Real Estate Articles Worth Reading

As April is coming to an end (can you believe it!), we are due our next installment of the ‘best of real estate’ monthly edition. As usual, we try to provide a balanced mix of excellent content, ranging across topics for buyers, sellers, tenants, investors, and homeowners.

Given the pandemic outbreak we’re all experiencing now, it should be no surprise to see several articles covering that topic. Let’s get started with this month’s Real Estate roundup:

How to Forward Mail With The USPS

Are you going to be buying or selling a home in the not too distant future? One of the most vital tasks, when you are moving, is to make sure that you do a change of address with your local post office. Knowing how to forward your mail is vital. In the article at Maximum Real Estate Exposure, you will learn the exact steps you need to take in order to fill out your change of address property and have the post office forward your mail to wherever you’re headed.

Lots of folks wait until the last minute to get their mail forwarded. Doing so can be a mistake, as you’re likely to miss some crucial documents that could need an immediate response.

Best Real Estate Articles April 2020 Should You Buy Real Estate Given The COVID-19 Pandemic?

These past few months, many real estate agents and investors alike have run into this question: “Should you buy real estate during COVID-19?” Depending on your personal risk tolerance, investment goals, and, obviously, liquidity, the answer will vary from one person to the next.

In this informative article, G. Brian Davis explains how one ought to think of the current pandemic situation and the ensuing economic crisis as both a period of greater risk and greater opportunities. He discusses both at length and will be valuable for any real estate investor. There are always going to be people who have to buy a home. But what about those who don’t need to buy and sell- should they during these difficult times?

What Are The Top Mortgage Myths With Home Loans?

There are several steps one takes to become a homeowner. One crucial stage involves the mortgage application. As Kyle Hiscock states in his article: “No one ever said that getting approved for a mortgage would be easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.”

Going about this process on your own might not be the recommended path to take, which is why the guidance of a mortgage industry expert might be beneficial, especially in demystifying common home loan misconceptions.

Unfortunately, there are quite a few mortgage myths to this day that so many people believe. One of the mistruths that so many people get wrong is thinking you need to have a twenty percent down payment to purchase a home. Years ago, larger down payments used to be prevalent. Needing to have significant down payments in the mortgage world today is not accurate.

In fact, there are many excellent mortgage programs that offer a borrower the ability to have a low or no down payment loan. There are a plethora of mortgage choices for borrowers today. When getting a home loan, it is highly advisable to speak with more than one mortgage professional. It is vital to shop for mortgage terms in order to get the best deal possible.

The Long-Distance Moving Checklist

There are very few people who enjoy the thought of packing up their house and moving. Sure, the end destination may be worth it in the end, but moving is one of life’s most stressful events. Is there a way to minimize the frustrations that come up during a move? Of course, there is, and it comes with proper planning.

In the article at RISMedia, get some excellent guidance on moving out of state. You will see a handy checklist of tips to follow that will make the moving process far more manageable.

What Do Millennials Look For in House Purchase?

More and more Millennials are entering the property market and are now making up the largest share of homebuyers. As a home seller, you may wonder what do Millennials look for in a home, so it’s essential to realize that these home buyers have different home-buying needs than the generations before them.

Michelle Gibson discusses a number of features in this excellent article, and keeping those “marketing must-haves” in mind can make a huge difference in getting one’s house sold. If you own a property that would be attractive for a first-time home buyer, don’t miss the advice in this one.

Reasons You Need a Buyer’s Agent During The Pandemic

If you’re looking to buy a home, now more than ever is the right time you need a buyer’s agent to represent you and who will guide you through the home-buying process. In her article, Sharon Paxson describes the steps that go into home-buying and the many factors one needs to consider when making one of life’s most expensive purchases.

Those who forgo having a buyer’s agent in their corner often regret it. Going directly to the seller’s agent can put you in some hairy circumstances where you dig your own grave. Never discount the importance of having a fiduciary in a real estate transaction.

What is An iBuyer and How Does it Work?

