#MARCUMsold Show: Season 3: Episode 8
🔑🏡 On this week's #MARCUMsold Show, Amanda shares the Top 5 Ways to Increase Your Home Value. Call anytime at 859-353-2853!.
#MARCUMsoldShow #HomeValues #BHHSFosterRealtors #RichmondKY #BereaKY #NewEpisode #Upgrades #Updates #HomeForSale
Go visit Richmond's newest city park! Located on Main Street, this park is open & free to the public to use during the day! Millstone & mill houses were an important part of early economy & life in Madison County!! Find more information by CLICKING HERE!
Take Look Around 👀
Millstone Park was developed through a partnership with the City of Richmond and a private citizen Speedy Denny.
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When you are dreaming of moving to a new home but not yet ready to make the leap into your future, it’s a good idea to consider the details of what that future life will look like. As you get closer to starting the process, you should have a well-rounded idea of your wants and needs for that home. Setting expectations for yourself ahead of time will help you narrow down the search once you are ready to take the leap to purchase a new home.
So, what will your life in your new home be like? Here are 7 features to kickstart your imagination.
Budget First
Before you start looking, have an ideal price range in mind so you do not end up falling in love with a home you cannot afford. Leave room for money you may put into renovations and personalization's to the house as well. You'll need to get pre-approved for a mortgage before starting your search so that when you find the home, you want you can take action right away. Whatever your budget, keep it in mind throughout your house hunt. If you have to sell your home before you buy a new one, you'll want to consider your equity as well.
Location, Location, Location!
The location should be one of the top features when looking for a home, as it is the one thing you cannot change. It is important to consider not only the town or city but also the neighborhood and its proximity to your frequented spots.
Downtown - Is it essential for you to be within walking distance of the nightlife and local restaurants, or do you prefer a quiet street removed from the activity?
Schools - If you have children, you will want to pay attention to schools in the area, your future home’s proximity to them, and the school district's quality.
Commute - Think about the length of your commute and the mode of transportation you will be taking; will you need to be close to a train station or the highway? Or if you work from home, you'll want to consider the space you'll need for that.
Community - Take note of the type of community and what it has to offer, including parks, beaches, lakes, organizations, and anything else you need to thrive.
You should love the place you live in, so whether you want to be nestled in nature or right in the middle of the activity, find a location that makes you excited to move there.
Home Exterior
You should consider the home exterior the same way you would choose what outfit to wear for an average of 8.05 years. It’s the first thing others, and yourself will see when arriving at your home. From Colonial style to ranch or cottage style, think about what design you want your home to present to the world. Once you have a general idea of what exterior style you want to go for, you can start brainstorming the details. This can include paint color, window frames, and if you want to have shutters. Take some time to look at options at your local home improvement store, so you can later recognize them when looking at homes. Finally, you will want to consider what is around the exterior of the home. This will affect your home’s curb appeal, which is the overall attractiveness of the property when viewed from the street. This will contribute to the personality of your home and will also be important in the long run if you ever decide to put that home up for sale.
Think back to the last time you were searching for homes... If you're actively working to find a home, that may have been just a few minutes ago.
Chances are you saw terms while searching that you may or may not know the true meaning of. This can be frustrating, especially if you've found a home that you love that has been marked "under contract."
Similarly, if you're thinking about selling your home, you may be wondering what the different stages of the process are once you've accepted an offer but before you've handed over the keys.
This blog post will peel back the curtain on 3 key real estate terms so that you know exactly what you're looking at while buying or selling.
Under Contract
A home is considered under contract when the buyer submitted an offer to buy the property and the seller has accepted the offer. This means that both parties have committed themselves to proceed with the transaction, and it will proceed once any contingencies are met or waived by either party.
If a property is under contract, there is a chance that the deal can fall through due to unforeseen circumstances. In some cases, you may still be able to still make an offer on a property listed as under contract.
Contingent
Once your home is under contract, but some contingencies need to be met, your property is considered contingent. A contingent contract means that some condition hasn't yet been met, and both parties have not agreed to move forward with executing the deal as planned. This could be because of financing, inspection reports coming back unacceptably high, or if the offer depends on the buyer selling their home or the seller buying a new one. Once those problems are addressed, the deal can continue as planned. A contingency is anything that needs to happen before the deal can actually take place.
