The Top 5 Reasons To Hire An Agent To Represent You As A Buyer In A Real Estate Transaction

1. The listing agent cannot give you any specific advice on how much to offer or what contingencies to include in the purchase contract.  He/she can write a contract for you but, buyer beware, it will most likely favor the seller.  The best advice I can give you on this bullet point is to avoid calling the agent on the sign out in front of the house you just drove by and fell in love with. Why? Because that agent works for the seller.

2. The listing agent will not negotiate on your behalf.  They already have a client, and it’s not you. That listing agent does not work for you.  I can’t stress it enough.  As a buyer, be sure you have representation of your own.  Hire your own agent.  It’s not going to cost you anything.  Real Estate commissions are typically paid by the seller.

3. A good buyer’s agent will run a market analysis for you and give you their qualified opinion of fair market value, and then negotiate on your behalf to get you the best deal possible.

4. A buyer’s agent will help to protect your rights.  As a buyer, you have rights.  What rights do you have?  Things like “Right to Inspect / Right to Cancel”, the right to include an Appraisal Contingency, Loan Approval Contingency, WDO contingencies, etc…

5. A buyer’s agent can help guide, direct, and make sure you have a complete understanding of the process and the steps to close.  In a typical purchase contract there are timelines and deadlines for accomplishing tasks along the way to be sure closing is not delayed. Tasks include things like escrow deposit, inspections, loan applications, appraisals, surveys, and so on…

Remember, in a Real Estate transaction, you’re dealing with legally binding contracts.  If you sign an agreement and do not live up to the terms and conditions within that agreement, you could be subject to a law suit.  It is absolutely in your BEST interest, as a buyer, to have a qualified, experienced professional working FOR YOU.  Hire a buyer’s agent!

Thanks for visiting.  Be sure to check my web site for current listings.

Ken Gordon Real Estate

The Mission:  Superior Customer Service

Helping buyers and sellers discover the secrets to successful transactions so that everybody wins. - USMC Veteran

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RE/MAX Interactive Realty

Questions to Ask Moving Companies

When you’re ready to talk with movers about your upcoming move, you need to be prepared for the conversation. Part of your preparation should entail a ready list of questions for moving companies who want to earn your business. The questions below will kickstart the conversation and ensure you get the answers to pick the right mover.

Do you work for the mover or are you a broker?

Brokers can match customers with moving companies. But keep in mind that a broker can’t give you a binding estimate and a broker isn’t responsible for loss or damage.

Do you give binding quotes?

A mover may give a binding, or “not to exceed” quote upon reviewing your items in person. Brokers typically don’t give binding quotes. If a mover or broker attempts to give you a binding quote over the phone, don’t accept it. Make sure your possessions are inspected in person.

Does my quote include extra charges?

If any of these issues below apply to your move, you may face additional charges:

• Stair charges
• Long carry charges
• Appliance charges
• Parking charges
• Storage charges
• Fuel charges
• Charges for awkward or extremely heavy items. Ask your movers if they have equipment to handle such items.
• Will my items be transferred?

In long distance moves, your items may be transferred to another truck. This extra handling increases the chances of damages.

What forms of payment do you accept and on what terms?

Don’t hire movers if they only accept cash. Make sure you and the movers are in agreement on the amount due upon delivery versus the deposit amount, and whether your deposit is refundable.

What type of insurance is included in your quote? Can I get more insurance?

Basic coverage is 60 cents per pound but your moving company may offer an upgrade. You can also work with third-party insurance providers to cover the move.

What is the process for damaged or broken items? Who’s responsible?

Make sure you understand what your moving company is responsible for in terms of broken items. Ask about the mover’s reimbursement policy.

ref:  http://www.realtor.com/advice/move/questions-ask-moving-companies/

By:  Realtor.com Team

Thanks for visiting.  Be sure to check my web site for current listings.

Ken Gordon Real Estate

Ken Gordon

Ken Gordon Real Estate

RE/MAX Interactive Realty

Start Planning Your Next Move Now

When moving season arrives, thousands of people across the country pack up their belongings and moving to a new home. Whether it’s from one apartment to another, kids headed off to college or families transitioning into a new home, moving can be an incredibly taxing and time-consuming ordeal.

Fortunately for those on the move, there are ways to plan ahead and alleviate some of the stress associated with the process of relocating.

Did you know there’s a busy season in the moving industry? The period from Memorial Day to Labor Day is the busiest time for movers and and premium accommodations fill up fast. It’s an incredibly competitive industry, making it is important to plan head, compare quotes, and book early in order to get the best rate and service possible. If you’re planning a move during this timeframe, get started early to find a moving company and secure the right price for your next move.

