Category: For Buyers

With our temperatures dipping below zero its hard to believe the Spring Parade of Homes is almost here.
Mark your calendars: February 9 through March 16. Open Thursdays and Fridays from 3:00 - 7:00 and Saturday and Sundays from 12:00 - 6:00.
Parade books can be picked up at any Holiday gas station.
If […]

Both the Buyer and the Seller are not always clear on what Earnest Money is in the real estate transaction.
Here’s a quick overview:
WHAT IT IS?
Earnest Money is a deposit by the Buyer that is offered at the time of the offer.
HOW MUCH?
Earnest Money is typically 1% of the sales price, but can […]

The Wiggle Room is becoming the most popular room in the house. Sellers want to price their home to sell, but they know the buyer will probably offer less than asking price. Sellers want a little Wiggle Room to work with an offer. Everybody a buyer knows is giving them real […]

When you prepare an offer to purchase a home, you already know the seller’s asking price. But what are you going to offer and how do you come up with that figure?
Determining your offer price is a three-step process. First, you look at recent sales of similar properties to come up with […]

If you think you have found the right house, but you have some concerns about its structural soundness, now is the time to call in an expert. Consider having the house inspected by a building inspection service which will prepare a written report. Your Purchase is a big investment, so think of […]

You are about to invest a lot of money and you should investigate each property thoroughly. Pay particular attention to the following:
1. THE LOT. What size and shape is the lot? Does the property have city water and city sewer or is it on a private septic and well system.
• Drainage – […]

Buyers should be aware of the differences inherent in working with sales agents who are employed by the developer (the greeters in a model home), rather than traditional real estate professionals. Most developers hire a staff of sales agents to handle their properties; this individual represents the developer/builder, not you the buyer. In order […]

When you find the home that you want to make an offer on, it will be necessary for you to prove to the seller that you have talked with a lender and you are qualified to buy their home. Even before you look at your first home, go through the mortgage prequalification/preapproval […]

The popular question this time of year from buyers and sellers is “When does the spring housing market take off”? I have to smile when I respond because the reaction is always fun. “It’s after Super Bowl Sunday”. At first people think I’m joking (or crazy) but, it makes perfect sense. […]