Raleigh Real Estate Podcast with Scott Hoffman

Here are all the details about our upcoming event at Pullen Park in Raleigh. Some of our favorite annual events are our Pullen Park get-togethers. We hold one in the spring and summer, and the spring edition for 2022 is coming up.  Join us at Pullen Park shelter #3 on April 23 from noon to 2 p.m. We'll have Smithfield's Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q, free giveaways, and lots of fun. Pullen Park is located at 520 Ashe Ave in Raleigh. You can RSVP here. If you have any questions about the event or real estate in general, don't hesitate to reach out via phone or email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Three solutions if you're worried about where you will go after you sell. We're experiencing an unprecedented seller's market. So where do you go when your home sells? Homes are selling with multiple offers far above list price, and sellers are maximizing the value they're getting out of their homes. A lot of people want to sell but worry about where they will go afterward.  You should always check with your lender first and see if you can qualify to buy your new home before you sell your old one. However, if that's not possible for you, there are still several ways to sell before you buy: 1. Get a short-term rental. Many apartments will do short-term rentals, and you could also look on Airbnb. These are temporary solutions that will give you enough time to shop for the right home. Since your home has already closed, you'd also be the best type of buyer for this market. “Don't worry about where you'll go after you sell; you have plenty of options.” 2. Request a rent-back agreement. I've seen some agents write in the multiple listing service that their seller needs to rent the property back for a certain amount of days. That could be an option for you too. 3. Stay with friends and family. Why not check with friends and family to see if they'd let you stay with them for a month or so. That can give you enough time to shop for a home. This market is insane, so if you'd like to learn more or brainstorm some ideas to help you take advantage of it, I would love to help. Just give me a call at (919) 740-0379. 

Here's how CMAs can get you a more accurate value for your home. No two homes are alike, so how do you determine what a home is worth? This is where competitive market analyses come in, and we'd like to explain them to you today.  A CMA is a side-by-side comparison of homes for sale and homes that have recently been sold. This process takes many important details into account such as neighborhood, neighbors, baths, lot size, and any unique feature of your home. The purpose is to find a reasonable market value based on what's happening in your local market.  To do a CMA, agents take a look at tons of data about your area, and much of it comes from the MLS. This is a list of homes that only agents, appraisers, and other real estate professionals have access to. It contains the most accurate and up-to-date information possible, so you know the data is good.  “Make sure an experienced agent does your CMA.” This leads us to the big question: How accurate is a CMA? Using the available data, a CMA is the best way to find the current value of your home. The only issue is that the market is constantly changing. The number you get from a CMA could be as accurate as possible, but it only takes a few new homes in your area to change the math overnight. Also, a CMA is reliant on the skills and experience of the agent performing it. If your agent is inexperienced, your value could be off.  Today, instant home valuations are increasingly popular, and it's easy to see why. They're incredibly convenient, but they should only be considered benchmarks. Whatever algorithm a website uses to evaluate your home will never take into consideration all the necessary data. That's why most agents recommend receiving a CMA to get a truly accurate home value. Many agents will even do one for you for free!  If you are considering making a move in the new year, or if you have any other questions, please reach out to my team via phone or email. We'd love to help! 

Let us introduce the newest member of our team, Sarah Balaban. Today we wanted to introduce you to our new team member: Sarah Balaban! We're excited to have her on the team, and we wanted to ask her a few questions.  Tell us a bit about yourself. I was born in Virginia Beach, and I grew up in Johnston County in central North Carolina. I've spent most of my life along the coast in Virginia and North Carolina. For the last 10 years, I've lived in Kill Devil Hills with my husband and two sons. “My clients become like family, and I take care of my family.” What made you get into real estate? In the early 2000s, I started working with a development company that built subdivisions in Elizabeth City. I developed a passion for the industry, and eventually went to commercial real estate, then vacation rentals, and ultimately ended up in residential, where I felt I could build the best relationships with my clients.  Why should a client choose you? Well, my clients become like family, and I take care of my family. If there's ever an issue, I always answer my phone and take care of it.  If you need a great agent in the Outer Banks, please give us a call. We'd love to connect you with Sarah. If you have any other questions or needs, feel free to call us as well. Have a great day!

From our team to your family, we want to wish you a happy holiday season. Happy holidays to you! The holiday season has officially arrived. We hope you enjoy this wonderful time of year and make some fantastic memories. We wanted to take a moment to thank you for your continued support. We love helping people make their real estate dreams come true, so thank you for working with us and supporting our business. This may be a busy time of year, but we are always here to help you and answer any questions you may have. Give us a call or reply to this email; we'd love to help you.  In case we don't hear from you until 2022, have a happy New Year!

Here are nine mistakes buyers and sellers should avoid in this market. Are you looking to buy or sell a home? Both are exciting processes, but there are a lot of pitfalls you can stumble into if you aren't careful. That's why today we want to go over nine common mistakes buyers and sellers should avoid in this market: 1. Overpricing your home. Just because we're in a seller's market doesn't mean you can price your home however you want.  2. Underbidding on your dream house. Just a few thousand dollars can be the difference between you and the home of your dreams. In this market, you should make a good offer upfront if you love a home.  3. Not understanding the contract you're signing. No matter what type of contract you sign, make sure you know what's in it. You're legally bound by it, so double-check before putting your pen to paper.  “If you waive your inspection, you're setting yourself up for a world of hurt.” 4. Buying without a warranty. Demand is high, and supply is low. This means sellers aren't doing a ton of repairs on their homes. Warranties will help protect you against any issues sellers got away with not fixing.  5. Waiving the home inspection. This one is similar to number four. It's tempting to waive this to make your offer stand out, but you're asking for trouble if you don't get an inspection.  6. Not being upfront about previous property inspections. If someone does an inspection on your home and finds some issues, make sure you're honest to others about what they found.  7. Leaving your disclosures incomplete. Disclosures don't just protect the buyer; they also protect the seller from legal liability.   8. Not being transparent with your Realtor. If you want something in a home or your deal, you need to tell your agent. Their job is to get you what you want, but they can't do that for you if you don't tell them what you need.  9. Not choosing the best Realtor. Buying or selling a home is a big deal, so make sure you have the best representation you can find.  If you have any questions about today's topic, please give us a call or send us an email. We are always willing to help!

Here are the options for homeowners who need to buy and sell in this market. The biggest concern for home sellers in this market is being able to find their next property. If you're also worried about that, you should know that you have multiple options. One of them is negotiating with the buyer of your home to see if they'd be willing to rent the home back to you for a short period of time. Another option is to negotiate an extended closing date on the contract. Both of these give you more time to shop. “We're here to help you through this challenging market.” You could rent a temporary place for a few months while you search for a new home. In the Triangle and OBX areas, there are places that allow for short, temporary leases. It's not inexpensive, but it gives you the flexibility to move right away when you find your new home. Finally, bridge financing is an option. There are many lenders out there who will allow you to purchase your next home, then use the proceeds from your current home sale to pay for it. Looking for a new home is a little more nerve-wracking than normal in this market, but we're here to help. If you have any questions for us, don't hesitate to reach out via phone or email. We look forward to hearing from you.

