Are you torn between whether to buy a home now or wait? Consider this. Forecasts show prices will climb for at least the next 5 years. If you wait, the price of a home will be higher later on. But, if you buy a $400K now, you could gain roughly $83K in equity as prices rise. If you’re able to buy now, this equity is one reason why it’ll be worth it in the long run. Let’s connect if you’re ready to talk through ways we can make it happen.
The Secret To Selling? Using an Agent To Get Your House Noticed
In a recent survey, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) asked sellers what they want most from a real estate agent. The number one answer was to help market their house.
It makes sense. The way your agent markets your house can be the difference between whether or not it stands out and gets attention from buyers. That’s why it’s so important to work with an expert local agent that knows what they’re doing.
According to that same report from NAR, here are some of the most common methods real estate agents use to market homes, and how you benefit when your agent uses them effectively (see graph below):
- Listing on the MLS – Real estate agents have access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) database. And that’s great for you because having your house on the MLS helps it get more visibility from other agents and buyers. And the more people who see it, the more likely it is to sell.
- Using a Yard Sign – A yard sign may seem simple, but it’s one of the best ways to catch the attention of people driving or walking by. And when it does, they’ll help spread the word to friends and family who are looking to buy that there’s a house for sale in the area. It also puts your agent’s contact information on display, making it easy for interested buyers to get in touch.
- Having an Open House – An open house is a great way to create a sense of competition and urgency among buyers – and that can lead to stronger offers. And since you’ll only need to leave once for many buyers to visit, it makes the process easier for you, too. Plus, an open house helps your agent get real-time feedback about what buyers love and what they’re not as sold on.
- Showcasing on Your Agent’s Website – Having your house on your agent’s website presents it in a professional way to buyers. And odds are, people visiting your agent’s website are serious and ready to make a move, so this is a smart way to get in front of motivated buyers.
- Social Networking – Posting your house on social helps get your house in front of buyers who may not have seen it with traditional marketing. It also makes it easy for people to share your listing with friends and loved ones.
- Providing Virtual Tours – For buyers who are relocating from out of town, virtual tours allow them to check out your house anytime from wherever they are. This helps reach more potential buyers who may not be able to come to see your house in person.
- Using Video – Video is an excellent way for your agent to show off some of the top features of your house like your kitchen, large closets, outdoor entertainment areas, and other key details that could attract buyers.
- Sending Emails – Sending out information about your house to your agent’s expansive database is another way they’ll get it in front of even more people. Great agents may even send emails teasing that your house is coming to the market as a way to boost interest and excitement before it officially has an open house.
Here’s what it comes down to. Most good agents will write a description of your house for the listing and pair it with high-quality photos. But a great agent will do so much more than that.
They’ll not only lean on their expertise, they’ll put in the time and effort to make sure your house makes an impression on buyers, and ultimately, sells.
Bottom Line
As a seller, working with a creative local real estate agent is a smart way to ensure your house grabs the attention of the right buyers. If you’re ready to sell and want to talk about strategies we can use to get your house sold, let’s chat.
Two Resources That Can Help You Buy a Home Right Now
A recent report from Realtor.com says 20% of Americans don’t think homeownership is achievable. Maybe you feel the same way. With inflation driving up day-to-day expenses, saving enough to buy your first home is more of a challenge. But here’s the thing. With the right resources and help, you can still make it happen.
There are options that can help make buying a home possible today — even if your savings are limited or your credit isn’t perfect. Let’s explore two solutions that could help get you into your first home, regardless of the market.
1. FHA Loans
If your down payment savings and credit score aren’t where you want them to be, an FHA loan could be your pathway to buying a home. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Bankrate, the big perks of an FHA home loan are:
- Lower Down Payments: They typically require a smaller down payment than conventional loans, sometimes as low as 3.5% of the home’s purchase price.
- Lower Credit Score Requirements: They’re designed to help buyers with credit scores that might not qualify for conventional financing. This means that when conventional loans aren’t an option, you may still be able to get an FHA loan.
