The Savvy Realtor with Angie Cole

Top Fears For Homebuyers And Sellers

It’s spooky season! When you walk in a house, do you ever get a sense that it’s haunted? We chat about some untold mysteries before we talk about the top fears homebuyers and home sellers face. From uncovering hidden home damage after closing to losing money in the sale, are any of these things keeping you up at night? Angie reassures us through these fears and strategizes how to overcome them with ease.
 
Here are the fears we discuss on today’s show:
Watch out for unseen issues or damage found after closing the home.
Some are scared about overspending on their house.
FOMO might cause overspending.
Sellers fear overpricing.
The fear that no one makes an offer can freak out sellers.
What if a deal falls through due to unqualified buyers? 
 
Check out our listings: https://www.acolerealty.com/

Mailbag: Should You Buy a Home Warranty?

When you are buying a home, there are a lot of expenses, so it can be tempting to skip out on one more line item. One listener asked, “Should we buy a home warranty? Or is that a waste of funds?” Angie weighs out the pros and cons on this decision that she calls a “no-brainer.” She also answers three more questions from listeners. 
 
Here are the questions we answer today:
Mailbag: We tried to sell our house on our own but found it too stressful. How can we be successful next time?
Mailbag: Is buying a home warranty a waste of funds?
Mailbag: Is it worth doing a lot of work before selling?
Mailbag: What do you think of 55+ living communities?
Mailbag: How close are realtors and mortgage lenders during the process?
 
Check out our listings: https://www.acolerealty.com/
 

Mailbag: Why Is This Fall A Good Time to List A Home?

We’ve all heard that spring is a good time to list your home. But what about right now so you can sell in the fall? Angie explains why now is a great time to sell your home. Trusting your realtor to guide you through the process can make all the difference in how your experience goes. You might be surprised to get an even better offer now since there is more competition for buyers! Angie also answers listener questions about mortgage rates, budgets, and the top mistakes she sees buyers make.
 
Here’s what you’ll learn on today’s show:
The benefits of selling your home right now.
How much mortgage rates could impact the housing market.
What budget to plan for in Flowers Plantation in Clayton.
The top mistakes buyers make.
 
Check out our listings: https://www.acolerealty.com/
 

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/