What’s the difference between a cash offer and a financed offer? In today’s market, buyers are either submitting cash offers or financed offers to purchase homes. But what’s the difference? When it comes to getting your offer accepted, sellers and listing agents will look at your ability to complete the transaction, which includes looking at whether you’re offering cash or you’re using financing to buy the home.  Paying with cash is ideal for sellers since you as a buyer won’t have to go through the customary mortgage process. Cash offers tend to make for more solid deals in most cases and usually mean less hassle. When submitting a cash offer, you need to get a proof of funds letter from your bank or investment manager to show your financial strength to the seller. “Cash is king in today’s market, but a pre-approval letter is also a good leverage point.” When obtaining a mortgage, it’s critical that you speak with a reputable mortgage lender in advance so that you can get your financing in order. Your lender will either issue you a pre-qualification letter or a pre-approval letter. Pre-qualification letters are considered preliminary because your lender will have you complete a loan application and make a determination based largely on the information you provided. While it’s good to have a pre-qualification in place, it’s not considered extremely strong in multiple-offer situations. A pre-approval, however, is one of the most solid letters you can receive from the bank because in order for you to get one, they have to look not only at your loan application and credit reports, but they’re almost always advanced underwritten. This gives the seller much more peace of mind when evaluating your offer on their home. Ultimately, cash is king in today’s competitive market, but if you’re using financing, a pre-approval provides you with a good leverage point with sellers. If you would like to be connected with a reputable lender who will provide you a pre-approval letter or you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me. I’d love to hear from you.

A strong due diligence amount means a stronger offer. A great way to become a better buyer in this environment is to have a strong due diligence amount in your offer.  This shows sellers that you have skin in the game, and that the likelihood of you completing the transaction is much higher than a competing offer with a smaller due diligence amount. It also gives them the peace of mind they need to proceed with the next steps of their moving process.  “While the due diligence amount isn’t the only variable to consider in your offer, it is an important one in terms of helping it get accepted.” Your due diligence amount will vary depending on how long the home has been on the market, whether or not you’re competing against other offers, and your ability to submit a due diligence amount that’s high enough to make your offer competitive in the first place. While the due diligence amount isn’t the only variable to consider in your offer, it is an important one in terms of helping it get accepted.  If you have questions about this topic or have a topic you’d like to see me address in a future video, feel free to call or email me anytime. I’d love to hear from you.

Here are seven tips to help you hire the right mover for your home. Selecting a mover can be challenging in today’s fast-paced market, so today we have just a few tips to help you pick the right one: 1. Obtain and compare written estimates from multiple movers. This estimate should be based on a personal inspection of your household goods compared to an online or phone estimate. I can’t stress enough how important this is. A lot of movers try to avoid this step; don’t let them! 2. Make sure they’re licensed, registered, and insured. Interstate movers must be registered with a USDOT number and intrastate movers are regulated by state and local laws. 3. Check the mover’s complaint history. You can do this through the BBB, consumer protection agencies, or online review sites like Angie’s List and Glassdoor. “The lowest-priced mover may not meet your primary objectives.” 4. Prioritize your objectives. Whether it’s price, care of possession, or time of delivery, make sure the mover understands. The mover quoting the lowest price may not meet these other objectives. 5. Make sure to get a brochure. Interstate movers are required to provide a booklet from the federal government titled “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.” 6. Conduct a walk-through. When you get to your new home, do this walk-through with the movers to ensure all boxes have been delivered and if there is any damage. You will then be presented with your final invoice and are expected to pay the bill. It may be higher than your estimate. 7. Do your research. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has a “mover search” tool for up-to-date access to registered interstate movers and their complaint history. You can check it out here. If you have other questions about moving or anything else related to real estate, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Here are a few tips to help buyers compete in our market. You’ve probably heard that the Triangle real estate market is currently experiencing record-low inventory. That means it will be extremely challenging for buyers to bid on a new home. Here are some tips to best position you to win when competing in this tricky market: 1. Get pre-approved. This must be your starting point if you want to be competitive. A pre-approval letter tells the seller that you’ve done your homework and that you’re ready and able to proceed with the transaction. 2. Work closely with your agent. Schedule a homebuyer’s consultation with them so that you can explain what you’re looking for in a home and so that you can learn about the trends in the market. That will enable you to come up with a strategy to help you win and accomplish your real estate goals. 3. Sign up for the multiple listing service so you can get listing alerts. This way, you’ll be notified as soon as a home comes on the market that matches your criteria. 4. Download your agent’s mobile app. With the app, if you see a home you’re interested in, you can open the app and use it to instantly communicate with your agent. “If your offer doesn’t work out, treat it like a learning opportunity and make your next offer stronger.” 5. Act quickly. When a home that you like comes on the market, view it as soon as possible. There’s fierce competition in the market right now, and it’s not uncommon to see between six and 10 offers on a given home. 6. Make a competitive offer. Take your agent’s advice on how to make your offer as competitive as possible. 7. Keep contingencies to a minimum. Make sure to present a clean offer without many stipulations beyond the standards ones offered in a typical contract. 8. Feel comfortable with your offer. Once your offer is submitted, be at peace with it and wait patiently to hear back from your agent with communications and/or questions from the seller. If your offer doesn’t work out, treat it like a learning opportunity and make your next offer stronger. You’ll likely go through a few homes before you get the perfect one. If you have any further questions about today’s topic, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’d love to hear from you.

Here’s what makes up your credit score and how it can either hurt or help you. There are five key components that determine your overall credit score or rating. Here’s a rundown on each of them and how they can hurt or help your score: 1. Payment history. This composes 35% of your score and reflects whether you have made payments on time or not. Missing payments or late payments will harm this part of your score. 2. Credit utilization. This is 30% of your score. It’s a measure of the amount owed in relation to the amount available. A person might have a $4,000 outstanding balance on a $20,000 limit. This would be considered acceptable at a 20% ratio. Owing $15,000 on a $20,000 balance would be a 75% ratio and negatively affect this part of your score. “Missing or late payments will harm your score.” 3. Length of credit 4. New credit 5. Type of credit The combination of all five areas makes up your total score which lenders use to determine creditworthiness. The best place to get your credit score if you’re planning on buying a home is from a trusted mortgage professional. They can suggest ways to improve your score and make sure you’re protected when making one of the largest investments in your life. If you have any questions for me, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Here are Dave Ramsey’s seven steps to help you get financial freedom. One of my favorite talk radio shows is the Dave Ramsey Show. For those of you who don’t know who Dave Ramsey is, he teaches people how to get out of debt and build wealth for their future. One of his favorite sayings is, “If you live like no one else, later you can live like no one else.” The fundamental system that he’s created is called the Dave Ramsey Baby Steps, which are designed to set you up for a future like no other.  Let’s take a look at these seven steps:  1. Save $1,000 for your starter emergency fund. Your goal is to save $1,000 as fast as you can so that you’re able to cover unexpected life events that are impossible to plan for otherwise. You don’t want to have to dig yourself into a deeper hole while trying to climb out of debt. Budget for emergencies first.  2. Pay off all debt (except for your house). Using the debt snowball strategy, pay off credit cards and student loans. Start by listing all your debts in order by balance from smallest to largest, regardless of interest rates. You’ll gain momentum by paying off the smallest balances first, working your way up to the more daunting ones with confidence.  3. Save three to six months of expenses in an emergency fund. You’ve paid off your debts, but don’t slow down now. Take that money you were throwing at your debt and use it to build a more robust emergency fund that will protect you against life’s bigger surprises like the loss of a job or a broken-down car without slipping back into debt. “You’ll gain momentum by paying off the smallest balances first, working your way up to the more daunting ones with confidence.” 4. Invest 15% of your household income into retirement. Now’s the time to get serious about retirement. Start with your company’s 401k program and receive a full employer match, then invest the rest into Roth IRAs—one for yourself and one for your spouse if you’re married.  5. Save for your children’s college fund. Dave recommends 529 college savings plans or education savings accounts (ESAs).  6. Pay off your home early. It’s time to bring your improved debt-management skills home to tackle that most intimidating debt; your mortgage is the only thing standing between you and complete financial freedom. Can you imagine life without a household payment? Any extra money that you can put toward your mortgage can save you tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest.  7. Build wealth and give. Do you know what people with no debt can do? Anything they want! This last step is the most fun one of all: Keep building wealth and become exuberantly generous. Leave an inheritance for your children and their children—now that’s what we call a legacy!  Hopefully, you found these seven “baby steps” empowering. Don’t hesitate to reach out by phone or email if you have any real estate needs. As a Dave Ramsey-endorsed provider, it would be an honor to serve you soon.

