Triangle Area of North Carolina Real Estate Podcast with Ruby Henderson

If you’re thinking of selling, we want to help.Want to sell your home? Get a free home value reportWant to buy a home? Search all homes for saleEven if you’ve only just begun to think about selling, you probably already feel a little overwhelmed by all the options available to you. Questions like whether you should list For Sale by Owner, sell to an iBuyer, or pursue any of the numerous other avenues out there are bound to enter your mind as you prepare. And on top of all these considerations, you also have to think about the liabilities associated with selling a home. In short: It’s a lot to take in.“With thousands of dollars and your largest asset on the line, it’s no wonder most people turn to real estate professionals like us for help. ”During the time you’ve spent living in your home, you’ve been building equity all the while. So when it comes time to sell, the most important thing is that you’re able to get that equity back out. The right agent will be able to help you do just that. With thousands of dollars and your largest asset on the line, it’s no wonder most people turn to real estate professionals like us for help. After all, it’s our job to make sure your sale goes as smoothly and successfully as possible. If you’re thinking of selling, let us help you make the most of your experience. As always, we’re happy to help. And if you’ve got any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give us a call. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

If you’re thinking of listing for sale by owner, we want to help you do so for free.Want to sell your home? Get a free home value reportWant to buy a home? Search all homes for saleIf you’re thinking of selling your home as a for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) listing, we’ve got a message for you. We believe you can do it on your own, but we’d like to offer you a little extra help. There are a lot of complex steps to navigate during the real estate process—especially when you’re going it alone. We’d be happy to take a little bit of this off your plate, and we’d like to do it for free. That’s right: We’ll help you make your FSBO listing dreams a reality for free. All we ask is that, in return, you refer us to your friends and family the next time one of them is looking to hire an agent. Listing FSBO isn’t for everyone, so if you know anyone who would like our help, please send them our way. To learn more, watch this short video.

What do you do when your home listing expires? Here’s the best route to take.Want to sell your home? Get a free home value reportWant to buy a home? Search all homes for saleWhen a seller’s listing expires, more often than not, they take it personally. However, it’s usually not the seller’s fault at all. First, you need to ask your agent what happened. How were they marketing your home? If it fails to sell, it’s probably because there weren’t enough eyes on it. You’ll also want to check out current market conditions; pricing can affect your home’s sale, so if comparable homes are priced much lower than yours, you may have already found the culprit.“A failed listing isn’t the end of the world. ”After your listing expires, it’s time to think about listing again but with an agent who has better credentials. Find the best agent, get back into the market as soon as you can, and get those eyes on your home. A failed listing isn’t the end of the world—since marketing is key, you always have the chance to reevaluate your strategy and try again with someone new. If your home has fallen off the market in the past, reach out to us so we can find out what went wrong. For answers to any questions or for further information, feel free to contact us as well. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Selling a home is a complex process. Any agent you hire for the job should be able to answer these 10 questions with confidence.Want to sell your home? Get a free home value reportWant to buy a home? Search all homes for saleSelling a home is one of the biggest financial decisions that you’ll make in your life. If you are a home seller, here are 10 questions that you have to ask every single real estate agent that you interview for the job of selling your home: 1. How much experience do you have? Some agents are brand new or have only been on the job for a few months. As they say, you can never replace experience—you can only gain it. You want to hire an agent who has been in the business for longer than just a few months or a year. 2. How many homes have you sold in the last 12 months? If they’ve been in the business for decades and only closed five homes last year, that’s not good. If they’ve been in the business for a few years but have sold 400 homes in the last year, that’s a good thing. 3. Do you have a “Coming Soon” campaign? In this day and age, it’s just as important to market your home before it hits the market as it is when it’s active. 4. What is your list-to-sale ratio? You don’t want someone who is going to list your home for $1 million but only sell it for $500,000.“You deserve to have a team represent you during your sale. ”5. What’s your average days on market? You’re looking for the lowest number possible. Our team is listing and selling homes in half the time of our MLS average. 6. Do you work with a team? You deserve to have a team represent you during your sale rather than just one person handling the entire transaction. Be sure to not only ask if they’re on a team, but also see how the team operates and who is on it. 7. Do you have references and reviews? What do their past clients have to say about their team? 8. Are you ranked? If a team is ranked high in the market, it shows you they have a good name in the business and that they do a good job for their client. 9. What kind of marketing strategy do you have? If they don’t have one, move on. 10. Can you show me your marketing budget? This is as important, if not more so, than the previous question. If your agent doesn’t have a marketing budget, they can’t market and will only waste your time and money. Make sure you ask all of these questions to every potential agent you interview. It will empower you to make the right decision for you, your home, and your money. If you’d like to ask us these questions, or any other questions related to real estate, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email today. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

