How to have a happy real estate New Year in 2017
By Larry Stoller
It’s 2017, and many of us may have made resolutions to do things differently this year than last year.
In the spirit of making better real estate decisions, here are some real estate resolutions for the New Year.
Selling and buying at the same time
Selling and buying simultaneously is very challenging. Concerns include: can you afford to buy before selling, must you sell before buying, will you have to find temporary housing, and how much inconvenience are you willing to deal with. To deal with these problems, it’s best have a strategy in place and work closely with your agent to a win-win deal.
Getting your finances together
If you plan to buy a home in 2016, now’s the time to meet with a mortgage professional to view your financial picture from a lender’s perspective. There is no charge for this service, and meeting with a local lender will give you a clear picture of how much you can borrow & how much you can afford.
Think of your home as a car that you want to sell
Clean it up. Get rid of clutter. Make it appealing. Make it sparkle and shine. Do some painting if needed (about ten years ago, I sold an old 280Z with a new paint job for more than I paid). Staging a home also helps get it sold.
Check the market to see what homes are for sale
Going to open houses is a good start, but it’s also important to learn about the local real estate market, prices, and home values in the neighborhood where you want to live. Browse the MLS (multiple listing service) to see all available properties. Become an informed buyer or seller. Engage the assistance of a knowledgeable real agent!
Choose the right real estate agent who will work best for you
Selling and/or buying a home takes time and planning. To make sure all your real estate needs are satisfied, it makes a lot of sense to get the right real estate agent involved in the process and working for you ASAP.
Happy 2017 & here’s a gift to help you have a Happy Real Estate New Year – a FREE book, Finding Agent Right, to the first 17 readers who contact me. Just tell me where to send the book!
