John L. Scott Salem Real Estate http://johnlscottsalem.com 725 Commercial St. Se Salem, Oregon 97301 Office: 503-585-0100 Fax: 503-585-8832 Tue, 07 May 2013 16:27:47 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 Tips for a First-Time Home Buyer http://johnlscottsalem.com/buyer-tips/tips-for-first-time-home-buyer/ http://johnlscottsalem.com/buyer-tips/tips-for-first-time-home-buyer/#comments Sun, 10 Jul 2011 14:25:24 +0000 admin http://www.agentpress.com/demo/?page_id=23 Read More]]>

If you’re like most buyers for the first time you’ve probably listened to friends, family and colleagues, many of which can encourage you to buy a house. You can always ask yourself  if buying a home the right thing to do with the current market situation. Relax.  Having hesitations are normal. The more you know about this, the entire process becomes less scary for you.

 

It is not uncommon for a first home buyer to say: My Goodness, last week I called you to buy a house and now I’m headed to escrow already! How could this happen so fast? The answer is no it didn’t. Home buyers start searching long before most even realize it. Here’s what you can expect from your home shopping experience.

Defining the parameters of the search for a first time home buyer

Nearly 80% of all searches today begin on the Internet at home. With only a few mouse clicks, you can as home buyers seeking hundreds of online home listings, watch virtual tours, and sort dozens of photographs and aerial shots of neighborhoods and homes. You’ve probably defined your goals and have a pretty good idea of what type of home and neighborhood you want. When you reach your real estate agent, you are halfway to home ownership.

How long does it take to buy first house?

In a seller’s market, we often show one house. After all, how many homes does one family need? Some buyers have been looking for a few years, but that a buyer who is not motivated. The motivated buyers find a home within two weeks. Most buyers find a house within two days. Good real estate agents are going to listen to the desires and needs of their client and arrange displays of only those homes that fit the parameters in particular. Your agent should preview homes before showing them to you.

How Many Homes Will a Home Buyer See?

Studies show that your memory dramatically improves after consumption of carbohydrates and sugar-consuming delays. So, lay off soda and a hearty meal of carbs before venturing out to visit the houses. The average number of homes that should be shown to a buyer in one day is seven more than that, and the brain is overloaded.  So don’t expect to see 20 or 30, even if it is physically possible to do so, you probably will not remember specific details about any of them.

The “Red Shoes” Experience for Your Home Buyer

Women relate to this subject. Say you need a new pair of red shoes. You go to the mall. At the shoe store first, you will find a beautiful pair of red shoes. You try. They fit perfectly. They are glamorous. Priced right, too. If you buy them? Of course not! You go to all the other stores in the mall try red shoes until you’re ready to drop from fatigue. Then you return to the first shop and buy those red shoes. Do not shop for a house this way. When you find the perfect home, buy it.

How a First-Time Home Buyer Can Rate Local Home Inventory

Bring a camera and begin each series of pictures with a closeup of the house number to identify where each group of home photos start and end. Take copious notes of unusual features, colors and design elements. Pay attention to your home environment. What is next? Does the 2-story homes tower over most of  the unique one-story homes? Do you like the place? Is it near a park or a plant? Immediately after leaving, rate each home on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest.

View Your Top Choices For a Second Time Before Buying That First Home

After touring homes for a few days, probably instinctively you’ll know which one or two houses you want to buy. Ask to see it again. You can see them with different eyes and notice elements that were overlooked at the first pull-up. At this point, your agent should call the listing agents for more information see the motivation of the seller’s and that the offer did not come, so surely, these apartments are still available for purchase.

Making Your Selection To Buy a Home

I’ll give you a little secret. I usually do know which home the buyer plans to choose from, and I suspect most other agents operate the same way. This is intuition. But I do not control the practice of buyers, and insist that home buyers have chosen without any interference from me. It is not my choice. Real estate agents are required, however, point out defects and should help buyers to rely on the fact that the house is selected to match the buyer’s search parameters.


