What are the Closing Costs of Buying a Home in Pleasanton CA

Don't forget the closing costs

Buying a home is exciting but also nerve-racking, especially for first time buyers. If you are buying a home in Pleasanton CA, you are probably thinking about the initial down payment and the monthly mortgage payment you have to make. But there is one thing that many first time home buyers neglect to prepare for, and that is the closing costs.

The closing costs are the fees and charges you pay for your mortgage loan. It is generally between 2-5% of the purchase price. In Pleasanton CA, the closing cost of homes for sale can set you back, on the average, at least $3,700.

Before you can truly own a home, you have to figure out your closing costs. Ideally, your mortgage officer will give you a Loan Estimate which should help you know how know approximately  how much will your closing cost will be. There are also several online calculators which can give you an idea of the closing costs for your home.

What are the usual fees included in a closing cost?

You can basically categorize closing costs into two types - the recurring and the non-recurring costs. The recurring costs are, as the name suggests, expenses you'll have to make a regular payment. The non-recurring costs are one-time payments you only Shave to make to get the loan.

Under prepaid costs, you have to pay the following :

• INSURANCES - You have to secure some insurance when you buy a home. It includes the private mortgage insurance, fire insurance and  flood insurance.

• REAL ESTATE TAXES - This is the tax you will have to pay the government, and it is usually prorated between you and the seller, depending on when the closing takes place.

For recurring costs, the following items are included :

• APPRAISAL FEE. Before your mortgage loan is approved, the home or property you are buying needs to be appraised by a professional lender who will assess the value of the home. In most cases, the lender will require an appraisal from someone of their own choosing. They will not use the appraisal some seller’s sometimes provide. The result of the appraisal will help the lender decide how much money they can loan you. The appraisal fee is usually paid out of closing costs.

• TERMITE INSPECTION FEE - Termite treatment and damage repair is expensive, so most lenders require a termite inspection because they are protecting their investment, the money that they are loaning you to buy the house.

• SURVEY FEE - Like the appraisal and termite inspections, the lender may also require a survey for the property. Usually, this is part of the borrower's fees, but you can negotiate it be paid by the seller.

• HOME INSPECTION FEE - You'll be asked to get a home inspection to verify the condition of the property and see if there are repairs that are needed.

• FLOOD ZONE CERTIFICATION FEE - This is in payment for verifying that the property is located in a flood free zone.

• ATTORNEY - Attorney fees differ from state to state and depend on the attorney that is chosen. Some charge per hour, others charge on a flat rate.

• ORIGINATION FEE- This is charged by the lender to cover the administrative costs of making a loan.

• APPLICATION FEE - Also referred to as the lender's processing fee.

• UNDERWRITING FEE - Whichever lender you choose will have an underwriting fee. It covers the research of the mortgage company checking to see if you are approved for the loan or not.

• CREDIT REPORT - The lender will be checking your credit history to see if you will be approved for a loan, and for how much.

• DISCOUNT POINTS - These are paid to the lender for a lower interest rate. This fee buys you a reduced rate so you have a lower monthly mortgage payment.

• TITLE SEARCH - In buying a home, the lender must search for public records of the property you are buying to see if there are unsettled mortgage payments on the property.

• TITLE INSURANCE - This is paid to the lender to insure ownership of the property.

• RECORDING FEES - This is among the government fees you have to pay for recording the real estate purchase.

• TRANSFER TAXES  - Is another government fee for transferring the property to you.

All these costs can be overwhelming, but that is the price you have to pay to be a homeowner. To make things easier to understand, setup an appointment with your mortgage officer and discuss all these costs and see which ones you can ask the seller to help with. help payment from the seller.

For more home buying or selling information, visit http://www.HomeValuesPleasanton.com/.

Planning to buy a home in Pleasanton? Call me, Rhonda Fee, at 925-200-0827. Allow my extensive experience as a REALTOR® help you find the home of your dreams.

