aliciamatthewsrealtor

[aliciamatthewsrealtor]

If you are buying, selling, or leasing in Louisiana you must have at least ONE Carbon Monoxide detector in the residence.

[aliciamatthewsrealtor]

HOME INSPECTION 101

I recently had a buyer that didn't want to do an inspection and I quickly explained the reasons why they are critical. This made me realize that not everyone understands why. Here is a short explanation if you are also wondering the same thing.

Home inspections are an essential part of the home buying process that can help you make an informed decision about your investment. During a home inspection, a trained professional examines the home's structure, electrical, plumbing, heating, and cooling systems, and other components to identify any issues or potential problems. Here are some reasons why home inspections are important:

Identifying any hidden issues: Home inspections can uncover problems that may not be immediately apparent to an untrained eye. This includes issues like water damage, termite infestations, electrical hazards, and more.

Ensuring safety: Home inspections can identify safety hazards that could pose a risk to you or your family, such as faulty wiring, gas leaks, or mold.

Protecting your investment: A home is likely one of the largest investments you will make in your life. A home inspection can help you identify potential issues and make informed decisions about whether to proceed with the purchase or negotiate repairs with the seller.

Saving money: Identifying issues before you buy a home can save you money in the long run. It allows you to negotiate repairs with the seller or avoid costly repairs down the road.

Providing peace of mind: Knowing that a professional has thoroughly inspected the home can provide peace of mind and help you feel confident in your purchase decision.

Overall, home inspections are an important step in the home buying process that can help you make an informed decision about your investment and protect your financial and personal safety.

Hope this information is helpful to all the buyers out there. Feel free to reach out to me anytime if you have questions. I'm here to help.

Alicia Matthews, Realtor®️

Realty One Group Immobilia

137 Girod St.

Mandeville, La 70448

[email protected]

504-352-0142 direct

Licensed by the La. Real Estate Commission #0000045268

#IHoldTheKeys #Cheersto22years #AliciaMatthewsRealtor #FirstTimeHomeBuyers #RealtyOneGroupImmobilia #WeCare #HomeInspections #WakingUpToWin #TeamWorkMakesTheDreamWork #SellingLouisianaOneHouseAtATime #ListingAgent #BuyersAgent #SellingAgent #InvestmentProperty #RealEstateGoals

[aliciamatthewsrealtor]

One of the main topics of conversation in my industry right now. INTEREST RATES. Some people seem to have this misconception that todays rates are some of the highest in history. I tell everyone that is questioning buying or selling and how this misconception is affecting their decision to just google it if they don't believe me lol. Here is an excerpt from an article published from Value Penguin by Lending Tree on December 29,2022. I will be happy to send you the link to the full article if you would like to read more. And, I welcome conversations about interest rates, your concerns about how they affect you personally, and your future real estate goals.

"Since 1971, historical mortgage rates for 30-year fixed-rate loans have hit historic highs and lows due to various factors. We’ll use data from Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) to do a deep dive into what’s driven historical mortgage rate movements over time, and how rate fluctuations affect buying or refinancing a home.

Historical Mortgage Rates: Averages and Trends from the 1970s to 2022

1970s-

1971 was the first year Freddie Mac started surveying mortgage lenders, and 30-year fixed-rate mortgages hovered between 7.29% and 7.73%. The annual rate of inflation started spiking in 1974 and continued to spike into the 1980s. As a result, lenders increased rates to keep up with unchecked inflation, leading to mortgage rate volatility for borrowers. Rates crossed into double-digit territory bumping up to 10.11% toward the end of 1978 and steadily rising to 12.90% by end of the 1970s.

1980s-

By 1981, inflation had risen to 9.5%. The Federal Reserve combated inflation by increasing the federal funds rate, an overnight benchmark rate that banks charge each other. Continued hikes in the fed funds rate pushed mortgage rates to an all-time high of 18.45% in 1981. Although the Fed’s strategy helped push inflation back to normal levels by the end of 1982, mortgage rates remained mostly in the double-digits for the rest of the decade.

1990s-

Mortgage rates finally crossed convincingly into the single-digits again by the beginning of the 1990s. Homeowners who had purchased their home with a mortgage during the 1980s with rates in the 18% range were able to cut their rates in half as rates dropped. For example, a borrower with a $120,000 mortgage could reduce the principal and interest payment on their mortgage from $1,809 to $966 per month by refinancing from an 18% rate to a 9% rate. The low-rate environment created a refinancing boom, with rates briefly dropping below 7% for most of 1998 — allowing many owners to refinance multiple times.

