Category: Yancey Blog

There are endless other reasons to use a real estate agent! To find out more, give us a call at 704.467.8877 today!

Not every home makeover has to be a major project that lasts days, weeks, or even months. There are a ton of quick touch-ups and fixes that can make a huge difference in the look and feel of your home, even though you can finish the project in less than an hour.

A new mailbox: Chances are you’re still using the same mailbox that came with your home. But giving your mailbox a fresh coat of paint—or even replacing it entirely—is pretty painless, and it instantly upgrades your home’s curb appeal.

Declutter: Less is usually more. Go through your home and consider all the stuff that you haven’t used in years. If it’s no longer serving a purpose, sell it, donate it, or throw it away.

New hardware for your drawers: Painting kitchen and bathroom cabinets can be a big undertaking—drop cloths, tape, washing brushes and rollers, etc. But you can change out your drawer hardware in just a few minutes—all you have to do is pick out the new fixtures.

If you’re looking for a home this spring, you don’t need the luck of the Irish! All you need is a Yancey Realty agent on your side!

We are a locally owned, boutique real estate firm that understands the importance of constant communication, knowledge of the local market, and excellent customer service. We put our clients first, and ensure that they are comfortable each step of the way!

The spring is the perfect time to purchase your dream home. Inventory is up after the cold winter and interest rates are the lowest they have been in over 12 months!

Don’t throw your hard earned paycheck into a landlord’s pocket; put it back into yours! You can start earning equity today by buying a home.

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If you’re ready to experience the Yancey Realty way of buying or selling a home, give us a call today at 704.467.8877!

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Staging your home prior to taking pictures and going on the market helps buyers visualize living there! They understand how much furniture can fit in each room, and get an idea for what to do with the space if they were to buy it!

You can find a list of our recommended stagers here under the “Designers/Stagers” tab!

You’ve narrowed down your wish list, viewed many homes, and finally found your perfect fit! Time to take the leap and make an offer!

This can be both incredibly intimidating and exponentially exciting. So, how can you throw your hat into the ring with confidence? Here’s what you need to know to make an offer like a boss!

Determine Your Price Limit. Work with your agent to determine if the seller’s listing price is fair based on similar home sales in the area, interest in the home, time on the market, etc. Next, figure out the max offer price you are willing to reach that isn’t too financially taxing and settle on what your starting offer price will be.

Add Contingencies. Any home sale generally comes with a set of contingencies that must be met before it can be completed. These can include inspections, repairs, appraisals, and more. These need to be selected carefully, as an offer with too many may be less appealing to the seller.

Set Your Settlement Date. When you submit an offer, you must present a date to settle, generally about 60 days after the purchase agreement is signed. You want to give yourself enough time to meet your end of the contingencies, secure mortgage approval, finalize loan details, and more. If you are the responsible party for a delay, you may have to compensate the seller.

Prepare For a Counteroffer. You may be going up against other offers or the seller may negotiate, so it’s best to prepare ahead of time for a counteroffer. But this isn’t anything to stress about. Talk through the best strategies with your real estate agent.

Want more information on the local market??

We can help with that! Give us a call at 704.467.8877 to get started!

Some people think that owning a home ties you down.

In reality, owning a home provides you freedom! The freedom to paint, change the floorpan, switch out flooring, and do whatever project it is you want!

When you rent a home/condo/townhouse, most of the time you aren’t allowed to make changes; if you are allowed to make changes, you waste money since you don’t get any return on your investment.

If you’re looking for more freedom, give us a call today at 704.467.8877. Our agents are happy to help you buy your dream home, or sell your current one to get you into your ideal place!

Whether you plan on buying or selling this spring, these tips could help you ‘spring ahead’ of your competition

Another tip?? Get a Yancey Realty agent to help you! Give us a call today at 704.467.8877!

Yancey Realty agents can help you along the home buying or home selling process!

We understand each step, and can guide you to ensure you get the most out of your house, or find you the perfect home!

Give us a call at 704-467-8877 today to get started!

The first step in the home buying process is to get a pre-approval letter from a mortgage lender. He/she will collect financial documents, like bank statements, tax returns, paystubs, etc. to best decipher the price point of home you should be considering.

With a pre-approval letter in hand, you will want to search for that perfect agent! Everyone’s criteria will be different, so make sure that your personality matches that of your agent so you are on the same page.

Ask friends, family and neighbors for their suggestions of agents, and speak with a few before deciding anything. If you like constant communication, make sure he/she is willing to update you every x amount of days for example. If you prefer a certain form of communication-say email instead of phone calls-be sure he/she understands that.

Make sure that along the process, you and your agent are communicating effectively and often. You want to be kept in the loop of what is going on, and will need your agent to help with any confusing terminology or wording in contracts. Your Realtor will be able to clear up any confusion, and negotiate on your behalf.

Do not ever feel like you are asking a dumb question! If you are unsure about something, ask for clarification! It is better to make sure you understand what is going on, then to be confused at the closing table. Your agent should understand that you are not going to be as familiar with the process as he/she is, and take their time making sure you are comfortable each step of the way.

Lastly, make sure you are flexible! There will almost never be an exactly perfect home (unless you custom build it!), so be flexible about things like paint color or backsplash that can easily be changed in the future. If there are substantial modifications to make, be sure to factor that into the price you are paying for the home.

You’ve most likely heard the rule: Save for a 20-percent down payment before you buy a home. The logic behind saving 20 percent is solid, as it shows that you have the financial discipline and stability to save for a long-term goal. It also helps you get favorable rates from lenders.

But there can actually be financial benefits to putting down a small down payment—as low as three percent—rather than parting with so much cash up front, even if you have the money available.

THE DOWNSIDE

The downsides of a small down payment are pretty well known. You’ll have to pay Private Mortgage Insurance for years, and the lower your down payment, the more you’ll pay. You’ll also be offered a lesser loan amount than borrowers who have a 20-percent down payment, which will eliminate some homes from your search.

THE UPSIDE

The national average for home appreciation is about five percent. The appreciation is independent from your home payment, so whether you put down 20 percent or three percent, the increase in equity is the same. If you’re looking at your home as an investment, putting down a smaller amount can lead to a higher return on investment, while also leaving more of your savings free for home repairs, upgrades, or other investment opportunities.

THE HAPPY MEDIUM

Of course, your home payment options aren’t binary. Most borrowers can find some common ground between the security of a traditional 20 percent and an investment-focused, small down payment. Your trusted real estate professional can provide some answers as you explore your financing options.