Searching for a new home can be a nightmare if you go in unprepared. There are plenty of Raleigh homes for sale, but how do you find the one that's right for you? How do you know if the price is reasonable and that everything in the house is in good working order? You can't do it alone. You need a real estate agent.
More specifically, you need an HPW agent, to guide you through every step of the process and get you moved into the home of your dreams. Here are some of the ways an HPW agent can help you.
What Does a Real Estate Agent Do?
There are two types of real estate agents. A listing agent represents the person selling a home, whereas a buyer's agent represents the person buying it. Most real estate agents do both, but not for the same sale.
As a homebuyer, your HPW agent is a liaison between you and the homeowners. They'll guide you through all the necessary steps and paperwork, from the initial offer, through escrow, all the way to closing. But first, they have to find the home that's right for you.
It's a real estate agent's job to know all the homes in the neighborhood: what they're like, what they have to offer, how much they are, etc. Nowadays, people can look up house listings themselves online, look at photos, compare prices, etc. But it's still not the same as having an HPW agent in your corner.
Looking at photos online is no substitute for someone who's actually been to the house and can take you there personally for a guided tour. Whatever you're looking for, your HPW agent can find it for you.
Negotiations
Once you've found the home you want, it's your agent's job to get you the best deal. As members of the National Association of REALTORS®, they're obligated to put your interests ahead of their own. They know the home's worth, both on its own and as part of that particular neighborhood, and can tell whether or not it's priced fairly. If it's not, your agent will negotiate with the listing agent for a better price.
They'll also organize an official house inspection, to make sure everything works the way it's supposed to. Do the lights turn on when you flip the switch? Do the outlets have power running to them? Is there anything broken or worn out? Is everything up to code? Once they have the results of the inspection, they can use it to have the homeowners either fix anything that's wrong with the house or lower the asking price accordingly.
There's a lot to deal with when it comes to buying a home. Your HPW agent is there to shoulder the load, making the experience easier for you and ensuring you come out on top. Our real estate agents can help you with every step of the home buying process. Contact us to get settled into your dream home!
Finding a new home that meets your needs can be a difficult task. There are plenty of Raleigh homes for sale, but what if you want to build your own? It affords you more control and ensures that the finished product will meet all your standards. What does it take to build a home, though? What does it cost, and what can you expect throughout the process? Here's what you need to know.
Cost
On average, building a new home costs a little under $300,000. Keep in mind this estimate doesn't factor in the cost of buying the land for the build. Buying a home, on the other hand, costs around $435,000.
Of course, the cost also depends on how big of a house you plan on building. A good rule of thumb is to factor around $100-$200 per square foot. So building a 1,000 square foot house will cost between $100,000 and $200,000. Building a 3,000 square foot house will cost between $300,000 and $600,000.
Budgeting
Once you have an idea of the total cost of building a new home, it's important to break down exactly where that money is going to give you a more accurate idea of how much your home, specifically, will cost to build.
About 40% of your budget will go towards labor. This includes the construction crew, as well as an electrician, plumber, roofer, framer, and other jobs. Shop around and see how much each of these services costs in your area.
About 50% of your budget goes towards materials. This includes everything such as lumber, concrete, drywall, siding, and more. What your house is made of will greatly influence the cost.
Finally, you need to decide if, in addition to the house itself, you want any extras. A swimming pool, for example, can cost anywhere from an additional $36,000 to $66,000. You may also want an outdoor deck, an unfinished basement, or heated floors. Each of these things will add to the total cost of construction.
Scheduling
Your new home will probably take longer to complete than the initial estimates. Most contractors will give you the most optimistic estimate they can, but plenty of things can cause delays, from bad weather to zoning and permit issues, and almost anything else.
When your contractor gives you a timeline, think of it as a guide rather than a strict schedule, and plan on at least a few extra months before you can move in. If you're in a hurry to get into a new place, you're probably better off buying rather than building.
Sweat Equity
Sometimes it's possible to save both time and money by doing some of the work on the house yourself. Major projects like plumbing and electricity should always be left to the experts, but smaller tasks like painting or laying the tile in the bathroom, you can do on your own if you're up to it. This is called sweat equity: putting your own labor into a building or improving your house to save money and increase its value.
These are just a few of the considerations when building a new home. Our real estate agents can help you find the perfect property on which to build it. In fact, we have a whole team dedicated to helping those looking to build a home in the area! Or, if you'd rather, we can help you find an existing home that will meet your needs. Contact us to learn more!
Once you close on your new home, it might feel like the hard work is over. However, there are still a lot of tasks you need to add to your to-do list to get your new home set up so that it's safe and comfortable for your family. Here are some things you need to do after buying your home.
Want to start exploring properties that might be right for you? Contact us today to get started!
If you favor a home that's brand new or want to customize as many of the home's details as possible, you might want to consider purchasing a new construction property. A new construction property allows you to be the first person to live in the home. Know what to expect with a new construction property with these 5 things listed below.
If you're ready to start looking for your dream home, call our real estate agents today. Contact us to get started.
Let's face it, your home is probably the most significant investment you'll ever make. Ultimately, you want it to be a space you are your family will enjoy for years to come.
Thanks to virtual tours, homebuyers are able to tour many properties without leaving their comfy couch. Making home buying options seem endless!
And with so many options out there, how do you know that you've found "the one"?
Think you've found the perfect home for you among the many Raleigh homes for sale?
Follow these signs, to determine if that home you just virtually toured is the one!
