Check Out the Agent Before You Buy

My feeling is it is important to check out any agent before you go ahead and hire them to help you find your first home.

The article (link below) was written to assist both buyers and sellers, and is equally important whether you are a first time buyer or a more experienced one. The more you know BEFORE you buy, the better. And there are ways on-line to get the information you need.

Buyers and Sellers: Check Out That Agent Before You Hire

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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your home search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler

Before You Open That Refrigerator…

If you are looking at distress sales – short sales, foreclosures, REOs – you may want to read this short article I wrote about my own experience with buyers and opening refrigerator doors. The clues may or may not be there.

WARNING – Don’t Open That Refrigerator

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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your home search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler

Are There ANY Homes in My Price Range That Are in Move-In Condition?

Above a certain price range in the Carlsbad area it is possible to find homes that are in move-in condition, or new. But for many first time home buyers, finding a home in their price range that is in move-in condition is difficult, if not impossible. That may be true in your area as well.

Everything else being equal, a home in beautiful shape that needs no updating or cosmetic work will simply cost more. Folks are willing to pay for this so homes that are move-in ready will be more expensive. And they tend to not stay on the market for long because they are ready to go.

The other issue, increasingly, that impacts the number of fixer homes is that there are many more homes at the lower end of the price range, say under $500,000 (less in some communities) that are distress sales – short sales, foreclosures or bank-owned properties (REOs). In most cases these homes need work, sometimes substantial. Some have been poorly maintained or even trashed by the occupants, or occasionally vandalized since they are vacant. You will also see some homes that are not livable until you fix them up, and supply appliances and fixtures.

While some buyers are really looking for a fixer, one that they can put their personal touches on, others prefer minimal work/updating. Being realistic about the market you are shopping in will help you from being too frustrated when every home you see in your price range needs work.

Keep in mind that while having to do work on a home may not be in your plans, or something you planned to do this can work to your advantage. Since fixer homes tend to cost less, you can possibly add more to your equity by buying such a home and fixing it up, rather than paying a premium for a beautifully done one that is otherwise comparable. Just be careful to not overdo it on the redo, or to expect a 100% ROI – an over-improved home will not likely return your investment, especially if other homes in the area are less valuable.

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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your home search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler

Are You Willing to Ask for Help?

Many first time buyers start out their home search looking on-line and perhaps driving around and stopping in at open houses. Some have an idea about what buying a home entails, from friends or family, but some have little or no clue about what a home purchase actually entails.

It seems that many first time home buyers want to be in control of their search and go about it in their own way. And that’s fine. But at some point it really makes sense to ask for assistance. Are YOU willing to ask for help?

Having a knowledgeable REALTOR to represent YOUR interests, as we do sellers’, is of tremendous value to you.  Working with the agent who is listing the property you like will not accomplish that since that agent represents the seller. And if you don’t know what you are doing, can you really risk not having qualified help?

You also need to have the guidance of a qualified and trusting mortgage professional. Getting a loan these days is much more complicated because of stricter requirements, and a seeming reluctance of some banks to loan money. As a first time buyer, you likely don’t have a large down-payment and this makes getting a loan tougher. The good news is that the interest rates are some of the lowest in many decades.

Don’t shoot yourself in the foot by not asking for help. A team effort to get you into your first home IS the way to go. Going it alone will lead to frustrations, and fear about making mistakes.

It’s still all about you and your first home purchase even when using the help available to you.

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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your home search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler