Bye-Bye Buyers Market

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booming real estate market, buyer home hunting tips, buyer market, hot market, sellers market

Tips for Buyers Home Hunting in a Hot Market

We’ve come a long way since the darkest hours of the bottom of the home market. Now, buyers are finding the competition for homes surprisingly stiff. The days of touring twenty homes and deliberating over the tiniest details have slipped away.

So what can you do to increase your odds at landing a home you can love? Here are a few tips to help as you navigate this increasingly active market:

1. Get pre-approval for a loan before you begin shopping. Browsing without the power to buy is a recipe for heartbreak now.

2. Be clear about the neighborhoods you’re interested in before you shop. Understand what the recent trends have been in terms of sales and competition for those sales if possible.

3. Be prepared to lose out on some homes. Yes, it’s likely that one or two great candidates will get away. Mentally prepare yourself for the possibility of being outbid or not getting an offer written in time.

4. Have your agent familiarize you with multiple offer situations. Ask specific questions about how it works and what to expect.

5. Get cutting edge MLS information and/or information on homes not yet on the market. Hot sheets and inside information on potential new listings can position you for first in line. Work with an agent who has access to the latest information and a solid network of connections in the community.

6. Make offers on multiple properties and see which gets accepted first. If you have four homes which meet your criteria, don’t go round robin on the offers. Write four and see what shakes out.

We’ve seen what it takes to win a great home in a booming market, and would be glad to guide you through the experience. And sellers, this is also a great time to get in touch and list your home!: Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTORS – Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners – http://www.HanleyHomeTeam.com – 904-422-7626

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Pinteresting Ways to Inspire Your Home Ownership Dream

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Pinterest; organize your dream home; inspire home ownership; home ownership dream

What’s with Pinterest? Is it just one more social network you don’t have time for, or could it be a powerful, fun tool in your life? When it comes to the dream of home ownership, many of our clients have found it super helpful.

Here are 4 ways my clients and friends have been using this rapidly growing social network to “pin” their dreams:

1. It helps you track what you like about homes. Like a scrapbook, Pinterest is a great way to keep track of houses, places, and views that remind you what you like when you’re home hunting. Snap with a smart phone and pin with the app and just like that, you have a record.

2. It keeps a conversation open with friends, spouses, family, and even your real estate agent. I’ve heard of husband and wife teams using Pinterest boards to share what they want in a home and get feedback from others. It’s even useful at the outset of the home hunt, when I ask clients what sort of homes they love. No need to describe it! I can quickly browse their shared boards.

3. It keeps renovation project ideas on the radar. Clever ideas, killer style, gardening go-tos, luxury lifestyle touches, and awesome accessories can be gathered for when the time comes to make those rewarding upgrades.

4. Finally, it inspires you to save. For a lot of first-time buyers, the willpower to save for a down payment can quickly wane when the number seems so large. Pinterest boards are a great way to help boost flagging motivation along the way. Those images can get you excited about your future!

How are you using Pinterest? Do you have a board for your next dream home? We’d love to see it! Share it with us and get in touch today: Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTORS 904-422-7626 http://www.HanleyHomeTeam.com