3. Do it now. We are experiencing historically low interest rates coupled with a large inventory of homes on the market making sellers more likely to negotiate a deal. If you purchase before the end of the year, you also become eligible for tax incentives and the Homestead tax exemption.
4. Think like an investor. The best buy is usually in the lowest priced third of the neighborhood. Let your neighbors bring up your home’s value and you will build equity faster.
5. A mortgage broker may be a better option than your bank. A broker pulls your credit once and can line you up with a variety of different lenders and financing options based on your specific needs.
6. Put a little more down. Sometimes the difference between 3.5 percent and 5 percent down can mean a huge difference in interest rates and may save you thousands on mortgage insurance.
7. Perform due diligence. This is the period you have to inspect the home, the land, the appliances and the systems of the property. If you find anything during this period, there’s still time to negotiate or walk away. This also applies to condos or new construction.
8. Protect your investment. Most insurance agents will offer you a substantial discount if you bring your car insurance with you.
9. Attend open houses. It’s a great way to preview homes and ask deeper questions. Bring your agent’s cards with you to give to the agent on duty. When an agent knows you’re already working with someone, they will give you more flexibility to “just look.”
10. While you are still at the house, take notes directly on the listing printouts. A standard appointment is about two hours and four to six houses. After that, it becomes difficult to remember everything you saw.
SELLING YOUR HOME
1. Choose a REALTOR®. All licensed agents in Georgia abide to laws that govern the industry but Realtors also subscribe to a code of ethics that always place the client’s interest above their own.
2. Stage your home. Professional staging generally costs a fraction of the value it adds and staged homes sell quicker than a vacant or non-staged home.
3. Consider curb appeal. Think of every thing a potential buyer experiences from the time they get out of the car to the time they walk through the front door. Landscaping can make a huge difference in a buyer’s impression.
4. Be flexible with showing times. The more complicated it is to show your home, the less likely buyers will get to see it.
5. Price right. On average, homes priced with the market have a contract in less than 30 days at approximately 97 percent of asking price.
6. Don’t wait. Many people wait to list their home until the market is stronger. The right agent will know how to market your home any time of the year.
7. Maintain a comfortable temperature. Even if your home is vacant, the goal is to keep a potential buyer there as long as possible.
8. De-clutter and depersonalize. All of those collectables displayed around the house make it feel smaller and don’t appeal to everyone’s taste. A buyer needs to see their family in the home, not yours.
9. Paint. Nothing says clean or fresh better. Think light and neutral colors.
10. Keep it clean and lit. When you leave your house each day, it should be show ready in case of a last minute call. Have a professional cleaning service come weekly or, if you can’t afford it, at least have them do a deep cleaning before you list your home. Also, consider getting carpets steam cleaned.
Editor’s note: Barb Rowland and Justin Zeigler are realtors with Common Ground Real Estate.