There are a lot of shady real estate “gurus” out there, but are they really all that knowledgeable? These are the people who were presiding when the market crashed after all. Before you buy your first property, give these tips a read.
A smart real estate agent will keep good contact with clients long after the sale, sending holiday cards and noting the anniversary of the home’s sale. Hearing your voice again will trigger positive memories of the real estate transaction that occurred. At the end of your message, let them know you work on referrals and would love it if they passed your information on to their friends and family.
The Internet can be your best friend when house hunting, so remember to use the net to check out homes and neighborhoods. You will be able to find lots of information, no matter the size and population of the town. Consider all of the area’s demographics: population, unemployment rate, median salary, the number of households with children and the average age of the residents, before committing to a real estate purchase.
Houses that need some “tender loving care” are priced less. This enables you to pay less initially, while letting you decide how best to upgrade your new home. Doing this allows you to make the design changes you want, and also build valuable equity in the home through improvement projects. Make sure that you are looking at the potential a house has, instead of focusing on the negatives. Ignore the surface imperfections and see if your dream home is peeking out from behind a worn facade.
Don’t give up even if your offer is turned down, as many sellers will search for ways to make it work. For instance, they may offer to pay the cost of new carpet, or cover some of the closing costs.
Don’t put your trust – or your money – behind the wrong people. After all, how smart could they be if the market collapsed? You need to avoid the scoundrels who think they know everything when they really know nothing. Rather, use these ideas on purchasing real estate.
There are tremendous opportunities for small businesses and social entrepreneurs to support their communities through community foundations, donor advised funds and other means of giving back. Find the neighborhoods in Kansas City, Missouri where you can make the most impact on the health of the community.