Essential Steps to Buying a Home in 2015

You're ready to take the leap and buy a home! If this is your first time, you may want to know what to do to make the process go more smoothly. Here are ten steps you'll be going through to buy your next home in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

Check Your Credit Reports and Scores - You get one free look at your credit reports annually. Go to AnnualCreditReport.com and see how easy it is to get credit reports from the three major credit bureaus, Experian, Transunion, and Equifax. You'll need all three because they each report differently, so you may find an error at one bureau but not the other two. You don't know which credit bureau your lender will use so you want all three bureau reports to be accurate. If you see a mistake, contact the bureau and alert them to the error. Send a copy of your proof, such as the paid balance.

Get prequalified - Your lender will "run your credit" to look at your credit reports and evaluate you for risk. Your income, credit scores, payment history, revolving debts, obligations such as child support as well as the type of loan you choose are all factors in determining your interest rate and other terms of the loan. The lender will also consider how much home you can buy based on your down payment; smaller down payments mean higher monthly payments. Last, the interest rate and terms (30-year, fixed or adjustable rate) will determine what you can afford in monthly payments.

Make your wish list - Decide where you want to live and how many bedrooms and baths you'll need. Consider lifestyle -- condominiums offer shared amenities, with little responsibility. Single-family homes offer more space and privacy, but much more exterior and yard maintenance. Also, think about how far you're willing to commute to work. Make a list with five "must-haves" and five "deal-breakers" that you absolutely don't want. Be willing to compromise if you find a home with most of the things you want.

Hire a real estate professional - Your real estate professional should be expert in the area where you want to live and familiar with the type of home you want to buy. Your agent has house-by-house experience in your neighborhood and can offer the best advice on homes in your range.  Yes, I'd love to help you. (shameless plug)  Let's see if we are a match, and  if by chance I dont handle your area, or we agree that another agent would be better suited for you, I will be happy to help you find one.

Select your home - No home is perfect, so expect to find a few things that are disappointing. Try to see past minor flaws such as bad paint colors or old carpet. Think long-term. Is this the house you would want if it were painted and recarpeted? Which home best suits the activities and needs of your household now and in the years ahead? Don't buy more than you need or can comfortably afford.

Make an offer - You're either in a buyer's market or a seller's market, so your offer depends on the current market conditions. If a home has been on the market a long time, you can ask the seller for a price reduction, repair concessions, and help with closing costs, but if it's new on the market, the seller is unlikely to accept an offer lower than 95 to 97 percent of the asking price.

I conduct weekly research on the towns I service, and can tell you what markets are hot,  and which are not as active. I can also eductae you on the price points where we shoudl be able to get the highest negotiation percentage. Of course, anty offer should be contingent on a satisfactory inspection.

Get an inspection - A home inspection is a professional third-party opinion of the home's condition. The inspector works for you, so it is his job to point out problems big and small. He will check age of all systems, note large and small repairs that are needed, code violations, and so on. Some inspections are not included, so you will have to hire a separate experts to look for pests, or inspect the septic tank. You need to know what problems and expenses you'll be facing as the next owner.

Renegotiate Terms if Necessary - If the inspection reveals a problem that is more severe or is not noted on the seller's disclosure of the property, you should renegotiate terms. Either ask the seller to fix the problem or ask for a price reduction if you prefer to fix it yourself.

Get an appraisal - The bank appraisal determines market value. If the home doesn't appraise for the purchase price, the bank will refuse to make the loan unless you increase the size of your down payment or renegotiate a lower price with the seller. If the home meets the appraisal comparables, the lender will move toward closing. Pay close attention to the comparables that the appraisal uses -- they may skew the value in a different direction than you might be expecting.

Go to closing - Once final negotiations are complete, and you've done a final walk-through of the property to make sure all repairs have been made, the parties to the transaction meet at the escrow office. This office could be a title company, real estate attorney, or whatever is customary in your area. All paperwork is signed by both parties. The lender pays the seller, minus any liens against the home such as the seller's mortgage. Once all the disbursements have been made, you get the keys to your new home, according to your agreement.

Congratulations! You're ready to move into your new home.

