Real Estate Agent |
RAINER 9,477 |
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Fred Collins | ||
location_on Arcadia, FL — Wagner Realty | ||
insert_link http://www.ManateeAreaHomes.com | ||
web Fred Collins's (fredcollins) Blog |
CHOOSING YOUR REALTOR®
The most important decision you will make in the sale of your home is the REALTOR® you choose.
1. Be sure to find someone you feel comfortable with. If you don't feel you can ask questions or go to your REALTOR®, you have the wrong person.
2. Choose a local REALTOR®. We have lived and worked in Palmetto area for 35 years. I've been active in the local schools, civic associations and youth clubs.
3. Look for a REALTOR® who tells you what he or she knows from experience in the market, and not what they think you want to hear. Flattery may sometimes get the listing, but it doesn't sell the home!
My business ties me strongly to my valued clients and my goal is to continue to extend you a level of service and attention that is not dependant on whether you are prepared to do a transaction. I appreciate the opportunity to serve you and have designed my site to provide you, as a homeowner, valuable resources that can assist you in your goals, hobbies, and living.
Please feel free to bookmark my site to take advantage of the latest market news, community information, school profiles and more. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have about real estate or the community. And if you know of someone that may be interested in making the exciting decision to buy or sell a home, I would be honored to provide the same level of superior service. I greatly appreciate your support!
First Time Home Buyers
Investors
Veterans
Home Owners
Looking for that perfect Home or Loan? Let me put my experience to work for you. I work exclusively with my customers. You'll never be passed along to an assistant.
Buying a home is an exciting time in one's life. Making the smart move of choosing a REALTOR® is your first step to ensuring that your new home and community meets your needs. My services and experience range from financial aid to helping you find the home that best suits you and your family. For your convenience, I also provide listings by email. I pride myself on repeat business and hope you'll come to understand why.
How I Can Help Before you start looking Closing Costs
Assure that you see all the properties in the area that meet your criteria. Guide you through the entire home buying process, from finding homes to look at, to getting the best financing. Make sure you don't pay too much for your new home and help you avoid costly mistakes. Answer all of your questions about the local market area, including schools, neighborhoods, the local economy, and more.Before You Start Looking For Your New Home:
Check your credit rating. Straighten out any errors before its too late. Determine a comfortable monthly budget for your new purchase, including down payment and monthly payment. As a Licensed Mortgage Broker let me assist you in finding a loan program that meets your needs and get pre-qualified (preferably pre-approved). Choose a REALTOR® that you trust and who understands your needs. Determine what neighborhood best matches your needs. Identify important features you need your new home to have. Lender fees include charges for loan processing, underwriting, preparation and establishing an escrow account. Third-party fees include charges for insurance, title search, and other inspections such as termites. Government fees include deed recording and state & local mortgage taxes. Escrow and interest fees include homeowner's insurance, loan interest, real estate taxes, and occasionally private mortgage insurance.Find out how much your closing costs could be.
Selling your home shouldn't be a stressful ordeal. Making the smart move of choosing a REALTOR® is your first step to ensuring that your investment in your home pays off. My services and experience allow you to focus on your move while I manage your home sale from our initial consultation to the closing deal, and beyond. I pride myself on repeat business and hope you'll come to understand why. What I will do for youRecent Home SalesGetting the highest priceClosing Costs As Your Agent, I Will: Complete a comparative market analysis that will compare your home's value to that of your neighbors. Compile a comprehensive plan detailing all the efforts I will employ to sell your home, including Internet and local media. Present your home to as many qualified buyers as possible getting your home maximum exposure. Help you stage your home and generate curb appeal to ensure you get the highest price. Assist with obtaining offers and help you in negotiating the best deal as smoothly as possible. Help you find your next home and answer all of your questions about the local market area, including schools, neighborhoods, the local economy, and more. Recent Home Sales What are homes selling for on your street? E- mail me some basic information, such as street address, city and state and and I will send you a list showing what neighborhood homes are selling for, free of charge, or if you like I can provide you with a more detailed analysis of the value of your home. Just let me know which report you would like to receive. Getting the Highest Price for Your Home
Curb appeal is key and could make a difference whether people stop and take a flyer, or drive right by. Here are a few tips to increase the curb appeal of your home. Staging your home is important. Many buyers will stay in your home longer if it's staged appropriately. We have compiled some ideas to present your home in the most effective manner. Closing Costs to Expect: Title insurance fees depend on the sales price of the home. Broker's commission is a full-service fee and will cost anywhere between 5% to 7%. Local property transfer tax, country transfer tax, state transfer tax, and state capital gains tax are the charges that you'll pay for the privilege of selling your home. Credit to the buyer of unpaid real estate taxes for the prior or current year are variable and depend on when you close and when your taxes are due. FHA fees and costs are all fees are now negotiable between an FHA buyer and seller. Home inspections fees are in some circumstances paid for by the seller and include pest, radon and other inspections. Miscellaneous fees can accrue from correcting problems noticed during the home inspection. Find out how much your closing costs could be.
