Top Real Estate Articles January 2021

As we head into a new year, the real estate market is continuing to crank on high speed in most areas of the country. Homeowners, home buyers, and home sellers are still seeking wisdom and good advice for the decisions they face regarding their homes.

Fortunately, some of the smartest real estate pros I know are providing helpful information. These are some of the top articles which are filled with their expertise and insight this January.

How Can I Sell My House Fast?

Sometimes when you own a home things do not go as planned in your life. Anyone who has ever lost their job or a loved one can attest to this. Sometimes other things happen such as getting divorced. There are many reasons someone may want to get out from under their financial stress of owning a home.

For these reasons, lots of homeowners wonder how to sell a home fast. Selling a home quickly boils down to a number of factors, most noticeably the correct asking price. There are, however, other things that will influence a house selling quickly. In the article at Maximum Real Estate Exposure, learn all of the potential avenues to look at for selling a house fast. Some will consider selling to an investor. Is that the right move? Learn all of the pros and cons.

Best Real Estate Articles January 2021

Where Can I Get Moving Boxes?

One of the most vital tasks when buying or selling a home is the move itself. Let’s face it; moving is hard work! One of the most vital tasks when moving will be to find boxes for moving. Do you know where to even begin to look? If not, you are not alone. Lots of folks have no idea where to start when it comes to finding moving boxes.

Take a look and see where some of the best places are to get your boxes.

Buying A Home? You’ve Got Questions…

Kevin Vitali, Massachusetts real estate pro, has answers. These 19 questions to ask when purchasing a house are a great help to home buyers today. There is a myriad of things to consider, both in very practical aspects, like the schools and neighborhood, as well as financial questions, like the current market conditions and whether this home fits your budget.

Kevin wisely brings up lifestyle questions that buyers should be asking. How long will this home fit your needs? Do you have the skills that might be necessary for the upkeep or repairs on the home, or do you have the budget to pay for professionals? There are many considerations to buying a home, and of course, having an experienced buyer’s agent on your side to help you get your questions answered is a must!

What Should I Know About Credit Karma?

Do you have a strong desire to own your own home? If you are shaking your head, YES, you are not alone! The dream of homeownership is alive and well. Unfortunately, some who would love to own a home are not in a position to do so because of their credit scores. This is where a company like Credit Karma can be of immense help. Credit Karma is a free service that helps you make the right credit decisions, so your scores increase.

Not only do higher credit scores put you in the position to buy a home, but they also help you nail down the best mortgage interest rates. See what Credit Karma is all about and how it can help you achieve your goals.

Making an Offer on A Home

Michelle Gibson, a Wellington Florida agent, has written an informative nine-step guide to making an offer on a home. Buying a home is an exciting life decision, but it can be stressful. So it’s always a smart move to educate yourself as much as possible. By doing so, you will avoid a lot of unnecessary anxiety and stress.

Of course, hiring an experienced real estate agent is a wise move. They can help you understand the local market, so you understand the values and how to make a compelling offer. Your agent can walk you through the pre-approval process, a must in today’s fast-moving real estate market.

Once your offer is accepted, there are still several steps to make before closing on your dream home. Along the way, there are more negotiation possibilities…like home inspection results. Many buyers are unaware that it is possible to negotiate on price after the home inspection. Most real estate transactions that end up falling apart do so because of the home inspection. Knowing that there are several options to deal with home inspection results can help keep that from happening.

Real estate pro, Joe Boylan points out that negotiations over items that need to be repaired or replaced can take many forms: repairs can come in the form of credits, compensation, or a reduction of price.

In some cases, it’s more appropriate to look at monetary alternatives instead of actual repairs. Keeping an open mind to various solutions can end up being an advantage to a buyer.

Buying and Selling Real Estate Means Moving

Buying or selling a home means one inevitable thing…moving. Moving house is challenging enough, without the extra burdens that we face because of Covid-19. Anthony Lamacchia, Broker/Owner of Lamacchia Realty, Inc., has some much-needed advice about moving during a pandemic.