Spencer Walker is a recent college grad and the newest member of our team. I’d like to introduce all of you to our newest team member, Spencer Walker, who is joining me in today’s video. Spencer is from Hillsborough and a recent college grad who has just joined our team. His grandmother worked in real estate while he was growing up, and the business really piqued his interest from there. His philosophy is that honesty means everything and he treats all his clients like friends and family so he knows they’re taken care of. With his help, we’re going to be able to serve you all even better. To meet Spencer yourself, watch the short video above.

Here’s why you should set goals instead of resolutions. We’re officially into 2021, which means many of us have made resolutions such as losing weight, quitting smoking, etc. This, however, is the wrong way to do it. You should be setting goals, not resolutions. With resolutions, there are no consequences if you don’t achieve them. They’re merely things you wish would happen, and wishing doesn’t work nearly as well as being purposeful in life.  How do you set a proper goal? A goal needs to be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and come with a level of accountability. For example, let’s say you want to lose 20 pounds by April 15. This is specific and measurable because you set a time frame and identified a number, and it’s relevant because it’s something that’s important to you. It’s also attainable, which means it meets four out of the five goal-setting criteria.  “With resolutions, there are no consequences if you don’t achieve them.” What if you now added a level of accountability? Suppose you say that if you don’t lose 20 pounds by April 15, you have to give away $200 to your least favorite charity. You can insert any consequence you want for not achieving your goal, but the point is that now there’s power behind it. It was already important to you to lose weight, but now there’s a consequence for not doing so. You can use this same principle for any goal you set, whether it’s for your business life or personal life.  I hope you have your best year ever in 2021. If you’d like to talk more about how to set proper goals or there’s anything else I can help you with, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I look forward to speaking with you.

May your 2020 holiday season be a bright one! Today I’m taking a break from my typical real estate content to simply wish you a very merry Christmas, a joyous holiday season, and a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2021. I know 2020 was a very challenging year for a lot of us, but at least I can say that I’ve never been happier to greet a new year! When I think about all the great tools and talented people we’ve added to our team to provide you with the best experience possible, it’s easy to get excited for the road ahead.  So, as we wrap up 2020, I want to remind you that we’re always here to help with whatever real estate needs you may have, and we wish everyone an amazing holiday season full of meaningful celebrations with family and friends. May your new year be filled with success and stability! 

There are five main reasons why the holidays are a great time to sell. With the holiday season underway, here are the top five reasons now is a great time to consider putting your home on the market: 1. Lack of competition. We’ve been in an extreme seller’s market with low inventory in the Triangle area for about two years, and as the holiday season revs up, inventory is even lower. That means you can make your home stand out to more buyers, which gives you a strong chance of selling quickly and for more money. Speaking of… 2. Winter sales are often quick and profitable. If you’re afraid that frosty weather will adversely impact the housing market, you can breathe easy. According to my research, you have a 65% higher chance of selling in winter than any other season. On top of that, homes that sell between December 31 and March 21 sell closest to their original list price and spend the fewest days on market.  “There’s nothing like that feeling you get when you walk into a home that’s tastefully decorated for the holidays.” 3. Flexible schedules. Between Thanksgiving and the start of the new year, most of us have more time off, which means buyers can look at homes at more conventional times instead of just during weekday evenings and weekends. This generally leads to a more pleasant home selling experience for you.  4. Decorated homes show better. There’s nothing like that feeling you get when you walk into a home that’s tastefully decorated for the holidays. The emotional reaction that this type of scene elicits from buyers is simply amazing. They’ll be able to visualize their family creating holiday memories. In other words, they’ll be able to visualize home. 5. Taxes and relocations. At the end of the year, there are typically more relocations to our marketplace and buyers looking to take advantage of tax breaks. As far as relocations go, employers need their employees to be ready to roll in January, so those employees will be buying in December. When it comes to tax breaks, year-end real estate transactions offer plenty of these that buyers can take advantage of.  If you’re ready to take advantage of the holiday market or have any real estate needs I can assist with, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d be happy to help. 

As Thanksgiving approaches, we want to show our gratitude for your support. We wanted to take a moment to say thank you. We truly appreciate your business and we’re grateful for the trust you’ve placed in us. We value this trust and confidence in our team, and we sincerely appreciate your support. At this time of Thanksgiving celebrations, our thoughts turn gratefully to you with warmth and appreciation. To hear our full Thanksgiving message, watch the short video above.

Let’s help the Triangle Spokes Group give back to families in need. The season of giving is upon us, and with that in mind, I want to introduce you to a local charity that’s well worth your time and attention: the Triangle Spokes Group. This charity is a nonprofit founded and run by Ashley Wilson and Jenn Nowalk, two very good friends of mine. It distributes new bicycles and helmets to less fortunate families during the holiday season. 100% of their proceeds go directly to the bikes and children, and they partner with the Salvation Army of Wake County to distribute the bikes in time for the holiday season.  “They’re servicing a high demand, and they need our help to make this dream happen.” This year, their goal is to donate over 500 bikes to Wake County families, and the Salvation Army predicts that over 4,000 families and over 9,000 children will come to them to seek help. They’re servicing a high demand, and they need our help to make this dream happen.  For generations, children have wanted to wake up on Christmas morning to find a new, shiny bike, and it’s the Triangle Spokes Group’s goal to continue this tradition and make their days brighter—especially on Christmas day.  If you’d like to learn more about this wonderful charity and find out how to make a donation, please visit trianglespokesgroup.org. If you have questions about this or any real estate-related topic, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d love to speak with you. 

