FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the MLS and how does it work?
• How do we determine how much we can afford to pay for a home?
• How can I determine my housing needs before I begin the search?
• What should I look for when walking through a home?
• How can I keep track of all the homes I see?
• Is a private home inspection worth the money?
• Questions to ask the inspector before hiring them
• Do I need to be there for the inspection?
• What should I look out for during the final walk-through?
• How can I protect my family from lead in the home?
• What are some tips on negotiation?
• What makes up closing costs?
• How do I prepare my home to show nicely when ready to sell?
• What are the two most important factors when selling a home?
• What are disadvantages of pricing my home on the high end?
• How should I price my home?
• Why should I use a real estate realtor like Sandeep Lal?

 

What is the MLS and how does it work?

MLS stands for Multiple Listing Service. The MLS is a private database that is created, maintained and paid for by real estate professionals to help their clients buy and sell property. Buyers and sellers can work with the professional of their choice, confident that they have access to the largest pool of properties for sale in the marketplace.

 

Why the MLS works for home sellers:

The whole MLS idea is a boon to sellers because of “supply and demand.”

How can you, as a seller, get access to the largest number of buyers? Placing an ad in a newspaper? Or putting your home information into a computer accessible by every MLS member who will show your property to their qualified buyers in your price range?

Sandeep Lal  is a member of the Realtor Association of  California(click here for a quick MLS search)

Being placed on the MLS expands a home seller’s sales force, exposes the property to a larger pool of prospective home buyers, and creates more demand for the property. The higher the demand, the more pricing power enjoyed by the homeowner – and the quicker a home will sell.

Why the MLS works for home buyers:

It is extremely convenient, does not cost a penny to buyers, plus you get a qualified and experienced guide to help you through the complicated process of becoming a homeowner.

 

How do we determine how much we can afford to pay for a home?

In order to determine how much you can afford, we need to understand debt to income ratios.

First, we must determine what your gross annual income is and divide that income by 12. (12 months)

Second, we must determine your long term debt. For example: home mortgage (principal & interest), taxes & insurance (T & I), school loan, car loan, credit card debt, etc. and calculate the monthly payments.

Third, the debt to income ratio is established by dividing the monthly debt by the monthly income. The debt to income ratio should, in most cases not exceed 35%.

Forth, if the debt to income ratio is 35% or less and your credit rating is decent, there is a good chance you will be able to get approved for a mortgage loan.

How can I determine my housing needs before I begin the search?

Your home should fit the way you live, with spaces and features that appeal to the entire family. Before you begin looking at homes, make a list of your priorities: location, size, lot, amenities, etc. Establish a set of minimum requirements and a “wish list”. Minimum requirements are things that a house must have for you to consider it, while a “wish list” covers things that you’d like to have but aren’t essential.

 

What should I look for when walking through a home?

In addition to comparing the home to your minimum requirement & wish lists, consider the following:

• Is there enough room for both the present & the future?
• Are there enough bedrooms and bathrooms?
• Is the house structurally sound?
• Do the mechanical systems and appliances work?
• Is the yard big enough?
• Do you like the floor plan?
• Will your furniture fit in the space?
• Is there enough storage space?
• Does anything need to be repaired or replaced?
• Imagine the home in good and bad weather and in each season. Will you be happy with it year round?

Take your time and think carefully about each house you see. Ask your real estate agent to point out the pros and cons of each home from a professional standpoint.

 

How can I keep track of all the homes I see?

If possible, take photographs of each house: the outside, the yard, the major rooms, and extra features that you like or ones you see as potential problems. And don’t hesitate to go back for a second look.

 

Is a private home inspection worth the money?

It absolutely is! For most people, a home is the largest investment they will ever make and protecting that investment by spending a few hundred dollars is well worth it. An inspector checks the safety of your potential home. Home inspectors focus especially on the structure, construction, and mechanical systems of the house and will provide you with a report of any repairs that need to be take care of, suggestions on how to maintain your home, and most importantly, will provide you with peace of mind. Some sellers will allow you to make the sale of the home contingent upon completion of a satisfactory home inspection. In this case, the seller will either make the proper repairs or compensate you for the repairs that need to be made.

