Mooresville Area Real Estate Podcast with Angie Travis Roberts

A Potential Septic Tank Issue for Iredell County Homeowners

Angie@TeamATR.com (Angie Roberts) — Mon, 5 Mar 2018 10:27:00 -0800

Homebuyers are requesting septic tank inspections at a record rate. Here’s what you need to know about that as a homeowner.

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Today’s question is, “What should I know about selling my home when I have a septic tank?”

Septic tanks are very important, and there are a few things you need to know about them in regards to selling your home. Septic tanks are very traditional to our area. People are used to it here, and over the years homeowners never pumped their tanks out unless they had a problem with it.

That’s changing for home sellers because buyers are now getting septic tank inspections. You may find that you need to make repairs to a tank or pump it out before you sell.

If you have a problem with your septic tank and Iredell County won’t issue you a repair permit, your only option is hooking up to the city sewer if it’s available.

More and more homebuyers are ordering septic tank inspections.

If a buyer is getting an FHA or a VA loan and you have a septic tank, someone will have to pay to get your home connected to the city sewer. It might be you.

Another thing that you need to know about your septic tank relates to your permit. Your tank is permitted for a number of bedrooms. If your permit is for three bedrooms but you have four, the MLS goes by the septic permit. That’s why it’s important that your permit is updated as soon as possible.That’s one of the first things a good agent will do.

These are things that are important to you as a seller when you get ready to sell your home. If you have any other questions about septic tanks or real estate in general, give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Could This Deadly Gas Be in Your Home Right Now?

Angie@TeamATR.com (Angie Roberts) — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 10:14:00 -0800

Not many people are aware of radon or the danger it poses. Today, I will be going over some important information regarding this harmful gas.

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Radon is an issue that often goes overlooked by people who are buying or selling a home.

Though not often thought about, radon is an issue of critical importance. Actually, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

Radon is especially dangerous because you cannot smell, see, or taste it, making it difficult to detect. You must conduct a radon test to truly know whether your home contains high levels.

Even homes right next to one another could see different results. It doesn’t matter if your next-door neighbor’s home doesn’t contain radon. Yours still could.

Radon is especially dangerous because you cannot smell, see, or taste it.

Radon seeps out through the ground and can become trapped in crawl spaces and basements. So if you own or are buying a home with these features, you need to test it. There are kits available for purchase at hardware stores or online. These at-home tests will give you an idea of the radon level in your home.

However, for exact results you need to hire a professional. If your home does test high, radon mitigation systems are also available and can be installed to remedy the problem.

For more information on radon, click here. Otherwise, I would be happy to recommend you to a professional who can speak to you more about radon.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Happy Holidays From Me to You

Angie@TeamATR.com (Angie Roberts) — Fri, 22 Dec 2017 11:21:00 -0800

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We’d like to wish you a very happy holiday and a warm and healthy new year. We at Romero Real Estate are very grateful to know all of you, and we’re especially thankful for your support in our company.

Be Aware—My Email Was Hacked Recently

Angie@TeamATR.com (Angie Roberts) — Fri, 3 Nov 2017 13:22:00 -0700

My email was hacked recently, so if you get an email with a request for a Dropbox document or a business document, do not open it.

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In this day and age of high technology, we have access to a lot of information at the touch of our fingertips. Because of this, we’re facing new kinds of crimes relating to fraud, misrepresentation, and theft.

You may have received an unusual email from me recently asking you to open a Dropbox document or some kind of business document. The truth is, my email was hacked, and the hacker’s purpose was an elaborate scheme to steal the closing proceeds of the seller. The hacker made changes to my email address and the client’s email address. They also made changes to the signature information at the bottom of my emails—you have to hunt to find it. Another thing they changed was the last two digits of my cell phone number.

Due to the efforts of figuring this out very quickly and the attorney and both banks cooperating, we were able to foil their scheme to steal these funds. About five days after this started, the client received all of their proceeds back.

That’s the good news. The bad news is that you’ve been receiving a lot of strange emails from me. I know this is an aggravation and inconvenience, and I want to apologize to you for that. I also want you to be aware that if you get a request for a Dropbox document or a business document, do not open it. Delete the email.

I know this is an aggravation and inconvenience, and I want to apologize to you for that.

If you pay attention to the email address, you’ll notice that the hacker is sending everything out under an Aol.com account, which I don’t even have. Also, my real cell phone number is (704) 252-1089. The false cell phone number the hacker gave out actually belongs to another person who’s been very nice and helpful in resolving this issue.

We’ve changed the passwords of many of our accounts multiple time since this was discovered in order to prevent these hackers from gaining any access to our information. If you receive an email from me, check the address it’s coming from—mine is angie@teamatr.com. In addition to my authentic cell phone number listed above, you can also reach me at (704) 872-6443.

We’re working with expert technical advisors about how to handle situations like this in the future, and both banks that were involved are doing the same. We’ve been very appreciative of their help.

In the meantime, we’re looking at other options to increase security, including possibly changing our email address, so we will notify you if we do decide to change that. Thanks once again for your patience and understanding.

If you have any more questions, give me a call or shoot me an email. We’d be glad to help you!

Being a Competitive Buyer: Part 2

Angie@TeamATR.com (Angie Roberts) — Mon, 28 Aug 2017 11:17:00 -0700

Today, we’re continuing our previous discussion on how best to compete as a buyer in our market.

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Today we’ll be covering the second half of our discussion on being a competitive buyer in today’s real estate market.

Last time, we focused on how you as a buyer can influence a seller in taking your offer. Today, we’ll be further covering this topic.

First of all, consider the amount of money you have available for an earnest money deposit. Earnest money will show the seller you are a serious, interested buyer. The more you put down, the better. Increasing the “normal” amount will boost your offer in the eyes of the seller.

Next, think about the due diligence fee, which is money to be paid up front. Understanding our North Carolina contracts will help you be aware as a buyer.

Having professional help at every step will make a world of difference.

Due diligence money is another way to influence the seller. However, it becomes nonrefundable once the due diligence period expires.

Also, don’t forget the North Carolina Offer to Purchase and Contract, which outlines the commitment you and the seller are both making within the transaction.

Ultimately, though, the best way you can be competitive in the market is to work closely with a real estate professional who will be able to support you through the process all the way through closing.

Having professional help at every step will make a world of difference.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

4 Tips for Homebuyers in Today's Competitive Market

Angie@TeamATR.com (Angie Roberts) — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 08:31:00 -0700

Today I have four tips to help you get a leg up in today’s competitive market.

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Things are jumping in the real estate market in our county, just like many areas of the country. It’s important that you understand what you need to do in order to be competitive as a buyer in order to purchase a home.

First, you need to make sure you are pre-qualified. Get with a lender and get that letter that proves that you are able to purchase the home you’re interested in. Every seller wants to see that letter. The lender will also cover closing costs, interest rates, and how long it’s going to take to close on the home you intend to purchase.

Next, you need to know the top dollar that you’re willing to pay, in case you have to spend that amount in order to get the home that you want. Especially in a competitive market, you may find yourself in a multiple offer situation, so be prepared. When you speak with a lender, you’ll be able to determine a comfortable range from which you can make an offer.

Don’t start your offer so low that you offend the seller.

Additionally, don’t start so low in your offer that you offend the seller. It’s critical to the seller that you’re a cooperative buyer. Both you and the seller will have access to comparable homes in your area, so make sure that you understand the market and know what homes are actually selling for.

Remember that if you’re asking for closing costs, that amount comes out of the seller’s pocket. It affects their net bottom line. With that in mind, you may need to increase the amount in your offer to cover those closing costs. That way, you have that taken care of and there’s less stress to the seller.

With these tips, you should be able to get a leg up against the competition when you put in an offer on the home of your dreams. If you have any further questions or you’re looking to buy or sell a home, please give me a call. I’d be happy to help!

Why You Should Never Turn Off Your Utilities During a Home Sale

Angie@TeamATR.com (Angie Roberts) — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 08:02:00 -0700

Keeping your utilities on during your home sale is important for a variety of reasons.

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If you’ve listed your home for sale and you’ve vacated the property, why do you have to keep utilities on?

First and foremost, our North Carolina listing contracts state that home sellers have to make their homes reasonably accessible for buyers to look at, and that accessibility extends to the existing utilities. That means, water, sewer, electricity, gas (if it applies,) and any alarm systems that are connected to the phone line.

