Lisa and Greg Harris

All of this depends on the market and the current situation. It is possible, however, it will depend on what the normal of market that we are facing at the time of listing and going under contract. There are a lot of factors that go into the listing process and it is really based on your personal situation. A great listing agent can personally walk you through the options to net the most money for your home. After all that is their area of expertise and knowledge to NET you the most money possible. I would recommend asking a professional listing agent in your market to review this for your home and market area to give you the best possible outcome.

I give my selling clients a list of items in general to do and then walk them through their personal needs at the time of the listing to give them specifics for their goals of getting their home sold for TOP DOLLAR! In general, things to do! Freshen up the landscaping and clean up the curb appeal. In doing that, you will most likely need a good pressure wash of the home, driveway, decks and the outside to give it a clean fresh look from the street and for the pictures! A DEEP CLEAN INSIDE! Organize what you have. Clean as much off the countertops as possible and put it away under the countertops and organize it! REMEMBER YOU ARE MOVING! so if you are not using it over the next 3 months, then pack it! Including the off-season clothes from your closet. Wie down baseboards, have the carpets cleaned! If walls need to be painted to give it a fresh look do this and go with a neutral color. Stage it in a manner that is appropriate for the home and market. THE BIGGEST TIP - LESS IS BETTER! The less you have out and on counters and on the walls the better! De-personalize! WE do not want buyers to stop and look at family pictures, we want them to see the home as their home. So this is just the start of the basics. I would give specifics once walking through the home at an appointment.

In order to not pay capital Gains if you are making a profit in that time, it is 2 years. However, this depends on what you are hoping to accomplish. If you need to sell for a job relocation or family circumstances, I would recommend talking to an expert listing agent in your area and looking at a net sheet to determine your ultimate goal. If it is to make money for a flip, just expect to pay taxes on that.... if it is to get out even, than that depends on your market and situation.

I would recommend speaking to a local lender that can walk your through all the best options. Do not recommend online lenders as they are most likely not looking at your specific market and the details of your personal needs. When talking with a local lender to get a pre-approval, they may be able to point you in the direction of local programs that are available to help with 1st time home buyers or grants that might help to get your real estate goals met for your circumstances. There might be options for a 100% USDA loan. But a local lender can answer all these questions for you specific to your situation.

2 THINGS! Get a great local lender and a local REALTOR that is an expert in the area that you are looking to live! The REALTOR will most likely be able to give you great recommendations on local lenders. This will help you to get the path to homeownership on the right track fast and with the least amount of bumps in the road! The biggest thing I do not recommend is house hunting without a pre-approval letter from a good lender and without a great professional REALTOR!

A few things to keep in mind...... Are you looking at turning it into an investment and all that goes along with that process? Can you buy another home without selling the current home? In most of the counties in SC the taxes for a 2nd home QUADRUPLE because you do not get the primary tax rate break. That is something you need to look at for your county and factor into the rental process. I also recommend, having a minimum of 6 months of reserves to pay the expenses on the home in the event that you run into issues with a rental eviction process. Do you have the money if a rental goes sideways to do renovations? I have seen the expenses of that process be way more than what a short-term immediate loss may be for selling for a little less. If you do not want to get into the landlord investment business seel it now as this market currently is still in good condition in SC area. AND TALK TO A LOCAL EXPERT REALTOR! This is key to making this decision based on your net on the home and the current market values.

I recommend interviewing agents to see who has the expertise of the real estate goal you are hoping to meet and the knowledge of the area that you are looking in for your home needs. If you have already signed a buyers agreement with a specific agent and started working with them and are not happy with their process. TELL THEM, and talk to their broker so that you are getting the information you need to meet your real estate goals! They do not know if you are not letting them know. I always say not all agents are created equal. Not all of them have the knowledge of the real estate goal you are looking to accomplish. Not all agents are a good personality fit for your needs. So interview the agents you hope to work with in order to be sure it is a good fit.

This is a great question for your lender. And I recommend working with a local lender that has knowledge of the VA loan process. I also recommend talking with a local REALTOR that has knowledge of VA loan home options. Being that yo uare in VA I am sure there are many REALTORS and Lenders that have this expertise as it is a heavily Veteran populated area. As a REALTOR, I work with a lot of veterans in an area with several military bases and help veterans walk through this process. There are a few more things to look at when looking to purchase a home with a VA loan. There are conditions of the home that must be met and this in most cases includes being able to have a clear CL-100 letter of inspection. This means no current termite of water damage. It must be in good livable condition with windows and doors that lock and other items of this nature. Reach out to a local VA lender and REALTOR. They can give you personal specifics for your situation.

