House Viewing Etiquette

Going to check out homes for the first time with your Realtor can is a very exciting process. It’s fun seeing a different houses with unique layout plans and design schemes. There is a certain etiquette that should be upheld while on the hunt for the perfect house. More often than not, the person currently living in the house is the one selling it. It’s best to start out on the right foot to avoid any potential problems in the future. On average, buyers generally view between 8 to 10 homes before purchasing a home. 

Criticism 

Sometimes the tenants will remain in the home during the viewing. Remember to be courteous. If you don’t like their color scheme or their decorations it’s best not to say so in front of them. It may not be your taste but they like it and it’s rude to insult their things while it’s still their home. Besides, these things can be changed later if you decide to buy it.   

Time

It is understandable that with work and school it can be difficult to find the time to find a new home. Please be considerate of the people still living in the home. Setting a super early or late viewing time isn’t always possible. Your viewings will be based off of the tenants preferences. Be sure to let your agent know if you’re going to be late so they can let the tenants know and they’re not just sitting around waiting. Also, if you’re not a serious buyer let’s not waste the owner’s or your agent’s time. Wait until you are actually in the market to buy. Chances are the house won’t even be there when you’re ready to buy anyway. 

Children and Friends

If you don’t need to bring them, don’t. As adorable as they are, small kids don’t know how to look at things without using their hands. It won’t be in your best interest if your child breaks something important to the owner. The only people coming to a viewing should be the decision makers. Your friends and Uncle Sam can see the house after you’ve moved into it. This benefits you in the end. Too many opinions and distractions can make the process more difficult than it needs to be. 

Photos

After seeing house after house it can all start to blur together. I recommend bringing a notepad to make notes on each house. Pictures are better than words but it’s important to ask permission before you take any shots. Some people want their privacy to be protected.

Be Considerate

Some people will be offended if you sit on their furniture. If the house has been staged, the beds may not even be real. It’s also understandable that mother nature will strike while you’re viewing but ask before you go. The water may not be turned on and you won’t be able to flush. It’ll be awkward for you and annoying to the owner. It’s appropriate to open closets and drawers to see if they function properly and offer the amount of space you want but do not go through their belongings. 

House Stalking

If you’re serious about putting an offer in, it’s alright to schedule a second showing to feel more confident about the purchase but after the third or fourth the seller may start to get nervous. Once you’re under contract, don’t just show up at the house whenever you want. You will still need to have your Realtor schedule a showing. 

Communicate with your Realtor

If you have any questions or concerns talk to your Realtor. Always use your Realtor to communicate with the seller and the listing agent. Always have your agent present when you check out a new construction property. The agent works for the builder and won’t get you the best possible deal you deserve. For the same reason, if you see a house you like have your Realtor call the number on the sign. 

This is all mostly common sense but it’s nice to have a reminder every now and again. Just be respectful and you’ll do just fine. If you need help finding a Realtor, I am more than happy to assist you with that. Feel free to contact me and I’ll connect you with someone that will take care of you. 

Beverly James

Blogger/ Consultant

503.544.8704

J_bev@yahoo.com

Open House: My Experience

My first open house went very well. About 15 people showed up! I offered to hold it for a successful team in my brokerage to get more clients. The house had been recently remodeled by the previous owners. It was located in a gorgeous community in Federal Way. Just minutes away from a golf course, a park, and multiple shopping centers; I knew it would sell fast and generate a lot of traffic.

 

I found out about the open house 3 days before I was supposed to hold it so I started marketing it immediately. The listing agent posted the information about the open house on the multiple listing service. The sellers had hired a professional photographer to get pictures of the property that were gorgeous. The listing agents gave me permission to use those. I included them in my flyers, which I passed out to neighbors the day before the open. As of 2016, 78% of Americans have a social media account so I also posted them to Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter. I also created a blog on my process of preparing for the open. I brought 7 directional signs that I placed in spots that I thought would be seen the most.

The open started at 1 and 5 minutes after I had my first guests come through. They were the next door neighbors and they were curious to see all of the renovations that happened. They were blown away by how different it looked inside. They said it looked like a brand new house. The young couple stayed and chatted for a few minutes. I asked them, as I did the rest of the guests that came through, what they liked about the house and if there was anything they would like to change about it. I think it’s important to get feedback and to try to be original. Most people attend more than one open house, especially if they don’t have a realtor. There was another open happening a couple cul de sacs away at the same time. I like to give them a reason to remember me above the rest.