]]> http://johnlscottsalem.com/buyer-tips/tips-for-first-time-home-buyer/feed/ 0 Salem Oregon Homes http://johnlscottsalem.com/buyer-tips/salem-oregon-homes/ http://johnlscottsalem.com/buyer-tips/salem-oregon-homes/#comments Wed, 02 Mar 2011 06:58:15 +0000 admin http://johnlscottsalem.com/?p=1515 Read More]]> Through careful planning and finding the right Salem Oregon homes to view should be your first priority. Use common sense, check out how nice the neighborhood is and the landscaping, decorating, and curb appeal. Remember you want to play it safe by learning and understanding the real estate market prior to diving in. After all, this is a BIG investment.

Are the school systems on your list of priorities when looking to buy? Also have you even scouted out the local amenities, shops and stores? Think about more of the features you want at your constant disposal when looking to buy Salem Oregon homes. These simple guidelines will help you make the right choice for you and your family. Be sure to see your lender and get pre-qualified, and then buy the home you have always wanted if it makes sense to you and your budget. Remember owning your own home gives you a freedom you cannot expect when you rent.

Get more information about Salem Oregon homes and even find Oregon Real Estate photos, prices, tours, maps and even schedule a viewing here at our John L. Scott Salem Real Estate website or gives us a call 503-585-0100

]]> http://johnlscottsalem.com/buyer-tips/salem-oregon-homes/feed/ 0 Why Use John L. Scott Salem Real Estate to help sell your home? http://johnlscottsalem.com/seller-tips/why-use-john-l-scott-to-help-sell-your-home/ http://johnlscottsalem.com/seller-tips/why-use-john-l-scott-to-help-sell-your-home/#comments Sat, 26 Feb 2011 21:10:56 +0000 admin http://johnlscottsalem.com/?p=1458 Read More]]> With more real estate resources available on the Internet, it may seem as if buying and selling a home is an easy task. These 101 reasons will show you the extent of knowledge, experience and hard work that an agent provides to help you through a real estate transaction.

The 101 reasons listed here reflect actions, procedures and processes that a real estate agent may typically perform during a residential real estate transaction and are all things that you could avoid doing yourself!

Typical Pre-Listing

  1. Research Current Properties
  2. Research Sales Activity from MLS and Public Records Databases
  3. Provide Average Days on Market Assessment
  4. Review Property Tax Roll
  5. Prepare a Comparable Market Analysis (CMA)
  6. Verify Ownership and Deed Type
  7. Verify County Public Property Records
  8. Perform Curb Appeal Assessment
  9. Provide Public School Value
  10. Provide a Listing Presentation
  11. Analyze Current Market Conditions
  12. Present Credentials
  13. Deliver CMA Results
  14. Discuss Planning and Strategy
  15. Explain Listing Contract, Disclosures & Addendum
  16. Screen Calls from Buyers and Agents
  17. Explain Homeowner Warranty

Selling the Property

  1. Review Title Details
  2. Order Plat Map
  3. Create Showing Instructions
  4. Obtain Mortgage Loan Information
  5. Review Homeowner Association Fees and Bylaws
  6. Submit Homeowner Warranty Application
  7. Add Homeowner Warranty in MLS
  8. Review Electricity Details
  9. Arrange Inspections for City Sewer/Septic Tank Systems
  10. Collect Natural Gas Information
  11. Provide Security System Status
  12. Determine Termite Bond Status
  13. Analyze Lead-based Paint Status
  14. Distribute Disclosure Packages
  15. Prepare Property Amenities
  16. Detail Inclusions & Conveyances with Sale
  17. Compile Repairs Needed List
  18. Send Seller Vacancy Checklist
  19. Install Lockbox
  20. Make Copies of Leases for Rental Units (if applicable)
  21. Verify Rents, Utilities, Water, and Deposits for Rentals
  22. Inform Tenants of Listing for Rentals
  23. Install Yard Sign
  24. Perform Interior Assessment
  25. Perform Exterior Assessment

Advertising and Marketing

  1. Enter a Profile Sheet into the MLS Listing Database
  2. Provide Copies of MLS Agreement
  3. Take Additional Photos for MLS and Marketing
  4. Create and Advertise Property Listing in Publications
  5. Coordinate Showing Times
  6. Create and Mail Flyers
  7. Create E-Property Website
  8. Advertise on Craigslist
  9. Post to Other Real Estate Websites
  10. Provide Virtual Tours
  11. Provide Homebuyer University thru Webinar-A-GoGo

Handling Offers and Contracts

  1. Receive Offer(s) to Purchase
  2. Evaluate Net Sheet
  3. Counsel and Mediate Offer(s)
  4. Deliver Seller’s Disclosure
  5. Obtain Pre-qualification Letter
  6. Negotiate Offers on the Seller’s Behalf
  7. Mediate Counteroffers or Amendments
  8. Fax or Email Contract Copies
  9. Deliver ‘Offer to Purchase’ Copies
  10. Assist with Escrow Account
  11. Distribute Under – Contract Showing Restrictions
  12. Update MLS to “Sale Pending”
  13. Review Credit Report
  14. Deliver Unrecorded Property Information
  15. Order Well Flow Test Reports (if applicable)
  16. Order Termite Inspection (if applicable)
  17. Order Mold Inspection (if applicable)
  18. Confirm Deposit and Buyer’s Employment
  19. Follow Up with Loan Processing
  20. Communicate with Lender
  21. Confirm Approval of Loan
  22. Remove Loan Contingency

Home Inspection and Home Appraisal

  1. Coordinate Buyer’s Home Inspection
  2. Review Home Inspector’s Report
  3. Interpret Loan Limits
  4. Verify Home Inspection Clauses
  5. Contractor Preparation
  6. Confirm Repair Completion
  7. Attend Appraiser Appointment
  8. Provide Appraiser Information and Remove Contingency

Closing Preparations and Actions

  1. Ensure Contract is Sealed
  2. Coordinate Closing Process
  3. Coordinate Closing Formal Procedure
  4. Assist with Title Issues
  5. Perform Final Walk-through
  6. Verify Tax and Utility Preparations
  7. Review and Distribute Final Closing Figures
  8. Request Closing Document Copies
  9. Confirm Receipt of Title Insurance Commitment
  10. Make Homeowners Warranty Available
  11. Review Closing Documents
  12. Confirm and Assist with Final Deposit
  13. Coordinate with Next Purchase
  14. Ensure “No Surprises” Closing
  15. Final MLS Update
  16. Follow Up and Resolve Repairs
  17. Documentation Follow Up
  18. Hand the Keys to the New Owners

Remember to Thank

Your Residential Specialists!

 

Let’s get started:

 

John L. Scott Salem

725 Commercial St Se

Salem, Or 97301

Office: 503-585-0100

Fax: 503-585-8832

]]> http://johnlscottsalem.com/seller-tips/why-use-john-l-scott-to-help-sell-your-home/feed/ 0 John L Scott Salem Real Estate http://johnlscottsalem.com/real-estate-companies-salem-oregon/about/ http://johnlscottsalem.com/real-estate-companies-salem-oregon/about/#comments Sat, 26 Feb 2011 09:50:03 +0000 admin http://www.agentpress.com/demo/?page_id=2 Read More]]> THE REAL ESTATE MARKET HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER IN SALEM! RATES ARE LOW, INVENTORY IS HIGH, SELLERS ARE NEGOTIATING, AND SALEM BUYERS ARE BUYING!

Our mission is to provide our clients with the best “Full Service” in the industry.  We do this by always putting the best interest of our clients first. Being a real estate professional is about much more than buying and selling homes.  It’s about being there for our clients through all phases of home-ownership.  With our support, we are committed to meeting and serving all of your real estate needs so that our clients have the very best home-ownership experience possible.