As the real estate industry is undergoing technological changes, one of the newer innovations comes in the form of the iBuyer model. Some home sellers are thinking of working through the iBuyer system to get their home sold and bypass the real estate agent as middleman altogether.

While there are many types of real estate investors, an iBuyer is typically a larger corporation that will purchase homes, make some slight modifications, and then put them back on the market. There is hope with this system in turning a quick profit. The iBuyer will pay a seller cash and close on their house very quickly. This kind of sounds like a dream come true for a homeowner. What a minute – not so fast.

There can be some drawbacks to iBuying as well. Nothing every seems so glorious on the surface as it really is in real life. The downsides are higher fees and not getting the most money for your home. In this extensive guide to iBuyers, Bill Gassett shares his extensive knowledge of what it entails, how it works, the PROs and CONs, and much more. There is a place for iBuying in the market, but it is certainly not for everyone.

Sellers need to decide what is more important – a quick sale with no hassles or getting the maximum return from their sale. Only you can choose.

USDA Loan Property Requirements

Are you looking to buy a property without making a large downpayment? Make sure to have a look at the USDA home loan option as this would be an ideal mortgage for such buyers! There are some restrictions with a USDA, such as the need to be in a rural area where there is a maximum population count.

However, if your home buyer is looking to get approved for the funding from USDA, one has to keep precise property rules in mind. In his informative article, Luke Skar explains the USDA loan property requirements and their importance in the home-buying process. The USDA loan is one of the few no down payment loans available.

How Investors Should be Dealing With The Lack of Rent Payments

Here’s another helpful Coronavirus article for real estate investors this time. With certain forms of lockdown in place, many people and businesses are struggling to make ends meet. The trickledown effect is seen in the delayed, partial payment, or complete lack of payment by the tenants.

In this excellent article, Paul Sian looks at some of the ways how investors should deal with the lack of rent payments during this challenging time of COVID-19. There are always two sides of the fence. Some people believe a tenant should not have to pay rent during the crisis, while others feel that would be totally unfair to a landlord.

How to Create a Smart Home in Three Steps

Whereas a number of years ago, a smart home was seen as extravagant and luxurious, nowadays, it has become the norm. The potential to save money and energy with an automated system is the main driving force behind creating such a smart home.

As you can read in Danny Margagliano’s article, there are several other benefits as well to develop a house that’s compatible with smart tech. So, whether you’re a homeowner or a home seller, this article will tell you how to create a smart home in a few steps. Learn about some of the latest gadgets that have become commonplace in today’s newly built homes.

Essential Etiquette Every Buyer and Seller Should Know During The Corona Pandemic

With the arrival of COVID-19, our personal lives have been drastically changed across pretty much all aspects of ‘normal life.’ House hunting is one of them.

Many of us still have job-related, financial, or other life-altering reasons for buying or selling houses. In this informative article, Xavier De Buck describes some of the etiquette buyers and sellers should know during Coronavirus time, covering issues such as washing hands, social distancing when visiting homes, wearing mouth masks, etc.

There are some who feel nobody should be looking at homes period during this time. There are some who have to buy homes, so that is not always realistic thinking. Precautions are vital, however, during the pandemic.

7 Reasons Why You Should Work With a Real Estate Agent

There’s a reason a lot of content in the real estate realm is considered ‘evergreen.’ Some necessary, yet very important things remain relevant, regardless of the time frame. One such vital topic concerns the decision to work with a real estate agent in the buying or selling of a home. In this informative article, Paul Sian explores some of the areas in which agents can help their clients succeed with their real estate goals.

One of the most critical aspects of selling a home is choosing the best real estate agent. The right agent can add significant value throughout the sales process.

Other Best of Real Estate Articles From Previous Months

Want more great real estate content to read? Take a look at some of the previous issues in the best of real estate series.

Xavier De-Buck About the author: This article was written by Xavier De Buck, a real estate agent from Johannesburg (South Africa), who’s passionate about the property market, technology, and the synergy of both! You can read his updates on his HomesinJohannesburg.com blog. Make sure to connect!