by Shawn Boday | Nov 6, 2023 | Business, Housing Market, Real Estate, Real Estate Investing, Real Estate Tips, Shawn Boday
When you’re buying or selling a home, it’s essential to understand the ins and outs of real estate law and contracts. These legal documents are the backbone of any real estate transaction, ensuring that both parties are protected and that the deal goes smoothly. In this blog, we’ll break down the key points that every buyer and seller should know.
Real estate contracts are like the blueprint of your property transaction. They lay out all the essential details, such as the sale price, the closing date, and any conditions that both parties must meet. It’s essentially a written promise.
For buyers, the process often begins with an offer to purchase. This document states your initial bid and any specific terms you’d like, like requesting the seller to fix something before finalizing the sale. Once the seller accepts your offer, you have a preliminary agreement, but it’s not set in stone yet.
Next comes the home inspection, which is essentially a health check for the property. A professional inspector examines the house to ensure it’s in good condition. If any issues surface, you can request that the seller makes the necessary repairs or reduces the price. If you’re not satisfied, you can usually back out of the deal without penalties.
Let’s not forget the financing condition, which is crucial if you’re planning to obtain a mortgage. You need to ensure that you can secure the necessary funds. If the bank denies your loan, you can typically withdraw from the deal without repercussions.
Now, let’s talk about closing the deal. This is when the actual property transfer happens. You’ll sign the final contract and hand over the funds. It’s like reaching the finish line in a real estate race.
Sellers, this part involves you too. When selling a property, carefully consider the buyer’s offer. If it aligns with your expectations, you can accept it, and the buyer typically provides a deposit. Remember, it’s not a done deal until all conditions are met.
You’ll also need to cooperate with the home inspection, making repairs or negotiating the price if necessary. And don’t forget to clean up your property and vacate before closing day.
Whether you’re a buyer or seller, comprehending real estate contracts and the related laws is essential. Think of them as guardrails that keep your property transaction on the right path. When things get complex, don’t hesitate to consult with a real estate agent or lawyer who can guide you through the process.
In summary, real estate contracts and laws serve as the rulebook that ensures a smooth property transaction. Take your time, review the fine print, and make informed decisions. Wishing you successful buying and selling endeavors!
by Shawn Boday | Aug 9, 2023 | Real Estate, Real Estate Tips, Shawn Boday
Selling your home can be a daunting process, especially if you’re not familiar with the real estate world. With this guide, we aim to simplify the journey and provide you with valuable tips to ensure a successful sale while avoiding common pitfalls.
Set the Right Price
Overpricing your home is a common mistake. Instead, research comparable properties in your area and set a competitive asking price. Studies show that properly priced homes sell faster and often for more than overpriced ones.
Create a Welcoming Atmosphere
During showings, give potential buyers space to explore without your presence. Allow them to envision themselves in the house without feeling observed. Remember, first impressions matter, so declutter, stage, and enhance curb appeal to make your home look its best.
Emotion vs. Objectivity
While you may have invested time and money into upgrades, buyers assess your home based on its current condition and comparable properties. An experienced agent can help you detach emotionally and set a reasonable price.
Professional Photography
As the majority of buyers start their search online, high-quality photos are essential. Hiring a professional photographer will showcase your home in its best light and attract more potential buyers.
Choose a Skilled Agent
Partnering with an experienced real estate professional is crucial. They can guide you through the process, help with pricing strategies, marketing, negotiation, and handle paperwork efficiently.
Feedback is Valuable
Be open to buyer and agent feedback. If a consistent issue arises, like lighting or color choices, consider making adjustments. Adapting to feedback shows your commitment to meeting buyers’ preferences.
Data-Driven Pricing
Study the market and comparable home prices in your area. Price your home realistically, considering market trends and recent sales. Slightly underpricing can attract more buyers and lead to quicker sales.
Don’t DIY Marketing
Utilize a variety of marketing channels, including online listings, to reach a wider audience. A strong online presence increases your home’s visibility and generates more interest.
Selling your home requires a balanced approach between emotional attachment and practical decision-making. By setting the right price, presenting a well-maintained home, using professional resources, and listening to expert advice, you can navigate the process smoothly. Remember, the real estate market is data-driven, so staying informed and adaptable will increase your chances of a successful and profitable sale.
by Shawn Boday | Feb 7, 2023 | Real Estate, Shawn Boday
If you’re looking for a great deal in a tough real estate market, buying a foreclosed home may be the best option. While the main benefit of purchasing a foreclosure property is the price, the process is more complex than with a traditional real estate listing. It’s important to know what to look for and how to buy a foreclosed home if you want to get the best deal. Here are five tips to keep in mind when buying a foreclosed home.
It is often difficult to access these properties before they become available for sale.
Many people think there must be a secret way to get access to foreclosed properties before they go on the market, but the reality is that most of these properties are owned by large financial institutions that have a lot of other assets. These companies tend to outsource the entire foreclosure process to a management company, which includes hiring a local Realtor to evaluate the property before it is listed. Local banks may be able to provide information on who’s handling the foreclosed property, but this is the exception rather than the rule. So this means it can be difficult to access these properties before they become available to the public.
Make sure that you are actually getting a good deal.
