This, this is the Radio Realtors. I sold the house. This is a home. This is a place to live. It's a place to live. Northern California's longest running show on Real Estate. Real Estate is not just buying and selling houses. Who are you? Some kind of real estate agent. Real estate agent. I love Real Estate. I love Real Estate. I was just telling you, I know that house. I wanted it. The Radio Realtors. I love every second. Now, here's your host, Robert Lewis, with EXP Realty. Let's go to a selfie hunt. Well, hello and welcome to the Radio Realtors. We are Northern California's number one real estate radio show. Proudly coming to you live from the equityprotect.com studios. And I love equityprotect. They're one of the best companies on the planet. And they are the only company that completely stops deed fraud and home title theft. And the co-founders, Ryan Marshall and Jim Adams, they are personal friends of mine. And they started the company to fill a much needed gap in the areas of home title fraud and equity theft prevention. And check this out. During the pandemic, there were a lot of criminals who had a ton of time on their hands. And they had all this time to dream up waste to steal people's equity and their homes. In fact, some of the competitors that they have in this e-fraud space were literally educating potential scammers on how to commit these crimes. However, there was nobody offering prevention for these crimes at all. So Ryan and Jim, they created equityprotect. And equityprotect scans, monitors, alerts. But most importantly, they physically stop any attempts to steal your equity or ownership. They aren't just a monitoring service. They do this 24/7, 365 a year. And you can get your free risk assessment at their website, it's equityprotect.com. That's equityprotect.com. If you own your home free and clear or you have thousands in equity, you need to protect it. Take that free risk assessment today at equityprotect.com. I'm Robert Lewis, your real estate professor. And if you've got a question, a comment, or you're ready to just hire me to help you sell your home or buy a home, you can reach me on our Radio Realtors Hotline at 83332 Radio. That's 83332 Radio. Or once again, you can live chat with us 24/7 on our website at RadioRealtors.com. That's RadioRealtors.com. I've an amazing show for you today with these topics. Number one is when is it too late to back out of buying a house? It's gonna be controversial for some, but this is going to be brass tacks on your rights as a home buyer. Number two, we're gonna give you seven scary things to avoid if you're trying to sell your home at the Halloween time or the Harvest time or in October here. So once again, you can get ahold of the Radio Realtors on our Hotline anytime at 83332 Radio. That's 83332 Radio. Or you can use our live chat option 24/7 at our website, RadioRealtors.com. That's RadioRealtors.com. Now, whether you're a buyer or you're a seller or you're simply curious about the market, this show today is one that you don't wanna miss. You definitely don't wanna turn off. We're answering the big question that a lot of home buyers dread, and that is when is it too late to back out of buying a house? And we all know the home buying process can be an emotional roller coaster. Excitement, nerves, joy, and let's be honest, a little bit of panic can set in sometimes. But what happens when you're on the verge of closing and suddenly you get cold feet or you realize things just aren't lining up for you? Can you still back out? And if so, what are the consequences, right? Well, today we're gonna be breaking it down and I'm gonna give you five key tips for navigating those stressful moments when you're wondering if you've made the right decision and what your options are if you need to hit the brakes on a home purchase. So let's start off with tip number one. It's the most critical aspect of backing out of a home purchase and it is contract contingencies. These are your built-in escape route, right? They're also like built-in safety nets. And in the home buying process, when you make an offer on a home, your offer usually comes with contingencies, which are essentially conditions that must be met before the deal can go through. And these contingencies might include things like number one, the property passing and inspection. Number two, the buyer, you, securing financing. And number three, the home appraising at or above the purchase price. And number four, the buyer, you being able to sell your existing home if you need to. And contingencies are crucial because they give buyers a way out of the deal if something major comes up. For example, let's say you discover during the inspection that the roof is leaking or maybe the HVAC system is dead and the seller refuses to fix these issues. Well, as a buyer, you have the right to walk away from the deal without losing your deposit. And you wanna think of contingencies like that lifeguard at a pool party, right? You hope you don't need them, but if things go south, you're gonna be really happy that they're there, right? And the key here is timing. Most contingencies come with deadlines anywhere from 10 to 21 days to sometimes 60 days, depending on the contract. And if you want to back out based on a contingency, you have to do it within that time window, right? Once those contingencies are removed, things get a little bit trickier. Now, let's talk about what happens when you get cold feet. This is more common than people think, and it's not just about first time buyers. And so tip number two is cold feet can be costly, so you wanna act early. And you might be well into the process when reality hits, mortgage payments, interests, property taxes, maintenance, and repairs. And suddenly that dream home feels more like a weight around your neck. I had some clients that not too long ago, they were in escrow on a property, and they almost immediately figured out, oh, you know what, with this interest rate and principal interest taxes and insurance and HOA fees, this payment was gonna be affordable for them, but it was gonna be something