If you're thinking about selling your home soon, you should consider making a few improvements to increase the sale value of your home and make it more attractive to prospective buyers. In this blog post, we'll discuss five home improvements that will increase the selling value of your home.

1. Paint

One of the easiest ways to increase the selling value of your home is by painting it. When repainting your home, consider applying soft colors. New paint will make your home more appealing to buyers and help you stand out from the competition.

2. Renovate the Kitchen

Another great way to increase the selling value of your home is to make a few renovations to the kitchen. A fresh coat of paint, new countertops, a touch of metallic hardware, or even a tile backsplash can make a big difference when bringing in potential buyers.

3. New Siding

If you're looking for a more substantial upgrade, consider installing new siding on the exterior of your home. A new siding will increase your curb appeal and the value of your property. There are several siding options to choose from, so pick one that fits your home's design and your budget.

4. Adding a Deck

A deck can also add significant value to your home. It provides additional space for relaxation and entertainment, which many homebuyers are eager to enjoy. Plus, it's a great way to improve the overall aesthetics of your home.

5. Landscaping and Patio Upgrades

Landscaping can increase the curb appeal of your property. It also creates a more relaxed atmosphere for you and your guests. To increase the sale value of their home, many homeowners strategically place plants in the front yard as it looks pleasant and welcoming.

Planning on Selling Your Home?

When considering home improvements, always think about how they will affect the overall value of your home. If you're looking for more ideas, feel free to email us at bobbyd@DothanRealEstate.us. We'll be happy to help you increase the sale value of your home and find the right buyer for it!

Do you have a family that finally wants to become independent? Or perhaps you’ve seen a condo for sale and are wondering if it’s a good investment? Whatever your motivations are, we’ve compiled a list of considerations about investing in a condo.

What Are the Typical Questions That You May Have About Investing in a Condo?

Buying a new condo is a big move. So let’s have a look at some common questions people have when investing in one.

1. Is a Condo a Good Option as a First-Home Investment?

Choosing a condo for first-time home buying is a good investment due to different reasons. By buying a condo, you’ll be able to live in a location of your choice; you’ll also have easy access to urban life in general. You may also not need to do a lot of maintenance work because new homes are usually left behind in a good condition for the new occupants - besides, your appraisal will also tell you how much maintenance is required.

2. Why Do I Want to Invest in a Condo?

If you’re considering buying a condo as an investment, you should be clear on why you want to do it. The pros and cons of putting your money into a condo will vary depending on its planned use - whether that’s as the main living place, a summer home, or investment property. So you must be clear about your investment goals in order to determine that you’re making the right decision.

3. Do Condos Appreciate in Value?

Although properties in well-developed areas can appreciate much more quickly, the reality remains that most condos appreciate in value at a slower rate than single-family homes. However, all things considered, different factors like the neighborhood amenities, safety, and location can make a condo appreciate in value at a faster rate.

Final Thoughts

For more details about investing in condos, contact us at (334) 701-1102 today! We can help you make a profitable investment.

Are you in the market for a home? If so, you may be thinking about buying a newly built property. A newly constructed home can be a great option, but there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind before you make your decision. In this blog post, we will discuss seven things to consider when buying a newly-constructed home that will help you make an informed decision on what best suits your needs.

What to Consider When Buying a Newly Constructed Home?

The Builder's Reputation

One of the most important things to research is the quality of the builder’s constructions. Be sure to ask for references from previous clients and check online reviews. Also, ask the builder about the type and quality of materials used during construction to be confident that the house was built to the required standards.

The Home’s Features

New construction homes are a great option because you can customize them to your preferences while they’re being built. Be sure you know the amenities included in your new home and which features will incur additional costs.

Home Inspection

New homes are not without flaws, and it’s pertinent to perform a home inspection before you buy. A home inspection will help you identify any potential problems with the home so you can negotiate with the builder to fix them.

Location

Before you purchase a home, be sure to visit the location. Noise levels, traffic, and proximity to places of interest are worth bearing in mind. You may also want to survey the selling price of homes in the area over the last year to determine the market value of the property in question.

Maintenance Costs

Before buying a newly constructed home, consult the builder about the required short-term and long-term maintenance costs. Also, consider other expenses, like property taxes, homeowner's insurance, and homeowner's association dues.

Are You Looking for a Home? Let Us Help!

Realtors have lots of experience working with builders and can get you the best deals on newly built homes. Call us today at (334) 791-8830 to learn about the best home deals in Dothan!

Buying your next home in Dothan, AL, but having trouble saving money? At Wiregrass Real Estate, we believe that saving money shouldn’t be as complicated as everyone thinks. Straight from the expert, Bobby Dean, with 20 years of experience, here are some must-follow tips below!

Decide on a Down Payment

If you have an estimated price range on your target home, calculate how much you should be saving for a down payment. Depending on your mortgage loan, you can buy a home for as low as 3% down if you qualify for a conventional loan. But if you opt for government-backed loans, you can save for 3% or less.

However, the condition for a mortgage would depend on your credit score standing, debt-to-income ratio, and the overall status of your financial situation.

Figure Out Your Ideal Timeline

How many years do you think you should be saving to buy your next home? You can choose from as early as one year to as long as five or ten years - but make sure you stick to the savings plan.

Invest in High-Yield Savings

Wondering where to put your money? According to financial experts, high-yielding savings accounts like CDs would be the best. It’s highly liquid and less risky. Depending on your term, you can get around 0.55% to 1.00%. If your term is five years, the usual interest rate is 0.80% to 1.00%.

Follow a Strong Budget Plan

Budget, budget, and budget. Most people feel like budgeting is like self-punishment, but think of it as your stepping stone to get your next home! You can find plenty of effective budget templates online.

