Dealing with demanding home buyers or sellers can be a daunting task. Below are a few tips to guide you when dealing with difficult buyers or sellers.

Listen

Listening is a sign of respect and professionalism. You will know about the concerns of the seller or buyer and whether they are legitimate. Don't interrupt them when talking to avoid a misunderstanding even when you know where they are aiming. This way, you will be showing them that you care. Encourage them to be open and transparent for clarity. Additionally, you ought to ask questions and support their statements. As an agent, you have to be straightforward when communicating whether it is a text or verbally. You should use a professional language when dealing with first-time clients because…

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 Moving into a new place can mean a lot of things to remember, and can leave you feeling like maybe there’s something you’ve forgotten to do. Once the boxes are packed and the moving vans are lined up, we all want it to be bliss-free unpacking from that point, with the only concern being making the new place feel like a home. Unfortunately, it really never works out that way: there are endless t’s to cross and i’s to dot, and taking the time to track down and notify everyone of your move can be quite a challenge.

Luckily, there’s plenty of information out there on who to notify aside from your friends and family; although, it is nice to pick up a pack of nice “we’ve moved” cards to send out to your loved ones giving them your new address. For everyone…

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Buying your first home is exhilarating. It's also the biggest investment you'll likely ever make, and probably the biggest one you've made so far. It's easy, whether from excitement or lack of knowledge, to make mistakes that you regret down the road.

Here are 4 common mistakes that you can avoid making:

1. Go to only one lender

Particularly if you've heard that each inquiry affects your credit score, you may be tempted to go to just one lender and hope for the best. Putting all your eggs in one basket like this is a bad idea. Ideally, you should talk to at least one national bank, one local bank or credit union, and an online lender. If you're concerned about your credit score taking a hit from the inquiries, consider hiring a broker instead -…

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The kids are bored. You are tired of the same old scenery. Everyone just needs to get away for a while. However, the budget or work and school schedules will only allow for a day trip somewhere close by. That is not a problem. Greenville, South Carolina is close to lots of great activities for you and your family to enjoy. Try these four suggestions and then venture out for your own adventures:

1. Riverbanks Zoo

See giraffe's, zebras and polar bears as you stroll along paved paths at the Riverbanks Zoo. Just 1 1/2 hours from Greenville, this Columbia attraction is a great way to get in some fresh air, some exercise and some excitement - all in one spot. Kids love the African Savannah reproduction, a 2-acre reproduction where lions and baboons roam…

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1. De-clutter

You know those roller blades you’ve held onto for nearly a decade? Trash them! Along with any other unused items. While you may think your childhood macaroni frames hold sentimental value, your future self will be thanking you for not lugging it to the next home. When you leave yourself with only the essentials, packing becomes a breeze.

2. Timing

Don’t overwhelm yourself trying to get everything moved out as soon as possible. Pick a day when you have no other obligations and dedicate your time to moving in an efficient manner that’s convenient for you.

3. Hire Professionals

There’s no shame in admitting you need help, especially when it comes to moving. Be sure to investigate and conduct thorough research before deciding on a…

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Even first-time home buyers know that there are closing costs associated with buying a home. But they don't always know what the words "closing costs" actually mean, what they include, or why they have to pay them. When you're handing over that much money, however, it's important that you understand exactly why you're doing it.

What are closing costs?

Closing costs are the fees associated with buying a home that you pay at closing. Closing is when the sale of your home is closed, and the title to the home is transferred to the buyer from the seller.

What fees are included in closing costs?

There are many fees that can be included in closing costs. Such fees include:

  •         Application fee
  •         Appraisal
  •         Attorney fee
  • …

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After years of dutifully saving money, you’re finally ready to buy your first place. You can’t wait to move out of the cramped apartment you’ve shared with your growing family for the past two years. If you can relate to this scenario, you might currently be scouring listings in your desired neighborhood. You may also be compiling a detailed list of must-haves for your new abode. When looking for the perfect place, don’t neglect to consider the following items.

Storage Space

When touring prospective homes, many people concentrate on kitchens and bathrooms. In their quest to buy a home with quartz counter tops or double sinks, they sometimes overlook the less glamorous issue of storage space. However, having enough room to neatly organize all of your…

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Credit is just about everything when it comes to buying a home. You need credit to buy the home (the mortgage), you need credit to qualify for the mortgage, and your mortgage payments will impact your credit if they're not paid or not paid on time.

Many home buyers, particularly first-timers, don't fully understand the impact that credit has on the home buying process. Here are 3 things that home buyers need to know about credit.

1. You need good credit

Your credit score tells lenders a lot about you, whether you pay your bills on time or at all. This tells them whether you'll be able to handle the long-term responsibility of a mortgage and whether they'd need to worry that you might not be able to pay it.

Most reputable lenders won't give a…

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When you find the home you want to buy, the next step is putting in an offer so the seller knows you're interested. But how much do you offer? Do you offer the asking price, or more, or less? There are several factors you should look at when deciding how much to offer initially.

Comps (Comparable Sales)

You want to first take a look at comparable sales. Comparable sales are the sales in the same general area, with homes that are roughly the same size, the same number of rooms, and otherwise similar to the house you want to buy. They should also be recent, usually within about the last three months. The comps can help you see how different the seller's asking price is from how much comparable homes have sold for. This will give you a starting point…

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Aside from good credit, a down payment is one of the top factors when applying for a mortgage. Without a down payment, you're likely to find that many lenders refuse to even speak with you, and others will be willing to give you the loan, but with much higher fees and interest rates.

What is a down payment?

A down payment is the money that you put down on a home when you buy it. This is separate from your mortgage and is cash that you come up with yourself. Most people save money over a period of months or years for a down payment, though some have taken out personal loans to get the money.

How much do you need?

The typical down payment is 20%. On a home that costs $100,000, this would be $20,000. Depending on the lender, you may be able to…

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