You have Real Estate questions. I have answers.
With 12+ years of experience and over 400 homes sold, believe me, I have seen some crazy situations and fielded many questions. Sometimes you just need to ask someone who’s been there and done that.
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WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN LOOKING AT A HOUSE?
Anything you don’t want on camera, but seriously, discussing negotiations inside or around the home could be a bad idea. More and more homeowners have cameras or listening devices on their property!
HOW CAN I INCREASE MY PROPERTY OR HOME VALUE EASILY?
Adding finished square feet if you have any unfinished space in your home (bonus room, basement, screened porch, even a garage!), finishing in the space is the best way to raise value on an appraisal. The new space doesn’t need to have all the upgrades, it just has to be livable space.
ARE ZILLOW ESTIMATES ACCURATE?
We all know algorithms aren’t perfect, but they are getting better. There is a slight error rate for Georgia, but the estimate gets more accurate the closer you get to Atlanta. A product is worth what someone is willing to pay. And right now, our immediate area still has a lot of demand. The last several listings I’ve sold have all closed for more than the Zestimate.
CAN I EXCLUDE SOMETHING FROM MY HOME SALE?
Yes you can! The best way to do this is to be up-front in the listing so the buyers know the item is not included in the sale. Also, adding signage on the property indicating such is helpful during showings. I always advise sellers to remove the item before showings start if at all possible. Even though it's disclosed up front doesn't keep potential buyers for asking for it anyway!
HOW DO WE GO “SCHOOL SHOPPING”?
A lot of my out-of-state clients use
greatschools.org to research public and private schools in Georgia. The nonprofit uses a 1-10 overall rating, and the calculation is based on four ratings, each of which is designed to show different facets of school success: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating.
WHAT IS THE FIRST STEP FOR A BUYER WHEN PURCHASING A HOME?
You must get qualified with a lender! Not just to know your purchasing power, but also to find out your monthly payment amount. With interest rates as high as they are, it’s best to know your monthly payment up front before looking in a certain price range of homes.
DO I NEED AN INSPECTION WHEN PURCHASING LAND?
Yes! Possibly even more than when purchasing a home. I’ve heard of so many people who have purchased land without inspecting it first, only to have issues after closing.
First, you have to test the soil to make sure it’s suitable for a septic system. You also want to know what type of septic is required because I’ve seen specialty systems run as high as $30,000. A traditional septic is around $4,000, so that could really cut into your home building budget.
Additionally, you need to check for utilities available (everyone needs internet and you’d be surprised which areas aren’t currently serviced).
Also, is the land in flood plain? Most counties don’t allow structures to be built inside of flood plain any longer.
Does the land fall under any restrictive covenants (whether it be the county or an HOA)?
These are only a few of the questions you need to prepare to answer when buying land.
HOW DO I PREP FOR MY HOME’S PHOTOSHOOT?
I have a lot of tips for getting your home prepped for photos - too many to name here! But my #1 request to sellers is pressure washing. It helps with photos AND showings. I also recommend decluttering, even if it just means shifting everything to one room, closet, garage (or even under a bed!). If you would like a complete list, feel free to message me! Also, some sellers worry about taking photos during the holidays because the interior of your home tends to look different during this time. I usually suggest getting photos prior to the holidays while your property is still in its normal state, but homes are selling so fast now that it’s okay to have Halloween or Christmas decor in the listing.
DOES A SELLER HAVE TO DISCLOSE WHEN SOMEONE DIED IN THE HOME?
In Georgia, if someone has passed away peacefully in a house, there’s no legal obligation requiring that sellers disclose the death. However, if the buyer asks whether a death has occurred in the home, you are legally required to tell them the truth. You can also visit
diedinhouse.com, a site that searches through millions of records to determine whether a death has occurred at the address you enter.
ARE REAL ESTATE PRICES NEGOTIABLE?
In short, the answer is yes. Obviously, there are many factors determining the negotiability of the price. Don’t forget this also means the price could go higher than the stated listing price. Sellers have become more negotiable in our area in 2023 but the demand in metro Atlanta has limited it compared to a lot of other metro areas. My advice is to find someone who understands your market at any given time and knows how to negotiate properly.
How does earnest money work?
Simply put, your earnest money deposit is your promise to the seller to buy their home. Typically, it is held by a third party who will release it (once it's time) to the appropriate party. Typically, there are contingencies and dates in place in the contract that can protect the buyer's deposit. However, beware that this deposit can be released to the sellers if the buyer does not follow through with the agreement.
How many houses should I view before purchasing one?
There's not a magic number, but I've always said there is a reason you picked a home first! Don't miss jumping on the first few homes you view because it seems wrong to offer right away. If I've shown you a home you've probably heard me ask, "Are you going to be upset if this home is under contract when you wake up in the morning?" If not, let's keep looking; if so, let's get started!
Should I do a final walk-through?
Yes! Even if you haven't asked for repairs, you should do a final walk through before closing. You still need to check that nothing has changed on the property from your initial showing and that everything that's supposed to remain with the sale is still on site. Including the house itself.
