The Savvy Realtor with Angie Cole

Mailbag: Should I Decorate for the Holidays When Selling My Home?

While it’s beginning to look a lot like the holidays right now, do you really want it to look festive in your home when trying to sell? Angie shares what she thinks (and Walter shares some of his holiday decor) on today’s show. Find out the answer to this question and three others from the mailbag.
 
Here's what we discuss on today’s show:
What to consider when investing in a home or neighborhood. (0:38)
What to keep in mind if you feel nervous about the market right now. (3:12)
If the prices will go down even more. (5:47)
To decorate or not to decorate for the holidays when trying to list a home. (7:17)
 
See our listings: http://acolerealty.com 

Most Popular Real Estate Questions Right Now

With an ever-changing market, it’s helpful to get the pulse on what’s happening in the local Triangle market. Angie discusses what to expect when buying or selling a house right now. It’s a great time to buy a home because sellers are more willing to negotiate, and you will still see appreciation on your home. From mortgage rates to shifting inventory, there’s a lot to keep an eye on as we finish out the year.
 
Here are the questions Angie answers on today’s show:
How far will home prices drop? Will it keep going? (0:59)
Should first-time homebuyers even try to buy a home right now? (4:04)
Will mortgage rates stay in the 6s and 7s? (5:16)
Is inventory likely to increase significantly? (9:12)
Will we see a buyer’s market in 2023? (10:29)
 
See our listings: http://acolerealty.com 

Mailbag: Should I Buy a Newer Home or Build A Brand-New Home?

Is it a good idea to make a low offer in hopes of a counteroffer and then the possibility of a second chance? What may seem like a full-proof plan may actually come back to haunt you if your offer is flat-out rejected.
Having a realtor by your side to coach you through making a reasonable offer can make all the difference when buying a house. Angie talks through what she would do in response to this mailbag question and three others she answers on today’s podcast.
 
Here are the questions Angie answers on today’s show:
Is it better to buy a newer home or build a brand-new home? (0:38)
Does every real estate agent require a contract to work with? (2:16)
How many homes should an agent be selling on average? (4:27)
Can you help me find a home with an elevator? (6:00)
 
See our listings: http://acolerealty.com 

Mailbag: Is It Wise to Make a Low Offer First?

Is it a good idea to make a low offer in hopes of a counter offer and then the possibility of a second-chance? What may seem like a full-proof plan may actually come back to haunt you if your offer is flat-out rejected.
Having a realtor by your side to coach you through making a good offer can make all the difference when buying a house. Angie talks through what she would do in response to this mailbag question along with three others she answers on today’s podcast.
 
Here are the questions Angie answers on today’s show:
Mailbag: Should we bid low first and then hope for a second chance? (0:41)
Mailbag: Can I sell my house without making improvements or staging? (3:44)
Mailbag: Are buyers desperate right now? (5:53)
Mailbag: Should we wait until after the holidays to list our home? (7:11)
 
See our listings: http://acolerealty.com 

Mailbag: What is the average down payment people put down on a home?

We answer a few questions from the mailbag today, but first, Angie shares an update on what she is seeing in our local market. She says things are showing some slight slowdown, but we’re still seeing appreciation.
What else can you expect with today’s real estate market? From lower due diligence to flexibility in negotiation, it’s still a great market to buy and sell your home in the Triangle.
 
Here are the questions Angie answers on today’s show:
What’s happening in the Triangle housing market? (0:38)
Mailbag: Can we have a contingency sell our house in order to buy the new one? (6:24)
Mailbag: Has anyone successfully done rent-to-own to become a homeowner? (8:06)
Mailbag: Is it possible to buy land and live in a camper until we can build? (10:17)
Mailbag: What is the average down payment people put down on a home? (11:42)
 
See our listings: http://acolerealty.com 

Good Takes and Bad Takes in Real Estate

Let’s play a new game called “Good Take, Bad Take” where Angie decides which of these prompts and predictions line up with what’s expected in the Triangle market. When you see some of these headlines and prognostications, they might catch your attention, but remember that they don’t always apply in our local market. Angie shares her thoughts and expertise on today’s show.
 
