Your Zillow 'Zestimate' May Be Wrong

There's no denying the convenience and accessibility of online tools such as Zillow when it comes to buying and selling homes. Many use the home value estimate, or ‘Zestiment’, given by Zillow, as the correct home value when selling their home. But, is the convenience of Zillow's estimates too good to be true?   Third-party valuations are usually incorrect. Zillow and other third-party estimates fail to correctly price your home. Even Zillow itself gives a disclaimer suggesting that you get a professional appraisal. Many third-party valuations base their estimates on zip codes. This means that your recently updated home could be priced the same as one down the street that hasn’t been updated in decades. They also don’t differentiate between homes in different school districts or outside of city limits. Listing your home based on a third-party estimate is a recipe for losing money!   How experienced realtors properly price a home. Experienced realtors price a home through much more detailed methods. They consider updates and upgrades. Did you just remodel the kitchen or finish the basement? Your price should reflect this investment. Home conditions are also considered. This means how well the home was taken care of, if it has any major flaws such as roofing issues, or if maintenance has been kept up with. Location is a major factor as well. Homes in good locations, such as close to downtown, in a desirable school district, or in a nice neighborhood, are preferable for buyers and will be priced higher. One huge advantage experienced realtors have is recent sales data and knowledge of local microeconomics. With access to this information, they are able to see what similar homes have sold for recently, and therefore be able to give a more accurate valuation of your home.   Want a no-obligation home valuation from our team? Lysi Bishop Real Estate offers a no-obligation home valuation from an experienced agent at no cost. Go to this link to see what your home is really worth!

View more

Common Real Estate Myths Debunked

The world of real estate is riddled with myths that can leave both buyers and sellers feeling overwhelmed and confused. In an industry where every decision involves significant financial implications, it's important to distinguish between myths and facts. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or simply curious about the housing market, understanding the truth behind these myths can save you time, money, and stress.   You need 20% down to buy a house. Contrary to common belief, putting 20% down when buying a home is not required. With a 20% down payment, lenders will not require mortgage insurance, which protects the lender if you cannot pay your mortgage. However, you can put as little as 3.5% down on a home through programs such as FHA mortgages. Do not let this misconception stop you from buying a home!   Buy the nicest house in the cheapest neighborhood. This piece of advice gets thrown around a lot in the real estate world, and it does not hold a lot of truth. Buying the nicest home in an affordable neighborhood can make it much harder to sell down the road. The nicest home in a neighborhood may also have very little room for adding value, while an average home will see improvements that add much more value. Lastly, the neighborhood may not improve, and you are likely to see a bigger increase in value from buying a less expensive home in a nicer neighborhood.   Working with a realtor is a waste of money. Many people underestimate the value of a real estate agent. Whether you are buying or selling a home, a real estate agent has the expertise and experience to get you the best deal and make the process as smooth as possible. The facts speak for themselves: an independent study in 2016 found that homes for sale by owner sold for 5.5% less than agent-assisted sales. When it comes to buying a home, agents have access to MLS, professional negotiating skills, professional contractor relationships, an objective viewpoint, and years of experience to guide you toward your dream home.   Getting pre-approved for a mortgage will hurt your credit. Many people believe that getting pre-approved by a lender will hurt or even ruin their credit score. The truth is, getting prequalified is considered a “soft hit” and has minimal impact on your credit score. Applying for a pre-approval does cause a hard pull on your credit score, which will drop it from one to five points. If multiple pre-approval applications are submitted in a short period of time (typically two weeks), it will likely only count as one hard pull on your credit. If you are shopping around for a mortgage, ensure applications are done in a short period of time to limit the impact on your credit.

View more

Fall Home Staging Tips

The fall season has begun, and it's time to transition your home's interior into a cozy and inviting space buyers will “fall” in love with. This process does not have to be expensive, and even small seasonal touches can make a world of difference. Fall home staging is the perfect way to showcase your property's full potential and help buyers picture themselves living in your home during the cozy cooler months.   Cozy is Key: Photo Credit: Unsplash With the cold weather outside, make your home a warm and cozy haven that buyers will want to call home. Achieve this feeling through items such as shag rugs, fur pillows, and thick woven blankets draped on couches. If your home has a fireplace, make sure your fire is lit during open houses and showings to increase the homey feel the buyers will get! Make sure your home’s temperature is comfortable; aim for around 74 degrees for the goldilocks ‘just right’ temperature.   Choose Fall Moody Colors: Photo Credit: Unsplash A fall-themed color palette for staging can change the mood of your home and make it look like the perfect home for the colder months. Colors such as rust, caramel, dark greens, and dark reds are perfect for inspiring a warm fall feeling. If you do not want to invest in larger pieces of furniture in these colors, try adding blankets or throw pillows for a similar effect without breaking the bank.   Limit Seasonal Holiday Decor: Photo Credit: Unsplash Avoid seasonal holiday items such as Halloween or Thanksgiving decorations, as they can distract from the natural features of your home. Seasonal decorations can also turn away buyers who do not share the same traditions. To highlight the natural beauty of your home, keep to a simple fall theme and limit seasonal holiday decor.   Keep Up the Outdoor Spaces: Photo Credit: Unsplash With fall comes a new set of outdoor chores to keep your curb appeal high. Raking your leaves, patching brown spots in your lawn, cleaning gutters, and trimming back bushes all boost your home's outward appearance. To add extra life to your fall lawn, try planting fall-friendly flowers such as celosias, heleniums, spider mums, and pansies.  

View more