2000s-

The downward trend in mortgage rates stalled out and reversed course with rates jumping back above 8% in 2000. However, they gradually made their way back below the 6% mark by 2003 and remained in the high 5% to low 6% range for the rest of the decade, before briefly dropping to a decade low of 4.81% in 2009.

2010s-

Mortgage rates dropped to a record low of 3.35% in November 2012. To put it into perspective, the monthly payment for a $100,000 loan at the historical peak rate of 18.45% in 1981 was $1,544, compared to $441 at a much lower rate of 3.35% in 2012. For the remainder of the decade, rates stayed in the 3.45% to 4.87% range.

2020s

The first two years of the 2020s were a roller coaster ride, with rates dropping to new historical lows; this was followed by one of the highest spikes in inflation since the 1980s just over a year later. After the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States in 2020, the Federal Reserve cut the federal funds rate almost to 0% to stabilize the economy, as businesses closed to stop the spread of the virus and public health officials ordered Americans across the country to shelter in place.

By December 2020, the 30-year mortgage rate plummeted to a new historical low of 2.68%. Rates spent most of 2021 between 2.70% and 3.10%, giving many borrowers an opportunity to refinance or buy homes at the lowest rates ever recorded.

2022

In March 2022, the Consumer Price Index, an important gauge of consumer inflation, increased by 8.5% — the largest 12-month spike since 1981. Rates were already headed higher before the inflation report, starting the year off at 3.45% in January. They’ve steadily risen each month in 2022, with the U.S. weekly average 30-year fixed rate rising to 5.30% as of May 12, 2022."

I hope this information helps clear up the misconception that today's rates are the historically highest and you should not buy or sell in today's market. This simply is not true. Knowledge is power. As you can see, rates are always moving up and down for one reason or another. Don't let the propaganda/fear factor of others steer you in the wrong direction. Let's chat about your real estate dreams and goals. I'll give you the real talk of real estate.

#realestate #interest rates #firsttimehomebuyers

[aliciamatthewsrealtor]

Thinking about selling your home? Is this your first time? Here is a brief explanation of the process for you.

Step 1: Get Your Home Ready

Have you done the work necessary to sell your home for top dollar? It's time to tackle that home improvement list before you put it on the market so you're not leaving money on the table in the end. Fresh, neutral paint always wins. Let's meet for a Sellers Consultation and make a list together.

Step 2: Choose a Listing Agent

Sure I am biased. But with my experience, knowledge, and the amazing tools provided by Realty ONE Group really are the best choice to help you sell your home. I have a plan and it works. I will also provide you with all of the legal documents and disclosures necessary to make sure you are protected during the transaction.

Step 3: Find Out How Much Your Home Is Worth

I use market data, research, comparable properties, and sometimes an appraiser to determine a price. I know you love your home but DO NOT overprice it. It is the top mistake sellers make. Trust professionals to help you be realistic so you can avoid being on the market for long, extended periods of time, which in the end, costs you more money. Let's talk about a strategy to get the job done.

Step 4: Clean & Prep for Showings

Prepare your home for showings by cleaning and decluttering. Start packing items that you do not use daily and put them away in boxes. This also helps you save time when it's time to move. You might consider hiring a professional cleaning service if it's too overwhelming. I will give you a cheat sheet of things to check off the list so you are well prepared. If a professional stager is needed to make your home really shine, I have someone on my team ready to take it to the next level.

Step 5: Market Your Home

This is when my professional marketing skills get to accentuate the best features of your home and make sure its accessible online to buyers all over the world. You never know who might be interested.

Step 6: Receive Purchase Offers and Negotiate

Navigating the current market challenges is my job to make sure we will be receiving lots of activity and an offer to purchase. Get ready to negotiate your listing price and find the right offer based on price, timing and any contingencies or additional terms such as closing costs.

Step 7: Accept Offer and Order Title

I will know exactly what to do once you accept an offer. We will talk about what to expect through this process. The title company will be calling to get personal information from you regarding your property to be able to start working on our file. This may take a while with several critical steps before we get to the closing table. And, most of the actions that are needed will be time sensitive and we should always act as quickly as possible. You will need a little extra patience during this time.

Step 8: Buyer Completes Inspections

The buyer will have a set amount of days to complete their inspections and due diligence. Keep in mind, a good inspector will have suggested improvements for almost any home that they will make the buyer aware of. Don’t get discouraged, they are just doing their job and this is not something you need to take personally. I am here to help you navigate through it and explain the actions that may need to take place. I have service providers that I can recommend to assist you if needed.

Step 9: Make sure buyer clears all contingencies

The buyers are responsible for clearing all of their contingencies. I will work closely with the other agent to make sure that they do, and in the timeframes required that are stated in the purchase agreement. This ensures that there’s no threat to the deal and getting to the closing table.

