Your Tax Refund Can Help You Achieve Your Home buying Goals

 

Your tax refund can help you achieve your home buying goals

Have you been saving up to buy a home this year? If so, you know there are a variety of expenses involved from your down payment to closing costs. But there's good news your tax refund can help you achieve your goals by paying for some of these expenses.

SmartAsset estimates the average American will receive a $1,798 tax refund this year. The map below provides a more detailed estimate by state:

According to Freddie Mac, there are multiple ways your refund check can help you as a homebuyer. If youre getting a refund this year and thinking about buying a home, here are a few tips to keep:

• Saving for a down payment One of the largest barriers to homeownership is saving for a down payment. You could reach your savings goal more quickly than expected by using your tax refund to help with your down payment.
• Paying for closing costs You have to pay fees to your lender, real estate agent, and other parties involved in the homebuying transaction before you can officially take ownership of your home. You could direct your tax refund toward these closing costs.
• Lowering your interest rate Your lender might give you the option to buy downyour mortgage interest rate during the homebuying process. That means, you could pay upfront to have a lower interest rate on your fixed-rate mortgage.

The best way to prepare to buy a home is to work with a trusted real estate professional who understands the process. They'll help you navigate the costs you may encounter as you begin your homebuying journey.

Holly Hurd~ Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Kee, Realty.... your source for all your real estate. We are one of the Largest brokerage firms in Michigan, we have proven we can stand the test of time in this ever changing marketplace a proven leader for you and all your real estate needs. In today's competitive real estate market, timing is everything. Many good homes are sold before they are ever advertised. Beat other homebuyers to the hottest new homes for sale in the Wayne/Oakland co. area with my New Listings Notification. If you own real estate that you're thinking of selling, I would be happy to provide you with a FREE Home Evaluation. Whether you are buying or selling a home, hire someone like me, who wants to earn your business. I invite you to contact me as I'd be happy to assist you with this important transaction. In addition, if you have any general questions about buying or selling real estate in Michigan, please contact me as I'm more than willing to help.YOU CAN REACH ME DIRECT BY PHONE ANYTIME AT 734 718-5736 #YourHomeNorthvilleMichigan Real Estate Homes for sale in Northville Michigan Northville, Mi. 48167 #realtor #realestate #realestatemarket #hometown #hollyhurd #home

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3 KEYS TO SUCCESSFULLY SELLING YOUR HOME

by HOLLY HURD

What are the 3 Keys to Successfully Selling a Home?
When it comes time to sell your home, most home sellers want to sell their home fast and for top dollar. Really, who wouldn't? Selling a home has a lot of facets to do it right and no homeowner wants their house to linger on the market. But, I bundle those steps down into the 3 keys to successfully selling a home.

What are the 3 Keys to Successfully Selling a Home?

Step1 —>Preparation

This is the first step because the preparation of your home can also impact the ultimate sale price of your home.

First and foremost, every house should have a deep cleaning, thorough de-cluttering and be completely de-personalized. These 3 steps should never be skipped, on any home if you are looking for the maximum return on your home upon a sale. Not only will these have a huge return, they are all free! It just may require some time.

Next you are looking at if any major repairs need and should be done. To maximize your net proceeds upon closing realize you need to have the major systems and structure of your house in serviceable workable condition.
A pre-listing home inspection is a good step to take.

Fresh paint of a current neutral pallet will also give you large returns. Nobody will complain about a freshly painted neutral wall color. That is just one more item the home buyers can knock off their to do list.

Home staging is a big buzzword. Consider a home staging consultation. A home stager will certainly discuss with you the items above but will also make suggestion about "merchandising your home". merchandising your home will make it more appealing to the buying public. Home staging is about highlighting the attractive features of your home and downplaying the negatives.

Properly preparing your home is critical to maximizing returns. Not only are you providing a turn key property, you are increasing value and broadening the appeal of your home.

Step 2 —-> Pricing Your Home Properly

Getting the proper price on your home is the single most important factor in getting your home sold in a reasonable amount of time and for top dollar. It will also lessen your stress and frustration you will feel when your home is not selling.
Determining the correct list price for your home in most cases is pretty straight forward, but many times is clouded by misinformation and emotion.
Ways not to calculate value:
* -Listening to your no it all neighbor about what your house is worth
* -Listing at what the Zillow Zestimate calculates
* -Using your assessed value as market value
The proper pricing of your home is determined by data. The data will include recent, past history of similar homes that have sold in your area. Typically a real estate agent will prepare a comparative market analysis showing you the comparable homes that were used. There will be a value range with an opinion of where you fall in that range based on your homes criteria.