that will stress them out every single month. So we ended up canceling the deal relatively quickly, and they had their contingencies in place. But once you've removed your contingencies, backing out will likely cost you, and it will cost you big time. You could lose your earnest money deposit, which we're gonna dive into a little bit later. So if you're feeling those nerves creeping up, don't wait until the night before closing to make a decision. It's like realizing you left the stove on after you've already been 30 miles down the road, right on a trip. And at that point, turning back is gonna cost you more than just a little bit of time. So the earlier you address those concerns, the better. So talk to me, your realtor, and your lender, and make sure you're 100% comfortable before moving forward. Now, tip number three is watch for financing hiccups, because they can happen at the last minute. And one of the most frustrating scenarios for buyers is when financing falls through at the last minute. And maybe you were pre-approved for a loan, but suddenly the underwriter raises concerns. Or new financial stipulations appear that you can't meet. And even with a pre-approval in hand, it doesn't mean you're guaranteed to get the loan. If issues arise after you've removed your financing contingency, it can throw a wrench in the entire deal. And in these cases, buyers are often forced to back out because they simply can't secure the financing needed to close. And this is why working with an experienced loan officer who can anticipate potential issues is so very important. And they can sometimes catch red flags early and help you avoid these last minute financing disasters. So what happens if your financing falls through after you've removed your loan contingency? Well, unless your contract includes specific protections, you could lose your earnest money deposit. In some cases, you might even face legal action from the seller if the contract includes liquidated damages provisions, right? So the key takeaway here is that your financing isn't officially locked in until all underwriting requirements are satisfied. So don't go spending that housewarming money just yet. If you're thinking about buying a home and you wanna start the process, you need to give me a call because I have great lenders that can help you that as a team, we can help you get the job done. And look at it this way, your realtor is like your coach and your quarterback is your lender. You need both of those to be really, really good to help you get touchdowns and also get to the Super Bowl. If you wanna win the Super Bowl real estate, you need to give me a call. 83332 radio, that's 83332 radio, or you can live chat with a member of our team at our website, radiorealtors.com. That's radiorealtors.com. Don't go anywhere, we will be back right after this. (upbeat music) It's football season and I love it. Every team is trying to get to the Super Bowl, but I've never seen a football team win the Super Bowl without a great quarterback. Some traits of a great quarterback are leadership, speed, intelligence, and problem-solving skills. The same thing goes for the game of real estate. You see your quarterback is your mortgage lender. My first round draft pick for a lender is Jeff Compton with Guild Mortgage. Jeff has loan options to fit every situation. From down payment assistance programs for first time home buyers to government sponsored programs for military families and rural residents or jumbo loans in high-cost markets. Honesty and integrity are trademarks of Jeff's outstanding service that he provides to all his clients. He's dedicated and committed to doing what it takes until your loan is closed. When you're ready to win, call Jeff Compton. 916-765-2900. Online at JeffCompton.com. NMLSID number 298-997. - Touchdown! - Ah, after a long week, you finally got some time to yourself. Shouldn't you spend that time having some fun rather than attacking that DIY list? We think so. That's why we recommend purpose property solutions. They're the ultimate affordable handyman service. They do junk removal, hauling, handyman electric, plumbing, interior and exterior home repairs, painting, tree removal and so much more. Call Purpose Property Solutions today at 916-798-7705. Get your weekend back. Call 916-798-7705. - Okay, honey, I'm done with your cleaning list. Wash the windows. - Check. - Power Wash the patio. - Check. - Cleaned the outdoor furniture. - Check. - Now for some me time. - What about cleaning the trash bin? - No, I didn't do that one. - Well, it's got to be done. - But they look and they smell really bad. - Yeah, I agree. You know, I heard on the radio about a local family-owned company called Bin Love and Clean Bins. - Wow, here they are. Bin Love and Clean Bins. It says they use a combination of hot water and high pressure to clean the bins and they sanitize, deodorize and disinfect them. - That sounds amazing. - And check this out. Bin Love and Clean Bins also has great reviews and their service is really affordable. So babe, can I hire them so I can finish off your cleaning list? - Of course, honey. - Awesome. Enjoy 50% off your first cleaning with promo code, Fresh Start 50. That's promo code, Fresh Start 50. Hurry, limited time only, discount available on all recurring plans. Book your cleaning now at binloveandcleanbins.com. - Larry Elder here, the great old risky. And I'm so happy to be back on AM1380 the answer. Did you know that because of our current administration, 86% of US renters would like to buy a home, but they feel they can't. It's a sad situation, but as my father Randolph Elder said, hard work wins. You can't control the outcome, but you can control the effort. How do you control the effort if you want to buy a home in Northern California? You call the dream team, the Robert Lewis Group, with EXP Realty. Check it out. Darren and Teresa had been renting for years and they wanted to buy a home for their family of four. And even though they thought it was a lost cause, they made the call to Rob and his team. And in just a few days, they were