If you're selling your home, setting contingencies protects you if something comes up with either buying another property or finding an acceptable offer from someone who wants to buy yours. Setting these conditions makes sure everything goes as planned before entering escrow.
Pending
Now that the seller and the buyer have agreed to each other's terms and all contingencies have been met, the home is marked as pending and taken off the market. The deal hasn't closed yet, but being in the pending stage is the finish line of the deal.
While there is a chance that a property with the pending status can return to the market due to an inspection, appraisal, or financing issue, the chances are lower at this stage.
Independence Day is right around the corner! If you’re not sure how to celebrate this year, don’t worry — we have a complete list of fun activities that are guaranteed to make this 4th of July the best one yet. From camping to barbecues to fireworks, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
1. Have a Backyard Barbecue
It wouldn’t be an American holiday without a backyard barbecue, would it? Invite some friends or neighbors over and start up the grill to enjoy an American classic: hot dogs and hamburgers. Don’t forget to grab a speaker to play some music and get grilling!
2. Plan a Patriotic Road Trip
Take advantage of the holiday falling over a weekend this year, and plan a road trip to celebrate! Visit some places you’ve never been to and stop at some of America’s historic landmarks. What could be more fun than a road trip while learning more about American history? A few notable landmarks include the Lincoln Memorial and National Mall in Washington DC, Freedom Trail in Boston, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty in New York City, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall in Philadelphia, and the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Honolulu (which may be a bit further than a road trip), just to name a few. For a complete list of America’s historic landmarks, click here.
3. Go Camping
Sleep under the stars, sit around the campfire, and make s’mores! If there isn’t a campsite near you, setting up camp in your own backyard is just as fun. As long as you have some fun music, good food, and a campfire set up to make food, you’ll have a great time. Just don’t forget the bug spray!
4. Make a Patriotic Treat or Cocktail
It wouldn’t be a holiday without enjoying some delicious food and tasty drinks, would it? Make a flag cake, a traditional apple pie, or a patriotic-themed cocktail if you're over 21. This refreshing watermelon sangria is perfect for the 4th of July. Cheers!
5. Have a Lake or Beach Day
Get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful nature that America has to offer. Grab some friends, a cooler of snacks and refreshments, and head over to spend a day on the water. Rent some tubes or a boat if you’re looking for some extra fun on the lake.
6. Attend a Firework Show
Bring a pop of color into your Fourth of July by attending a firework show. A simple google search of your local area will help you find where your town is putting on a show in the sky! If that doesn’t yield any results, then this is the perfect excuse to buy a bunch of fireworks and put on a private show for your friends and family. You can find fireworks at most big shops. But you can also shop locally by stopping at an outdoor stand if there is one near you. Of course, follow instructions and be safe!
Here is our roundup of firework shows around the United States to give you an idea of how big some cities do it!
7. Throw a Themed Party - Everyone Dresses as a Historical Figure
An activity that will add extra fun to your Fourth of July party incorporates a historical theme. This will help your guest get into that extra patriotic spirit. A great suggestion for your theme is to have everyone dress up as historical figures. Imagine grilling hot dogs with Harriet Tubman and Benjamin Franklin! You can also test your knowledge of your county by playing American history games. Amazon has some American Trivia games available for ages 14 and up.
8. Shop 4th of July Sales
For some of us, shopping is a celebration within itself. That’s why we suggest taking advantage of all the sales available on the Fourth of July. Think ahead by making a list of what you may need in the coming year ahead. Buying matching Christmas Pjs for the family in July (on sale!) never hurt anybody!
Here are some favorites:
If you’re still hungry for more, Reader Digest breaks down 30+ Best 4th of July Sales You Won’t Want to Miss.
9. Learn Something New
Learning something new about our country's history and reading stories about the past can be a great way to celebrate such a historical holiday. This Fourth of July make an activity out of learning by consciously searching up a part of history you’re not entirely familiar with. There is a lot of history that gets overlooked, so this can be a way to enlighten yourself and those around you about everything that happened for us to get to where we are now.
