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Probate Real Estate April 20, 2023

The Benefits of Working with a Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist (CPRES)

The probate process can be complex and time-consuming, especially when it comes to selling a home. That’s where a CPRES comes in.

A CPRES is a real estate agent who has completed specialized training in the probate process. They understand the legal requirements and procedures involved in selling a home through probate, and they can help you navigate the process smoothly and efficiently.

Here are some of the benefits of working with a CPRES:

  • They know the probate process inside and out. A CPRES will be able to walk you through each step of the process, from filing the necessary paperwork to closing on the sale. They will also be able to answer any questions you have about the process.
  • They can help you get the best possible price for your home. A CPRES will have a deep understanding of the local real estate market, and they can use this knowledge to help you price your home competitively. They will also be able to market your home to a wider audience, which can help you sell it faster.
  • They can help you avoid legal problems. A CPRES is familiar with the legal requirements of probate, and they can help you avoid making any mistakes that could lead to legal problems. They can also represent you in court if necessary.

If you are facing the daunting task of selling a home through probate, working with a CPRES can make the process much easier. A CPRES can help you navigate the legal requirements, get the best possible price for your home, and avoid legal problems.

Contact me today to learn more about how I can help you sell your home through probate.

BuyersVideos April 19, 2023

Is a Seller Ever Required to Accept an Offer (Video)

Probate Real Estate April 19, 2023

The Steps to Probate

Being an executor or administrator of a probate estate is not for everyone.

You have been trusted to be the personal representative of a probate estate because you know how to get things done and you care.  When challenges arise, you are the person that takes an axe to them and you overcome.

…But will the monster of overwhelm occasionally stalk you?

(Ask any probate executor or administrator and they will tell you, YES, the process can be overwhelming!)

I understand. Picking up all the mail, paying all the bills/utilities, handling repairs of the property, maintaining the yard, back-and-forth calls and/or trips to the attorney, going to the bank, all while dealing with other beneficiaries…It can be overwhelming!

Now picture this:

Imagine that starting right now, you no longer have the monster of worry and overwhelm about your responsibilities as a probate executor/administrator nagging at you.

Imagine being able to focus on the reason that you are an executor/administrator of a probate estate in the first place (because nobody knows the best course of action to overcome challenges like you do!).

Does that sound good? …It gets even better.

Because you downloaded my free eBook, Probate Real Estate and You: Avoiding the 7 Biggest Mistakes Made in Probate Real Estate, I am going to send you the TWO following “axes” (Just think of each tool that I send you as an axe** that you can use to chop up any challenges that may arise)

  1. Something You Can Use Right Now…A 6 Page Booklet Called “The Steps to Probate” >>CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NOW<<

For More Probate Answers, please Click Here.

Probate Real Estate April 19, 2023

Avoiding the 7 Biggest Mistakes Made in Probate Real Estate

Every day, many people across America experience the loss of a loved one. That’s just a part of life’s journey. For every person who passes away, another person must take on the task of managing the estate. Are you this person? If you’re reading this blog, the answer is most likely yes. Let me assure you that this task does not have to be overwhelming.

First, I would like to extend our sincere condolences on the loss of your loved one. Our goal is to provide top-quality professional service throughout the probate process. Often, this process is quite stressful, so having the right team to help you can bridge the gap between stress and success.

I would like to offer you a free e-book to help you through the Probate Process. The e-book will discuss:

Mistake 1: Not having the right guidance and counsel to help you through the probate process

Mistake 2: Not knowing how probate works

Mistake 3: Selecting the wrong service providers to help liquidate the estate and prepare it for sale

Mistake 4: Thinking the probate process will only take a few weeks and relying on your attorney to handle everything

Mistake 5: Not securing the estate’s personal property

Mistake 6: Leaving the property uninsured or underinsured as you settle the estate

Mistake 7: Attempting to sell the estate’s real property without understanding the market

Here are two major reasons to read this book:

  1. You need to have a clear picture of all your options, so you will know you’ve made the best choice when it comes to selling the property held in the estate.
  2. Avoiding the top seven mistakes discussed in this e-book will save you time and help you avoid unnecessary stress — and could potentially save you thousands of dollars.

