Brandy Rheinschmidt- Realtor

03/22/2023

3 Ways Sellers Sabotage Their Home Sale

I don’t know what you’re hearing, but the days of throwing a sign in the yard and seeing multiple, above-asking price offers are slowly coming to an end.

Unfortunately, some sellers haven’t gotten the memo — and are sabotaging their home sale without even knowing it. Here’s how:

1) Neglecting home repairs - that creaky floorboard, leaky faucet, or discolored ceiling may seem minor, but buyers will notice, and it could cause you to leave a pile of cash on the table.

2) Failing to declutter and stage - cluttered spaces and personal items can make it difficult for buyers to envision themselves in your home. (And P.S. - you can absolutely stage your home with furniture and items you already own.)

3) Pricing too high - you want top dollar for your home, but pricing it too high can cause it to sit on the market for longer than it should — and ultimately sell for less.

Don’t let the shifting market catch you by surprise this spring. If you’re thinking of selling, find an experienced agent who can guide you to top dollar for your home. Looking for a local agent like that? Message me, and let's connect!

03/21/2023

5 Things Banks Won't Always Tell You about Mortgages

Buyers, please. Can you spare a second? I need you to hear me on this. You need to hear me on this.

I talk to buyers all the time after they’ve locked in a mortgage with a bank. When they share the details of their loan, I sigh - I know they could have gotten a better rate or terms or loan if they only knew the questions to ask and places to look. And now it’s too late (at least this time around).

As an agent, I don’t know what else to do other than talk to buyers wherever I go and put accurate info out there with the hope it reaches as many people as possible. So here’s me doing that.

You see, the mortgage process can be a bit like navigating a maze. But you can make the right moves and come out at the end with the right loan, the right rate, and the right terms for you.

But you’ve got to go in knowing a few things, including these five (that the banks won't always tell you):

• Shopping around for a loan can save you money by helping you find the best interest rate and terms for your specific financial situation.

• Credit score isn't the only factor that determines your interest rate - income, employment history, and down payment also play a role.

• Pre-approval isn't a guarantee. The rate quoted during the pre-approval process may not be the final rate offered.

• Alternative lenders exist. Credit unions or online lenders also offer competitive rates and flexible terms.

• The true cost of your loan. Adjustable-rate mortgages or interest-only loans can result in higher costs over time. Before you sign, make sure you understand your loan and how it works.

Buyers, I don't want you to be stuck in a loan for 5, 15, or 30 years that isn't right for you. You deserve more when buying a home, so keep asking and keep pushing until you feel confident in your mortgage (and the people helping you along the way).

Please tag anyone you know planning to buy this spring - and if you need help finding a local lender or have questions about buying, send me a message. That's why I'm here.

03/20/2023

I love getting to know the homes I sell, and while I can walk around, measure, and take notes and photos, I really don’t know a home until my clients open up about the lives they've lived in their homes.

That's why, early on in the selling process, I always ask my sellers what they love about their homes.

And I don't want to know the obvious things like a massive primary closet or top-of-the-line kitchen appliances. I mean the small, personal details.

Things like the way the sun streams in during the morning or the cozy chair by the fireplace where your toddler likes to curl up with a book or the thriving herb garden you've been nurturing for years on the back patio. Those, my friends, are the details that make your home truly special.

So before you sell your home, ask yourself: What makes my home stand out? What do I love here that I know I won't find anywhere else? Then, take a deep breath, give thanks for the home you have, and pass those things along to your agent, so they can use what you love to appeal to buyers.

All this talk has me wondering, what do you love about your home - something only you would know? Share in the comments! I’ll read each and every one of them!

03/19/2023

What home design trend are you loving right now? Comment below! Swipe for a few of my faves →

As an agent, I'm always on the lookout for the latest and greatest in home design. And let me tell you, 2023 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for interior design.

Source: 15 major interior design trends for 2023 – Chicago Tribune

03/18/2023

If you're still renting, it may be because the thought of buying a home seems pointless with the high cost of living and the crazy competitive housing market.

I get it. There’s no way to sugarcoat it; the cost of living is high.

But what if buying, even now, could bring not only a sense of stability but also long-term financial security to your life?

Here’s the thing: Buying may not be right - but you owe it to yourself to at least explore your options and see real numbers before deciding it isn’t for you.

