PAGE PREVIEW
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.
PAGE PREVIEW
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.
PAGE PREVIEW
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 House While Relocating: A Basic Guide

How to Sell Your Home When Relocating

When you plan to relocate, the timeline for selling your home shrinks, and your expectations for a quick sale rise. Because you have to manage packing boxes, showing the house, hiring movers, getting settled in the new place, and closing on the old one all at the same time. The tight timeline can create a stressful, hectic pace.

Begin immediately with the following steps to expedite the process:

1. Finding Buyers

First, you must find the people who are most interested in purchasing your home. You must target the right audience to avoid wasting time trying to sell to the wrong one.

Check out the real estate ads in your local newspaper for people selling their homes to connect with qualified potential buyers. These residents may be looking to purchase another home in the area.

You could also look in the classifieds, where some people will post a “Wanted” ad with information about the house they want to buy.

Finally, social media is an excellent way to quickly spread a message to a large audience. If you need buyers quickly, consider posting about your home sale and seeing how many people respond.

2. Displaying Your Home

Before you show your home to potential buyers, make sure everything is in good condition.

Do the following before bringing in any buyers to encourage a sale when showing the house:

  • Consider hiring a professional to deep clean your home.
  • Depersonalize the space as much as possible by removing photos, trinkets, and personal items.
  • Remove unnecessary items and donate or sell furniture that distracts from the home.

3. Closing

There will almost always be hiccups, and being overly confident about the close will make you appear desperate. A desperate seller may induce the buyer to back out of the deal.

Allow for some extra time before closing, as you’ll need to make payments on both your old and new homes.

Selling Your Home While Relocating Tips

There is an art to a successful real estate sale, and when you are in a hurry to relocate, the pressure to close a deal quickly increases. To be sure, you don’t have much time to keep your house on the market. Use the four tips below to sell your home as quickly as possible while still getting a fair price.

Make it appealing and inviting

You want your home to be beautiful and presentable, so do everything you can to make it so. Don’t try to convince anyone why they should buy the house. Instead, let the property speak for itself.

First, consider curb appeal. The outside will draw in buyers who are driving by and will affect how people feel when they first see the house. A freshly cut lawn, new landscaping, a new front door and house numbers, and possibly a wreath on the door are all examples of curb appeal.

Next, consider the impression you want to make when potential buyers enter the house. Amplify natural light, highlight the best features, and consider using aromatherapy, such as freshly baked bread, to make it feel more homey.

Rather than persuade them to buy, simply inform them that you are looking to relocate. If buyers are aware that there is a sense of urgency to sell, it may encourage them to make an offer. They will value your honesty about your reason for selling.

Offer to pay for (some) expenses

There’s a good chance your buyers  will discover something they don’t like or that needs to be fixed before agreeing to close on the home.

Understandably, you may not want to spend a few thousand dollars on additional home improvements. However, being willing to make some concessions to potential buyers can drastically reduce the amount of time your home is on the market. This compromise allows you to move on and relocate without having to worry about your old property being far away.

Assume buyers come to you and ask for a new roof and a septic system. Consider either covering these costs or waiting for a better buyer down the road. Even if you wait, there is no guarantee that other buyers will not have the same reservations, putting you back in the same situation.

Understand Your Buyer

When you get to know your buyers, you’ll have the best luck selling. Take the time to understand why they are buying, what they intend to do with the home once they have purchased it, and what might entice them to act sooner.

If you can come to an agreement, you might be able to find ways to cut costs to make the deal more appealing. A discount for a shorter closing window, for example, can help move the process along.

Consider the Price

If you’re having trouble selling your home while relocating, reconsider your asking price. While this may have been the ideal amount to obtain, waiting for that price may end up costing you more in the long run if you wait too long.

When a property is on the market for an extended period of time, it becomes stale. Prospective buyers will look at the listing date, calculate how much time has passed, and then scroll past your listing.

To remain competitive, you should be willing to lower your price to close a deal. Accept that you may receive a slightly lower return on your investment because you must move and sell quickly.

What Are Your Relocation Options for Selling a House?

If you need to sell your house quickly while relocating to a new area (which may be far away), you have a few options for when and how to do so.

As you browse the options below, keep in mind that the best one for you will be determined by:

  • Your financial circumstances
  • How far you’re travelling
  • How critical your timeline is
  • How much you expect to receive for the house.

Option 1: Sell your home with a realtor before moving.

If you are not in a rush, selling your home with a real estate agent before moving can be the most profitable option.

This route may take a little longer than you expected. However, if you have enough money to pay two mortgages and two sets of bills each month until you can close on your current home, the wait is worthwhile. Holding out for the right buyer will ensure you get the most money for your home.

Option 2: Sell Your Home Through a Realtor After You Move

If you must relocate immediately and have limited options for extending your stay, you must do so. You can still sell your old home with a realtor from your new location, but the process may be more difficult.

You must pay your realtor to manage the listing while you are away. You may also be required to return for the closing, so make sure you can do so.

Furthermore, abandoned homes are more vulnerable to theft and squatters, neither of which helps a house sell. If you can wait until your house sells to move, you can avoid these situations entirely.

Option 3: Sell to a Cash Offer Company

If neither Option 1 or Option 2 feel right for you, consider selling your home to a cash-offer company like Fair Property Buyers. You’ll have to think about your options and decide if it’s better to keep your house on the market while you move or to sell it quickly for a slightly lower return on investment than you were expecting.

The time and money saved by a quick sale frequently outweigh the money lost by a quick cash offer.

You won’t have to pay for a real estate agent or go through the lengthy closing process—you’ll have cash in hand quickly, ready to use for your relocation. For some, that is priceless.

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".

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *