Whether you are looking to buy or sell, we can offer the highest levels in real estate expertise and professionalism. Don’t hesitate to contact us and allow us to help guide you through that process!

Welcome to one of the warmest starts to Fall we have ever had! Below are a couple quick thoughts on Real Estate that may help you or someone you know. 

1. Have you been in your home for more than a couple years? Are you paying PMI or MIP insurance as part of your mortgage payment? (Don't know, ask and we can help you figure it out).  Home prices have gone up significantly in the past 2-3 years.  You might be eligable to drop that part of your payment, depenidng on what type of loan you have.  You may need to refinance or just ask your lender to send out an appraiser! We can help, free of charge, if you think you might be ready for this step!

2. Listings are still very low in our area.  This means less competition when you try to sell & more buyers looking.  If you are thinking of selling, we would love to help! 

3. If you are thinking of buying, now is still a great time. Interest rates are very low & we can help you snag your dream home before someone else gets it!

As always, we are here for any of your Real Estate needs!! We would love to help you or your family/friends make the next move. Let us know how we can help!

Depending on the area where you live, your new home is subject to annual property taxation by your local appraisal district to pay for schools, infrastructure, and other public needs. But what you may not realize is that the rate you pay may be wildly different from the rate your neighbors pay.

If you just purchased your home, your assessment for the following year is likely to be much higher than it is now, so you can’t count on paying the same amount in escrow that you’re paying now.

According to BankRate.com, property taxes are assessed by:

• Most recent assessed value or sales price of the home.
• Value of comparable homes in the area.
• Improvements that enlarged or added value to the home.
• Exemptions for which the home or homeowner qualifies, such as homestead or senior status.
• Applicable property tax rate set by the local taxing authority.

Appraisal districts use what’s known as a mill levy or millage rate. One mill represents one tenth of one cent, so for every $1,000 of assessed property value, one mill would be equal to one dollar. The mill levy is then multiplied by the assessed value of your property. Other factors that impact your levy include how often your taxing authority reassesses your property, how often it can raise rates, and by what percentage. Plus, the appraisal district can raise rates based on market trends as well as a drive-by appraisal.

Learn what tax rates are in your area at sites such as Smartasset.com and Bankrate.com.

Yes, buyers fall in love with homes but they have three criteria for selecting the one they ultimately buy – price, condition, and location. Play these up to get your home sold quickly and for the best terms.

Make the price attractive: Don’t price your home where you think it should be but instead, price it close to or slightly below market value. This strategy gives buyers the opportunity to compete for your home, and it could possibly sell above list price.

Make the condition move-in ready: Keep in mind that many buyers are stretching their financial limits to afford your home. Buyer’s pet peeves are usually easy items to fix, but you don’t want your house to be disregarded because you failed to paint, mow, replace the carpet, fix leaky faucets, etc. Your goal is to make buyers feel like they don’t have to do anything but move in.

Make the most of your location: You can’t do much about your home’s location but you can make your home more attractive with lovely landscaping, fences to block out ugly views and sounds, and an outdoor entertaining area. If your home is on a busy street, point out the easy access to amenities, like walking to the grocery store.

If these three criteria aren’t in alignment, definitely don’t want to overprice. People expect to pay more for a great location next to schools, transportation, shopping and restaurants but if you overprice, they will scrutinize the location and the condition more closely.

Buying a first home is a complex process, and it’s particularly challenging in a seller’s market when homes sell quickly and often over list price. In this type of market, it’s common to lose out on a home as others outbid you. Your Berkshire Hathaway Home Services network professional can set you up for success by sharing what’s working and not working for buyers navigating a seller’s market.

Many first-time buyers don’t realize how important getting representation is, whether they hire their own agent or use the seller’s agent. Hiring an agent affords buyers a fiduciary duty on the part of the real estate professional to protect interests of his or her client. When buyers purchase a home using the seller’s agent, the seller’s agent owes fiduciary duty to the seller, but also has a duty to be fair to the buyer.

The first thing an agent will do is get you financially prepared to make a successful offer. He or she will give you the names of some good mortgage bankers so you can get prequalified for a mortgage. In fast markets, you may need at least 10 percent down to be competitive.

Your agent will help you find the best value, neighborhood, and quality for your budget and requirements, as well as assist you through the search process, comparable homes sold, making an offer, inspection, repair, and appraisal processes.

You’re ready to make an offer on the home of your dreams. This is the home you want for the next five to ten years but the speed of the marketplace means lots of competition from other buyers. So how do you make the one offer the seller will accept?

First, your Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network professional will pull up a competitive market analysis (CMA) to show you what homes are selling for within a reasonable radius of the home you want. They’ll have similar sizes, features and amenities. If the seller’s home is reasonably priced, offer asking price or close to it.

To show the seller you’re serious, include a copy of your lender’s pre-approval letter, along with a cover letter summarizing your strengths as a buyer, including your creditworthiness and why you want this home. Include a copy of the CMA to show how you arrived at your offer price.

Nothing shows a seller you’re serious more than cash. The larger the down payment you have, the better, because sellers don’t want to waste time on buyers who may not get their loans approved. Sellers won’t accept contingencies like waiting for your present home to sell.

Your real estate professional will help you draft the offer with a price, estimated closing date and terms, and earnest money (a guarantee that you’ll perform as a buyer in good faith.) Once you and the seller have agreed to terms, you’re on your way to owning a home!