Dawn (253) 307-6438
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Tag Archives: Real estate

Why you need to have a home inspection

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When you buy a home, you need to know exactly what you’re buying. Imagine how frustrated you’d be to find out that the hot water heater wasn’t working-in the middle of a shower! This is why you should have a home inspection before you buy your home. A home inspection is an important part of buying your home. Before you hire a home inspector, ask candidates a few questions to make sure you hire a trustworthy inspector.

  1. What does your inspection cover? Not all inspections are the same. Ask for copies of previous home inspections so you can see exactly what they will check inside the [city] home. If you are concerned about something specific, like a leaky faucet in the bathroom, mention that to the inspector so they can check it out.
  2. Are you licensed or certified? If you live in a state that licenses home inspectors, ask to see their license. At the very least, choose a home inspector who belongs to American Society of Home Inspectors. This shows a level of professionalism and education that you can trust.
  3. What kind of report will you give me? You should expect a written report detailing what the inspector found. Most inspectors will give you a typed report within a week of the inspection. Make sure the inspector will be available to explain anything on the report that doesn’t make sense to you.
  4. Will I be able to attend the inspection? If the inspector refuses to let you be present during the home inspection, find someone else. This is your chance to know exactly what you are buying and what potential repairs you or the seller will have to make.

As your real estate agent, I will guide you through the home buying process. Let me help you find your new home. Call my team at 253-230-1084 or email me at dawnh@johnlscott.com.

  1. Home inspection – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_inspection
  2. American Society of Home Inspectors. – http://www.ashi.org/
  3. Easy household repairs. – http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/repair/5-home-repairs-you-should-do-yourself.htm
Worried about Moving, when inventory is so low?

Worried about Moving, when inventory is so low?

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We are seeing the low inventory in most all of the state of Washington. Here are some tips that can help you stay calm and be proactive if you are thinking about making a move in these busy real estate times.

With low inventory in many markets throughout the country, many homeowners are afraid to sell their homes because they’re concerned that they may not be able to find a new one. This can be a real problem, but if you are seeking to sell-whether to upgrade or find a new neighborhood-there are a few ways to combat the low inventory.

Look to buy first In most markets it is a real mistake to put your home up for sale before you start looking for your new property. Identify the geographic area where you are interested in buying. Even if you don’t see anything on Zillow, it doesn’t mean you can’t or won’t find the right home.

Think outside the box Be proactive! Keep in mind that there are probably many people like you who want to make a move but are afraid as well. Have your real estate agent send a letter to the neighborhoods in the geographic areas where you want to live. The letter should be heartfelt and personal while announcing that you are ready to buy a home in that neighborhood. You could find a home to buy that may not even be currently listed or for sale.

Protect yourself legally Each state varies in how the purchase process is conducted. Talk to your real estate professional about adding a clause in the purchase contract for the home you are selling that will enable you to not sell the home if you cannot find a suitable home to buy.

If you would like to know what the market is doing in your area, give The Heilbrun Home Team a call today, 253-307-6438. We can’t wait to talk to you about your real estate needs. Continue Reading

9 Real Estate Myths for the Home Buyer or Home Seller – Day 9

9 Real Estate Myths for the Home Buyer or Home Seller – Day 9

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Myth #9: Your agent ALWAYS has your best interest in mind.
As a real estate agent I would love to say YES to this 110% but like all things there are a few agents out there that don’t go by a code of ethics and will try to do some shady things. Always, ask questions and if your agent can’t help you or is not being cooperative, by all means, call their designated broker. You should always feel comfortable with your agent. YOU are the BOSS!! If you don’t like the fit between you and your agent fire them and find someone that YOU work well with.
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9 Real Estate Myths for the Home Buyer or Home Seller – Day 8

9 Real Estate Myths for the Home Buyer or Home Seller – Day 8

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Myth #8: If I hold an Open House my home will sell faster
That really isn’t the case. Most people these days find their homes on the internet. Open houses are a great way for agents to get more clients and maybe get some foot traffic through the door but very rarely does a buyer find the home they are looking for by just popping into an open house.
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9 Real Estate Myths for the Home Buyer or Home Seller – Day 6

