What Your Buyer's Agent Does for You

Article by National Association of REALTORS®/ REBAC Staff:

10/23/2017

Finding and purchasing a home involves more steps than most buyers realize. A buyer’s representative can be an incredibly beneficial resource, helping you navigate the entire process. Here’s a partial list of everything they can do for you.

Help arrange financing.

1. Assist in locating sources of mortgage loans.
2. Help you examine how much you can afford but how much you may want to spend.
3. Assist in comparing different financing options.
4. Provide information on purchasing incentives that may be available.
5. Educate and discuss the differences between being prequalified and preapproved for a mortgage.

Assist in finding the right property.

6. Identify your needs and wants in a property.
7. Find appropriate available properties.
8. Set up an automated email alert system that immediately notifies you of properties that fit your requirements.
9. Sort through inaccurate information about homes in the area.
10. Provide ready access to all MLS-listed properties.
11. Network with other agents for properties not yet in the MLS.
12. Preview properties prior to showing.
13. Help select for viewing only those homes that fit your needs.
14. Aid in narrowing your search until you have identified your top choices.
15. Assist in analyzing the pros and cons of each property.
16. Disclose all known latent material defects.
17. Assist you in evaluating properties for suitability, affordability, and resale value.

Educate you on market conditions.

18. Educate you on whether it is a buyer’s market or a seller’s market.
19. Show statistics on what percent of list price the sellers are currently receiving.
20. Show trends, current average days on market, current absorption rate, and/or current months of inventory.

Guide you through making an offer and represent you and your interests in negotiations.

21. Prepare a CMA so that you make an informed decision when offering a price.
22. Advise you on what comparable properties are selling for.
23. Explain common contract contingencies.
24. Obtain appropriate seller disclosures.
25. Prioritize your goals.
26. Help create a negotiating strategy to achieve those goals.
27. Ensure that you receive and understand all state and federally required disclosure forms.
28. Handle the completion of the offer to purchase or sales contract.
29. Educate you on the contents of the sales contract.
30. Ensure that all appropriate additional forms are completed.
31. Assist you in getting the best property at the best price with the least amount of inconvenience based on current market conditions.
32. Prepare you for multiple offer situations and develop negotiation strategies specific to multiple offers.

Get you to closing and serve as your trusted real estate resource.

33. Recommend inspectors, lenders, attorneys, and other professionals as necessary.
34. Be an advocate and advisor during the closing process.
35. Review and discuss home inspection concerns. 
36. Monitor and communicate required contract deadlines to ensure that you meet them.
37. Assist in coordinating communications between the listing agent, lender, attorneys, title company, appraiser, and other professionals.
38. Accompany you on the walk-through prior to closing to ensure the property is in the same condition as when you entered into the contract.
39. Remain a life-long trusted advisor regarding real estate questions, needs, or concerns.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

As you are surrounded by family and friends, and as you think about those who may be separated by distance or circumstance on Thanksgiving Day, may you find peace and joy in the beauty and blessings of your life. 

 From my family to yours, best wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Fondest regards,

Pook Bellini

THANKSGIVING DAY FOODS THAT CAN KILL YOUR DOG

Thanks to The Dogington Post for this important list of foods that can make your dog severely ill or, even worse, potentially kill your dog.

• Turkey skin
• Cooked bones
• Onions and garlic
• Alcohol
• Nuts
• Nutmeg
• Sage
• Chocolate, dough, and batter

Visit DogingtonPost.com for the details.

http://dogingtonpost.com/thanksgiving-day-foods-that-can-kill-your-dog/

TOP 4 RENOVATIONS FOR MAXIMUM ROI

Infographic courtesy of Keeping Current Matters/The KCM Blog
11/17/17

7 REASONS TO LIST YOUR HOME DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON

Article courtesy of Keeping Current Matters/The KCM Blog
11/13/17
For anyone thinking that the holiday season is not a good time to list a home, think again!  Please note that statistics given in this article are national and will differ by location.  Please use the stats tab above or CLICK HERE for stats for Sun City Carolina Lakes.

Every year at this time, many homeowners decide to wait until after the holidays to put their homes on the market for the first time, while others who already have their homes on the market decide to take them off until after the holidays. 

