http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/important-things-to-do-prior-to-closing.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/important-things-to-do-prior-to-closing.html Thu, 19 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Be finicky at this point. Take the opportunity to ensure that every aspect of the home is as it should be. Use every appliance, flush every toilet, use all the faucets. You get the drift? The final walk through is to protect you, the buyer from making a decision that you will regret. If you wish take a professional contractor or tradesman with you on the last walk through Make sure that everything is as it was after the home inspection. Its a good idea to take this walk just before the actual closing. In fact, why not make a day of it? Go and stroll through the house just prior to meeting for the final signings.

Essentially the final walk through is an opportunity for the potential home owner to put their minds at rest about their impending purchase. It's also an opportunity to ensure that the previous owners were not covering up any damage with furniture or art. Also to make sure that movers or the old owners did not do any damage to the house in the moving process. This will be your last chance to make sure that this is your home, that you feel comfortable with buying it and to assess any flaws that may be there.

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Daniel John & Sarah Dupuis are experienced and knowledgeable Seattle real estate professionals. The Seattle real estate market is a thriving and exciting market. Contact Daniel & Sarah soon for more information on homes in Seattle.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/being-financially-prepared-to-purchase-a-home.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/being-financially-prepared-to-purchase-a-home.html Thu, 19 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Being financially prepared to buy a home generally comes in a few steps. The first one is to find out what your credit rating is and what kind of shape it is in. Some of the time, credit will need to be repaired before a good mortgage can be secured. When you receive your credit report, sit down with a financial expert and go over any outstanding items that need to be rectified. Once these are taken care of, be sure to contact the credit bureau and inform them that these situations have been dealt with. Also you may want to get letters of release from your former creditors just to be safe.

Now you will want to start shopping for a mortgage. With such a huge variety of mortgage options available, you should take the time to research the different types of financing to discover which one is right for you. Be careful of mortgages that seem too good to be true, balloon mortgages are a good example. Be sure to clarify all the terms of the mortgage before signing anything. If you have any questions have the mortgage terms reviewed by a lawyer. Once the particulars are sorted out, be sure to get a full pre-approval as opposed to a pre-qualification. Pre-approvals appeal to home sellers as it shows them that they can be assured of a quick and clean closing on their home.

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Daniel John & Sarah Dupuis are experienced and knowledgeable Seattle real estate professionals. The Seattle real estate market is a thriving and exciting market. Contact Daniel & Sarah soon for more information on homes in Seattle.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/why-should-you-use-a-realtor.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/why-should-you-use-a-realtor.html Fri, 16 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500
One of the most important things that a realtor can do for you, especially when the sale of your home is concerned, is provide marketing and market coverage. This is a difficult undertaking on your own for many reasons. First of all a realtor usually has a previously established web presence. The realtors website is a great place to find out info about homes that are available, information about the community and mortgage options. Your home will be prominently featured on this website, showcasing your home to a huge market. Other aspects of marketing that a realtor provides include such things as newspaper ads, open houses, flyers and info packages. Realtors have a higher budget to spend on marketing a home, and the experience of doing so. They also have an established network of contacts, usually buyer's agents. This means that their network will bring more prospective buyers to your home.

When buying a home a realtor will essentially do the legwork for you. By informing them of what you are looking for in a home you can save yourself valuable time. A realtor will be able to sort through the homes that are available and select only the homes that suit your needs, lifestyle, and budget. They will also have important information regarding the area, neighborhood, and the homes in question. Realtors will also be able to arrange inspections and conduct them with the inspector so that you remain as informed on the process as possible.

Another important aspect of both sales and purchase where a realtor's knowledge is invaluable is during the closing of a home. This is easily the most complicated part of a transaction as many FSBO sellers and buyers have found out. Real estate contracts are intricately involved documents that require an understanding of not only the contracts process, but real estate law as well. A typical closing will involve more than the realtor, lawyers and notaries play an important role in the transfer of a home from one owner to another. Realtors are trained in the art of contracting home sales and usually have an established group of lawyers and notaries that they utilize in order to make the entire process easier on the buyer or seller.

Would you let a car mechanic fix your piano? It does not make a lot of sense does it? For the same reason you should seek the services of a professional realtor when buying or selling a home. Their experience, knowledge and professionalism will save you time, money, and most importantly the nervousness of wondering if everything has been done properly and in accordance with law and practice.

