Top Real Estate Myths
Here are some top real estate myths we've been hearing around town and whether or not they are true...
- "Your home needs to be 'ready' before listing it on the market for sale." -YES! Most home buyers are looking for a move in ready home. It's hard to ignore broken items in the home or an abundance of clutter. Buyers always remember their first impression, whether that's through photography, or viewing the home in person. Homeward Realty will help with staging tips, creating a first impression that will sell the home quickly and for top dollar.
- "Real Estate agents can only show their companies' listings" -NO! Real estate agents who are part of the local MLS (Multiple Listings Services) can show any property you are interested in. Just because it is not their company's listing, does not mean they cannot let you in to view the property, or even write an offer if you fall in love.
- "It's better to price your home a lot higher, to leave room for negotiations." -NO! Pricing your home is crucial to a quick sale. Buyers are often searching for homes in a certain price range that they can afford. If your home is priced too high, they will not include it in their search. In a hot real estate market, it's important to not only price your home according to other comps in the neighborhood, but also hire a real estate agent who will work to get you the price you want. Homeward Realty has the perfect agent for you!
- "I can look at homes, find the one I want, and then get pre-approved for a loan." -NO! When looking at future homes, it really is best if you are pre-approved first. It's nice to know what you qualify for before looking at homes that are out of your price range. The worst is falling in love with a home only to realize you can't afford it. Many home owners who are selling today, love to see a pre-approval letter with your offer. You have a better chance of getting your offer considered when you have attached your pre-approval stating that you not only qualify, but are serious home buyers as well.
- "I should hire a real estate agent, instead of buying a home on my own." -YES! There are so many reasons why hiring a real estate are important. The top reason being, an agent will help you through the buying process on one of the most expensive purchases in your life. They are experts at what they do, with your best interest in mind at all times. You don't have to go in blind. An agent has negotiation experience to get you the price you want. They have market knowledge and can run comps of the area, making sure you are not over paying for the home of your dreams. They also often know about listings BEFORE they hit the market. You may be able to see homes before they are listed. With all of that knowledge and expertise, it would be silly not to hire an agent to represent you. On top of all that, hiring an agent to buy a home doesn't cost you anything. That's right, zero, zip, nothing. Their commission comes from the listing side. If you are ready to start looking at homes today, contact us at Homeward Realty!
- "You should never offer full price." -NO! Today's market is HOT! We have seen may homes sell for above asking price. A few years ago, that was not the case. If you love the home and are competing with several other offers, it's important to come in with your highest and best offer.
- "Home inspections are not needed when buying a home." -NO! Home inspections are a very important part of the home buying process. Home Inspectors are experts at what they do. They are trained to inspect the home from top to bottom. Often times, there can be things under the surface that may not be up to par. Hiring an inspector brings the attention to those things that may have been overlooked by simply walking through the home. It's always good to get another set of eyes on the home before committing to the purchase. When things are found, your agent will help you negotiate repairs, etc. to move forward.
- "I have to pay 6% commission to sell my home." -NO! Not with Homeward Realty. Our commission structure is simple and created to help you save money. Why pay more money to sell your home just because your home is worth a little more? What can we sell your home for? Take a look at our website to see how much you can save with Homeward Realty.
Hope this helps you understand a little more about the real estate market today. If you have any questions at all, feel free to reach out to any agent at Homeward Realty. We take pride in what we do and would love to help you in the home buying or selling process!
Is now the time to sell?