Getting Pre-Approved for Your New Home Before Listing Your Current Home For Sale

You may think getting pre-approved for your new home before listing your current home is counterintuitive. I have run across a few scenarios over the years of selling real estate where getting pre-approved prior to to listing a home for sell would have really helped the sellers.

Getting Pre-Approved for Your New Home Before Listing Your Current Home

Here are some scenarios I have heard about or had happen to clients over the years of selling real estate:

You have a negative mark on your credit report that you were unaware of. Getting pre-approved will not only help you find that negative mark but also give you time to correct the problem.
You might not be able to qualify for as much of a loan as you thought you would be able to qualify for. Finding this information out before you list your home for sale gives you time to preview homes with your agent in your new price range. You can decide if you are willing, or able, to move into a property in the new price range. Sometimes staying where you are is the best option.
You might not be able to qualify for a loan at all. There are many reasons why you may not qualify for a loan and most of them can be fixed with time. Imagine the stress of having your current home under contract and finding out you do not qualify at all for a loan. At that point, renting might be your only option. Renting can be tough if you have pets and could be more expensive than your current mortgage.

In order to avoid last minute stress, start with the end in mind. Give your lender a call, go through the pre-approval process and make sure everything is on track for your new home purchase. Should you not already have a relationship with a lender, I'll be happy to make some recommendations.

As always, contact me if you are interested in buying or selling in Murrells Inlet or the surrounding area or if you are interested in learning more about living at the beach.

5 Tips for Showing Your Home

You’ve done the tough work of deep cleaning your home, de-personalizing and decluttering the inside of your home and getting the curb appeal on point on the outside of your home. The listing pictures have been taken, your home is officially listed for sale on the MLS and can be seen by potential buyers. Your agent calls you to let you know some buyers and their agent want to see your home. What should you do right before you walk out the door? Here are 5 tips for showing your home and should take less than 15 minutes to complete.

5 Tips for Showing Your Home

Do a quick clean up

Hopefully, since your home is listed for sale, you have a regular cleaning schedule. Before showings, give your home a quick look to make sure all dishes are put up or in the dishwasher, clutter is picked up, all kids toys and pet toys are put up or organized, all beds are made and no clothes are on the floor.

2. Take care of smells

Your home needs to smell fresh and neutral and not have any strong scents. Take out your trash. Avoid using strong smelling fragrances during the times your home will be shown. Instead use fresh, neutral candles, diffusers or room sprays.

3. Keep your valuables safe

Either lock up or take with you any expensive jewelry, important paperwork and electronics. If you have any weapons or medications, also secure those. Turn off your computers and put up any mail.

4. Make sure the home shows well.

Set the temperature of your home so it is comfortable, lights are on and blinds are open.

5. Leave

This is possibly the most important part of the showing prep. When you have a showing scheduled, be sure to leave your house and take any pets with you and plan to stay away for the length of the scheduled showing time.

We want to make sure the buyers have plenty of time to look at your home and envision themselves living there. Some buyers can be distracted or feel uneasy if the seller is there.

If you’ve done the prep before your home is listed to sell, getting ready for a showing should not take more than 15 minutes.

As always, contact me if you are interested in buying or selling in Murrells Inlet or the surrounding area or if you are interested in learning more about living at the beach.

5 Ideas to Increase Curb Appeal in the Spring

Have you ever thought your front yard or front porch and entrance need a little sprucing up? This week's video gives five ideas to increase curb appeal in the spring. All of the ideas mentioned can be completed in a weekend or two with a trip (or 2... or 3 if you really like flowers like me!) to your local hardware store or garden center. Two great local garden centers are Inlet Culinary Gardens in Murrells Inlet and True Blue Nursery in Pawleys Island. Most importantly, have fun while you increase the curb appeal of your home.

5 Ideas to Increase Curb Appeal in the Spring

1. Tidy up your landscaping

Declutter your yard - take away anything that could distract the attention of potential buyers. Remember, you want them focusing on the house not your garden globes, garden gnomes or kids toys.
Work on your flower beds - Weed, remove and replace any dead or dying plants and add some annual flowers for seasonal color
Add or replace mulch - fresh mulch makes your flowers and plants pop
Clean your water features - If you have any water features, drain the water and give them a good cleaning.
Make sure your grass is mowed and your lawn edged.

2. Power wash and paint

Power wash your house, sidewalks and driveway. It really is amazing what a good power washing can do for a home!
After you power wash, you may notice peeling paint. Give any trim or railings a fresh coat of paint.

3. Freshen up your entryway

You could add a trendy color to your front door or refresh the existing color. Now is a great time to add a new door knob and door knocker.
Add new address numbers that can easily be seen from the street - you want potential buyers to be able to find your house!
Finish off your entryway with a seasonal wreath, some potted flowers on either side of the door and a new doormat.

4. Update your lighting.

Change out your porch light fixtures with new modern fixtures.
You may also want to add lighting throughout your yard to light a walkway or call attention to landscaping features.