When you go to sell your home, focus your energy on improving these three rooms in order to sell for top dollar.Want to sell your home? Get a free home value reportWant to buy a home? Search all homes for saleIf you’re looking to sell your home, you’ll, of course, want to have your home spotless, staged, and ready to show. There are three rooms in your house that buyers will be paying the most attention to when they come to preview it, so be sure to remember this when it comes time to prepare your home for the market: 1. The kitchen. If your kitchen is spotless, it will make a huge difference to potential buyers. This is typically the main focal point in the home for many families, so if your kitchen is in top-notch condition, congratulations! If not, this is one room to focus on when it comes to renovations.“If your kitchen is spotless, it will make a huge difference to potential buyers. ”2. The master bedroom. This is a place where people want to feel relaxed and comfortable, so you’ll benefit hugely by making this room as beautiful and attractive as it can be. 3. The bathroom. Especially the master bathroom, this is a room that people want to resemble a clean, relaxing oasis. Focus your renovation budget here to update any old or unsightly features. Paying extra attention to these three rooms while you’re renovating and preparing your home for the market will help your home sell for top dollar in today’s market—and isn’t that usually the goal? If you have any questions or if you’re looking to put your home on the market, feel free to reach out to us. My team and I would love to help you out, no matter where you are in the world.

Spring is the best time to sell, and the time to prepare has already begun!Want to sell your home? Get a free home value reportWant to buy a home? Search all homes for saleWe’re finally into 2019, and with a new year comes a fantastic time to prepare your home to sell. Spring is the most popular time to sell real estate, so January is when you want to begin preparations. As homes are typically on the market for a few weeks to a few months, you want to have your home already listed in February—before the spring selling frenzy begins. If you want to get started while there’s still time, reach out to us. We’d be happy to help you with any and all of your real estate needs. With us, your home won’t only sell quickly—it’ll sell for top dollar as well. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

The new year has arrived, and we wanted to make sure we said thanks for your support in 2018.Want to sell your home? Get a free home value reportWant to buy a home? Search all homes for sale2019 has officially begun, and today we’re talking about resolutions. Most of our videos have to do with real estate, but today we’d like to look back and say thanks to each and every one of you for your support over the year. Because of your trust and your support, our team has flourished through 2018 by helping folks just like you. We also wanted to take this opportunity to get excited about the new year.“We’re very excited for what 2019 has to offer. ”For many of you at home, your resolution is to create wealth. One of the best ways to do it is through real estate. Let’s plan that 2019 resolution now to help you create any type of dream you wish. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or invest in real estate, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email today. In the meantime, have a happy holiday and a happy new year!

Don’t assume you’re better off waiting until the spring or summer to buy or sell a home. Winter is actually a great time to buy or sell a home, and there are four reasons why.Want to sell your home? Get a free home value reportWant to buy a home? Search all homes for saleThere’s an old stereotype in the real estate world that maintains that buyers and sellers are better off waiting out the winter months and entering the market in the spring and summer. While there is some truth to that, there are also four reasons the winter months are a great time to buy or sell. First of all, there’s less competition. During the winter, there are fewer buyers and sellers active on the market. This is especially advantageous for buyers because it means you won’t have to deal with multiple-offer situations. Second, buyers and sellers are more motivated. If someone has their home listed or is out shopping for homes during this time, they’re more motivated to get a deal done.“If someone has their home listed or is out shopping for homes during this time, they’re more motivated to get a deal done. ”Third, homes are presented more realistically because they can’t be staged as well due to the weather. This gives buyers a more realistic picture of the house they want and gives sellers peace of mind knowing there’s only so much landscaping they can do when there’s snow on the ground. Lastly, you have more accessibility to real estate professionals. During the winter months, the real estate business slows down a bit, but that also means Realtors, appraisers, inspectors, closing attorneys, etc., are more available to help you. That’s a great thing to take advantage of during the winter months. I believe you can buy or sell a home at any time of the year, and my team has helped thousands of buyers and sellers, regardless of what month it was. If you’re looking to buy or sell right now, don’t hesitate to give us a call. If you have any other questions about our market or you have any other real estate needs, feel free to reach out to us as well. We’d love to help you.