There are many typical considerations, like whether you will DIY your move or whether you want to hire professionals. If you are using professional movers, then you will want to get answers about safety and cleanliness issues. You’ll also need to educate yourself about travel restrictions and whether you will need to quarantine upon your arrival in your new home. If you are planning a move in 2021, be sure to check out this helpful advice.

If you are moving to a new city, there are other concerns you may need to consider, but they don’t have to add unneeded stress to the move. Check out Newport Beach agent Sharon Paxson’s informative article with six stressless tips for moving to a new city. Getting a good understanding of the neighborhoods, the social scene, and certainly, the local housing market is a must as you search for your next home.

Experienced real estate agents have helped buyers in many situations over the years, including those looking to move to a new location. One of the best tips you can get is to reach out to your local real estate agent and ask for a referral for an agent in the new city.

Chances are, they can suggest someone who will take good care of you and your family. From social media contacts to company contacts and brokerage forums, agents are networkers. Use that to your advantage!

Home Selling in 2021

In many places in the country, we see a limited inventory with a healthy or increasing demand. If you’ve been waiting for a “seller’s market” to sell your home, there is no time like the present. Even in a seller’s market, however, preparation is key to get the highest dollar amount for your home.

If you are preparing for a home sale in the future, you may consider some home renovations. Take careful consideration of your kitchen and bathrooms, as these are the rooms which home buyers tend to give the most scrutiny.

Understanding the latest kitchen trends and bathroom trends will help you make wise decisions and get the most bang for your buck.

January is a great time to take inventory of your home and turn your attention to home maintenance. Jaymie Carroll at Real Estate Spice has a handy January home maintenance checklist with nine timely tips to get your home in shape. She has important safety tips, landscaping, cleaning, and organizing tips, as well as a handy printable checklist.

Selling a home when you have pets is a special challenge…how to keep them happy and safe, as well as out of the way when your home is being shown? Vicki Moore, Pacifica, CA real estate agent, has some helpful tips on how to sell your home when you have pets. Preparing your pets as well as your house is key.

One tip Vicki shares that pet parents sometimes forget is to manage the smell. Some people find pet smells offputting. It always helps to have a third party give your home the sniff test, as we often get used to the sights and smells of our four children and don’t always notice.

What is a Right of First Refusal?

There are so many terms in real estate that can confuse buyers, sellers, and even real estate agents. One such term is the right of first refusal. Do you know how they work? In the article at Realty Times, you will get an in-depth overview of how the first right of refusal works. Learn the circumstances of how this legal term can come in handy, along with the pros and cons for both buyers and sellers.

The right of first refusal clause could come in handy before your next buy or sell.

Advice for Homeowners in Forbearance

Homeowners who faced the unfortunate circumstance of job loss or underemployment because of Covid-19 effects on the economy might have managed to defer their mortgage payments. Those who have their mortgage payments in deferral may be wondering what actions they should take once the deferral of payments come to an end.

Paul Sian, Cincinnati real estate pro, has written a helpful article exploring what a homeowner should do with a mortgage forbearance.

Of course, if a homeowner can, continuing to make their mortgage payment is the best option. For those homeowners who needed the mortgage payment forbearance, understanding what is involved with that and what needs to be done when it is over is important.

There are several options, each with different advantages and disadvantages.

How to Prevent Water Damage in Your Home

When it comes to owning a home, one of the worst nightmares is dealing with a water problem, especially when it involves a significant amount of water. Without a doubt, water can wreak havoc on a house. So what are the ways of preventing water penetration in your house? In his in-depth article, Danny Margagliano takes a deep dive into preventing water problems in your home.

Take a look and use the tips.

Previous Mass Real Estate News Best of Articles

See some of the more recently published “best of real estate” articles on Massachusetts Real Estate News.

About the author: The above article on the best real estate articles for January 2021. was written by Karen and Chris Highland, with eXp Realty in Frederick, MD. Chris and Karen have been helping people buy and sell residential real estate in and around Frederick, Maryland, for over 28 years.

“We’re passionate about educating consumers about the ins and outs of residential real estate and the local market and equipping them with realistic expectations about the process of buying and selling a home.”