 

Our business is built on maintaining relationships so that we may have the opportunity to work with our clients who value high-quality customer service.  It is also the mission of our company to provide every John L. Scott agent with the opportunity for growth and success.  It is management’s goal to provide our agents with the highest level of training, motivation, technical support and leadership in the industry. We, at John L. Scott Salem, are professional, honest, ethical, highly motivated, goal oriented and specialize in providing exceptional customer service because  it is important to us that all of our past and future clients have an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Pam McCarthy – Principle Broker/Owner

John L. Scott Salem Real Estate

725 Commercial St. Se

Salem,Oregon 97301

Office: 503-585-0100

Toll Free: 1-877-722-5504

Fax: 503-585-8832

]]> http://johnlscottsalem.com/real-estate-companies-salem-oregon/about/feed/ 0 Salem Oregon Investment Property http://johnlscottsalem.com/popular/salem-oregon-investment-property/ http://johnlscottsalem.com/popular/salem-oregon-investment-property/#comments Sat, 19 Feb 2011 06:47:19 +0000 admin http://johnlscottsalem.com/buyers/houses-salem-oregon-john-l-scott-salem-503-585-0100-mls-636619/ Read More]]> Salem has a glut of high value investment properties on the market right now. And they are ripe for the plucking. Get in now while prices are still at all time lows. We’ve taken the time to get a list for you of all the best duplex’s, tri-plex’s, 4-plex’s, and all the other multi-family properties in salem.

]]> http://johnlscottsalem.com/popular/salem-oregon-investment-property/feed/ 0 Salem Oregon Real Estate Listings http://johnlscottsalem.com/buyer-tips/salem-oregon-real-estate-listings-2/ http://johnlscottsalem.com/buyer-tips/salem-oregon-real-estate-listings-2/#comments Sat, 29 Jan 2011 06:15:29 +0000 admin http://johnlscottsalem.com/?p=1274 Read More]]>

Search and view Salem, Oregon real estate listings throughout the Willamette Valley here at John L. Scott Salem. Doing our part to help Oregonians gain a foothold on the home ownership ladder. Our real estate professionals would love to help you with any listing for sale or just browse our local real estate in Salem. If you are interested in receiving more information about any of the properties listed, give us a call and we will send you information immediately.

]]> http://johnlscottsalem.com/buyer-tips/salem-oregon-real-estate-listings-2/feed/ 0 How To Get Salem Oregon Real Estate You Want http://johnlscottsalem.com/buyer-tips/how-to-get-the-dream-home-you-want/ http://johnlscottsalem.com/buyer-tips/how-to-get-the-dream-home-you-want/#comments Sat, 29 Jan 2011 06:07:55 +0000 admin http://johnlscottsalem.com/?p=1266 Read More]]>

Increase your chances of getting your Salem Oregon Real Estate you want instead of losing it to another buyer, with this procedure.

  1. Get prequalified for a mortgage. You will be able to make a firm commitment when buying a home and makes an offer even more desirable to the seller and this step can even help you sell your house fast if the buyer of your home has been prequalified.
  2. Keep in touch with your Salem Oregon realtor to find out advice on buying your new home or any new listings that come on the market. Also be ready to go see a house as soon as it is on the market.
  3. Scout for new listings here at John L. Scott Salem on our website yourself for Salem Oregon Real Estate. Maybe you will find a brand new listing before anyone else does. :)
  4. Be prepared to make a decision. Spend much time in advance deciding what your needs are when buying a home, when you have the opportunity to bid on the home of your dreams.
  5. You may not want to start at the absolute highest home price especially if its not in your budget, but do not try to go too low to get a deal. In a tight market like this, you will lose out. Bid competitively.
  6. Keep any contingencies to a minimum. Restrictions, such as the need to sell your Salem Oregon Real Estate for sale before you move or wish to delay the closing until a certain date can make your offer very unpleasant to any seller.  Especially in this tight market. Also talk to your lender about what they have to offer for any short period.
  7. Do not get caught up in a buying frenzy. Just because there’s competition doe not mean you should just buy any home at first glance. Even if you want to make an attractive offer, don’t neglect inspections that can ensure that when buying a house is sound.