In this hot weather we’re currently experiencing, and the cold weather we experience come wintertime, it’s critically important that your home is comfortable and its temperature is moderate. If it’s hot outside, you don’t want a buyer to walk through your door and feel the same temperature. This can negatively affect their experience and make them wonder if your HVAC system is working. You definitely don’t want that question to come up.

You also want the buyer to know that all your utilities are working—that the water is coming through your pipes, your toilets flush, your HVAC system works, and your water heater heats. They will be checking those things to see if they’re functioning, so be prepared. If they aren’t functioning properly because you cut your utilities off, buyers might assume you haven’t been taking care of other things in the home. That can be detrimental to you when you get an offer because buyers take that kind of thing into consideration.

Be proactive—not reactive.

Another reason to keep your utilities on is so that your HVAC unit can circulate air through the home. If you’re not living in the house and there is no air flow, fungi, mold, and mildew can grow and develop. It’s a lot less expensive to pay a power bill than to deal with a moisture issue.

When you accept an offer to purchase your property, that offer will require that the utilities be on and functioning. The buyer has the right to check all the things in your home, and their home inspector will also check all the functions that depend on your utilities being on, so have them on and ready. Sometimes when you cut your utilities off, you create a problem that you didn’t have before. If you turn everything back on and suddenly there’s a problem that didn’t exist when you lived in the home, that can spell trouble. Don’t let that happen to you.

You want your home to make the best impression possible, so in addition to keeping your utilities on, make sure your yard looks great, your shrubs are cut, and your gutters are cleaned out. Buyers pay attention to those kinds of things too.

If you have any questions about this topic or you’re interested in buying or selling a home, give us a call or send us an email. We’d be happy to help you.

What You Need to Know About a Residential Property Disclosure Statement

Angie@TeamATR.com (Angie Roberts) — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 12:09:00 -0700

Today I walked to talk about what a residential property disclosure statement is and what it means for you as a home seller.

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In the state of North Carolina, this mandatory document is given to a buyer when you get ready to sell your home. It features a list of questions that the seller must answer. I’ve listed some of the important questions below.

What is the age of my roof and has it been leaking?
How old is my HVAC system?
What is the age of my water heater? This is not required on the document, but is something that some buyers may want to know about.
Do you have a septic tank and a copy of the permit?
How many bedrooms was your house permitted for?
What about restrictive covenants?
Do you have a survey?
What about your HOA? What are the fees? What’s covered?

Make sure you keep track of all your important documentation.

An important thing to know is when you put on a new roof or update your HVAC system, that isn’t going to increase the value of your home because it is considered general maintenance. Every homeowner will need to take care of those items at one point or another.

Many of the answers to these questions will come in the form of documentation. You should keep a careful record of things such as permits, service reports for your roof and septic tank, and HOA documentation. Whether you’re getting ready to list your home or you’re still just thinking about it, having these documents in one place will make the process of filling out your disclosure statement that much easier.

If you have any other questions about this topic or you’re looking to buy or sell a home, please give me a call. I’d be happy to help!

What You Need to Know About Underground Storage Tanks

Angie@TeamATR.com (Angie Roberts) — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 08:00:00 -0700

Having an underground storage tank could cause some major issues when listing your property. Be sure you know the signs of contamination and how to tackle potential issues.

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If you are someone with an underground storage tank (UST), you may be wondering what to do with it. Traditionally in our area, we’ve used home heating oil as a resource for keeping homes warm, which requires a UST.

If you have a UST on your property and are wondering what to do right now, know that it is exempt from regulation. But, if your tank has a leak or spill, regulations will apply. This means you will have to go through the process of sampling and testing your property to make sure you meet those regulations.

If you no longer use your UST, my best advice is to remove all the remaining oil from it in order to avoid contamination. Additionally, if you suspect contamination, it never hurts to check.

Remember, when you fill your tank, do not fill it with water. Instead, opt for a solid and inert material, like sand, to fill up the tank.

You may also, instead of filling the tank, hire a professional environmental company to remove the tank.

It's important that you address any issues with your UST as quickly as possible.

All of these points are especially important if you are looking to list your home. Buyers could potentially be concerned by the presence of a UST.

However, whether you are selling your home in the near future or down the road, it’s important that you address any issues with your UST as quickly as possible.

