Things Buyers Should Understand About Home Inspections

A home inspection is an important part of your search for your next home. In fact, most real estate professionals would recommend that you never buy the dream home without having a home inspection done first. If you neglect this step, you could end up with a nasty surprise or two that might not have been visible when you first toured the home.

But even within home inspections, there are many misconceptions and facts that house hunters simply don’t know, and those factors could trip you up in the end. It’s good to go into your home inspection informed about what exactly it is and what your part might be.

Home Inspections are Your Responsibility, as the Buyer

Think about it: who benefits from this home inspection the most? The person buying the home. So it stands to reason that for the most part, buyers will be responsible for the home inspection. That not only includes the responsibility of choosing an inspector and scheduling the inspection, but the financial responsibility, as well. There may be a few exceptions. Occasionally, when the house is older, your real estate agent may be able to negotiate a deal for you in which the seller covers the home inspection. However, this is a fairly rare occurrence, so as a general rule, you’ll want to count the cost of a home inspection in your budget.

You Need to Go With the Home Inspector for the Inspection

Some homeowners and buyers believe that in ordering a home inspection, they can simply schedule the time and then go about their day while the inspector does their job. You could do it this way, but many inspectors don’t recommend it. After all, you plan to spend a significant amount of time in this house. It can only help you to understand how it operates. Take a couple hours out of your day to accompany the home inspector. They’ll explain what systems the house has, how well they’re working, and what maintenance you might need to do. Sure, you’ll get a report at the end of it all, but that report will be easier to understand if you saw the inspection for yourself.

Home Inspectors Are Not Experts

That’s not to say that home inspectors don’t know what they’re doing when they inspect your home. Typically, home inspectors understand the general workings of the home systems very well. They can tell whether everything is holding up as it should, and they can alert you if there are any serious problems. However, they may not have expert knowledge when it comes to repairing those problem areas. To repair problematic areas of your new home, you’ll need to find someone who deals with that specifically. For instance, if it’s an HVAC problem, you’ll need an HVAC inspector. If you have a leaky roof, you’ll need a roofer. Your home inspector may be an excellent home inspector, but that does not make them an all-purpose handyman.

Yes, You Should Read Your Entire Home Inspection Report

If you attend your home inspection, and you read the summary for your home inspection report, do you really need to read the entire report? The answer is yes. Even if you attended your home inspection, there will be additional information in your home inspection report, as well as additional information not included in your summary. While your home inspector is not an expert, they may have suggestions for maintenance and repairs included in the report, as well as the fullest picture possible of what you’re signing up for. If you have any questions about your home inspection report, contact your home inspector right away and they’ll be happy to answer.

When searching for your dream home, you want to make an informed, supported decision, with the help of a home inspection and an experienced local realtor. Tell your realtor about the findings in the home inspection so she can take it into account during negotiations with the seller.

House For Sale in College Station

Sarah Miller, your RE/MAX realtor bryan-college station can help you discover a lot of great tips for making a profitable sale of your home. Call Sarah Miller at 979-255-1904 for your real estate needs in Bryan-College Station and the entire Brazos Valley! Sarah Miller, Associate RE/MAX BRYAN COLLEGE STATION 3030 University Dr East Ste 100, College Station, TX 77845 License #: 500065

The Closing Process for Sellers

After weeks or months, you finally found a seller. The negotiations are over, and the contract is signed. But the process of selling your house is not over. The final stage of selling your home, the closing process, now goes into effect.

The closing process isn’t particularly stressful, especially for the seller. It’s a chance to take a break and focus on your own move rather than trying to find someone to buy your house. And the closing itself only takes a matter of hours. However, waiting for the bank to process the buyer’s mortgage loan can take a month or even longer.

There are plenty of guides out there for the buyer during the closing process but fewer for the seller. So here’s what you can expect.

What Happens in the Closing?

