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Practicing real estate ventures is something that many know nothing about. Either purchasing or selling a home can take quite a bit of your energy and patience. However, since many have gone through it before you, you'll be able to learn from their mistakes and avoid making your own. Selling or buying a home with unpermitted work is not a very common occurrence. Nevertheless, sometimes it's necessary and unavoidable. It can take a toll on your home insurance and your right to demand repairs if need be. If you're selling a home, having unpermitted work can make it hard. Let's see some particularities about such a process and how you should go about it.

Selling or buying a home with unpermitted work - what does it mean?

Unpermitted work is any work done on a home without the approval that the city must give. This can entail that the city does not know about the work done or finds it improper and will not stand by it. If you wish to add to something in your home, you must seek permission to do so. Those who don't end up conducting unpermitted work to see the venture through. They do this either out of lack of information and knowledge or because they know they won't get the permission to carry on with what they have in mind, so they disregard the city's opinion.

This is precisely why you should get a home inspection before purchasing a home. You never know whether someone has documented all the work they've done to their property or not. Additionally, the process could get tangled and messy, whether you're selling or buying a home with unpermitted work.

Should you purchase a home with unpermitted work?

Of course, at a single glance, purchasing a home with unpermitted work is a terrible idea that you should avoid at all costs. Since the quality of such work varies greatly, you never know what you'll find. It can even be dangerous for you and your family to reside there. Especially if you run into unpermitted work that concerns the home's foundation or its faulty wiring, the threat could be grand and even life-threatening.

Aside from these dangers, you could also end up with quite a lot of debt if you have to invest in repairs once you've bought the home. Financing these issues and paying for all that goes alongside it can take out a considerable chunk of your budget.

Local governments could also meddle in your case if you've purchased a home that has unpermitted work. They have the right to demand that you remove it, which is also a lot of work.

Hire a top real estate agent to help you

Although buying or selling a home with unpermitted work isn't highly recommended, no one has the right to stop you. If you do this, it's best to have top-notch real estate agents on your side. Make sure to look for an excellent real estate company with your eyes wide open.

How we can help

We are the leading real estate referral company throughout the United States. Our primary mission is to help buyers, sellers, and real estate agents find their best match. Simply put, we provide buyers and sellers with top real estate agents that are the best in their field. They're all checked-out, reliable, and experienced. However, there's an important detail that sets us apart from other referral companies. We've found a legal loophole that makes it possible for you to get a chunk of the referral fee back instead of it all going to Park Place. Of course, our real estate agents are compensated fairly as well. This makes what we do a win, win, win situation.

Hire a moving company

Aside from hiring reliable real estate agents that we'll be happy to provide, you'll also need a reliable moving company to help you with that part of the equation. As consultants at Cross Country Moving Group advise, professional movers will do wonders for your schedule as they are experienced and well-versed in all sorts of relocations. This means that you'll be able to relax and focus on other essential things.

How hard is it to sell a home with unpermitted work?

Although the negotiation process can be tough enough on its own, things are even further complicated if you're selling a home with permitted work. If you're an owner of such a home at the moment, there are some things you could do. Firstly, you need to ask yourself how much you can set aside for the necessary project that's ahead.

● Get the needed permits in a retroactive manner

● Sell your home in its current condition

Safety first

Seeing how you're selling or buying a home with unpermitted work, you'll need to amp up your other safety measures. Other than keeping yourself and your family safe, you'll also need to protect your belongings. The best way to do this is to find storage that you can utilize for a certain amount of time. Ensure that you're looking for storage through reliable sources and that you're not falling for a scam. Luckily, you should have no trouble finding a quality facility in Florida that you can utilize.

Lying shouldn't be an option

Whatever you end up doing, know that selling or buying a home with unpermitted work should never prevent you from being upfront and honest. Especially if you're selling a home in this condition, you should clearly state your intentions and be upfront about any possible damage and the overall quality of the work that's been done. Of course, the best course of action would be to take the legal, moral, and honorable path and fix any unpermitted work that your property has undergone over the years.

Written by: Lisa Roberts with US Moving Experts

A real estate rebate is a percentage of the agent's commission that the agent returns to the client. Some companies have a set amount no matter how much the property costs, while others calculate the rebate based on every deal. It is essential to know that not all countries allow real estate rebates. In fact, they are illegal in some states. Today we want to talk about how real estate rebate bans harm consumers and how that affects the entire real estate market.

How does real estate commission work?

To better understand why rebate bans harm consumers, let's start from the beginning and see how real estate agents are compensated. The job of a real estate agent is to help both buyers and sellers to complete the deal as quickly as possible. They are here to make things easy, help prepare the paperwork, and lead both sides through the process. They make money by charging a commission. Most real estate agents take a percentage of the total price, and some charge a flat rate.

What is the role of a real estate rebate?

The main reason why real estate agents started offering rebates is to gain new clients. It is not easy to stand out in the real estate market, especially when the competition is fierce.

The rebate is a percentage of the commission they charge to the client, and they usually give it back when the deal is closing. You can look at a rebate as a form of credit for closing the deal. As such, you can only spend it on paying closing fees:

• transfer or escrow fees;

• to buy mortgage points;

• pay appraisal fees;

• loan origination fees.

It becomes obvious how valuable a rebate is. It helps the consumer to pay for expenses and save some money.

With that in mind, if you are selling or buying a property, it is best to find real estate agents that will give you a rebate at closing.

