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1). Descriptive Terms in Real Estate Ads – More Definitions If you are buying or selling a home, the chances are good you struggle with the meaning of descriptive real estate terms. Here are explanations and definitions for more terms. “Shed Dormers” These are often seen in Dutch colonial style houses and are flat roofed dormers. Sometimes these dormers are single windows, but oft... 2). Good Faith Deposit – Real Estate Transactions In a real estate transaction, a touchy issue is how much trust the seller has in a buyer. The existence of a good faith deposit helps put a seller at rest. Good Faith Deposit If you are selling your home, condominium or other real estate, you should always require a buyer to make a good faith deposit. The good faith deposi... 3). Finding Structural Problems During Escrow – Upscale Home Example When buying and selling homes, the property purchase is often subject to a satisfactory home inspection being done. Now and then, a home inspection uncovers severe structural problems. Here’s an example of a situation in an upscale neighborhood. Severe Structural Problems Does the buyer walk away when there are serious str... 4). Best House Color to Sell Love at first sight is a concept that applies to the real estate market. So, what is the best house color to sell your home to a love struck buyer? Best House Color to Sell When you go to social events, do you make an effort to snazzy yourself up? Of course you do. The simply fact is attraction is a key factor in forming r... 5). Curb Appeal – First Impressions Count When Selling Your Home People selling their homes via real estate brokers get lots of coaching. People selling their own homes as FSBOs need the same. One of the most important topics on which FSBOs can benefit from coaching is “curb appeal.” How does your home look when a potential buyer drives up to the curb and takes that all important first look? Be Sure... 6). Escalation Clauses – A Home Buyer's Secret Weapon Today we discuss escalation clauses because much of the country is experiencing an extreme “sellers’ market.” By that, I mean there are more buyers than there are sellers, and that results in sellers’ getting more than one offer to buy their property. The seller can be picky about the terms under which he is willing to sell. A potential buyer is ap... 7). Buying A House – Checking Exterior Wood You need to be very careful before committing to the purchase of a house. If the house has wood and brick on the exterior, you need to consider the following issues. Wood Issues Wood is a beautiful material, particularly when it is used on the exterior of a home. Compared to stucco and other materials, it is a wonder wood... 8). Finding Structural Problems During Escrow – Small Rural Home Example In rural home purchases, the transaction is often subject to a satisfactory home inspection being done. Any imperfections are usually corrected during escrow. Now and then, however, a home inspection uncovers severe structural problems. What happens then? Structural Problems – Small Rural Home With a small rural home purch... 9). FSBOs –The Secret of “After Settlement Escrow” to Solve Problems Most FSBOs (people who are selling their own homes) are aware of the conventional use of escrow. In this article, we look at ways to use escrow to solve problems. Escrow Escrow means different things in different parts of the country. In California it’s part and parcel of the settlement process. In Virginia, while there’s... 10). Buy The Most Expensive House In The Neighborhood? When looking at homes, one is tempted to buy the best home in a neighborhood. Should you buy the most expensive home on the block? No. Think Long-Term Assume you fall in love with the masterpiece home in a particular neighborhood. It has everything you could dream of: black bottom pool, marble, an incredible kitchen, top ... 11). Curb Appeal – First Impressions Count When Selling A Condo or Townhouse Curb appeal is the key to selling a townhouse or condo. Since common areas are controlled by a homeowners’ association, paying attention to details can make all the difference. Townhouses The same rules that apply to selling a house apply to townhouses except that the scale of things has to fit a smaller space and nothing... 12). Final Walk-Through – The Value of Your Contract A walk-through is an important step in a real estate transaction. To get the most out of it, make sure you understand the terms of the purchase contract. Check Things the Contract Specifies When you signed the contact to purchase your new home, certain elements and characteristics were specified. If the home does not match... 