Information Regarding Real Estate

Tips on Furniture Care

Posted on August 16, 2023 by admin Furniture Care

Preface

Furniture is an important and essential part of a home or office. And furniture is expensive even when bought from a used household items store. That makes taking good care of your furniture imperative. Extending the lifespan of your furniture and cabinets requires a combination of proper care, maintenance, and preventive measures. Here are various methods you can employ to elongate the lives of your furniture and cabinets:

1. Regular Cleaning:

Dust and clean your furniture and cabinets regularly to prevent dirt and debris from accumulating and causing damage over time.
Use appropriate cleaning products and methods for the specific materials of your furniture and cabinets.

2. Avoid Sunlight and Moisture:

Position your furniture away from direct sunlight to prevent fading and warping.
Avoid exposing wood furniture to excessive humidity or moisture, as it can lead to swelling, warping, and mold growth.

3. Use Coasters and Mats:

Place coasters under glasses and cups to protect surfaces from water rings.
Use mats or runners under furniture legs to prevent scratching on hardwood floors or carpets.

4. Proper Handling and Use:

Lift furniture when moving it to prevent dragging and scratching.
Avoid sitting or placing heavy objects on the edges of tables and cabinets to prevent weakening or damage.

5. Apply Protective Finishes:

Apply protective finishes such as varnish, lacquer, or sealant to wooden furniture and cabinets to shield them from wear and moisture.

6. Use Furniture Pads:

Attach furniture pads to the bottom of furniture legs to prevent scratching on floors and to absorb shock when moving items.

7. Tighten Hardware:

Periodically check and tighten screws, bolts, and hardware on furniture and cabinets to prevent wobbling and maintain structural integrity.

8. Avoid Excessive Weight:

Do not overload cabinets, shelves, or drawers with excessive weight, as it can cause sagging or breakage.

9. Store Properly:

When not in use, store items such as seasonal furniture or fragile pieces properly to prevent damage.

10. Repair and Maintenance:

Address minor repairs promptly to prevent them from worsening.
Keep an eye out for loose hinges, knobs, or other hardware, and fix or replace them as needed.

11. Follow Manufacturer’s Guidelines:

Read and follow the care and maintenance instructions provided by the manufacturer to ensure proper upkeep.

12. Professional Restoration:

For antique or valuable pieces, consider professional restoration and refinishing to maintain their original condition and value.

13. Temperature Control:

Maintain a consistent indoor temperature to prevent wood from expanding and contracting excessively, which can lead to cracks and damage.

14. Pest Prevention:

Keep an eye out for signs of pests such as termites and take preventive measures to protect your furniture.

15. Regular Inspections:

Periodically inspect your furniture and cabinets for signs of wear, damage, or structural issues.

By following these methods, you can ensure that your furniture and cabinets remain in good condition, retain their aesthetic appeal, and serve you well for many years to come.

Tips on Cleaning Your Carpets and Upholstery

Posted on February 9, 2021 by admin Carpet Cleaning

Carpets have not lost their charm and popularity despite the arrival of so many other flooring options. Carpets do not require very extensive cleaning but once in a while, a deep cleaning is recommended in addition to regular vacuuming.

Here, we are going to share with you some tips on carpet and upholstery cleaning brought to you by Annapolis Clean Carpet. It is a professional carpet cleaning company that gives your carpet a new look and a new lease of life. Carpet cleaning is not rocket science, yet experts have the training, knowledge, and relevant tools and gadgets to get the job done perfectly. So, if you are not in a mood to do-it-yourself than remember Annapolis Clean Carpet for your carpet and upholstery cleaning job. With that said, let us move to some important carpet cleaning tips;

Vacuuming:

A vacuum cleaner is your first choice for cleaning your carpet. This should be done regularly to minimize the amount of dirt that gets ground into the carpet. Some people take their shoes off at the front door which helps because less dirt gets tracked in. To really maintain the carpet a periodic deep steam cleaning should also be done.