After the first couple left, I started to get nervous. No one was coming! Forty minutes went by before the next couple came through. They were a lovely couple interested in buying and they didn’t have an agent. I was thrilled but I reigned it in. They really liked the house but it wasn’t quite what they were looking for. We exchanged phone numbers and made a plan to meet back up after the open to check out other houses in the neighborhood. I was so excited. Someone very successful once told me that his business was built off of open houses and now I could see how.

After that I stayed busy. There were multiple groups of people coming all at the same time. It was difficult trying to make sure I talked to everyone that came in. Some people slipped through the cracks, unfortunately, but I made some good connections and got a lot of contacts. Most of the people had really nice things to say about the house. One man thought it was overpriced and thought the unique layout was “stupid.” It was interesting to get everyone’s input because people are just so different.

I learned that it’s important to know as much about the property as possible. One couple asked me if the gate marked the end of the property line or if it extended beyond and I was unsure. I pulled up the map but it wasn’t very clear so I had to contact the listing manager to be sure. Thankfully, the couple was happy to let me find out and get back to them with the info. I also learned that people appreciate it when you ask their opinion. Asking them what they liked about the place really got them to open up and share their preferences. They got really excited talking about what they would like to see done with the place and put their spin on it. It was fun to meet all of these people and talk about real estate. I am definitely looking forward to my next open house.

If you’re in need of a Realtor in Pierce County, please contact me. I work closely with two other women that love to help people sell and buy houses. Feel free to contact me!

Beverly James

503.544.8704

J_bev@yahoo.com

Consultant/ Blogger

Downtown Puyallup

I moved to Puyallup about 6 months ago and fell in love with this town. It’s absolutely gorgeous in the summer. When the skies are clear, you can get a view of Mount Rainier from practically anywhere. I love watching the leaves turn to these brilliant red and oranges in the fall. The Washington is an incredible place to live, especially if you love nature.

I often frequent downtown Puyallup, where you can find basically anything you need. The best part is everything is close together and in walking distance. A lot of times I will just find a spot to park for few hours and go exploring.

There’s quite a few small businesses downtown that are ran by the locals, which is always great to see. The Puyallup Farmer’s Market reopens in April and goes until mid October. There are tons of goodies to be found there, such as baked goods, handcrafted jewelry, and fresh picked fruits and veggies. Come support your community and buy local. Besides all of the cool finds, you’ll also meet some interesting people to chat with. Meet the vendors and check out what they have to offer. Grab a bite at a food cart and take a stroll through the Pioneer Park Pavilion. Let your kids go nuts in the splash pad area and climb on the jungle gyms. It’s a beautiful area to relax in;You’ll find nothing but good vibes here. The Puyallup Public Library is located right next door. They often have activities going on like Play to Learn and Story Time for the kids. Check out a good book and enjoy a cup of coffee from Anthem, the coffee and tea shop across the street.

A few minutes down the road you’ll find the Washington State Fair grounds. In the fall, the festivities go on from September 2nd to the 25th. In the spring, it’s much shorter, going from April 20th to April 23rd. Children 5 and under receive free admission. Students and seniors receive a discounted price. Parking ranges from 10 to 15 bucks so if you have to drive, I recommend parking a few blocks away and walking. The friendly people that live next to the fair grounds often open up their yards for parking at a smaller fee. There’s something for the whole family to enjoy at the fair. There’s often free musical entertainment. You’ll find all types of rides and carnival games for all ages. There’s even animal attractions where you can see pigs, horses, turkeys, goats, and so much more.

There’s also a variety of bars and restaurants to choose from for your night out. Bumpy’s and TK Irish Pub are popular spots for the locals to occupy. They both have daily specials and a happy hour menu. If you’re looking for a less dive-ish style bar, there’s also Fiesta Taqueria & Tequila Bar, which is one of my personal favorites. Free chips and a salsa bar! There’s also Powerhouse Restaurant and Brewery which offers a delicious German Pretzel and cheese as an appetizer.

You’ll find Aylen Junior High and Puyallup High School located downtown as well. Sparks Stadium, where the football games are held, is a few blocks away. There’s the post office, the police station, the Puyallup Train Station, and a few banks as well. Puyallup is a great town to live in. Come check it out. You won’t be disappointed.

