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Homes for Sale Brentwood TN | Brentwood TN Real Estate | Gennifer MallardHomes for Sale Brentwood TN | Brentwood TN Real Estate | Gennifer Mallard

Gennifer Mallard
Realtor, Real Estate Broker

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(615) 473-5973 Direct
(615) 371-1544 Office
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Selling a Home When You Have Pets

Selling Your Home When You Have Pets - Williamson County Homes for Sale

If you’re a pet owner who’s decided to sell your home, you may wonder how your pet’s presence will affect the way potential buyers see your property. You may also be looking for ways to lessen the stress to your pet when it comes to staging and showing… and with a bit of planning, you can sell your home while keeping your four-legged pals happy throughout the process.

Staging and Showings When You Have Pets

While evidence of pets in your home won’t turn away every potential buyer, it’s important to make a good first impression on everyone who takes a tour. This means staging your home and yard to look their best, and that may include repairing pet damage. We always suggest that you:

  • Patch the lawn, if necessary
  • Repair any scratched or chewed areas, including your rugs and furniture
  • Have your carpets and upholsteries (if necessary) professionally cleaned

If it’s practical, air out your home as often as possible to keep it smelling fresh. While you may not notice if your home has pet odors, newcomers certainly will. It’s best to err on the side of caution!

Minimizing Stress to Your Pets

Take your pets with you when you leave your home for showings. The house will show better, and you won’t be leaving your pets alone with strangers while you’re away.

Even if they don’t like car rides, your pets are likely to be more comfortable when they’re with you. This could be a great time for a long walk or a special treat for your furry companion.

Are You Selling a Home in Williamson County or Davidson County?

We have extensive experience with the real estate markets in Williamson and Davidson Counties, and we’d be happy to discuss our in-depth strategies and techniques to get your home in front of all the right buyers. We’ll also give you a free comparative market analysis so you know exactly how much your home is worth.

While you’re here, you’re welcome to download our free home seller guide, which is packed with amazing tips on selling your home quickly and at the right price.

When you’re ready to find out how we can provide you with spectacular service, call us at 615-473-5973 or contact us online. We’ll look forward to selling your home.

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Posted in: Blog, How-To, Selling

How to Shop for the Best Mortgage

If you’re like most people, a home is the biggest purchase you’ll ever make — and it typically requires a mortgage loan.

So what do you need to know about shopping for the best deal on a mortgage?

How to Shop for the Best Mortgage

It’s always a good idea to talk to multiple lenders before you settle on one. That helps ensure that you’re getting the best possible terms.

Remember that you can negotiate with lenders, too, and you may have more leeway than you think you do.

Home loans are available from several types of lenders, including:

  • Credit unions
  • Commercial banks
  • Mortgage companies

You can also get a loan through a mortgage broker — but when you do this, the money isn’t actually coming from the broker. The broker simply arranges the transaction.

You can “comparison shop” between several types of lenders. When you do, it’s a good idea to ask several questions, such as:

  • What are your current mortgage interest rates? Are those rates fixed or adjustable? What’s the loan’s annual percentage rate, or APR?
  • Will I have to pay points? (Points are fees you pay to the lender or broker that will often lower your interest rate, thereby lowering your monthly payments.) You should also ask for the points in dollar value so you’ll know exactly how much the lender will be charging you.
  • What are your loan origination or underwriting fees? What are your broker fees, transaction fees and closing costs? You can always ask for an explanation of any fees that you don’t understand.
  • How much will I need to come up with for a down payment?

Are You Buying a Home in Williamson County?

If you’re buying a home in Williamson County, we can help you find one that’s just right for your needs.

Call us at 615-473-5973 or get in touch with us online today.

Posted in: Blog, Buying, Financing, How-To

Why is Curb Appeal So Important?

why is curb appeal important - sell home williamson county

When you’re selling a home, your Realtor(R) will emphasize home staging and curb appeal.

It makes sense that staging your house is important — after all, you want the living space to be as attractive and appealing as possible — but what about curb appeal? Does it really matter that much?

The “Halo Effect” and Your Home’s Outward Appearance

There’s a psychological process that takes place when each of us first sees something. It’s called the halo effect, and as humans, it’s part-and-parcel of the first impressions we develop.

