Karla Santamaria

01/11/2022

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Green Screen Effect

07/20/2021

So what’s the difference between closing costs vs. pre-paid expenses? Simple!⁣
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Closing costs are one-off payments due at closing for things like:⁣
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Attorney fees⁣
Appraisal fees⁣
Title company fees and title insurance⁣
Government fees and taxes to record the property sale⁣
Real estate commissions (typically paid by the seller)⁣
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Pre-paid expenses are upfront, ongoing payments due at closing for items folded into the monthly costs of homeownership. Things like:⁣
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Homeowners insurance premiums⁣
Property taxes⁣
Mortgage interest⁣
Initial escrow deposit⁣
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Pre-paid expenses head to an escrow account set up by your lender where they hang out until they’re due each year.⁣
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Got other real estate lingo questions? Send ‘em my way and I’ll be happy to answer!

06/11/2021

In this market, buyers are wising up to ways they can make their offer stand out above the rest. One strategy? Including an escalation clause.⁣
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What is an escalation clause? Consider it the eBay of real estate. Let me explain.⁣
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An escalation clause automatically increases a buyer’s offer by a certain amount, say $5,000, each time another buyer makes a higher bid. It essentially eliminates the back and forth of offers and counteroffers.⁣
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If you’re looking to sell, it’s highly likely an escalation clause will come your way—which means top dollar for your home! Got questions? Reach out and let's connect. I'm here to serve YOU!⁣

05/20/2021

When discussing the value of a home, you'll hear the terms market value and appraised value – so, what's the difference?⁣
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Market value is the price a buyer is willing to pay for a property, and the appraised value is the professional opinion of an appraiser.⁣
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Once your home is under contract, an appraisal will most likely need to be done. Mortgage companies require an appraisal because they need to verify that the home is worth the purchase price.⁣
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Does all of this talk about home value have you curious what your home is worth? Shoot me a message, I'd love to help!⁣
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05/17/2021

Sometimes people have the idea that when you buy a home you need to pay your agent’s commission
Do you have any questions regarding real estate? Send me a message!

04/29/2021

Every real estate agent you know is shouting, "LOW INVENTORY! LOW INVENTORY!" Maybe so much so that you've tuned 'em out or keep thinking, so what? What's that got to do with me? ⁣
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Truth is if you're a homeowner thinking to sell or home shopper looking to buy, low inventory means EVERYTHING! ⁣
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FOR THE HOMEOWNER LOOKING TO SELL:⁣
• The time is NOW! With low inventory (translation: not that many homes are for sale), you're not going to have to compete with as many other homes to attract buyers.⁣
• Even with low inventory set your asking price at market value. Doing so means you’re likely to attract more buyers and possibly set off a lucrative bidding war.⁣
• You're going to get a greater return on your investment. Rising prices mean that homes are also gaining value!⁣
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FOR THE HOME SHOPPER LOOKING TO BUY:⁣
• Time is of the essence when inventory is low. Do everything you can NOW (gather down payments funds, get pre-approved, have your home ready to sell) so when you find your dream home you. can act, and act fast!⁣
• Keep your offer as "clean" as possible. Now isn't the time to pack your offer up with contingencies, concessions, closing dates, or repairs.⁣
• Beware of renegade emotions. Whether it's a competitive bidding war or losing out on another home you just KNEW was the one, fight to keep your emotions in check. Stay patient and stay in the game — the right house will come along at just the right time. ⁣
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If you have even the slightest inkling of selling, DON'T PUT IT OFF any longer. At least speak with an agent who can help you assess the changing market conditions and let you know what you can expect to sell your home for — chances are you'll be pleasantly surprised!⁣
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04/06/2021

Should you wait for a lower mortgage interest rate?⠀⁣
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This is a question I've been getting a lot lately, especially as interest rates have reached record lows over the past year. So, should you wait for them to go even lower before buying? Here's what you need to know:⠀⁣
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1. As rates are projected to increase in 2021, it is wise to take advantage of the low interest rates that are available now.⠀⁣
2. The combination of increasing interest rates and home prices impacts the overall cost of purchasing a home. A higher rate = a higher monthly payment, since your interest rate is worked into your monthly cost.⠀⁣
3. It's better to act now rather than wait for future rate declines that may never come. ⠀⁣
4. If you've found a home that fits your needs and your budget, don't wait! You will certainly benefit from taking advantage of the current rates. ⠀⁣
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Have other questions about mortgages or interest rates? Don't hesitate to ask! Send me a message or leave a comment with any questions below.

