Real Talk Real Estate Blog

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The experience of owning your own home and being able to personalize it is one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever enjoy. But how much you know about the buying process – and whom you choose to help you – can save you from unnecessary headaches and unforeseen hassles.

Are you up to speed on title issues? How important are inspections and what does code compliance mean? What happens during escrow? Will you be able to find the opportunities that can tip price and rates in your favor?

Some people think they can get by with “just enough” knowledge, relying on a mortgage agent or lender that may or may not have their best interests at hand. The truth of the matter is, the more you know, the better position you will be in when it’s time to sign papers. And the right team will make an enormous difference on the outcome of your home buying adventure.

This is where we come in – offering the guidance, information and assistance that only a qualified Realtor can provide. We can also help you team up with a proven financial expert to put the best loan package together. This is why when you have a dedicated team working together on a planned strategy, chances are you’ll be moving in to your dream sooner than you might imagine.

We look forward to helping you achieve success with this major milestone in your life!

Chris and Don, Team Day
Chris 615-406-1212 cday1212@gmail.com
Don 615-406-7348 don@yourteamday.com

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Avoiding Typical Mistakes

Sometimes home-buyers take on the project of finding the home they like without knowing exactly what they need or want. This can make for a random and frustrating search that often wastes unnecessary time. On occasion, some people think they can even outsmart sellers while negotiating purchase price, while in reality they might be getting a worse deal altogether.

 We’ve compiled a short list of the most common mistakes home-buyers tend to make: 

  • Viewing all of the homes that become available, instead of focusing on the ones that are in their price range.
  • Not knowing about all available financing options.
  • Not completely understanding the subtle art of negotiating price.
  • Over or under-estimating the actual value of specific home amenities.
  • Choosing inspectors who may not be fully qualified.
  • Not requesting all of the appropriate inspections to be made.
  • Failing to consider all aspects pertaining to the new home, including the location (and reputation) of schools and other services.
  • Falling prey to exorbitant fees and outrageous rates.
  • Falling for the belief that bigger is better, thereby putting oneself in a precarious situation and buying the largest or most expensive property. 

Our job is to guide you through the process and help you identify pitfalls and opportunities. We can take the element of surprise out of the equation and put you in a stronger position so you can make an informed decision. Don’t take chances and run the risk of making a costly mistake. Call us so we can help you find your next home! 

Chris and Don, Team Day

Chris 615-406-1212, cday1212@gmail.com

Don 615-406-7348, don@yourteamday.com

**This beautiful listing at 1508 Barnsley Drive Murfreesboro, TN 37128 with 2418 sq ft is beautiful – inside AND out! – and would make a great home. For more images visit http://yourteamday.com/current-listings

Why Should I Use A Realtor?

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Do you know exactly who real estate agents are working for? You should because it may not always be you. Real estate law stipulates; “an agent may represent either party to the transaction, both parties in some instances, or neither party.”
Yes, it’s all very confusing, but that is why we recommend that you choose a Realtor that is specifically working for you. Please contact us and we’ll be happy to explain the different types of Agency representation, what they mean, and help you decide which one is right for your needs.

If you are looking to buy, build, OR sell your home our job is to guide you through the process and help you identify pitfalls and opportunities. We can take the element of surprise out of the equation and put you in a stronger position so you can make an informed decision. Don’t take chances and run the risk of making a costly mistake.

Selling your home – and getting the maximum value for it – requires more than simply putting an ad in the paper, placing a sign in the front yard, and sitting back waiting for the phone to ring. There are several very important things to do and follow through on to make sure that you get top dollar for your home.
 
We take pride in making sure that we cover all the areas that will lead to finding the right buyer for your home. From the initial planning and the strategic direction we decide upon, to following through on all levels, making sure that we attract the right group of interested buyers to reduce the time your home is on the market.
 