Which states do not allow rebates?

If we look at how the rebate is used, it makes no sense to make it illegal. However, not all states allow it. States that prohibit the use of rebates are:

• Alaska;

• Kansas;

• Oregon;

• Mississippi;

• Alabama;

• Louisiana;

• Oklahoma;

• Iowa;

• Missouri;

• Tennessee;

For example, if you plan to relocate to Louisiana, you are probably looking for affordable ways to handle tasks related to this move. If a rebate was possible, you could use it to cover closing expenses and save money for the relocation. However, because rebates are banned in Louisiana, you cannot use this option.

Why is rebate banned?

Simply speaking, a rebate ban is just another way to inflate the costs of real estate services. Consumers now have to pay thousands of dollars more to close the deal.

Another consequence is that there is no more competition on price between real estate agents; they are all forced to charge the same amount. At the same time, consumers are forced to pay the same inflated fees.

How to find real estate agents that offer rebates?

States that do allow rebates have a more flexible real estate market. Because real estate agents offer additional refunds, there is no monopoly over the price. It is in their best interest to provide the best terms to their clients.

An excellent way to find a real estate agent that offers rebates as high as 15% is through a company that connects buyers and sellers with real estate agents. They will do all the research and connect you with the best people in the area while ensuring that you get your rebate at closing.

If we consider how many real estate agencies there are, this is an excellent option. It frees the time you would otherwise have to spend researching and comparing agencies to find the one that meets your requirements. This way, you can relax, and the right person will come to you!

Real estate rebate bans harm consumers and affect the housing market

With the ban on real estate rebates, the housing market will quickly start to change. The prices can only go up because there is no competition between the agencies. They will have to look for other ways to attract new clients.

Another danger is that the percentage of bought and sold properties for these states might go down. People will look for better opportunities where they can get their rebates and save money. The moving industry has been very busy for the past two years, and there are no indications that it will slow down. People will move in search of a better opportunity, and that includes better buying terms.

As for people that already own properties in the states where rebates are banned, there is a chance that they might have to sell for a lower price. If the buyers go elsewhere, the market will have to adapt and find a new way to get them back. Lowering the costs is the first thing that comes to mind.

It is obvious that real estate rebate bans harm consumers, both sellers and buyers. In the end, even the real estate agencies might face the fact that the number of clients is dropping down. They can either lower their commission, which is not productive or move to a market that allows rebates. That can spell doom for any market hit by this ban.

Written by: Lisa Roberts with US Moving Experts

If you're looking to purchase a home, one of the bigger decisions you have to make is about the condition of that home. Are you looking to buy a brand-new home that you won't need to work on, or is buying a house as-is more your style? The latter is the choice that people often make. When you purchase a house in "as-is" condition, the seller makes no promises about the home's physical state. You accept any flaws that may be present. Although this option has many upsides, it also comes with some challenges. Make sure that you have enough information before jumping into anything.

Is purchasing a home as-is for you?

Buying a house as-is isn't something that everyone would enjoy. It could be for you if you're a house flipper searching for a way to make money or if you're handy and know how to discover and solve problems. An as-is home may be problematic for many buyers. However, once you get into the game and acquire enough information, there isn't a reason why you couldn't do this.

A home inspection is imperative

Before buying a house as-is, make sure to have the home inspected. This might be one of the most important parts of purchasing a home. You'll need to plan and consider so many obligations during this time that it's easy to lose track of important things like this. Once you've found your dream home, don't get carried away. Be objective and rational. Have someone come by and inspect the place. Although it seems a bit boring and unnecessary at first, you never know what they can find. It can help save you from quite a bit of debt.

Home warranty negotiations are a must

Getting a home warranty service is basically signing a contract that covers the replacement or repairs of important system components of your house that are bound to break over time. This is most definitely something that you mustn't skip. Not only can a warranty be helpful when it comes to saving money, but it can also help you have peace of mind. It's one less thing to think about in the long run. For these and many other reasons getting a warranty should be a no-brainer, especially when buying a home as-is.

Connect with the top agents in the industry

If you're looking to purchase a house as-is, make sure to find the best options out there. You can do this by connecting with the top agents in the real estate industry. Park Place is a real estate referral company that focuses on referrals. It's the industry leader in this field. With the database of over one million real estate agents that shows which agents are selling, they do research to determine who the top real estate agents in your market area are. They match clients with a top real estate agent in your market with a proven sales record who will rebate you 15% of the total real estate commission. This way, you can save hundreds of dollars.

Research financing options before buying a house as-is

There aren't many financing options when purchasing a home as-is. Any conventional mortgages, that is, mortgages that aren't insured or guaranteed by the government, are available only for some properties. The issue here is that they are allowed to have only certain minor defects. Window cracks, a broken or damaged driveway, and little internal wall damage are all common occurrences.

Lenders are not willing to fund a property that is in poor shape. This is a dangerous situation for them. If the condition worsens to the point where the property loses a significant amount of value or becomes uninhabitable, the mortgagee may not repay the loan.

Plan a budget-friendly relocation

Of course, before you actually settle into your new home, you need to organize your relocation there. Seeing how purchasing a house can drain your budget, do your best to arrange a budget-friendly relocation. Yes, you can do it in a cost-effective way. Although you cannot save on every single part of your moving process, there are some areas that you can go around. Instead of purchasing new packing equipment, you can borrow someone else's, for example. Finding such ways to remove some of the burdens from your budget will be pretty helpful in the future.

