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Common Misconceptions About Buying and Selling Real Estate

One of the tasks associated with my business is educating clients who have various misconceptions about real estate.

Most believe information a friend has provided them is accurate without investigating themselves.

Here then are some of the most common misconceptions about buying and selling real estate my customers have presented me…

Foreclosures are the best deal

Many who purchase real estate either for investment or as their primary home are under the impression that foreclosures are the best deals.

While there are certainly some very good deals when purchasing foreclosures, often times making an offer on a property not in foreclosure is a better deal.

If a home or property has been foreclosed on, there is a high probability that the owner neglected maintenance due in part to financial implications. When this is the case, the property may require a significant financial investment to return the property to a “livable” condition.

When purchasing a foreclosure it is highly recommended that a full and thorough inspection be made of the property to ensure everything works and all significant features of the property are in good condition.

Look first get a loan second

First time home buyers as well as those who have not purchased a home recently are often misled into believing they should look at homes before obtaining proper financing.

While this may have been somewhat true during the boom years, many sellers no longer entertain offers on their property that are not accompanied by a letter of approval from a lender.

In addition, when searching for a home it is imperative that your real estate agent know not only your wants and needs, but also the price range of which you can afford.

Think for a moment about looking at several homes before obtaining pre-approval. An agent shows you several and you fall in love with one that costs $250,000. You make a full purchase offer with an earnest money deposit of $2,500 which is accepted, the sellers agent takes the property off the market so no other offers can be received.

You contact your lender for approval, who responds that you are qualified for a loan up to $200,000.

Not only have you found out you’re not qualified to purchase this home, but it may also be difficult to get your earnest money deposit returned to you. This can be a significant disappointment to you during your search for a new home. In addition, you’ve wasted the time of all parties concerned including yourself.

Therefore, it is highly recommended before you start looking at homes, you get a pre-approval letter from your lender. At least then you know how much house you can actually afford to purchase.

I must see all properties in my price range before deciding

Many buyers believe looking at every available property for sale will give them more options before making an offer.

Unfortunately the truth is actually the reverse – Looking at many properties tends to blur one into the next. When buyers view too many properties, they tend to forget or blend one properties prominent feature with another.

Also, it takes quite a bit of time to view every single property on the market and may cause you to miss that special property that meets your needs by not making an offer before someone else.

A preferred method of deciding which properties to view is to make a list of your wants and needs, discuss them with your real estate agent and together prioritize them.

Your real estate agent will be able to print out the properties that best match your criteria and show these to you so you can make a quick, informed purchase offer.

Real estate agents make too much money

This misconception is quite interesting – It is often expressed mostly by sellers wanting to haggle over a commission amount.

Did you know that the real estate agent actually only receives a small amount of the total commission?

Here’s why…

First off there is the split with the office broker so now the real estate agent only gets half. But wait; there are two sides to every transaction so there is another split with the selling agent and their broker.

So actually, the listing real estate agent only gets ¼ of the total of commission out of which their bills must be paid such as advertising, signs, MLS fees etc.

While some agents do make a very good living, it is not because of the amount of commission but instead because they treat their clients well, are well educated and have good business sense and ethics.

Buyers have to pay a real estate agent

This misconception is quite common in today’s market. Many buyers believe when they work with a real estate agent, it will cost them money.

Actually, in many areas real estate agents work with buyers for free. The agents fee is paid by the seller when the property is sold and closed.

So buyers go ahead and call a real estate agent and ask them – it’s the best decision you will make prior to purchasing your next property.

Going directly to the listing agent will save money

Often, a buyer will want to go directly to the listing agent in the hopes of saving money by negotiating or asking them to lower their commission.

Lowering a commission however, helps the seller and hurts the agent and most agents are understandably unwilling to do so.

Many buyers are not experienced negotiators, and may not be aware of what items may be negotiable besides the price of the property.

Having your own buyer’s agent represent you helps when purchasing a property by having an experienced negotiator guide you on what items are negotiable, price and other ways to save you money.

Working with more than 1 agent is OK

This extremely common misconception is one of the most wasteful of all.

When working with an agent as your representative, it is vital that you work with just that one agent.

Most real estate agents such as me work very hard for their clients. Their expenses tend to be quite high just getting clients: website fees, administrative fees etc are just a few of the costs real estate agents incur in their business.

There are many acceptable reasons a real estate agent may be unavailable to show you a property: personal illness, prior engagement with another customer, family matter etc.

These are not reasons to contact another agent and ask them to show you properties.