pre-approved and out looking at homes. Rob found them the perfect home, negotiated a great price, and in just 21 days, they had the keys to their dream home. Hard work wins, so call Rob today at 83332 radio. That's 83332 radio. Online at radiolotores.com. That's radiolotores.com. D-R-E number 01406275. (upbeat music) (upbeat music) - Welcome back to The Radio Realtors with Robert Lewis from EXP Realty. If you'd like to talk to Robert directly, call 83332 radio. That's 83332 radio. And now, here's Robert. (audience applauds) - All right, thanks Lonnie for that intro. And welcome back to The Radio Realtors. We are Northern California's. Number one real estate radio show, proudly coming to you live from the equityprotect.com studios. And if you own your home free and clear, or you have thousands in equity, you need to protect that equity. And the only company that stops scammers from tampering with, or trying to steal your home at all is Equity Protect. There are a lot of companies out there that will monitor things and then tell you, after something bad has already happened. Why not just have no bad things happen to your title, or your equity? The only company that's gonna stop that from happening 100% is Equity Protect. You can take your free risk assessment at equityprotect.com. That's equityprotect.com. Find out if you're already a victim. Go to their website, equityprotect.com. Equityprotect.com. If you're low to medium risk, then you can sign up for their free monitoring. And that's what you're paying the other companies for, is monitoring. But, Equity Protect will do it for free. If you're medium to high risk, then you wanna sign up for their full protection. And you can get that for just pennies a day. Go to equityprotect.com. That's equityprotect.com. And tell them that the Radio Realtors sent you. My name is Robert Lewis, your real estate professor. And we're talking about, in the second segment here, continuing the conversation about when is it too late to back out of buying a home. And, you know, we talked about the home buying process is sort of an emotional rollercoaster, right? You got, you're very excited, you're nervous. You've got joy, you know? And then, sometimes, panic sets in, right? And you're on the verge of closing, and then you start thinking about things, and you get nervous, and you wanna know what are your options, right? And sometimes, it just takes a conversation with your realtor and with your lender. And we go through things and kinda settle you down a little bit, but it's a huge decision. You don't spend a quarter of a million or half a million or three quarters of a million or millions of dollars every single day, right? At least most people don't. So, tip number one is understand contract contingencies because those are your built-in escape route, right? And there are safety nets for you in the home buying process. And some of the contingencies include your inspection contingency, and your financing contingency, and your appraisal contingency. And then, sometimes, you might have to sell a home to buy a home, and that would be the sale of your property contingency. And there are a few more in there, but those are the four main big ones. Contingencies are crucial because they give you, as a buyer, a way out of the deal if something major comes up. And, you know, one of those things could be that the roof is, you know, leaking, or the HVAC system doesn't work, and the seller's not gonna repair those things. Well, you're probably not gonna wanna go through with the purchase, so you need to be able to have an out. Like I said, think of those contingencies, like that lifeguard at the pool party. You hope you don't need 'em, but you're super happy that they're there, right? Tip number two is cold feet can be costly, so you wanna act early. It's more common than you think people getting cold feet, you know, and a lot of times, it just means that you need to put on, you know, an extra pair of socks, you know, but you might be well into the process when that reality of that payment hits you, where you've got principal and interest, taxes and insurance, repairs, and those types of things, and all of a sudden, you're feeling like, "Wow, I'm biting off more than I can chew," right? If you're feeling those nerves creeping up, don't wait until after you've removed contingencies, you wanna make sure that you're doing it prior to that so you don't lose your earnest money deposit. So talk to me as your realtor early and your lender and make sure you're 100% comfortable before you move forward. Now, tip number three is watch for financing hiccups. They can happen at the last minute. Now, usually with the lenders that I use, we do not have financing hiccups unless you made some sort of mistake. One of those mistakes may be, you know, you went and bought a new car during the transaction and that has made your credit score go down. Or you bought something on credit or you spent your down payment money, whatever it is, there are things that can cause you to have financing hiccups, right? A lot of those are caused not by your lender, they're caused by you yourself. And so that's why we often say, "Hey, let us get together with you. "Go over everything so you know what to do." And we give you the 10 commandments for home buying. Tip number four is life happens and sometimes you can't control the circumstances. You know, life is unpredictable and sometimes it throws your curveballs right when you least expect them. Job transfers, sudden pay cuts, a health crisis, or even a divorce can completely up end your plans to buy a home. You know, it's funny, earlier today, getting ready for the show and I was barefoot walking around my house and I decided that for some reason I needed to move quickly and so I ended up kicking the coffee table with my left pinky toe, broke my toe. So I'm in a lot of pain right now but you know, that was an unpredictable curveball that I had for today. Well, during the loan process when these life altering events happen, it's important to know where you stand legally and if the situation is severe enough