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One of the more frustrating aspects of buying real estate is qualifying for a mortgage that will allow you to buy the home of your dreams. Lenders use terms to describe your loan status that may be confusing.
For example, what is the difference between being pre-qualified, pre-approved or approved for a mortgage on your Lakewood Ranch real estate?
· Pre-Qualified – This just means that the lender may approve you for a loan if everything checks out. Pre-qualification is based solely on information you give the lender about your income and debts. This is no guarantee that you will get a loan.
· Pre-Approved – Once your lender pulls your credit report, they can give you an idea of what kind of loan you may get. When you’re pre-approved, you still have no guarantee that you will get a loan, but you have a better idea of your price range. Sellers like working with people who are pre-approved because it shows that their credit has been verified, and they are more likely to qualify for a loan.
· Approved – When you are approved for...
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You know it’s a buyer’s market. But you really need to sell your home now. Here are 6 tips to get Lakewood Ranch homes sold even in today’s real estate market:
1. Price your home competitively from the start. Ask your agent to find out what similar homes in your neighborhood sold for in the last 6 months. Don’t bother looking at pricing prior to that. And don’t base your decision on listing prices. Some homeowners price their Lakewood Ranch homes high to start with but end up drastically reducing the price in order to get them sold.
2. Offer incentives. There are a lot of similar properties on the market, so in addition to competitively pricing your home, you should consider including incentives. You could offer a home warranty, pay part of the closing costs or leave the big screen television that fits perfectly over your fireplace.
3. Choose the right agent. Look for local agents who are listing, marketing, and selling in your neighborhood even though the market is slow. Interview several of them and ask what price they recommend and how they’ll market your property.
4. Get your home in tip-top shape....
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Picking up the phone book and letting it fall open to the real estate agency page is not the best way to find a great Lakewood Ranch real estate agent.
Here are several other pitfalls to avoid when looking for a real estate agent:
· Impulse: Just because you walk into a busy, bright, and productive looking office doesn't mean all the agents who work there are also busy, bright and productive. Take the time to get to know the agents you’re considering. Interview them, like you would any other professional you hire, to determine their abilities and knowledge of the community in which you want to live.
· Easy Agreement: If you finally find an agent who instantly agrees with everything you have to say about the selling price of your home without question, beware. This is especially true if you've been to others who disagreed with your price. Consider why this one agent is so agreeable. As in any industry, there are people out there who will tell you anything you want to hear to get your business.
· Lowest Commission: Don't go with a real...
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Trends for national and Lakewood Ranch homes come and go depending on many factors including the needs and desires of buyers, changes in technology and economic issues.
Here are some 2011 design trends predicted for national and Lakewood Ranch homes.
Kitchens Continue to be the Heart of the Home
People still love kitchens that are open and airy. Popular kitchen countertops will embrace the green movement switching from granite to crushed recyclable glass under a solid, smooth surface.
Energy Efficiency Remains Important
According to The Joint Center for Housing Studies, homeowners and builders alike continue to make homes more energy efficient. This is led by regional certification programs as well as national green building standards.
Vintage is Hot
Reproductions from the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s will be a hot design trend in home furnishings. Think of the furniture in the hit TV show “Mad Men.”
Bold Lighting Touches are Added
In addition to functional lighting, bathrooms will boast chandeliers.
Ceilings Become a Focal Point
Ceilings will no longer fade into the background with the addition of architectural enhancements...
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Considering deflated real estate values, you might wonder if buying Lakewood Ranch real estate makes good financial sense. According to the National Association of REALTORS® eighth annual Housing Opportunity Pulse Survey, nearly 8 out of 10 respondents believe buying a home does make good financial sense.
Surprised? Let’s examine three reasons Americans believe buying real estate remains a good financial choice:
1. Lower home prices and low mortgage interest rates are making homes more affordable.
2. Almost 7 out of 10 believe that home values have stabilized in their area; the same number expect home sales to remain about the same through the end of the year.
3. The rate of foreclosures is also seen as stabilizing; 51 percent say the rate is about the same as last year.
Another big advantage for you may be the tax benefits of home ownership. You will, as always, be able to deduct the interest you pay, as well as other real estate related items on your income tax return. For...
