USA Today real estate forecast: Home prices will rise 6%

Home prices rose 7.5% last year, largest increase in six years, and will rise 6% in 2013, market researcher CoreLogic predicts in a report out today. The same forces that helped propel prices last year will be in play this year, including improved housing demand fueled by good affordability, fewer foreclosed homes for sale and a low inventory of unsold homes, the company says. Read more…

Why should you get pre-approved for a mortgage loan?

You have found the perfect home. It’s just what you and your family have always wanted. It has a beautiful, spacious yard for the children, a lovely office away from the noise of the daily activities and a master bedroom with a killer walk-in closet. Wouldn’t it be best to know that you can afford this home before you fall in love? Get pre-approved as the first step in your home-buying process. Read more…

The age-old observation that “you never get a second chance to make a first impression” certainly applies when it comes to attracting buyers to a for-sale home.

Making a good first impression can mean the difference between receiving serious offers for your home or being subjected to months of lookie-loos dropping by but never buying.How can you ensure that your home will make the best impression possible? Here are six tips for savvy home sellers. Read more…

Negotiating a purchase agreement is perhaps the trickiest aspect of any real estate transaction.

Most home buyers and home sellers want to arrive at a win-win agreement, but that’s not to say either side would regret getting a bigger “win” than the other. Successful negotiating is more than a matter of luck or natural talent. It also encompasses the learned ability to use certain skills and techniques to bring about those coveted win-win results. Here are six tips and suggestions to turn negotiation into agreement. Read more…

A real estate agent can help you understand everything you need to know about the selling process.

The selling process generally begins with a determination of a reasonable asking price. Your real estate agent or REALTOR can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle. Read more…

A listing agreement is a binding legal contract that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

REALTORS and buyers often work together without a written contract, but the opposite is true for REALTORS and sellers. On the listing side, written contracts are overwhelmingly the rule, not the exception. A listing agreement is a binding legal contract that shouldn’t be taken lightly. The necessity of reading the contract carefully and understanding what it means before you sign it can’t be overstated. If you need legal advice, consult an attorney.

Listing contracts vary considerably from place to place. However, most REALTORS use established listing agreement forms that are the de facto industry standard in their area or are dictated by their brokerage company. Everything on these preprinted forms is negotiable. Read more…