Property Snake

Category: Buyer Advice

  • How To Find a Realtor in 2023

    How To Find a Realtor in 2023

    Buying a house can be difficult if you do not know real estate laws, rules, and regulations. If you want to buy a house, you can enlist the help of a real estate agent or a realtor. A realtor and a real estate agent are almost the same, but a realtor chooses to join the National Association of Realtors.

    A professional realtor can help you find a house with the best deal and ensure you close on your new house as fast as possible. Whether buying or selling a house, you might need the services of Park shore realtors.

    Here are some tips on how to find a realtor in 2023.

    Personal Network

    Sometimes finding a realtor is not that hard; you can use people around you to recommend a realtor. Some of your colleagues, relatives, or friends have bought houses and used realtors to do so. If a close relative or friend recommends hiring Mesa realtors, you can trust them because they will likely recommend a great realtor.

    Research

    You can also find a realtor by searching for realtors near you on the internet. Nowadays, many professionals have an online presence; hence it is easy to find someone to do a particular job for you. You can review each realtor’s website and read their profiles, customer testimonials, and consumer ratings.

    Visit their Offices

    Many realtors have physical addresses where you can go and speak to a realtor. You can visit several of the offices you found while researching online that you believe have realtors that can work for you. When you visit Mesa realtors, ask them several questions to ensure they are qualified to do the job for you.

    Use a Referral Agent

    If you are looking to buy a house in a different state, you can use a referral agent to get a realtor in the state you want to buy the property. A referral agent can be a local agent you know who has connections in other states.

    If Mesa realtors refer you to an agent out of state that will help you purchase a house, that agent usually receives a cut of the local agent’s payment; therefore, you do not have to worry about paying more to the realtor.

    Buyer’s or Seller’s Agent

    During a real estate transaction, a buyer can have an agent representing them, while the seller can also have an agent. In some states, dual agency is allowed; hence a seller’s agent can also act for the buyer. Therefore, if you live in a state that allows dual agency, you can use a seller’s realtor to represent you in the transaction.

    Trust Your Instincts

    Sometimes the realtors recommended to you might not fit the job or he is too polite to tell you everything in detail. Hence you have to trust your instincts and choose the one you can find. If you visit Mesa realtors and, after speaking to one realtor and you feel that they can do the job, you can go ahead and hire them.

    Seek the Services of a Professional Realtor

    The real estate market keeps getting tough as house prices increase daily. Therefore, hiring the right realtor can make a great difference. However, before you trust someone to help you get a house, you need to hire someone who can help you get the best deal and guide you through the process while keeping your best interests at heart. Also, there is an option to avoid realtors and buy a house yourself.

  • How to Look for Mesa Homes For Sale

    How to Look for Mesa Homes For Sale

    Are you currently looking for a new home in Mesa, Arizona, and have no idea where to start?  Believe it or not, the solution may be as simple as striking up a conversation with an acquaintance.  Try out some of these tips and tricks for finding a new home in Mesa.

    Ask Around

    The first thing that should be done when looking for Mesa homes for sale is to ask if any friends, family, neighbors, or acquaintances have seen any homes in the area go up for sale.  This is a quick and easy way to get the information that you want.  Once you have that information, you can book a day to see the house and see if it’s a match.  You can even take the one that gave you the information with you, in order to get more advice.

    Drive Around Mesa

    If you already live in Mesa or already live fairly close, you can always drive through Mesa’s neighborhoods and look for Mesa homes for sale.  There’s bound to be somebody who is selling their home.  Check yards for sale signs.  If the house seems like a match for you, you can take down the information and book a viewing.

    Look Online

    Looking online is probably the most obvious way to go, as there is a ton of information on the Internet.  However, that is probably also why it should be the last route you take.  It is most likely the more daunting option due to information overload.  If you’ve exhausted all other resources, hop online and look for Mesa homes for sale.

    Open Houses

    Homes that are already up for sale should have open houses made available to the public.  Open houses are a great way to see inside a potential new home without making any commitments. An added bonus is that they also usually have refreshments for people that come to look.  Look around for some in the Mesa area.  They could be potentially advertised by flyers, online, or in newspapers.  

    Moving to a new location can be a daunting task; hopefully, these tips can make things at least a little easier for you.  Finding a home is very important, but keep in mind that your health is also critical.  If you get too overwhelmed with trying to find a home in Mesa, take a deep breath and take some time out of your schedule for yourself.

