It’s exciting to start a fresh new year and many of you have created goals that you’d like to achieve in 2012.  As we all know, the best way to reach your goal is to have a realistic plan in place.  If one of your goals is buying or selling a Greater Portland home this year, there are a lot of key pieces that need to come together in order to do so!

As Greater Portland Real Estate agents who are part of the David Banks Team at RE/MAX by the Bay, we have many years of combined experience in the Greater Portland Real Estate market.  We’ve seen buyers and sellers who attempt navigating through the real estate market on their own, only to end up frustrated and disappointed with the results.

We know that one of the foundational elements to achieving your real estate goals is to have an experienced Greater Portland Real Estate agent by your side, so we’ve gathered the top ten reasons why.

1. Education and Experience- Their years of training and experience in the Greater Portland Real Estate market will be a great asset to you! You don’t have to put pressure on yourself to learn about the market or how to negotiate a deal since a real estate agent will be fully trained and know the ins and outs of the Greater Portland Real Estate market.

2. Agents are Buffers- You won’t have to deal with multiple phone calls from buyers or other agents. Buying or selling a home can get personal and your Greater Portland Real Estate agent can act as your personal shield against pushy buyers or bad deals.

3. Area Knowledge- If you’re buying a Greater Portland home and are relocating to the area, your Greater Portland Real Estate agent will know the best places to search to fit your needs and lifestyle!

4. Price Guidance- Your Greater Portland Real Estate agent can guide you in what you want to offer on a home and help you come up with a price that works within your budget. They can also give you advice on pricing your home correctly from the beginning.

5. Market Condition Information- You’ll get an inside look into the Greater Portland Real Estate market such as what homes are currently selling for on the market or when a home is a good deal.

6. Professional Networking- Your Greater Portland Real Estate agent  may already have a connection to an interested buyer for your Greater Portland home! They will also have contact with other Greater Portland Real Estate agents and brokers and can get the word out about your home being on the market.

7. Negotiation Skills- Negotiating a contract can be tricky and your Greater Portland Real Estate agent will be able to navigate through this process to ensure you are happy with the deal.

8. Handling Volumes of Paperwork- There’s a lot of paperwork that goes into buying or selling a home. Your real estate agent will be able to take care of this for you and make sure every “i” is dotted and every “t” is crossed!

9. Answer Questions after Closing- Sometimes there can be issues that arise during the closing or taxing authorities can get behind in their paperwork and call you months after closing. A good real estate agent will stick by you even after you close a deal to take care of any after effects.

10. Develop Relationships for Future Business- Finding a trusted Greater Portland Real Estate agent can be tough, but once you find one; you’ll want to develop a great relationship with them! Whether you are looking to buy or sell again in the future, you know that they’ll be your first choice so building that relationship is key!

If you’re hoping to sell your Greater Portland home or buy a home in Southern Maine; we’d love to help!  Our team can help guide you through each step of the process and ensure you successfully reach your real estate goals!

Feel free to contact us today to get started!

The David Banks Team
RE/MAX By the Bay

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Beautifully maintained Colonial with dramatic ocean views! Features include, custom moldings, cathedral ceiling and extensive built-ins. Custom kitchen w/granite counters, pantry, & Viking refrig. Extensive landscaping, large shed and generator hook-up.

Wondeful Cumberland Foreside location, Robert Walker built Gambrel w/front to back living room w/fireplace, large eat-in kitchen, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, & large den/study. Water views from many rooms on 1.16 acres. 4 car detached & 2 car attached garage!

The 11th Annual Portland Harbor Christmas Boat Parade of Lights is on Dec. 17!  The parade starts at 4:45 p.m.  There is a ferry boat ride available for $8.00; boat launches at 4:30 p.m.

If you’re into houses – like we are – or you simply enjoy beautiful decorating, be sure to visit the historic Victoria Mansion, now through Jan. 8!  The holiday decor and themes change each year;  if you’ve seen it once, you need to see it again!  See their website for admission fees and hours.