Club Soda and Vinegar as a Carpet Cleaner:

For beer and wine stains, try blotting club soda on the stain. Then absorb with a dry towel. For tougher stains, your regular white vinegar can be a great carpet cleaner. You can make a potent carpet cleaner by mixing equal amounts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the stain and after ten to fifteen minutes use a dry sponge to press down on the spot to absorb vinegar mixture and the stain. Clean with water and then weigh down multiple layers of paper towel to absorb the moisture.

Baking Soda:

Baking soda is a very powerful agent that can clean your carpet very well and also get rid of its foul smell. You can use it on the whole carpet and also for spot cleaning. Just sprinkle it generously on the carpet and lightly spray some hot water over it. Let it sit like this for some 3 hours and later use a vacuum cleaner to pick up the dirt and smell.

Miscellaneous Tips:

For getting rid of animal hair use a squeegee
While removing a stain, blot it, do not rub it. Some stains need to be dried first before you treat them. Rubbing a fresh stain will spread it further. Even after drying, blot it inwards not outwards.
If you have a long-haired carpet then use a lint roller
A warm iron is used for candle wax. But be careful not to burn or melt the carpet. Put down a white rag on the wax and then the warm iron is applied to melt the wax. Then scrape off the wax with a dull knife like a butter knife.
Besides normal cleaning, baking soda is also helpful in removing oil stains, pet droppings, and bad odor.
Shaving cream can also remove stains on your carpets and upholstery. Put it on the stain, wait 30 minutes, then blot. Then use the vinegar mixture described above.
For removing chewing or bubble gum on the carpets, rub an ice cube on the gum. Once it is hard (after 30-45 seconds), take some scissors to carefully cut it out of the carpet. Cut as little of the carpet as possible and the result should be undetectable.

So, there you have it some top tips from the experts at Annapolis Clean Carpet. Take care of your carpets and enjoy their cleaning process.

Install the Best Gutter, Siding, and Roofing at Your Home

Posted on January 24, 2021 by admin Home Improvements

Gutter, roofing, and siding are three major parts of home installation. When you build a house of your own, the first thing you want is to make it admirable and adorable at its outside, in the eyes of a viewer. That is why people get to gutter, siding, and roofing service providers. There are only a few companies that include these three features in their services. Among them, Bel Air Gutter and Siding is the best one in the Harford County area in Maryland.

Huge Variety of Services

Bel Air Gutter and Siding is a favorite name in this field. They offer a huge variety of services. Their gutter services include-

Gutter installation
Gutter repair
Gutter cleaning
Among their siding services-
- Vinyl siding installation
- Vinyl siding repair
These are their roofing services-
- Roof installation
- Roof repair

As you can see, they offer so many services. Not only do they offer these services, but they are also one of the best in this regard.

Roofing Services

They cover a variety of roof installation and repairmen. They usually work with the contractors and builders of a new house and thereby subcontract to install its roof. However, their services do not end here. They also replace roofs for those who already have installed roofing in their house. In the case of roof replacement, you have an option for putting a second layer on the first layer of roofing. Nevertheless, you cannot put a third layer of roofing.

In case of putting a third layer, new sets of shingles are to be put on, removing the previous ones. Although this process is a bit expensive, you must do it to abide by the laws. Bel Air Gutter and Siding will help you in determining whether you need a new roof or a layer will be enough. They do the estimation for free.

The company installs roofs of the following types-

Asphalt shingle (this is the most popular one)
Dimensional or architectural shingle (these are a fancier type of double-layer asphalt shingles)
Flat (rubber) roofs
Metal roofs
Tile roofs
Cedar shake roofs

Siding Services

Apart from being a reputed name as a roofing services provider, this company is also well known for its siding services. They work as a siding contractor. Having experience of many years, they offer to repair your already installed siding and installation of new siding. They usually use CertainTeed. If you specify some other type, they will provide you with that. For example, many people have liked the vinyl siding with cedar impressions because it looks like cedar shake type of siding.

They also offer combinations of different colors. These color combinations give your house a great look and have become very popular nowadays. The company has come up with some eye-catching contrasting designs in recent days, which have grown in popularity over a very short period of time.