Check this out! Here at John L. Scott Salem we’ve taken the trouble to create a custom MLS search engine just for YOU our valued readers and searchers. Go ahead and search away. It’s FREE and unlimited.

http://johnlscottsalem.com/

John L. Scott Salem

725 Commercial St. Se

Salem, Oregon 97301

Office: 503-585-0100

Fax: 503-585-8832

]]> http://johnlscottsalem.com/buyer-tips/how-to-get-the-dream-home-you-want/feed/ 0 Critical Steps When Buying A Home http://johnlscottsalem.com/buyer-tips/critical-steps-when-buying-a-home/ http://johnlscottsalem.com/buyer-tips/critical-steps-when-buying-a-home/#comments Sat, 08 Jan 2011 07:46:40 +0000 admin http://johnlscottsalem.com/?p=1035 Read More]]> While your opinions on the type of home you want to own may change during the home buying process, use this easy checklist to help you prioritize and make the home buying process less time consuming.

  • How close do you need to be to: (A) Public transportation (B) Schools (C) Airport (D) Expressways (E) Neighborhood Shopping (F) Other important parts of the community?
  • What neighborhoods do you prefer?
  • What school systems do you want t o be near?
  • What architectural style(s) of home do you prefer?
  • Do you want a one-story or two-story house?
  • How old of a home would you consider?
  • How much repair or renovation would you be willing to do?
  • Do you have special facilities or needs that your home must meet?
  • Do you require a fenced yard or other amenities for your pets?

Prioritize each of these options into: Must have and Would prefer:

  1. Yard (at least this big)
  2. Garage (size)
  3. Patio/Deck
  4. Pool
  5. Bedrooms (number)
  6. Bathrooms (number)
  7. Family room
  8. Formal living room
  9. Formal dining room
  10. Eat-in kitchen
  11. Laundry room
  12. Basement
  13. Attic
  14. Fireplace
  15. Spa in bath
  16. Air conditioning
  17. Wall-to-wall carpet
  18. Hardwood Floors
  19. View
  20. Light (windows)
  21. Shade

Contact Us Today!

Pam McCarthy

Principle Broker

John L. Scott Salem

725 Commercial St. Se

Salem, Oregon 97301

Office: 503-585-0100

Fax: 503-585-8832

]]> http://johnlscottsalem.com/buyer-tips/critical-steps-when-buying-a-home/feed/ 0 Where to find Condos in Salem Oregon http://johnlscottsalem.com/buyer-tips/condos-in-salem-oregon/ http://johnlscottsalem.com/buyer-tips/condos-in-salem-oregon/#comments Sun, 28 Nov 2010 22:31:08 +0000 admin http://johnlscottsalem.com/?p=409 Read More]]> In my 5 years of living in a Salem condo. I must say the best place to find condos for sale is on in the Willamette Valley Multiple listing service.

Normally, you would have to go to wvmls.com to search it, but here at John L. Scott Salem Real Estate we’ve taken the trouble to create a custom MLS search engine just for YOU our valued readers and searchers.

So over to the right you should see an “MLS search” box. Go ahead and search away. It’s FREE and unlimited, and we don’t even ask you for any personal info for searches.

That’s my advice about finding a Salem Condo. Hope it was helpful.

]]> http://johnlscottsalem.com/buyer-tips/condos-in-salem-oregon/feed/ 0 How to Choose the Right Salem Oregon Realtor http://johnlscottsalem.com/buyer-tips/salem-oregon-realtors/ http://johnlscottsalem.com/buyer-tips/salem-oregon-realtors/#comments Sun, 28 Nov 2010 21:36:38 +0000 admin http://johnlscottsalem.com/ Read More]]> John L. Scott Salem\’s Channel – Salem Oregon Realtor

As a Salem Oregon realtor we can say that the most important factor you should consider when choosing an agent is: Local Marketplace Knowledge.

I can’t tell you how frustrating it is to work with people who are supposed to be your expert guides and advisors only to find out after a few showings that they really don’t know the area much better than you do!

At John L. Scott Salem Real Estate the majority of our realtors have all lived in the Salem, Oregon area for years and not only are pillars of the community but know just about all there is to know about the area. Go ahead and test us…give us a call at: 503-585-0100 we’ll answer any questions you have.

John L. Scott Salem Real Estate

725 Commercial St Se

Salem,Oregon 97301

Office: 503-585-0100

Fax: 503-585-8832

]]> http://johnlscottsalem.com/buyer-tips/salem-oregon-realtors/feed/ 0