The first step is to connect with a lender who can help you explore your options and determine if you qualify.
2. Homeownership Assistance Programs
And if you need a more budget-friendly down payment, that’s not your only option. Did you know there are over 2,000 homeownership assistance programs available across the U.S. according to Down Payment Resource? And more than 75% of these programs are designed to help buyers with their down payment. Here’s a bit more information about why these could be such powerful tools for you:
- Financial Support: The average benefit for buyers who qualify for down payment assistance is $17,000. And that’s not a small number.
- Stackable Benefits: To make it even better, in some cases, you may be able to qualify for multiple programs at once, giving your down payment an even bigger boost.
Rob Chrane, CEO of Down Payment Resource confirms a little-known fact:
“Some of these programs can be layered. And so, in other words, you may not be limited to just one program.”
If you want to learn more or see what you qualify for, be sure to lean on the pros. A trusted real estate agent and a lender can guide you through the process, explain the help that’s out there, and connect you with resources to make buying a home a reality.
Bottom Line
If you’re ready to stop wondering if buying a home is possible and start exploring solutions, let’s connect.
SOLD! Wonderful, Well Maintained 4 bdrm, 2.75 bth Home in Duvall
Listed at $825,000
Click Here For Full Details, Dozens of Photos, 3D and 4K Video Tour at the Property Website
Wonderful two story home in Fox Hollow Estates neighborhood of Duvall. The spacious floorplan boasts 2,200 s.f. and features 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths on a fully fenced 6,018 s.f. lot! Special features include: new carpet, new luxury vinyl plank (LVP) floors, brand new water heater and heat pump.
Open entry surrounded in natural light with LVP flooring, open staircase and large coat closet. Bright and open formal living room with vaulted ceiling. Spacious dining room with large window. Kitchen with tile granite counters and backsplash, gas range, stainless steel appliances, ample cabinetry, pantry closet and beautiful LVP floors. Open nook with access slider to back patio. Relaxing family room features gas fireplace with stone surround and mantel with large windows overlooking back yard. Powder room on main floor is great for guests.
Inviting, spacious primary suite with light filled bath including double vanity, tile counter, soaking tub, skylight, shower with tile surround, tile flooring and large walk-in closet. Three additional bedrooms are spacious. Adjacent well maintained hall bathroom for guests. Laundry room with storage space and vinyl flooring – full size washer and dryer included!
Private yard with large patio – great for BBQing. Ample garden space, plenty of room to relax, entertain or play! Attached two car garage with additional room for storage.
Great Riverview schools – Stillwater Elementary, Tolt Middle School and Cedarcrest High.
Sold! Serene One Story home on Private 1.04 Acre Lot in Duvall
Listed at $800,000
Click Here For Full Details, Dozens of Photos, 3D and 4K Video Tour at the Property Website
Charming, updated one story home in Cherry Gardens. The light-filled 1,650 s.f. floorplan features 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths on a serene 1.040 acre lot. Special features include: Chef’s kitchen, great room floorplan, large, entertainment sized deck and generator.
Open entry with tile flooring and large coat closet. Relaxing living room featuring vaulted ceilings, flat panel TV and large bay windows overlooking the front yard. Cozy dining room with decorative ceiling fan, skylight, pellet burning stove with brick surround and French doors leading to serene back yard – great space to entertain. Beautiful kitchen with granite counters, tile backsplash, ample cabinetry, breakfast bar including barstools, stainless steel appliances, wall of windows and hardwood floors. Laundry room with storage space and tile flooring – washer and dryer included!
Inviting, spacious primary suite with large walk-in closet and well maintained full bath. Two additional spacious bedrooms. Adjacent updated hall bathroom for guests.
Large yard with oversized back deck – perfect for BBQing or entertaining. Fully fenced side yard is flat and ready for your imagination! New garden/tool shed with lawn mower, 9 bearing fruit trees and ample garden space. Plenty of room to relax, entertain or play! Attached two car garage with additional room for storage above.
