After all, if it's your first time, you've got questions. You might be a little nervous that you'll mess up, and it's normal to feel that way. You are probably spending hundreds of thousands of dollars and making the most important financial purchase of your life.

You will find that being an informed individual about the home buying process is empowering for you. Lucky for you that you came to the right place. So let's get started buying your first home!

Consider if Home Buying is For You

Many people harbor secrets fears about buying a home, and some of those fears are justified. Not everybody is cut out to own a home, and if you're one of those people, it's better to find this out now than when you're under contract.

• Renting vs. Buying.
  You might decide that renting is better for you than buying, because buying a home has its drawbacks.

   

• Reasons to Buy.
  On the other side of the coin, there are many more benefits to buying. Keep these reasons in mind if you start to get cold feet.

   

• Should You Buy a Home Before Getting Married?
  Tips for home buying with a partner or significant other before tying the knot, plus how to handle the financial details of homeownership without plans to ever marry.

  Get Your Finances In Order

  Line up your financing, set aside a down payment and study the loan programs available. By doing your homework, you will know exactly how much you can pay and what it will cost you.

   

• Order a Free Credit Report.
  Give yourself time to clean up a credit report that contains mistakes. Dispute errors. Try to reduce your monthly debt obligations now by paying down those loan balances.

   

• Find a Lender.
  Check out places to get a mortgage and compare rates and fees. Start with your own financial institution, then interview a few mortgage brokers and choose a loan product you completely understand.

   

• Determine a Down Payment.
  The more you put down, the lower your monthly mortgage payment. Here are 12 places to find a down payment.

   

• Consider FHA Loans.
  FHA loans carry competitive interest rates, come with minimum down payment requirements and allow sellers to pay some or all of your closing costs.

   

• Get a Preapproval Letter.
  Showing the seller you are already preapproved for a loan gives you an edge during offer negotiation.

Pick a Real Estate Agent

With so much information available online, you might wonder why you need an agent at all. But all local markets vary from one another, and a good agent can guide you by giving you information based on experience and market knowledge.

• Why Hire an Agent?.
  An agent with experience can help you to avoid making mistakes such as choosing the wrong home or offering too much.

   

• Find a Real Estate Agent.
  Start by asking your friends and family member for referrals. Make sure you are comfortable with your agent before committing to work with that person.

   

• Follow Protocol for Working with Agents.
  Here are 10 tips to prevent you from messing up or saying the wrong thing to an agent.

Learn How to Avoid Home Buying Mistakes

The best way to avoid making a mistake it to learn from the mistakes others have made. Buying a home in a desirable location is your best defense. Remember: location, location, location.

• First-Time Home Buyer Tips.
  Start your search online, and don't rely on print because most homes are not advertised in the newspaper.

   

• Preview Homes for Sale.
  Ask your agent to look at homes before showing them to you, and tour only those that fit your parameters.

   

• Avoid the Top 3 Home Buying Blunders.
  Protect your earnest money deposit by writing contingencies into your contract. Here's how to make sure you buy the right home.

Make an Offer and Negotiate Like a Pro

Although buying a home is not like buying a car, for example, you can still negotiate to get a good price.

• Top Three Top Negotiation Tips.
  Price isn't the only consideration. Sellers often accept lower-priced offers for other considerations.

   

• Facing Multiple Offers.
  If you really love the home, chances are another buyer will want it as well. Here's how to win your offer.

   

• Dealing with Counter Offers.
  It's common for sellers and buyers to negotiate back and forth through counter offers.

Get a Home Inspection and Read Disclosures

Never buy a home without getting a home inspection. Most states have laws about the types of disclosures you are entitled to receive.

 

• What a Home Inspection Covers.
  Go through this list and make sure your home inspector doesn't miss anything crucial.

   

• Material Facts.
  Besides disclosing lead-based paint, which any home built before 1978 can contain, sellers should notify you of major defects.

   

• Do a Final Walk-Through.
  Always do a final inspection a few days before closing to make sure the property is in the same condition as when you agreed to buy it.

Closing on Your Home

Transactions generally close within 30 to 60 days after your offer has been accepted. Remember to reserve movers or a moving truck early because many people move at the end of the month.

