California Real Estate Podcast with Andrea Manroe Andrea Manroe

There are four demands you need to make to your agent when buying a home so you get the home you want and pay the right price for it. Thinking of selling? Get a free home valuation Thinking of buying? Search all homes for sale on the MLS  What four demands should you make to your agent when buying a house? First, talk to them about price. Make sure they help you understand how they’ll get both the seller and the bank to agree to the offer you’re making on the property you want. It’s important that you go in ahead of time understanding the negotiation phase of the seller’s counteroffer and you understand that the bank has to perform their appraisal and agree that the purchase price of the property is what they’re willing to lend on it. Make sure they help you find the right house. Second, make sure they understand your timetable and how soon you need to be out of your current property and into a new one. It can be time-consuming to both sell an old property and buy a new one. Buying a new property means dealing with escrow periods and needing time to both look for a new home and then move into it. Discuss with your agent your plan for how you’re going to work out the logistics of your time in order to move into your new property. Third, make sure they have good negotiating skills and do a good job explaining the different phases of the negotiation process with both the buyer and the seller. Finally, make sure they help you find the right house, even if that means you give them permission to tell you the truth—even if it’s something you don’t want to hear. Make sure they listen to what you’re asking for in your “needs” list for your new house and they’re in tune to whatever else you want. If you have any questions about what demands to make of your agent or you’re thinking of buying or selling a home in San Diego, don’t hesitate to message me or give me a call. I’d love to work with you!

When choosing a contractor, there are a few things you need to consider before making your final call.   Thinking of selling? Get a free home valuation Thinking of buying? Search all homes for sale on the MLS  There are a few steps you should take to properly vet a contractor for your remodel project. First of all, it’s always a good idea to choose a contractor who has been referred to you by a friend or a professional. Looking at that contractor’s prior work can give you a good idea of what the finished results in your own home will look like. The Internet can also be a great resource for getting to know a contractor and their ability. Do your homework on them by checking out reviews such as the ones on Yelp! or Angie’s List. While you’re checking out their reviews, also look to see if the contractor is part of any contractor associations. Additionally, make sure you get more than one bid for the project. In fact, you’ll probably want three, or even four, bids before you choose the contractor. Choose a contractor who has been referred to you by a friend or a professional. When you do get these bids, make sure the items within them are consistent. Comparing bids that are “apples to apples” will make it easier to choose. Looking at similar bids is the only way to truly see if they are comparable. Also, when you sign the bid, make sure there is an agreed-upon payment schedule. It also may be worth it to use the same contractor for multiple jobs, since you will already know what to expect from their work. If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Whether you are moving to a new city or a new neighborhood, there are six things you need to remember before you begin the moving process. Thinking of selling? Get a free home valuation Thinking of buying? Search all homes for sale on the MLS  Whether you are moving to a new city or simply a new area, there are a few tasks that you need to remember before you make your move. 1. Check if the bank you use has a branch in your new area. If there isn’t a branch in your new area, then you need to research which bank to move your accounts to. 2. Consider your medical needs. Have your current doctor forward your prescriptions to a pharmacy in your new area. Make sure you keep that doctor’s phone number in your contacts so that if your new doctor needs past medical records, you will be able to call with questions. You should also see if your medical insurance transfers to your new area and look for doctors and hospitals that accept your insurance. 3. Don’t forget to transfer other things like gym memberships, home security, or any other associations that you pay a fee for. Transfer those to your new address and get copies of your children’s school records. Keep in mind that some memberships come with a cancellation fee if you leave early, so factor those fees into the cost of your move. Factor cancellation fees into the cost of your move. 4. Raid your kitchen about a month before you move. Consider using the items in your pantry and freezer early so that your move will be more efficient. 5. Check your vehicle. If you need to drive a long distance during the move, make sure you get an oil change and that the tires are safe. 6. Turn off your utilities and switch them to your new address. Some providers, especially cable companies, may have a wait time before they can come out to your property. Make sure that you call early so that you don’t have to wait for any services or utilities to turn on at your new house. If you take care of these six things, your move will be much less stressful. If you have any other questions about moving or buying a new home, just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

