Posted in Selling and buying homes in the Triangle | Tagged Apex home sales

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4 Important Improvements for Sellers to Increase Home Value

April 26, 2017 by imusocialmedia

It’s almost May and a great time for Triangle homeowners to prepare to sell with Flat Fee Realty. The 2017 real estate market will be booming with activity in our local region as new residents steadily come to our quickly growing part of the Southeast.

While this influx of potential buyers continually comes in, many sellers will want to ensure their homes are in their best shape, with many attractive features to appeal to an array of buyers. Luckily, this process doesn’t have to be a time consuming, or confusing ordeal for homeowners. There are several simple recommendations to help boost the value of Triangle homes before listing them!

Our experts offer four important common home improvements that Flat Fee Realty recommends for home sellers looking to increase their home’s value:

Improve curb appeal: A home’s lawn and external grounds are the first thing a home buyer will see. Making minor improvements to the home’s landscaping can have a big impact on whether buyers will want to stop and take a tour. Sellers should make sure their lawns are in good shape by keeping it tidy, so trim the hedges and keep the grass cut to give the home a good first impression.
Update original fixtures: Many homes may still have the original builder’s fixtures in place. Buyers today want the latest upgrades and it could affect their perception of the home giving it an outdated feel. Simply update faucets or light fixtures and new knobs for cabinets; buyers will be more attracted to all the new!
Cut energy costs: There are many buyers in the market who value sustainable energy and like to see it practically implemented. Adding a few technical features, like a smart power strip that knows when to turn appliances and lights off at certain times, is a great way to appeal to buyers with a conservative approach to energy consumption.
Regular maintenance: Sellers should keep up with regular maintenance, inside and outdoors, so buyers aren’t distracted by an array of projects that might happen if they buy the property. Address dirty and worn carpets ahead of time, make sure there isn’t mold or termite damage, and adding fresh neutral paint in rooms like kitchens and dining rooms will really help. These issues are small, but important. These can sway a buyer to buy the house.

There are numerous other ideas for sellers to consider when trying to increase their home’s value before putting it on the hot Triangle market. Our experts at Flat Fee Realty are able to guide sellers in the right direction so they can make good decisions. Contact us today to see how your home’s value can increase with a few minor improvements!

This post on selling and buying a home in the Triangle is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only.

The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty

919 342 5230

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How to Save Money Home Selling in the Triangle with Flat Fee Realty

March 25, 2017 by imusocialmedia

Hands holding a piggy bank and a house model. Housing industry mortgage plan and residential tax saving strategy

There are many changes happening in the Raleigh and Triangle real estate market, including an influx of interested home buyers who are eager to explore the Triangle area and enjoy Southern living! An increase in prospective home buyers means that those looking to sell their home in the Raleigh, Apex, and Holly Springs areas could be met with a deluge of buyers and real estate agents. It could be a bit overwhelming, especially for those who haven’t sold a home before and are unsure of how the process works.

That’s where our long tradition of Triangle real estate expertise at Flat Fee Realty comes in handy! We specialize in researching market trends and staying up-to-date with industry technology to provide exceptional services at a value price.

Here are three ways our Flat Fee Realty agents help homeowners in Raleigh and the Triangle save money when selling their home:

Zero hidden fees: There are no hidden or surprise fees for our full-service offerings! Other real estate agencies may provide a comprehensive price at the beginning of the selling process, but then surprise sellers with extra dollars in commission or processing fees at closing. We simply don’t believe in operating that way, so our prices remain the same from listing to closing.
Customed packages. Not all home sellers require the exact same services, so it’s unfair to force a standard that most home buyers and sellers will not benefit from when going through the process. We think our customizable listing packages are an excellent benefit to work with our real estate experts. We have options ranging from basic to more complex packages, with each one competitively priced for comparison.
MLS and other tools. Many people begin looking for their dream home online, so if home sellers aren’t making their homes visible on the internet then they’re not reaching potential home buyers. Each of our listing packages for sellers includes an online listing with the Realtor’s Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which ensure home visibility and peace of mind for sellers!

Our services here at Flat Fee Realty are unmatched by any other real estate agencies in Raleigh. In addition, our agents are knowledgeable, professional, and friendly! Interested in selling a home with us? Please contact us at 919-342-5230 or request a call back here!

This post on selling and buying a home in the Triangle is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only.

