Maryland
- 10/08/15 12:47 AM
Old Maryland Charm and Character
Ellicott City
Between Baltimore and Washington DC, Ellicott City is the perfect location for home buyers who need to work in both cities. Founded in 1772, Ellicott City is charming! Some buildings on main street date back to the late 1700's. At the Judges Bench, a popular bar on main street, locals share the legends and ghost stories of Ellicott City.
Ellicott City has fascinating ghost stories
According to the Multiple Listing Service, there are currently 89 homes for sale with 3+ bedrooms
(not including short sales)
Average List Price $524,567 Average Days on Market 84 Average Lot Square Footage 23, 202 The lot … (0 comments)
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how to buy a home: What to Know Before Signing A Real Estate Contract
- 09/27/15 04:48 AM
For a successful home buying adventure
Definitions for Key Words in Real Estate
Like most professions, the real estate business has a language. If you are planning to buy a home, review these key real estate terms and definitions. You'll want to know basic real estate language before signing a real estate contract.
You should understand everything in a contract before you agree, in writing, to its terms
Contract-legally binding document between a home seller and home buyer. Terms and agreements signed off by all parties
Ratified Contract-legally binding document signed by all parties involving specific agreed upon terms in the sale and purchase of … (2 comments)
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how to buy a home: October is the Best Time to Buy A Home
- 09/24/15 08:48 PM
Not an opinion-a fact
According to data released by RealtyTrac
Home Buyers get the best deals in October
RealtyTrac analyzed data from single family and condo sales since 2000. Analysis of more than 32 million sales nationwide found, on average, October was the month where home buyers got the best deals. Over the last 15 years, 2.7 million home sales closed in October. The data shows the average sale price was 2.6% below the average full market value at the time of sale.
Are you ready to buy a home?
Choose an Exclusive Buyer Agent-You have lots of options here. Many Realtors work for large real … (5 comments)
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The real estate agent at an open house works for the seller. 
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