What Is The Cost To Sell A House?

A major factor in successfully selling your house is the preparation before actually putting it up on the lists. Before committing to selling your home, it would be a good idea to estimate the cost to sell a house to ease the process both financially, and emotionally.

Survey the area.

Do a quick look of the other houses for sale in your area and take notice of their state and the selling price. You will be competing with these houses, so you have to estimate any repairs you’ll need to do in order to get into the same market price.

Write up the repair budget.

Itemize all the repairs that need to be done. This is a crucial part in figuring out the cost to sell a house. Repairs will include replacing damaged tiles, patching up cracks in the walls and floors. Check for leaks, squeaky and stuck doors, and that all appliances are working properly. Write it all up so you’ll have an idea of the cost.  Smart sellers will have a pre-inspection done by a licensed home inspector.  This will do 2 things;  One, it gives you the “to do” list of repairs that will most likely be asked for when a buyer has an inspection done and two, if  gives you a defense against bogus claims from an over zealous buyer inspector.

Have a meeting with your realtor.

Getting the help of a realtor entails a cost in terms of a commission, but it will expose your house to a wider market. Having a realtor will also give you a professional perspective and give you better chances in selling your property. Realtors charge 5 to 7 percent commission, so you will be able to estimate the cost from there.  Homes sold by Realtors statistically sell for 9% more than for sale by owner homes.

Ask for advice from people you trust.

If you have friends or family who have sold their houses before, have a talk with them to gain more knowledge based on their experience. From their stories, you can get tips on what else you can do to improve your chances for selling, plus an estimate of the cost.

The cost to sell a house is a good investment, and is part and parcel of the whole process. Setting up the budget is the first step!

If you are thinking of selling your home give us a call.

Cell/Tex 817-932-4900

Happy Trails,

Donnie

Buying A Home: First Things First

Buying a home is a huge decision, not just financially, but emotionally. It is a decision that will affect everyone in your family lives and will need some preparation to ease the adjustment. When buying a home, consider these points and make the process as painless as possible.

Discuss the positive points with everyone involved.

The topic of buying a home will bleed into a lot of other subjects. These topics range from the financial implications, to simple things such as who among the children gets their own room or who will need to share a bathroom. It might be something as life-changing as transferring to a new city, a new school, and adjusting to a whole different neighborhood. Make sure to address these possibilities, focus on the good things and clear the air for a smooth transition.

Be realistic about your budget and expectations.

While buying a home may feel like a new experience, also manage your expectations about the necessary adjustments that the new house needs. If you’re going to be renovating for the next few months, make sure everyone in the household is prepared to deal with it. If the house is smaller or bigger than your previous home, the lines have to be drawn if space and living arrangements need to be adjusted.  Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is the first step in the process even if you are 1 year away from your target date of purchase.  If you are upsizing live on your new budget for 6 months to make sure you are going to be comfortable with the new house payments.

Get to know the neighborhood.

Before buying a home, explore the neighborhood and “mentally move in” before you even purchase new property. Can you imagine yourself as a member of the community? Does the neighborhood have amenities that are necessary for your family? Taking a peek at your neighbors’ homes will also give you a clue if you and your family will be a fit into the area.  Visit the neighborhoods on the weekends or after work.  Do drive time during rush hour to your work.  Check on crime or sex offenders in  neighborhoods.

Once you’ve prepared yourself mentally and emotionally, all other steps to buying a home will be easier to accomplish.  For more home buying tips give me a call or go to our website at FathomRealtyDFW.com

Happy Trails,

Donnie

Real Estate Emergency: I Can’t Sell My House!

So you’ve put up your home for sale and even attracted some potential buyers. Still, months pass and no one is biting. Before you say, I can’t sell my house. I give up, check on these points and see if there’s something you might have overlooked.

Minor repairs.

While you may think that it’s “just a loose floorboard” or “nothing but a tiny crack on the wall”, to a potential buyer that is not the case. Buyers are more willing to buy a well-maintained home rather one they will need to repair themselves.

Keepsakes to you, but junk to them.

People who complain, I can’t sell my house, usually overlook the piles of things that have accumulated over the years. They’ve been there so long it feels like furniture. But to people looking to buy your house, it’s just junk that needs extra effort to put away.

Everything is going, but nothing is staying.

You have a lovely chandelier, a beautiful antique dining set, and a set of frames the potential buyer absolutely loves. But none of them come with the house. This breaks the buyer’s bubble and makes them lose interest. Take out anything that has too much of a personal history and replace them with more neutral pieces.

The outside does not mirror the inside.

You may have been so engrossed in staging your interiors that you forgot one of the most important things in real estate: curb appeal. First impressions are important and can make or break the deal. It will be hard to change an opinion once the exterior has already ruined it. So clean up the yard and do the necessary gardening.

Check the neighborhood. Are you overpriced?

Do a survey of the other houses for sale in the area and see how your property compares. There’s a possibility there are houses out there that are staged better with the same or even lower price than yours.

Go through all these and look at your house again with a fresh perspective. Then maybe next time, I can’t sell my house, would’ve turned into, “SOLD!”

