Make your New Home One of a Kind

Innovative Ideas to make your Home Standout

4. Use Bookends as Floating Bookshelves

Source: pinterest.com

9. Build a Bookshelf With Two Ladders and Planks of Wood

Source: indulgy.com

10. Create a Couch From Wooden Pallets

Source: cuartoderecha.com

Make One of these your own in more than 
One Way

Cindy Fekete

(225) 768-1840

www.batonrougerealestatedeals.com

Cindy Allen Fekete, Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA #SALE 9956330

LouisianaHomesAndLand.com -Owner/President 225-571-8667

Evan Fekete, Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA # SALE 99562001

LouisianaHomesAndLand.com CEO 225-717-8185

Kim Tregre, Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA #Sale-995686296

LouisianaHomesAndLand.com Buyer’s Specialist

Keller Williams Realty Red Stick Partners, Baton Rouge, LA 70810 (225)768-1800

Each Office Independently Owned and Operated.

Baton Rouge Real Estate, Louisiana Homes and Land, Homes for Sale in Baton Rouge, Homes for Sale in Ascension, Dutchtown Homes for Sale, Baton Rouge Home Values, Baton Rouge Luxury Homes, Country Club of Louisiana, Santa Maria, University Club, LSU Homes for Sale

Simple Guide to Home Buying

Taking the right steps in Home Buying

Cindy Fekete

(225) 768-1840

www.batonrougerealestatedeals.com

People outside of the real estate community may be confused when searching for a new home to purchase, but with this simple guide one can inform yourself on the proper techniques. Once you've reached step #3 check out the team at Louisiana Homes and Land to view homes for sale in your desired area.

 Navigating the maze of Home Buying one step at a time

http://homebuying.about.com/od/buyingahome/qt/121907_buy-path.htm

1) Hire a Buyer's Agent

• A buyer's agent will represent only you and have a fiduciary responsibility to look out for your best interests.
• Buyer's agents may ask you to sign a buyer's broker agreement, but it is the seller who pays the commission.
• Interview agents until you find an agent you trust and with whom you feel comfortable.
• Once you have settled on an area, try to hire a neighborhood specialist.

2) Get PreQualified / Preapproved

• Order a free credit report online and fix mistakes, if any.
• Ask your agent for a referral to a mortgage broker, but also compare rates offered by your own bank and / or credit union.
• Ask the lender to give you a loan preapproval letter, which means it will verify your income and pull a credit report.
• Determine your maximum loan amount, but choose only a mortgage type that you understand and a payment level with which you feel comfortable, which may very well be less than the maximum for which you are approved.

3) Look at Homes for Sale

• Ask your agent to look at homes for you before showing them to you.
• Narrow your search to those homes that fit your exact parameters to find that perfect home.
• Ask your agent to give you MLS print-outs of comparable sales in your targeted neighborhood.
• Consider all homes on the market, including fixer-uppers, REOs, foreclosures, short salesand those overpriced homes with longer DOM.
• Observe open house etiquette.
• Tell your agent which online home listings you are interested in previewing and ask for additional input.

4) Write a Purchase Offer

• Consider writing seller's market offers in sellers markets and buyer's market offers in buyer's markets.
• Select a home offer price based on the amount you feel a seller will accept or counter.
• If you are considering a lowball offer, ask your agent to substantiate this price for you.
• Prepare for multiple offers if the home is considered desirable in a hot location.
• If your offer is rejected, ask your agent to explain why and don't repeat that mistake with your next offer.

5) Negotiate and Write Counter Offers

• Expect the seller to issue a counter offer.
• If the seller counters at full price, continue to negotiate.
• During offer negotiation, share personal information about your family to give the seller a reason to care about you.

6) Make an Earnest Money Deposit

• When your offer is accepted, deposit your earnest money check with the appropriate party.
• Do not ever make your check payable to the seller.
• Your offer should contain contingencies that will return your earnest money deposit to you if you cancel the contract.

7) Open Escrow / Order Title

• Your agent or transaction coordinator will open escrow and title, if the listing agent hasn't already done so.
• Ask for the escrow officer's name, phone and escrow file number.
• Give this information to your lender and your insurance agent.

8) Order Appraisal

• Your lender will require an advance payment for the appraisal.
• If you receive a low appraisal, discuss options with your agent.
• Ask for a copy of the appraisal.

9) Comply With Lender Requirements

• Lenders may ask for additional information.
• Do not make home buying mistakes such as altering your financial situation while in escrow.
• When the file is complete, the lender will submit it for final underwriter approval.

10) Approve Seller Disclosures

• Read and question items you do not understand on the TDS, Seller Property Questionnaire, natural hazard report, pest inspection / completion and other documents such as a preliminary title policy.
• Realize you have 10 days to cancel if lead paint is a health hazard.
• Read every document in its entirety; ask questions about all seller disclosures.

11) Order Homeowner's Insurance Policy

• Order your homeowner's insurance early.
• Sometimes previous claims by a home owner can make it difficult to get insurance.
• Get replacement coverage.

12) Conduct Home Inspection

• Hire a reputable home inspector.
• Bring a home inspection checklist with you.
• Attend the home inspection.