In case you can not view this video here, please click the link below to view What are the Closing Costs of Buying a Home in Pleasanton CA on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0o2MqggtPM&feature=youtu.be

5 Ways to Get the Best Price When You Sell Your Shadow Cliff Home

5 Ways to Get the Best Price When You Sell Your Shadow Cliff Home

Making an excellent first impression is essential to attracting buyers looking for homes for sale in Shadow Cliff Pleasanton. If you want to stand out from the competition and get the full asking price for your home, you need the assistance of an experienced real estate agent. Here are five tips to help you sell your home for the best price:

1. Choose the right real estate agent

It is very important to select the right real estate agent who has a good track record when it comes to selling Pleasanton Shadow Cliff homes for sale. Your agent has better access to information about similar homes for sale in your area. She can also guide you through the negotiation process and help you with other strategies on attracting buyers.

2. Begin with the right asking price

If you want to get the best price for your home, make sure that you set the right asking price when you first put it on the market. If you price your home too high, buyers might get discouraged and look for other Shadow Cliff homes for sale in Pleasanton instead. On the other hand, you should not price it too low because buyers might get the wrong impression that something might be wrong with the home.

To help you determine the right asking price, your real estate agent can suggest a price based on other similar sold properties in the neighborhood.

3. Resolve conflicts in negotiations

Gridlocks and delays are common in negotiations. However, you can resolve these by offering extras that won’t cost you anything. The negotiating skills of your real estate agent will come in handy at this stage. Your agent has dealt with negotiations on a regular basis and therefore, take heed of their advice. 

4. Manage your viewings

Make sure your home is fully prepared for every viewing. During a viewing, your house should be available to the potential buyer without the distraction of family members in the home for sale. 

5. Prepare your property

To get the best price, you need to show your home in its best light. Before your agent can schedule a showing of your home to potential buyers, do the minor repairs that would otherwise distract a buyer. Keep your home clutter-free all the time. You may consider moving some of your things into storage to provide a more spacious feel to your property. Make sure your lawn and outside areas are looking the best they can to give a great first impression to viewers.

Follow these five tips to make your home more attractive to buyers and to get the full asking price. For more tips in selling homes, visit http://www.HomeValuesPleasanton.com

If you are looking for a Pleasanton luxury REALTOR® who can help you sell or buy your dream luxury home, call me, Rhonda Fee, at 925-200-0827. You can also text 925-660-7110 with any of these codes: seller411, buyer411 or homesearch. With my extensive experience and knowledge of the Pleasanton luxury real estate market, combined with a track record of satisfied clients, your next transaction will be the best move you’ve ever made!

6 Tips to Sell Your Del Prado Pleasanton Home this Spring

6 Tips to Sell Your Del Prado Pleasanton Home this Spring 

Spring is the time when homebuyers start to look for homes after the long winter holidays, so it is also the perfect time to sell your Del Prado Pleasanton home.

However, expect competition from other sellers in the market during springtime as well. It’s important to make your home stand out from the rest to attract more potential buyers and sell your home fast.

Here are 6 tips to help you sell your home in spring:

1. Freshen your yard.

One of the first things buyers will notice about your home is your yard. Having been through a few years of dry winters, many of us have unsightly lawns. 

Make a good first impression by cleaning and clearing it from debris, leaves, and clutter. You can improve the aesthetic appeal of your yard by placing flowers or plants or landscaping.

2. Stage your patio/ porch

Aside from the yard, the patio or porch is also one of the areas that buyers will see first before entering your home. Spring is the perfect time to enjoy the California sun in an outdoor patio, so make sure to stage not only the inside of your home, but the patio/ porch as well to make it more appealing to buyers.

3. Time for spring cleaning!

Usually homeowners do some spring cleaning during this season. If you are selling your Del Prado Pleasanton home for sale, that’s one more good reason to do some spring cleaning - to attract potential buyers! Make sure to declutter and put away personal items so potential buyers can easily imagine themselves living in the home. Why not do a spring garage sale as well and sell all the items that you don’t use anymore?

4. Clean your walkway.

Power washing can do the trick for a beautiful walkway. While you’re at it, power wash the sides of your home too. It’s a simple task but it can really make a big difference in making your home look cleaner and attracting potential buyers. No need to spend much on a power washer. You can rent one for a small fee if you don’t have one of your own.

5. Fill the home with natural light. 

Buyers prefer homes with lots of natural lighting so open up your windows and curtains and let the warm California sunshine stream in. Opening up the windows also lets in fresh air and allows potential buyers to see the natural beauty surrounding your home. And be sure to clean those windows first!