Ask away

Especially if you're buying a home as-is for the first time, it's only natural that you won't know everything right away. That being said, you should make an effort to do as much research as possible. This way, you'll have much better chances of getting your dream house. Don't be afraid to ask even the most basic questions.

● What do you know about the previous owners?

You could have some difficulties dealing with the former owners, depending on what they were like. These problems can be overlooked even during a thorough home inspection, especially if the owner makes every effort to conceal them. Get information on the previous owner if you want to avoid unpleasant surprises down the road.

● Have there been any pets?

Whether you own a pet or not, you should find out if one has previously resided in the house you're buying. Don't forget to ask this question, especially if you or anyone in your family suffers from allergies.

● Where is the sunny side?

Small touches can make a big difference in how you organize your new home and how you live there. You can always get blinds if the light bothers you. However, you will have difficulty bringing more light into your new home if you want it. This means that if you're purchasing a house as-is, you need to be careful.

Follow your gut

Finally, once you have all your facts straight, make sure to follow your gut as well. Don't go into buying a house as-is simply for rational reasons. Make sure that you're in this because you actually want to be.

Written by: Lisa Roberts with US Moving Experts

Did you think that selling a house costs nothing and is only a way to make some money? Well, sorry to disappoint, but selling a house in New Hampshire, or anywhere else for that matter, comes with a set of expenses you probably know little about. So, the whole ordeal can turn up pretty expensive. Think about the repairs and staging you will have to do before listing, then the agent's commission and closing costs. Unfortunately, it all adds up and can eat up as much as 10% of your home value.

In some cases, the sale costs can be even higher. This article will go over all the hidden expenses of selling a home in New Hampshire. Also, we will give you some tips on how you can reduce these costs. Real estate rebates are one example of how you can do that.

Average expenses of selling a house in New Hampshire

Average homes sell for $300,000 to $400,000 in New Hampshire. So, if we take that you want to sell your home for about $320,000, you may end up paying a whopping $55,000 to actually sell it. Of course, the exact amount will depend on various factors and your situation, but, as we have mentioned, prepare yourself to pay 10% or more to finalize the transaction. It will be the most realistic expectation if you get full service from your real estate agent.

These are the most common expenses that home sellers in New Hampshire face:

• Preparing your home for sale - home improvements, renovations, staging

• Realtor commission

• Buyer incentives, i.e., seller concessions

• Closing costs

• Relocation costs

Of course, the exact costs of these are not set in stone. Firstly, sometimes you can negotiate your agent's commission. Also, you may want to opt for an FSBO (For Sale By Owner) option and bypass an agent. Secondly, every home is different, and the improvements and renovations will cost differently for different houses depending on the work done. Also, relocation costs are very case-specific and depend on how far you are moving and how big of a household you will transfer. The experts from fit2movenh.com advise getting free moving estimates from several companies to get the idea of how much your relocation will cost and pick the company that will suit your needs best.

Furthermore, keep in mind that a portion of the money will also go on mortgage payment if you haven't paid off the house you are selling.

Now, we will discuss each of the points mentioned above in more detail.

Preparing your home for sale

You always have an option to sell your home "as-is." However, if you want to make more, increase your home value, and attract qualified buyers, you will have to invest in some improvements. Of course, you will have to consider what type of improvements to implement to ensure the most ROI.

Depending on the age and state of your home, its size and layout, the garden size, and repairs your real estate agent has deemed necessary, the costs of preparing your home for sale will vary considerably.

Still, there are some improvements you will be best off making:

• painting the interior

• replacing or cleaning the carpeting

• hiring professional deep cleaning service

• doing minor repairs

More extensive projects will require a more considerable budget. Therefore, you should discuss your plans with your agent to determine whether they would be a wise investment. You don't want to spend a tremendous amount of money on a renovation project, and the added value it brings is nowhere near the amount you invested.

Agent's commission fee

In New Hampshire, real estate agent commission fees are typically around 5-6% of the home's final selling price. Since there will likely be the buyer's agent as well, this percentage is shared between the two agents.

Now, this is where Top Agent Rebate comes to the rescue. They will connect you with an agent who has the expertise to guide you through the entire process and ensure you get the best deal possible. On top of that, they will rebate you 15% of the commission fees back. Whichever type of real estate transaction you need, they will pair you with a reliable agent.

Thus, if you are in the business of selling your home, why do it on your own when you can benefit from expert advice from an experienced agent and get a portion of their commission back. So, fill out the application and sell your home quickly and most affordably.

Negotiations and incentives you may offer

Once you list your home for sale and an interested buyer places an offer you are willing to accept, negotiations begin. Sometimes, you may want to incentivize the buyer to purchase your home by making specific concessions. Depending on the area you live in, the market, and the demand, offering incentives may be necessary to ensure the deal actually happens.

Seller concessions may include offering to pay for home inspection fees or even home insurance, giving some repair credits (if the buyer notices some issues with the house they don't like, they will likely use it as room for negotiation), or covering closing costs. Typically, these concessions range from 1.5% to 2%, and the type of loan the buyer got limits them in terms of how many demands they can make. However, concession can take up as much as 9% of the total selling price in some cases.

