Buying Tips

Whether it’s your first home or if you’re an experienced buyer, purchasing a home is a complex process. By working with an experienced agent, you’ll have an easier time navigating the process, assuring you have a smooth transaction. Mary Ellen Mackey at Coldwell Banker The Realty Group understands that making the decision to buy a home is one of the biggest financial commitments you will ever make. She offers a wide range of services to assist you throughout your home buying process, from finding a home - to helping you move in. Mary Ellen will be there every step of the way. Buying a home can often seem to be a daunting task. Whether you are a first-time home buyer or just need a refresher course - finding a home that meets your needs, getting financing, home inspections, home warranty information, property comparison analysis, information about the neighborhood, setting up utilities, and packing up and moving can seem like a large burden. Coldwell Banker The Realty Group takes the worry out of buying a home by assisting you in all areas of the home buying process. When you work with Mary Ellen, you will: Even though we are there to guide and advise you through your buying process, the ultimate decision is yours. Mary Ellen has a few buyer tips that we hope will be helpful.

1. Estimate what you can afford. It is so easy to overreach and spend more on a home than you can realistically afford. Just because you are preapproved for a bigger and more expensive home, make sure this is the house payment that you would want. Feel comfortable with your house payment!  Please use our Financial Tools to calculate your house payment and see how it fits in to all of your other expenses.
2. Use the Technology World. If you are looking at our website, you are probably somewhat familiar with technology. View our Visual Tours, photos and use the map view of the property address. The satellite view allows you to take a virtual trip around the outside of your prospective home. Most buyers have done some shopping online before they meet with their Realtor. Sign up for an account to be notified of all properties that meet your criteria as soon as a property is listed.
3. Do Comparison Shopping. Even if you think the first home that you look at is the perfect home, ask your Realtor to view at least 3 similar homes. At the end of the day re-evaluate all of them. Don't be afraid to view a property two or even three times. If this house will be your home for the next several years - or even rest of your life - you want to be sure you have found the perfect fit!
4. Hire a Real Estate Agent. Not all agents are created equal. Mary Ellen Mackey will be your partner and always be there to answer all of your questions and to guide you along every step of the way.

Even today, owning a home is the cornerstone of the American Dream!

Selling Tips

How I Can Help You Sell a Home

Helping find a buyer for your home is only one facet of my job as a Realtor. There are many more aspects including explaining the basic real estate practices and principles and all the related paperwork, performing a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to help determine your home’s value, helping to prepare your home for sale, listing your home, marketing your home, keeping you informed throughout the process. When the sale begins, it’s important to work with someone who will assist you with the paperwork, negotiate on your behalf, make sure deadlines are met, and work with the escrow company.

By working with Mary Ellen, you will: