Month: October 2018

It’s that time of year again! Attached below are 5 great Pumpkin Patch locations in the River City!

Buying a home is an exciting endeavor that is a huge decision. With the rise in rental rates, many are opting to own instead of rent. Below are six key ways to prepare for the purchase of your first home.

1. Create a comfortable monthly budget estimate.

When deciding on a comfortable mortgage amount its important to look at a breakdown of your monthly spending. A conservative estimate of your mortgage payment only should only make up around one third of your gross monthly income. This amount will allow you to comfortably manage your other finances.

2. Check and build your credit score.

Utilizes free credit score websites like Credit Karma to receive data on your credit score. Manage current expenses and pay off past bills. Building and maintaining your credit score will allow for a smooth loan process and potentially build your pre-approved rate!

3. Research loan options that work for you.

There are several great options for homebuyers. USDA and VA options require no money down and are great options for those that are looking to purchase their first home. Other options, such as FHA and Conventional home loans, offer low down payment percentages making the home buying process affordable and achievable. Speak with your mortgage officer to determine which program is best for you.

4. Build your savings.

Even with low and no money down options, it is important to build a healthy savings account. Closing costs are typically around 3%-4% of your homes value and are also a component of your cash to close. While your realtor may be able to bundle in a closing cost credit into your offer it is always helpful to have the amount ready. This may lead to a stronger offer in a competitive market.

5. Get Pre-approved.

Provide your mortgage officer with documents needed to start the pre-approval process. These items may include tax documents, proof of income forms, and bank account information. Having the necessary documentation will lead to a faster approval.

6. Select a Realtor that you can trust.

Finding a great realtor is key in a successful transaction. It is important to find a realtor that moves at your pace and is honest with you about the process. Your realtor should not be pushy to move the sale but they should be knowledgable about the market and keep you up to date on deadlines and milestones for the transaction. Our real estate team is proud to reflect this service to our homebuyers while providing them a credit to go towards their closing costs. To learn more about our services visit www.agentchase.com

There are several great ways to prepare for the home buying process. We hope that these 6 simple steps will bring you success with your endeavor.

If you have any questions about the home buying process please feel free to reach out to Smruthi and Jeff Boyer at different@agentchase.com

Happy Home Buying!

Jeff and Smruthi are husband and wife Real Estate Team proudly serving Jacksonville and surrounding. They offer homebuyers  closing cost assistance allowing them to save. For those looking to sell; AgentChase provides competitive flat fee listing options while providing unbeatable service.

Are you looking to buy or sell? Contact us today at 904-513-8575 or send us an email at different@agentchase.com

Are you interested in selling your home ‘For Sale By Owner’? This has been a growing trend in today’s market. Individuals are choosing to sit in the driver’s seat for this very important task. Most believe that with a little elbow grease they will be able to sell their home and save on commission. With the rising commission increases and the new methods of marketing your property, the process of selling your home ‘For Sale By Owner’ can be appealing.

What Matters When Selling a Home?

The honest truth is that there are 3 factors that come in to play when selling a home: Price, Presentation, and Exposure. There is no secret sauce or magic. If you have a knowledge of how the three components complement your property you will be able to sell it.

• Price

Price is defined by demand and demand can fluctuate.

Did you know that the most popular time for home sales is in the summer? With the school year coming to a close it is the best time for families to move. The least popular time for home sales is in the months of November-January due to holiday season.

The Law of Supply and Demand also comes in to play.

With excess homes on the market the market is considered a buyers market. During a buyers market, sellers will need to focus on Presentation and Exposure to set their property apart and make it more appealing while beating the competition.

When there are less comparable properties on the market sellers will proceed more from the home sale. In sellers markets, the demand is up and sellers will be more able to receive the top price point for their home.

Recent Sales

Compile Recent Sales and determine a competitive price for your home. We can assist in this process by reviewing recent sales with you and determining the best price for your home. Did you know that the most common reason for stale listings is due to a home being priced above value?

• Presentation

Presentation makes a huge difference in influencing a home buyer. Presentation starts with photography and continues through closing day. Begin by reducing clutter in your home. Not only will reducing clutter allow your home to look desirable in photos, it will also allow for more effective showings. Store additional belongings in a storage space such as a garage or attic space. Next, consider professional photography. Great photography showcases the main selling points of your property. The more photos the better!    

Keep your home clean and stunning for all showings! This may include light staging. Staging can influence a buyer in imaging what life would be like if they were able to move in. This is especially important when a home has an open or unique floor plan.

• Exposure.

Social Media, Blogs, Signs…The Works..

Understand your audience. Is your neighborhood in an up and coming district or is it in a established district? In recent years, social media has proven itself to be a strong tool in drawing in buyers. Consider using Instagram, Twitter, Neighborhood Blogs, and Facebook to market your home. Don’t forget traditional word-of-mouth. Tell your friends and family that you’re selling your home – and why you loved living there.

The Importance of a Buyers Agent

While saving on commission is important in determining your net. Consider working with buyers agents. Buyer’s agents play a huge role in attracting serious and motivated buyers. They can also assist in facilitating the process and making sure that the buyer is on track for major milestones. Advertising that you are willing to cooperate with buyers agents will dramatically increase the interest that you will receive.

Utilizing the MLS Service

The MLS or Multiple Listing Service is extremely effective in exposing your property to thousands of buyers. It also allows local agents to be aware of your property and the commission rate that you are willing to provide them. The listing will also allow you to provide additional details on the home and showing instructions for agents. Listings on the MLS will also be broadcast to Zillow, Realtor.com, and Trulia.

We offer a Flat Fee MLS service for just $85! Click the below link to learn more about this service and get started!

As you can see, selling your home does not necessarily require a Listing Agent if you are more of Do-It-Yourselfer. At AgentChase, we offer stand alone services for sellers looking to independently sell their homes. These fees provide you with the tools you need to get your home sold. Visit www.AgentChase.com/menu to learn more about our services!

If you have any questions about the home selling service, please let us know! We are happy to help!

Happy Selling,

Smruthi & Jeff Boyer

different@agentchase.com

904-513-8575

AgentChase Real Estate

www.AgentChase.com

Real Estate Done Differently!