However, there are also many unacceptable reasons agents may be unavailable: they went on vacation without letting their clients know or they failed to provide another agent as backup to assist their clients, perhaps the agent does not work the hours clients are available to view homes or perhaps the agent doesn’t work weekends or holidays and many others.

The latter two are unacceptable for the mere fact that most potential buyers work during the day and are only available to view homes after work hours and on weekends.

If your agent is unavailable for any unacceptable reason, rather than contact another agent to show you a few homes, perhaps instead you should be contacting an agent who will work for you when you need them.

Listing with a friend/relative will save me money

This misconception can be quite damaging to a relationship. First off, if the agent is a friend and have agreed to reduce their commission, are you certain they are still able to market your property correctly?

Also, an interesting issue that often arises when working with friends or relatives – if your property does not sell and you believe you are not being represented appropriately, will you be able to fire them and hire an agent who will?

Working with a friend or relative may place a strain on this relationship and I highly recommend you hire a competent 3rd party to represent you.

You can always ask your licensed friend to help you find an agent so they can receive a referral fee.

Summary

As you can see there are many misconceptions about buying and selling real estate, working with an agent as well as the procedures involved.

When you’re looking to purchase or sell a property, get as many facts and information from licensed sources. This will ensure you not only have accurate information, but also can make an educated decision on your next property purchase.

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Lower Health Insurance Rates – How to Get Them

Most people or rather all people today are looking for an insurance company that offers you a lower rate. Especially health insurance which is one of the most important types of insurance you and your family need.Health insurance is can be very helpful to you and your family, particularly when one of your family members unexpectedly falls ill. The health insurance that you have will help you with the expensive medical bills. Getting you and your family’s health insured is very expensive.One of the many ways to lower your premium is to pay a big amount of deductible which you could handle. So in order to help you lower your insurance rates here are some other tips.You need to shop around for health insurance rates vary in every company. Besides one company might view your health and the risk you poses differently than the other company. Aside from the rate company’s insurance policy might also differ from other insurance company’s policies.Make sure that you have submitted all your medical records and you have said the truth about your health condition. Because when you lie to your insurance company you might get the worst.You should choose your insurance health carefully, and if you have preexisting illness you have to know that you will be having a hard time looking for one. There are not so many companies who will risk giving health insurance to those people that has preexisting conditions.You should live a healthy life style, company might not ask you what you’re eating everyday or how many fats and water can you consume in a day. But they will surely check on those things too so it helps if you eat healthy food and do exercise. This might help you lower your rates.Also you are a smoker; you should try to stop smoking for you might have 30 percent add up to the price of your disability, life and health insurance rates. If you have a history of drug used you might not be able to get and insurance.Also some insurance company might require you to have a physical examination or some short term exam such as taking some blood from you and your vital signs.Your doctor’s can also help you in getting your insurance coverage, for some insurance companies will ask your doctors about your health records. They can help you in explaining your previews illness if you have one.These are just some of the tips that can help you lower your premium rate and help you save some of your hard earned money. But you also have to shop around so that you could find a suitable health plan for you and your family. Insurance that could help you when you need it and an insurance company that gives a good service when it is needed by their clients.

Lower Health Insurance Rates – How to Get Them

Most people or rather all people today are looking for an insurance company that offers you a lower rate. Especially health insurance which is one of the most important types of insurance you and your family need.Health insurance is can be very helpful to you and your family, particularly when one of your family members unexpectedly falls ill. The health insurance that you have will help you with the expensive medical bills. Getting you and your family’s health insured is very expensive.One of the many ways to lower your premium is to pay a big amount of deductible which you could handle. So in order to help you lower your insurance rates here are some other tips.You need to shop around for health insurance rates vary in every company. Besides one company might view your health and the risk you poses differently than the other company. Aside from the rate company’s insurance policy might also differ from other insurance company’s policies.Make sure that you have submitted all your medical records and you have said the truth about your health condition. Because when you lie to your insurance company you might get the worst.You should choose your insurance health carefully, and if you have preexisting illness you have to know that you will be having a hard time looking for one. There are not so many companies who will risk giving health insurance to those people that has preexisting conditions.You should live a healthy life style, company might not ask you what you’re eating everyday or how many fats and water can you consume in a day. But they will surely check on those things too so it helps if you eat healthy food and do exercise. This might help you lower your rates.Also you are a smoker; you should try to stop smoking for you might have 30 percent add up to the price of your disability, life and health insurance rates. If you have a history of drug used you might not be able to get and insurance.Also some insurance company might require you to have a physical examination or some short term exam such as taking some blood from you and your vital signs.Your doctor’s can also help you in getting your insurance coverage, for some insurance companies will ask your doctors about your health records. They can help you in explaining your previews illness if you have one.These are just some of the tips that can help you lower your premium rate and help you save some of your hard earned money. But you also have to shop around so that you could find a suitable health plan for you and your family. Insurance that could help you when you need it and an insurance company that gives a good service when it is needed by their clients.