Download my app to see what houses are on the market in Puyallup, or anywhere in North America.

Open House Musts

First impressions mean everything. The house should be set up in the best possible lighting. Everything should be clean and organized. Here are some basic tips to help you have a successful open house.

No owners. First and foremost, all occupants of the house should leave for the duration of the open house. It’s hard for potential buyers to envision themselves living in the house if the current owner is there. It can also be uncomfortable for the owner to watch other people go through their cabinets and closets.

Remove pets. For the pets and the people coming to the house. Animals often get stressed when strangers are in their home, especially when their owner isn’t home. Some people also suffer from allergies. Other people generally just don’t like animals, for some reason or another, and they could be less willing to stay and look at the house if there’s a little creature stalking them.

Put down the toilet lid. I don’t think this one needs explaining. No one wants to look in your dirty bowl. Just close it.

Clean everything. Take a good look around the house. Really take it all in. Wipe down all of the counter tops and vacuum all of the floors. Notice any cobwebs in the corners? Do you see spotty windows? Are there little crayon marks or food smears on the wall? Take care of it. Not only will the house look nicer clean, but clean things usually don’t give off an odor. If you have cats make sure there litter box is clean. Empty the garbage can frequently. Open the windows and let some fresh air in. The little things that you don’t notice will not be missed by the critical eye of potential buyers.

Organize. I have seen people cram so much of their belongings into closets and cabinets that the doors won’t even shut. It creates the illusion that the space is smaller than it actually is. People are going to look everywhere to see how much space there is and to be sure everything is working properly. It’s best to pack up whatever you won’t need. Store your child’s/pet’s toys in a toy box. Find a small container to organize your toiletries and keep your make up in a make up bag. Keeping your items organized not only makes a room look bigger but it makes it easier for people to look without disturbing any of your belongings.

The outside matters too. It’s the first thing people see when they pull up. Cut the grass and pull the weeds. Some nice flowers in the front most certainly wouldn’t hurt either. Power washing the grime of the sidewalks and the house can truly make a huge difference as well. Make sure the gutters aren’t overflowing with leaves and the

Lighting is important. All of the lights should be turned on and all of the blinds should be open. Doing this makes the house look more inviting.

Secure all valuables. Some people are not trustworthy. If you leave your rainy day fund sitting on the counter or leave a laptop out on the bed, there’s no guarantee it will still be there when it’s all said and done. Lock your valuables in a safe or just take them with you so there’s no worry. Better safe than sorry, right?

I hope this information helps you have a great open house! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Download my app to check out what’s happening in your area.

Owning vs Renting

It goes without saying that a house purchase is a big deal. Owning a home is a huge milestones you pass in your journey through life. Being able to have something that you own and can do with it what you please is an amazing feeling. With that being said, both renting and buying can have their advantages. It really depends on your circumstances and where you are in life. Do you think your ready for the responsibility of owning your very own house? If you’re buying it with a partner, can your relationship handle the extra stresses of dealing with a new house? Do you, yourself, even know what you want in a house? Do you know what area you want it to be in? If something breaks, are you going to know what to do?These are tough questions but you should definitely be asking them before signing any contracts!

Finances

Unless you are buying a house outright, which let’s face it, who has at least 200 grand just lying around, you’re going to need a loan. If you are a qualified US veteran, you aren’t required to put down a down-payment. Most people will have to put down some money up front, typically 20 percent, and pay the rest off monthly over a span of 5 to 30 years, depending on how well off you are. It takes time to save up that kind of money. It also takes time to fix, or even build up, your credit but it is doable. It’s popular belief that if you’re credit isn’t perfect you can’t buy a house and that just isn’t true. If you’re applying for a FHA loan, you’re credit score can be at least 580, but in some cases they will except lower scores. For a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loan, your credit score must be at least 620.

If you don’t have the funds to put down a down-payment or to cover closing costs, then renting could be the better option while you’re saving up. Another nice thing about renting is that if something breaks down, you don’t have to pay for it. Some places even have 24/7 on-call maintenance, which is really nice.

The downside is, in most areas the rent will increase every time you renew your lease. Personally, I hate having to pay more to live in the same spot. I’d much rather be able to build equity and have a safety net myself.