In most situations, you can not negotiate for what you think might be an issue in the future. In most states including SC You are given a Due Diligence period to do inspections. a good home inspector might be able to do a moisture read on the area to determine if there are high moisture readings. Express your concerns with the inspector and see if they may be able to give you more details of any issues. and then have your REALTOR relay those concerns based on the inspections to the selling agent and the sellers. Then go from there based on the recommendations of the inspector and the REALTOR representing your side of the process.

Commercial properties as a general rule of thumb take longer to sell. You might be able to negotiate a shorter term, but ask the broker what the average time of a property of this nature would take to sell in your market. This might help give you the answers you need to meet your real estate goals. There are also longer due diligence periods in commercial contracts. SO even if it went under contract quickly, it might take longer for the due diligence of what ever business is looking to buy the property. Just a few things to keep in mind.

This is all dependent on what you want to do with the cash if you are not going to fully pay cash for the home. I mean if it is just sitting in a savings account and not working for you then this might not be a good option. To borrow money right now is still fairly cheap overall. If you do not want a payment and do not have the money coming in to pay a mortgage then paying in full might be a better fit. But if you are paying say.. 50% down and using the rest of that cash to invest for a higher return, then that might make better sense.... I would recommend talking to a lender and seeing what the finance options looks like to determine what is a better fit for your end goal!

THIS IS THE CRYSTAL BALL QUESTION! ;) So it all depends on the area...... I would 1st recommend having this conversation with a REALTOR that knows the general area you are looking to purchase and get their perspective. Some of this depends on the price points and what you are willing to do to the home.... are you going to gutt it and reno it for a quick sale or are you looking at holding it for a long-term tune around? There might be some indicators to what for such as other development around an area affecting the home values.... Is there a surge of hiring happening from the growth of a large business in an area? are other homes in this area being "flipped" So look for indicators and get a professional opinion to help with your specific real estate goal!

YOu are correct that commissions vary depending on many factors. Experience, the area, the type of property, the requirements it takes to sell a property. The listing agreement will have the agreed-upon commissions spelled out clearly as to what you have agreed upon for the property that you are looking to sell. Look for a professional REALTOR with expertise for what you are looking to accomplish for your property and interview them to see if they are the right fit for your goals. And sign a listing agreement with the commission spelled out based on the things listed above. (no they should not change based on the written agreement)

I would recommend interviewing agents to determine the one that is the right fit for you and then concentrate on who will get you the highest NET for your property based on their negotiation skills to benefit you. The 1st thing I would ask... is if they are willing to negotiate away their own income how quickly will they negotiate away your net profits? If the agent will not stand for their own income, they will certainly not stand up for you with strong negotiation skills. Just something to think about when interviewing agents....

I believe that you are referring to online sites such as Zillow etc. These are not completely accurate as they have not walk through your home to know all the details. It also takes into account properties that are tranfered between family members for $5, or foreclosures, and so many other factors. A REALTOR would be able to give you up to date accurate info on the range of value on your home based on seeing it and comparing that to currently listed and closed homes similar. Talk to a REALTOR Or even an appraiser to have this value determined based on current market details.

I am a REALTOR in the Columbia, SC area. WE often have investors that will buy properties with the tenant in place if there is a solid lease and good standing tenant with the right numbers for the return on investment. Keep in mind investors do not want to "buy your problem low-cost rental" they want a solid investment so be sure that is what you are looking to sell and offer if you want to keep the tenant in place. However, speak to a REALTOR about the specifics of your property they will be able to give you good suggestions on what you are trying to accomplish for your real estate goals!

Arms Length Transaction is often used in a Foreclosure, bank-owned or distressed property, and sometimes in a flip by an investor. It means the buyer or buyers agent is not directly related to the purchaser or the seller or the agents involved. So no Friends, Family, or agents themselves doing the purchase or sale of the property.

I would recommend having either a home inspector or plumber evaluate your specific situation.... Sometimes it is not about being on a hill... A sump Pump is designed to rid an area of unwanted water accumulation. So if you have excessive water accumulation in an area of crawl space or basement, it might be recommended. If the water stands for more than 48 hours especially.

This sounds like a few moving parts. I would highly recommend a local REALTOR to connect with on the best options to transfer and then sell a home based on the local market activity and requirements. To sell a home AS IS, as a REALTOR I 1st ask ....are you willing to price it right based on the condition of the property. 2nd, I ask, if there was something minor that is a simple fix that needed to be addressed so a buyer could purchase the home, would you fix it if we could find a simple solution? If so Do not LIST the Property AS IS! Let that come about within the negotiations of the sale. In most AS IS sales the buyer will assume it is in bad condition and low ball, so do not set that expectation before you even get an offer on the property. Find a local professional REALTOR to address these questions specifically!

Think of it this way... If it is not in writing, it is not legal. So if you have not signed a listing or buyers agreement with this agent you are not required to work with them. If it is not a good fit, then interview other agents to be sure it is a good fit for what you are wanting to accomplish for your real estate goals! Not all agents are a specialist in all areas. Be sure to find the right fit for what your real estate goals are and does that agent have the expertise in that area. Do they have good references? Do they have a history of accomplishing what you want to do with your real estate goals? When you find that agent. Then put it in writing!

