The 4 Demands You Should Make to Your Agent

There are four demands you need to make to your agent when buying a home so you get the home you want and pay the right price for it.

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What four demands should you make to your agent when buying a house?

First, talk to them about price. Make sure they help you understand how they’ll get both the seller and the bank to agree to the offer you’re making on the property you want. It’s important that you go in ahead of time understanding the negotiation phase of the seller’s counteroffer and you understand that the bank has to perform their appraisal and agree that the purchase price of the property is what they’re willing to lend on it.

Make sure they help you find the right house.

Second, make sure they understand your timetable and how soon you need to be out of your current property and into a new one. It can be time-consuming to both sell an old property and buy a new one. Buying a new property means dealing with escrow periods and needing time to both look for a new home and then move into it. Discuss with your agent your plan for how you’re going to work out the logistics of your time in order to move into your new property.

Third, make sure they have good negotiating skills and do a good job explaining the different phases of the negotiation process with both the buyer and the seller.

Finally, make sure they help you find the right house, even if that means you give them permission to tell you the truth—even if it’s something you don’t want to hear. Make sure they listen to what you’re asking for in your “needs” list for your new house and they’re in tune to whatever else you want.

If you have any questions about what demands to make of your agent or you’re thinking of buying or selling a home in San Diego, don’t hesitate to message me or give me a call. I’d love to work with you!

Why the Right Contractor Is Key

When choosing a contractor, there are a few things you need to consider before making your final call.

 

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There are a few steps you should take to properly vet a contractor for your remodel project.

First of all, it’s always a good idea to choose a contractor who has been referred to you by a friend or a professional. Looking at that contractor’s prior work can give you a good idea of what the finished results in your own home will look like.

The Internet can also be a great resource for getting to know a contractor and their ability. Do your homework on them by checking out reviews such as the ones on Yelp! or Angie’s List. While you’re checking out their reviews, also look to see if the contractor is part of any contractor associations.

Additionally, make sure you get more than one bid for the project. In fact, you’ll probably want three, or even four, bids before you choose the contractor.

Choose a contractor who has been referred to you by a friend or a professional.

When you do get these bids, make sure the items within them are consistent. Comparing bids that are “apples to apples” will make it easier to choose. Looking at similar bids is the only way to truly see if they are comparable.

Also, when you sign the bid, make sure there is an agreed-upon payment schedule. It also may be worth it to use the same contractor for multiple jobs, since you will already know what to expect from their work.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

6 Things to Keep in Mind When Moving to a New Area

Whether you are moving to a new city or a new neighborhood, there are six things you need to remember before you begin the moving process.

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Whether you are moving to a new city or simply a new area, there are a few tasks that you need to remember before you make your move.

1. Check if the bank you use has a branch in your new area. If there isn’t a branch in your new area, then you need to research which bank to move your accounts to.

2. Consider your medical needs. Have your current doctor forward your prescriptions to a pharmacy in your new area. Make sure you keep that doctor’s phone number in your contacts so that if your new doctor needs past medical records, you will be able to call with questions. You should also see if your medical insurance transfers to your new area and look for doctors and hospitals that accept your insurance.

3. Don’t forget to transfer other things like gym memberships, home security, or any other associations that you pay a fee for. Transfer those to your new address and get copies of your children’s school records. Keep in mind that some memberships come with a cancellation fee if you leave early, so factor those fees into the cost of your move.

Factor cancellation fees into the cost of your move.

4. Raid your kitchen about a month before you move. Consider using the items in your pantry and freezer early so that your move will be more efficient.

5. Check your vehicle. If you need to drive a long distance during the move, make sure you get an oil change and that the tires are safe.

6. Turn off your utilities and switch them to your new address. Some providers, especially cable companies, may have a wait time before they can come out to your property. Make sure that you call early so that you don’t have to wait for any services or utilities to turn on at your new house.

If you take care of these six things, your move will be much less stressful. If you have any other questions about moving or buying a new home, just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!