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Are you a first-time home buyer? There are a lot of things you’ll want to learn before making that first purchase. Here are 9 tips to help you get a Lakewood Ranch home you’ll love and be prepared for additional costs you may not have considered:
1. Ask yourself if you're ready. Are you financially ready to buy a Lakewood Ranch home? Do you have a steady job and income? Do you have money for the down payment?
2. Get pre-approved. When you get pre-approved for a mortgage loan, your lender checks your credit and lets you know the amount of mortgage for which you qualify. Having a pre-approved loan will speed up the process.
3. Identify closing costs. The cost of closing on the sale of your Lakewood Ranch home should be considered. Closing costs may include origination fees, title and settlement fees, taxes and prepaid items such as homeowner’s insurance or homeowner’s association fees.
4. Calculate your total monthly housing cost. Include taxes and homeowners insurance.
5. Include home maintenance expenses in your budget. Consider the expense of maintaining your investment.
6. Find a Lakewood Ranch home. Identify the community you want to...
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According to a recent study, buyers prefer to work with real estate agents who live in the neighborhood in which they want to buy a home, such as Lakewood Ranch. Buyers are happier when they work with local agents because they believe the agents are:
1. Familiar with the neighborhood. They know the schools and zoning laws.They can tell you the best places to shop and give you referrals to the best mechanics and home contractors.
2. Knowledgeable about the Lakewood Ranch real estate market. Local agents know all the neighborhoods, the homes and the amenities.
3. Involved in the community. Agents who are involved in community projects are doing much more than just selling houses. They’re contributing to their community. Wouldn’t you prefer to work with an agent like that?
4. More attentive. When an agent knows they’re going to bump into you in the supermarket or hardware store, he or she is going to give you the very best service possible. He or she wants to ensure that you have no complaints and will give neighbors a glowing review about ...
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Buyers look at more than just kitchen appliances and room sizes when deciding what home to purchase. Curb appeal, view of your home from the street, is extremely important.
If you want your home to sell quickly, you need to put in some extra effort to make your home’s exterior look especially attractive. You can easily do this by improving your landscaping. Here are some tips for choosing plants for your Lakewood Ranch home for a fast sale.
· Stay close to home. Plants that are native to your area are always a safe choice for landscaping. They are adapted to your region, so you know they can survive there. They are also easier to take care of and better for the environment because they don’t require as much watering. This can be an important consideration if you are selling a vacant home.
· Older is better. You can buy plants at varying stages of growth. Newer, smaller plants cost less and are easier to transplant; mature plants tend to have more foliage. Think about how they will look immediately after planting. You want to sell your home...
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Before you put your Lakewood Ranch home up for sale, you want to make sure it looks as attractive and modern as possible. Even if you lack the budget and space to turn your bathroom into a spa-like retreat, you can still give this room a quick facelift.
1. Get creative with color. If you don’t have the time or budget to replace dated ceramic tile, try camouflaging it with towels, rugs, and other accessories for a more modern color scheme. For example, you can pair pink with brown or bright blue with light green.
2. Replace your fixtures. Brushed aluminum and pewter bathroom fixtures are more modern than the shiny chrome fixtures. They are also easier to clean because they don’t show water marks as easily.
3. Find new lighting. A bathroom light can do more than just illuminate the space; it can create an atmosphere. Sconces placed on either side of a mirror tend to look better than harsh overhead light. Track lighting can be arranged to provide light in dark corners of the room.
4. Accessorize. Put your personal touch on your bathroom with shower...
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Those who have never had Lakewood Ranch homes for sale before often think selling is as simple as hiring an agent and putting a sign in the yard. It’s not, however, as you’ll soon discover.
The Inside of Your Home
The exterior of Lakewood Ranch homes for sale is te first up-close impression buyers get. So, when buyers make it inside, they’re one step closer to actually buying. However, if the interior is a mess, it could blow the whole deal.
Here’s a checklist to make your home’s interior buyer ready:
Make sure the front door doesn’t stick
Test windows to ensure they open and close easily
Wash windows inside and out
Move pets and pet supplies to a temporary home if possible
Fix leaky faucets
Update fixtures on your cabinet hardware and door knobs
De-clutter closets and cabinets (yes, people open them!)
Replace or repair cabinet doors
Clean grout
Wash the walls if not repainting
Repair cracks or holes in the wall
Paint walls a neutral color
Remove personal items, such as knick-knacks and personal mementos
Clean the fireplace
Have...
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