Helpful Real Estate Articles For Buyers and Sellers

What a hot summer its been here in New England with record-breaking temperatures. While you are at the beach, trying to cool down, don’t forget to bring these top 10 blazing hot real estate reads from some awesome agents across the country.

What Makes A Cape Cod Home A Cape Cod Home?

There is no home more romanticized than a Cape Cod Home. So what makes a Cape Cod Home?
The Cape Cod Style home has roots going back to the earliest settlers of the Cape Cod Bay. The design was an English cottage adapted to the harsh winters of New England.
As Kevin Vitali points out, the Cape home shares some basic features. A Cape will be 1 to 1.5 stories, made of wood, have a steep gable roof, very symmetrical, shingle or clapboard siding, unadorned with architectural features, and be a cozy size.
Today’s modern Cape homes have something for every homebuyer from a simple cape to a luxurious beach home. But some of the basic features from its early roots will always be there.

Selling Your House For Cash

Valuable Real Estate Articles There may be a time when you need to sell your house fast for financial or other reasons. Selling a home for cash can provide a fast close in as little as two weeks.
You can also avoid showings, forgo home inspections and contract contingencies, not wait to see if your buyer can get financed and more…. by selling to a buyer for cash.
Selling for cash can alleviate many of the hassles involved in a regular home sale.
But as Bill Gassett points out, there are downsides. The biggest downside of selling for cash is you are leaving money on the table. Most cash buyers wanting to close quickly are going to want to make money on the purchase.
If you need and want to sell fast and for cash, realize the risk and rewards of “sell for cash, fast” route.

The Importance of Listing Descriptions

Next to good real estate photography, the listing description of your home is key in making your home stand out among the competition and give your home its own personality.
Sharon Paxson gives some great advice on writing the perfect listing description. Use the description to highlight the best features of your home that may not be obvious in the listing photos. While it is essential to write an accurate description of your home, don’t exaggerate the features of your home. You will only disappoint the buyers when they arrive for showings.
The first sentence should be the most appealing aspect of your home, with careful thought given to the rest of the description. Don’t’ forget to proofread and have a call to action!

Should You Use a Mortgage Broker When Buying a Home?

Buying a home is filled with options. Choosing the right option is critical when for home buying success. One such option is using a mortgage broker or a bank to finance your purchase.
So what’s the difference?
A mortgage banker is usually a salaried employee and fits a buyer with the bank’s own home loan programs.
When you use a mortgage broker, they work on commission and have access to many different loan programs from many different banks.
For many buyers, working with a mortgage broker may be the better option. Flexibility is what a mortgage broker offers over a mortgage banker, as pointed out by Clever’s recent article.
Flexibility and more options can help a home buyer save a significant amount of money over the life of a loan.

Best Long-Distance Moving Advice

Are you going to be buying or selling a home and moving across the country? If you have ever moved before, then you know how much of a pain in the neck moving can be! Most people report it as being one of life’s most stressful events. Not only is moving aggravating but also very expensive as well.

In the article at Abodo, you will see some of the best tips for saving money when moving out of state. The moving advice found in the article will make moving a bit more manageable while also helping to keep more money in your pocket.

How To Buy A Home As A First Time Home Buyer

There is a lot at stake when buying your first home. Mistakes can be made that make owning a house not so fun. But some effort and research can get you a home that you can enjoy for many years.
Luke Skar has given some great advice on buying your first home. Buying as a first time home buyer, you should first check your motivation and finances to make sure buying is the right move for you. Once you decide to buy, your next step should be getting pre-approved.
To make the most of your first purchase, take the time also to understand how current market conditions will affect your purchase as well as understanding the home buying process.
Finally, work with a buyer’s agent, an experienced buyer’s agent can guide you through effortlessly through the process.

The Difference Between An Offer And A Purchase Contract

An offer is just that, an offer. It is spelling out the terms a home buyer is presenting to a home seller. Once terms are agreed to, and the offer is signed by both parties, it now becomes a legal and binding contract.
Prior to the signing by both parties, the offer is in no way a binding contract. There is a big difference between an offer to purchase and a purchase contract.
Michelle Gibson also advises against verbal offers. The terms and intent of an offer can get confused if they are not defined in writing. A seller may not take verbal offers seriously, and you may lose out to a well spelled out written offer. Verbal agreements on an offer by both parties do not make it enforceable in court.
Get it in writing and signed by both parties.

What To Know About A Homes Roof

A roof is a vital structure in your home. It protects your home from the elements. A faulty roof can cause a slew of costly issues elsewhere in your home if not appropriately maintained or replaced in a timely manner.
Age is a significant indicator that a roof is nearing replacement, as Paul Sian points out. You will also notice deterioration in the shingles as the roof ages indicating it may be time for a replacement.
As your roof gets to the end of its life, it will be essential to have it inspected regularly to prevent issues. Also, did you know that the age of the roof on your home is a factor in calculating insurance premiums? Protect your most significant asset by keeping your roof in proper working order.

The Home Inspection

You have a house that has gone under contract. Now what?
The very next step is to perform a home inspection. Your home inspection is your opportunity to validate the home is in proper working order and is in the condition you expected when making the offer.
Joe Boylan points out that your home inspection may be the most important part of your home purchase, and you should hire a home inspector with care. Ask your buyer’s agent for referrals and consult with friends and family to see if they have recommendations for an inspector.
Your home inspection may just prevent you from making a big mistake

Real Estate Investing Quotes: 27 Classic Quotes for Cocktail Parties

G. Brian Davis has assembled some great quotes about investing in real estate. While not your typical real estate article, the quotes definitely leave you with some food for thought.
He starts off with:
“Buy land; they’re not making it anymore.” – Mark Twain
I know here in the greater Boston area that land is scarce. Mark Twain’s quote definitely hits home. We see teardowns in communities like Lexington MA, hitting the $800k mark or more.
Another favorite quote in the article is:
“Don’t wait to buy real estate. Buy real estate and wait.” – Will Rogers, actor
Many buyers hitting the market for the first time are focused on the short term. Real estate values fluctuate over a shorter period of time. But over the long haul, the trend is always up!
Check out the rest of the article for some great real estate investing quotes.

Craigslist is a Rental Scam Refuge

Rental scams are quite prevalent on Craigslist. It is a breeding ground for a scammer to have you part with your hard-earned money.
Vicki Moore points out that all too often the rental scam starts with an ad for a home that just seems too good to be true.
When emailing the “landlord,” they start pushing for a deposit even before viewing a home. Red flag!
Vicki goes on to point out seven more signs that your dream rental may just be a scam.
Check it out before you fall prey to a Craigslist scammer.

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About the author: This article, 10 BLAZING Hot Real Estate Reads, was written by Kevin Vitali. Kevin is an 18+ year veteran of the real estate industry in Northeast Massachusetts.