DMV Area Real Estate Podcast with Aklilu Seium: Recent Episodes

Aklilu Seium

If you are looking to buy or sell a home, get all the information and the latest updates, tips, and tricks from Aklilu Real Estate - Your professional DMV realtors.

The Fed’s rate hike is cooling the market. What does this mean for sellers?

After the Federal Reserve announced its biggest interest rate hike yet, many sellers were concerned about how this will affect their home values and prices. Fortunately, our technological advancements compared to 30 to 40 years ago give us access to more up-to-date information. I’ve been studying the data, and today I’ll share my thoughts on how rising interest rates affect sellers.

“Timing and pricing are very crucial right now.”

If you’re a seller, you have to put things into perspective. We’ve had extraordinary double-digit appreciation in the last couple of years. Now, our marketplace is evolving so quickly that shifts can occur in pockets of subdivisions within a week or two. Having someone who has industry and market knowledge to provide you with detailed and accurate information will help you formulate a good selling plan.

Timing and pricing are very crucial right now. Getting these two factors right will help maximize your sale. You also have to look out for other micro-factors in the mortgage industry, such as the bond and secondary market. They can impact the rise and fall of interest rates, affecting buyers’ attitudes towards purchasing a home. Having a selling plan will help you convince buyers that your house is in its best condition and ready to sell, despite the changes in interest rates.

I’ll be more than happy to provide you with accurate and timely information about the market to help you get the best deal for your home. Don’t hesitate to call or email me. I’m excited to hear from you soon!

Simple yet effective home improvement projects to boost your home’s worth.

Every seller wants to get the most money possible for their property, and one sure way to do this is through strategic upgrades that will make your home more desirable for buyers. Today I’ll share a few tips on which home improvement projects to take up so you can get the best return on your investment.

You can listen to my full explanation in the video above or skip to each topic using the timestamps provided:

0:00 — Introduction

0:33 — Planning your home improvement project

1:09 — Painting your home

2:06 — Installing lighting

2:47 — Updating your appliances

3:17 — Adding more details

3:40 — Repainting doors

4:05 — Updating the bathroom or kitchen

4:37 — Making sure the workmanship is high quality

4:51 — Wrapping up today’s topic

If you need more help on how to increase your home’s value or have any questions about real estate, don’t hesitate to call or email me. I’ll be happy to help!

Are we in a housing bubble or in the middle of a market shift?

News of a market shift and housing bubble have been going around. What’s the truth about this? Let’s demystify the rumors surrounding the two and discuss what’s going on in our market today.

When we talk about a housing bubble, we have to revisit the 2008 market. Lending practices were reckless then, and loans did not require proper documentation which eventually along with plenty of speculation resulted in a market crash.

A market shift, on the other hand, is more of a pendulum rocking back and forth. Demand currently has been high and inventory has been very unusually low. Interest rates are fast rising and causing a fast shift in the housing market. Concerns for an implosion or a crash like 2008, however are baseless when comparing to the different lending standards since back then and the importance of having well qualified borrowers.

Our economy is good locally and nationally. We’re in the initial stage of a market shift and if you’re qualified and need to buy or sell your home, now is still a good time to do it.

If you’d like to learn more details about the current market shift that’s occurring in real estate, feel free to call or email me. I’m more than ready to assist.

Here are five ways you can get your house ready for the summer.

It’s hard to believe, but summer is right around the corner. Today I want to share five things you can do to get the season started right:

Declutter and clean. This process can be overwhelming, so start by creating two piles. One should be for what you want to keep, while the other should be for donations. Don’t beat yourself up if you can’t declutter the whole house in one day. Set reasonable expectations and stick to them. When it’s time to clean, start by getting the right equipment. Professional home cleaners swear by microfiber towels, and quality rubber gloves are a huge help. A powerful grease cutter can help you clean out grimier places too. When you start cleaning, begin with the ceilings and other high places. This way, if dust or dirt falls, you won’t have to clean it twice. Improve your curb appeal. People spend more time outside in the summer, so this is the perfect time to improve your curb appeal. You can paint your mailbox or add flowers near the base to make it stand out and look more inviting. Another way to upgrade your curb appeal is to paint your front door. This is a quick and easy way to add a pop of color to your home. Plus, you and your visitors will notice every time you walk inside. Utilize solar LED or hanging lights. If you have a backyard patio or porch, good lighting goes a long way. You will be able to stay outdoors and enjoy the weather deeper into the night with friends and family. “Painting your front door is an easy way to add a pop of color to your home.” Improve your window shutters. No matter what change you’re making, check with your HOA to make sure you’re in compliance first. Maintain your lawn. Simple TLC goes a long way with your yard. You’ll feel great coming home every day to a well-maintained lawn.

