Herman and Davis Properties

Tag: tips

  • Negotiating To Get Your Dream Home: Our Top 5 Tips For Buyers

    Negotiating To Get Your Dream Home: Our Top 5 Tips For Buyers

    Ready to buy a home? Wondering how to negotiate with a seller during your purchase? Try these five tips to get the most out of the process…

    For many people, the word “negotiations” calls to mind corporate boardrooms and cheesy car dealerships. But when it comes to real estate, the bargaining table is the best place to make your wishes known. This is where counter offers are made, helpful discussions happen, and the stage is set for a smooth closing. Best case scenario? You walk away with a purchase price and set of home-buying conditions you’re truly happy with.

    Of course, getting what you want during the negotiation process is no easy task. But with these five tips, you’ll be well on your way to achieving a great result.

    1) Do your homework

    It’s impossible to negotiate successfully if you haven’t done your research. That’s why a good agent is always prepared when they go to the bargaining table. They know the seller’s community, inside and out. They also know how much buyers have recently paid for similar homes in the area. This information is priceless. Pointing out that your neighbor got a much better deal than you’re being offered can result in a far more reasonable selling price—and more money in your pocket.

    2) Know the seller

    When we’re creating a negotiation strategy, it helps to find out as much as we can about the seller involved. Do they have to relocate quickly, or would they rather take their time moving? Is it convenience they’re looking for, or are they motivated purely by cold, hard cash? A good agent can often learn the answers to these questions through a bit of casual conversation. That’s good news, because once you know what a seller wants, you can put together an offer that truly appeals to them.

    3) See the other side

    Compromise is a part of life, and it’s certainly a part of the home-buying process. As much as we enjoy helping the buyers we work with get the best price possible, we also know that it’s not all about winning. It’s about making sure the purchase process is smooth—while coming to an agreement that ultimately works for both parties. The only way to do that is by seeing the seller’s point of view. Take it from us: the results are better for everyone when both sides work together!

    4) Know what’s negotiable

    Did you know you can negotiate for a lot more than a lower purchase price? If you didn’t, you’re not alone. Many buyers aren’t aware that they can ask for all kinds of things during the negotiation process. It doesn’t matter whether you want to have a major repair completed, obtain a later closing date, or keep those elegant light fixtures in the living room. More often than not, the things you’d like are worth asking about. Make sure your agent knows what a successful purchase looks to you—that way, they can put their efforts towards making it a reality during the negotiation process.

    5) Find a negotiation expert

    Unfortunately, negotiating isn’t the easiest skill to learn. Most people aren’t very good at it, and that’s okay. If you work with the right agent, they’ll advocate for you—and do so persuasively. They’ll know how to read sellers and their agents. They’ll know when to push forward with confidence, and when to hold back. Put simply, a professional with real estate negotiation expertise is someone you want in your corner during the home stretch of your purchase.

    During one of the biggest transactions of your life, you should make sure that all of your needs are addressed. Start by knowing what you want—and finding an agent who can help you get it.

    Ready to buy a home on Hilton Head? We have the experience and local market knowledge to help you through the process. Send us a message—we’d love to discuss your needs!

  • 5 Tips For Selling a Home When You Have a Dog

    5 Tips For Selling a Home When You Have a Dog

    Dog owners on Hilton Head are a devoted bunch. We love our pooches unconditionally, and we want them to be comfortable at all times—even when we’re selling our homes. At the same time, putting a property on the market is no simple task. It requires time, effort, and a whole lot of energy. Add a furry friend to the mix, and things can start to get downright complicated.

    If you’re a dog owner who’s gearing up to sell your home, here are five tips to help ensure that the process is smooth…

    1) Talk to your vet

    No doubt about it, relocating can be stressful for pets. Fortunately, there’s someone you can always count on for advice: your vet. From tips for managing the transition to tools for highly-nervous pooches (like medication) there are all kinds of ways to reduce your dog’s anxiety when you’re moving. A professional who knows their history can ensure that you find the right one.

    Your vet can also help with practical details if you’ll be settling into a new area—like finding out where to refill existing prescriptions.

    2) Relocate your dog

    We know it’s hard to be away from your best friend. But selling your home successfully may depend on it. The truth is, buyers want to focus on your property during a viewing—and even the most well-behaved dog can pose a distraction. Many home hunters aren’t even keen on purchasing a house or condo where pets have recently lived. Often, they’re envisioning hidden damage.

    We strongly advise making alternate arrangements for your dog during showing periods. Your best option is to find a close friend or family member who’s willing to act as a temporary caregiver. If that’s not an option, look for a reputable dog hotel or boarding service. There are some great ones in Hilton Head, so hop online and start reading those reviews!

    3) Scour Your Home

    Few things turn buyers off quicker than dog hair, stains, and odors. That’s why we always suggest doing a full, honest-to-goodness cleaning before putting a home on the market. Start by searching each room carefully for stains. Don’t just check the obvious places—get a good look at that hard-to-reach carpeting. When you find a troublesome spot, treat it with a stain remover made especially for pet messes. Products with odor-fighting capabilities are especially helpful, since strong air fresheners are never wise to bring out before showings.

