Robbie Holycross

Once the inspection period has ended the terms of the offer contract are generally set and making changes can be more complicated However itaEURTMs not impossible to request repairs or financial concessions after the inspection period if new issues come to light The key is that both buyer and seller must agree to any modificationsIf youaEURTMve discovered additional problems after the inspection period the best step is to communicate openly with the seller or their agent Explain your concerns and see if they are willing to negotiate repairs or a credit toward the cost of repairs Keep in mind the seller is under no obligation to agree once the inspection contingency has expired but many are willing to work with motivated buyersYour real estate agent and possibly your attorney can help guide you through this process to find a solution that works for both parties

BuyeraEURTMs agents and selleraEURTMs agents have different roles but both do important work to help their clients through the transaction A selleraEURTMs agent focuses on marketing the property pricing it right and negotiating offers A buyeraEURTMs agent helps buyers find the right home advises them throughout the process coordinates showings and negotiates on their behalfWhile the tasks differ both agents invest significant time expertise and effort Typically the seller pays the commission which is then split between the selleraEURTMs agent and the buyeraEURTMs agent So buyeraEURTMs agents are compensated through the selleraEURTMs proceeds but their commitment to the buyeraEURTMs success is just as strong

Yes a buyer can represent themselves when purchasing a homeaEURthis is called aEURoegoing unrepresentedaEUR or aEURoebuying as a self represented buyeraEUR While itaEURTMs possible it can be challenging because youaEURTMll need to handle everything from searching for homes to negotiating terms managing inspections and navigating contracts without professional guidanceFor For Sale By Owner FSBO properties buyers can still make offers directly to the seller but the process may be more complex since thereaEURTMs no listing agent facilitating the transactionRegarding showings many sellers or their agents prefer buyers to be represented by an agent for security and professionalism but some may allow unrepresented buyers to tour the home It varies by seller and marketWorking with a buyeraEURTMs agent can provide valuable expertise and protect your interests throughout the process

While home prices have been high due to strong demand and limited inventory over the past few years prices have started to stabilize recently thanks to increased inventory More homes on the market are giving buyers more options and easing some of the upward pressure on pricesThat said itaEURTMs still important to know about resources like down payment assistance programs and new build financing options with low interest rates which can make buying a home more affordable Remember the first home you buy usually isnaEURTMt your dream homeaEURitaEURTMs about getting your foot in the door building equity and positioning yourself to upgrade when the time is right With the right guidance and strategy homeownership is achievable in todayaEURTMs market

To stand out and attract the best offers itaEURTMs important to focus on both presentation and marketing Start by making sure your home is clean clutter free and well staged to highlight its best features Small improvements like fresh paint updated lighting and landscaping can make a big impactProfessional photography and if possible video tours or 3D walkthroughs can showcase your home online in the best light reaching more potential buyers Pricing your home competitively based on current market data is also keyFinally working with an experienced agent who knows your local market will help create a tailored marketing strategy including online advertising open houses and outreach to buyers and agents to ensure your home gets maximum exposure

Zestimates and Redfin estimates are automated valuations based on public data recent sales and algorithms They can give you a general ballpark of your homeaEURTMs value but they arenaEURTMt always precise because they donaEURTMt account for unique features recent upgrades or current market conditionsIf youaEURTMre thinking of selling the best way to know your homeaEURTMs true value is to work with a local real estate professional who can provide a detailed comparative market analysis CMA This takes into account your homeaEURTMs condition neighborhood trends and the latest sales to give you a more accurate and realistic price expectation

If you want your home to appear as a brand new listing and reset the Days on Market DOM in Arizona youaEURTMll need to wait 45 consecutive days after canceling or withdrawing it from the MLS Once that 45 day period has passed you can relist the property and it will show up as a new listing with zero days on market giving it a fresh start in the eyes of buyers

ThereaEURTMs no one size fits all answeraEURit really depends on your financial situation and long term goals A 15 year mortgage will save you a significant amount in interest and help you build equity faster but the monthly payments are much higher A 30 year mortgage offers lower monthly payments which can give you more financial flexibility or allow you to qualify for a higher purchase price but youll pay more in interest over timeIf youaEURTMre focused on paying off your home quickly and can comfortably afford the higher payments the 15 year option can be a great choice If you prefer a lower monthly payment or want more room in your budget for savings investments or unexpected expenses the 30 year may be the better route ItaEURTMs all about what fits best with your lifestyle and financial goals