10. Get Active
Remember field day from elementary school? Of course, you do! And If you never had the chance to experience it, imagine all your friends gathered specially for the opportunity to compete and subsequently earn bragging rights. Made up of several physical and mental challenges - Winning field day requires both teamwork and performance.
For a successful field day, there are a couple of things you want to do in advance:
Decide How to Measure the Competition - This includes how many members can be on one team, how many points to win, and the prize.
Find the Right Challenge Level - the same as measuring the competition, this is going to depend on the age group and competitive level of your friends and family. This will help you decided which games to choose and how hard you will make winning them.
Keep the weather in mind - make sure to have a backup plan in the event of bad weather. This could be an indoor space that fits your group or overhead covering outside that will allow you to continue the event.
Plan your games and the order in advance - this is for the sake of keeping the stress of the host and the attendees down. There will be no guessing the day of, and everyone will know what members to choose for challenges in advance. Here are 52 Field Day Game ideas on Pinterest.
Whether you decide to do some shopping or go all out and plan a family field day, these 10 activities will make your Fourth of July celebration unforgettable!
The #MARCUMsold Show: Season 3: Episode 2: The Richmond Chamber of Commerce
Today on The #MARCUMsold Show, Amanda sits down with Mendi Goble the President/CEO of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce. It is all good news as Richmond/ Madison County returns to "normal"!!
#BHHSFosterRealtors #MarcumSoldShow #RichmondKY #BuyLocal #InTheKnow #TheNewStandard #NewShow #Kentucky #RealEstate #MadisonCountyKY #Realty #RealEstateTeam #CentralKentucky #Marketing #RealEstateMarketing #Home #House #RealEstateForSale #HouseForSale #KentuckyHome
The #MARCUMsold Show, Season 3: Episode 1
Today on The #MARCUMsold Show, Amanda sits down with Kentucky State Senator Jared Carpenter of District 34. Let's see what all they accomplished during this trying year.
#BHHSFosterRealtors #MarcumSoldShow #RichmondKY #BereaKY #InTheKnow #TheNewStandard #NewShow #Kentucky #RealEstate #MadisonCountyKY #Realty #RealEstateTeam #CentralKentucky #Marketing #RealEstateMarketing #Home #House #RealEstateForSale #HouseForSale #KentuckyHome #BuyLocal
Picture this... You won the bidding war! But did you get caught up in the moment, and now you have regrets? See how you can avoid buyer’s remorse before bidding gets heated.
Set and stick to concrete limits when it comes to budget
Don't bid on a home you don’t want just to beat out the competition. Consider your priorities and what matters most. Once you've set your budget, build in some artificial wiggle room if you can by looking at homes that are priced $50,000-$75,000 below the top of your budget. That way, you have some flexibility to go over asking in your offer if needed.
By setting a firm budget, you'll know that if the bidding war goes above that threshold, you'll need to move on from that house no matter how in love you are with it. Getting into a deal that you ultimately can't afford comfortably will pan out to be worse in the long run than walking away from a house you love.
Prioritize your non-negotiables
For example, if it's important to you that the home has a yard for your dog or children to play in, make sure all homes you consider meet these criteria.
Make a list of everything you want your ideal home to have and break them into two sections: non-negotiables and nice ones.
The second list might not be the first priority, but it'll give you a better idea of what's out there. If the home you buy has the items on your non-negotiables list, you'll know that you're in the right place. Put your home wishlist on paper and refer back to it periodically so that in moments when buyer’s remorse is creeping up on you, you can remind yourself about all of the things this house does have that make it perfect for you.
Surround yourself with supportive friends or family members who will help keep buyer’s remorse at bay by reminding you why buying a new property is an exciting and rewarding opportunity.
Stop looking at houses once your offer is accepted
You may have difficulty living in the home you bought or getting excited about moving in if you're on the market for an average of five days. It's important to make sure that this is where you want to live before signing any papers, and it's best not to be distracted by other options. Once your offer has been accepted, stop looking at properties because buyer’s remorse is most likely to set in when we are still trying out different houses during our house hunt; now is the time for serious decision-making!
Stop reading about real estate prices going up or down and instead stay focused and grounded with these tips. Now that your search is over, start getting excited about what's to come and plan for your future. Instead of looking online for homes, try looking at new furniture, home maintenance tips, or decor ideas.
