Jun 16, 2017 | Buying a Home
The weather is hot, and so is the local real estate market! We’re seeing houses sell faster and at or near list price. This can be intimidating as a buyer… You don’t want to rush into anything, but you also don’t want to miss out on the perfect home. Below, we’re sharing our top advice for buying a home in a hot market.
1: Get pre-qualified for a mortgage.
If your finances aren’t in order, you won’t be prepared to make a strong offer. A seller is likely to accept another offer while you go through the process of getting qualified for a loan. Taking care of that at the very beginning of your home search makes a huge difference.
2: Be clear on your “must haves” and your “would-like-to haves.”
It’s a good idea to narrow your wish list down to three or four “must haves.” These are the things that you really don’t want to compromise on if at all possible. Try to view everything else on your list as a “would-like-to have.” Even in a true buyer’s market, you probably won’t find a home that ticks everything on your list. In a hot market, you may need to be even more flexible. Keep in mind that you can always make changes to the house once you own it.
3: Make sure your agent is sending you a daily email with new MLS listings that fit your criteria.
This is standard practice for Powell Realtors. It’s important that you see new listings as soon as they come on the market – before they show up on Zillow, Trulia, etc. As soon as you see a listing you like, contact your Realtor to arrange a showing.
Contact us if you have any questions about preparing for your home search. We’re happy to help!
Jun 16, 2017 | Powell Team
Meet Sue Wyatt! Sue has been bringing her energy and positivity to Powell Realtors for 13 years. Before transitioning to real estate, Sue owned and operated the Dairy Queen in Cambridge (she still owns it today). She wanted to do something completely different, and Val Brown was eager for Sue to join the team!
Sue’s favorite thing about working in real estate is the people. She especially loves helping people when they are making a major transition in their lives, like buying their first home or beginning retirement. Sue’s top tip for buyers is to get your ducks in a row before starting your home search. Understand your finances and get pre-qualified for a mortgage. Her top tip for sellers is to try to look at your home objectively once you decide to sell. Walk through like you’re a buyer seeing it for the first time. Consider asking a friend to provide honest feedback about things you can tweak to make your home more appealing to a wide audience of buyers.
When Sue isn’t working, she loves traveling with friends. She’s been all over the world – Italy, Greece, Cuba, and Ireland, to name a few. Her favorite travel destinations are Venice and Santorini Island in Greece. When she gets home, Sue likes spending time with her two grandchildren and her Boston Terrier, Albert. She also loves enjoying everything Cambridge has to offer.
If you’d like to chat with Sue to see if she’s the right Realtor for you, just shoot us a message!
Jun 9, 2017 | Selling Your Home
There is one thing that matters more than anything else when selling your home: Pricing it right! The most important thing your Realtor can do is guide you through how to price your home.
The Consequences of Overpricing Your Home
Overpricing your home can have a snowball effect on the entire sales process. If you’re priced too high, you won’t get any interest in your home. Your house will sit on the market, and this looks bad to buyers. Even when you’ve dropped your price, buyers will wonder why your house has sat unsold for so long. They’ll wonder if something is wrong with your home. They’ll assume lots of people have looked at it, and no one wanted it.
That’s a scenario you definitely want to avoid! If you follow the process described below, you’ll be on the right track.
The Process of Pricing Your Home
1. Meet with your Realtor to discuss your goals for the sale. Do you need to sell as quickly as possible? Are you willing to make some improvements if that will help you get a higher price? Are there any major repairs needed that will impact the value of your home?
2. Review comps with your Realtor. After your initial meeting, your Realtor will research recent sales of comparable homes (“comps”). This is an indication of the market value of your home – more on that coming up.
3. Agree on a pricing strategy. You and your Realtor will agree on a list price based on your goals, the condition of your home, and the comps. Your strategy should also include a plan to reduce the price if you haven’t received much interest after a certain period of time. Remember, you don’t want your house sitting on the market for a long time. So if you’re not getting interest, drop your price sooner rather than later.
It’s All About Market Value
What is your house worth? Whatever someone is willing to pay for it. That’s its market value.
It can be tough to face, but buyers are never going to pay more than the current market value of your home. It doesn’t matter what you paid for your home. It doesn’t matter what its tax assessment is. It doesn’t even matter how much you love your home and how wonderful your memories are.
The only thing that matters is the market value at the time you list your house for sale. That’s why reviewing and understanding comps is so important. These recent sales are the best indicator of what your home is worth.
