Real Estate by Elba

11/25/2021

11/24/2021

There are a lot of factors that go into choosing a buyer's agent, but one that a lot of people overlook is local knowledge.

Finding your perfect home is more than just the house itself. You want an agent that knows the area really well because we'll be able to answer questions that other agents won't know.

Are you looking to buy? Let's first discuss what's important about the neighborhoods that you want to live in.

11/23/2021

It's brand new, so there couldn't be any problems, right?

Unfortunately, this is false. Ideally, newly-built homes are in pristine condition, but even if a builder doesn't cut corners, you have to account for regular human error.

A home inspector can catch any mistakes before you close, so you can get the builder to fix them before you move in.

11/22/2021

Did you know that the #1 reason people look for that first home is just the simple desire for homeownership?

I get it!

Owning your home feels like freedom. No more worrying that your landlord will freak if you paint a wall, not to mention the freedom to do renovations. And the power of building equity instead of throwing away money on rent every month.

One thing I love about this job is that I get to help first-time buyers achieve that dream!

11/19/2021

This quote has been giving me life lately! Part of working in real estate is dealing with rejection. Offers get rejected -- it's just part of buying in the market right now. But a rejected offer isn't the end of the road. It's just a bump.

My job is to help my clients push through. A rejected offer isn't the end of the world! It's a chance to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and find the next home to write an offer on.

Sure, it's a letdown when you don't get a home you were excited about, but your agent is here to offer perspective and be your cheerleader during those bumps in the road.

Real Estate Agent for Central Florida

11/18/2021

What did 95% of sellers have in common last year?

They sold their homes for a profit
If you ever wondered whether real estate is a good investment, I think that this statistic puts that question to bed.

Of course, we saw a huge spike in home prices last year, but even as the market "cools," prices aren't going down. They just aren't going up as astronomically as they were last year. That means that most homes are still appreciating in value.

Have you been thinking about selling? I'd love to help you make the profit you deserve from your home sale!

11/17/2021

You probably know that getting pre-approved for a home loan is critical before you start house hunting. But I encourage my clients not to rush that important first step.

Your mortgage rate has a big impact on your monthly payments. Even a fraction of a percent adds up to big savings over time, so it's worth it to talk to multiple lenders. You might also consider a mortgage broker, who will look at many lenders and present you with options.

Need an intro to a break mortgage broker? I know many great ones locally. Let's talk and see who would be the best fit for you.

11/16/2021

Wow, has this quote meant a lot to me in this line of work! Guiding clients through the buying and selling process is incredibly gratifying, but it can definitely test the limits of an agent's scrappiness at times.

Unforeseen circumstances are par for the course in real estate, so being flexible while keeping my client's goals in mind is a huge part of what I do.

Are you looking to buy or sell? Let's talk about how I can help you stay focused and reach those real estate goals!

11/15/2021

As an agent, you know that I love watching HGTV, but how are these couples buying these homes on House Hunters? It's mind-boggling.

11/12/2021

If you only had room in your budget for one backyard project this fall, would you add a shed, a fire pit, or a greenhouse?

11/11/2021

I know, it's so easy to go onto sites like Zillow and get a home price estimate.

Unfortunately, those Zestimates aren't super accurate. (This is one reason that they stopped buying homes directly!)

They can give you a ballpark idea, but you really need a local professional to give an accurate price for your home.

A comparative market analysis (CMA) from a real estate agent is a lot more detailed.

It takes into account not just size and location but things like the age of your home, its condition, what's happening in the local market and a tons more that online algorithm just won't know.

Are you thinking about selling? Step away from the Zestimate, and let's talk about doing a CMA for you today!

11/09/2021

The short answer to this question is NO.

In almost all real estate transactions, the seller pays the buyer's agent's fees. Plus, having an agent can help you get a better deal on the home you're looking at.

Your agent (ahem) also takes care of the trickier parts of the transaction, like drawing up contracts and other paperwork.

Have you been wanting to buy? Let's talk today about how I can help you!