Be a Warrior, Baths and Kitchen Home Improvements That Sell!

Weekend Warriors Unite for Home Improvements!

So it is pretty common knowledge that when looking at home improvements that will get your home sold quicker, it is kitchens and bathrooms. Still, even small home renovations can be pricey if you are not careful. So the best option is to figure out what is easy to do, cost effective and can be done in a timely manner. Still stumped? Well check out these tips for the kitchen and bath “weekend warrior” home improvements that sell without costing you an appendage.

I'm Not Ready For the Rest Home Yet, Purchasing a Senior Adult Home

Being a Senior Does Not Mean I Give Up a Life

All of us know we are headed into the season of living as a senior adult. Some of us are getting there a bit quicker than others as a matter of fact. Yet for most of us, buying a home that caters to senior adult living can feel like you are being put out to pasture rather than finding the freedom of retirement. However, this does not have to be the case. Still, whether choosing a home for yourself or your aging parents, there are some unique points to consider when looking for a house that meets the needs of seniors.  Here are a few common real estate features for senior adults to look for, when searching for a home that meets your unique needs.

Your House is Not Selling…Things Only Your Realtor Will Tell You

                                                                                                                           

Why is My House Not Selling?

So you have read all the posts online. You have your home offered at what you think is a fair market price. You have painted and spruced up your home’s curb appeal, yet still your house is not getting the attention or bids you had hoped for. It is not uncommon for some homes to stay a bit longer on the real estate market than others. Still there are frequent “Deal Breakers” that realtors often see that may be stopping your home from being on potential home buyers’ wish lists.

DEAL BREAKERS

An Unclean Home 

A home does not have to be dirty to appear unclean. Frequently an "unclean" label is simply given in instances of clutter. While preparing to show your home invest in some storage bins for extra appliances and counter top items that are not frequently used. The same goes for a closet overflowing with clothes (they will look there), bulging book shelves and stashed items.  Place overflow bins in the garage or even better rent a storage space for a month or two. In any case do not leave bins sitting around to give the idea that there is little storage space.

 

After you have done an organizational once over, consider hiring a one-time cleaning team to come in to detail clean your home or throw a house cleaning party. Have friends and family help give your home a good cleaning, making sure to get all the crevices and corners often overlooked, then serve pizza afterwards.

We Lost the House...What to Do When Your Dream House Falls Through

There Goes Our Dream Home!

Nothing is more heartbreaking than to find the perfect house and lose it in the bidding or contract negotiation process. Unfortunately this scenario happens more often than we like in home buying. Still, there are some helpful hints that can help you crawl out of the lost home dilemma and get you into your dream home.

Get a Pre-Approved Home Loan!

Homes with great features, pricing and location are usually not on the real estate market very long. Having your pre-approved home loan will not only solidify your budget but can be a great negotiating tool. Pre-approval signifies to home sellers that you are serious about purchasing and the sale may move quickly.

Be Realistic in Your Search

A house with excellent upgrades and features will cost more. If you have a "dream" home in mind, do your research. Know what your "must haves" are and what your budget can afford. You may find that shopping a bit further out in location can net you a home with more features and will still leave some money in your wallet. 

Do Your Research

Whenever possible know the home you are visiting before your step in the door. Ask your realtor for information on the homes you plan to tour and review the properties online beforehand. If a home has been on the market for a while it could alert you that the property has some potential issues (found in home inspections) OR that the owners may not be as committed to selling as you would hope.

*Keep in mind that your realtor may advise you to tour a home that is fresh on the market and has been newly posted...do not let research hold you back in these cases.

Do Not Try to Low Ball

A great home loaded with features in a prime location will not last on the market long. Do not hinder yourself by trying to negotiate for a lower purchase price if the home is being offered for sale at a fair rate. Also, be prepared if you really want the house you may end up in a bidding war for it. Put your battle gear on.

Do Not Count Yourself Out

I once knew a family who had placed a bid for a house and they lost to another buyer. They were very sad but I told them to keep looking and not lose faith. In the end, the sellers' first buyers could not get loan approval and since the buyers I represented were next on the list AND already had a pre-approved home loan...they ended up with the house. 

Searching for the perfect home can be a bit daunting but enjoy the ride. When you are armed with a great budget, a pre-approved home loan and realistic expectations you may find your dream home literally falls right into your lap.

