Rodrigo Huertas, Realtor

5 must-ask questions for your lender: 👇

1️⃣ What are my mortgage options?
2️⃣ Can I qualify for any down payment assistance programs?
3️⃣ What are your lender fees?
4️⃣ What will my closing costs be?
5️⃣ How often will I be updated on the loan’s progress?

Communication is key to getting the results you want for your dream home.

Save this post for later when you’re ready to look for your next home!

Valentine’s Day is all about finding your perfect match, and your dream home is no exception!

Whether you’re looking to buy a new home, sell your current one, or plan a relocation….Let’s have a heart to heart about your Real Estate needs. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Want to boost your home’s value (and not have to take out a second mortgage)? Do this! ⬇️

Update your home’s finishes. This means your flooring, painting, countertops, faucets, lighting, etc. A few simple swaps can instantly increase your home’s value:

✔️ Switch outdated light fixtures with new, energy-efficient ones.

✔️ Upgrade your cabinet handles for a modern look.

✔️ Focus on the kitchen first, master bathroom second.

Send this post to someone looking to sell their home this year!

Are sellers required to make all necessary repairs before listing the property for sale?

Home sellers are not generally required to make all necessary repairs before listing the property for sale. However, they may be required to disclose any known defects in the property to potential buyers

Answer: False

Are you considering buying a fixer-upper and wondering if it’s worth the investment?

There are several key factors to consider:

🔸 Consider the neighborhood, school district, and proximity to amenities.
🔸 Potential for future appreciation.
🔸 Identify any major repairs that need to be made (e.g. foundation issues, roof damage).
🔸 Determine the cost of repairs and compare to the potential value of the property.
🔸 Consider your budget and financing options.
🔸 Think about the time and energy it will take to complete the renovations.
🔸 Consider how long you plan on keeping the home.

Remember, you should always, always, always get a home inspection — especially on fixer-uppers. And, of course, seek the advice of a real estate professional ( Me 👋 ) for a more thorough evaluation.

Simple landscaping features such as new plants and fresh mulch can help your home make a great first impression. These changes don’t cost much, and you can do many of them on your own. Both potential buyers and appraisers will be influenced by this visual impact. So….Remember to freshen up your curb appeal before you list your home for sale.

Are you looking to become a first-time homebuyer? Here are 3 things you might not know about hiring a real estate agent.👇

1️⃣ It doesn’t cost you anything. Real estate agents get a commission from the seller, not a fee from you!

2️⃣ Every agent has their specialty. Look for an agent that specializes in helping first-time homebuyers find their new crib.

3️⃣ Make sure you vibe with your real estate agent. They’re your advocate in the process, there to represent you and your needs!

Have any questions about hiring a real estate agent? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments.

If a groundhog can predict when spring will arrive, imagine what I can do for your Real Estate predictions! Happy Groundhog Day!

Bring on the love and new beginnings …🌱💘 February is the perfect time to start fresh and begin your journey towards your dream home! 🏡

You don’t have to be successful to start. But you do have to start to be successful.

What goal are you delaying? What dream are you procrastinating? Too often, we wait to start until the circumstances are perfect.

But the truth is? The real key to success is getting started so we can change our own circumstances.

If you find the right home and don’t go for it, chances are you’ll regret it. I know, I know….It can be a little bit overwhelming and nerve-wracking at first, especially when you’re a first-time homebuyer, but sometimes you’ve got to trust your gut and leave your comfort zone behind.

I would be more than happy to help you make the right decision, offer guidance, and navigate you through the home-buying process.

Q: “Do I get earnest money back if my mortgage falls through on closing day?”

A: It depends! First of all, get it in writing. Your contract will decide whether or not you get that money back.

In most cases, you can expect your earnest money back if there are issues with the home inspection, appraisal, title, or mortgage. But if you don’t meet the deadlines (or change your mind), you might not!

Stay tuned for more Q&As on all your real estate questions!

They say good things come to those who wait… I say they come to those who hustle!

This is your sign: If you’ve been waiting for the market to take a certain turn, it might be time for you to take action.

Your dream home is waiting for you. You just need to go out there and get it.

I’m here to hustle alongside you. DM me if you’re ready to make good things happen. ⚡️

“Cheese, wine, and friends must be old to be good.”🧀🥂

It’s National Cheese Lover’s Day!

Let this be your excuse to pour a glass of wine, whip together a charcuterie board, and invite your friends to your welcoming home.

P.S. Drop your favorite cheeses in the comments below.

You did it. You finally found your dream home! But wait…
It’s contingent. Is there still hope to beat the offer?

I say there is! Here are a few ways to counter a better offer:

✔️ Don’t be afraid to step in and match (or outbid!) the contingent offer.
✔️ Waive all or some contingencies to make your offer shine a bit brighter!

Questions? Thoughts? Share in the comments below!

Yes, it’s possible for a loan to be denied after clear to close if your credit score drops or you lose your job. It’s best to think of clear to close as an approval that is contingent on your credit and employment, which the bank will check once more after clear to close.

Even in competitive markets, buyers don’t want to pay more than what the “comps” show, so it’s crucial to get the pricing right. Going too high can backfire while underestimating a home’s value might cause you to leave money on the table.

To price your home right from the start, consult your neighborhood’s comps. These are data sheets about recently sold properties in a specific area. At a glance, you can get an idea of what homes around you are selling for.

