Triangle Area Real Estate News & Information - Larry Tollen

Where to Start when you want to Sell

Whether you are moving to be closer to work or simply need more space, getting a home ready for the market, selling, buying, and moving can seem like an overwhelming experience. After living in your house there are plenty of projects you’ve probably wanted to tackle. Maybe you’ve thought about adding a backsplash, painting the living room, or updating the countertops in the bathrooms. What project will add the most value to the house and attract a good offer? You can spend the time doing online research or talk to friends and family about what you think matters most, but your best bet is consulting a real estate professional. Contact your real estate agent, even if selling seems like months away.

Start with contacting your agent

Your agent…

2443 Views, 0 Comments

How Do I Sell and Buy a Home All at Once?

When existing homeowners approach me with the desire to purchase a new home I tell them good preparation is the best way to keep emotions in check. On average, there are over 180 activities s a real estate agent performs per real estate transactions. Managing two real estate deals can become complicated and stressful even if you are practiced in the process. Real estate transactions are often the largest financial transactions that many of us experience in our lifetime. Consulting with a professional who can simplify and assist you throughout the process pays dividends.

Before Any Else, Commit Yourself & Hire A Real Estate Agent

A good real estate agent will be able to navigate through the checklist of transactions. Your real estate agent is…

1887 Views, 0 Comments

Important Terms You Should Know When Buying A Home

Many of our first-time home buyers start the process with a general idea that it is time to buy instead of continuing to rent. As renters; the terminology they have encountered included rent, security deposit, and terms of lease. Jumping into the home buying process introduces many first-time buyers to a new set of terms. While these terms are easily defined with a simple search, I want to put it in context of a general process you’ll encounter for buying.

Determine If You're Qualified To Buy A Home

Usually many first-time home buyers start their search with condos, townhomes, or single-family homes in a desirable area. Attractive online photos are a definite lure and motivator to figure out if buying is a possibility. The first question asked…

1436 Views, 0 Comments

2018 Research Triangle Market Trends That Every Homebuyer and Seller Needs to Know

It's the season for the loaded question that is on all of my homebuyers and sellers' minds, “What are the 2018 trends that we will see in the housing market?”. Our clients count on My NC Homes to know the upcoming market trends for the upcoming year and 2018 is no different. It is impossible for anyone to really “know” what the future holds, but with over 50 years of experience, we can read the market maps to better understand the indicators that guide our clients to make a better decisions.

2018 Real Estate Trends in The Triangle Region

In 2017, many of the Triangle homebuyers found themselves frustrated with the hot” sellers market around the Triangle. All around the area competitive offers on homes were turned away as they were edged out with…

2032 Views, 0 Comments

10 Key Considerations for a Profitable Rental Property

It is a big decision to become a rental property owner. While the reasons vary for choosing to be a landlord, profits help achieve financial goals, property maintenance, updates, and mitigate emergencies. There are several considerations when choosing a property that will make it a successful rental. To get the most out of an investment, examine the different aspects of a property. Review this list to get started with collecting information to empower a well-informed decision.

1. Get to Know the Neighborhood

Does the neighborhood cater more to college students, working professionals, young families, or senior living? This may help determine possible tenants. It also identifies the general market conditions when there may be e vacancies and…

1154 Views, 0 Comments

Want To Start Saving For A Down Payment? Try These 4 Money-Saving Hacks

Buying a home is one of those big milestones in life that many expect they’ll do someday but aren’t quite sure how to get there. In order to be approved for a mortgage, you’ll need to overcome the first and biggest hurdle: having enough money for a down payment. Saving for things is hard, especially when you’re trying to save up a considerable amount. That being said, these savvy money-saving tips might be just what you need to help you get there, sooner rather than later. 

How Much Money Do You Need For A Down Payment On A Home?

The amount you’ll need for your down payment will greatly vary depending on your lender and financial situation. Typically, down payments range from 5% to 20% of the home’s value, so a home that’s $250,000 and a loan…

1355 Views, 0 Comments

How To Buy Your First Home In Durham, Cary, & Chapel Hill

You have decided you want to stop renting and are ready to buy your first home and now you're wondering, “Where do I start?” This is one of the top questions I hear from potential first-time buyers as well as one I see over and over on real estate websites such as Trulia, REALTOR.com, Zillow, etc.

It's easy to understand why; there's so much information out there it's difficult to separate the valuable from the worthless or simply outdated.

Step One: Get Approved For A Mortgage

My advice is to start by speaking with a local mortgage lender and ask to get pre-qualified. This will at least give you some idea of whether you’re ready to get a mortgage or if there's some work you'll need to do first, to improve your credit or if you've just…

3790 Views, 0 Comments

4 Home Safety Issues Every Homeowner Should Know About

Whether you are a new homeowner or have owned your home for years, here are four vitally important things you really need to know about your house. You will be glad you knew about them in an emergency.

1. Water Shut-off Valves

There are several water shut-off valves that you should be familiar with in your home. There is usually a shut-off valve at each sink and toilet. For a problem such as a clogged drain or a faucet that won't stop running, you can shut off the water at that source until the repair can be made.

There is also a water shut-off valve for the whole house. If a pipe breaks and water starts to gush, you need to turn off the house shut-off valve to stop the water flow. Make sure you know where this valve is. If you had a home…

7676 Views, 0 Comments

The 10 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Realtor®

Are you considering hiring a professional to assist you with buying or selling your home? This is a big decision, as the sale of real estate involves large amounts of money and there's a lot of things to keep track of. Hiring the wrong Realtor® can be a disaster. Whether buying or selling, it's critical that you ask the right questions when you interview agents. After more than 25 years as a Realtor®, here's my list of the 10 questions I advise my friends and family to ask.

How To Interview A Real Estate Agent

1. Are you a Full-Time Broker? Are you available on short notice to show me homes for sale (or handle potential buyers for my house)? Do you have time to work with me now? Not all agents work full time, many have second jobs or other…

5139 Views, 30 Comments

5 Key Tips To Buying A Home In A Seller's Market (Updated)

The Triangle area real estate market is hot and just keeps getting hotter. We're nearing the end of 2017, and based on this year's market statistics it's still very much a Seller's market in North Carolina. The average days-on-market last month dropped to 33, down from 35 in November of 2016. The average sale price also rose from $268,590 in November of 2016 to $292,811 in November of 2017. So what does that mean if you're looking to buy a home this year or early 2018? It's a competitive market, but with a little bit of research and the help of some seasoned professionals, obtaining the perfect home is much less of a challenge than it may seem.

Here are some tips to help you buy a home in a seller’s market.

1. Always Stay Positive

This is one…

1536 Views, 1 Comments