Some indicators of contamination from your UST include a strong smell of petroleum, a puddle of oil, and/or visible stains in the soil. So, if you notice any, don’t hesitate to act. Contact your local waste management program or the North Carolina Division of Waste Management Underground Storage Tank Section.

To learn more about this topic, or to ask any other questions you may have, feel free to call or email me. I look forward to hearing from you.

6 Ways Sellers Can Take Advantage of Our Exciting Market

Angie@TeamATR.com (Angie Roberts) — Wed, 31 May 2017 12:55:00 -0700

There are six tasks you need to remember to get a great offer on your home in today’s exciting, fast-paced market.

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The other day I was reading an email that a lender sent me titled “Fear Has Returned to the Market” and thought to myself, seriously? In today’s exciting, fast-paced, competitive market, it’s a lot different than it was from 2008 to 2011.

Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, now is a critical time to take advantage of our market and get your best offer as quickly as possible. How can you accomplish this if you’re a seller, though? Pay attention to the basics. There are six keys to remember:

Price your home to sell. Be competitive in your pricing. Buyers are shopping on the Internet 24/7, and they know what’s being sold and what’s under contract. Do what it takes to get them in your door.

Consider doing a pre-listing home inspection. If you have a problem, find it and fix it now. Don’t let it come up during the inspection process. If you can avoid a contract falling through over inspection issues getting fixed, it behooves you to do so.

Declutter. Get rid of all that old stuff sitting around that you don’t use and/or move the furniture around. Pack it up and put it in storage or just get rid of it. You want your home to look as big as possible, and decluttering accomplishes this effect.

Today’s market is nothing like how it was after the crash, and opportunity is there for you to take advantage of it.

Pay attention to the yard. First impressions are critical to buyers, and your home’s first impression starts with the yard. Let them know that your yard reflects how great your home looks on the inside too.
Make your home easy to show. Buyer’s agents have ready, willing, and able buyers, and they want to get into your home as soon as possible. Make it easy for them to get into your home, get it shown, and be able to explain its benefits and features.
Take advantage of the help of a full-time real estate professional. They can help walk you through the process of listing your home and getting it on the market, getting a contract signed, and making sure you go to closing with money in your pocket.

If you have any questions about our current market, just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

What If Other Buyers Try to Get Your Dream Home?

Angie@TeamATR.com (Angie Roberts) — Wed, 24 May 2017 10:08:00 -0700

Multiple offer situations are incredibly common in our current market. As a buyer, how can you win your dream home?

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How do you make sure that you win your dream home when other buyers want to buy it?

We are seeing a lot of multiple offers in today’s market, so it’s not uncommon to face some competition for your dream home. So, what do you do?

First, you need to make an offer. Don’t sit and wait to see if others are going to make one. You should also keep in mind that you’re not going to know what those other offers are. The listing agent won’t reveal that information. After all, they are working for the seller to make sure that they get the best offer.

When you make your offer, what can you do to make sure that your offer is the one that gets accepted? You need to make sure that you are pre-qualified. You might need to ask your lender if you could possibly make a higher offer than the asking price, so you need to know about your finances right off the bat.

Don’t wait around to see if anyone else will make an offer.

You also have to consider how much earnest money you are willing to put down. After all, money talks.

In addition to earnest money, consider due diligence money. Do you have some money that you are willing to put down to show your sincerity in buying that property?

Another thing you can do to make your offer stand out is to write a letter to the seller. Tell them why you want to buy their house and let them know that you love their home, that you will take care of it, and explain why you’re making your offer.

Do you need a real estate professional to help you? In this market, the answer is an absolute yes. A professional real estate agent can help you maneuver these multiple offer situations successfully.

If you have any questions about winning in a multiple offer situation or about our current market, just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

Taking the Pain out of Lawn Care This Spring

Angie@TeamATR.com (Angie Roberts) — Tue, 2 May 2017 11:14:00 -0700

It's that time of the year—lawn care season! Today I have some tips to get it back into warm weather shape whether you plan to sell or you just want it to look great for spring.

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It's the time of year to start getting your lawn in shape, and it's especially true if you want to sell your house this year. The first impression of your home is crucial.

The first thing you need to take care of is getting rid of weeds. It's a problem for all of us, but with proper maintenance and irrigation, you can actually prevent weeds. Keep in mind that even if you don't have weeds in your yard, sprouts and seeds from nearby weeds can cause them to spread to you.