To create yet another success story and ensure your complete satisfaction with our services, we follow a proven plan of action:
  • We deliver first-rate service and pay close attention to every detail
  • We conduct every aspect of our work with professional demeanor
  • We always develop a marketing plan that guarantees the highest value for your home
  • We always follow up on all the key areas to make sure that nothing is left to chance
  • We are known for being tough negotiators
We’re ready to get to work for you to find the buyer that will pay the highest price in the shortest amount of time. If you’re looking for a team that keeps your success top-of-mind, please call or e-mail us and let’s get started. We’re ready when you are!
 
You’ll be amazed at the difference having a dedicated Realtor on your side can make!

Chris 615-406-1212, cday1212@gmail.com

Don 615-406-7348, don@yourteamday.com

 

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Move-up Buyers Hungry for Bigger, More Expensive Homes

By Gino Blefari | JANUARY 28TH, 2014

Here’s a term we haven’t heard much of in the last few years: move-up buyer. But many markets are now seeing many more of these folks. Some are even showing signs of strength in luxury or the high-end of the market thanks to this type of buyer.

After the recession started to take hold in 2008, the market for large and expensive homes fell as more buyers looked for more affordable places to live that weren’t as much of a drain to heat, cool and keep lit up.

That appears to be changing as revealed in a recent New York Times article. In July 2013, sales of homes costing more than $1 million increased 46.6% from the previous July. And sales of bigger homes are also reaching new highs.

Larger homes were popular before the recession, but the median size of new homes peaked at 2,295 square feet in 2007. The median size of new homes then fell to 2,159 square feet in 2009. But, according to new data from the National Association of Home Builders, the size of new homes hit a new high of 2,384 square feet in 2012. The NAHB also says that about 41% of news being built in that time had four or more bedrooms, up from 34% in 2009.

What does this mean for buyers and sellers and the housing market in general?

It’s a sign of strength for sure. Having more move-up buyers creates more inventory with the homes they sell in order to move up.

It’s also a sign of a stronger economy – at least in segments. Move-up buyers need strong incomes and secure jobs to make these moves. And while we’re in no way soaring in all segments, this ultimately is a good thing for our housing markets.

The move-up buyer also signals strength in consumer confidence in housing. This was a hot topic during the downturn as many commentators liked to assume that those families displaced by lost incomes and foreclosures would impact everyone’s appetite for owning a home.

But that appears not to be the case. In fact, bigger, more expensive homes appear to be first on the list of financial commitments when things start to look up for individual families. That’s good news for home buyers and owners of all types.

If you are in the market for a new home please contact us. We would love to help you!

Chris 615-406-1212, cday1212@gmail.com

Don 615-406-7348, don@yourteamday.com

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Home Improvement – Where to Start

You may be at the point in your home ownership where you are thinking about making some improvements. Here are remodeling projects that yield high returns right now according to the National Association of Home Builders: 

  1. Small Kitchen Remodel: A simple re-facing of the cabinets, new flooring, appliances and hardware can transform a kitchen. Easily the most satisfying remodeling job I know of. Check out this article and our pinterest board for some great ideas for a small kitchen.
  2. Bathroom addition: Older homes particularly benefit from this kind of change because they have a low bathroom count or the baths they have are very small. We have found some amazing bathroom ideas on pinterest (a great resource for ideas and inspiration).
  3. Major Kitchen Remodel: Who doesn’t love a state-of-the-art kitchen? And with new materials dropping the remodeling costs all the time, this can be a worthwhile project that will transform your life. Check out this article for more information and/or visit our pinterest board for some great mouth watering kitchens (do you like what we did there?).
Keep in mind that priorities on which projects to choose now are different when you’re getting ready to sell. When it’s time to put your home on the market, your energy is better spent on ‘elbow grease’ projects like fresh interior paint that ‘lightens and brightens,’ plumbing repairs, and new exterior paint.
Check out our committed partners page our call us if you need recommendations on who to use for your home projects. We are always happy to connect you with excellent service people who have helped many of our clients.
Chris 615-406-1212, cday1212@gmail.com
Don 615-406-7348, don@yourteamday.com

 

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Let Us Simplify Your Home Search

Finding your new home is easier when you have someone with the skills and know-how to simplify and narrow down your search. We have access to all of the major sources of information, continually monitor the multiple listing service, are knowledgeable about new homes offered by builders, and even homes for sale by owners. But before we begin we need to know what your needs and criteria are.

Team Day frequently works with many of the builders in our area and can provide you with the information you will need before we go and take a look. We can also make sure that you avoid some of the more common pitfalls when dealing with owners selling direct to help you get the best deal on your dream home.

As dedicated Realtors, we are here to provide you with a full range of services and the peace of mind that comes from working with someone who has your best interests at the top of their list. We aim for 100% satisfaction and will make your home buying adventure a success.

Please don’t hesitate to call or email. We look forward to hearing from you and getting to work to find the perfect home for you.

Chris 615-406-1212, cday1212@gmail.com

Don 615-406-7348, don@yourteamday.com

 

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Why You Should Consider Listing Your Home Over the Holidays 

By Gino Blefari, President & CEO, Intero Real Estate Services, Inc.

The holiday season can bring many stresses of its own without adding a home sale to the list. This can keep many sellers on the sidelines or send them pulling their houses off the market until the new year rings in.

But contrary to what you may think, this time of year can actually be a fantastic sweet spot for sellers. Holiday buyers are serious and motivated. Consumer confidence is higher than at any other time of year. And relocating families tend to have more time and reason to shop for a new home over the holidays.

Perhaps the biggest compelling reason the holidays are a good time to list your home is the simple fact that there are fewer homes on the market at this time of year, which means less competition.

In addition, limited inventory has driven up prices in many markets through the year. The national median price for existing homes was $199,200 in September, according to NAR’s latest monthly statistics. That was up 11.7% from the same month a year ago and it was the 10th consecutive month of double-digit year-over-year growth.

Mortgage rates also play a factor in holiday home sales. We’ve been seeing a rise in rates, with Freddie Mac reporting its latest average on the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was at 4.35%, up from 4.16% the previous week. Consecutive weekly climbs in interest rates tend to motivate buyers even more.

We know this first hand, and that’s why we’ve created a special holiday program to help sellers navigate listing their home over the holidays without sacrificing their sanity or precious time with family.

Our Holiday Marketing Program is designed with seller privacy in mind. There are no for-sale signs in your yard, no lock boxes on your door, no open houses and no advertising identifying your home.

Instead, we’re offering to market your home to our sphere of serious buyers and show your home only by appointment. No fuss. No inconveniences. But you’ll be able take advantage of opportunities you’d otherwise miss by waiting until the new year.

And on January 1, 2014, if your home has not sold, it will automatically convert to our exclusive home marketing program. You won’t have to start from scratch.

We created this program because in our experience we know that there are a lot of opportunities for sellers over the holidays, but we understand why a homeowner would not want to deal with the stress of listing their home during this time.

If you’re interested in learning more, ask us for more information.

Chris 615-406-1212, cday1212@gmail.com

Don 615-406-7348, don@yourteamday.com

  • Contact Us

    Team Day
    3173 S. Church St.
    Murfreesboro, TN 37127
    Phone: (615) 278-1700
    Fax: 615-278-1705
    Don Day
    Broker, CRB, CRS, GRI, ABR, CSP, SRES, e-Pro, Certified Trainer, Realtor
    Cell: (615) 406-7348
    e-mail: don@yourteamdonday.com
    Chris Day
    Realtor, E-Certified, Certified Relocation Specialist
    Cell: (615) 406-1212
    e-mail: cday1212@gmail.com
  • Testimonials

    Team Day exhibits a sincere concern for the satisfaction of every family they serve. It’s obvious that it’s not just about another sale for them, but a true desire to help people. We recommend Te…
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