First Time Home Buyer Tips

If you are currently in the market for your first home, you probably have lots of questions. You are about to be making an important decision for your future, a great investment of both money and time. I have a wealth of experience helping first time buyers like you make sound, informed decisions. Here are some tips that can help make your home buying process successful:

• Tip #1: Get PreQualified
  Getting prequalified for a loan normally only requires a short phone conversation with a lender, and can greatly help your home search. Prequalification does not guarantee you a loan, but it does provide you with an estimated monthly payment and a price range to use as a guide when shopping for homes. Being prequalified can also often indicate to sellers that you are a serious, prepared buyer. 
• Tip #2: Look for Value
  When shopping for homes, it’s important to consider potential value. Even if you’re not planning to sell the home some time down the line, it’s a good idea to consider the future value of the home.  You may not think of a new home as a means to make money, but it’s an important investment that requires caution.  Your realtor should help you have confidence that you are getting good value from your purchase. 
• Tip #3: Decide What You’re Looking For
  Settle on the home features that are important to you (covered parking, hardwood floors, architectural style, etc.) and make an ordered list. Having well established guidelines will help narrow down your search and will prevent you from being shown properties that lack your key amenities. It can help you make the decision not to buy an attractive property that doesn’t really fit your needs. My website, www.ChrisSmithHomes, has a search feature that allows you to filter thousands of listings based on attributes that you select. If you know you want a brick house with gas heat and a garage, you can get the results you’re looking for. 
• Tip #4: Relax
  You don’t have to make an offer on the first home you see. A thourough realtor will show you a variety of listings in the area you are interested in to help you get a feel for the marketplace. When you decide to make an offer on a house, your agent should help you to have confidence that you are making a good decision and skillfully guide you through the process.
• Tip #5: Shop Around for Your Mortgage
  Deciding on the financing for your home can be as important as choosing a home itself. The first step is shopping around for a lender that will provide you with the most competitive rates.  He or she can help you decide what kind of loan best fits your needs: a fixed rate mortgage, or an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM). 
• Tip #6: Protect Yourself
• Paying for a quality home inspection is absolutely crucial! You can save yourself thousands in repair costs by being sure of what you’re getting into.

More information for first time buyers can be found on my website www.ChrisSmithHomes,com or by giving me a call on my direct cell phone at (504) 231-2004, or by email: realtorchrissmith@gmail.com. I’m confident that I can provide the kind of exceptional service that will make this process an exciting one. Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have, I would love to be of assistance to you.

Making Improvements on Your Home to SELL

Making investments in your home can improve the “bottom line” when the time comes to sell your home.  The trick is knowing what to improve.  Making home improvements prior to listing it is a common practice.  However, improvements should be selected carefully if the primary goal is to increase the profitability of your property.

"Return on Investment" is a phrase that quantifies how much an investment returns compared to what you spent on the investment.
For example, if you remodel your kitchen, and then sell for a higher price, (after covering the remodel costs), then you achieved a positive return on investment.

One way to maximize returns on your home improvements, renovations or other projects is to accomplish them prior to the sale, with the added benefit of enjoying the fruits of your labor. It is important to remember, though, that not all improvements guarantee additional profits.

General guidelines suggest that you should not spend more than 20% of your home’s value on an upgrade of the kitchen. And beware of “trends” – these are the fashionable upgrades that are popular in the moment, but may not be practical in the long-term. Media rooms, spas, and wine-cellars all seem like great features, but they tend to cost more to put in than you may get back in return.

In fact, experts generally agree that you will often see the highest return on investment for projects that simply bring your home up to the standard of those around it. When you keep the budget for projects in line with the overall worth of your home, you are more likely to get the most money back for the amount you put in.

Here are the top five improvements real estate professionals consider the best returns on investment:

1. Kitchen
2. Bathrooms
3. Interior Painting
4. Roof
5. Heating/Cooling systems

Hope you find this helpful!

Why I am a New Orleans Realtor

When I came to New Orleans as a result of a job transfer, I felt confused and overwhelmed while searching for a home. I clearly saw the need for a professional Realtor that would provide unmatched customer service and integrity. Through my strong background in sales, my attention to detail, and extensive knowledge of the market, I am determined to provide my customers with dedicated service and consistent results. Customer satisfaction is a driving force which has also led me to personal success as a Multi Million Dollar producer and many top awards in my field.

As your realtor, I will provide you with the specialized real estate service and information that you deserve. I will assist you in making your expectations become a reality. You will become an informed buyer or seller so that you can make the correct decision for one of the most important decisions of your life. I will keep you informed on trends in the marketplace by using the latest statistics of recent sales and property values in a comparative market analysis. Real Estate is an excellent investment in your future. In the New Orleans Area as well as in the entire country, values of property continue to rise.

After losing my home to Hurricane Katrina, I can empathize with others who are struggling to repair their homes and am committed to the rebuilding of New Orleans. I understand the challenges and difficulties first hand of buying or selling your home. I will assist you personally from the first call to beyond the act of sale. If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like additional information about the current real estate market, please don´t hesitate to call or e-mail me.  Cell: (504) 231-2004,  Email: RealtorChrisSmith@gmail.com

Please visit my website www.ChrisSmithHomes.com.  Please consider it as your online resource for real estate information and return often for the latest property listing updates or searches.