Be Wise to These 5 Big Credit Myths (Lessons in staying sane when buying, selling, or renting your home)

Excellent Advice to Follow: 

Be Wise to These 5 Big Credit Myths Those “a-ha!” moments. Key takeaways. Life lessons. Whatever you may call them, everyone has them at some point, where we look back and say, “I wish I would have known that sooner! Why didn’t someone tell me?” It often seems like credit and finances are a part of life where realizations come about that way. And there’s no bigger time to think about your credit than when you’re buying a house. Each person’s financial journey is different—but there are ways to be smart about credit that can be useful to people at many different points in their life. Here are just a few of the most widespread myths about credit that persist; knowing the truth about these can help you evaluate your options and stay energized about your finances.

 

1. Myth: There’s only one credit score Your credit score is a measure that lenders use to determine your creditworthiness on a scale from low to high. These scores differ in small but important ways according to which credit scoring model is used, and the factors that it considers from within your credit information. Seeing how your scores differ can be an effective way to capture a better sense of your total credit picture at a given time, like when you’re considering a major purchase such as a home.

 

2. Myth: Checking your credit report can hurt your score One of the most common misconceptions about your credit score is that by requesting a copy of it, you’ll damage it. When you apply for a new line of credit and a lender looks at your credit report, an inquiry known as a hard inquiry will appear. Having too many of these on your report may indicate that you’re seeking credit from many places and trying to overspend: not a good sign. But, if you’re looking at your own credit report, the inquiry is known as a soft inquiry, and these have no impact on your credit score. Be confident that examining your own information is a good thing, and your score won’t suffer from your interest in it.

 

3. Myth: There’s nothing you can do about something bad on your credit report Your credit report is an accumulation of information about how you use credit. A common misconception is that information on your credit report is permanent—but that’s not true. Items that cause concern, like late payments or accounts in collections, eventually come off your report. Your credit report doesn’t show each transaction since you opened your first credit account (unless that happened in the recent past). Most credit scoring formulas show the most recent, and most relevant information in your report. If there are things on your report that you don’t recognize, it may be evidence of fraudulent activity. If that’s the case, each credit bureau has a process for reporting the suspicious activity. Checking your report regularly can help you stay on top of any fraudulent activity that criminals may attempt.

 

4. Myth: You can avoid credit problems by only using cash Cash is great for many of life’s smaller purchases, but for life’s larger expenses – like a home – you likely won’t be able to pay in cash. Those are the times you’ll need to use credit. To get the best rates from your lender, your credit score will have to be in good shape. Don’t run from your credit problems by trying to avoid using credit altogether. Keeping your credit utilization low and making sure to use credit wisely can show that you’re responsible with your finances. Then, when you’re ready to make a big purchase, your credit score can support your creditworthiness to potential lenders.

 

5. Myth: If you have bad credit, you will never be approved for a loan If your credit isn’t at its best, that doesn’t mean that you can’t be approved for a loan you may need now. It could mean that you likely won’t be eligible for the best rates that the lender can offer, however. Having to pay back more in interest on a loan you’re seeking now may be the reminder you need to keep better tabs on your credit score. It’s never too late to start learning about how to take care of your credit for the future. In the long run, it may be able to save you money—your future self will thank you!

reposted from Becky Frost, Experian Inc.September 20th, 2014 on Trulia

FOR MORE TIPS VISIT:

PATTI DUTY

on Duty Realtor at

www.WiseAgentOnDuty.com

HOME FOR SALE in Decatur TX (PATTI DUTY 940-577-2733) Large Home Corner Lot 189k

5 Surprising Home Buyer Turn-Offs HOME FOR SALE

5 Surprising Home Buyer Turn-Offs

The prospect of selling your home effectively makes you a marketer. And effective marketing requires that you understand the mind and priorities, likes and dislikes of your target buyer. In real estate, we all know that buyers like to see homes that are pristine, huge and well-located. Sometimes, though, it’s much harder to recognize when our own homes might actually be triggering buyers’ distaste - or disgust. 

Earlier this year, I gave you some critical insights into what specific things turn buyers off - and now I’m back with a handful more! Whether you’re preparing to sell your home, or you’re in the market to buy a home and want to be aware of what the property’s resale prospects might be, here are five home features and characteristics that are big-time turn-offs for today’s home buyers.

1.  Pools. Twenty years ago, having a pool was seen as a luxurious amenity - almost a status symbol that you had made it, if your home had one. Fast forward a couple of decades, though, and many home buyers are turning down homes specifically because they have a pool.

There are a couple of core buyer subgroups who love pools: people who live in places where summers are super hot and people who really like to swim. But those buyers are vastly outranked in number by these other subgroups: 

• people who know they won’t swim enough to use a pool, and think that maintaining one would just be a waste of their time, energy and money
• people who would rather have a yard, and are looking for homes in areas where they either have a pool or a backyard - but not both, and
• people who have young children and see a pool as a safety hazard.

If you happen to have a pool, your best bet is to market your home as best you can to those buyers who truly want one, and to mitigate the perceived negatives of pool ownership by being both pragmatic and creative:

• ensuring the pool has a well-functioning fence and cover, 
• staging the rest of the backyard in a way that maximizes the non-swimming activities a buyer will see as possible in the outdoor space, and/or 
• offering to pre-pay for a year of the buyer’s pool maintenance as an incentive of the home sale transaction.

2.  Your stuff.  Yes - your taste is immaculate. But it’s your taste. What buyers are really looking for when they come to view a home is a palate on which they can envision easily applying their tastes. Accordingly, a primary goal of smart home preparation is depersonalization or neutralization, simply removing most or all of the personalized touches that make your home reflect you unless they are also neutral enough that any buyer, from any age group or cultural background can step in and put their mind’s eye to work at filling in what the place would look like if they lived there.

That said, it’s also entirely possible that your things might not be as attractive, nice or tidy in the eyes of a buyer as you perceive them to be. In the same vein, the tchotchkes, knickknacks and memorabilia that you see as cozy and warm are highly likely to be seen by buyers as dumpy clutter. I have personally been in homes with a number of buyers where the fact that the sellers still had so much stuff or such bad stuff throughout the home distracted the buyers from appreciating the property’s true potential, and what it might be like if they simply made some cosmetic edits and redecorated.

We’ve talked a lot over the years about the idea of simply pre-packing, staging by boxing up everything but the very most basic daily essentials and get them ready to move - some sellers find that to be a much more effective way to think about the project of decluttering.  Also, you can reset your own perspective on what you need to get rid of or move out to put your home on the market by visiting professionally staged Open Houses, hiring a stager just for an hourlong consult or even asking your agent to walk through your home and stick mini-Post It notes on things that need to be moved out before the listing goes live.

3.  Carpet.  Obviously, old, dirty, pet-impacted and bizarrely colored carpets (red?!) are not a draw for buyers. But this generation of home buyers takes the carpet conundrum even further, exhibiting a distaste for carpet - period. Concerns about the relative difficulty and expense of cleaning carpets, to the cost of replacing them when you want a decor change, to the tendency of carpets to hold pet hair, mites and other allergens that may impact family members with respiratory issues are, collectively causing carpet to fall out of favor with today’s home buyers. 

The majority of home buyers express a desire to have hardwood floors in their next home; other hard floor surfaces, from bamboo to tile to concrete to cork, are rapidly outpacing the popularity of carpets (though some buyers do still prefer the softness and warmth of carpets in their bedrooms). 

If you were thinking about replacing your carpets before you put your home on the market, consider replacing at least the living and dining areas with hard wood or a similar finish.  And if your home has carpet over hardwood, talk with your agent about exploring the idea of ripping it up - it might not be as expensive to repair or refinish as you think, and in many areas, buyers prefer even an imperfect hardwood floor over nice carpets.

4.  Gold bathroom fixtures.  Gold bathroom fixtures are part of a larger category of buyer turn-offs perhaps best described as things that are old, but not old enough to be vintage, retro, classic or historic. As a general rule, this includes household appliances, finishes and decor that dates from the ‘70s and ‘80s, give or take a decade, depending on where you’re at. For instance, the popularity of Mad Men has driven a massive amount of interest in all things mid-century modern, bringing the 50’s and 60’s decor and design aesthetics that just seemed plain and old when I was a child back into vogue - but somewhat more in urban than suburban taste zeitgeists.  