Here are seven great reasons not to wait:

1. Relocation buyers are out there. Many companies are still hiring throughout the holidays and need their employees in their new positions as soon as possible.
2. Purchasers who are looking for homes during the holidays are serious buyers and are ready to buy now.
3. You can restrict the showings on your home to the times you want it shown. You will remain in control.
4. Homes show better when decorated for the holidays.
5. There is less competition for you as a seller right now. Let’s take a look at listing inventory as compared to the same time last year:

6. The desire to own a home doesn’t stop when the holidays come. Buyers who were unable to find their dream home during the busy spring and summer months are still searching!
7. The supply of listings increases substantially after the holidays. Also, in many parts of the country, new construction will continue to surge reaching new heights in 2018, which will lessen the demand for your house.

Bottom Line

Waiting until after the holidays to sell your home probably doesn’t make sense.

VETERANS DAY 2017

Each year, with grateful appreciation, I like to offer my personal thank you to all the men and women who have bravely served in our Armed Forces, protecting our nation and preserving the freedoms we cherish.  This year I would like to honor our veterans by sharing two very special music videos.

The first is this lovely rendition 
of HALLELUJAH by Sailor Jerri. 

The second, is a beautiful tribute to our veterans 
by Richard Kerry Thompson.   YOU RAISE ME UP

While there are many monuments around the country recognizing our veterans, one of the most powerful visuals is a monument in Anthem, Arizona that honors the five military branches with marble pillars of varying size, lined up one behind the other, in the order of precedence set by the Department of Defense:  Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard.  Each pillar has a precisely engineered elliptical opening which allows the sun's rays to pass through at exactly 11:11 a.m. each Veterans Day (11/11) to form a spotlight on a glass mosaic of The Great Seal of the United States.  

VA LOANS - What You Need to Know

Since its inception in 1944, over 22 million veterans have become homeowners using their Veterans Administration Home Loan benefit.  Veterans Day is the perfect time to remind those you know who may qualify about VA home loans. This great infographic explains "VA Loans by the Numbers." 

Infographic courtesy of Keeping Current Matters/The KCM Blog.

HAPPY 242ND BIRTHDAY TO THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

"On November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress commissioned Samuel Nicholas to raise two Battalions of Marines. That very day, Nicholas set up shop in Tun Tavern (in Philadelphia). He appointed Robert Mullan, then the proprietor of the tavern, to the job of chief Marine Recruiter -- serving, of course, from his place of business at Tun Tavern. Prospective recruits flocked to the tavern, lured by (1) cold beer and (2) the opportunity to serve in the new Corps of Marines."
Source: http://www.usmcpress.com/heritage/usmc_heritage.htm

Since those earliest days when the "Continental Marines" fought for our country's independence at sea and on shore, the United States Marine Corps has responded to conflicts around the world, participating in combat operations and humanitarian relief efforts by air, land, and sea. Mandated by Congress to be our county's rapid response force, the United State Marine Corps has proudly served our country for 242 years. From the shores of Tripoli to Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima, Korea, the jungles of Vietnam, the mountains of Afghanistan, the Iraqi desert, and all the operations in-between, Marines from all walks of life have defended our nation.
Each year on November 10th, Marines around the world live up to the motto "Semper Fidelis" (Always Faithful) as they celebrate the birth of the Corps. Whether attending a formal Marine Corps Ball or a small informal gathering, or even with just a phone call or a handshake, those who share the bond of being one of "The Few. The Proud." proudly honor the values, traditions, and history of the Corps on this day by wishing each other  a Happy Birthday.   

On a personal note...

Love and thanks to my husband and his Marine Corps brothers for their dedication and service, and heartfelt thanks to all who have served or are currently serving.  This year I had the privilege of sharing a very special anniversary with these great guys, as 150+ members and guests of their OCS and Basic Class got together in the DC area to celebrate the 50 years that have passed since they graduated as Marine Corps officers and to honor the memory of members of their class who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.  It was a wonderful gathering and it was truly an honor to be there with these great patriots.  

In Loving Memory of  Bob "Heavy" Petrella

Today and always we remember with deep love and affection our dear friend, Bob "Heavy" Petrella, who was a USMC Captain during the Vietnam War and was a recipient of 2 Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for Valor. Heavy will always be with us in spirit.

SEMPER FI!