5. Tackle your mailbox.

Mailboxes are one of the last things we think about when thinking about curb appeal but it is often the first thing buyers see.
Repaint your mailbox or consider replacing it.
If you have any extra plants or flowers from step 1, add them around your mailbox.

Increasing your curb appeal can easily be done by a trip (or two!) to your local hardware store and garden center and a weekend of two of work. The benefits of increasing your curb appeal when selling are huge. Buyers perceive a higher home value when the home has a nice, well taken care of landscape and curb appeal. More than that though, buyers are attracted to your home and want to take a look inside. Remember the old adage, you never get a second chance to make a first impression and that is so true with the front of your home when your home is on the market. If you are not looking to sell your home, still invest a little time and money into the curb appeal of your home so you have something beautiful to see when you come home!

As always, contact me if you are interested in buying or selling in Murrells Inlet or the surrounding area or if you are interested in learning more about living at the beach. Have a great day!

“Helping You Find the Sandcastle of Your Dreams!”

5 Tips to Get Your Home Ready to Sell

5 Tips to Get Your Home Ready to List

Name: Chris and Hannah S.
Rating: 5

Getting your home ready to list for sale is tough work! Here are five tips you help you get your home ready to sell.

5 Tips to Get Your Home Ready to Sell

1. Hire a real estate agent.

Your agent can help you navigate the steps needed to get your home sold. These steps include getting the home ready to list, marketing your home, receiving and negotiating offers and getting you to the finish line when you hand over your keys to the new owners. That’s the ultimate goal: handing over the keys. Many bumps can happen along the way, and your agent is there for guidance before you list your home, while your home is listed and once you are under contract. It is never too early to start talking with an agent. I have had sellers enlist my help months and even years before listing their homes.

2. Declutter and de-personalize your home

As a seller, you want to show your home in the best light. That means decluttering and depersonalizing your house. Remove the clutter and knick-knacks from your home so the buyers can see the house instead of your decor items. Plus, you want potential buyers to envision what their items will look like in your home. Remove seasonal clothing from your closet to show off the storage space. Also, take down pictures, especially of children. When your home is listed for sale, the pictures of your home will be online. You want to be careful what you are showing to the public.

3. Deep clean your home

Once potential buyers start looking at your home online and in person, you want it to sparkle. Either spend a weekend deep cleaning your home or hire a professional cleaner to do it for you. You want to make sure every corner of your home is spotless and smells good! It also may be worth your time to schedule weekly cleaning while your home is being shown.

4. Step up your curb appeal

You’ve depersonalized, decluttered and cleaned the inside of your home until it is spotless. Now it’s time to tackle the outside of your home. The outside of your home is the first thing buyers see when they drive by your home and from the pictures online. You’ve heard the phrase “you never have a second chance to make a first impression” a million times. Use that logic on your home. Get your house and driveway power washed. Make sure your grass is trimmed and edge your lawn. You may want to consider hiring a professional to cut and edge your lawn throughout the time your home is listed. Touch up any paint and maybe consider adding a fresh, trendy color of paint to your front door. Also, make sure all flower beds are mulched and shrubs are trimmed. Add some colorful, seasonal flowers to make the front of your house pop. Last but not least, make sure you have a nice mat at the front door. Not only will a mat make your home look inviting but it will help keep buyers from tracking in dirt.

5. Finish any projects you have going on, repair anything that is broken and make updates if necessary.

If you have half-finished projects going on at your house, finish those before listing your home. No one is judging because everyone has a project! However, buyers want to walk into a house they can see themselves living in, not a house that will take too much work.
Make sure everything in your house works. Walk your home with the eyes of a buyer. Check to make sure lights and fans work, windows open, blinds open correctly, faucets do not drip and nothing is squeaky. You do not want a buyer to think your home is not well taken care of because of small things.
Talk to your agent about making updates. Buyers are most focused on the kitchen and bathrooms because those can be high-dollar items to update. While you want your kitchen and bathrooms to attach buyers, doing a complete overhaul may not be necessary. Kitchen updates could include new cabinet hardware, a new backsplash or new appliances. Bathroom updates could include a new vanity, a new toilet and a new sink and shower hardware.

Once you have decided you want to move, talk to your listing agent to help you prepare your home for sale.

As always, contact me if you are interested in buying or selling in Murrells Inlet or the surrounding area or if you are interested in learning more about living at the beach. Have a great day!

“Helping You Find the Sandcastle of Your Dreams!”

What Questions Should Sellers Ask Their Real Estate Agent

Interviewing real estate agents is a smart idea. What questions should sellers ask their real estate agent?