Overpricing your home will ultimately have a detrimental effect on selling your home. Proper pricing is 80% of selling your home. No amount of preparation or marketing will sell a home if it overpriced. You can get everything else right but get the pricing wrong and your home will stagnate on the market.

Step 3 —> Presenting Your Home to the Market

Presenting your home to the buying public is how you will market your home. Most of this will fall on your REALTOR with the systems they have in place.
While there is many aspects to marketing your home the single biggest piece of marketing is high quality photographs. Most of your marketing whether it is social media, the MLS, property brochures, etc... start with photography. It is key you have professional high quality real estate photography of your home.

If you make sure these 3 keys to selling your home are covered you will certainly have a successful home sale. If you miss one of these steps you could be in for a long haul.
Call me today to get started
Holly Hurd

(734) 718-5736


http://hollyhurd.smarthomeprice.com
CHECK OUT THE LINK ABOVE FOR MORE INFORMATION

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Homes for sale in Northville, Michigan

Holly Hurd is a REALTOR with Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel in Northville, Michigan 48167

hollyhurd@hotmail.com

Sell / Buy a home in Northville,Michigan register today at

www.Northvillehomes4sale.net

Holly Hurd ~Living in the Northville, Michigan area for 40+ years , Holly Hurd is graduate of Northville High School, Schoolcraft College, Michigan State then raising her own family here Holly Hurd has first hand knowledge and knows the area quite well Please feel free to contact her for all your real estate needs #homerocks

Northville Michigan Real Estate
Homes for sale in Northville Michigan Northville, Mi. 48167
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THE TOP TEN HOME IMPROVEMENT MYTHS

1. Any remodeling project will add value to your home.

While many remodeling projects will add value to a home, some can be seen as a negative by future buyers. For instance, combining two smaller bedrooms to create one larger bedroom may better fit one homeowner’s lifestyle today, but it may cause the home to lose value in the eyes of a future buyer who needs the two separate rooms.

2. Buying the highest-quality materials attracts more buyers.

Installing high-end materials may seem like a wise decision, but it can backfire. For instance, using the most expensive tile in a bathroom may create an impressive appearance, but value-conscious buyers may opt for a more affordable home if the seller has over-improved compared to others in the neighborhood.

3. Adding square footage always adds value.

A better way to think about this statement is to insert the word useable into the sentence. Finished attics and basements – even if considered liveable by local standards – may not be attractive to a buyer if they are not finished to the same standards as the rest of the home.

4. Colors and textures – safe and simple is better.

Keeping a home “vanilla” so buyers can choose their own style and décor might be a safe bet, but it ignores the fact that most buyers just don’t have the ability to visualize the home differently. Without splashes of color and mixtures of texture, sellers can lose value to others that have taken the time to consult with an interior designer.

5. Inside improvements are better than outside improvements.

Not necessarily. If a home’s exterior has been neglected or doesn’t offer a good curb appeal, a buyer might stop there – and then the seller’s efforts on on the inside may not net them any more dollars. To get the biggest bang for their remodeling buck, sellers should start from the outside and work their way in.

6. Adding a bedroom is better than adding a bathroom.

It depends on the starting point. If a seller only has one or two bedrooms to start with, adding a bedroom before adding a second bath is probably a wise choice since most buyers are more attracted to three-bedroom homes. On the other hand, if the home already has three bedrooms and only one bath, the sellers’s next investment should probably be in a new bathroom.

7. Paint hides a multitude of sins.

Dry rot? Fungus damage? Mold problems? Carpenter ants? Termite issues? Nothing a can of paint can’t fix, right? Wrong! Not only does this practice violate disclosure laws in most states, it can set sellers up for liability after the sale, as most buyers will want the sellers to foot the bill for these hidden issues.

8. Converting a garage to living space is a great trade-off.

Nope. A garage conversion is almost always viewed negatively by future home buyers unless the sellers replace the lost garage with another parking and storage space of equal size.