It's also time to break out the lawnmower or call the lawn maintenance company. If you have a mower though, make sure you're keeping up on the maintenance in terms of oil and the gas you put into it. Don't forget about the blade; dull blades can actually be harmful to your lawn. Pay attention to the tires if you have a riding lawnmower as well.

Be careful of nearby weeds, which can easily spread to your lawn.

If your yard seems beyond hope of being fixed, it might be time to start over completely.

If you take out all the grass, you need to consider the kind of soil you'll lay down and the grass seed you should use. Your specific area really matters when it comes to the type of grass to plant, so don't be afraid to seek professional advice. A great option would be to call our agricultural resource center and talk to Matt Lenhart, a horticulturist. He can give you some really great tips and can be reached at (704) 878-3000.

If you have any other questions about making your lawn presentable or you're thinking of buying or selling a home here in Iredell County, don't hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I'd love to help you!

You Can Get Rid of Hazardous Waste on April 29th

Angie@TeamATR.com (Angie Roberts) — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 08:30:00 -0700

Disposing of hazardous waste is often difficult. We’re here to make it a bit easier today.

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If you have hazardous waste products like old batteries and paint, they can be tricky to properly dispose of. If you’ve been trying to get rid of some stuff like this, we have great news.

Iredell County and the town of Mooresville are sponsoring a spring collection of hazardous waste products this spring. The collection is going to take place on Saturday, April 29th from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m at the Mooresville Collection Center at 2523 Charlotte Highway in Mooresville.

The collection is April 29th from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

They will be collecting items such as batteries, acids, mercury thermostats and thermometers, fluorescent light bulbs, paint, stains, and thinners. Please note that if you are bringing latex paint, you are limited to 15 gallons per household. Farmers can also come and bring their pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and any other -cides thanks to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture.

If you have any questions about the event, you can contact the organizers at (704) 878-5430. If you have any real estate questions or you’re looking to buy or sell a home, don’t hesitate to give me a call. I would love to hear from you.

What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know About Appraisals: Part 2

Angie@TeamATR.com (Angie Roberts) — Thu, 13 Oct 2016 11:41:00 -0700

We’re here with part two in our series about home appraisals. Today, we’re discussing how home appraisals affect sellers.

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We’re here with part two in our series about home appraisals. As we discussed before, an appraisal is an expert’s estimate of the value of a home. How do appraisals affect home sellers? Why would you, as a seller, decide to have an appraisal done on your property before you put it on the market and list it?

First of all, maybe you aren’t sure what your property is worth and you want to be confident in the value of your home. You want to know what a buyer might be willing to pay for the home in the current market. That way, you can figure out if the numbers make it worth it for you to actually sell.

If you are in an estate settlement, your real estate attorney will likely recommend that you order an appraisal. That way, you can establish a value for tax reasons and a value the heirs can all agree on and everyone is on the same page when it is time to sell the property.

Maybe you are selling your home as a ‘For Sale By Owner’ property and you want to know how much to ask for your home. In that case, an appraisal can be very helpful.

If an appraisal is a year old, it is no longer relevant in today’s market.

However, you should keep in mind that when you sell your home, the buyer is still required to order an appraisal, even if you have already ordered one. The lender will go with the most recent appraisal.

You should also keep in mind that the appraisal tells you what the property is worth the day the appraiser came out to your home. If you ordered an appraisal a year ago, it won’t apply today.

This is another great reason why you want to work with a professional real estate agent. We constantly monitor the market and can help you price your home based on what is happening in real estate right now.

The market can change in an instant. If you have any questions about appraisals or your home value, give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to help you!

What Iredell County Buyers Need to Know About Appraisals

Angie@TeamATR.com (Angie Roberts) — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 13:08:00 -0700

We’re here with part one of our series about home appraisals. Today, we’ll go over why appraisals matter to buyers.

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First off, what is an appraisal? An appraisal is an expert estimate of the value of something and, in this case, it’s the value of the home you are buying. Appraisals are required if you are borrowing funds, and optional for cash buyers. Your lender will order the appraisal and you will pay for it up front or at closing. This is a closing cost for the buyer.