Closing costs

Closing costs actually imply a variety of different fees and expenses. Both the seller and the buyer pay for these. Closing costs include the title insurance, outstanding bills, taxes, and fees, transfer taxes, and recording fees. Moreover, they also involve attorney fees which are required in New Hampshire. Finally, it may include a loan payoff fee if that is applicable. All in all, closing costs take up between 1% and 3% of the total home selling price. That is, that is the amount the seller will typically cover. The remainder of the costs falls on the buyer.

However, when it comes to closing costs, everything is negotiable. So, who will pay for what exactly depends on the situation. Having a real estate agent by your side is good to have in these situations as they can explain and predict how much you, as a seller, can expect to pay.

Relocation costs

Moving expenses are most commonly an integral part of the home selling process, and you have to consider them as a good chunk of your final home sale profit may go to cover them. Again, depending on how far you are moving and how many items you are relocating, the costs will vary. Moreover, there is also an option of a DIY move, in which case you can save considerably. However, it is crucial to determine what the simplest way to transfer to a new home is. Sometimes, hiring residential movers is the best and the most cost-efficient option.

Furthermore, it's not only the move itself you will have to pay for. Sometimes, the new home is not ready for moving in yet, but the house has already been sold. If that happens, you may have to pay for temporary accommodation and/or a storage unit. If there are such gaps, and this is not something you can easily predict, you must factor in all the potential expenses.

The bottom line

As you can see, there are many hidden expenses of selling a house in New Hampshire. So, the process may prove pretty costly. It doesn't help that closing costs in this state are above the national average. However, they are inevitable, and you should prepare to cover these expenses. Still, with the help of real estate referral companies, such as Park Place Realty Network, you can lower these expenses.

Written by: Lisa Roberts with US Moving Experts

Once you understand how difficult it is to deal with real estate, you might think that working with a long-distance real estate agent is a lost cause. But, in actuality, a long-distance real estate agent can do you a world of good. What is paramount here is to do your research and find the right one. After all, the most challenging aspect of them being far away from you is tracking their performance. With this in mind, we will give you a couple of tips that should help you find and work with a good long-distance realtor.

Prepare for working with a long-distance real estate agent

It is better to have a good long-distance real estate agent than a poor local one. While this may seem obvious, it is still worth emphasizing, especially if you are unsure where to start looking for one. Numerous companies out there can help you connect to Realtors and ensure that you have one in your market. But, it is the quality of the agent, not their location, that you should keep as a top priority. The only way to make this possible is with careful preparation and diligent research.

Figure out what do you want out of your realtor

We would first advise you to get a clear idea of what you want out of your realtor. Do you want them to help you sell your home, or should they also clue you in about renovations? Are you trying to find a home and need someone with in-depth knowledge of the local market? Or are you considering renting in a different state and need someone to find you an apartment while you prepare for the move with a company such as State to State Move? The more clearly you can outline what you need, the easier it will be to find a realtor to help you.

What is essential to understand here is that every real estate agent has an area where they are experts. Some are experts in selling homes and altering them for maximum profit. Others know how to find suitable apartments for rent and ensure that you don't have to deal with bad landlords. So, it is always a good idea to know what you need. That way, you can find a realtor with the most experience.

Do online research

The next step is to go online and see what kind of realtors are available. Depending on where you look, you may find dozens of different realtors at your disposal. What you need to do is sort them. First, make sure that they have the necessary licenses (these can differ between states). Ideally, you will find their ratings and reviews from previous clients and see how dependable they are. Once you find the top three that you like, you can proceed to the next step.

Conduct an interview

The interview is arguably the most important step in finding a good realtor. Someone can have terrific online reviews and recommendations from previous clients. But, if their personality is not compatible with yours, you shouldn't work with them. Even though this is a professional project where capabilities should come first and foremost, the temperament of your relator can play a significant role. If you two can't see eye to eye, you will soon clash and likely separate. So, conduct an interview and see what they are like.

Good questions to ask are:

• How do you envision our collaboration?

• Can you tell me about your past experiences?

• Who was your most challenging client?

• How did you handle them?

• What should I expect from you?

While there are further questions you can ask when buying real estate, these should give you an idea of what the realtor is like and how they behave in a professional setting. The more you talk to them, the more you will see whether you can communicate easily and whether they understand your needs. Finally, you should always trust your gut and avoid realtors that give you a bad feeling, even if they have excellent ratings.

Ensure proper cooperation

As we said, having a good realtor by your side is half the battle. Even if they are not physically by your side, they will make dealing with real estate a whole lot easier. But, while finding them is vital, you need to take a couple of more steps to ensure that your cooperation goes smoothly.

Regular communication

Firstly, you want to communicate with your realtor regularly. Even if there are no updates, you still want to check up on them at least once per week. That way, they will keep you and your needs in mind. You should inquire about any changes in the current market and see what their predictions are.

Furthermore, if you are also dealing with cross-country relocation besides tackling real estate, it is paramount that you can clearly and easily communicate with your agent. More often than not, they can give you valuable insight on when to move and how to prepare. Combine that with the advice you get from your movers, and you can easily get everything you need ready for the move ahead.

Precise milestones

Relying on your intuition can only take you so far. To avoid being led on by dishonest realtors, you should have clear milestones. Just like moving companies give you clear timelines to follow, so should your realtor explain what's to come.

