Who Finds the House, Anyway?

May 16, 2017Leave a comment

P: Realtor.com

When I first meet with buyers they ask, “Why do I need a real estate agent if I find the house?” They also show me the various apps they are using to search – Realtor.com, Zillow, etc. This is a good question, and one that many in the industry ponder. You enter your criteria on these websites, wait all day for your phone to ping, ring, or buzz, and then you contact your agent for a showing. Sounds easy, right?

After about three of these pop up showings, buyers tend to get discouraged. “But it looked so much better in photos,” and “I didn’t know that the neighbor had pit bulls until we drove up to the house,” are just some of the disappointments that befall the buyer.

P: libn.com

And, to add to more stress and discouragement, some houses that pop up on your phone are not actually available to see as they may already be under contract with another, more fortunate buyer. Or, so the buyers think.

These scenarios occur when a buyer is “chasing the market.” You need to get ahead of the market by working with an experienced, professional real estate agent that knows the local market inside and out.

In fact, the house you are looking for is most likely going to be brought to your attention by your agent.

Since real estate expertise is something accumulated over years of going in and out of houses, townhouses, condos, and neighborhoods on a daily basis, it’s safe to say that an experienced agent will be able to find you a house that meets your needs.

Once I know what you are looking for, I can “edit” the list of potential homes and hone in quickly on prime candidates. After we see a few houses together I will be able to figure out what will be ideal. What does that mean to you? It means you can relax. Don’t jump every time Zillow sends a notification. While it may meet your Zillow criteria, it may not meet your other wants and needs.

I only take on a few buyers at a time to give exceptional service and “house finding” expertise. Is the perfect house on the internet? Maybe, but an experienced agent will keep you “ahead” of the market, which is preferable to “chasing” the houses.

What is the Best Website or App for Finding a House?

February 21, 2017February 21, 2017Leave a comment

P: Realtor.com

Over the past several years the internet has opened up the “wide world of real estate” to buyers and sellers. Realtor.com and Zillow have been advertising heavily to promote the use of their websites and mobile apps for your home search. If you have been searching for a house for a while, you are probably asking, “Isn’t there anything else?” While each of these consumer sites has its pros and cons, the best source for up-to-date local real estate information continues to be your favorite real estate agent.

It’s happened to most all home buyers. After months of sitting on a couch perusing houses, photos, and prices you will have to email or call a real estate agent to see a house that you think may work. You finally take that next, bold step only to hear, “oh, sorry, that house is no longer available.” Or, “yes, that is a good price, all of the pipes have been stripped out and it needs to be a ‘cash only’ transaction.” Sigh, this is harder than you thought.

P: Zillow

After several weeks of clicking on the “preferred” agent for an online property and fielding many call backs, you are frustrated. It’s not as easy as it looks on the Realtor.com or Zillow television commercial. First, some of the houses are no longer available for sale. Second, some houses have incorrect information. Third, some houses are ‘for sale by owners’ and what if you want to use a real estate agent? What is missing here? Do you feel like you are chasing the Holy Grail?

At this point in your search it is best to cut your losses, bite the bullet and make a call to find a professional, experienced real estate professional to help with your search. But why, oh why? Can’t you just continue to look on your own unhampered by another human? Yes, you can go it alone but you will continue to be frustrated. Best thing to do is ask your friends, relatives, and/or colleagues for a referral to a local, trusted real estate agent.

The benefit to you, the consumer, is that once you have decided to reach out to a professional, you are in good hands. In the real estate world at KW Vermont, Keller Williams Realty, our culture of sharing and helping one another succeed results in a cooperative environment that may result in a quicker, smoother process. Some houses are not yet out in the “wide world of real estate” for various buyer or seller reasons. We work with buyers and sellers every day and network to find houses, sell houses and get our clients “out in front” of the market.

So, stop chasing houses. Get in “front” of the market. Ditch your app for a human.

Our Top 5 Home Trends for 2016

January 12, 2016January 12, 2016Leave a comment

Thinking about a home renovation project or just want to spice up your decor for the New Year? You want to be sure that the items and projects you invest in will stand the test of time, and are not dated fads of years past, especially if you are planning to put your house on the market.