Please be aware that the purpose of a home inspection is to point out repairs that can affect the safety and resale value of your home, not cosmetic blemishes.

Be sure to choose a home inspector wisely. Be sure to ask questions and find out how many years they have been in the business. Talk to your family, friends, and realtor to see if they can recommend one to you.

 

Questions to ask the inspector before hiring them

As you can see, having a home inspection is highly recommended when buying a home, for the many reasons listed above. While a home inspector is not perfect and can miss issues during a home inspection, they are going to inspect the home in much more detail than you and your real estate agent did during your initial visit.

Just like you should interview a buyer’s agent when buying a home, you should contact potential home inspectors to ask them questions. Some questions and things you should consider asking a home inspector include:

• Do you have any special certifications?
• Are you a member of ASHI?
• Can you provide references or testimonials?
• Can I be at the home inspection?
• What does your inspection include?
• Can you send me a sample of your inspection report?
• How much do you charge?

 

Do I need to be there for the inspection?

It’s not required, but it is a good idea. Following the inspection, the home inspector will be able to answer questions about the report and any problem areas. This is also a good opportunity to hear an objective opinion about the home you’d like to purchase and it is a good time to ask general maintenance questions.

 

What should I look out for during the final walk-through?

This will likely be the first opportunity to examine the house without furniture, giving you a clear view of everything. Check the walls and ceilings carefully. Also check any work the seller agreed to do in response to an inspection. If you find that the work has not been done, it should be brought up prior to closing.

 

How can I protect my family from lead in the home?

If the house you are considering was built before 1978 and you have children under the age of seven, you may want to have an inspection for lead-based paint. It is important to know that lead flakes from paint can be present in both the home and in the soil surrounding the house. Peeling, chipping, chalking, or cracking lead-based paint is a hazard and needs immediate attention. Common problem areas are windows and window sills, doors and door frames, stairs, railings, banisters, porches and fences. The problem can be fixed temporarily by repairing damaged paint surfaces or planted grass over the affected soil. Hiring a lead abatement contractor to remove paint chips and seal damaged areas will fix the problem permanently.

What are some tips on negotiation?

The more you know about a seller’s motivation, the stronger a negotiating position you are in. For example, seller who must move quickly due to a job transfer may be amenable to a lower price with a speedy escrow. Other so-called “motivated sellers” include people going through a divorce or who have already purchased another home.

Remember, that the listing price is what the seller would like to receive but is not necessarily what they will settle for. Before making an offer, check the recent sales prices of comparable homes in the neighbourhood to see how the seller’s asking price stacks up.

Some experts discourage making deliberate low-ball offers. While such an offer can be presented, it can also sour the sale and discourage the seller from negotiating at all.

 

What makes up closing costs?

Closing costs are usually made up of the following:

• Attorney’s or escrow fees (yours and your lender’s if applicable)
• Property taxes (to cover the tax period to date)
• Interest (paid from date of closing to 30 days before the first monthly payment)
• Loan origination fee (covers lender’s administrative cost)
• Recording fees
• First premium of mortgage insurance (if applicable)
• Title insurance (yours and lender’s)
• Loan discount points
• First payment to escrow account for future real estate taxes and insurance
• Paid receipt for homeowner’s insurance policy (and fire and flood insurance if applicable)
• Any documentation preparation fees

 

How do I prepare my home to show nicely when ready to sell?

A buyer prefers a home that is in move-in condition and will pay top dollar for it. It is important to be sure your home is in superior condition before listing it. Make repairs prior to selling. This will help reduce the risk of buyers trying to renegotiate the price due to repairs or problems that may arise from a private inspection done prior to closing.

Having your property in top condition will attract more buyers to your home giving you an excellent chance to sell your home faster, and at top dollar.

