Tag Archives: First title & Abstract

How Should I Prepare For Internet Showing?

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How Should I Prepare For Internet Showing?

In today’s market, sometimes your first “showing” will be on the Internet – often the virtual tour is the hook that brings a buyer in to see the home in person … so preparing for an online showing can be critically important!

Your price, listing description and PHOTOS determine whether someone will visit in person.

Consider professional staging advice or help.

Prep for photos and video just as carefully as real visits.

Ask your realtor if they use a professional photographer

If they do look at prior photos and pick someone who understands the job.

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How Should I Prepare For Internet Showing?

Photos should make the most of your home’s features and give prospective buyers an emotional connection that invites them to visit in person.

Help them envision their lifestyle in the house not just the counters and walls.

If your realtor recommends video, just as with  photography stage it carefully and hire a professional it will pay off.

And look over your listing when it goes live on a computer AND a mobile device to make sure it’s accurate, pleasant and compels people to show up.

Remember – your first showing these days will be on a screen more often than not!

At First Title & Abstract, we help buyers and sellers understand every aspect of the buying and selling process.

We hope you will contact our title company in Naples or Marco Island for more information about your sale or purchase.

We are here to help!

 

How Should I Prepare The Inside For An Open House?

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How Should I Prepare The Inside For An Open House?

For many homes and markets, professional help from someone in “staging” makes good financial sense.  Like this video say, check your staging options first.

If you are doing it yourself, here are 5 key tips.

One – Depersonalize.

You want the buyer to envision this house being their home?

Remove the things that make it YOUR home – photos, awards, collections, and STUFF.

Two – MOVE the stuff.

It’s tempting to shove things in closets and attics but your prospective buyer will see a much smaller house if those spaces are full.

Move it to a storage space or a friend’s garage.

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How Should I Prepare The Inside For An Open House

Three – Warm it up.

Baking bread or cookies

adding fresh flowers

and colorful pillows and throws

are touches used by professional stagers to make a place warm without your stuff.

Four – Light it up!

 

  • Light sells homes.
  • Clean windows, inside and out.
  • Light bulbs all working and curtains open or even gone.

Five – Go Away.

Don’t hover – leave.

Pack for a day trip and have your realtor tell you when to return

Buyers won’t envision themselves buying if you’re around.

Depersonalize and move stuff out;

Warm it up and light it up.

Then leave and let your realtor do their job.

Finding a good listing agent can be difficult.

Why not call us for a recommendation?

We’re Naples oldest and most established title company.

First Title & Abstract, Inc.

For nearly 40 years, First Title & Abstract, Inc. has been the FIRST choice among buyers, sellers, and agents, when selecting a title company in Naples and Marco Island.

How Do I Set The Price On My House?

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How Do I Set The Price On My House?

While this video simplifies things to help you, remember:

Your aim is to get the best price AND terms in your market during the period you’re selling.

Market conditions interest rates and competition all matter.

The price you want, and the price a buyer will pay are framed by those complex conditions

So pricing isn’t completely predictable.

But if you price it right, you’ll be handing over the keys soon to your buyer!

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How Do I Set The Price On My House?

Buyer’s consider these important factors:

  • How your home compares to other homes for the same buyers
  • The inventory of homes and the level of buyer demand

Your needs also affect negotiations – for example, if you must sell quickly – but the final price will be determined by the market not by your needs.

Buyers look at the same comparables and market conditions and they want to pay as little as possible while meeting their needs.

Remember that the price isn’t the entire deal – repairs, closing, points, appliances and other factors can all change the value you finally receive.

Listen to your broker, stay informed, be patient if you can and make your best reasonable, unemotional decisions.

If you need more tips on selling your home, please don’t hesitate to call us at First Title & Abstract, Inc. We’re more than just the best title company in Naples and Marco Island! We’re your trusted advisor through every step of the transaction.

At First Title & Abstract, we believe in “Putting You FIRST!”

How Should I Prepare The Outside For An Open House?

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How Should I Prepare The Outside For An Open House?

Professional “staging” may include the exterior, but if you’re doing it all yourself, try the five things outlined in this video.

