Pros and Cons of Searching for Homes Online

Are you searching for a home online?

Research shows that about 90 percent of potential buyers in the USA (only about 60% in the UK) search for homes on the Internet. This doesn’t mean that this is where they find or buy homes, but it does mean that the Internet is a meaningful marketplace, and an exceptionally good research tool for anyone buying a house.

Pros of Searching for Homes Online

Searching for homes online is a bit like window shopping from your couch. You can look anywhere at any time and will immediately see which property listings are new, and what has been sold, and is no longer available. When you search for homes online, you can define your needs and wants, and therefore limit your choice to what ought to meet you own personal requirements.

There are also specialist property websites that aggregate properties from a selection of different companies, so you get a really good idea of what is on offer. But you do need to find a good, reliable website or two that have taken the trouble to fully exploit the potential of successful searching for homes online.

Setting up Alerts on your chosen site is the best way to stay on top of the market.  That way when a new listing comes up that meets your needs, you will know about it right away.  Keep in mind that a lot of people are doing the same thing.  And in my experience, most buyers are looking for the same thing.  So if you are serious about buying, make sue you have a loan lined up and an Agent to call, so you can be the first one to make an offer.

Cons of Searching for Homes Online

People often complain when they are buying a house, and they search online, that whatever they find has in fact already been sold. The reason for this is that even though properties may have a signed purchase agreement, these agreements are often still subject to some kind of contingency other than finance. Inspection contingencies, for example, are pretty standard, but buyers don’t generally want to remove the house from the public eye until the inspection is complete.

While there is any possibility that the offer to purchase may be canceled, they would rather remain in the list of online results when potential buyers search for homes. If there is a home you are really interested in, contact a Buyer's agent to put in a back up offer.

Also, data that is syndicated to various sites can be inaccurate and not updated.  The best best is to use a search site tied directly to the local MLS - a Realtor's website.

Consider This

While the internet is a great place to start your search, when it comes to viewing properties and making an offer, the #1 way buyers do this is with a Real Estate Agent.

Keep in mind the Listing Agent works for the Seller.  Don't contact the listing Agent direct assuming you will get a better deal if the seller only has to pay one Agent.  Real estate fees are determined in the listing contract with Brokerage and paid to the Brokerage - not directly the Agent. The Agent is paid by the brokerage in most cases.

Buyer Representation is free to buyers.  The Buyers Agent is paid by the Brokerage from the listing fees. And the Buyers Agent works for YOU looking out for your best interest in negotiations - not the seller.

Contact Me if you would like more information about buying a home in the Charlotte and Lake Norman areas.

HOME SEARCH

How to Show Home at its Best in the Fall

Selling Your Home in the Fall and How to Show Your Home Best!

It is a popular belief that Spring and Summer are the best seasons to sell your house. But, this is not entirely true! If you want to sell your home in fall, there are many ways to make sure that your house looks attractive and cozy to the buyer.

Fall- A Good Time to Sell Your House

Contrary to popular belief, fall is actually a good time to put up your house for sale. It is the holiday season, and families set out together to go house hunting. Specially people looking for a place as a holiday gift for their families, are the most probable buyers. Moreover, due to the approaching Christmas celebrations, buyers tend to haggle less on the terms of the purchase of the property, and hence the transaction takes lesser time. Only serious buyers visit your house during fall, and thus you are saved from dealing with a long line of people traipsing mud and dirt through your house.

You can turn fall to your advantage, by taking simple actions to make your house look attractive and cozy to the buyer.

First Impression!

Make sure that your house looks clean, tidy and cozy from the outside too. A good first impression will go a long way in making the buyer decide in favor of your house. Remember, the first impression is usually the last one!

Spruce Up Your House

Give your house a fresh coat of paint from the outside. Keep your lawn mowed and tidy to give a good image of the house.

Make Your Yard Look Appealing

You can plant fall flowers like asters, chrysanthemums etc. in your backyard to make it look charming. These flowers will add a touch of freshness to your house, and will compliment the fall season. Rake the leaves regularly, but don't worry too much - some of the charm of fall is the colorful leaves.

Interior Decorating 

You can decorate your house to complement the season. Pick neutral shades for the walls, and use warm colors like maroon, burgundy, rust and plum red for your cushions and curtains. It will make your house look warm and welcoming.

Upgrade Your Heating System

While you invest in your house by painting its exterior, and picking suitable colors for its interior decoration, make sure to also invest in your house heating system. A charming house with an improper functioning heating system will not attract the buyer at all. When you start making your house ready to put up for sale, make sure to upgrade your heating system. 

Adding extra touches like light fragrances, and door wreaths to your house will make it look attractive and charming. So, go ahead and use your creativity, and make your look like any buyer’s dream house!  

Thinking of selling your home? Please give me a call and lets have a chat. I am professional and friendly and I have some great marketing ideas for you. 

Karen Browder Office: 704-534-9334 Karen@Karenbrowder.com

How to Recognize a Bargain Property

How to Recognize a Bargain Property

Looking for a bargain property does not only involve looking for houses that are priced low. If you want to buy a bargain property, you need to know why it is priced low, and what challenges you will be taking on if you decide to go ahead and make an offer to purchase. 

Sometimes buying what is perceived to be a cheap property will end up costing you more in the long run because of the immense amount of work that is required to make it livable. The same applies to houses that are in good nick, but priced way below what would normally be “market value” simply because of location or the neighborhood in which they are located. 

So how do you recognize a bargain property that really is a good deal?

First of all you need to ascertain for yourself why any property is cheaper than others. It might be that the house is seriously run down, or it might be a foreclosure, or there may be some other more sinister reason – a murder for instance. 

Then you need to assess what you will have to do to increase the value of the property and/or fix things to make the house a good investment or home. You need to weigh up the pros and cons, and do the math. 

Helpful tips to help you recognize a bargain property when you see one 

Establish what houses that are a similar size and have similar facilities have recently sold for. If the asking price is considerably cheaper it could be a bargain property.

Even if the house needs attention, it could still be a bargain, but to establish this you will need to estimate renovating costs relatively accurately. An inspection will help you establish what exactly needs to be done. Add these costs to the price of the house, and you’ll soon see if it’s still potentially a bargain property. 

Generally major structural repairs including foundation upgrades, extensive roof repairs, as well as plumbing and electrical overhauls, will be costly and will often change people’s minds even if they desperately want to buy a bargain property. 

Even if you think you recognize a bargain property staring you in the eye, ask yourself whether its poor condition is the only reason it’s marked down. Other issues might include a bad design, poor placement of the house on the plot, or even accessibility. If it’s on a busy road then this would also affect the price – and this isn’t something you’re going to be able to fix. Or maybe someone died here recently. 

Once you have established the why and how much you need to invest in fixing whatever is wrong, you can make the final decision whether or not to buy a bargain property. 

Communities Served

• Homes for Sale in Concord
• Homes for Sale in Cornelius
• Homes for Sale in Davidson
• Homes for Sale in Harrisburg
• Homes for Sale in Huntersville
• Homes for Sale in Lake Norman
• Homes for Sale in Mooresville