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Buying or Selling a Home With Pest Issues Buying a Home With Pest Issues Purchasing a home with pest issues can be a major concern, as pests can cause damage to the structure of the home and create health problems for the occupants. It is important to have a professional pest inspection completed before purchasing a home to identify any existing or potential pest issues. Pest infestations can have serious consequences for the integrity of a home and the health of its occupants. Termites, for example, can cause significant damage to the structural wood of a home if left unchecked. Other pests, such as mice and rats, can damage wiring and insulation, posing a fire hazard. They can also carry diseases, which can be transmitted to humans through bites or contact with contaminated surfaces. It is important to have a professional pest inspection completed before purchasing a home to identify any existing or potential pest issues. A pest inspector will look for signs of infestations, such as droppings, nests, and damage to wood and other building materials. They will also look for potential entry points and conditions that may attract pests, such as excess moisture or standing water. If the inspection reveals the presence of pests, you should consider negotiating with the seller to have the pests treated or for a credit towards the cost of treatment. You may also want to consult with a real estate lawyer to determine your rights and options as a buyer. In addition, you should consider the long-term cost of pest control and make sure it is factored into your budget for maintaining the home. Pest control can be expensive, and it is important to have a plan in place to address any future pest issues. Selling a Home With Pest Issues If you are selling a home that has pest issues, it is important to be proactive in addressing the problem and transparent with potential buyers. Pest infestations can be a major concern for buyers, as pests can cause damage to the structure of the home and create health problems for the occupants. The first step in selling a home with pest issues is to have the pests professionally treated. A pest control company can figure out how bad the problem is and suggest a plan for treatment. Make sure to do what they tell you to do and give the treatment enough time to work. It is also a good idea to have the home re-inspected  to ensure that the pests have been effectively eliminated. Next, it is important to disclose the pest issue to potential buyers. Most states require sellers to tell buyers about any major problems, like pest infestations, that they are aware of. This can be done through a property disclosure statement, which should be provided to potential buyers as part of the home sale process. It’s important to be honest and clear in your disclosure, because not telling the truth about known major flaws can cause legal problems in the future. It is also a good idea to provide documentation of the pest treatment, such as receipts or a certificate of treatment. This will show that you have taken steps to deal with the pest problem, which can help buyers feel less worried. Lastly, you might want to think about giving the buyer a credit toward the cost of future pest control. This can help ease their concerns and make the home more attractive to potential buyers. If you can’t offer credit, you might have to lower the price of the home to make up for the cost of pest control. It is important to be flexible and open to negotiation in order to make the sale. Final Thoughts In the end, whether or not you buy a home with pest problems will depend on your personal situation and how willing you are to take risks. If you are okay with how much it will cost and how much work it will take to get rid of the pests and are sure that the problem can be solved, you might want to think about making the purchase. However, if the pest issue is significant or the cost of treatment is prohibitive, it may be best to look for a home without pest issues.
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Can I Sell my House During Foreclosure Introduction For someone who is unable to keep up with mortgage payments or other liens on the home, the foreclosure process is frequently drawn out and difficult. For those who are currently going through this process, there may be ways to continue without losing everything. Because of this, the people who live in the house can stay there until the dispute is completely settled. The homeowner should stay in their home, talk to a real estate lawyer, and do research to avoid a situation in which debts may still be owed for different reasons. This might result in a better outcome. The house can still be sold for a profit while the foreclosure process is ongoing. The current owner may sell the property for more than what is owed in mortgage payments if the property has not yet been sold through an auction. This would then generate enough income to pay off the mortgage debt and leave money on the table to buy a new home or rent or lease an existing one. This has to be completed, though, before the property is sold at auction to fund the foreclosure process. This calls for prompt action and proper documentation Aspects to Consider with Foreclosure A bank agent who starts the foreclosure process may be contacted by someone who is unable to make the required mortgage or loan payments to keep the account open. The homeowner may have other options, though, as these processes can take months or even years, depending on a number of factors. In some circumstances, the financial lending company may look for an alternative to foreclosure. It’s possible that a payment extension will be given. It might be possible to refinance or make a new payment plan by adding to the original agreement. Before leaving the property to foreclosure, it is best to get in touch and talk with the company to discuss any potential alternate routes. Others look at the contract for the lending facility to see what might be possible based on the fine print. To make sure that the payments are made at a lower interest rate or payment amount, another company may be contacted, or there may be a grace period to get the needed funds. Before taking any other action, it is best to seek the advice of a real estate attorney if this is not possible. He or she might explain that the best course of action might be to sell the property. However, the homeowner might only have a limited amount of time to do so. This means that before continuing with a sale before an auction, he or she should make sure that all of that information is known. Hiring a Real Estate Lawyer or Agent While the home is going through the foreclosure process, a seasoned and knowledgeable real estate agent might be able to get in touch with the lending institution and try to negotiate so that the property has time to sell. This may be a good way for the agent in charge of the case to make sure the homeowner gets their money, even if the bank or another institution won’t work with them. Before the sale can happen, a realtor might need to conduct a market analysis on the property to determine its true value. Then, to bargain with