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5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Downsizing

5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Downsizing

Whether you are an empty nester, unable or unwilling to complete lawn care or looking for a change, downsizing your house can provide many benefits. Before shopping for your smaller home, consider space and amenities to determine if downsizing is the right choice for your needs.

Moving can change more than just your address. Here are five questions to ask yourself to prepare for lifestyle and economic changes during downsizing.

1. Will a Smaller Space Meet My Family’s Needs?

If you have older children who no longer live with you or live in your home by yourself, downsizing will eliminate extra, unused space. With smaller square footage, you will have the opportunity to clean out items or donate them to local charities allowing for even more space.

If you are looking to expand your family in the next few years, downsizing may not be the best option for your needs. As a family, you will want a home that allows you to expand without being too large to maintain.

2. How Important Is Outdoor Space? 

If you like to garden or have pets that require room to play, you may opt to keep your current lawn space. However, if you do not need a large outdoor area or would like to live in a community that provides lawn maintenance services, downsizing is a great option and eliminates the need for extensive lawn care.

3. Can I Handle Home Maintenance or Repairs?

Evaluating your physical stamina will help you decide if you can continue caring for a larger home. If you cannot handle physical housework, you may consider moving to a community or building that performs property maintenance for residents.

4. What Amenities Do I Want?

Downsizing should not mean compromising your quality of life. As you look for a smaller home, make sure your new neighborhood or community has the amenities you want, such as a clubhouse, tennis courts or community events.

5. Can I Afford to Sell My House?

As you compare downsizing options, factor in the cost to sell your home — such as paying agent commissions — and buying a new home. To attract potential buyers, you may also wish to invest in staging services or repairs.

How Cates Auction & Realty Company Can Help

If you are ready to start your downsizing journey, Cates Auction & Realty Company can help you attract buyers to sell your home. Contact us today to learn more about our selling process or schedule a complimentary property analysis.

What Does it Mean to Sell Your Property As-Is?

What Does it Mean to Sell Your Property As-Is?

The traditional method for selling a property requires doing whatever it takes to make it as appealing as possible to prospective buyers. Typically, the owner must make improvements and upgrades such as painting, remodeling the bathroom, or replacing an aging garage door, as well as performing those long-postponed repair jobs. An alternative to the conventional selling method that works well for many property owners is to put their real estate on the market in “as is” condition.

What Does It Mean to “Sell As-Is”?

To “sell as-is” means the seller puts their property on the market in its current state, whether it’s in immaculate condition, or in need of repairs, or it’s something in between. They make no repairs or renovations.

Can a Home Be Sold As-Is?

Absolutely! It’s completely legal to sell a property as-is. However, this does not relieve you of your obligations to prospective purchasers. You and the buyer must reach an understanding — and put it in writing — that the buyer will inherit any situations with the home and that you will make no additional repairs or improvements while the transaction occurs. As the seller, you must disclose what you know about the property and provide truthful answers to the buyer’s questions regarding the condition of the property.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Selling a Home As-Is?

The pros of selling a property in its current condition include:
  • Saving money on upgrades: Selling real estate as is can make sense if you don’t have the funds to make repairs or renovations. In this case, you may have no better option.
  • Relieving financial stress: If you’re having a tough time financially — maybe you’ve fallen behind on your mortgage payments — selling your property as is can provide a fast solution. Many real estate investment companies will pay cash for your property, and you may be able to make an immediate sale.
  • Avoiding a drawn-out sales process: If you’re seriously ill or simply have other priorities, selling a property as is can keep you from having to deal with all the details of a complicated real estate transaction.
Some of the disadvantages of selling a home ‘as-is’ are that some buyers will be less likely to purchase a property that needs major repairs or is in poor condition. The seasoned auction professionals at Cates Auction leverage aggressive, saturation marketing to drive up demand, saturate the market, and get you the true market value for your property.

Explore the Benefits of Selling a Property As-Is at Auction

An auction is often the best method for selling a house as-is quickly — and for its true market value. At Cates Auction & Realty Company, we offer a proven auction process that will provide a fast, hassle-free alternative to the traditional listing procedure. Contact us to learn more today.
Downsizing Tips for Seniors

Downsizing Tips for Seniors

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Downsizing for Seniors

Downsizing for Seniors

Deciding to retire is a huge decision to make in your life that impacts your financial, personal, and social planning. It’s also an ideal time to evaluate your lifestyle and start preparing for the future. If you’re in retirement, you may want to consider downsizing to a smaller home. 

Should I downsize my house in retirement? When should seniors sell their homes? These are common questions to ask when considering whether downsizing is right for you. Downsizing includes moving to a new home that is smaller or more affordable than the one you’re currently living in. Seniors can enjoy several benefits of downsizing in retirement, including addressing mobility issues or having smaller monthly payments. 

Read our guide below to learn more about downsizing in Kansas City and whether or not to downsize is the perfect choice for you. 