A big part of closing is signing off on the final paperwork. The buyer will finalize the paperwork to get their loan from their lender and you’ll sign the paperwork to transfer ownership to the buyer. This will take place in your attorney’s office, usually. The buyer and the lending company will also have their own attorneys, and the title company will probably hire a closer to serve as a middleman. The good news about having so many parties involved in the closing is that most of the work is done by the attorneys. You just flex your signature. To transfer ownership, you’ll need to sign:

●     The Deed - the actual document transferring ownership

●     Settlement Statement - containing any settlement charges

●     Any applicable proration agreements - for things like taxes, HOA fees and utilities

●     A Name Affidavit - to ensure that you are in fact the person legally able to transfer ownership of the property

●     A Closing statement - basically listing all of the documents you’ve already signed

Do You Have to Attend?

Actually, as the seller, you’re the only party who doesn’t have to attend. You may pre-sign documents and send them to your attorney, who will bring them to the closing for the buyer to sign. You can even turn over power of attorney so that so that your attorney can sign them for you. Some sellers feel more comfortable staying in the loop through the entire process and therefore attend the closing. But if you’re ready for a break or you’re busy packing up to move, you don’t have to go to the closing.

When Do You Get Paid?

You get paid when the lender finishes processing the mortgage loan for the buyer. This typically takes about 30 days but possibly longer if it’s a busy season. Once the loan is processed, the lender will send you a check. This is part of why it’s ideal for the buyer to be pre-approved before they make an offer. It won’t rush the process if they’re pre-approved, but if you’re ready to move, you don’t want to have to wait for the buyer to get approved and then for the bank to process the loan.

Overall, the closing is the chance for you to finally let out a breath. Then while you’re waiting for the lender, focus on finding your new home and moving out yourself. Your listing agent can also answer any further questions you might have about the closing process and what it means for you.

House For Sale in College Station

Sarah Miller, your RE/MAX realtor bryan-college station can help you discover a lot of great tips for making a profitable sale of your home. Call Sarah Miller at 979-255-1904 for your real estate needs in Bryan-College Station and the entire Brazos Valley! Sarah Miller, Associate RE/MAX BRYAN COLLEGE STATION 3030 University Dr East Ste 100, College Station, TX 77845 License #: 500065

How to Get the Most out of Selling Your Home

Homeowners selling their home often have two main goals: they want to get the most they possibly can out of the sale (as the amount made in the home sale often goes into their budget for their new home) and they want to sell quickly so they can move more quickly. Often as time passes, sellers get nervous and settle for a lower bid in order to just get out of the house. But it doesn’t have to be that way. If you prepare, put in the work, and trust the right people to help you sell your home, you can sell it quickly and for more money.

Time Your Sale Strategically

Do you know the best time to sell your home? Typically it runs from spring to early summer. The mild weather makes it easier for buyers to move in and in the case of families, it’s the best time to look for a new school without taking the kids out of school in the middle of the year. However, this may vary depending on where you live. It’s best to ask a realtor before you decide when to sell your home when would be the most strategic time. In Houston, for instance, many buyers prefer to move in fall or early winter because of the cooler weather. Find out when people are most likely to move in your area and plan your sale accordingly.

Tell the Internet What You Love About Your Home

The internet is the best marketing resource we’ve ever known, especially since the popularity of social media. Your realtor will have listings on various real estate websites for your home, but you can do your part, too, through social media. Share the listing with your friends on Facebook or Twitter. Post a video on Youtube about what you loved most in your house and make sure to tag it properly so people can easily find it. A good listing on Zillow or Trulia will draw attention from potential buyers, but your personal touch might be what’s needed to seal the deal.

Then Remove the Personal

This may seem like a contradiction, but it holds true. While telling all of social media what you and your family loved about the house may help potential buyers to see themselves living there, seeing too much of you in the house itself may have the opposite effect. Family portraits, kid toys, dog beds, all give the impression that this is someone else’s home, and the buyer is just a guest. They need to be able to walk through your home and imagine their own pictures, keepsakes, and interests. Anything specific to you and your family should be removed in staging.

