By Randolph Rempe
Buying or selling a new home these days is not as clear cut as it used to be. In fact most people actually prefer to rent their home or apartment. This helps to stay out of anymore debt or unwanted mortgages. If you have decided to take the leap and buy a home, you need a realtor. Now, in today's market it has been proven that purchasing your own short sale home is going to be your best bet. Of course this goes for those who are looking to sell their home as well. Weather you are looking to sell or buy a short sale home you will need a short sales realtor.
Most people like to think that they can easily sell their home all on their own. This of course is a tactic that is used in order to save some extra money. What people do not realize is the fact that selling your home on your own can actually cost you a lot more than just money.
You need to think about the time that it takes to get the home up and running on the market. While there are plenty of classified sites that you could use online, do you really know how effective they are? When it comes to a short sale realtor, you will be working with a true professional.
The great thing about a short sale realtor is the fact that they will know the ins and outs of the current market. They know where to go to get your home sold as soon as possible. Now, depending on the state and value of your home, the house could sell very quickly or it can take some time.
Now, if the process is taking a lot longer than you would like, you may need to switch to a different realtor. Many people are simply looking to put their home up for a short sale, sell it and then get out. You need to ensure that you find a realtor that will be able to do that for you.
When looking around for a realtor, you need to make sure that you take a little bit of extra time. This is someone that is going to be working for you. Anyone that works for you needs to be able to get the job that you need done in a timely matter. Try and look for a few different reviews on various short sale realtors.
You should be able to find a couple of websites for your realtor. This will give you a better idea about how they conduct their business. You need someone that knows the market inside and out. The more knowledgeable that they are, the easier it is going to be to get your home sold.
The short sale home is something that is not hard to come by these days. Whether you are looking to simply sell your home or purchase, a short sales realtor is definitely going to some in handy. Start looking around today in order to get out from under your current living situation.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Randolph_Rempe
Showing posts with label Selling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Selling. Show all posts
How To Prepare One's Home For Sale
ป้ายกำกับ: Selling
By Rob P Williams
It seems that the hot topic at the moment is how to prepare one's home for sale.
We were a little unsure about doing an email on this because it's pretty repetitive and we were sure that you have heard it all before, a number of times! But... we're going to put a bit of a twist on this...keep reading......
Your properties presentation is indeed very important and if ignored can greatly hamper the successful sale of what is probably your biggest asset.
It is also important to remember that you don't have to spend a fortune to present your home in its best light.
Most home buyers are attracted firstly by the appearance of your home, so it is important to remember the old adage "you never get a second chance to make a first impression".
This, we guess, is what you could call a guideline or checklist to help ensure that your home is ready to be presented to buyers, with confidence.
External appearance or "street appeal" is the first thing to consider.
Stand in front of your home and imagine for a moment that you are a potential buyer turning up for an inspection of the property.
Make sure lawns and gardens are neat and tidy, neatly trimmed edges are a big plus and you can always add a splash of colour with some inexpensive flowers.
If you have fences or gates that need repair it is best to tend to them now.
Clear your mailbox daily and remove any flyers that are sometimes left half in or perhaps fall out and look very unsightly.
Clean the gutters of any leaves or debris.
Make sure you give your windows the once over.
Clean driveways and footpaths and try if possible to keep garbage bins out of sight.
Lubricate any squeaky hinges and fix any loose door handles or knobs on your doors.
Remove any spider webs from your eaves or under verandas.
Make sure there is a door mat in place as this also indicates that you are conscious of keeping your home clean inside.
These items kept in check will greatly help in setting the mood when buyers first arrive, and will have them looking forward to seeing inside your home.
These may seem like simple things but if overlooked or treated as unimportant, they can greatly influence the decision of the buyer to inspect or not inspect.
Ok so that's outside taken care of lets look at the inside.
Inside the home is all about creating a feeling. Many buyers will have only taken a few steps inside a home when they 'feel' that it's right. It feels welcoming and homely.
Some areas you should look at are:-
Remove clutter as this makes your home seem smaller than it actually is.
Allow as much natural light in as possible by opening blinds.
If the weather permits it's always preferable to have a couple of windows partly open to allow fresh air through. If in winter or summer provide heating or cooling as necessary as the home should feel comfortable at all times.
Make sure bathrooms and kitchens are dazzling; these are the two main areas that the major decision maker rates. (whether we like to admit it or not, we all know who that is!)