If you want to sit down and talk it through, message me. I’ll be as real as I know how so you can do what’s right for you.

#704

03/16/2023

As an agent, there are certain tools I couldn't live without. These are some of my go-tos, comment yours below!

FloDesk: My secret weapon for email marketing 💌
FloDesk is a game-changer when it comes to email marketing for real estate agents. With beautiful templates and easy-to-use tools, you can create stunning emails that are sure to impress your clients and prospects. Plus, the analytics make it easy to track your success and refine your approach over time.

Coffee & Contracts: Boosting my social media game ☕️
Coffee & Contracts is my secret weapon for boosting my social media game. C&C is my go-to for Canva templates, social media marketing ideas, networking, and more.

Canva: Elevating my marketing materials 🎨
Canva is a graphic design tool that makes it easy to create eye-catching marketing materials like flyers, social media graphics, and presentations. With thousands of templates and design elements, you can create professional-looking materials in minutes, even if you have no design experience.

Ready to supercharge your real estate business? Try these tools out for yourself and see the difference they can make! 🔥 And don't forget to share your own favorite tools in the comments below 👇

03/15/2023

This is everything when it comes to selling your home:

Timing.

Over the years, I've seen how the timing of the market can impact the sale of a home. It's like cooking a masterpiece, you have to gather all the right ingredients and wait for the perfect moment to bring everything together.

That “perfect moment” often comes in late spring — specifically May — when over the past ten years, sellers have seen added 12.6% boost in the sale price, according to ATTOM Data Solutions.

All that to say, if you’re thinking about selling, now is a great time to pull together the best ingredients for a successful sale - prepping, staging, and showing. And don’t worry, as a local agent with years of experience, I can help! I promise when the timing is right, your home will be the main course everyone is talking about!

Thinking about selling your home? Comment 'SELL' and I'll DM you my free Guide to Selling Your Home!

03/14/2023

So, you're finding it tough to get your offers accepted?

The truth is sometimes, it Is the nature of the market. But sometimes, it may be you. Here are some of the reasons your offer may not be getting accepted...

1) You're not being flexible on the closing date.
If your seller needs more time to move, be okay with a later closing date. It can make your offer more appealing and makes you at least *seem* like a laid-back, down-to-earth buyer, which, BTW, sellers love.

2) You're not being flexible with contingencies.
I recommend consulting with your agent on this, but in a hot market, a 'cleaner' offer may lead to better results.

3) You're not being responsive.
Buying a house can be first come, first served. Don’t lose out because you weren’t quick to respond.

4) You're not willing to get your financing in order first.
A pre-approval tells sellers, 'I'm serious and not here to play.' So get your stuff in order FIRST, then make an offer that’s all buttoned up.

You can’t control everything, but for the things you can, you absolutely should. And in this market, the name of the game is flexibility, compromise, and preparation. If you need an agent who can help you strike that balance, slide into my DMs - I'd love to chat!

03/13/2023

As I settle in to watch the Oscars tonight, ( bc I missed it Sunday ) I thought I'd get in on the awards game and recognize some standout “performers” in the world of real estate.

So, here goes!

The nominees this spring for BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION are:

→ The No-Nonsense Buyer’s Dad: Measuring tape and clipboard in hand, he’s a true asset in the buying process. Asking all the questions and sharing all the opinions, he embodies “Dad knows best” as no one else can.

→ The Listing Description Overachiever: A true artist, this agent goes above and beyond to showcase a property in its best light with a detailed, and I mean detailed, listing description. She doesn’t stop until it takes two scrolls and ten minutes to read.

→ The Type-A Home Inspector: Lurking around every home with a for sale sign, this inspector needs no introduction. Horrifying sellers and delighting buyers, this guy appears, disappears, and leaves a trail of repairs and recommendations in his wake.

→ The Deal Crusher: The most elusive of the bunch, the deal crusher can manifest itself in many forms: black mold, cracked foundation, or a roof that could blow off any second now.

Enjoy the show tonight, friends — and, of course, here's to these real estate standouts!

08/10/2021

🔥price improvement 💥
✔️$540,000
✔️bridgemill
✔️large bedrooms
✔️spa like master bath

08/03/2021

https://myre.io/0aMfbxrYQrCt

Welcome to this beautiful like new home, conveniently loc...