Table of Contents

  1. 5 Reasons Seniors Should Consider Downsizing
  2. Benefits of Downsizing to a Smaller Home
  3. What to Consider When Downsizing
  4. The Cates Auction Process
  5. Start Downsizing With Cates Auction

5 Reasons Seniors Should Consider Downsizing

Sometimes, leaving a larger or an outgrown home behind is an excellent idea. You may want to consider selling your home in retirement and moving into a Kansas City retirement community or a smaller, more manageable home. Here are a few reasons seniors should consider downsizing. 

1. You Have Unused or Empty Space

One indicator that downsizing could be an excellent idea is unused or empty space in your house. Essentially, any room that you only occasionally enter to clean is unnecessary space. If you find that your home has several rooms like this, downsizing to a smaller house in Kansas City with fewer rooms could benefit you. 

2. You Have Expensive Payments

Cost savings is perhaps one of the most significant incentives for the elderly to downsize homes. Larger houses in Kansas City can be expensive to maintain and likely have higher utility costs. Often, senior citizens have a lower income during retirement, so downsizing to a smaller home could be beneficial to save money on bills. If you need lower mortgage payments, downsizing could be the perfect option for you. 

3. The Upkeep Is Challenging to Manage

If you’re struggling to maintain your home, it could be time to consider moving to a smaller home that’s easier to keep up with. You may want to consider downsizing if you find it hard to safely clean and maintain your home’s daily upkeep, either financially or physically.

4. You Enjoy Traveling

Do you find yourself traveling often or planning to travel in the future outside of Kansas City? If you find yourself answering yes to either of those questions, you could save yourself money by downsizing. By moving to a smaller, more affordable home, you can avoid spending large monthly payments on a home in Kansas City that you aren’t spending much time in. 

5. Your Home Includes Many Unused Items

Many American homes have unused clothes, appliances, and even furniture. If you have unwanted items, you might want to consider downsizing. Moving to a smaller home can help you decrease the clutter in your home and get rid of unnecessary belongings taking up space. Decluttering and downsizing for seniors is an excellent option for those looking to free up more space, become more organized, and obtain clear peace of mind.

Benefits of Downsizing to a Smaller Home

Many seniors opt for moving to a smaller Kansas City home due to the many benefits downsizing can bring, including cheaper bills and more accessibility. Here are a few advantages of downsizing your house:

  • Save money: Downsizing to a smaller home can decrease or get rid of your monthly mortgage payments. Downsizing could also help you spend less on utility and electricity bills. 
  • Clean with ease: A smaller home means fewer rooms to tidy up, so you have more time to enjoy retirement or manage less daily housework as you grow older.
  • Navigate easily: If you have any mobility issues, moving to a one-story home in Kansas City or a community with various resources could be beneficial. You can also create more space for accessibility, such as wheelchair lifts. 

Senior citizen downsizing has several benefits that can help you save money and spend more time focusing on enjoying your retirement. 

What to Consider When Downsizing

What to Consider When Downsizing

If you’re curious about what to think about when moving to a smaller home, we can help. Here are a few things to consider when downsizing.

  • Financial goals: When choosing your ideal smaller home in Kansas City, you will first need to evaluate your financial goals to select the perfect home you can afford. Think about whether you want to save money on a mortgage or find a home with less space. You may also need to consider how much your home is worth to determine your budget for downsizing and buying a new home. 
  • Plans: It’s also an excellent idea to consider your goals. Do you want to live out your retirement in this home or make downsizing to a retirement community more manageable in the future? 
  • Necessary space and amenities: You’ll also want to consider how much space you will need. Do you need any extra space for storage? You can also think about what amenities you would like to look for, such as a pool or outdoor patio. 

When choosing to downsize, consider your finances, need for space, and your goals for the future to find the perfect smaller home that will best suit your needs. 

The Cates Auction Process

At Cates Auction, we understand that choosing to downsize can be an emotional decision, and it isn’t always an easy one to make, especially for seniors. We’ve designed our selling process to be simplified so you can spend more time enjoying your loved ones’ company and relaxing during your retirement. 

Our goal is to bring you the highest return on your Kansas City home’s value.

We created an innovative online marketplace for competitive bidding, geared toward bringing buyers to the table. And the best part is that you will have more control of the selling process and set an auction date in advance. You can say goodbye to inspections and improvements and say hello to a successful downsizing home sale. 

When you choose to downsize and sell your home with Cates Auction, our primary goal is to make the selling process stress and worry-free so you can focus on achieving your retirement plans. 

Start Downsizing With Cates Auction

At Cates Auction, we understand Kansas City downsizing is a monumental decision. That’s why we’ve made our selling process as hassle-free and straightforward as possible, so you can get back to relaxing and enjoying your retirement. We can develop an innovative marketing strategy tailored specifically for your home to help you find qualified buyers in Kansas City, avoiding a long, drawn-out traditional selling process. 

Get in touch with our team members or fill out our free analysis form today to start your downsizing journey in Kansas City. 

When to Sell Commercial Real Estate

When to Sell Commercial Real Estate

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Common Myths About Buying a Home at Auction

Common Myths About Buying a Home at Auction

There are several ways in which someone can sell real estate, but few methods create the same level of demand as an online auction. As couples and families hunt through the market for the perfect property, sellers can stay in control of the final sale by partnering with a knowledgeable company to facilitate the process. If you are on the fence about selling or buying a home at auction, review some of the most frequent common myths about buying or selling a home at auction, to clear up any misconceptions.

Myth #1: It’s More Difficult to Attract Potential Buyers After the Auction.

A property that does not sell during an auction will receive further attention through an auction company. This advertising might involve promoting the listing through local newspapers, email marketing, telemarketing calls, open houses or a Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Sellers also have the option to organize a second auction if there is a reserve in place. Since all the marketing materials are readily available, all the seller has to do is decide on a date to hold the follow-up event. They can schedule as many auctions as necessary until the property sells for the right price.

Myth #2: Only Experienced Investors Attend Auctions.

Real estate auctions often attract couples and young families searching for their first property. Buyers may have their eyes set on properties in a specific location, so it is possible that your listing checks off all the boxes on someone’s list. Online auctions are open to everyone and are becoming increasingly more accessible, so you may encounter individuals looking to remodel or move in as soon as possible. Businesses like Cates Auction & Realty Company utilize platforms compatible with smartphones, tablets and laptops for convenience. It is now easier than ever to get involved through our user-friendly auction platform. Online auctions are the most transparent way to sell or buy real estate on the market. Potential buyers follow a straightforward registration process and abide by the terms and conditions of the online platform to enter. Technology opens the opportunity for buyers to engage with auctions from home, school, work and beyond.

Myth #3: Properties Sold at Auctions Must Be Purchased in Full With Cash.

Working with an auction company gives buyers flexibility for financing. Winning bidders can choose to make payments through a lending institution based on the structure of the auction. This is done so individuals can pay for the property in installments similar to a mortgage.Always contact the auctioneer for a lender recommendation, or go through your bank to see what financing options are available for a given property. Only judicial sales require full payment at the time of auction.

Myth #4: Auction Gets a Lower Price Than Market Value.

Selling real estate via auction connects you to bidders located across the United States as well as international bidders. As a result, you have the potential to receive an offer that is higher than the market value of your property since all interested buyers can see real-time information about the latest bid. Anyone can submit a bid during the auction as long as they register for the event. Auction procedures differ from the traditional real estate selling process, as the time factor surrounding the event creates a greater sense of urgency to put in a bid. Interested buyers no longer have to wait for a realtor to return calls and emails. Rather, users have access to bidding information that would otherwise be impossible to gather at this speed. The limited window to place a bid during an auction can drive up buyer interest compared to traditional selling methods.

Myth #5: Selling a Home at Auction Costs More Than a Traditional Sale.

Auction companies charge fees to cover marketing expenses — investing money into marketing is what drives those in the local community to gain interest in the event. This process may cost the seller upfront, but it leaves room for long-term savings down the road. Auction organizations charge buyer’s premiums to the winning bidder. The buyer’s premium is added to the final hammer price of the property or the highest bid. The additional fee often covers commissions requested by the auction company. Someone buying a house at auction provides the opportunity for your property to leave the market faster than if you were to pursue a traditional sale, which would reduce applicable carrying costs and maintenance fees.

Myth #6: Real Estate Agents and Brokers Cannot Attend Real Estate Auctions.

Real estate agents and brokers are welcome to view public auctions. These professionals will often direct clients to these events if they know of them ahead of time. Real estate auction companies may pay commissions to realtors that influence the final sale.

Myth #7: All Properties Being Sold at Auction Are Foreclosures in Poor Physical Condition.

Foreclosures and short sales account for some auction events, but there are plenty of sellers that just want to work with a controlled sales timeline. Sellers have the flexibility to structure an auction with a fast turnaround, or individuals can plan their auction months out according to their preference. It is perfectly safe to buy houses at auction as long as you do your research. Not only are older homes in good condition sold at auction, but luxury homes and newly completed structures often sell in this way as well. See what you can find about the history of a home or construction project before the auction takes place. Property owners may organize online auctions for a variety of reasons, such as creating a high level of competition in a fast-moving market or gaining exposure for properties that have been sitting for some time. You can find multifamily homes, vacation properties, commercial structures and more available at auction with the right search filters.

Myth #8: The Seller Must Accept the Final Bid.

Sellers can structure an auction to best suit their interests. Only under an Absolute Auction does the highest bidder always win the property. The following auction types grant sellers further control:
  • Minimum bid: The seller establishes the minimum offer they are willing to accept before the auction begins. The audience is aware of this information.
  • Reserve: The seller has the right not to disclose the minimum offer they will accept. They can deny the highest bid at the end of the auction.

Myth #9: Properties Being Sold at Auction Cannot Be Inspected.

Auction companies typically hold open house events before an auction. Attendees are encouraged to bring a contractor with them, or a separate appointment may take place with the seller’s approval. Auctions at the judicial level are not subject to inspections. Buying a Home at Auction

Your Residential Auction Company Serving Kansas and Missouri

Cates Auction & Realty Company eliminates the hassles of buying and selling properties in the Kansas City Metro Area. Set the terms of your residential auction, and we’ll help you sell faster than using a traditional real estate agent. If you have questions about our services, complete a contact form online for further information.
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