Our Listings
RECENTLY SOLD
4 Delacroix Place, St. Charles
24 Brook Mill Lane, Chesterfield
2027 Bland Place, St. Louis
708 Yeatman, Webster Groves
6231 Walsh, St. Louis
5236 Waterman, St. Louis
22 Wilshire Terrace, Webster Groves
Vogel Realty Home Buying Tips
Interest rates and equity
Two critical factors to consider are how much of the equity from the sale of your current house you’ll put down on your next home and the interest rate that you get on your new home loan. A good down payment combined with a lower interest rate might make the right home within reach.
Income plus lifestyle equals mortgage payment
We can sit down with you to discuss your income level and living expenses. Take into account future considerations like: children, add-ons, amenities or fix-ups. Your dream home is certainly worth a sacrifice but don’t mortgage your entire future.
View several homes
See at least 5-10 properties. With our help, you’ll be able to view enough properties to get a good overall perspective of your market. And when you find the right property, all the leg work will be worth it.
Do your research
Check out all your costs and expenses before you sign: utilities, taxes, insurance, maintenance and homeowner dues, if applicable. Make sure all utilities are on (gas, electricity, and water), so you can inspect everything in working order. Before you sign do a final walk-through and be sure the property was left per contract.
Don’t wait for the bottom of the market
You’re better off simply negotiating the best rate and terms you can at the time you find a property. If interest rates go down, you can refinance. This is a much better approach because you won’t miss out on the property you’ve spent so much time locating.
Plan for flexibility
Closing dates are not written in stone. Allow for contingencies and have a back-up plan. Don’t be discouraged if you or the sellers need a little more time to finalize the arrangements. These types of circumstances are not uncommon in a real estate transaction.
Get it in writing
Don’t make any assumptions or believe any assurances. Even the best intentions can be misinterpreted. We can keep an ongoing log of all discussions, and get the seller’s written approval for all agreements.
Common Seller Mistakes
Distress selling
At times, selling quickly is unavoidable. That’s when knowing the right techniques to sell your home really pays off. Vogel Realty can help you determine the true market value of your home to ensure you are not settling for the first offer through the door.
Best home in the neighborhood
Don’t be blind to your home’s flaws and needed cosmetic improvements. This will cause overvaluing of the home, hurting its chances to be sold. Vogel Realty can provide a well-informed third eye that will help you price your home at a fair market price.
Limited home viewing
Buyers want to view a home on their own time schedule. Unfortunately, their time schedule does not always coincide with your time schedule. Vogel Realty will set up a lock-box so your home can be shown when you are not around.
Emotional decisions
Don’t allow a few hundred dollars, which would mean very little to you in the long run, ruin a sale. Take a look at the big picture and react rationally.
Failure to make cosmetic improvements
Prospects make up their minds within the first few minutes. First impressions can make all the difference in selling your home. Vogel Realty can provide you with a list of items that will maximize the profitability of your home sale.
Failure to disclose property flaws
Property disclosure laws require sellers to list any flaws required by your state. If you are unaware of flaws or worse, attempt to cover them up, you risk losing the sale and finding yourself in court. Vogel Realty can introduce you to qualified inspectors and ensure the smooth sale of your home.
Priced too high or too low
Most homes that do not sell in their first listing period are priced too high. Consequently, most homes that sell quickly are priced too low and cheat the homeowner out of profits. You need to understand your market and evaluate the value of your home based on fact, not gut instinct or conventional wisdom.