1 – Landscape & lawn.

That’s the first impression; make it a good one.

Mow, prune, edge and get rid of junk!

2 – Paint And Clean!

You don’t have to do the whole house, but the front door and lintels should either be painted or cleaned.

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How Should I Prepare The Outside For An Open House?

3 – Leaks & Repairs

Small visible problems can become large mental objections and change how someone feels about your house.

Fix ‘em beforehand.

4 – Pets

Some people have allergies and concerns.

Time for Fido to visit a friend.

You weren’t including him with the house anyway.

5 – Get Fresh Eyes

Have your realtor or a friend who’s willing to be candid tell you what you missed. Or pay a staging professional for a report.

We don’t really see familiar things well – so let them be your ‘test buyer’ so you can present the best first impression to the real ones.

We pride ourselves in offering tips to buyers and sellers of real estate, at every step of the transaction.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this video, and the tips offered.

First Title & Abstract, Inc. has been serving Southwest Florida for almost 40 years! We are a fully licensed title agent, attorney-owned and operated.

We are the FIRST choice among real estate clients and professionals who are choosing a reliable title company in Naples or Marco Island.

Call us today, and prepare to be amazed!

 

6 Selling Mistakes

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6 Selling Mistakes

If you’re selling, don’t do these things – here are a few notes from the video!
1. Don’t Sell Before The House Is Ready.

If it doesn’t present well, it won’t sell well.  See the tips below for ideas about what steps will most help to sell your home.

2. Don’t Over-Improve

People buy houses in neighborhoods which fit in, and are not overdone.

If yours is so “improved” that it sticks out you’re hurting your chances at selling. Also, it may be difficult to obtain the best price because their are no comparable sales in the neighborhood.

3. Don’t Hire Wrong

Choose your agent on the basis of sound business reasons.

Personal relationships matter, but experience and expertise will determine financial success in your sale, and should be given first priority.

4. Don’t Hide Anything

Covering up or ‘failing to mention’ real problems with your property will not serve you well … inspectors will find the problems, and state disclosure laws are strict. You may be sued for failing to disclose latent defects, and could be liable in after the sale for anything that should have been made clear.

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6 Selling Mistakes … and 5 Easy Tips to Help you Sell Your Home

5. Don’t Rush

You should know about your mortgage, including pre-payment penalties your market conditions and trends and your options for your next home before jumping on the market.

6. Don’t Get Too Emotional

Your attachment to your house and perfectly meeting ALL your own financial needs can be a hindrance to selling your home. If you can’t set aside emotional attachment and be flexible the sale won’t go as you’d like it to.

Remember – it is your home now- but to the buyer it’s a house they must be able to  imagine as THEIR home.

If you need help finding the best Realtor for your neighborhood, please call us at First Title & Abstract, Inc.

We are the title company in Naples and Marco Island whom buyers and sellers have come to trust.

 

What Does The Closing Process Involve When I Sell?

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What Does The Closing Process Involve When I Sell?

We wanted to take a break from our blogging posts about the mortgage process which fundamentally educates our buyers, and offer something of interest to the sellers we serve.

As this video explains, a signed sales contract doesn’t mean your house is sold. There are still financial, contractual and legal steps for both sides.

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What Does The Closing Process Involve When I Sell?

The buyer has to get financing to meet the contract terms – which includes credit checks.

The property is inspected and appraised; title insurance and escrow accounts are set up. And you are working on locating new housing, packing, and preparing to move.

One of the most important obligations for sellers is to cooperate with the title company to clear any title issues, and to assist with obtaining association estoppels, and mortgage payoff information.

Of equal importance, is addressing all obligations under the contract, such as providing a prior owner’s title policy, maintaining the property in good condition, and taking care of any obligations which come up during the inspections, such as painting or repairs.

After the contract is signed, it can take a month or more of undertaking these steps to get ready for closing.

A good seller leaves the property in the condition they would want to take it if they were buying, and nothing breeds good will more than taking such an attitude.

If you need help preparing for closing, please count on us. We are the title company that believes in “Putting You FIRST!”