What a great question! I have had clients See the first house and say this is the ONE and I have had others it takes 5 or more! I think seeing too many homes in one day can be overwhelming! A great agent will help you narrow the list of homes before going to see them in person. This will make the most of your time and then make the process not so overwhelming! Have a good idea of your top 5 must-haves in order to make sure you are able to narrow your list! Asking great questions is a start to get that list narrowed so you do not have to look at as many in person..... Such as Do you need to be within a certain distance of work or schools? HOW DO YOU LIVE? do you go to a certain gym that needs to be close? do you like to bake a lot so you want to be close to a certain store that carries what you need and is the kitchen set up and style important? I like to say lets get answers to more questions up front in order to help narrow and make the most of your search in person and not waste a lot of time.

There are options. It all depends on what the circumstances are..... if it is owner-occupied, there is a 203K FHA Loan Option..... It does have some requirements and you need to find the right lender to go on this path. I have seen investors if looking to flip, borrow from their own 401K in order to borrow from themselves, and then repair when it sells. I have seen some banks do a personal loan depending on the amount and your credit. I have seen hard money lenders come into play however, those often come with interest and fees that you will need to factor into your overall numbers if you are flipping the property and if you are holding it to rent or owner occupy, the hard money lender may not be the best option. There are some grants occasionally available through counties, I would check with your local lenders and a local REALTOR to see if they have this info and these are usually for owner-occupied properties only. I even had a client that owed nothing on a car and did a refi on a car because the interest was so low that it made sense with a local credit union.... and then just paid it over time... So ALL of this depends on what your end goal for the property will be......

Typical Response time depends on the temperature of the market..... how fast are properties moving. If you have a written offer in, there should be an expiration of the offer in writing in the contract that you offered. Your REALTOR should be able to answer this more specifically with your contract. Typically in a hot market, I try to get an answer back in 24 hours.... I have had some offers on my listings come in with a week to respond because they are leaving it open longer if they are an investor.... Look at your specific offer in writing to see if there is an expiration date...... However, My 1st response is if they do not respond by the expiration of the offer then that is your answer they rejected the offer. If they responded back a few days after the expiration and you had not found another home and still wanted it, I would ask for a counter in writing and have the expiration of the offer changed and initialed..... I hope this helps.

Appraisal Times do not depend on the property exactly.... They are typically assigned and the appraiser typically has 10 business days to complete from the point of the assignment. Timing of getting one back depends on how busy the market is and what type of loan is being utilized as to how detailed it has to be for process.

I personally like to list a home late Wednesday or early Thursday to give a good marketing and social media push to the property for an open house or Social media push for the most amount of showings the 1st weekend on the market. If you list on Monday, it is typically only seen in the evenings that week and not as many buyers are able to go in the middle of the week in the middle of the day as they are working. So it is a strategy to get the most marketing for the biggest result.

I would consult an attorney in that area to determine the legalities of this situation for our goals...

Talk to a local REALTOR with knowledge of your area and have them view the home in person to give you the best idea of the market trends based on the condition of your home. The online evaluators are only as good as the knowledge it has of your particular home... They do not walk through it and factor in the details of the home to see the true value. There are many factors that go into this and keep in mind an appraiser will only look at the last 6 months in most cases and they do not look at the current active homes on the market. Both of these come into the factor of what your home will sell for in a current market.

Talk to a local REALTOR with knowledge of your area and have them view the home in person to give you the best idea of the market trends based on the condition of your home. The online evaluators are only as good as the knowledge it has of your particular home... They do not walk through it and factor in the details of the home to see the true value. There are many factors that go into this and keep in mind an appraiser will only look at the last 6 months in most cases and they do not look at the current active homes on the market. Both of these come into the factor of what your home will sell for in a current market.

Talk to a local REALTOR with knowledge of your area and have them view the home in person to give you the best idea of the market trends based on the condition of your home. The online evaluators are only as good as the knowledge it has of your particular home... They do not walk through it and factor in the details of the home to see the true value. There are many factors that go into this and keep in mind an appraiser will only look at the last 6 months in most cases and they do not look at the current active homes on the market. Both of these come into the factor of what your home will sell for in a current market.

There are different degrees of staging..... First and Foremost Declutter and deep clean including a good pressure wash of the home and make it look clean and well cared for at MINIMUM! The better appearance and appeal of a home, the less time on the market, and the better the perception of the value of the home. So do not skip the basics no matter the market if you want top dollar for the sale. To go beyond the basics, I would recommend contacting a local professional REALTOR with experience in your area to know what the trends of the market are for the timeframe you are looking to sell. If you are selling a Million dollar home in a market where there are a lot of them on the market you want yours to stand out above the others!