  • Buying a House without Realtor: 10 Best Tips for Home-Buyers

    Buying a House without Realtor: 10 Best Tips for Home-Buyers

    A large number of people purchase their homes with the help of an agent, and only a small number of them do not involve the realtor while purchasing a house. Approximately 10% to 20% of the sales concerning home, buying represent transactions that are conducted without involving a realtor. However, most homes For Sale by Owner Sellers (FSOB) makes a commission payment to an agent of a buyer, some of them do not. Some of the FSOB would prefer to sell a home without an intermediary of a real estate agent, and in the organization, such sellers are said to be unrepresented.

    One of the reasons why an unprecedented seller may not want to involve an agent while selling a home is money. This is because they are evading payment of real estate commission. They believe that paying a commission is more costly and even end up spending more than when they would have agent representation. Nevertheless, a good agent would get his payment through the negotiation process. A seller would gain, and a buyer would get a loss.

    FSBOs are thought to undercharge prices of residential houses by the real estate agents in the industry. This favours the buyer. A home buyer would also have a suspicion that the seller probably does not want to disclose any defect present that is why he or she would not involve an agent of which it may happen.

    10 Tips for Home Buying Without an Agent

    It is important to be represented by an agent when purchasing a residential house. Therefore, any buyer should first inquire from the FSOB if he or she can be represented by a realtor. In such a case, the seller may agree and even be able to pay the agent a commission. This way, the buyer will not have to spend anything on the agent. It is therefore important to inquire if an agent can represent the buyer. If the seller declines the opportunity to be represented by an agent, below are guidelines to consider.

    Visit the Homes

    You should visit the home and see it for yourself once you find it on the
    internet. Contact the seller or the listing realtor if they can allow you to tour the house. You can as well conduct an open tour. If you are to purchase the home without a real estate agent, you should inform the listing agent in case of any documents to sign, consult your attorney first before signing them.

    Compare the Prices

    Before giving an offer, compare the prices of different houses first. Prices of any active listing do not show the true value of the house. Therefore, you should be careful to compare the prices first.

    Make Offers Smartly

    You should create an opportunity in your offer. In case the offer does not agree with your expectations, there should be an option of canceling the contract without putting the deposit money at risk.

    Home Inspection is a Must

    Get the home inspected. Ask your acquaintances and relatives to recommend you to a person who can do the inspection. You should not choose one from the list offered.

    Always Keep an Attorney Handy: Just in Case

    Ensure that you have an attorney. When purchasing a home, there are a lot of legal documents, contracts, and processes that are involved. It is therefore important to have a lawyer. Hiring a real estate lawyer is less costly compared to commission payment that is made to the agent. Some estates would want you to have a lawyer despite having a realtor. Advice from the real estate lawyer costs between $200-$500. He, therefore, can advise you accordingly and have a review of your documents. Have a real estate agent as soon as you start documentation processes. He should be able to review your documents on time so that the process moves smoothly.

    Claim your Insurance

    Ensure that you purchase a title insurance policy or that the seller pays for it. The title should be very clean of any claims or impediments.

    Mark these on Your To-Do List

    The two most important tasks you should deal with are inspections and appraisals. Even though there are more tasks to deal with, the two should be dealt with first. It requires that an agent is present while undertaking these two tasks. If you do not have a buyer’s agent, the listing agent should handle these two tasks for you. Although others may happily finalize the deal, some will require you to compensate them.

    Negotiation is Buyer’s Right: take your chances

    You should be in a position to make and negotiate an offer until you reach an agreement. Upon finding the house that you want, you can now make an offer. Some listing agents may want a payment of part of the commission that the real agent normally gets. Your offer should offer detailed information that you are purchasing the house with a price less than the tagged price. You should also indicate that you as the buyer should not pay the agents to share the commission. All these agreements should be in writing, and the attorney should go through them. Your offer should also cover any privileges that come with it and protect the deposit cash if the deal becomes fruitful.

    Closing the Deal

    Close the deal. This entails many documents, and the attorney comes in handy. The attorney should go through all the contracts and forms. Once you have signed all the papers, submit the payment of purchase to the seller, and the house becomes yours finally.

    Attention to Details while signing

    Ensure that you have signed the agreement concerning the purchase and the fund escrow. Purchase agreement entails the earnest money made as a deposit that indicates that you are serious with purchasing the house and the final terms made during the sale. This last step confirms that the house is out of the market. The attorney or real estate agent should handle earnest money and escrow funds.