Here are our top 5 favorite home trends for 2016:

P: BHG

Mismatched Cabinets – Add interest to your kitchen by pairing 2 different cabinet styles, varying in color or texture. Think a light color on wall-mounted cabinets and a darker color on cabinets under the counter. Or choose 1 color for wall cabinets and a different color for an island.
P: bostondesignguide.com

Statement Pendant – Change the look and feel of a room just by updating the light fixture. You can find pendant lights in a variety of shapes and sizes, from brightly colored lanterns to industrial style metal-shaded fixtures.
Fireplaces – The fireplace is once again becoming the focal point of rooms. Don’t ignore
P: HGTV

this feature if you have it! Arrange your furniture to put the fireplace center stage. Have a non-working fireplace? No problem, you can still dress it up to make it shine. Fill it with candle holders of varying heights to cast a warm fire-like glow.
Black Stainless Appliances – Instead of shiny new silver, it
P: CNET

looks like sleek black stainless steel appliances will be the finish choice of the future.
Mixed Materials – Create a truly unique space by combining a variety of styles like a rustic wood, sleek tile, shiny metals, and vintage finds.

P.S. Mason jars are so 2015, and word on the street is that the rustic chic look is on the way out.

Why It Does Not Make Sense To Buy Direct From The Homeowner

August 5, 2015Leave a comment

P: terencetait.ca

When searching for a home you are going to come across For Sale By Owner properties, either while looking online or driving through a neighborhood you’d like to live in. You may think that buying direct from a seller should be much simpler than involving real estate agents, but FSBOs offer their own set of challenges.

Before you take the plunge into purchasing direct from the Homeowner there are a few factors to consider:

The Homeowner is not required to disclose any information that is not in their best interest. They may have immediate answers to all of your questions but they do not need to be held accountable for any misinformation or “fluffing” of the facts.

Homeowners who are selling on their own have lots of time on their hands. They are in no rush to sell and will hold out for the highest price possible, even if it means waiting two or three years.

The Homeowners typically overprice their property. They are not saving you any money. They are saving themselves a fee for service that Realtors charge for selling the house and adding it to their side of the transaction. Many buyers fall in love with the “by owner” and are willing to overpay for the property.

You will feel pressured not to give the Homeowner accurate feedback about the property. Homeowners will try to convince you that their house is the best ever. They will take you through every nook and cranny to show the value of their house. It just isn’t human nature to give a truthful opinion to a Homeowner.

You never know if the Homeowner is really interested in accepting your offer. Many will tell you they have “another interested party” or an “out-of-state buyer” that is chomping at the bit to buy their property.

The best properties are listed with a Realtor who has taken the time to make sure all of the proper Seller Property Disclosures and inspections are in order.

With so many drawbacks to buying direct from a homeowner, it makes sense for buyers to focus on homes sold by agents. As a buyer it only benefits you to have a Buyer’s Agent (read our previous post on Why Do I Need A Buyer’s Agent) who will walk you through the entire purchase process from putting in an offer to closing – and make sure that you are getting the best value for your money.

Pre-Qualification Vs. Pre-Approval – What Gives?

June 1, 2015June 26, 2015Leave a comment

You’ve been looking at homes online for a while, when all of a sudden your dream home appears! You call your Realtor and they ask if you have been pre-qualified for a loan with a mortgage loan officer.

“What? All I want to do is look at a house.”

The mortgage loan officer will give you a price range that fits with your current income so that you know what you can afford. You don’t want to walk into your dream home and walk out not being able to make an offer.

Our friend and Senior Loan Officer with PrimeLending, Heather Torre tackles a common question amongst buyers – what’s the difference between getting pre-qualified or pre-approved:

I get asked this question numerous times a week: “What is the difference between a pre-qualification and a pre-approval?” Over the years, my answer has changed. Here’s the history…

When I first started lending back in 2002, I counseled buyers and Realtors alike to be sure they were getting a “pre-approval” before they got in the car and went looking at homes. Back then, a pre-qualification was nothing more than an educated guess given by a Loan Officer taking basic information, punching numbers on a calculator and giving a hopeful client a number to go shopping with. A pre-approval went a few steps further… the Loan Officer gathered pay stubs, tax returns, W2s, bank statements and pulled credit reports. They then used factual data to produce the number thier buyers eagerly awaited – and could count on.

