Buying And Selling Tips
Buying Tips:
Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or an experienced real estate investor, purchasing a home can be a complex process. Hiring a knowledgeable real estate agent is crucial to managing the overall process and mitigating any headaches. As someone who specializes in the Charlotte area, a booming market with so many new homes becoming available every day, I will help you find your dream home. Once you’ve found the home that’s right for you, I will guide you through the process of making an offer; negotiating the terms of the sale; getting your potential purchase inspected, repaired, and appraised, and closing the sale.
Here are some tips I have for anyone looking to start their real estate journey.
Start Saving Early
- The ideal down payment is 20% of the home's sale price. Doing so will help you avoid having to purchase private mortgage insurance (PMI), which can cost an additional 0.5-1% of your loan amount per year. For example, if you buy a $500,000 home, you can expect to pay an additional $2,500-$5,000 for PMI. In addition to better interest rates, higher down payments can give you a competitive edge over other homebuyers. Be sure to check out my financing calculators (here).
Understand Available Loans
- Conventional Loan
- Jumbo Loan
- Government-Insured Loan
- Fixed-Rate Mortgage
- Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
Don’t Forget Closing Costs/Additional Expenses
- Many first-time homebuyers forget to account for closing costs in their budget or underestimate the number of expenses that come with home purchases. Closing costs typically range from 3-6% ($6,000-$12,000 on a $200,000 home) so always remember to plan accordingly when calculating your budget. A few other costs to remember when preparing your initial budget can include decorating, repairs, renovations, and moving costs.
Location Location Location!!!
- I always consider this to be one of the most important factors to consider when finding your dream home. Cost of living, quality of education/healthcare, crime rates, and job availability are all very important factors to look at when deciding what areas to look at in your search for a home. Start by asking yourself which of these factors are most important to you, and use them to guide your search.
Selling Tips:
Selling a home can be just as nerve-racking as purchasing a home. Educating yourself to understand the market you’re in as well as what you can do to increase the value of your home can reduce any uncertainties. Having a supportive real estate agent to guide you through this process can also make or break your success when putting your home up for sale.
Below are some of the biggest things to consider when putting your home on the market.
Don't Over-Upgrade
- While small fixes and updates here and there can add value when selling your home, large makeover projects generally don’t pay off. Simple quick fixes such as a fresh coat of paint (usually the more color-neutral the better), new cabinet hardware, and updated lighting can increase your return when you go to sell. On the other hand, big projects like a new pool or home theatre tend to have the worst returns when it comes to resale.
Always be "Show-Ready"
- There is no bigger turn-off to a prospective buyer than a dirty home, especially when it comes to home photos and open houses. Make sure to clean off your countertops and declutter every room. De-personalizing your home is also important to allow potential buyers to imagine themselves living there.
Video Tours
- While having good photos of your home are important, posting a video tour online can give prospective buyers a more realistic experience of your home. Make sure to focus on the best features of your home and take your time while filming. Alternatively hiring a service to video your home can be a good option if you’re short on time or lack a good camera.
Know and Understand the Competition
- Researching other homes for sale both in your neighborhood or general area is important for pricing your home appropriately. Looking at photos or attending open houses near you can also be helpful to gather an idea of what you are up against. Note what amenities other homes offer as this can also allow you to see both where you can use improvement as well as what makes your home stand out.
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