You already set the price of the house when you signed the contract, so why does the bank need a third party appraisal to determine the value of the property? The mortgage company or bank wants to make sure that the purchase price is equal to or higher than the appraised value.

Why? Lenders use the lower sale price or the current appraisal. They don’t really care what you are willing to pay for a piece of property. If the appraised value is lower than the sales price, you have a problem. However, there are a few solutions.

First of all, you can ask for a review of the appraisal. You could also go back and renegotiate the sales price with the seller. Finally, you could put down more cash out of pocket to match the appraised value.

Appraisals are required if you are borrowing funds.

Now, you may not have enough cash on hand to make up the difference. If the appraised value is a lot lower than the sales price, you may be overpaying for the property.

This is exactly why you need the help of a professional real estate agent to maneuver the ins and outs of your transaction. Stay tuned for part two of our series, where we discuss appraisals from the seller’s perspective. If you have any questions in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We would be happy to help you!

Is the Iredell Market Favoring Buyers or Sellers?

Angie@TeamATR.com (Angie Roberts) — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 10:55:00 -0700

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I wanted to take a look at the issue of housing inventory and what it means to you as a buyer or seller of a home in Iredell County.

If we've got too much supply - indicated by a lot of houses sitting on the market for sale for a long time - it tells you that we're in a buyer's market, because the longer it sits, the more the value is affected negatively. If houses are selling quickly, it means that there are more buyers out there. Low inventory can lead to multiple offer situations on your home when you sell, and this allows sellers to get the most money possible. Buyers have to hustle!

Buyer and seller markets can even vary by neighborhood.

What we like to see is a normal buyer-seller market, where there is enough inventory out there to get competitive prices for sellers, and there are enough qualified buyers willing to pay market value. You'll find that inventory is fluctuating all the time. We can actually have different parts of the country that vary greatly between a buyer’s market and a seller’s market, and it can also happen within the same county. Even in the Iredell County real estate market you'll find pockets where it is a seller's market and pockets where it is a buyer's market. It can even boil down to neighborhoods.

That's why you need access to this data when you're pricing your home as a seller or considering an offer as a buyer. That's exactly the reason why you need to work with a professional real estate agent.

For help in Iredell County, we'd love to do business with you. Give us a call or reply to this email, and let's talk soon!

Don't Wait to Get Pre-Qualified for an Iredell County Home Loan

Angie@TeamATR.com (Angie Roberts) — Sat, 28 May 2016 18:19:00 -0700

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As a buyer, it's important to get pre-qualified in Iredell County. You're out looking for a home because you want to put money into your own pocket instead of renting. You come across a home you really love, so how do you know you can afford it unless you've already been to the lender and gotten pre-qualified? It's important to also know how much money you need for a down payment. Maybe you qualify for 100% loan financing or FHA. There are lots of options out there. Do you also have enough money for the closing costs?

“You need to know what your budget is.”

Another thing to consider with pre-qualification is that you may be approved for more money than you want to borrow. You need to know what your budget is, so you can stay within a payment range that meets your needs. The critical thing to remember in today's fast-moving market is that a pre-qualification lets the seller know that you can get the money to buy their house. If you're in a competitive situation, don't wait to get that letter.

If you have any more questions, don't wait to call!

Should Sellers Pay for Buyer Closing Costs?

Angie@TeamATR.com (Angie Roberts) — Tue, 17 May 2016 13:35:00 -0700

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One of the issues we run into quite frequently with sellers is paying for a buyer’s closing costs. Sellers don’t understand why they are being asked to help pay for them when they are already paying their own. Let’s look at the issue a little closer.

Buyers ask sellers to help with closing costs because lenders advise them to negotiate help when cash is tight. The buyer doesn’t want to have to borrow money to pay for costs that will affect their loan, nor do they want to charge the costs to a credit card.

Another reason buyers ask for help is because seller closing costs are relatively less than what buyers pay. Some buyer costs can get pretty hefty; up to 3 to 4% of the loan, which can add up quickly. The seller and buyer can always negotiate the closing costs. By no means do you have to pay 100% of the buyer’s costs because there are always other options.

If you negotiate a higher sales price with the buyer to cover closing costs, you have to be very careful. Will the house appraise if you increase the sale price by X number of dollars to cover the closing costs?

