Home buying

3 Areas of Assessment When Buying a Home As-Is

June 10, 2016 by imusocialmedia

For many home buyers in the area, from Cary to Durham to Apex, the real estate market can be very intimidating and challenging. There are so many factors to consider like school districts, mortgage rates, relocation, and the overall investment of home buying in the Triangle.

Interestingly, there is also a growing number of bank-owned and foreclosed properties listed to sell “as-is” across the region. Usually the seller is either unable or unwilling to pay for repairs or deficiencies in the home and it goes for sale in this category. The good news is that this doesn’t necessarily mean it is a deal-breaker or a “stay away from” for home buyers, especially here in the Triangle area. At Flat Fee Realty, our real estate experts are here to help buyers in Raleigh, NC and surrounding areas make these types of investments and to do it right.

The Triangle real estate experts at Flat Fee Realty suggest three areas of assessment when purchasing a property “as-is”:

Consult local realtors in the know like Flat Fee Realty: Listing a home to sell with the “as-is” clause means that the home seller isn’t obligated to pay for repairs. The home sellers are also not legally liable for any unfortunate events that may occur after the close. Since many sellers are financial institutions, these banks, credit unions, and loan offices may not be fully aware of the property’s condition. It is very important to consult real estate experts like Flat Fee Realty for guidance during home buying process.
Use the Due Diligence Period. Although not mandatory, the due diligence period for home buyers is ideal for conducting home inspections. The buyer has the advantage here, as they can cancel the contract at any time before the home is closed. This is a good time to survey the neighborhood and have the property evaluated in order to ensure a wise investment.
Budget for Repairs. After inspections, all required repairs will be brought to the attention of the buyer. However, many Triangle home buyers are usually happy with their considered purchase since most repairs are relatively minor; regardless, plan to budget for maintenance when considering a home listed “as-is”.

Home buying doesn’t have to be a daunting process, and we have our local team of specialists here to help! Contact the Triangle’s Real Estate Experts at Flat Fee Realty today and experience buying the perfect home.

This post on selling and buying a home in the Triangle is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only.

The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty

919 342 5230

Terry@FlatFeeNC.com

Photo: Vectorolie, freedigitalphotos

4 Factors to Consider When Buying a Home in the Triangle

May 27, 2016 by imusocialmedia

The Triangle and Raleigh real estate market is a very strong seller’s market as we head into the summers months of 2016. The market seems to be improving in the seller’s favor everyday due to lack of available homes for sale. Flat Fee Realty knows the challenges for first time home buyers as they look for a nice home in a new location. Many prospective home buyers are uncomfortable in any type of bidding situation and many just will wait for the climate to change.

When purchasing a home here in the Triangle, there are many factors that must go into the decision to buy an existing home or build a new one.

When considering a newly built Triangle home or a pre-owned home, Flat Fee Realty offers four important factors to consider:

Warranty: New homes will come with warranties that cover appliances, plumbing, heating and more. When purchasing a pre-owned home, buyers can negotiate a home warranty into the sales price of the home, but it may have a large fee and a high deductible and it might not cover as much as a new home warranty.
Home design: A great upside of purchasing an existing home is the ability to see how the previous homeowner laid out the home with furniture; Raleigh home buyers can even negotiate the furniture into the sale price of the home. With a newly built home in the Triangle, there are a lot of decisions to be made in reference to brand new construction, from flooring to windows.
Out of pocket costs: When purchasing a pre-owned home, there are probably less out of pocket costs associated with the purchase. In a newly built home, a local home builder will most likely require a big deposit down on the home for any add-ons that must be paid for before the build begins or just before closing. A pre-owned home will allow for more negotiation of fees into the closing costs.
Floor plan options: Newly built houses are typically the most up-to-date with trends consumers want in 2016, from energy efficiency to open floor plans.

In this hot Triangle and Raleigh real estate market, it can be challenging to make the right decisions. It might be a great time to sell a home, but how can anyone buy a new home? Call us with questions about the options of purchase here in the Triangle. We know the market well. Contact the team at Flat Fee Realty today for more information.

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Photo: IMUSM

This post on selling and buying a home in the Triangle is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only.

The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty

919 342 5230

4 Top Reasons Why Some Triangle Home Buyers Should Look at New Homes

May 13, 2016 by imusocialmedia

The real estate market in the Raleigh and Triangle area is red hot, and one of the strongest in the U.S. at the moment. Flat Fee Realty has noticed that many area home buyers must now compete for a shortage of existing houses. And many of these homes are being sold well above asking price. A lot of offers are simply not being accepted and are rejected for more money. Savvy buyers who don’t want to compete against others looking for houses often can turn to new construction.