Here’s the truth behind what you actually get when selling to an iBuyer. You may have seen the commercials for various “iBuyers” out there who are advertising a quick home sale with convenience and a cash offer. It might seem too good to be true, and that’s because it is. iBuyers offer speed and convenience, but you’ll pay for it. The price they’re willing to offer you is going to be a great deal less than your home’s market value, or the value of your home if it were to be sold traditionally on the MLS.  Additionally, they’re going to charge you a service fee of anywhere from 6% to 12% of your home’s value. When you consider that the average agent’s commission costs about 6%, and you’re going to have to pay that anyway, on top of the low offer you’re already selling your home for, that’s a lot of money out of your pocket. “iBuyers offer speed and convenience, but you’ll pay for it.” The inspection process is the cherry on top. An iBuyer looks at all the repairs they will need to do to prepare to sell later. They’ll charge you a premium for it, and you’ll end up with even less money on the sale of your home.  In the end, the average person nets 13% to 15% less by selling to an iBuyer. Is the convenience really worth 15% of your home’s value? You decide. If you have any questions for me about selling your home or real estate in general, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Here’s why the Raleigh market isn’t seasonal like so many others. I get questions about the real estate market all the time. The one I’ve been hearing most lately is, “It’s getting late in the year, should I just wait until next February to list my home for sale?” The answer is a resounding NO because Raleigh is not a seasonal market. There are three reasons why: 1. Strong long-term projections. This means there is going to be a constant influx of people because businesses are growing, more jobs are coming here, and it makes for a great climate for the real estate industry. 2. Companies are relocating people. They’re not just doing it on January 1, either. They’re moving people here year-round to fill their demand for jobs. This means the market will be steady and you won’t see the typical peaks and valleys of a seasonal market. “Companies are no longer moving their employees on Jan 1 only.” 3. School systems. North Carolina has very diverse options when it comes to schools. There are public schools, private schools, charter schools, and learn-at-home options. This makes people less concerned about moving because there are so many options out there for kids in North Carolina. If you have any questions for me about the Raleigh market or real estate in general, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Here are the ten most common buyer mistakes we see today. So you’re ready to buy the house of your dreams; what home-buying mistakes should you avoid?  First off, if you’re getting a loan, you shouldn’t change jobs, as it can greatly impact the lender’s decision on whether to give you a loan at all. Also, if you’re planning to buy appliances and furniture for your new home, don’t actually make those purchases in the midst of the home-buying process.  Along those same lines, you shouldn’t allow for any credit inquiries after you’ve applied for the loan. The underwriter must see that you’re financially responsible and stable; too many inquiries for too many different reasons raise red flags.  Don’t give earnest money directly to the seller of a For Sale by Owner listing. An earnest money deposit should always be deposited into a trust account with a credible attorney who will be representing you through the closing process.  Before closing, don’t forget to switch your utilities and, even if you’re paying cash, be sure to get your hazard insurance with your insurance provider.  “You shouldn’t allow for any credit inquiries after you’ve applied for the loan.” As a buyer, keep a clear head; don’t let emotions take over. Real estate transactions can be very emotional affairs, so let your Realtor—a detached professional—guide you through it and make it as pain-free as possible.  Everyone likes pleasant interactions, but don’t make friends with the seller. If you’re talking to the seller behind your agent’s back, it quickly complicates what we do as professionals to protect your interests. We like to get everything in writing and in order so that all parties can enjoy a smooth process.  If the appraisal comes in low, don’t panic. 99% of the time, we’re able to come up with a resolution that works for everyone involved.  Submit every single lending requirement to the lender as soon as possible. If a lender asks you for a bank statement, verification, or any other paperwork, get it to them immediately so you don’t incur a delay in your closing.  Lastly, don’t do this alone. I’ve been an agent in the area for 25 years, and you simply can’t imagine some of the most difficult or even downright strange situations that we’ve helped people through over the years. Working with an experienced professional who knows the home-buying process and the local market inside and out is the best thing you can do for yourself as a buyer.  If you have any questions about these buyer mistakes or concerning real estate in general, please reach out via phone or email. I would love to help you.

There are eight mistakes you must avoid as a home seller. Here are the eight things you must avoid doing if you want to sell your home quickly and for top dollar: 1. Neglect curb appeal. The first impression is a lasting impression, so when visiting buyers pull up to the curb and walk toward your house, it has to show its very best.  2. Overprice the home. You can prevent this by having your agent do a market analysis for your home to determine its current market value and calculate a reasonable sale price. Afterward, you’ll likely net more money than you would’ve by overpricing your home.  3. Skip listing photos. Whether you’re thinking of selling on your own or with an agent, you need a professional real estate photographer taking pictures of your home to help present it in the best light possible.  4. Skip repairs. Before putting your home on the market, I recommend getting a home inspection (if needed). At a minimum, you should walk around your home and address any minor issues you see. If you don’t address them, they’ll show up on the buyer’s home inspection report. Worse yet, the buyer may subtract what they’re willing to pay for the home to allow for those repairs.  “The first impression is a lasting impression.” 5. Hide problems. If your home has problems you’re not willing to fix, at least acknowledge them on your disclosure form so the buyer is aware of them.  6. Over-personalize the space in your home. Buyers like to see neutral space, and a real estate professional can walk you through a staging appointment (or hire a stager) to position your home in the best light possible.  7. Attend the showings. It’s best to let your agent walk buyers through your home and give them the space they need to visualize themselves living there.  8. Show a cluttered house. When listing your home, you need to think “hotel/minimalist” in terms of style. Counters should be cleaned off, there shouldn’t be anything laying around on the floor, and closets should only be about ⅓ full so everything looks spacious. Your presence could hinder buyers from picturing themselves in the home.  If you’d like to know what else you can do to sell quickly and for top dollar in our market or have any other real estate questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’m here to help.

Here’s everything you need to know about PMI and how you can get rid of it. Like other kinds of mortgage insurance, private mortgage insurance (commonly referred to as PMI) is designed to protect the lender—not you—if you stop making payments on your loan for whatever reason. Though arranged by the lender, PMI is provided by private insurance companies and is usually required when you have a conventional loan and make a down payment less than 20% of the home’s purchase price.  As a new homeowner, your goal is to reach a 20% threshold so you can get rid of that PMI, which is essentially a junk fee as far as you’re concerned.  Every lender has their own process for determining whether you’ve reached that mark.  “As a new homeowner, your goal is to reach a 20% threshold so you can get rid of that PMI.” However, before you reach out to your lender and pay a fee, reach out to your Realtor and have us run the numbers for you. At no cost to you, we can see if you’re likely at the necessary threshold to remove your PMI. Then, if the numbers come out in your favor, you can reach out to your mortgage company and go through their process. That way, if you aren’t close to the market yet, you’re not wasting money.  Hopefully, this cleared up any questions you may have had regarding PMI. If you ever need any real estate assistance, we’re always here for you. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Today I’m sharing an update on the Johnston County real estate market. It’s been a wild year, but I wanted to provide great news about our market. Here are the numbers from this time in 2019 compared with what we’re seeing today, and the percentage of increase: This time in 2019 | Today | Percentage of change Units for sale: 3,039 | 3,067 | 0.9% increase Closed sales: 2,426 | 2,565 | 5.7% increase Average sale price: $232,500 | $247,900 | 6.6% increase Percentage of list price: 99.2% | 99.4% | 0.2% increase Days on market: 31 | 30 These numbers indicate a very strong, favorable seller’s market. Our market is powering through these bizarre times. If you’re considering selling, we’d love to hear from you. It may be the best time to maximize the value of your home. As indicated in the numbers above, prices are increasing and buyers are buying. “These numbers indicate a very strong, favorable seller’s market.” If you’re thinking about selling or have any questions concerning real estate, give us a call or send an email. We would be glad to speak with you.