This means that those goldenrod refrigerators and wallpapers with marigold, orange and avocado floral patterns are decidedly passe. Similarly, gold bathroom and lighting fixtures, popular in the 80s and 90s are seen as dated by buyers, who much prefer sleeker, matte-er stainless, brushed chrome and even bronze or white finishes where metal finishes are necessary.  Is this just another trend? Yes.  But replacing gold bathroom finishes and recessed lighting can covers is relatively inexpensive to do; touch base with your stager or agent regarding whether they think these micro-home improvements will make much of a difference with buyers in your area and your home’s price range.

5.  Elaborate gardens and/or vast landscaping.  A huge backyard seems like it’d be a big draw.  So do the flower and botanical gardens that the seller obviously spent hour upon hour designing and tending to. But they also seem like a lot of work to today’s time-strapped and cash-conscious buyers. Not long ago, a buyer I know actually de-prioritized a home they otherwise loved, because it was surrounded by an enormous Japanese garden, bonsais and all, that the buyer admired, but knew they could and would never be able to care for.  Same can go for elaborate, high-maintenance food gardens or even super-large front and backyards: some buyers simply know they don’t or won’t put the time, money and water into their care, so would rather not take them on.

Nothing about this should stop you from creating such an outdoor space if that is part and parcel of the lifestyle you want to live in your home. But it should be a factor you consider if you are concerned about reselling your home in the near future, and it might impact how you market your home if it has any of these sorts of features. If you have a miniature botanical garden at your home, why not find out if the local botanical garden or garden society has a newsletter you can place an ad in? If you have bees and chickens in the middle of Chicago or the heart of L.A., is there an urban farming club or blog that reaches that audience?  

Work with your agent to research where local buyers who would love your home’s unique or high-maintenance features, then market your home to them via publications, websites or organizations in which they already participate.  Once you understand that the average buyer might find these features to be less-than-desirable, it’s time to get creative about finding the buyer who will find them to be just what they’ve always wanted.

reposted from trulia

FOR MORE TIPS:

www.WiseAgentOnDuty.com

Eight Ways to Improve Your Credit #RealEstate #Realtor #Homes #credit

Courtesy of Patti Duty, REALTOR® Eight Ways to Improve Your Credit   Credit scores, along with your overall income and debt, are a big factor in determining if you’ll qualify for a loan and what loan terms you’ll be able to qualify for.   Check for and correct errors in your credit report. Mistakes happen, and you could be paying for someone else’s poor financial management. Pay down credit card bills. If possible, pay off the entire balance every month. However, transferring credit card debt from one card to another could lower your score. Don’t charge your credit cards to the maximum limit. Wait 12 months after credit difficulties to apply for a mortgage. You’re penalized less for problems after a year. Don’t order items for your new home you’ll buy on credit—such as appliances—until after the loan is approved. The amounts will add to your debt. Don’t open new credit card accounts before applying for a mortgage. Having too much available credit can lower your score. Shop for mortgage rates all at once. Too many credit applications can lower your score, but multiple inquiries from the same type of lender are counted as one inquiry if submitted over a short period of time. Avoid finance companies. Even if you pay the loan on time, the interest is high and it will probably be considered a sign of poor credit management. This information is copyrighted by the Fannie Mae Foundation and is used with permission of the Fannie Mae Foundation. To obtain a complete copy of the publication, Knowing and Understanding Your Credit, visit http://www.homebuyingguide.org/ Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2003. All rights reserved. GET MORE TIPS AT: www.WiseAgentOnDuty.com