When to break off

Working with a long-distance real estate agent isn't always fun and pleasant. You might run into issues and struggles that you'll need to find a way out of. A good realtor will give you a clear explanation of what is going on and a comprehensive solution to your problems. If they don't, and they only give you excuses, you should consider letting them go. Remember, every minute you spend working with a bad realtor is a minute you could've spent working with a good one. And companies like Top Agent Rebate are always happy to connect you with one.

Written by: Lisa Roberts with US Moving Experts

Real estate is never a bad investment. People will always need homes to live in, and although the market can sometimes be volatile, it always bounces back. However, choosing the right property to invest in can be difficult. You’ll want something that isn’t likely to drop in value. Additionally, it needs to be easy to sell or rent the property out. Otherwise, it will be hard for you to get a return on your investment. In this article, we will look at some up and coming NJ neighborhoods you should consider if you are looking to invest.

What to look for in an investment property

There are two types of investment properties:

• You could research what’s trending and get a house or condo that fits that description. It will be easy to rent out this type of home since it has all the currently in-demand features.

• Find something that is cheap and do a fix and flip. It’s okay if your chosen property doesn’t initially have all of the features buyers and renters are looking for. You can adapt it so that it has all of the amenities that are trending.

Hire an experienced realtor and talk to them about your needs. When you end up talking to the owner, it’s essential to ask the right questions. Find out if pets are allowed on the property and what parking is like in the area. These are features that future renters will be interested in, so it’s good to know in advance.

How to get the most out of your investment

Since you are in the market for an investment property and not the house of your dreams, it’s imperative to consider the bottom line. You should be doing everything you can to get a better return on your investment. An excellent way to save some extra money is to hire a real estate agent through topagentrebate.com since they will rebate you back 15% of their commission. Depending on the property’s value, that rebate could be quite a lot of money that gets put back into your pocket.

Another great way to save money is to have a home inspection. It will undoubtedly uncover some issues with the property. You can then use that information in negotiations with the owners to lower the asking price. A home inspection can also inform you of what needs fixing and what additional costs you can expect.

Moving to New Jersey

Perhaps you are researching New Jersey because you are thinking of relocating there. There are many up and coming NJ neighborhoods you should consider if you are looking to invest. Buying a home in an area that will rise in value over time can be a wise long-term investment. You don’t have to flip the property straight away. You can hold on to your investment for a few years and enjoy it.

Owning property in NJ can also be an excellent incentive to move there. You will probably need to hire New Jersey movers that can handle any type of relocation with ease. Owning a second home and moving back and forth has also become a popular life choice. You can spend several months a year in your NJ home and then sell it when the market is right.

Best New Jersey areas to invest in

You pretty much can’t go wrong if you choose to invest in New Jersey. NJ has many neighborhoods close to New York, with significantly lower prices than their counterparts in the Big Apple. Here are some of the best up and coming NJ neighborhoods you should consider if you are looking to invest:

1. Newark has moderately listed home prices and has been on the rise for the last several years. It might be a good time to consider jumping on board. Located just across Manhattan, Newark has several schools, a nearby airport, and numerous entertainment options. A thriving tech hub has also recently emerged, making Newark an exciting choice for young people seeking job opportunities and accessible housing. Developers are eyeing the area, and gentrification is taking place, so you better hurry if you want to invest in Newark.

2. Cherry Hill, located within Camden County, one of the most prominent Philadelphia metro areas, has become a bargain for investors and developers. Cherry Hill is also popular with renters, so you will have an easy time finding tenants since the prices are a lot higher in Center City. Home prices have been stable, but many have realized the allure of cheaper housing located just a 20-minute car drive from the center of Philadelphia.

3. Weehawken is another neighborhood just next to Manhattan, so it’s easy to see why its popularity has been on the rise. Increased demand has seen property prices rise in the last couple of years, but prices are still below some neighboring areas. Tax reevaluations have caused some homeowners to get rid of their properties, so the market has multiple options for those looking to buy.

4. Hoboken has constantly been performing well in the real estate market. Although home prices are high in Hoboken, the local market is strong and has shown no signs of stopping. You might want to consider snagging property this close to New York while the costs are still somewhat reasonable. Properties in the western part of Hoboken are a bit cheaper and consist of many family homes. This makes Hoboken an interesting place to invest in, but also a place you might want to consider calling home.

Regardless if you are just considering investing in New Jersey or plan to move there, you will probably need some help with logistics. You can contact Superior Moving & Storage for moving, packing and storage services. Getting those handled by professionals will definitely take a huge load off your shoulders. You are then free to focus on taking care of the other, more important details.

As you have seen, there are many up and coming NJ neighborhoods you should consider if you are looking to invest. The close proximity of New Jersey to New York makes it a popular choice for permanent living and investment properties. Hire an experienced agent that will help you find the best property for your needs and give you a rebate as well and start house hunting today!

Written by: Lisa Roberts with US Moving Experts

When you are in the market for a new home, there are so many things to consider that it will be easy to lose track of everything involved in buying a house. We can't stress enough the importance of a home inspection before buying. Once you have finally found your dream home, it's perfectly fine to get excited, but it's not time to let your guard down yet. Knowing what to expect when going into a new home can save you a lot of stress. You will be able to plan for future expenses for repairs and hopefully save money when purchasing the property by lowering the price.

We will outline the importance of a home inspection before buying a house in this article, but if you feel that you are at a loss what to do, contact us at topagentrebate.com, and we will connect you to a top real estate agent who will not only guide you through the process but also rebate you back 15% of their commission.