such as a major illness or a significant change in your employment, some contracts might allow you to walk away without penalty, especially if a financing contingency is still in place. However, if you've already cleared your contingencies, you might have to forfeit your earnest money deposit or worse be held liable for additional damages, right? And nobody plans for these things but the reality is that life does happen sometimes. So that's why you wanna make sure that you're working with a realtor and a lender who've got your back and you understand all of the things that are going on. And if you find yourself in one of these situations, it's critical to consult with me your realtor and possibly even a real estate attorney to understand your options. But in some cases, there may be a way to renegotiate with the seller or find a solution that benefits both parties. Now tip number five is beware of the earnest money you could lose it. Let's talk about the financial side specifically your earnest money deposit. This is the money you put down to show the seller that you're serious about buying the home. I don't know if they do this anymore but years ago, you could put things on layaway at a store and basically you could take a bunch of clothes or whatever you wanted to buy and they put it in a box for you and then you put a down payment. You put it on layaway, right? Well, that's kind of what your earnest money deposit is. And then once you decide that you wanna move forward with purchasing all or some of those things, then you bring in the rest of the money and then you get to go home with the product, right? Well, a house is very similar in that case is that you have to put a good faith deposit down. It's usually a percentage of the purchase price and it's held in escrow until the deal closes. Usually ranges from anywhere from maybe one to 20%, right? Typically, it's one, three, five percent. And here's where things get tricky. Once you've removed all your contingencies, your earnest money is at risk if you decide to back out. Sellers aren't just gonna hand it back to you because you've had a change of heart. In fact, if you back out without a valid reason, like a contingency not being met, the seller has the legal right to keep that deposit. So it's like placing a bet, right? You're playing poker and you put all the money in, right? And you say, I'm all in and then you lose. Well, the casino isn't gonna give you your chips back, right? And it's not just losing the earnest money deposit you need to worry about. In some contracts, the seller might be able to sue you for additional damages, especially if the home has been off the market for a while or if they've lost out on other potential buyers. So let's wrap things up. Bring it all together with some key takeaways here. Walking away from a purchase isn't easy, but it's important to understand your rights and the consequences before making any moves. And here's what you need to remember. Contract contingencies are your best way out. Make sure your contingencies are clear and that you act within the timelines provided. The next thing is cold feet can be costly for you. So address any concerns early in the process to avoid penalties or lost deposits like my clients did that decided to back out of a home. Now, what's great is they're closing on a home in the next couple of days, a new home that is less expensive and it meets their parameters and the payment is right in their threshold. So make sure your loan financing is 100% secured before removing financing contingencies. Life happens, unforeseen events can change everything, but make sure you understand how they impact your ability to back out legally. And your earnest money deposit is at stake, right? Once contingencies are removed, backing out likely means forfeiting your deposit and could lead to further financial consequences. And if you're ever in doubt, consult with me, your real estate agent and maybe even that real estate attorney before making any decisions. There's nothing worse than losing thousands of dollars because you didn't fully understand your contract or the risks involved. And if you're thinking about buying a home and you need advice, don't hesitate to reach out to me. Robert Lewis with exp royalty, you can call me at 83332 radio, that's 83332 radio. We're here to help you make smart, informed decisions every step of the way. Now don't go anywhere, we'll be back right after this. ♪ AC heat ♪ ♪ And plumbing you just call this ♪ ♪ It's easy as calling please ♪ ♪ Please, AC ♪ ♪ Please, AC plumbing and heat yeah ♪ Robert Lewis here from the Radio Realtors and my friends at lease are famous for their HVAC repair, maintenance and replacement, but what you may not know is that they are plumbing experts as well. Need a plumber right away? With Lees, it'll only cost you $49 for them to show up Monday through Sunday. Plus, Lees can fix any plumbing problem, dripping faucets, leaking pipes, slower clogged drains, running toilets, low water pressure, jammed garbage disposals, damaged water heaters, and even sewer line cleanouts and repairs. Lees is your go-to solution for all your plumbing needs. Book online at lasair.com. That's lasair.com. Cue the singers. ♪ AC heat ♪ ♪ And plumbing you just call this ♪ ♪ It's easy as calling please ♪ ♪ Please, AC ♪ ♪ Please, AC plumbing and heat yeah ♪ ♪ Lees, AC ♪ - Hi, this is Jerry, owner of chim chimney, professional fireplace and home services, wishing you a upcoming and happy fall, but reminding you to use your fireplace and clothes dryer safely this winter. House fires are one of the leading causes of death in a home. It is important to have your chimney and dryer event cleaned by a licensed professional on a yearly basis according to the NFPA. Give us a call today at 916-247-6579 or schedule 24/7 at thechimchimney.com. - Larry Elder here, the great old Drisky, and I'm so happy to be back on AM1380 the answer. Did you know that because of our current administration, 86% of U.S. renters would like to buy a home, but they feel they can't. It's a sad situation, but as my father