"Escrow" is to be in contract basically. It means that you are purchasing the home. In different states, it may be simply called "Under Contract" In most cases in mean that you have put earnest (deposit) money down to go under contract. If you are a first-time home buyer, I would HIGHER recommend connecting with a local REALTOR to help you navigate the process! Over 70 people will touch as typical real estate transactions and they are there to answer questions like this and so much more! And in most cases, the cost of their services comes from the proceeds of the sale and is already factored into the cost of the sale. This means you are not coming directly out of pocket to have representation in the buying process! You would not go to court without an attorney.... so do not go into a real estate transaction without representation!

What makes you ask about 1% is my question. Are you worried about the amount the agent is making or you are netting from the sale? If yo are looking for a discount broker, do you expect them to negotiate and work as hard as an agent that knows their value and works for their commission? If an agent can get you the net you want, and still make full commission then what the agent makes does not matter! If an agent is willing to give away their worth before they have even negotiated on your behalf, how quickly are they going to negotiate your equity away on your behalf? You get what you pay for! It is about what you net and if they agent charges you 10% but over-delivers and gets you what you want out of the sale does that matter?

If you are getting enjoyment out of the pool that is what matters! Do not look at a pool as a full return on the investment. If you put $50K in a pool it does not mean you increased your home value by $50K. However, you enjoyed it and it was important to you. When I work with buyers and if they are specifically looking for a pool, it is of more value to them if it is already in place. If the buyer does not want a pool, they will just move on from that listing. If it is done well then it definitely makes it more appealing to a buyer if they are looking for an entertainment space and a way to enjoy their own backyard. Keep in mind it also depends on the price point of your home, to begin with prior to the pool installation. So to directly answer your question a pool is not a dollar-for-dollar upgrade you get back in full. But it could be a selling point if this is specifically what someone is looking for when you go to put your home on the market and if there are few with pools and entertainment spaces compared to others on the market, this might work to your advantage.

I have actually recently looked into this information personally for myself. With regards to a US lender, no they will not finance a property outside the US. In many cases, it takes Large down payments in other countries and you are working with banks or lenders in those countries. The rates and fees are much higher than the loans in the US. I would recommend reaching out to a local REALTOR in that area to be able to have them connect you to a local option and get more details for that specific area. I looked into this specifically for the Caribbean and possibly some of the areas of Mexico that are high tourist areas for an option to be able to AIRBNB the property. I also found there are different requirements in different areas for a US citizen to be able to purchase in other countries and areas. So ask for those details from a local professional as well.

Depending on where you are looking to purchase, there are different rules regulations, and local expertise that is needed to complete a real estate transaction internationally, especially depending on where you are looking to buy. YES, YOU NEED A LOCAL REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL! They will be able to guide you through the local requirements and finance options etc. I recently looked into purchasing a home in the Caribbean for myself and reached out to local REALTORS and found a wealth of knowledge on the options. They also typically take longer to close on an international property due to the requirements. It also takes much larger down payments and comes with higher interest and closing fees than the US in many cases. So depending on where you are looking the details will be very different from place to place, just like many transactions are different here in the US from state to state.

I would highly recommend that you reach out to a local REALTOR and get answers on the local market from a REALTOR that knows this area and can walk you through what your ultimate real estate goals look like for your personal situation. This will also depend on what you are looking to accomplish long-term and what the local market activity looks like. If you need help finding a local REALTOR I am always happy to help connect you to a professional that knows your area.

It does not hurt to get an estimate on what Granite Countertops cost in your local area. I would also recommend reaching out to a local REALTOR that knows your market and have them look at the home and give you better specific advice based on their local knowledge of the market to be sure that what you do gets you the best return on the investment based on your market activity. There is also a company called Curbio that might be an option that will help with updates and then you pay for it with some interest when the home sells. A local REALTOR might have some of these options to give you the best results. If you need a connection I am happy to help.

This is a great question. A local REALTOR that walks you through the home buying and selling process can answer the specifics of how that contract works concerning earnest money for your area as this differs by the contract and the area. But to answer in general, EArnest money tells a seller you are serious, willing, and able to buy a home. It does go towards the purchase as long as you move toward a successful closing to purchase. It is like a deposit to show your commitment as a buyer to purchase that home. There are details within a contract that you can get earnest money back if you go through due diligence and are unable to come to an agreement on repairs for an example. But to go into more specifics of getting earnest money back look to your contract and your local REALTOR to explain the details of the local contract. Hire a LOCAL REALTOR to give you the best guidance to know how this work for your locally! There are over 70 people that touch a transaction and it is 70 + opportunities to have something go wrong. So this is what your REALTOR can help you navigate! They do this everyday!