Don’t Stop at Interior Staging

People put substantial focus on indoor staging...but not as much on exterior staging. Staging your outdoor space is just as important as staging your indoor space, if not more important. After all, when someone visits your home, it’s the exterior that they’ll see first. The lawn should be mowed, bushes and trees should be trimmed and everything should look nice and neat at a minimum. If you have any way to give your home exterior an added wow factor, now is the time to do it. Ask your real estate agent for advice on staging the landscape to attract potential buyers.

Lastly, choose your realtor carefully. Consider their experience in the area and what their past clients have said about them. Sit down and meet with them to find out what they could do for you in your home sale before you make a decision. The right real estate agent will be an expert on the market in your area, with plenty of tips to achieve a quick home sale — without having to settle for less money.

House for Sale in College Station

Sarah Miller, your RE/MAX realtor bryan-college station can help you discover a lot of great tips for making a profitable sale of your home. Call Sarah Miller at 979-255-1904 for your real estate needs in Bryan-College Station and the entire Brazos Valley! Sarah Miller, Associate RE/MAX BRYAN COLLEGE STATION 3030 University Dr East Ste 100, College Station, TX 77845 License #: 500065

Finding a Pool to Complete Your Dream Home

It’s not just what’s inside the home — the kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms — that counts when it comes to finding your dream home. The outdoor amenities play a big role as well. And with the high temperatures of Texas summers, pools are a desirable commodity for Bryan-College station homes. You may be able to find a home with a pool, or a home with enough outdoor space to add a pool. Of course, if you need to add the pool, you should add estimated installation costs to your budget when searching for your home. Here are the different types of pools you might find with or can add to your dream home.

Above Ground Pools

Above ground pools are the easiest pools to have installed. There’s no need to dig and installers can usually set it up in one day. Because of the ease of installation, this is probably the most affordable pool to have installed. These pools vary in width, but usually stand about 4-5 feet tall, so they’re safe for most swimmers. They can be moved, although the process can be a hassle, so the seller might opt to take the pool with them when they leave the house. Always ask if the pool is included before you fall in love with an above ground pool in the backyard of your dream home. If there’s no pool and you’d like to have one installed, just make sure there’s enough backyard space for the pool and possibly a deck to surround it.

In Ground Pools

On the other hand, if you see an in ground pool, you can safely assume that comes with the house. In-ground pools are usually preferred because they’re typically a bit larger and have a smoother look. You can set up a few pool chairs and lounge by the pool or dip your feet in if you don’t feel like going for a full swim. Another perk of in ground pools is that you can customize the shape and size. In ground pool installation is pricier than above ground pool installation, and varies depending on the material you use. The most popular options are vinyl, fiberglass, or concrete. However, if you plan to sell the home in a few years, an in-ground pool can significantly increase your home value.

Indoor Pool

An indoor pool is the rarest pool you’re likely to find when homebuying, and tend to be a luxury accommodation for those who can afford it. However, if you can afford it, an indoor pool has no end of benefits. You can go swimming at any time of year, with total privacy. Again, if you’re able to have an indoor pool installed, this can give you a competitive edge over the market and a significant boost in your home’s value. However, if the home doesn’t come with an indoor pool, installation can be tricky and difficult to live through. You would need an empty room large enough to fit the pool — often in the basement or sunroom. If no such room exists, you’ll have to construct a room just for the pool. You’ll also want a dehumidifier in the room because of the humidity caused by the water, and the costs can rack up.

If you have your heart set on a pool for your dream home, or you’re thinking of adding a pool to add value to your home before you move, let your College Station realtor know. She can point out properties that either include pools or have space to install pools, as well as offer advice on how to best boost your home value with a pool.

House for Sale in College Station

Sarah Miller, your RE/MAX realtor bryan-college station can help you discover a lot of great tips for making a profitable sale of your home. Call Sarah Miller at 979-255-1904 for your real estate needs in Bryan-College Station and the entire Brazos Valley! Sarah Miller, Associate RE/MAX BRYAN COLLEGE STATION 3030 University Dr East Ste 100, College Station, TX 77845 License #: 500065