Buying a Newly-Built Home? Ten Benefits of Using a Real Estate Professional

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The lender approval process may go smoother if a sales professional schedules visits, accompanies you to lenders, and helps expedite required documents. What may seem like a simple transaction can grow legally complex and risky. A sales professional is familiar with those complexities and risks inherent in homebuying process. When such questions arise, we can steer you to right advisors and services you may require. When relocating to a new area, sales professionals can be particularly valuable resources. In addition to providing local area information regarding schools, day care or elder care services, public transportation, proposed development, and so on, once construction is under way, they can periodically stop by work site, supply you with progress reports, and photograph or videotape phases of construction. A sales professional can assist you as you face hundreds of design choices and consider which upgrades could potentially add value to home when it comes time to sell. A sales professional can accompany you at site while you okay plumbing and electrical locations prior to dry walling, as well as on walk-through or builder orientation. Lastly, most often builder pays sales professional’s commission. You enjoy individual attention and support at no cost to you.

Neda Dabestani-Ryba is a licensed Realtor in Maryland. She is a member of the President's Circle of Top Real Estate Professionals. She can be reached at (800) 536-3806 or visit her website for more information: http://neda.dabestani.pcragent.com/ Prudential Carruthers REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity

Old House? New House? Weighing Your Options

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Maintenance. With older homes, upkeep could be more expensive because of older appliances, plumbing and electrical systems—not to mention roof—may need to be replaced. A turn of century home may have outdated knob-and-tube wiring, and even a recently built home may have an inadequate fuse box-style panel that falls short of energy demands of 21st century families. But new homes generally come with warranties that will cover cost for most major problems. Price. Older homes are usually less expensive per square foot. In addition tax structure is more predictable because neighborhood is already established with amenities that newer neighborhoods are still in process of gaining, such as schools, police and fire services, and infrastructures (roads, sidewalks, etc.). However, with restoration costs a possibility for older homes, your dollars may very well be spent on back-end rather than upfront. If charm and beauty of an old home wins your heart, hire an inspector to evaluate home for lead paint, insect and water damage, lead and/or galvanized pipes, outdated wiring, foundation problems and energy efficiency, including windows as well as heating/cooling systems and insulation. After you get all-clear, you have one last consideration: Does home fit your lifestyle or would conveniences of a newer model suit you better? Only you and your family have answer.

Neda Dabestani-Ryba is a licensed Realtor in Maryland. She is a member of the President's Circle of Top Real Estate Professionals. She can be reached at (800) 536-3806 or visit her website for more information: http://neda.dabestani.pcragent.com/ Prudential Carruthers REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity