The COVID-19 pandemic made virtual tours more popular than ever before. Due to various social distancing measures over the past year, homebuyers relied heavily on virtual tours to view listings without leaving their home. As we slowly return to normalcy in our country, many are wondering whether or not virtual home tours will continue to be as popular. With this, here are a few of the main reasons why virtual home tours are definitely here to stay.
One of the reasons why agents and sellers like virtual tours is because they help to identify serious buyers. While this is not always the case, it is fair to assume that a buyer who visits a listing in person after seeing the virtual tour online is seriously considering making an offer on the home.
In a sellers market, listings usually do not last very long. A motivated buyer does not want to waste time considering properties containing deal-breakers. A virtual tour allows buyers to gain a pretty good understanding of a home listing. In many cases, a buyer can quickly rule out a home based on things they see in a virtual tour. Residential real estate is quickly becoming one of the fastest moving industries in our country. Any tools that can help a buyer, seller, or agent work to expedite their goals should be worth considering.
Because virtual tours have become increasingly popular, more buyers are looking for them during their home search. Real estate businesses who do not invest in virtual tours run the risk of appearing outdated. This is especially true if an agent's local competitors are using them.
Your real estate agent can be the difference of whether or not you have a pleasant home buying experience or a terrible one. The right agent can lend their expertise every step of the way and find a variety of properties that may work for you. However, every home buyer needs to be careful when choosing an agent. With this here are some helpful tips for choosing the right real estate agent in 2021.
While this may seem obvious, it should always be on this list because it never hurts to hear other people’s opinions. While it's helpful to read online reviews, it is usually better to speak with individuals you know personally and fully trust. More than likely, you have a few friends and family members who can refer you to a reputable agent that they have worked with in the past and had a positive experience with.
Do not be afraid to interview a few agents before choosing one. It is important that you find someone who you are compatible with from a personality standpoint. More than likely, you are going to be spending a lot of time with this person, you want to choose someone you can enjoy or even just tolerate being around.
It is almost always in your best interest to select a real estate agent who has experience in your desired area(s). If they are familiar with an area they are better resources than agents who have never worked in a city or neighborhood. Always be sure to ask this question when interviewing agents.
With summer officially here, we can start discussing some of the best home buying advice for this time of the year. Because of the warm weather, buying a home in the summer can be quite enjoyable. However, because many people are looking to buy in the early summer months, you need to be prepared for competition. Read on and discover a few home buying tips that can help you purchase the right home this season.
In a sellers market, your options are probably limited. For this reason, you may need to consider homes that need some work. Many buyers today are looking for move-in ready homes; however, homes that have good bones and only need cosmetic changes may be the route you want to take this summer.
People often assume that there are issues with homes that do not fly off the market. It is especially easy to assume this in a sellers market where homes are being sold within days. While this is sometimes the case, it is not always true. It may be that the seller decided to pull out of a deal. Because many buyers are resistant to consider older listings in hot markets, you may find yourself a deal waiting to be had. Do not leave stones unturned because you might find a gem that has been sitting for several weeks.
In a highly competitive market, buyers may need to make an offer immediately after touring a home. A prepared buyer who is preapproved and knows their budget, can make their strongest offer right off the bat. You should know how much you can put down on the home to strengthen your offer. When homes are flying off the market, you can’t afford to sit around and wait.
There are a multitude of aspects to consider when buying a home. In many cases, buyers make the mistake of looking only at the short-term during their home search. It is easy to get caught up on things you need or want right now, but neglect to see the big picture. If you plan on being in this home for several years, you need to think long-term to help your future self. Read on and discover a few long-term considerations when buying a home.
If you plan on growing your family in the coming years, this is extremely important to consider. Unless you are okay with moving again or building onto your home, you need to factor the space needed to accommodate your number of family members. Most children today do not like sharing bedrooms, and parents typically want their own separate bathroom.
For many buyers, having ample outdoor living space is more of a need than a want. Many buyers today want large backyards for entertaining guests and for their children to play. If you have or plan on having pets, this is something that you must consider. Many people also want to have enough yard space for gardening, playing sports, and other outdoor hobbies
Do not forget that purchasing a home is an investment and should be treated like one. All too often buyers allow their emotions to dictate their decision-making process during their home search. You must always put logic ahead of your emotions because that will allow you to make the best financial decision. While you may come across a beautiful home that pulls at your heartstrings, you need to ensure that the home won’t hurt you financially in the future.
One of the most important steps when beginning your home search is to create a wishlist. This is composed of a variety of aspects that a person is looking for in their next home. In 2021, a typical home wish list may include granite kitchen countertops, a 2-car garage, a large backyard, wood floors, a certain number of bedrooms or bathrooms, and so forth. While it is easy to create a list of things that you would like to have in a home, it can be challenging to separate your needs versus wants in your home search.
It can oftentimes be impossible to find a home that checks off every single box. When you are seriously considering your “must haves” in your next home you need to think long and hard about what is most important to you. While its true you will likely have to sacrifice some wants, you should stand your ground and not compromise on the aspects that are most important to you.
Buyers today need to realize that in a limited market they are unlikely to get exactly what they are looking for in their next home. With this, a buyer needs to understand the longer list of needs or wants, the more you are putting yourself in a corner with your home search. In a sellers market, you may need to temper your expectations with your home search if you are serious about purchasing a home.
Once you have separated your needs from your wants, it is helpful to rank your needs from most important to least important. By ranking your needs, you can make quicker decisions during your home search. For example, you may find yourself in a bidding war and based and having this ranked list may be helpful on whether the home is worth spending more for.
Are you preparing to sell your home this year? We are currently in a sellers market due to low inventory levels across many parts of the country. With this, here are some of the most common real estate myths that sellers should be aware of before listing their homes.
It is always going to be in your best interest to depersonal your home before you list it on the market. Many argue that this step is unnecessary; however, keep in mind that most potential buyers are not looking to buy your stuff, but your home. While removing personal items like family photographs, artwork, and other clutter can be emotional, you are making your home more favorable to potential buyers. The goal is for potential buyers to envision themselves living in the home. By removing personal items, you are helping to create a blank canvas for buyers to envision themselves living there. Buyers will always want to put their own personal touches to the home that they buy.
Selling a home is no easy feat. Many home sellers have a difficult time letting go of the 5% commission fee which is pretty typical today. However, what many of these sellers fail to realize is although you will need to part with a small percentage of your money, you are increasing your chances of landing the best selling price.
Anyone who claims they know how to time the real estate market is either lying or is mistaken. Nobody has a crystal ball and can predict the perfect time to sell a home. You could list your home during the winter, which is often viewed as a bad time to sell, and receive your asking price. In other words, it may not be in your best interest to hold off selling your home until the “ideal” time of the year. Many people believe this myth to be true and wind up missing out on opportunities.