Great Riverview schools – Stillwater Elementary, Tolt Middle School and Cedarcrest High.
Sold! Fantastic 4 bdrm, 2.75 bth Home + Den, Bonus Room With Additional Potential Living Space in Duvall
Listed at $830,000
Click Here For Full Details
Fantastic two story D.R. Horton home in Fox Hollow neighborhood of Duvall. The light filled Concord floorplan boasts 2,450 s.f. with 4 bedrooms, 2.75 baths, den and bonus room on a fully fenced 7,391 s.f. lot! Brand new carpet throughout!
Spacious entry with hardwood flooring, two coat closet and open staircase. Kitchen with granite counters, gas range, ample cabinets, stainless steel appliances – refrigerator included, breakfast bar, pantry and hardwood floors. Spacious dining area with access slider to back deck. Relaxing family room with gas fireplace and large window overlooking back yard. Main floor den – great for home office or 5th bedroom. Adjacent bathroom with shower – perfect for guests.
Inviting master suite with large walk-in closet. Master bath featuring double vanity, tile countertop, large shower, soaking tub, additional walk-in closet and tile floors. Three additional spacious bedrooms. Well maintained, roomy hall bath with spacious vanity. Bonus room with large window – great for game room, home theater, play room – many possibilities! Upper level laundry room – spacious with room for storage, washer and dyer included!
Huge private yard with deck, ample garden space and room to play too! Attached two car garage with extra storage area or workout space. Additional unfinished space, approximately 1,000 s.f. could be finished into living space.
Great Riverview schools – Stillwater Elementary, Tolt Middle School & Cedarcrest High.
August 2019 – Eastside, King & Snohomish County Real Estate Market Update – Housing Trends and Current Pricing
Watch the latest episode of our Eastside, King & Snohomish County Real Estate Market Update for a recap on our local housing market. We will dive into current inventory levels and housing prices for homes in the Eastside, King & Snohomish County Washington.
Would you like to know more about our local real estate market? Contact us here. We are happy to help!
April 2019 – Eastside, King & Snohomish County Real Estate Market Update – Housing Trends and Current Pricing
Watch the latest episode of our Eastside, King & Snohomish County Real Estate Market Update for a recap on our local housing market. We will dive into current inventory levels and housing prices for homes in the Eastside, King & Snohomish County Washington.
Would you like to know more about our local real estate market? Contact us here. We are happy to help!
March 2019 – Eastside, King & Snohomish County Real Estate Market Update – Housing Trends and Current Pricing
Watch the latest episode of our Eastside, King & Snohomish County Real Estate Market Update for a recap on our local housing market. We will dive into current inventory levels and housing prices for homes in the Eastside, King & Snohomish County Washington.
Would you like to know more about our local real estate market? Contact us here. We are happy to help!
Moving for Work Prompts Sale of Lovely Duvall Home
Tony, was a recommendation from a trusted friend. He had his own method of doing things that were different from the other realtors we had interviewed (upfront inspections, minimal or no open houses etc..) but he took the time to explain his reasoning. With the raving reviews, we decided to put our trust in him and his system. It worked out great! We sold for almost 10% over list in 5 days. Tony was very confident, assertive, prompt, and professional. We highly recommend Tony and his team to others sellers!
Eric and Alicia Williamson
Sold in Duvall – June 2017
Excited to Purchase their First Home in Duvall
Thank you so much for helping us purchase our home! We love it. You are so easy to work with and we are grateful we found you.
Brian and Shannon Taylor – Purchased in Duvall – 2015
Tired of Living in an apartment, and excited to buy their first home in Duvall
You definitely lived up to your reputation as a realtor and we greatly enjoyed working with you. Everything went quickly and smoothly. Even with the short sale, you kept us well informed and explained a lot. We will gladly refer you to anyone we know who is looking to buy or sell a home!
Stephen and Amanda Whetstine