Today, with mortgage regulation changes, we have shifted the terminology a bit. A pre-qualification now requires all of the same work and documentation that a pre-approval used to. The term “pre-approval” has virtually disappeared as it now represents a loan commitment – basically a conditional commitment issued by an underwriter after review of the same documents a Loan Officer would have looked at, but they can go a step further and review any potential issues, as well. In some cases, we do offer these – when there is something we just cannot approve on our own upfront, or feel that it warrants having the person who will do the ultimate approval review up-front.

Bottom line – regardless of the terminology, if your Loan Officer has not asked you for any documents nor have they pulled your credit, ask them to – or find someone who will go the “extra” mile (it’s their job!) and make sure that you can confidently go find the home of your dreams!

It’s All About Location

April 16, 2015June 23, 2015Leave a comment

It’s all about location and lifestyle. Do you see yourself living in this house? When you walk into a house for the first time you will have an immediate reaction, “Yes! This is what I’m looking for” or “Ick! Who picks that color for a countertop?” Many objections relate to cosmetic issues. Appliances, countertops, vanities, toilets, floor plans, lights, even floor plans can be changed.

As fans of all HGTV and FYI network shows, The Weaver Team at KW Vermont stays up-to-date on trends all over the country. We are especially attracted to shows that feature “fixing up.” From Love It or List It to Flipping Boston the theme of the shows is to increase the value of the house through renovations. Love It or List It, though, also focuses on whether or not the current homeowners will stay in their current house (post renovation) or sell their current house. These Canadian homeowners are trudging through the snow to see if they can be persuaded to list and move. More often than not the homeowners “Love It” rather than “List It” due to the main factor of location.

The homeowners love their neighborhood. They love the proximity to amenities. They feel comfortable where they live. They enjoy their lifestyle. What they don’t “love” is the outdated floor plans and lack of updated decorating. Not to sound cliché, but in real estate location is everything. When looking at houses it is important to look beyond the items that need updating, changing, or fixing to accommodate your needs. As evident in these “fixer” programs, you can change just about anything to suit your tastes, however, you cannot “fix” the location. Depending on your priorities, say, Green Mountain views for here in Vermont, you are limited to the number of houses that meet that criteria.

When you find a house that meets your criteria such as views, schools, size, price, access to amenities, etc. then you need to think like the “Love It” part of the show. If the house is in your desired location and meets your requirements in almost all categories then you should purchase it and focus on changes that you will make to suit your taste and lifestyle. So, look at that house that doesn’t quite meet your living needs, decorating taste or ideal floor plan, then imagine the possibilities.

Why Do I Need A Buyer’s Agent?

February 23, 2015June 26, 2015Leave a comment

P: Chicago Agent Magazine

You’ve been searching for homes online for months, browsing through hundreds of photos, reading about features and amenities, and narrowing down your favorites. So why do you need a buyer’s agent? An agent is no longer the keeper of the listings, but rather your guide through the home buying process, master negotiator, and voice of reason. While you may be able Google anything you’d like to know about buying a home, there is no substitute for the experience and knowledge that a licensed agent offers.

Here’s a shocker – not all of the info you find on the Internet is true or accurate! Especially when it comes to home estimates, the most popular being real estate site Zillow’s Zestimates. A recent LA Times article stated that “nationwide Zestimates have a “median error rate” of about 8%.” An experienced agent will know the local real estate market and will be able to determine the market value of a home for you.

Just as you can’t believe everything you read, don’t believe everything you see. Online listing photos are taken in a way to paint the property in the best light, which is why it’s beneficial to go and look at homes with a buyer’s agent who has your best interest in mind. When you tour a home with your agent, he/she can point out features that are upgrades or are not common in the price range. Your agent can also compare the house you are viewing to homes that he/she has personally toured or sold in the area. You will gain insight into how one house compares to other houses in the same price range and neighborhood or county.

Do you know how much paperwork is involved in the purchase of a property? A lot. Luckily your buyer’s agent will handle it all for you – he/she will write up an offer to include all the necessary contingencies and will deal with the seller’s agent directly so you don’t have to.

