What Are Open Houses? Open houses are a marketing activity performed by a licensed real estate agent, usually on a weekend, whereby a home seller's property is open to the public for a designated time period. Open houses typically last for a couple of hours, when people can come and go at their leisure. There is no appointment or qualifications necessary to enter the home. If you look, you're bound to see weekend open houses in your area. During an open house, the property is typically showca...| Maximum Real Estate Exposure
One of the questions I often field as a real estate agent from buyers and sellers is the difference between a pending home sale and a contingent home sale. Some will also ask what a contingency means as well. The meaning of contingent is not difficult to understand and neither is pending However, if you are not buying or selling real estate daily, there is quite a bit of lingo that can make you wonder. When you start looking real estate listings, you will come across properties in different s...| Maximum Real Estate Exposure
Have you heard a real estate agent use the word “comps” and wondered what they meant? Understanding a real estate comp will probably be foreign if you are not in the industry. Comps in real estate are comparable sales. Real Estate comps are used to compare and determine the fair market value of a property. Without appropriate comparisons, determining a home's value is far more challenging. Real estate agents and appraisers use comparable sales to assist buyers and sellers in understanding...| Maximum Real Estate Exposure
Bidding wars on houses are all too common these days. How do you win when there are multiple offers on the home you love? Winning a bidding war on a home isn't always easy. You may find that out quickly if you plan to buy a home. When making a home purchase now, whether a new home or a resale, the chances are high that there will be competing offers on the property you love. High demand coupled with low inventory has created bidding wars in many markets. If you are trying to buy, especially i...| Maximum Real Estate Exposure
What Buyers and Sellers Need to Understand About a Home Inspection Are you going to be getting a home inspection? Inspections for homes are a vital part of the real estate transaction process, so it makes sense to learn as much as you can about them. The more you know about what they entail and how they affect you as a buyer or seller, the more confident you will be moving forward with your transaction. If you're buying or selling a home, you should be well informed on the ins and outs of a h...| Maximum Real Estate Exposure
Check For Potential Issues When Buying Your First House Do you understand what's needed for due diligence in real estate to be completed? If you are a first-time homebuyer, you are probably doing all the research to ensure you don't make any mistakes. Performing due diligence increases the odds that you won't regret purchasing. The homework you are doing now is essential because a lot goes into buying a home—which means you have a lot to learn in a relatively short time. The due diligence p...| Maximum Real Estate Exposure
Are you wondering what a pocket listing is and how it works? Pocket listings are properties sold 'off market' or marketed to potential buyers by a brokerage privately instead of utilizing the multiple listing service (MLS). These non-public listings are kept in-house by a listing agent. Negotiation will be done by the agent, who may or may not share the information with colleagues. Sometimes, there is a for sale sign on pocket listings, and sometimes there isn't. These properties will not be ...| Maximum Real Estate Exposure
Many consumers ask what a real estate attorney does. Do I need one in my real estate transaction? Speaking from thirty-eight years of experience as a real estate agent, I can talk about the importance of having a lawyer in your corner. Buying a home isn't the same as many other purchases you might make. Ownership is legally changed from the seller to the buyer, and documentation and contracts are involved. Because buying a house is more complicated, using an attorney for real estate purchases...| Maximum Real Estate Exposure