If you have questions for me about these tips or anything else, please reach out at (202) 271-7691 or aklilu@aklilurealestate.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

If you’re a first time buyer in this market, you may need to compromise.

How is the market looking for first-time home buyers today? The market is always interesting when you’re buying because there’s a give and take. Today I want to share some important advice that’s especially relevant for first-time buyers.

Our market has very limited inventory. Even in a strong buyer’s market, you probably won’t find a home that has everything you want at the perfect price. Now, you have to be even smarter about your wants and needs.

Before you hit the market, figure out what your must-haves are. These are things that are non-negotiable. From there, take a hard look at your wants. In a tough market like ours, you may need to compromise on a few of them.

Don’t let compromises discourage you; there are other ways to get the things you want. You can always add a bathroom or change the color palette of the house, for example. If you really want an office space, you can add one when you have the time and money.

“In a tough market like ours, you might need to compromise on some of your wants. ”

The point is that buying a home is a give-and-take process. Unless you’re a multi-billionaire, everyone needs to compromise when buying a house. It’s easy to say but difficult to do. Fortunately, a good agent can make sure you get what you need and set you up for success later. You might start off with a townhome or condo that fits your needs today then purchase a larger property in a few years that fulfills your needs.

If you want to talk about your wants and needs or have any other questions, please call or email me. I am always willing to help!

In this remarkable market, how can you choose the best offer? Here are my tips

Right now, the DMV market is still strong. Interest rates have risen, yes, but that’s offset by the fact that inventory is still low and buyer demand is high. Homes are receiving multiple offers, though perhaps not as many as they did last year and the year before; where we once might have gotten 25 to 40 offers on a home, we now only get between five and 15. As a home seller, how do you handle multiple-offer situations so that you select the best offer?

Most sellers are looking to get the highest and best offers, but this can be tricky because the highest price isn’t always the best offer. For example, a buyer using 0% down financing isn’t likely to compete well against someone who puts down a healthier 20% or even 30%.

You should also consider the timing of the loans. Some loans take 30 days to go through, and some take up to 45 days. The timing depends on the lender and whether or not they’re a local or out-of-state corporation. Local lenders with in-house underwriters tend to move through the process quicker.

“ Loan types and terms can vastly affect how beneficial an offer will be to your bottom line.”

Additionally, the type of loan the buyer is using matters. Are they using an FHA, conventional, VA, or some other type of non-conforming loan? This can affect the amount you can expect for a down payment, as well as the timeframe and other factors that we can discuss in more detail.

In the end, it’s important to look at more than just the price. Loan types and terms can vastly affect how beneficial an offer will be to your bottom line.

If you have any questions or would like to have a more in-depth conversation about dealing with multiple-offer situations, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d love to help you.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common home-selling costs.

In the past, I’ve talked about some of the costs involved with selling a home. Today I’ll dive a little deeper into the topic and talk about exactly what you’ll need to budget for if you’re thinking of selling in this market.

I always provide a net estimate to my home-selling clients. It breaks down all the possible costs and gives you an idea of what your numbers are. We generally like to be within a few hundred dollars of the actual amount.

That being said, there are five or six major costs that you need to be aware of:

Mortgage loan balance payoff
Legal and escrow fees
Transfer taxes and recording fees
Prorated property taxes
Utilities or front-foot benefit fees
Real estate commission costs.

“I recommend getting into the market before rates go up again.”

We’ve seen every type of market there is, so we’re properly equipped to help you buy or sell successfully. Interest rates are on the rise, and we may see some buyers get pushed out of the market. I recommend getting into the market before they go up again, because it’s going to have a big impact on affordability, and it’s still a fantastic time to sell.