The Pros and Cons of Condos

Courtesy of Patti Duty, REALTOR® The Pros and Cons of Condos Condominiums and townhouses offer an affordable option to single-family homes in most areas. But consider these facts before you buy. Storage. Some condos have storage lockers, but usually there are no attics or basements to hold extra belongs. Outdoor space. Yards and outdoor areas are usually smaller in condos, so if you like to garden or entertain outdoors, this may not be a good fit. However, if you hate yard work, this may be perfect option for you. Amenities. Many condo properties have swimming pools, fitness centers, and other facilities that would be very expensive in a single-family home. Maintenance. Many condos have onsite maintenance personnel to care for common areas, do repairs in your unit, and let in workers when you’re not home. Security. Many condos have keyed entries and or even doormen. Plus, you’ll be closer to other people in case of an emergency. Reserve funds and association fees. Although fees generally help pay for amenities and provide savings for future repairs, you will have to pay the fees agreed to by the condo board, whether or not you’re interested in the amenity or not. Resale. The ease of selling your unit is more dependent on what else is for sale in your building, since units are usually fairly similar. Single-family homes are usually more individual, so ever if there are others for sale in your area, they probably won’t be exactly like yours. Freedom. Although you have a vote, the rules of the condo association can affect your ability to use your property. For example, some condos prohibit home-based businesses. Others prohibit pets. Read the covenants, restrictions, and bylaws of the condo carefully before you make an offer. Proximity. You’re much closer to your neighbors in a condo or town home. Look at profile of other owners be sure you’ll be comfortable. If possible, try to meet your closest prospective neighbors. Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2003. All rights reserved. GET MORE TIPS AT: www.WiseAgentOnDuty.com

Obama Waives Refi Requirement .. #RealEstate #Realtor #mortgage #Tax #bills #budget

#Obama #Waives #Refi #Requirement

from lowermybills .com 

June 2014: Obama gives homeowners a bailout. If you owe less than $625,000 on your home, use the President's Refi Program. You'll be shocked when you see how much you can save. CALCULATE NEW HOUSE PAYMENT

 

In the President's State of the Union address, he told homeowners that if they refinanced at today's historically low rates, they could save up to $3,000. This statement can be found in the State of the Union transcript - http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/24/remarks-president-state-union-address. Additionally, homeowners who refinance from 30 year fixed mortgages to 15 year fixed mortgages can save up to $145,000. Further information for this can be found at http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/realestate/exploring-the-15-year-loan-for-refinancing-mortgages.html

Under provisions of the Making Homes Affordable Act (a.k.a. HARP 2.0), signed into law by President Obama, Fannie Mae has removed certain loan refinance requirements for qualifying loans including the Loan-To-Value (LTV) ceiling for fixed-rate mortgage, property appraisal, minimum credit score & credit check, and eliminated & lowered certain fees for borrowers making it easier to refinance into a lower rate mortgage, effectively reducing the amount of interest paid (and owed) over the life of the loan. More info: http://www.fhfa.gov/Media/PublicAffairs/Pages/FHFA-Fannie-Mae-and-Freddie-Mac-Announce-HARP-Changesto-Reach-More-Borrowers.aspx

LowerMyBills, Inc. is not acting as a lender or broker. The information provided by you to LowerMyBills is not an application for a mortgage loan, nor is it used to pre-qualify you with any lender. If you are contacted by a lender or broker advertising within our network, your quoted rate may be higher depending on your property location, credit score, loan-to-value ratio, debt-to-income ratio, and/or other factors. LowerMyBills does not offer its matching services in all states. This loan may not be available for all credit types, and not all service providers in the LowerMyBills network offer this or other products with interest-only options.

 #lower #my #bills

Get more tips at:

www.WiseAgentOnDuty.com

Your Property Wish List #Realtor #RealEstate #homs #forSale

Courtesy of Patti Duty, REALTOR Your Property Wish List   While your opinions on the type of home you want to own may change during the homebuying process, use this easy checklist to help you set your prioritize and make the shopping process less time consuming. How close do you need to be to (a) public transportation _____ (b) schools _______ (c) airport ___________ (d) expressway _________ (e) neighborhood shopping________ (f) other________. What neighborhoods would you prefer? What school systems do you want to be near? What architectural style(s) of homes do you prefer? Do you want a one story or two-story house? How old a home would you consider? How much repair or renovation would you be willing to do? Do you have special facilities or needs that your home must meet? Do you require a fenced yard or other amenities for your pets? Prioritize each of these options into Must have Would Prefer Yard (at least_________)     Garage (size________)     Patio/Deck     Pool     Bedrooms (number_________)     Bathrooms (number_________)     Family room     Formal living room     Formal dining room     Eat-in kitchen     Laundry room     Basement     Attic     Fireplace     Spa in bath     Air conditioning     Wall-to-wall carpet     Hardwood floors     View     Light (windows)     Shade       http://www.wiseagentonduty.com/articles/Your-Property-Wish-List Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2003. All rights reserved.

