Whether you’re dealing with first-time homebuyers or repeat buyers who are a little fuzzy on closing-day details, this infographic could help you prepare them for a smooth experience at the closing table. Feel free to share it on your social media accounts or link to it from your blog or email program! These tips (and more) are included in our Ultimate Moving Pack, a free resource that your clients can download here.
It’s 2017, and that means many Americans who were hardest hit by the Great Recession have had time to reestablish their credit and may be thinking about owning a home again. These boomerang buyers—former homeowners looking to reenter the market after having been sidelined by foreclosure or bankruptcy—can be a great demographic for expanding your client base. Oftentimes credit-impacted buyers feel adrift navigating their way back to homeownership, and an agent with the right expertise can prove invaluable. To position yourself for success, check out…
Uprooting is a big step for homeowners. Luckily, there are specific ways to help relocation homebuyers. Some of our favorite ideas include: Focus on schools. School ratings are important to not only families with children, but to all buyers thanks to their impact on resale value. Make sure you can easily direct clients to online sources of information about the schools serving your area. Emphasize convenience. While not always at the forefront of a buyer’s mind, proximity to frequented places is important for a high…
During our January homebuyer event, we’re highlighting many of the reasons buying a new home is a great way to start the new year! Here’s the scoop for our friends in real estate: Loan limits have increased. Your clients may have more buying power than they realize if they received mortgage preapproval before the 2017 loan limit changes kicked in. The difference could be several thousand dollars, depending on your location, so it’s in their best interest to check. FHA and conventional mortgage loan…
If your clients will apply for a mortgage in the coming year, their credit health should be priority #1. After all, a homebuyer’s credit score can affect their desired price point, what types of loans they can qualify for, their lender options, buying timeline and other factors that can ultimately make or break a sale. But wait, you’re not a loan officer or financial advisor. How could you possibly help? Share our free guide! During December’s Credit Check-up event, homebuyers can download 8 Credit Score…
Fall’s typically tight inventory can make it hard for your buyers to find the home they’re looking for. Give them the edge they need to find and move on the home they want in 2016 with our new guide, Homebuying in a Competitive Market! Sign up here to download your copy. Then, visit a Sales Center to check out all the ways you can motivate your clients to buy new this month—from personalized home options and community-specific special offers to energy-efficient features and our limited home…
Have you been keeping an eye on Homeward, our blog for homebuyers, home sellers and happy homeowners? If not, here are a few recent articles you may want to share with your clients: 4 things a real estate agent can do for you (other than show homes!) Are your clients aware of all the work you invest in their real estate transaction? Let us do the bragging for you! Continue Reading A guide to our free homebuyer guides Whether you’ve got military buyers,…
Selling new homes has its challenges, but it also has advantages that resale can’t match—benefits you can leverage to earn more referrals and repeat business. Touring model homes is a worry-free experience. Unlike an occupied resale home, a model home always has its best foot forward. You won’t find dirty dishes in the sink or laundry on the floor—or worse!—an un-kenneled pet greeting you at the door. Everything is professionally and neutrally decorated, so you won’t have to help your clients see past personal knickknacks…
Are your clients weighing new and resale homes in their search? Clue them in on this lesser-known benefit of buying new: newly built homes typically have lower insurance premiums than older homes. Many factors are used to determine homeowners insurance rates, including the home’s location, risk factors (e.g., swimming pools and trampolines on the property) and, of course, the buyer’s credit score. But also important are the age of the home and its type of construction. Brand-new homes are built with brand-new materials,…
Talking taxes with your clients can be tricky—after all, federal and state tax laws can change at any time—but that doesn’t mean you should stay mum on one of homeownership’s great financial advantages. Here are just five tax-related topics that could interest your clients: Some costs associated with buying a home may be tax deductible, such as points paid to lower a mortgage interest rate, upfront private mortgage insurance (PMI) premiums, loan-origination fees, VA funding fees and USDA guarantee fees. Federal and state tax deductions…