Conclusion

With some highly skilled personnel and experience of many years, Bel Air Gutter and Siding has taken its name to the top of the service providers in this field. If you are a house owner in Harford County, do not miss the chance to get services from them.

Useful Info on Tree Trimming and Removal

Posted on May 19, 2020 by admin Tree Services

Is a tree on your property bothering you? If so, don’t make hasty decisions, such as having it removed right away. There are a few things that you must consider. Or you could call a professional like Tree Services Annapolis to get the opinion of a professional arborist on the best way to go.

Why Should We Be Careful With Tree Trimming and Removal?

Trees are living things. They may even have a history that cannot be easily replaced. So, think about how you can save it first. If the whole tree is not the problem, then perhaps trimming or pruning may work. Also, huge trees take years to get to their current size. Are you sure you want to remove this source of shade?

Most preferred trees also grow very slowly. So, you have to make careful decisions as to what you want to do with them. There are some trees, such as silver maples, that grow quickly but whose roots can potentially damage sidewalks and patios.

In the case of infestations, you need to decide between completely removing the tree and treating it so that it can survive without further damage.

Tree Trimming Versus Tree Pruning

Most of the time, all you need to do is to get rid of a few branches here and there. This is why we are looking at the possibility of tree trimming or tree pruning. Which one should you pick?

Tree Trimming

You go with tree trimming if your reason for getting rid of overgrown parts of the tree and getting a desirable shape. Trimming is also done on hedges, and shrubs. Trimming can be done once or twice annually. Hedge trimmers can not only be used for their intended purpose but also for trimming shrubs and trees.

Tree Pruning

By appearance, it may seem as if you are doing the same thing with pruning. However, pruning is done when you need to get rid of dead branches or parts. This is to avoid disease from spreading to otherwise healthy parts of the tree.
You also open up the tree and make the foliage less dense to allow more air to circulate, thereby reducing the chance of fungus and other diseases that like a lot of moisture.
Annual pruning should be done.
This should facilitate better growth instead of harming the tree.

Both trimming and pruning can help you with visibility and safety. Overgrown or diseased branches may be blocking your view. The two practices may also be used to remove hazards before a storm.

How Often Do You Trim or Prune?

You ideally prune trees once or twice a year. However, the best thing to do is to consider the type of plant species. You may need an expert to help you out with the information.

What Should You Use to Prune?

Shears may also be used, but they are better suited to pruning trees. Other tools that you can use to prune trees are hand and/or lopping shears. For thick branches, you may even need a saw.

Should You Hire a Professional?

If you believe you have the right materials and know what should be done, then you may proceed with caution. A professional tree service provider, however, should be able to provide you with a safe trimming or pruning. It can also be there for you when the need becomes a little more substantial, such as having the tree completely removed. Sometimes, you have to admit that the tree cannot be saved. Of course, a professional arborist should be able to help you decide.

Make a quick decision: Yes, you have to make the decision, but you have to make it quick. Extra-hanging and low-hanging branches can pose a danger to you, your family, and anyone passing by your area. They can also cause significant damage to property during a storm.
Read reviews about tree service providers. Ask people you know about the services that they have used.
Go for a tree service provider with qualifications. You don’t want to spend extra for the possible damage that an inexperienced one may incur. A certified arborist will also determine what should be done to your trees, and even to your whole yard.
Get informed about the tree service provider’s insurance. Do they have a policy that covers possible damage and injuries that may occur because of their task?
Get a contract. Make sure that the contract is clear about what they should be doing to your trees and what will happen if they are not successful or have caused more damage. The contract should show that they are going to be in charge of waste disposal, as well. You don’t want to be scrambling for a truck to dispose of the stumps and the trimmed branches.

Tree Removal — Tree removal is a difficult task that is better done with professional help

Should You Completely Get Rid of a Tree?

If your tree is just almost wholly dead, then there is no reason to keep it. It destroys the rest of the living organisms in the area. Moreover, it can pose a danger to your family, beyond just being an eyesore. Your tree removal service may also advise you whether you should completely get rid of your tree. This is why it is essential to hire someone qualified to do the job. You don’t want people just to tell you what you want to hear. They must command a specific knowledge that will give you the best choices and options.