 

GET MORE TIPS AT:

www.WiseAgentOnDuty.com

How Big A Mortgage Can I Afford? #Tax #budget #home #realestate #realtor

Courtesy of Patti Duty, REALTOR® How Big A Mortgage Can I Afford?   Not only does owning a home give you a haven for yourself and your family, it makes great financial sense, too. This calculation assumes a 28-percent income tax bracket. If your bracket is higher, your savings will be too. Rent: _________________________ Multiplier: X 1.32 Mortgage payment:__________________ Because of tax deductions, you can make a mortgage payment—including taxes and insurance—that is approximately one-third larger than your current rent payment and end up with the same amount of income. To determine what your monthly mortgage payment would be on various loan amounts, visit http://www.realtor.org/realtororg.NSF/pages/FMCalculators?OpenDocument&Login Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2003. All rights reserved. GET MORE TIPS AT: www.WiseAgentOnDuty.com

Five Factors that Decide Your Credit Score

Courtesy of Patti Duty, REALTOR® Five Factors that Decide Your Credit Score Scores range between 200 and 800. Scores above 620 are considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. These factors will affect your score. Your Payment History. Whether you paid credit card obligations on time How Much You Owe. Owing a great deal of money on numerous accounts can indicate that you are overextended. The Length of Your Credit History. In general the longer the better. How Much New Credit You Have. New credit, either installment payments or new credit cards, are considered more risky, even if you pay promptly. The Types of Credit You Use. Generally, it’s desirable to have more than one type of credit—installment loans, credit cards, and a mortgage, for example. For more on evaluating and understanding your credit score, go to http://www.myfico.com/?lpid=NARI3.   GET MORE TIPS AT: www.WiseAgentOnDuty.com

Tips on Buying in a Tight Market #RealEstate #REALTOR

Courtesy of Patti Duty, REALTOR®

Tips on Buying in a Tight Market

Increase your chances of getting your dream house instead of losing it to another buyer, with these easy steps.
Get prequalified for a mortgage. In this way, you’ll be able to make a firm commitment to buy and make your offer more desirable to the seller.
Stay in close touch with your real estate sales associate to find out first about new listings that come on the market. And be ready to go see a house as soon as it goes on the market.
Scout out new listings yourself. Look at Internet sites, newspaper ads, and drive by the neighborhood frequently. Maybe you’ll see a brand-new “for sale” sign before anyone else.
Be ready to make a decision. Spend lots of time in advance deciding what you must have so you won’t be unsure when you have the chance to make an offer.
Bid competitively. You may not want to start out offering the absolutely highest price you can afford, but don’t try to go to low and get a deal. In a tight market, you’ll lose out.
Keep contingencies to a minimum. Restrictions such as needing to sell your home before you move or wanting to delay the closing until a certain date can make your offer unappealing. In a tight market, you’ll probably be able to sell you house rapidly. Or talk to your lender about getting a bridge loan to cover both mortgages for a short period.
Don’t get caught in a buying frenzy. Just because there’s competition doesn’t mean you should just buy anything. And even though you want to make your offer attractive, don’t neglect inspections that help ensure that your house is sound.

Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2003. All rights

reserved.

Get more Tips at:

http://www.wiseagentonduty.com/buyers2.asp

Buying a Home? Budget Basics Work Sheet #RealEstate #Realtor #Tax #Budget #homes #buy #sell #ForSale

Budget Basics Work Sheet

 

The first step in getting yourself in financial shape to buy a home is to

know what you make and what you spend now.

List your income and expenses with link below.