With inventory diminishing daily and multiple offers being extremely common, it is of great importance that you position yourself to have the best chance to get your offer accepted.
Enhance your chance of getting the home of your choice by doing the following:
First, get pre-approved for the purchase. This takes very little time and is of great value. At this time, identify the price range for which you qualify and which fits your lifestyle.
Submit a strong competitive offer. Submit the offer as if there will be multiple offers. Include substantial earnest money deposit. Acceptance of an offer is sometimes determined by the amount of the deposit. A larger amount may signify a bigger commitment to the seller.
Minimize or eliminate contingencies; the fewer contingencies, the stronger the offer.
Make a buyer profile available. Include time on the job, flexibility, and reason for purchasing seller's home.
Be prepared to preview a new property quickly. Homes sometimes sell in hours. Be prepared to make decisions quickly and be accessible to change the terms instantly. Buyer and agent need to have instant communication access via office phone, voice mail, fax, pager or cellular phone.
The following are some items you should have with you when applying for a mortgage:
Copy of your Purchase & Sale Agreement. Your present mortgage information. Two-year history of employment and verification of all income sources. If self-employed, copies of past two years Federal Income Tax Returns. Information about your checking, savings and credit card accounts. Name, account number and outstanding balance of each of your debts. Application deposits. Information about any assets, including information regarding any other assets that will be used as funds to close. If FHA - Copy of Social Security card and photo ID. If VA - Certificate of Eligibility or DD214If Employee Relocation Client. Include relocation information and copy of offer, promissory note and copy of check on bridge loan.The following are some good questions to discuss with your lender when applying for a home loan:
Are both fixed-rate and adjustable mortgage loans available?
What is the interest rate? How long can I "lock-in" the financing at the current interest rate? Is a float down lock available in case rates drop after I have locked in? What are the other fees a lender may charge me in conjunction with my loan? Are funds for a second mortgage available? On adjustable loans, how often will the interest rate be adjusted? Is there a maximum limit on each rate change? How often will the monthly payment be adjusted? Is there a ceiling on payment adjustments? Can the term of the loan be extended? What is the maximum rate that can be charged over the life of the loan? Is there any potential for negative amortization? Is there a pre-payment penalty clause? This involves extra charges for paying off the loan before maturity. About 80% of all loans in the United States are paid off early. What is the "grace" period? How late can a monthly payment be made before a late charge is assessed? What will happen if a payment is missed? If you sell your house, will the new buyer (if he/she qualifies) be able to assume your mortgage at the same interest rate? Do you have to pay "points" to get your new mortgage? Usually lenders charge points for the cost of giving you a mortgage loan. A "point" is 1% of the loan. Will the lender require mortgage insurance? Is the loan serviced locally or is the servicing sold? Ask for a written "good faith deposit".I learned a long time ago that the mortgage business is not all about numbers and interest rates. It's about people and their dreams. I don't trust my dreams to just anyone and I don't expect you to, either. That's why I'd like an opportunity to demonstrate my knowledge and ability as well as earn your friendship and trust... So you will be able to do business with someone you can trust and depend on.
Thank you for time and I hope the information below will be beneficial to you. Please feel free to call with any questions.
The most important decision you will make in the sale of your home is the REALTOR® you choose. Be sure to find someone you feel comfortable with. If you don't feel you can ask questions or go to your REALTOR®, you have the wrong person. Your REALTOR® should show you research to back up any recommendations. This includes information about recent sales, current listings, and recently expired listings in your neighborhood.
Choose a local REALTOR®. He or she will know your area better than an outsider, will be seen as a source for people looking to relocate in your neighborhood, and will get better co-operation from other agents. It is likely that any amount you might save by having a friend or relative from outside the area serve as your REALTOR® will be lost in their lack of knowledge about your specific local market.
