Real Estate January-February 2017 for homeowners, buyers and sellers
WHEN THE SELLER is the owner
Homes listed as for sale by owner (FSBO) usually come with a lot of questions: Is it easier or riskier to buy? How do negotiations work? Should I involve an agent? Here are some pointers from The Wall Street Journal about what to keep in mind when looking at an FSBO:
- First, don’t avoid a home because it’s being sold directly by the owners, especially if it meets all of your criteria. The main difference is that you will usually meet the homeowner face to face, rather than conduct negotiations through agents. However, you may also have the option to work with a buyer’s agent.
- While many FSBO sellers may be unfamiliar with real estate processes, they must conform to all stipulated laws, such as providing disclosure forms that detail the condition of the home. Learn your state’s requirements and demand the most extensive disclosure.
- It’s helpful to understand that many FSBO sellers have a special attachment to their home and may overprice it. Get a competitive market analysis (CMA) to outline comparables in the area. – You should also never let the seller hold the money in escrow.
- Arrange for a bank or other neutral entity to manage the escrow applied to the down payment.
- Lastly, as with any other homebuying process, it’s always best to go in with your eyes open and to trust your gut in FSBO deals. Just like any negotiation, it may or may not work out.
WHEN TO APPEAL THE APPRAISAL
Home appraisals are a mandatory part of the home buying and selling process so lenders can determine a home’s “official” value. Unfortunately, an appraiser may find that your home’s value is less than what you expected it to be. The good news? You are able to appeal the appraised value if one of the following situations occurs, according to http://www.themortgagereports.com:
When the appraiser uses outdated “comps” This happens frequently because local home sales aren’t immediately reported to the public record. A real estate agent can help you find the most recent comparable (comps) sales, or if you’re aware of a recent sale, notify your lender.
When the appraiser omits home improvements If an appraiser omits key home improvements you’ve made, it’s usually because they aren’t aware of these updates. The easiest solution is to be on-site with the appraiser, then review the appraisal when it’s completed.
When the appraiser doesn’t know the local area When an appraiser is unfamiliar with your neighborhood, he or she may rely more heavily on data from public records to reach your home’s final valuation. If you feel this to be the case, notify your lender as soon as possible.
When the appraiser makes a mistake Always review your home appraisal for errors, such as incorrect information about the square footage, or the number of bedrooms and bathrooms; or omitted features, such as fireplaces and patios. Be prepared to show evidence of the mistake when you make your appeal.
WINTER whites
The new year is a perfect time to add some winter whites into your home to create a fresh, clean look. However, white decor isn’t the easiest to keep clean, especially with kids and pets. So rather than opting for a big, white couch, HGTV suggests incorporating the winter neutral with one of these elements instead:
Lighting accents White diffused light fixtures or a sculptural statement lighting piece can be the perfect pop of white in any room, and will create a cozy glow in darker spaces.
Painted brick 
Rather than all-white walls, painting a brick fireplace or accent brick wall can make a space seem larger and brighter. Plus, they will allow for other color pairings throughout the room.
Texture and patterns Add touches of white with a faux-fur throw or rug in the living room, or layer different patterns, such as a duvet and pillows in the bedroom. These items will add depth to a space, and they can be easily removed or washed if anything is ever spilled on them.
Drapes White linen drapes are not only great accent pieces, they help diffuse outside light and are easy to clean.
Marble White Carrara marble is a beautiful accent, but it comes with a large price tag. Rather than have the entire kitchen or bathroom outfitted, choose a smaller area, such as a breakfast nook or vanity, to fit the space and your budget.
HOME SEARCH Did you know you could search for homes on our website? Simply click on the “Home Search” button at the top of the page, or use the “Property Search” window along the left-hand side panel. You can search by zip code, price range, area, MLS #, etc.
REMEMBER, if you are considering buying a home, either new construction or resale, we can help you as your Buyers Agent. As your agents, we will protect and defend your interest and advise you throughout the entire process. The agents that sit in the model homes represent the builder/seller, they do not represent you. And, the builder pays the commission! There’s no cost to you! Give us a call to find out how we can work for you!
If I can be of help to you in either buying or selling real estate in the Charlotte Metropolitan area, please contact me, Debbie Arriero. In the meantime, please check out these resources:
Have a GREAT day!
Debbie
Arriero Realty – “Treating You like Family.”
Visit us on Facebook – www.Facebook.com/ArrieroRealtyInc
Debbie Arriero, Office (704) 451-3895
www.PropertiesinCharlotte.com, http://twitter.com/UNC_NCSU_Mom
BROUGHT TO YOU BY YOUR REALTOR®, A Member of the Council of CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL SPECIALISTS
Debbie Arriero and Arriero Realty Inc's Blog 