There are so many factors that go into this question that are very specific. A REALTOR nor an Attorney can answer this specifically for your situation. I would recommend a good CPA look at your details of the sale..... Such as whether it was it a flip, a primary residence an estate sale, what were the taxes at the time of the sale, did you hold it longer than 2 years, did you net money, did you invest money in the home to sell it..... All these are factors that need to be considered in your specific situation. Consult a CPA and tax prffesional.

ARe you able to pay the taxes on the property while you hold onto it and wait to build? If you are buying it just to see it increase in value, that is something that a local professional REALTOR can answer for you. In many cases, I do not see huge returns on investment of land by itself to hold and sell for more at a later date unless it is near an area that is in development or has growth potential near it. So ask a local REALTOR about what you are specifically wanting to accomplish. They will be able to give you better direction on your local goals.

Reach out to a Local REALTOR in the area of FL you are looking to purchase and they can specifically answer this question about the process. In SC you pay the taxes based on the purchase price of the home for Property Tax and the seller pays a sales tax, so this question will depend on the type of tax you are specifically asking about..... I have 2 teams in the Florida markets, if I can connect you to a LOCAL REALTOR in the area that you are looking in, they can help guide you through the process in detail. I am happy to make a connection.

A lender uses the debt-to-income ratio to determine the ability to qualify for a home loan. Most lenders have requirements of certain percentages based on the type of loan the buyer qualifies for, such as a VA loan, an FHA loan, Conventional loan. It is the total of all of your creditor bills compared to your income. In most cases with most loans the DTI or Debt to income ratio needs to be below 52% but it is all based on the lender requirements and the loan types.

This really depends on your ultimate goal..... Is it is to be debt free than pay the extra on your mortgage or any other bills. It would be difficult to invest just $200 a month to get a large return on that unless you have a large sum of money to invest all at once. However, if you are paying a total of 2 extra full payments a year on a 30-year mortgage it can cut it in almost HALF! So that might be a better option to accomplish debt free.

In many states including the state of SC, an appraiser does not add ANY value for solar panels. It is also harder to sell a home with solar panels if money is owed on the solar panels. The buyer must qualify for the home payment and the solar panel payment and this adds to the debt-to-income ratio and many buyers are not able to qualify for both payments in many cases. It also voids the warranty on most roofs and can be an issue when looking to replace the roof as well. In SC I DO NOT recommend it. And Most people are not living in their homes long enough for it to pay off in the long run with any savings.... they are really swapping one bill for another. I have sold a few homes with SOlar Panels and the liens were required by lenders of the buyer to be paid off in full as a lender requirement of the loan as well.

I would recommend you reach out to a trusted local agent to connect you to an agent in the country you are looking to purchase. Each country has its own laws and finance options. So this all depends on where you are looking to purchase. I have connected many buyers to agents in other countries to meet their real estate goals. I always make sure I connect the buyers with an agent that is an expert in the area they are looking and a specific niche to make sure it is a good match.

There are a few follow-up questions to this.... are you doing the flipping work yourself or are you only investing the money to have someone else do the work? Some it depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Are you holding it for rental or selling it as soon as the flips REmodel work is completed? What kind of budget are you working with to accomplish this goal? FLipping can be accomplished in many places, but it really depends on how you want to accomplish this goal. I see this happening in many markets and in many price points as well.

Wholesale is when an investor puts a home under contract with an owner and then finds a buyer of the contract without it actually going in their name. There are often not agents involved. there are some states that are taking steps to highly regulate or outlaw this practice as they are "practicing real estate without a license" There are more factors than just these steps, but this is a basic idea.

I would recommend reaching out to local Mortgage Brokers or a local REALTOR that can recommend local options. Many times there are county grants or there may be programs that are forgivable loans for veterans or First responders that are available. These are typically local to a state or region.

In real estate, you typically get the most value out of Kitchen and bathroom remodels. But exactly how much depends on the area and the average price points. A bathroom remodel in California or Florida may not reveal the same investment value as a home with a remodel in South Carolina. The price points on the homes are completely different. I would recommend reaching out to a local REALTOR in your specific market to get a better idea of this value based on the local market that the bathroom remodel is taking place.

I see you are in Ponte Vedra Beach Florida. This is truly a market-specific question. If yo uare located in an area where the homes are older and many have been updated, it might help to increase the overall values. I work with clients locally to give them an idea of the best place to invest in their home to get the most out of it at when they go to sell the home. I would recommend reaching out to a local REALTOR that can specifically give you an idea of your market to not over-invest and get the most out of your remodel project.

I see you are in California. This is truly a market-specific question. If you are located in an area where the homes are older and many have been updated, it might help to increase the overall values. I work with clients locally to give them an idea of the best place to invest in their home to get the most out of it at when they go to sell the home. I would recommend reaching out to a local REALTOR that can specifically give you an idea of your market to not over-invest and get the most out of your remodel project.