If you’ve been hearing or seeing a lot of cash offers for your home, today’s topic is for you.Want to sell your home? Get a free home value reportWant to buy a home? Search all homes for saleIf you’re looking to sell your home, you might have heard about or received a number of offers to buy your home for cash. There are many pros and cons to these offers, but today I want to touch on one of each. When it comes to a cash offer, one of the pros is simplicity. When you’re dealing with a cash offer, you’re often not dealing with the lender or an appraisal. This can make for a very streamlined and easy process.“When you’re dealing with a cash offer, you’re often not dealing with the lender or an appraisal. ”However, one of the cons associated with cash offers is that oftentimes the offer is below your home’s market value. These cash offers are very complicated, and there are many algorithms that can determine what the best option is for you as a seller. Whether you’re receiving cash offers or any other type of offer, please feel free to reach out to my team. We'd love to help you navigate those waters when selling your home.

You don’t have to go through your move alone. No matter where you’re moving to, we’ll take care of you.Want to sell your home? Get a free home value reportWant to buy a home? Search all homes for saleWe hear it all the time: A client moves far away to a new home and is greeted by an awful experience with a new real estate agent. Fortunately, this doesn’t have to happen to you. No matter where you’re moving to, there’s a great chance that we’ll be able to introduce you to one of our preferred partners there.“We’ll be able to introduce you to one of our preferred partners. ”Let us give you the peace of mind of having an agent who is directly associated with us. Call (919)-332-8320 or email Beau@RubyHenderson.com and we can set you up with a preferred partner who you can trust. We look forward to hearing from you.

Online home-valuation websites can give you a rough idea of your home’s worth, but there are better ways to find an accurate estimate.Want to sell your home? Get a free home value reportWant to buy a home? Search all homes for saleBefore you even begin thinking about selling your house, it’s a great idea to know what it’s worth. Websites such as Zillow or Redfin provide estimates which can help give you a rough idea on pricing, but these valuations should never be taken as 100% accurate. Valuation websites use algorithms, which leave out important information such as: Upgrades: Algorithms do not take into account upgrades that have been made in the home, which may have added thousands in value.Location: If you’re off the beaten path in an area with few homes nearby, estimates may be much lower than what your home is actually worth.“These valuations should never be taken as 100% accurate. ”What is the best solution? Get a custom valuation. My team and I specialize in home valuation and are more than happy to help you find an accurate price for your home. If you’re looking to buy or sell a home, have any questions, or would like further information, feel free to contact us at any time. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sellers: If you’re getting a little overwhelmed with all the options you have when selling your home, allow me to give you some advice.Want to sell your home? Get a free home value reportWant to buy a home? Search all homes for saleIf you’re looking to sell your home, you might be getting a little overwhelmed with all the options you have. Should you set a Make Me Move listing, a Zillow feature that is a way for homeowners to test the market and gauge potential interest without officially listing their home for sale? Should you list your home as For Sale By Owner (FSBO)? Should you sell to a discount broker? Should you work with a single agent, or a Realtor with a team, or a—“If you’re looking to sell your home, you might be getting a little overwhelmed with all the options you have. ”Yes, there are many options to choose from. Luckily, my team has specialized in helping flustered sellers like you navigate these options. We always recommend that you reach out to a licensed agent to assist you in choosing the best course of action—each option could potentially work for you, depending on your selling situation. Speak to an agent to make sure that you’re making the right choice for you, your family, and your home. Remember, buying and selling a home are some of the biggest, if not the biggest, transactions people will undertake in their whole lives. If you are looking to sell in the Triangle area—or anywhere in the world—reach out to me and my team. We would love to help you make the right choice when it comes time to sell your home.