Randolph Elder said, hard work wins. You can't control the outcome, but you can control the effort. How do you control the effort if you wanna buy a home in Northern California? You call the dream team, the Robert Lewis Group, with EXP Realty, check it out. Darren and Teresa had been renting for years and they wanted to buy a home for their family of four, and even though they thought it was a lost cause, they made the call to Rob and his team. And in just a few days, they were pre-approved and out looking at homes. Rob found them the perfect home, negotiated a great price, and in just 21 days, they had the keys to their dream home. Hard work wins, so call Rob today at 83332 radio. That's 83332 radio. Online at radiorealtores.com. That's radiorealtores.com. D-R-E number 01406275. Rob here reminding you that you can hear all of our shows on the Radio Realtors podcast through Apple Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon, Pandora, and more. Please give the Radio Realtors podcast a five-star review and share the link with your friends. Access it now at radiorealtores.com. (upbeat music) - Welcome back to the Radio Realtors with Robert Lewis from EXP Realty. You can live chat with a member of our team 24/7 at radiorealtores.com. And now, here's Robert. - Welcome back to the Radio Realtors. We are Northern California's number one real estate radio show, proudly coming to you live from the equityprotect.com studios. Did you know that Equity Protect is the only company that completely stops? Deed Fraud and Home Title Theft. There are a lot of companies out there that claim they lock your title, but basically what they are is merely monitoring services. Well, you can get the monitoring portion for free from equityprotect. You're paying for that with the other companies, but if you're a low risk to medium risk, they will monitor your title for free. It's a great deal, folks. Find out if you're a victim already or take the free risk assessment at equityprotect.com. That's equityprotect.com and tell them that the Radio Realtors sent you. My name is Robert Lewis, your real estate professor. Well, we're gonna kinda wrap up the show with a couple segments where we are talking to you about selling your home during the Halloween season. And it's that time of year again, pumpkin spice lattes. You know, they even have a pumpkin spice smelling car wash at Quick Quack, where I take my cars to be washed. I'm not a big fan of pumpkin spice, but I know a lot of people are with the pumpkin spice lattes, the candles, we've got cooler weather coming. Of course, it's not quite here yet, but it's on the way I've heard. And of course, Halloween is just around the corner. And I'm not a huge fan of Halloween, but a lot of people are. I don't like the blood and gore part. I like the harvest part. And I just got down seven bins from my attic and my wife has harvestized our entire house. We've got pumpkins, we've got signage, we've got fake leaves and all kinds of stuff to make it harvest-y. And it's wonderful. And she loves it. You know, that's up until right about Thanksgiving and then the first week of December, we're Christmasizing our house, right? But if you're trying to sell your home this fall, you're gonna want to be careful with the Halloween part, not to scare off potential buyers. And this last segment is called Seven Scary Things to Avoid. If you're trying to sell your home at Halloween. Don't get me wrong, celebrating the season can be fun. And a little tasteful Halloween decor can even add charm to your home. But there are a few traps that you want to avoid. If you don't want your home to end up looking like the haunted house on the block, right? So let's jump into these seven mistakes and how to avoid them. Are you ready to get started? I think you are. So number one is don't overdo the exterior decor. Keep it simple and not spooky. Our first tip is to avoid going overboard with Halloween decorations outside. Decorating the exterior of your home can be a whole lot of fun, especially if you got kids who love the holiday. But if your front yard looks like a scene from a horror movie, you might be scaring off more than just trick-or-treaters. You might be scaring off potential buyers as well. When buyers arrive at your home, their first impression is key. And you want them to see a welcoming, well-maintained house, not one that's overly decorated for Halloween. A few tasteful decorations like a fall wreath on the door or a couple of pumpkins can add seasonal charm without overwhelming the senses. So keep it simple and let your home's natural curb appeal shine through, right? Now, number two is don't go crazy with blood and gore. Save the horror for the haunted house. The second tip is just really to avoid the decorations that are too gory or frightening. You know, some people love turning their home into a haunted house, complete with zombies and fake blood and eerie sound effects. But when you're trying to sell your home, it's best to keep these things more, I guess the word would be neutral. Remember, your goal is to make potential buyers feel comfortable and at ease when they visit. A realistic zombie display or bloody handprints on the windows might be fun for the neighborhood, but it could also make buyers think twice about wanting to come inside your home. After all, you're selling your house, not hosting a haunted attraction, right? Instead, choose to core that is more friendly and inviting like glowing jack-o-lanterns or classic fall-themed decorations and this approach will create a warm atmosphere that makes buyers feel at home. Number three is don't go overboard with pumpkins. Moderation is key here. Let's talk about these pumpkins, right? I love pumpkins, I like pumpkin seeds. My wife will do the pumpkin carving and then she'll do the pumpkin seeds and she seasons them and bakes them or whatever. And those are a nice little healthy treat for you. But while pumpkins are a fall favorite, there's a fine line between a tastefully decorated porch and one that looks like a pumpkin patch, right? Too many pumpkins can distract buyers