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Home Sellers: Avoid These Open House Mistakes!

You’ve made the decision to sell your house – EXCITING! But that is just the first step in the long list of things to do to get your house market-ready! There is a lot of preparation that goes into selling your house so you can get TOP dollar! If you’re selling your house, that probably means you’ll be searching for a new one and as a home buyer, don’t you prefer viewing properties in their best possible light? That’s how you want to present your house to Buyers, as well. Your real estate agent has undoubtedly told you about the necessity of holding an open house in order to showcase your home’s best features and allow interested home buyers the chance to stop by and get that first impression of the house. There are a few essential open house mistakes you can avoid in order to get the highest number…

What to Expect From Your Home Inspection

Most home sales require you to get a home inspection done by a licensed & qualified home inspector. This report can ensure that you’re aware of any issues before you purchase a home. Home inspectors can identify current issues, potential issues, and give you a better idea of what to expect of the ongoing maintenance the property will require. A thorough home inspection can save you thousands of dollars in unexpected repairs. Bottom line, you NEED to have a home inspection done so you can make a good, informed decision about purchasing a home. In this article, we’re going to discuss what you should expect from a home inspection. What is a Home Inspection and What Happens During One? A home inspection is a detailed walk-through, visual assessment of a property to determine the current state of its mechanics and structure which includes the roof, ceiling, walls, floors, doors, and…

Should You Rent or Buy a Home in 2022 in Southwest Florida?

Now more than ever before, housing affordability is a huge issue. Working out whether to join the homeowner’s club or continue renting can be a daunting decision. We’ll talk briefly about the pros and cons of renting and then discuss what you need to consider before making the choice to purchase a home. Renting – The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly Being a tenant has its benefits. For one thing, there is much cheaper upfront costs (first, last, deposit) and deposits may be returned (if you return the unit in the same condition it was rented to you in). You can avoid unpleasant and potentially costly surprises (like an appliance that breaks or cracks in the ceiling). You lock in a monthly rent and your landlord takes care of most things (maintenance, building repairs, landscaping, etc.). Lastly, you can easily move when your lease is up. Sure, renting can…

5 Extra Expenses First-Time Home Buyers Need to Know About

Buying your first home is no doubt one of the most exciting experiences of your life. You spend years imaging owning a home of your own. You begin to envision how great your life will be in it, all the memories you’ll make, and you can’t wait to sign your ‘X’ on the dotted line. You know that there will be expenses when you buy a home, but many people forget about them when they decide to turn their dreams into reality. One of the BEST tips for buying your first home in Southwest Florida is: understanding what all the expenses are when purchasing so you can be prepared for the expenses and how this purchase will impact your overall financial health. It’s crucial you don’t let the excitement of home buying to cloud your sensibilities. You have to keep in mind that there will be some first-time home buyer…

What’s the Difference Between an Agent, a REALTOR®, an Investor, and a Broker?

The terms REALTOR®, agent, and broker are often used interchangeably, but they don’t have the same meaning. And this can make things confusing. The main thing to know is that their levels of qualifications vary, even though they are each qualified in their own right – especially in Southwest Florida. There is also the real estate investor. Let’s take a look at what those differences are and what they mean for you. Real Estate Agents A real estate agent is someone who has taken the required course hours (this varies state by state but usually between 60-75 hours) and passes the state exam to become a licensed real estate agent. They also must pay license and supplemental fees, on top of the course and exam fees, and pay to renew their license every 2 years. You’ll most likely be working with real estate agents directly since it’s their job to…

7 Ways to Save Money on Homeowner’s Insurance

Buying insurance (of any kind) must rank pretty high on the “Least Favorite Adult Chores To-Do” list. As tedious and time-consuming as this can be, it is an unavoidable expense that comes along with buying & owning a home in SW Florida. That’s why you want to take your time with research and not rush through the process. This can save you money – and who doesn’t want to save money? How much money? Well, that depends. How much you’ll pay on insurance depends on many factors such as how old your home is, the location, etc. but according to NAIC.org, the average annual premium for homeowners’ insurance is around $1,200. It may seem pricey but remember that if anything happens to your home, you have the assurance that you will be reimbursed. Keep in mind, many home loans require that you have & keep a certain level of homeowners…

5 Ways to Winterize Your Home

Winter is COMING! Or is already here in different parts of the country. With the holidays approaching, the last thing folks want to spend money on is preparing their homes for the winter – especially if you need to be in a budget. Even if you live in SW Florida and the super cold weather or snow won’t really affect you, you can still benefit from these tips or share with your colder climate living friends! There are plenty of winterizing tasks that won’t cost you an arm-or-a-leg and are easy enough to do yourself. A small investment of money & your time will go a long way to protecting your home from the elements. Here are five affordable and simple things you can do to winterize your home on a budget! When was the last time you gave your water heater some love? Upkeeping the water heater often gets…

Spruce Up Your Backyard, Spruce Up Your Home’s Value

A big mistake many Home Sellers make is thinking they only need to make the front of a house & the inside look appealing because it’s what everyone sees first. They think, “The unkempt backyard isn’t that unattractive. It’s fine.” What we often forget is that outdoor living is just as important to indoor living to many Americans. If you’re looking to get the maximum possible value from your property in Southwest Florida, then you need to give your backyard some love. Here are 5 tips that are essential to help raise your home’s value! Landscaping Having overgrown bushes and trees can obscure windows, therefore darkening the interior. They can also make it difficult for Buyers to get a good look at the house. Most Buyers don’t want to do a bunch of work on their new house, let alone the backyard. They want “move-in ready”. You put in the…

Buying a Home? Make Your Best Offer!

Today. It’s definitely a seller’s market! If you’re buying a home in this climate, standing out is important. Multi-offers, often over list price are being made. People are outbidding one another to get the home they desire. There is a definite shortage of homes for sale. If you’ve found your dream home there are a few things you can do to give yourself every advantage. What’s Your Budget Know your budget. What you can afford is going to be crucial as a homebuyer.  You should work with your lender to determine what you can comfortably afford. They will help you understand the numbers so you can get pre-approved for your loan, which will give you confidence as you search. It will also demonstrate to the seller that you are a “serious buyer” and can act quickly. Be Ready to Move Recently, the average home is selling in just 17 days…

5 Things Home Buyers Wish They Knew Before Buying a Home

Buying a home – it’s the American Dream. A large percentage of Americans consider buying a home a top priority in their lives, many whom live right here in Southwest Florida. What we all want is perfect conditions that are a win-win for everyone involved but the ugly truth is, the home buying process can be a whirlwind. Having the right expectations and information before setting out to fulfill your dream will go a long way in helping you get a positive outcome with as little stress as possible. To give you an advantage, we’ve shared 5 tips many first-time homebuyers wish they had known before buying their homes. Bank Pre-Approval is a MUST Before You Start Looking You’re sitting there, figuring out finances and such and think “This is what I can afford!” So, you head to apply for a mortgage and discover just how wrong you were. Sigh….

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