Southwest Missouri Realty Tips: Benefits of Owning a Home

Buying a house is a big step and a huge responsibility. There are certainly pros and cons to home ownership, but here at Southwest Missouri Realty, we believe that the advantages far outweigh any disadvantage that you can think of. Aside from community pride and a solid foundation, here are four benefits to owning your home.

1. An Investment for the Future

So you’ve paid your monthly rent to the landlord of your apartment complex, now what? All of those payments are going into the renovations of a property, paying the salaries of company employees, and various other costs; none of that money is benefiting you or your family....

Ask Your Realtor in Springfield, MO, 3 Questions Before Selling Your Home

Finding the right realtor in Springfield, MO, can be a daunting task, especially if you aren’t sure what to ask or how to go about researching. At Southwest Missouri Realty, we want to see you succeed, which is why we are arming you with 3 must-ask questions to bring to your agent.

1. What is Your Experience as a Realtor in Springfield, MO?

Possibly the most important question to ask anybody handling your real estate listings is how much experience they have. This means determining not only the number of years he or she has been working as a realtor in Springfield, MO, but also the amount of success he or she ...

Best Times to List Real Estate for Sale

There is a time for everything, and this includes listing real estate for sale in Springfield, MO. Here at Southwest Missouri Realty, our team has plenty of experience in what this means for both sellers and buyers. So when is the best time to list?

Staging Real Estate for Sale

Let’s be honest, half the battle of selling a home is in the presentation. A buyer will purchase a house that needs a little TLC, so long as it looks comfortable and livable. The best time to showcase this is Spring. During the months of Spring, all real estate for sale flourishes: lawns turn green, trees and shrubbery are full, and flowers are in bloom. Not only is thi...

Luxury Homes for Sale: Avoid These Open House Blunders

At Southwest Missouri Realty, we have seen our fair share of open houses. When it comes to luxury homes for sale, it is especially important for an open house to be successful, because the prices and expectations are higher. To help you get a better idea of how to find this success, we thought we would share a few tips on what not to do.

Forgetting to Tidy Those Luxury Homes for Sale

It’s the big day of your open house, but life has gotten in the way. You’re going to be late for work, and the sink is full of dishes. This is the nightmare of every realtor in Springfield, MO. True, the new tenants of your home should be looking at...

Tell Your Realtor in Springfield, MO, These 4 Things

At Southwest Missouri Realty, we are committed to giving our clients the best service possible. In order to do this, we sometimes need a little help in the form of information. The more that we know about you, your financial standing, and your dream home, the better our chances are at finding the perfect house for you and your family. Here are 4 things, every house hunter should share with a realtor in Springfield, MO, before they begin scanning real estate listings.

1. Every Realtor in Springfield, MO Needs a Budget

This number doesn’t need to be an exact figure, but more of a jumping point. To get a better understanding of what...

Different Types of Homes for Sale in Springfield, MO

With so many homes for sale in Springfield, MO, it isn’t uncommon to see a variety of sale titles online and in the papers. For a first time home buyer, these labels can get confusing, which is why we, at Southwest Missouri Realty, wanted to break them down for you.

Traditional Homes for Sale in Springfield, MO

A traditional home sale occurs when a homeowner decides to sell a house and follows the traditional steps of having it inspected and listed through a realty company. The cost of any traditional homes for sale in Springfield, MO, is based on market value in the area, as well as the size and quality of the house being sold. ...

Southwest Missouri Realty’s Guide to Loans

At Southwest Missouri Realty, we want our customers to have all of the facts before investing in a new home. For first time homeowners, especially, there is a lot of information to soak up about home loans and how to go about obtaining one.

A home loan, also known as a mortgage, is a loan which is paid back over a long period of time, in order to secure a house or other property. This allows individuals to cover the costs of a new lodging without needing to obtain all of the money upfront. Banks allow individuals to apply for home loans on the premise that should the debt go unpaid, the house itself will act as collateral.

Fixed Rate vs. A...

Considering an open house? Here are the pros and cons for sellers of Springfield, MO real estate.

An open house is by no means a necessary part of the buying or selling process. There are several benefits and drawbacks to hosting or attending an open house event. Although some realtors in Springfield, MO may insist that an open house event is crucial to selling your Springfield, MO real estate, when it comes down to it, the choice is really yours.

PROS:

Convenience.

An open house event does require some extra work on the seller’s part, but it also serves as a huge convenience for interested buyers. Instead of calling the realtor to schedule a private showing, the buyer can simpl...

If you’re selling your home, a realtor in Springfield, MO can help you get ready for that inspection.

A few weeks ago, we wrote a blog for sellers detailing all the things an inspector will look for during a home inspection. Today, we’re going to give you some specific suggestions for things you can do to prepare.

Whether you’re currently selling your home, are planning to in the future, or are just curious about the home selling process, here are some tips from a realtor in Springfield, MO on how to get ready for your home inspection.

General Maintenance

Much of preparing for a home inspection is just general home maintenance. Your realtor in Springfield, MO has most likely been a ...

Before you buy Springfield, MO real estate, your realtor can help make sure you’re aware of the additional costs.

If you’ve never owned a home before, you may not be aware of all the financial responsibilities you will have. Home ownership comes with a few hidden costs, outside of just paying your mortgage payment.

Here at Southwest Missouri Realty, we want to make sure you’re not caught unprepared for these realities of homeownership. Below are a few of the major hidden costs associated with owning a home. Take some time to review them and talk to your realtor about the details of your own home search!