9. Sellers can save money by doing improvements themselves.

For some homeowners, wiring a new lighting fixture or plumbing a new dishwasher is a no-brainer, but for others it may end up costing more later if they have to have the work redone by a professional. Another consideration is local and state laws regarding remodeling work: In many states if a buyer has purchased a home to remodel and resell, they must either hold a contractor’s license or hire a contractor to do the work for them.

10. Pools add value to your home.

This is only true in areas where pools are must-have amenities. In most areas of the country, pools have more limited appeal – and the idea of maintaining a pool for ten months out of the year when it can’t be enjoyed won’t appeal to most buyers.

Knowing these top home-improvement myths will allow you to choose the right remodeling projects. You can always contact me directly with any questions or concerns 

warmest regards,

Holly Hurd

5 TOP THINGS HOME SELLERS HATE

Sure, it is in the home seller’s best interest to impress their home buyers, but there is definitely a "protocol " if you will that home buyers themselves must adhere to as well.

That said, here are some things that home sellers hate. Take note, as it may save you from losing a home you so desperately want.

Things home sellers hate #1

Treating the home like public property
Walking in without removing your muddy boots and gallivanting through the home like it’s a museum will leave home sellers with a bitter taste in their mouth. Avoid behaving as though the home is nothing more than a vessel, especially if the homeowners still live there.

Things home sellers hate #2

Using the bathroom, I mean really using it
Considering you likely won’t be spending more than an hour in the home, there really is no reason why you should be using the washroom, unless it’s to wash your hands. If you absolutely must use the washroom (hopefully not for number two), then make it your mission to leave the washroom exactly the way you found it.

Things home sellers hate #3

Criticizing the home in an effort to get a better deal
Let’s face it; if you like a home, you are going to make an offer. If you want to negotiate the price, then be on the up and up about it. There is nothing more irritating for sellers than home buyers who bash the house up and down and then make an offer in the next breath.

You can comment on certain things in the home and you ask plenty of questions about why they put the toilet next to the tub or why they didn’t fix the crack in the ceiling, but if you have décor comments, keep them to yourself because when you buy the home you can do as you please with the place.

Things home sellers hate #4

Giving an insane low-ball amount
Of course you want a bargain – everyone and their mother does – but hitting home sellers up with an offer so low that it’s almost laughable is really not the way to go. A seller can’t afford to hand you the keys without getting some kind of deal out of it, so low-balling them in an effort to just “see what happens” is insulting to the seller and will result in no deal.

Instead, review recent sale prices of like home in the area and then comes up with a reasonable dollar amount. Low-balling may only serve to kibosh the entire deal.

Things home sellers hate #5

Offering to buy without mortgage approval
Home sellers want to unload their homes and they would like to know that the person making an offer can afford the home and has already planned ahead by getting pre approved for a mortgage.

It’s not uncommon for home buyers to start working with a mortgage broker or their bank six months to a year in advance of beginning the house hunt. Remember: qualify, then shop around. That way you know how much you can afford

Avoid the things home sellers hate and find your home today contact me HOLLY HURD 

TIPS FOR BUYERS AND SELLERS

Real estate markets continue to show signs of recovery.  The average sales price for a home has risen over the last quarter, but it's still a competitive market.  If YOU ARE READY TO BUY OR READY TO LIST, here are a few dos and don'ts to pass along.

Dos:

1. Be flexible.  Often it's the little things that push a buyer into the "yes" zone.  If the buyer goes on and on about how much they love your ice maker, throw it in.  If the buyer would like to close earlier and your new home is not ready, use a PODS container and store your belongings so you can meet the buyer's request.
2. Clean up.  One person's baseball card collection is another person's cluttered nightmare.  Declutter your home before you list it.  PODS containers work well to store personal collections that cause clutter and can distract buyers from seeing the true potential of a home.
3. Wash the windows.  Inside and out.
4. Clean your kitchen and bathrooms.  Scrub like crazy, particularly the kitchen and bath (s).  The kitchen may be old but it can still sparkle.  De-clutter here too, especially counter top appliances, canisters, etc.

Don'ts:

1. Don't be greedy.  The market-not your emotions-dictate's the price of your home.  If comparables in the area, and several trusted real estate agents tell you your home is worth $400,000, you are not fooling anyone by pricing it at $500,000.
2. Don't get personal.  If you're selling your house for a certain amount, and someone offers something much lower, don't take this as a personal affront and refuse to counteroffer.  Negotiation is part of the process and letting your emotions get in the way can potentially ruin the deal.
3. Don't procrastinate.  If you are serious about selling, consider doing it now.