Here’s how the first half of 2020 compared to the first half of 2019. It’s been one of the wildest years of all of our lives, but today I want to give you a quick update on what the Wake County real estate market is currently doing. The numbers might surprise you. We had 13,739 new listings in the first seven months of in 2019, and that number dropped to 12,700 units so far in 2020. This isn’t surprising, given people’s fear of putting their homes on the market during a global pandemic. “We’re still humming along even during crazy times.” As for closed sales, we had 10,319 at this time last year, and we have 10,193 units so far in 2020. This is down just 1.2%. The average sale price has actually risen by 4.7% to $371,803. The percentage of list price has remained flat from 2019 at 98.5%, indicating that we’re still in a strong seller’s market. The average days on market remained flat at 28 days as well. As you can see, the Wake County market is still humming along strongly even during crazy times. If you have any questions for me about the market or anything else related to real estate, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email. I look forward to hearing from you.

A market analysis can help determine the value of your home. What is a market analysis? This is when a real estate agent helps you determine the market value of your home. They’ll come to your house, take a look at its features, then work on the numbers. While it’s not an appraisal, it does give you a reference point for ascertaining the price at which you should list your property.  A market analysis takes into account the active, closed, pending, and under contract properties based on sales from the past 12 months. The agent then adjusts the value based on your home’s features. For example, we’ll pull a range of houses sold that share your home’s square footage, lot size, year built, and key features.  After we make adjustments and analyze the numbers, we can determine market value, average days on market, average price per square foot, and how much you can expect to get when your property sells. We also consider the active properties so you can see how your competition stacks up. If you’re interested in having a market analysis done on your home, please let us know. There’s no obligation. Also, call us at (919) 740-0379 or email us if you have any questions. We’d love to be of service.

Pre-approval can be a game-changer in a fast-paced market, and here’s why. Here in the Triangle area, we’re operating in a seller’s market, which means that there’s a lot more competition, and the chances of you as a buyer finding yourself in a multiple-offer scenario are high. Here’s why we advise buyers to get pre-approved as soon as possible in a market like this:  1. Peace of mind. Doing your homework upfront allows you to get a recommended price to focus on as you shop for your next place to call home. It also allows the lender to pull your credit and see if there are any issues you need to work on immediately.  2. Loan options. A great mortgage planner will go over the many loan options and programs that are available to you. In many cases, they can save you money by showing you certain programs you’d never otherwise know you qualify for. 3. Becoming ‘a real buyer.’ When you finally get that piece of paper that says you’re pre-approved, it communicates to a seller that you’ve done your homework, you’re serious, and you’re ready to move the process forward. This certainty naturally makes you more attractive to sellers, and when you’re competing in a multiple-offer situation, it can sometimes be the difference between hearing a ‘yes’ and a ‘no.’  4. Easy deal. If you get pre-approved by a good lender who also advance underwrites your file, your process from contract to close will be a much smoother one.  If you’re about to enter the market as a buyer, we’d love to help you find a great lender and also serve as your trusted Realtor. If you’d like to get that process started, or if you simply just want some questions answered, reach out via phone or email at any time. We’re here to help!  

It may surprise you, but the Triangle market is doing well amid COVID-19. How is the Triangle housing market faring during the pandemic? It might surprise you, but our real estate market is doing fairly well. While listings decreased by 3.5% in April, closed sales for the year have increased by 6.9%. The median sales price is up 5.6% from 2019.  The average sale price has increased by 5.2% compared to 2019. The number of people receiving list price for their homes is up .2% year over year to 98.1%. Days on market has decreased by two days, for an average of 35 days. As you can see, the Triangle housing market is doing reasonably well.  If you have any real estate needs, know that people are still moving and pursuing real estate goals during the health crisis. If we can help in any way, including answering your questions or covering a topic you’d like to see in a future video, please give us a call or send an email. We would love to hear from you.

Today we’re discussing eight ways you can help others during the pandemic. The first one is simple: Check on your neighbors. Give them a call, or shoot them a text. Ask how they’re doing and if they need anything. Interacting with people right now is crucial, and your neighbors will likely appreciate it. To hear my other suggestions, watch the short video above.

These are trying times for everyone, and we’re all looking for ways to keep ourselves occupied so as to not let negativity rent out the space in our heads. That’s why today I’ll share nine tips for staying positive as this pandemic continues. First, limit your intake of daily news. Take 15, 30, or 45 minutes to get the information you need and then shut off the newsfeed for the day. Second, look to the past to find hope. To learn all nine tips to keep a healthy and positive attitude, watch my latest video above.

I recently had the pleasure of attending Career (Re)Visioning, a great course offered by Keller Williams that teaches how to hire people for your team. One of the topics covered was the difference between talent and non-talent, and because I know that all of us agents want to continue to grow, I thought I’d pass some great information from the course along to you. So what’s the difference between talent and non-talent?  Non-talent brings you problems—talent finds solutions. Non-talent doesn’t fulfil your needs and ends up giving your job back to you—talent shares your goals and fulfills your needs as a natural byproduct of fulfilling their own. Non-talent doesn’t know what they want and isn’t searching—talent knows what they want and actively seeks it out. Non-talent requires pushing—talent pushes you. Non-talent doesn’t know where the bar is set—talent raises the bar. Non-talent repels talent—talent demands to be associated with talent. Non-talent can’t back up their actions and results—talent speaks the language of action and results. Use these points as insight into who you should be recruiting for your team. If we can ever help you with your business in any other way, feel free to give us a call. We’d love to help you.

Instead of talking about real estate today, I want to share a list of my favorite TV shows that you can binge-watch and use to escape a little bit during this hectic time. My all-time favorite show is “The Sopranos” on HBO. I absolutely loved “Dallas” growing up, too. Do you remember where you were when J.R. got shot? To hear my full list of great TV shows that you can binge-watch during quarantine, watch this short video above.

As I’m sure you’ve figured out by now, being stuck at home can be a little boring, so I’m passing along some fun ideas for spending all this time at home. Why not take advantage of really cool technologies like Facebook and Zoom to keep in touch with loved ones and friends? Perhaps you could use the calming touch of Mother Nature; so long as you abide by distancing guidelines, you can certainly go for a walk and enjoy the outdoors. They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but have you tried lately? Spend some genuine time with a four-legged friend. To learn some more neat ways to stay occupied in a world on pause, watch the video above.  If there’s anything we at the Hoffman Realty Group can do for you—it doesn’t have to be real estate-related necessarily—don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d love to help in any way we can.

With everyone rightfully concerned about their safety during the coronavirus pandemic, homebuyers are finding out how to take advantage of this incredible real estate market virtually. We are now offering virtual home-buying consultations via Zoom, where we can answer your questions and dig into what you’re looking for in your new home. We can also get you pre-approved virtually and show you homes via FaceTime. 

