Friday, November 18, 2022 / by Jake Uriegas
Buying and Selling a home is a BIG decision. You want good advice from the people you can trust. Your family and friends are the people you can trust the most, but if you’re trusting their advice with all things real estate, they may be giving you outdated or incorrect information.
A Real Estate Agent is a trusted professional who deals with real estate issues every day. I can help dispel myths that could limit your search or unduly influence one of the most important financial decisions you’ll ever make.
Beware of the following myths:
MYTH: YOU NEED A 20% DOWN PAYMENT
Reality: Though many buyers do put down 20% or more, first-time homebuyers paid a median 6%. There are many types of loans and programs you may qualify for to help you buy a home even if you don’t have a 20% down payment.
MYTH: YOU HAVE TO HAVE SPOTLESS CREDIT
Reality: You may be able to secure a loan even with a low credit score. There are also steps you can take to improve your credih ...
Read More
Friday, November 11, 2022 / by Jake Uriegas
Is selling your home during the holidays a good or a bad idea?
As the holiday excitement builds, many people hit pause on selling their homes, convinced that nobody is hunting for their next house during the festive season.
But the truth is-no matter the time of year, people are ALWAYS looking to buy a new home.
Here are the five reasons why selling a home during the holidays can unlock lucrative opportunities that would be difficult to find other times of the year.
1. Motivated Buyers: People who take time out of their crazy holiday schedules to look at homes are typically serious buyers about finding a house and are the ones that will be more likely to say "yes" to a sale.
2. Lack of Competition: While everyone's busy with holiday plans, smart sellers are putting their homes on the market. Less competition + serious buyers = more eyes on your listing. This lack of competition during the holidays can translate to a quick sale and sometimes a more lucrative selling price.
3. Takes ...
Read More
Friday, November 4, 2022 / by Jake Uriegas
As our reliance on technology grows, cybersecurity is becoming more critical.
Last year, after a series of major cyberattacks, the White House issued an executive order declaring cybersecurity a national priority. In 2021, the FBI reported that cybercrimes caused more than $350 million dollars of loss in the real estate sector. This represents more than a 64% increase from 2020.
Many of these losses were caused by wire fraud.
This is a major concern in real estate.
—-----------------------------
With real estate transactions typically involving large financial transactions, real estate is an attractive target for cybercriminals to steal large sums of money.
Wire fraud usually involves a cybercriminal compromising a business or personal email account and sending the buyer or another party, at the last minute, convincing yet fraudulent instructions to wire money to the wrong account.
According to the FBI these scheme; ...
Read More
Friday, October 28, 2022 / by Jake Uriegas
Another interest rate hike.
House prices are 36% more than before COVID hit.
So should you be looking at buying a home?
Absolutely!
Interest rates are currently at the highest levels since early 2008, during the middle of the Global Financial Crisis. With home prices as high as they are right now, many buyers are wondering if they shouldn't hold off buying until things change.
In short, No, waiting is not the answer.
Here are just some of the reasons smart investors are hunting for new properties while everyone else “is waiting and seeing".
Yes, rates are climbing right now, but history – and the experts - show that real estate is still one of the safest investments you can make. Waiting means your interest rate and home price may be even higher. And if the rates do fall in the future to lower levels, you can always refinance your mortgage.
Another reason it’s a great time to buy is because with higher rates comes less competition, not among home ia ...
Read More
Friday, October 21, 2022 / by Jake Uriegas
Getting a cash bid for your home after going to a website and inputting basic information sounds easy and stress-free.
But there can be downsides to “instant offer” services.
INSTANT OFFERS MAY BENEFIT INVESTORS MORE THAN YOU
Investors who would buy your property want to make a profit.
Some even intend to find a buyer willing to pay more right away.
Why sell to an investor for less money than you could get otherwise?
THE OFFERS MAY NOT BE BASED ON ACCURATE DATA
These services sometimes use incomplete, misleading information.
A REALTOR®, however, has access to true market comparisons and pricing data.
Have you done any of the following?
Replaced bathroom fixtures
Installed new floors
Installed new kitchen countertops
Replaced HVAC systems
“Instant Offers” may not take those improvements into account.
You need a thorough, in-person estimate of your home’s value.
GET THE BEST OFFER
I can help you get the best possible . ...
Read More