The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty

919 342 5230

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3 Great Ways to Buy a Home in the Triangle

March 13, 2017 by imusocialmedia

The Triangle is one of the best locations in America to settle down in and raise a family! With a thriving Downtown Raleigh, the Research Triangle Park, and the close proximity to both the North Carolina mountains and beaches, the area is growing very fast as we head more deeply into 2017. New residents living in the area are often renting; yet many are eager to find the home of their dreams and begin the buying process.

However, the Triangle real estate market is quite competitive, and it is often a challenge to navigate the various towns and neighborhoods in search of a new home. This is especially true in the core Triangle region that includes Cary, Morrisville, Apex, Holly Springs, and Fuquay-Varina. Luckily, our seasoned real estate experts at Flat Fee Realty offer first time buyers valuable tips in their search for a beautiful home.

The Flat Fee Realty professionals offer these three great ways for first time buyers to be more confident as they check out new home options:

Work on the credit score: There’s no set minimum score required for mortgage approval, but there are benefits to striving for the highest score possible. Typically, the higher the score, the lower the fees and monthly payments. Also, since there are many interested buyers in the market, it’s beneficial to be as competitive as possible.
Stay within the budget: It’s easy for first-time home buyers to justify spending more than the budget allows. However, the financial burden in the future can be large and often overwhelming.
Save money: Buying a home is a great investment, but it’s expensive. Most first-time buyers under estimate the financial needs the Triangle real estate market demands; especially in the areas of closing costs, mortgage insurance, home insurance, inspection fees, and down payments. Do some important research ahead of time,and call us to get an idea of the average amount of money needed to buy a new home here in the Triangle!

Spring is the perfect time to buy in Raleigh and the surrounding areas. The real estate market may seem intimidating when unfamiliar with it, but working with one of our experts at Flat Fee Realty is the best way to have the best experience! Moving to the Triangle or from an area within the region? Contact us today at 919 342 5230!

This post on selling and buying a home in the Triangle is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only.

The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty

919 342 5230

The Future of Real Estate!

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3 Big Trends in the Triangle Home Buying Play Book for 2017

January 14, 2017 by imusocialmedia

Welcome to 2017! What will the future hold for homes and real estate? As a new year begins, many Triangle homeowners are wondering what the local region will look like this year. And the professionals at Flat Fee Realty can tell everyone, and with certainty, it will be another strong year for home selling and buying in and around Raleigh.

Of course, there will be a lot of subtle changes in the Triangle and Central North Carolina real estate market this year due to the state and national election. The different directions the economy might be heading with brand new leadership in Raleigh and in Washington will be interesting.

As the “Future of Real Estate” and experts in the marketplace, Flat Fee Realty offers three major trends that could shape the market in 2017:

Rising Mortgage Rates: At the end of 2016, following the election of Donald J. Trump, we saw a slight increase in home mortgage rates. While the rates in Raleigh continue to increase slowly, this trend could slightly impact the number of homes on the market and the number of home buyers looking for Triangle homes.
Millennial Home Buyers: The millennials are coming into home ownership in a big way and many millennials are beginning to buy local area homes around Apex, Cary, Holly Springs, and Morrisville, including the broader Raleigh area. In this still hot home market, there is a shortage of homes for sale. With more home buyers in the market, there continues to be demand for houses across the Triangle.
Rise of Medium Sized Cities: Companies like Fortune are forecasting an increase in home buyers choosing property in medium sized cities like Raleigh. In the Triangle area, our major metro areas like Raleigh and Durham will grow and flourish with home importance. This trend will continue to create demand in a variety of additional towns across the region as well.

Home buyers and sellers need to adjust their play books for the real estate season ahead. This is great news for the Triangle real estate market! The “coaches” at Flat Fee Realty are available to guide and support every buying and selling need.

While the Triangle area has experienced low inventory issues over the past couple of years, shifts in the real estate market most probably could alleviate some of that concern in 2017. As the local real estate experts in the Triangle, our team at Flat Fee Realty suggests talking to one of our agents before deciding if it is indeed the right time to buy or sell a home. For a free consultation, call our team at Flat Fee Realty today to set up a Triangle real estate appointment today!

This post on selling and buying a home in the Triangle is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only.

Flat Fee Realty

919 342 5230

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3 Important Facts of Less Concern for Triangle Home Buyers

December 10, 2016 by imusocialmedia

The Triangle Region of North Carolina is one of the most popular locations in America. The job opportunities, the mild temperate climate, and the beautiful locale near both beaches and mountains create the perfect place for new residents. Since many newcomers are young professionals and Millennials, most are probably first-time home buyers and unfamiliar with much of the new home buying and selling process.

