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All About Contingencies: BHHS Hodnett Cooper Real Estate

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All About Contingencies

As you browse listings on BerkshireHathawayHS.com or realtor.com, you may find homes you like that appear to be unavailable, due to some kind of contingency. If you find the perfect home, but it’s labeled Active Kick Out or Contingent, should you pursue it or forget it?

The reality is that contracts fall through sometimes. If you have a back-up contract, you can buy the home should it come “Back on Market” or “BOM.”All About Contingencies

Active kick out
Active kick out means the seller has accepted a contingent offer, such as the buyer has a home to sell before they can close on the seller’s home. The seller can reserve the right to accept a better offer and “kick out” the previous buyer. They must give the first buyer 48 to 72 hours to either remove the contingency and move forward with the purchase, or back out of the contract.

Contingency
Nearly all offers-to-buy have contingencies. Typical contingencies include provisions that the home must meet the appraised value by the mortgage lender’s third-party appraiser, or it must pass a professional third-party home inspection to the buyer’s satisfaction. The buyer may make the contract contingent upon the lender funding the purchase.

Option period
Option periods give the buyer time to get financing and complete home inspections and the appraisal. Unless the buyer acts on a contingency, the home is considered out of option but it can still fall out of escrow.

To learn more, contact your Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network professional.

Why Homebuyers Pass Up Good Homes

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Why Homebuyers Pass Up Good Homes

Selling your home takes hard work and commitment to get it ready to impress buyers. While you can’t control the market, you can control your home’s appeal. Don’t let the following reasons make buyers pass on purchasing your home.

  1. Price: If you price your home too high, the right buyers won’t see it, and the ones who do see it will quickly realize other homes in the same range Homebuyers offer more value.
  2. Clutter: If your tables are full to the edges with photos, figurines, mail and coffee cups, buyers will be more focused on trying not to break something than considering your home for purchase. Too much stuff makes it confusing for buyers to see the rooms clearly, so they’ll move on to a clearer choice.
  3. Deferred maintenance: Buyers really want a home that’s been well-maintained, so it’s your job as the homeowner to keep your home in good condition. You don’t want buyers wondering what needs fixing and at what cost.
  4. Outdated décor: The reason people are looking at your home instead of buying brand new is because of cost and location. They want your neighborhood but not a dated-looking home. Take popcorn ceilings and flocked wallpaper down. Replace carpet with an upgrade or perhaps hardwoods.
  5. Smells: There’s not a buyer in the world who will buy a home that smells like pets, dirt or water damage. If you get an offer at all, it will be low and contingent on a positive inspection.

Functionality of Owning a Home

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The choice of where you live is simply functionality, usually based on affordability. Renting is a great option while you build your savings and make another move or two up the corporate ladder before settling down to a home of your own.Focus On Functionality

While the function of renting is mobility, owning a home offers more choices and the opportunity to build equity. You may want more space, privacy, and better access to schools, family or work. You can expand your interests, such as cooking in a larger kitchen, creating art in a studio, or having a large back yard for gardening and entertaining.

As your preferences become more focused, you may find that owning a home is more suitable for your lifestyle. In most areas, you can buy a home more affordably than renting.

Let’s say that you find a 2,400-square foot home for sale or lease. You may be able to rent it for $1.25 per square foot, or $3,000 per month, but you can buy the home for $1.65 per square foot or $400,000. When you finance at a fixed rate over 30 years, your payment is closer to $1,900. Add in typical property taxes and hazard insurance, and you’re at about $2,700 per month, and all the interest is tax deductible, making buying the home a better deal.

Choosing a home is about getting the most benefit for your money. It should be a decision based on how well the location, space and design serve your needs and pocketbook.

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