03/22/2021

Got the kitchen looking great?⁣
Got your home decluttered, depersonalized, and staged?⁣
Chatted with a realtor about worthwhile upgrades?⁣
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Fist-bump! You’re SO ready for Secret #4 in our 5 Secrets to a Successful Sale! ⁣
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While this one won’t require any elbow grease, it will take a tiny leap of faith. Secret #4 is all about pricing your home to sell — fast.⁣
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Secret #4: Find out what your home is worth, then shave 15-20% off the price to *hopefully* spark a bidding war.⁣
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Sound scary? That’s okay — I’m here to walk you through every step. Here’s why I love this pricing strategy: ⁣
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• Pricing your home just below market value instantly gets buyers’ attention and motivates them to schedule a showing ASAP.⁣
• Once buyers see your home (and LOVE it), they’re more likely to put in an offer if they feel like they’re getting a deal.⁣
• When they realize there are other offers on the table, buyers tend to get competitive and are willing to increase their bid to land the home they want.⁣
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With interest rates at historic lows and a lower than normal inventory, if you're looking to sell, you'll 100% be in the driver’s seat. ⁣
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Curious what your home is worth in today’s market? I’d love to run the numbers for you — just drop me a message.⁣

03/18/2021

Checking in today to share Secret #3 in my 5 Secrets of a Successful Sale. A quick look back at the past two secrets:⁣
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Secret #1: It’s your kitchen that’ll sell your home.⁣
Secret #2: Declutter, depersonalize, and stage your home. ⁣
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And today…⁣
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Secret #3: DON’T go overboard on upgrades.⁣
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It’s a mistake I’ve seen too many times. ⁣
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In an effort to get top dollar for their home, well-intentioned sellers take on major renovations without consulting a realtor first. Misinformed and assuming they’ll get every dollar back (and then some!), they go overboard on upgrades only to be disappointed at the closing table.⁣
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And while there are upgrades worth doing prior to selling, they’re often quick fixes, not major renovations. ⁣
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If you’re thinking about selling soon, reach out to a realtor who knows your neighborhood and can give you data on the upgrades that matter most to buyers in your area. ⁣
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Not thinking about selling, but know someone who is? Pass this along and save them from the stress, headache, and expense of unnecessary upgrades.

03/15/2021

Got a sec? Great. All alone? Perfect! It's time to lean in real close cause I’m back with Secret #2 in my 5 Secrets of a Successful Sale. ⁣
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Secret #1: It’s your kitchen that’ll sell your home.⁣
Secret #2: Declutter, depersonalize, and stage your home.⁣
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Buyers must be able to picture themselves living in YOUR home. Give 'em a chance to do just that by decluttering, depersonalizing, and staging your home:⁣
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• Declutter: Picture your home as a vacation rental. If you wouldn’t see it out in a rental, you shouldn’t see it out during a showing.⁣
• Depersonalize: A few modest photos here and there is fine, but pack away the excess, take down oversized monograms, and remove wall letters from the kids’ rooms.⁣
• Stage: If you’re using the dining room as a craft area or home office, reset it as a space to dine. Also, get rid of unnecessary furniture to make your living room feel airy and spacious. Staging doesn't have to be costly or complicated — it simply helps buyers make sense of your home and see its potential.⁣
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When it comes to getting your home ready for the market, less is ALWAYS more. Need advice on how to get your home prepped? I’d love to help. ⁣
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03/11/2021

🚨 alert!!🚨 I am beyond excited for my clients!! Daisy and I used to work together back when were single with no kids lol 😂 years passed by and thanks to IG we started talking about their plans on RE, fast forward a couple of months and here they are, officially home owners 🙌🏼👏🏽The market was sooo competitive that we had to have a little bit more patience to find their dream home, but at the end I was able to hand them their 🔑 I was so honored to be able to help you, thank you for trusting me with one of your biggest decisions in life 🙏🏼 I freaking love my job!!

03/01/2021

It’s the month of shamrocks, leprechauns, and Irish blessings, and while some are worried about getting pinched, you’ve got other things on your mind — like how you’re gonna get your home listed and sold fast. ⁣
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In honor of St. Patty (and so you can kick luck to the curb), I’ve got 5 secrets I can’t wait to spill — secrets that’ll hand you a successful sale, and quite possibly, your very own pot of gold. ⁣
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This week, Secret #1: It’s your kitchen that’ll sell your home.⁣
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While buyers want the right bed and bath count to meet their needs, years of experience tell me it’s your KITCHEN that’ll sell your home. ⁣
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As you get your home ready for the market, every minute (and dollar!) you spend prepping your kitchen to look its best will give you a high ROI. ⁣
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At a minimum, clean, declutter, and clear off those countertops for every showing (save a vase of fresh flower). ⁣
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Wanna do a little more? Update cabinet hardware, replace the faucet and sink, install a backsplash, or splurge on new light fixtures.⁣
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That’s all for now — keep your eyes out for Secret #2 tomorrow!⁣