6. Hire a home inspector.

Damages and structural defects in your home could turn off a buyer and prevent you from closing the deal. It would be worth it to get a professional home inspection done just so you know if there are any defects and items that need repair that may have gone unnoticed. This could save you problems in the future. If a buyer sees that the home needs repair, the buyer can either negotiate for a lower price or walk away from your home thinking they would need to spend more for repairs.

These 6 great tips will help you sell your home for sale in Del Prado Pleasanton fast and don’t even cost that much.

For more tips in selling homes, visit http://www.HomeValuesPleasanton.com

If you are looking for a Pleasanton luxury REALTOR® who can help you sell or buy your dream luxury home, call me, Rhonda Fee, at 925-200-0827. You can also text 925-660-7110 with any of these codes: seller411, buyer411 or homesearch. With my extensive experience and knowledge of the Pleasanton luxury real estate market, combined with a track record of satisfied clients, your next transaction will be the best move you’ve ever made!

Rhonda Fee Makes Your Home for Sale in Shadow Cliff Stand out from the Rest

Rhonda Fee Makes Your Home for Sale in Shadow Cliff Stand out from the Rest

Once you decide to put your home for sale in Shadow Cliff Pleasanton on the real estate market, you have to keep in mind that your home is not the only home on the local market. There are, quite literally, millions of homes for sale that you can find online and you’ll definitely be competing with comparable homes in your area for a handful of buyers.

While 2016 is shaping up to be a year wherein the real estate market will experience an influx of buyers due to the positive economic forecast, this also means that you need to be able to market your home properly to get top dollar for it.

It may sound challenging but it is possible to get through the entire home selling process with your stress level low while gaining a high price for your home. 

To start, here are some helpful tips from Shadow Cliff Pleasanton CA top real estate agent Rhonda Fee on how to make your property for sale stand out:

Work with a professional - or two.

Selling a home is not a one-man job. You need to work with a real estate professional with a team to ensure that you get the best price for your home for sale in Shadow Cliff Pleasanton. You need a trusted and experienced real estate agent, a home inspector, a real estate photographer, home cleaner, and a home stager, too. Your chosen real estate agent should have this team on standby for you!

Gather quality content to include in your home for sale.

Quality content means that your home for sale should include great-looking photos of your home, a compelling write up about the property and the neighborhood, and complete and honest information about the features of the home. 

Buyers appreciate honesty in your home’s information and while you may want to include inviting photos that make the room more spacious than it really is, be sure to be honest as to not mislead a potential home buyer. 

Keep it clean.

A messy home can turn a home buyer in the wrong direction, so keeping your home in spotless condition is a must. Plus, since home buyers want to picture themselves in your Shadow Cliff Pleasanton house for sale, be sure to remove all personal items or knick knacks that can remind. Take away all the family photos, toys, pet items, posters, and more. In other words de-personalize your home for sale.

Provide an overview of the neighborhood.

Another way to make your home stand out is by providing potential buyers ample information about the neighborhood where your home is for sale. The community is as important as the home and it matters that home buyers know basic neighborhood information such as: local schools, nearby entertainment centers, shops and restaurants, park locations, commute time, and more.

Make your home for sale stand out by following these few simple tips from real estate expert Rhonda Fee. Selling your home should be a challenging yet rewarding experience, not a taxing one that drains your energy! If you need help buying or selling a home in Pleasanton CA, visit http://RhondaFee.com today.

If you are looking for a Pleasanton CA REALTOR® who can help you sell or buy your dream luxury home, call me, Rhonda Fee, at 925-200-0827. You can also text 925-660-7110 with any of these codes: seller411, buyer411 or homesearch. With my extensive experience and knowledge of the Pleasanton luxury real estate market, combined with a track record of satisfied clients, your next transaction will be the best move you’ve ever made!

5 Ways a Real Estate Agent Helps You Sell Your Home

5 Ways a Real Estate Agent Helps You Sell Your Home

Putting your Birdland Pleasanton CA home for sale on the market is easier said than done. While it may seem like the only requirements needed to successfully sell your home include taking great photos, posting your listing, hosting an open house, and waiting for the right buyer, it is important to realize there are many other necessary steps you need to take and a multitude of considerations you need to worry about.

