Don't Sell Without An Agent

5 Reasons Selling Without an Agent is a Bad Idea

 Do-it-yourself projects are in vogue these days. You can find advice online for everything from investing in crypto-currency to tearing down the living room wall. When considering the cost of moving, it’s natural to wonder if real estate commissions are one way to save money, but it would be a mistake. A good real estate agent might make it seem easy, but the fact is that selling your own home could actually cost you thousands of dollars. 

 5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Sell Your Home without an Agent  

1. The Safety of Your Home and Family is a Priority – Real Estate agents control access to your home. 

 2. Most Serious Buyers Start their Search Online – A professional listing area will market your home aggressively online, which is where the buyers are searching.

  3. The Buyer Might not be Qualified – A real estate agent knows how to qualify a buyer and what to look for with lender letters. Selling your home on your own risks wasted time with an unqualified buyer.

  4. You Don’t Know How to Negotiate Properly – Every aspect of a real estate transaction is negotiable; you don’t have the experience to know what to negotiate to get the best deal.  

5. You Could Expose Yourself to Liability – Required disclosures and paperwork for a home sale is extensive; unless you plan to use an attorney, you could miss critical disclosures and expose yourself to financial harm. 

 Finally, more often than not, sellers net more when they use an agent than when they try to do it themselves. In addition to selling faster, a professional agent knows how to properly price and promote your home, ensuring you get the best possible sales price and terms.

DETERMINING THE RIGHT PAINT FINISH

Determining the right paint finish

Paint is one of the easiest ways to change the feel of a room – or even a home. A fresh coat of paint in a trendy color can update a room in an instant. Choosing the color is only one aspect of picking the right paint; the finish or sheen is also important to the look and feel of the space.  


Flat Finish
Flat finishes is exactly like it sounds – flat. There is no sheen at all. Today’s matte finishes reflect rich tones and are much more luxurious than the dull finishes of the past. Use for: 

• Ceilings
• Dinging Room
• Formal Living Rooms
• Adult Bedrooms

Satin Finish 

Satin finishes have just a slight sheen. These finishes reflect the light softly and provide a richer look and feel than flat paint. These are better for high traffic locations than flat.  

• Halls
• Baseboards 
• Family Rooms 
•  Children’s Bedrooms

Semi-Gloss

Semi-gloss provides even more shine. These paints can make a room seem larger by providing a slight gleam from the painted surfaces. Easy to clean, a semi-gloss paint works well in areas frequently cleaned.

• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Close Doors and Cabinets 
• Stair Rails and Banisters

Gloss

 A high gloss paint is the brightest available. These paints bring out the truest color of the paint and provide a durable finish for areas you wish to highlight. A high gloss paint works well for accents. 

• Wood Trim
• Doors
• Furniture

Each of these types of finishes has variations as well. Today’s paints are more luxurious with deep, rich pigments and more durable elements. Choosing the right color and finish can bring freshness and modernity to any room or home. 

Contact Me (Kristi Fenton) at Davis and Associates Inc., Realtors  if you have any questions on all of your home buying and selling needs. 

Why You Should Never Skip A Home Inspection

Why You Should Never Skip A Home Inspection

Buying a home can be expensive. It might feel like once you’ve entered escrow, you have new things to pay for at every turn. While the fees are normal and customary, if you don’t buy a home often, you might wonder if they are all necessary.

 One expense that is often discussed is inspections. What inspections do you need and how should you choose the right person to perform them. During the home inspection contingency period, you have a right to perform as many investigations as necessary to determine the condition of the property you are buying. 

Typically you will want to make sure there are a home inspection and a termite inspection. Other options could include a mold inspection, radon inspection, well/septic tank certification, roof inspection and pool/spa inspection. The type of inspection is determined by the condition of the home. Most buyers start with the basic home inspection.

What is a home inspection? It is a visual, non-invasive inspection of a property. There are usually seven systems observed during the inspection; the Attic and Roof, the Basement and Foundation, Plumbing, HVAC, the Interior Living Space, the Homes Exterior, and the Electrical System. Throughout the process the inspector assesses the home's safety, operation and the condition of it's various systems. A home inspection can protect you and your money by showing you where things are past their prime, or if something is in great shape. The inspection isn't for the lender, your Real Estate Broker, or the Seller-it's for "you" the buyers. When or if your home inspection Report reveals a defect, it gives you an opportunity to go back to me "your agent" and decided if you want to renegotiate the price or even walk away from the deal. 

 Home inspections are very important. Never judge a home by it's facade. Every buyer should know what they are buying. The more you know the less surprises you will have down the road. There is no substitute for a proper inspection by a licensed home inspector. You might be handy or have a handy friend, but the home inspector is experienced in identifying problems and potential problems so you can make an informed decision about moving forward with the sale.