If you have any questions about the market or real estate in general, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Here’s what you need to know about our housing market this spring.

Spring is officially here! To commemorate the season, I’m giving you a quick initial update on our market and sharing some tips for buyers and sellers. The big theme today is “Could have, would have, should have.” In other words, don’t wait if you don’t want to miss out on the current opportunities.

Our spring market is picking up right where 2021 left off; things are hot, and homes are selling quickly for top dollar. As a result, inventory is a slight tick up, which is good news. The market has been fantastic for sellers for some time now, so our inventory increase may have to do with folks feeling more comfortable about where we are with the pandemic.

Currently, the average days on market are seven. It’s important to remember that is only the average; if your home is in good condition and priced realistically and accordingly, you can sell your house in record time. Meanwhile, inflation is prevalent in our market, and geopolitical events aren’t calming anyone’s nerves.

Interest rates are also increasing. Five months ago, buyers could get a 30-year fixed mortgage at 3.5%. Now, it’s closer to 4.5%, and rates could rise further or fluctuate at any moment.

“The market is hot; homes are selling quickly and for top dollar. ”

This means that if you bought a $500,000 home at 3.5% interest, your monthly Principle and Interest payment would be $2,130. At a 4.5% rate, it would be $2,400 per month. That means your buying power has already taken a hit.

This is what “Should have, would have, could have” means. The longer one waits to enter the market, the more money one pays in the long run. Moreover, rents are increasing, so now is the time to make moves.

If you are looking to buy or sell this spring, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. I am always ready to help!

What do you need to know about down payments? I’ll fill you in.

Are you looking to buy a home this year? If so, you aren’t alone. Many clients have asked me recently how much they need for a down payment, however there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Today I want to talk about what you should consider when deciding how much to put down on a house.

The first thing you need to consider is your financial situation. How long have you been planning to purchase a home? Do you have a lot of money saved, or was this a recent decision? It’s great if you can afford to put 20%, but it isn’t necessary.

The two main types of loans are conventional and FHA. You can put as little as 5% down with a conventional loan and 3.5% down with an FHA. Just remember that conventional loans are driven by credit scores, while FHA loans are not. If your credit score isn’t ideal, an FHA loan might be the best option for you.

One thing to note with FHA loans is that you are required to pay for mortgage insurance. The amount you have to pay is based on the size of your loan. Speak with your loan officer for more details if you’re considering an FHA loan.

“Conventional loans are driven by credit scores, while FHA loans are not.”

Finally, there are programs you might qualify for to help you pay toward your down payment. If you are a teacher, firefighter, or police officer, there are programs to help you purchase a home. Depending on where you live, there may be location-based assistance programs as well. These usually hit their cap quickly, so if you qualify, you’ll have to move fast.

If you have any questions about today’s topic, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. I am always ready to assist.

I discuss what rising interest rates mean for buyers in 2022.

Recently, clients have asked me, “How do rising interest rates affect my home loan?” The answer is incredibly important for buyers to know, so let’s get right into it.

The main thing you need to know about rising interest rates is that your buying power shall diminish. Let’s assume that you’re pre-approved for $500,000 at a certain rate. If rates increase, you may find yourself qualified for only $480,000 or perhaps even less. Nothing has a bigger impact on your monthly payment than interest rates.

“I’d love to talk with you about your options.”

The not so good news is that The Federal Reserve has hinted interest rates will rise throughout 2022. Of course, interest rates shall still be historically low, so if you plan on living in your new home for a long time, it continues to be a good time to buy.

However, if you only plan on staying in the home for five or seven years, there are other options you could consider. For example, there are loan options available where you lock in your fixed lower rate for five or seven years, and then it adjusts within certain caps/limits thereafter.

If you have any other questions about today’s topic or something real estate related, please call or email me. I am always ready to help!

I discuss the factors that tie into the cost of selling a property.

Today I’ll discuss how much it’ll cost you to sell your home. Now is a good time to have this type of conversation if you’re considering selling in the spring or summer so that we can make a plan for any repairs or improvements to the exterior or interior of your property. This is how to get top dollar on your sale.

