Finding a good home is very important. A good home is one that fits the criteria that you want in a place to live. To find the right home where you and your family can live life the way you want requires an extensive search. When you find that home to rent, you need to move very fast as rental units are not held for future occupancy, it is a first-come/first-served market. The best way to move fast is to be ready to complete an application while looking. Review the information in the qualification policies and have all the information ready when you apply.
Buying Real Estate
APPLELAND REalty
The process of buying a place to live can be overwhelming and difficult based on all of the factors that are in play when looking to purchase a place to live, especially with the current low inventory levels. The residential housing market over the last few years has shown a very low inventory level and historically low interest rates creating a highly competitive buyer market. The following are the key things that need to be in place for a successful purchase in a competitive market, each of which can be reached with an Appleland Realty Group agent:
- Expertise in the Market: To be successful, a buyer needs to have an expert who knows how to find, review, and obtain properties for the buyer to review.
- Buyer Preparation: When the market is competitive, a buyer needs to be ready to purchase. To be ready to purchase, a buyer has to have certain items in place when the home search begins. The items that are included in this preparation include, a strong understanding of the buyer’s budget for a purchase, the financial resources available for a down payment, etc., a financing application completed and reviewed by a financing institution, and an understanding of the primary criteria are wanted by the buyer in the home (e.g. square feet, bedrooms, bathrooms, square feet, etc).
- A Process for Success: As the inventory for sale is low, the buyer must have a realtor-led process to find a home. The process includes methods of communication, times available for showings by decision-makers, and a knowledge of the market to determine if a home is priced appropriately.
Selling Real Estate
APPLELAND REalty
The process of selling your home can be daunting but doesn’t have to be. To properly close the sale of real estate, an expert in the industry is required. An expert will help you work through the following items as part of the agreement to act as a realtor on your behalf:
- Getting the property ready for marketing.
- Seller Disclosure Statement requirements.
- Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Requirements.
- Surveys/Title/Radon/Upgrades/Repairs.
- Marketing the property in a manner that gets views and looks.
- Presenting the property to potential buyers.
- Compliance with the laws applicable to buying/selling houses, understanding what is legally required of a seller, and working with other parties (potential buyers, buyers, vendors, inspectors, etc.).
- Review of a determination of the proper offer to purchase. Which offer do I accept? Do I accept an offer with a contingency?
- Working through and finalizing the purchase agreement.
- Title insurance and its processes.
- Inspections for the house.
- Tax Proration Calculation.
- Well/Septic Inspection.
- Condominium Requirements (if applicable)
- Addressing problems that arise during the sale process. What happens? What can and cannot be done? How to communicate?
- How much will I get after closing?
- The Closing Process. What do the documents mean? Is the amount I am getting correct?
- Post-Closing issues.
The expertise of a realtor helps to work through the sale process to avoid problems and to give you the chance to exit the closing process cleanly while avoiding problematic sales. Most sellers view their property as “not a problem” to sell, but later find out that there is more to the process than anticipated or that they had a misunderstanding on the process or documents.