The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum is once again presenting rides on The Polar Express! This attraction serves as a major fundraiser for the museum.  Ticket prices run $25 to $40. The train ride itself is about 45 minutes, with total event time of about an hour or so. Catch the train Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec 23, with four scheduled departures each day of operation.

The Portland Stage brings the magic of “The Snow Queen” to life through Dec. 24. See the unforgettable imagery of Hans Christian Anderson’s classic tale in this inspiring theatrical performance.  See the Portland Stage website for complete details.

Need to put together an outing to entertain family and guests? The official Portland Travel Site has suggestions for restaurants, shops, and events year-around!

As your Greater Portland and Southern Main Real Estate agents, we enjoy living in Southern Maine and sharing community events. Whether you are a resident of Southern Maine or a visitor of the area, we encourage you to explore the history, culture, scenery and events that make the Greater Portland lifestyle so enjoyable. 

When it’s time to buy or sell a home, you can trust our knowledge and experience in the Greater Portland Real Estate market. If you have questions about Southern Maine real estate, turn to us for answers. We’ll be here for you!

All of us at The David Banks team wish you a warm and wonderful holiday season!

The David Banks Team
RE/MAX By the Bay

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Fabulous Cumberland Foreside location w/1.62 acres of privacy! Classic, beautifully set Colonial w/4 bedrooms and dressing area attached to master bedroom. Hardwood floors throughout, living room w/fireplace, den w/fireplace and built-ins. Room to expand kitchen.

It’s hard to believe that the holidays are just around the corner!  With this festive season comes a slower paced Greater Portland Real Estate market, which means that now can be an excellent time to buy!  Lack of competition and sellers who are interested in selling quickly can create an ideal home buying scenario.

If you are planning on buying a home Portland, Cumberland or Falmouth this holiday season, you may be doing so because you’ve heard about the current real estate market leaning in the favor of buyers.  However, it is important to be aware of the changes that have taken place this year with qualifying for a home loan.

Lenders have tightened the reigns on who qualifies for a mortgage loan to ensure buyers have the financial stability to hold on to the home.  The past few years in the national housing market have proven that buying within your means is the safest path, and lenders are keeping a close eye on who’s purchasing in today’s market.

As a team Greater Portland Real Estate agents with RE/MAX By the Bay, we wanted to point out four tips that can help you get qualified for a mortgage loan so you can move forward with buying your dream home in Greater Portland!  While there may be a few more hoops to jump through, getting approved and finding the home on the Greater Portland Real Estate market that fits your needs and lifestyle can be a smooth process.

Before beginning your home search, take a few minutes to review these four tips.

-  Have the right credit score- Credit scores are moving to the forefront of being approved for a Greater Portland home loan.  Most lenders are expecting a credit score of 600+ even for FHA loans.  A good credit score will not only help you qualify for a home loan, but can lower your interest rate, which can save you thousands of dollars in the long run.

-  Shop around- The interest rate is important, but there are other costs to consider such as discount points and even the type of mortgage loan. When shopping for best rates, compare various combinations of discount points and loan types. Your Greater Portland Real Estate agent can help you decide on the best option.

-  Know your borrowing limit- If you’re not sure how much you want to borrow, a good rule of thumb is to look at the Federal Housing Administration requirements.  FHA will limit mortgage payments at 31% of gross monthly income before taxes for most buyers.  This can help ensure that you’re not getting in too far over your head.  If we’ve learned anything over the past few years, it’s to play it safe in the housing market.

-  Consider a No-Closing-Cost Loan- If you have positive equity, but are lower on cash up front, you do have an option to choose a no-closing cost loan.  This simply means that you’ll have a slightly higher rate, but the closing costs will be paid over time instead of up front.

As always, we’re here to help!  If you have any questions about qualifying for a mortgage loan, living in Greater Portland, are ready to put your home on the market or are ready to begin your home search; please contact us!  We’d love to put our experience to work for you!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

The David Banks Team
RE/MAX By the Bay

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