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What Singles Look For in a Home

March 4, 2016 By

Single and ready to…own a home? Today, more and more people are looking to buy a home before they enter into relationships. In 2015, singles made up over 20% of the home buying market, and that number may grow this year. As a real estate agent, are you ready to cater to this growing demographic? Here are some things to remember that may help you navigate this type of home buyer.

Their Safety is Top Priority
While most people generally value their safety, singles may make it a higher priority since they will more likely be leaving and returning home on their own. When showing a home to potential home buyers, make sure to highlight aspects that may make them feel more secure. These can include structural features such as an attached garage and window locks, as well as neighborhood qualities like well-lit streets and bustling businesses nearby. Guide them towards properties in close-knit communities, since neighbors there may be more on the lookout for each other’s well-being.

They’re Not High Maintenance
With only one source of income, potential home buyers may not want to spend the money on home maintenance tasks. While this may differ from client to client, start with listings that won’t require too much upkeep. For example, show houses with no paint siding, which cuts down on the need for additional coats. Also consider simple landscaping, so a homeowner won’t have to do much more than mow the lawn and water a small garden occasionally. Something more intricate outside of the house may look nice, but can involve more gardening than one’s willing to commit to financially.

They Like to Have Fun
Unlike their coupled counterparts, single homeowners may not be ready to settle down and stay in at night. After all, with no tykes to tuck in early, they can stay out late. Show them properties in areas that have a nightlife or cultural scene, such as one with bars, restaurants, museums, or recreation centers. To narrow down on their interests, ask single clients about their hobbies and how they like to meet new people. Their answers may help you gauge which businesses they would like to have nearby.

An Agent Relationship is Key
Couples who buy a home together can turn to each other to bounce ideas and seek advice. However, a single home buyer who doesn’t have the same access to a sound second opinion must rely on you for advice. Most experienced single homeowners have stated that they left agents because they didn’t listen to what he or she was saying, ranging from home preferences to safety concerns. Combat this stereotype by hearing out your clients and restating their messages back to them so nothing gets lost. If you focus more on the nature of your relationship with a specific client, he or she may feel more comfortable when it comes time to make a decision.

These considerations should serve as a guide, but they are not all inclusive. All clients are different, so remember to talk to yours and listen to their needs in order to figure out what is best for them.

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5 Numbers You Need to Know When Buying a Home

January 25, 2016 By

C21_Jan_B2_Infographic_v2There are so many things to consider when buying a new home, from house features to location, that it’s easy to overlook what’s really important. However, remember that buying a home is more than just picking out floor plans and backyard space — it’s a financial investment. Plan for a home you can afford by keeping these important numbers in mind.

Buying a home can be daunting, but CENTURY 21® can help. Visit www.century21.com for more home buying resources.

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Driveway Detective: Tips for Assessing a Driveway When You Buy

December 7, 2015 By

Thought-out floor plans, updated kitchen appliances, and abundant backyard space may be perks you’re searching for when trying to find your dream home, but a seemingly minor aspect may make or break the sale — and it’s right under your feet. An attractive driveway boosts curb appeal and sets the tone for the entire home. You don’t want to come home to a dilapidated driveway every day after work, so here’s what to look out for when making the drive to the big decision.

Don’t step on the crack:

Cracks and crumbling, sunken areas in a driveway usually mean there are weeds growing underneath. The option of tearing apart and repaving could be in the cards, but wouldn’t you rather spend your money on other household projects?

Sharing is caring:

…except when you’re sharing a driveway with your neighbor. In some urban neighborhoods, cohabiting the same driving space with dwellers surrounding you is the norm. If you’re not comfortable with constant communication in the early morning hours, perhaps this might not be the right home for you.

Keep a watchful eye:

A security system in your home is commonplace nowadays. Having a driveway sensor to detect suspicious movement around the entrance of your home would give your entire family an additional sense of safety while you’re at the office or school for the entire day. While more of a perk than a necessity, the luxury of having heightened protection can give the home a desirable edge.

A worthy investment:

Looks matter in a lot of departments, including your driveway. Gravel driveways are economically easy to make and maintain, while a timeless cobblestone path gives the home upscale undertones. Attractive paths tend to lead towards more impressive interiors, so the bar is already set high from the moment you park the car.

Keep these tips in mind when you go to your next open house — they may make all the difference!

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MASH for Adults: What Type of House Should You Have?

October 3, 2015 By

Do you remember MASH, the game you used to play in grade school to predict your future? We’ve created the adult version to help you find out the type of home that may be right for you. Grab a pen, think of a number, and start playing!

How would you describe your style?

  1. Eclectic
  2. Modern
  3. Traditional
  4. Chic

 

How do you feel about work?

  1. I’d rather be traveling the world.
  2. It’s fine, but I prefer nightlife.
  3. It teaches responsibility.
  4. It’s great, if you make a lot of money.

 

Which home exterior do you prefer?

  1. Blue paint
  2. Red brick
  3. White siding
  4. Tan stone

 

Where would you like to live?