There are a lot of different factors that go into this so I can’t give a blanket answer to “How much will it cost?” It will be different if you’re selling a condo, a co-op, a townhouse, or a single-family home. I don’t know if you have a homeowners association or if we’re going to be staging the home or not. I provide an estimated seller net sheet for all of my clients, which is a breakdown of every itemized cost, including city, county, and state transfer taxes, associations or co-op fees, etc. I try to be conservative and exceed your expectations.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me by phone or email. I look forward to hearing from you.

The new year is still a great time to buy or sell a home in our area.

I wanted to take a moment to wish each and every one of you a happy, healthy, prosperous, and blessed new year. Hopefully, it’ll be a better year for all of us. Around this time, many people take time to reflect on the previous year and set resolutions looking forward.

On that note, if you or anyone you know is considering selling or buying in the Washington DMV area, now is still a great time to do so. I encourage you to call, text, or email me for a free consultation.

“It’s always a good idea to add real estate to your portfolio.”

We don’t know what’s going to happen in the next couple of months economically with inflation and the announcements from the Federal Reserve. I’ve always been a big proponent of having real estate in your investment portfolio.

Here at Aklilu Real Estate, we work with everyone; it doesn’t matter if you own one or three or more homes. We love to help both first-time investment buyers and first-time homebuyers. It’s always an honor to serve all of you.

In the upcoming segments, we’ll start answering questions. If you are interested in getting the emails, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’ve been getting plenty of compliments about them, and we’re going to work even harder on making them concise yet packed with good information.

If you have any questions, feel free to call or email us. We would love to hear from you.

Our team wants to wish you and yours a very merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas! We hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday.

We just wanted to take a moment to thank you for your continued support throughout the years. We wouldn’t be where we are today without your help! It truly brings us joy to help you make your real estate dreams a reality.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help you in any way we can. Have a very merry Christmas!

A Thanksgiving message to all of my friends, family, and clients.

As we approach Thanksgiving, I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for allowing me serve your real estate needs and tuning into my videos/blog. I also wanted to wish all of you a happy and blessed Thanksgiving. It’s one of my favorite holidays because it’s a time to spend with family and be grateful. Gratitude is so important, and it’s awesome that so many people come together and count their blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving; I hope you enjoy the day as much as I will. If you have any questions for me, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Should you sell or buy a home this fall?

Now that it’s November, things are starting to cool down a little bit, temperature-wise. This time of year often brings up the question that I’m going to answer today: Is fall a good time to buy or sell a home?

“There’s generally less competition in the fall and winter.”

Now can absolutely be a good time to buy or sell, especially if changing life circumstances mean that you have to find a new home. We can have a brief consultation conversation where we can discuss and identify your needs and create a plan to meet your objectives. That said, it can become a bit more challenging as we get further along in the fall and winter. Homes tend to show better in the warmer months with regard to the exterior, for example.

In any case, inventory has started coming back to the market, which is good for both buyers and sellers (who often end up becoming buyers themselves). Those purchasing a home will find that there is generally less competition in the fall and winter, giving them more time to seriously consider their options.

If you have any questions about buying or selling a home or about the market in general, don’t hesitate to reach out to me via phone or email. I’m always ready to assist you in any way that I can.

Here’s why a website will never know the true value of your home.

If you’re a homeowner, then you probably want to know what your home is worth. You could use a website like Zillow to find out, but is their value accurate? Let’s talk about it.

In reality, if you use a website to check your home’s value, it probably won’t be accurate. You might get a general idea, but if you want a useful number you can use to help sell your home, websites aren’t a safe bet.

Websites can’t give you an accurate value because they don’t know the details of your home. Unless someone that works for the website comes to your home and does an appraisal, they’re never going to know pertinent details about your property.

In my opinion, there are two good ways to get an accurate value for your home. First, you can hire an appraiser. Their job is to find out how much homes are worth, and they’ll consider every detail of your home. The second way is to consult with a real estate professional. We work with homes for a living, and we use a similar methodology to appraisers.