🗝 A frequent mistake sellers make is pricing a home too high and then lowering it periodically.

🗝 Some sellers think this practice will yield the highest return. But, in reality, the opposite is often true.

🗝 Homes that are priced too high will turn off potential buyers, who may not even consider looking at the property.

🗝 Homes with multiple price reductions may give buyers the impression there’s something wrong with your home’s condition or that it’s undesirable.

So it’s best to eliminate the need for multiple reductions by pricing your home to attract the widest pool of buyers from the start.

You worked for years to improve your credit score. You saved every penny you made and then moved in with your parents to save a few more. You surfed real estate listing sites until your Chihuahua could tell a Craftsman from a Rancher. After all that, you were finally awarded the distinction of being pre-approved for a mortgage. Then, the unthinkable happens — your loan doesn’t get final approval.

It’s time to flip the switch from panic mode to project mode. First, ask your mortgage professional why your loan fell apart. Then…

✔️ If the issue was the appraisal, work with your Realtor (Me👋) to ask the seller to reduce the purchase price.

✔️ If the issue was a change in lender guidelines, ask your mortgage broker whether they can submit your application to other lenders.

✔️ If more down payment funds are required, either because your debt-to-income ratio is too high or your lender’s guidelines have changed, investigate whether you might qualify for any Down Payment Assistance Programs (DAPs) offered by your city or state.

✔️ If you’re still searching for down payment funds, explore whether it’s possible for you to borrow from your retirement accounts or ask family members for gift money.

✔️ If your credit score has dropped, review the report to ensure that no erroneous or fraudulent entries are dragging your score down.

✔️ Finally, just flat out ask your Realtor, mortgage pro and even your personal banker if they can think of any other financing alternatives.

The length of contingency is on a case-by-case basis and will depend on what type of contingencies are in the offer. The contingent period usually lasts anywhere from 30 to 60 days.

If you have a mortgage contingency, the buyer’s due date is usually about a week before closing. Overall, a home stays in contingent status for the specified period or until the contingencies are met and the buyer closes on their new house.

Do lenders pull your credit after Clear to Close?

The answer is yes. Lenders pull borrowers’ credit at the beginning of the approval process, and then again just prior to closing.

There’s lots of paperwork needed to properly document a home sale. Organize it all in one place to help things go more quickly. Some of the main documents you’ll need to gather include:

✔️ Your home’s original purchase contract.
✔️ Property survey, certificate of occupancy and certificates of compliance with local codes.
✔️ Mortgage documents.
✔️ Tax records.
✔️ Appraisal from your home purchase.
✔️ Homeowners Insurance.
✔️ Home inspection report.

There are many different reasons a mortgage might not be approved on closing day or become delayed. Let’s take a look at why exactly you might face trouble at the closing table.

✔️ Funding Denied Because You Financed A Big Purchase
✔️ Funding Denied Because You Applied For More Credit
✔️ Job Change or Loss of Employment
✔️ Home Appraisal Came Back Lower Than Purchase Price
✔️ Home Inspection Revealed Major Problems
✔️ Seller Delayed Closing Date Due To Title Issues

Can the seller accept another offer while negotiating a contract with a first buyer? Absolutely. I have seen cases where the seller has accepted another offer after the buyer has signed the contract and sent the deposit. A seller can do that before they sign.

Both the homebuyer and seller have closing costs. The home seller typically pays the real estate agent’s commission.

Some other costs commonly paid by the seller include:

🔸 Government transfer tax.
🔸 Recording fees.
🔸 Outstanding liens.
🔸 Attorney fees.

Additionally, if the buyer has negotiated any credits to be paid at closing for repairs or closing costs, the seller will pay those too.

Your real estate agent or the closing agent should provide you with a complete list of costs you’ll be responsible for at the closing table.

A Closing Disclosure is not technically the same as being declared clear to close, but the disclosure typically comes after you have been cleared.

After reviewing your Closing Disclosure, you can look forward to a final walkthrough of the home and closing day itself.

Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right! Remember, a dream written down with a date becomes a goal. A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan. A plan, backed by action, makes your dreams come true! What’s your New Year Resolution?

Unless you’re a fan of cold weather, your natural inclination might be to hunker down during the winter and wait for spring’s arrival. However, before going into hibernation mode, there are a few winter home maintenance chores you should attend to:

🔸 Drain garden hoses and winterize outdoor faucets.
🔸 Test out your thermostat.
🔸 Clean air conditioning filters.
🔸 Test the sump pump.

A mortgage contingency is a clause in real estate transactions that gives home buyers a timeframe to secure a mortgage loan for a home. If the loan cannot be secured, the buyer can walk away without legal repercussions and have their earnest money deposit returned.

Energy-efficient upgrades reduce your utility bills while you own the home. When it comes time to sell, these upgrades will also offer more appeal to buyers, many of whom are interested in energy-efficient features to lower their own costs as a homeowner.

If your home currently features old appliances that guzzle energy and date your interiors, an upgrade—even if it’s installing modestly priced modern appliances—can help you net a higher sale price.

So…How much should you pay your agent to help you buy a house?

✔️ Agents representing buyers (buyer’s agent) are compensated by the listing broker (seller’s agent) for bringing home buyers to the table.
✔️ When the home is sold, the listing broker splits the listing fee with the buyer’s agent.

So, as a buyer looking to buy a house, you DON’T PAY your agent any fees or commissions.