Six realtors ask your questions.
I want to buy my first home. Where do I start in terms of getting qualified for a loan? It is very exciting to buy your first home, and as you know, it is also a huge commitment. Your first step should be to find an experienced Realtor who can guide you through the process. Once you find a Realtor you are comfortable with, your next step will be to talk with a Mortgage Lender to get pre-approved. This should be pretty painless, and there should be no cost or obligation. Your Realtor should be able to recommend a Mortgage Lender for you if you don’t already have one.
Iryna Zalozna
Troop Real Estate
661-312-1152
Cal Bre#01367360
What makes you successful as a Realtor?
Passion and loving what I do! I take a custom approach to each client and transaction, without using a cookie-cutter presentations and scripts approach. It is our #1 goal to communicate and understand the expectations upfront. Knowledge of the market in Santa Clarita is crucial and a top priority in our office. It’s very important to be a full-time Realtor, so there are no missed opportunities. We just implemented a Giving Back campaign, where a percentage of our commission goes back to the client’s favorite charity.
Nicole Stinson
Estate Realty Group
661-816-4234
Cal Bre#01854096
I’m putting my house on the market. How do I figure out what it’s worth?
Realtors do not decide how much your home is worth – the market does. It tells us exactly where to price your property to sell and how to approach the marketing of your home.
We collaborate on a pricing and marketing strategy that will take advantage of the first 30 days your home is listed. This is the window of opportunity when buyers and their agents discover your property and are most likely to visit and make offers. Working with a Realtor is your best tool in getting the most for your home.
Home selling is part art, part science, part marketing and part negotiation.
Anita Smith
iRealty
661-803-8498
Cal Bre#01354832
I’m buying a new home. What’s a good down payment?
When buying a new home, a 20 percent down payment is ideal because it eliminates mortgage insurance. However, in our market, where it is difficult for many to give a 20 percent down payment because of the prices of homes, there are many programs that exist to facilitate home ownership with down payments as low as 3.5 percent. There are also numerous down payment assistance programs available, as long as the buyer is eligible according to their guidelines.
Paola Tarabotto
Valley Homes Real Estate
818-442-1737
Cal Bre#01190987
When I put my house on the market, should I list it at more than it’s worth or less than worth? By how much?
When selling your home, asking a higher price than competing neighborhood homes could make the other homes more desirable to buyers, but asking much lower than competing homes could raise the question if there is anything wrong with your home. Receiving currently “sold” as well as “in escrow” and “for sale” information should show you what a fair price would be to get you moving quickly – and this is where the advice of your Realtor can be invaluable!
LeeAnn Bell
Keller Davis, Inc.
661-309-2364
What makes you successful as a Realtor?
I believe that what has made me successful as a real estate agent in the SCV, during my 27-year career, is that I approach every deal like I am buying or selling personally. That guarantees that my client’s best interests will always be paramount. I have lived in the SCV for 44 years and have invaluable knowledge of the area. Past client referrals are the best testimony to my success.
Ronda Chobanian
Home Smart Real Esate
661-803-8169
Cal Bre#01034994