Dont forget to ask for references from the REALTOR®. He or she should be willing to give you names of previous clients. Ask your friends and acquaintances for recommendations, but make your final choice based on your needs. Ask the REALTOR® to show you what will be done to market your home. Consider the office and company support available to him or her as well as the initiative and professionalism shown by the individual.
Look for a REALTOR® who tells you what he or she knows from experience in the market, and not what they think you want to hear. Flattery may sometimes get the listing, but it doesn't sell the home!
The most important decision you will make in the sale of your home is the REALTOR® you choose. Be sure to find someone you feel comfortable with. If you don't feel you can ask questions or go to your REALTOR®, you have the wrong person. Your REALTOR® should show you research to back up any recommendations. This includes information about recent sales, current listings, and recently expired listings in your neighborhood.
Choose a local REALTOR®. He or she will know your area better than an outsider, will be seen as a source for people looking to relocate in your neighborhood, and will get better co-operation from other agents. It is likely that any amount you might save by having a friend or relative from outside the area serve as your REALTOR® will be lost in their lack of knowledge about your specific local market.
Dont forget to ask for references from the REALTOR®. He or she should be willing to give you names of previous clients. Ask your friends and acquaintances for recommendations, but make your final choice based on your needs. Ask the REALTOR® to show you what will be done to market your home. Consider the office and company support available to him or her as well as the initiative and professionalism shown by the individual.
Look for a REALTOR® who tells you what he or she knows from experience in the market, and not what they think you want to hear. Flattery may sometimes get the listing, but it doesn't sell the home!
In today's age of consumerism, every buyer is comparative shopping. Make a small investment in time, money and effort to give your home a solid advantage over competing properties.
Pay attention to detail now because first impressions count with buyers. You only have one chance and it starts with what often referred to as "curb appeal". Some tips to create a better curb appeal are:
Create A Buying Mood.
Turn on lights. Turn on air conditioner/heater. Open the drapes. Light the fireplace.Exterior Appearance
Keep lawns cut. Trim hedges and shrubs. Weed and edge gardens. Clear driveway and clean up oil spills. Clean out garage. Touch up paint. Make repairs where needed Create Space. Clear halls and stairs of clutter. Store surplus furniture. Clear kitchen counter and stovetop. Clear closets of unnecessary clothing. Remove empty boxes and containers.Maintenance
Repair leaking taps and toilets. Clean furnace and filters. Tighten doorknobs and latches. Repair cracked plaster. Touch up paint. Clean and repair windows. Repair seals around tubs and basins. Replace defective light bulbs. Oil squeaking doors. Repair squeaking floorboards.Squeaky Clean
Clean and freshen bathrooms. Clean fridge and stove (in and out). Clean around heating vents. Clean washer and dryer. Clean carpets, drapes and window blinds.At The Front Door
Clean porch and foyer. Ensure doorbell works. Repair screen on door. Fresh paint or varnish front door. Repair door locks and key accessWhen your home sells faster, you save carrying costs, mortgage payments and other ownership costs. A quicker sale creates less inconvenience for you. If you've moved before, you know the energy it takes to prepare for showings: keeping the home clean, making childcare arrangements, and altering your lifestyle. Proper pricing reduces these demands on you, by helping your home sell faster. At market value your home will gain exposure to more prospects that can afford the price.
Sellers who list at a high price are looking for that one buyer who will pay it, often not realizing that they have discouraged many potential buyers who could have afforded the home. The final sales price is probably one that will be affordable by more purchasers. This is because sellers many times accept a much lower price at a much later date since that one buyer willing to pay the higher price never comes.
When salespeople are excited about a home and its price, they make special efforts to contact all of their potential buyers. Knowing that it is priced properly for its market, they expect it to sell soon and encourage their prospects to act quickly. Their excitement is contagious!
Ad calls and sign calls to REALTORS® turn into showings when price is not a deterrent. Most serious prospects are well educated about asking prices in the areas they are seeking. They will not waste their time on a home they consider overpriced.
Buyers fear they might lose out on a good home when it is priced right. They are less likely to make "low ball offers." Better pricing attracts multiple offers!
I'm a full time REALTOR®. I'm a Real Estate Broker and a Lic. Mortgage Broker. Put my knowledge to work for you. Call direct (941) 518-9421 or take time to visit my website www.ManateeAreaHomes.com