9 Real Estate Myths for the Home Buyer or Home Seller – Day 6

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Myth #6: I will recoup all the money I spent on my house
Probably not! Will you sell your home quicker if you fix items that are in need of repair? Yes, but don’t expect to get all that money that you put into your home back out of it. Again, think before you go and do any big purchasing or remodeling for your home when it is on the market.
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9 Real Estate Myths for the Home Buyer or Home Seller – Day 2

9 Real Estate Myths for the Home Buyer or Home Seller – Day 2

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Myth #2: “If I don’t use an Agent I will get a better deal.”
AGAIN…Bad Idea! As a buyer you are not required to pay an agent’s commission that is a cost that in most circumstances is paid by the seller. So don’t think that you NOT having representation is going to save you money! It’s the same cost for you either way…FREE!!! Having your own representation is very beneficial to you. You want someone that is in your corner. Someone that knows what to look for and is going to make sure that no corners are cut or something in the transaction is not handled properly. With that being said…there are a lot of agents out there. Feel free to conduct interviews, ask questions and don’t be afraid to say what is on your mind. If you aren’t feeling like it is going to work be upfront and honest, move on to the next agent. That is your right as a client.

Yours to count on!
The Heilbrun Team
John L Scott Real Estate
Orting, WA
Written by Michelle McDonald
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9 Real Estate Myths for the Home Buyer or Home Seller

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Let’s talk MYTHS about buying and selling a home. As a society, we are not real estate experts that is why we have real estate agents. Someone that can help take the pressure off when you are already dealing with a stressful life event. Not everyone buys or sells a home every day, heck, not even every year. On average, maybe twice a decade. So how are you (the “Average Joe”) supposed to keep up with all the real estate changes that are going on? Well, for the next 9 days I am going to try and help you out. I am going to fill you in on 9 myths about real estate. Whether you are buying or selling I will have some tips for you.

Myth #1: Overpricing your home.
Bad idea…for the following reasons: 1: You could miss out on a potential buyer. Had you not overpriced your home, that buyer would be taking a look at your place. 2: Yes, you can lower the price of your home but now your property has been sitting on the market for a while and has become stale and 3: (which goes hand in hand with #2) Now that your house has been sitting on the market for a while when potential buyers do take a look they wonder what is wrong with the house. Why has it been sitting for so long? Are there underlying problems? Pricing your house according to the market and not trying to be overly greedy could actually save you money in the long run.
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Come support our Orting Senior Citizens!!

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plant-sale
The Orting Valley Senior Center will be having their annual Spring Bazaar and Plant Sale April 22 & 23 (Fri/Sat 9am-4pm).

For info on craft vendor spaces available or to donate house and garden plants, shrubs, cactus, or fruit starts to our fundraiser, please contact Jenny at 360-893-5827. Monday-Thursday 10:30am – 2:30pm

Help support our local community!!!

The Heilbrun Team loves Orting!!
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Real Estate and the Millennial

Real Estate and the Millennial

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As a mom of two millennial kids I can say that I am very concerned about the potential for them to buy real estate in the near future. My son is fortunate, he has been a Realtor for the past 3 years and has worked very hard to put himself in a position to buy a home. Our daughter, however, took a different route in life. She has always wanted to be an architect and went through college to achieve her masters in her chosen field. As a proud parent of both of my children, I have seen both sides of the millennial struggle. According to the National Association of Realtors last year millennials made up 32% of the real estate market and this year it’s estimated to be at 31%.
My concern is that our educated, college graduates will have so much student loan debt that they will not be able to buy for quite some time. Many millennials may have to choose between paying off their student loan debt, saving for their own kids college, paying bills or buying a home. Only 22% of the 30 plus year old millennials who have student loan debt also owned a home last year. That is down from 34% in 2008. This is a very concerning trend and it’s not expected to rebound.
My job is my passion and my goal is to help as many millennials as I can to achieve home ownership. I own a local John L. Scott Real Estate office in Pierce County, Washington. After seeing the rising struggle of our young millennials I have a true want to help them. If you know of a millennial that is struggling with the home buying process and would like some free advice please have them call me at 253-307-6438.

Your friends at John L. Scott, Orting,
Dawn Heilbrun, Owner
253-307-6438
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Serving Pierce, King, Thurston and Lewis Counties

If you are looking outside of our service areas, we have a team of agents we work with throughout the entire United States.
Call us and we can refer you to a quality agent in your area.

John L. Scott Orting
104 S. Washington Ave.
Orting, WA 98360
Office:(360) 893-3380
Fax:(360) 893-5590

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