It’s okay to look at current listings too. That can help you understand your competition. But keep in mind that a house listed for sale is very different than a house that has actually sold. Your neighbor down the street may have their home priced higher than yours. But if you’re both overpriced, that doesn’t really matter.
An important point to note is that it’s more difficult to gauge market value in rural areas. In cities, there are tons of properties being bought and sold all the time. This keeps market value fairly steady. In rural areas, there are far fewer transactions. There’s also a lot more diversity in the types of homes that are bought and sold. This means market value can go up and down a lot in a relatively short period of time. So be prepared to drop your price fairly soon after listing if you aren’t getting much interest.
Don’t overprice to leave room for negotiation
This is a common mistake a lot of sellers make. The problem with this approach is that it will cause a lot of buyers to skip over your house right from the beginning. They’ll never even consider it because it’s overpriced.
Instead, price your home for what you really think it’s worth. If your home is priced fairly, a genuine buyer will make an offer at or very near your list price. You may need to negotiate a little, but you shouldn’t be too far apart.
Think Transactionally, Not Emotionally
When it’s time to sell your home, try to think of the process as a business transaction. We’ll be honest, that can be really hard to do. You probably love your home and have lots of happy memories there. But try to remember that your love for your home can cloud your judgement about its market value. Try to be aware of that from the beginning, and don’t take it personally if your Realtor suggests a lower price than you had in mind. Your Realtor’s goal is to help you sell your home under the best terms possible. So take a deep breath, try to step back emotionally, and trust their professional advice.
Get Ready to List
Once you have a pricing strategy, it’s time to get the house listed! Check out our post about how to host an awesome open house. If you’re in a hurry to sell, this post about how to sell your home fast is just what you need.
Ready to get your home listed? Contact us to get started!
Jun 5, 2017 | Powell Team
Behind every great “people person” is a great “paper person!” On our team, Lori R. Bramble is the person who keeps everything running smoothly. In her role as Transaction Coordinator, Lori ensures all the paperwork associated with buying or selling a home is done right and on time.
Lori has been with Powell Realtors for 23 years and has been in the real estate industry since 1989. Although she doesn’t sell real estate herself, she has picked up a lot of knowledge along the way. Her top tip for both buyers and sellers is to listen to the advice of their Realtor. A Realtor has a lot of experience and perspective about the local market, and they want to ensure your real estate transaction is successful.
When Lori isn’t keeping us organized and on track, she enjoys pursuing her true passion: photography. Lori is a bit shy about being in front of the camera herself, but she’s absolutely brilliant behind the lens.
Jun 2, 2017 | Buying a Home
Buying a home with a pool means tons of summer fun for you and your family! If the home you buy already has a pool, you avoid the hassle and expense of building one yourself. It can be very expensive to build a pool, so it’s almost always cheaper to buy a house that already has one. Also, if your new home already has a pool, you don’t have to worry about the noise, mess, and stress that come with building one.
As wonderful as having a pool can be, there are some important things to consider first:
1: Maintenance & Upkeep
Pools require a lot of maintenance, so be sure you understand the time and cost that will be involved. This is something people often underestimate when caught up in the excitement of buying a home with a pool.
2: Safety & Insurance
There’s a reason why insurance costs are usually higher when your home has a pool. They can be a safety hazard, especially for young children and pets. Be sure the pool has a secure fence that is up to code.
3: Inspection & Records
Before buying a home with a pool, ask the current owners for all of the information related to the pool. Ask who the builder was and to see a copy of all maintenance records. We also recommend that you have the pool inspected by a professional.
If you’re looking for a home with a pool, we can help you find it! There are great options out there, including some of our current listings. Message us and we’ll help you find the perfect outdoor oasis!
May 26, 2017 | Buying a Home, Selling Your Home
Buying or selling a home is probably the largest financial transaction you’ll ever make. It can also be a very emotional process. Working with the right Realtor is critical. Read on for our advice about how to choose the right Realtor.
Choose an Experienced Realtor
It’s important to work with someone who has knowledge of all aspects of the real estate process. An experienced Realtor will guide you through the process from start to finish. They’ll let you know what to expect along the way, and they’ll make sure you’re prepared. This experience not only makes things easier for you, it will help make the financial aspects of the transaction more favorable.
Your Realtor Should Have Extensive Knowledge of the Area
Obviously, it’s helpful to have a Realtor who knows the ins-and-outs of all the neighborhoods you’re considering. They can steer you toward the areas that best suit your needs and lifestyle.
