Real Estate Blog

 Unless you are buying and selling homes fairly often, sometimes the process becomes cumbersome and confusing. Let me help you better understand the process. All of your excitement and energy have been focused on finding your dream home and getting your home ready to sell.  Most of your focus has been on acquiring your down payment and qualifying for your new mortgage and figuring out what your monthly payment will be.  These are some items you may not have thought of and it is important to understand their purpose and the cost of each.

1.  Appraisal

       This fee covers the cost of a report that goes to the mortgage company to insure that your offer is appropriate and is based on the market value set by the sale of other properties in the residential area of the home you have a contract on.  The appraiser can actually be helpful in making sure your investment is protected and that you are not paying too much for your property.  

2.  Home Inspection

       The home inspector is a licensed professional who is making sure that your home is worth what you are paying for it and that it is structurally sound.   The inspector is also looking for water issues, mold, a good working heating and cooling system, condition of roof and gutters and much more.  The cost should be under $500. You will receive a copy of this report showing the status of the home and its working systems.

3.  Application and Title Service Fees

       The application fee is a fee covering the research to see if you are qualified for your loan.  The material they acquire is your credit report and the rest of the fee is for your application to the mortgage company.  The title service fee is for searching public records to see that there is a clear title on your prospective home with no liens.Each of these should be show on your closing forms....presented as a line item form.

4.  Origination Fee for the Lender

     This is a fee for the lender that you have chosen to make the loan.  Included in this charge is processing the loan,  funding the loan and underwriting the loan (and part of this is loan approval).  This is based on a percentage of the loan.

5.  Private Mortgage Insurance

      This is a fee paid for insurance to actually protect the lending institution in case you go into foreclosure or default on your loan.  This is determined in the event you put less than 20% down payment on your home loan.  This is a percentage amount as well. 

Since you have chosen to use a professional, you can ask up front what fees to expect once you have determined which home you are buying.  This is an exciting time when you are purchasing your new home. I will make sure that you are informed to all fees to expect and that you are educated in the process.  There should NOT be any surprises on the loan closing day!

​Always remember.......​

...."You've got a Friend in Real Estate"

Jarod Tanksley

www.BrentwoodandBeyond.com

Brentview Realty 615.373.2814

It is very important to research what to do to get ready to sell your home. Equally as important is decluttering before putting your home on the market.  

This is also the time to do a deep cleaning.   In case you have not done this earlier, you still can do it by tackling the job room by room.  A bad odor may give an opinion of a home not being clean even when it is.  Using an air freshener is a good idea after cleaning so that the clean smell lingers. If you are in a time crunch and have a busy schedule...there are professionals to help.

I encourage you to realize the importance of preparation for your home on the market. Remember the saying  "you get one chance for a great first impression". Be certain that after viewing your home online, buyers receive a great first impression when they visit your home in person.

Listed below are some areas of concern to buyers and what you can do to be prepared:

Exterior

* Remove unsightly items such as dead plants and empty pots, bicycles and toys, boats and garbage receptacles or garden hoses.

* Remove grill covers and furniture covers on outdoor furniture

* Blow off or sweep all patios, decks and walks.

* Remove all fallen limbs and debris from the yard area.

Interior

* Light is important- open all blinds, curtains, sheers (including garage area)

* Replace all burnt out bulbs.  Have all ceiling light on and under counter lights. Ceiling fans OFF.

Kitchen

* Take pictures and notes off of front of refrigerator, hide garbage can, remove cereals and snack foods from the counter tops, all dish soaps, sponges, cloths from sink area. It is helpful to grind a sliced lemon in the disposal to have a clean smell.

Bathrooms

* Remove all personal items such as toothbrushes, shampoos, soaps, razors etc

* Pets and pet accessories should be out of sight

* Have mirrors clean and free of smears

* All remote controls for TV and stereos should be out of sight

*  It is important to be able to access lighting in each room and add lighting if necessary

* Nice looking wood and tile floors should not be hidden with rugs. 

Even though this seems like a long list it actually it only takes a few minutes to complete.  It is imperative that you have your home prepared and ready for that first impression and to be considered the best in the market. And always remember......

....."You've Got a Friend in Real Estate"

Jarod Tanksley 615.403.8265
www.BrentwoodandBeyond.com
Brentview Realty  615.373.2814