1st work with a Knowledgable local REALTOR that can help you price the home correctly to not SIT on the market and still get top dollar! 2nd have them do a video walk-through of the home while it is in good clean condition at the time the listing pictures are taken and have that shared with the potential buyers so that they have a good impression of the home before ever walking through it. Ask for notice of showings so you can be prepared for showings. do an open house the 1st weekend it is on the market and ask the showings to come to the open house. With Small kids, make it a game to have them help. Reward them with a treat if they help keep their toys put away. When prepping the home, start packing things that you are not using that season. If it is summer, pack anything that is winter related and box it up! Put it in storage. A good local listing agent will help you with all these great tips and MORE!

The KEY to getting the most for your home is the preparation prior to listing your home! DE-CLUTTER! CLEAN! A good deep clean and pressure wash around the outside and fresh landscaping all help with a great 1st impression. Repair any minor items prior to listing the home. Make it as neutral as possible. HIRE a local REALTOR to help review your home needs specifically! This is an area where they can lend you the expertise that is relatable to your local market as to what buyers are looking for in your area.

To find a local Appraiser to determine the market value, you can reach out to a local REALTOR or Lender and they can most likely point you in the right direction of a good local Appraiser. Or Google appraiser and your local market. Keep in mind if she is getting a loan, they will do an appraisal through the mortgage campany as well.

If you are referring to the buy and sale history of a home, that can be found in a few places, such as the county tax records for the property or a real estate agent and have them look at the Multiple Listing Service and see the history there. If you are referencing a Historic Home.... That can be in the historic registry fo the area. and I always encourage my clients to google the address. One of my investors found out the a home was a known drug activity house previously by seeing the google activity that come up with the police calls to that address.... You never know what you can find...

It is very normal. Many lenders have a secure online option to upload sensitive documents. Of course, I always recommend a good local lender because they are more aware of the local taxes and items that are most important to the process. But please pick up the phone and connect with them to get questions answered and make sure you are getting all the answers you need each step of the way!

Depending on how your contract is written with your local Real estate expert, it could be a condition of the contract. Not required. However, I will say it depends on the circumstances. Sometimes it is as simple as a home is worth what someone is willing to pay for it (within reason) So if it is to help you determine the value of what you are buying go for it. A local REal estate Expert can help guide you to determine if this is right for your situation.

This depends on several things. The area and location. The age of the home - historic homes often do not have to have a closet. The egress of a window and door access and having a minimum of a 5-foot clearance at the edge of the room.(such as a bonus room with slanted walls) A good rule of thumb is if you can not put a twin-size bed in the room with walking space around it and it has a window and have a closet or room for a wardrobe.... than it might not be considered a closet. A Local REALTOR or Appraiser can give you more local requirements.

Curb appeal is Important. But overdoing it is not something that you want to do either. A local Real estate Listing expert can most likely look at your specific situation and give you a better direction of what to do and not do.... But big things, basics green grass and trimmed and neatness is always good. I also read that yellow flowers help sell a home faster..... So look at your yard compared to those in the neighborhood does it stack up?

These are 2 different lifestyles.... A house has different maintenance, a yard, a roof, and things that require more money of upkeep over time. A Condo has association dues that are typically paid monthly that cover those costs. But the difference is what works for your lifestyle. Do you live a busy life and do not want to mow a lawn? Do you have the budget to pay the additional HOA or regime fees that come with a condo? Those will be personal decisions that might help to answer this question...

There are multiple things on a real estate contract that can be a contingency. A contingency is a condition of the contract or even a loan requirement. Contingent on the appraisal - meaning it has to appraise for the contract price. Contingent on a sale of a home - meaning the buyer needs to close on their current home to purchase the next home. Contingent on a Clear CL100 Inspection Letter - Many VA or FHA loans require that there is not termite or water damage to a home to have this inspection clear for financing. So a contingency is a condition of the contract or loan that needs to be met to close the home.

In many cases, it is a smell that is caused by moisture, mold or mildew often in a crawl space, so start there and make sure there are no issues there. And cleaning carpets, ductwork and fresh paint often help with many of the smells as well. I would recommend having a local REALTOR look at your home and give you a good direction of the next steps and recommend some good local vendors to help with these issues.

This depends on where you are located and what type of taxes you are referring to for the purpose of the sale. In SC we have deed stamps which is like a sales tax for the sale of the home. And then you have the proration of the property tax depending on the time of year of the sale. And as far as income tax that all depends on the specific sale and I recommend you talk to a tax professional about your specific situation.

