Jupiter Real Estate Podcast

The Simmonds Team

If you are looking to buy or sell a home, get all the information and the latest updates, tips, and tricks from The Simmonds team- your professional Jupiter Florida Real Estate Agents.

  1. 06/22/2018 ·  Video

    5 Things to Keep in Mind That Can Prevent a Home From Closing

    Many things can go wrong with your home purchase that can slow the closing process down. Today I am joined by Evan McDonough to give you five things that you should be aware of to keep your closing on track. Want to Buy a Home? Search All Homes Want to Sell a Home? Get a Home Value Report I am joined today by Evan McDonough of Family Mortgage to talk about pitfalls that can prevent a home closing from happening on time and how to avoid these common missteps as a buyer.There are a few important precautions all buyers should take as they embark on their home search. Today I'd like to list five things, in particular, to keep in mind if you're about to begin this process yourself. 1. Maintain your credit score. Lenders will first pull your credit score during the pre-approval process, but will also monitor it throughout the transaction. So avoid taking out unrelated loans or making major purchases during the home buying process. It's important to keep your credit score consistent as you apply for financing for your future home. I recommend that you consult with your lender about the specific variables that could impact your score. 2. Maintain your current employment status. Believe it or not, you have to have the same job during your pre-approval as you do at your closing, so do not change your job. We have to verify employment within ten days of closing for every single client. Even if you get a new job lined up, do not quit your current job. Doing so will stop the loan process. 3. Make sure assets in your bank account can be verified. Do not put actual cash into your bank account, because where that cash came from cannot be verified. If you have cash in your home, do not put it into your account right before closing. Talk to your lender about how to verify your assets. 4. Read and sign the closing disclosure. Four days before the closing date, you will have to sign a closing disclosure. Making sure everything is in order with your closing disclosure is critical, because this will indicate whether you're set to close on time. While working with your lender, ask them if you are on track to have your closing disclosure signed, because that will indicate whether you’re on track to close on time. If you’re selling your current home before closing on the new one, make sure your lender gets your sale of home closing disclosure. If you have this document prior to or on the day of closing, make sure you give it to the lender. This will enable them to fund the purchase and give you the keys on time. “ Do not put actual cash into your bank account, because where that cash came from cannot be verified. ” 5. Watch out for wire fraud.Wiring scams have become a significant issue in our market. You may receive false instructions via email from a scammer posing as someone legitimately affiliated with the transaction. Before wiring any funds, verify that the instructions are legitimate. Call your agent, title company, or lender to make sure they were truly the ones behind the email you received. Picking up the phone and having a conversation could help you avoid a mistake that could potentially compromise your home purchase. At the end of the day, verify everything verbally. If you have any questions, pick up the phone and talk to your lender or agent to make sure before you don’t do anything to potentially compromise your major purchase. If you have any additional questions for Evan about lending, you can contact him by calling (561) 625-2660 or by email at evan@familymortgage.com. And, as always, if you are interested in buying or selling, please feel free to contact me by phone or email. I look forward to speaking with you soon. Evan McDonough Family Mortgage (561) 625-2660 evan@familymortgage.com

  2. 06/07/2018 ·  Video

    Taking a Break From Real Estate to Talk About… Guinea Pigs?

    What does it take to care for a guinea pig? More than you probably think. Want to Buy a Home? Search All Homes Want to Sell a Home? Get a Home Value Report Today we’ll be talking about a very important topic to us here at the Simmonds Realty Team: Guinea pigs. If you’re scratching your head right about now, allow me to explain. I’ve encountered many people who while trying to manage their real estate goals are also dealing with children begging them for a new pet. And when the begging begins, parents are likely to hear about all kinds of pets their child would just love to have. Of course, before you invest in any pet, it’s critical to do your research. This is especially true for pets like guinea pigs, who have attributes and needs that some people might not be aware of. Personally, I love guinea pigs. I even have one of my own, named Rosie, who you can see in the video above. So now that you understand why we’re covering this slightly unusual topic, let’s dive right into what you should know about guinea pigs. “ Guinea pigs and other animals can be a larger commitment than people realize. ” 1. Guinea pigs are very affectionate. They require a lot of love and attention. So it’s important before purchasing one to consider the time you’ll need to dedicate to properly caring for them. 2. They are expensive in the long run. While a guinea pig itself will cost just about $30, caring for this pet can amount to thousands of dollars in expenses. Guinea pigs can live between seven to 10 years. So make sure you’re ready for a long-term commitment before purchasing a guinea pig of your own. 3. Guinea pigs shed. Though it isn’t something many consider-you can be allergic to guinea pigs. So be sure to keep this in mind. 4. They require maintenance. Guinea pigs need to be regularly brushed and their cages must be cleaned every four to five days. Beyond that, these pets must be emotionally stimulated. So, in conclusion, please be mindful and do your research when purchasing a family pet. Guinea pigs and other animals can be a larger commitment than people realize. 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.