Flat Fee Realty presents the top four reasons why some Triangle home are considering purchasing new homes instead of existing properties:

Home warranties: The warranties that come with a new home cover all major appliances such as the structure, HVAC system, plumbing and more. In an existing Triangle home, there may be costly issues that may need to be addressed, such as updating the roof or replacing the HVAC system.
Saving money: There are many ways that new homes can save money; most new houses are more energy efficient than existing ones in the Triangle. Energy efficiency can save a lot of money on utility bills.
Brand new: The ability to design a home from the foundation up ensures that it is exactly the way the home buyer wants it to be. Everything is planned into the new construction meaning there are no surprises.
Innovation and technology: Homes in the Triangle and Raleigh proper are indeed much more efficient that those built in the late 1990’s and older. New homes often have the best features that all Raleigh home buyers are looking for, like nine foot ceilings, open floor plans, and a great use of space. New homes being built in the region are up to date in many ways.

Readers of this blog post, who want to view all of the communities in the Triangle area including new construction, can contact our team at Flat Fee Realty today to get information on new construction communities in the Triangle.

This post on selling and buying a home in the Triangle is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only.

Photo: Ponsulak, Freedigitalphotos

The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty

919 342 5230

4 of the Best Ways to Stage a Triangle Home

April 22, 2016 by imusocialmedia

ID-100410510 As the old adage goes, “First impressions are everything!” This is very true when it comes to the Triangle NC real estate market! In this hot market, it is incredibly important to give a great first impression. The first minutes, as potential buyers walk from the car and through the front door, are very important. Many Triangle home sellers stage their houses and many do it well. Staging a house properly has a variety of important benefits and it can be done in a number of ways.

From the Flat Fee Realty team, here are the top four best ways to stage a Triangle home:

Remove clutter: This is a very simple and big first step. Removing any excessive furniture and decorations can go a long way towards opening up the home and making potential Triangle homebuyers more at ease.
Eliminate the personal stuff: While potential home buyers understand that this is indeed not their home yet, they also really want to be able to envision themselves living in the space. So it might be wise to pack up the family heirlooms in favor of a more open and modern appearance throughout the home.
Rearrange the rooms: Open up the rooms with proper furniture and table placement. Use flowers and fresh and appealing plants to draw the potential home buyer’s eyes to the positives.
Ask for friendly advice: There is usually a good neighbor or friend that can give advice on how the house looks before the sign goes up or when there is that first open house. This strategy can really help adjust the overall picture. Sometimes important details are overlooked and potential buyers might catch any negatives.

Flat Fee Realty is the best way to buy and sell a home in the Triangle and Raleigh. Our team has all the tools needed, and with an advanced and affordable suite of options that will help the Triangle homeowner get the greatest value for their Triangle property, it is critical to give us a call. Contact Flat Fee Realty at 888-646-9488 or visit our website.

This post on selling and buying a home in the Triangle is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only.

The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty

919 342 5230

Photo: khongkitwiriyachan, freedigitalphotos.net

4 Important Steps That Can Sell a House Fast in the Triangle Market

March 25, 2016 by imusocialmedia

FFR- Jan 19 Pic- Stuart Miles The Triangle has consistently ranked as one of the top places to live and work in the country. This is great news for anyone in the Triangle who is considering selling a home this spring. In 2016, Triangle real estate is indeed in a seller’s market, and it can be very financially favorable for people in the Triangle trying to sell a home. A true benefit of a seller’s market is that listings can often sell very quickly, especially when following the advice of our expert team at Flat Fee Realty. If there is an interest in selling a home in Apex, Cary, and Holly Springs and beyond, there will always be questions that need professional answers. The home selling process can be complicated, and homeowners need to do to get ready for the buyer. Spring is here.