Even amidst the uncertainty that the coronavirus pandemic has brought, we’re still helping homebuyers and sellers accomplish their goals. Here’s how. I’ve been hearing from a lot of clients who want to buy and sell, but they’re concerned about how the process will work during this time when everyone is staying home. We’ve put some great things in place for buyers and sellers to be able to buy and sell from home as well. We’re offering buyer consultations via Zoom, virtual showings for sellers via FaceTime, and even holding virtual open houses. In-person showings are being kept to a small circle and all health and safety precautions are being taken.

Here’s what sellers can do to ensure their home leaves a wonderful first impression on buyers. As a seller, you naturally want to sell your home quickly and for as much money as possible. Following these 10 tips will help you go a long way toward that goal:  1. Improve your landscaping. Look at your home through the eyes of a buyer who’s just driven up to it for the first time; is it welcoming? Is the yard well-kempt, bushes trimmed, and flower beds mulched? 2. Clean the outside of your home. Powerwash the siding, clean the windows, and tackle any easy outdoor repairs. You never get a chance to redo a first impression, so help your home’s exterior make a good one.  3. Make those simple repairs. Address doors that don’t latch, toilets or sinks that leak, or anything else that will almost certainly show up on an inspection report. If you can make a simple fix now, it’s always better to do so than wait until a buyer counts it against you.  4. Make the front door inviting. Give it a fresh coat of paint—you’ll be surprised by how big of a difference this makes from a buyer’s perspective. While you’re at, replace the address numbers near your door if they’re faded or barely visible for some other reason.  5. Get a new doormat. It’s another cheap step that can help buyers visualize how warm and inviting that home can be.  6. Remove clutter and depersonalize. Make your home look like a hotel—minimalistic layout with no personal/sentimental belongings visible. Take personal photos down and rent a storage unit so that you have a place to put items that may be overcrowding a room in your home.  7. Organize closets and drawers. Make sure that at least 25% of your closet is free, open space. This gives the impression that the space inside them is ample, and that the home’s storage areas will be impossible to fill.  8. Make surfaces shine. Have your home professionally detailed (if you need the name of a trustworthy company, please reach out to me). Get into the moldings, blinds, ceiling vents—the areas you probably don’t routinely clean.  9. Tone down the colors. If you have a lime green dining room or bathroom, keep in mind that not everybody will enjoy that loud of a color. Opt for neutral colors when you repaint.  10. Neutralize odors. The last thing you want to have is a buyer whose nose is immediately assaulted by pet odors, like a cat’s litter box. If you use air fresheners, though, don’t overdo it; you don’t want to blast buyers with store-bought fragrances to the point that they suspect you’re covering something up. Bake cookies or bread, as it produces that lovely “at home” smell.  As always, reach out to me if you have additional questions about this or any other real estate-related topic. I’m happy to help. 

Keller Offers is our version of an iBuyer program that allows you to sell your home without the hassle of the market. At Keller Williams, we recently rolled out something to help our consumers: Keller Offers powered by Offerpad. Under this program, we’ll come out to seller’s homes and show them what they could get for their property if they went through the Keller Offers program versus the traditional form of selling on the market.  “We can even go submit your home to Opendoor to get a quote from them, for comparison’s sake.” The advantage our program provides to you, the consumer, is that you get to see how much you’d net from your home sale no matter what route you decided to go, which, in turn, allows you to make more educated decisions. At your request, we can even go submit your home to Opendoor to get a quote from them, for comparison’s sake. Often, when people see the offers placed side by side, they understand that listing their home in the traditional way, though it might be inconvenient and slower, is often the more reliable way to go. That’s why they choose the traditional route about 90% of the time—they’re not going to lose 15% of their home’s value to pay for convenience. If you would like to learn more about iBuyers and points to keep in mind about them before you decide to sell your home to one, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’d love to hear from you.

Cybersecurity is more important now than ever before. Use these tips to protect your information and identity while you navigate an increasingly digital world. The world is becoming increasingly reliant on the internet to function, which is great for making many aspects of life easier and more efficient. However, this has also led to an increasing amount of cybercrimes by people who want to scheme and hack to steal people’s private information. To protect your computer and your personal information, be sure to follow these five tips: 1. Use strong and unique email passwords that aren’t obvious. The days of using “password123” or “[your last name]123” are over. Cybercriminals are smart, and if they can get into your email, they can use your information to rob you. Use complex and hard-to-guess passwords to make their jobs harder. 2. Use multiple email accounts. Don’t use the same email account for all your online activities. For example, don’t use the same email for your bank that you use for social media, and vice versa. The problem with using only one is that if cybercriminals access your email account, they gain access to all accounts connected to that email address. 3. Don’t use free Wi-Fi. Lots of places like Starbucks and doctors’ offices have free Wi-Fi, but to stay safe, don’t use it. Instead, use the hotspots on your phone, which are much more secure. In certain places like airports, there might be bad people waiting for you to connect to the public Wi-Fi so they can steal your information. 4. Use two-factor authentication and email encryption software, and watch out for phishing schemes. For example, if you receive an email from Netflix that says there’s an issue with your account, first see who the email is from to make sure it’s legitimate. Emails with broken English or other red flags should be avoided; clicking any links in a suspicious email could lead to malicious scripts being added to your computer. DON’T open attachments in emails unless you’re sure who they’re from. 5. Mark unwanted emails as spam instead of unsubscribing. Don’t just unsubscribe from annoying emails; instead, use the spam filters in your email so that you’ll stop receiving them in your inbox. As a bonus tip: I recently downloaded Norton 360 with LifeLock to my computer, and I recommend that you do, as well. It protects both your computer and your identity. If you have any further questions on cybersecurity or another topic, feel free to reach out to us. We may even make a video to answer it!

I’m sharing the differences between goal- and growth-conscious people. Which do you want to be? Today I’m sharing the differences between goal-conscious and growth-conscious people. Which do you want to be? Goal-conscious people: Are focused on the destination Motivate you and others Feel everything is seasonal Challenge you Stop when the goal is reached Wait for growth to come Learn only from mistakes Depend on good luck Growth-conscious people:  Focus on the journey Help you and others mature See things as life-long experiences Change you Keep growing beyond the goal Take responsibility to actively grow Learn before making mistakes Depend on hard work This is an interesting way to look at these two types of people. My goal is to always be a growth-conscious person. Keep these differences in mind when going about your daily life. If we can ever help you with a real estate question or need, feel free to reach out via phone or email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Here are a few tips that will make your home stand above the competition when listing it this spring. If you plan on listing your home this spring, there are several things you must do to help it stand above the competition and give you a better chance at selling quickly and for top dollar.  First, on the inside of the home, do a walk-through of each room and address its overall condition. Are the doors opening and shutting properly? Are the windows in good condition? You’ll also want to change the air filters and steam-clean (or vacuum) the carpet.  Next, seriously assess the home’s paint job. Does it look rough? Have you done too many touch-ups and can’t do any more to make it look right? If that’s the case, I know plenty of professional painters I can refer you to who’d love to help. You want nice, neutral colors when putting your home on the market.  “Go through each room as if you’re the buyer.” Additionally, make sure your rooms look more open and aren’t overly cluttered. In the closets, about 25% of the space should be unused and everything should look organized. Go through each room as if you’re the buyer and accent the things that made you want to buy the home in the first place.  After you’re done with the interior, here’s a quick checklist of what to do to the exterior of the home: Re-mulch your flower beds and plant some flowers with vibrant colors Power wash the driveway Address any wood rot or peeling paint Have your roof, chimney, and HVAC unit inspected and make sure they’re in good working order There are plenty of other things you can do to prepare your home for the spring market, so if you’d like to talk more about this subject, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d love to speak with you.

