Author Archives: TitleTap

How Do I Set The Price On My House?

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While this video simplifies things to help you remember: your aim is to get the best price AND terms in your market during the period you’re selling.

Market conditions interest rates and competition all matter.

The price you want, and the price a buyer will pay are framed by those complex conditions So pricing isn’t completely predictable.

Other factors include:

  • How your home compares to other homes for the same buyers
  • The inventory of homes and the level of buyer demand

Your needs also affect negotiations – for example, if you must sell quickly – but the final price will be determined by the market not by your needs.

Buyers look at the same comparables and market conditions and they want to pay as little as possible while meeting their needs.

Remember that the price isn’t the entire deal – repairs, closing, points, appliances and other factors can all change the value you finally receive. Listen to your broker, stay informed, be patient if you can and make your best reasonable, unemotional decisions.

What Is The Best Way To Compare Loan Terms Between Lenders?

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Watch this video and take a few notes!

First, devise a checklist for the information from each lending institution. You should include:

  • the company’s name and basic information
  • the type of mortgage
  • minimum down payment required
  • interest rate and points
  • closing costs
  • loan processing time
  • whether prepayment is allowed

Speak with companies by phone or in person. Be sure to call every lender on the list the same day as interest rates can fluctuate daily.

In addition to doing your own research your real estate agent may have access to a database of lender and mortgage options or suggest a variety of different lender options.

What Is A Loan Estimate And How Does It Help Me?

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A loan estimate lists your loan terms projected payments, costs at closing measures for comparison, including
Annual Percentage Rate and Total Interest Percentage and other considerations that lender may apply to this loan application.
Each lender must supply a loan estimate within three business days of your application so that you can make accurate comparisons when shopping for a loan.

How Is A Home Marketed?

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As you’ll see in the video, every home and market is a unique situation. Good marketing plans are specific to both. But every plan will include: Preparation Pricing and Marketing Activities.

Preparation takes time – typically, months. Homes must be in “show” condition all repairs and upgrades complete and all photos and video completed before the home goes on the market.

Pricing, likewise, should be planned in advance. Your broker will advise on both the best price and the best TERMS things like closing costs and seller credits to balance sales speed with sales price. Once the home is on the market it will quickly be entered in the MLS and will show up in Internet searches by agents and buyers.

Your broker will advise other marketing activities including advertising, signage, showing and open house events so make the best of your situation. Their aim is to get negotiable offers, and then take the offer you accept through the closing process.

How Do I Make A Home Ready To Sell?

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As we show you in this video, start several months before the property is made available. Look through the eyes of a buyer

  • What needs to be cleaned?
  • Repainted?
  • Repaired?
  • Or tossed?

Ask yourself – or a friend If you were buying this house what would you want to see?

The goal is to show a home that looks good makes the most of its assets like space and location and attracts as many buyers and as much demand as possible.

Allow yourself enough lead time – not just a day or two – to make the most of the sale. And get help from a real estate agent – early.

What Are 203(B) And 203(K) Loans?

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The video puts this in more visual terms, but 203(b) is the most commonly used FHA program. It offers a low down payment, flexible qualifying guidelines limited lender’s fees, and a maximum loan amount.

203(k) loans enable homebuyers to finance both the purchase and rehabilitation of a home through a single mortgage. A portion of the loan is used to pay off the seller’s existing mortgage and the remainder is placed in an escrow account and released as rehabilitation is completed.

Basic guidelines for 203(k) loans are as follows:

  • The home must be at least one year old.
  • The cost of rehabilitation must be at least $5,000, but the total property value – including the cost of repairs must fall within the FHA maximum mortgage limit.

The 203(k) loan must follow many of the 203(b) eligibility requirements. Lenders will know specifics about improvement, energy efficiency, and structural guidelines.

What Is PMI?

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This video tells you about it all. PMI stands for Private Mortgage Insurance or Insurer. These are privately-owned companies that provide mortgage insurance. They offer both standard and special affordable programs for borrowers.

These companies provide guidelines to lenders that detail the types of loans they will insure. Lenders use these guidelines to determine borrower eligibility.

PMI’s usually have stricter qualifying ratios and larger down payment requirements than the FHA but their premiums are often lower and they insure loans that exceed the FHA limit.

What Do I Get At Closing?

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For most real estate loans, you will receive a Closing Disclosure 3 business days before loan consummation –
which frequently happens at the closing meeting.
At the meeting itself you should receive a copy of your Mortgage Note –
your obligation to repay-
your Mortgage or Deed of Trust
the binding Sales Contract
and – in some states – you may get the keys to your new home.

What Details Can I Ask Brokers In Advance?

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This video tells you what any real estate professional would tell you. Ask them:

  • How long do homes in my neighborhood currently stay on the market?
  • How would you price my home?
  • What data did you use to arrive at that price?
  • How would you market my home?
  • What activities would you expect of me to market my home?
  • How will you handle representation if one of your buyers is interested in my home?
  • May I speak with sellers you’ve recently represented?
  • How long a period would you want on a listing agreement for my house?

It’s best to ask these questions, and be comfortable with your choices before signing a listing agreement.

How Can I Improve My Home’s Value?

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Buyers generally seek the least expensive home in the best neighborhood they can handle. Like the guy in the video says, you want to present a home that fits in the neighborhood but doesn’t stand out too much.

For example if neighbors are all 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and 3000 square feet additions that make your home 5, 4, and 4000 will make yours harder to sell.

Improvements should make it show well and fit well in the neighborhood. Last-minute capital investments in large structural changes aren’t likely to pay off.

But cosmetic upgrades like paint and landscaping help a home “show” better and often do pay off.

Of course, all systems and appliances should work to get a top price. To make your home competitive and attract buyers and bids work with a professional real estate agent and start early.