Trust your gut and your agent
When it comes down to it, you have to trust what you feel is right for yourself and your unique situation. If it doesn't feel quite right or if you're having a tough time making a decision, there may be a reason why your gut is telling you to hold back. Your real estate agent should have your best interest at heart and be educated about the market as a whole. They'll be able to guide you to the right decision as an unbiased third party.
If you're looking for a real estate agent who can help you navigate this market and help you achieve your goals, we'd love to help. Click here to schedule a call with us to see if it's the right fit. Or, if you're interviewing agents, we have a list of 15 questions that you should ask. Get all 15 questions here.
Secure your peace of mind
Experiencing buyer's remorse, especially after making a purchase as large as a house, is a completely normal feeling. A Trulia survey from 2017 found that 44 percent of Americans had regrets or buyer's remorse about their current homes, which may be even higher for Millenials. At the end of the day, there are ways to ensure that you're protected should your sense of buyer's remorse turn into actual regret.
Perhaps you'll want to opt for an additional inspection before closing, and if issues are uncovered, you may be able to pull out of the deal before things get too far. Make sure to invest in homeowner's insurance from a company that you trust.
If you’ve been thinking about selling, it may be time to speed up that decision. Low inventory and low mortgage rates are still creating the conditions for a seller’s market this season. When homes hit the market, they generally go fast.
While this is great news for potential sellers, there’s something that may be in the way of being able to jump into the market — literally. We’re talking about stuff in your home. Whether you’re dealing with decades’ worth of memories or just the everyday pile-ups that pop up in rooms (and in closets), clutter can complicate the selling process.
For one, clutter makes it difficult to even think about selling due to just how overwhelming and time-consuming it can be to deal with. Second, clutter makes rooms feel smaller and overwhelms buyers so that even in a hot market, your home may not get what it’s truly worth. Third, clutter is just a pain to move.
The best solution to all of the above is the simplest: Put (most of) it in a storage unit and get it out of your way. To make it even easier, opt for an offsite storage pickup service. Typically, these companies drop off a big storage container to you and then pick it up when you’re finished to store it in their facility. Other companies simply pick up your boxes to store in their own offsite facility. When you need your stuff, the company delivers it to your new home.
Here’s an overview of a few of the more popular services:
PODS
You’ve probably seen the big PODS-branded white containers in driveways around your neighborhood before. There are different sized PODS available, ranging from ones small enough for a studio’s worth of items all the way up to a two-bedroom home. (If your home is larger, you may need to arrange for multiple PODS.) When you’re done, the company picks up the PODS container and stores it in one of their offsite facilities or brings it to your new place. Good to know: You may need to get a permit to “park” a PODS container.
U-HAUL U-BOX
Similar to PODS, U-Haul U-Box drops off standalone containers to your driveway so you can pack at your pace. You can arrange for the U-Boxes to be delivered to U-Haul’s offsite storage facility or your new home. However, the main difference is that U-Boxes are all standard size (U-Haul states that each can hold about a room’s worth of items.)
An industry that is millions of real estate agents strong comes with its own set of compliments and complaints! In fact, as of October 2020, there were 1,451,031 members of the National Association of Realtors. Buying or selling a home is the biggest financial transaction that you'll have in your life, so of course, who you work with during that transaction matters. Just like with any job, there are expectations placed upon real estate agents, but when they are not met, they may leave you with a sour taste in your mouth.
Our goal is always to be transparent, so you'll find the top five concerns that folks may have about real estate agents so that you can ensure you hire the right agent to help you. Your experience should be as stress-free and smooth as possible, and that is what we strive to achieve.
Lack of Communication
It’s safe to say that one of the biggest complaints about real estate agents is a lack of communication. Of course, just like in any relationship, good communication is the most important component for success. On the flip side, if it lacks, it can ignite a chain reaction of unpleasant and awkward experiences for the client that ultimately lead to an unsuccessful partnership.
Full-time agents often get calls, texts, and emails at all hours of the day, and for some, it can be difficult to manage. A skilled agent knows how to juggle communication and their other commitments and make each client feel like they are their only one. Communication expectations should be realistic and set up front to maintain a successful relationship. Answering questions promptly won’t necessarily help the home sell faster but keeping the client in the loop is always necessary and, in turn, increases their confidence in choosing the right agent.