  3. 05/25/2018 ·  Video

    Sold in 90 Seconds

    Studies show that buyers decide whether to purchase a home within 90 seconds of entering the property. So, today, we will discuss some important things sellers can do to make sure their home gives a good first impression. Want to Buy a Home? Search All Homes Want to Sell a Home? Get a Home Value Report Today we are going to look at the concept of “sold in 90 seconds.” What does this mean? Well, studies have shown that buyers make up their mind about whether to purchase your property within the first 90 seconds after stepping into your home. Having sold hundreds upon hundreds of homes, I can tell you that I absolutely think this is true. So with as quickly as buyers make up their minds, what steps should sellers take to make sure that first impression is a good one? First, make sure your home has strong curb appeal. Pressure washing walkways, adding fresh flowers, cleaning the windows, and polishing up other exterior details can go a long way. Curb appeal plays a huge part in how buyers perceive your home. “ By keeping these key points in mind, you will be able to get your home “sold” in just 90 seconds. ” Also, you have got to make sure your home is clean. If your house doesn’t feel clean, people won’t be interested. Your home’s upgrades will not matter if it feels or looks dirty. On this same note, you have to get rid of clutter. Having a clean, tidy, spacious property will boost your home’s overall appeal. It may also be a good idea to stage your home, so that buyers can see its full potential for themselves. By keeping these key points in mind, you will be able to get your home “sold” in just 90 seconds. If you have any other questions, would like more information, or are thinking of listing your home, feel free to give my team a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

  4. 01/12/2018 ·  Video

    What’s Going in the 2018 Market?

    2017 was a great year. So now that we’ve reached 2018, where is the market now? What can we expect for the year to come? Here are my thoughts. Looking to sell a home in Jupiter? Click here for a Home Price Evaluation Looking to buy a home in Jupiter? Click here to perform a full home search What a great year 2017 was! Hopefully it was just as good for everyone else as it was for us. Since we’ve officially reached the new year, I want to give you all a market update. What are the market conditions currently? Inventory at this point is still relatively low, especially in family-oriented neighborhoods. We are still seeing high demand in the area, though, which is the reason behind the low inventory. Houses are being picked up as soon as they come on the market. I do foresee some change ahead. Judging by inventory levels from 2016, our market appears to be shifting more toward a neutral market, which is more of a balance between a buyer’s and seller’s market. Of course, if you have a home that shows great, those houses will always sell for top dollar. Our market appears to be shifting more toward a neutral market. Something else to think about is the fact that weather in the north is so terrible that it’s driving people to look for houses down here in Florida. So, if you’re considering selling your house, this season might be a great time to sell. Even if you don’t have a solid plan to move yet, at the very least, give us a call for a second opinion. You’d get a second opinion when talking to a doctor or lawyer, right?   We look forward to having a great 2018. If you have any questions or are looking to sell your house, feel free to reach out to us. We’d love to help you out.

  5. 11/28/2017 ·  Video

    Where to Find the Best Tea on Prince Edward Island

    If you or someone you know loves tea, you should definitely check out the business I’m featuring today. Looking to sell a home in Jupiter? Click here for a Home Price Evaluation Looking to buy a home in Jupiter? Click here to perform a full home search Although we normally give the title of Entrepreneur of the Month to someone who is local to the Jupiter or North Palm Beach area, we’re switching things up a little this month.   As you might have noticed, specialty teas have become increasingly popular across the United States lately. So today, the very special business I’d like to highlight is Lady Baker’s Tea on Prince Edward Island. Lady Baker’s Tea is a little company with a big dream. Their premier loose-leaf teas are ethically produced at the finest tea gardens in Asia and Africa. The Tea Lady, as she is known on Prince Edward Island, also has a subscription box service based out of Lady Baker’s Tea. Each monthly subscription box comes with three bags of tea, filters, and a surprise gift. Those three bags of tea amount to about 10 cups per bag, meaning you essentially get 30 cups of tea per month. Lady Baker’s Tea is a little company with a big dream. You can sign up for a one-month trial, a three-month subscription, or a six-month subscription starting at about $33 per month. The box I received even came with a thank-you note, further information on the company, and a muffin recipe. If you’re interested in learning more, or maybe even signing up for your own subscription box, you can visit www.LadyBakersTea.com. If you have any other questions for me, feel free to give me a call or shoot me an email. I'd be happy to help you.

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If you are looking to buy or sell a home, get all the information and the latest updates, tips, and tricks from The Simmonds team- your professional Jupiter Florida Real Estate Agents.