But knowledge of the area goes deeper than this. An experienced Realtor in your area will understand zoning, covenants, permitting, and regulations that may impact your use of the property. They’ll also have relationships with the local service providers and government staff. This means that they can help you troubleshoot any issues you may run into. Your Realtor’s knowledge of the area and their local relationships can save you a lot of hassle, time, and money.
Your Realtor Should be Trustworthy
Buying or selling a property is a major financial transaction. It’s also a very personal process. You are going to spend a lot of time with your Realtor. Your Realtor is going to know a lot about your lifestyle and finances by the time your transaction is complete. Make sure you’re working with someone you trust to have this information and handle it appropriately.
Your Realtor Should be Part of a Great Team
Although you’ll spend most of your time working directly with your Realtor, you’ll also be relying on their team. You need a Realtor whose colleagues can step in and help out on short notice if something comes up unexpectedly.
There’s also a tremendous amount of paperwork and legal documentation involved in any real estate transaction. So it’s important to consider the support staff at your Realtor’s firm. Are they experienced, reliable, and extremely detail-oriented? Do they hold the proper licenses and certifications to process all of the documentation?
If you’re selling your home, you also want to consider the marketing support your Realtor’s team offers. What is their approach to marketing your home? What tools do they use? Do they have a strong social media and web presence? These are all important things to evaluate when selecting your Realtor.
Make Sure Your Personalities are a Good Fit
You and your Realtor are in it together for the long haul! Your Realtor needs to be someone you like spending time with and can relate to. The process is a lot easier – and a lot more fun! – if you genuinely like your Realtor.
We have a team of more than a dozen Realtors who are knowledgeable, experienced, and love their jobs! Give us a shout if you’d like to schedule some time to interview one or more of our Realtors.
May 25, 2017 | Powell Team
Meet Ginger! Ginger Brannock has been a realtor since 1986 and has been with Powell Realtors for 23 years. She truly found her calling when she became a Realtor. Ginger had worked in her family business, Wise Oil & Fuel, for several years before attending the Ed Smith Real Estate School. She still clearly remembers the excitement she felt the day her real estate license arrived in the mail.
Ginger loves working with first-time homebuyers. She finds it rewarding to help them navigate the buying process to discover the perfect home. Ginger is very proud of the fact that she has worked with some families for thirty years, helping multiple generations find their first homes.
Ginger also loves working in real estate because it helps her stay connected to the community. As a Dorchester County native, Ginger is passionate about giving back to the community. She is a former Maryland Volunteer of the Year for the American Cancer Society and is a former board member of the Richardson Maritime Museum. She remains an active member of Grace United Methodist Church.
In her free time, Ginger enjoys spending time with her family and gardening. She has cultivated a moon garden in her backyard. The moon garden only blooms at night and has a variety of plants, all with beautiful white flowers.
Ginger has a lot of great real estate wisdom to share. Her #1 tip for home buyers is to get pre-qualified for a loan before you begin your home search. This will make the process much easier and you’ll be ready to make an offer as soon as you find the right home. For sellers, Ginger’s top tip is to keep your home as clean, decluttered, and simple as possible while it’s listed.
If you’d like to meet Ginger to see if she’s the right realtor for you, send us a message and she’ll be in touch!
Apr 27, 2017 | Powell Team
Meet Lou! Lou Bertino is a real estate agent with the Powell Realtors team. His favorite thing about working in real estate is meeting people from all over the country. He can relate to buyers looking for a slice of the good life on the Eastern Shore… He himself moved to the area fifteen years ago. He was in search of a secluded property near the water, and he found just what he was looking for outside Federalsburg.
Lou is a man of many interests and talents. He enjoys gardening and landscaping, and he’s created an amazing backyard retreat at his home. His backyard is also home to his three pet geese – Lucky, Annie, and Andy. Lou has cared for the geese since they were eggs! They’ve been his buddies ever since they hatched, and Lou says they’re spoiled rotten!
Lou also has a passion for antique cars. He owns a ’64 Chevy Impala that he has carefully restored and maintained.
When it comes to real estate, Lou has good advice to share. His #1 tip for buyers is to keep looking until you find the home that feels right. When you’ve found “the one,” you’ll know it. His top tip for sellers is to keep your house CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN! A clean house makes a powerful first impression.
If you’d like to get to know Lou and see if he’s the right agent for you, just send us a message!
