BUYING A HOME

Buying a home can be a pleasant experience, yet because it is a complex process, anxiety levels can rise during that time. Uncertainty about a mortgage loan, worry over finding just the right home, or concern over meeting deadlines may all contribute to heightened stress levels.

How can that stress be reduced or eliminated?
Very simply, the more you know - the less stress you are likely to experience. In other words, be an informed buyer.

How can you become informed?
Contact a agent that will provide complete detailed answers to all your questions. Ask the agent to research the market for suitable properties, and set appointments for you to see them. Ask more questions, take notes, and then compare your choices. The agent can also arrange a qualifying interview with a mortgage lender before you buy. As a result, you may be able to obtain a conditional mortgage commitment. By knowing your financial abilities, you gain freedom to choose from homes in the right price range and the more you know, the less stress you are likely to experience when you purchase a home.

SELLING A HOME

When you decide to sell your home, what can you do to prepare? To sell your home in the shortest time for the highest price, you need expertise in marketing, financing, and negotiation, as well as legal matters. So, the first thing you do is to list your home with a Real Estate agent who can put all their training and experience to work for you.

As you physically prepare the home for the market, put yourself in the shoes of the prospective buyer and ask if you like what you see. Consider repairs, painting, and other improvements. Your agent can advise you about the best and most cost-effective improvements. Remember that buyers generally seek the least expensive home in the best neighborhood they can afford. Be careful not to "over-improve," or you'll price yourself right out of the neighborhood. Cosmetic improvements like painting and landscaping can help a home show better, and basic mechanical repairs to heating/air conditioning and water systems, as well as appliances, are also a good investment in order to get top price.

To ensure your home will successfully compete against others in your area, contact your Real Estate agent, who can estimate its fair market value and make suggestions that will result in the highest selling price in the shortest amount of time.