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5 Things You Probably Didn’t Realize You Need as a New Homeowner
You’re about to buy your first home; what an exciting time! You’re probably planning the design and furniture layout, maybe even made a few trips to TJ Maxx or Target. Decorating is one of the most fun parts about being a homeowner; you can design it however you want and nobody can tell you no. Before you get too carried away with all the fun things, I want to provide a list of a few items you shouldn’t forget before you move in. I bought my first home in 2015 (oh boy, it seems like it was just the other day). I had lots of help from family and friends,…
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What To Do During a Final Walkthrough
The final walkthrough is an important part of any home buying process. Let’s start by stating a final walkthrough is NOT a home inspection. It is however an opportunity for the buyer to see the house one last time before closing. It’s often done as close to the closing date as possible, preferably the day of. This gives the sellers as much time to get things packed and out of the house. Then the buyers are able to check the home and see if there is any new damage since the home inspection. Sometimes sellers don’t move out until the day of closing; rarely final walkthroughs can happen with the…
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The Importance of a Home Inspection
Home inspections are such an important part of the home buying and selling process. It gives the buyer the opportunity to identify any major issues with a home prior to closing. It is quite common for the home inspection to be paid for by the buyer and it is s typically completed within the first couple of weeks after an offer has been accepted. Inspectors vary in experience, knowledge, and thoroughness. Ask your real estate advisor for a recommendation on which inspector they’ve worked with and trust. A typical inspection lasts two-three hours and can cost around $300-$600 (based on the square footage of the home). Your agent should be…
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What is a CMA in Real Estate?
Real estate agents often create a comparative market analysis (a.k.a CMA) to estimate the value of your home. This information is beneficial to sellers so they can price their home accurately and it allows buyers to feel comfortable with how much they’re paying for their home. Real estate agents create a CMA by looking at recently sold properties that are similar to your house (or, if you’re a home buyer, the one you want to make an offer on). Similarity is very important since it gets you the closest comparison to ensure you are making an informative financial decision. Things We Look For: Recently Sold: It’s important to make sure…
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Why Buy a Home in the Winter?
Many people do not want to purchase a new home during the winter months. It’s definitely a busy time because of the holidays, but there are some significant advantages to purchasing a home in these slower months. The market is less competitive. The simple fact that less people want to move during this time means you have less competition when putting an offer on a house. The Treasure Valley market will start to get very busy again this spring and multiple offers on a home is very common. The odds of having a competing bid is much lower during the winter months. You may get a better deal for your…