Our first impression enables us to judge a book by its cover, so to speak.

When you drive by an attractive, well-kept home, you probably automatically assume that the inside is clean, well-maintained and neat.

What do you think when you drive by a home with missing shingles, crooked siding or a sagging porch?

Bear in mind that many potential buyers will drive by a home after they find it online — and if they don’t have a good first impression, it’s unlikely that they’ll call your listing agent and ask for a showing.

Quick and Easy Ways to Boost Curb Appeal

Naturally, lawn maintenance and exterior repairs are the most important (and sometimes the toughest) ways to boost your home’s curb appeal. If everything is already in working order but you’d like to make some improvements, try:

  • Getting a new mailbox
  • Replacing your house numbers with new, modern versions
  • Repainting your front door
  • Upgrading your light fixtures
  • Adding flowers or seasonal decor wherever it’s appropriate

Are You Selling a Home in Williamson County?

If you’re selling a home in Williamson County, we can help. We’ll walk you through every step, from boosting your home’s curb appeal and staging to signing your final paperwork.

If you have a moment, download our free home-selling guide. It’s packed with great tips that will help you along the way.

Call us at 615-473-5973 or get in touch with us online. We’re the experts on selling in Williamson County, and we’d love the opportunity to help you.

Posted in: Blog, How-To, Selling

Expert Home-Buying Secrets

 

Buying a house is a highly emotional experience — and it’s one that you can’t take lightly. After all, you’re going to be living in the home for the next 10, 20 or 30 years (or longer!), so it makes sense to get all the information you can to make the best possible decision.

Home-Buying Secret #1: Don’t Let Your Emotions Take Over

It’s easy to fall in love with the right house… just make sure that you’re not setting yourself up for disappointment by letting your feelings dominate your decision-making process.

However, emotions are different from instincts. Trust yourself if you feel you’re making the right decision based on a home’s value; don’t lean on your emotions if they’re making you willing to pay more for amenities and features than you’d pay in any other home.

expert home-buying secrets - Williamson County homes for saleHome-Buying Secret #2: Make Sure You Hire a Skilled Inspector

When you buy a home, you’re buying the “whole package.” Unfortunately, that can include problems — but if you have a home inspector check out the home and give you a heads-up, you’ll know what you’re getting into.

If a home inspector finds issues that you’re willing to work with, you can use them to negotiate.

Home-Buying Secret #3: Let Your Realtor(R) Negotiate

In most cases, you don’t have to pay the seller’s asking price when you’re buying a home. Like any other major purchase, you’re often expected to negotiate.

Your Realtor’s expertise comes in handy at this point. Remember, he or she is trained in the art of negotiation — and your agent always has your best interests at heart. Your Realtor will work hard to get you the best possible deal on your new home.

Are You Buying a Home in Williamson County?

While you’re here, feel free to check out:

  • Brentwood real estate listings
  • Franklin real estate listings
  • Nashville real estate listings
  • Nolensville real estate listings
  • Spring Hill real estate listings
  • Thompson’s Station real estate listings
  • College Grove real estate listings
  • Arrington real estate listings

When you’re ready, call us at 615-473-5973 or get in touch with us online. We’ll be able to help you find your dream home in any community here.

 

Posted in: Blog, Buying, How-To

7 Ways to Help the Planet (and Save Money) in Your New Home

7 Ways to Save the Planet - Middle Tennessee Homes for Sale
When you’ve found the perfect home for sale in Middle Tennessee, it’s the perfect time to commit yourself to taking great care of it – and by making a few smart choices, you can save yourself time and money, as well.

1. Save energy (and your appliances) by not preheating your oven. Unless you’re baking bread or pastries, you don’t need to preheat your oven before you start cooking; simply turn it on when you put the food in. When you’re checking on your food, leave the door closed and peek through the window to conserve heat.

2. Wash your clothes with cold or warm water instead of hot water. If everyone stopped using the hottest settings on their own washing machines, we could save enough energy to compensate for about 100,000 barrels of oil per day. (Your bill for heating the water will be a lot lower, too.)

