Market value and appraised value are both important factors to consider when buying or selling a home. The market value is the estimated price that a buyer would be willing to pay for the property, based on current market conditions. The appraised value is the estimated value of the property as determined by a licensed appraiser. Lenders use the appraised value to determine how much they are willing to lend for the purchase of the home. Both values can impact the price negotiations during a home sale, and it's important to take both into consideration when making a decision.
Market Value: The price a buyer is will to pay for a property.
Appraised Value: The professional opinion of an appraiser on
Why You Should be Timing Your Life & Not the Housing Marketing
When it comes to buying or selling a home, it's easy to get caught up in the fluctuations of the housing market. But it's important to remember that the most valuable commodity in life is time. Time spent with loved ones, pursuing passions, and making memories is priceless.
When making decisions about buying or selling a home, it's important to consider how the transaction will impact your time and overall quality of life. For example, if you're selling a home, consider whether the process will be stressful and time-consuming, taking away from other important aspects of your life. On the other hand, if you're buying a home, think about whether the location and size of
Why Downsizing is Not Just for Those Looking to Retire
Article from Keep Current Matters
Downsizing has long been a popular option when homeowners reach retirement age. But there are plenty of other life changes that could make downsizing worthwhile. Homeowners who have experienced a change in their lives or no longer feel like their house fits their needs may benefit from downsizing too. U.S. News explains:
“Downsizing is somewhat common among older people and retirees who no longer have children living at home. But these days, younger people are also looking to downsize to save money on housing . . .”
And when inflation has made most things significantly more expensive, saving money where you can has a lot of appeal. So, if you’re
Preparing Your Home to Sell - Tips for Making a Good First Impression
There is a lot that goes into getting your home ready to sell. If you are feeling overwhelmed and wondering where to start this is the place for you! In today's blog post we divided the home into each room and a checklist for what to do in each area of your home. First impressions are importation to potential buyers. Cleaning your home, making necessary repairs, and creating a welcoming space will bring top dollar and help your home sell faster. It’s hard work, but we promise it will be worth it in the end! Here are some tips when it comes to preparing the inside and outside of your home for buyers! Pro Tip from our own Bethany Benner is, "If you know moving is in your future
5 Tips For Preparing the Outside of Your Home for Sale
As outside temperatures start to increase in Iowa it has many of us heading outside to show our home some love. If you are looking to sell your home, here are 5 tips to help prepare the outside of your home! The exterior of your home is the first impression potential buyers will make. These five items can make a big difference attracting buyers when selling.
Front Entry: Make sure woodwork is freshly & neatly painted, including the door. Replace worn or broken doorbell plates & buttons, & polish door brass. Add a new or clean doormat.
Siding & Gutters: Power wash vinyl siding to remove dirt, moss, & mildew. For wood siding, scrape or water blast any blistered or peeling paint before
10 Steps to Hanging the SOLD Sign in Your Front Yard.
If you are looking or thinking of selling your home this post is for you! We put together 10 steps that you will take when selling your home. The selling process can seem overwhelming, let our team of expert agents will be with you every step that we have listed in our post.
1. Meet with an Oakridge Realtor: You and your Oakridge agent will sit down and discuss your goals for selling your home and how working with a Realtor can help you achieve them. This process will take roughly one or two hours.
2. Sign Listing Agreement and Disclosures: When you decide to work with an Oakridge Agent, signing the listing agreement and disclosures will make our partnership official. We will guide you
10 Tips for Preparing the Inside of Your Home For Sale
If you are getting ready to sell your home, prepping your home to list is a vital part of attracting buyers. Today we are sharing 10 tips for preparing the inside of your home for sale! At Oakridge, our Realtors will help remove the stress by connecting you with needed local vendors and create an outline of what should be prioritized before listing.
Kitchen: Store countertop appliances to avoid cluttered counters. Clean out cabinets. Wipe down counters, cabinets, & all appliances.
Bathrooms: Clean vanities, sinks, faucets, & mirror. Do not forget to scrub away soap residue in showers & change out dirty shower curtains. Remove dirt from door tracks & grout.
5 Service You Didn’t Know a Realtor Provides When Selling Your Home
If you have ever found yourself asking "Do I really need a Realtor to sell my home?" then this post is for you! Now more than ever it can be easy to oversee the benefit that a Realtor provides. In today's blog post, we are sharing five services you didn't know a Realtor provides when selling your home. More than putting a sign in the yard, a good Realtor make a BIG difference when selling your home.
1. Strategy
When selling your home in today's housing market strategy is key to getting your home sold. Prior to listing your home a good Realtor will do a consultation to talk about the strategy they see is best to get your home sold, specifically pricing and preparing inside
How to Succeed as a Seller in Today's Housing Market
March is here and everyone is itching for spring weather and more homes to hit the market in the Cedar Valley. The housing market can be difficult to navigate as a seller especially if you plan on doing it alone. If you are looking to sell your home this year, here are five helpful tips to ensure you get your home sold.
Who You List With Matters: Make sure you have a trusted, local, Realtor/Company representing you. In today's housing market you need an agent with a big network and strategy when selling your home.
2. Planning & Pricing: Does your Realtor have a plan? From pricing on day one to open houses it is vital to have a Realtor that has a game plan and strategy to get your
When it comes to selling your home there can be a lot of questions and unknowns. At Oakridge, we pride ourselves on educating clients about the process of selling their homes. Here are a few of the questions we get asked most frequently.
What is an abstract and where would I find one?
An abstract is a collection of all the documents that have been filed at the county courthouse. The abstract contains the original plat map, mortgages, and the release of mortgages. You should receive your abstract after the closing of your home. The abstract company will either store your abstract, have you pick it up, or send it to you. Keep these documents in a fireproof safe or a safety deposit box—they