Stability

If you have a job that often requires you to relocate, renting would probably be better for you. Most people live in their houses for at least 5 to 7 years. It’s important to find a spot that you feel comfortable in. You also have to ask yourself if you’re willing to devote your time and money into keeping up the house. It can be fun but also a lot of work. Buying a house requires you to think ahead. It would be in your best interest to sit down with a pen and paper, write down your goals, and explore your options. There’s a handy mortgage calculator located on the home page of my site that can give you a general idea of what your monthly payments would be like. Feel free to download my app as well. If renting is cheaper than a mortgage payment, you might want to wait to buy a house. Put the extra money toward college expenses or vacations. Owning a house isn’t for everyone. It’s up to you to decide what is best for your lifestyle.

Loans From Lenders

When you have decided that you are ready to buy a new home, there’s a pretty good chance you will need to get financing. It’s best to be at least prequalified if you’re not already preapproved by a lender before having your agent show you houses. A lender can help you find out what price range you fall under. By only looking at homes that you are comfortable paying for, this keeps both you and your agent from wasting time.

There is a difference between getting prequalified and preapproved. To be prequalified, you talk to the lender about your income and expenses and he gives you a letter of prequalification. In order to be preapproved, you have to turn in information proving everything you previously discussed. Once the lender submits all of your info to the underwriter and nothing else is needed, the underwriter will preapprove you. Preapproval is basically a commitment to lend you money.

There are four basic loans that are common in the residential home buying process.

Conventional:

• Non-government loan
• Hardest to qualify for
• Requires strong credit
• Minimum 5% down
• Mortgage insurance can eventually be removed

VA (Veterans Affairs):

• Exclusively for Vets
• 0% down payment
• No mortgage insurance
• Unmarried surviving spouses may also apply
• Can be used more than once
  • In some cases, on more than one home at a tim

FHA (Federal Housing Administration):

• Low credit scores
• Easiest to qualify for
• Great for 1st time buyers
• Minimum 3.5% down
• Mortgage insurance

USDA (US Department of Agricultural)

• No mortgage insurance required
• 0% down payment
• Income limits apply
• Only in rural areas

Beverly James ~ Realtor/Consultant/Blogger

First Time Home Buyers

The idea of buying a new home can be both terrifying and exciting. The fear of not being able to afford a house or being turned down for having bad credit often keeps people from owning. Did you know that a mortgage payment is often around the same price as rent? The great thing about owning your own home is that you don’t have to worry about yearly increased mortgage payments like you would with renting and you build equity in your home that you can draw on if you were to ever fall on hard times. Doesn’t that sound great?

For most people, it’s a whole new experience and they aren’t informed on the matter. They are having to learn about mortgages, escrow, equity, and other terms that can seem a bit intimidating at first. If you’re like me, you want to get as much information as possible before going through with such a costly transaction. After all, most people live in their homes for 5 to 7 years on average. That’s a big commitment! You want to know that you are making the right decisions on your journey of home ownership and having the facts will help light the way. I hope the information below will help ease some of your concerns.

Talk to a Lender

So you’ve made the big decision to buy a house. Great! Now what? First, it would be a good idea to talk to a lender. The lender will help you get the financing needed to make such a large purchase. They’ll get you a loan that will work best for you at a rate you’ll be able to afford. You’ll also find out how much of a house you will be able to afford and how large of a down payment you’ll need to put down. If your credit isn’t the greatest, a lender can also provide you with steps to take to improve your score. Here’s a link to find out more about possible loans you’ll get. http://jbev.kw.com/2016/11/14/loans-from-lenders/#

Find a Realtor

Find a rock and throw it into a crowd. I bet it hits a real estate agent. We are everywhere! Finding a good one is what you want to focus on though. It’s important to be able to connect with your your Realtor. There are real estate agents and then there are real estate consultants. It’d be in your best interest to find a consultant. A real estate consultant will listen to what you want and put your needs first. We want to help you find the house you fall in love with. A real estate agent will talk more than they listen so they don’t always know what you want because they haven’t stopped to ask. They tend to focus more on the clients that will give them business right now. Ask your friends and coworkers who they have worked with in the past. Interview until you find the right one who will be with you every step of the way.