Selling a home requires tremendous work; causing some home sellers to experience a higher stress level which, according to recent studies, is comparable to getting divorced or going bankrupt. But just because selling your home is challenging doesn’t mean you give up easily. Hiring the right real estate professional is key!

There are real estate professionals who can help you get top dollar sale for your home. Who are these real estate professionals? They are real estate agents. Working hand-in-hand with a trusted real estate agent offers you plenty of home selling benefits.

They provide you a free comprehensive market analysis and interpret the data for you.

Homes for sale in Birdland Pleasanton CA real estate agents are trained to understand the trends of the current real estate landscape. They are knowledgeable about the industry and will provide you a comprehensive market analysis which you can use to determine the value of your home for sale. These reports also offer invaluable insight into when best to put your home for sale.

They assist you with all the paperwork included in the home selling process.

Real estate-related files and paperwork can be very detailed, lengthy and complex, making it hard for first time home sellers to understand the detailed content in every document that comes their way. 

When you work with a real estate agent, he or she can help you understand the various contracts and assist you with negotiating a reasonable offer for your home for sale.

They are knowledgeable about the real estate laws of the state.

Quite often, real estate regulations and laws change. As a home seller, it’s hard to keep track of all these changes. However, because it is an essential part of their industry, real estate agents stay updated with the current rules, regulations, and laws which are necessary to keep home sellers in alignment with the current laws, helping to keep them away from legal issues.

They have a wide connection of real estate networks.

When you entrust your home for sale in Birdland Pleasanton CA to a real estate agent, you allow them to market your home to even more buyers and brokers through the Multiple Listing Service. This database is where brokers and agents alike check homes for sale for their buyers who have specific needs that your home for sale might be able to provide.

They will follow the transaction through closing.

Just because a buyer gives you an offer for your home does not mean that the sale ends there. Buyers, sellers, and their respective real estate agents will go back and forth until an offer is accepted. Once accepted, your real estate agent will help manage the home inspection, mortgage period, and provide assistance to you until you successfully close escrow on the property.

Do not lose any potential buyers. Sell your home fast, stress-free, and with great confidence in getting the best price value. Work with a real estate agent you can trust. If you need help buying or selling a home in Pleasanton CA, visit http://RhondaFee.com today.

If you are looking for a Pleasanton CA REALTOR® who can help you sell or buy your dream luxury home, call me, Rhonda Fee, at 925-200-0827. You can also text 925-660-7110 with any of these codes: seller411, buyer411 or homesearch. With my extensive experience and knowledge of the Pleasanton luxury real estate market, combined with a track record of satisfied clients, your next transaction will be the best move you’ve ever made!

Is It Time to Sell Your Del Prado Pleasanton CA Home?

Is It Time to Sell Your Del Prado Pleasanton CA Home?

Have you been going back and forth on whether or not you’re ready to put your home on the market along with other Del Prado Pleasanton homes for sale? 

There are a lot of things a homeowner needs to know before they sell and needs to do when their home is on the market; negotiations need to be done for a successful closing. Are you ready for the entire home selling process?

Here are some things to keep in mind to know if you’re ready to sell your home -

Do you have equity advantage?

In accounting and finance, equity is the difference between the value of your assets and the cost of your liabilities. When applied to real estate, this is the difference between the fair market value of your home and the amount you still owe on your mortgage. Simply speaking, positive equity is when the value of your home is up and it is higher than the amount you still owe. Selling with a negative equity is a bad deal as this can lead to bankruptcy and foreclosure. To avoid this, only sell when your equity is up and it is actually enough to cover the down payment for your new home. 

Is your home too big or too small for your needs?

Have you recently experienced a change in your living situation? Has an elder relative moved in with you? Did you have a child? Did your older kids move out? Did you recently get hired for a new job that requires a longer commute from your current home? 

If you’re living in a home that is either too big or too small to accommodate your needs for the foreseeable future, this means that it is time to sell your home and purchase a new one. With the market rates currently at the lowest that they can be, the time to buy a new home for sale in Del Prado Pleasanton is now.

Are you ready to make the move?