    Conclusion

    People think that upcoming homeowners shall not be able to buy a home without being assisted by an authorized realtor. However, the whole process can be done without a real estate agent. An attorney should be present to review all paperwork and the contracts before any signing. A home inspector should also be hired to carry out the appraisals and the inspections. If you are not a licensed professional contractor, do not inspect by yourself. Once an inspection is done, have a review of it. Be diligent because this way the realtor shall not lure you. If you do this, you will finally have your home without a realtor.

  • 20 Helpful Tips for First-Time Home Buyers

    20 Helpful Tips for First-Time Home Buyers

    Looking to buy a home for the first time? You are probably very excited as well as anxious about this big leap! Buying a home for the first time often seems like a daunting and time-consuming experience. A home is probably the biggest investment you’ll make. Hence you might feel the pressure to get it right. Buying a home for the first time requires patience, flexibility, and thorough research. And with all the different factors and details to consider, you can quickly feel overwhelmed. A bit of preparation can make the buying process seem much less scary. It’s time to figure out where to start the search and what to expect from the buying process itself. Here’s a handy list
    of tips to help you get through the buying process smoothly so that you get the home of your dreams.

    Know What You Can Afford

     

    When buying a new home it is most important to know your limits. Find out what amount you can afford to pay for your home. Calculate the overall monthly payments including taxes, interests, insurance, association dues, etc. Look at the monthly payment as well as other expenses like repair, maintenance, etc. and then make an informed decision on “how much house can I afford with my income“.  Before you get emotionally attached to a beautiful house, please check your budget and study the factors in your monthly mortgage payment,” said Troy Trombetta, Branch Manager at a leading mortgage company in rapid city. 

    Save Before You Buy

    The standard industry norm is to have at least 20% of your target purchase price available for down payment. However, there are other options available in many loan programs that offer less down payment and additional premiums in monthly payment. It is still advisable to have some amount saved for the down payment to ease the process and reduce your future expenses.

    Consider All Factors While Setting
    a Budget

    It does you no good to fall in love with a home that’s out of your price range. Before you start hunting homes, you need to set a budget and discuss it with your lender. Remember to factor in principal, interest, property taxes, and home owners insurance while calculating the budget. Be sure to budget for moving expenses, utility bills, miscellaneous expenses, and additional maintenance costs.

    Make a Wish List

    A great way of organizing your search is to make a list of what you like and don’t like. Your list should include all your must-have features and deal-breakers. It should also have things that you want to have but are not a deal-breaker. It is a starting point which narrows your search. However, it is not definitive and can change during your search.

     Keep an Open Mind

    Despite the wish list, you should keep an open mind while looking at homes. Even if you like a home, consider all the factors before deciding on it. The First thing you must have in mind is how to choose the right neighborhood. Also be open to repairs and maintenance costs, etc. Bounce ideas off your realtor or agent. Keeping an open mind about the possibilities in a home will help you see it in a different light.

    Improve Your Credit Score

    A good credit score improves your chances
    of approval on a mortgage. It can also help you secure a lower interest rate. Keep
    your credit utilization below 30 percent and don’t open any new credit accounts
    when planning to apply for a mortgage. Be sure to
    check your credit score before you start speaking with lenders. Remember, when
    it comes to your credit score, higher is always better!

    Hire an Experienced Realtor

    When you’re meeting with realtors and agents, it’s important to find someone with the expertise and experience to guide you through the buying process. Meet with at least three realtors before signing one on. Choose a realtor you trust and get along with. Your real estate agent should truly care about you and your needs and help you every step of the way.

    Get Pre-approval Letter

    Before you start any serious house hunting, you need to get a pre-approval letter from a lender. This letter confirms the amount you can borrow from them. It proves to the seller that you have the necessary liquidity for the payment of the closing cost. It also determines the maximum price you can afford which helps in focusing your search accordingly.

    Find a Lender You Can Trust

    Find a
    trustworthy and responsive lender. Consult with a variety of lenders like
    mortgage brokers, credit unions, and banks before committing with one. Make
    sure you’re comparing all aspects of the offer, including interest rates and
    any extra fees involved.  Lower fees and lower rates should not be the
    only factor when considering a lender.

    Do Your Research

    Although your realtor guides you through the buying process, it never hurts to do a little research on your own. Learn the differences between various types of mortgages; research your preferred neighborhoods, home inspectors, etc. Don’t be shy to ask any questions about the property. Be proactive and solve all your queries before signing on the dotted line.

    Evaluate Your Neighbourhood

    When you have a potential home in mind, do your research on the neighborhood. Talk to the neighbors and visit the community during the day as well as night. Check the cost of living, safety and security, and car and home insurance rates in the area. Understanding these costs ahead of time, helps you stick to your budget when you’re making an offer.

