HUNT Real Estate Corporation Blog

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Who’s Moved to HUNT Real Estate ERA

We are pleased to welcome the following sales professionals to the HUNT Real Estate ERA family. Their association further affirms our commitment to offering the highest level of service to our clients.

Buffalo/Niagara Region

Rochester/Southern Tier Region

**Chassity Gibson**
*Brighton/Pittsford*

Central New York Region

Capital Region

Arizona Region

WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN HUNT?
HERE ARE JUST A FEW REASONS…

The HUNT^® Reputation
Rankings & Accolades

#1 Family-Owned and Operated Real Estate Firm in New York State
Top-Ranked Broker in the ERA Real Estate network
Ranked #35 on REAL Trends Top 500 Brokerages Survey*
Gene Francis Memorial Award Winner Honoring ERA’s Top All-Around Company
Member of Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate
Ranked one of Western New York’s Fastest-Growing Companies

The Most Productive Agents

1600 Licensed Real Estate Professionals in 50+ Branches
13,000+ Transactions
$2.756 Billion in Closed Sales
Per Person Productivity of Nearly 9 Transactions

HUNT Careers

If you’re ready to take advantage of everything we have to offer AND make more money, join HUNT Real Estate ERA today!

*Source: 2019 REAL Trends 500 | Ranked by Closed Transaction Sides

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

5 Financial Don’ts for Homebuyers

Deciding to buy a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll likely ever make. If finding your dream home wasn’t hard enough, you also have to make sure your finances are in order to purchase it. Here are a few simple steps that you can take to make the buying process smoother.

1. Don’t Change Jobs or Quit Your Job.

While a job change could be better for you in the long run, changing while you’re searching for a new home, or after securing a lender, could delay your settlement. The loan amount your lender will approve you for is based on your average income for the past 24 months. Any change in income or pay structure matters. Note that this also includes accepting a promotion. Although a pay raise at your current employer likely won’t stop you from receiving the loan, it could delay the process without the proper documentation. For any job change, your lender will need to see an offer letter, a role change letter and your most recent pay stub reflecting the income change.

2. Don’t Buy a Car (Or Make Any Other Large Purchases).

You’re getting a new house, why not get a car to go along with it? While it might look nice in your new driveway, purchasing a new vehicle before your closing could put your loan in jeopardy, even if you can afford it. Lenders take into account your debt-to-income ratio. If you tip the scales by committing to more debt with a large purchase or co-signing for someone else’s purchase, you could be denied.

3. Don’t Make Any Changes to Your Credit.

Don’t close any credit card accounts or apply for a new credit card. Don’t miss a credit card payment or check your credit score. All of these things may seem fairly harmless – closing a credit card even seems beneficial – but each of these things can lower your credit score. Any change in your credit is a major red flag for lenders.

4. Don’t Make Large Deposits Without a Paper Trail.

If you’re fortunate enough to find yourself with a large amount of extra cash you’d like to deposit into savings, be sure to contact your lender before heading to the bank. They’ll be looking at your bank statement before closing, so a large deposit can raise eyebrows. You’ll likely be required to provide paperwork explaining where the money came from.

5. Don’t Dip into Your Savings.

A mortgage is vital in purchasing your new home, but the price of the house is not the only cost you incur when you buy. There are other expenses like a down payment and closing costs that you’ll be expected to have money on hand to cover. Dipping into your savings is concerning to lenders. Make sure your funds stay in place.

All of these tips boil down to one thing – lenders want to feel secure. Avoid major changes in your financial habits during the months leading up to your home purchase. When it comes to your finances and buying a house, consistency is key. If you have any questions about mortgages or the mortgage process, be sure to check out HUNTMortgage.com.

Monday, August 31, 2020

8/29 Radio Show: James Fink

Your host, Peter Hunt, welcomes James Fink to the show.

James is a reporter with Buffalo Business First who covers real estate, commercial development and government.

Together, Peter leads the discussion on the development and economic growth within Buffalo due to Covid-19.

To find out more, listen to this week’s show.

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

3 Factors to Consider When Selling Your Home

front porch of home painted blue with navy front door, bench, and swinging chair.

There are three major factors involved in getting your home sold successfully: pricing, condition, and marketing. But how do you manage these three components to make sure you have a smooth and easy sale?

Pricing.

One of the most important things to consider when listing a home is pricing. If homes that are listed for a price that is too high, it can prevent serious offers coming in. If a home is priced too low, you may lose out on money. A good agent will do a competitive analysis and review the recent home sales in the surrounding area to get your home listed at the correct price from the beginning.