13). Found the Perfect Home – But Furniture Won’t Fit You’ve been looking for a home and you’ve found one that feels almost perfect. The location is convenient and you can picture your family living here happily. There’s a problem, however. One or more pieces of furniture you’ve had for years just will not fit. Do you buy the home anyway, or keep looking? Move It? Suppose the... 14). Descriptive Terms in Real Estate Ads – What Do They Mean? If you are buying or selling a home, the chances are good you struggle with the meaning of descriptive real estate terms. Here’s the first in a series of articles explaining them. The Wise Seller Be very truthful if you are a seller advertising your home. Mention your home’s best features, but do not exaggerate. If someon... 15). Home Buying Checklist – Paint and Stucco Buying a home is a big investment. You should use a checklist when sizing up potential homes. In this article, we cover a home buying checklist for paint and stucco. Paint and Stucco The exterior of a home typically makes the biggest impression when you first view a potential buying opportunity. Many homebuyers, however, ... 16). Avoid Home Buying Blues at Closing Buying a home is a stressful and emotional affair. You can avoid the home buying blues by keeping your cool at closing. I've just come from a settlement table at which a friend bought a new condo. It's beautiful, convenient and just what she wanted. However, at the settlement table she and a relative whom she clearly loves got into a ... 17). Evaluating A Home – Water Pipes When evaluating a home you are considering buying, it is easy to get caught up in the visual aspects of the home. Water pipes are just one unseen area you remember to inspect. Water Pipes – Drip, Drip, Drip Alright, I’ll admit right away water pipes are not exactly the most glamorous aspect of a home. In fact, water pipin... 18). Protective Covenants – Buying A Home In addition to zoning, some properties have covenants recorded at the courthouse that “run with the land.” These “protective covenants” can put a serious pinch in your plans for a piece of property. Protective Covenants A protective covenant remains in effect as the property is sold from owner to owner. The covenants are d... 19). Home Improvements – The Fun Stuff Planning home improvements necessarily involves addressing numerous practical matters. That doesn’t mean you should ignore the fun stuff! The Fun Stuff The first thing to plan for in home improvements is the practical stuff. The second thing you need to talk to family members about is the fun stuff. Most peop... 20). Condominiums – Should You Consider Purchasing One Condominiums tend fall into the love them or hate them position for buyers. Here’s primer on condominiums. Condominiums Condominiums are all about communal living, which can be good or bad depending upon your personal views. This type of communal living doesn’t refer to the failed experiments of the sixties wherein hippie... 21). Dealing With Unpleasant Negotiators Selling your house yourself can be intimidating if you're doing it the first time. Here's how to deal with unpleasant negotiators. Unpleasant Negotiators Sometimes you encounter someone who is not going to be happy unless he maneuvers you into accepting less than your home is worth or doing things for his benefit that are... 22). Buying a Home – Dealing With Lender Letters Most people who set out to buy a home, be it house, townhouse, condo, apartment, or mansion on a hill, know they need to have a lender letter in hand saying they are qualified for a loan. What most “civilians” (people not in the real estate business) don’t realize is how much the value of a lender letter varies. Let’s look at some of t... 23). Descriptive Terms in Real Estate Ads – Even More Definitions If you are buying or selling a home, the chances are good you struggle with the meaning of descriptive real estate terms. Here are explanations and definitions for more terms. “Living Room” & “Family Room” When a home has both a living room and a family room, we know which is which. It used to be that when an ad mentioned... 24). Following A Builder for Profits - An Example As the real estate market begins to calm down, many worry about making a profit on their homes. Here’s an example of the “follow the builder” profit strategy. Follow That Builder In many areas of the country, there are builders who build hundreds of houses each year within a fifty mile radius of each other. They build enti... 25). Coinciding Settlements Clauses - Funding Issues People who are selling their home in order to buy another frequently put a "coinciding settlements" clause into their contract offer on the new home. The purpose of this is usually twofold. In this article, we discuss the first purpose which is to use funds from the old home to pay for the new one. How Coinciding Settlements Work 26). Condominiums – Advantages of Ownership Condominiums tend to be a love it or hate it subject with property owners. Here are the advantages of owning a condominium. Condominium – Advantages Condominiums provide a unique living opportunity in the United States, one that many people have jumped on in this hot real estate market. Although not for everyone, condomin... 27). Alabama Real Estate – A Southern Air Alabama is undeniably a stereotypical southern state, but the state and real estate market hold undeniable surprises. Alabama Alabama is distinctly southern and darn proud of it. If you have a taste for college football, country music and NASCAR, Alabama is a paradise defined. To the surprise of many, Alabama also has a m... 28). Arkansas Real Estate – Forget the Rat Race Arkansas is a state that harkens back to a more relaxed time of life in our country. If you’re tired of hearing 90 cell phones ringing, moving to Arkansas may be the answer. Arkansas Unlike many states, Arkansas has made a concerted effort to protect and maintain its past. It is equally protective of its small, rural town ... 29). Buying A Home – Zoning and Architectural Review Board Restrictions When you buy a home, you need to be aware of the various things that can limit your control over the property. This is as true for finished lots and single family homes as it is for townhouses, condos, and apartments. It’s a good idea to understand these limitations before you buy, so that you can decide whether you’re willing to live with them or ... 30). California Real Estate – Appreciation on Steroids For the last five years, owners of California real estate have been hitting the ball out of the appreciation ballpark. Yes, a real estate market on steroids. California California is heavily populated from north to south along the coastline, but they state offers significantly different ecologies. In Northern California, ... 31). Texas Real Estate – Property in the Big State Everything in Texas is big, including real estate options. If you’re considering a move to Texas, here is a primer on the state. Dallas Dallas is a big city with a definite oil influence. There is a certain over the top feeling about Dallas, but people are pleasant and the city has first-rate services. Make no mistake, liv... 32). Georgia Real Estate – Southern Hospitality Known as the Peach State, Georgia is the state of southern hospitality. If you prefer the traditional southern culture, Georgia real estate is certainly worth a look. Georgia The largest state east of the Mississippi, Georgia has a long and glorious history. Civil war monuments are rife throughout the state as are small t... 33). Real Estate Terms – From Easements to Good Title When buying or selling a property, it always helps to have a basic understanding of real estate terms. In this on going series of articles, we take a look at definitions starting with “easements.” 1) Easement – permission given to (or acquired by) someone who does not own a parcel of real property enabling that person (or entity) to us... 34). New Hampshire Real Estate – Switzerland of America With soaring mountain ranges, New Hampshire is often called the Switzerland of America. Fortunately, New Hampshire real estate prices compare favorably to Switzerland. New Hampshire New Hampshire is a state with beautiful scenery that takes on the full effect of each season of the year. Spring and summer are tailor made f... 35). North Carolina Real Estate – Mountains, Coast and Tobacco Road North Carolina has much to offer and is booming. North Carolina real estate is on the move as well. North Carolina North Carolina is a state with a variety of styles. Head to the mountains and you’ll find a slower, gentler pace of life in stunning scenery. Providing over 15 percent of all the Christmas trees in the United... 36). Missouri Real Estate – The Show Me State Nicknamed the “Show Me” state, Missouri is an interesting mix of big cities and rural lands. Missouri real estate prices do not require you to “show” a lot of money. Missouri The quintessential midwestern state, Missouri offers interesting contrasts. On one hand, you have large cities such as St. Louis and Kansas City. On... 37). Wyoming Real Estate - Wide Open Spaces If you're tired of living in close quarters, Wyoming may be the answer for you. Wyoming real estate is also appreciating at a nice pace. Wyoming Wyoming is the least populated state in the United States, but also one of the most beautiful if getting back to nature is your thing. While the cattle industry dominates the sta... 38). Owning The House That Won’t Sell The real estate market is hopping and houses in your neighborhood are selling like hotcakes. You, however, are stuck owning the house that won’t sell. Owning The House That Won’t Sell We first need to get some common anxiety issues out of the way. There is no curse on your house. Real estate agents are not conspiring agai... 39). Improving Bathrooms – The Specifics One of the best ways to increase the value of your home is to improve the bathrooms. Here’s a primer on things to consider. Sinks Villeroy and Boch makes a sink that mimics a boulder worn into a bowl by water flowing into it. It can be quite handsome in a minimalist home or a rustic one. You can see it and others at ville... 