Written by Blanche Evans

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Happy New Year, and Thank you All for a Wonderful 2014

A heartfelt thank you  to my family, old friends, new friends, clients, fans and followers for making 2014 such a great  year!  You are ALL appreciated very much. My wish for you is a year ahead  that is more amazing than you could possibly imagine.- From the heart- Judy

Top Twelve Questions Answered For CT Home Sellers

If you have sold a home at one point in your lifetime, you already know that the process is a complex transaction that requires a number of individuals to work together to produce a favorable end result. If it's your first time selling a home, you are bound to have a number of questions about the process, just as you probably had when you were buying.

What is the difference between a CMA and an appraisal?

A REALTOR performs a CMA (Comparable Market Analysis),  which includes data  that compares a variety of active listings, pending listings  and sold listings within the past six months in order to arrive at a price range. An Appraiser performs much the same research as an agent, however he/she is also required to use a standardized form, which holds more information than most CMA's. See this article on CMA's and Appraisals.

Should I include negotiating room in the list price?

Your market analysis should be very clear as to what the sales price to list price averages are for your home, your neighborhood and your area. When an agent arrives at a price range, whatever negotiating room there is or isn't is included in that number. Adding " a little play" only makes your home appear to be overpriced as it will be in a different price range of homes that offer more value for the money than yours. As a result, your home cannot compete with a higher range properties, will appear overpriced, and make it that much harder to attract an offer.

When is the best time to sell my house?

The best time to sell is when you are ready, or when you must sell for one reason or another. Property sells throughout the year, and market time and saleability is mostly a function of supply and demand. The time of year you choose to sell can make a difference in the amount of time it takes and the final selling price.  The spring market begins in late January and continues through May. There is another surge in activity in September and October.  Timing is strategic and you may just be better off listing your home when the competition is not so fierce as it is in the spring market. Just something to consider.

Should I sell my home first or wait until I find another home?

The answer truly depends on your personal situation, as well as the condition of the local housing market, as there are advantages and disadvantages to each. If you  sell first, you maximize your negotiating position, and eliminate any need or possibilty of carrying two mortgages at once. A good safeguard to minimizing stress is to include a delayed closing contingency clause in your contract so that you can find another home with little or no pressure.

If you make an offer to buy a home without having your home under deposit first, you may be tempted to sell your existing home quickly, even at a lower price. If you are currently in a "buyers market", the odds of selling your home in time  to purchase the new one are not that favorable, and you may end up being disappointed. The only advantage of buying first is you can shop carefully for the right home and feel comfortable with your decision before putting your current home on the market.

How do I get my home to sell faster?

There are number of reasons why your home  will sell faster than others.  The most important factors are condition and price. Your home will sell most quickly when it has been well maintained and priced competitively to other houses selling in the area,  and is in a healthy real estate market.

Does my home need to be staged, and if so, how much does it cost?

Staging your home for sale is in effect, presenting an enhanced image of your home to attract more buyers. Most experts agree that the main living areas sell a home, so it is important to focus on your  living room, dining room, and family room, as well as any room that the future homeowner may find difficult to furnish or decorate.

Each home is different but basic staging principles are the same for all. Very few homes need to be staged to any extreme whereas a professional (and paid) stager is necessary. A good agent will tell you what needs to be done in order to effect a sale. The quick advice on staging?  De-clutter, de-personalize, distract any negatives, and neutralize your home with your agent's guidance. Also, see my article for Hearst CT Media on different types of staging.

What if I get a better offer after I’ve already accepted one? –

If you have signed a purchase contract accepting an offer, you are bound by its terms.  If the buyer defaults on one contingency, doesn’t follow through properly, or tries to renegotiate, you may have your way out. You can always ask the buyer if they would agree to walk away, or pay them to step away. Speak with your attorney as to the ways in which the contract can be legally cancelled so that you may accept another offer. See this helpful article on changing your mind after an offer has been accepted.

What are the most common contingencies in a purchase agreement?

A contingency is a stipulation to an agreement. Sales contracts typically contain several "contingency" clauses, or stipulations that the sale is subject to. The two most common contingencies are for financing- that is where the home purchase is contingent upon whether or not the buyer can secure a loan from a lender, and an Inspection Contingency, where the buyer has the right to have the property inspected for any problems that are unknown, or may have not been disclosed. If significant issues arise, the purchase offer could be rescinded or renegotiated.

Do I need to make repairs in order to sell my home? 

Sometimes a buyer might request a repair in their initial offer. More often than not, buyers may request repairs based upon the outcome of the building inspection.  Remember, this is all part of negotiating. just like the purchase price  Sometimes the lender will require some repairs in order for the buyer to obtain loan approval, but you can still negotiate who pays for them.    