Property Taxes

Everyone who owns Springfield, MO real estate is required to pay ...

If you’re getting ready to purchase Springfield, MO real estate, don’t make these mistakes.

If you’re buying a home for the first time, there’s no shame in being a rookie. In fact, we’re excited for you! We want to make sure you have an enjoyable home buying experience and we will do everything we can to make sure your Springfield, MO real estate shopping is enjoyable – including providing you this list of first-time home buyer mistakes.

Not Getting Pre-Approved

Getting pre-approved saves both the buyer and the seller a lot of valuable time. To be pre-approved, a lender has to review your information and tell you exactly how much they would be willing to lend you to buy a home. This ...

Here’s what your realtor in Springfield, MO will do for you.

Buying a house is such an exciting thing, but it can also be extremely stressful. Not only is it time consuming and expensive, but there are also countless decisions to be made throughout the process. That’s why it’s vitally important to find a great realtor in Springfield, MO that you can trust.

A realtor can help guide you through the entire home buying process and provide the much needed support to get things done right and get you into the home of your dreams. Here at Southwest Missouri Realty, we understand that buying a house may cause you some additional stress and we want to help minimize that stress as much as possi...

A realtor in Springfield, MO can help explain the importance of homeowners insurance.

Life is unpredictable. And as a homeowner, you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared for anything that comes your way. Homeowners insurance is the best way to protect your home, your family and others that step foot onto your property.

An experienced realtor in Springfield, MO will advise you to purchase a homeowners insurance package if you are a first-time homeowner or get a new policy if you are moving into a new home. But before you do so, here’s some important information to get you started.

What is homeowners insurance?

Homeowners insurance is a packaged insurance policy that protects homeowne...

Why buy real estate for sale instead of renting?

If you haven’t already, you’ll probably face the difficult decision of whether to buy or rent a house at some point in your life. While buying a house is no doubt a huge investment, there are some serious benefits to buying instead of renting.

Buying Real Estate for Sale

Buying a house is a huge step and the process can be long and arduous. Hiring a realtor in Springfield, MO is the first step to improving your home buying experience and having a professional on your side to provide guidance can make all the difference – especially for first-time home buyers.

Advantages

Although the upfront costs of purchasing real estate for sale ar...

Review this list of deductions from Southwest Missouri Realty and save yourself some money.

There are many benefits to buying a home. Increased privacy, building equity, the ability to customize your living space as much as you want, and just having a place to call your own are some of the many reasons people choose to buy a home instead of renting a property.

In addition to all the benefits listed above, homeowners also have the chance to take advantage of a number of tax deductions that renters do not. Here at Southwest Missouri Realty, our realtors are all extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of home ownership, and they can give you more detailed advice on which tax deductions yo...

Do your due diligence with a realtor in Springfield, MO.

Buying a house is a big, long-term investment; and they don’t come cheap, so it makes sense that you should do some investigating before buying. This investigating is called due diligence. It includes following up on a number of factors which could be negative or positive to the sale.

At Southwest Missouri Realty, an expert realtor in Springfield, MO, we want to see all of our clients happy with their new homes, which is why we have compiled this list of tips for your due diligence.

Title Search the Property

A title search is the act through which you seek the history of ownership of a particular property. This can be an impor...

How much is that acreage for sale worth?

Many individuals and businesses seeking to make an investment will do so by purchasing a property with a large acreage for sale in Southwest Missouri. This might be for farming use, or it might just be for aesthetics and privacy. Either way, we at Southwest Missouri Realty want to see you get the most for your money. So, how do you evaluate the worth of acreage? Take a look.

Usage and Development of Acreage for Sale

When evaluating land that will be used for farming, you must first determine how much of the land can be used for a farming purpose rather than simple aesthetics. This means that you must calculate the amount of land that has been ...

New vs. old: Shopping homes for sale in Springfield, MO

Buying a house is tricky business, and it doesn’t matter how new or old it is. There are always going to be pros and cons to each side. To help our clients better understand the market on homes for sale in Springfield, MO, we have put together a little guide on what to watch for when buying new versus old.

The Pros of Buying New Homes for Sale in Springfield, MO

Customization is a huge pro to a newly built home, particularly if you’re able to work with the contractor and make a few design recommendations as it goes up. Knowing that a house has freshly hit the market also offers a sense of first-time ownership. It is understood t...

Home improvement ideas for homes for sale in Springfield, MO

When preparing homes for sale in Springfield, MO, we often advise our clients of minor renovations and changes that could really pay off in the long run. Sometimes, it can seem like a hassle to create more work before a big sale. When you see the results of your labors, we know you’ll thank us. Take a look at some of the home improvement recommendations we often make in the area.

Updating the Bathrooms

Whether you’re replacing the toilet, stripping off decade-old wallpaper, or re-caulking the tub, this is a great place where a little elbow grease can pay off. The bathrooms in a house aren’t only being used by the entire hou...

Increase Springfield, MO real estate property value

One of the major questions we often get regarding Springfield, MO real estate is whether or not landscaping can truly impact property value. You’ll be happy to learn that yes, it can. It not only increases value, but it also increases value immediately. This makes it a great area to focus on before a sale.

So, now you know that landscaping can change the overall value of your home. Where should you start? Take a look at some ideas from Southwest Missouri Realty, your Springfield, MO real estate expert, to get your creative landscaping juices flowing.

Lighting Fixtures

Outdoor lighting is beautiful and affordable; it creates a sense...