This is a great question and some of this depends on the market that you are in, because they are not all the same. I would always consult with a local REALTOR to be sure based on the area contracts. To answer in general, Most loans require that the basics are in place, Items that are ATTACHED! Such as light fixtures, blinds, and Bathroom mirrors. (A picture hanging on a wall is not attached) Some contracts require TV Mounts to stay but not the TV as they can make a large hole in the wall ( Good Rule of Thumb if it leaves a big hole in the wall it is best to leave it there) Most appliances stay with exceptions.... In the state of SC Refrigerators are not required to stay unless written into the contract or unless they are a custom fridge built in with special cabinets. Microwaves that are just sitting on the counter do not have to stay unless they are written into the contract. So ultimately, It all depends on the contract for your area. But these are general rules.

I will say if a yard is clean and well kept and in good condition it gives potential buyers a great 1st impression. At the same time, I have seen some invest too much by ripping out all the grass adding new sod, and doing a complete yard reno and not getting all of that back out of it... So it depends on what you mean by landscaping. I have also seen yards that have $100,000 in hardscape and firepit, outdoor kitchen space, and beautiful flowers in some neighborhoods that get it all back out of the sale, and in other neighborhoods, it only helps them sell it faster, but not for more Money. So I would highly suggest having a local REALTOR look at the details of what you are thinking for landscaping.

THIS IS a GREAT QUESTION! As a REALTOR I have seen very smart local lenders actually tell my clients to not put as much down because they may not be staying in a home as their forever home for more than 5-8 years and it does not make sense to put more money down when you can take that money and invest it in other areas for a bigger return! Also, there are recent changes to the lending regulations that may actually penalize some that are borrowing money because it could make your rate higher if your credit score is in a higher bracket. A good Local lender can give you specifics about these options based on the loan type and the amount that you are looking to finance and your credit score! So reach out to a good local lender to determine the best options.

This depends on your ultimate goal. Are you looking to NET more money? Is the renovations that you are doing going to cost more than you would get out of them? Then NO, sell it for the right price based on the condition. Or Are you looking to sell it faster... A Professional Local REALTOR can walk through the home and give you a better direction of the options to get the most from the home sale. Sometimes it is as simple as some paint and flooring and that is all dependant on what is going on in your local market! I would have a local REALTOR come look at the house in person and give you some advice for your specific situation.

I would recommend reaching out to your mortgage company to see if this is an option within your loan. The challenge will be that they will need to qualify for the loan. You do not want to simply have them make payments, because you are still responsible for the mortgage. Also, talk to a local real estate closing attorney to help facilitate the details and be sure it is done legally, or it will come back with repercussions that will not be good!

2 things that will help you! 1- with financing, an appraisal is done to confirm for the lender the value of the home. 2- a trusted local expert REALTOR is key in helping guide you through the process and look at and review the most up-to-date comparable data to reveal the market values that are happening in our fast pace market!

I would 1st recommend interviewing a few local experts to give their opinion on the value and what the local market is doing to determine the best options. Keep in mind we are seeing some areas that are slowing drastically and some that are not and a good local expert REALTOR should be able to keep a pulse on what they are seeing..... With that said, you can choose to list a property higher if you are willing to take the risk of it sitting on the market longer.... Keep in mind if you were a buyer and you saw a home sitting on the market longer than those around it..... What is your fist impression??? Typically you think it is over priced. So keep this in mind when listing a home. and make price corrections quickly if you are not getting activity on the home quickly.

Just be sure that you are able to get the job transfer information for the lender and be able to qualify for the USDA loan options. The amount of income is also something considered in the USDA loan in additional to the location of the home.

Keep in mind anything heated and cooled is typically included in the sq footage as long as it is finished space. AN unfished basement is not. so it needs to be living space. The garage is not included, patios not included. I hope this helps.

SC has been in the top 3 states for the last 11 years for the most amount of moves to our state! Part of that reason is Affordability! The taxes are lower and the cost of living is lower. We have a lot of clients moving to the Columbia, SC and surrounding areas, for the higher-rated schools and the great cost of living! You can get into a newer construction home in this area around 2300 sq ft for around $350,000 on average at this time! Please let me know if I can help!

This is a great question in light of our current headlines! First answer is Yes a buyer and a seller can self represent themselves. 2nd part to this answer is it is not recommended! Here is why..... Over 70+ people will touch a transaction from just before the sale until just after closing...... it is 70+ opportunities to have something go wrong and cost you time, money and frustration! From the contracts used in a particular area, to know the contacts for inspections and how the area due diligence process works, to know the closing attorney or title company to recommend to having someone show you homes and be your ADVOCATE to protect your interest, whether a buyer or a seller! Some of the challenges that come to a transaction even REALTORS have not faced before, yet they have built up a pipeline of connections an contacts to be able to overcome hurdles that the average person would not even know to address in a transaction..... So I would not recommend doing this on your own!

Often School rankings can be a lead indicator of an area. Often an area with better schools hold their values at a higher rate. There are also signs in older neighborhoods if you see homes being renovated and resold for higher values, this is a good sign of re-gingerfication. I would rely on a trusted LOCAL REALTOR to give you some comparables to see if the inventory is rising, days on market are growing and how homes are holding their value. Unfortunately, there is no crystal ball, but these are all helpful indicators!

