6 minute read
Real Estate Insights: 20 Questions to
Agent-Assisted Homes Sell for More Than Homes Sold by Owners
In an effort to save on commission fees, many sellers go the FSBO (for sale by owner) route, thinking that selling their home on their own will be more cost efficient than hiring an agent.
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Typically, FSBO is far from cost efficient.
According to the 2019 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, FSBO homes sold for a median of $200,000 last year—a whopping $80,000 less than agent-assisted homes, which sold for a median of $280,000.
So, what does this mean for you? If you’re thinking about going solo on your home sale as a way to save money on commissions, you might want to rethink your strategy. There’s a reason 89 percent of home sellers last year worked with an agent to sell their home; not only do they make the process easier and less stressful, but they can also get you a significantly higher price for your property. v
REAL ESTATE INSIGHT
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20 Questions to Ask When Buying a Condo
Considering a condominium? Take the time to research the community, talk to residents, review the condominium documents, and study other data to answer these questions: • What’s the condition of the unit, the building, the entire complex that you’re considering? • Are common areas well maintained? • How many condos are for sale? (A large percentage could be a sign of problems.) • What percentage of the units are owner-occupied? (Many lenders won’t back loans if the majority are rented.) • How much are the condo/association fees and what do they cover? • Does the association have adequate reserves for emergencies and renovations? (If not, you could face a special assessment.)
•What’s the temperament of the condo board? (Board minutes could reveal controversies.) • Are there pending lawsuits against the association or judgments you might have to help pay? • What does the association’s insurance cover? (You may need supplemental insurance to protect everything else.) • How much outstanding debt does the association have? • What percentage of the units are in arrears on their dues? • Does the seller owe back fees or assessments that may become your responsibility when you buy?
Does the unit come with reserved parking?
•What’s the neighborhood like? (Ask neighbors and walk the area at night and on weekends to check when residents are home.) • Does the unit come with reserved parking? • Is there adequate additional parking for guests? • Will you have extra storage space for bikes, paddle boards, and the like? • Is the association managed by a qualified professional company? • Does management handle requests and complaints quickly? • Do association rules limit your ability to rent the unit? • Will restrictions prevent you from changing visible elements such as the color of the front door or your window coverings? v
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on clouds in your mind’s eye and letting them float away. Any type of rest can be considered a good nap.
5. Consider Caffeine Intake. It’s okay to drink coffee or tea to help you stay alert, but try not to drink caffeine after 3 pm if you want to sleep well at night. On the other hand, if you find yourself awake at four or five in the morning, you may decide to get up and drink some coffee, knowing that you will be napping with your toddler mid-morning. Adjust your caffeine consumption to support your nap schedule. Naps reduce your sleep deficit; caffeine does not.
6. Banish Guilt. Your whole family will sleep better if you ignore other opinions and do what works for you. Infant deaths, parent accidents, and postpartum depression are all alleviated by excellent parent self-care. If you have a baby who does not sleep through the night, get creative with your sleep routines. Don’t try to force a baby who has only been alive a few months to align sleep rhythms with adults. Create a sleep schedule that’s win-win for your family and your baby. Continued on page 38
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7. Ask for Help. A sleep-deprived parent caring for a baby is risky. Babies spend a lot of time sleeping, and parents can play this tendency to their sleep-deprived advantage. Team up and work out a schedule that allows everyone to maintain adequate sleep. If one parent is sleep deprived and the other is working full-time, consider sleeping in separate beds during the week and swapping bedrooms on the weekends. Let the working parent do some weekend nighttime duties to help the stay-at-home parent catch up on sleep.
8. Accept Evolving Routines. Once you find a sleep schedule that works, milk it as long as you can. It’s possible that baby’s schedule will never become consistent, and that’s okay. Don’t hold yourself to some ideal standard that has no impact on health. The important goal is for everyone to get enough sleep. Once you have achieved that, then you can worry about how clean the house is or is not.
9. Take Pride in Sleeping Well. Parents may discover that no matter what their child’s age is, getting enough sleep remains challenging. Exhaustion is often glamorized and contagious. Pay attention to your own sleep needs first, and meet them consistently to model healthy sleep hygiene. Then teach kids to say no to sleepdeprivation temptations. Inoculate your family against unhealthy sleep habits—you’ll be so glad you did. v
Compare nap types and try what works for you—or whatever necessity dictates.
The 10- to 20-minute Power Nap. It’s not the length of the nap that causes you to awaken refreshed; it’s your ability to totally surrender to sleep, even when the nap will be short.
The 30-minute Short Nap. Some people say this type of nap isn't as effective as longer naps, but take a short nap over no nap any weary day. Set your phone alarm so you can succumb without worrying about oversleeping.
The 90-minute Deep Sleep. Studies show that you can enter REM sleep if you can stay asleep for an hour and a half. Sleeping deeply helps you bounce back faster once you wake up.
NAME THAT NAP
Co-snoozing: If the baby is already sleeping, why not cuddle up and nap together or near each other? Do your due diligence online on the safest ways to co-sleep. Or gently lay baby down in a co-sleeper or crib in the same room.
Cat Nap: If you are alone and have 30 minutes, cover your eyes, use earplugs, recline, and grab a short rest. Some people nap better if they are alone.
After-lunch Shuteye: Bring earplugs and an eye mask to work, lay your head on your desk, and set your phone for your wake-up time.
Car Respite: Find a shady spot, park the car, crack the windows, stash your valuables, lock the doors, put back the seat, and snooze.
Sideline Siesta: Seek a spot beyond out-of-bounds players and stray balls, bring a blanket, use your purse as a pillow, put a magazine over your face, and feel the earth cradling your body.
Shotgun Recharge: Babies are not the only ones who can catch some zzzs in a moving vehicle. Bring your earplugs and sleep mask, let your spouse navigate, put your seat back, and sleep away.