Fortunately, our Triangle-based professional team at Flat Fee Realty is prepared to offer expert advice on what is takes to look for, and compare homes in the Raleigh, Morrisville, Cary, and Apex areas. This process doesn’t have to be a confusing one, and knowing what to focus on while searching for that dream home will make everything easier to understand.

Flat Fee Realty offers three important facts that home buyers should be less concerned about when searching for a new home in the Triangle:

An abundance of clutter: If the holidays are a stressful time for home buyers, know it is as well for the home owners. Sometimes showings and walk-throughs will be announced with very little notice, and people may not have time to prepare everything for showing like they would want. As a buyer, simply take along some measuring tape to make sure furniture will fit, and try to ignore any clutter in closets, garages, and spare rooms.
Older appliances and kitchens: Some homes may not have stainless-steel appliances, or have kitchens equipped with smart technology. Although these are nice amenities, don’t let them be deal breakers. Consider designating some of the home purchase budget for appliance upgrades. Good homes can always improve with the needed amenities.
Outside opinions. There will be plenty of opinions given from neighbors, friends, and family members. They might not like certain aspects of the new home choice. There are only two important decision makers in the home buying process; the purchaser and Flat Fee Realty. Everything will and always has fallen into place.

Viewing homes is the most enjoyable part of the buying process. Remember to be firm with needs and wants and keep an open mind during the process. One thing is for certain. We can find the home of your dreams.

Contact us at Flat Fee Realty and get connected with one of our professional real estate experts!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!

This post on selling and buying a home in the Triangle is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only.

The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty

919 342 5230

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This entry was posted in Selling and buying homes in the Triangle and tagged Apex, Buyers, Cary, Durham, Flat Fee, Flat Fee Realty, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Home buying, Home selling, Houses for sale in the Triangle, Morrisville, Multiple listing service, Posted in Selling and buying homes in the Triangle | Tagged Apex home sales, Raleigh, Raleigh Home Market, Realty, The Future of Real Estate!, Three Reasons Why Fall and Winter are Great for Selling Triangle Homes, Triangle Home Market, Triangle home sales, Triangle real estate, Triangle schools.

5 Crucial Factors in Triangle NC Home Selling

April 23, 2017November 26, 2016 by imusocialmedia

vichaya-kiatying-angsulee Triangle home buyers and home sellers may find the home appraisal process somewhat confusing. Many individuals considering a change believe a real estate appraisal determines the “real value” of the home for sale. However, appraisals actually help determine the amount a Triangle mortgage moneylender will lend on a local home purchase. An appraisal too low can limit the credit extended; an appraisal too high can leave the appraiser vulnerable to issues that could hamper a purchase.

Our professional team at Flat Fee Realty understands that the appraisal process is crucial and important information. In fact, most everything involved in the process of home buying and selling depends on the all – important appraisal.

Flat Fee Realty offers five crucial factors that could make or break a home appraisal:

Assessments: There are different values for a home. The value of a house is done by a local government for tax purposes. It serves as “additional evidence” for the appraiser.
Triangle location: An appraisal may include a comparative market analysis (CMA); which looks at similar type homes, considering variables such schools, traffic patterns and other surrounding factors such as privacy and view.
Triangle real estate markets: Important factors to consider include supply and demand, and the economy of the local and national home markets. Sometimes a low appraisal is more about the challenges of a local market than the house in question.
Physical demographics: This information includes age of the structure, the square footage, the amount of bedrooms and bathrooms, the age of the roof, siding and driveway. The appraisal will also reflect the age of the HVAC system, the quality of the initial construction and the value of fixtures, such as floor coverings, and plumbing. In storm-prone areas, drainage may also be important.
Purpose of the appraisal is important. Flat Fee Realty and the seller determine the price of the home based in part from the appraisal. A Triangle buyer may need to compare home value in different neighborhoods and price ranges. Lending institutions often want an independent appraisal as well.

An experienced Flat Fee Realty agent is knowledgeable when it comes to assessing low appraisals; there are also other complex issues involved in the buying and selling of local Triangle area real estate. We provide assistance in navigating the often confusing buying or selling process. Flat Fee Realty is here to help. Give us a call with your questions today!

Have a great and joyous Holiday Season!

This post on selling and buying a home in the Triangle is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only.

The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty

919 342 5230