Of course, agents don't intend to fail or fall short of expectations. Many agents start responsive and with the best intentions when signing the listing agreement and the first few weeks of activity and showings. But once showings and interest start to taper off, the agent may feel that they have nothing to report to the client. They say no news is good news, but that couldn’t be further from the truth in this aspect. When there’s no news to report, the last thing the agent should be doing is not returning calls (i.e., ghosting). This is an opportunity to be transparent and show the client what they are doing behind the scenes to sell their home and restrategize if necessary. There is no excuse to drop the ball on communication at any point in the journey but especially not in the middle when the client has the most questions and concerns.
Lack of Real Estate or Area Knowledge
One of the most important things that your real estate agent should not lack is knowledge of the market area. This can become a major pain point when it comes to pricing a home properly. You want to work with someone who is an area expert. If the agent does not use their area expertise, understanding of the current market, and comparable sales near you, but instead gives the sellers a price that will make them happy just to attract business can lead to a domino effect. Overpricing your home can increase your chances of not finding a buyer or staying on the market longer than necessary.
Your agent should also be a wealth of real estate knowledge. When it comes to going through the paperwork and legal documents, your agent should be able to explain most of the terms and language you may encounter. They should be able to guide you through the tough parts of the transaction with confidence and excellence. An agent that seems confused when explaining transaction details or cannot tell the seller what documents or contracts contain will naturally make the sellers feel uncomfortable.
Doesn’t Have the Client’s Best Interest at Heart
While we know every real estate relationship starts with the best intentions, there are times when a buyer or seller can feel their agent isn’t keeping the client in mind throughout the process. This feeling can fester for a multitude of reasons. Sometimes, clients and their agents don't align for one reason or another throughout their communication and interaction. Then, the client can sense their wants and needs are not being thoroughly listened to. The perception can be that the agent is more interested in serving their own interests, such as timeframe or a commission check after closing. It is, unfortunately, a bit too common to hear that a representative has been hasty in evaluating or coaching a client to sell or buy even when they were not completely ready. Instead of carefully and considerately waiting to find the right opportunity, they attempted to push their client into something they were not sold on.
In any real estate transaction, your agent must always thoughtfully listen and adapt to your desires and concerns at all times. No matter how long it takes to find the right buyer for your house or for, you to fall in love with your next home, your experience matters. An agent obsessed with creating joy for their clients will always have a bit of their heart in the game.
Doesn’t Take Marketing Seriously
Many sellers are concerned that their agent will simply “post and hope,” meaning the agent will list your home on the MLS and sit back, hoping for potential buyers to reach out. A talented agent will not just post and hope. They will actively market your home. Your agent should use marketing channels best fit for your property, including social media, email campaigns, open houses, and more. Some agents may hire a marketing firm to expand their efforts to raise awareness about your house as well. Remember, you hired your agent to attract as many potential buyers as possible, so a smart agent will hire help where they know they will need it.
You can ask your agent about their marketing plan for your home, and they will explain why they chose some channels over others. Your real estate agent will know how to best market your property based on its location, price, and top features.
Lack of Professionalism
Finally, your agent should be professional and treat not only you but all of the other parties involved in the transaction with respect. Here are the signs of an unprofessional agent:
They Have Few Testimonials. When interviewing your future agent, you will want to chat about their past transactions and experiences working with clients. They should recall specific details of their previous deals and have testimonials for you to reference. Not being able to discuss their past success is a sign that they haven’t had much.
They're Profit Focused. If your agent is only focused on what they are getting out of working with you (and portraying that to you), they are definitely unprofessional. Your agent should be focused on your needs to ensure a successful transaction.
The Part-Time Agent. This agent will make it known that this is merely a second job to them. They tend to seem split between two places at once. This can cause mix-ups that you don’t want to happen when going through something as important as a real estate transaction. You want someone who is completely dedicated to the profession and you.
They're Late or Don't Show Up. This is by far the most obvious way an agent can display unprofessionalism. By either being late or not showing up to a showing, they aren't displaying respect or professionalism.