Your destination and living situation plays a big part in how to plan your move. For smaller moves across town, simply renting a truck for a day or two can be a practical solution. Longer moves, especially for families, involve more logistics and, as such, can be more complicated. In those cases, hiring a full-fledged team of professional movers to assist in the packing and unpacking process is ideal. Either way, it doesn’t hurt to explore all of your options and get quotes from both truck rental agencies and professional moving companies.

Another moving solution that’s become quite popular in recent years is a portable storage container or moving pod. Containers can be a time and money-saving option. The moving container is delivered to your front door and you’re in charge of packing your belongings. When you’re finished, the moving company will pick up the moving container and will either move your belongings or store your moving pod until you are ready to ship.

ref: http://www.realtor.com/advice/move/start-planning-next-move-now/  By: Neal Leitereg

Thanks for visiting.  Be sure to check my web site for current listings.

www.kengordonrealestate.com

Ken Gordon

Ken Gordon Real Estate

RE/MAX Interactive Realty

321-684-9900

Why For-Sale-by-Owner Sales Fail

Homeowners obviously know their homes better than anyone, but that doesn’t mean they’re the best salespersons for their properties.

Some sellers are tempted to try a For Sale by Owner (FSBO) transaction because their local community is in the midst of a sellers’ market and they think they can sell easily without help. Others try the FSBO route because they want to maximize their profits and avoid paying a commission to a Realtor.

However, statistics show that selling your home with the assistance of a professional real estate agent will garner you a higher profit, enough to cover the commission as well as put more money in your pocket. According to the National Association of Realtor’s 2013 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, the average FSBO sales price was $174,900, while the average price for a home represented by an agent was $215,000, a difference of $40,100.

Why to Sell With a Realtor

Choosing to sell with a professional rather than on your own makes sense for a variety of reasons:

A Realtor has access to market data about recent sales and other homes on the market that can be used to price your home appropriately. Studies show that homes priced right when they’re first listed sell more quickly and for a higher price than those that linger on the market.
A Realtor can show your home when you aren’t available, can respond to inquiries from potential buyers and their agents, and can get valuable feedback from visitors – all things that save you time.
A Realtor can look at your home objectively and suggest ways to improve its appearance – by staging and minor repairs – so it appeals to more buyers.
Buyers typically prefer to look at a home without the seller present so they can feel more comfortable exploring the rooms and visualizing themselves in the property. At an FSBO sale, the seller must be present.
A Realtor can screen visitors to your home, which provides a measure of safety that FSBO sellers don’t have. In addition, by checking to see if the buyers are legitimate and can afford to purchase your home, a Realtor can help you avoid wasting time showing your home to unrealistic buyers.
Realtors have professional marketing expertise, contacts with other Realtors who work with buyers, and the support of a brokerage that can market your home more widely than you can as an individual.
A Realtor can help you negotiate a contract that not only garners you an appropriate price for your home, but that meets your needs for a settlement date and perhaps includes a period when you rent back your home from your buyer. In addition, a Realtor can make sure your contract is in compliance with all local regulations.

FSBO Dangers

Most buyers today work with a buyers’ agent to represent their interests. If you choose to sell your home on your own, you’ll be negotiating with a professional and relying on your own skill to finalize a contract. Not only could you end up selling your home for less money, you could leave yourself open to potential legal problems unless you have the contract vetted by an experienced real estate attorney.

FSBO transactions can be successful, of course, but 90 percent of homeowners prefer to work with a professional rather than risk an unsatisfactory home selling experience.

ref:  http://www.realtor.com/advice/why-fsbo-sales-fail/
By:  Michele Lerner

Thanks for visiting.  Be sure to check my web site for current listings.

www.kengordonrealestate.com

Ken Gordon

Ken Gordon Real Estate

RE/MAX Interactive

321-684-9900

5 Advantages of Buying a Fixer-Upper

We all have fantasy images of our dream house. These images may be hard to let go of whenbuying a home, especially when all you can afford are homes that, well, let’s just say need some TLC.

That’s when it’s important to keep in mind that the fixer-upper you’re looking at could have the potential to someday become your dream house. It’s just one advantage fixer-uppers can offer. Here are a few others:

1. Lower price
A home that needs work likely will be less expensive. Such properties rarely list at full market price.

2. Fewer competitors
Many buyers are unwilling or unable to put a lot of work into a house. This creates the perfect opportunity to snatch a bargain,
a major advantage welcomed in particular by first-time homebuyers or house hunters competing for homes in areas with low inventory.

3. A blank canvas
With a fixer-upper, you call the shots as to how the house will eventually look. You don’t have to settle for a home that reflects someone else’s taste. Plus, if you do some of the work yourself, you’re automatically awarded bragging rights.

4. Quicker equity
If you renovate the home shortly after you buy it, you may increase its value quickly. Equity provides many financial benefits, from raising your personal net worth to giving you an opportunity to refinance sooner, if needed.