Apart from a financial standpoint, moving to a new home in Del Prado Pleasanton also requires you to be emotionally ready to make the move. If you’re selling your home, you need to be able to handle getting your home ready for the potential buyers, keeping it on the market for weeks to months, handle hardball negotiations, and being ready to let go of a home where you and your family have made plenty of memories.

Putting your home in Del Prado Pleasanton on the real estate market can become emotionally taxing and will require you to put in a lot of time and resources to ensure that you get the top dollar for your home. If you believe that you are financially, physically, and emotionally ready to sell, then it’s time to partner with a trusted real estate agent who has a lot of experience in the local market. Doing so can help ease your stress and allow you to perfectly time when to list your home and what the best asking price would be. If you need help buying or selling a home in Pleasanton CA, visit http://RhondaFee.com today.

If you are looking for a Pleasanton CA REALTOR® who can help you sell or buy your dream luxury home, call me, Rhonda Fee, at 925-200-0827. You can also text 925-660-7110 with any of these codes: seller411, buyer411 or homesearch. With my extensive experience and knowledge of the Pleasanton luxury real estate market, combined with a track record of satisfied clients, your next transaction will be the best move you’ve ever made!

Factors That Influence the Value of Your Pleasanton CA Home for Sale

Factors That Influence the Value of Your Pleasanton CA Home for Sale

For homeowners looking to sell their properties, they often find themselves asking “What’s my Pleasanton CA home worth?” While no two homes are alike, real estate agents help home sellers determine the value of their homes with a few factors. One of which is by checking old and new listings in a local MLS. They look at the comparable homes which were sold recently in the area (sold listings), comparable homes which were listed for sale on the market but didn’t get sold (expired listings), and comparable homes that are currently for sale on the market (active listings). But apart from this listing information, the value of your home is also affected by the following factors:

Your home’s value is influenced by its location.

The proximity of your home for sale to schools, entertainment facilities, shopping areas, hospitals, public transportation, and more can greatly affect its value. Houses for sale located in high end neighborhoods that are conveniently located near these establishments get higher priced offers compared to those in lower end areas.

Your home’s value is influenced by its condition.

How old is your home? Is it properly maintained? Do you annually check for and repair any broken features? A home for sale in pristine condition usually get top dollar compared to similar homes which look like they haven’t been properly maintained. Make sure to get your home inspected for any leaks and damages before putting it up on sale so that you can be sure you’ll get the most of your home’s worth.

Your home’s value is influenced by its added features.

Did you recently remodel the kitchen? Did you add another bedroom? Did you upgrade your flooring or lighting fixtures? While it is not necessary to take on these home improvement projects before putting your home up on the market, added features can help add value to your home. Potential buyers are practical and they want to get their money’s worth. They wouldn’t pay more if your home doesn’t have any of the features that address the needs of themselves and their families.

Your home’s value is influenced by the market conditions.

Knowing the condition of the market when you put your home up for sale is crucial to how much you can expect to get from the home sale. Partner with a trusted real estate agent to get a comprehensive free market analysis in Pleasanton CA. This market analysis will tell you if the market is filled with homes and properties for sale that are similar to yours and just how many buyers are looking in the area. If you have a high number of similar homes for sale with a low number of home buyers, don’t expect that you can get top dollar sale for your home.

There are a lot of different factors that can affect how much your home is worth. Talk to your real estate agent so you can learn more about these and how you can adjust and adapt to the market’s needs. For even more helpful tips, advice, and real estate industry news, visit http://RhondaFee.com.

If you are looking for a Pleasanton luxury REALTOR® who can help you sell or buy your dream luxury home, call me, Rhonda Fee, at 925-200-0827. You can also text 925-660-7110 with any of these codes: seller411, buyer411 or homesearch. With my extensive experience and knowledge of the Pleasanton luxury real estate market, combined with a track record of satisfied clients, your next transaction will be the best move you’ve ever made!

How to Get the Best Price for Your Pleasanton Luxury Home

How to Get the Best Price for Your Pleasanton Luxury Home

It’s never easy going through the entire home selling process and ending with a price that’s lower than the asking price for your Pleasanton luxury home for sale. Whether you’re in a buyer’s or seller’s market, there are simple ways to ensure that you get the best price for your home. Check out the list below:

Put a realistic price on your home. Do your research and learn all about how the market is doing. Price your home correctly. While you may calculate the price depending on how much you bought the house, your mortgage balance, and the profit you want to make, in reality the price really depends on how much the market can bear. So make sure to have your trusted REALTOR® do a comprehensive comparative analysis of the market for you.

