5 tips to find a real estate agent

Do you want to invest in a property? Do you know the difference between Realtors and real estate agents?  In the real estate market, finding the right real estate agent is crucial to make the process as simple as possible. A good real estate agent can make or break your deal.  Before you start shopping for a home, you need to get the right aid to help you through the process. Keep on reading to find 5 tips to finding a real estate agent.

• Realtors and Real Estate Agents-  understand the difference-

Often these terms are interchanged; however, there is a difference.  Both real estate agents and realtors have a license to sell real estate.  The members of National Association of Realtors can display the Realtor logo and are pledged to follow a professional code of ethics.  Only realtors are members of this association. This clearly establishes a basis for business practices with higher standards.  Only 50% of real estate agents are a part of this association. So, think wisely and act smartly.

• Ask for a Referral-

 It is essential to find an agent that is experienced in this sector. Clients of a real estate agent often are referrals of other satisfied clients.  If you know someone who has had a home buying experience in the local market, ask him his experience with a certain agent. Look for a person who is largely concerned with client satisfaction.

• Internet – Your helping hand for searching Agents –

The internet is flooded with online web pages that will refer real estate agents in the area of your interest. However, this search method does not guarantee a quality agent.  Most of these sites are paid directories. You can use your favorite search engine to search top real estate companies in a particular area. You need to check the reliability and history of the agents thoroughly.

• Be keen about Individual Agent Turnover-

The real estate profession has a high rate of turnover. In other words, lots of untested agents are continuously moving in and out of agencies. Look for experience. If you want to work with a particular broker or realtor, ask how long they have been working in this field. Look for the one having more than two years of experience. This will help you engage an agent with thorough knowledge and experience in this sector.

• Check Commitment and Interview agents-

Many agents only practice on a part-time basis. Many times, they might not have time. Such agents cannot give you the attention you deserve. Some brokers only represent properties within a certain price range. If you are not looking for that particular price range, they might not give it their all. You have to do some research and find the right agency with committed and dedicated agents having experience.

Experts suggest meeting at least 3 prospective realtors/agents. This will help you get an idea what they can do for you. Be clear and ask them how well they know your neighborhood. Ask for references and check history. You have to assess prospective agents on the basis of their personality. This will help you narrow down your search and finalize one that best suits all your needs and criteria.

With all the above tips to search for a real estate agent, you should be able to find an agent that will help you through the process. Never restrict yourself, explore all possibilities. Keep all the above points in mind and look for more avenues to find the right agent.  Do your homework and with the help of these tips, find a real estate agent who will simplify your home buying process and let you turn your dream into reality in an easier, faster and cost effective way.

© Global Realty & Investment Corp 

What to expect during the inspection process

Buying a house is one of the most important decisions you will make. Before you purchase a home, one of the things you should do is to have the home checked out by a professional home inspector. There are numerous obvious benefits to having an inspection done on a home you are interested in buying.

What is a Home Inspection?

A home inspection is a systematic and thorough assessment of the condition of a property. In this process, the general functionality, integrity, and overall safety of a home are examined thoroughly. The main objective of this process is to ensure that the buyers know exactly what is being purchased, before completing the transaction.

In all residential properties, even brand new ones, some defects can be present which needs to be discovered before setting the price. A home inspection evaluates all these flaws and all pertinent findings are detailed in a written report. The buyers can review the report and finalize their decision.

This inspection report enables a home buyer to make educated decisions about a home purchase. Buyers can also find out how much renovation and repair will be needed. A systematic inspection enables a home buyer to stay away from any costly surprises afterwards. It is a crucial part of a well-planned purchase.

Before you go through the inspection process, here are a few things you should know about it-

Before the Inspection

Timing: Time is valuable. In general, a home inspection is a one-day affair and takes about 3-4 hours. The home inspection is carried out when the seller and buyer have agreed on the terms and the contract phase starts.