When should you fix your home up before putting it on the market and when are you better off just selling it as is? It depends on your situation.Want to sell your home? Get a free home value reportWant to buy a home? Search all homes for saleIf you’re wondering whether you should fix your house up before you sell it or sell it as is, the answer depends on your situation. If your home looks great but still needs a little work, you should first find out if anything structural or mechanical isn’t working, such as the HVAC unit or the water heater. These items control the main functions of your home, so if they’re not working, you need to fix them because they will show up on an inspection. You should also fix any other item that’s not working for its intended purpose, because this will also show up on a home inspection, and buyers will request that it gets fixed.“It might be better just to sell the home as is if there are simply too many repairs to make. ”When can you skip the repairs and sell your home as is? If you have an older home in an up-and-coming neighborhood, there’s a possibility that buyers will view it as a tear-down/build-up project because they’re only interested in its location, so it’s probably not worth it to fix it up in this case. Additionally, it might be better just to sell the home as is if there are simply too many repairs to make. As always, be sure to consult with a Realtor so you can decide how to best position your home for sale. If you have any other questions or you’re thinking of buying or selling a home soon in our Raleigh area market, don’t hesitate to give me a call. I’d be glad to help you.

There are two simple words that sellers can use in an agent interview to determine whether someone is qualified to sell their home. Let’s discuss what this short phrase is, and why it’s important, today. Want to sell your home? Get a free home value reportWant to buy a home? Search all homes for saleIf you’re about to interview real estate agents and teams in preparation for your upcoming home sale, I’ve got a great tip for you to follow when you do so.Many sellers know that interviewing agents before choosing one to represent them is a good idea, but not everyone knows what they should ask. Aside from the previous video I did on the 10 things to ask during an agent interview, there are two simple words you must use as your sword and shield during this crucial discussion: show me. Every agent you interview should be able to not only tell you about their success—they should be able to show you.That’s right—every agent you interview should not only be able to tell you about their success, they should be able to show you. Whether it’s reviews, statistics, or otherwise, asking an agent to show you proof of their accomplishments will be crucial. Your home is likely your largest financial asset, so it’s important that the person or team you task with selling it can prove that they’re qualified to do so. If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

If you’re a buyer in our seller’s market, there are five tips you can utilize that will help you stay ahead of the game.Want to sell your home? Get a free home value reportWant to buy a home? Search all homes for saleWhen buyers compete in a seller's market, like the one we're in right now, there are a few tips they must remember to get the home they want. First, when presenting your offer, always offer strong due diligence terms and/or a large earnest money deposit. When a seller sees these two things, they’re more likely to consider your offer—more earnest money up front looks a lot better than additional earnest money down the road. Second, show that you’re qualified to buy. Many buyers make offers without a pre-qualification or pre-approval letter. Of course, in real estate, cash is king, so an all-cash offer will usually trump any offer that’s utilizing financing. Third, keep your offer lean and mean. By this, I mean the fewer deal points you have, the better. Don’t make an offer that asks for too much.“The fewer deal points your offer has, the better. ”Fourth, have your agent communicate with the seller’s agent and ask them what the seller wants. For example, maybe they want a longer contract-to-close date or a post-closing occupancy period. Lastly, try offering to purchase the home as is. When you buy a home as is, you’re not negotiating back and forth with the seller over whatever repairs may need to be made that they may have to pay for. Applying these tips when presenting an offer in our market will put you on top of the game. As always, if you have any questions or you’re looking to buy or sell a home soon, feel free to give me a call. I’d love to help you.

I want to talk to all the sellers today about when you should speak with an agent about selling your home.Want to sell your home? Get a free home value reportWant to buy a home? Search all homes for saleToday I want to talk to the sellers. This is because I want to discuss when the best time is to interview a Realtor or agent when getting ready to sell. The first thing you want to ask yourself is, when do you want to sell? If it is anytime between a year and now, you may want to contact an agent now. You can benefit greatly by speaking to an agent now because it can take some time to find the best fit, so start by interviewing all the agents you can. Typically anywhere from three to five interviews is ideal. To compare apples to apples, be sure to check out my video on the top 10 questions to ask any agent here. This can put you in a great position. Another reason you may want to start speaking with an agent now is that the agent should have a coming soon campaign. While you’re getting ready to sell and getting your home market-ready, your agent should be working behind the scenes to create a coming soon campaign to create excitement among potential buyers before your home even goes live. I have had many buyers come to me with offers before I even went live on the market with some of my sellers.“You can get market updates as well as potentially forecast information from the agent to find out when the best time is to position yourself to go live. ”The next reason is education. You can get market updates as well as potentially forecast information from the agent to find out when the best time is to position yourself to go live. Speaking to an agent sooner rather than later also allows you to make a plan and figure out what steps you need to take before your home goes live on the market. This can help you sell at top market value. Finally, the No. 1 reason you should speak with an agent now is that it can save you money. You can find out what you need to do now and what you need to do to your house in the form of renovations and upgrades. We can help you decide where to spend your money so that your home is in the best position to get the highest and best value. I have seen sellers spend their money on a pool or painting their whole house purple instead of listening to their agent. If you are going to spend money, you should spend it where you are going to get the best return for your money. If you have any additional questions or are interested in buying or selling, please feel free to reach out to me. I would be happy to speak with you.