Should You Dare Cut Your Trees on Your Own?

Of course, some homeowners will think of this possibility. This will save a lot of money. However, if you have not done this before, you may cause more damage. Think about professional tree removal services. Most of them have insurance that covers any damage they may cause. They have thought of the possibility that this can happen. It should likely happen to someone who has no experience in tree trimmings and removals.

So, the short answer is “no.” There is just too much to consider: whether you are making the right decision, where the branches will fall, whether you have the right equipment, etc.

Getting Your Property Rent-Ready – All the Essential Steps

Posted on February 19, 2020 by admin Real Estate

Being a landlord is rewarding only if you do it right. You do not want your asset and investment to turn into a liability. Getting your property rent-ready is an integral part of property maintenance that requires your careful attention. Sometimes, if you are short on cash, you even have to go DIY and save money by getting scratch and dent appliances from a used appliance store.

So, how do you go about the process? Here is our quick guide for you.

Make Any Structural Repairs

You will find it easy to make repairs before you put your house on the market. Fix broken doors and windows, treat the damp areas, and re-paint the interior and exterior of the property as needed.

Clean the Property Thoroughly

This is an essential part of getting your rental property for tenants. Clean the house from top to bottom, preferably with a steam cleaner that you can hire to make the floors, furnishings and the curtains look almost new.

The bathroom and kitchen deserve your special attention and do not leave any trace of damp stains or mold anywhere. Your tenant would agree to keep the property in the same condition as they found when renting the house (there might be some wear and tear of course). But you should do your part so your tenant is bound to maintain the same standard set by you.

Give the Plumbing a Check

Make sure that the hot water supply, boiler, sinks, toilets, showers, and baths are safe for use.

De-Personalize Your Property’s Décor

You better choose neutral, plain and light-colored painted walls or wallpaper because they might be more appealing with increased durability than bright colored walls or patterned wallpaper. The prospective tenants might also find it easy to imagine their possessions in the property.

Take Good Care of the Garden

You need to tidy the garden and keep it neat and rubbish-free. In case your property has a lawn, you better trim it to keep the area in a good condition. You may leave the tools for your tenants so they can do the same when necessary and this could be added to your tenancy agreement as well.

Prepare Instructions for Your Tenant

If you have any special instructions for your tenant regarding living in the property and using the different appliances, you could prepare a leaflet yourself and leave it in a folder so your tenant could refer to it. This could be about using kitchen appliances, security system, boiler, and so on.

Prepare Your Landlords Insurance

The typical home insurance won’t cover you if you need to claim for damage to the property. Once you have made your tenancy agreement and prepared your energy and gas certificate, you can then apply for a landlord’s insurance. To sum it up, it does take some effort to prepare your house as a rental property. But this is worth it because all of your effort will generate good returns in the long term that might make you a happy landlord!

What You Should Know about Home Inspections

Posted on January 20, 2020 by admin Real Estate

For most people, buying a new home is like a dream about to come true. It’s also one of the most important life decisions as it involves a big financial commitment.

Therefore, the property one is looking into must be worth its value. No one would like to invest in something that is going to prove a liability later on.

That is where a thorough home inspection plays a significant role.

What is a home inspection?

The purpose of a home inspection is to provide a potential buyer with a critical examination and fair valuation of the property. It is carried out by certified specialists associated with an independent third-party. The specialists are called Home Inspectors. The cost of the inspection is born by the buyer.

It can help identify potential expensive repair work upfront and enable the buyer to renegotiate the deal.

Who should get it done?

It doesn’t matter whether you are a first-time home buyer or not. Experts suggest that everyone should get a home inspection done before signing the final deal. That said, it’s entirely the buyer’s choice and not mandatory.

Interestingly, the first-time buyers are the ones who generally tend to ignore home inspections considering it to be an unnecessary, time-consuming, and costly proposition. That often turns out to be a mistake.

