Avalon's focus is always on the customer’s best interest. Out clients are consistently satisfied with blue ribbon service and the attention to detail is never over looked. We will work with you one-on-one and follow thru on every aspect of your real estate transaction. You are our NUMBER ONE priority.
What is the first step to buying a home?
Finding out what you can afford, which can be done by pre-qualifying for a home loan. A pre-qualifying is a simple calculation that considers several factors, but primarily your income. There are no guarantees with a pre-qualification, but it will be expected of you when you make an offer on a home.
What is the difference between list price, sales price and appraised value?
The list price is a seller’s advertising price. The figure is usually only a rough estimate of what the sellers wants to get. To judge whether the list price is fair one, be sure to consult comparable sales prices in the area. The sales price is the amount of money you as a buyer would pay for a property.
The appraisal value is a certified appraiser estimate of the worth of a property, and is based on comparable sales, the condition of the property and numerous other factors.
What are closing costs?
Closing costs are the fees for services, taxes or special interest charges that surround the purchase of a home. They include up front loan points, title insurance, escrow or closing day charges, document fees, prepaid interest and property taxes. Unless these charges are rolled into the loan, they must be paid when the home is closed.
How do property taxes work?
Property taxes are what most homeowners in the US pay for the privilege of owning a piece of real estate, on average 1.5 percent of the property’s current market value. These annual local assessments by county and local authorities help pay for public services and are calculated using a variety of formulas.
Do sellers have to disclose the terms of other offers?
Sellers are not leally obligated to disclose the terms of other offers to prospective buyers
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Avalon's team is familiar with the market, and thru Multiple Listing we can help you buy or sell quickly and efficiently. We know the neighborhoods, the schools, and we can answer the questions you most want to know before you decide!
What are the two important factors when selling a home?
Price and condition are the two most important factors in selling a home, even in a down market. The first step is to price your home correctly. Use comparatives sales information from your agent, or pay for a professional appraiser to objectively evaluate your home’s worth. Second, go through the house and repair any obvious cosmetic defects that could deter a buyer. Below are some helpful tips for preparing your home for a sale.
The Yard
- Prune bushes and remove any overgrown or nearly dead shrubs. Weed the garden and remove any debris from the yard.
- Give the grass a fresh moving. Keep it watered and consider placing sod in areas where the grass refuses to grow.
- An inch or two of pine bark mulch around you shrubs and flower beds makes a excellent first impression (and eliminates the need to weed).
- Edge carefully where the grass and sidewalk/ driveway meet. Brighten up the property with some colorful flowers.
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The Exterior
- Wash the windows inside and out.
- Hose down the exterior, and necessary power wash the siding.
- Make sure the doorbell is in working order.
- Check the roof. If it leaks and is less than 15 years old, it may not need to be replaced. Use binoculars to find the leak and patch it.
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The Interior
- Clean and spruce up all rooms, furnishings, floors, walls and ceilings. It’s especially important that the bathroom and kitchen are spotless.
- Organize the closets.
- Make sure basic appliances and fixtures work. Get rid of leaky faucets and frayed cords.
- Make those minor repairs. Take a walk through of your home and note ant details that need addressing. Don’t count on buyers overlooking these seemingly minor imperfections. It can be little flaws that keep your home form showing it’s best and often add up to a no-sale for you and your family.
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Tips for showing your home
- Be willing to show your home anytime. The more people who see your home, the more likely you are to sell it quickly.
- Air out the home half an hour before showing. Any home will smell better if you open the windows to let fresh air in.
- Set the thermostat at a comfortable temperature. When you know a prospective buyer is on the way, push up your thermostat to a comfortable setting. The same rule applies in the summer months. Cool off your house to show buyers how effectively your air conditioning works. You want buyers to feel as comfortable as possible when they tour your home.
- Turn on pleasant background music. Let music add the special ambience to your home. Your selection should be soothing and pleasant to the ear. Don’t forget to turn the off the distracting television set.
- Put vase of fresh flowers throughout the whole house.
- Place cheerful props in the kitchen. Some simple ideas are an open cookbook, a colander filled fresh fruits, a bunch of carrots on a cutting board or a ceramic bowl with wire whisk. A terrific kitchen can sell a house, so any time you spend improving yours is time well spent.
- Make sure the house smells good. An freshly baked apple pie, homemade cookies or a bowl of fresh lemon can make the house even more appealing giving it a sense of home. Steer away from incenses as some buyers might be sensitive to smoke.
- Keep out of sight during a showing of your home. This is a good time to take a walk or go shopping. No buyer feels comfortable viewing a home with a seller anxiously following behind. Buyers should feel free to discuss a home without worrying about the owner.
Remember that you are not just selling a house. That structure consists of far more than four walls and a roof. A home is a personal shelter, a haven form the pressures of the outside world, and a warm inviting setting for family living. Although a house is probably the biggest purchase a couple ever makes, the decision to buy one is never purely rational. Buyers buy with their head and their hearts. It’s your job to prepare the groundwork, to set the scene for a buyer to fall in love with your home.
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