Buy an Existing Home, or Build a New One?

When in the market for a new home, are most people looking to buy an existing home or build a new one? While many people have no strong preference, more than a third would prefer a new home while a fifth would prefer an existing home.

 New homes have the advantages of modern features and, in the case of custom builds, those features may be exactly as designed by the family that will live there. A newer home also needs less maintenance and doesn't bear the marks of previous residents.

On the other hand, an existing home often costs less, offers traditional features, and is located in an established neighborhood. And if handyman chores are part of what you enjoy about homeownership, an existing home will give you the chance to fix things up with fun projects.

Sleep Before You Buy?

As Realtors, we have requests from the buyer about checking out a house before buying. However, I must admit that this is a new concept to me. I personally don't know any buyers or sellers who had the buyer want to "test drive" the house first. We have a contract that is a post-occupancy agreement. This covers when the house ownership has changed to the new owner, but the sellers take several days before they move out. No matter what, it is important to have a contractual agreement when someone else is trying out your home!!

http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2014/02/03/homebuyers-stay-overnight-home/

What do you think? Would you spend the night in a house you were thinking of buying? Would you let potential buyers stay in a house you were selling?

Trends To Date: How Buyers Find Homes

From the National Association of Realtors.

Whether you are selling or buying a home, it is good to know where most people do their research & get their initial information. I am guessing no one is surprised that people are using the internet more and more. However, I was glad to see that the yard sign still counts as an important marketing tool. I like to put a flyer box in front of my yard sign so that people can get some information immediately if they are driving by.