If you have any questions, please email me directly at hollyhurd@hotmail.com.

Sincerely,

 Holly Hurd

Housing snapshot what 200k,500k and 1million buys in Northville,Michigan

It is finally spring time which means the home buying season is under way. Are you wondering if you should make the move to a new home? Here is a glimpse at how much home your dollars buy you in Northville Mi. 48167 and Northville Township, Mi. 48168

373 Linden st. Northville,Mi.48167
3 bedroom 1 1/2 bath
year built 1956
price225,000




15396 Bayhill dr Northville Township, Mi. 48168
4 bedroom 2 1/2 bath
year built 2002
price 500,000

18614 Fox Hollow Ct. Northville Township, Mi. 48168
5 bedroom 4. 2 bath
year built 2003
price 1,000,000.00









Sales are up here in Northville and Northville Township and inventory is low
versus a year ago, making for an extremely competitive market. My phone has not stopped ringing
The market has really picked up if you would like more information about any of the properties you see here contact me at hollyhurd@hotmail.com  or visit my we site at www.Northvillehomes4sale.net
or call me direct at (734) 718-5736

5 Foreclosure Myths for 2012

1. There is going to be a flood of new foreclosures to the market.

This rumor has appeared every year since 2008 and has been routinely debunked. However, recent announcements that the Feds reached a settlement over the robo-signing scandal have reignited speculation. The idea is simple: Since the cork is now out of the foreclosure bottle, we’ll soon see another flood of REOs inundating the marketplace.

My personal opinion: don’t hold your breath.

Banks have learned that if they control inventory, they can affect local prices. By releasing homes in measured amounts, they realize higher prices than if they released a glut of homes. In addition, they’ve learned that if they can mitigate their losses by agreeing to a short sale, everyone wins.

2. You can go directly to a bank to buy a foreclosure.

Every few weeks I’m asked how to buy foreclosures direct from a bank. Someone knows a friend being foreclosed on and they want to step in and grab the house before it hits the market. Don’t we all? In reality, banks have a simple system – they first offer properties on the courthouse steps. The rest they assign to asset mangers who then hire local real estate agents to put them on the market along with all the other homes. Want an REO? Pay cash at the courthouse steps or get in line witheveryone else when they hit the local MLS (Multiple Listing Service).

3. You can get a killer deal by submitting lowball offers on foreclosures.

You would think this myth would be dead by now. Unfortunately, like Elvis sightings, it just won’t go away. Here’s the truth: Banks want REOs sold in 30 days or less, so they typically appear on the market priced slightly under comparable properties. If the property doesn’t sell quickly, the bank will lower the price after about 30 days. Lowball offers are ignored and are, quite frankly, a waste of everyone’s time and effort. You might get a deal by offering a lower price on a foreclosure that’s been sitting on the market for more than 90 days, but remember that there are good reasons it’s gone unsold for so long. And even if you have cash, your lowball offer won’t be accepted —seriously.

4. You can’t use foreclosures when doing an appraisal.

Or short sales, for that matter. That is no longer true. In fact, in many neighborhoods, that’s all that’s there. Therefore, foreclosed or distressed sales represent the actual value of homes in the area and HAVE to be used to appraise other properties. Don’t like it? Get over it. Times have changed and the ways neighborhoods are valued have changed as well.

5. Foreclosures are only affecting the bottom end of the market.

This used to be true. However, while foreclosure rates on the lower end of the market have actually decreased,they’re actually increasing on the upper end. According to Daren Blomquist, vice president of RealtyTrac, the market share of foreclosed homes under $1 million is shrinking, but those among properties valued over $1 million are rising – up 115% since 2007. And foreclosures on properties valued upwards of $2 million have increased by 273%. While some well-known jet-setters have melted down and lost everything, others are choosing to strategically default. They see it like liquidating a poorly performing portfolio – they have enough resources to cut their losses and move on. Historically, banks have been reticent to foreclose high-end homes and absorb a large loss, but defaulters are now forcing their hands and mansion foreclosure rates are moving on up.

Myths control behavior, and this has never been truer than in the housing market. Savvy agents will work hard to educate their clients, debunk myths, explain market trends, educate with solid facts – and actually close transactions.