The Reata Realty Group Specializes in getting your home sold.  For help, give me a call today, my cell or text 817-932-4900

Happy Trails,

Donnie

Spend To Sell: The Cost of Selling A House in Fort Worth Texas

Many people who are in the market to sell their home often forget the cost of selling a house. Don’t forget these costs, and be aware of them in order to manage your expectations on the return. With the right frame of mind and solid idea of the cost of selling a house, you will be able to plan well for the next steps you want to take after the deal is done.

Sales Commission

The number one item to consider is the realtor’s sales commission. If you choose to do without an agent, keep in mind that you have to do the legwork yourself and the process might take longer. Expect the commission to be around 3 to 7 percent of the sale. You can always negotiate this percentage with your agent.  Statistics show homes marketed by a Realtor sell 3 times faster and on the average for 9% more that FSBO sales.

Taxes and Legal Fees

The cost of selling a house is not without transfer taxes, property taxes and the fees for all the paperwork that entails hiring a lawyer. It would be a good idea will to check your state’s policy on property taxes because if you’re paid up for the year, you might just get credit.

Closing the Mortgage

You’ll need to take care of any remaining balances on your mortgage before you can proceed with the sale of your home. Don’t forget the prepayment penalty, if your mortgage has one.

Repairs

The cost of selling a house always involved sprucing up the place. Include the cost of a home pre-sale inspection so you can pinpoint the necessary minor adjustments you would have to make to put your house in its acceptable state in preparation for a sale. Include the repairs needed for aesthetic purposes for both the interior and exterior of your home. Remember that curb appeal is a huge factor in attracting buyers, so make sure your house makes an impact from first sight.

Relocating Costs

The cost of selling a house involves the costs of moving into your new house. This includes transportation, the moving van, moving staff, new appliances, new fixtures, new furniture, repairs and a lot of other miscellaneous costs. Relocating also involves other expenses such as school transfer fees, storage space, and other costs that are not necessarily directly involved with the house itself.

Even with the cost of selling a house, it’s a small comfort to know that some of these expenses are tax-deductible. Manage your expectations, plan ahead, and the cost of selling a house will be worth it when you get the outcome you want.

With any other questions you may have about the process, please give us a call.  The Reata Realty Group are at your service.

Happy Trails,

Donnie

The 5 Reasons to live in Interlochen  Arlington Texas

“Exquisite home along beautiful tree-lined street in much sought after neighborhood.”  These are words typically used to describe the homes in Interlochen Estates.  This 107-acre established neighborhood is truly picturesque.  Here are the top 5 reasons to live in Interlochen.

The Private 12-acre Lake and Five Channels   

The focal point of the neighborhood is the well-designed channel system, known as Lake Interlochen, and is used for boating, swimming and fishing.  The 140 residences that line the waterfront are a part of the Lake Interlochen HOA.  Another 126 residences are located off the water.

Rich History at Village Creek

Interlochen is located along the Village Creek Historical Area, known for its long history of Native American settlement (archeological digs in the Village Creek area have revealed arrowhead points from 5000 BC).  The 135-acre area features trails, a picnic area, soccer field and fishing pier.

Bob Findlay Linear Park 

Bob Findlay Linear Park boasts 35 acres and features biking/walking trails.  You can frequently find many residents in the area utilizing the trails for both exercise and leisure.  There are many opportunities to take in the scenic views throughout the park.  The City of Arlington Parks and Recreation Department pride themselves on providing quality parks and enriching outdoor experiences for visitors.

Be a Part of Interlochen Christmas Lights 

Every December marks the infamous Interlochen Christmas Lights – a free drive-through, neighborhood volunteer event.  This tour of lights has become a valued city tradition every Christmas season.  The HOA also presents awards to the best decorated homes.

Arlington School District

Interlochen resides in the highly sought-after Arlington Independent School District.  AISD strives to provide a quality learning environment and meet the educational needs of all their children.  And in 2013, the school board announced they were opening the majority of AISD schools to offer students the option of transferring to another school within the district, allowing the ability to choose the school that best meets their needs.

To learn more about this awesome neighborhood of Interlochen or other great neighborhoods in Arlington Texas.  Give me a call!

Fathom Realty has created a new type of real estate brokerage having the belief the Internet along with consumer behavior is in a quantum shift changing the way realtor and real estate firms should interact with the community.  The Reata Realty Group is a technologically advanced real estate team and we have chosen to join Fathom Realty to advance  beyond the old fashioned brick and mortar franchise business models that other real estate companies still cling to.

We believe our clients want the freedom to do their own property searches on a user friendly, relevant and real time platform, which this website provides.  If you desire Luxury Homes, Horse Ranches, Starter Homes, Land or Foreclosures you are able find them on the Reata Realty Group website.  According to The National Association of Realtors, 90% of all real estate buyers  start their real estate search online.  Our merger with Fathom Realty has strengthened both companies into one of the fastest growing real estate companies in Texas.  Fathom Realty is now in 5 States and 9 different markets.