Make a checklist

Like with any big project, the key to success is proper planning. Most home inspections will reveal certain weak points in the property that you will need to address. Start planning ahead of time, and you will be able to map out a timeline for the home inspection and, more importantly, any additional repairs that might follow it. Our advice would be to hire a professional and to avoid doing the inspection yourself. You are bound to miss certain things that wouldn't slip by a professional, making it a worthwhile investment. Prices for home inspections can vary based on the property's location and size, but they usually go for several hundred dollars, and they will most often save you much more than that.

You can always ask one of our top agents for a recommendation since they have many contacts in all the relevant fields and will probably be able to secure you a good deal too. If you have planned correctly, all of the work will be done on time, and you will avoid any nasty surprises after you have already moved in. However, if you find that something is wrong after the relocation, you can always reach out to hnmovers.com again to move out your possessions and allow for repairs.

Save money

Know what your ultimate goal is. It may seem obvious, but the idea is not just to find out what's wrong with a certain property because even newly built homes will have something lacking that can be exposed by a thorough inspection. Your goal at this point is to save money. You can use some of the issues brought up by the inspection as a good negotiating position to lower the purchasing price or get the seller to do some of the repairs. The negotiation process can be long, as both parties will try to get a good deal.

Repairs to the home are up to the seller, but instead of insisting that they handle everything, you might want to lower the purchasing price and tackle some of the issues yourself. By doing so, you will know that everything is done correctly, and you can also renovate to your liking. Another way to save money is to get a real estate commission discount, and you can use the money you save for work on the house after the purchase.

What is covered by an inspection?

An experienced inspector can perform his examination of the property within 3 hours. Although you will later get a detailed report, it is highly recommended that you are present during the survey. You will quickly realize the importance of a home inspection before buying since a professional can let you know of any problems they encounter as they go. By being there during the inspection, you can get a firsthand explanation and ask any questions.

Precisely what an inspector will check can vary by state, but there are detailed standards of practice that outline the required minimum. The most important things a home inspector will review are:

● Roof – damage to the roof or poor installation could lead to water damage to the house.

● Foundation – in most cases, the foundation is not visible, so inspectors will check for signs of settling like cracks in walls or floors.

● Exterior walls – cracks on the exterior walls could possibly be minor cosmetic issues, but a good inspector will point out the most severe problems.

● Plumbing – inspectors will check the overall water pressure and inspect faucets for leaks. In cases of old plumbing, a secondary inspection might be needed to check out the pipes.

● Electrical – all of the power outlets and the electrical panel need to be tested for safety issues.

● Fire safety – smoke detectors need to be functioning.

● Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) – insulation and ducting need to be efficient, asbestos insulation should be removed, and ovens, as well as AC units, need to be functioning properly.

What is not covered by a home inspection?

You need to be realistic that a home inspection can't reveal everything and that the inspectors conduct an examination based on visual cues. Most inspectors are not specialized for every single issue a home might have, but they could probably refer you to other specialists if you want to investigate any potential problem further. Additional or more thorough inspections will cost more, and if you are interested, you can ask your initial inspector for an estimate of what it would cost. Home inspectors do not check the following issues, although signs of some problems can be found while inspecting:

● Termites and other pests

● Inside of walls

● Inside of pipes and water lines

● Toxic mold

● Behind electrical panels

● Inside chimneys

When purchasing real estate, the importance of a home inspection before buying cannot be understated. An inspection could reveal significant issues on the property and let you opt-out of the purchase, thus avoiding a huge money sink. You can also save money by getting the seller to lower the price or having them do some of the repairs before you buy. If you work with the best Realtor, you can also look forward to additional savings from a real estate rebate, giving you more spending power for your dollar.

Written by: Lisa Roberts with US Moving Experts

When buying an apartment, you might think you know all there is to know about the apartment you desire. It's within your price range, maybe even cheaper than you've expected it to be. Having in mind the average size of an NYC unit, this one has enough space. You have a good feeling about it, and you're almost ready to sign the contract. However, it's essential to evaluate an apartment before you buy it in NYC. And there are factors you need to take into consideration.

Evaluate an apartment before buying in NYC

Before you sign the contract, you need to know what you're buying. First of all, comparative market analyses will let you know whether the unit was priced correctly. Then, you need to know if the apartment hides any flaws. Also, you should keep in mind that the apartment is a part of the community. From the building's physical condition to its finances, it can all affect your unit, whether you want it or not. In case you aren't able to notice these flaws yourself, you can hire the professionals.

Your apartment within the building

Keep in mind that there's a good chance you'll experience the advantages and disadvantages of your apartment's location within the building. For example, the ground floor usually means less privacy, not enough light, but also lower prices in elevator buildings and lower maintenance costs. Alternately, living directly below the roof might mean less space but no loud neighbors above you.

In order to solve the lack of space in your apartment below the roof, you may need to find smart ways to place everything. Since NYC apartments are notoriously expensive yet small, self-storage can be a solution to this problem. Additionally, such a location of an apartment comes with a potential leak hazard. Luckily, you can prevent them by checking the whole building and with the home inspection.

Check the whole building

A good way to start your research on the building is by asking to see the prospectus. These documents will show you the engineer's report which can help determine the state of the whole building. Also, you can ask for minutes from board meetings. Here you can find more about the potential renovations, or problems in the building. Are the issues being solved, or do they keep piling up? Important points will usually be covered in these minutes and can reveal useful information.