the bank, third-party authorization forms are typically required. In general, it is preferable to sell the house for a profit as opposed to a short sale or auction, where the owner receives nothing after the house is bought by the buyer. Due to the foreclosure process costing the company money and not always recovering all of the money owed, lending institutions believe working with the sale is a better alternative than going through with the foreclosure. It might take 90 to 120 days to complete a short sale in which the owner receives no money. During this time, the homeowner may still be making mortgage payments. Depending on the state in which the house is located, the foreclosure process can take weeks or months to complete. The completion of all paperwork can occasionally take up to or even longer than a year. Depending on the state, the owner usually has up to 90 days to fix a late payment so that the problem can be fixed and business can go on as usual. A realtor or real estate agent should be hired to help sell the house if this is not possible. A real estate lawyer should be hired to handle these things from start to finish to make sure that everything is valid, legal, and done the right way.
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Closing Costs – What to Expect When you sell your house, there are many hidden closing costs that can eat into your profits. This article highlights what those common closing costs are. From agent commissions to transfer taxes, it’s important to be aware of all the potential expenses. One of the biggest costs you can expect is the real estate commission. This is a fee paid to the agent who represents the buyer. The commission is typically a percentage of the sale price, so it can add up to a significant amount of money. Fortunately, many closing costs are tax-deductible, and they can be offset against the proceeds of the sale. However, it’s important to be aware of all the potential costs involved so you can budget accordingly. Below are some of the most common closing costs and how you can budget accordingly: Agent commissions: Realtor commissions are the fees real estate agents charge for their services. The fee is typically a percentage of the total sale price of the home, and it is paid at closing. While realtor commissions can vary depending on the agent and the market, they are typically around 5-6% of the sale price. For example, on a $200,000 home, the realtor commission would be $10,000-$12,000. Realtor commissions are negotiable, and some sellers may negotiate a lower rate. However, it is important to remember that the real estate agent is providing a valuable service and is entitled to fair compensation. It is important to understand realtor commissions so you can factor it into your budget. Appraisal fee:  A home appraisal is an important part of the closing process on your home purchase. The appraiser will visit the property and assess the value of the home, taking into account factors such as the location, condition of the property, and recent comparable sales in the area. This appraisal will be used to determine the amount of closing costs that the buyer will need to pay. In some cases, the appraised value of the home may be lower than the purchase price, in which case the buyer may need to negotiate with the seller to bring the price down to match the appraisal. In other cases, the appraised value may be higher than the asking price, giving the buyer some negotiating power when it comes to closing costs. Either way, it is important to have a clear understanding of your home’s value before heading into closing. Legal fees: You may need to hire a lawyer to handle the legal aspects of your sale, or if you are selling directly to a buyer.. Their fees will vary depending on the complexity of the transaction and the location of the property. In some cases, the seller is responsible for paying all the legal fees associated with the sale, this includes any fees associated with the transfer of ownership of the property. Title insurance: This is a type of insurance that protects the seller against any claims made on the title to your property. It is typically required by the lender if you have a mortgage. The exact amount you will pay as a seller will depend on the specifics of your title insurance policy. However, knowing the typical closing costs can help make sure you’re not caught off guard. Mortgage discharge fee: If you have a mortgage on the property, you will need to pay a fee to have it discharged. This fee is typically around $200-$300. These fees are a common closing cost associated with refinancing your home. Discharge fees are paid to the lender to cancel an existing mortgage and create a new one. The fee is typically a percentage of the total loan amount but can vary depending on the lender. Be sure to ask about the fee and get an estimate from your lender before making any decisions about refinancing. Property taxes: One often forgotten potential closing cost is property taxes. Depending on the location of the property and the value of the home, property taxes can be quite expensive. In some cases, they can even exceed the mortgage payments! As a result, it’s important to be aware of the property tax situation before you purchase a property because they must be paid in full before the sale can be completed. Credit report: One cost that is often overlooked is the cost of ordering a credit report. A credit report is necessary because lenders use credit report scores to determine if buyers qualify for a loan and what interest rate they receive. While the cost of ordering a credit report may seem insignificant, it can add up – especially if you’re closing on multiple properties. For example, if you’re closing on a home and an investment property, you’ll need to order two credit reports. The cost of ordering two credit reports can range from $30-$50, depending on the provider. Pest inspection: A pest inspection can help identify any potential problem areas like termites and dry rot from pests, which could lead to costly repairs down the road. This will help uncover any hidden issues and help you with negotiating repairs or treatment prior to closing. Recording fees: To finalize the sale, you will need to pay recording fees. This amount is charged by your local government for registering the deed to your new home. Utility bills: Any outstanding utility bills will need to be paid before the property changes hands. These are the fees associated with finalizing the purchase, and they can add up quickly. utility bills are one of the most common closing costs. If you’re buying a home that is already occupied, you’ll need to pay for the utilities that have been used, through the date of closing. This can include things like electricity, gas, water, and trash service. In some cases, you may also be responsible for paying the seller’s utility bills if they haven’t been paid up to date to ensure you can have services turned on in your name. As you can see, there are a number of different closing costs that can add up when selling your house. It’s important to be aware of all of them so that you can budget accordingly and avoid any nasty surprises at the end of the process.