Here are the things we go over as Angie shares what she foresees actually occurring in our area:
“Experts predict real estate prices are headed down.” (1:05)
“The housing market will have to go through a correction.” (2:07)
“Removing your bathtub in renovations is a bad idea.” (3:37)
“Your annual income has to be $100,000 to buy a home.” (4:57)
“You will save thousands if you sell your house without an agent.” (5:38)
“Within a few years, we’ll tour houses with virtual reality.” (7:15)
“People will skip the home selling process to sell to an iBuyer.” (11:01)
“Most will find their homes through social media marketing instead of MLS.” (14:21)
“You don’t need to stage your home since you can do it virtually.” (16:55)
“Real estate is still the best way to build long-term wealth.” (20:41)
 
See our listings: http://acolerealty.com 

The New Norm in Today’s Real Estate Market

The real estate market has seen a real shift recently. Interest rates have continued to rise and some buyers are starting to pause and reconsider their next move. What does that mean if you planned to buy a house? Is it still a good time? Angie shares what she has seen in the Triangle market and what to expect in the near future. Then, she answers four questions from the mailbag.
 
Here’s what you’ll want to consider when selling your home:
How the market has shifted and found a new norm. (0:37)
Mailbag: How much time do we have to make an offer? (5:02)
Mailbag: Am I a less competitive buyer without putting 20 percent down? (7:23)
Mailbag: Is paying asking price or higher still expected? (9:18)
Mailbag: How many people on your team will I interact with when selling my home? (10:12)
 
See our listings: http://acolerealty.com 

Top Tips for Selling at the Highest Price

We look at a recent article about the five ways to sell your home for more money without spending a lot on major upgrades. Some of these may be pretty standard, but some might surprise you. Is your home prepped and ready to get the best price in today’s market? Angie expounds on each tip to give you a behind-the-scenes understanding of how and why these work well.
 
Here’s what you’ll want to consider when selling your home:
What does it mean to price your home competitively? (1:12)
How can you price your home strategically? (2:25)
What can you do to best market your home online? (4:52)
Highlight your home by thinking like a buyer. (6:36)
Decluttering and depersonalizing will make a big difference. (7:45)
 
See our listings: http://acolerealty.com 

Mailbag: Is Now The Worst Time To Buy A Home?

When you read the news, you might wonder what’s going on with the real estate market. Between increasing interest rates and high prices for homes, some people might feel like it’s a terrible time to buy a home.
Even though the market is slowing, Angie explains what is happening in the Triangle today--including appreciation on homes. Of course, you want to make the best decisions possible when you decide to buy a home, but consider your local market instead of just the national headlines.
 
Here are the questions Angie answers on the show: 
Is right now the worst time in history to buy a home? (0:38)
When is the best weekend of the year to buy a house? (2:16)
What does it cost to hire an interior designer? (5:30)
Do I have to list everything wrong with my home? (8:24)
 
See our listings: http://acolerealty.com 

Mailbag: Can I Still Get Above Asking Price?

When you go to sell your home, you want to have an idea about what’s going on in the market. On today’s show, Angie answers five questions from different sellers and home buyers as they navigate this process. Find out what to expect in today’s market and how you can get the best-case-scenario when you sell your home.
 
Here are the questions Angie answers on the show: 
Do smart tech items like cameras, thermostats, and doorbells add value to a home? (0:38)
Will you still be able to get above asking price on your home? (2:51)
Is a two-bedroom house a bad buy and harder sell in the future? (4:40)
Does an appraisal guarantee have real value? (5:53)
What’s the importance of marketing a home and how do you do it? (10:23)
 
See our listings: http://acolerealty.com