The real estate market is filled with myths that change the way that people think of the industry. Today I am proving five of them wrong.Want to sell your home? Get a free home value reportWant to buy a home? Search all homes for saleA lot of what is said regarding the world of real estate is inaccurate, so today I'd like to debunk five myths about this industry. 1. "If it is on the internet, it has to be true." There are some incredible websites out there that share a lot of valuable information like Zillow, Redfin, and Trulia. However, you still have to do your due diligence. For example, Zillow has something called a Zestimate, which is an online valuation tool that the website itself warns you isn’t always 100% accurate. 2. "As a seller, price adjustments or reductions are bad." This is not always true. Sometimes when you do a price adjustment, you can make more money because you may not have been in the market’s sweet spot for your price range. Buyers may not even be visiting because you are overpriced. Adjusting will help your home sell and help make you money.“The National Association of Realtors and other supporting resources have said that approximately 90% of for sale by owner, or FSBO, listings eventually end up listing with an agent. ”3. "All agents are equal." Every individual agent or team is truly different, and this is why it is in your best interest to interview several agents or teams before you make your choice. You can watch one of my previous videos about what 10 questions you should ask a potential agent here. 4. "I can make more money selling by myself rather than working with an agent." This is not always the case. The National Association of Realtors and other supporting resources have said that approximately 90% of for sale by owner, or FSBO, listings eventually end up being listed with an agent. Plus, with a FSBO listing, there are many different factors that need to be considered, including liability and the potential to misprice your home. Unfortunately, many owners have to find this out the hard way after wasting time and money. 5. "All agents market the home the same." You can discover the truth of this when you interview different agents by asking for an example of their marketing budget. If you end up with an agent who is not marketing your home and does not have a budget to market, you are losing valuable market share and market price. If you have any additional questions about the myths of the real estate market or would like to buy or sell your home, please feel free to contact me by phone or email. I hope to speak with you soon.

Have you heard nothing but crickets after you placed your home on the market? Today I am talking about how you can hear offers instead.Want to sell your home? Get a free home value reportWant to buy a home? Search all homes for saleYou have screened and picked the Realtor who is right for you. You have done all of the legal paperwork for liability purposes. You have added curb appeal and spruced up the inside of your home to make it beautiful. You have done the very important "Coming Soon" campaign, which can lead to homes being under contract before going live. And, you have officially gone live. And—nothing. No offers. No contracts. What do you do? Sitting on the market is one of the most frustrating things when you're selling your house. Well, the National Association of Realtors, the base which does all the research and data to track information, says that if you are on the market for 14 to 30 days and you have no offers even after showings, you may be at the wrong price. You may need to consider a reduction.“The market depicts the price, not your agent. ”You should talk to your Realtor immediately and see if the home looks the best. You should also be considering the marketing schemes which your agent is doing to sell your home. Finally, you should consider a price adjustment. The market depicts the price, not your agent, your neighbor, or you. If you get your house priced right to entice buyers, you put yourself in a great position to receive the highest and best price. If you have any further questions about getting your home ready for sale or about real estate in general, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to speaking with you about your real estate needs.