Our team at Flat Fee Realty offers four important steps that can help Triangle home sellers sell in this exciting market:

Do inexpensive home improvements and housework: This is often suggested by experienced realtors, and it is very true. For example, thoroughly cleaning and depersonalizing the home can make a big difference to potential buyers.
Choose Flat Fee Realty: Some local area homes are selling quickly, but if a home is priced too high than it will not sell. At the same time, if a home is priced too low, the homeowner might not receive full possible value from the investment. A very good strategy is to get good information on pricing through the MLS, which can be accessed through Flat Fee Realty’s innovative product.
Know the market, the neighborhood, and the typical sale: In business, companies have to figure out who will buy their product and then they market to those potential customers. The Triangle real estate market is no different. A big step in selling a Triangle house quickly is figuring out the demographics of the likely buyer. Will it be a family, a newlywed or retiree? Knowing these answers can help Flat Fee Realty to sell the home quickly and for the best price.
Get the house on the market: The best way to sell is through the multiple listing service, also known as the MLS. This tool is used by almost every realtor and through Flat Fee Realty any listing will be uploaded to all of the popular listing websites, enabling maximum coverage.

Looking to sell a Triangle area home? Contact the Flat Fee Realty experts for more information about the Triangle home market and how we can help sell a Triangle home. Call us at Flat Fee Realty today at 888-649-9488 or visit our website for more information about home selling and buying in the Triangle.

This post on selling and buying a home in the Triangle is brought to you by the team at professional Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only.

The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty

919 342 5230

Terry@FlatFeeNC.com

Photo: Stuart Miles, freedigitalphotos.net

5 Important Reasons Home Buying is Better than Renting

March 10, 2016March 10, 2016 by imusocialmedia

ddpavumba, fdp As we rapidly approach the spring season of buying and renting homes in the Triangle, it is important for both potential buyers and renters to be educated on benefits. There are a various factors to consider when the decision is made. Thankfully for Triangle residents, the real estate experts at Flat Fee Realty have taken the time to compile a decision making guide for the spring 2016 season.

Here are the five most important aspects of decision making when choosing renting or buying:

Tax benefits: It is well documented that there are significant tax breaks that come with buying a house; stability is important when living and investing in the Triangle area.
Home equity: The question of equity is an important one. Every month of rent is yet another 30 days of paying the landlord.
Assessing the future: If one will likely be moving away from the Triangle in the next year, renting is probably a good choice. Individuals who plan on living in the Triangle for a longer term need to consider buying property.
Home ownership as a goal: A recent survey found that 94% of renters strongly desire to own a home in the future. It makes sense that, in 2016, this could be the right year.
Maintenance: One of the important aspects of renting is the challenge of getting repairs and updates done to the home. It is usually up to management to react and improve a situation, and often it is handled to the benefit of the owner, not the renter. Buying a home ensures that the right decisions are always made for the benefit of the owner.

Now, who is ready to start shopping for a Triangle home?

Contact us at Flat Fee Realty for more information about the Triangle home market and how Flat Fee Realty can best help throughout the home buying process. Call us today at 888-649-9488 or visit our website for more information about home buying in the Triangle.

This post on selling and buying a home in the Triangle is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only. Call us with all your home buying questions.

The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty

919 342 5230

The Future of Real Estate!

Photo: ddpavumba, freedigitalphotos.net

3 Skills that Make Real Estate Agents Great

December 23, 2015 by imusocialmedia

survey- tiramisustudios- freedigitalphotos.net All real estate agents have some traits in common. Of course, every one of them can show homes, negotiate contracts, and attend closings. They all have access to the MLS and can get buyers to look at their listings. However, there’s a world of difference between a great agent and an average one. The great agents are advocate for their clients.

The experienced agents at Flat Fee Realty want Triangle buyers and sellers to choose carefully. Below, we share three important skills that make a great agent:

The great will tell the inconvenient truths: Many agents tell their clients only what they want to hear, because they don’t want to risk losing a sale (or their commission). Unfortunately, glossing over problems doesn’t make them go away. Roadblocks in the selling process are very common, from negotiation faux pas to appraisal issues. A great agent will give you the straight news, and lay out no-nonsense options for moving forward.

The great will make the process easy and simple: To the outsider, buying and selling real estate looks easy. The fact is, many challenges occur behind the scenes, with buyers and sellers often unaware of any issues. This is what the experienced agent will do for clients. Excellent agents are proactive. This foresight is what allows the agent to pave the way for a smooth transaction for their clients.

The great will work hard, taking the time to do everything right for the client: By law, real estate agents are supposed to put client needs first. In practice, this doesn’t always happen (even if it’s unintentional). A great real estate agent should be able to fully explain their pricing and marketing strategy, taking into account the seller’s priorities (for example, selling quickly versus waiting for a higher offer). A great agent is interested in your ideal outcome, and if you are willing to wait for a better offer, they should be too.

Every home is different, and so is every real estate agent! The only way to find an agent to fit a buyer’s or seller’s needs, preferences, and personality is to meet several and compare. Properly vetting and choosing a great real estate agent will go a long way to making any transaction seem as seamless as possible.

