FAQ
For Buyers:
How do I find a good home inspector? Home inspectors need to have certification in their trade so call around to several inspectors and ask what their qualifications are. Oftentimes your agent may have experience with a variety of inspectors and may be able to advise you. You may want to see if the inspector has current memberships in any professional associations.Should I get pre-qualified for a loan first? Yes. Getting pre-qualified allows you to shop for mortgage rates, lock-in (secure the rate you want) and find out how much you can afford. It also enables you to move swiftly when you find the right home. Make sure to get a Good Faith Estimate from your lender and also request a face to face meeting with your lender so you can review any and all questions in regards to your mortgage loan. For more information in regards to your loan, you may want to contact Tina Bailey.
Why hire a home inspector? Obtaining a qualified home inspection by a licensed home inspector is one of the most important things a buyer can do. They will look for issues including insects, dry rot, leaking roofs, cracked foundations, etc. Buyers should be diligent with checking out who may be a good home inspector for their specific needs.
What are contingencies? A contingency means that the sale is contingent upon certain things happening. Sometimes it is contingent upon the buyer obtaining a loan, or selling their own home first. And sometimes a sale is contingent upon a good home inspection.
What is a 72 hour clause? If a buyer has to sell their house before they can purchase another home, sellers often insist on a 72-hour clause. This way if a better offer comes in on the home for sale, and the contingency is unsettled, the clause requires the seller to give the buyer 72 hours to remove the contingency and or forfeit the house. This buyer can sometimes find alternate financing allowing them continue with the purchase but it also allows the seller to not miss an opportunity. This is also referred to as a 'bumpable' or bmp transaction.
Do I need to get home owner's insurance? Yes. Mortgage and title companies require insurance. It is advisable to obtain insurance prior to closing to avoid any unexpected problems. This is something as buyers that you would immediately need to check into upon the beginning of your purchase for a property you selected. You would want to shop around to see what the best company and premium rates may be for you.
What is a lead based paint disclosure? All residential homes built prior to 1978 are subject to the Residential Lead-Based paint Disclosure Program which is administered by the EPA and HUD. This Act requires affected home sellers to provide buyers with a lead-based paint disclosure and the pamphlet titled "Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home".
For Sellers:
At Barrington-Grey Realty, we take pride in being able to help you "Stage" your home in order to create the optimum presentation. This will not only make your house much more attractive to potential buyers, but it will help your house achieve its maximum potential. We will take the time to overview your home, and give creative suggestions for special "Staging" techniques.
- First Impressions are everything. Once your home is listed, make sure your yard is manicured and uncluttered. Your entry should be swept and inviting, if it is fall make sure leaves are raked and swept. If you have children put away toys and maximize "Curb Appeal".
- Empty your house of clutter. Rent a storage unit and put all unused items, excess furniture and such into a storage unit until the house sells. This will make your house seem larger and especially if you have a small home it will greatly improve the appeal. Emptying storage spaces, the basement, the garage will help potential buyers envision their possessions in the house.
- Touch up paint in both the interior spaces and the exterior. It should only take a few hours and it will help make your home look well cared for.
- Remove family portraits from the walls. This will help potential buyers see the house more generically and not as someone elses home.
- Sensory perceptions of homes have a huge impact on buyers. Make sure the garbage is taken out regularly, and if you have pets you may want to consider either having your carpets cleaned or the use of air fresheners.
- Make sure all your light bulbs are working and replace those that are not. Dripping faucets can also be a big detraction so fix faucets too.
- Keep pets away when you have an open house. Animals can intimidate some people and can get underfoot.
- Reorganize your closets if you have small cluttered closets. A suggestion may also be to remove and box up clothes that you are not currently utilizing to make the closet areas appear larger.
- Make sure your beds are made and all things are picked up every morning. Your home may get shown during the day while you are at work. Bedrooms with the beds made and cleaned up present themselves well.
- Fix sticky doors, and peeling linoleum, any little household project you have put off, now is the time to address those issues to give the best impression.
Disclaimer: All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of Bend MLS IDX or Willamette IDX or Vancouver IDX data or RMLS MLS. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc. are marked with the Internet Data Exchange logo and detailed information about them includes the name of the listing broker(s). All rights reserved