It all boils down to negotiation, which is why you need a professional, experienced real estate agent on your side. Don’t assume that because buyers ask for closing costs that they can’t afford the loan.

If you have any questions for us about this or any other issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to us via phone or email. We look forward to talking with you soon!

Secure Your Iredell County Home Against Intruders

Angie@TeamATR.com (Angie Roberts) — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 09:34:00 -0700

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Today’s video is part two of our videos about home security. I have some useful tips on how to secure your home in the surrounding Iredell County area.

Place a metal bar along the track of sliding doors. This method prevents an intruder from forcing your door open. A closet rod, for instance, provides a simple solution and easily secures your sliding doors.

Invest in a safe. This is a great place to look up important documents, cash, and jewelry. Make sure it’s fire proof as well.

Conceal exterior wiring. Burglars out there are looking for ways to cut your electricity to knock out the lights and disable your alarm system.
Dogs are a major deterrent. Even if you don’t own a dog, any type of dog-themed decorations (such as a statute or sign) can deter a burglar from robbing your home.
Don’t disclose personal information on social media. Hold off on sharing vacation photos. Don’t let people know you’re away or when you plan on coming back.

Hopefully, these tips will help you secure your home. If you have any questions about the market, or other security options, please give me a call or send me an email today!

Security Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

Angie@TeamATR.com (Angie Roberts) — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 13:02:00 -0700

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Keeping our homes secure is an important issue. Today, we’ll offer some tips on how you can easily secure your home in Iredell County.

Invest in an alarm system. The sound of an alarm not only deters the burglar, it also alerts your neighbors and local law enforcement of a disturbance.

Put up an obvious surveillance camera. This might cost you around $100, but it’s a clear sign you have a secure alarm system.
Clear shrubbery and trees. Don’t let bushes and plants obstruct your views on footage. Safety experts recommend keeping bushes trimmed to 3 feet in height and tree branches above 6 feet off the ground.
Use motion detector lights. This ensures your property will be lit without racking up the price of your electric bill.
Deadbolt your front and back doors. Statistics reveal 34% of intruders enter through the front door and 22% enter through the backdoor.

If you have any questions about safety or real estate, give us a call or send us an email today. We’d be happy to answer them! Our next video will feature even more home safety tips, so stay tuned.

How to Handle Vacant Homes in Iredell County

Angie@TeamATR.com (Angie Roberts) — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 08:51:00 -0800

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We had nice, warm weather during the holidays, but it froze up again! Winter is here, and that could create problems for homeowners, especially if their property vacant. During this time of year, there are a few things you should pay attention to.

Make sure your heating system is working. If you need oil or propane, you should be prepared ahead of time and stock up. You need to have enough readily available to keep it going during the cold weather.
Set the heat low. The heat doesn’t need to be as strong as it would be if you were living inside of it. However, be aware of not setting it too low! Realtors and prospective buyers will be walking through your vacant property at some point.
Leave utilities on. They should function properly and well! For instance, if you have a security system linked to your telephone line, keep the cable on to keep the alarms on!

Ensure plumbing is efficient. Everything should be running okay without any surprises. Double and triple check! Additionally, cover your exterior faucets. Maybe use styrofoam covers, even. Prevent pipe bursts.
Clean out the gutters. It’s better to do this ahead of time. Avoid excess water from precipitation by tackling this early.
Check that windows are shut. Prevent heat loss and save on your power bills.
Check the crawl space vents. Consider closing the vents during the winter.

If you have any questions about your vacant or occupied home, reach out to me today! Give me a call or send me an email.

How to Avoid Problems With Estate Properties

Angie@TeamATR.com (Angie Roberts) — Tue, 9 Feb 2016 10:16:00 -0800

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Dealing with estate property can be especially difficult, and that's why I'm going to give you some advice on how to handle issues that may arise if you find yourself in a similar situation.

The very first thing that I recommend that you do is to find an attorney. You'll want to deal with the Clerk of the Superior court in order to probate the will, or the court may need to decide an administrator of the will. Once you have an idea of who will dissolve the estate, you can begin the process.

You need to determine what will happen to the property. Will it be sold? Will it be divided? Often times an estate must be sold to pay off outstanding bills. This isn't always the case, but it does happen.

