Active Properties

Top Reasons to Own a Home by Carla Hill

Ask Tara @Trulia By Tara-Nicholle Nelson    begins her article of the 10 dos and don’t of ‘Open Houses’:  ‘Tis the season for Open Houses, though, so we thought we’d pick up where Mom and Dad left off, tipping you off to a list of pointers for both buyers and sellers about what to do – and what not to do – at this summer’s Open Houses.

Do:  Use Open Houses as a convenient time for touring homes with your agent.

Do:  Open every door.

Don’t: Open every drawer.

Do:  Offer hospitality to buyers.

Don’t: Overdo the hospitality.

Do:  Intensively clean and de-odorize the place.

Don’t: Overdo the sensory staging.

Don’t:  Underdo the home prep/curb appeal, landscaping, exterior prep.

Do:  Make sure there are smart print-outs and flyers for buyers to take away, and basic documentation buyers will want to see.

Do:  Take the take-aways.

click here for the full details of Tara’s article

Article by: Tara-Nicholle Nelson  Major money transactions are stressful. Moving is stressful.  Big life commitments are stressful. Put ‘em all together, and what do you have? The home buying process (and the potential for one of the most stressful life experiences you’ll ever have)! 

But even in this volatile market where distressed properties – and people! – are commonplace, it is possible to maintain your sanity in the midst of a real estate deal – I promise.

Here are 3 money, mindset and calendar management strategies for buying a home, without stressing entirely out.

1.  Work the Boy Scout program: be prepared.

2.  Keep your timelines as flexible as possible, as long as possible.

3.  Pre-approve the folks across the bargaining table from you.

Full Article Details link