Thursday, March 16, 2017 / by John Murdock -- CityScapeMetroGroup
Call it what you will—jargon, shorthand, lingo—but every industry has its own language, a collection of terms that are essential to understand if you hope to play ball. And the real estate business is no different. In fact, there are probably more terms in the housing biz than just about anything short of neurosurgery. That’s why when you read a real estate listing, you may end up scratching your head over a whole bunch of puzzling terms. Allow us to clear things up, by explaining what these things really mean in plain old English.
Active
This means that a property is currently on the market and available for sale. It may have received offers, but none have yet been accepted, which means that the opportunity is wide open for you to make a proposal.
Closed (CL)
The property is sold and no longer available.
Active with contract (AWC)
This means that even though there’s an accepted offer on the home, t7 ...
Read More
Thursday, March 9, 2017 / by John Murdock -- CityScapeMetroGroup
Home decor is all about reflecting your own personal style. It’s an opportunity to use your home as a blank canvas and paint a masterpiece that is decidedly you. And that style is never more apparent than in your living room—the spot where your guests gather and your personality is most on display.
We’ll never tell you to betray your decor desires in this room (or the rest of your home). But if you’ve gone nuts painting your living room in wild colors or spent thousands laying down Moroccan tile, bear in mind how potential buyers might perceive your choices.
Buyers need to picture themselves living and loving that space: throwing parties, entertaining guests, enjoying a lazy Saturday with a book. If your favorite living room design looks are dated or divisive, buyers might give your home a pass. So ditch these seven polarizing decor choices while you still can—before they sink your chance of a sale.
1. TV looming ove7 ...
Read More
Thursday, February 23, 2017 / by John Murdock -- CityScapeMetroGroup
You know you should buy a home. Eventually. But timing matters when it comes to such an enormous and potentially life-changing purchase. Which begs the question: When is the best time to buy a house? Does such a moment exist when all lights turn green, guaranteeing this is a decision you won’t regret?
While there’s no crystal ball in real estate, there are some fairly easy-to-read signs that a home purchase is something you should consider. Let’s dive into some of the factors that can influence whether the time is right for you to pull the trigger.
Your finances
For many people, knowing when to buy a home all comes down to the numbers. Here are the biggest pieces of that equation.
You have a down payment: If you need a mortgage to buy a home, you should know that most lenders will want you to show them the money—that is, have a sizable down payment. For most conventional loans, you’ll need to scrape together 20% of a home’s price, or $60,00 ...
Read More
Wednesday, February 15, 2017 / by John Murdock -- CityScapeMetroGroup
The seemingly endless stretch of bleak, freezing weather we’re experiencing comes with some additional bad news: Wintertime generally means lower asking prices, fewer buyers on the hunt, and less money changing hands.
But there’s cheery news, too: Just because your home’s on the market during the slow, chilly months doesn’t mean you have to accept a lowball offer. If you make your home attractive in all the right ways, qualified buyers will come. Just avoid making these all-too-common winter-selling mistakes in order to get top dollar.
Mistake No. 1: Setting down the shovel
You cleared off enough of the driveway for your car, but potential buyers won’t be entering through the garage like you do.
“Blazing a path through 3 feet of virgin snow makes a lousy first impression,” says John Engel, a Realtor® with Halstead Pro6 ...
Read More
Tuesday, February 14, 2017 / by John Murdock -- CityScapeMetroGroup
Lots of things you buy come with a warranty in case they break down, from cars to smartphones. But what about homes? It turns out you can get a home warranty, too.
So what the heck is a home warranty, anyway? In a nutshell, it’s a policy you pay for that covers the cost of repairing many of your home appliances if they break down.
“Home warranties provide financial protection for homeowners who might be faced with unexpected problems with their appliances,” explains Shawna Bell of Landmark Home Warranty.
Many people buy a home warranty right when they close on a home, since such protections can provide some much-needed peace of mind that you won’t get hit with unexpected expenses soon after moving in. Imagine what a bummer it would be, after all, to wake up one morning to a broken boiler or leaking, malfunctioning fridge in your brand-new home. A home warranty can lessen those worries, which for many is worth every penny.
Wh7 ...
Read More