There is a record-breaking shortage of available housing inventory.Want to sell your home? Get a free home value reportWant to buy a home? Search all homes for saleMany sellers ask, “When should I go on the market?” Here in North Carolina, the answer is yesterday. We have a record-breaking shortage of homes available on the market.“If you are trying to decide whether to list your home now or later, I recommend listing it now. ”If you are trying to decide whether to list your home now or later, I recommend listing it now. If you would like more statistics about the housing inventory in your area, just give us a call. We’ll show you why now is a great time to buy or sell in the Triangle Area. We look forward to hearing from you!

The agent you work with to sell your home will play a critical role in your financial future, so be sure you choose carefully. I recommend conducting an agent comparison in order to feel secure in your decision.Want to sell your home? Get a free home value reportWant to buy a home? Search all homes for saleFor sellers, the choice between which agent they will work with is part of a huge financial decision. This is why I want all sellers to know that they have the option of conducting an agent comparison. Now, allow me to tell you an example of why agent comparisons matter. Years ago, I met with a sweet older woman who was looking to sell her home. She told me she’d already made her decision. She said she’d chosen an agent who had sold over 100 homes last year, so I told her, “Great. If you’re happy, I’m happy.” But when she shared the name of the agent, a red flag came up in my mind. I didn’t recognize the agent’s name, and I know the names of almost every agent in town.“Come to me with the name of the agent you’re interviewing and I’d be happy to run the comparison. ”After running an agent comparison straight from the MLS, I found that this agent had not sold over 100 homes in the previous year. He had actually only sold around 17 homes. It was disturbing to find out that this woman was about to trust her financial future to someone who hadn’t sold even a quarter of the homes they’d claimed they had. So, now I offer all sellers an agent comparison. All you have to do is come to me with the name of the agent you’re interviewing and I’d be happy to run the comparison. I hope this resource is helpful for you. If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Don’t just hire the first agent you talk to. Do some more research by asking them all these particular questions.Want to sell your home? Get a free home value reportWant to buy a home? Search all homes for saleToday’s topic is a great one for any current or potential home sellers out there. It’s a protective mechanism for you to use while in the process of hiring an agent. When you go to hire an agent to help you sell your home, you want to interview several of them to make sure you have the right fit. I have two words for sellers to say to any agent they are interviewing. The two words? “Show me.”“These two words are essential for any seller to hear. ”For example, “Show me what you’ll do to get my home sold for top dollar,” “Show me your marketing plan and budget,” or “Show me what you have to offer.” Then you can see what an agent is doing, rather than them telling you what they hoped to do. With these two words, any seller out there is going to be much more informed about their potential agents and be able to sell fast and for top market value. If you’re interested in buying or selling anytime soon in the Triangle area, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I would love to hear from you soon.

What should you ask Realtors before you hire them? Here are 10 questions I recommend.Want to sell your home? Get a free home value reportWant to buy a home? Search all homes for saleToday I’m back with a topic that a lot of home sellers have been asking about. Choosing to sell is a big financial decision, so I want to share 10 questions that you need to ask before hiring any Realtor. 1. How many homes have you sold? You can sell 200 homes, but if it’s over a 20-year period, that’s not very good. You want an agent who is consistently selling a lot of homes every year. 2. What is your average days on market? This is a measure of how long it takes them to sell homes. You want as low of a number as possible. My team’s average is half the MLS average. 3. What is your list-to-sale ratio? If someone lists homes at $500,000 and ends up selling them for $150,000, that’s bad. 4. What’s your ranking? Are they a top agent or on a top team? The higher their ranking, the better their reputation is in the industry.“These are the best questions to ask. ”5. Do you have any references? It’s one thing for someone to talk highly about themselves, but it’s more important to have other people speak the same. 6. Do you have a team or are you working as an individual agent? Teams are very good for protecting sellers. 7. What is included in your commission? They might make you pay up front for staging, videos, measurements, and photography. All of those things are included for free with our commission. 8. What is your commission rate? If you are being charged a commission, you need to know exactly what’s included in that. 9. What are your marketing strategies? Marketing is one of the most important things a seller can ask about. Ask your agent what their approach is, how they are going to market, and what they are going to market. 10. What is your marketing budget? Don’t have them just tell you—have them show you too. If an agent can’t market your home properly, they are doing you a disservice. Be sure to ask every agent you interview these 10 questions to protect you, your home, and your money. If you have any questions for me in the meantime, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I would love to hear from you soon.