Even in a market with low inventory and high demand sellers are often offering concessions to help buyers manage affordability With higher interest rates and rising home prices many buyers are stretched thinaEURso concessions like closing cost assistance rate buydowns or repair credits can help bridge the gap and keep deals togetherWhile sellers with low mortgage rates may not be highly motivated to move that doesnaEURTMt always mean they have all the leverage TodayaEURTMs buyers are more cautious and many homes still sit longer if theyaEURTMre overpriced or need work Concessions can make a home more attractive create goodwill and lead to a smoother quicker saleaEURespecially if the property isnaEURTMt turnkey or priced aggressivelyItaEURTMs less about aEURoegiving inaEUR and more about being strategic to reach the finish line in a market where affordability is one of the biggest hurdles for buyers

Owner financingaEURalso known as seller financingaEURis when the seller acts as the lender instead of a bank The buyer makes payments directly to the seller usually based on agreed upon terms like interest rate payment schedule and loan duration It can be a great option if a buyer doesnaEURTMt qualify for traditional financing or if the seller wants to create income from the saleAre there any concerns or hesitations with owner financingYes there are a few For buyers the interest rate might be higher than a traditional loan and there may be a large balloon payment due after a few years For sellers theres risk in trusting the buyer to make payments and maintain the property especially if thereaEURTMs no large down paymentHow do I know if this is an optionIt depends on the seller Most traditional sales wonaEURTMt offer it unless the home is owned free and clear or the seller is open to creative financing If youaEURTMre interested in owner financing your agent can help identify potential properties and negotiate terms that protect both sidesItaEURTMs a creative strategy that can benefit both buyer and selleraEURbut itaEURTMs important to structure it properly with the help of a knowledgeable agent and real estate attorney

Selling a fully furnished home is absolutely possibleaEURand in many cases it can be a unique selling point especially for second home buyers investors or out of state buyers looking for a turnkey propertyIf you donaEURTMt want to deal with piecing out the furniture or taking it with you the best approach is to include it as part of the offering but keep a few things in mindYes you can include furniture in the list price but its best to treat the furnishings as a separate bill of sale or included aEURoeat no additional valueaEUR in the contract This helps avoid appraisal issues since lenders typically wonaEURTMt finance furniture as part of the homes valueDisclose clearly in your listing that the home is being sold fully furnished Highlight it as a convenience and value add not a complicationAvoid listing it item by item Instead say something like aEURoehome is being sold fully furnished as shownaEUR to make it clear youre not open to negotiating individual piecesYour agent can position this as a lifestyle sale which may appeal to the right buyeraEURespecially if the furnishings are stylish and in good conditionWhile some buyers may not need the furniture others will see it as a huge bonus The key is working with an agent who can market it the right way and position the furnishings as added convenience not added cost

What youre referring to is called a seller rent back or post possession agreementaEURand its a common strategy when you need a little extra time to transition after closingHereaEURTMs how it works and how to negotiate itNegotiate It UpfrontBring it up earlyaEURideally when negotiating the purchase contract Let buyers know youaEURTMll need to stay for a set period eg 1aEUR2 weeks after closingPut It in WritingYour agent will help draft a short term lease or post possession agreement This outlines the length of your stay rent amount if any deposit insurance utilities and responsibilities during that timeSet a Daily Rate or Flat FeeSome sellers stay rent free as part of the negotiation especially in hot markets but its common to pay a daily rate based on the buyeraEURTMs PITI principal interest taxes insurance or fair market rentOffer SecurityBuyers might worry about damage or delays Offering a refundable security deposit or setting clear move out terms can ease those concernsInsure AccordinglyYouaEURTMll likely need renteraEURTMs insurance during this period since you no longer own the property and the buyeraEURTMs homeowner policy may not cover youA rent back can be a win win if itaEURTMs clearly agreed upon and professionally documented Your real estate agent and escrowtitle company will help make sure itaEURTMs handled properly