A home inspection is a relatively small step in the home buying process. It can potentially save the buyer from surprises and heartbreak at a later stage.

Who to hire?

While hiring a home inspector, ensure that he/she is/has:

Member of a reputed home inspection organization (NACHI, ASHI, etc.)
Certified
Experienced in valuation of the type of property you intend to buy
Strong references
Aware of the local rules and regulations about buying/selling of property
A robust track record in the field

Inspection time frame

A home inspection should ideally be done before signing the final deal. The buyer must accompany the inspector on the inspection visit.

The period should be long enough for the buyer to:

Hire an inspector
Get the inspection done
Receive the written inspection report
Decide the future course of action depending upon the findings

There should also be room for more specific inspections if the initial inspection points to some unique repair requirements. For example, a termite or wood-boring insect issue might necessitate a termite inspection to determine the extent of the problem. Similarly, the possibility of hazardous contaminants in water might require a specialist inspection.

After you receive the inspection report

Once you’ve received the detailed written report, read and understand it in its entirety. Discuss it with the inspector to find out if there’re any major repair needs/defects in the property that need immediate attention.

Subsequently, bring this report to the negotiating table with the seller. Establish clear responsibilities as to who is responsible for what. For example, a seller might agree to:

Get all the repairs done at his cost
Bear the repair cost but let the buyer carry them out
Re-negotiate the deal to the buyer’s benefit

The final decision lies with the buyer. If not satisfied, the buyer might even decide to walk out of the deal and look for a new house/property.

Completion of inspection

It must be remembered that a home inspection is for the benefit of the buyer. After the recommended repairs have been done, the buyer might like to get a ‘re-inspection’ done. In this way, you ensure the credibility and thoroughness of the work done.

Home Staging is Worth the Expense

Posted on August 23, 2019 by admin Real Estate

As the teach in sales training, don’t say price or cost or expense but investment. And that is what home staging is – an investment. The reason is that it pays for itself by either getting a better price when you sell your home or finding a tenant faster when renting an apartment. We asked Tenay Benes of Calm Castle Home Staging (www.calmcastle.com) to give us some insights on why home staging makes sense.

Vacant vs. Occupied Staging

You have opposite goals with these two situations. With Occupied staging people tend to accumulate a lot of items over time and the house can start looking cluttered and smaller than it actually is. The goal here is to start culling out and opening up rooms to make them look larger and often more inviting. Many people almost don’t want to move after completing the process because they find their house more enjoyable. There will also some touch up, painting in places and repairs done to make everything look in good shape.

With Vacant staging you are adding furnishings to the property. If you have already moved everything out, the house can look very barren and uninviting. Most people can’t picture how it will look after they move their furniture in. By putting some furnishings in the rooms, it makes the house much more inviting. It doesn’t take a lot but it makes a big difference in how it looks and shows.

Increase Price and Likelihood of Selling

By doing either the vacant or occupied staging, homes typically sell faster and for a higher price. Think about how you feel if you walk into a place that you want to straighten or fix things versus a place where you could imagine living there right now. Even though the house is identical, it is just the way it is decorated which can have a large impact on people’s impressions.

Well-Maintained Home

When buyers walk through, they not only are looking to see if the number and size of rooms and layout meet their needs. They are also looking to get an idea of what type of condition the house is in. If they notice a number of things that need fixing, they will figure there are other things they haven’t noticed yet. That will make them less interested and decrease what they are willing to pay because they are assuming that they will have to spend money fixing the different things and automatically reduce the offer price by that amount or more. You want the house to look in great shape. The following two photos show two bedrooms. The differences are exaggerated but our guess is you would be willing to pay a lot more for one versus the other.

Fair Market Value

There is no exact fair market value for a house. It is whatever a buyer is willing to pay ultimately. However, it is in a range and by having the house fixed up and looking nice with no clutter, you are much more likely to get in the upper range of the fair market value.