Today I want to share five great ways to get the down payment you need to purchase your dream home.  Thinking of selling? Get a free home valuation Thinking of buying? Search all homes for sale on the MLS  There are five creative ways you can get the down payment you need to purchase your dream home. First, if you’re getting married, crowdsource instead of doing a wedding registry. You can raise money for your down payment by using sites like Kickstarter or Feather My Nest. Next, you can ask the seller to help with closing costs. There are a few different options with seller concessions, so make sure you ask your real estate agent what the best strategy is to get that extra financial nudge from a seller. You can also look into government options. HUD housing offers different down payment and closing costs assistance depending on what you qualify for. You should also check with your employer to see if they offer Employer Assisted Housing or EAH, which can help with down payment assistance. Access to EAH sometimes depends on the area you are looking to buy in, but it’s worth checking out. Finally, check with your lender. They might be able to find a down payment assistance program that will work for you. You don’t need a 20% down payment to purchase a home. It’s a common belief that you need 20% for a down payment. However, you could get into a new home for as little as 3.5% down. To get a better idea of what your options are, make sure you talk to your lender and your real estate agent. If you have any questions about purchasing or selling a home or you have any other real estate questions, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I’m always happy to help!

It is time to buy your first home or continue to rent? I’ll help you answer that today.  Thinking of selling? Get a free home valuation Thinking of buying? Search all homes for sale on the MLS  When deciding between buying your first home or continuing to rent, there are six questions you need to ask yourself. 1. Are you financially ready? You’ll need money for a down payment and for closing costs, so you need to make sure that is set aside. It’s also a good idea to take a look at your credit score. Homebuyers can get loans with scores as low 620, but a score of more than 700 will get you the best rates.  2. Are you prepared to make compromises? When buying your first home, you might not be able to afford to live in your dream neighborhood or get the optimal amount of space. You need to be ready to look at different neighborhoods and compromise on space.   3. Are you emotionally ready? Homeownership is very different than renting. If problems arise, they are your responsibility. Several things can pile up all at once that require your attention and finances. Make sure you’re ready to handle the stress.   4. Will owning pay off in the long run? The good news is your mortgage payment might be less than your rent, but even if it isn’t, you’ll be building your wealth in the long run instead of your landlord’s. You need to be ready to look at different neighborhoods and compromise on space. 5. Have you outgrown renting? If your family is growing and you need more space, upgrading to a larger rental might not be in your budget. Instead, you can purchase a home that has the space you need.   6. Has your income increased? If you’ve recently seen an increase in your income, buying is a great option for a tax shelter. If you are looking to buy or sell a home or if you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I’m always happy to help!

If you’re in the market to buy a new home, what are the important things you need to look for? Thinking of selling? Get a free home valuation Thinking of buying? Search all homes for sale on the MLS  If you’re a homebuyer out shopping for a new home, what should you look for in that home? First, you should keep the resale value of the home in mind, or the price and affordability for future buyers. You should then consider the neighborhood it’s located in and the size of the home. Next, look for a structurally sound home. Look at the “guts” of the home and not just the design or the materials used in the construction. Examine factors like the plumbing, the electrical framework, and how much life is left in the roof. And don’t forget to order a thorough home inspection. Hire a real estate agent that will help you know what you need to know. Also, consider what kinds of costly repairs may be required on the property and how that will play in negotiations. Look at the condition of the roof, the plumbing, the electrical system, the heating and air conditioning systems, etc. Finally, you need to hire a real estate agent that will show you what things you need to look for when buying a new home. If you have any questions about this topic or are in need of an agent to help you buy or sell real estate, please don’t hesitate to give me a call or shoot me an email. I’d be glad to help you.