Real Estate Information Archive

It might be time for trick or treating but when it comes time to Buy your dream Whittier Area home, you want to be treated, not tricked! The last thing you want is to miss out on your perfect home for you and your family. Unfortunately, there are several mistakes that buyers can make that can cause this very thing to happen. But, never fear! Help is here. Avoid these buyer mistakes as you continue through the process and you should be enjoying life in your new home in no time!

Mistake #1: You wait on your financing.

You should BEGIN the home buying process by learning about your financing options. This is the only way that you can truly know what you can afford.

Mistake #2: You pick a bad lender.

Although we all want to think that everyone has the best intentions, there are unfortunately several scam lenders within the mortgage industry. Ask your real estate agent for recommended lenders in order to avoid this issue.

Mistake #3: You get pre-qualified.

Becoming pre-qualified means that you talked to a lender about your finances but no actual documentation was exchanged. This means that you haven't actually settled any of your finances. Instead you want to get pre-APPROVED. This is necessary for submitting an offer on a home as it shows that you have the finances to cover the house.

Mistake #4: You ignore your price range.

Once you know your budget, stick within it. It is a waste of time and energy to search for homes that are outside of your price range.

Mistake #5: You offer too low.

We all want to get the best deal possible but right now is a seller's market which means competition amongst buyers is high. A lowball offer can kill your offer and cause you to miss out on the home you love. Trust in your real estate agent to help you come up with a fair and competitive offer.

Mistake #6: You buy another big ticket item during escrow.

Although you might have been pre-approved for a loan, that does not mean that everything is said and done. The underwriter through your lender is going to check your finances again before closing to ensure that you still qualify. If you go out on a shopping spree and buy a new car or boat or open any other new credit accounts, your debt to income ratio will change and you might jeopardize your loan. It is best to wait to buy any big items you might need until after the home is 100% yours.

Mistake #7: You forgot about closing costs.

Closing costs can sometimes be forgotten about when you budget for your new home. If you do not have the money to cover these costs, your purchase will never make it to settlement. Find out what your estimated closing costs will be and make sure that you have enough cash to cover it.

Avoid these buyer's mistakes in order to get you moved into your dream home today! The Domis Team is here to help you throughout the buying process. Give our team a call today or visit our website at http://www.whittierhomes.com/.

MOVING SALE

Friday, Oct. 19 & Saturday, Oct. 20

8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day

9357 Parrot Ave, Downey CA

This sale includes collectibles, holiday decor, kitchen items, furniture, clothing and more!

Join us this weekend to find your treasures.

We understand the impulse of buyers and sellers to try to go it on their own in the real estate market. They hope that avoiding agent fees will help save them money but this can often be a costly mistake. And, not only does it have the potential to be a financial drain but it most definitely takes time away from you. Alleviate some of the stress of buying or selling a home in Whittier by going through the process with an experienced Whittier Real Estate agent! Agents have knowledge and experience in all aspects of the real estate market and are there to help you every step of the way. Make buying or selling your home as smooth and stress-free as can be. Need some convincing? Here are 10 reasons why you should work with a Whittier Real Estate Agent.

1. Area Expertise - No one knows the area better than a Whittier Real Estate agent. They can help you find the perfect home and neighborhood that will best fit your needs and lifestyle!

2. Education & Experience - Agents have dedicated their professional lives to developing within the real estate field. With their training and experience, they can help throughout the entire process. Instead of you needing to become an expert, you can put your trust in their knowledge and professional experience.

3. Agents are Shields - Avoid dealing with pushy buyers or sellers by working with a Whittier Real Estate agent. They will act as a buffer and make sure you are only getting the information that you need to hear.

4. Market Condition Knowledge - No one knows current prices on the local market or available properties as well as an agent. This allows them to help you find the best deal possible.

5. Price Guidance - Your Whittier Real Estate agent knows your budget and will help you make a deal that fits within it. Pricing is very important for buyers and sellers and an agent will help ensure that the price you offer or accept is accurate.

6. Networking - Your Whittier Real Estate agent has developed a lot of connections in the community. This means they know of buyers who might be interested in your property or sellers that have a home that is the right fit for you. They also know professionals that can assist you with a wide variety of real estate related services.

7. Skilled Negotiators - Whittier Real Estate agent can negotiate a deal like no other. Contracts can be complicated so your agent will help you understand the document and verify that you are getting the best deal.

8. Mounds of Paperwork - No one enjoys paperwork and there is a lot of it when it comes to real estate deals. Instead of having you drown in the sea of paperwork and risk missing important elements of it, your realtor will handle this process for you!

9. Stay After Closing - Even after you close on your home, the relationship with your realtor does not end. They are still there to answer any questions you might have months after closing.

10. Relationship Building - Once you have found the realtor that you can trust, you know that you have an ally for any future real estate needs you might have. Build a great relationship with them so you can utilize them when you buy or sell again in the future.

Reap the benefits of working with one of the most trusted and experienced real estate agents in the greater Los Angeles area! Contact The Domis Team today to let us help you with all of your real estate needs!

Save money on your monthly payments by locking in a lower interest rate before the end of 2018!

Higher interest rates mean greater payments on your mortgage every month and with the rates predicted for 2019 that could be a significant chunk of change. Keep more money in your pocket by understanding where interest rates are headed in the new year. Check out this chart that shows the actual rates from the current year and where they are projected to increase throughout 2019.

Although a 0.1% increase might not seem significant, it can increase your monthly payments depending on the amount of your loan. And, with housing prices also predicted to rise, it will likely cause a dramatic increase. The latest Home Price Index from CoreLogic shows a 6.2% appreciation in national home prices from 2017 to 2018 and predicts are 5.1% increase from 2018 to 2019. If these home price and interest rate predictions come true, you will be paying a lot more on your new home then you would if you bought today.

Ready to BUY your dream home in the Whittier area? Work with the very best! Give The Domis Team a call today or visit our website at http://www.whittierhomes.com/!   

Fall is the perfect season to complete some important maintenance on your Whittier Area home! Check out these tips to keep your home in tip-top shape throughout the rest of the year!

Check the Exterior

Take a good look around the outside of your home. Remove accumulated debris from your gutters. Trim overgrown vegetation. Look for missing or loose shingles. Caulk open areas around doors and windows. Making these minor repairs will help prevent more expensive damage from occurring in the future.

Make it Safe

Take safety measures to keep your home easily accessible throughout the fall and winter. Ensure that all handrails and supports are secure on your decks and patios. Make sure that walkways are cleared and safe to walk on.

Keep Pests at Bay

Avoid having unwelcome house guests this year. Cover small and large holes that make it easy for critters to enter your home. Inspect the insulation in your attic to make sure that there are no holes that could cause water damage in the future.

Keep Irrigation Working Properly

The new season brings changes in precipitation patterns. If rain is expected this fall, alter the timers on your sprinklers to account for the additional rainfall that will hydrate your plants naturally. The ability to use your sprinklers less will help with their longevity for the seasons when your lawn and garden need the additional water source.

General Maintenance

Fall is the perfect time to complete your home's yearly inspection. Make sure all smoke/fire alarms are working properly. Clean out your HVAC system so that you can use it whether you need heat or cold air throughout the changing seasonal weather.

For more home maintenance tips throughout the year, visit our website and follow-us on our Facebook page.