Do I need to hire an agent?  

The overwhelming majority of home sellers hire REALTOR’s to list and sell their homes. Those who do not are known as For Sale By Owners, or FSBOs (pronounced FizzBo's). They market, negotiate, and sell their homes without agent assistance. Although there are a small number of  successful FSBO's, most of those sales are to family members or friends. Especially in a buyers market,  it is not the right route to go, considering all of the access agents have to whatever buyers are out there, and have knowledge of the legal ramifications for non-disclosure, misrepresentation, and the like. Ultimately, most FSBOs eventually hire an agent because the agent will handle all the details and minutia that a successful home sale requires – including the contract, forms, and disclosure statements – and expose the home to the widest range of prospective buyers through the local Multiple Listing Service  and the most visited national home search sites. If you are thinking of selling, please contact me. I would love to help you.

Is the commission negotiable?

Yes. Commissions are negotiable by law, and can vary depending on service, customer needs, and company policy. In general, agents charge between 4 percent and 8 percent for full service.

What costs are incurred when selling my home, and when are they due?

Paid at closing from proceeds are the real estate commission, (if you hire an agency to sell). Transfer  tax for the sale to the town and state, and prorated costs for your share of annual expenses, such as property taxes, homeowner association fees, utilties

Payable  prior to your home's sale and durring the process are advertising costs, marketing materials, and other fees if you sell the home yourself, repairs- if any are needed in order to effect a sale, and initial attorney's fees  and/or other professionals as needed.

One thing for sure, the more experienced the agent, the smoother the transaction is going to be.  With 27 years  of experience, I have assisted home sellers in the most difficult of markets, and with  the most difficult of buyers on the other side. No one likes to think about any of the negativity that can occur during such an emotional transaction. Be prepared for the bizarre to happen, because  it does more frequently than you can imagine. When you are ready to sell your home, you deserve the best representation available to you, so just contact me when you're ready. I'm up for all kinds of challenges, so bring it on if you have it!

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Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Connecticut Financing Update and Today's Mortgage Rates 12/28/2014

Interest rates remain steady at about the same levels as recent weeks.  Rates look very good at these low levels and it’s time to jump into refinancing your existing mortgage or purchasing a new home with Realtor Judy Szablak’s expertise.  The 10 year is at 2.25.  If you were to take a look a closer look at the interest rates then you would see that there has been an upward trend going back to May of 2013.  Anyone looking to close within the next short term period then you might be better off locking into a rate now.

Today's Mortgage Rates

 Conventional 30 year fixed - 4.125% - APR 4.182%

 Conventional 15 year fixed - 3.5% - APR 3.594%

 Conventional 5/1 ARM - 3.375% - APR 3.292%

 Conventional 7/1 ARM - 3.5% - APR 3.665%

The above rates are based on a loan amount of $417,000 for a single family home, a borrower’s middle credit score of 780 and a 20% down payment.  If you would like a customized rate quote for your own specific loan scenario then please feel free to email me at nima@primeres.com or call me directly at 203.913.6016.

This is not an offer for extension of credit or a commitment to lend. All loans must satisfy company underwriting guidelines. Information and pricing are subject to change at any time and without notice. This is not an offer to enter into a rate lock agreement under any applicable law.

As a lending professional, Nima Rezvan meets a wide range of real estate lending needs, whether it be a first time purchase, second home purchase, or refinance. He welcomes the opportunity to serve your needs with quick and accurate real estate financing advice. With his expertise and knowledge, he will make sure you understand the features associated with the loan program you choose and that it meets your unique financial situation.

With more than 10 years of mortgage lending experience, Nima specializes in  Conventional Mortgages,  Jumbo Loan Financing, Refinance, First Time Home Buyers and Federal Housing Administration/Veterans' Administration (FHA/VA)

782 Clinton Avenue

Bridgeport, CT 06604

Phone: 203.913.6016

Email: nima@primeres.com

"You could put your home on the market with any agent-

or.... Call Judy to sell it""

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Merry Christmas 2014 - From Judy

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to my family, friends, clients, fans and followers. I am thankful for every one of you.

Let today be a day of peace and joy for all, and my wish is that one day we may live in a world with no hatred  of any kind towards one another.

Please have a happy and safe holiday.