Buying a house can be so exciting. Once you think you’re ready to make an offer, here are some ways to ensure the process goes smoothly. Are you sure this is right for you? Choosing a home requires a balance of intellectual reasoning and emotional attachment. If it’s a smart decision but your heart’s not … Read more
A new rule is on the books, and it improves transparency about who pays what to whom in real estate transactions. Previously, when a REALTOR listed a client’s property for sale, the listing agreement would include a commission, and the REALTOR would promise to give half of the fee to the buyer’s REALTOR. This ensured … Read more
I recently asked my sales manager if he could give homebuyers only one piece of advice, what would it be? He didn’t hesitate when he said, “Tell them to read everything.” He recounted times when he’d given written material to clients and explained that the information could significantly influence the value of a property, only … Read more
If you are renting a house because you believe you cannot afford to buy, you might be surprised to discover that owning a home is within your reach. An entry-level home in the Ukiah Valley can run as low as $350,000. Let’s assume, for the moment, that you haven’t been able to save anything for … Read more
Last week, I shared some important questions that people who are in the market to buy a home should ask so they can make the best decisions possible. If you’re like most people, buying a home will be the largest purchase you’ll ever make, so I recommend finding out everything you can. In addition to … Read more
If you want to buy a home, prepare to ask a lot of questions. This is not a time to be shy or to hold back because you think someone might be offended by a question. If you’re like most people, this real estate purchase will be the largest purchase of your life, so I … Read more
Traditionally, spring is the time when people put their houses up for sale. Flowers are blooming, birds are singing, and the hope is that the beauty of the season will render the homes on the market irresistible to prospective buyers. This spring, we’re likely to see quite a bit more inventory. People have mostly recovered … Read more
On Your Mark, Get Ready, Close! You’re almost there. You’ve found the home you want to buy. You’ve made an offer. The seller has accepted. Now you’re on the home stretch. Be sure to do the following tasks for a smooth close of escrow. Clear contingencies When you and the seller signed the sales agreement, … Read more
I’ve talked about home inspections many times, but I don’t usually talk about the impact of timing. If you’re buying a home, it’s important to know which inspections to get and when to do a final investigation of the property’s condition. You’ll want to make sure that all the agreed-upon work has been done to … Read more