Thinking about selling your home? With the bustling real estate market here in Yuma, Arizona, it’s a great time to get your home in front of prospective buyers.

While it’s tempting to handle your home sale on your own, most sellers prefer help from someone who knows the ins and outs of marketing and selling a home.

Learn more about 5 benefits of hiring a real estate agent to sell your home.

1. Do You Know the Market?

You may think you understand the market in your neighborhood because you’ve spent time browsing local listings.

A real estate agent does more than browse. They study the market and work with it every day. They also have quick access to numbers.

Realtors keep tabs on home listings, home sales, and current trends. The numbers they use help them make educated recommendations about the listing price for your home.

2. Staging Your Home

Before you ever open your door to potential buyers, your home should look like a showplace. A real estate agent knows how it’s done.

They can take the humblest of homes and make it shine.

A well-staged home sells faster and closer to the listing price. Why wouldn’t you take advantage of a realtor’s staging expertise?

3. The Multiple Listing Service

Unless you’re a licensed realtor, you won’t have access to the full range of marketing tools needed to sell your home.

The big one is the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Once an agent lists a home on the MLS agents everywhere can view your home.

Any seller interested in maximizing exposure wants their home in the MLS database.

4. You Need a Contract Expert

One of the most significant benefits of hiring a real estate agent is that you’ll have a contract guru.

From start to finish, real estate transactions require what seems like a mountain of paperwork including:

• Buyer’s Agent Agreement
• Purchase Agreement
• Seller Disclosures
• Home Inspection Report

There’s more we won’t list here but you get the idea, right? A realtor reads over each contract and keeps track of deadlines so that you don’t miss anything.

5. How Are Your Negotiation Skills?

Most buyers don’t come in with an offer at your listing price. This is where you want a real estate agent who has some mad negotiation skills.

Your agent knows the value of your property. They can help you with counter offers and will negotiate a price with the prospective buyer and their agent.

Selling a home is an emotional event. Emotions and numbers usually don’t make good business partners. A real estate agent can talk numbers without letting feelings get in the way.

More Benefits of Hiring a Real Estate Agent

We’ve shared just a few reasons why realtors are key to successful home sales. There are many more benefits of hiring a real estate agent.

Education and professional training prepare agents for every aspect of selling a home. They’re also passionate about helping clients close the deal.

If you’re ready to list your home and want to partner with an agent dedicated to getting it sold, contact us and schedule a free consultation.

While the decision to sell your home is a big one, other important decisions follow suit, like will you list it yourself or use a realtor? 92% of Americans decide to use a realtor or a broker to assist them in the selling of their home. 

When you're ready to buy a home, what will you choose? Could you wing it on your own, or should you engage with a professional to help you make smart choices?

Or, maybe you're unsure what to look for in a realtor. To find the house of your dreams, and make the moving process less hectic, here are 5 tips for finding a top-notch realtor. 

1. List of Referrals

Do you know someone who recently sold or bought a new home and raved about their real estate agent? You've heard it said that the best advertising is by word of mouth, and that's completely true, whether the advertising is negative or positive. 

Ask multiple people who've worked with a realtor in the past what their experience with a realtor was like and make a list of referrals. This way, you have a good overview of their reputation before committing. Before you make your choice, interview three top candidates. 

2. Cost

Most realtors work for commission, meaning they receive a percentage of the home you purchase. Paying a realtor can get expensive quickly, especially if you don't understand the terms of their commission. 

In short, do your best to understand how their commission works before agreeing to work with them. 

3. Knowledge of The Neighborhood

Chances are you have in mind an area or type of home you're looking for. Hiring an agent that has a history with the neighborhood is helpful because they can fill you in on everything you need to know about the neighborhood.

They'll also understand the fluctuation of the prices of the homes and can properly compare home prices while offering advice. 

4. Experience

There are millions of realtors in the United States, and sifting through them is no picnic. Generally speaking, you do want someone who has a bit of experience selling homes, especially in the area you're looking for. 

While working with an inexperienced realtor can be fine, finding someone who has a bit of experience will likely make your move much smoother. 

5. Connection

While it might be logical to go with a very successful realtor, that doesn't mean it's the right choice for you. 

You and your realtor should be on the same page, and they're there to guide you and make suggestions, not push you to do more than you need. A good realtor always has your best interests in mind and will try to connect with you on a personal level. 

If you think a realtor is out to scrape your pocketbook, keep looking for someone you connect with. 

Buy A Home, Use A Realtor

When you're ready to buy a home, consider using a realtor to help! Our team is here to assist you with your needs. Contact us today! 

