SPECIAL SECTION REAL ESTATE
kitchen, or refreshing landscaping to add curb appeal. A
small upgrade may be just what you need to close a sale.
5. Make sure the price is right.
You won’t need to call on Drew Carey, but you should
work with your real estate agent to figure out comparable
home prices in your area, pricing trends and inventory
available, and price your home accordingly. A fair market
price will attract buyers interested in making your home
their dream home.
PREPARING TO BUY IN 2018?
Whether it’s saving for your first home, searching for your
dream home, or downsizing to your forever home, buying a
house is an exciting and exhausting experience. Putting in the
extra effort could be the difference you need to nail the home
you want.
1. Give yourself some credit.
Now is not the time to open a new credit card, increase
your credit limit or make a big purchase. The first thing
lenders check is your credit score when determining how
much you are approved for on a home loan. Work on
keeping your credit card balances low, and paying down
balances. Limiting your spending may seem hard, but is
worth the payoff when you are approved for your new
home.
2. Location. Location. Location.
When narrowing down where you want your home to
be, it’s best to first determine how much you can borrow.
You don’t want to have your heart set on a location and
come to find it is out of your budget. Look at what is
most important to you. Is it proximity to parks and good
schools, or access to entertainment and nightlife, or lots
of land to spread out? From there, you may find exactly
where you want to be that fits your spending limit.
3. Create a must-have list and a wish list.
What’s non-negotiable in your new home? Is it an integral
garage or open-concept floor plan or a pool? Now, is
a pool really a non-negotiable? Be realistic with your
must-have list and your wish list. While a pool may seem
dreamy, many communities have local swim clubs or gyms
that provide all the joy of having a pool without the work.
You may not get everything on your must-have list, but be
creative on ways to potentially add those “musts” once you
move in.
4. Things (including houses) are not always as they
appear.
Just like models in magazines with no wrinkles, home
photos are often taken at their very best angle. What may
seem dreamy and flawless on a computer screen may be
crumbling and cracking in real life. Hit the streets with
your local agent to see your favorite homes in person.
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WEST COUNTY
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SUMMER 2018
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