To find out how an agent from Flat Fee Realty can be your best advocate in the buying or selling process, contact us today!

This post on selling and buying a home in the Triangle is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only.

Flat Fee Realty

919 342 5230

The Future of Real Estate!

Photo: tiramisustudio, Freedigitalphotos.net

3 of the Biggest Fallacies When Buying and Selling a Triangle Home

December 9, 2015 by imusocialmedia

stockimages-telling a secret-freedigitalphotos.net Myths, fallacies, and sometimes outright falsehoods abound in the real estate industry. These old wives tales are frequently circulated amongst unknowing buyers and sellers, making them think twice about buying and selling. Usually, a little research is all it takes to uncover the truth, but they staying power of these stories is still surprising.

The fact-finding real estate agents at Flat Fee Realty are determined to educate buyers and sellers with the right three facts:

A home must be updated to sell: With so much new construction in the area, it’s easy to assume that if a home doesn’t have walk in closets, a kitchen island, or a third floor bonus room, it won’t sell. However, many homes in extremely desirable areas don’t have these features, simply because they were built years before those features became trends. While the sales price may or may not take this into account, many times all that’s necessary is a buyer with a vision.

Condominiums and townhomes are harder to sell: Strictly by the numbers, it’s true that there’s more demand for detached, single-family homes, but those properties also usually appeal to a totally different market than their multi-family counterparts. The multi-family market is smaller, and financing restrictions can be tough to navigate, so be sure any professional involved is experienced with these types of properties.

New construction means no problems: A lot of buyers think, similar to purchasing a new car, opting for new construction will guarantee maintenance free living (at least for a few years). Nothing could be further from the truth. Quality of construction varies widely (inspections only check for adherence to building codes, not quality), and the unknowns of a brand new, unfinished neighborhood are numerous.

There are a lot of nuances to the real estate industry. Aside from that, trends, best practices, and laws are always changing. Perhaps that’s why most of these mistaken beliefs are so prevalent. It’s also why it’s important to have an expert agent assisting in the buying and selling process.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, contact us today! Flat Fee Realty agents are waiting to make sure your decisions are based on logic, not urban legends.

This post on selling and buying a home in the Triangle is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only.

Flat Fee Realty

919 342 5230

The Future of Real Estate!

Photo: stockimages, Freedigitalphotos.net

4 Reasons to Sell a Home during the Holidays and Winter Season

November 19, 2015 by imusocialmedia

Gingerbread House- Serge Photography- freedigitalphotos.net As real estate’s super busy seasons wind down, it’s common for Triangle sellers to question whether the winter is a good time to sell, and if it’s worth it to leave their home on the market. Popular wisdom says to take it off the market and try again in the spring, but there are actual many distinctive advantages to promote a home on the market in December, January, and February. The expert real estate agents at Flat Fee Realty want home sellers to wisely spend their time, energy, and money in the cool months of North Carolina.

The professionals at Flat Fee Realty share four important reasons why it’s a great idea to keep a home on the market in winter:

Homes look attractive during the holidays: With admittedly fewer buyers making the rounds, it’s especially important to impress the ones who do show up. During the holidays, homes usually feel warm, look inviting, and smell good. Holiday decorations can do double duty for home-staging.
Most buyers look online first: Before the rise of the internet, the short daylight hours and the occasional wintry weather made it less likely that buyers would want to see homes for sale. Since the vast majority of buyers view homes online first, every day of the year is good.
There is less competition: Inventory in the Triangle real estate market is already low, and as the holidays approach, sellers will take their homes off the market for various reasons. That will make the inventory even lower, putting the sellers that remain at a big advantage.
Buyers are more serious: People move to the Triangle every day and every week, regardless of holidays or seasons. With the busy holidays on everyone’s calendar, only the most serious buyers will make room in their already busy weekends to see homes. Chances are, if someone is looking to move in the winter, they have the incentive to do so. The seller wins when buyers are motivated.

While the Raleigh real estate market does still have its predictable highs and lows throughout the year, the traditional seasonal distinctions are becoming less and less important. There is only one selling and buying certainty. A home that’s not on the market will never sell.

Is this the season to sell or buy for you? The real estate agents at Flat Fee Realty help buyers and sellers navigate current real estate trends and date to make only the best decisions. Contact us today!

This post on selling and buying a home in the Triangle is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only.

Flat Fee Realty

919 342 5230