 

http://www.wiseagentonduty.com/articles/Budget-Basics-Work-Sheet

#RealEstate #Realtor #Tax #Budget #homes #buy #sell #ForSale

GET MORE TIPS AT:
www.WiseAgentOnDuty.com
 

 

 

Selling a Home? Sell a Home, Not a House

For Sellers

Sell a Home, Not a House

One of the great ironies of selling your house is that you must get it in such great condition that you may ask yourself why you would even want to move out. Your focus right now may be on your own dream home, but consider your current house as someone else’s dream home, and start preparing it for them. Putting a little work into it now makes the entire process of selling your house much more profitable for you in the long run.

Who Else Do You Need On Your Team?

While a great real estate agent is key to selling your home, you will actually be employing a team of specialists to get you through the process. Your real estate agent is well-connected and in many cases they will be able to recommend people who will handle all the services that go with fixing-up and selling your home, including: lenders, pest control specialists, home warranty companies, inspection companies, contractors, and plumbers.

Timing It Right

When you are selling your home and buying a new one at the same time, the ability to juggle the responsibilities of both can protect you from headaches. Avoid having to handle two giant chores at once by starting early. Make a list of whom you need to notify about your change of address, including utility companies and credit card companies. Start packing the knick-knacks and off-season items you won’t be needing before the move. If you can start doing repairs around the home as early as possible -- even a full year prior to the sale of your home -- you will be able to avoid a huge bill right before the sale.

Lighten The Load

As you begin packing to move to your new home, the realization will probably hit you like a ton of bricks: You have a ton of stuff. Rather than packing it all and lugging it to your new house just to stuff it into the garage and closets, lighten your load and make your move easier. A garage sale is a great way to unload lots of your little-used items and make a little extra cash to spend on decorating your new home. You can also sell some of your rarer possessions on auction sites such as Ebay. You may get a pretty penny for old toys and books which might have sold for a lesser price at your garage sale. Also consider donating furniture and clothing to charity. You’ll be doing something good for yourself and for others

Consumers Remain Optimistic About Real Estate

Consumers Remain Optimistic

About Real Estate

Americans’ outlook toward the housing market continued to improve in

April, perhaps foreshadowing an increase in housing activity in the

coming months, according to results from Fannie Mae’s April 2014

National Housing Survey. The share of respondents who believe now is

a good time to sell a home increased for the third consecutive month to

an all-time high of 42 percent, an encouraging sign since many potential

homebuyers will need to sell a home before entering the purchase

market. In addition, the share of respondents who say now is a good

time to buy a home remained steady at 69 percent following a gradual

climb since the beginning of the year.

Notably, although consumers remain generally split regarding their ability

to get a mortgage, fewer respondents are concerned about losing their

job – which may encourage potential homebuyers to enter the market.

Source: Fannie Mae National Housing Survey polled 1,000 Americans via live telephone interview to

assess their attitudes toward owning and renting a home, home and rental price changes,

homeownership distress, the economy, household finances, and overall consumer confidence. See

/www.fanniemae.com/portal/research-and-analysis/housing-survey.html for more information.

Rain in Wise County!

Wise County Rain Fall

woooohoooooo!

 

 

So earlier today as I was driving to appointments, I got a few drops of rain on my windshield.  At the time the sun was shining brightly and it was trying to rain again.  Now as I am looking out the window at the overcast sky, it appears that we may get some more of this thing that they call rain?  LOL. Anyway this time of year it almost always seems to allude Wise County. So I am so proud see that we got good numbers over the weekend and I must say that I am enjoying this cooler temperature as well.
Here are the statistics from the weekend as reported by the Wise County Messenger.

"RAINY START TO THE WEEK – Much-needed rain fell in Wise County Sunday morning and then again this morning. Rainfall totals as of 7:30 a.m. included 2.01 inches in Bridgeport, 2 in Cottondale, Greenwood and Alvord, 1.5 in Paradise, 1.43 in Decatur and 0.92 in Rhome. The rain should end later this morning."
So everyone I hope you enjoy your week and what a great way to start of the week with cooler temps.