This e-book is designed to alert you to various mistakes that many executors and administrators make when they manage an estate. I hope that by sharing information that my team and I have accumulated through our experience and education, we can help you deal with some of the uncertainties you may encounter during the process.

Download Your Free e-book Today

For More Probate Answers, please Click Here.

Sellers April 19, 2023

Falling out of Love with Your House? It May Be Time To Move.


Owning a home means having a place that’s solely your own and provides the space, features, and location you and your loved ones need. But what happens when your needs change? If this hits home for you, it may be time to make a move.According to the latest Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average person has lived in their current house for ten years. If you’ve been in your home for a while, think about how much in your life has changed since you moved in. Even if you thought it would be your forever home when you bought it, it doesn’t have to be. Work with a local real estate agent to explore all your options in today’s market before settling for your current home.

That’s actually what a lot of homeowners are doing right now. A recent survey from Realtor.com finds that, of people who are considering selling in 2023, one in three are thinking about moving because their home no longer meets their needs. And according to the same report from NAR, that’s consistent with this year’s top reasons for selling, which include:

  • Want to move closer to friends or family
  • Moving due to retirement
  • Home is too small or too large
  • Change in family situation
  • Job relocation

If things in your life have changed, it may be time to make a move. And there’s good news: it’s still a great time to sell. Here’s why.

We’re in a strong sellers’ market. That means homes listed at market value and in good condition are getting attention from buyers and selling quickly. Lean on your expert real estate advisor for the best advice on getting your house ready to sell.

Your equity can power your next move. There’s a good chance you have a significant amount of equity right now thanks to record levels of price appreciation in recent years. When you sell, you can use that equity to help afford your next home. In fact, NAR’s report from above shows 38% of recent buyers used the money from the sale of their previous home to cover the down payment on their next one. Work with a local real estate agent to learn how much equity you have and what you can do with it in today’s housing market.

Bottom Line

If your home no longer meets your needs, consider selling it so you can find your dream home. Let’s connect so you can learn about your options.

Sellers April 18, 2023

3 Best Practices for Selling Your House This Year


This spring brings with it the opportunity for new experiences. If that resonates with you because you’re considering making a move, you’re likely juggling a mix of excitement over your next home and a sense of attachment to your current one. A great way to ease some of those emotions and ensure you’re feeling confident in your decision is to keep these three best practices in mind.

1. Price Your Home Right

The housing market shifted in 2022 as mortgage rates rose, buyer demand eased, and the number of homes for sale grew. As a seller, you’ll want to recognize things are different now and price your house appropriately based on where the market is today. Greg McBride, Chief Financial Analyst at Bankrate, explains:

“Price your home realistically. This isn’t the housing market of April or May, so buyer traffic will be substantially slower, but appropriately priced homes are still selling quickly.”

If you price your house too high, you run the risk of deterring buyers. And if you go too low, you’re leaving money on the table. An experienced real estate agent can help determine what your ideal asking price should be.

2. Keep Your Emotions in Check

Today, homeowners are living in their houses longer. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), since 1985, the average time a homeowner has owned their home has increased from 5 to 10 years (see graph below): 3 Best Practices for Selling Your House This Year | Keeping Current Matters This is several years longer than what used to be the historical norm. The side effect, however, is when you stay in one place for so long, you may get even more emotionally attached to your space. If it’s the first home you bought or the house where your loved ones grew up, it very likely means something extra special to you. Every room has memories, and it’s hard to detach from the sentimental value. For some homeowners, that makes it even harder to negotiate and separate the emotional value of the house from fair market price. That’s why you need a real estate professional to help you with the negotiations along the way.

3. Stage Your Home Properly

While you may love your decor and how you’ve customized your home over the years, not all buyers will feel the same way about your design. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you focus on your home’s first impression so it appeals to as many buyers as possible. As NAR says:

“Staging is the art of preparing a home to appeal to the greatest number of potential buyers in your market. The right arrangements can move you into a higher price-point and help buyers fall in love the moment they walk through the door.”