Ask around the building

Go around the building and talk to the neighbors, the super, and the doorman. Polite or rude neighbors can make all the difference when living in tight quarters in NYC. You can also ask them about the maintenance, problems, and what they love about living there. If your neighbors are friendly and welcoming and are mostly satisfied with the building, it can help you make sure that you're making the right choice.

The reasons to use a real estate agent

It's quite hard to find a suitable apartment in NYC without a real estate agent. Trying to understand a large and complex market such as this one is truly challenging. This is one of the reasons why you should consider hiring a real estate agent to help you.

• These are professionals who buy and sell apartments every day.

• Their knowledge of the market is of invaluable help.

• They are familiar with flaws some buildings and apartments have in different areas of NYC.

With a great number of apartments and many real estate agents, finding the perfect one is definitely not a piece of cake. Nonetheless, it's vital that you work with an agent you can trust and who you're comfortable with. The other options include not using an agent or using several agents, none of which is a good decision. Having a good relationship with a reliable agent is often a precondition to finding the perfect apartment in NYC. This is why it's a Park Place Realty Network's job to connect you with a top real estate agent in NYC. In their database of 1 million+ real estate agents, there must be the one that suits your needs the best.

How it works

Real estate agents and brokers play important roles in the market. They represent buyers and sellers with their best interests in mind. It's easy to notice the importance of having a reliable and experienced real estate agent by your side.

You need to approach a real estate referral company, and the company will connect you with a top real estate agent in the NYC market. After the agent helps you buy the desired property, the agent will rebate you 15% of the commission.

The commission portion you get back you can then use to cover moving expenses and provide yourself with quality moving supplies at Capital City Bins. By adding this amount to your moving budget, you'll be able to ensure the maximum protection for your belongings and valuables.

Home inspection

It's not a good idea to skimp on inspection. A good inspection might save you from losing a considerable amount of money for repairs. Nonetheless, if you're not buying a townhouse in NYC, there's generally no inspection. A home inspection checklist covers the key points. Keep in mind that, while you might notice some flaws, you might easily miss the other ones that could become a much bigger problem later on and cause huge expenses. On the other side, a home inspector with experience would have noticed these flaws immediately.

Conclusion

Don't rush it when buying an NYC unit. Take your time to evaluate an apartment before you buy it, and try to get as much information as possible on the building and the unit. And even though it might not seem like it, don't worry, your dream home will eventually come.

Written by: Lisa Roberts with US Moving Experts

Whether you are a buyer or a seller, and whether you plan on hiring a Realtor or doing everything by yourself, you probably know that home prices vary a lot. So, what is that variation based on? Usually, it is based on the home's location, when it was listed, how long has it been on the market, how many rooms and bathrooms it has, what is the condition of the interior and exterior, etc. So, as a seller, how are you supposed to price your home? And, as a buyer, how do you know whether a home you are interested in buying is priced correctly? By understanding the comparative market analysis, or the CMA, as real estate agents like to call it.

Simply put, a comparative market analysis is there to help you estimate a home's value in the best possible way. Thus, if you are interested in finding out more about what comparative market analysis is and how it is used, keep reading.

What is Comparative Market Analysis?

To best understand what comparative market analysis is, let us first mention the COMPS or the comparables. If you are a seller and you want to price your home, you would start with the comparables. These are recently sold properties that are located in your neighborhood (or close to your home), and that have similar features to yours.

For example, let us imagine that your home has five bedrooms, two bathrooms, a garage and a yard, and it is around 1,500 square feet. Now, let us imagine that your neighbor down the street also has a home with similar features, and it was sold for $ 300,000 a couple of days ago. Guess what - your homes are comparables, and they are worth the same amount of money.

CMA examines and compares the COMPS, which should ideally have the same features as your own home. Things like location, square footage, number of rooms, and bathrooms should be relatively the same for CMA to yield positive results.

How to Run a Comparative Market Analysis?

If you need to sell or buy a home quickly and get ready for the move in no time, it would be best to hire a real estate agent. He or she, being a professional in their field, will be able to gather all the necessary information and run your CMA while you are packing up your boxes. But, if you want to do a real estate CMA by yourself, here is a simplified DIY:

● Step 1. Gather all the necessary property data: First, try to learn as much as possible about the property you are planning to buy or sell. For example, make sure you know all about its location, acreage, square footage, year of build, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, recent remodeling jobs and valuable home improvements, interior and exterior finishes of note, special features (swimming pools, barns, garages), tax information, etc.

● Step 2. Check the quality of the neighborhood: The location of the neighborhood is a factor that will determine the price of homes in that particular area. That is why homes in Manhattan are more expensive than those in Brooklyn, for instance. But, besides the actual location of the property, your CMA should also include things like proximity to all the necessary amenities like schools, banks, office spaces, city centers, beaches, parks, etc. And it should also include proximity to unpleasant features like factories, highways, and garbage dumps.

● Step 3. Search and find real estate comparables: Now that you have all the necessary data, you must find homes with similar features to yours or others sold at the moment. Let us mention once again - you must compare apples to apples, not apples to pears if you want to sell/buy quickly and successfully, and call homegrownmoving.com to relocate you.

● Step 4. Calculate the price per square foot: This is the easy part! All you have to do is get the average price per square foot of the comparables you found and divide its selling price by its square footage. This is how you get a reasonably accurate price for the home you either plan to buy or sell.