91% of sellers use a real estate agent to help sell their home. But how do you know which real estate agent to use?

There are so many agents out there, it can be overwhelming to decide which is best for you and your property.

If you’re in the market to sell your house, read on to learn some of the best tips for finding the perfect agent for your sale.

1. Look for Local Market Knowledge to Help Sell Your Home

When selling your house, you need to find a real estate agent with local knowledge. Someone who knows the area very well, inside and out, and can confidently talk about the area’s selling points, such as parks, the school district, shopping, and dining.

Attending open houses to meet agents in your neighborhood can be a good way to meet local realtors. Look for the agents who sell most frequently in your town, as they are likely to know the market better than anyone.

2. Do They Have a Great Sales Record?

You need an agent with an established record of closing sales. If they have had properties listed for a long time, and they don’t seem to be selling, then there could be a problem with their sales technique.

A great realtor should have a marketing plan to sell your home. This should include pricing, staging, open days, and promotion and advertising, both in traditional and online media.

3. Look for Honesty and Professionalism

Selling your home is one of the most important decisions in your life, so you want to work with an agent who can help you.

Not only can they help you get the best price for your treasured property, but they should handle the proceeding with professionalism, ethics, and care, for both you and potential buyers.

If you’re not comfortable with your realtor, or you don’t feel it’s a personality match, then you may need to look for someone else.

4. Ask for Referrals

One of the best ways to find a realtor is via referrals from homeowners. What better way to find a realtor then asking others who have bought and sold recently?

Ask friends, neighbors, and colleagues if they’re willing to give you their honest opinion about their experiences of selling.

You’ll gain valuable insight, but the real estate agents will also appreciate the referrals, which can be a great form of marketing for them.

5. Trust Your Instinct

The most important thing to remember when selecting a real estate agent is trusting your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, or you don't agree with the way they’re marketing your property, speak up and say something.

You want to be sure you’re confident that your real estate agent is doing the best possible job, so don’t be afraid to walk away if you’re not satisfied.

Get More Help

We're happy to help with all of your real estate needs in the Yuma area. Our experienced and friendly staff know the market better than anyone and can help you get the best possible price for your home. 

Create a custom market report to learn more, or contact us with any questions about selling, buying, or refinancing. We look forward to hearing from you.

Unlike decades past, American consumers are putting less money down on home purchases. This has led some financial experts to declare death to the 20 percent down payment.

The median down payment for first-time homebuyers is just 7 percent. Repeat buyers put down a median of 16 percent.

If you put down less than 20 percent, it means that you need to establish an escrow account for property taxes and home insurance. However, this account is different than the escrow required to complete a real estate transaction.

The difference between these two escrow accounts confuses many people. Read on for a comprehensive guide to understanding the escrow process. Explore a step-by-step handbook as well as a description for closing an escrow account.

What Is Escrow?

Before diving into the process, it is important to understand what escrow is. Escrow is an account held by a third party designed to fulfill obligations between two parties.

In the case of a real estate transaction, an escrow agent may serve as this third party. They make payments to various institutions in order to close the transaction.

Escrow guarantees that the buyer has sufficient funds to complete the real estate transaction. At the same time, the third-party guarantees the authenticity of the seller. This means that escrow serves as a benefit to both the buyer and seller.

For example, the escrow agent will not release the buyer’s funds until a title search is performed. Here, a title company verifies that no one else has a claim to the home.

When Does the Escrow Process Start?

The escrow process begins immediately after a seller accepts an offer. The escrow account established remains open until closing when the buyer takes possession of the homes. At this point, all financial obligations are met and this escrow account is no longer necessary.

First, a good faith deposit is placed into escrow. The purpose is to show the seller that you are a serious buyer. This deposit serves as a deterrent to buyers attempting to purchase multiple homes at the same time.

When Does the Escrow Agent Release Funds?

The release of the buyer’s funds is tied to certain conditions being met. Most important of the real estate milestones is the title transfer.

There are other milestones that occur during the purchasing process. Notable events are the home appraisal and mortgage approval.

Obviously, no funds are transferred to the seller without a green light from the bank. Therefore, the escrow agent will wait until the buyer’s mortgage application is approved.

What Is an Escrow Account for Homeowners?

Many people are confused and do not realize the difference between escrow accounts before and after closing. The escrow required to complete a real estate transaction is not the same as that established by a lender.

If the buyer does not put enough money down, the lender requires the formation of a new escrow account. The purpose is to mitigate risk and ensure home obligations in addition to the mortgage are covered. Property insurance and home insurance are two examples of obligations paid out of a lender’s escrow.