from features you want them to notice, like your beautiful porch or that freshly painted front door, right? A few well-placed pumpkins and gourds can be inviting, but try to avoid making your front porch look like a grocery store display. Keep your pumpkin carving simple and classic to maintain a warm, welcoming look. And if you've got kids with some maybe uniquely carved pumpkins, consider turning those less than perfect creations to face the wall during showings and this way you can keep the focus on your home's best features without having to remove the kids hard work. Now, number four is don't pack every inch of your interior with Halloween decor. Remember, less is more. And that's the fourth tip, right? About the inside of your home. If you love Halloween, you might enjoy turning every room into a spooky spectacle, right? But when it comes to selling your home, you want the buyers to focus on the home itself and not your decorations. And when it comes to interior, Halloween decor, consider adding a few elegant touches like a bowl of candy corn, you know, maybe just some M&Ms in the orange and black bags or a cozy fall colored throw blanket. These small details can create a seasonal vibe without overwhelming potential buyers. And the goal is to help buyers imagine themselves living in the space. So keeping decor simple and tasteful will help them focus on the home's features like the floor plan, natural light and updated finishes. The only decor that I would say that I truly enjoy and I'm not sure that you should use it are those giant skeletons. People have the giant skeletons doing all kinds of great stuff, you know, hanging off the gutters on the roof, climbing into the backyard. They even use those where they put a Christmas outfit on them and use it during Christmas. But those giant skeletons, as long as they're not scary looking, I think that those are pretty cool. So, you know, you could get creative where it's holding up our real estate sign or something like that. I think that that's not such a bad idea and that's kind of funny. Now, we've got to go to break, but if you maybe have some tips or some things that you'd like to share about Halloween or your decorations or whatever, we'd love to hear from you. You can give us a call at 83332 radio. That's 83332 radio. And if you're thinking about selling your home now, well, this is a great time to be selling because inventory's down a little bit, but interest rates have gone down and there are areas where you as a seller could possibly get more for your home now because there are fewer listings than we need in some areas, but there's more buyers coming out of the woodwork. And that means that you could have a bidding war on your hands. So, it's not a bad time to be selling. Traditionally, you know, we missed the summer months, but we didn't have these better interest rates. We do now. Give me a call if you're interested in selling 83332 radio. That's 83332 radio. And you can also live chat with a member of our team 24/7 at RadioRealtors.com. That's RadioRealtors.com. Don't go anywhere. I'll be back right after this. It's football season and I love it. Every team is trying to get to the Super Bowl, but I've never seen a football team win the Super Bowl without a great quarterback. Some traits of a great quarterback are leadership, speed, intelligence, and problem-solving skills. The same thing goes for the game of real estate. You see your quarterback is your mortgage lender. My first round draft pick for a lender is Jeff Compton with Guild Mortgage. Jeff has loan options to fit every situation. From down payment assistance programs for first time home buyers to government sponsored programs for military families and rural residents or jumbo loans in high-cost markets. Honesty and integrity are trademarks of Jeff's outstanding service that he provides to all his clients. He's dedicated and committed to doing what it takes until your loan is closed. When you're ready to win, call Jeff Compton 916-765-2900. Online at JeffCompton.com. NMLS ID number 298-997. Touchdown! After a long week, you finally got some time to yourself. Shouldn't you spend that time having some fun? Rather than attacking that DIY list, we think so. That's why we recommend Purpose Property Solutions. They're the ultimate affordable handyman service. They do junk removal, hauling, handyman electric, plumbing, interior and exterior home repairs, painting, tree removal, and so much more. Call Purpose Property Solutions today at 916-798-7005. Get your weekend back. Call 916-798-7005. OK, honey, I'm done with your cleaning list. Watch the windows. Check. Powerwash the patio. Check. Clean to the outdoor furniture. Check. Now for some me time. What about cleaning the trash bin? No, I didn't do that one. Well, it's got to be done. But they look and they smell really bad. Yeah, I agree. You know, I heard on the radio about a local family-owned company called Bin Levin Clean Bins. Wow, here they are. Bin Levin Clean Bins. It says they use a combination of hot water and high pressure to clean the bins, and they sanitize, deodorize, and disinfect them. That sounds amazing. And check this out. Bin Levin Clean Bins also has great reviews, and their service is really affordable. So babe, can I hire them so I can finish off your cleaning list? Of course, honey. Awesome. Enjoy 50% off your first cleaning with promo code, Fresh Start 50. That's promo code, Fresh Start 50. Hurry, limited time only, discount available on all recurring plans. Book your cleaning now at binlovincleanbins.com. Larry Elder here, the Great Eldersky, and I'm so happy to be back on AM1380 the answer. Did you know that because of our current administration, 86% of US renters would like to buy a home, but they feel they can't. It's a sad situation, but as my father Randolph Elder said, hard work wins. You can't control the outcome, but you can control the effort. How do you control the effort if you want to buy a home in Northern California? You call the dream team the Robert Lewis Group with EXP Realty. Check it out. Teresa had been renting for