Apr 15, 2017 | Powell Team
Meet Val! Val Brown is the owner of Powell Realtors, and she LOVES her job! If you’ve ever met Val, you know she is a true “people person.” Her favorite thing about working in real estate is meeting lots of new people. Val loves the challenge of helping buyers find the perfect house. She is driven by the magic that happens when buyers walk into a house and know they’re home.
You could say real estate is a family affair for Val. She took over Powell Realtors from her father in the 1990’s. Her husband Jeff is a contractor, and they’ve worked together on several projects. Two of Val’s children have real estate licenses as well.
Val’s family – her husband, three daughters, two grandchildren, and two labs – is the most important thing in her life. She loves spending time with her family and enjoying the Eastern Shore lifestyle. She is happiest when she’s on the water. She also enjoys having a nice meal and a cocktail at one of Dorchester County’s many waterfront restaurants.
Val has accumulated a lot of real estate wisdom over the years. She offers the same piece of advice to both home buyers and sellers: Have a good relationship with your agent. You have to work with someone you trust and believe in. You’re going to go through a lot together, so it’s really important to find an agent who feels like a good fit.
If you’d like to get to know Val to see if she’s the right realtor for you, send us a message and she’ll be in touch!
Apr 5, 2017 | Selling Your Home
This weekend is National Open House Weekend! An open house is a great way to create interest in your home. But to have a truly successful open house, you need to do some work ahead of time. Read on for our top eight tips on how to host an open house.
Tip #1: Clean, clean, clean!
A clean home implies that your house has been well cared for and maintained. It sends a signal to buyers that this is a good house. It is well worth the investment to have a professional cleaning service make your house shine from top to bottom.
It’s also important to declutter. When your “stuff” is out of the way, it will be easy for potential buyers to picture their own things in the space. This is why it’s important to also remove your personal photos… You want visitors at your open house to feel like they’re walking through their house. If your family photos are everywhere, they will feel like they’re in your home, not their own.
Tip #2: Invest in your curb appeal and backyard.
First impressions are everything. When a potential buyer sees your house for the first time, you want them to be impressed before they even walk through the front door. A well-maintained lawn is a signal that the house has been well cared for overall. Invest in a good power washing to make your house look its absolute best.
Tip #3: Let the light in.
No one wants to live in a dark house. Open all the drapes and turn on every light in the house. This will make your home feel warm and welcoming.
Tip #4: Avoid strong scents.
You want your home to smell fresh and clean. If pet odors are an issue, do everything you can to get rid of them. Have the carpets professionally cleaned and remove old pet beds. Don’t try to mask odors with strong candles or room sprays. Strong scents can cause allergic reactions among some potential buyers, so they’re best avoided.
It can be a good idea to bake cookies just before the open house. This creates a warm, wonderful scent that will feel like home to most buyers.
Tip #5: Provide photos and documentation.
Buyers are really impressed when a homeowner is able to provide all of their maintenance records. Set out a file that shows the work that has been done to the house over the years. This gives buyers confidence that they’re buying a home that has been lovingly maintained and cared for.
It’s also a good idea to set out photos of your home taken during different seasons. This is especially important if you’re hosting an open house in the winter. If you have a beautiful yard that really shines in spring and summer, share those photos with buyers.
Tip #6: Clear out for the open house – and take your pets with you!
Again, you want buyers to walk through your house and picture themselves living there. That’s awfully hard to do if the current owner is in the house. Clear out of the house for the day and leave it to your Realtor to host and answer buyers’ questions.
And take your pets with you! No matter how friendly and cute your pets are, they’re a distraction to buyers. They may also trigger allergies among certain buyers, which can be enough for them to walk out and scratch your home off their list.
Tip #7: Help spread the word.
Your Realtor is responsible for marketing your open house, but consider using your own social media network to help get the word out. Post lots of pictures, mention any special features about your home, and include your Realtor’s contact info.
Tip #8: Be open to your Realtor’s feedback.
During the open house, your Realtor will hear lots of feedback from buyers. This information is extremely valuable! It may not be what you want to hear, but it’s direct insight into your market. Be open to your Realtor’s suggestions regarding pricing or changes to your home. If you open house didn’t result in an offer, it’s wise to make some adjustments moving forward. Ultimately, this will help you sell your home more quickly and for top dollar.
Interested in scheduling an open house? Our Realtors would love to help! Shoot us a message and we’ll start planning.
