Thinking of selling your house? Today we’ll go over how to prepare your place so you can get the best price for it!

What You Need to Know to Sell Your House for More

So far this month, we’ve been focused on buying a house. We looked at mortgages last week, discussed how to find some hidden gems in your city, and what mistakes to avoid during your house hunt.

Now we’re looking at the other side: selling your place. 

Right now in Raleigh, it’s a seller’s market. On the plus side, houses are selling faster and for more. Still, it can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re also trying to find your next place at the same time.  

So how can you prepare your place to maximize your sales price? Which updates can attract more interest and which can hurt? Is there a good time to list your house?

These are a few questions that can pop up so that’s why I’m thrilled to share from the vault an interview I had with Mariella Guillama is here today. She’s an award -winning Real Estate Broker at Daymark Realty.

We used Daymark when we sold our first home and for buying our current place. We’re super happy with the experience. 

In this episode, we’ll get into:

• finding the best price to list it 
• what mistakes to avoid so you’re not wasting time or money
• how to prepare your place so it wows potential buyers and you get top dollar offers 

We have a lot to cover, so let’s get started!

Resources to Get Top Dollar When Selling Your House

• Best Budget and Money Apps: Personal Capital, Tiller, Mint
• Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money
• Free 5 Days to $5K Course
• Grow Your Stash Faster: High Yield Savings with CiT Bank
• Quick and Essential Guide to Sell Your House for More Money
• Real Estate Agent, Broker, Realtor: What’s the Difference?

Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal!

Support for this podcast comes from Coastal Credit Union! If you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better, come check out Coastal today.

See how Coastal can help you with your mortgage needs and Daymark Realty has a fantastic team ready to help find the perfect house for you in the Triangle area! 

Rollover Your 401(k) Easily with Capitalize

We’re grateful for wonderful partners like Capitalize. Not only do they support the podcast, but they help make managing your money so much easier. 

Did you know that it’s estimated that there are currently over 24 million “forgotten” 401(k) accounts? In fact, the average American changes jobs every 4 years. 

And because of the Great Resignation, you or someone you know might be changing jobs even more 

It’s an extreme case of out of sight and out of mind. Is your old 401(k) in there somewhere, left behind at a job you're no longer with?

One huge benefit with an IRA is you get to choose how your money is invested, not your old employer. 

If you want to consolidate your old 401(k) and have more options with how you invest, it may be time to roll them over into an IRA.  

With Capitalize, they handle the process from start-to-finish – for FREE. They handle the process from start-to-finish, and yes that includes calling the 401(k) provider on your behalf. 

Find out how and get started today!

Support the Podcast

Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!

• Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share.
• Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on Apple , Spotify, or Audible.
• Grab a copy of Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money. My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in 4 weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together!

This episode and show notes have been updated April 2022.

Music Credit

Our theme song is from Staircases. Additional music by various artists from Audiio.

Buying a house is typically the biggest purchase couples make so you want to have your numbers line up with your goals and budget. Learn how you can find the best mortgage rates when you house hunt! 

Finding the Best Mortgages Rates

Are you two getting ready to start house hunting? Congratulations!

When we were looking for our now current house, I remember the excitement of visiting and touring places.

I also remember the other side of the house hunt: getting paperwork for the preapproval letter, running the numbers to figure out our budget, and reviewing mortgage documents. 

At the time, it was a bit intimidating. Knowing that this was a huge purchase, we really wanted to get it right. 

Thankfully we had a great team that answered all of our questions. Now years later, we are still happy with how things turned out. We have a home that we love that's also affordable enough that we can take care of other goals and dreams.

I want you to feel the same way about the home you buy and a key part of that is finding the mortgage option for your family’s budget. 

This is why I’m thrilled to pull from the archives an enlightening chat I had with Wendy Dawson. She’s the Vice President of Mortgage Lending over at Coastal Credit Union.

She decodes a lot of the jargon and gives some fantastic tips on finding the right mortgage.

In this episode we get into:

• what mistakes to avoid as a first-time homebuyer
• typical costs of being a homeowner (beyond the mortgage payment)
• what exactly are Mortgage Interest Rates, APRS, Origination Fees, and Points

Hope you enjoy it!