Wrapping It Up

With this information, you should now have a better understanding of escrow. It is designed to benefit both buyer and seller. The account is used by a neutral third party to make payments as two parties seek to close out a deal.

If you want to learn more about the escrow process, contact us today for more information.

Did you know that staged homes sell 73% faster?

If you're getting ready to list on the market, learning how to stage a home for sale will not only make the selling process faster, but you'll also earn more money.

Are you ready to become an expert on staging? Keep reading for 5 house staging tips that can make a big difference.

1. Eliminate Clutter

One of the most important home staging tips is to eliminate clutter to make your home feel more neutral and open. If you have a lot of your personal belongings like photos or clothing out, then potential buyers will have a harder time imagining themselves living there. Taking a 'less is more' approach with your decor will allow visitors to float from room to room happily.

2. Take Advantage of Natural Lighting

As it turns out, lighting has a big impact on our mood. If your house is poorly lit, you can turn a lot of potential buyers off. Natural lighting is the best type of lighting because it makes each room feel bigger and more relaxing. Before visitors take a tour of your home, make sure you open the curtains and turn on warm lights in dimmer areas.

3. Update Little Details

A lot of tips for staging a home aren't realistic for many homeowners because they involve spending too much time or money. Upgrading all of your appliances will make your kitchen look more modern and elegant, but you might not have thousands of dollars to invest.

This is why focusing on smaller projects can elevate your entire space without costing a fortune. Updating your hardware, applying a fresh coat of paint or caulk, or buying new decor can breathe new life into your home.

4. Make the Space Look Cozy

As you're staging your home, you have to walk a fine line between keeping the space minimalistic without feeling barren. Having too much clutter can feel overwhelming while not having enough decor makes the space feel cold. The ultimate goal of house staging is to make the space feel clean but also inviting. Blankets or pillows for couches and beds, wall art, and live plants are a few things that can make your home cozier.

5. Don't Forget Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is crucial for enticing potential buyers to come inside. Since the new homeowner will have to pull into the driveway every day, you need to make the experience of coming home enjoyable. Maintaining a lush lawn, adding plants to the yard, and setting up a little sitting area by the front door can go a long way.

Learning How to Stage a Home for Sale Is Important 

Now that you know how to stage a home for sale, you can close faster and at a higher price. Although following these staging tips takes some planning, the results are always worth the effort.

Do you want to make the selling process stress-free? If so, here at Yuma Realty Professionals would love to help. Check out our services to learn why every homeowner can benefit from working with us.

The whole point of holding an Open House is to sell your home so you want it to be as successful as possible at making people fall in love with the home. 

In order for that to happen, you need to first get them in the door and then you need to wow them once they are there.

Check out these awesome open house ideas and tips to help sell your home.

Be a Social Butterfly 

While traditional advertising for open houses still works, you're missing a huge opportunity to reach more people by having a modern approach to spreading the word about yours. You need a solid marketing plan to sell your house.

Social media, online community and interest groups and online media are all great ways to connect with potential buyers that wouldn't see traditional newspaper ads or street signage. 

You also have the benefit of being able to a professional sales approach and talk up the good features of the house with each post. You can create slide shows, videos and fun fact posts in the days and weeks leading up to your open house to make sure as many people as possible know about it.

Even if the people following you on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn isn't looking for a home, they may know someone who is. They may be the ticket to you finding the right buyer.

And a Talking Billboard

Everyone you meet is a chance to make a connection. They may not be looking for a house themselves, but they may know someone who is. Have business cards with the website for your virtual tour of the house. You can give them whenever you can work it into a conversation.

You'll also want to have Open House flyers or brochures to hand out to someone who really seems interested. These can also be placed on bulletin boards in the local grocery store, malls, community centers, and other public places. 

Check Out Other Open Houses for Open House Ideas

You can always take notes from the professionals. Check out other Open Houses in your neighborhood and see what works and doesn't in the staging and their effectuation of getting people to love the house.

Use those tactics you see that are successful and avoid the things that you felt didn't work. Listen to others who are walking through the house and hear the pitch from any agent or homeowner. 

Make it Everyone's Home

Staging your home correctly is crucial. When you are holding an Open House one of the most important things you have to do is make it everyone's home, not specific to your tastes. While you may prefer to think outside the box and have bright colors and eclectic decor, not everyone will feel at home in that environment. 

