While the beginning of the year is the peak buying time for the second homebuyers, as we head into April, it’s now the peak buying time for Arizona residents.
Whether moving up, downsizing or moving location, now through mid-summer is when local buyers are out looking. If you are thinking of buying and/or selling, now is the time to start looking for your new dream home or getting your house on the market.
Sellers
The first thing sellers want to know is how much their home is worth. Although you can look on Internet sites, such as Zillow, the only way to get a true value is to call a local Realtor and get a market analysis of your home.
When you meet with a Realtor, you can discuss if there are any upgrades worth doing to increase the value of your home or to have it sell quickly. Staging also is very important and can make all the difference as to how quickly you sell your home. You can visit my website, under the Blog/Statistic section, to read my articles on How to Find Your Home’s Value, What Upgrades Are Worth Doing and How to Stage Your Home. You also can contact me directly for a free, no obligation market analysis and staging consultation.
Buyers
When to Search the Internet and When to Use a Realtor
Most buyers start their home buying search on the Internet. This is a great way to start looking and compare homes. Once you go from just browsing to seriously looking to purchase a home, it is time to enlist the help of a Realtor.
Here are just a few of the benefits of using a Realtor:
- Many of the sites, such as Zillow, do not have the most updated information. You may find that perfect home, only to discover it already is under contract and no longer available. Realtors use the Multiple Listing Service, or MLS, which is the most current resource available.
- Your Realtor will set you up on a property search based on your specific criteria, so you will only be sent homes having what you are seeking.
- Another great tool a Realtor can offer is the automatic search notification. If a home meeting your criteria is listed, you will receive an email of that listing on the same day. This is a great tool to keep you on top of the market, and make sure you are one of the first to view the home. A good home, at the right price, will go very quickly. If you are not aware of it until days or weeks after it has been on the market, however, chances are you will miss out on it all together.
- Your Realtor is not only helping guide you through the purchasing process and negotiating the best terms and conditions, but also is looking out for your best interest. Best of all, it doesn’t cost you a penny. The seller, not the buyer, pays the Realtor.
When to Get Pre-Qualified
Here are several reasons why you will want to get pre-qualified before starting to look for homes:
- Without knowing exactly how much you can qualify for, you don’t you know what price range of home to view. You don’t want to fall in love with a home only to find out you can’t afford it.
- You cannot submit an offer without a pre-qualification.
- The pre-qualification shows the seller you are a serious buyer and will have the funds available.
Choosing the Right Realtor
- Find a local Realtor, someone who really knows the area well. A local Realtor will have a good knowledge of the local real estate market and the area.
- Ask how many homes the Realtor has sold in the past 12 months, and check out their website.
- Interview several Realtors. You can do this by just chatting with them on the phone. After all, you are going to be spending a lot of time working together, so it is important you actually like your Realtor and get on well together.
If you would like to start working with a local Realtor, or for more information on buying or selling a home, please contact me, or visit my website.
Lorraine Ryall has been a Multi-Million Dollar producer for the past seven years. You can reach Lorraine at (602) 571-6799. You also can send her an email at Lorraine@Homes2SellAZ.com, or visit her website at Homes2SellAZ.com.