Blogging Community

https://www.springbokrealty.com - You’re shopping for your first house. That’s exciting There’s so much to think about. What style of home will you consider? Where will it be located? How much will you pay? How much will you mortgage?  Is it too big? Too small?


Indeed, one of the most important aspects of home buying is to match the home to fit your lifestyle. This is YOUR home (“you” meaning “you” alone or “you and your family”), and it should absolutely fit not only the number of people who will live in it, but it should also be amenable to how you live.


You’ll undoubtedly get lots of opinions, especially if you’re a single person purchasing a home for the first time. Friends and relatives will want to coach you on “must haves,” and those HGTV hosts will insist that the “open floor plan” is the thing for you and tha

https://www.springbokrealty.com - So, business is booming. That’s great news That likely means commissions are up and that your wallet is feeling pretty good about what’s happening.


But with increased business comes increased stress and responsibilities. No matter how good it might feel to have those extra dollars, the chances are that arise in business also means the need to spend more time helping clients, allowing you less free time to enjoy leisure activities or to cultivate other aspects of your career.


So maybe it’s time to hire an assistant.


Think about it. With the help of some new hands, you can provide yourself with 3, 4, 5 hours a day of extra time. Consider the fact that hiring an assistant for even 10-15 hours a week is like adding those hours to your week. All of a sudden, someone else is available to

https://www.springbokrealty.com - While many potential sellers might think that the hardest thing about selling their home is getting it ready to list or perhaps keeping it clean during the entire selling process, the truth is that one of the most challenging aspects of selling your home is coming up with the best listing price.


A lot of emotion plays into the process of choosing a listing price for your home. After all, it’s your home, and no one loves it like you do. Because of that, you may have an exaggerated idea of what kind of price your house will bring and someone telling you that’s not the case may hurt your ego. But if you’ve hired an experienced agent who knows your neighborhood and knows how to price your house, they can certainly guide you in the proper direction. Nonetheless, if can be a real challenge to

https://www.springbokrealty.com - So you’re single, and you’re pretty sure you’ll stay that way at least for the foreseeable future. You like your rental apartment or home, but you think perhaps it’s time to launch into that “adult” activity known as first time home buying. After all, nothing says singles can’t buy a house; many do just that each year and are more than delighted with the outcome.


Of course, single home buyers face certain issues that married buyers may be able to avoid, but knowing what to expect is half the battle.


Is this the best move for you?


Sometimes we feel pressured to do certain things, just because we’ve crossed the line into adulthood and think it’s the “thing to do.” Buying a home might fit into that category. Many individuals – single or not – simply see this as a right of passage and d

https://www.springbokrealty.com -  


Reading is essential for any professional but especially for the real estate sales person. Well-written, quality books can help you make your way to the top of your industry and can grow your real estate business by leaps and bounds. Readers are winners. Statistics prove it.  


If you’re a real estate agent, especially a new agent, it’s a good idea to establish the habit of reading at least 10-15 minutes per day. Most everyone can spare that amount of time, either first thing in the morning, before bed, or even in the middle of the way when you’ve got a little bit of idle time while perhaps waiting to pick up the kids from school, sitting in line at the drive-in fast food place, or any other spare moments you find.  


Real estate books are a dime a dozen. Some are good, others are s

https://www.springbokrealty.com - It’s time You’ve put your house on the market, and your Realtor wants to hold the first open house since your listing has gone up for sale. You’re excited but nervous. You want potential buyers to love your home as much as you have (that’ll never happen, right?) and you have pledged to do everything in your power to make it a successful open house.


Chances are your Realtor, if he’s worth his salt, has already given you some tips on presenting your home in the best possible light. And perhaps you already made some changes or upgrades before you even called your Realtor into your home to consider your listing. Nevertheless, here we offer some easy tips for proper staging without the need to hire a professional stager. Following these tips will save you both money and aggravation…and – who

https://www.springbokrealty.com - Perhaps you’ve been shopping for your first home and just can’t find what you want. Because of that, maybe you’re considering buying a lot and building a home to your specifications, including all the beautiful things you’ve been hoping for in a new home of your own.


That's an excellent idea, and many buyers find that it’s the way to go. However, there are a lot of pitfalls and plenty of rules, regulations and red tape that you’ll need to be aware of before you buy. So, we’ve compiled a list of considerations for you before you head out in search of that perfect piece of land.




Zoning and restrictions – The last thing you’d want to do are buy what appears to be a good residential lot and then find out that the zoning in the area allows commercial buildings or something else unsightly

https://www.springbokrealty.com - The kids are out of the house and you’re looking for a “part-time” job. Or perhaps you’re simply seeking a career change. Or maybe you just love houses and architecture, and you want to “share your love” with the general public.


Those are all lines frequently repeated by those who’ve decided it’s time for them to “dabble” in real estate. These enthusiastic individuals are ready to sign up for their licensing courses, choose an office, and take the real estate profession by storm. No doubt, before long, they’ll be the top-selling agent in their office. First, they might want to read some of the top selling books for Realtors.


Well, sometimes things work out as planned, but more often than not, budding agents truly don’t understand the complexities of being in this profession. It takes

https://www.springbokrealty.com - Most Americans love going on vacation. As a matter of fact, some of us start planning the next one as soon as the previous one is complete. And these days, with the internet, it’s easy   


Many travelers enjoy going to a different destination every time they plan a trip, but many of us have favorite destinations that have become like our second home.  


Perhaps that’s you and maybe you’re tired of trying to find that ideal rental in your favorite spot (or spots) and have begun to think seriously about buying a second home in that locale, especially if you tend to visit for several months at a time. A purchase such as that is a big step and not a decision to be taken lightly. There’s lots to think about before you make that decision to buy.  


Can you really afford it?





While the nu

https://www.springbokrealty.com - It’s been a challenging summer. Hurricanes, earthquakes, forest fires, mudslides. Almost all portions of America have been affected by a natural disaster at some point this year.


Any natural disaster is a scary thing for homeowners, who worry about losing one of the largest investments of their lifetime. Of course, your safety is paramount, items can be replaced but lives cannot.


While all of that is certainly true, replacing those things isn’t as easy as it may sound when it comes to insurance coverage and natural disasters. In this case, what you don’t know about your insurance policy may certainly hurt you or, at the least, leave you disappointed.


Coverage with a Standard Policy


 


Most people in the U.S., unless they’ve made other provisions, have a standard homeowners insura