Tag: first time home buyer

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The Elements of an Offer

The Elements of an Offer

Your Weichert Sales Associate will receive offers on your behalf and present them to you. They should contain the same basic information for easy comparison. They will all include the offer price, any earnest money deposit and the amount of down payment. An offer will also include a closing date, any details of escrow, details of items both included and not included in the sale and contingencies.

Any counteroffer can include modifications to this original agreement. Most often counteroffers include a change in purchase price, contingencies or closing date. Sometimes this can happen quickly with a few phone calls and sometimes it takes several days.

The final purchase agreement will cover all of these points and be signed by both parties. In states without an “attorney review” period, it becomes a legally binding contract as soon as it’s signed. Both parties have to adhere to the terms unless one of the contingencies is not met.

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How can I Increase the Value of My House?

How can I Increase the Value of My House?

Speak to your Sales Associate: Weichert Sales Associates understand the local trends and can give you the best tips for getting the best return on your investment.

Get inspected: Presenting a home inspection to potential buyers makes your bargaining position stronger by bringing any issues with your home into the open.

Create space: The current trend is toward open floor plans and great rooms. De-clutter as much as possible and use light colored drapes or blinds to create the illusion of space.

Keep your landscaping tidy: The appearance of your home will be the first impression and having a neat appearance promises that the interior of the house is well-kept too.

Clean up: Neatness and tidiness give the home a more spacious, open feel. When things are clean, they look newer and more valuable.

Upgrade the bathroom: Some bathroom upgrades can be expensive, but smaller items like replacing faucets and cabinet hardware can give the room a new look.

Paint the walls: Neutral colors make it easier for potential buyers to picture themselves in your home. High traffic areas and bright colored rooms should be repainted.

Update the kitchen: Kitchens are often the center of the home and small changes, like changing the faucet or a single appliance, can yield big results.

Remove or replace any red flags: If you walk by something in your home and think, “We should probably fix that,” now is the time to do so.

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Keep Your Money Where It Is..Ask You Brainerd Area Weichert Agent About This

 

Keep Your Money Where It Is..Ask You Brainerd Area Weichert Agent About This

 

It’s not wise to make any huge purchases or move your money around three to six months before buying a new home. You don’t want to take any big chances with your credit profile. Lenders need to see that you’re reliable and they want a complete paper trail so that they can get you the best loan possible. If you open new credit cards, amass too much debt or buy a lot of big-ticket items, you’re going to have a hard time getting a loan.

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A  Brainerd Weichert real estate agent can help guide you through each step of the buying process,

HOW CAN AN AGENT HELP ME BUY A HOME?

Buying a home can be an overwhelming process. From financing to negotiating to closing, there are a lot of moving pieces that can leave homebuyers bewildered.

A  Brainerd Weichert real estate agent can help guide you through each step of the buying process, offering sound advice along the way. By working with a professional agent who knows the ins and outs of the real estate industry, you’ll not only end up with a great home, but you’ll also walk away with a great experience.

Here are some of the key areas that our agent can help you with:

Getting pre-approved by a lender
By providing your Weichert real estate agent with some basic information about your income, savings, and debt, he or she can assist you in getting pre-approved by a reputable lender. The lender will then go over your financing options, what monthly payment amount you can afford, and what you can expect for down payment requirements and closing costs.

Choosing a home
For most buyers, choosing a home is an emotional process. An agent from Weichert can assist you in this process by offering objective information about each property you look at. From local  Brainerd community information like schools and zoning to home-specific details like condition and amenities, an agent can help you find exactly what you’re looking for.

Making an offer
Once you’ve found the home of your dreams, our agent will research recent comparable sales of similar homes in the area to help determine a fair selling price. Based on those comparable sales, as well as other factors like inspections and repairs, an agent will then help you structure an offer and negotiate to get the very best deal possible.

Closing
Closing, or settlement, can be a complicated process. In some areas, the escrow or title company handles the closing process, while in other areas an attorney handles it. Regardless of where you’re buying, a real estate agent can help ensure that everything goes smoothly.