5. The possibility of renovation loans
Ask your lender about the Federal Housing Administration’s 203k loans that provide homeowners with funds specifically for fixer-upper projects. The loans, the 203k Streamlined Mortgage and the full 203k Mortgage, are available for homes with needs ranging from cosmetic improvements to extensive structural work.

ref:  http://realtormag.realtor.org/

Thanks for visiting.  Be sure to check my web site for current listings.

www.kengordonrealestate.com

Ken Gordon

Ken Gordon Real Estate

RE/MAX Interactive

321-684-9900

8 Reasons Why You Should Work With a REALTOR®

Not all real estate practitioners are REALTORS®. The term REALTOR® is a registered trademark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Here's why it pays to work with a REALTOR®.

1.  Navigate a complicated process. Buying or selling a home usually requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multipage settlement statements. A knowledgeable expert will help you prepare the best deal, and avoid delays or costly mistakes.

2.  Information and opinions. REALTORS® can provide local community information on utilities, zoning, schools, and more. They’ll also be able to provide objective information about each property. A professional will be able to help you answer these two important questions: Will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?

3.  Help finding the best property out there. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your REALTOR® to find all available properties.

4.  Negotiating skills. There are many negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession, and inclusion or exclusion of repairs, furnishings, or equipment. In addition, the purchase agreement should provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.

5.  Property marketing power. Real estate doesn’t sell due to advertising alone. In fact, a large share of real estate sales comes as the result of a practitioner’s contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, and family. When a property is marketed with the help of a REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.

6.  Someone who speaks the language. If you don’t know a CMA from a PUD, you can understand why it’s important to work with a professional who is immersed in the industry and knows the real estate language.

7.  Experience. Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each purchase. Even if you have done it before, laws and regulations change. REALTORS®, on the other hand, handle hundreds of real estate transactions over the course of their career. Having an expert on your side is critical.

8.  Objective voice. A home often symbolizes family, rest, and security — it’s not just four walls and a roof. Because of this, homebuying and selling can be an emotional undertaking. And for most people, a home is the biggest purchase they’ll every make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you stay focused on both the emotional and financial issues most important to you.

ref:  http://realtormag.realtor.org/

Thanks for visiting.  Be sure to check my web site for current listings.

www.kengordonrealestate.com

Ken Gordon

Ken Gordon Real Estate

RE/MAX Interactive

321-684-9900

6 Decisions to Make Before the Home Search

In the market for a new home but have no idea where to start? There are several decisions you should begin to make before you even start your home search. By asking yourself the right questions, you can quickly pinpoint what you want – and what you can afford – in your next home.

1. What’s your budget? See how your finances stand up to the 28/36 rule, which lenders use to see what you can afford to pay each month. A financial adviser or your real estate agent also can help you crunch the numbers. Going through the mortgage pre-approval process lets you know how much lenders will allow you to borrow – plus it helps you show sellers that you have the funds to backup your offer.

2. What do you need in your new home? How many bedrooms or bathrooms do you need? What about a large kitchen, a home office or a playroom for the kids? How many cars need covered parking? It’s critically important to ensure the home you select meets your family and lifestyle needs.

3. Do you want a condo or single-family home? Condos come with much less maintenance. You typically won’t be shoveling snow in the winter or replacing the roof, but you’ll likely pay monthly association fees to cover services and repairs in the community. Houses, on the other hand, come with more privacy and freedom to customize. They also come with full responsibility for maintenance.

4. How do you feel about living under covenants? Depending on where you buy, you may have to pay homeowner association (HOA) fees in addition to your mortgage. There are benefits to HOAs, such as maintenance, community centers, and maybe even a pool or gym. But you also could be faced with more restrictive rules about the look of the outside of your home, down to the color of your front door, types of window coverings, and whether you can plant flowers in your yard.

5. What school district do you want to be near? Even if you don’t have children in the house, local schools will affect your property value. Prospective homebuyers tend to search with education in mind. Do your research on the schools in the areas you’d like to live in.

6. Should the home be move-in ready? Ask yourself how much elbow grease you’re willing to put into a home – or how much you’ll pay someone else to do the work. Fixer-upper homes can be great after the work is done, but you’ll want to figure out your renovation budget before you start your home search. A 203k home-renovation loan might be the right resource for you. If you’re not ready for the extra financial commitment of rehabbing a home, or you can’t or don’t want to wait for remodeling projects to finish up, then a home that’s move-in ready might be right for you.

ref:  http://abovemag.remax.com/

Thanks for visiting.  Be sure to check my web site for current listings.

www.kengordonrealestate.com

Ken Gordon
Ken Gordon Real Estate
RE/MAX Interactive

321-684-9900