    Next up, it’s time to tackle your dog’s little shedding problem. Even if you have a short-haired breed, vacuuming thoroughly is a must. Other tricks include using dryer sheets and pieces of masking tape to pick up stray hairs.

    4) Assess your yard

    There’s nothing better than having outdoor space where your four-legged friend can run around. On the flip side, there’s nothing worse than finding waste in your front or back yard. And we can pretty much guarantee that any potential buyer who notices it will be seriously turned off.

    In preparation for a showing, we suggest doing a thorough assessment of your home’s exterior. Keep an eye out not only for waste, but for dead or yellow grass (which is often caused by urine) as well as turf damage. There are a few different ways that dogs can wreak havoc on a lawn, so keep your eyes peeled!

    5) Ask a friend for help

    It’s a universal truth about dog owners. They tend to stop noticing the smells and shedding caused by their beloved canines. For this reason, you should consider asking someone who doesn’t live in your home to do a walk-through. It could be a close friend or a neighbor, so long as they’re willing to be thorough and honest.

    While it’s hard for many dog lovers to believe, some buyers just aren’t interested in a property once they know it’s been home to a pooch. Luckily, you can remove the signs that point to your furry family member in just a few steps—and make your living space more appealing in the process.

    Have questions about selling a home on Hilton Head—with or without pets? Get in touch. We’ll walk you through the selling process and give you an idea of what to expect!

  • 5 Tips for Home Buyers in a Multiple-Offer Situation

    5 Tips for Home Buyers in a Multiple-Offer Situation

    No doubt about it: Hilton Head real estate is a hot commodity. Home hunters come from all over to find their ideal Lowcountry properties—and once they do, the competition is stiff. Unfortunately, squaring off against other buyers for a house or condo can be pretty stressful. The good news? If you fall in love with an in-demand property, the outcome isn’t entirely up to fate. By making the strongest offer possible, you can maximize your chances of securing the home of your dreams.

    Without further ado, here are our top five tips for coming out on top in a multiple-offer scenario…

     

    1) Get pre-approved

    Three words: obtain mortgage pre-approval. Whenever possible, we tell buyer clients to get pre-approved before they enter the market. During this process, a lender will look closely at your financial situation to figure out just how much financing you’re likely to get. While many home buyers skip this step, it can make a huge difference in the eyes of sellers.

    A pre-approval letter shows you’re serious about making a purchase. It says you’ll almost certainly have the funds to make it to closing. In a competitive situation, that kind of dependability can set you apart from other buyers.

     

    2) Make your best offer first

    At the offer stage, we often advise leaving room to negotiate. This strategy can lead to a better price and more favorable purchase conditions. But there are also times when you should offer as much money as you can right out of the gate—like when there are other motivated buyers in the mix.

    The truth is, sellers don’t always want to go through a long, drawn-out negotiation process. When they already have some great offers on the table, they’ll often just go with the highest bidder. Of course, that’s not always the case. A seller’s reasons for choosing one offer over another can be complex, so it pays to work with an agent who has experience with these types of situations.

     

    3) Forgo unnecessary contingencies

    Many home hunters don’t know what contingencies are, but the idea behind them is pretty simple. In the most basic terms, they enable you to back out of a deal if certain conditions aren’t met. For example, if there’s a financing contingency in your contract and your mortgage falls through, you won’t have to go through with your purchase. These stipulations can protect you—but they can also make the path to closing more complicated for sellers.

    Reducing the contingencies in your offer (or removing them altogether) can help you simplify the process, which could give you an edge over other buyers. Just be sure to talk to your agent to assess the level risk involved for your circumstances.

     

    4) Consider making a cash offer

    If it’s a possibility for you, consider offering to buy your dream home in cash.  It may sound a bit odd, but there’s a reason why sellers like these types of offers so much. They tend to be both quick and relatively simple—which is why buyers who make them often have a huge advantage.

    Since there’s no lender involved in a cash offer, there’s no mortgage processing time. There are also no unpleasant surprises to hold things up at the last minute (something that happens all too often with home loans).

     

    5) Work with the seller’s timeline

    Cold, hard cash is the deciding factor for most sellers. But for many, convenience matters—a lot. That’s why we always aim to get a sense of a seller’s timeline. If they’re relocating for work or family, it’s usually short. On the other end of the spectrum, some sellers prefer to move at a more relaxed pace. Either way, if you’re willing to work with their schedule, they may be more likely to accept your offer. Be as flexible as you can!

    We’ve helped buyers navigate enough multiple-offer scenarios to know they can be stressful. Having said that, the possibility of a bidding war doesn’t have to impact your life in a negative way. We suggest doing everything you can to strengthen your offer—and up your chances of getting your dream home.

     

    Have questions about buying a home on Hilton Head? Get in touch—we’ll walk you through the buying process and give you an idea of what’s available on the market!