I’m sharing how to succeed in what you want by setting SMART goals. Today we’re going to discuss New Year’s resolutions. It’s customary to pick things we’d like to accomplish by the end of the year, but oftentimes a few weeks into the year we fail miserably at it. We fail because we don’t set ourselves up for success in achieving those goals. To reach these goals, they need to be SMART goals.  SMART goals have five key elements: S- Specific. For example, you want to be faster, better, or increase something definitive. You don’t want vague objectives. Saying, “I want to lose weight” isn’t well-defined enough.  M- Measurable. How do you know if you’re succeeding? What measure are you using to determine success? You need to know whether you’re making progress.  A- Attainable. If you set a goal you can’t accomplish, what’s the point? You can break up a larger objective into smaller pieces that are easier to achieve. R- Realistic. This has to be something you can accomplish in your life, a feasible change. You need to be able to attain growth in your goal.  T- Timed. For example, “I’m going to lose 30 pounds by the end of April.” An easier way to do this is to ground yourself in why you want to reach this objective: “I’m going to lose 30 pounds by the end of April so I can enjoy better health.”  If you would like to talk more about SMART goals or other real estate topics, I would love to hear from you. Call or email me and we can go over any questions you may have.

I’m sharing six tips for how to sell and show your home when you own a pet. Selling and showing your home when you own pets can be a challenge. Today we’re going to talk about what you can do to minimize a pet’s presence for buyers. So, I brought in my dog Churchill to join us for this discussion! I’m a huge pet fan. I love animals—they’re like family to me. However, it can be challenging to go through the moving process with pets. So today, I have a few things to share that might be helpful to you when thinking of showing your home when you have a pet.  1. Deep clean to eliminate odors. Steam clean the carpet and wash all fabrics, including the couches and pet beds. Cleanse all the areas the pet touches so you get a fresh scent. Some people are hypersensitive to these odors, so you need to be careful. Stay on top of the cleaning, too. Some animals shed, some produce furballs. There may be fragments of toys, so keep the house neat so that buyers see you are keeping up with the maintenance of your home.  2. Pooper-scoop the yard. Scoop the yard and clean litter boxes. People don’t need to step in that when they walk through the yard or smell it in the house.  3. Bathe your pets regularly. Once a week should help but bathe them more if required. “I brought in my dog Churchill to join us!” 4. Remove pets during showings. If possible, remove your pets during showings. If you cannot remove them, take steps to put them in a place where they’ll be calm, comfortable, and not make much noise. The last thing you want is a disruptive pet that doesn’t allow buyers to enjoy your house. They’re visualizing a future in your home, and you want them to be relaxed.  5. Seek an honest opinion. Have a family member or friend that doesn’t live with you come over and evaluate your home. Do they smell pet odors? Is there anything they notice that you need to take care of? Have them look for things you may not have thought about.  6. Repair any pet damage. I often go into homes where I see that pets have chewed up molding, couches, and flooring. Have these issues fixed before buyers see them. You love your pets, but buyers don’t want to deal with your pets’ problems. Also, put away pet gear like toys and beds. I hope this gave you some great ideas of what you can do in your home. The more you pay attention to these things, the quicker your home will sell, and the sooner you’ll be on your way to whatever the next step is. We would love to hear from you with any real estate needs you have or ideas for future blog topics. Call or email us! 

Don’t choose a lender without considering these two important factors. When choosing a lender for your home purchase, there are two important factors to consider, and today I’m joined by Michael Lassiter of Amerifirst Home Mortgage to outline each.   The first is their current turn times. This means how long it will take once you go under contract to close on the loan. This is important because a closing date is established as soon as you go under contract, and a missed closing date—which happens frequently—can cost you a lot of money.  Fannie Mae estimates that only 35% of all closings happen on schedule, and a lot of that has to do with the interest rate environment we’re currently in. Rates are low, so it’s a great time to buy, and bank staffs (especially big banks) can’t take on that capacity. We’re seeing time frames as long as 90 days for refinances. Working with a local lender who can control the process is the best way to minimize your turn times. At Amerifirst, for example, their average turn time is 19 to 20 days. “Working with a local lender who can control the process is the best way to minimize your turn times.” The second factor is whether or not they offer a total cost analysis to figure out your total debt structure. For example, Amerifirst does a total cost analysis for their clients that looks at their whole debt balance sheet. The average family has $10,000 to $15,000 in unsecured debt, but what if you can pay that off, free up some capital, and pay that money down? How will that impact your mortgage over time?  Knowing these things ahead of time will help you make the best decision possible for what’s likely the largest purchase of your lifetime.  As always, if you have any questions about this or any other real estate topic, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d love to help you.

There are five key reasons why selling your home during the holiday season is a great idea. Learn what they are here. Even though most sellers prefer to list their home in the spring market, there are five reasons that make a holiday home sale an attractive idea: 1. Better buyers. People looking for homes during the holidays are on a mission. They’ve got a lot of things going on in life, as we all do around the holidays. So the buyers in the market are very serious about purchasing a home. 2. Lower inventory. One of the benefits of selling during the holidays is that there are fewer homes on the market to compete with. This, in turn, means you could get more money from your home. “Celebrating the holidays is one of the first things that buyers think of when they consider whether a home would be good for them.” 3. Beat the rush. Come January, the market will start returning to normal, meaning that more homes will be listed and you’ll have more competition. 4. Better showings. Can you imagine a better time to look at a home and imagine yourself living there with your family than when Christmas trees and holiday tables are set up? Celebrating the holidays is one of the first things that buyers think of when they consider whether a home would be good for them. 5. Better availability. People typically have more time off around the holidays, so they’ll have more time to look at your home and complete the purchase before the year’s end. Hopefully, this helps dispel some of the myths you might have believed about selling a home during the holiday season. If we can help you or someone you know with your home sale, please reach out to us. We’d love to be of service. In the meantime, have a wonderful holiday season!

There are three main tips you need to remember when purchasing homeowners insurance. If you’re getting ready to purchase homeowners insurance, here are three important tips to remember, as advised by Nick Nance of Farm Bureau Insurance: 1. Buy locally. One of Nick’s biggest referral sources is clients who’ve had a bad experience by buying insurance online from an agent they’ve never met before. Buy insurance from someone you can meet face to face and talk with.  2. Buy from an agent/company with a good history. If you don’t factor in a company’s history, you’re just buying based on price, which you don’t want to do. You also want to buy based on quality.  “Buying in a time crunch leaves you no time to research a company’s pricing or history.” 3. Don’t wait until the last second to buy. Buying in a time crunch leaves you no time to research a company’s pricing or history—you’ll likely just pick something so you can close on your loan. Buying a home is a huge financial decision, so give yourself some time to do your due diligence before you buy. Typically, buyers who wait until the last second to buy do so online, which, again, leads to terrible service. The person at the other end of a 1-800 number has no relationship with you and doesn’t really care about you.  If you have any questions about this or any other real estate topic, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d be happy to help you. 

