Purchasing a Home on Your Terms

Buying a home is an exciting venture, and it’s important to find a real estate agent that will lead you through the home transaction. Before you begin this exciting process, take a look at this quick 10-step plan to buying a home on your terms.

Conduct a Comparative Market Analysis
An agent can deliver a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), which is a breakdown of homes in a particular location that are currently on the market, expired from the market, pending a sale, or already sold. The CMA helps you accurately determine a home's value by comparing homes in the same area that have already sold.

Start the Financing Process
Unless you're planning to buy with cash, you'll need to secure a mortgage loan. Your agent can help you select a lender and coordinate the timing and paperwork of your loan.

Narrow Your Search
The right agent will work to find your new home, first by opening up your options, then by helping you narrow the field. He or she will come up with a suggested list of homes that match your needs, and can even show you homes online, before arranging for home tours, and providing maps and directions to the homes you wish to visit.

Document Assistance
Your agent can help you write and present a purchase offer on the home of your choosing. Rely on your agent's expertise in managing the paperwork that's a necessary part of the home-buying process.

Evaluate and Negotiate Offers and Counteroffers
While it may be true that anything is negotiable, it may not always be in your best interest. An agent skilled in negotiation is your best ally in a competitive market, helping you get the best purchase price on your new home.

Set Up a Home Inspection
Some states require sellers to disclose material facts about their home's condition to potential buyers. A home inspection can help you protect your interests by determining if there are any problems or repairs that need to be taken care of before you complete your new home purchase. Your agent can arrange for an inspection appointment, accompany you at the inspection, and determine additional needs.

Negotiate Disputes and Issues
Even the smoothest, simplest real estate transaction involves two parties with needs and objectives that often differ. Your agent should negotiate, mediate and provide conflict resolution to help you and the seller come to a mutually beneficial outcome.

Prepare for Contingencies
Contractual contingencies are terms that must be met before an agreement can be binding. Written contingencies must be removed (in writing and by a specified date) before a contract can be in full effect. Whether it's financing, inspection, or any other item in your agreement, your agent can help you understand how to fulfill or remove any contractual conditions.

Get to Closing
Taking possession of your new home is always top of mind. But unanticipated difficulties at closing can be downright annoying. Your agent will help you resolve issues and finalize the transfer of ownership and house keys, so you can be in the home you always imagined.

It’s important to have an agent help you through this important transaction. For more information on the buying process, contact your local agent today.

Fall Maintenance Tips

Routine home maintenance is integral to great curb appeal during any month of the year. Keep your home looking its best with these recommended maintenance musts for the fall.

Clean Dryer Vent Duct
Experts advocate cleaning your dryer duct at least 2 times each year. This can be done by disconnecting the duct from the rear of the dryer and pulling lint, dust and other debris from the duct with a long, wet/dry vacuum wand. Be sure to also vacuum the back of the dryer, where the duct connects, before replacing the duct.

Test Your Sump Pump
Many homes have sump pumps installed to remove water at the base of your home. To avoid flooding, test your sump pump once a year to make sure it’s in working order. You can do this by manually lifting the sump float—a piece in the pump that floats up as the water level increases. When it gets to a certain height, the pump should turn on.

Dirt and other types of debris often accumulate in a sump pit. Ensure your sump pump doesn’t get clogged by regularly scooping out dirt and sludge. Then run clean water through the pump until all debris flushed out of the machine.

Indoor and Outdoor Lighting
It’s important to maintain curb appeal during all hours of the day—even after the sun goes down. Indoor and outdoor lighting should highlight your home’s assets. Outside, make sure driveways, walkways and entrances are illuminated. Consider strategically placing lights in a well-landscaped yard in order to conceal less attractive elements and showcase great vegetation.

In addition, replace light bulbs inside and outside your home. Well-lit indoor space creates the illusion of larger rooms, closets, walkways and other areas.

Prepare Landscape for Cooler Temperatures
It may be August, but it’s not too early to prepare your lawn and garden for cooler temperatures. You can start by fertilizing your lawn this month. Remove dead grass from your lawn with a rake, and add grass clippings to a compost pile. Control insects and fungus this season and next year by eliminating large patches of weeds near your lawn. This is an easy way to make your lawn more manageable.

Begin planning how you’re going to winterize your garden. Build a solid compost pile now that you can spread over your garden in the following months when you winterize. Nutrient-rich compost encourages flower and vegetable growth next year.

Routine home maintenance is vital to consistent curb appeal. If your home is on the market, ask your agent for more tips on how enhance the appearance of your home and attract buyers.