● Step 5. Adjust the home's value based on the property differences: No two properties are entirely the same, no matter how similar they appear. For instance, even if all the rooms in two different houses are the same, those that have been recently renovated or have some newer features will change the CMA, thus the home's final value. It is all about adding or subtracting value for structural differences.

Why Should You Ask Your Real Estate Agent for a CMA?

There are many reasons why you should hire a real estate agent and get a comparative market analysis from them. Firstly, you will not waste your time and energy researching the market. Secondly, you will not waste any money, as all real estate agents offer CMAs for free. Thirdly, you will not have to reevaluate your price many times because you are not sure whether you have done everything right. And finally, there is a way for you to get as much as a 15% rebate of your agent's commission after the transaction is complete.

Future buyers and sellers are advised to ask for CMAs when meeting with potential real estate agents. This is the best way to see which agent did its homework and knows the market well. This will ensure that you get the best possible price for the property you want to buy or sell and get a good deal from your real estate agent. Do not hesitate to conduct interviews with several agents until you find one you want to work with.

Written by: Lisa Robert with US Moving Experts

The world of real estate can be exciting but also complex. If you’re not a professional real estate agent, your first encounter with this realm can be truly overwhelming; regardless of whether you’re a seller or a buyer. Terms like equity returns or amortization aren’t something you’re intuitively familiar with. And escrow definitely finds itself on that list for most people, which is why we’ll explain the concept of real estate escrow in different states right here!

Escrow 101

As we’ve mentioned already, you probably don’t have an intricate knowledge of the real estate escrow process if you don’t work in real estate. That’s one of the main reasons why you want to be connected with the top agents in the industry; you need someone who knows what they’re doing. Plus, Park Place will not only find you a knowledgeable and experienced real estate agent, but we’ll also help you find someone who will rebate you a whopping 15% of their commission! Real estate transactions are costly, and every bit of returned value helps.

Speaking of the transaction itself — where does escrow fit into all of this? Namely, this process is a part of real estate transactions that plays a vital role in their successful completion, but even people that go through them don’t always understand how it works.

Closing States

Once all of the prerequisite conditions have been fulfilled for the completion of a real estate transaction, each one of the parties involved has to go through the legal finalization of the agreement. How this is done in practice differs from state to state.

For example, let’s say that you decided to move to Maryland. Before calling the crew from Excalibur Moving and Storage to perform the relocation, you have to find and purchase a home. This is a “traditional” state, that uses the so-called closing process to legally finalize this type of transaction.

In non-escrow states akin to Maryland or Georgia, the process of closing is performed face-to-face. All of the involved parties, including the sellers and buyers, have to meet physically in order to finalize a real estate purchase. They appoint a specific time and sign each of the required legal documents. Once the money and the property title have been exchanged, the process is considered legally complete.

Escrow States

On the other hand, there are the eponymous escrow states. For instance, if you're moving to your first property that you’ve bought in California or a similar escrow state, you will have to go through the escrow-led purchase agreement before the transaction is done.

This agreement is something the involved parties reach as they prepare for the transaction. Namely, it contains the escrow instructions, citing any specific stipulations pertaining to the disbursement of all funds and the subsequent property title transfer. Unlike the closing process where all parties eventually meet and manage their documents, the escrow process requires the assignment of an escrow agent that will hold all of the funds and documents “in escrow” before the closing is complete.

This includes any money involved in the process, such as the purchase price or the closing costs. If the buyer uses a mortgage loan to purchase the home, the same goes for any funds that are needed for the transaction of the loan.

Once all of the stipulations found in the predetermined purchase agreement have been fulfilled in accordance with the instructions, the funds are divided accordingly, all of the documents are signed, and the transaction is considered final from a legal standpoint. Unlike in traditional closing states, an escrow finalization does not necessarily include a physical meeting of all the involved parties.

What Is Escrow?

As you may have gathered already, escrow is a process that entails a neutral third entity that’s there to safeguard funds involved in a transaction while it is completed. It’s used in a variety of transactions, but with a similar purpose. When it comes to real estate escrow, it’s designed to protect all parties — both the seller and the buyer.

On the one hand, the existence of escrow is a guarantee to the real estate seller that the prospective buyer actually does have all of the money required for the purchase. It’s also a guarantee that the funds will definitely be transferred when they exchange the property title.

On the other hand, it protects the buyer as well. A buyer in an escrow state is less wary of fraudulent sellers that don’t really have a legal claim to the property title. This sort of thing would be discovered in the real estate escrow phase of the transaction, as the title has to go into escrow as well. After all, real estate purchases are a high-value transaction — and one where the two parties are almost never actually familiar with each other. In that situation, escrow maintains the bona fide status of the transaction.

Escrow Agents

The entire escrow process is managed by an escrow agent. This is a neutral entity or individual that will hold the titles and payments as the two parties meet all of the predetermined conditions. These people are also called “title agents”, because the title exchange is the most crucial part of a real estate transaction. Usually, the involved parties don’t have to find an escrow agent; they’re provided by a lender or broker, and you simply need to pay them.

If you have heard about a particularly experienced title agent that you want to work with, there’s always the option of selecting a specific escrow agent. This is a matter of agreement between the two parties; though, if there are disagreements on the issue, sellers usually have the deciding power here.

Written by: Lisa Robert with US Moving Experts