The Savvy Realtor with Angie Cole

Mailbag: Is Our House Priced Too High?

If you are getting nothing but lowball offers as for sale by owners, what does that mean? And how can you set yourself up for success? This episode focuses on answering listener questions from people who are navigating the home-buying process.
 
Here are the questions Angie answers today:
Can I get a 30-year mortgage even at an older age?
If we get only lowball offers, are we priced too high?
How do you advise an engaged couple when buying a home?
How have our exterior upgrades to our home improved the value?
 
Check out our listings: https://www.acolerealty.com/
 

Dirty Words Of Real Estate

What are some of the “dirty words” in the world of real estate? Words can carry a lot of meaning, so pay attention to what each of these words can mean for the buyer. From "fixer-upper" to "cozy" to "cash only," Angie breaks down what each of these can entail when buying or selling a home.
 
Here are the words and phrases we discuss on today’s show:
A fixer-upper could be an opportunity or a headache.
Is being a motivated seller a good way to market your property?
Cozy sounds sweet, but it might mean small.
“As is” isn’t always the same as a fixer-upper.
Cash only might mean you can’t get a loan due to certain conditions.
Tenant occupied could be good or bad, depending on your goals.
 
Check out our listings: https://www.acolerealty.com/

Mid-Year Housing Forecast

Wondering why the number of homes on the market seems lower while you search?  We tackle a few questions from the mailbag before we dive into expert predictions focused on the 2023 forecast in the housing market. From inventory levels to home prices, Angie shares what to expect right now in the Triangle (which can be different from the national market).
 
Here’s what you’ll learn on today’s show:
Mailbag: Feeling frustrated with the lack of homes for sale. What’s going on?
Mailbag: What happens to hidden “treasures” left behind after selling your home?
New predictions for 2023: Will home prices dip?
2023 prediction: Will interest rates drop?
2023 prediction: Is the inventory going to increase?
 
Check out our listings: https://www.acolerealty.com/

Mailbag: What’s The Right First Step When Looking For Homes?

Feeling ready to get the search started but worried about where to start? Angie talks about one of the very first steps to take in the homebuying process. Then, she answers another real estate agent’s question about putting down a strong offer to try to win the home! She shares what the risk is with this and what the thought process might look like on the other side. Finally, she shares about the speed of the market when selling a home and what that means as a realtor.
 
Here are the questions Angie answers from the mailbag:
Mailbag: Should we get a pre-approval letter before looking for home? (0:43)
Mailbag: What do you think about strong offers with a time limit? (4:14)
Mailbag: What’s the fastest you’ve ever sold a home? (7:58)
 
Check out our listings: https://www.acolerealty.com/

Mailbag: Home Building Costs and the Power of Virtual Staging

Ever thought about building your own home and wondered about the hidden charges? In this episode, we’re answering some listener questions about new home builds. Fisher and Renny, two of our listeners, are considering building their homes, so Angie dives into the costs and the hidden fees that could quickly add up, such as permits, running utilities, and preparing the lot costs. We’ll also explore the concept of virtual staging in real estate!
 
Here are the questions Angie answers on today’s show:
Mailbag: I’m thinking about purchasing land for $100,000 and trying to build a 1,500-2,000 square foot home with a two-car garage for an additional $350,000. Is this realistic? (0:50)
Mailbag: How much should I budget for labor costs, electrical, water, house permits, etc? (3:38)
Mailbag: I’m a creative writer. Would it be okay for me to write my own home description for the listing? (5:48)
Mailbag: Do you think professional staging is important now? Or does virtual staging do the trick? (8:15)
 
Check out our listings: https://www.acolerealty.com/
 

Creative Real Estate Solutions

For many people, buying or selling a home happens with a primary residence. But what about a more unconventional route? Angie answers questions from listeners that include everything from a down payment with zero-dollars down to fractional ownership. You might be surprised by the creative solutions people have pursued as they work towards buying a home or investing in real estate.
 