A Reata Realty client is savvy consumer and prefers the internet to begin their property search or determine what their home is worth and they can do that here on our website.  Our society is an instant society and we are providing you with the instant information you need to make informed decisions.  For current market trends, valuable real estate tips and local or regional information; please subscribe to our blog at http://www.FortWorthism.com or our weekly Real Market Reports. 

Thinking of selling a home?  Check out our Sellers Website at http://DFWHomeSellersandBuyers.com

We understand the major concern every buyer or seller has.  “What is the real value of property”?  Fathom Realty and The Reata Realty Group can provide our clients with that information through  technology and our combined experience of 20 years in the North Texas area.  We compile current Internet data of SOLD and current ACTIVE Real Estate in the buyer’s desired area, along with detailed on the ground information to provide a complete picture of real estate value to our clients.

This website provides customers with featured communities in the cities of Arlington, Fort Worth, Weatherford, Aledo, Benbrook, Crowley, Saginaw, Azle, Springtown, Keller, North Richland Hills and Granbury.  You will be able to find Luxury Homes, Horse Properties, Starter Homes, Land, and Foreclosures, Golf Course and Waterfront Homes on this site.  The Reata Realty Group cares more about our clients than our commission.

We Are different, We Are The Future Of Real Estate

Homesale 101: Getting Your Home Ready To Sell

After you’ve made the decision to let go of your house, there’s the matter of getting your home ready to sell. Anyone in real estate will tell you that the sale if not just a matter of taking out an ad in the paper and hoping that the first person who sees your place will fall in love with it and buy it on the spot. Getting your home ready to sell takes some preparation, and here are some steps that will help seal the deal.

1. Remove yourself from your home.

When taking a look at your house, the people viewing it should be able to imagine themselves living in it. You don’t want your house to seem nice only if it comes with your aged-to-perfection leather chair in the living room, your montage of family pictures on the living room shelf, or your grandmother’s heirloom chandelier in the dining area. Remove all the personal furniture and items that you will take with you to your new home. You don’t want to have to keep telling your prospective buyers that these nice things do not come with the house. If they want it bad enough, it could be a dealbreaker. Try to keep your interiors as simple and minimalist as possible. Houses are best showcased with as little furniture as possible.

2. Get the little nooks and crannies ready for snooping.

Buyers will want to take a look at every corner of your home, and that includes storage rooms, closets and even under the bed. Make sure that you de-clutter and organize the essentials in these areas. Doing so will make your home feel comfortable.

3. Clean, repair and store.

Cover up that tiny crack on the wall, fix that loose light fixture, and replace the missing tile in your bathroom. Getting your home ready to sell means presenting it in its perfect setting as much as possible. Make the potential owners see the possibilities, instead of all the things they have to fix themselves. If you can, get a professional cleaning service to give your house that extra polish. Pack up all the knick-knacks and unnecessary items.

4. Learn the value of “curb appeal.”

“Curb appeal” is a common term in real estate and is an essential part in getting your home ready to sell. Making a huge impact with a buyer at the first moment they see your home is already half the battle done. Clean up your yard, trim the lawn, and repair anything loose and askew.

With these simple steps, you will increase the appeal of your home. Getting your home ready to sell may require detail, but it could be enjoyable and profitable for you.

Happy Trails,

Donnie

“Can I Buy A House?”: How to Know If You’re Ready To Purchase A Home

It is every person’s dream to have a home of his own. While the desire is there, most people doubt their ability to actually purchase a piece of property. They are unsure on their capability and ability to be a homeowner, with concerns that range from financial to emotional. So here are some points to ponder when you find yourself asking this question: “Can I buy a house?”

1. Do your homework, and decide if you are ready to face the costs of home ownership.

Buying a house doesn’t stop at simply issuing a check and enjoying your new home. There are costs to owning a home that you need to review, know by heart and assess. There are taxes and fees that need to be considered, and you also have to factor in the costs of maintaining your home. Home maintenance involves a daily, monthly and yearly schedule of reminders and involves everything from floor to roof, as well as the grounds.

2. Examine your credit reports.

Along with the question of “Can I buy a house?” is the question of “Will anyone let me buy a house?.” Taking out a loan or going into any sort of financing scheme will require a thorough analysis of your capability to fund the purchase. Are your debts being paid? Do you have any pending bills? If your credit reports are good to go, then so are you.

3. Match your dreams to your reality.

Maybe what you have in mind is that 2-story, 5-bedroom house with a pool, a yard and a porch, but you also have to see if that’s what your finances are capable of. Match your ideal house to what you have at hand. Do you have an amount ready for a sizable downpayment? Will you have a reliable source of income to cover the mortgage? Are you ready with an emergency fund?

4. Prepare yourself mentally and emotionally.

Home ownership means you are ready to lay down your roots. You must be ready to stay put for at least the next 5 years and face all the headaches and pains that comes with owning a house. As your own landlord, only you will be responsible for your home, creaks, leaks and all.

If you’ve sufficiently thought about these points and feel confident about your readiness to take on the responsibility to home ownership, then ask again: “Can I buy a house?” The answer is, YES!

Happy Trails,

Donnie