years, and they wanted to buy a home for their family of four, and even though they thought it was a lost cause, they made the call to Rob and his team. And in just a few days, they were pre-approved and out looking at homes. Rob found them the perfect home, negotiated a great price, and in just 21 days, they had the keys to their dream home. Hard work wins, so call Rob today at 833-32 radio. That's 833-32 radio, online at RadioRealTores.com. That's RadioRealTores.com, DRE number 01406275. Welcome back to the Radio Realtors with Robert Lewis from EXP Realty. You can live chat with a member of our team 24/7 at RadioRealtors.com. And now here's Robert. All right, welcome back to the Radio Realtors. We are Northern California's number one real estate radio show, proudly coming to you live from the equityprotect.com studios. And I got to tell you, I am friends with the owners of Equity Protect. And it was funny, we did a show on home title lock several months ago. And my friend Jim, who is one of the owners of Equity Protect, called me up and said, "Hey, Rob, I have a company that we're just starting out. We are a title lock company, but we completely prevent the crime from occurring, and we're not just a monitoring service." And I said, "That sounds pretty cool." So we had him on the show several months ago, and I said to him, "Jim, this is an incredible product. It is amazing, and this is way better than anything else out there in this space." And he says, "I know." He goes, "We just have to get it out to people." So they became a sponsor of the Radio Realtors Real Estate Radio Show, and I am so proud to endorse them because they're the only company of their kind. And I would not endorse any other company in this space because these guys have done it right. They have a patented process that virtually stops all tampering with of your equity or your title at all from happening to you. And they do it 24/7, 365 days a year. If you are low to medium risk, you can get their free title monitoring, which is what you're paying the other companies for. But their process is cheaper, and for pennies a day, you can have your home completely protected. And once you have equity protect, you don't even need to check because they are handling it for you. Get your free risk assessment today at equityprotect.com. That's equityprotect.com. My name is Robert Lewis, your real estate professor. We're talking about seven scary things to avoid if you're trying to sell your home at Halloween, right? And so the first one was, don't overdo the exterior decor. Keep it simple, not spooky. With maybe the exception of one of those giant skeletons, because I tell you, those giant skeletons are hilarious. And if you've got a comedic streak in you, if you're a hilarious person, you can have them doing all kinds of fun stuff. They could even be holding on to our real estate for sale sign if you want. But those things are kind of funny. But you want to avoid making your front yard look like a scene from a horror movie because you might be scaring off more than just trick-or-treaters your scaring off would be potential buyers. You want your home to seem welcoming and well-maintained and not one that's overly decorated for Halloween. So I think we get it, right? Now, tip number two is, don't go crazy with blood and gore. Save the horror for the haunted house. And I've seen homes that were complete with zombies and fake blood that's eerie sound effects. They had coffins and all kinds of crazy scary things. But if you're trying to sell your home, it's best to keep things more neutral. And you want to make potential buyers feel more comfortable. So it might be better for you to just have friendly inviting decor like glowing jack-o-lanterns or just those classic fall-themed decorations. Number three is, don't go overboard with the gourds. Don't go out of your gourds with the gourds, with the pumpkins. Moderation is the key. There's a fine line between a nicely decorated porch and one that looks like it's the pumpkin patch, right? Too many pumpkins can really distract buyers from the features you want them to notice. And the other thing is that once they've been carved, they can be messy, sometimes neighborhood kids smash them, and then it's just a mess. So you want it to be more of an inviting thing with a few simple, classically carved pumpkins rather than something that looks like a grocery store display. Now number four is, don't pack every inch of your interior with Halloween decor, less is more. And if you love Halloween, you might really enjoy making every room a spectacle. I mean, I've been through homes where they had the fake cobwebs on every door in the house, going through into the rooms and things, and with the fake spiders and stuff. And that's cool, but not when you're selling your home, right? That are adding maybe just a few elegant touches, like a bowl of candy or a cozy fall throw blanket, a few pumpkin decorations, those types of things. The goal is to help buyers imagine themselves living in the space, right? And that's what you want. Now tip number five is don't fail to decorate at all, right? Be festive. Don't be a party pooper. And this might seem surprising to you, but sometimes not decorating at all can be just as big of a mistake. If you live in a neighborhood where everybody gets into the Halloween spirit, being the one house that's completely bare can make your home stand out in a negative way. You don't have to go overboard with elaborate Halloween displays, but adding a few simple touches can make your home feel warm and inviting. A fall wreath on the door or some decorative lanterns can show buyers that your home is part of a friendly engaging community, which can be a big selling point. And it's all about balance, right? You don't want to be the scariest house on the block, but you also don't want to be looking like that you're ignoring the season altogether. Adding a little festive charm can make your home feel more welcoming. Now tip number six is don't let your yard go. Keep it tidy even in the fall. And this is one of the most important