5 Must-Do Tips For Great Home Hunting in Plant High School Area

5 Must-Do Tips For Great Home Hunting in Plant High School Area 

Your mission: To find your dream home in the Plant High School area. Not as easy as you thought it would be once you started browsing real estate listings in South Tampa. All the homes seem to be perfect in the pictures and you just can’t decide which ones deserve an actual viewing. The first step to accomplish this mission? Make a plan. Planning will help you decide what are your priorities and wants for the home of your dreams. Planning will save you time, gas and effort and make sure you view the homes that fit your standards and needs. Consider the following tips when looking for the home you truly deserve:

1. Know what you want. What are the things that are most important to you in a home? Write a list of important things down and check if the homes you are interested in have these amenities and features. Read carefully through the descriptions of the homes you’ve been checking out.

2. Know where you want to live. Location can never be overemphasized when looking for your dream home. A gorgeous home nestled far far away from shopping, restaurants and schools may not be suitable for you unless you enjoy and can afford traveling those extra miles each day.

3. Document your home viewing. Once you start viewing Plant High School District homes for sale, make separate notes for each home you visit. Take pictures of the amenities or features of each home so you can look back at these pictures when deciding which home deserves a second look.

4. Compare the homes of your choice. This part may be the most challenging yet crucial in your home buying decision. Look back at your list of priorities and check which home best fits your needs and wants. Browse the pictures and think about the surroundings and communities of each home. Choose the home that makes you the happiest.

5. Look for an experienced and trusted real estate agent. Your agent should be able to give you the most up-to-date information on homes for sale in the South Tampa area. She should be able to help you assess whether you are getting a good deal buying the home of your choice.

Finding the best home that suits your needs and lifestyle without hassle is truly mission accomplished!

Discover how we’re helping our clients find their dream homes! Call me, Mary G Diaz at 813-245-9677 to view homes for sale in South Tampa area now!

Improve Your South Tampa Home’s Curb Appeal and Sell it Fast!

Improve Your South Tampa Home’s Curb Appeal and Sell it Fast!

Get more potential home buyers to fall in love at first sight of your South Tampa waterfront home for sale! Improving curb appeal has been proven many times to help sell homes faster. Here are some amazing ways to improve your home’s exterior look:

 

1. Build a garden

Your garden does not have to be Versailles-like to make your home attractive. There are instant gardens that you can create in no time. More importantly, they don’t cost a lot. You can buy ready-made containers sold in garden centers. Asymmetrical landscapes create a more dynamic look.

2. Change old gutters and downspouts

An old gutter system may be the main cause of peeling paint and rust spots. Replace old systems with new ones, preferably copper systems to create high quality look.

3. Repaint

Repainting is probably the easiest and fastest way to refresh a home’s exterior. Choose a classic color like beige or colors in trend. Pantone, the global authority on color announced the nine key color and design themes for 2014: Techno Color, Physicality, Sculpted Simplicity, Fluidity, Collage, Intimacy, Moda, Tribal Threads and Eccentricities.

4. Glamorize your front door

The focal point of your home’s curb appeal is the front door. Make your door stand out by painting it with a striking color and place moldings around it. Make the fixtures and knob sparkly clean by using metal polish.

5. Repair or Replace Siding and Trim

Repair cracks or rotting material on your home’s exterior surface to instantly improve its look. If the damage is too much, replace them with new ones.

6. Install outdoor lighting

More than providing safety and security, outdoor lighting can greatly influence the curb appeal of your home for sale South Tampa area. Place fixtures that throw light on the walking path and the trees to create a dramatic look.  

7. Build a walkway or upgrade an existing one

Beautifully designed walkways always get a second look. Build a contoured rather than a straight path for more drama.  Apply a colored concrete resurfacer on an existing walkway then edge with brick or stone borders.  

8. Add an outdoor piece of art.

Adding a weather-resistant artwork in your yard will add an attractive look and spark interest for home viewers. Choose one that is unique and complement your home’s natural palette.

“First impressions last” they say. Enhancing your South Tampa home’s curb appeal will draw more buyers checking out real estate listings in South Tampa to view your home, and might sell your property sooner than you think!

Do you need more advice on how to get the most out of your  South Tampa area real estate for sale? Call me, Mary G. Diaz at 813-245-9677 and I will share with you how!

Get a Pre-approval Before House-hunting in South Tampa FL!

Get a Pre-approval Before House-hunting in South Tampa FL!

Getting pre-approved for a home loan is the most important step in purchasing a home. If you are a new home buyer, you will appreciate following this advice early on in the home buying process. In fact, most sellers will ask you if you have been pre-approved by an established bank or mortgage company before they consider your offer. A pre-approval will also help you focus on what homes you can afford and save you from the heartache of choosing a home you fall in love with only to find out that you cannot get a loan to buy it. Ask your real estate agent to assist you in meeting a reliable mortgage company and loan officer before you spend time looking for homes for sale in South Tampa area.

Once you get an appointment, the lender will collect all the information needed to offer you a loan. They will also check your credit report. Remember that there may be a fee to be charged in this process. Bring important documents that will confirm your identity and assets such as driver’s license, bank statements, W-2 or tax return if you’re self-employed, payslip or retirement accounts. After the evaluation, if they are satisfied with what they learned, they will issue you a GFE or good faith estimate which is a document stating the terms of the loan, interest rate, type of loan and closing costs. Since the process of pre-approval may take some time, consider getting this at least 6 months before you plan to buy real estate in South Tampa so you will have enough time to make corrections or adjustments in the required documents.

Now, being pre-approved does not mean the lender guarantees you the loan. It basically means you are approved to get a loan unless a drastic, unforeseen event happens. First, the home you wish to buy will be appraised to confirm that the price you will pay to buy the house is not higher than its market value so in case you default on the loan in the future, they will be protected.

All home buyers should prioritize the process of getting a pre-approval. It will ensure an easier process soon once you find the home you wish to buy because owners of SouthTampa area real estate for sale often prioritize prospective buyers who have been pre-approved.

If you are currently looking for homes for sale in South Tampa area and you need more advice regarding pre-approval, don’t hesitate to call me, Mary G. Diaz at 813-245-9677. I am very willing to answer your questions and make your home buying experience the best it can be!