How long have you been in the business? Do you work full-time as a REALTOR®? Many years experience is not a guarantee of a great agent, but like many of professions, agents learn through experience. Working full-time as a REALTOR® allows the agent to have the time necessary to help you find a home and guide you through the home buying process.
Do you hold any designations or have you taken any advanced education classes? Again, a list of letters after an agent’s name does not guarantee you will be working with a great agent. However, designations and advanced classes mean the agent is taking time out of their business schedule to keep up-to-date with law changes, learning ways to better service their clients, learn knew marketing and technology avenues, etc. A learning based agent is never a bad thing!
How many properties did you sell last year? Getting an idea of the number of properties sold will give you an idea of the agent’s experience.
What was your average days on market and what was your average list to sell price? For sellers, you want an agent with a low days on market and a high average list to sale price. For buyers, you want an agent that can get you the best terms.
What is your marketing plan/strategy? For sellers, you do not want an agent that puts a sign in the yard, puts your home on the MLS and prays for a sale. You want an agent that does those things plus is proactive in finding a buyer. As a seller, you may also want to ask about the agent’s online marketing plan, open house strategy, direct mail plan and advertising plan. For buyers, you want to make sure you have an agent that has a good strategy to find you a home. As a buyer, you may also want to ask how many houses you will be seeing, what is the plan for seeing those homes, will you be competing against other buyers and what happens in a multiple offer situation.
What type of technology do you use? Technology is an ever-changing field! Agents that are up-to-date on the latest technology are usually also up-to-date on what is happening in their market. Also, technology often times makes it faster to find your dream home and easier for you to communicate with your agent. In a fast-paced market, you want an agent that moves fast.
How will the agent communicate with the client? While there is no right answer to this question, you want to know how and when your agent will communicate with you.
Can you recommend service providers? The home buying process involves more than just a buyer, seller and real estate agents. You may also need a home inspector, lender, attorney, painter, contractor, pest control company and landscaper.
What is the agent’s business philosophy? Again, there is no right answer, but you want to make sure you and your agent are a good fit.
Can you provide me with references? Talk to past clients of the real estate agent to make sure they were satisfied with the agent’s work and ask if they would use the agent again.
What makes you different from other agents?
Can I get a sample of the documents I will need to sign prior to having to sign them? Real estate transactions involve a lot of paperwork!! It’s a good idea to review paperwork before you sign it so you have time to digest the information and ask any questions.
How does the agent get paid? For buyers, the agent is typically paid by the seller through the proceeds of the sale. For sellers, the commission to both agents is paid at closing and deducted from your proceeds. Make sure you know the total percentage and the split to each agent.
Does the agent have a guarantee? You may start working with your agent and decide your personalities do not fit. Can you terminate your buyer agreement or listing agreement prior to going under contract on a home?

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Kathy Rukat, RSPS, ABR
Real Estate Professional
Palmetto Coastal Homes
843-267-2710
Licensed In: SC
License #: 47506
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Getting Pre-Approved for Your New Home Before Listing Your Current Home For Sale

Getting Pre-Approved for Your New Home Before Listing Your Current Home

5 Tips for Showing Your Home

5 Tips for Showing Your Home

5 Ideas to Increase Curb Appeal in the Spring

5 Ideas to Increase Curb Appeal in the Spring

5 Tips to Get Your Home Ready to Sell

5 Tips to Get Your Home Ready to List

5 Tips to Get Your Home Ready to Sell

1. Hire a real estate agent.

2. Declutter and de-personalize your home

3. Deep clean your home

4. Step up your curb appeal

5. Finish any projects you have going on, repair anything that is broken and make updates if necessary.

“Helping You Find the Sandcastle of Your Dreams!”

What Questions Should Sellers Ask Their Real Estate Agent

Interviewing real estate agents is a smart idea. What questions should sellers ask their real estate agent?

How many properties did you sell last year? Getting an idea of the number of properties sold will give you an idea of the agent’s experience.

What was your average days on market and what was your average list to sell price? For sellers, you want an agent with a low days on market and a high average list to sale price. For buyers, you want an agent that can get you the best terms.

How will the agent communicate with the client? While there is no right answer to this question, you want to know how and when your agent will communicate with you.

Can you recommend service providers? The home buying process involves more than just a buyer, seller and real estate agents. You may also need a home inspector, lender, attorney, painter, contractor, pest control company and landscaper.

What is the agent’s business philosophy? Again, there is no right answer, but you want to make sure you and your agent are a good fit.

Can you provide me with references? Talk to past clients of the real estate agent to make sure they were satisfied with the agent’s work and ask if they would use the agent again.

What makes you different from other agents?

Can I get a sample of the documents I will need to sign prior to having to sign them? Real estate transactions involve a lot of paperwork!! It’s a good idea to review paperwork before you sign it so you have time to digest the information and ask any questions.

How does the agent get paid? For buyers, the agent is typically paid by the seller through the proceeds of the sale. For sellers, the commission to both agents is paid at closing and deducted from your proceeds. Make sure you know the total percentage and the split to each agent.

Does the agent have a guarantee? You may start working with your agent and decide your personalities do not fit. Can you terminate your buyer agreement or listing agreement prior to going under contract on a home?

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