“Websites can’t give you an accurate value because they don’t know the details of your home. ”

If you asked me to find the value of your home, the first thing I would do is a comparative market analysis. In this process, I take a look at similar homes that have sold in your area recently while taking notice of your home’s special features. However, if you want an even easier way to find out how much your home is worth, you can always just give me a call. If you tell me where your home is located and a few key details, I will give you a general value that’s more accurate than any website. It will probably be less hassle for you too.

At the end of the day, websites don’t know the details of your home, and their values aren’t accurate. If you call or email me today, I can do a no-pressure CMA or phone valuation and tell you what your home is truly worth. I look forward to hearing from you.

Here’s how to improve your credit score before you buy.

If you’re a prospective buyer, what can you do to improve your credit score as you prepare to apply for home financing? Here are the first three steps you should take:

Get in touch with a professional. With a mortgage consultant or loan officer, you can obtain a commercial credit report instead of a consumer one. In doing so, you can comb through it and check for inaccuracies or issues that need to be disputed. They can also help you figure out what type of loan you’ll be getting since many loans are credit score-driven and will determine how much of a down payment you’ll need. FHA loans aren’t driven by credit scores as much, but they do require mortgage insurance.
Determine the type of loan you need. How many properties you already own and whether the one you’re buying is an investment property will determine what time of a loan you’re going to get. With an investment property, you’ll have to put up a bigger down payment, whereas with a primary residence, that won’t necessarily be the case.

“Credit bureaus look to reward people who manage their credit responsibly.”

It’s also important to understand that lenders are constantly changing and evolving their programs. For example, where you might have not been eligible for a loan type program eight months ago, It’s quite possible you might now be eligible for that loan type for one reason or another. Many variables affect the process, and lenders can tighten or loosen their standards for loan qualification.

Review your tradeline history. People sometimes think that closing old tradelines is a smart decision that will help with their credit, but it’s often not a good idea until you’ve reviewed your history.

Use these tips to your advantage; credit bureaus look to reward people who manage their credit responsibly. If you have any questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I’d be happy to help.

Here are the four most important steps everyone should take when selling.

When you decide to sell a home for the first time, it can be pretty overwhelming. Today I’m going to go over four steps you should take when you’re looking to sell your first home. There are certainly more than just four, however these shall set you on the right path:

Speak with your Realtor. Your Realtor can be a fantastic resource and help you determine what matters to you in this transaction. Is this home one that you live in or a rental? The process changes a lot just based on this question; however your Realtor knows what direction to take no matter what the answer is. For today’s blog, I’ll assume you’re interested in selling a home that you live in.
Declutter and depersonalize. You want buyers to see your home as a blank canvas. If many belongings and items are lying around everywhere there won’t be any room for the buyers to imagine what they could do with the space. Also, if you want top dollar for your home, I highly recommend decluttering as best you can. If you are short on time, you should organize your home, at the very least.

“Your Realtor knows what direction to take no matter what your situation is.”

Get a Comparative Market Analysis. If you talk with your agent, they can give you a CMA which looks at all the activity that’s been happening in your neighborhood over the last few months. This will give you a good idea of what your home can sell for, but it also lets you know what upgrades you can make to sell for more.
Improve your curb appeal. You’d be surprised how much the first impression from outside the house matters. Landscaping is an easy and inexpensive way you can make your home more attractive to buyers.

These are some of the most important steps to take when selling your home, but they aren’t the only ones. If you have more questions about today’s topic or anything else related to real estate, please give me a call / text or shoot me an email. I am always ready to listen and help go over your goals.

Here are important home purchasing tips for first-time buyers.

Many first-time buyers can get tripped up during the home-buying process. Today I want to give you tips on what you should and shouldn’t do when buying a home.

Cited below for your convenience are timestamps that will direct you to various points in the video. Feel free to watch the full message, or use these timestamps to browse specific topics at your leisure:

0:11 — Introducing today’s topic

0:52 — Find a Realtor who understands your goals and objectives

1:12 — Ask them what you should and shouldn’t do

1:40 — Make sure you are committed to a loan

2:31 — Have a pre-approval letter

3:24 — Look at your finances and determine the best loan option

4:17 — Don’t do anything to damage your credit score

4:59 — Recognize and stay in your comfort zone

6:38 — Don’t withdraw or deposit large amounts of money

7:29 — Look for local financial assistance in your area

7:40 — Wrapping up

If you have any questions about today’s topic or anything else, please feel free to reach out to me. I am always willing to help.

Here’s how an escalation clause can help you beat the competition.

As you probably already know, we’re in the middle of an incredibly hot seller’s market. This means things are incredibly competitive among buyers, so many people have been strengthening their offers by including an escalation clause. This has helped many buyers win in multiple-offer situations, so today I’ll be explaining how this clause works.

There are three main components to an escalation clause:

Escalation terms: You decide how much you’d like to increase your offer when a better offer comes in. For example, you may increase your offer by $1,000 each time any other offer is made. You also decide on a cap, which is the maximum amount you are willing to pay. For example, you may put a $780,000 cap on a home listed for $700,000.

“There are other strategies you can use to make your offer even stronger.”

Increase procedure: This is more of a behind-the-scenes component, but it states whether your loan amount or down payment will increase when things escalate. It helps ensure you’re able to escalate without surpassing your approved loan amount.
Acceptance and/or counteroffer: Let’s assume we hit the $780,000 cap—the seller should show us the next best offer, which may be $799,000. At this point, we can accept and sign the contract.

There are other strategies you can use to make your offer even stronger. If you’d like to learn more, or if you have any questions about getting a home in today’s market, feel free to reach out to me. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Here is your Summer 2021 DMV area real estate market update.

Today I’m giving you a brief synopsis of what’s going on in our market.

The DMV area continues to be an affluent locale. It’s extremely competitive for buyers right now. The median price has gone up to $570,000. Single-family homes are now at a median price of $750,000. However, at the $1 million price point and above, there is serious competition. While highly sought after, condos are staying on the market about two weeks longer.

Each location has its own characteristics, so if you are looking to sell or buy and want detailed information on that property, subdivision or area, please feel free to reach out to me. I’d love to help you.

Here’s a closer look at how to deal with a low appraisal in this market.

The summer weather is here, and I’m back to answer another common real estate question in this hot market: What happens when the appraised value of a home is less than the agreed-upon sales price? Given today’s market conditions, prices are escalating above list prices. It’s important to be prepared for a low appraisal because the chances are a lot higher of encountering one in this market.

Cited below for your convenience are timestamps that will direct you to various points in the video. Feel free to watch the full message, or use these timestamps to browse specific topics at your leisure:

1:15— Where do you start when an appraisal comes in low?

2:25—How the “second” negotiation process works

3:40—A few different options to remedy the situation

4:45—What happens if an agreement can’t be reached?

5:40—How my experience in the lending and banking worlds gives my clients an advantage

6:50—Why I always do a CMA for every property

8:15—Wrapping things up

If you have questions about appraisals, buying or selling a home, or anything else related to real estate, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email today. I would love to hear from you.

I believe getting an inspection is an important part of buying a home.

There’s one question I hear often from clients who are looking to buy their first home: What is the importance of a home inspection? Let me answer the question by breaking down what an inspection is, what it means for you as a buyer, and why it’s so important.

Getting a home inspection is like test-driving a used car with an expert mechanic, checking under the hood, and learning what it’s been through in the past, and how that’ll affect its future. You wouldn’t want to buy a car without a thorough review, and the same is true when buying a home.

When you buy a home, everything becomes your responsibility. Whether it’s maintenance or unknown problems that pop up, you have to deal with it. The inspection helps you see issues before they arise or at least prepare you for what may happen in the future.

My go-to inspector has been inspecting homes for over 25 years; he takes around four hours during his inspections in order to go through the home thoroughly. He goes above and beyond for his work, and it’s something I respect because I do the same for my clients.

“The inspection helps you see issues before they arise, or at least prepare you for what may happen in the future.”

When you’re ready for an inspection, find a licensed home inspector who knows what they’re doing. The cost of doing so is priceless, as they can find issues like water intrusions, mold, leaking roofs, and other problems that you’d otherwise never suspect. Without the right training and experience, these and many, many other concerns can easily go unnoticed.

It’s no secret that we’re in a hot seller’s market, and many buyers are choosing to waive inspection contingencies. I don’t think this is ideal, though I’m willing to help clients who would like to do so. There are ways we can make your offer more attractive without losing the safety of an inspection. You’re spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on your home, and I believe it’s important to do your due diligence—especially if you’re a new homebuyer.