P: iStock

Once an offer is accepted, your agent will keep you on track to make sure you hit all necessary deadlines. If there are any issues found in the inspection, your agent will advise you on what requests are reasonable and will negotiate the problems with the seller. In addition, if any problems arise with the appraisal or financing, your agent will be able to give objective, professional advice to resolve issues and move the transaction to closing.

Buying a home is a major life event and is most likely the biggest financial transaction you will ever have to navigate. Having a buyer’s agent to guide you through the process will not only save you time, but will give you much needed piece of mind. And with the seller paying the agents’ commissions, what’s there to lose on your end?

The Best Apps To Help With Your House Hunt

February 2, 2015June 26, 2015Leave a comment

In today’s increasingly mobile world, there’s usually an app for that – and house hunting is no exception! Want to see homes for sale nearby? Find out what you can actually afford? Keep track of the pros and cons of the homes you’ve seen? Here are our top picks of apps to simplify the home buying process:

Bankrate Mortgage App: Lusting over million dollar properties? Perhaps it’s time to get realistic and see what that new home will cost you. This app is great for calculating monthly mortgage payments with easy-to-use sliders to adjust the loan amount, term, and interest rate. It also provides a pie-chart to see how your total monthly payment is broken down. If you are seriously looking to purchase a home, you should see about getting pre-approved to know exactly what your budget is.

Doorsteps Swipe: It’s like the Tinder of the real estate world – swipe to “like” and the listings will be saved to your account. The app provides stats on the homes you’ve saved so you can see what your type really is and what is most important to you in a new home.

House Hunter: This app allows you to keep track of and compare all of the homes you’ve seen. Start by scoring home features on a scale of 0-10 by importance to you, then the app will give each home a score based on your criteria. You can also add your own photos and notes.

Keller Williams App: Okay, so we may be a bit biased since this is our app, but it is super handy! If you’re driving around checking out new neighborhoods to see where you may like to live, open the app and you can see all the homes for sale nearby. See something you like? Contact your agent right from the app.

AroundMe: It’s all about location! Use this app to find the closest necessities like banks, grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants.

Your agent is also a wealth of local knowledge, so if you have any questions – ask!

Ready To Make The Move?

October 23, 2014June 26, 2015Leave a comment

P: keydoorsolutions.co.uk

You’ve found the perfect new home, made it through negotiations and are finally ready to close! Now, what about getting all of your stuff to your new digs? Moving can be stressful, so here are a few tips/ideas on how to make the process run as smooth as possible.

Have a yard sale. Downsizing before you move will make the process much simpler and likely cheaper. Go through your house and gather everything that you have not used, or perhaps have even laid eyes on, in at least a year. Looking forward to purchasing new furniture? Great! Sell your current set on Craigslist. Movers base their prices on the amount of stuff you are moving, so if you have less to put on the truck you can keep more money in your pocket.

Do your research when choosing a moving company. Before you load your entire home’s contents onto a truck, make sure you trust the movers and aren’t getting scammed. Check http://www.protectyourmove.gov for information on how to avoid scams and search for registered movers. Ask around for recommendations,

Do a final walkthrough. Check every drawer, cabinet and closet to make sure you haven’t left anything behind. Survey the space for any damages – if you dinged the walls moving your furniture out be sure to fix it before you leave, you don’t want to haggle with the buyer or lose your deposit on a rental.

P: jenniferfieldsrealestate.wordpress.com

Unpack your new home. All of your boxes have made it to your new house, but now unpacking everything may seem like a daunting task. Don’t put it off, you’ll feel much more settled and at home once your belongings are in order. Take it one room at a time – start with the kitchen since it tends to be the heart of any home, and you will be able to cook for yourself and ditch the takeout.

Get to know your new neighborhood. Explore your area and find your nearest grocery store, post office, bank, pharmacy, etc. Go to your new town office and register to vote in your new district. Talk to your new neighbors to get recommendations on the best places to eat in the area.

Announce your move. If you haven’t already, go to the post office to get a change of address form, or file it online for $1. Let your friends and family know your new address – you can send personalized announcements from a number of online print shops. If you’re up for it, throw a housewarming party! Use evite.com to create an invite to email to friends, family and neighbors to get everyone together to celebrate your new digs.

The Weaver Team

Your guide to VT Real Estate | Home Staging | Decor | DIY | General Awesomeness

Category: Buyers