3 Tips for Finding an Ideal Real Estate Agent

If you plan to move out of your home, then you should find a real estate agent that can meet your needs. However, you may be worried about finding a real estate agent that can offer you the right services. If you feel this way, then we have three tips to help you find the ideal real estate agent for your situation.

1. Look at Online Reviews

You should always spend some time looking at reviews when you want to pick someone to work with. This also applies to real estate agents, since you can get a general idea of how they work with others. By reading reviews, you can get a good idea if they're a good match for your needs.

Keep in mind that the reviews will have varying opinions. This means that you…

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Deciding Between a Short Sale and Refinancing Your Mortgage

If you are struggling to stay current on your mortgage, it may be possible to engage in a short sale or refinance your existing loan. A short sale allows you to walk away from the home without paying the loan balance in full while refinancing your loan allows you to alter its terms while retaining the property.

What to Know About Short Sales

You must generally obtain permission from your lender to engage in a short sale, and the lender will typically need to approve a purchase offer before the sale can be completed. Typically, your mortgage servicer will need to see evidence that you cannot meet your current obligation before agreeing to let you put the home on the market. In many cases,…

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4 Ways to Promote Your Realtor Business Using Social Media

As a realtor, it's important to promote your business effectively on the web, and social media marketing is likely to play a crucial role in your online marketing strategy. According to Sprout Social, 77% of realtors use social media marketing, and more than 90% of potential clients begin looking for real estate online. Unfortunately, many realtors don't know how to promote themselves on social media effectively. Here are a few tips that can help you advertise on social networking websites:

1. Pick the Right Social Media Sites to Advertise Your Brand

In order to effectively promote your real estate business on social media, you need to choose the right sites. As a realtor, imagery will be…

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Is Listing Your Home During COVID-19 a Bad Idea?

Putting the home you’ve lived in for so long on the market is a big decision. While you may be set on doing so, actually getting a sale may not be as easy as it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. Listing your home during these times isn’t a bad idea, especially if you’re looking for a safer place to be. But there’s more to it than you think.

Continue on to learn what you need to know about listing your home during COVID-19.

Perks of Listing Your Home During COVID-19

If you’re determined to list your home during the pandemic, there are a few benefits to be had. For starters, the competition has significantly lowered, which makes finding a home easier. Mortgage rates have also been reduced, making…

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How a Failed Home Inspection Can Impact Your Closing

While there are several reasons that a real estate closing might be delayed or canceled, one of the most common reasons is that the home did not fare well during the home inspection. Fortunately, this is something that the buyer has an opportunity to correct before the sale is closed. Continue reading to learn more about home inspection issues and what to do to avoid any surprises.

What Is a Home Inspection?

When selling a home, a buyer arranges to have the home examined by a qualified home inspector. This inspector will enter the home and perform a noninvasive analysis of the property's condition. In other words, he or she is not going to look into the walls, but he or she will visually…

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What to Know About Buying Short-Term Rentals

Thanks to websites such as VRBO and Airbnb, you can now rent the property you own on a short-term basis instead of finding a long-term tenant. Finding someone who will rent a home for six to 12 months is sometimes difficult, especially during downturns in the market. You also need to worry about finding a reliable tenant who will leave the home in good condition. You should also be aware that you could possibly miss out on the short-term renters who need a place for a few weeks or less. As a homeowner considering short-term rentals, there are a few key things that you need to know.

Market Fluctuations

One of the best things about investing in short-term rentals is that you set the price, but this can…

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Covid-19 Has Dramatically Changed the Greenville Real Estate Market

If you are buying or selling real estate in Greenville, South Carolina, it's important to be aware of the impact that COVID-19 has had on the real estate markets. As with everywhere else in the country, the economy in the Greenville area has slowed down during the pandemic, which has led to decreases in real estate values. 

However, the markets are beginning to rebound as the re-opening begins, but progress could be impeded by another round of shutdowns. Here's what you need to know about the effects of COVID-19 on the real estate market:

1. Job Losses Are Common During the Pandemic

Job losses have caused many potential home buyers to suffer severe economic hardship, which has…

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3 Virtual Tour Tips for Real Estate Agents

Due to the current state of the world, more real estate professionals are offering virtual home tours. Many people don't want to risk entering homes at this time, but some of them still need to move. Since virtual tours can be overwhelming, here are three tips to improve the experience and to increase your chances of selling your homes.

1. Use High-Quality Recording Equipment

Above all else, you should ensure that you get some of the best recording equipment available if you plan to record a virtual tour. This includes using an HD camera and a good microphone if you want to record the audio. If you don't use good equipment, then the tour will look like it's low effort, and that may turn some people away…

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Avoid These Mistakes When Selling and Buying a New Home

Many people choose to sell their current home and shop for a new one at the same time. You may need to do this for several reasons, such as relocating for a job or making sure that your growing family has enough space. However, this practice can put you in a precarious position if you make a mistake. Learn about some common mistakes that people make when selling a home and buying one at the same time.

Underestimating the Costs of Selling

The cost of selling a home is usually 5% to 6% of the sale price. If your home's selling price is $300,000, your closing costs will likely be $15,000 to $18,000. This amount is deducted from the amount of money you get from the buyer's lender. You'll also…

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4 Professional Moving Tips Straight From the Professionals

Moving houses can be physically and mentally challenging. Without proper planning or preparation, it can also crush you financially. In fact, according to the American Moving and Storage Association, the average cost of interstate moves is roughly $4,300. Multiply this by the number of times the average American moves, which according to the U.S. Census Bureau is 11.7 times throughout a lifetime, and this amounts to almost $50,000 in moving costs. To help you execute a cost-effective and hassle-free move, here are four tips sourced straight from professional movers themselves. 

1. Lose Some Luggage

Many professional movers are astonished by how much stuff people pack with them that they…

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