How to Sell Your Home Fast: The Complete Guide to Quick, Stress-Free, Profitable Sale

Introduction:

If you have decided to sell your home, you will want to sell it as quickly as possible and for a good price. To do this it is important to drum up interest in your house. The more potential buyers you manage to attract, the better your chances of selling your property faster.

Decide How to Sell Your House

One of the greatest financial choices you’ll make when selling your house is whether to work with a real estate agent, list your house for sale by owner (FSBO), or sell it quickly to a cash buyer.

Here is a breakdown of your options, along with guidance on how to decide.

Option 1: Use a realtor to sell your home.

If you want to make the most out of your sale, hire an experienced listing agent with a successful track record.

The National Association of Realtors reports that in 2020, houses listed by agents sold for a median price of $318,000 while those listed by FSBO sold for $260,000.

One explanation is that professional listing agents frequently have several current listings and receive more calls from prospective customers.

Option 2: Sell your house without a real estate agent.

You can save thousands of dollars by selling your home yourself (FSBO), which eliminates the need to pay a listing agent commission.

However, you’ll have to manage all of the details an agent typically performs, such as:

Web promotion of your residence.

Negotiations.

Completing documentation and legal declarations.

Statistics show that even though you don’t pay a listing agent commission, your home might sell for less than if you had just hired an agent. And if you choose FSBO You must be aware of your legal obligations as a seller, including how to handle payments, complete disclosure papers, and transfer title at closing.

FSBO sellers run a significant legal risk by failing to complete a property disclosure form.

A good real estate agent is aware of disclosure requirements and will provide you with all the required disclosure forms.

Option 3: Sell to a cash buyer.

The quickest way to sell a house is to a cash buyer. You can close a deal as fast as a few days to a few weeks. However, you might compromise on your price somewhat with a cash buyer.

If speed and convenience are your main goals when selling your property, a cash offer is a good option. It’s best to assess your situation and goals with timing and financial goals.

Decide When to Sell Your Property

Ultimately you should sell your home when you feel ready.

However experienced agents believe that spring and summer will give you the best results.

Here are a few reasons why:

The warm weather is more pleasant for buyers to start looking at houses and attend home tours. 

Between May and June is when students finish their academic year, making it simpler for families to move to a new school district.

Spring and summer are the seasons with the most daylight. This allows for late-evening home tours.

Typically, buyers avoid looking at homes over the winter holidays.

However, some agents like to list homes during the winter months as there are fewer active listings, giving those listed more opportunity for showings. 

Moreover, winter is often the lowest inventory season, which gives the seller advantages by reducing competition.

For more detailed guidance on when to sell your home, speak with your real estate agent.

Set a Price

Overpricing a home is extremely risky. Asking for too much can turn off serious buyers and result in your property sitting on the market for a long period.

An overpriced home may also have a low appraisal; as a result, you might have to reduce the asking price, renegotiate the conditions of the contract, or put your house back on the market.

Based on your property’s essential characteristics such as recent home sales, current listings, neighborhood information, and local market trends, house value estimators may give you a quick general estimate of your home’s prospective value.

If you sell your house with a realtor they will be able to lend a helping hand with the pricing. 

Realtors usually offer a free comparative market analysis (CMA) report to assist you in determining a list price.

The analysis is based mostly on the most recent sales prices of similar or “comparable” homes in your neighborhood; a CMA provides an estimate of your home’s market value.

Selling on your own?

You can pay for a broker’s price opinion  (BPO) or rely on house value estimators as two of your possibilities.

A BPO and a CMA are quite similar. A professional real estate agent or broker offers a report on the value of a home based on similar home transactions.

The main distinction is that CMAs are often offered by a realtor for free as part of the listing process, whereas BPOs will cost you ($150-$250). But for FSBO sellers, the expense is probably justified.

What about an appraisal?

Obtaining a pre-listing appraisal from a qualified appraiser, who can offer an unbiased, third-party house valuation, is an additional choice.

On special properties or homes with a limited number of comparable home sales, pre-listing appraisals make the most sense.

