“Dreams are free, so free your dreams.” ~Terri Guillemets
Loan terms, rates, and products can vary significantly from one company to the next. When shopping around, these are a few things you should ask about (National Association of Realtors, 2020).
General questions:
Are you planning to move this year? Here is a helpful guide to keep you organized! Contact Stutsman Realty for more information and guidance on achieving your real estate goals this year!
Plan
ahead.
Develop a master to-do list so you won’t forget something critical heading into
moving day. This will also help you create an estimate of moving time and costs.
Discard
items you no longer want or need.
Ask yourself how frequently you use an item and how you’d feel if you no longer
had it. Sort unwanted items int...
WORKSHEET
As you complete your real estate transaction, you will need to keep track of professionals who are helping you. You may not use all of these but here is a worksheet for your reference. Please contact Stutsman Realty to discuss your real estate needs!
| Name | Contact Info | |
| REALTOR® | ||
| ADVISERS |
Anytime you relocate to a new area, whether it’s a city just a few miles away or across the country, you face a unique set of challenges.
The housing market, the transit, and even the weather may not be what you’re used to. Planning your move can be difficult, too, since you need to coordinate when, where, and how you’ll be moving your belongings to a new area.
Because moving to a completely new area means learning about a new housing market and a new community, we wanted to share a few helpful r...
When you walk away from the closing table with a big stack of papers, know what to file away for future reference.
Loan estimate
Your lender is required to provide you with this three-page document within three business days of receiving your loan application. It will show estimates for your interest rate, monthly payment, closing costs, taxes, and insurance. You’ll also learn how your interest rate and payments could change in the future, and whether you’ll incur penalties for paying off the loan early (called “prepayment penalty”) or i...
Closing time is hectic, but you should always make time for a final walk-through to make sure
that your home is in the same condition you expected it would be. Here’s a detailed list of
what to check for on your final walk-through.
Here is a chart to help you stay organized as you track your closing costs. Be prepared and know who’s responsible for the variety of fees and expenses at the closing table.
| BUYER COST | SELLER COST | OTHER | |
| Down payment | |||
| Loan orig... |
With the majority of buyers shopping for homes online, high-resolution slide shows and video tours are a must. Here’s how to make your home shine on camera.
Understand the camera’s perspective
The camera’s eye is different from the human eye. It magnifies clutter and poor furniture arrangement so that even a home that feels comfortable in person can look jumbled online.
Make it spotless
Cameras also tend to magnify grime. Don’t forget floor coverings and walls; a spot on a rug might be overlooked during a regular home...
Whether you’re building the home of your dreams or looking for an existing unit, there’s a lot of data involved in finding the right environmentally friendly dwelling. Here’s a breakdown of the different certification systems for energy-efficient homes.
RESNET
The Residential Energy Services Network is a not-for-profit corporation that develops industry-wide standards and rules for energy efficiency ratings and certification systems for buildings. In addition to overseeing the HERS index (see below), RESNET certifies contractors of all ty...
These tips will help you convince buyers your property offers top value for their dollar.
Amp up curb appeal.
Look at your home objectively from the street. Check the condition of the landscaping, paint, roof, shutters, front door, knocker, windows, and house number. Observe how your window treatments look from the outside. Something special—such as big flowerpots or an antique bench—can help your property stand out after a long day of house hunting.
Enrich with color.
Paint is cheap, but it can make a big impression. The shade doesn’t have to be white or bei...