Condition.

Another important factor is the condition of the home. Is your home ready to be put on the market? Or does it need painting or repairs? A knowledgeable agent will notice what needs to be done before placing a home on the market. A HUNT agent can even connect you with a HUNT approved vendor to assist thanks to the HUNT Homeowners Club.

Marketing.

Marketing is where your agent and real estate company will really shine. Agents promote your home where they feel it will get the most exposure. This can include internet marketing, social media marketing, as well as traditional print marketing like flyers. A good agent also understands the importance of photography and real estate, and may even suggest that your home be professionally photographed. With a many buyers starting their home search exclusively online, high-quality photos and/or video are important.

These three components make up the major factors that lead to a successful home sale. Real Estate Agents are trained professionals who have resources at their fingertips. This will help you list your home at the right price, in the best condition, and receive the most exposure through effective and innovative marketing. Reach out to a HUNT Agent today to start your home’s sale: contact us now

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

8/22 Radio Show: Byron Brown

Your host, Peter Hunt, welcomes Byron Brown to the show.

Byron is the Mayor of Buffalo. He was the first African-American politician elected to the New York State Senate to represent a district outside New York City and the first member of any minority race to represent a majority white New York State Senate district.

As both a New York State Senator and Buffalo Mayor, he has been closely involved in the development of the three Seneca Nation casinos that have been planned and built in Western New York since 2002.

Together, Peter leads the discussion on Buffalo Tourism and the effects of Covid-19.

To find out more, listen to this week’s show.

Thursday, August 20, 2020

8/15 Radio Show: Candace S. Johnson

Your host, Peter Hunt, welcomes Doctor Candace S. Johnson to the show.

Candace is President/CEO of Roswell Park.

Together, Peter leads the discussion on immunology.

To find out more, listen to this week’s show.

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Quick Staging Tips for Sellers

Staging your home is an important step when selling your home, but where should you start?

Many homes that sell quickly in today’s market have owners that diligently make sure that their home is attractive to potential buyers. They take steps to ensure that their home stands out and makes a good first impression both online and in-person. Only 6% of buyer’s agents said home staging had no effect on the buyer’s view of the home. So how can you set up your home for selling success?

Depersonalize

white couch with blue pillows between two windows.

Depersonalizing your residence is the first step to making your home both attractive and open to guests. Store all family photos, personal decor, and any other symbols or mementos of your personal lifestyle. While you may enjoy playing guitar, seeing your collection of Fenders on display could be an uneasy reminder to a potential buyer of the home’s current inhabitants.

Decorate & Declutter (a little)

Once you’ve removed most of your personal items, take the throw pillows and blankets and arrange them around your furniture. Make sure countertops are neat and organized. When it comes to closets and storage, don’t feel the need to remove all items. If you have the urge to purge, keep storage and closets half-full. Leaving rooms and/or closets completely empty make it harder for the buyer to visualize living in the home.

Illuminate

Lighting is another aspect to consider that will go a long way in closing the sale of your property. Keep your home well lit to make it appear open and friendly. Dark spaces can make your guests feel enclosed and claustrophobic. Make use of natural lighting and any bright lamps you may own to strategically keep your residence bright and sunny.

Take a Hike

Lastly, leave your home during an open house, viewing appointment, or virtual tour. It’s very important to maintain an open and relaxed atmosphere for guests (even if they’re virtually there). Hovering around while an agent is giving a tour may make you seem insecure about the property. It can also prevent the buyers from speaking openly and honestly with their agent.

HUNT Real Estate ERA wants to give all of our clients the information they need to sell their house quickly on the open market. If you’re ready to sell your home, find a sales professional near you now:

Find a HUNT Sales Professional Near Me

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

8/8 Radio Show: Dottie Gallagher-Cohen

Your host, Peter Hunt, welcomes Dottie Gallagher-Cohen to the show.

Dottie Gallagher-Cohen is President and CEO of Buffalo Niagara Partnership.

Together, Peter leads the discussion on how businesses have been impacted by Covid-19.

To find out more, listen to this week’s show.

Friday, August 7, 2020

43 HUNT Sales Professionals Make the List of Who’s Who in Real Estate in WNY

Business First has just released its list of Who’s Who in Real Estate, and this year HUNT has 43 real estate professionals on the list of 146 agents.

“To qualify for the list, agents must have had more than $6 million in sales and/or 50 sides in 2019. Side is an industry term that refers to an agent’s representation of a buyer and/or seller in a real estate transaction.”

Find the entire list here: Buffalo Business First.

Names are listed in alphabetical order.