Tips

Before Making an Offer on a House, Make Sure to Ask Your Real Estate Agent These Questions First

Making an offer on a home is a big decision. And if you need help making that decision, one of the best resources at your disposal is ME, your real estate agent.

Asking your agent the right questions can help you gain invaluable insight on whether to make an offer on a particular property and, if so, what that offer should be. But what, exactly, are those questions?

A recent article from realtor.com outlined questions buyers should ask their real estate agent before putting an offer in on a home, including:

    • What is the sales history of this home? Before you make an offer on a home, you’ll want to ask your agent about the property’s sales history, and how that history might inform your offer. For example, if it’s been listed and taken off the market multiple times, that could indicate that it’s been hard to sell, which could mean you could get the home for a lower price than comparable properties.
    • What’s going on in the neighborhood? When buying a home, the actual property isn’t the only thing you need to consider; the neighborhood is equally important. Before you make an offer, ask your agent about what’s happening in the neighborhood. Legally, your agent can’t tell you anything about the neighborhood’s demographics, but they can tell you about recent housing trends and economic factors that could impact whether investing in that neighborhood makes sense for you.
    • Would you make an offer on this home? Sometimes, the best thing you can do before making an offer on a home is ask your agent to put themselves in your shoes and ask them if they themselves would buy the home. If they have any reservations, you might want to rethink whether it’s a smart move for you to make an offer.

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    Let me help! Call me at (317) 625-0655 to discuss your specifics!

    Thinking About Selling Your Home This Spring? Here’s Why That’s a Great Idea

    Spring is officially here, and it’s generally a great opportunity to sell your home when the warmer weather comes around.

    A recent article from realtor.com outlined key reasons this 2023 spring season is specifically a great time to sell your home, including:

    • Inventory is at historic lows. The fewer homes there are on the market, the more competition there is for those homes, and right now, inventory is at a serious low. According to the article, about half as many homes are for sale today as before the pandemic. CLICK HERE for the Latest Housing Market Numbers here in Indy 
    • Spring is a popular time for home buyers. Spring is historically one of the most popular times for home buyers. Not only is the weather nicer, but finding and buying a home in the spring often means a move in the summer, which is ideal for buyers with children, so they don’t have to move during the school year. So what will it take to prepare your house to sell? Schedule a Hassle-Free “No Strings Attached” Room by Room Analysis What does this mean…. that I walk your property (inside and out) and give my two cents on repairs/improvements that could be done to yield a quick home sale as well as sell for the most $$$.
    • Home prices are still on the rise. Naturally, you want to sell your home for as much as possible, and it’s looking like this spring is a good time to make that happen. While median home prices aren’t at their all-time high — according to the article, that was in June 2022, when the median price in the US hit $450,000 — they are still on the rise, increasing from $406,000 in January to $424,000 in March. So, if you want to take advantage of the upward trajectory, now is a good time to list. CLICK HERE for the Latest Housing Market Numbers here in Indy 

    Call me at (317) 625-0655 to hear what is happening here in Indy and, more specifically, what I can do for you!!

    Planning to Buy a Home? These White Lies Can Jeopardize Your Chances

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    Have you heard the saying, “honesty is the best policy?” That’s generally true in life—but it’s especially true when it comes to real estate.

    If you’re buying a home, lying to your lender—even a “harmless” white lie—could jeopardize the whole deal. And while you should refrain from telling any lies, there are certain ones that are almost certain to cause issues with your real estate purchase.

    So what, exactly, are those lies? A recent article from realtor.com outlined the white lies that could destroy your chances of successfully buying a home, including:

    • Saying you’re going to live in the home, when you’re actually planning to rent it out. If you’re planning to buy a house as a rental property (whether for a short-term or long-term rental), you need to disclose it. If you don’t, it could be considered mortgage fraud—which can result in a felony charge.
    • Not being honest about where your down payment money is coming from. It’s certainly not uncommon for buyers to get financial help when they’re buying a home. But if someone (for example, a parent) has gifted and/or loaned you money to cover your down payment, you need to let your lender know. Generally, it won’t be a problem—but if you lie about where the money came from, that could end up being a problem.
    • Leaving out debts. When you apply for a mortgage, you need to disclose every single debt, no matter how big or small. Your lender will discover the debt during the underwriting process—and if they find out you knowingly lied, it could cost you your mortgage.

    Have questions on Financing…Check out our Financing Section. And if you want to talk to a real person, give me a call at (317) 625-0655!