3. Turn off the water when you brush your teeth. If you do, you’ll save up to 5 gallons of water each day… and if everyone else did, we could save up to 1.5 billion gallons of water every day.

4. Change the temperature in your new home. Adjusting your thermostat one degree higher in the summer and one degree cooler in the winter will save you money on your energy bills. You can also make use of a programmable thermostat to change your home’s temperatures based on when you’re home and when you’re not.

5. Water your lawn early in the morning, before moisture gets lost to steamy temperatures. That way, you’re not wasting water on evaporation.

6. Turn off the lights when you leave a room. You’ll save money on new bulbs and energy, and you’ll save money on cooling costs as well – lights contribute to the heat in a room.

7. Close your fireplace damper when you’re not using it. If you keep it open when there’s no fire on the hearth, it’s just like keeping a 48-inch window open; you’ll lose hundreds of dollars’ worth of warm air in the winter, and your energy costs will skyrocket.

Ready to Find a New Home in Middle Tennessee?

When you’re ready to look for homes for sale in Middle Tennessee, we’d love to help. Just call us at 615-473-5973 or get in touch with us online. We know all of the neighborhoods from Nashville to Arrington, and we’ll be happy to help you find exactly what you need.

Posted in: Blog, How-To

5 Home Staging Tips that Leave an Unforgettable Impression

5 Home Staging Tips that Leave an Unforgettable Impression - Gennifer Mallard Middle TN Real Estate

When your home is on the market, it needs to look its best for potential buyers – and you can make that happen by staging it in a way that makes it absolutely unforgettable.

5 Home Staging Tips that Leave an Unforgettable Impression

Naturally, everything in your home needs to be spotless. Fresh, fluffy and new towels in the bathrooms, frequent trips around the house with the feather duster and carefully hidden pet food bowls are a given. Make sure the grout around sinks and tubs is clean, and don’t forget to wipe down everything in the kitchen to leave it gleaming.

Aside from the basics, though, a handful of improvements here and there can make a world of difference.

1. Update your bathroom tile without starting from scratch. You can totally transform outdated tile by applying a high-adhesion primer and then brushing on ceramic epoxy. As soon as it dries, you’ll have a fresh, new look that makes it seem as if you’ve updated the whole bathroom.

2. Upgrade your kitchen cabinets without buying new ones. Outdated cabinets can give your whole kitchen a “blah” look. Stain your cabinets (make sure you’re going in the direction of the grain) and update the hardware to make them look brand-new.

3. Store excess furniture. You want to create an easy traffic flow in each room, so make sure that you only leave enough furniture in each room to showcase the room’s purpose. You may need to rent a storage unit, but it’s worth it – when buyers can see how large your rooms are and how easy it will be to put their own belongings inside, they’ll be more likely to make an offer.

4. Make bedrooms gender-neutral. You may need to repaint one or more bedrooms in your home, but by making bedrooms perfect for either gender, you won’t narrow your buyer pool into people who have the same family makeup as you do.

5. Pay attention to curb appeal. The outside of your home is buyers’ first impression of it, so by making sure that your lawn is neat as a pin, you’ll be setting the stage for positive experiences. Power-wash the sidewalks and the outside of your home, and make sure that your porch is impeccably clean. If the season allows, plant in-bloom flowers along the walkways and wherever else possible to enhance the built-in beauty of your home.

Are You Selling Your Middle Tennessee Home?

If you’re ready to sell your home in Franklin, Brentwood or another town in Middle Tennessee, let us know. We have in-depth marketing strategies that will put your home in front of the right buyers – and we’d love to put our knowledge to work for you.

Call us at 615-473-5973 or contact us online. We’ll help you sell your home quickly and easily.

 

Posted in: Blog, How-To, Selling

What Can You Do to Make Your Offer Stand Out?

If you’re ready to buy a home in Franklin, Brentwood or any other beautiful Nashville suburb, you could be facing some pretty stiff competition.

That’s why you need to know what you can do to make your offer stand out so the seller chooses you above everyone else.

What Can You Do to Make Your Offer Stand Out?

