Whether you’re new to real estate or a seasoned veteran, it’s never a bad thing to revisit the basics to make sure you have a clear understanding when it comes to buying and selling a home. On this episode, we’ll open the real estate dictionary to look at some of the key terms you might see or hear during the process. We’ll look at a few on both the buying and selling side and get Colleen’s breakdown of each. Here are some of the things you'll learn on this episode:  Why should the average buyer be aware of ‘days on market’ and why it’s important. (1:08) The different types of mortgage loans and how they work. (4:44) What’s important during the due diligence process for the buyers and sellers. (9:26) What do sellers need to know about contingencies. (12:20) What are iBuyers?(14:48)   See our listings and learn more: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/

With the housing market changing, but still doing strong, what kind of questions are buyers and sellers asking? On today’s episode, we’re opening up the mailbag to answer your questions on flipping old homes, new construction versus aged homes, and much more. Listen to the episode to learn the answers to these questions and more:  Felix is wondering where he can find old homes suited in order to flip? (0:41) Will is wondering if new construction is easier to buy than an aged home that needs remodeling? (4:33) Bruce just bought a new home and the previous owners left behind some junk. Does he now own this stuff? Does he have to get rid of it and incur the cost of doing so? (7:26)   Learn more: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/blog

Let's open up the mailbag to answer some of your questions on buying, selling, and everything in between. What you’ll learn on today’s episode: “We are thinking of leaving some personal items behind when we sell our home. Can we negotiate with personal items when a buyer asks for a discount because of needed repairs?” (0:36) “I have been outpriced out of South Salem. What are some alternative neighborhoods that have the same appeal but are more budget-friendly?” (3:56) “I have heard of home prices dropping, we are finally getting ready to sell. Now we are worried we’re going to miss out on all of the value growth our house had over the past several years. What do we do?” (5:28) “I have smart tech throughout my home. Do these things really add value?” (7:39) “Should I still expect to get above the asking price for my home?” (10:29) “My dad says a two-bedroom house is harder to sell in the future. Should I focus only on three-bedroom houses?” (12:10)   Learn more: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/blog

We’re answering some of your questions on today’s show! Allie, a listener in North East Salem, wrote in saying her father wants to help with her down payment so she can afford her first home. Are there any limits she should know about? Ben, asks where he can put his money to improve the value of his house? Paint and landscape are really important for a first impression, but things like a new roof can be a negotiation point. And should you be worried if buyers start asking for discounts? Let’s explore these questions and more.   Key Points:   0:32 – Can my family help with my down payment? 1:11 – Where should I put money to improve the value of my home? 2:46 – I’m worried buyers will ask for a discount because of repairs 7:31 – How do you know when you're emotionally ready to sell?   Learn more: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/blog

A recent Realtor.com article outlines a few signs you’ll hate your home after the initial excitement of a new house wears off. Does Colleen agree? A front door that opens into a wall might not seem like a big deal when you tour the home, but after a while, it may start to feel cramped. Long hallways are classic for some of us, but the newest style is an open landing area. A dead-end living room, with one way in and out, can certainly feel smaller than you’d like after a while. Join us today as we explore 7 things that you may or may not hate after a while in your new home.   Key Points:   1:18 – Front door that opens into a wall 2:57 – Front door that faces the stairs 4:43 – Unnecessarily long hallways 5:25 – Guest bathroom at the entrance of the home 6:06 – Not having two sinks in the bathroom 8:06 – A dead-end living room 9:01 – Adjoining bedrooms 9:57 – “Male” centered features 10:48 – Bi-folded doors     Learn more: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/blog

Let’s answer some questions from buyers and sellers in the area! Brent is thinking of using an adjustable-rate mortgage to buy his home, but he knows they became a big issue in 2008 and the rate may go up in the future. How does Colleen advise those interested in ARMs? Colleen recommends meeting with a lender and wants to remind you that we’re not in the same position as we were in 2008. Dan in Salem just sold his home with a different realtor and is having some seller's regret: his house took 3-weeks to sell and sold below value. What did he do wrong? This could happen for various reasons including the agent's workload or the presentation of the home. Join us today as Collen explores these questions and more!   Key Points:   0:37 – What is your advice on adjustable-rate mortgages? 3:28 – Our house sold below value what did we do wrong? 6:14 – What home upgrades could increase the value of our home? 10:22 – Should I try to buy again with the rental market just as competitive?   Learn more: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/blog

We are answering some of your questions on today’s show about buying and selling your home. In this market is a 20% down payment enough? Definitely! While it may be harder to win certain bids 20% is usually more than enough. Mary wrote in that her loan approval was for $700,000 and with all the houses selling above asking value she is wondering if she should look at houses more in the $600,000 range to leave some wiggle room? It might be smart to look a little below your maximum budget, but it’s going to depend on your lender and a few other factors. Join us today as we explore these questions and more on rent-back situations and selling privately.     Key Points:   0:30 – Should we be leaving wiggle room on the houses we are looking at? 2:46 – Is a 20% down payment enough in this market? 4:03 – Can I rent back my home to a buyer and when do I negotiate this? 7:28 – Would we miss out on selling privately?   Learn more: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/blog

Today we’re opening up the mailbag again to find out what you’re most interested in when it comes to buying and selling a home and we have some great questions to dive into.   We’ll cover the foreclosure market and whether we’ll see that increase around Oregon. Then we’ll talk about the pros and cons of hiring experts to do the work around your home. Next we’ll cover a question about trying to navigate the sales process during a divorce. And finally, we’ll wrap it all up with the benefits of undertaking a kitchen remodel.   Key Points:   0:31 – Mailbag question on foreclosure opportunities 4:35 – Mailbag comment on hiring experts 9:24 – Mailbag question on coordinating sale during divorce 11:28 – Mailbag question on kitchen remodels   Learn more: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/blog

Let’s open up the mailbag and answer some of your questions about buying and selling your home. Stella says her neighbors are also planning on selling their home soon. Should she list before, after, or at the same time as them? With interest rates rising and a changing market, we recommend getting listed as soon as possible. Dean asks how detailed he can get while touring a home. Can he check things like the crawl space and electricity? If you are the only person viewing, we want our clients to look to their heart's content, but within reason. Join us today as we explore these questions and two more on due diligence and rent back setups.     See our listings: https://bit.ly/3z49gcL   What we discuss on this episode:  0:33 – “Do we need to list before or after our neighbors?” 2:38 – “Are you finding any issues with a rent back set up?” 3:43 – “What’s the current expectation with due diligence?” 6:00 – “How detailed can I get when viewing a home?”   Learn more: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/blog

With a lot of investors buying up more and more properties in the past few years, there have been a lot of flipped houses coming onto the market. When you are in the search for your next home, how can you be sure what you’re looking at isn’t a cheap flip? If you’re looking at a home without building permits, but it appears major changes have been made to the property, be wary. This can bite you when you go to sell as well. With mismatched plumbing or wiring you want to be careful you won’t run into future problems with these structural issues. Join us today as we explore some common things to look out for when looking at a flipped home.   See our listings: https://bit.ly/3z49gcL   What we discuss on this episode:  0:53 – No building permits, but major changes 1:37 – Fresh paint in certain areas 2:51 – Mismatched plumbing or mismatched wiring 4:32 – Is it helpful to have a contractor? 6:00 – Cabinets and drawers not opening-up 6:32 – Flooring and door inconsistency   Learn more: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/blog