Your attorney will need to designate the true heirs of the property and divide the estate accordingly. In North Carolina, spouses are involved in the signing of documents when an estate is being transferred, and this can further complicate the situation.

You will probably need the help of a real estate agent in order to determine the value of the property before it is sold. I also recommend keeping the utilities at the property running. Continuing a home warranty is also a good idea in case something happens while nobody is at the property.

Trust me, I know how complicated and touchy this situation can be. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have. I would love to give you a hand.

I look forward to hearing from you!

How Interest Rate Increases Impacts Iredell County

Angie@TeamATR.com (Angie Roberts) — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 09:15:00 -0800

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The Federal Reserve raised its key interest rate by 0.25% on December 16th. This is known as a lift off increase. We can expect further rate increases from the Fed in 2016. What does this mean for the real estate market?

Rising interest rates make it harder for borrowers to obtain a mortgage. It's not impossible to get approved for a mortgage, but it is more difficult. For sellers, interest rate increases will impact the price of your home.

When rates slowly increase, first time home buyers may find it harder to adjust their target home prices. House hunters in general will have to adjust their wish lists to purchase an affordable home.

What can you do now to adjust? First, you need to improve your credit score. A better credit score will help you get a lower mortgage interest rate. You should also reduce your overall debt. If you're thinking of buying, check your credit report now. If there are errors in it, get them fixed now. Don't sit and wait. Finally, save as much as you can for a good down payment.

If you're a homeowner with an adjustable rate mortgage who plans on living in the home for several years, now may be the time to switch to a fixed-rate mortgage. Be sure to check the fees and closing costs before you refinance your home.

Now is the time to find a professional real estate agent to help you maneuver this changing real estate market. If you have any questions, give us a call. We would be happy to help you!

Prepare Your Home for the Holidays with these Decorating Tips!

Angie@TeamATR.com (Angie Roberts) — Thu, 3 Dec 2015 12:47:00 -0800

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The holidays are approaching. Today, we thought we'd do something a little different and share this festive video on holiday decorating tips from HGTV. Designer Angelo Surmelis shares several great ideas to spread holiday cheer throughout the home. Here are some of our favorites.

Pay attention to the mantle. If you don't have some already, buy some kind of garland to drape over the mantle. Next, use leftover ornaments and candles to add light and texture. When choosing ornaments and candles, ensure they are in the same color-palette. This helps make your mantle a great focal point!
Use smaller Christmas trees. Every house has their main Christmas tree. In addition, you can also purchase smaller, inexpensive, eco-friendly trees to place throughout the home. Decorate these trees with strips of fabric from a T-shirt in holiday colors to save money for the main tree.
Use what you have. Be resourceful. Adding a plate charge and place mat to your everyday dining set adds some jazz to your table. Fresh-cut flowers and candles will help finish the look. You don't need grand, expensive candles -- a little candlelight goes a long way!

As you can see, it doesn't take much to make your home feel more festive. If you have any questions, give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to help you!

More Reasons to Sell This Holiday Season

Angie@TeamATR.com (Angie Roberts) — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 10:31:00 -0800

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Today we are excited to bring you part 2 of our series that is answering the question of why you should sell during the holidays. This is an important question that comes up a lot this time of year, because the holidays really are a great time to sell. Here are five reasons why:

1. Employee transfers

January is traditionally the month for employees to begin new jobs. Since transferees can’t wait until after they move to buy, you need to be on the market now in order for them to buy your home.

2. Homes show better during the holidays

Homes have a different look and feel during the holidays. Buyers can sense the warm, cozy feeling of the holidays rush over them, making it more likely for them to purchase.

3. You can restrict showings

Just because your home is on the market during the holidays, doesn’t mean it has to be on the market for the holidays themselves. You can restrict showings during those six or seven days around Christmas and New Year's. Buyers understand you have family commitments just like they do, as long as you have some advanced notice of which days you want to restrict showings, it will work out.

4. Become a non-contingent buyer

Selling during the fall and winter will allow you to become a non-contingent buyer in the spring, the most desirable kind of buyer any time of year.

5. Buyers are energized

This is especially a great time to sell because it's a joyful time of year. People are generally happier and more prone to making the decision to purchase just in time for the holiday season.

If you have any questions for us about selling during the holiday season, we are always here to answer them. Give us a call or send us an email, and we look forward to speaking with you soon!