Looking to buy a house you can comfortably afford? Today we’re going over how you can find a hidden gem and not a money pit! 

How to Find and Buy a House You Can Afford

I don’t know how things are in your area, but here in the Triangle, the housing market is hot. Prices have shot up. The median price of homes currently listed in Raleigh is $379,000. 

To give you some context, a townhouse on our street went for more than double what we paid for our single-family house a few years ago.

Just the other week, I caught a story on the local news about how unaffordable the Raleigh Durham area is getting.  If you want to buy a house you have to be a savvy house hunter. 

Now you may have heard that you can snag a deal with a fixer-upper, but how do you know which houses are diamonds in the rough and which ones are money pits?  

If you’re thinking of or are planning on buying a house soon, you may be facing these same questions and challenges. That’s why I’m pulling from the archives my interview with

 Louis Guillama. 

He's the Vice President of Real Estate Operations over at Coastal Credit Union. He has decades of experience with the real estate agent side as well as home renovations. 

In this episode, we're going to discuss:

• the differences between buying new construction versus resale 
• spotting great (and still affordable) neighborhoods, and then 
• finding a fixer-upper instead of a money pit

We have so much to cover, so let’s get started! 

Resources on Buying a House

If you’re looking to buy, here are some resources to help you find an affordable place you love!

• Best Budget and Money Apps: Personal Capital, Tiller, Mint
• Grow Your Stash Faster: High Yield Savings with CiT Bank
• Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money
• My friend was about to buy a million-dollar house with no research
• What You Need to Know About Mortgages
• Buying a Home: From Contemplation to Closing

Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal!

Support for this podcast comes from Coastal Credit Union! If you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better, come check out Coastal today.

If you need an agent, Daymark Realty has a fantastic team ready to help find the perfect house for you in the Triangle area! 

Rollover Your 401(k) Easily with Capitalize

We’re grateful for wonderful partners like Capitalize. Not only do they support the podcast, but they help make managing your money so much easier. 

Did you know that it’s estimated that there are currently over 24 million “forgotten” 401(k) accounts? In fact, the average American changes jobs every 4 years. 

And because of the Great Resignation, you or someone you know might be changing jobs even more 

It’s an extreme case of out of sight and out of mind. Is your old 401(k) in there somewhere, left behind at a job you're no longer with?

One huge benefit with an IRA is you get to choose how your money is invested, not your old employer. 

If you want to consolidate your old 401(k) and have more options with how you invest, it may be time to roll them over into an IRA.  

With Capitalize, they handle the process– for FREE. They handle the process from start-to-finish, and yes that includes calling the 401(k) provider on your behalf. 

Find out how and get started today!

Support the Podcast!

Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!

• Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share.
• Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on Apple , Spotify, or Audible.
• Grab a copy of Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money. My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in 4 weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together!

Music Credit

Like the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere.

This episode was originally released in July 2019. Shownotes have been updated April 2022.

Are you house hunting or about to start? Learn how you can buy the right house for you and your budget. 

Mistakes Home Buyers Make

Buying a house is usually one of the biggest purchases you can make and the financial paperwork of getting a mortgage gets complicated quickly. 

Besides having a down payment ready, you have other costs like 

• Home inspection
• Lender fees
• Appraisal
• Title search and insurance fees
• And so forth

If you’re buying a $300,000 home, you’re looking at paying anywhere from $6,000 to $15,000 in closing costs. If you’re living in an HCOL area, those numbers leap up. 

It's really important to make sure you're ready for this leap before you signed the papers.

You rush into it and you’re stuck with a mortgage you can’t comfortably afford, making your home a burden, not a blessing. 

If you live in a hot real estate market it’s even more of a challenge. You’re dealing with multiple bids, some of them being much higher than the listing price. Here in Raleigh, it’s not uncommon to be competing with all-cash offers. 

In the middle of 2020, my mom moved to be closer to us in Raleigh and we helped her with the home buying process. It was stressful because there were so many more buyers than houses. It took some patience, reflecting on what features she needed and truly wanted, and honing in on the budget, but thankfully she bought a great place for herself.  