  1. On a beach
  2. In a city
  3. In the suburbs
  4. An exclusive development

 

Which is your ideal vacation?

  1. A beachside retreat in the Caribbean
  2. A night out on the town in a bustling city
  3. A family-friendly trip to an amusement park
  4. An extravagant European tour

Now add up your scores! (Answer 1 = 1 point, Answer 2 = 2 points, etc.)

If you scored…

5 – 8  = You should live in a bungalow!

The perfect home for you may be a beachside bungalow! You love to travel the world and spend most of your time on a beach. Your home is filled with treasured items you’ve picked up over the years. Who cares about matching? Everything you own reflects a memory, a piece of you, or a part of the world.

9 – 12 = You should live in an apartment!

You’re a natural urban dweller, and we couldn’t take that away from you! You may have been born for the bright lights of the big city, and you don’t care if that means living in a smaller space. You’re willing to sacrifice square footage for experiences in a metropolis, so you’ve developed a minimalist style to decorate your abode. You aren’t too attached to your items, but instead, are attached to your city.

13 – 16 = You should live in a house!

You may love peace and quiet, and what better place for that than the suburbs or the country? Family comes first for you, which is echoed in your design style. You care about practicality first, and you understand the difference between “needs” and “wants.” But that doesn’t mean that you don’t have sentimental attachment to items. You proudly decorate your home with artwork and items made by family members.

17 – 20 = You should live in a mansion!

You favor a big, pristinely decorated space, so a mansion may be right for you. You love extravagant items, like a large mirror or brightly-colored furniture. And everything you own matches, which means you have a home that your friends fawn over constantly.

For entertainment purposes only.

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Don’t Make These 5 Common Home Buying Mistakes

August 24, 2015 By

It can be easy to get lost and confused during the home buying process. Proper planning is paramount. It’s also helpful to learn from other people’s mistakes. Here are some of the most common errors people make when shopping for a new home.

Not budgeting for everything: Yes, this sounds obvious, but many people forget about some of the costs of buying a home. There are added costs such as furniture and appliances, DIY projects, moving fees, or your first mortgage payment. This last one is especially important—setting a budget may help you determine how much you can comfortably afford to pay for your mortgage.

Neglecting your credit score: Your credit score will play a major role in the home buying process. This 3-digit number might be the thing that keeps you from your new home! Credit reports often contain errors or misinformation, so it’s important to retrieve your report ahead of time and fix any errors before sending it out to lenders. Looking at your credit reports may also give you a better idea of what interest rates you can expect so you can make room for them in your budget.

Trusting verbal agreements: A home seller can verbally accept your bid and still turn around and give it to someone else if a higher bidder comes along. So before you celebrate your new home, make sure you’ve signed paperwork!

Skipping the home inspection: You can’t expect the seller to tell you about all the potential problems you might face if you buy their home. There might even be issues with the house that the seller isn’t aware of, which is why it’s crucial to hire an inspector to take a look through the house. An inspector will examine the overall foundation and structural features of a house. It’s their job to find these areas of concern so that you don’t have to worry about them later on! (Tip: Don’t be too reliant on the inspector. You may catch these problems that they sometimes miss.)

Sweating the small things: Don’t like the color of a house or the wallpaper inside? Is there something about the kitchen that you just can’t stand? Don’t sweat the small things! Focus instead on the location and the overall structure of the house. Once you move in you can change the small things you don’t like and make your house a home!

If you avoid these mistakes and work closely with a CENTURY 21® Affiliated Sales Associate, you may just find the home you’ve been searching for!

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New Home Checklist: Needs and Wants

August 18, 2015 By

If you’re shopping for a home for the first time, you might find yourself thinking, “Where do I even begin?” It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of searching for your home, and it can be hard to consider what we actually need and not what we simply want. Do you really need a house with a spacious backyard if you don’t have children or pets? And yes, a swimming pool would be nice, but is there enough room for one in your budget?

When shopping for a new home, the needs have to outweigh the wants. For now, it’s more important for you to find a home in a good location, with the right amount of rooms than one with a pool.

This New Home Checklist encourages you to separate what you need in a home from what you want in a home. Bring it around to open houses and check things off as you look around! If there are more wants checked off than needs, then this might not be a practical home for you.

What I need in my new home: These are some general things to look for in a new home, but not everything may apply to you! Simply cross off the ones that apply to the home you’re viewing. There’s space to write in your own.

  • Good location
  • Strong school district
  • Reasonably sized rooms (not too small OR too big)
  • Interior layout that I like
  • Home with solid foundation
  • Good amount of natural light
  • Attached garage
  • A driveway or somewhere to park cars easily

What I want in my new home: Write down everything that makes up your ideal home! A swimming pool, a sprawling backyard, and a beautiful, spacious kitchen might make the list. Use this space to fill them in and cross them off as you look through the home.

 

 

Take a copy of this checklist to each open house you attend. It might make it easier for you to compare different homes. Search for a home that fulfills most of your needs and allots for some of your wants as well. Practicality is important, but so is increasing the likelihood that you love your new home.

Happy house hunting!

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