Advantage Properties

JOHN STARK REALTOR®
JOHN STARK REALTOR®

BUYING OR SELLING LET'S GET STARTED! 256-441-5902

BUYING OR SELLING LET'S GET STARTED! 256-441-5902BUYING OR SELLING LET'S GET STARTED! 256-441-5902BUYING OR SELLING LET'S GET STARTED! 256-441-5902
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Meet John Stark

 

John Stark​​​​​​​ REALTOR®

John Stark is a native of Northern Illinois and currently resides in Gadsden with his wife and two schnauzers. His hobbies include gardening nine months out of the year, dog rescue and selling homes.

Words from John: "Deciding to sell or buy a home is likely one the biggest decisions of your lifetime. I understand the challenges surrounding that decision. We are here to provide you with the tools, strategies, and resources to make this as smooth a transition as possible. Every client has a different goal, whether it's moving as quickly as possible, selling for top dollar, or finding that forever home - our goal is your goal. Call or text me anytime and we will get it sold!"

  •  Give him a call at 256-441-5902            
  • AL LIC #153564

Get Ready to Explore with johnstarkgadsdenrealtor.com

About Financing

Find your Community

Find your Community

 Securing a mortgage pre-approval lets sellers know you're serious and will help your offer stand out in a crowd. It tells agents that your time is valuable and alerts lenders that you may be taking out a mortgage in the near future. 

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Find your Community

Find your Community

Find your Community

Select the community that mostly fits your needs and desires. Information about schools, shopping, price ranges and even parks. Use this tool to look at areas of interest, then continue on to find  the perfect home.

Local Communities

Search for Your Home

Find your Community

Search for Your Home

Enter all of your data in the search fields to find your style and living space. It will also help you locate the home in price range that fits your budget.Let us know what interests you.


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Open Houses

Staging Your Home

Search for Your Home

Real Estate open houses are events where homes are showcased to potential buyers. They provide a way for interested individuals to view the home, ask questions and get a true feeling for the home.

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Staging Your Home

Staging Your Home

Staging Your Home


Real estate staging is the preparing of a property to make it more appealing to potential buyers. It will create a positive first impression and increase the likelihood of a successful sale. Here are some guidelines to help you succeed.

Sell Faster

The Closing

Staging Your Home

Staging Your Home

 

Real estate closings involve the finalizing and transferring of property ownership from the seller to the buyer.  It's a crucial step in the real estate transaction and full of complex data. Some examples to help you understand the process.

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Frequently Asked Questions

 Most asked questions when buying or selling a home

 

Key takeaways

  • Mortgage closing costs are the fees associated with buying a home that you must pay on closing day.
  • Closing costs typically range from 2 to 5 percent of the total loan amount, and they include fees for the appraisal, title insurance and origination and underwriting of the loan.
  • You may be able to negotiate your closing costs depending on seller concessions.
  • Mortgage closing costs are the fees associated with buying a home that you must pay on closing day.
  • Closing costs typically range from 2 to 5 percent of the total loan amount, and they include fees for the appraisal, title insurance and origination and underwriting of the loan.
  • You may be able to negotiate your closing costs depending on seller concessions.

 Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you may ever make, but the price doesn’t offer the complete picture of how much you’ll need to get the keys. You’ll also have to account for closing costs, which are the fees associated with getting a mortgage.

               

  • Credit check
  • Title search and insurance
  • Appraisal
  • Attorney’s fees
  • Origination fee
  • Application fee
  • Underwriting fee
  • Transfer taxes

Together, these fees and costs typically range between 2 to 5 percent of the amount you’re borrowing for your mortgage. A $200,000 home could range between 4 and 10 thousand dollars out of pocket. 

This needs to be part of your home buying budget.

When shopping for a mortgage, compare at least three loan offers — research shows this exercise can save you thousands of dollars over the life of a loan. Alabama mortgage rates
 

Here are some basic steps to securing a loan on favorable terms:

Step 1: Strengthen your credit score

Long before you start looking for a mortgage lender or applying for a loan, give your finances a checkup, and improve your standing if needed. This means pulling your credit score and credit reports. You’re entitled to a free credit report from each of the three main reporting bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion), which you can get through AnnualCreditReport.com. 

Step 2: Determine your budget

To find the right mortgage, you’ll need a good handle on how much house you can afford. That’s because a lender could qualify you for more mortgage than you need, or one that would max out your budget and leave no room for unexpected expenses. 

Step 3: Know your mortgage options

There are a few different types of mortgages. Many lenders offer conventional loans that require as little as 3 percent down. FHA loans also have a low down payment threshold, while VA loans (for veterans) and USDA loans (for borrowers in rural areas) have no down payment requirement. If you’re in the market for a jumbo loan, check Alabama’s county-by-county loan limits. 

Step 4: Compare rates and terms from several lenders

Don’t settle on the first lender you talk to — rate-shop with at least three different banks or mortgage companies. You can look to your bank or other banks, credit unions, online lenders and local independents to ensure you’re getting the best deal on rates, fees and terms. 

Step 5: Get preapproved for a mortgage

As you comparison-shop, keep in mind that getting a mortgage preapproval is the only way to get accurate loan pricing for your specific situation. 

First Federal Mortgage

or first-time homebuyers, there are programs available to make homeownership more affordable, including ones that offer lower mortgage interest rates, looser lending requirements, down payment assistance and a tax break. These programs are overseen by the Alabama Housing Finance Authority. 

 HOMEOWNERSHIP ASSISTANCE: ALABAMA

Need help buying a home? You may qualify for one of these programs.

