As January comes to a close, a lot of people are already starting to fall behind on their New Year’s resolutions for 2020. The stats don’t lie—researchers note that up to 40% of Americans set goals at the beginning of a new year, but up to 60% have abandoned their efforts after 6 months. Looking for some real estate resolutions that are easy to keep? Here are some to keep in mind.
Plan Ahead
We’ve all procrastinated at some point in our lives, but you might want to take the bull by the horns when it comes to real estate. It doesn’t matter if you’re thinking about buying or selling in 2020—planning out your real estate goals can help turn them into a reality.
You might want to start by listing out specific milestones you hope to achieve before next year. Do you want to list, sell, and buy a new home? Are you saving up a specific amount for a down payment? The more precise you are, the better—and it’s always a great idea to get your agent involved, too. They can help hold you accountable for your goals!
Start Saving
Have you been saving for a down payment? Believe it or not, down payments are one of the main reasons why people aren’t buying homes. There are quite a few misconceptions about how much you have to pay up front, so be sure to get all the facts before settling on the right loan.
Many Americans believe a down payment must equal 20% of a home’s list price—but that’s not necessarily true. Some loans require little money down, and special offers are available for veterans and first-time buyers. To start saving, simply open a new account at your bank and start contributing a specific amount each month. All that money will add up over time, leaving you with a hefty chunk of change.
Make Improvements and Repairs
Has your to-do list been piling up? If you’re thinking about selling, you’ll want to make sure everything is in order before you list. Buyers will be scrutinizing every detail of your home—but you don’t have to spend a lot of money to make things perfect.
Before tackling any repairs, you might want to consider getting a home inspection. A well-qualified inspector will give you a full report of what needs to be fixed. From there, make a list of projects that you can do yourself, as well as a few that require a professional. Once you’ve made your fixes, your home will be good to go on the market!
Do Your Research
Unless you’re a real estate pro, it can be hard to know the ins and outs of the market. Whether you’re buying or selling your home, make sure to do some research before making any major decisions. That means you should learn the ins and outs of potential neighborhoods, peruse local sold reports, and read up on current market trends as much as possible.
Feeling overwhelmed? When in doubt, find an agent you can trust and go to them for advice. They’ll have the expertise to guide you in the right direction, as well as plenty of local connections to help you out.
Want to Keep Your Real Estate Resolutions?
Ready to dive into the Sarasota housing market? We hope these real estate resolutions help you get a head start on your buying or selling journey. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the Dennis Kotaskta Team. We’re excited to team up and exceed your expectations!