Grow Your Home

By reducing the clutter, you can make the house feel larger. It can also mean rearranging furniture so that you get a better use of the space. You want everything to flow. When you walk into a room you don’t want to be bumping into a chair or bureau or other item. The doors should be able to swing freely and not be blocked by furniture. After people finish the staging process, they are usually amazed at how much larger their home feels.

Needs a Purpose

When you are living in a home, sometimes you might use a room for several purposes. That is fine for living there, but if you are selling, it is better if each room has an obvious single purpose so it is clear to potential buyers walking through. It may seem obvious to you, but many people just can’t visualize spaces. If the room’s purpose isn’t clear, someone who can’t visualize can essentially ignore the room and right it off. That has just reduced the value of the house to them.

Competition

Remember that your home is not the only one on the market. You are in a competition with the other sellers. By doing the staging and having your home looking really nice and like the buyer can move in tomorrow without having to do any work, it gives you a leg up on the competition.

If you were wondering whether doing staging is worth the money, hopefully this will convince you it is worth the time, money and effort. Remember, staging is an investment, not an expense.

Tips on Buying a Home

Posted on August 9, 2019 by admin Real Estate

Buying a home is one of the most cherished dreams for any person. It’s a decision that requires a lot of planning and a big financial commitment on the part of the individual. It’s important that the decision is based on sound understanding of your finances, so that you can acquire your dream home without hurting your future financial goals.

As they say, location, location, location. A small home such as the one below could sell for more than the large one above if it is an extremely desirable area.

Here are a few tips for home buyers to help them prepare for this important but often overwhelming process.

Ensure that you meet the prerequisites

Take stock of your financial situation to ensure:

You have little or no outstanding debt. If not, try and pay them first before embarking on buying a house.
Your savings are in good health to take care of your expenses for at least 6 months after making the down payment of for a new house. If not, start saving extra to build up sufficient funds.
Income wise, you are secure in the foreseeable future. If one of the following is true, then try and secure this front first:
You don’t have a regular job
Your business is not doing well
You are not happy with your current job, and the market does not have many opportunities
Explore the real-estate market. Make sure approximate price of the kind of house you want falls within your affordability range.

Plan a budget

Figure out the budget for the house you want to buy. Assess how much you can afford to pay upfront and what would be the ideal monthly instalment for you to pay. The upfront amount to be paid is usually 20% of the total cost of a property. After having made the down payment out of your savings, no more than 25% of your monthly take-home salary should be planned towards paying the loan instalment.

Similarly, plan ahead for the closing costs too, which can be of the tune of 5% of the loan amount. They might need to be paid in future, but it’s better to keep that money reserved or start saving for it.

Find the right home to buy

Do proper research and identify a house that fits your budget and is located in the right neighborhood. Take help of a professional agent if you’re not well-versed with the real-estate scene in the area. Don’t fall for a lucrative offer that makes an unaffordable property look otherwise. Most importantly, stick to your budget.

Get pre-approved for a loan and select the right lender

If you’ve taken care of the prerequisite and planning stages, it should not be difficult to get a pre-approval letter for a loan. Any lender will be willing to lend only after assessing your income and debts. Getting pre-approved gives you an edge in the whole process.

Select the lender carefully based on reputation, competitiveness of the rate, transparency of lending offer and your own experience of dealing with them.

Negotiate hard and get the best deal

You are investing a great amount of money into buying your dream home. So, don’t shy away from negotiating hard and obtaining the best deal possible for you. Do your homework and revise it frequently during the deal finalization process without getting intimidated at any stage. And, don’t let them know if you have fallen in love with a property. That will make it much harder to negotiate and get a good deal.

Rehabbing Tips for Profit

Posted on July 29, 2019 by admin Real Estate

Size Matters

If you want to rehab a house, what size and price house would you choose? Have you watched the TV show about real estate agents who sell to the rich and famous? Well, do you have contacts to the rich and famous? Do you have the money to fix up a house that size? The larger and the higher end the house, the more money you need to put in to make money on the back side when you sell.

Traditionally, you don’t want to even buy the largest house in the neighborhood even if it isn’t a mansion. Why? Because the average price of the other houses will hold down the price of the larger house. If that same house were in a neighborhood with larger houses the same size as it, it would sell for more.

