Landlord Versus Homeowner

Do you own a home you are considering selling because you miss being able to call the landlord to fix the electrical and plumbing issues everytime? Think twice before selling your home and moving into a rental. When you pay rent to a landlord, you are also paying part of their taxes, insurance, and maintenance expenses that have already been figured into your rent. There are rent vs. buy calculators online, so research this avenue before deciding to sell your home. You might be suprised at how little of a difference there actually is between your rent and your mortgage when you figure in appreciation of real estate over a very long period of time (15 plus years without taking out a home equity line of credit and/or without taking out a second mortgage) plus any tax advantages that might be available to you as a homeowner. So call your professional CPA or tax attorney today before making this decision on your own and take into account all of the variables that might affect your finances both now and in the long term.

Written, copyrighted and all rights reserved 2007 by Sherrie Hartzell, licensed real estate salesperson in Virginia with Keller Williams Preferred Realty-Stafford, VA.

Under Inspection

Do you believe a home inspection is important for you, as a home buyer? I hope so. I am not a certified home inspector but there are many people who are, so check out their qualifications and training before hiring a home inspector professional to inspect a home you want to buy for living in or as an investment property.

A home inspection is usually (check with your particular state’s regulations) only valid for the date and time of the actual home inspection. In other words, if something happens after your home inspection, this will have to be negotiated between the home seller and the home buyer prior to the real estate closing date on this particular home. Whatever is written in the real estate contract in your jurisdiction matters and will be followed. This is why it is extremely vital to hire a professional real estate agent to handle your real estate transaction, negotiate on your behalf, and put out fires when necessary during the complicated real estate processes.

Sherrie Hartzell is licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia with Keller Williams Preferred Realty and Sherrie would be happy to assist you with your real estate needs. Sherrie can be reached at: sherriebh@yahoo.com to schedule an appointment. Written, copyrighted and all rights reserved 2007 by Sherrie Hartzell, licensed real estate salesperson in Virginia with Keller Williams Preferred Realty-Stafford, VA.

Leave electricity on when you move out and your house is for sale

Imagine how a buyer would feel walking into your vacant home if there was not any electricity.  In the wintertime, this means your home is icy cold in many states and possibly borders on freezing cold temperatures.  Now consider that in addition to not having any heat, there are not any lights on either.  As a result, a buyer can hardly see the inside of your home that you, as seller, want to sell.  Do you think this is going to leave a favorable impression of your home with potential buyers?  No, of course not.
Now think about if this buyer happens to have a child or another relative with them.  Do you think they will be happy to be in a very cold and dark home?  No.  Consider this carefully and be willing to pay the money required to keep your house looking in buyer-ready condition.  Pay the money to keep your electricity, gas, and water all functioning properly. Written, copyrighted and all rights reserved 2007 by Sherrie Hartzell, licensed real estate salesperson in Virginia with Keller Williams Preferred Realty-Stafford, VA.