As a first time homebuyer, you may be feeling somewhat intimidated about the whole home buying process. With everything there is to learn about buying a home, it can certainly be overwhelming. Even those who have purchased homes two or three times will tell you buying a home is challenging. But they will also tell you that knowing how to research and prepare for buying a home will help you handle the challenges that come with it. First time homebuyers may find this resource helpful in easing any stress that can come during homebuying process.

Use These 5 Tips When Researching and Preparing for the Home Buying Process

 

1. Consider the Best Location

If you haven’t heard the old cliché “Location, Location, Location” yet, you will. That’s because it’s real estate truth! Location really is the most important part of the real estate equation. Consider the following pros and cons to help you determine the best location for your Brooklyn home:

• Take your family’s priorities into account
• Know where you would buy a home, and where you wouldn’t
• Try to be flexible with what you really want in your home. For example, are you longing for a place with a yard?
• Compare the price of the home you’re looking at purchasing with prices of homes in the area. This will help you find out if you’ve found a good deal and whether or not it lines up with current market expectations.

2. Be Ready Financially

Looking for a new home can seem like an endless endeavor. Once you find “the one” though, the process moves into high gear. In real estate markets that are fast-moving, a great house for a great price can list in the morning and receive an offer a few hours later. It’s even possible for it to be under contract by nightfall, really! And this is why you should be ready financially before you find a great house and make an offer.

Ask your friends and family which law or finance professionals, any law or finance professionals. Charles D’Alessandro with Fillmore Real Estate has recommendations for mortgage companies, so ask him for his recommendations. Get quotes from several different lenders. This will give you a general idea of what your rates should be.

3. Familiarize Yourself with Real Estate Jargon

It’s honestly worth the effort to educate yourself with some of the real estate terms that come with the home buying process. If you’re familiar with the terms, you’ll understand the purchasing terms when they’re being discussed.

4. See the Neighborhood for Yourself

Find out if a neighborhood is right for you by spending the day there. Check for open houses you’re interested in and make a day of it. Take a walk and visit nearby shops, restaurants, parks, and schools. Find out what kind of people live there.

5. Hire Charles D’Alessandro as Your Buyers Agent

The relationship with your real estate agent is important. They can make or break your home buying experience. Your real estate agent must be trustworthy, dependable and work FOR you in the home buying process.

The home buying process is exciting and stressful. With proper research and preparation, your home buying process can be a great experience. Start smart and hire Charles D’Alessandro. Research, prepare and contact Charles D’Alessandro at (718) 253-9600 ext. 206 or email [email protected]. With over 30 years of experience marketing Brooklyn homes, you can trust Charles D’Alessandro, your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate as your buyers agent.

Once you list your home for sale, keeping it clean, bright and clutter-free is a given. But did you know that staging your home increases the value in the buyers’ eyes? It also helps you get a higher price for your home. It’s a proven fact. Sell your home faster and for more money with home staging.

What is Home Staging?

Home staging is more than thoroughly cleaning, hauling out clutter, fixing aesthetic issues and making your home bright with lots of light. Staging a home:

• helps prospective buyers visualize themselves in the home
• has an effect on the buyer’s view of the home
• makes an impact in several ways for the buyer
• helps buyers visualize the property as a future home
• makes prospective buyers more willing to walk through a home they saw online

How Much Does It Cost?

Home staging costs an average of $675. Some real estate agents include home staging as part of their services.

If you choose not to have the whole home staged, stage the living room. It’s the number one room to stage. Second is the kitchen. Ranking third, fourth and fifth are the master bedroom, dining room, and bathroom.

Is it Worth the Effort and Investment?

Buyers typically offer a 6 to 10 percent increase in the value of a staged home. The impact and the value home staging bring to both home buyers and sellers make it worth the effort and investment most definitely!

Home Staging is About Your Home, not You

A professional home stager is hired to bring out the best in your home. Don’t take her recommendations personally. Commit to marketing your home for sale and be prepared to detach emotionally from your home and belongings. How we live is not how we sell a home, and therein lies a great challenge! Following staging recommendations to a tee and keeping your home in show-ready condition will sell your home faster and for more money. Trust your agent, your home stager, and the process!

Working with Charles D’Alessandro gives buyers, sellers, and investors the advantage they need to succeed in today’s challenging market. Charles knows what buyers want and how to best market and stage a home for sale.

Home staging is an excellent tool to give your home a little extra push to sell faster and for more money. Contact Charles D’Alessandro, your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate at (718) 253-9700 ext. 206 or email [email protected] today.