Statewide and Regional Programs

  • Affordable Housing Programs
  • Housing Finance Authority - low interest loans and down-payment assistance to low and moderate-income homebuyers.
  • Habitat for Humanity - Habitat affiliates bring homeownership to very low income families.
  • USDA Rural Development - programs that reduce the cost of homeownership for low and moderate-income families.
  •  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development -  Owning a home is a big part of the American Dream. Here are some resources that can help you buy, maintain and keep your home. 


 Staging a home assists potential buyers in visualizing the property as their future residence. Around 47% of real estate agents believe home staging significantly influences most buyers' perceptions of the house. In 2019, the typical expenditure on home staging amounted to $400, as stated by the National Association of Realtors.

The benefits of professional staging are clear: homes professionally staged spend 73% less time on the market compared to their unstaged counterparts. What's more, homes staged before being listed sell for 25% more than homes not staged.

 

WHAT IS HOME STAGING?

Home staging involves preparing a residence for sale in the real estate marketplace. Staging aims to make a home appealing to the most potential buyers, thereby selling a property more swiftly and for more money.

YOUR OPTIONS FOR HOME STAGING

When considering home staging, there are several routes you can take. You can stage the home yourself, hire a professional stager, or seek the advice and services of a real estate agent with expertise in staging. The best option depends on your budget, time constraints, and the condition of your home.

IS DIY HOME STAGING POSSIBLE?

Absolutely, homeowners can definitely take on the task of staging their homes themselves. With a discerning eye, a bit of creativity, and a lot of effort, homeowners can stage their homes effectively, saving on the cost of professional services.

CAN REAL ESTATE AGENTS ASSIST IN STAGING MY HOME?

Yes, real estate agents often offer home staging as part of their services. They have a keen understanding of what potential buyers are looking for and can provide valuable advice on how to present your home in the best possible light.

THE ROLE OF PROFESSIONAL HOME STAGERS

Professional home stagers are experts in making homes appeal to as many potential buyers as possible. They have the skills and knowledge to transform any space into a warm and inviting environment that potential buyers can see themselves living in.

THE COST OF HOME STAGING

Home staging costs can vary widely depending on the size of your home, the number of rooms to be staged, and whether you choose to do it yourself or hire a professional stager. As mentioned earlier, the average expenditure on home staging was $400 in 2019, according to the National Association of Realtors.

IS HOME STAGING WORTH THE INVESTMENT?

Undeniably, home staging is worth the investment. Staged homes sell faster and for higher prices than those that are not staged. Home staging allows you to showcase the best aspects of your home, making it irresistible to potential buyers.

COST-EFFECTIVE HOME STAGING

Home staging need not be an expensive undertaking. There are plenty of ways to stage your home on a budget, such as rearranging furniture, decluttering, and adding a fresh coat of neutral paint.

STAGING YOUR HOUSE FOR PICTURES

Photos are a crucial part of your home's online listings. Ensuring your home is well staged for pictures can make a significant difference in attracting potential buyers. Good lighting, a tidy space, and strategic furniture placement are key.

EXPERT HOME STAGING TIPS

  • Declutter: Clutter can distract potential buyers from the beauty of your home. Clear away unnecessary items and ensure your space is tidy and organized
  • Deep clean: A sparkling clean house is more attractive. Make sure every nook and cranny is spotless.
  • Patch and repair: Minor defects can give the impression of neglect. Repair any damage and freshen up your home with minor renovations if needed.
  • Depersonalize the space: Potential buyers want to visualize the home as theirs. Remove personal photographs and items to make it easier for them to imagine living there.
  • Choose neutral colors: Neutral colors appeal to a wider audience and make spaces look larger and brighter. Consider repainting rooms in shades of white, beige, or gray.
  • Use natural lighting: Natural light can make a space look larger and more inviting. Keep curtains open during viewings to let as much natural light in as possible.
  • Rearrange your furniture: Pull furniture away from the walls and arrange it to facilitate easy movement and highlight each room's functionality.
  • Make sure rooms are well-defined: Each room should have a clear purpose, which helps buyers imagine how they would use the space.
  • Boost curb appeal: The exterior of your home is the first impression buyers get. Keep the front yard neat, add potted plants, and ensure the front door is inviting.

 

This is another common real estate question. The answer is NO! NO! And no!

Assessed value has nothing to do with market value.

The assessed value is nothing more than a figure the local municipality uses to collect the appropriate amount of taxes.

Uneducated real estate agents often confuse the public when they say, “come see this absolute steal listed below the assessed value.” Big deal! Don’t be suckered by this kind of nonsense.

Assessed values are used to calculate a property’s tax assessment, and that is it.

 

Yes, you can sell a home as a for sale by owner (FSBO).  However, are you familiar enough with the real estate sales process to know what disclosures and paperwork are required to protect yourself from a lawsuit or to know how to price and negotiate the best price and terms?

Unless you have a real estate license or educate yourself on the process regularly, we would venture to guess that you would not have the knowledge necessary to successfully sell your home for the best price and terms on your own.  You also risk getting sued either during the escrow process or after the sale if you made mistakes without realizing.

Hire a professional Realtor and save yourself the trouble and headaches of trying to figure it all out. 

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Advantage Properties

209 Broad Street

Gadsden, Al 35901

AL LIC# 99638

JOHNSTARKGADSDENREALTOR.COM

209 Broad Street, Gadsden, Alabama 35901, United States

256-441-5902 JSREALTOR820@GMAIL.COM

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johnstarkgadsdenrealtor.com

209 Broad Street, Gadsden, Alabama 35901, United States

Call me 256-441-5902

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JSREALTOR820@GMAIL.COM

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