Non other title company in Naples or Marco Island will go the extra mile like we will … we want to exceed your expectations and make your sale easy and hassle-free.

Please call upon us to assist you, and if you wish to be represented separately in your closing, please contact us. Our real estate attorneys and title attorneys at Woodward, Pires & Lombardo, P.A. can handle seller-side only representation.

So please plan on being amazed at our service. We’re here for you!

Understanding Your Loan Estimate: Other Costs

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Understanding Your Loan Estimate: Other Costs

Your Closing disclosure will contain an area showing you other costs of your mortgage. These may include: taxes, certain pre-payments, and escrow funding.

Recording fees are charged by government agencies for keeping legal ownership records, while “transfer taxes” may be imposed by states, counties and municipalities on real estate ownership transfers.

Prepayments may include homeowner’s insurance premiums on the property mortgage insurance, if required property taxes for a period of months in advance, and prepaid interest, typically for the period from closing to the first mortgage payment.

Escrow funding may also be required against future annual charges for homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance and property taxes.

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Understanding Your Loan Estimate: Other Costs

Another important fee you’ll see on this section of the Closing Disclosure is for title insurance. This is an optional purchase, but most buyers purchase title insurance to protect their legal ownership under an “Owner’s Title Policy”

For more information on title insurance, be sure to call us, and review our Resources page.

Some of these “Other Costs” may vary substantially between Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure ask your lender about the tolerance rules or watch the video “Could My Loan Cost Exceed The Loan Estimate?”

Most title agents won’t take the time to help you understand your Closing Disclosure. But we will!

At First Title & Abstract we believe in “Putting You FIRST!”

Realtors and lenders have come to recommend us as the top title company in Naples and Marco Island. For nearly forty years, we’ve served our clients successfully, always with friendly and professional service.

We look forward to assisting you with your closing, and answering any questions you may have!

Understanding Your Loan Estimate: Services You Cannot Shop For

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Understanding Your Loan Estimate: Services You Cannot Shop For

These costs are paid to outside parties, not the lender, but you don’t get to choose them. They may include:

  • appraisal, which puts a value on your property on the lender’s behalf
  • a credit report on you
  • fees to assess flood risk of your property, or for ongoing monitoring of flood zone changes related to your property
  • tax monitoring to keep track of your property tax payments
  • tax status research to assess the state of tax payments on the property.

While you can’t shop for these services, the price for these services in your final loan disclosure MUST match the price on the Loan Estimate; items in “Cannot Shop” have 0 tolerance for change.

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Understanding Your Loan Estimate: Services You Cannot Shop For – Know the Rules under TRID! The disclosures and timelines are for YOUR protection! Call us for help!

Federal laws exist to safeguard consumers during the home-buying process when a mortgage is involved.

If you have questions about any charges during your home-buying process, please contact your friends at First Title & Abstract, Inc.

We’re the title company in Naples and Marco Island which thousands of satisfied buyers and sellers have depended upon for honest and reliable services.

At First Title, we believe in “Putting You FIRST!”

Understanding Your Loan: Cash And Transaction Summaries

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Understanding Your Loan: Cash And Transaction Summaries

Page 3 of your Closing Disclosure will compare cash requirements from your Loan Estimate to your actual final charges.

If “Did this change?” is marked “YES” there will be explanation of the changes made regarding the cash to close.

The bottom line final “Cash to Close” is the money you will need in-hand within three business days of the closing.

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Understanding Your Loan: Cash Transaction Summaries

If your transaction has a Seller the summary table will show a line by line comparison of Borrower to Seller transaction details.

If there is no Seller you may see a Payoffs and Payments table instead.

Review the summary tables to understand the transaction and your financial commitments at loan consummation.

Don’t let the amount of cash you need to close be a surprise, or a source of anxiety.

We’re experienced at helping our buyers estimate the cast to close requirement within a few hundred dollars, or less.

Let us help!

As the oldest and most established title company in Naples and Marco Island, our experienced staff is prepare to assist you with every aspect of your closing.

First Title & Abstract, Inc. — “Putting You FIRST!”