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Daniel John & Sarah Dupuis are experienced and knowledgeable Seattle real estate professionals. The Seattle real estate market is a thriving and exciting market. Contact Daniel & Sarah soon for more information on homes in Seattle.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/spring-home-sale-benefits.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/spring-home-sale-benefits.html Fri, 16 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500
The lawn is a great area to begin on. Usually the lawn takes a bit of a beating during the winter, snow and rain can turn lawns into a soggy mess. After a few good days of sun the area should be dry enough that you can start to bring the lawn back to its former glory. Start by removing all the debris that has accumulated over the winter months. The next step is to aerate the lawn. This can be achieved by using a power rake, a device that removes plug shaped chunks of the lawn. This allows air, water and any fertilizers to saturate the area bringing much needed nutrients and air to a starved lawn. Make sure to remove any weeds that crop up at this point. You will be thankful that you get them before they have a chance to take root. A great looking lawn is a powerful visual selling point for any home.

With the lawn dealt with, take some time and assess any damage or grime that has built up during the winter. Likely there will be some cosmetic improvements that will need attending to. Check the gutters for debris as this is a popular gathering spot for leaves and grime from the winter. Now look at the house itself. Break out the power washer and see to any discoloration that may have turned up. This mostly refers to mildew that forms near the foundation and by the gutters. Grime can also be left by poor weather such as dirty water marks and muddy snow. While you have the power washer available, take some time and do the driveway and walkways too. This brings new life to the entrance of your home, something that is of great importance when greeting prospective buyers.

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Daniel John & Sarah Dupuis are experienced and knowledgeable Seattle real estate professionals. The Seattle real estate market is a thriving and exciting market. Contact Daniel & Sarah soon for more information on homes in Seattle.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/finding-your-ideal-home.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/finding-your-ideal-home.html Wed, 28 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0600
OK. Now its list time. Sit down with pen and paper and start planning out what you need in a home. Don't be afraid to think big, but stay within reason. Remember if you think you need a pool and cabana but can only spend $150,000.00 chances are you will be disappointed. Things like number of rooms, or a fenced yard, or proximity to work and schools should be the priority at this stage. You can also make a list of things that you would like to have in a home. This is where you can let your imagination run wild.

Consider all the aspects of the area you are planning to move into. Talk to some of the people that live there. Ask if they like living in the area. Try to find out if there are any problems with it. The long-term residents are a great source of information, and if they are to be your neighbors, get to know them! Also be sure to find out about the schools and recreational programs in the area if you have children. Another good thing to look into is the kind of commute you can expect to deal with getting to work every day. If there are major congestion problems between the area and the home then you might want to consider a different location.

With these things in mind you can now begin to look at the available homes. When you have found something that suits your needs and wants, its time to start your homework on the home itself. Have a thorough inspection conducted to determine the structural integrity of the home and the condition of the plumbing and wiring. Also have the home inspected for mold, as mold can cause health problems and structural problems in the long term. Never forget; this is likely the largest purchase you will ever make. You can not afford to not be picky!

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Daniel John & Sarah Dupuis are experienced and knowledgeable Seattle real estate professionals. The Seattle real estate market is a thriving and exciting market. Contact Daniel & Sarah soon for more information on homes in Seattle.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/interior-staging-of-your-home.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/interior-staging-of-your-home.html Wed, 28 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0600
Good things to do when preparing to stage your home are really the basics, cleaning out any clutter, ensuring that the house is sparkling clean and that there is a feeling of comfort, but not one that is too personal. This is why it's a good idea to remove overly personal knickknacks and items. The idea is that people feel as comfortable in your home as possible and at the same time be able to picture their belongings in the space.

A properly staged home will invite viewers in, and the properly highlighted aspects of the home will keep them interested and wanting to explore more of what your home has to offer. Pleasing smells are a big factor for many people. Comforting aromas such as cinnamon or the champion "fresh baked chocolate chip cookies" are great things to catch people's attention. Just remember, if you have cookie smell, buyers will want cookies to go with it!

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Daniel John & Sarah Dupuis are experienced and knowledgeable Seattle real estate professionals. The Seattle real estate market is a thriving and exciting market. Contact Daniel & Sarah soon for more information on homes in Seattle.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>