    Get a Second Opinion

    If you find a suitable home that you like, don’t rush into buying it. Check the place thoroughly yourself and consider all factors before finalizing on a property. Better yet, get someone else’s opinion. Bring along a friend or family member you trust for a second inspection of the home. They may notice something that you previously missed.

    Find Out Seller’s Price
    Flexibility

    Checking
    the flexibility of the seller before you make an offer often helps a lot. Ask
    the seller how flexible they are regarding the price and what they expect in an
    offer. This way you will know when there is room to negotiate. It also helps
    you avoid offending the seller with a low-ball offer which is well under the
    asking price.

    Home Inspection and Repair
    Credits Negotiation

    Don’t ever forego an independent home inspection. An inspection clues you into potential problems with the home before you move in. Inspections can uncover any serious or significant problems. This way you can ask the seller to help with some of the repairs and you can prepare for others.

     Negotiate the Offer

    Once you finalize a home, work with your realtor to come up with the right offer. Make sure you consider everything and your offer is not too low. Prepare to negotiate and discuss the credits to repair or replace any items found in the inspection. You can also negotiate with the seller on having them pay for the closing costs associated with the sale.

     Get a Home Owner Insurance

    Your bank
    or lender will need a homeowner’s insurance to process your loan. Call several
    agents to get quotes and compare all the options to get your best deal. If it’s
    your first time, sit down with your agent and discuss the policy thoroughly. Most
    lenders create an escrow account for you, which will automatically pay your
    insurance and property taxes each year. 

    Get All the Paperwork from
    Seller

    It is a
    good idea to get all the related paperwork from the seller for any mechanical
    or other significant updates made to the house. This way you will know what all
    is covered under warranty and what’s not. It also helps to know who to call
    when something breaks or you need some repairs done.

    Ask Realtor About Expected
    Closing Costs

    Closing
    costs typically include the realtor’s fees, the cost of appraisal and title
    search, and obtaining private mortgage insurance or loan if your down payment
    is less than 20%. Ask your realtor what closing cost they expect and prepare
    accordingly. Also, read the documents before you sign, so you understand what
    you’re agreeing to.

     Have a Cash Reserve Ready

    It’s also
    important to save as much money as possible and have cash in reserves that
    extend well past the closing costs. This way, your wallet isn’t stretched too
    thin and you can feel financially comfortable even after the purchase. You
    never know when you need to fund some repairs or other miscellaneous expenses.

     Get Moving Insurance

    Once
    you’re ready to move, talk with several movers, and get quotes from at least
    three. For an accurate quote, have the moving company visit your current space
    to look at the number of items they’re moving. However, damage happens during
    moves, so you need to prepare for it. Consider getting moving insurance; it’s not
    that expensive and it’s definitely worth the trouble.

    Home
    ownership is also considered a form of forced savings as it allows you to build
    equity and net worth. And while there are no guarantees, it is still a better
    option for investments. So before you buy your first home, make sure you’ve
    done your homework and take the above tips into consideration.

  • How To Choose A Neighborhood When Buying a Home

    How To Choose A Neighborhood When Buying a Home

    Purchasing your first home can be very exciting and scary all at the same time.  You need to be prepared to receive advice from everyone and about everything involved when buying a home.  One of the major topics is going to be the location that you are buying.  It is important to remember that the geographic location is definitely important but the amenities that are located around the house are what help to make it a home.  You need to find a neighborhood in the location that you want with the amenities that you are also looking for.  This can also be just as important as your budget.  To learn more about how to choose the right neighborhood to buy your first house in keep reading.

    Affordability

    One of the major factors when looking to buy a house is the price of the home in the location that it is located in.  The location of the home heavily influences the price of the home.  You definitely do not want to shop in neighborhoods that you cannot afford.  The best way to figure out where to start looking is to get a mortgage pre approval by a bank or a mortgage lender.  This will give you a good idea of how much you can afford to spend.  Once you know this you can start mapping out locations.

    Type Of Neighborhood

    You will also need to figure out what kind of neighborhood you want to live in.  Do you want to live in an urban, suburban or rural area?  Some people like to live in areas that are crowded and you can walk everywhere.  Others might prefer something a little quieter and located in the suburban developments.  Of course when in the suburban areas you might have a short drive to stores and entertainment.  If you are the type of person who likes it quiet with no neighbors you might want to consider looking in the rural areas.

    School District

    If you have children or are planning on having children you might be concerned about what school district they will be going to.  To find the best school districts in that area you are looking to buy in you can search on the Internet for the school ratings and you can also check with the city or county for additional information.

