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6 Mistakes to Avoid When Trading Up to a Larger Home

Friday, November 8, 2019   /   by Ken A Parker

6 Mistakes to Avoid When Trading Up to a Larger Home

Unlike the experience of buying a first home, when you're looking to move-up, and already own a home, there are certain factors that can complicate the situation. It's very important for you to consider these issues before you list your home for sale. Not only is there he issue of financing to consider, but you also have to sell your present home at exactly the right time in order to avoid either the financial burden of owning two homes or, just as bad, the dilemma of having no place to live during the gap between closings. 



Six Strategie


In this report, we outline the six most common mistakes homeowners make when moving to a larger home. Knowledge of these six mistakes and the strategies to overcome them, will help you make more informed choices before you put your existing home on the market. 



1. Rose-coloured glasses 


Most of us dream of improving our lifestyle and moving to a larger home. The problem is that there's sometimes a discrepancy between our hearts and our bank accounts. You drive by a home that you fall in love with only to find that it's already sold or that it's more than what you are willing to pay. Most home owners get caught in this hit or miss strategy of house-hunting when there's a much easier way of going about process. For example, find out if your agent offers a Buyer Profile System or "House Hunting Service,"  which takes the guesswork away and helps to put you in the home of your dreams. This type of program will cross match your criteria with ALL available homes on the market and supply you with printed information on an on-going basis. A program like this helps homeowners take off their rose-coloured glasses and, affordably, move into the home of their dreams. 



2. Failing to make necessary improvements 


If you want to get the best price for the home you're selling, there will certainly be things you can do to enhance it in a prospective buyer's eyes. These fix-ups don't necessarily have to be expensive. But even if you do have to make a minor investment, it will often come back to you ten-fold in the price you are able to get when you sell. It's very important that these improvements be made before you put your home on the market. If cash is tight, investigate an equity loan that you can repay on closing. 


3. Not selling first 


You should plan to sell before you buy. This way you will not find yourself at a disadvantage at the negotiating table,  feeling pressured to accept an offer that is below-market value because you have to meet a purchase deadline. If you've already sold you home, you can buy your next one with no strings attached. If you do get a tempting offer on your home but haven't made a significant headway on finding your next home, you might want to put in a contigency clause in the sale contract which gives you a reasonable time to find a home to buy. If the market is slow and you find your home is not selling as quickly as you anticipated, another option could be renting your home and putting it up on the market later- particularly if you are selling a smaller, starter home. You'll have to investigate the tax rules if you choose this latter option. Better still, find a way to eliminate this situation altogether by getting your agent to guarantee the sale of your present home (see point number 5 below) 



4.  Failing to get a pre-approved mortgage 


Pre-approval is a very simple process that many homeowners fail to take advantage of. While it doesn't cost or obligate you to anything, pre-approval gives you a significant advantage when you put an offer on the home you want to purchase because you know exactly how much house you can afford, and you already have the green light from your lending institution. With a pre-approved mortgage, your offer will be viewed far more favorably by a seller- sometimes even if it's a little lower than another offer that's contingent on financing. Don't fail to take this important step. 


5. Getting caught in the "Real Estate Catch 22" 


Your biggest dilemma when buying and selling is deciding which to do first. Point number 3 above advises you to sell first. However there are ways to eliminate this dilemma altogether. Some agents offer a Guaranteed Sale "Trade-Up" Program that actually takes the problem away from you entirely by guaranteeing the sale of your present home before you take possession of the next one. If you find a home you wish to purchase and have not sold your current home yet, they will buy your home from you themselves so you can make your move free of stress and worry. 


6. Failing to coordinate closings


With two major transactions to coordinate together with all the people involved such as mortgage experts, appraisers, lawyers, loan officers, title company representatives, home inspectors or pest inspectors the chances of mix-ups and miscommunication go up dramatically. To avoid a logistical nightmare ensure you work closely with your agent. 


 

Ken Parker, Broker
Ken Parker
16888 Nisqualli Rd #700
Victorville, CA 92395
760-794-7355
DRE# CalBRE# 1524222

Based on information from California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. as of December 10, 2024. This information is for your personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties you may be interested in purchasing. Display of MLS data is usually deemed reliable but is NOT guaranteed accurate by the MLS. Buyers are responsible for verifying the accuracy of all information and should investigate the data themselves or retain appropriate professionals. Information from sources other than the Listing Agent may have been included in the MLS data. Unless otherwise specified in writing, Broker/Agent has not and will not verify any information obtained from other sources. The Broker/Agent providing the information contained herein may or may not have been the Listing and/or Selling Agent.
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