COMMON QUESTIONS
Everything You Need to Know
1) How will Home with Harlas with support from Seabolt Real Estate market your property for sell or rent?
The first thing to do when marketing a property for sale or rent is to beautify the property. This includes cleaning the inside of the home and manicuring the outside landscape. Next, professional photos are taken of the property and edited to display its full potential. Finally, it is ready for the market. It is listed on the MLS, which propels it throughout the real estate community. Furthermore, the immense resources of Seabolt Real Estate and Home with Harlas are leveraged to enhance its marketability throughout the real estate industry.
2) What makes Home with Harlas superior to other real estate companies?
Home with Harlas is sponsored by Seabolt Real Estate, which is an exclusive affiliate of Christie's International Real Estate. Furthermore, it is a leading real estate company in the world, a member of Luxury Portfolio International, and a member of the Board of Regents of Luxury Real Estate.
3) What are all the services Home With Harlas offers during a listing?
First impressions matter in business, especially in real estate. Anyone walking through a house or touring it virtually will be looking for ways to negotiate the price down. Home With Harlas helps determine the seller's initial needs, creates a comparative market analysis for the property to determine best selling price, shoots professional photos, markets listings, vets offers, oversees the title process, manages the closing process, and much more. These services help the seller get the most for the property.
4) Are real estate prices negotiable?
Yes, almost everything in real estate is negotiable. Typically, there is a difference between a home’s listing and how much it actually sells for. The current market saturation will determine how much wiggle room there is for negotiation. If you’re on the buyer’s side, expect the house to be purchased for less or more than the asking price, depending on the demand and supply of housing at the time. Conversely, if you’re on the seller’s side, expect the price to be more or less depending on the same variables. That being said, Home with Harlas specializes in contract negotiation and will work steadfastly to provide the best possible deal for its clients.
5) What is the first step in buying a property?
The absolute first step for our clients is get approved for a mortgage. Without mortgage approval, it will be quite difficult, if not impossible, to purchase a new home. When negotiating to buy a property, not being able to show proof of financing significantly weakens the buyer's position against other potential buyers. Home with Harlas a list of reputable financial institutions that can offer financing for homes.
6) Should I order a home inspection?
Yes, Home with Harlas highly recommends ordering a home inspection prior to purchasing any property. A home inspection is one of the most vital steps in the property buying process. A professional inspector has a keen eye for how well a house has been maintained. The inspector can comment on structural and cosmetic issues, as well as any local code. If the inspector identifies any issues with a home, this information can be used to help negotiate a lower price for the property.
7) Should I do a final walkthrough of the property before purchasing?
Yes, a final walk-through is not required but is highly recommended. Final walk-throughs give buyers a chance to ensure that nothing changed since their initial inspection or previous visits. Additionally, if repairs were requested as part of the sale offer, a follow-up visit ensures that all repairs are completed according to the agreement and contract.
8) How does earnest money work in a real estate transaction?
Earnest money is similar to a deposit when renting. It is made in good faith to demonstrate to the seller that the buyer’s offer is legitimate. Home with Harlas generally advises that the earnest amount should be 1-2% of the selling price to make the offer stronger compared to other buyers. When earnest money is deposited, it is offered in tandem with a due diligence period. The due diligence period is a length of time from the signing of the contract to a set amount of time after the signing of the contract during which the buyer can back out of the agreement. The buyer can back out during the due diligence for a number of reasons; however, the two main reasons are something in the inspection report that the buyer did not like or simply because the buyer is having second thoughts about purchasing the property. In the event a buyer decides they do not want the property during the due diligence period, the earnest money is returned to the buyer. If the buyer moves forward with purchasing the property, the earnest money is applied to closing costs or the selling price of the property.
9) How does option money work in a real estate transaction?
Due diligence money, more commonly called option money, has some similarities and differences to earnest money. Just like earnest money, option money is paid upfront to show the seller that the buyer is serious. If the buyer goes through with the purchase of the property, the option money can be applied to closing costs or the selling price of the property, just like earnest money. Option money, more than earnest money, significantly strengthens a contract when compared to other buyers. This is because if a buyer decides to walk away from the contract, the money is not returned to the buyer as earnest money is during the due diligence period. If a buyer walks away from the contract, the seller keeps the option money. Therefore, if a buyer is extremely serious about buying a home, option money may be in their best interest to be more competitive than other buyers. However, they should be warned that if they choose to back out, the seller will retain this money.
10) What is the best way to contact Home with Harlas Real Estate?
The best way to contact Home with Harlas is through email or phone. Home with Harlas can be contact by email: jharlas@seaboltrealestate.com. Home with Harlas can also be contacted by phone by calling 912.429.4240.