If you're planning to sell your home in the near future, it's important to be aware of the mistakes that can cost you time and money. In this blog post, we will discuss 5 of the most common costly mistakes made by home sellers. Hopefully, being aware of these mistakes will help you avoid them during your own sale! <strong>Mistake 1: Trying to time the market</strong> One of the most common mistakes made by home sellers is trying to time the market. They think they can wait for the perfect moment to sell, when prices are at their highest. However, the reality is that no one can predict the future of the housing market. Prices could go up or down at any time, so it's not worth waiting around in hopes of getting a higher price. It's better to sell when you're ready and have a compelling reason to move. <strong>Mistake 2: Not doing inspections</strong> Another common mistake is not having the proper inspections done before listing the home for sale. It's important to have a professional inspector assess the condition of your home so that you're aware of any potential problems that could turn off buyers or result in [...]

Are you in the market for a new home? If so, you'll want to make sure that you get the most out of your home appraisal. An appraisal is an important part of the home buying process - it helps to ensure that you're not overpaying for your new house. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for getting the most out of your home appraisal. Keep reading to learn more! One of the most important things to remember when getting your home appraised is that the value is not set in stone. The appraiser's opinion is just that - an opinion. There are a number of factors that can affect the appraised value of a home, including the condition of the property, the location, and recent comparable sales in the area. If you have any concerns about the appraised value of your new home, be sure to discuss them with your mortgage lender or real estate agent. Another important tip for getting the most out of your appraisal is to be prepared ahead of time. Before the appraiser arrives, the home should be tidy and neat. If it was staged when you made your offer, it should [...]

Most buyers and sellers are shielded from the sheer amount of work their agent does between calls and emails. And that’s no wonder! Every agent’s goal is to make the process as easy as possible for their client. Whether you are a buyer, seller, both, or unsure of what you want to pursue, you can be sure your agent is hard at work finding you the perfect solution before you’ve made your decision. But if you’re curious about what your agent is doing between calls, read on for some insider insights into all the work they do behind the scenes to ensure that you get the best possible outcome in your real estate transaction. Actions to Help Every Client A great agent constantly works to ensure their up-to-the-minute knowledge of the local market so they can guarantee you a beneficial transaction. These are just a few of the things agents do for every client, regardless of whether they’re buying or selling. Preview homes that are not on the market yet. Agents have access to pre-market properties and buyers. They are usually already working to understand your property’s realistic value or get you early access to properties that fit your requirement [...]

So you’re about to close on your dream property. After a rigorous real estate search and offer process, your offer has been accepted! An accepted bid is especially rewarding in Silicon Valley, which is once again among the hottest housing markets in California. To close out the home buying process, all you need to do is sign on the dotted line. Right? In fact, no. Before you sign and close, you will get the chance to conduct a “final walkthrough.” The final walkthrough is your chance to verify that every detail of the home meets your expectations. Many buyers in your shoes give in to the temptation to expedite the process, which often leads to conducting a less-than-thorough final walkthrough. But I always advise my buyers to take extra care at this final step: it is your last chance to ensure that you will get the best value for your investment. What can buyers demand at the final walkthrough? More than you think. Most buyers look primarily for new cosmetic defects and the immediately apparent issues you may have glossed over on your previous viewings. But for the clever buyer, this is not a good strategy. If you send a [...]