In addition, there is a limited market for the large homes. Just not that many people can afford them. By going for the average price home you have a much larger market of people who will be interested in buying. That also means you can probably sell faster which is important because there are holding costs involved. The faster you sell, the lower the holding costs and the more profit you make.

What you want to do is find out what the average home price is an area and look for a house that would be worth that fixed up but you can get for a discount because of some problem, whether that is repairs needed or foreclosure or something else. You want an average house with other average houses nearby. Below is just one example.

Repair Estimates

If you are in a trade and doing a rehab then you probably know the prices pretty well already. However, if you are fairly new to rehabs, you need to get an idea of what repairs will cost. That is important for you to know before you bid on a property.

Find 2 or 3 contractors. When you are trying to figure out your bid, have them come in and give you an estimate. This will help prevent you from losing money by bidding too high on a property and then finding out that by the time you have finished rehabbing you have spent more than what you can sell it for. Not good. A saying in the rehab business is that you make your money when you buy not when you sell. In other words, you have to buy right.

On your first rehab, ask the contractors what they would do to fix it up. Make sure you walk through the house with the contractors and talk to them and ask questions. Each will have different ideas which you can pick and choose from. The only problem is that you will get estimates that are hard to compare because they contain different tasks.

After you have done one or two and know what repairs you want done, you can give them a list of repairs to be made and each will have the same list so you can compare one to the other more easily. Still be open to suggestions they may have for you. They could save you money with an idea or suggest something that will increase the attractiveness of the house and therefore the sale price.

Six Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Real Estate Agent

Posted on July 14, 2019 by admin Real Estate

Whether you’re selling a home or buying one, it is in your best interest to get the help of a real estate agent. Choosing the right real estate agent is a vital part for the success of your marketing or buying process. You need to choose a good real estate agent that will represent your and interests well during the transaction process. With many companies out there filled with agents who claim to be the best, it can be challenging to find a reliable real estate agent. There are mistakes which are common among agent seekers, and it is best to avoid them at all costs. If you want a reliable agent that will ensure a smooth transaction, avoid the mistakes below.

Hiring the Cheapest Option

There are real estate agents who will undercut the competition by lowering their competition so as to win the bid. Basing your decision on the commission rate solely is a mistake. Agents use their money to market and advertise a property which can be expensive in the long run. Similarly, a buyer’s agent has to collect important information and attend negotiation meetings, which require money. If your agent quotes a low commission, it means there will be less money to market your property. It is therefore important to go for the best option instead of the cheapest option.

Hiring a Part-Time Agent

There are agents who have devoted their entire lives to helping people buy and sell the property. Such agents are the ideal ones to work with. Choosing a part-time agent to help in buying or selling your property is a mistake to avoid. While part-time agents can be a cheaper option, you are likely to suffer long-term damages due to their misgivings. Home investment is a huge investment and you need an agent that is committed and readily available to help.

Basing On Emotion Rather Than Skill

Buying or selling a property is a serious business. Hiring an agent based on friendship or family relation does not give you an advantage. Your friend may not see the need to work hard because you can easily forgive his smaller mistakes as opposed to a stranger. Take a look at their track record along with the credentials before selecting the agent to work with.

Assuming All Realtors Know the Same Things

It is a mistake to think all realtors are the same. Every real estate agent has their own experiences and knowledge. This is why some realtors are at the top of the chain while others are at the bottom. Hire a reputable and experienced agent who is a member of the National Association and suits your needs.

Choosing the Agent That Has Sold More Homes

Some may be tempted to believe that the best agent is the one who has sold more property than anyone else. To determine the best agent, you need to choose for the one who completes the sale, negotiates the most favorable terms, does proper marketing and communicates with you whenever necessary. It may not be the highest selling agent.

Choosing the Agent That Agrees With Your Pricing

An agent who agrees with your price without any considerations is not an expert. The right agent will be honest with you and tell you the true value of your property. This is will help you use the right price to sell your property. No one wants their property to spend months on the market before it’s sold.