However, keep in mind that appraisals can get pricey ($300-$500) and there may be a backup in scheduling it if you’re selling on a tight budget or schedule.

Prepare Your Home for Sale

It’s a good idea to acquire any paperwork that a potential buyer would need, such as:

  • utility bills.
  • home warranties
  • repair invoices
  • documents and contact details for the homeowners association
  • records and instructions for appliances

To avoid having to look for these documents later on when you’re under contract (and on a deadline), it’s ideal to have them on hand right away.

Get your house checked out.

Do you suspect that your house has a significant problem that might prevent it from selling or ruin a deal? To be sure, think about getting a home inspection before the closing.

Find a reliable inspector on your own or ask your agent for recommendations. Pre-sale inspections vary in cost, but start in the $300 and $400 range.

Hire a professional photographer

Wide-angle views and top-notch, professional images with natural lighting will make your online listing stand out from the competition.

According to The National Association of Realtors (NAR), 89% of people believe that a property listing’s images are its most crucial component.

It’s been reported that properties with professional photographs sell for 47% more than listings without them.

Find out if your realtor uses a professional photographer and if the cost of the images is included in the commission fee (or taking the photos themselves).

List Your Property and Host Potential Buyers

List your property on the MLS.

The multiple listing service (MLS), is a database that most realtors use to market and sell properties.

To find properties for sale, realtors mostly consult the MLS. 

According to experts, publishing it online should accelerate and increase the price at which you sell your home.

Get ready for showings.

It could be challenging, but try examining the house as if you were a potential buyer.

What looks good? Bad? Do you see anything out of the ordinary?

Although you won’t catch everything, if something doesn’t appear right to you, it probably won’t look right to anyone else either. It is a good idea to clean and declutter the house before showings. Make sure you highlight key areas such as the kitchen and bathroom.

Review and Negotiate Offers

Real estate deals are a two-way street when it comes to negotiations. Home sellers have a lot of negotiation power in addition to potential buyers who are trying to acquire the highest price for their financial situation. Sellers can use a range of strategies with the assistance of a professional real estate agent to increase the ultimate buying price for their house. Strategies to take into account include, but are not restricted to:

  • Expiration dates on counter-offers
  • Bidding wars
  • “Highest and best offer” bids
  • Rejecting offers outright

Go through all the offers carefully and pick the one that suits you best.

Sing an Offer.

Typically, your agent will email you the offer digitally 

Keep an eye out for emails!

When you’re on a deadline and signing documents electronically, it’s simple to quickly scan an offer and sign it.

However, if it’s on paper make sure you read the pages carefully. It’s wise to read everything completely before signing anything, especially if there are any crucial details.

Get Ready for Buyer Inspections.

A week or so after the offer is accepted, the buyer’s house inspection is often completed. To arrange a convenient time and date for the inspection, their representative should get in touch with you or your agent.

The buyer can request that you address a serious problem highlighted in the report. In that case, make sure your agent asks for a copy of the report so they can determine the problem.

To find out more about your responsibilities, including any problems you could be obliged to remedy as per the sales contract, speak with your agent.

Close on Your Home Sell

You’re so close to the finish line now! Here are the typical things that occur in the days or weeks before your closing date.

Examine and affirm the closing disclosure (CD)

This paperwork should be delivered a few days before closing by your agent. Each closing-related expense as well as your anticipated net proceeds are listed on the CD. Ensure the figures are accurate.

Give your spare keys

If you haven’t already, give your realtor or closing attorney any house keys or garage door openers make sure you hand them over, the buyer will need them.

Obtaining the Money From the Sale.

Last but not least, you might be wondering how and when you will get your money from the sale.

Your home sale will be finalized once you and the buyer have signed the closing papers.

Within 24-48 hours of closing, your closing agent or lawyer may wire your net proceeds into your bank account.

Nevertheless, depending on your bank, it can take a few days or more for your money to show up in your account.

Consult your agent, attorney, and bank for more information regarding how and when you will be paid.

You have made it to the end! Selling a house might look complicated and stressful at first but with the right set of knowledge and a little help you can close the deal successfully without any troubles.

Greg Bilbro

Greg Bilbro

Greg Bilbro is the CEO and co-founder of Fair Property Buyers. After 20 years as a residential Realtor, Greg founded Fair Property Buyers, a nationwide group of real estate professionals committed to helping homeowners sell their problem properties quickly and easily. Fair Property Buyers helps people across the U.S. sell their homes for a fair cash price, without the hassles. Prior to starting Fair Property Buyers, Greg was a Series 7 and 63 securities and registered investment advisor with New York Life and NYLife Securities, where he was named “Rookie of the Year,” and named the youngest Partner in the U.S. Greg is a native of Texas and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of New Mexico. He currently hangs his hat in Scottsdale, Arizona with his sidekick Frenchie, “Bity".

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