Solid Advice When You Are House Hunting
From EjWiki
29. Here is a real shock. Real estate agents are for the most part are lazy. They do not want to show property that is hard to get in to, or does not show well, or that is overpriced. They are in this business to make money. They show homes where they get paid their full commission. Especially in times like this. In boom times like 04/05 when inventory was slim, they showed anything. Not now. Don't cut your commission in this market. It will only hurt you in the long run.
As a single mother with three children, renting had been both a blessing and a curse I had to live with. The downside was that nearly every time I moved into a rental property the landlord wanted to sell it. (This happened with my last three rentals.) I embraced the fact that I was not financially responsible for any major repairs, but knowing that moving day could be just around the corner was always on my mind. Renting a house was like a security blanket that could be ripped away at any moment.
27. Raising the curtain. Make your home show its best. Moving a piece of furniture from one guard home warranty wall to another can make all the difference in the world the way a room shows. Flowers, color, etc. There are people who help with this for very reasonable fees. This is called Staging and is well worth the money.
Think of the future. Before you buy a piece of real estate consider whether the property can grow with you. Is there enough room if you get married and have children? Is there enough space if you need a relative to live with you? Think about what you might encounter in the future and you'll make a smarter choice about what you are buying today.
True, you can certainly have your documents state that the tenant/buyer (TBer) is responsible for repairs. In fact, I've seen numerous variations of this ranging from the TBer is responsible for all repairs to only those repairs falling within a certain price range. Some investors ask the seller to be responsible for repairs up to a certain amount and ask the TBer to be responsible for those over that amount. Insurance will theoretically cover major damages so that's not an issue. And I know from several experiences that insurance will and does cover many repair expenses less than $10,000. So far, knock on wood, I haven't had to test going above that amount.
If you think about it, you can probably come up with more. I have suggested and used these and other methods for distinguishing my clients' homes in this tough seller's market. In addition, if you spruce up your home with new paint, especially the front door and kitchen, landscape your yard, clean thoroughly throughout, and stage your home to put it in it's best light, your home will outshine the others in your neighborhood.
home warranty plans help protect your finances should something happen. If you have a major plumbing problem in your house, electrical issues, HVAC breakdowns, or appliance problems, by purchasing a warranty you consolidate your efforts and save money on costly repairs and replacements.
26. List your home with an experienced full time agent who has the resources of a large firm with a proven track record for getting results in your community. Choose an agent who does this to support his family. Agents supporting their families are motivated to get you results by the most powerful motivation in the world, taking care of their family.
