Don't Get Boo-Ed!
Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Expert Sandra Nickel.
Displaying blog entries 1-6 of 6
Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Expert Sandra Nickel.
House hunting can be overwhelming sometimes, especially when beginning the search for your first home. Chances are you might get caught up in the process and important details might slip by you. While the number of rooms, condition of the kitchen, and size of the yard are important, there are other things to consider before you make an offer. This list of things to look for can help get your search off to the right start.
They say that the 3 most important things to look for when buying a home are location, location, location. While a home might not be perfect, loving your neighborhood and neighbors can make all the difference in living with imperfection. And face it…you can change almost anything about your house, but you can’t change its location or the people living nearby. When you go house hunting, make sure to consider the home’s proximity to your work, the appeal of the neighborhood, where in the neighborhood the home is situated, ease of access, noise from neighbors, traffic, pets and access to parks, shopping, schools and public transportation.
Beyond location, look at how the home is situated. If the home is on a hill does it have a view, a walkout basement, or lots of stairs to climb? Do neighbors' windows look directly into the home? Is the yard suitable for kids, pets, gardening, or other uses? Is their safe access to the home? These are all important questions to ask yourself when determining if it is the right property for you.
While it’s important for your house to meet your expectations, it’s equally important that the neighborhood meets them too. Take a drive around the development you are interested in on week days and weekends, during the day and in the evening. Are the homes in good repair? Are yards kept clean and tidy? Is the neighborhood safe enough for people to walk, run or bike? Are there children playing outdoors?
You want a home that is going to reflect your lifestyle. Do you live a casual, laid-back life? Then you probably won’t want a formal Victorian or Tudor style home. A simple, contemporary home might better suit you. Pay close attention to exterior features. Think about maintenance. For example, a brick home is easier to maintain than one with siding. Do you like working in the yard? If not, you might not want a house with extensive landscaping. Is the roof in good condition? Attention to detail will help you choose the home with the best curb appeal for you.
You may be thinking about buying your dream home. But is your dream home practical? Do you need 4 bedrooms and 4 baths when you live alone? A spacious home may provide the extra room you've always wanted for a home office or a theater room, but you'll pay higher heating bills and have higher taxes. Additionally, it will take more furniture to furnish and money to decorate. Think about how the new home space will be used and whether it will fit your lifestyle now and in the future.
Decide how many bedrooms and bathrooms you will need and only look at homes that meet that criteria. You don’t want to fall in love with what is otherwise a perfect house if it doesn’t provide the space needed for your family. It’s smart to consider counting an extra bedroom in that number so that you have extra space for a home office or guest room. If you think you might add on to the home later, make sure you consult an architect who can advise you on space planning and regulations.
For many people, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Don’t settle for a home with a kitchen that doesn’t work for you. Yes, you can remodel later, but at great expense. If it’s an easy fix like replacing cabinets or countertops, get a price quote before committing to the house so that you will know if it is within your budget to take that on.
Older homes often have small closets and lack storage space. As you’re looking at a home ask yourself where you will store your belongings. Tiny closets don’t have to be a deal breaker. There are ways to maximize storage without renovations. Newer homes tend to have lots of storage and you may sacrifice living space while having more closet space than you need.
While looking at a home keep in mind your preferences regarding light and privacy. Do you want a lot of windows to provider bright, sunny rooms? Pay attention to the locations of electrical outlets and fixtures to make sure they will meet your lighting needs.
Even a simple home can look spectacular with the right moldings, hardware, and a fireplace. If elements like these are important to you, look for them while house hunting.
You may not find everything you want in one house, but keep this list handy and you are more likely to find the home that best suits your needs and desires. Happy House Hunting!
http://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com/Blog/Mortgage-Tips-for-First-Time-Homebuyers
http://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com/Blog/First-Time-Home-Buyers-and-Unexpected-Expenses
Montgomery AL Home for Sale:
7932 Arrowhead Forest Ct, Montgomery AL 36117
MLS# 422900
4 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1 half bath | 2,640 square feet | Arrowhead
Wonderful Arrowhead home situated on a large corner lot on a quiet cul-de-sac. Built in 1994, this house has an open floor plan and great living space for your family. Kitchen has butcher block breakfast bar and large area for a table plus it opens to the family room/den. Nice sized bedrooms, and the 4th would make a great nursery or office. Outside is an awesome screened porch and huge patio. Come see it for yourself today!
Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor Lauren Layfield, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!
Whether you are buying or selling a home for the first time or you are a seasoned veteran of buying/selling real estate, chances are you think you have the knowledge needed to navigate the process based on what you have read or heard from friends and family. Unfortunately there are a plethora of myths circulating about buying and selling houses that have become prevalent, but just aren’t true. The pitfall of believing everything you hear or read is that real estate myths can hurt you where it counts…in the wallet. Here are seven common ones that can cause home buyers/sellers to make unnecessary mistakes:
This is a false assumption. When a house is listed with an agent, the total sales commission is already built into the price. If the buyer doesn’t use and agent, that just means the selling agent will get the entire commission.
While it is possible to successfully sell your home on your own, there is a great deal of work that goes into it. You must know how to get the home listed online, market it to prospective buyers, negotiate the contract and deal with any issues that arise during the inspection or loan application phases. In addition, buyers will expect a significant discount, so what you might save on real estate commission may not be as much as you thought it would be.
Over the years, homebuyers and sellers have experienced a time of increasing home values, then a sharp decline due to the economy and then an upturn where values increase again. But many people believe the market only goes up. You need to be aware that prices can fall dramatically.
If your kitchen and bathroom are in working order, an extensive remodel could be a mistake. Potential buyers might not like what you’ve done with the place, but they don’t want to change something that has just been renovated. You are better off adjusting your price accordingly.
Repairing things like your heating system, air conditioner or roof may help your home to sell faster, but you probably will not recoup what you spend. Per Remodeling Magazine’s 2017 cost-vs-value report, the only renovation that is likely to net you as much as you spent is adding fiberglass attic insulation. You will likely only get back 65.3% on a full kitchen renovation. And redoing your bathroom might get you 59.1%.
Your agent must choose to let the listings show up online. Most do, but it’s a good idea to verify that yours will.
http://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com/Blog/Mortgage-Tips-for-First-Time-Homebuyers
http://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com/Blog/First-Time-Home-Buyers-and-Unexpected-Expenses
If you are planning to put your house on the market, there is no time like the present to start getting organized for the process of staging, showing and moving out of your home.
Begin now by following the tips listed below and you won’t feel so overwhelmed when it’s time for that first open house!
Moving can be stressful, so don’t wait to start preparing. Get a head start before putting your house on the market!
http://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com/Blog/Items-to-Throw-Out-Before-You-Move
http://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com/Blog/Organizing-Your-Home-Made-Simple
Deciding to buy a home is exciting. But it can also be overwhelming, especially for first-time home-buyers. There is so much to think about. Before you start your home search, you should find a mortgage lender who can help walk you through the home-buying process. Follow these mortgage tips and you will be prepared to purchase the home of your dreams!
With a little homework, you will be able to find the best lender to help walk you through the home-buying process. Ask us, we know the good guys and gals. Interview lenders. Find out what their closing time averages are and look up customer satisfaction rates. This is likely the largest financial investment you will ever make, so be sure that the lender you choose is right for you both personally and financially.
There is a difference between what you can afford and what you are willing to spend. Many factors play into this decision. Your lifestyle, the size of home you’re looking for, and other expenses should all be considered. You might be shocked by what the numbers say. Chances are you won’t want to spend as much as you qualify for. So, work out a budget first and don’t overestimate what you can afford.
The last thing you want to happen is to find the perfect home and not be able to make an offer because you haven’t been pre-approved for a loan. Taking the time to do this now will save you time and grief in the future.
Now is not the time to make large purchases. Avoid taking out new lines of credit. Don’t purchase a new car or apply for a new credit card. Make sure that you are not adding to your credit card balances. Remember that your debt to income ratio is a vital piece of the mortgage puzzle and can be a deal breaker if you go over your limit. Save large purchases for after closing day.
Now that you’ve got all your ducks in a row, the fun begins. Take your time searching for the right home. This is a financial investment that you will be living with for a long time, so don’t settle. Sandra Nickel and The Hat Team Realtors can answer any questions you have about purchasing your first home. Give us a call today at (334) 834-1500.
http://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com/Blog/First-Time-Home-Buyers-and-Unexpected-Expenses
Displaying blog entries 1-6 of 6