• Work on your home’s curb appeal. Make sure your landscape is pristine. Mow the grass, clean up any debris and weed the garden beds, sweep the sidewalk. Plant a few annual flowers near the entrance or in pots to be placed by the door.
• Clean the windows and make sure the paint is not chipped or flaking. Windows should be free of ripped or bent screens. These should be replaced or removed entirely. Windows should also be clean and cobweb free. Being able to have draperies open, allowing light into the house is a plus at any showing.
• Be sure that the doorbell works.
• Clean and freshen up rooms, furnishings, floors, walls and ceilings. Make sure that bathrooms and kitchens are spotless.
• Organize closets.
• Providing a feeling of openness in a home can be accomplished quite easily and allows the house to appear larger. Open areas free of clutter are very important in showing a home.
• Make sure the basic appliances and fixtures work. Replace leaky faucets and frayed cords.
• Eliminate the source of any bad smells, such as the kitty box. Use air freshener or bake a batch of cookies before your open house to ensure that the house smells inviting.
• Invest in a couple of vases of fresh flowers to place around the house and next to any information about the house you have prepared for buyers.

 

Selling a home can be a lot of work, but with all your efforts, they can pay off quickly and with a larger sum of money.

 

What are the two most important factors when selling a home?

Price and condition are the two most important factors in selling a home, even in a down market. The first step is to price your home correctly. Use comparative sales information from your agent, or pay for a professional appraiser to objectively evaluate your home’s worth. Second, go through the house and repair any obvious cosmetic defects that could deter a buyer.

In a down market, you may have to consider lowering your price and/or making a major repair, such as replacing the roof, in order to lure a buyer. Also, make sure that your home is getting the exposure it deserves through open houses, broker open houses, advertising, good signage and a listing on the local multiple listing service or online listings provider.

 

What are disadvantages of pricing my home on the high end?

Well, several factors may come into play:

• You might help sell similar homes that are priced lower.
• Your home may be on the market longer.
• You could lose market interest and qualified buyers.
• You might create a negative impression of the property.
• You could lose money as a result of making extra mortgage payments while incurring taxes, insurance and unplanned maintenance costs.
• You may have to accept less money.
• A potential buyer may face appraisal and financing problems resulting from the inflated price.

 

It is not recommended to sell your home any higher than the appraised value unless demand is high in your area. Ask you real estate agent which price would be right for your home. Also make sure you get a Home Value Request to assist in determining the best sales price for your home.

 

How should I price my home?

You must take into account the prevailing state of the real estate market and especially local market conditions. The real estate market continually changes, and market fluctuations affect property values. So it is critical to determine your listing price based on the most recent comparable sales in your neighborhood.

It would be a good idea to get a Home Value Request, or CMA, also known as Comparable Market Analysis.

 

Why should I use a real estate realtor like Sandeep Lal?

A real estate agent is more than just a sales person. A real estate agent may act on your behalf, providing you with advice and guidance when buying or selling a home. Due to the constant changing of the market, the information available on listings is not always 100% accurate. There are times when you need the most current information about what has sold or is for sale, and the only way to get that is with a real estate agent.

You don’t need to use a commissioned real estate agent to sell your home, but you may want to consider the benefits of having a real estate agent versus not using a real estate agent.

In addition, many people would rather use an Agent due to the complexities of modern Real Estate transactions since they usually incorporate legal and financial attributes, which takes them well beyond more simple transactions, such as the sale of an automobile.

There are several advantages when using a real estate agent to sell your home, such as – your listing will be added to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) so that large numbers of buyers will have access to the seller’s property. In addition, your real estate agent absorbs all of the cost of advertising and marketing, and the screening that will be done of potential buyers by Agents. The Agent will also handle the details of negotiation. My Certified Negotiation Expert Designation (CNE) will help get the best deal. Communication is the key to a successful transaction.

Deciding whether to use an Agent or not depends on if you feel fully confident that you can handle all of the details, then you may well want to attempt selling your house on your own. If not, you most likely will want to use a real estate agent and leave the details to them.

Your Realtor : Sandeep Lal

Cell : (415)810-2519

Email: Sandeep(dotted)Lal(at)slcalhomes(dotted)com

www.slcalhomes.com