
Real estate markets across the country are booming, with more buyers shopping than there are homes available in many markets. With homes selling so quickly, it's important to consider all options for landing the top choices on your list of potential homes. For buyers in a competitive market, an early offer can be an appealing option for trying to land a home before more buyers get the opportunity to make a bid. There are both positives and potential pitfalls to making an early offer, and our real estate agents are here to help you decide on the best options for purchasing your next home.

Pre-approval. It's the first step every homeowner should take before shopping for a new home. Our real estate agents recommend starting with this step because it helps narrow your search to homes within your price range. It also gives your offer added weight when you find the home you want to purchase. Whether you have excellent credit or a significant down-payment, getting pre-approved for a mortgage is a step you don't want to skip.
We are in a low inventory market, which means that sellers receive multiple offers for their homes. Many times the offers are above the listing price. As sellers consider their options, the knowledge you're serious about and can close the deal gives you an advantage. It also helps you know how high you can go if a bidding war erupts.

Real estate is a financial investment, but it's also an investment in the type of lifestyle you want to enjoy. There are advantages to purchasing a home, and there are advantages to buying a condo. Carefully weighing your options is the key to making the right choice for your future.
A house is more than just four walls and a roof that encloses a large space. It is also a yard, fence, and landscaping that you will need to maintain. And, unlike a condo, all of the maintenance is your responsibility. Unless you have an HOA, the advantage is that as the sole owner, you have full decision-making authority over how to maintain it and what you want to include in the landscaping. In general, you can expect to spend approximately 1 to 2% of the home's purchase price each year on maintenance. Further, if an HOA governs you, you will also need to pay HOA fees to maintain landscaping, parks, pools, etc. within the community.

If you're buying a home in a location that you can't readily commute to, video visits are a perfect way to get up close to a house you may not be able to see in person just yet. Video visits can help you narrow down options, or reduce the risks when you must buy a new home sight unseen. Our real estate agents are highly experienced in helping home buyers in a variety of situations, and we want you to make the best of your visits, whether virtual or in person. You should have a list of questions to ask about the homes you view; you can add these, or use them to start your list.
Laffey Real Estate, a leading residential real estate broker on Long Island, launched their Virtual Showing Platform in early April to much acclaim. The demand for virtual viewings is still strong. Visit Laffey.com/OpenHouse page to participate. Interested buyers can
find homes to preview every Wednesday from noon to 1:00 pm via Facebook Premier and Laffey.com.
This is simple and safe home showings. Go to Laffey.com/OpenHouse page. Choose the property. Click on the Facebook Live button under the listing address. The open houses are scheduled in advance so the date and time is shown on the listing page as well. Visitors will be notified when they are registered and will recei...