We are in the midst of the summer months, and Real Estate bloggers continue to share their expertise in the real estate industry. Bloggers write because they want the consumer to have knowledge when they going to embark on a real estate transaction.
It is a great time for buyers to consider making the plunge and purchase a home. Interest rates are low, and there is some great inventory out there. Find the best real estate articles for the month of July 2019 from top bloggers across the country.
Security Measures to Take When Selling
Selling your home doesn’t have to put you at risk for a crime. By taking sensible precautions, you can reduce the risk of crime. Michelle Gibson has written an excellent article about Security Measures to Take When Selling. She discusses the importance of securing valuables and memorable possession to avoid theft. Other precautions include avoiding using a combination lockbox and to be sure to depersonalize your home to avoid identify theft. Making sure you follow security measures is recommended for all who are selling their home.
Purchasing a Home that is Not Listed for Sale
Trying to purchase a home that is off the market may not be easy, but it can be done. If you have been looking for a home and cannot find what you are looking for, then you might want to consider purchasing a home off-market. Bill Gassett has written an excellent article about Purchasing a Home that is Not Listed for Sale. If you decide to go this route, it is recommended that you still utilize the services of a professional Realtor®. Bill discusses ways to find an off-market property including writing letters to homeowners, looking at the Zillow site, and utilizing social media to find a home! Be sure to take advantage of the expertise of your Realtor to ensure that you do everything right.
Pros and Cons of a VA Loan
The VA authorizes lenders all to offer the VA mortgages which are distinct rules. The lender needs to follow the rules, the lender will be reimbursed by the VA if the borrower stops making payments on the loan. Luke Skar has written an article about the Pros and Cons of a VA Loan. He explains that a borrower must obtain their Certificate of Eligibility or COE in order to apply for a VA loan. Pros include a VA loan may not have any down payment, easier credit requirements and private mortgage insurance will be waived. The cons include there is a funding fee, loan limits and the loan amount may exceed the home's value. Check out this great resource about VA loans.
The Most Important Factor in Selling a Home
Are you considering selling your home? If are you, there are many factors to consider however not all have equal importance. Lynn Pineda has written an exceptional article about the Most Important Factor in Selling a Home. Lynn discusses that the most important factor is the price! Setting the price correctly before you put the home on the market is extremely important. She discusses what criteria is utilized to establish price including proximity, number of bedrooms, school zone and square footage. Other important factors in determining price include reviewing recent comparable sales as that is something an appraiser will look at as well.
When is the Right Time to Purchase a Home
Buying a home is definitely one of the largest financial decisions you will ever make. For every person that says that you should purchase a home, there may be arguments to the contrary. Eric Jeanette has put together an outstanding resource about When is the Right Time to Purchase a Home. Eric discusses that purchasing a home indicates that you are ready to stay in the home for the next 5-10 years. He also explains the importance of taking advantage of an optimal real estate market. If it is a buyer's market, and there is good financing available, it may be the right time to take the leap and purchase a home!
Selling a Home While Getting Divorced
This can be tricky and emotions run high generally speaking with all parties. Petra Norris has written a detailed article about what to consider when Selling a Home While Getting Divorced. There are different factors which may come into play during a divorce and the considerations of selling. Some considerations may include whether one spouse wants to buy the other's interest out, keeping your house until the kids are grown up, and what if one spouse wants to sell and the other does not. A very important consideration is finding a real estate agent that you both like and trust. Petra discusses other options including both parties deciding to reside in the house which may or may not be beneficial to all parties. Be sure to consult a tax professional about tax consequences, and utilize an attorney to protect your interests.
Top 7 Signs that a Luxury Home is Overpriced
When selling a luxury home, the price is the most important aspects. If a luxury home is overpriced, the home will sit on the market for too long with little interest. Buyers are savvy and when they see an overpriced home they may ignore that home. Paul Sian has detailed the information about the Top 7 Signs a Luxury Home is Overpriced. He discusses that upgrades to home do not necessarily add the amount spent on the home. For example, if a homeowner added $200,000 in upgrades to a home worth $600,000, it does not translate that the home is now worth $800,000. Other signs that a home is overpriced will be very few showings or no showings. Additionally, consider buyer feedback and ask the brokerage community their feedback. Other factors that may impact the sale is if the homeowner is trying to sell the home without a real estate agent.
Buying a Home with Room to Add an Inground Pool
Designing your own inground pool allows a homeowner to create your outdoor oasis. An inground pool should be the highlight of the backyard and accent the architecture of the home. John Cunningham has written an excellent article about Buying a Home with Room to Add an Inground Pool. John suggests involving the family with the project so that everyone gets to have their say! He also discusses knowing that there is a warranty for the pool, and it eliminates concerns that go with buying a home with an older pool. Maintenance of a pool and the pool equipment is important and ensuring there is a fence around the pool to maximize safety.
How to Get the Best Mortgage for Your Home
There is a difference between working with a direct lender who is a mortgage banker, loan officer, and a mortgage broker. Glenn Shelhamer has put together some exceptional information about How to Get the Best Mortgage when purchasing a home. He discusses the difference between a mortgage banker, loan officer, and mortgage broker. A mortgage broker is licensed and work for themselves or a mortgage brokerage firm. A loan officer’s job is to take intake information and qualify a buyer. This is a great resource on how to obtain the best mortgage when home buying.
How to Perform an Eco-Friendly Home Audit
Have you ever performed an eco-friendly audit of your home? If you have not heard of one, then you need to know what it is. An audit means going through your home, and checking if you are wasting any valuable resources. Sharon Paxson has put together an excellent article about How to Perform an Eco-Friendly Home Audit. All that is needed to be done is to go through your home room by room and determine where you think you might be utilizing un-necessary energy. There is information about how to be more eco-friendly in your home and how to save money and not utilize unnecessary resources.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed this month's edition of the Best Real Estate Articles. There is some fantastic information here, and if you have some suggestions, please reach out so we can provide the information that you are seeking.
About the Author
Top Newport Beach Real Estate Realtor, Sharon Paxson has written Top Real Estate Articles for July 2019 at Newport Beach Real Estate. We have experience since 2005 representing sellers, buyers, and landlords with their real estate transactions. We look forward to the opportunity to share our experience and knowledge to guide you through your real estate transaction. If you are selling, we specialize in internet marketing to ensure that a listing receives maximum exposure.
We work in the following Orange County CA areas including Corona del Mar, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Santa Ana, Sunset Beach, Tustin and more!