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or not, my advice is to detach yourself emotionally from the process. That’s easier said than done. 

That’s why I want to share from the archives an interview I did with Jonathan White. He’s the author of A Tale of Two Houses: Our journey of buying a home the right way after buying one the wrong way. 

As you can guess from the title, Jonathan understands some of those house-buying traps many of us fall into. He made

In this episode we get into:

• Some of those home-buying myths that can get you into trouble
• Unexpected expenses that come up as a homeowner
• Why you need to run your own numbers

Are you ready? Let’s get started! 

Resources on Getting a Great Deal on Your Mortgage

If you’re looking to buy, here are some resources to help you find a great deal with your mortgage

• Best Budget and Money Apps: Personal Capital, Tiller, Mint
• Grow Your Stash Faster: High Yield Savings with CiT Bank
• Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money
• What You Need to Know About Mortgages
• Understand Mortgage Loan Options
• Free 5 Days to $5K Course
• 9 Questions to Ask Before Buying a House
• Is It Better to Rent or Own a Home?
• How to Snag a Great Deal When Buying a House
• Buying a Home: From Contemplation to Closing

Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal!

Support for this podcast comes from Coastal Credit Union! If you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better, come check out Coastal today.

See how Coastal can help you with your mortgage needs!

Rollover Your 401(k) Easily with Capitalize

We’re grateful for wonderful partners like Capitalize. Not only do they support the podcast, but they help make managing your money so much easier. 

Did you know that it’s estimated that there are currently over 24 million “forgotten” 401(k) accounts? In fact, the average American changes jobs every 4 years. 

And because of the Great Resignation, you or someone you know might be changing jobs even more 

It’s an extreme case of out of sight and out of mind. Is your old 401(k) in there somewhere, left behind at a job you're no longer with?

One huge benefit with an IRA is you get to choose how your money is invested, not your old employer. 

If you want to consolidate your old 401(k) and have more options with how you invest, it may be time to roll them over into an IRA.  

With Capitalize, they handle the process from start-to-finish – for FREE. They handle the process from start-to-finish, and yes that includes calling the 401(k) provider on your behalf. 

Find out how and get started today!

Avoid House Fever and Myths

Even though had a background in accounting, Jon wasn't immune to house fever.

Jon kept hearing from his friends how great home ownership was. Many comments he heard matched what we used to hear too.

Some of my ‘favorites' include:

• “Renting is throwing away money.”
• “Home ownership helps you build equity.”
• “Real estate is an investment that will pay off.”

While it may be well-intentioned or based on their personal experience, these comments may not be true for your circumstances.

You have to really look at the costs before you buy a house. Besides the obvious, there are expenses that homeowners may have that renters don't.

Taking care of your own maintenance is a big one.

Depending on where you live, you may find yourself buying property that is a part of an additional expense – a home association.

Before you buy a place that's a part of a home association:

• Know the bylaws.
• Check with residents. See if they're happy or not.
• Ask about fees over the last few years. Have they been increasing? Why?
• See what are the HOA's responsibilities and which would be yours.

Jon found out the hard way when he was hit with $5k special assessment!

Taking Time to Buy the Right House

Fast forward a few years, Jon got married. He and his wife used the principles and baby steps of Dave Ramsey to build their finances together.

Eventually they became parents and that's when they began to consider selling the condo and getting another house with some more space.

Seeing where things went wrong, Jon was determined to not let the same thing happen with their next house.

He and his wife started with running the numbers themselves.

Knowing what they could afford proved to beneficial as they were tempted with one house during their search.

While they didn't get that one, they did find a house that suited their family and was within their budget. Now years later, they're both happy with where they are.

If you want to be better prepared for your house hunt, please check out Jon's new book,  A Tale of Two Houses.

Jon goes into detail about the mistakes he made when he purchased his condo in 2006 and what he and his wife did right with their current home!

Support the Podcast!

Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!

• Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share.
• Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on Apple or Stitcher or Audible. 
• Grab a copy of Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money. My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in 4 weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together!
• Become a Patron. 

Music Credit

Like the music in this episode? Come check out artists over at Audiio!