Important Health Tips Every Construction Worker Should Know

Basic job site safety is imperative in the construction industry, where a small mistake could cause a serious injury or even cost you your life. That’s precisely why organizations like OSHA have made a dedicated effort to improve safety and health awareness for all construction workers nationwide.As of 2009, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that there were 816 fatal accidents on construction sites in the US. This occurrence was more than any other on-the-job fatality rate in other single industry sectors in the US in 2009.It resulted in almost one out of five work-related deaths in the construction industry that year.With these statistics in mind, it is more important than ever to pay attention to safety awareness on a construction jobsite. Simply understanding basic safety precautions can work wonders to prevent harmful and even fatal jobsite accidents that have become commonplace in the construction industry today.All-Weather PrecautionsThe construction industry is in operation year-round, rain or shine. If you commonly find yourself working outdoors, then you need to be well aware of daily weather conditions.In the cold, make it a priority to protect your hands, feet, and head with proper clothing. Wearing warm clothing that won’t restrict body movement is best to regulate your core temperature while still remaining quick and agile on your feet. If you are working in hot weather, wear clothing that will protect against the sun to reduce the risk of sunburn and heat stroke.Regardless of the weather, it is critical to drink enough water throughout the day so that you don’t risk dehydration. Dehydration is common in hot climates, but it is also easy to get dehydrated in cold weather when the air is dry and lacking humidity.Regular ExerciseIn order to protect your health as a construction worker, it is essential to exercise regularly so that your body can withstand the strenuous demands of the job. When it comes to loading and unloading heavy materials, regular exercise will improve core strength and flexibility so that you are less likely to injure your back.For example, if you are driving a forklift or operating a crane all day long, it will be easier for you to sit comfortably and maneuver materials if you are in good physical shape. This is critically important if you work in an industry where you lift heavy equipment or operate heavy machinery on a day to day basis.Protection Against Toxic MaterialsIf you work in an environment where you come into contact with paint, you could be at risk for lead poisoning. This is especially common when working on tunnels, bridges, and elevated highways built several decades ago.If you are in an environment where you are exposed to toxic chemicals, consult with your physician to have your blood lead level checked regularly as a precaution. In addition, when working with asphalt, don’t breathe in the fumes directly. It is also important to wear protective equipment, like a face mask, when waterproofing, roofing, or paving roads with hot coal tar to reduce the risk of eye, skin, and respiratory irritation.Most construction workers that experience health issues often make problems worse since it is difficult to take time off of work to treat ailments. As a construction worker, taking necessary precautions will stop health problems before they start.

Why Take Out Individual Health Insurance Plans?

If you are thinking about taking out some sort of individual health insurance plans you will be joining over one million other New Zealander’s who are already enrolled in some sort of programme. This number may be high considering we have a reasonably good public health care system, but as many people find, having a private system can help you get the help you need right away, as soon as you need it.Private healthcare gives you the opportunity to have more control about the timing and quality of your care. You have more options such as being able to select the doctor or specialist you want to see, and schedule appointments around your lifestyle. You may not get all your costs back, depending on the type of care and whether it is covered under your plan, but you will be able to claim back large portions of your costs.If you require emergency treatment you’ll probably still go to a public hospital, but for any elective surgery (and sometimes things that are called elective feel very necessary!) taking it out of the public system will give you the help you require now.Individual health insurance plans can cover such surgeries as knee or hip replacements, heart surgery, removal of cancerous tumours or a hysterectomy. It can also include some of the diagnostic procedures used to determine whether you have a problem such as an MRI or endoscopy.There are a range of plans on offer but they typically fit into main groups: one is a major medical type policy, which covers private surgery, specialist visits and diagnostic tests, another is the comprehensive type of plans that also covers day to day costs like GP visits and prescriptions, and dental and optical cover.As specialist brokers we can place business with all the health insurers, so we need to establish your needs and medical status etc before making a recommendation. We can even provide you with a series of plans that will cover qualifying pre-existing medical conditions after 3 years. This is an extremely valuable benefit and can be worth many thousands of dollars to people with serious health problems.The premiums are age related so the cost will increase each year, (the older you are the more likely it is that you’ll have to claim).Plan for and protect your future by looking at individual health insurance plans and select the one that fits your needs best.

Good Food Good Health – Fighting Colds

Hi everyoneIf you read my last article on those beastly little cold viruses that plague us all, you will know that your best line of defence is keeping your immune system in tip top condition. Not just for fighting colds but for any infection or illness that our body encounters.Colds are one of the most common reasons we have time off work through the winter period and hospital beds are tied up with cold and flu cases. Colds and flu viruses are the biggest single killer of the elderly over winter.I really cannot stress how everybody should take our motto ‘good food good health’ of eating a nutritionally balanced diet to give your body the best fighting chance at beating off viruses and illness.Although diet is the main factor in keeping your immune system up to scratch, other factors are equally important, I believe sleep is also so very important and that we should all look at our sleep patterns and make sure we get a good seven hours sleep a night. A good nights sleep increases the release of immune stimulating hormones.Stress is another strong factor, as this puts our body under untold pressure. People who have busy lives are generally under great amounts of stress and although all of us actually perform better when under a small amount of pressure, constant high stress levels are most certainly not good for us.A lot of people are actually highly stressed because they cannot sleep, and therefore it is a vicious circle for many, this greatly weakens their immune system making it easier for them to be the victim of colds and other ailments, always feeling lethargic and rundown.Our immune system is a highly specialised network of cells and organs working together, protecting us from bacterial and viral infections.Obviously during the winter period our bodies are much more susceptible to viruses especially colds and flu, so to help maintain a healthy immune system we need to make sure we are eating a nutritionally balanced diet rich in minerals and vitamins that are vital for this.So ‘good food good health’ really is the key. I know that during the winter months our diets alter but we still really do need to eat the five portions of different fruit and vegetables a day.There are plenty of cheap vegetables at this time of the year and dried fruit counts just the same as fresh, also frozen fruit and veg is equally good, even some tinned fruit and vegetables count as well, as does a serving of fruit juice. There are also some very good vegetable drinks available now.Another steadfast recipe of my dear old Nan is chicken soup or broth. Home made is best of course but even tinned is excellent and it is a proven fact that it helps to combat colds, flu and chills.Eating a healthy diet does not have to be expensive if you try to use seasonal fruit and vegetables, and farm shops and markets give excellent value for money.Relaxation is important to keep stress levels under control, and laughing is known to reduce stress hormones and increase the immune systems activity. So taking a little time out of your busy schedule will only benefit you, even if it is only putting your feet up for half an hour and watching a good comedy, chasing the children around the garden or park, anything that makes you feel good.Exercise carried out in moderation regularly is beneficial for the immune system, reducing the risk of common infections and also help protect us from serious diseases too such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some types of cancer.30 minutes a day of moderate intensity five days a week is thought to be the recommended exercise regime, and the 30 minutes does not have to be carried out all at the same time, it can be broken down into smaller periods to work into your schedule.Wrapping up warm may help to keep colds at bay even though colds are caused by viruses and not by chilly weather. But being chilly makes blood vessels constrict, especially in the nose inhibiting immune response and making it more likely that viruses can take hold. So perhaps our parents and grandparents were right in telling us to dress sensibly after all!The main vitamins and minerals we need for a healthy immune system are vitamin B6, C, D, E and copper, selenium and zinc. Although it is best to get these through a varied diet many of us would benefit from taking supplements through the winter periods, there are many reputable supplements and suppliers that can be taken to enhance and top up your diet.Vitamin B6 is found in vegetables, whole cereals, bread, milk, pork, chicken and cod. It is available in supplement on its own or in a vitamin B complex.Vitamin C is found in fruit and vegetables especially oranges, kiwis, peppers, broccoli and yams, and is available in supplements and tonics.Vitamin D is found in oily fish and eggs. Is formed in the body when skin is exposed to sunlight and readily available in supplement form.Vitamin E is found in nuts, seeds, wheat germ and plant oils such as soya, rape and corn. Available in supplement form.So just take a look at your usual diet and see if there is any of the above requirements missing, and if so add these into your meals and get the natural benefits of good food good health.Making meal times fun is a great way of getting children to eat vegetables they like and to add new ones to their diets, be a little imaginary when serving up.For Children, many of the cereals that are now targeted at them often do have added vitamins, but I believe it still is best for whole grain cereals and plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and dairy products.I am a strong believer in the power of garlic, and have long taken it in a supplement form to help my body fight colds. Many countries have used it not only in cooking, but some believe rubbing it on the soles of their feet helps too! – not one I feel inclined to try. Garlic is also a strong natural antiseptic.Do not forget good food is good healthSandra & Ted