See the Real Picture
When you view the home, you instantly feel a spark. Everything about the house fits into your idea of a perfect home. Sure, there might be things you want to change, but you come up with solutions rather than focusing on the negatives.
"Ticks All The Boxes"
Before you started touring available homes in the area, you probably thought of a list of must-haves for your new home. For example, you might need a home that has 3 bathrooms. If a home ticks all those boxes (and then some) you may have found the one!
Budget
Sometimes, your dream house won't fit your budgetary allocation. Be realistic with what you can afford.
Other Homes Can't Compare
Truth be told, you feel entirely satisfied with this house, and other properties can't sway your decision. Maybe you've even canceled other tours you had scheduled. In fact, you're intent on making an offer and may already be eyeing the paperwork rather than touring other available homes.
Location
Arguably, location is the most critical factor when you're looking to purchase a perfect home. Accordingly, you have to consider your neighborhood, the surrounding amenities, health, and school facilities, transportation, grocery stores, banks, etc. If the neighborhood checks all your boxes as well, that's a good sign!
Aesthetic Ideas
Have you started imagining yourself making improvements to the house? Are you considering how a different color shade would look on the walls? Or you may be visualizing the furniture arrangement for each room. If you're already thinking of design ideas, it's a sign that you're looking forward to making this house yours!
You Can't Stop Talking About it
You feel like the search is over, and you can barely wait to tell your family and friends about it! Or maybe you've already told them about it and won't stop talking about it. If you can't wait to show them the home in question and you're already making moving plans—you've found your dream home.
That Homey Feeling
Does the house feel like home? That's a sure sign the property is suitable to live in, and you'll be happy with your investment.
Looking for a house can be exciting and equally overwhelming. And with so many property options to pick from, it can be challenging to choose. Our REALTORS® can assist you in navigating the real estate market during the house hunting phase and facilitate the buying process. Contact us today to get started!
When you're looking to buy a home, your credit score has a significant effect on whether you're able to get a mortgage loan. And if you're able to obtain a loan, your score helps determine the interest rate you'll pay.
Your three-digit score represents your credit history and helps lenders determine whether you're likely to be able to pay back your mortgage loan. The higher your score, the better. Lenders generally like to see a score of at least 660 for a mortgage loan, and a score of 740 or higher will usually help you get the best interest rates for a home mortgage loan.
Our real estate agents suggest the following ways to improve your credit score before buying a home:
Contact us today to find out more how to raise your credit score to buy one of the many Raleigh homes for sale. We can suggest ways to boost your score and other tips for buying a home.
Are you looking for free fall activities to do in Raleigh this weekend? Autumn in North Carolina is a gorgeous time of the year, surrounding us with beautiful fall leaves, a crisp breeze and plenty of great family-friendly activities to enjoy. Our real estate agents invite you to grab the kids and venture over to one of these free destinations.
Ready to move to Raleigh? Contact us today and let our real estate agents help you find your dream home!
The New Year has arrived bringing with it blistery cold weather and great anticipation for all that will happen in the days and months that lie ahead.
Your 2018 resolutions may take you to the gym more often, give you the opportunity to reconnect with family and friends or set the stage for a long-awaited home sale. If the latter is on your list, now is the perfect time to begin your real estate journey; here's how:
You'll need to get your financial affairs in order before buying a home—think about your credit score, income, and savings.
Start by checking your credit to see where you stand. Are there any errors or negative information on your credit reports? If so, start fixing them now to raise your credit score before you begin hunting for a home. The higher your credit score, the more likely you are to qualify for a lower interest rate on your mortgage loan.
Determine what you can afford based on your current income and savings. Do you have enough money to purchase the home you desire? If not, are you able to revise your budget to cut spending and increase your cash reserves? You will need to demonstrate to lenders that you can afford monthly mortgage payments as well as a down payment ranging from 5 to 10 percent of the loan.
If you already know that you are well positioned financially to buy a home, do yourself a favor and get pre-approved for a mortgage. A pre-approval is a written statement from a lending institution in which the lender tentatively commits to lend a borrower, upon underwriting review, a fixed loan amount. This formal letter offers assurance to sellers that you are in good financial standing and truly able to purchase their home.
Before you start your house hunt, research the areas and neighborhoods that interest you. In short, do your due diligence.
Log on to HPW.com to take a look at the homes for sale in the communities, zip codes or school districts you've identified. Gather information about homes that have recently sold in the areas you like to get an idea of pricing for the type of home you want.
You should also begin driving around the neighborhoods you'd like to consider to get a feel for what they are like day and night. Take note of the traffic on area streets, find out how the local schools are rated, and familiarize yourself with the various conveniences in the area. A new home is what you seek, but you'll want to know all about its surroundings before you commit to buying it.
You may be tempted to seek out a home on your own, but it will serve you well to hire a professional real estate agent.
A local real estate agent will know about the communities that interest you and help you find the home you seek. They often hear about listings before they hit the market and may be able to ensure you are one of the first buyers through the door.
Your agent will be able to help you make a stronger, more compelling offer, by providing insight into what sellers are seeking. It is also a real estate agent's job to protect you during the home buying process by keeping your best interests in mind and ensuring the transaction and all paperwork are handled appropriately.
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Howard Perry & Walston Realty, Inc. fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated. Any services or products provided by independently owned and operated franchisees are not provided by or related to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC nor any of its affiliated companies.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. While we make every effort to ensure that school and district boundary data are up-to-date, it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.