Real Estate Information Archive

Information provided by Amy Hoak of MarketWatch on realestate.msn.com| ©2011

The competition for rental homes is heating up as more Americans choose to rent instead of buy. That increase in demand is driving up rents in some markets.

Consider these eye-opening statistics: 25% of renters spend more than half of their income on rent and utilities, according to a recent report by Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies. Another quarter of renters spend between 30% and 50% of income on rent and utilities.  MORE

Many of today's purchase offers include a contingency clause that allows the buyers to hire a home inspector or professional expert to inspect the property. If there is a significant defect in the property, the buyer can cancel the contract without losing the earnest money deposit. Contingencies are excellent procedures that protects both the buyer and the seller.

The time period for inspection contingencies is negotiable. In most parts of the country, the buyers have about a week in which to cancel the contract if the structural inspection reveals a serious and consequential defect. The positive side to such contingencies is that the inspection usually addresses--and overcomes--the buyers' misgivings, and confirms their decision to move ahead with the purchase.

·  What is your procedure for assisting a buyer from beginning to closing? Make sure that the agent has a precise presentation for you that explains exactly how they work and how they represent only you and your best interests.

·  What is your experience with financing alternatives, and what might they be in my situation? Each buyer's situation is different. We can literally put you in a much better financial situation with the same monthly payments simply by adjusting the financing. You might have many alternatives. Don't depend solely on the lender. Your agent should lead the way.

·  How do you determine my qualifications and when? You would be shocked at how rare it is for an agent to complete your qualifications right away. Even so, it is important to have this done early in the process. This way you are ready to make a strong offer at a moment's notice, increasing your chances for not only finding, but buying the home of your dreams.

·  How do you provide me with information on new homes for sale? Your agent should have a system that automatically updates you when new homes meeting your criteria come on the market.

·  What is your negotiating philosophy, and how do you apply it to me? This is important. Play close attention to how many transactions the agent does per year. More is better. The more transactions the agent closes, the more experience they have in negotiating just about every situation that could come up.

·  How do you find the best value for me? How do you make sure it is a good value? This is important because the agent should have some immediate and concise answers as to how they accomplish this for you. They should have systems in place and be able to explain them to you.

·  How do you protect me from the extensive costs that lenders, title companies, inspectors and others charge a home purchaser? The typical answer is that these charges are just normal. Make sure that the agent has relationships with companies that can offer you good service and some discounts. Also make sure that the agent has an immediate knowledge of what typical costs are.

·  Can you sell us a new, resale or foreclosed home? Most agents will answer affirmatively, but you should follow up with questions about specific builders and areas.
 

Of course, there are many more questions to ask, this is just a sampling. Do you have a specific question you would like answered? Let us know by calling us at RE/MAX America's Top Realty at (850) 934-4449. 

There are only four words in the English language
which end in "dous":
tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and hazardous.

There is a standard chain of events that occurs when an offer comes in on a home. After a meeting of the minds, the buyer often brings in a home inspector who may find a few items that need to be repaired. The real estate agent gives the homeowner a list of the requested repairs. What comes next?

In most transactions, the seller will take care of the repairs. Many sellers wait until the week before the closing to call someone to do the work, because they want to be sure that they are going to make it to the closing table before they spend money on repair work.

If you are responsible for making repairs to a home you are selling, make sure you have the work done well in advance of the closing date by licensed professionals who will stand behind their work. If the work is done at the last minute and is incomplete or unsatisfactory, it could cause complications at the closing. You should provide the buyers with all the receipts and the names of the persons to contact in case there is a problem with the repairs.

If you are going to sell your present home, the market conditions will play a crucial role in determining the asking price. Market conditions change constantly, so it is important that you get solid advice from a professional who is familiar with your specific area.

A good real estate agent will know how houses in your area are selling, as well as the other factors that may influence the sale. Nearby commercial development, which may create congestion and noise, may also mean a greater demand for housing from people who will be working in the new office buildings. A new bus route that cuts commuting time could make your home more valuable and highways close by can be an issue with the price. The economic conditions have a strong impact on the real estate market. Real estate professionals can help you consider all of the issues and assist you in setting a fair price for your home.

If you are planning to build a new home, you should take full advantage of the opportunity to design a custom-built home that meets your needs and includes all the amenities you want. Create a professional-quality kitchen for the "gourmet cook" in the family, include space for a home office, and place the master suite at the opposite end of the house from the kids. Enjoy designing your dream home!

This may be the biggest project of your lifetime. Be certain to select a team of highly qualified professionals to work with you. Your home team should consist of a real estate salesperson, an architect, a builder, and a lender.

Your "Dream Team" will assure that all the legal requirements are met as your dream home is being built. Interview each member of your team and ask for references, in order to be confident you are hiring the best people for the job. You will be working closely with these professionals for many months, so choose your team carefully.

When you have decided on a mortgage lender, you begin the loan process by filling out a loan application. You should be fully prepared to go over your current financial situation and credit history with the loan officer.

Have a record of all of your current bank accounts, including the name and address of bank(s), type of account(s), and approximate balance(s). Be prepared to provide details about outstanding loans, including student loans and major credit accounts. You will also need information about your assets, such as car title, stocks and bonds, and life insurance policies.

If you foresee any credit problems, ask the loan officer for advice on how to keep them from interfering with approval of your mortgage loan. The loan officer can usually give you a prompt opinion about your chances for obtaining a mortgage. 

When you are involved in the process of buying a home, it is safe to assume that you will probably find one that you like, make an offer, and purchase it. There are many steps along the way, and more and more buyers in the market today want guarantees. Inspections by structural engineers and environmental specialists often turn up something wrong with the property you want to buy. Many sales have been halted or delayed because asbestos, lead, or radon was found on the property.

If a problem has been found with the property you want to buy, ask yourself two questions:

1) Can the problem be fixed?
2) If so, what will it cost to repair it?

Some of the following problems could keep you from purchasing a property, if:

1) the house rests on a fault line; 
2) the water supply is contaminated; 
3) there is a severe crack in the foundation; 
4) the house is located under electro-magnetic power lines; 
5) the house is contaminated with radon gas.

Enlist your real estate agent's help in identifying the existence of any of these problems prior to buying property.

When sellers think about curb appeal, they usually think about their own front yard and the effort required to keep the house looking good. When prospective buyers look at homes, they evaluate both the house and the neighborhood. The price that your neighbors get for their house will have an impact on the value of your home.

This knowledge makes its own case for doing your part to make the neighborhood appealing. The time to take remedial action is before you think about moving, especially if your house is the one with peeling paint, over-grown bushes, rusty bicycles, and cracked sidewalks. The value of your home will be largely determined by the recent selling prices for comparable properties, and neighborhood "eyesores" do not help to keep the values up. Even if you don't feel that you will ever move again, you will enjoy living in a house that is a real source of pride.