Tour Homes

Your Realtor will have access to the MLS (Multiple Listing Service). It’s this magical website that shows all of the houses people with agents are selling. Your Realtor will give you a ton of options to look through. Once you choose some that look promising, you can have your Realtor take you to view them. It’s recommended that you don’t see more than 5 houses in one day. After awhile they all begin to blur together. Snapping a few pictures and taking notes of your favorites can help keep everything straight. Once you come across a house you fall in love with, put an offer in. Even if there are a few more houses you wanted to check out. If you wait, someone else could come along and snatch it up. Just ask yourself, “How much will it hurt to lose this home?”

Make an Offer

If you haven’t already realized how awesome it is to have a real estate consultant backing you, you will at this point. Contracts are never fun to read. They are very technical and a little confusing. Your Realtor will walk you through the whole thing and answer any questions you may have. They will also help you determine what the best price to offer would be. Offering a price at or below asking price would depend on the market and other houses in that area. Don’t panic if the offer you put in first gets rejected. It happens. Put in another one. You may also receive a counteroffer from the seller. Having a Realtor by your side to explain the steps that come after is an extremely valuable tool. I suggest sending a personal letter along with the contract to the seller. Doing so will help you stand out above the rest of the competition. It forces the seller to see you as a person instead of numbers on paper.

Get an Inspection

In the contract, you and your Realtor probably put in that an inspection was needed before closing. If not, that was very bold of you and I wish you the best. Inspections are very important because sometimes there are issues with the house that you can’t always see during your first walk through. A leaky roof, mold, lead paint… An inspection will bring all of these things to light. There are times when something is found and the buyer doesn’t want to buy the house unless the seller fixes it. If the seller doesn’t want to spend the money, the buyer has the right to back out and have their earnest money returned. As the buyer, you usually have to pay for the inspection but if it keeps you from future headaches and money waste it must be worth it right?

Have the Home Appraised

An appraisal is an estimate of the homes worth. Normally a cost for the buyer that is due at closing. The lender orders the appraisal from a third party company. The listing agent doesn’t have any contact with the appraiser. An appraisal is done so that everyone involved in the transaction is clear that you are paying the fair price for the house. On occasion, appraisals come back on the low side. This doesn’t mean the sell will instantly fall apart. There are options that your Realtor and your lender can help you through.

Get Homeowner’s Insurance

When you have a mortgage you have to have your home insured. This is a good thing though. It’s like having your car insured. You hate paying for it but if someone totals your car, you’re covered. If there’s a fire, a robbery, hail, or some other misfortune you will be covered against most. It’s better to have it and not use, then to need it and not have it.

Do a Final Walk Through

This is a very important step. Taking the time to thoroughly go through the property one last time before closing just to make sure everything is in order and no new issues have occurred can really help ease any anxieties you may be feeling. This way you know for sure everything is working correctly and any issues that were brought to light from the inspection have been resolved. Double check to make sure any appliances that were supposed to stay with the house are still there. After closing, the seller is no longer responsible for fixing anything so this step should never be skipped. Having a checklist with you can make things a little easier.

Closing

The end is finally here. There will be more papers that require your signature. Now would be the time to pay your closing cost, such as inspection, insurance, and appraisal fees. Title is now transferred. Loans are recorded in public records. Congratulations! You are now homeowners!

Do you want to see what houses are on the market in your neighborhood?Download Federal Way – Beverly James’ mobile app here: http://app.kw.com/KW2D3HGCF

First blog post

Welcome to my page! Glad you could make it!

 

I decided to start this blog on real estate to gain awareness. For me and you. This is my way of waving my hands in the air and shouting that I’m a Realtor. I’m growing my business and I’d love to take on more clients.

I also want to help buyers and sellers get a little insight into what they will experience once they decide to move. In this blog, I’m going to try to cover some of the basic topics that can cause some stress or confusion. Buying or selling a house is major. It can really wear you down if things don’t go how you imagined they would. I’d like to make some things clear and give you a rough outline of the steps you will go through.

I hope that by creating this blog, I can reach out to some people who could use a helping hand. Most people don’t know that much about real estate. I know I didn’t before I started studying for my license. Now that I am fully licensed, I find that I still learn something new everyday and I love it. I have made it my plan to post at lease once a week. So check back with me! I’ll share my ever growing knowledge of real estate with you. Feel free to ask questions or to leave feedback!

Have a great day!