Individuals need to be able to see their life comfortably happening in this space. That means if it is a chaotic cluttered mess, they are going to feel uneasy about moving their life into it. More neutral colors and uncluttered rooms will help visitors envision their own furniture, family, and life.

Consult the Experts

If you want to sell your house quickly and you're looking for open house ideas then you'll want to have experts with experience to help you through the whole process. This will take a lot of the pressure off of you and you won't have to do so much trial and error. 

The right real estate professionals have all the open house ideas you need and will get the job done right.

Did you know that Americans spend more than $400 billion on home improvement projects each year?

Lots of people upgrade their homes to make their living space more modern or beautiful, but improving your home before you sell it has a lot of other benefits. Not only does investing in the best home upgrades make your house sell faster, but you'll also get much higher returns.

Do you want to know what home improvements add the most value? Keep reading to learn about 5 of the best home improvements everyone should do before selling.

1. Energy-Saving Appliances

Energy-saving appliances are the top home improvements that add value because modern buyers are looking for crafty ways to cut their expenses.

Buying a home that's more environmentally friendly may cost more upfront, but they're willing to pay extra if the appliances will save them more money. Washers and dryers, dishwashers, ovens, and fridges are the most popular appliances to upgrade.

2. Fresh Paint

It may not sound like much, but a fresh coat of paint can work wonders for any home. Not only does new paint look more vibrant, but it can make the space look cleaner and more spacious, too.

If your home has any bold colors, consider repainting your rooms a more neutral tone to attract more buyers. Applying a fresh coat of paint to the exterior of your home can also make your house stand out in the neighborhood.

3. Landscaping

Some of the best home improvements for resale don't involve touching your home at all.

Curb appeal is an important feature to pay close attention to when you're selling your home because you want to make a great first impression. Hiring a professional landscaping company or buying the tools you need for DIY projects is always worth the investment.

4. Flooring

Does your carpet look discolored or worn down? If so, installing new carpet can make your house feel more modern and clean. Making the switch to hardwood floors is also a great idea since wood is elegant, trendy, and full of character.

5. Bathroom Makeover

The appearance of your bathroom can make or break your sale because people spend a lot of time in this room.

If your bathroom is outdated, you'll turn potential buyers off. Upgrading the hardware, applying new grout, changing the light fixtures, or installing a new sink are just a few different ways you can breathe new life into your bathroom.

The Best Home Improvements Lead to Faster, Higher Sales

Now that you know 5 of the best home improvements you can do before selling your house, you can feel confident that your investments won't go to waste.

Do you want to learn other ways you can sell your home faster and for a higher price? If so, Yuma Realty Professionals has all of the tools you need to take the stress out of selling your home.

Check out our services to learn more about how we can help.

If you are thinking you should try the sell house by owner method, you may have heard that you save money or avoid unnecessary annoyances. While you might not have to pay certain fees, that doesn't mean you'll save money.

Continue reading this article and you'll learn why you should never sell your home without a real estate agent.

You'll Be Busy Negotiating

If you try to sell your home on your own, you'll have many people to negotiate with and it will start to feel like a full-time job. When people see a for sale by owner sign, they think you are desperate to make a deal and that you're likely inexperienced with negotiating a good price for your property.

You have the buyer that wants to give you low-ball offers, the buyer's agent that thinks they can work you over, the potential buyer's home inspector and even an appraiser.

If you have a reputable real estate agent on your side, you won't have to worry about people buying real estate in Yuma trying to negotiate you out of the money due to you.

Lack of Exposure

If you're doing your own marketing, you may not get the exposure you need to sell the home in a timely manner. Many buyers search for their homes online and unless you have an internet marketing strategy in place, you're going to miss out on many of the people that are excitedly searching for a home.

Real Estate Agents Can Usually Get More Money for a Property

If you want to get more money out of the property you're selling, working with a real estate agent is the best way to go. When you choose a real estate agent that knows the area, they will be able to give important facts to the potential buyer that will make them more likely to purchase your home and be willing to pay more for it.

Studies show that an average house sells for $200,000 when sold by owner and when using an agent, an average house sells for $264,900. While that doesn't guarantee you're going to get more money when you use a real estate agent, it is something you should think about when you're considering FSBO.

Wasting Time With Buyers That Aren't Serious

If you aren't sure how to qualify buyers, you might waste a lot of your time with buyers that aren't serious. Time is money and when you're spending time talking to people that aren't going to buy -- that's a no-go.

When you work with a professional real estate agent, you don't have to worry about wasting your time because the agent will qualify anyone interested in your home.