Buyers want to envision themselves in the space so it truly feels like it could be their own. They need to see themselves inside with their furniture and keepsakes – not your pictures and decorations. A real estate professional can help you with tips to get your house ready to sell.

Bottom Line

If you’re considering selling your house, reach out to a local real estate professional to help you navigate through the process while prioritizing these best practices.

Bottom Line

If you’re considering selling your house, let’s connect so you have the help you need to navigate through the process while prioritizing these best practices.

Infographics April 18, 2023

The Spring Housing Market Could Be a Sweet Spot for Sellers

 

Buyers April 18, 2023

5 Reasons Millennials Are Buying Homes


In the United States, there are over 72 million millennials. If you’re part of that generation and have thought about buying a home, you aren’t alone. According to Zonda, 98% of millennials want to become a homeowner at some point if they aren’t already. But why? There are plenty of reasons you may choose to become a homeowner. Here’s why other millennials have made that decision (see graph below):

This graph shows why millennials are buying homes according to Zonda’s 6th annual millennial survey. The top reasons include building equity, a change in life stage, wanting stability, rising home values, and wanting to make somewhere truly their own. Here’s a look at each in more detail.

Building equity – Homeownership is a long-term investment that allows you to build wealth, increase your net worth, and become more financially stable. Beyond that, the alternative to owning a home is typically renting. With the way rents have risen so dramatically over time, it may make sense to build your own equity instead of the equity of the person you’re renting from.

A change in life stage – As a millennial, you’re reaching your prime homebuying years. That means you may be at the point where you need more space or a different location.

Stability or settling down – This could mean establishing your career or just generally deciding more concretely what you want your life to look and feel like. As that idea becomes clearer, you may want to establish that lifestyle in a particular place and put down roots.

Rising home values – By purchasing a home, you own an asset that traditionally increases in value over time. That can mean your home will have a higher resale value if you decide to move again.

Wanting to make somewhere “mine” – Owning a home gives a sense of freedom because you can customize it however you want, make updates as you see fit, and be yourself in a place that’s solely your own.

Bottom Line

There are plenty of great reasons why millennials are buying homes today. If you’ve thought about becoming a homeowner and any of these reasons resonate with you too, let’s connect to explore your options.

Buyers April 17, 2023

Think Twice Before Waiting for Lower Home Prices


As the housing market continues to change, you may be wondering where it’ll go from here. One factor you’re probably thinking about is home prices, which have come down a bit since they peaked last June. And you’ve likely heard something in the news or on social media about a price crash on the horizon. As a result, you may be holding off on buying a home until prices drop significantly. But that’s not the best strategy.A recent survey from Zonda shows 53% of millennials are still renting right now because they’re waiting for home prices to come down. But here’s the thing: the most recent data shows that home prices appear to have bottomed out and are now on the rise again. Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at CoreLogic, reports:

“U.S. home prices rose by 0.8% in February . . . indicating that prices in most markets have already bottomed out.”

And the latest data from Black Knight shows the same shift. The graph below compares home price trends in November to those in February:

So, should you keep waiting to buy a home until prices come down? If you factor in what the experts are saying, you probably shouldn’t. The data shows prices are increasing in much of the country, not decreasing. And the latest data from the Home Price Expectation Survey indicates that experts project home prices will rise steadily and return to more normal levels of appreciation after 2023. The best way to understand what home values are doing in your area is to work with a local real estate professional who can give you the latest insights and expert advice.

Bottom Line

If you’re waiting to buy a home until prices come down, you may want to reconsider. Let’s connect to make sure you understand what’s happening in our local housing market.

InfographicsSellers April 14, 2023

Home Inspections for Sellers: What You Need To Know

Some Highlights

  • The inspection is a major part of the home selling process.
  • Many buyers used to waive inspections to be more competitive with their offer, but recently, inspections and repairs are becoming popular again.
  • Let’s connect so you have an expert on your side who can help you determine the repairs and updates your house needs before you sell.