When it comes to buying a foreclosure, it’s important to ensure that you’re actually getting a good deal. Contrary to popular belief, foreclosures are not always the best buy. In fact, most foreclosures are listed on the open market, meaning that the visibility and demand for them are the same as you would expect with other properties. The price of foreclosures is set at the highest possible value in order to meet the needs of the bank and the listing agent. Therefore, it’s important to remember that foreclosures are not being offered at discounted prices.
Conduct a full property inspection, including all utilities.
Before you purchase a foreclosure property, you should get a full inspection done with the utilities turned on. Make sure the house has been winterized, and you can access the furnace if necessary. Be aware that you may need to purchase special access to get the utilities going, which can be costly and time-consuming.
Prepare for the worst if purchasing a home as-is.
If you’re buying a foreclosure in “as-is” condition, you should prepare for the worst. Although no inspection is required, it’s a good idea to have a contractor evaluate the home and estimate the cost of any repairs. An inspection can identify major issues that the bank isn’t aware of, so it’s worth considering. This will help you decide whether you want to proceed with the purchase or walk away from the deal. To make sure you have room to cover repairs and other costs, look for a foreclosure home within the lower end of your budget.
Get a preapproval letter.
If you’re thinking about making an offer on a foreclosure, it’s important to have a mortgage preapproval letter in hand. This letter will outline information about the amount you are able to borrow based on your credit score and income. With foreclosures, the best deals often go quickly, and buyers need to have their financing worked out beforehand. Real estate investors who pay cash are usually the ones to take advantage of these deals.
by Shawn Boday | Nov 8, 2021 | Real Estate, Real Estate Investing, Real Estate Tips, Shawn Boday
Closing costs comprise a large chunk of what you might have to pay for as a borrower and property buyer. Failing to factor closing costs into your budget can have a detrimental impact towards your ability to keep up with your mortgage payments. Here is everything you need to know about closing costs.
What Is It?
Closing costs, as the name implies, refer to the costs that a borrower must pay when he/she finalizes the purchase of a property, be it residential or commercial. While these costs can add up to a considerable sum, both parties involved in the transaction shoulder a portion of the closing costs.
What Fees are Involved?
The seller pays a number of the fees that make up the closing costs of a property he/she is trying to sell. These include the real estate broker’s commissions, which can easily reach up to six percent of the property’s purchase price. Other expenses included in the closing costs are your application fees, legal representative’s fees, and any discount points that are useable. Taxes are also tacked into a property’s closing costs, which can sum up to about 15 percent of the agreed-upon purchase price.
What is a Title Search?
Another common cost category you’ll encounter when trying to close on a property is title search. A third-party company performs a comprehensive background check of the property to make sure there are no undisclosed heirs and unpaid claims on the property being sold. Home buyers are also expected to pay title insurance fees, which basically covers the policy holder of any costs associated with ownership issues.
How Do You Minimize Closing Costs?
One way to minimize your closing costs is to pay cash for the property. You can reduce your total costs by as much as 1 percent of the property’s purchase price. You also effectively eliminate fees, such as loan origination and appraisal charges. You can also cut your closing costs, as a buyer, by foregoing the services of a realtor. Instead, deal directly with the owner. While this means more due diligence required on your part in order to make sure the transaction is completed properly, it helps you avoid the hefty commissions paid out to a realtor.
Make sure you fully understand your exact closing costs before you even sign any paperwork or give a confirmation to the other party involved. You can find a number of free closing cost calculators online that can help you determine your estimates.
by Shawn Boday | Nov 8, 2021 | Business, Real Estate Investing, Real Estate Tips, Uncategorized
The level of success you put into your career in real estate will determine the amount of success you enjoy. While this is basically true of any career path, there’s a more direct link between effort and success when you rely on commissions for your income. You should take the time to prepare for the other changes a career in real estate will bring into your life.
Plan Your Career
Once you undergo the necessary education to pass your licensing exam, you should take the time to create a specific path for your career in real estate. This will involve setting short-term goals for yourself. Each short-term goal should take you one step closer to achieving your long-term objectives. Your strategy should include a marketing plan and a system for covering your expenses. Keep in mind that you’ll essentially be an entrepreneur, so you should prepare for all of the expenses and responsibilities that any new entrepreneur faces.
Plan For a Period of Limited Income
If you can keep an hourly job as you get started as a real estate agent, you should consider the benefits of staying employed. Otherwise, you should have a modest nest egg upon which you can draw to support yourself as you launch your new career. Just as a new business struggles to turn a profit in the first three years of operation, new real estate agents don’t usually earn a decent income until they have established themselves in their local communities.
Choose a Niche
It will also help you find greater success as a real estate agent if you can focus your efforts into a specific niche. For example, you might have an interest in offices and business parks. By focusing your career on those specific types of properties, you can create a marketing strategy that targets entrepreneurs and small business owners. You’ll save time, money, and energy when you’re not spreading your efforts too thin.
Keep in mind that you will be your own boss even when you work for a brokerage firm. This means you’ll have to find ways to stay motivated and work more efficiently. Developing a strategy that you can follow on a daily basis will help you sell more properties. In addition to working harder, you should also look for ways to be more effective as you serve your clients.