If you need help finding your dream home or making your house the perfect home for new buyers please visit my site at http://www.pamsantoro. com/. 

You can also contact me at 678-656-6627. As an experienced member of both the National and Georgia Board of Realtors, I can answer any questions you have about local market conditions, financing or selling your home for the best market value.

Remember, no one sells a home like a Mom!

Images courtesy of:Stuart Miles@freedigitalphotos.net, Renjith Krishman@freedigitalphotos.net and Morguefile Photo

First-Time Home Buyers Don’t Let Student Loan Debt Stop You



Image courtesy of Stuart Miles@freedigitalphotos.net

Student Loan Debt

Being a First Time Home Buyer can be an exciting adventure. The feeling of freedom and accomplishment that goes with it can be exhilarating to say the least. However, for most people buying a home is just a distant dream especially if they are burdened with huge STUDENT LOAN DEBT.

Let’s face it. Most people who have amassed thousands of dollars in student loan debt do not make enough to qualify for homeownership. Does this mean that they have to give up on their dreams of buying a home or wait until they have paid off all their loans? Certainly not. Here are some home buying tips that can improve the chances of being qualified for a home loan.

Wait for the Right Time

Most Federal Student Loans have a 6-month “grace period” in which new graduates have time to find a job before beginning loan re-payment and incurring interest. Do not apply for a home loan until the 6-month grace period has passed. Doing so within this period will only ruin your chances of qualifying for a home loan.

Consolidate your Student Loans

Pay off your credit card and other loans during the 6-month grace period to improve your monthly DEBT-TO-INCOME Ratio. Find out if you qualify for any STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS. Hopefully, this move will improve your credit score and increase your chances of securing a home loan.

Save Up for the Down Payment

Image courtesy of Sira Anamwong@freedigitaliphotos.net

While most lenders require buyers to put 20% of the purchase price up front, some are willing to work with less.

Find a Co-Borrower

Do you have a significant other or family member who could sign a co-mortgage? Having a co-borrower with GOOD CREDIT SCORE can help you qualify for a joint mortgage and take you a step closer to your dream.

Apply for an FHA Loan

FHA Loans are ideal for people with higher debt-to-income ratio. However, they only work if you are paying a reasonable amount on your student loans. 

Buying a home for the first time is very much possible even if have tons of student loan debts under your name. You just need to know how to do it.

Let Me Help You Find That First-Time Dream Home

If you are still not sure whether it is the perfect time to buy or sell your home, please feel free to contact me at 678-656-6627, and I will do my best to help you do what you have set to accomplish. You can also visit my site at www.pamsantoro.com  for more tips on selling or buying a home.  Remember, no one sells a home like a Mom!

Selling Your Home? Some Expenses to Expect Before the Sale





Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net



While selling a house is a productive and exhilarating experience for some home sellers, others are disappointed with the results – especially if they do not make as much money as they hoped they would. Some sellers cannot help but feel upset as they see their profits dwindling after paying one expense after another.

There are a lot of costs associated with selling a home both before the sale and at closing. Some of the expenses incurred before the sale are necessary to ensure your house sells fast for the highest amount possible and may include the following:

Repair and improvements

Your house needs to look loved and well cared for to attract possible home buyers so determine which improvements need to be done. Keep in mind that most buyers prefer to buy a house that does not require any more work when they move in. As an added bonus, taking care of the repairs and improvements reduces the number of items the home inspector can comment on.

Painting

Nothing beats a fresh coat of paint in freshening up the interior and exterior of your house. However, refrain from using bold colors. Stick to neutral hues if you want to please potential buyers. Painting the interior of a house may cost anywhere from $1.50 to $2.00 per square foot while painting the exterior can run anywhere from $3.00 or more per square foot.

Landscaping

Having a wonderful garden can be a great asset to any property so hire someone to landscape it if you have not already. You may also want to put in some new sod and add some greenery or flowering plants to make the curb appeal more inviting.

Pre-Inspection Reports

While you are under no obligation to get your house inspected, you may want to consider hiring a professional to check for any issues that may affect the condition and the price of your property. A house inspection typically costs $200 or more.

If you’re still not sure whether it is the perfect time to buy or sell your home, please feel free to　contact me at 678-656-6627 and I will help you meet your goal. You can also visit my site at www.pamsantoro.com for more tips on selling or buying a home. Remember, no one sells a home like a Mom!