Sellers could be seeing two, three or even more offers on their home, so it’s essential that yours is the best. Naturally, a preapproval letter from a lender is one of the best ways to set your offer apart from the rest – but you can take things further by doing more.

5 Ways to Make Your Offer Stand Out in Middle Tennessee Real Estate

While there’s no guarantee that a seller will choose your offer when he or she is choosing between two or more, there are five great ways to make yours stand out.

  1. Be willing to pay your own costs rather than ask the seller to pay all or part of them.
  2. Don’t make your offer contingent upon selling your own home.
  3. Offer to close early or to lease the home back to the seller until he or she purchases a new home.
  4. Be willing to shorten inspection periods or concede to make certain repairs rather than asking the seller to do so.
  5. Make an emotional connection with the seller by sending a hand-written note with your offer.

The seller’s Realtor® will generally help them make a decision that’s most advantageous, so by being flexible, you could give yourself an edge over everyone else who’s offering to purchase the home.

Let’s Talk About Your Options in Middle Tennessee Real Estate

When you’re ready to learn more about Middle Tennessee homes for sale, call us at 615-473-5973 or contact us online. We’ll be happy to set up a custom home search that helps you find the perfect place.

 

Posted in: Buying, How-To

Thinking About Buying and Flipping Houses? Here’s What You Need to Know.

Buying and Flipping Houses in Tennessee

The first quarter of 2015 showed an average gross profit of over $72,000 on house “flips,” and if you’re like most people with an entrepreneurial spirit, you might be thinking of cashing in on something like this. However, it’s important for you to know that house flipping is more complicated than just buying and selling a home – and reality TV shows don’t really depict the process accurately.

Should You Buy and Flip Houses in Middle Tennessee?

If you’re thinking about buying a home in Middle Tennessee so you can fix it up and sell it quickly, ask yourself:

  • Where are you planning on buying and flipping property? Purchasing a house at the top of the price range in an upscale neighborhood means you are relying on that area’s property values to increase, not remain stagnant.
  • What trends do the experts say are going to affect the future of the real estate market? When the market is good, experienced house flippers see money growing on trees. When the market drops, those same trees can be quite bare.
  • What’s your game plan? Some house flippers like to a purchase a fixer-upper for a cheap price, make repairs and then sell it. You’ll need a timeline and a budget so you can ensure you don’t get in over your head.

Potential Drawbacks to Flipping Houses in Tennessee

Even a perfect plan can go wrong—budgeting flaws, timing problems, a sudden increase in neighborhood crime—leaving you with a house that won’t sell.

If you’re thinking about diving into the market, know that:

  • Your expenses could exceed your returns. Unforeseen costs, taxes and other fees can add up quickly. Remember, the longer it takes to flip a house, the more money you stand to lose.
  • You may have to pay capital gains taxes on your earnings.
  • The real estate market fluctuates. If your three-month remodel turns into a thirteen-month overhaul, a home you expected to sell for $480,000 might only sell for $400,000.

Advantages to Flipping Houses in Tennessee

Aside from the pleasure of improving a property, you might enjoy these added benefits:

  • You can profit without financial contributions. If you partner with investors and provide the sweat equity, you might not need to contribute any of your own money.
  • House-flipping can be an excellent short-term investment. The average return on investment for house flips in the first part of 2015 was 35.1 percent.
  • You can maximize your return with the right people on your team. If you work with a good Realtor®, you can find properties that need a little work priced much lower than other homes nearby. In many cases, you’ll be able to list and sell these homes for a tidy profit—even if property values remain flat.

What Kind of Home Are You Looking For?

Let’s talk about how I can help you find the right home for your needs. Call me at 615-473-5973 or get in touch with me online. I’ll start looking for properties that match your criteria right away.

Posted in: Blog, How-To, Real Estate

How Much House Can You Afford?

How Much House Can You Afford in Brentwood, Franklin, Nashville or the Surrounding Areas

Lenders determine whether you can afford mortgage payments by evaluating your credit risk and overall financial condition. Generally, they’ll want to make sure that your debt-to-income ratio is low enough that you can afford to repay them.