    What Is Next Door

    When you are looking at purchasing a home you should always consider what is next door to the property you are considering buying.  Are there single-family homes or apartment buildings?  If there is not anything at the moment what will possibly be there in the future?  You should also check to see if there were any chemical plants in the area.  You can do this by driving around and looking or checking the National Hazard Reports to see what is currently there or has been there.  One last thing you should understand is the zoning laws on the property.  You should be aware of what can happen with the properties around you that may or may not be okay with you.

    Holdability

    Another important thing to consider when picking a location is whether or not you will own the property for a long time.  If you are not sure that this is someplace that you will be happy living for a long period of time you might want to consider passing on buying the property for a while.

    As you can see purchasing a home in the neighborhood you want can be confusing as well as time-consuming.  You should take your time and do plenty of research before signing on the dotted line.

  • How to Buy a House: 20 Steps to Follow

    How to Buy a House: 20 Steps to Follow

    Purchasing a new piece of a house is one of the most important purchases you will ever make. Unfortunately, this important purchase can also be very stressful, time-consuming and very confusing.  Any extra information that you can get when in the process of purchasing the new house will be very useful.  This article will give you twenty tips to help assist you in making your new purchase easier.

    Affordability

    As a buyer, you should decide if buying a new house is affordable for you not only at the moment but also in the long-term future.

    Free Services

    The way of technology is making it easier for people to get answers to the questions that they have.  By taking advantage of the free services that many mortgage companies offer through their website such as the mortgage calculator you can find answers to your questions without having to speak to anyone.

    Figure Out How Much Buying Will Actually Cost You

    Buying a home is not as easy as most people think and often times it will cost more than you think it will.  You will need to find out what kind of fees are going to be involved in what is called closing costs.  However, there are also other costs such as furniture and home repairs that many people do not think of when they are purchasing their new home.

    Do Not Take The Max The Lender Wants To Give You

    Lenders will evaluate your income and your bills and decide how much they will lend you. There are financial professionals that will recommend not taking the maximum amount the lender wants to lend to you.

    Increase Your Credit Score

    If your score is low there is a possibility that you will not be approved for a mortgage loan and if you are it will be with a high interest rate.  This is your opportunity to increase your credit score to get the best mortgage loan available to you.

    Check Out The Neighborhood

    Before you fall in love with a certain neighborhood it is recommended that you check it out before you decide to purchase.  You will want to be sure that the areas are clean and safe as well as having all of the amenities that you wish to be close to.

    Get As Much Information As Possible

    Before putting in an offer on a home you should get as much information as possible about the house including any other offers that have been placed.

    Take Pictures

    When you are touring a new home you should take pictures so that you can review them later if you cannot remember something.

    View At Different Times Of The Day

    Seeing a home in different times of daylight will allow you to see flaws as well as what the neighborhood is like.

    Have A Checklist

    Make a checklist of different things you want to check within the home.  This way you will not forget while you are there.

    Speak With Neighbors

    The neighbors are your best information to finding the information you want to know about the house and the area. Do not be afraid to ask questions.

    Think About Future Resale Value

    If you are using this house for the short term you will want to be sure that you will be able to sell it in the future.  No one wants to be stuck with a home they do not want or need in the future.

    Private Deal

    Yes, it is possible to do a private deal and not have to work with a real estate agent or even a lender.  This is not a common practice but it can be done.

    Monitor Sales

    If you are looking to monitor sales there are many on the go applications that will help you.  Just download the application and you are ready to go.  This makes things very easy for when you are trying to see the sales that are happening around you.

    Service Charges

    There are many different service charges that will be charged during the home buying process.  Be sure that these charges are not being a rip off charges.  This is where many people will find that there are charges that should not be there.

    Making Your Offer

    One of the most difficult areas in purchasing a house is trying to decide how much to offer.  This is where you will need to do your research and figure how what the market is like in the area.  If in doubt ask your real estate to help.

    Take It Off The Market

    When you make your offer to the seller be sure that included in your offer is the fact that they will be required to take the house of the market.  This way no one can try to outbid you and steal the house right out from underneath you.

    When purchasing a home you will find that there are many different things you will want to consider.  One thing that many people do not think about is that the fixtures and the curtain fittings in the house sometimes do not stay.  This is something that you will want in writing.  Of course, there are other things to be considered as well such as getting out of the deal, working a deal at an auction and getting the proper survey.  There are also many different others so be sure to do your research before signing on the dotted line.