When you purchase an automobile, what’s the first thing you take care of before driving around town? You’ve got to get insurance, of course. It’s no different when you’re ready to buy a home, but you have some more options.

First, understand that there are four basic types of insurance, some required, some not. Title insurance protects you in the event that title to the property is found to be in question. You definitely want to purchase title insurance as part of the closing transaction.

Homeowner’s insurance provides coverage in cases of theft, damage and liability. Your lender will require this policy, so this is another absolute necessity.

Flood insurance may or may not be required, depending on the location of your new home. The federal government provides this policy to cover replacement value of the home and its contents. Consult with a local real estate agent to determine necessity and restrictions.

Finally, a newer and very popular form of “insurance” is the home warranty, often provided by the seller as “peace of mind” for the buyer. These are often one-year policies that cover repairs to systems and appliances, and more details on this are coming up in my next column. In the meantime, consult with a REALTOR® if you have any questions or concerns about any of the insurance policies addressed here.

If you need information to assist you with your real estate decisions, call me at 1-800-724-7149 or e-mail to donkingsley@kingsleyrealestate.com I will be happy to share our knowledge with you at no cost or obligation.

Don Kingsley, CRB, CRS, ABR
REALTOR©

Visit the Kingsley Real Estate website for more tips on buying and selling!

As you prepare to sell your home, you must begin by making a choice: to seek the services of a professional or to proceed without representation. You realize that your home is probably your biggest financial investment, with a value that could be hundreds of thousands of dollars.Now imagine if you had a legal problem involving that kind of money - would you prepare and present your own case to the judge without an attorney? Not surprisingly, managing legal issues is just one of the top reasons that most sellers seek the representation of a REALTOR®.

On the paperwork side, there are offers to purchase, sales agreements, inspection reports, title investigations, and more, all leading up to the final closing. On the personal side, there is the experience and skill required to successfully negotiate between parties, as well as to anticipate and resolve the myriad issues that can arise from listing to offer to sale.

Considering the size of your investment, why would you put any of your wealth at risk by forgoing the assistance and advice of an experienced professional REALTOR®? Maximize your returns with a minimum of hassle and cost. You wouldn’t go to court without an attorney, and you wouldn’t operate without a surgeon. It’s easy to see that some things are just too important to handle without an expert.

If you need information to assist you with your real estate decisions, call me at 1-800-724-7149 or e-mail to donkingsley@kingsleyrealestate.com I will be happy to share our knowledge with you at no cost or obligation.

Don Kingsley, CRB, CRS, ABR
REALTOR©

Visit the Kingsley Real Estate website for more tips on buying and selling!

There are three little words that can make buyers very anxious: Offer To Purchase. However, there need not be any mystery or fear attached to that phrase. With an experienced professional guiding the process, feelings of trepidation can quickly turn to excitement and enthusiasm.

While many terms and conditions may be attached to an offer, the real biggie, of course, is price. While you may have heard that your offer should be a certain percentage below the asking price, or even a percentage below what you are willing to pay, consideration of your offer will always be affected by the laws of supply and demand.

When buyers compete, sellers often see full-price offers. However, when inventories are high and demand is lower, an offer below asking price could be in order. Typically, your offer will be presented to the seller(s) and/or their representative(s). The seller may accept or reject the offer, but it’s quite common for the seller to reply with a counter-offer.

Since it’s often not a simple Yes or No answer, it is absolutely critical for you to stay in close contact with your representative, so that negotiation is handled smoothly and in a timely manner. Take heart that a counter-offer is not a rejection. As long as the offer is on the table, you can nearly always negotiate your way to Yes!

If you need information to assist you with your real estate decisions, call me at 1-800-724-7149 or e-mail to donkingsley@kingsleyrealestate.com I will be happy to share our knowledge with you at no cost or obligation.

Don Kingsley, CRB, CRS, ABR
REALTOR©

Visit the Kingsley Real Estate website for more tips on buying and selling!