It’s 2023 and many of us may have made resolutions to do things differently this year.
In the spirit of making good real estate decisions, here are some real estate resolutions to think about:
Selling and buying at the same time: Selling and buying simultaneously is very challenging. For example, can you afford to buy a home without selling your current home? Or do you have to sell first and find a place to stay until you buy your new home? It is best have to a strategy in place and work closely with your agent for a win-win deal.
Getting your finances together: If you plan to buy a home in 2023, now’s the time to meet with a mortgage professional to view your financial picture from a lender’s perspective. There is no charge for this service, and meeting with a local lender will give you a clear picture of how much you can borrow and how much you can afford.
Think of your home as a car that you want to sell: Clean it up inside and out. Make it appealing. Make it sparkle and shine. Do some painting if needed. (Back in 2004, I sold a 1983 280ZX that I had painted for a lot more than I originally paid.) Staging and organizing a home also helps get it sold.
Check the market to see what homes are for sale: It is very important to learn about the local real estate market, homes for sale, homes that recently sold, and home values in the neighborhood where you want to live. Browse all the listings to see what’s available and what’s sold. Become an informed buyer or seller. Get assistance from a knowledgeable real estate agent.
Choose the right real estate agent who will work best for you: Selling and/or buying a home takes a lot of time and planning. To make sure all your real estate needs and wants are fully satisfied, get the right real estate agent who will work best for you and make your real estate experience as good as it can be. I would suggest interviewing at least three agents.
Larry Stoller is a broker and Realtor with Real Estate Five of the Lowcountry. Larry@RealEstateFive.com, RealEstateFive.com