Improve the condition of your Pleasanton CA luxury home for sale. No matter how long or short you’ve lived in that home, chances are there are problems to address. Hire a home inspector to identify these problems. Get a handyman to fix said problems. Once the structure is in prime condition, it’s time to clean, organize, and stage your home for sale. Prepare your home in a way that lets buyers picture themselves living in it. Allow them to see the potential of the space.

Hire the best Realtor® in Pleasanton, CA. One of the most essential parts of the entire home selling process is finding a trusted Realtor® who is knowledgeable about the market and has years of experience under their belt. Your agent is your partner. Find one that complements your communication style. Choose the right agent to help you get the job done.

Get the best price offer for your home for sale. Stop stressing out. For more home selling and buying tips, visit http://RhondaFee.com.

If you are looking for a Pleasanton luxury REALTOR® who can help you sell or buy your dream luxury home, call me, Rhonda Fee, at 925-200-0827. You can also text 925-660-7110 with any of these codes: seller411, buyer411 or homesearch. With my extensive experience and knowledge of the Pleasanton luxury real estate market, combined with a track record of satisfied clients, your next transaction will be the best move you’ve ever made!

Avoid these Common Mistakes When Selling Pleasanton Luxury Homes

Avoid these Common Mistakes When Selling Pleasanton Luxury Homes

Home sellers often forget one crucial part when it comes to upgrading their Pleasanton luxury homes which they’re putting up for sale: they upgrade parts of the home according to their design preference. They forget that home buyers come in different shapes and sizes - all with their own set of style choices. So when it comes to marketing your home for sale, it’s important to keep track of these common mistakes to avoid:

1. Updating the kitchen. Granite countertops offer a luxurious and sophisticated feel. But because it’s too costly to update the entire kitchen countertop and cabinets, some home sellers simply replace new countertops on top of old kitchen cabinets. This kind of update makes the buyers feel that the kitchen update was a waste of money. If you want to upgrade your kitchen, make sure to be committed to changing both the countertops and the cabinets. 

2. Making paint touch ups all over the Pleasanton CA luxury home for sale. This strategy doesn’t work because touch ups are not always done perfectly, therefore exposing the unmatched parts of the wall where the touch up was made. To remedy this, opt to update with a fresh coat of neutral color wall paint. Neutral palettes on the wall provide the buyer a chance to picture themselves living in the space.

3. Keeping the old windows. No matter how beautiful the old window frames are, buyers see old windows as a very big distraction from the overall beauty of the home. Replace these old windows and ask your real estate agent where to find a trusted contractor to replace those windows for you.

4. Not replacing the old carpets. Stained old carpets are a major turn off for any home buyer. They walk in the home, get impressed by the walls and the windows but when they look down - dirty stained old carpets can stop them in their tracks. That’s when they decide to go in another direction with their home buying budget. Don’t let this happen to you. Contact a carpet replacement or restoration company and let them get the job done.

5. Curb appeal still matters. First impressions last and the first thing that buyers see when they look at your home? Your curb appeal - or the lack thereof. Just because California is experiencing a drought doesn’t mean you’re off the hook to show off your home. Work on updating your curb appeal with a perfectly power washed walkway, a fresh coat of paint on the door, and more.

It’s financially challenging to update your home and get it ready for selling. But keep in mind that spending an average of $10,000 on your home can get you double that amount when selling. These numbers, of course, depend entirely on the market you’re in. Consult with a trusted Pleasanton luxury REALTOR® before you do any costly upgrades to your home for sale.

For more home selling and buying tips, visit http://RhondaFee.com.

If you are looking for a Pleasanton luxury REALTOR® who can help you sell or buy your dream luxury home, call me, Rhonda Fee, at 925-200-0827. You can also text 925-660-7110 with any of these codes: seller411, buyer411 or homesearch. With my extensive experience and knowledge of the Pleasanton luxury real estate market, combined with a track record of satisfied clients, your next transaction will be the best move you’ve ever made!