How to Determine Your Debt-to-Income Ratio

Mortgage lenders want to know that no more than 28 percent of your income will go toward repayment of your loan. Simply multiply your gross monthly salary by 0.28 to figure out how much house you can afford.

You can determine your own debt-to-income ratio by adding up all of your monthly obligations (including your current mortgage or rent payments) and dividing that number by your gross monthly income.

If you pay $1,000 for a mortgage, $500 in bills and $500 in other expenses, your monthly obligations are $2,000. Assuming your gross monthly income is $6,000 (remember, that’s before taxes), then you’ll divide 2,000 by 6,000.

In this case, your debt-to-income ratio is 33 percent.

How Lenders Assess Your Creditworthiness

For the most part, lending institutions use the 5 Cs to assess your creditworthiness. They take into account:

  • Credit history. Have you always paid your bills on time? Have you ever defaulted on a loan or declared bankruptcy? These and other factors provide lenders with your credit score, which shows how fiscally responsible you have been in the past. All legitimate lenders will check your credit rating before considering your application.
  • Capacity. Based on your employment history and past levels of income, lenders can get an idea of your ability to repay a large loan. Underwriters use your debt-to-income ratio to evaluate your credit risk and determine whether you have the capacity to pay back a mortgage loan.
  • Collateral. When you purchase a home, it’s through a secured loan – and the collateral is your home. If you fail to make payments on your loan, the home becomes the lender’s property.
  • Capital. Mortgage lenders view capital as anything you could rely on to make payments if you experienced a sudden loss of income. Your capital consists of investments, savings accounts, retirement accounts and other assets that you can quickly liquidate.
  • Conditions. Conditions of a loan involve how you intend to spend the money you receive from a loan. In the case of a mortgage loan, lenders will want to ensure you are purchasing a home by talking to your Realtor® and possibly inspecting the home.

Ready to Explore Middle Tennessee Homes in Your Price Range?

Call me at 615-473-5973 or send me a note online. I’ll be happy to build a custom search based on your needs and help you find the perfect home for sale in Williamson County.

Posted in: Blog, How-To, Real Estate

How NOT to Sell a House

How NOT to Sell a House in Middle Tennessee - Gennifer Mallard, Realtor

 

If you’re that rare seller who wants to put his or her home on the market without actually selling it, this one’s for you.

Follow these five sure-fire tips to let your home sit on the market for weeks and you’ll be watching those weeks stretch into months in no time. In fact, you probably won’t need to move for years.

Don’t clean too thoroughly.

People buy houses to live in, right? Then you want yours to look lived-in! Maybe you’ll clean up the dinner dishes, vacuum and make the bed out of habit. However, you don’t need to sweat the small stuff such as washing the walls or picking up yard litter.

Repairs? Let the buyer handle them!

People love to do repairs on a newly-purchased home. Moving is dull, and fixing stuff helps break up the monotony. Who wouldn’t look forward to repairing leaky faucets and battling with a closet door that just won’t stay on its track? Many buyers will even hire a home inspector to write their to-do list for closing day.

Staging isn’t for everyone.

When your Realtor® talks about staging your home, she’s really just trying to keep you busy. She knows how easy it is to pack up all your belongings and find another place to live, and she doesn’t want you to get restless while you wait for a new home to fall into your lap.

Curb appeal… Isn’t that a TV show?

Natural is in, so overgrown lawns shouldn’t be a problem for modern homebuyers. Besides, your buyers will be living inside the house; they don’t care what the outside looks like.

Pick a price; any price.

While your Realtor knows the Middle Tennessee real estate market, you should only concern yourself with how much your home is worth to you. Let your emotions guide you when you’re setting the price for your home, and then tack on an additional $10,000 ($20,000 if you have a pool).

*If your home does sell after following these simple instructions, you can take some solace in the fact that it probably sold for much less than it might have if you hadn’t stumbled upon this handy guide.

 

Posted in: Blog, How-To, Real Estate

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Benchmark Realty, LLC

Gennifer Mallard, Realtor

615-473-5973 Direct

615-371-1544 Office

GenniferMallard@gmail.com

Benchmark Realty, LLC
318 Seaboard Lane, Suite 112
Franklin, TN 37067
License #00292590
Company License #259153

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