Step 10: Clear To Close....Congratulations!

I will be there at the closing with you when you sign your documents and receive your check. You have just sold your home! You’re now on to the next wonderful chapter of your life. Cheers to new adventures!

Contact me to schedule your Seller Consultation or your Listing Appointment.

Alicia Matthews, Realtor

Realty ONE Group Immobilia

504-352-0142

[email protected]

#IHoldTheKeys #SellingLouisianaOneHouseAtATime #ListingAgent #SellingAgent #HomesForSale #AgentsThatWork #MarketingSpecialist #Strategist #ComingSoon #TransactionCoordinator #RealtorForLife #RockingInRealEstateSince2001

[aliciamatthewsrealtor]

[aliciamatthewsrealtor]

Seller Tips

So you want to sell your house???

I consult with homeowners everyday and have the exact same conversations with them. We all “live” in our homes. We are working hard in our professional lives, keeping up with our daily schedules, raising children and taking care of our families, loving our pets, donating time to our churches and special causes, and doing the best we can to maintain our homes in the process. We are all in the basic state of mind living our lives. When faced with the challenge of selling your home, this balance of “living” has to be shifted for a smooth selling process. Sure, you can do whatever you want and gamble on how smooth your process will be if you have time and money to waste. It’s really up to you and your goals as a seller. As an agent, my goals are clear……sell for the right price, in a reasonable amount of time, and to always meet my sellers needs. This is why you should always hire a professional.

Here are some of the main factors to consider when you are trying to sell your home:

*Yes, you are living in your home, but it needs to look like a model home. This means taking down personal pictures and personal collections of items. Everyone that sees the home will focus on your personal pics and trying to figure out who you are than on the home itself. They will also be commenting and be versing their opinions on your collections instead of the crown molding or other fantastic features that your home has to offer. Let’s not distract the potential buyers from what is important.

*Clean, clean, and clean some more. Windows, light fixtures and fans, base boards, grout, stained carpet, dirty walls, even light switch covers. You get my point. It all has to be very clean. Cleaning doesn’t cost you anything but time. It’s a big investment when selling your home. Be like Nike…..Just Do It!

*Maintain your yard. This means cut your grass, weed and mulch your flowerbeds, and plant some flowers if you have none. You don’t have to spend a fortune. A little goes a long way here. Annuals are inexpensive and can add color in any season. Your local home store offers a variety to choose from that will work with the climate you live in.

*Remove everything from your kitchen counters, night stands, bathroom counters, recliner, sofa side tables, etc. No one needs to know how many appliances you have on your kitchen counter. Put them away. Buyers are certainly not interested in how many remotes you use, or if you clip your nails while watching TV. Put away the nail clippers beside your recliner please. They don’t care how many face creams you have either. Your collection of perfumes are pointless. Let them focus on the hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, or the beautiful fixtures that are in your home. Don’t distract them from your home with your personal lives.

*Make arrangements for your pets to have a safe place outside of the home for showings. We all love our fur baby’s, but potential buyers don’t love yours like you do. Don’t get offended. Some like dogs and cats, and some like snakes and lizards. They are all important to us, but again, you don’t want the focus shifted from your floor plan to the pet. The less distractions during the showing, the better.

*Price to sell. The most important thing to remember is to price your home well. Listen to your agent. They know what the market is. They want to sell your home at the highest price possible, in the shortest amount of time given, within your goals that you discuss. They certainly will be paid a higher commission if it sells for more, right? Don’t be upset if the value isn’t what you think it is. Let the Realtor show you the comparable sold homes in your area and explain the valuation. Don’t set yourself up for frustration and a very long listing period by over pricing your home. Those numbers never work out in the end. You will always pay more in the long run.

These are some of the basics to get your home sold quickly. The list could go on and on, but I am hoping that I didn’t need to mention to please fix the door that is falling off the hinges and so on. All regular maintenance must be done. The things I mentioned are the ones that I find sellers just seem to overlook in their busy lives. Yes, the floors are mopped, but the ceiling fan has an inch of dust over head. It doesn’t mean your dirty, it just means that you are busy “living”. Selling your home can be very stressful with our day to day activities. With a little prep work, and a Realtor to guide you through the transaction, you will be on your way to meeting your goals quickly. Happy Selling!

Alicia Matthews is a Realtor with Realty One Group. She is licensed in the State of Louisiana and has been in the real estate industry since 2001. For more information on selling your home, or to contact her regarding any real estate advice, she can be reached at [email protected] or her direct line is 504-352-0142.

“I Hold the Keys to Buying or Selling Your Home”

#realestate #IHoldTheKeys #RealEstateSellers