RV Park Decatur TX

DOUBLE DUTY RV RANCH http://goo.gl/maps/CDPao

Want to Sell Your Home? Information for Sellers

http://www.wiseagentonduty.com/sellers2.asp

For Sellers

Sell a Home, Not a HouseOne of the great ironies of selling your house is that you must get it in such great condition that you may ask yourself why you would even want to move out. Your focus right now may be on your own dream home, but consider your current house as someone else’s dream home, and start preparing it for them. Putting a little work into it now makes the entire process of selling your house much more profitable for you in the long run.
Who Else Do You Need On Your Team?While a great real estate agent is key to selling your home, you will actually be employing a team of specialists to get you through the process. Your real estate agent is well-connected and in many cases they will be able to recommend people who will handle all the services that go with fixing-up and selling your home, including: lenders, pest control specialists, home warranty companies, inspection companies, contractors, and plumbers.Timing It RightWhen you are selling your home and buying a new one at the same time, the ability to juggle the responsibilities of both can protect you from headaches. Avoid having to handle two giant chores at once by starting early. Make a list of whom you need to notify about your change of address, including utility companies and credit card companies. Start packing the knick-knacks and off-season items you won’t be needing before the move. If you can start doing repairs around the home as early as possible -- even a full year prior to the sale of your home -- you will be able to avoid a huge bill right before the sale.Lighten The LoadAs you begin packing to move to your new home, the realization will probably hit you like a ton of bricks: You have a ton of stuff. Rather than packing it all and lugging it to your new house just to stuff it into the garage and closets, lighten your load and make your move easier. A garage sale is a great way to unload lots of your little-used items and make a little extra cash to spend on decorating your new home. You can also sell some of your rarer possessions on auction sites such as Ebay. You may get a pretty penny for old toys and books which might have sold for a lesser price at your garage sale. Also consider donating furniture and clothing to charity. You’ll be doing something good for yourself and for others.

Understanding Agency

Five Things to Do Before You Sell

Tips for Holding a Yard Sale

Ten Ways to Make Your House More Salable

Five Ways to Speed Up Your Sale

Seven Steps to Preparing for an Open House

Ten Ways to Make Your Home Irresistible at an Open House

Seven Terms to Watch for in a Purchase Contract

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Real Estate Practitioner

What You'll Net at Closing

Moving Tips for Sellers

Six Items to Have On Hand for the New Owners

Twenty Low-Cost Ways to Spruce Up Your Home

What is Appraised Value?

Understanding Capital Gains in Real Estate

Does Moving Up Make Sense?

Remodeling That Pays

Twelve Tips for Hiring a Remodeling Contractor

Five Ways to Speed Up The Sale of Your Home

http://www.wiseagentonduty.com/articles/Five-Ways-to-Speed-Up-Your-Sale

Home For Sale Decatur TX Decatur Schools ISD

http://www.announcemymove.com/announcement.php?id=a18972170&code=LZuFEPo0J

Decatur Home For Sale, Decatur ISD/Schools. Large Home, Corner Lot!

 

Bring the whole family to this Large,

Beautiful 2500+ square feet Home on almost Half Acre Corner Lot!

 

Fenced Back Yard, Great, Family Neighborhood, Wide Streets, Great area for riding bikes. 4 Bedrooms with extra Room off the Master Suite, or have one of the bedrooms for a Study or In Home Office with 3 Bedrooms and extra Room off Master Suite. 2 WBFP, 2 Living Areas, 3 Baths. All new Carpet and Paint. New Entire Kitchen including Cabinets with no slam doors and drawers, Counter Tops, Stainless Steel Name Brand Appliances, Stainless Steel Large Sink, New Fixtures.  All New Walk in Shower in Master Suite. Lots of Closets and plenty of storage space! 2 Sets of French Doors with Built in Blinds leading to Large Back yard and Deck or covered Patio. Great for enjoying the peace and quite. Also would make a great area for entertaining and/or family BBQ or Picnics. Enough room and privacy to add a large pool and still have plenty of yard left. This is a must see!

Contact me for more details.

Patti Duty ...

... the Wise Agent On Duty for you!



www.WiseAgentOnDuty.com      (940)577-2733





404-BROOKVIEW-DR-DECATUR-TX-76234 Property Detail