Tips for Buyers and Sellers

Should I use a Realtor?

For most people the decision to purchase real estate is one of the largest life choices that they can make. For this reason alone using a real estate professional is a wise choice. Their expertise can make the difference between a good and bad investment. Real estate agents make a career out of knowing the current market and what homes are available.  A good agent will make your search easier, faster, and stress-free.

Finding the Right Agent for You

Chemistry is important, so are credentials and training. Above all, you'll want an experienced agent who has current market knowledge and upholds the highest ethical standards.  

Some helpful hints for finding and working with a REALTOR:

• Ask friends, family members, neighbors, and/or co-workers for referrals.
• Trust your intuition.
• Share with your sales associate as much information as possible about your lifestyle, tastes, needs, and dreams for your home.
• Focus your search on a few geographic areas.
• I recommend that you set up a meeting and interview a realtor that you are considering before you make a choice. Contact me today, I would be happy to talk with you about your real estate needs.

Should I Rent or Should I Own?

With every rent check you write, you're helping to build equity in your landlord's property. That money could be building equity in a home of your own. Today's rates are low enough that your house payment could be lower than your rent payment!

There are many advantages to owning a home, including:

Lifestyle - Home ownership offers advantages that make life more enjoyable - backyards for pets, gardens and entertaining, customizing & decorating a home to meet your needs, privacy, garages, security-- the list goes on.

Location - choosing a unique home in a community that meets all of your lifestyle needs.

Financial Independence - Most people start on the road to financial independence through home ownership. Your principal and interest payments remain the same for the full term of your mortgage while your rent usually goes up as the cost of living increases. 

Investment - Payments on your mortgage loan mean you are acquiring a major possession; instead of paying rent you own more and more. The garden you plant, the permanent improvements you make - all enhance your lifestyle as well as the value of your home.

Tax Advantage - Your real estate taxes and the interest on your mortgage are deductible from your income tax.

Cash Equity - Better than a savings account, your home can appreciate to keep pace with inflation.

Security - The feeling of security that comes from owning a home and the knowledge that your home is a safeguard against inflation.

Would you like to run some numbers to see if home ownership makes sense for you? Visit the Mortgage 101 calculators section of this site, you will find everything you need.

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John Geüss
ECOBROKER®
/Realtor ABR,QSC

themcdevittagency

Office: 704.523.3108
Mobile: 980.322.3500
Fax: 704.973.0855