1st Supply and demand cause the increase, especially in areas where we are seeing mass amounts of moving into an area to "escape" other areas. The rising cost of building is driving prices, which are also aggravated by inflation. The fact that there are areas, where the inventory supply is low and more buyers want to move to an area than there are homes available is the biggest factor!

A 15 year will have a lower rate because it has a higher payment with more going to the principal to pay it off faster. However, I recommend to do a 30-year and just make a couple of extra payments a year and it will be paid off in almost half the time similar to the idea of a 15-year loan, but then if you are in a hardship and can not make the extra payment, than it is not an issue.... But if you can make those extra payments you are in great shape!

To Recast a loan, it depends on the lender and type of loan you have and if the lender allows a large payment option to recast a loan. This will reset the amortization of the loan. But typically requires a large amount of money to put into the loan. Check with your lender to see if this an option.

There are a lot of factors that go into a Repossession or a foreclosure process. It is not as simple as just buying it from the bank. There also are not as many of these on the market and many times the banks have become smart to do renovations to them to get the retail price from the asset. So I would recommend connecting with a LOCAL REALTOR to be able to answer the questions about this specifically for your local market and how the market is with these options. We have very few of these in our current market in the SC area. So see is an agent in the NM area can help answer this about your local market.

I would recommend connecting with a Solid REALTOR in your area, to get the best advice on the pulse of the local market! You are always welcome to make a cash offer. Remember they will typically request the proof of funds with the offer and they do not have to accept it, but a local agent can give you a good idea of what the market is seeing as far as how the inventory is moving in your market.

If you are paying cash and purchasing the home outright, this is an option. If you are financing with a mortgage, Home insurance is required to protect the investment of the home for both you and the lender. The lender will require full home insurance.

I googled her, I looked on Zillow and I looked on REALTOR, I do not see Barbara Murray in Florida as a REALTOR. I would recommend to interview a few LOCAL REALTORS to determine a good fit. Fast Expert can help....

I think you are honest and show the work that you have completed and any invoices! I would highly recommend that you reach out to a LOCAL REALTOR that can properly help you set this up for a positive! Often things are done to a home, such as foundation work, and if warranties are in place, it is good to show the work and that a warranty is there to address the issues.

THE HOA all depends on the area and the type of home/ condo. I highly recommend that you reach out to a LOCAL REALTOR to give you better direction on the HOA Details. Some are VERY strict and have high fees, but they are there to protect the home values so that an owner next door does not put a car on blocks in the front yard.... or paint the house purple.... We have some in our area, that are simple and not over the top and we have some that are over the top! So check with your local REALTOR to give you the details. and KNOW before you buy!

Foreclosures, once completed through the entire process, are listed with a local REALTOR and put into the MLS for maximum exposure. The bank wants the most amount of exposure for top dollar. We are seeing less of these on the market than we have in the past and usually banks are brining them up to a retail condition to sell them in most cases to get top dollar for them.

YES YES YES! I will always recommend a Home inspection even on a new home! I recently had a client go to sell a 1 year old home and the HVAC was installed incorrectly and not been running properly.... They did not do a home inspection at the time of the purchase. They had a job transfer and put the home on the market....... new buyer did an HVAC inspection and found the unit was shot because of not being installed correctly! And luckily they were within the warranty period, but it was a hard battle to get the unit replaced because of all the finger-pointing! The buyer almost walked away from the deal! DO A HOME and HVAC inspection at MINIMUM!

I would consult a local REALTOR to get te answer to this for the specifics of the area that you are looking to buy! Here on Lake Murray, SC I have 2 investors that are buying them and having great success! But there are areas, that have fallen under great restrictions and it depends on where they are located and the county or neighborhood rules.

1ST - reach out to a local REALTOR who knows the market! The Specifics of the market you are looking to buy in for an investment may vary greatly! So Trust a professional! The next part is deciding what makes the most sense for the budget you want to stay within and what the market stats are showing for the rental properties that are renting and available. This will all depend on what your goal looks like..... Holding for long term, or just long enough to get your own child through school and then sell....

THIS IS AN ATTORNEY QUESTION! I highly recommend you consult a reliable Real estate attorney, outside of the closing attorney you have used to this point!

I highly recommend connecting with a local REaltor Expert to be sure that you price it right, and have the market stats to work for you! Staging is great, but pricing it right with knowing what your competition is doing is key!

REach out to a Local REALTOR expert. They can give you better answers on the market she is looking for for that range. Also, talk to a local lender! They often have 1st time home buyer options and can even get some closing cost assistance and maybe grants for the down payment assistance. When looking at a Mortgage Calculator app, that price range is probably around $165-200,000 range depending on taxes, insurance and what a down payment would look like for her.