Cost: Typically, the home inspection is hired through the homebuyer. The cost ranges around $350 to $500.

The Inspection Process-

Interior: The inside inspection involves all the cosmetic flaws in a house including moldy tile grout, damaged walls, water stains, etc.

Exterior: Here the exterior of the home is visually examined for checking the structural components, frame and foundation of the home, along with other outer features including steps, doors and windows. The exterior inspection may find rotted joists, cracks in the foundation, missing siding etc. The roof, chimney, drainage system and the skylights will be checked. In this part of the inspection, the flaws such as rusted gutters, worn-out or missing shingles, will be documented.

Electrical: The electrical inspection checks the fuses and breakers, and the wire interior of service panels, further, major appliances including oven, dishwasher, washer and dryer, smoke detectors, etc.

Plumbing: Plumbing inspection covers leaky pipes, drainage, water supply, fuel storage, hot-water-heating equipment.

Ventilation: The mechanical ventilation and the home insulation will be examined. In this process, an inspector will look for loose insulation or mold or water in the insulation.

Heating and cooling: this portion of home inspection checks venting and heating systems, disconnected fuel pipes or leaking boiler, chimneys or flues. If the house has central or wall air conditioners, the energy source and equipment of the cooling system will be checked.

After the Inspection-

In an inspection, all essential aspects including the home's roof, foundation, mechanical systems, plumbing, etc are checked. Cosmetic flaws are considered next. All the things are listed down. After the inspection, the buyer and seller will get a final report on the condition of the home and any suggestions for necessary repairs and/or improvement. The inspection is essential for a negotiation process and generally works in the buyer's favor. Typically, the sellers can fix any serious problems or lower the price.

Home inspection is a very important aspect and you need to hire a licensed inspector for it. Numerous home inspection companies are out there; however, like with any profession, some practitioners certainly outshine others. Choose a qualified and well experienced home inspector and get ready to enjoy multiple benefits of your smart decision.

© Global Realty & Investment Corp 

Relocating and the importance of hiring packers and Movers

Are you moving to a new location? Are you worried about a very stressful and expensive experience? Well, you need to think about various aspects while moving to a new place. The shifting involves a lot of effort and is not a simple task at all. Selecting a moving company that can offer the service that you need is a smart decision to ease your task. Hiring a moving company is the best key to ease the pressure of moving.

Importance of a Moving Company

A moving company is a firm, which deals with transfer, relocation or shifting of commercial, household or business services or goods from one place to another. The key operations of any moving company include capital office moving, residential shifting and the supply of warehousing and commercial storage facilities. Various corporate and business movers have highly trained staff and transfer furniture, office goods, PCs, machines, and materials etc. to the required location safely.

As shifting is a very stressful job, a moving company must be capable of taking all the protective measures to pack and move equipment and products, whether commercial or household with a large amount of caution and care.

Further, a moving company can supply all the essential services including warehousing and storage facilities and space. When it comes to relocation, choosing the best moving company is the main endeavor for many people. You should do thorough research and choose the moving company smartly to avoid any stress afterwards.

Choosing a moving company-

Before starting your quest for the best moving company, you need to think about what you want from the move. You should first prepare a checklist before contacting moving companies. This checklist should include:

• Preferred moving dates
• How much stuff do you have?
• Moving destination ( local, long-distance or, global)
• What kind of services do you want (packing only, moving only or both packing and moving)
• Do you need storage facilities?
• Do you want to rent a vehicle to move yourself?
• How much insurance will you need?

When you are ready with your checklist, it is time to search for companies. The best way to find a reliable moving company is referrals. Ask your friends, neighbors or colleagues, if they know a company that will ease your task. Remember, if a moving company has successfully moved your friends across town, then they would not essentially have the experience, skills and resources to move you globally. You can even ask your real estate agents or realtors. They can give knowledgeable and experienced suggestions.

