5 Not-So-Obvious Things People Ignore When Selling a Home

Selling a home is not always a walk in the park. Markets can be demanding, and at times, you may feel overwhelmed by the task. The commonly overlooked mistakes sellers tend to make cost them both in the final sale price and time their property stays on the market. If you want to sell your home at a reasonable price and fast, ensure you do not miss these essential items on your itinerary list.

1. Cancellation of Current Utility and Internet Services

You would assume it is pretty straightforward. However, when selling your home, you have to be on top of switching your utility bills. Switch over your electric, phone, gas, water, cable, and internet service bills, or else you might find…

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Understanding Escrow When Buying or Selling a Home

When you buy or sell a home, there are several steps to the real estate transaction. Escrow is the period of time between when you sign a contingent agreement and when you close on the home. Escrow can also refer to a sum of money that a buyer places with the lender in good faith for completing the transaction. Escrow agents handle the escrow process. Whether you're the buyer or the seller, it's important to know the pros and cons of using escrow for the real estate transaction.

Escrow Instead of a Title Agent

You can use escrow in lieu of a title agent. A seller can choose this method of closing the purchase of a home. The escrow agent will prepare the title and deed. The escrow agent is…

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The Advantages of Working With a Home Appraisal

Home appraisals have long been considered an integral part of the home-buying process. The appraisal makes sure that the buyer is paying a fair price, and the appraisal protects the mortgage company against losses.

Still, for all of their benefits, appraisals can feel like an added stress. The buyer needs to spend money on the appraisal, and the seller is worried that the appraisal will come back for less than what they feel the home is worth.

Changes to the Laws on Appraisals 

Changes have been made to how appraisals are done. Government agencies have made rules saying that home appraisals are not required for a home that sells for under $400,000. That being said, most major lenders will still…

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The Benefits of Interviewing Real Estate Agents

If you want to sell your home as efficiently as possible, then you need to pick the right real estate agent. However, it can be difficult to find a real estate agent based on the information you find online. While it may seem strange, here are three reasons why you should interview your real estate agents before hiring them.

Ask Them Questions

If you sit down and talk with a real estate agent, then you can ask him or her various questions. This way, you can ensure that your goals and the agent's goals will align as you work together. Keep in mind that you can ask the agent plenty of home-related questions during the interview.

Here are some common questions to help you see whether the agent has…

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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 Turnkey and Fixer-Upper Homes Can Be Difficult

As a homebuyer, many factors are involved when deciding between turnkey and fixer-upper purchases. It is never a good idea to buy a home without truly understanding how each type affects the owner. What are the best ways to tell if you should buy a home with makeover potential? When do you know that a completely finished house is your best choice? Here are a few considerations that could help you make the best decision.

A Fix Doesn’t Have to Be Done Right Now

Most people who buy fixer-upper homes do it for the turnaround investment potential. If they can make enough improvements in a short amount of time, they can resell the home for a premium because of increased equity in a vibrant…

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Having lived in your home for a while, it's easy to ignore the outdated light fixture or damp basement walls. However, a prospective buyer will not tolerate these problems. Before you sell your home, take the time to make these critical updates.

 

Mold Remediation

 

Toxic mold is a problem in homes across many parts of the country. A burst pipe might be all that it takes to set off an explosive growth of mold in your home's walls. A sewer backup or flood could also cause mold growth. Naturally high humidity levels, an air conditioner malfunction or a severe weather event could also trigger the growth of toxic mold. Hire a licensed, bonded and insured mold remediation company to get rid of the mold and make essential repairs.

 

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A home that is on the market for more than a few days may struggle to sell at all. Therefore, it is in your best interest to make sure that your property is as appealing to buyers as possible the moment it is listed. However, even if your home doesn't immediately find a buyer, there are things that you can do to attract interest in the property.

 

Hire a Real Estate Agent



While it can be possible to sell a home without a real estate agent, it can be a lot easier to do so with a professional's help. A real estate agent can help you determine the proper list price for the property and share the listing with his or her email and social media contacts. Furthermore, an agent can help you stage the home so that it looks appealing to those who…

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A buyer doing their due diligence is likely to add a stipulation that allows them to arrange for one or more inspections of a home and property before they go through with its purchase. These inspections are meant to inform the buyer of potential problems, and the results give the buyer a chance to back out of the deal if the inspection is unsatisfactory or if you, as the seller, refuse to remedy any problems. If you disagree with the buyer's home inspection report, you have a few options for handling the situation.

 

Ask the Inspector

 

If you disagree with the inspection report, contact the inspector. Ask to see photos or videos of the areas on which you disagree. Some aspects of a home inspection could be up to interpretation, but others…

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When you are preparing to sell your home, your real estate agent may advise you to hire a home staging professional or to depersonalize the space. If you thought about storing all of your extra stuff in your closets, garage or basement, this is not a wise decision. A storage unit is a great idea for sellers, and here are four reasons why.

 

Remove Clutter

 

Clutter makes a space look smaller. If every one of your drawers, cupboards, shelves and closets is packed full, this gives prospective buyers an idea that your house is not big enough. Clutter also makes it difficult for buyers to imagine how they would decorate and live in the space. A good rule of thumb is to remove enough items so that drawers, closets and cabinets are only…

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