Buying a home can be one of your most significant investments in life. Not only are you choosing your dwelling place, and the place in which you will bring up your family, you are most likely investing a large portion of your assets into this venture. The more prepared you are at the outset, the less overwhelming and chaotic the buying process will be. The goal of this page is to provide you with detailed information to assist you in making an intelligent and informed decision. Remember, if you have any questions about the process, I'm only a phone call or email away!

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Benefits of Owning Your Own Home

* The Best Investment
* Income Tax Savings
* Stable Monthly Housing Costs
* Forced Savings
* Freedom and Individuality
* More Space

Important Things To Avoid Before Buying a Home

* Don't Move Money Around
* The Effect of Changing Jobs
* No Major Purchases of Any Kind

Don't Buy a Car - or Did You Already Buy One?

* When Income Grows and You Want to Buy "Stuff"
* Debt-to-Income Ratios and Car Payments
* How Buying a Car Reduces Your Purchase Price

The Business Cycle and Buying a Home

* Recession and Expansion
* Supply and Demand
* Should You Try to "Time the Market"?

Comparable Sales and Your Offer Price

* Determining Your Offer Price
* Comparable Sales in the Public Record
* Comparable Sales in the Multiple Listing Service
* Comparable Sales - Pending Transactions
* Other Factors Influencing Your Offer Price

Major Factors Influencing your Offer Price

* How Property Condition Affects Your Offer
* How Home Improvements Affect Your Offer
* How Market Conditions Affect Your Offer
* How Seller Motivation Affects Your Offer
* The Final Decision on Your Offer Price

Offering to Purchase Real Estate- the Basics

* Introduction and Overview
* Contingencies in a Purchase Offer
* Earnest Money Deposit
* The Closing Date
* Transfer of Possession

Writing an Offer - Safeguards Regarding the Property

* Disclosures From the Seller
* Condition of the Property Upon Transfer
* Inspections You Should Require
* Final Walk-Through Inspection

How Financing Details Affect Your Offer

* Down Payment
* Interest Rates
* Closing Costs and Financing Incentives
* Seller Financing
* Cash Offers
* Other Financing Details in Your Offer

How FHA and VA Financing Affects Your Offer

* Extra Costs for the Seller
* VA and FHA Appraisals

Selecting Service Providers

* You and the Seller Must Agree
* Escrow and Settlement
* Title Insurance
* Termite and Pest Inspection

If you are thinking of selling your home, chances are you're caught up in a mass of emotions. You may be looking forward to moving up to a new home or facing the uncertainty of a major move across country. You may be reluctant to leave your memories behind or eager to start new and exciting adventures. Remember, I am here to help you with any of your needs. Call or e-mail me today!

To discover what your home is worth in today's market, click here!

Getting Your House Ready to Sell

* Introduction: Emotion vs. Reason
* De-Personalizing the House
* Removing Clutter, Though You May Not Think of it as Clutter
* Fixing Up the House Interior
* Fixing up Outside the House

Want to Start Off With a High Sales Price? Beware!

* Meeting with Real Estate Professionals
* Which Real Estate Professional Do You Choose?
* What Happens Behind the Scenes
* Dropping Your Price...Too Late?

Types of Listing Contracts

* Open Listings
* One-Time Show
* Exclusive Agency Listings
* Exclusive Right to Sell

Details of a Listing Contract

* Price and Terms of Sale
* Lockbox - Yes or No?
* Real Estate Commission
* Multiple Listing Service
* Agency Duties of a Listing Agent
* Resolution of Disputes

Listing Commissions and Related Issues

* Is the Commission Negotiable?
* How and When the Commission is Earned
* "Hot" Market Under-Pricing Strategy - Commission Issues

The Listing Agent & Marketing Your Home

* The "Real" Role of a Listing Agent
* Preliminary Marketing - the "For Sale" Sign
* Preliminary Marketing - Flyers and the Brochure Box

The Listing Agent - Marketing Your House to Other Agents

* The Multiple Listing Service
* Office Preview
* Broker Previews and Culinary Delights
* Office Flyers
* Marketing Sessions

The Listing Agent - Marketing Your House to Homebuyers

* The Purpose of Advertising in General
* Real Estate Company Advertising
* Individual Agent Advertising
* Neighborhood Announcements
* Open Houses

Showing Your House to Home Buyers

* Convenience and Availability
* Why You Should Not Be Home
* Lighting, Fragrances, Pet Control and More
* Keeping the House Tidy and Neat