When a seller lists a home for a certain price, he/she doubtfully expects someone to buy without trying to negotiate a lower price. The buyer may even try to negotiate covering closing costs and taxes. Smart buyers do understand they can negotiate quite a few things to their benefit. Smart real estate negotiations do need to be thoughtful and considerate. Novices -- and those who should know better -- could make some very bad negotiating mistakes, mistakes capable of ruining a deal.

 

Five major negotiating mistakes really do stand out. They should be bitterly avoided.

 

1.) Do not make a ridiculously low offer.

 

If a home is listed at $125,000, making an offer of $70,000 for no real reason other than to see if the seller goes for it is…

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Not Everything Increases The Value Of Your Home- Here Is What Does

There are plenty of things that increase the value of a home. A little repair here or a layer of paint there can add to the value of your real estate. However, not everything that one does makes a difference on that sale price. It is a common belief that doing just about anything will improve your chances of getting a higher price. That is just not factually accurate. You will want to avoid doing some of the repairs that don't add value. It would be a waste of money and time.

 

Converting a Garage

 

There is a strong pull from some to convert an attached garage into a family room or an office. This may be what you consider to be the best use of the space, but those who are…

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Some homeowners complete incredible home renovation projects before listing their property for sale. Their primary goal may be to increase property value and to attract more interested buyers. Many home improvement projects can generate a positive return for homeowners while making the property more appealing to the target audience. However, some improvements have minimal impact on property value, and it can be difficult recoup the cost of these investment when the property is sold. By learning more about these projects that have minimal impact on property value, you can make more educated decisions about your improvement projects.

 

A Swimming Pool

It can seem desirable to have a swimming pool in your backyard, but the reality is that the cost…

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After many years of renting, and being unable to make your residence your own, you have decided to buy. Purchasing property presents many opportunities for creativity and financial advancement. The road to homeownership, though, is not for the faint of heart. Here are five ways to start the home buying process right.

 

1. Start researching early

Do not wait until you have given your landlord notice that you are moving to begin searching for a home. Real estate buying takes more than several weeks, which means that you could very well be searching for the perfect residence more than six months after deciding to buy a home. There is also the issue of pre-approval that takes a few weeks. You should, therefore, begin your home buying process with…

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As you think ahead about listing your home for sale soon, you may be wondering if you should list your home for sale empty after you move out or if you should stage it. There are pros and cons associated with both options to consider. While there is no right or wrong answer to this, you may find that a closer look at the primary advantages and disadvantages for both can make one option more appealing to you than the other option.

 

The Appeal of a Staged Home

Most buyers will view images of your home online before deciding if they want to tour it or not. Furnished, staged homes may show better in these pictures than empty homes, so they may potentially generate more interest in your listing. Furthermore, a buyer may tour a dozen homes or more…

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The primary home ownership expenses that you may think about include a mortgage payment, property taxes, property insurance and HOA dues. However, numerous unexpected expenses can crop up as well, and these expenses can throw your budget for a loop if you are not properly prepared to pay for them. While these expenses may be unexpected, they also are rather common. In fact, you may have to deal with many of these expenses multiple times over your years as a homeowner.

 

A New Hot Water Heater

Your hot water heater is a feature that you may not think much about until you are faced with taking a cold shower unexpectedly one morning. Hot water heaters have a useful life of approximately ten to 15 years, but there is considerable variation in this…

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3 Costly Mistakes When Selling Your Home

Selling your home could be a challenge for a multitude of reasons, but if you listen to the experts and follow basic rules your home has a great chance of selling quickly. It can be difficult to put aside the emotional attachment many people have with their home in order to show it to buyers effectively. When there are many homes on the market in your area, you want to make sure you have done everything possible to make your own home appealing to buyers. Once you have made a firm decision to sell your property, it is essential that you research the market for a great selling price and advertise your property effectively. I have listed three major mistakes people make when selling their home.

 

Mistake #1 –…

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If you are preparing to buy a new property, you may be closely reviewing the many listings available in your local area that fall within your desired sales price range. In many markets, this includes both single family homes and condos, and you may be wondering which option is ideal for your needs and budget. There are key differences between these two property types, and a closer look at the pros and cons of each option may help you to determine which type of property you should focus your attention on.

 

The Proximity of Your Neighbors

A single family home generally sits on its own plot of land, and there are usually several feet of land surrounding the home in all directions before the property line. Likewise, neighbors usually have several…

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The real estate market is hot in a lot of areas around the country. With the strength in the housing market, some buyers are having trouble affording homes in the area they want to live in.

 

One of the best ways to save money on the purchase of a home is to buy an older one. However, there are a lot of potential issues that come along with purchasing an older home. As long as you know all of the risks, this can be a great way to save money. Here are some of the most important aspects to consider when buying an older home.

 

 

Age of the Roof

 

One of the most expensive things in a home to replace is the roof. There are a lot of people who do not have the cash on hand to replace their roof all at once. If the home you are purchasing…

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If you're planning to buy a home, you're most likely going to need financing or a mortgage. Because your mortgage will affect your finances for many years to come, it's important to make sure you understand your options and choose a mortgage program that will best fit your needs. Here are 5 common questions about home loans to help you in this process.

 

Q1. What documentation do I need to get a mortgage?

The documentation you need to apply for and qualify for a mortgage will depend on your individual case and the type of mortgage you choose. Still, most documentation requirements are similar. The initial documentation you need to apply for a mortgage includes your Social Security card, your driver's license, one month's pay stubs, W-2s for the…

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