Don’t ruin your home sale before it even begins. Here are six dumb reasons that homes typically fail to sell. I hear all the time from clients about why homes don’t sell, so I wanted to share six such reasons with you today that stick out to me: 1. Sellers want to price a home based on feelings instead of market data. If you’re selling your home, it’s important to follow your agent’s advice. They’ll review with you what they think you can get for your home and where it should reasonably appraise. It’s so important to do this when pricing your home. 2. Keeping all of your stuff in your house. Buyers want to see open spaces. They want to see what you saw when you bought the home. That’s why it’s important to declutter and remove anything from the home that isn’t completely necessary. 3. Not sprucing up the house. If you need new paint or carpet, get that taken care of before you list. A good agent can help you get creative with solutions to help you accomplish these goals. “A lowball offer is not a final offer.” 4. Lackluster photos. If you have an agent who uses smartphone pictures instead of professional photos, please find another agent. Your agent should be properly marketing your home with professional photography to help it sell quicker and for more money. 5. Inflexibility with showtimes. You’re selling a home, which is a consumer product. You need to have hours of operation just like a store. Maybe you should consider having your pets stay somewhere else while you’re showing the home to make it easier. Buyers will look at homes anywhere from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on the weekends. It’s important to be as flexible as possible. 6. Lowball offers. A lowball offer is not the final offer. Don’t just simply reject this kind of offer. Make a counteroffer, don’t get offended, and be patient. If you have any questions for me about this list or anything else related to real estate, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Make sure your home is ready for winter by following these eight simple tips for fall maintenance. The fall season is here at last, which means there are a few fall-related items you’ll want to keep an eye on around the house. As a homeowner, you should make sure to: 1. Care for trees and shrubs: Get rid of dead branches and broken limbs so your tree will blossom again in the spring. 2. Rake your leaves: If you let them build up and clump together throughout fall and winter, you’ll find a lot of dead grass come springtime. 3. Check the exterior of your home: Make sure gutters and downspouts are unclogged, check the foundation and windows, and keep an eye out for wood rot. 4. Address gaps you find around vents or crawl spaces: These are spots where creatures can come in and hang out for the winter. This is something you do not want. “Our preferred vendors who can help you with any home repairs you may need.” 5. Check the safety of decks, porches, and driveways: When winter comes along, ice and snow are inevitable. You want to make sure everything is as safe as possible for your family and neighbors. 6. Disconnect exterior house pipes: You don’t want these to freeze up, break, and cause a leak in your home.  7. Check items inside the home: Look at the weatherstripping on your windows — properly weatherstripped windows lower your utility bills by keeping warm air in and cool air out. In addition, test safety devices such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. This is also a good time to deep clean your home, as you’ll be spending more time indoors during the winter. 8. Check the chimney: If you have a fireplace and expect to cozy up next to a fire, make sure your chimney is in good working order. If you have any questions or would like more information, feel free to reach out to us. We’d also be more than happy to refer you to our preferred vendors who can help you with any home repairs you may need. Until then, we look forward to hearing from you soon.

Though many of my friends will get a kick out of me covering this topic (I tend to be very particular about how homes are arranged), today I want to share a few great tips about keeping a minimalistic home, most of which I practice myself. 1. Sort through the mail as soon as it comes in. Toss any mail you don’t need into the recycle bin immediately; don’t let junk mail clutter up your home. 2. Wash your dishes after using them. Don’t let dirty dishes pile up on your sinks and counters; it’ll make your life easier if you just wash them immediately after using them. 3. Clear off the countertops every night. Do this each night before you go to bed. It’ll keep your house clean and clear, and you’ll feel better about your day if you start it with an organized home. “If family members are trying to give you stuff that they don’t want in their homes, chances are that you don’t need it in yours, either.” 4. Be strict about what you allow into your home. If family members are trying to give you stuff that they don’t want in their homes, chances are that you don’t need it in yours, either. Before you accept that stuff from friends and family, make sure you love it; take 24 hours to think about it and see if it’s something that you want to take up your home’s precious space. 5. Declutter your small spaces daily. Most of us have some drawers or space in our home where random items tend to gather—we call ours a ‘treasure drawer,’ but others might call it a ‘junk drawer,’ too. Take the time to clear out these areas. This year, I actually took 50 bags of clothes out of my closet! If you have any questions or suggestions of your own about minimalistic housekeeping, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. We’d love to hear your questions and ideas.

If you’re in the market for your next home, there’s one very critical step you need to take before you start submitting offers. Before you do anything else, you must get a pre-approval letter or proof of funds letter. Neglecting to do so could cost you your dream home.  Thankfully, the process of obtaining this document is quite simple. All you need to do is visit a lender, fill out a loan application, and provide them with the necessary documents. After this point, the lender will determine what kind of home you can afford and will issue a pre-approval letter. This letter essentially verifies that you’re qualified to move forward with a home purchase. “Having a pre-approval letter or proof of funds letter could make or break your ability to strike a deal on your dream home.” When sellers receive an offer, one of the first things they’ll check for is whether or not a pre-approval letter has been included. The presence of this letter will ultimately provide them with the peace of mind they need to feel confident in your ability to close. Sellers tend to see offers that come without a pre-approval letter as a major red flag.  The bottom line is that having a pre-approval letter or proof of funds letter could make or break your ability to strike a deal on your dream home.  If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

People ask us all the time for suggestions on local vendors, so today we’d like to share a few of our top picks.  First on our list is Pat Kearney—a woman whose cleaning services have been an incredible help to many of our clients in the past. Whether you’re preparing to move or just want to have your home sparkling clean for your own enjoyment, Pat is the person you want to call. You can reach her at (919) 612-4651. Next is Nick Nance, an insurance agent with Farm Bureau. Nick has helped countless local families protect their homes and their assets by connecting them with affordable and effective insurance options. You can get in touch with Nick by calling (919) 576-7581.  “Our team always strives to be a valuable local resource for you.” Kyle Carrick with DHS Renovations is another great vendor we like to recommend to homeowners, buyers, and sellers in our area. We’ve been working with Kyle for more than a decade, and we’ve always known him to provide a high-quality experience at a reasonable cost when it comes to home renovations. If you’re looking to upgrade your home, you can reach Kyle at (919) 830-0829.  The last vendor on today’s list is Bruce Jones of Five Star Painting. Whether you’re looking to transform your home into a clean slate before you sell it or you’re interested in giving your current residence a little pop of color, Bruce and his team do a fantastic job with re-touching and repainting homes both inside and out. You can reach Bruce by calling (919) 315-6511. Hopefully this list has been helpful. We always strive to be a valuable local resource for you, so we would be happy to speak with you more about any of these vendors or about other recommendations you’re looking for.  As always, if you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.