If you’re a pet owner looking for your next home, there are a few additional things you must keep in mind during your search.Want to sell your home? Get a free home value reportWant to buy a home? Search all homes for saleIf you’re a pet owner, you’ll need to keep your furry friends in mind when making the transition into a new home.I’ve got a few tips today that can help you make your move as pet-friendly as possible.1. Be aware of local pet laws and regulations. If you are moving into a homeowners association (or HOA), you should be able to find this information available through the community guidelines. Even homes outside of an HOA may have restrictions, though. Make sure you do your homework before you make your move.2. Does the home have a fenced-in yard? This is a major factor to consider when buying a home as a pet owner. If the yard isn’t fenced-in and you need it to be, you’ll need to make sure this is allowed within your neighborhood. “Your neighborhood should be as good a fit for your pets as it is for you. ”3. Is the area safe for pets? Your neighborhood should be as good a fit for your pets as it is for you. One thing I always advise my clients to do is to take tours of their soon-to-be area. Check out the neighborhood you’re interested in at multiple times of day and at various times of the week. This will give you a feel for whether or not the community would be a good fit for you and your pets. 4. Is the house pet-friendly? When looking at homes, make sure you keep your pet’s needs in mind. Adequate space is one major aspect to consider during your home search.5. Can your pet handle the stairs? If you have an older pet, or one who is too small to handle the steps, stairs could definitely be an issue.If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

What do you need to do to prepare your home for the winter real estate market? I have eight tips for you today.Want to sell your home? Get a free home value reportWant to buy a home? Search all homes for saleIt is important to pay attention to the seasons when you prepare to sell your home. If you plan on selling this winter, here are a few things you can do to prepare your home accordingly: 1. Take photos as soon as possible. Hopefully, you can get listing photos done while there is some foliage on the trees and the bushes are still blooming. Depending on the area, the earlier you take photos, the better. 2. Take it easy on the holiday decor. Some people have a lot of fun and go crazy with holiday decorations. You may love your holiday decor, but keep in mind that less is best for home showings and listing photos. 3. Always keep your curb appeal in mind. Take a step back and make sure your curb appeal is still nice and neat during the winter months.“Buyers love walking into a bright home, so make sure all your lights are on for showings. ”4. Safety matters. Make sure that your home is safe and easy to walk around. Shovel and salt the driveway and sidewalks, and put a mat down in the entryway or foyer. You don’t want anyone to hurt themselves or break anything when they come in for a showing. 5. Remove clutter. This is always true, but it’s especially important in winter when people tend to have more stuff. Get rid of as much as possible. 6. Make sure that everything is functional. Make sure the HVAC works and that all the lights turn on. 7. Light it up. Speaking of lights, buyers love to walk into a bright home. Whether you or your agent turns on the lights, or you use a remote control light system, turning all the lights on before a showing is key. 8. Consult with your real estate agent about pricing. The winter market is a little different, so be sure to get an updated comparable market analysis to make sure your home is priced to sell this winter. If you have any other questions about selling your home this winter, just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

If you’re trying to sell your home on your own, we’d like to help you through the entire process.Want to sell your home? Get a free home value reportWant to buy a home? Search all homes for saleWe speak to many people who consider selling their home as FSBO (or For Sale By Owner), so if you’re a home seller and you’re thinking of doing the same thing, we have an offer for you. First, there are a couple statistics regarding FSBOs that you need to be aware of, as reported by Inman.com and the National Association of Realtors: • 90% of all homes sold are sold with a Realtor. Of the 10% that are sold as FSBO, the majority are short-arm transactions, meaning the seller knew the buyer beforehand. • Sellers typically earn 18% more when they work with a Realtor.“We’re here to help all the FSBOs out there. ”However, there are some FSBOs out there who are having success, which is why I’d like to reach out to you if you’re an FSBO home seller and say that we’re willing to help you—for free. We’re here to help you while you go through the entire process of selling your home on your own. Think of us as a lifeline—we’re an expert in the business that you can call anytime for help. What typically happens in this case is we help get your home sold. As a result of that, hopefully you’ll refer us to one of your friends or family members who need a Realtor to help them sell their home. It’s a win-win situation—you win because you get your home sold, and we win because we get to help you and potentially get a great referral along the way. If you have any questions about this offer or you’re curious about what’s happening in our market, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We’d love to help you.