Automate Your Savings

If you’re prone to impulsive shopping and buying things you don’t need, automate your savings by contacting your bank to automatically deduct a certain amount to another bank account specifically dedicated to your savings.

Are You Ready to Move to Dothan, AL?

Dothan is a great place to move in with lots of affordable homes! If you’re planning to move in soon, please do not hesitate to reach out to Wiregrass Real Estate. To speak with a member of our team, just give us a call at (334) 701-1102 or contact us online.

Staging your house so it gets a buyer fast is actually very easy. There are simple tips that most people don't realize are important, but if you follow them, you'll have offers coming in faster. Here are some staging tips that you might find useful.

Clear Everything Out

The first thing you have to do is clear everything from the house. Clear off all the furniture, pack up the kids’ toys, and clean up the rooms. Use a vacuum cleaner to make sure there’s no dust, and if there’s any grease lurking on the surfaces, use a degreaser.

Paint the Walls

Painting the walls of your house is one of the best ways to stage it for sale. It makes the house look neat and tidy, and is an instant way to hide the flaws. But you’ll want to use a neutral color which will work with whatever your potential buyers might want.

Get Rid of Old Carpets

If you have used carpets on the floors, replace them with a hardwood floor. That will lead to buyers believing that you really take care of your home. Replacing old carpets with new ones is also fine, but only when the floors are in a good condition.

Get Rid of Bad Smells

There are lots of bad smells that you may have in your house, but the most common are smoke, cigarettes, old food, pet smells, mold, body odor, and just a general lived-in smell. Clean up, open windows, and spray air freshener in the rooms.

Put a "For Sale" Sign in The Yard

After you’ve staged your home, it’s a good idea to advertise it with a "For Sale" sign in the yard. This helps generate a buzz and using a professionally-designed sign is obviously more effective than using a homemade one.

 So what are you waiting for? Stage your home now and start receiving offers! Contact us at (334) 701-1102 for any help you may need.

We've been buying and selling homes for over 20 years now and the knowledge we've acquired along the way is priceless. And now, we want to share that value with people buying their first home - so read on!

Know the Style You're Looking For

There are a lot of different house styles out there. One way to make your purchase decision easier is to find a style that you’re comfortable with and then focus on that. You don’t need to go into the process with a completely blank slate, and the benefit of sticking to a certain style is that you’ll have a better idea of the price range you’re looking for.

Improve Your Credit Scores

When you're about to buy a property, it’s important to make sure you have a strong credit score - in particular, your credit cards and your mortgage. If you have a lot of credit card debt, it can make it difficult when you want to take out a house loan from a bank.

Research Home Prices Beforehand

Before you put in your offer, it's crucial to research how much homes are worth in the area. That way you can make sure you're not overpaying for your new home. Research the neighborhood’s average selling price and price trends beforehand - you'll thank us later.

Expect Competition from Other Buyers

Competition is common amongst homebuyers, and there's a good chance there will be bidding wars. Regardless of the competition, you should try to remain calm and learn as much as possible about their offers. Doing this will help you make a more informed decision and help you secure a better deal.

Final Thought

There's one more thing that we must teach first-time homebuyers: the importance of finding a good realtor to guide you through the buying process. Wiregrass Real Estate can help you with the process so contact us at (334) 701-1102 today!

If you’re in the market to buy a house, your mortgage lender will look at a couple of main factors to determine if you qualify. Most people know they check your credit score and credit history, but they aren’t aware of the debt-to-income ratio and how it works.

What is a Debt-to-Income Ratio?

Your DTI is a comparison of your monthly debts to your gross monthly income (income before taxes). The higher the percentage is, the higher your risk of default becomes. Lenders like borrowers with a DTI of 43% or less. This leaves plenty of money for living expenses and savings, reducing the risk of default.

What’s Included in Your Debt-To-Income Ratio?

The only information you need to calculate your DTI is your total debts and total income.

Debts to Include in Your DTI

The debts you include are those on your credit report. A few examples include:

• Car payments
• Minimum credit card payments
• Personal loan payments
• Student loans

The DTI also includes the new mortgage you’re applying for which includes the principal, interest, real estate taxes, and homeowner’s insurance. It also includes any HOA dues and mortgage insurance, if applicable.

Income to Include in Your DTI

You can include any income the lender will use for qualifying purposes. Obviously, this includes your full-time income. But if you have any other sources of income that have a two-year history and will continue for the foreseeable future, you may include them too. Common examples include alimony or child support you receive or side gigs you run with income you can prove.

Calculating Your DTI

With these two totals, you can calculate your own debt-to-income ratio using this calculation:

Total debts/Total income = Debt-to-income ratio

Here’s an example.

Jan makes $7,000 a month before taxes. Her debts include the following:

• Minimum credit card payments $150
• Car payment $300
• Student loan payment $250
• New mortgage payment $1,750

Jan’s debt-to-income ratio is:

$2,450/$7,000 = 35%

How to Lower Your Debt-To-Income Ratio

If your debt-to-income ratio is higher than a lender might like, here are a few ways to lower it:

• Pay your credit cards down or off – If you have credit card debt, try to pay it off. If you can’t, at least pay them down so your minimum payment drops, and you lower your DTI.
  
  
• Pay down other debts – If you have other consumer debts you can pay down to have less than 6 payments, lenders may exclude them from your DTI.
  
  
• Increase your income – If your income is too low, take on a part-time job or start a side gig. You’ll need to show receipt of income for a while, so the sooner you start it the better.

Final Thoughts

Your debt-to-income ratio is just as important as your credit score. Take the time to figure out your DTI and where you stand before thinking about buying a house. You can prepare both your credit score and debt ratio early on to increase your chances of loan approval.