Sell House By Owner - It's a No-No

Now that you understand why a sell house by owner situation is not a good idea. If you're ready to sell your home in Yuma, we can help you. Contact us and see how we can help you sell your home.

The real estate forecast in Yuma, AZ, looks good, so if you're planning on moving for whatever reason, the time to act is now. However, if your home's been well lived in, you might want to take some action before listing it. 

Here are some tips on boosting your home's curb appeal to sell faster!

Put a Fresh Coat of Paint On

Your house may look tired and weathered from all the years you've lived in it. A quick and easy way to give it a facelift is to give it a new coat of paint.

The cheapest way to go about this is to DIY, but if you can't, it shouldn't be too expensive to hire professionals to do it for you.

There's also indication that homes with dark doors sell for more than expected. So consider repainting your door darker if it's not currently a dusky shade.

Clean off Your Roof

If it's not within your budget to replace your roof before listing your home, there are still things you can do to make your home look more appealing. Give your roof a thorough cleaning and remove all the debris, including the leaves in the gutter. Just giving it some elbow grease can take years off of your roof's appearance.

Add Lights to Your Home's Exterior

This one's really easy to do and can instantly boost your home's curb appeal significantly. If you have some time to kill, you can install some lights around your house. Otherwise, go for solar-powered LED string lights that you can hang up in under an hour.

Not only will this keep your house well-lit at night, but it can also give off a romantic atmosphere against the backdrop of the dark blue night sky.

Perk up Your Mailbox

Many people overlook this simple little box, but it can be so much more. Exercise some creativity and go for something elegant and different. If done correctly, it can add to the charm of your house and cause buyers to fall in love with it.

Upgrade Your Front Yard's Beds and Borders

47% of surveyed people rated beds and borders as the most important front yard update for boosting curb appeal. Spend a little time and money upgrading this area; it's the first thing buyers see, after all.

Get rid of all the dead or dying shrubbery and plant some lively, vibrant flowers in the beds. Replace the stones in both the beds and borders so it looks like a brand new yard.

Boost Your Home's Curb Appeal and See Results

Although you may have to invest a little in boosting your home's curb appeal, it'll be worth it in the end. Your house might've sat on the market for a long period of time without some upgrades, so by putting a little money into sprucing it up, you'll see some great results.

If you're considering putting your home up for sale, then get in touch with us today.

According to the American Society of Home Inspectors, most realtors recommend that buyers get a home inspection. The exact percentages vary from 54% to 98% depending on the region of the country. 

Whether you are looking to buy a home in Yuma, Arizona or Syracuse, New York, you'll need a home inspector to protect your interests in buying a home. 

Why get a home inspection? What is the purpose of a home inspection? If you are looking for your first home and this is all new to you, you'll want the answers to these questions.

Stick around to learn why home inspections are a must when purchasing your new place to call home. 

Why Do Realtors Recommend Home Inspections?

Are you new to the home buying process? Are you being told you need a home inspector, but you're not sure why? Let's look at what hiring a home inspector will do for your peace of mind. 

1. Make Sure Everything Is Functioning Properly

A professional home inspector will go through the house from basement to attic making sure everything is working properly. He or she will also identify any problems discovered. 

The inspector will be able to show you safety issues, minor defects in the home and major flaws that need to be addressed. 

2. Find Underlying/Unseen Problems

Your dream home may show very well, but there might be some hidden problems. Getting into the nitty-gritty may reveal problems like leaks, foundation issues or improper insulation, for example. 

An inspector might find an unseen structural problem. That is something you don't want to inherit. A house that is not built well is a major red flag in the buying process. 

Closer inspection of the HVAC system, the wiring, and the plumbing, can reveal problems or give you good news that all is well. Either way, you'll want to know what your getting. 

3. Give You Negotiation Points 

When you have a home inspection as a contingency of the sale, you will be able to use the report findings as part of your negotiation. 

If there are repairs needed, you can renegotiate the selling price, ask the seller to do the repairs, or even request that the seller pays some of the closing costs. 

4. Know Future Maintenance Costs 

This is especially important when purchasing an older home. In most cases, the home inspector includes a section on deferred maintenance. 

This is a list of things that may need replacing in the next 5 years or so. This will include things like the major appliances, the roof, the HVAC system, and the water heater. 

Knowing what is down the road will help you budget for future home expenses. 

Are You Ready for the Home Buying Process? 

Now that you've seen all of the reasons home inspections are a good idea when buying a home, are you ready to jump into the process? Check out our site and access our full MLS listings to start your home search. We can help you with all of your real estate needs.