I always advise getting a home inspection, but I understand that some people have buying strategies that involve waiving it. Either way, I’d be more than happy to help you meet your home buying goals in a way that suits your situation. If you have any questions or would like more information, feel free to reach out to me. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Here’s what 2021 home sellers need to know to have great success.

There is a lot to know about selling a home, but today I’m going to focus on some of the most important things for home sellers to do in this market:

First, I recommend a pre-home sale inspection without the inspector. In this case, I would come over and do a complete interior and exterior walk-through of the property. After I’m done, I’ll convey my notes to you. It could help us determine if any upgrades are worth the investment or any repairs need to be made.

“I’ll ensure the buyer is well-qualified and that the offer is strong.”

I can help you explore all of the options for getting top dollar for your home. Ultimately, my goal is to make sure that your home has an optimal ebb and flow, making sure it’s decluttered and presented in the best possible light.

Looking at offers is an important part of the process as well. Most sellers want the most possible money for their bottom line. We can help you sift through those offers, and with my banking background, I’ll ensure the buyer is well-qualified and that the offer is strong.

There’s more to it than this, but these are important things to focus on if you’re planning on selling your home this year. If you have any questions about selling your home or real estate in general, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

If working from home has you thinking about upsizing, you’re not alone.

This pandemic has some people rethinking what is important to their lives, including their home lives. More people today are working from home than ever before, and it’s hard to say what will happen with this work style in the future. If this is the case for you, have you been thinking about getting a home with more yard space or perhaps something with an extra bedroom, bathroom, home office, etc.?

If you’re looking to upsize to accommodate these changes in your life, I’d love to provide you with hard statistics and a central roadmap to help you figure out whether it makes sense for you to do so. Today’s interest rates are super low, so there’s no better time to look into it. We don’t know how long these conditions will last, however, so let’s make a plan today.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions you have. I’d love to help you.

Here are the three main things to focus on when buying in today’s market.

I’m so glad we’ve “sprung forward” and spring is here; it’s fantastic to have extra light at the end of the day. In the real estate business, that allows us time to show more homes to buyers and do more in-home consultations with sellers. With the spring selling season in full swing, today I’m sharing what you need to know to purchase a house in our current market with non-conventional or no-money-down financing. That encompasses many types of loans such as first-time buyer loans, VA loans, down payment assistance programs, and more.

There are a handful of things you should be mindful of when buying in the market right now, but today I’m focusing on the three most crucial:

Patience. This can be difficult, but as the adage says, “Patience is a virtue.” The marketplace is very hot these days, and we’re seeing 10 to 30 offers within the first one to three days, so you need to know coming in that the process will require plenty of patience.

“‘Patience is a virtue.’”

Write a heartfelt letter. You may not have a cash offer or the highest down payment, but you can write a letter to the seller telling them about yourself. Including this letter in your offer is a wonderful way to boost your position. All it takes is one seller who feels a connection with you. You could add details about your family or why you want to live in that neighborhood or school district. This is one part of the process we can control, and it only takes a little time for you to sit down and write it.
Resiliency. This process can be extremely stressful—you’re making a huge investment, and there are multiple emotions involved. You’ll likely have to write an offer on more than one property because other people may have better financing or something else that makes the seller choose their offer. We’ll have a plan in place to achieve your home-buying goals. Resiliency and upfront discussions will prevent much of the anxiety that comes with the process.

I’ve been in the business for a long time, and my goal is to make the purchasing process as pleasant as I can for you. That means managing expectations and trying not to have you experience an emotional rollercoaster.

If you have any other questions about this topic or another real estate matter, feel free to call, text, or email me. I’d be more than glad to speak with you.

Today I’m answering the question, “Is now a good time to sell a home?”

The short answer is yes. This past year, we’ve seen a very interesting dynamic in our marketplace. We have a serious shortage of inventory, and not enough homes are coming on the market to be sold. There is a ton of competition among buyers who want to lock in a low rate now, and homes are selling faster and for more money than they have been.

If you have any questions for me about selling a home or real estate in general, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.