• Home Insurance.
  Shop for insurance rates carefully. Often, the company that insures your automobiles may offer you the best policy rates.
• Title Insurance Policy.
  You might think you don't need a title policy, but it's the cheapest form of insurance you can buy, and you pay the premium only once.

   

• Home Buying Closing Process.
  This covers every step of the home closing process, from the beginning to the end.

Stage Your Home to Sell 

Staging has become a very important  factor in making a sell in today’s market. Preparing your home inside and out so potential buyers can imagine themselves living there. The exterior of the home gives the buyer the 1st impression. Spruce up the mulch, add some flowers. De clutter, de personalize and remove large furniture to make the room more spacious.  Accessorize the room to create a warm cozy atmosphere. In new construction or vacant homes  , sometimes the buyer can’t imagine the purpose of a room or how to furnish the room. Nestlewood Realty offers a free staging consultation prior to listing  your home. For a professional staging  service,  we use StyleFIX  Home Staging on many of our homes. Check out their website: www.stylefixstaging.com   

Got Curb Appeal?

Are you planning on putting your house on the market this Spring?

Here’s how to turn your home into a showplace: 

Every home owner wants their home to sell quickly and bring top dollar.

Careful planning and knowing how to spruce up your home will help you achieve this goal.

1) Curb Appeal. 

The exterior of your home gives the buyer the 1st impression. Spruce up the mulch, add perennials for a 

fresh look. The front door should be freshly painted and with properly  working  hardware.

For example new house numbers, door handle and door bell. Add a few  potted plants around the door way 

to create an inviting atmosphere. 

2)Create a warm, cozy environment.               

It’s almost as if you were staging your own home. Add texture and color with accessories.

Add silk pillows, a chenille throw and some great scented candles for ambience. 

3)De-clutter and  de-personalize 

your home. Put away personal photos and heirlooms. You don’t want the buyer distracted by 

looking at your personal photos wondering about the home owner.  You want the buyer to 

picture  themselves living there. 

4)The #1 room that influences the buyer’s decision is the kitchen. 

It’s become the center of the home, where all the entertaining is done.  Make the countertops 

and cabinet space seem larger by removing clutter off the counter tops and removing  extra 

pots, pans and dishes in the cabinets.  Make coun

tertops, cabinets and appliances shine.   

5)Make all minor repairs.  

Consider a fresh coat of paint, replace cracked tiles, re-caulk tub and shower, fix any leaking faucets, clean all carpets. 

6)Remove pet odors.  

Painting and cleaning the carpets,  should resolve this issue. 

7) Have your property inspected by a professional home inspector. 

It’s better to know up front and have any issues addressed prior to listing your home. Once the 

inspection is complete , decide which items are priorities. For example: are you going to get your 

money back if you install a new water heater? Maybe you only nee

d to make a small repair. 

Property Management Services

We have expanded our staff to accommodate your rental/leasing management needs. Let Nestlewood Realty help you manage your rental property for you.  We can help you minimize vacancies, and maximize income. 

Our management services include the following: 

*Review the property and determine the rental fee based on a market analysis. 

*Advertise the property in the Multiple Listing Service, Craigslist, sign with Nestlewood Realty sign  

*Arrange appointments with prospective tenants to show the property   

*Issue a rental/ credit application. Verify employment, credit and rental history. Perform a criminal background check. 

*Prepare a Residential Lease Agreement

*Collect rent and Security Deposit. 

*Perform a Walk through Inspection with tenant

*Ensure rental payments are received promptly. Any late payments will be addressed accordingly. 

*Coordinate routine and emergency repairs. Ensure lawn care is provided   

Adorable Arts and Crafts Bungalow in the heart of Midwood on a great, quiet street. This home is loaded with architectural details, such as:high ceilings,hardwood floors,crown moldings,built-ins around the fireplace.

Amazing Art Deco light fixtures in Living and Dining Room.

Large Master Bedroom has french doors leading out to the screened in back porch. Don't miss the great backyard ,professionally landscaped, Flagstone patio.  3 bedrooms, 2 baths, appx 1800 sq ft. $379,000. 

1907 Kenwood Midwood.mov (15.06 mb)