Home buyers always have many questions, and for good reason too! Take advantage of the opportunity to answer common and not-so-common questions on your real estate blog. Many of these topics will be useful as a refresher course for veteran home buyers, but can be extremely beneficial for those first time home buyers. Make yourself that more valuable to buyers with these great real estate blog topics.
1. First Time Home Buyers
When it comes to the first steps taken in the home buying process 11% looked online for information about the home buying process. This is your chance to establish yourself as a knowledgeable and trustworthy agent by compiling a “most frequently asked questions” list and the answers to those questions. Some example questions include: Are there special homeownership grants, programs for single parents, or first-time home buyers? Initially how much money will I have to come up with to buy a home? What other costs do I need to consider in addition to my mortgage?
2. Top Things to Look for in a Home
Homebuyers appreciate tips on what things they should consider when looking at homes. This makes for a great opportunity to compile a Top Ten list of factors that matter most to a home’s value, such as location, neighborhood, curb appeal, and finishing touches.
3. Renting vs. Buying a Home
Sometimes all a buyer needs is a logical reason to purchase a home. Give them the facts with a blog post that covers renting vs. buying. This will not only help them feel educated, but they will be more confident in their decision to buy. A financial calculator would be a great addition to this type of blog post.
4. Types of Mortgages
The wide variety of different types of mortgages can be overwhelming to both first-time and veteran homebuyers. Simplify things by explaining the most common types of mortgages, invite a guest mortgage broker to offer up his or her knowledge, or link to a site that provides this information. This is a great opportunity to refer business to a partner mortgage company who can reciprocate the referral. You should also provide a link to a good mortgage calculator, so that clients can work out payment scenarios on their own.
5. Credit Scores
Provide a clear description of what a credit score is, how it impacts buyers, and what is considered a good credit score. You could also give tips on ways that buyers can improve their credit scores.
6. Appraised Value
Buyers often wonder why most home mortgage transactions require the lender to obtain an appraisal. Explain why they do it and how it benefits them.
7. Property Taxes
Despite the fact that this can be a positive or negative subject, depending on the state, clients still want to be well informed. Make sure to emphasize any benefits of property taxes if your state has them, and explain the basics of property taxes (i.e., property tax is administered by local governments, county assessors value and assess the taxes, and county treasurers collect it).
8. The Buying Process
Consider writing a series of blog posts to educate your clients on the buying process. This is a great opportunity to settle any questions and concerns they might have. You might consider linking to a website resource you trust that explains the process in great detail in order to offer additional information.
9. The Closing Process
The closing process can be an anxious and sometimes long procedure, so prepare your clients with a post that covers how the closing process generally goes. Be sure to bring up common issues that might come up at the last minute, and you might even provide a few example scenarios you have seen happen.
10. Closing Costs
The big question on every buyers mind is, “Are there any hidden fees?” Take a blog post to answer some of the most common questions related to closing costs, i.e., What are non-recurring closing costs and what are recurring closing costs? What are my options for paying closing costs? Make sure you briefly cover escrow fees, fees for title insurance, credit reports, notaries, loans and commissions.
11. Second Homes
If you have a good grasp of your area then share it! Purchasing a second home can be intimidating, so touch on the benefits and potential problems that can come with owning a second home. Mention the potential of owning a family vacation home, earning rental income, and the great investment opportunities that are available.
12. Dealing with Tenants
If you have buyers purchasing homes to use as rental properties then you may want to review what it takes to have a tenant. Give them some key tips to making it an easy process.
13. Buying New verses Buying Older Homes
Some buyers only want a new home, but don’t really know why. Other buyers like the romantic idea of living in an older home, but don’t really know what it entails to own one. Help your buyers make a sound decision by writing a post that weighs the pros and cons of buying new homes verses old homes.
14. Real Estate Investment Properties
Investment properties offer great potential to buyers if they know what they are doing. Review the key elements that buyers should look for in an investment property. Give some real life success stories and what had to be done to make it work.
15. What it Means to Be Green
Environmentally conscious buyers will be interested in what criteria a home must meet to be considered “green.” Make a list of items that make a home green, and mention any builders of green homes in your area, including what they are doing to stay green. Be sure to provide links to online resources what provide information on how to go green, such as GreenHomes America.
16. Zoning Issues
You never know when zoning issues might arise, so be prepared by making a list of zoning issues in your area. When your buyers have questions you will already have a great resource to point them to for more information.
17. The Final Walk Through
Provide a detailed description of the walk-through process, its significance, things to look for, and any tips you can suggest for a successful final walk through.
18. Walk Through Checklist
A great way to keep the customer service strong at the end of the deal is to really prepare your buyers for the final walk through. Create a PDF checklist that you can give to your clients, so that they have something in hand to help them through the process.
19. Down Payment
Some buyers will wonder how much cash they should put down on a home. Explain the merits of putting 20% down verses paying Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). You might even delve into what PMI is, how it is calculated, and how long you have to pay it.
20. Condo/Gated Community/Neighborhood Dues and Rules
Some first-time home buyers may not be aware of the dues that are required when living in certain types of real estate, even if you own it. Explain what neighborhood dues pay for and how to find out information about the rules of a neighborhood, i.e., requirements for fence height, yard maintenance, or the color of your house.
There are many things to consider when buying a home especially for the first time. As a real estate agent, you have the opportunity to make it an easy process. This will also help you to attract new clients who will see your value as a knowledgeable real estate agent.
Other Related Real Estate Blog Ideas:
For other great real estate blogging ideas visit
Real Estate Blog Ideas – Think Outside the Box
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Real Estate Blog Ideas – Think Sellers
Real Estate Blog Ideas – Think Market Conditions
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