40). Maryland Real Estate – Coastline Dominates Maryland is unique in that many of the population centers lie on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. If you have a hankering to be close to the water, Maryland real estate may be the answer. Maryland Maryland, the ocean and seafood are three words that always go together. The dominant feature, of course, is Chesapeake Bay whi... 41). Home Owner Association Restrictions – Read Before Buying Many communities have associations for homeowners, property owners, condo owners, or similar associations. The presence of a homeowners association, also known as “HOA”, introduces another layer of rules and regulations to consider when buying a home. Some people love these associations and some hate them. Homeowners’ Associations 42). Pre-Approval Letter – How To Use It To Get Your Dream Home When house hunting, many buyers make the mistake of waiting to contact a lender until after they have located their dream home. As a buyer, you will be in a much stronger position with a seller if you are pre-approved. Pre-Approval Letter To effectively house hunt, you must know the amount you can borrow from a lender. The... 43). Colorado Real Estate – The Rocky Mountains Colorado is the land of the Rocky Mountains and all that comes with it. Located in the foothills, Denver is the central location for Colorado real estate. Colorado A state dominated by mountains, Colorado is a popular relocation spot for outdoors enthusiasts. The state offers skiing, hiking, rock climbing, fishing, campin... 44). Understanding Title Insurance Title to a property is a record detailing the owners of the property and rights associated with the ownership. Title typically shows a progression of ownership from the first owner to the current one. Title is a fairly simple concept, but when it goes wrong it is a nightmare. That is where title insurance comes in. Title Insurance 45). Odors Can Make or Break The Sale of Your Home It’s amazing how important the sense of smell is to many people. If you’re selling your home, and this applies across the board to houses, townhouses, condos, apartments, or whatever, you need to be aware of the power of odors. An odor like cigarette smoke can cause potential buyers to leave quickly without ever really considering purchasing your h... 46). Kitchen Improvements - Enjoy Now and When You Sell Who would've ever though the kitchen could be the key to building wealth in your home? Well, it is. If you are going to increase the value of your home through improvements, the kitchen is a very good place to start. Improvements Obviously, making improvements to a kitchen is entirely dependent upon the current state of th... 47). A Secret to Real Estate Profits – Follow The Builder As the real estate market cools, the profit potential of home ownership has cooled as well. Here’s a strategy called “follow the builder.” It is relatively easy to make a profit when you sell your home if the market is rising sharply like it has been in most of the country for the last three years. It becomes more difficult when a hot ... 48). Ohio Real Estate – Large Cities and Little Farms Ohio is a unique state where large cities like Cleveland and Cincinnati sit next to rural farms. Ohio real estate prices mirror this diversity. Ohio Ohio was a mainstay in the industrial revolution in the United States. Cities such as Cleveland and Cincinnati spawned industrial might to such a degree that Cleveland is sti... 49). Home Style Words in Real Estate Ads – More Explanations Whether you’re buying or selling, reading real estate ads can be confusing. Here are explanations of more style terms used in real estate ads. “Split Foyer” style A home entered by a foyer with a half flight of stairs up to the upper level (where the living spaces and one or more bedrooms are usually located) and a half f... 50). How Appraisals and Assessments Differ Many people think appraisals and assessments are the same thing or at least that they should be for the same amount. The truth is they can vary greatly. Let’s look at each of them. Appraisals An appraisal is an estimate of market value. An appraiser can use many methods for coming up with this estimate. For income produci... Browse Pages: 1 [2] [3] [4]