things. And it's an all year long thing, but especially in the fall, don't let your yard go. By October, the lawn might not look as lush as it did, maybe in the spring, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't have neglected either, you know? Potential buyers still care about curb appeal even when the leaves are falling, right? So rake up those leaves, trim back the bushes and add a little fresh mulch if needed. And a couple of pots with fall flowers near the door can work wonders and giving your home a fresh inviting feel. Keep your yard tidy even in the off season. Show buyers that you've taken good care of your property. It's a small step here, but it can make a big difference when it comes to making a positive first impression. Now tip number seven is don't price your home too high even in the fall market. And this is the final tip that can make or break your sale over pricing your home. No matter the time of year, pricing your home too high can keep it sitting on the market longer than you'd like. And fall is a time when many buyers are hoping to move in before the holidays, but they're also savvy enough that they don't want to overpay. And they're not going to assume spring or summer pricing when the market has cooled down a little bit. And that's why it's critical to have an accurate competitive market analysis, something I specialize in as you're trusted real estate professional here at the Radio Realtors. Starting with me, Robert Lewis from Exp Realty means you have the right strategy to price your home competitively even as we head into the colder months. And with the recent NAR settlement, choosing an experienced agent matters more than ever before. I know I've said that several times, but it's worth repeating. You don't want to leave money on the table or discourage buyers with a price that's too high. Pricing your home right from the start is one of the most important things that you can do to ensure a successful sale. And there you have it, seven scary things to avoid if you're trying to sell your home at Halloween. A little seasonal spirit can go a long way, but the goal is to create a home that's inviting and not overwhelming. So if you're thinking about selling this fall, give me a call. I'm Robert Lewis with Exp Realty, and I'm here to make sure your home stands out for all the right reasons, right? So you can reach me at 83332 radio, that's 83332 radio, let's get your home sold, help you move on to your next adventure. And thank you for tuning into the Radio Realtors, and until next time, have a great Halloween season, and remember, here at the Radio Realtors, we're all about treats and not about tricks. Thanks for tuning in to the Radio Realtors with Robert Lewis from Exp Realty. To reach Robert, just call 83332 radio, that's 83332 radio, or live chat with a member of our team anytime at RadioRealtors.com. The Radio Realtors, where we make real estate real easy. ♪ AC Heat, I'm climbing, you just call this ♪ ♪ It's easy, it's calling, please, please, AC, please, AC, coming in here ♪ Robert Lewis here from the Radio Realtors, and my friends at Leeds have some great deals for you, AM1380, the answer listeners. First, it's the Leeds AC Tune-Up for just $49, that's a $50 savings, Leeds Expert AC Technicians, will perform a 26-point precision tune-up, and make sure your system is running right, and if you want peace of mind all year long, sign up for Leeds Club Advantage Program, priority service, twice a year tune-ups, safety checks, air filter replacement upon tune-up, indoor quality air tests, and a visual plumbing inspection, all for just $24.99 a month, for either deal, mention the answer at leesair.com, that's leesair.com, okay, singers? AC Heat, I'm climbing, you just call this ♪ ♪ It's easy, it's calling, please, please, AC, please, AC, coming in here ♪ ♪ Leeds AC ♪ Hi, Larry Oldie here, and you've heard me say that success occurs when opportunity meets preparation, and with the recent N.A.R.A. settlement, selling a home is more complicated than ever before, and that's why if you need to sell, you have to be prepared and hire a hard-working realtor. You also need a tough negotiator to help you net the most money possible. My recommendation? Call my friend Robert Lewis with EXP Realty. Check this out, Angie had a seller home in Rancho Cordova and moved to Colorado for work. She needed her home so quickly to buy her next home, and because Rob spends thousands of dollars on marketing each month, he has a pool of buyers that are ready to buy. Rob sold Angie's home in just 19 days for the full list price. Rob referred her to an agent in Colorado through his nationwide network of realtors and helped her negotiate a great deal on a home there too. Sell your home today for top dollar. Call Rob with EXP Realty at 83332 Radio. That's 83332 Radio. Online at RadioRealTours.com. DRE number 01406275. Dennis Prager here for Equity Protect, the company that completely prevents home title theft and fraud. I've met Jim and Ryan, the owners of Equity Protect. They started Equity Protect because title fraud and Equity theft are direct threats to American consumers, especially if you own your home free and clear or have high equity. Most title lock companies merely monitor your title, then let you know once fraud has occurred. Equity Protect is simply better. Equity Protect completely stops any attempts to steal your home equity and ownership. Get your free risk assessment at equityprotect.com. If you're low risk, sign up for their free monitoring service. If you're medium to high risk, get their full protection. For a limited time, my listeners can get 30% off your first year with the discount code Prager30. Go to equityprotect.com/prager. That's equityprotect.com/prager or call triple 8213-2959. That's 888-213-2959. Rob here reminding you that you can hear all of our shows on the Radio Realtors Podcast through Apple's Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon, Pandora and more. Please give the Radio Realtors Podcast a 5-star review and share the link with your friends. Access it now at RadioRealtors.com.
