Improving Service for Our Clients

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Referrals happen in the real estate field every day. Because of my extensive connections, I can introduce you, a friend or a family member to top agents throughout the country. I will work with these agents to develop the best home-buying strategy for you. This week I am in San Diego for the Mike Ferry One-On-One Retreat, connecting with the top agents in the world. There are agents from Canada, Australia, Italy and England meeting to discuss different marketing strategies and how we can better our selves and our service.

My promise? To get my sellers’ homes sold for the most amount of money in the least amount of time.

Because the real estate market is always evolving, you need to work with real estate agents who are willing to continually educate themselves about the marketplace. That’s what I do, and I recommend only real estate agents who do the same.

So if you or someone you know has a real estate need anywhere in the country, call me at (717) 701-8960. Or, send me an email at REALTORisn@aol.com. My team, and I will be happy to work with you!

100 Questions Every Home Buyer Should Ask

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There’s lot to think about when you’re getting ready to buy a home. To help make the buying process as smooth as possible, I’ve compiled a list of 100 questions to ask when looking for a new home.  At the end of this article, you will find a link to the complete list.       

Most buyers want to know how they can find their dream home.  To avoid home-buyer mistakes, the most important step is to find a real estate professional to help you with the process.  Also, know what you want in a house.  Ask yourself questions such as how close do you want to be to your job?  To shopping?  To your place of worship?  Would you like to have a garden?  Do you need a garage?  How close do you want to be to a grocery store?  Based on all the information you provide, a knowledgeable agent will help you land your dream home.    

Remember, your agent will not only help you find the home of your dreams, but connect you to the right people to make the entire process as smooth as possible.  In addition to a real estate agent to represent you, you’ll also need a home inspector, a lender and a real estate attorney.  Yes, an attorney.  

You may be asking, “Do I really need an attorney?”  Most definitely, especially since it doesn’t cost you anything extra.  Of course, if the process goes perfectly then any title company can do the job, but since in the real world we know things don’t always go as planned, you should have an attorney at the table to ensure all the title work is done in your best interest.  All the attorney fees are in the title cost that you are paying anyway, so why not work with an attorney and bring the protection that representation brings? 

For most buyers, the question of the hour is “How much can I really afford to spend?”  A good lender will let you know what the bank says you can afford, and we work with excellent lenders who can assist you with this step.   Once you know what amount you are pre-qualified for, you have to decide on what you are comfortable spending each month on a mortgage payment.  To make this decision you need to consider your lifestyle and think about how you still want to be able to eat out, go to the movies and do some shopping.   

Think as well about long-term goals, such as retirement savings, and long-term discretionary spending goals, such as vacations.  Then look at the number the lender gives you and the number you feel comfortable with for a monthly house payment and then go with the lower of the two.   

We’ve just addressed a few of the most common questions buyers have about the process, but there’s a lot more to think about when looking for a home.  The list of questions the buyer should have in hand is very comprehensive.  To get started, click here to see the full list of 100 Questions Buyers Should Ask.

If you are thinking about buying or selling your home, we’re available to answer all the questions you may have.  You can reach us at 717.701.8690 or REALTORisn@aol.com.  We’d be happy to assist you. 

100 Questions Every Home Seller Should Ask

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There is a lot that goes into selling a home and as you might imagine, there are equally as many things to consider before, during and after the process. That’s why we’ve developed a comprehensive list of 100 questions that every home seller must ask before the process even begins.

Now, when you sit down with us and we go over the details, you will have an upper hand with all the advanced preparedness you can imagine that comes with knowing the right questions to ask. Here, we’ve covered some of the more prevalent ones and included a link to the entire list below.

Pre-Listing Preparedness, Home Value and Timing

One of the most critical aspects of selling a home is to know whether or not the time is right. This factors into the homeowner’s personal timing and also current market performance. Important questions to ask include things like “how quickly do I want to sell?” and “do I need to consider making an interim move?” The answers will not only help you to determine the perfect time to list your home but also make for a more successful transaction overall.

Home values are key to this stage of selling a home because this is where many homeowners’ are pointed toward realistic expectations – which in turn aids them in the decision making process. Knowing the market value of your home can have a significant impact on your decision to sell.

Agents, Agency and Contracts

Like timing and market conditions, selecting the right agent is also key to successfully selling your home. Once the right agent is on board, the next thing to examine is agency and the relationship between you and the selected professional. Agency can be confusing and complex but by asking and learning the various roles each type of agency plays, you will be an informed seller that knows exactly what to expect from your agent.

Yet another vital component of selling a home entails a detailed understanding of the contracts involved. Listing agreements, agency disclosures, seller and lead-based paint disclosures – are just a few of the many documents you may need to review or sign. To ask “what are the contingencies I can expect to see on a typical offer?” or even inquiring about the timing between an accepted offer and the required inspection period will help you gain an edge.

Advertising, Marketing and Offers

When you set out to sell your home do you know how it will be marketed? How do you feel about open houses? What are the statistics for open houses in your area and are they effective? Something you will hear time and again through many sources is the subject of preparing your home for sale. You will be advised to neutralize the décor, remove clutter, make any necessary repairs and so much more. Throughout doing all these things there will be some expenses incurred – so ask yourself if you are ready to make that investment to get your home sold.

Finally, when you do have an offer or more than one comes in – what do you need to do next? What is a reasonable counter offer without putting off the prospective buyer? In today’s market one thing occurring in many areas is the issue of multiple offers. If that does happen, have you considered how you might handle it? Our list of 100 questions will share the essentials of these and many more concerns that you may not even realize you ought to consider.

Finances and Closing

Oftentimes people are selling a home that they have lived in for quite some time, and as a result they are out of touch with today’s marketplace. An issue that may come to the surface is present day mortgage and finance practices. You want to ask things about the HUD-1 Statement, tax proration and escrow. Also important to know are lending guidelines, for example the fact that most sellers today are in the strong position to request or require a mortgage pre-approval letter with an offer. You will also benefit from knowledge about closing documentation to expect on closing day.

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Remember, the number one question that is asked by sellers is “When is the best time to sell my home?” and the answer is simply, “When you are ready.” Though there is the common misconception that homes do not sell during year’s colder months, sellers should bear in mind there is plenty of activity in the market year round. There are indeed fewer buyers out there but equally, there are fewer homes on the market, leaving you less selling completion to worry about.

In our region alone we have had a ten percent increase in sales year over year despite a somewhat depressed market. The news is good and if you have been on the fence about selling your home, this may be the perfect time to talk to us and ask that all-important question, “Can you sell my home for top dollar, in the least amount of time and without any hassles?”

Click Here for the full list of 100 Questions Sellers Should Ask >>