13) Issue Request for Repair

• If the home inspection turns up health and safety issues, issue a request for repair by asking the seller to address those issues or give you a credit for them.
• Realize no home is perfect, and the inspector will find faults.
• Be reasonable.

14) Remove Contingencies

• By default, California C.A.R. contracts give you 17 days to remove contingencies.
• Make sure your loan is firm and the appraisal is acceptable before removing your loan contingency.
• If you do not remove contingencies, the seller can issue a request to perform and then cancel the contract, on top of demanding your deposit.

15) Do Final Walk-Through

• Do not pass up doing a final walk-through.
• Inspect the property to make sure it's in the same condition as when you agreed to buy it.
• If you find a serious issue, address it now before you close.

16) Sign Loan / Escrow Documents

• In southern California, you will sign escrow documents shortly after opening escrow.
• In northern California, you will sign escrow documents along with your loan documents near closing.
• Bring a valid picture ID.

17) Deposit Funds

• Bring a certified check payable to escrow.
• Expect escrow to pad the amount, so you will receive a refund after closing.
• Consider asking your bank to wire the funds to escrow, saving you the hassle of waiting in line at the bank.

18) Close Escrow

• Your property deed, seller's reconveyance and deed of trust will record in the public records.
• Title will notify you and your agent when it records.
• After recordation, unless your contract specifies otherwise, the property is yours -- change the locks immediately.

Cindy Allen Fekete, Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA #SALE 9956330

Owner/CEO - LouisianaHomesAndLand.com (225) 571-8667

Evan Fekete, Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA # SALE 99562001

Listing Specialist LouisianaHomesAndLand.com (225)-717-8185

Kim Tregre, Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA #Sale-995686296

Buyer's Specialist LouisianaHomesAndLand.com (225)366-8656

Holly Bynum - Administrative Assistant Louisiana Homes and Land (225)768-1840

Keller Williams Realty Red Stick Partners, Baton Rouge, LA 70810, USA (225)768-1800

Each Office Independently Owned and Operated.

 

Tips for Selling Your Home PLUS a Free Home Valuation!

Cindy Fekete

www.batonrougerealestatedeals.com

(225)768-1840

Tips for Selling your Home! 

Throughout the House

1. Open the draperies and pull up the shades to allow for sunlight.

2. Turn on all lights, day or night and install higher wattage light bulbs to show that your home is nice and bright.

3. Remove clutter from each room to make the room appear larger.

4. Light the fireplace, if you have one.

5. Keel your home dusted and vacuumed at all times.

6. Replace the carpet if it doesn't clean up well.

7. Have a family "game plan" to get the home in order quickly if necessary. For example, one person is in charge of a certain room and/or task.

8. Air out your home for half an hour before showings, if possible. 

9. Put away family photos. 

10. Remove unnecessary furniture.

11. Putty over and paint any nail holes or mishaps in the wall.

12. Paint all interior walls a neutral color to brighten the home and make it appeal to anyone.

13. Repair or replace any loose or damaged wallpaper.

14. Wash all windows inside and out.

15. Clean all light fixtures.

16. Make the most out of your attics potential.

17. Remove or hide excess extension cords and exposed wires.

18. Open doors to areas you want potential buyers to see such as walk-in closets, pantries, attics, etc.

19. Remove all smoke and pet odors. 

20. Repair or replace banister and handrails.

In the Kitchen

21. Microwave a small dish of vanilla twenty minutes before s a showing and place it in an out-of-the-way place.

22. Highlight an eat-in area in your kitche with a table set for dinner.

23. The kitchen and bathrooms should always be spotlessly clean.

24. Expand your counter space by removing small appliances.

In the Bedrooms

25. Depersonalize bedrooms and decorate in a neutral theme.

26. Make sure that the beds are made and the linens are clean.

27. Organize your closets, remove unnecessary items and out them in storage.

In the Bathrooms

28. Do not leave towels around, wipe down the sinks and shower areas after each use.

29. Re-caulk the tub if the caulk is not sparkling white.

30. Repair or replace broken tiles in the shower/tub.

31. Replace shower curtains and keep them clean.

32. Put out fresh towels and decorative soaps.

Outside

33. Keep the Yard Moved and raked at all times

34. Use flowering plants to dress up the yard, walkway and patio

35. Remove all toys, bikes, tools, unsightly patio furniture and trash from the yard.

36. Porches, steps, verandas, balconies, patios and other extensions of the hosue should be kept uncluttered.

37. Paint all entrance doors. 

38. Make sure the garage door opens easily. 

39. Clean and shine all hardware and accessories indoors and out (door knobs, knockers, lamps, mailbox, address numbers, etc.)

40. Trees and shrubs should be trimmed and pruned.

41. Use a new doormat.

42. Be sure the frot doorbell is in good working order.

43. Be sure the front door and screen door works perfectly.

Cindy Allen Fekete, Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA #SALE 9956330

LouisianaHomesAndLand.com -Owner/President 225-571-8667

Evan Fekete, Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA # SALE 99562001

LouisianaHomesAndLand.com CEO 225-717-8185

Kim Tregre, Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA #Sale-995686296

LouisianaHomesAndLand.com Buyer's Specialist

Keller Williams Realty Red Stick Partners, Baton Rouge, LA 70810 (225)768-1800

Each Office Independently Owned and Operated.