by Emily McGovern | Mar 8, 2020 | Home Improvement
The spring real estate market is shaping up to be HOT HOT HOT with low interest rates and limited inventory it will be a sellers’ market. Make sure to get the most bang for your buck with strategic home improvement choices before you list your home with a trusted real estate professional.
Before you get started and spend thousands of dollars on home improvement projects find a trusted real estate professional that can walk through you home and identify those areas that will give you the greatest ROI (return on investment). Domii can connect you with that trusted real estate professional today.
One of the easiest and most inexpensive tips is to de-clutter and de-personalize your home. It might feel counterintuitive to take things out of a room, but it helps buyers to visualize themselves in the space. Removing distractions like family photos or large unneeded furniture can help potential buyers “see” the space with their furniture and their family photos.
Another simple trick is to make sure that all your windows are clean inside and out! The more light you can let in the better – sometimes the outsides of your windows get missed. It is worth the money and time to clean them. A great first impression is key to maximizing your investment and will help you get the most money for your home.
Taking the time to repaint walls to neutral tones can be an easy and relatively inexpensive fix that also helps buyers to see themselves in your home. Giving buyers a “blank slate” can help motivate more offers and that might work to your advantage and generate a bidding war.
Walking through your home room by room and checking for any loose handles, drawers that might be stuck, windows that won’t open, or visible damage is an inexpensive and quick way to identify potential complaints from a buyer. Fixing those before your open house can help reduce any resistance for a potential buyer.
Make sure to consider the curb appeal of your home. Go outside and walk your entire property. Are there trees that need to be trimmed back? Could you add a few hanging plants that would be inviting for a potential buyer? Are all the outside lights working and clean of bugs? Does your lawn need to be mowed? These are just a few things to check for and the outside of your home can be just as important as the inside. A great looking outside sets your home up for success at the open house.
One of the best investments many sellers make is to rent a storage unit. Take the opportunity that an upcoming open house presents and take as much out of your home as possible. Out-of-season clothes, decorations, extra furniture, unused dishes, etc. Your home should be lived in but think about it as being Instagram ready at any time.
These are a few suggestions that can help you to maximize your home’s value and make sure that you get a fantastic offer on your home. Domii can help you find the professionals you need to make it happen!
by Emily McGovern | Mar 8, 2020 | Mortgage
The spring market is an exciting time and many buyers and sellers are eager to jump in feet first. Others may become overwhelmed and discouraged because they try to navigate a complicated process on their own. Don’t make that mistake! Domii connects buyers and sellers with qualified real estate professionals in real-time.
Those real estate professionals will help even the most novice buyer/seller by laying out easy to follow steps with a plan for success. That same professional will walk with you throughout the entire process from start to finish making sure to educate and share information throughout.
One of the main benefits of working with a trusted real estate professional is that as those steps change throughout the process your professional can quickly adapt to those new challenges. Those factors might include the mortgage process, home inspection, or legal documents. (Find any of those trusted professionals on Domii today). Those experts will provide the guidance and expertise necessary to have a successful home buying experience.
If we take a moment to focus on the mortgage process it is important to understand that there are many types of loans available. Here you will find a few of the more basic loans you could consider. It is critical to work with your lender to find the best loan for your specific circumstances:
Conventional: Repeat buyers typically qualify for this type of loan because of their established credit history – however a larger down payment is usually required.
VA: These loans are available for Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and their spouses. These loans are guaranteed by the Department of Veteran Affairs.
FHA: These loans are guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration and are for first-time buyers. They typically help qualified buyers to access the housing market with a smaller down payment.
A consistently reported area of confusion throughout the home buying and loan process is interest rates. Many buyers express confusion and concern and that will sometimes paralyze a buyer and they will miss out on their perfect home. Today’s rates are near historic lows and this can help buyers get more house for their money. Don’t let your worry stop you from finding your dream home. This is just one more area that a trusted professional can give guidance and simply the process.
Don’t let the process stop you from asking questions. A great real estate professional will take those opportunities to educate their client building a trusting and open dialogue making the process even easier. Domii is here to help you find your way home with professionals who will make it happen.
by Emily McGovern | Mar 8, 2020 | Tips & Advice
Deciding to become a first-time homebuyer is an exciting opportunity to plant your roots and build a life. However, there can be a few things that will make the process easier, more straight-forward, and fun.
Here a few TIPS:
#1 – Attend multiple open houses
#2 – Write down “Must Have” and “Definitely Don’t Want” Lists
#3 – Watch out for Hidden Costs
#4 – Decide how much House you can afford
#5 – Explore your options for financing
# 6 – Pull and review your credit report
#7 – Research the Neighborhood
#8 – Plan for the Future
#9 – Have Fun
Tip 1:Attend multiple open houses to build a Pro/Con list – Sometimes walking through a property will quickly help you to find out what you love and what you don’t. Take the opportunity early in the process to do you own “in-the-field” research. There is nothing like first hand experience to help solidify what is important to you.
Tip 2: Write down a “Must Have” and “Definitely Don’t Want” list but remember to BE FLEXIBLE – paint color and floors can be easily changed – watch out for the big-ticket items (like appliances and electrical issues). Be sure to budget!
Tip 3: Watch out for those HIDDEN Costs like closing costs, inspections, and commissions. Those costs can add up quickly and end up leaving a first-time homebuyer with more debt than they were expecting right out of the gate.
Tip 4: Decide how much house you can afford – sit down and write out your monthly budget and decide BEFORE you start looking how much you can afford. There is nothing worse than falling in love with a potential home and discovering that it is outside of your price range. Be sure to give your real estate professional this information so they can bring you to the best properties that are the best price for you. Domii can help you find trusted real-estate professionals today!
Tip 5: Explore your options for financing as there are lots of options for loans. Be sure to find a loan officer who will work with you to find a loan that works FOR YOU!
Tip 6: Pull your credit report and review it line-by-line to ensure accuracy. Be prepared to contest anything that might be misreported.
Tip 7: Research the neighborhood you are looking at purchasing in and do your due diligence. Drive by at different times of day to see what the traffic patterns are like, review the crime statistics, research the schools (even if you don’t/aren’t going to have children) as schools can affect resale value, and don’t stop until you feel comfortable.
Tip 8: Plan for the FUTURE. Be sure to buy the home for TOMORROW and not for today. Things can change very quickly, and you don’t want to end up in a property that is too small or too big – look for homes that you can see yourself in for the next decade. Look forward to what that home will become FOR YOU!
Tip 9: HAVE FUN! This process can be stressful and overwhelming. Remember even when it feels like you will never find your home that you have a real estate professional ON YOUR SIDE helping to find your dream home. Enjoy the ride and make sure to tag #domii when you buy your first home. Domii can help you find your perfect home today!