With the advent of technology, it has become very easy to buy products or hire services easily. Through the internet, you can shop desired things easily. Various websites provide a large database of moving companies in your area. You can search accordingly and ask for quotes from the companies that you think are the most suitable for you. You can compare the companies and then choose the one who can provide you quality services within your budget.  Most moving companies have websites. You can find more about their services, destinations, service history, costs, etc. through the websites. Most companies also list contact details including e-mail addresses. So, you can ask questions.

Rather than choosing a company with a low cost, hire a company that offers reliable services at reasonable rates. When it comes to costs, you should compare at least 2-3 quotes before finalizing a decision. Don't be afraid to ask a company about their experience in this field. Ask them about their claims protection and insurance coverage. Never hire a moving company, which does not have adequate insurance.

Hiring a reliable and reputable moving company will surely help you relocate safely. Do invest your time and efforts in some thorough research. Choose a moving company smartly and you will surely enjoy multiple benefits of relocating easily.

© Global Realty & Investment Corp 

Tips to personalize your condo

Condo ownership definitely offers multiple benefits but it also means limits on your ability to make major renovations to your unit. However, if you are planning to personalize your own unit model, then you can add value to it with some changes.

Points to consider

• Regular maintenance – A well maintained condo definitely has more value. You need to focus on essential repairs and the interior design of your unit.
• Upgrades -By improving some components of design, you can increase the value of your condo. You can personalize your condo with some great ideas and types of improvements that will provide you the best return on your investment.
• Remodeling – You can increase the value of your condo with a total remodeling option. If you want to get rid of outdated finishes and designs, then you can improve the overall flow and layout of the condo by remodeling.

Keep in mind that you can never go wrong in adding upgrades to your condo; however, not all upgrades are created equal. You need to consider several factors while deciding on renovations or condo upgrades.

Initially, you can focus on 2 key areas- Consider elements, which will add comfort to your day to day living and those that will raise the value of your condo in the future. For example, hardwood flooring is standard in some condos. If your condo does not feature it, you can go for this upgrade as it is beneficial to your health. Selecting hardwood flooring is certainly an added advantage when selling a home. So, choose upgrades that will give you the best returns worth your investment.
If you are one of those who want to be a part of the current “green” movement, then you can go for upgrading finishes that are eco-friendly. Think ‘Green’. You can select quartz or Caesarstone countertops in your kitchen. You can enjoy the benefits of the beauty and durability of the natural stone.

Bathrooms and kitchens are major areas where you need to focus. These areas are very important from a selling point of view. Buyers first check out the functionality of kitchens and bathrooms. Think about elaborate closet organizers, self-closing drawers, paneled appliances and cabinetry with glass fronts. Besides adding functionality to rooms, these upgrades will enhance the aesthetic value as well. When it comes to the bathroom, sustainable stone flooring can give it a spa look. Remember, adding an expensive Jacuzzi may not allow you to get back the investment; however, you can upgrade lighting fixtures, floors and mirrors to increase value.

New fresh paint can enhance the value of your condo. It is one of the least expensive ways to make your home more attractive. Go for a neutral color such as coffee with cream or light tan. Avoid unusual or bold colors. Before selecting a color, do invest time in some research. Consult an interior designer for the latest trends and designs. With their experience and knowledge in this industry, designers can recommend the spectrum of styles that will help you personalize your condo without hitting hard on your pocket. They know how to select great a combination of finishes and palettes.

Nowadays, wood floors are an attractive feature to buyers. If you are planning to change flooring, then go for real hardwood. Of course, you have to plan your budget. Less expensive options like engineered hardwood or plastic laminate will also enhance the value of your condo without increasing your budget.  

Remember, not all improvements will greatly raise the resale value of your condo. Some upgrades simply add comfort and luxury. The sky’s the limit! Use your creativity. Make it comfortable for your lifestyle, while increasing its value in the market.

© Global Realty & Investment Corp