Here are the questions Angie answers on today’s show:
Mailbag: Is fractional ownership essentially a timeshare? (0:38)
Mailbag: Should we sell or rent our current house out when buying a new home? (2:34)
Mailbag: Is it possible to buy land, live in a camper, and later build a home on that land? (3:54)
Mailbag: What is the average down payment people put down on a home? (5:17)
Mailbag: How many homes should a potential real estate agent be selling each month? (6:45)
Mailbag: Can you help me find a home with an elevator? (8:19)
 
Check out our listings: https://www.acolerealty.com/

Mailbag: Are We Going to Face a Real Estate Crisis?

When you listen to the news, you might be wondering what’s happening with the real estate market. Angie shares how the Triangle market is a bit different than some of the other parts of the country. Will there be a real estate crisis? If so, how can you prepare now?
 
Here are the questions Angie answers today:
What’s the pulse of the local real estate market? (0:43)
Mailbag: Could the US debt default scare cause a massive real estate crisis? (2:57)
Mailbag: Are sellers willing to pay closing costs? (4:50)
Mailbag: Is it worth it to pay points to buy down interest rates for the mortgage? (6:03)
Mailbag: What kind of fixer uppers should I avoid as a first-time homebuyer? (9:27)
 
Check out our listings: https://www.acolerealty.com/

Expert Advice: Real Estate Questions Answered

When you buy or sell a home, you end up working with so many different people to make it happen. Today we talk with some of Angie’s preferred vendors and professionals to hear more about the home-buying process. 
From Tina Konidaris, we hear about the pre-qualification process for a mortgage and why it’s important. Then we talk with Amber Cole about why staging can make a huge difference when you go to sell your home. Craig McCall shares about economic trends during the attorney minute, and Jarrett Joines gives some insight about what you can ask your home inspector. Finally, a question from the mailbag asks how to find a home that has the best resell value.  
 
Here’s what you’ll learn on today’s show:
Mortgage moment: Understanding the pre-qualification process. (1:41)
When does staging help promote interest in a home? (3:53)  
Attorney minute: How do economic trends impact their approach? (4:50)         
Ask the inspector: What can I ask my inspector after the inspection is completed? (6:15)
Mailbag: What types of properties have the best resell value? (7:51)
 
 

Realtor Statements: What To Look Out For And What To Follow

When you hear something from a realtor, do you know what’s a red flag and what’s a bit of brilliance and innovation? We talk through a number of hypothetical realtor statements to see what Angie thinks about these and which ones she has said to clients. Have you heard any of these when working with a realtor? 
 
Find out which of these realtor statements Angie agrees with:
“Let’s increase the cute factor and make this listing go viral.” (1:00)
“I’m only available during office hours.” (2:20)
“Let’s look at your home and price it together instead of using the Zillow estimate.” (4:41)
“Open houses are a waste of time.” (5:53)
 
Check out our home-buying guide: https://www.acolerealty.com/blog/special-guide-the-home-buying-process/ 
Check out our listings: https://www.acolerealty.com/ 
 

Mailbag: What Does It Mean To Have A House With “Character?”

When buying or selling a home, you may face some questions about how to list it well or describe what it’s like. From hidden features to extra character, Angie talks about what motivates buyers and what’s nice to know when answering four questions from the mailbag. Join us as we chat about what home features you should market if you’re considering selling.
 
Here’s what you’ll learn on today’s show:
Where is the market right now? (0:38)
Mailbag: Should we include aerial views in our home listing? (4:09)
Mailbag: What does it mean if a house has “character”? (6:43)
Mailbag: How would a secret room help with selling a home? (10:01)
Mailbag: Is it worth it to market my home’s energy efficiency? (11:04)
 
Check out our home-buying guide: https://www.acolerealty.com/blog/special-guide-the-home-buying-process/ 
Check out our listings: https://www.acolerealty.com/