Make sure that the home is clean and tidy, beds are made etc. "don't confuse tidiness with obsessive behaviour", it is quiet acceptable to have a newspaper on your coffee table or a magazine on your bedside table so focus on clean.
Smell is particularly important, and even more so if you have pets. Some odours that are familiar to you may be offensive to others. Clean bird cages regularly, place dog/cat bowls outside. If it is a concern you can purchase several types of odour neutralising aerosols or plug in types which remove any odour.
Rather than the fresh brewed coffee or the bread in the oven trick, which most buyers are aware of and indeed may be concerned that you are trying to mask a bad odour, why not try some fresh flowers in a nice vase or some pot puree in a decretive bowl.
Try to remove dogs during inspections as some people are afraid "yes even of tiny friendly ones".
It is best that you are not in the home during the inspection as it can create a feeling of over-crowdedness, and can also make the buyer feel as they are imposing and as a result not relax and get a good feel for your home.
Attend to any general maintenance such as door knobs, light fixtures touch ups and anything that is generally speaking obvious to the buyer. Take care not to get into a major renovating job just make sure it is clean and looks well maintained.
So what's the twist?
The thing we have found is that you can look at your home and think that all these things need doing and it's going to cost a fortune and take forever to do. Remember the day you were rearranging the furniture, clipped the wall and put a little mark in the gyprock....for the last couple of years every time you walk past that spot you look at the mark. The first thing you want to tend too before any buyers come through is "that" mark. The problem here is that you see too much!
So, how do you stop seeing too much? Do the walk around as we have suggested, compile a list, then get someone else who is not that familiar with your home and who is not afraid to speak their mind to do the same. Compare lists then only do what you have both noticed. See a potential buyer who has never been in your home before is not going to notice the things that you do simply because they are trying to absorb the entire home. Whatever is not noticed is not important to fix! Remember your home is not a new show home it has been lived in and that is the appeal!
Rob Williams is the founder of Independent Real Estate Consulting(IREC), an independent body established to help consumers in Australia in their real estate dealings. IREC also provides an opportunity for sellers to avoid paying excessive real estate commissions through a unique referral system. Rob Williams has over 20 years of real estate experience and developed the business after witnessing increasing consumer demand for independent, impartial real estate advice and guidance.
Visit http://www.irec.com.au
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rob_P_Williams
It seems that the hot topic at the moment is how to prepare one's home for sale.
We were a little unsure about doing an email on this because it's pretty repetitive and we were sure that you have heard it all before, a number of times! But... we're going to put a bit of a twist on this...keep reading......
Your properties presentation is indeed very important and if ignored can greatly hamper the successful sale of what is probably your biggest asset.
It is also important to remember that you don't have to spend a fortune to present your home in its best light.
Most home buyers are attracted firstly by the appearance of your home, so it is important to remember the old adage "you never get a second chance to make a first impression".
This, we guess, is what you could call a guideline or checklist to help ensure that your home is ready to be presented to buyers, with confidence.
External appearance or "street appeal" is the first thing to consider.
Stand in front of your home and imagine for a moment that you are a potential buyer turning up for an inspection of the property.
Make sure lawns and gardens are neat and tidy, neatly trimmed edges are a big plus and you can always add a splash of colour with some inexpensive flowers.
If you have fences or gates that need repair it is best to tend to them now.
Clear your mailbox daily and remove any flyers that are sometimes left half in or perhaps fall out and look very unsightly.
Clean the gutters of any leaves or debris.
Make sure you give your windows the once over.
Clean driveways and footpaths and try if possible to keep garbage bins out of sight.
Lubricate any squeaky hinges and fix any loose door handles or knobs on your doors.
Remove any spider webs from your eaves or under verandas.
Make sure there is a door mat in place as this also indicates that you are conscious of keeping your home clean inside.
These items kept in check will greatly help in setting the mood when buyers first arrive, and will have them looking forward to seeing inside your home.
These may seem like simple things but if overlooked or treated as unimportant, they can greatly influence the decision of the buyer to inspect or not inspect.
Ok so that's outside taken care of lets look at the inside.
Inside the home is all about creating a feeling. Many buyers will have only taken a few steps inside a home when they 'feel' that it's right. It feels welcoming and homely.
Some areas you should look at are:-
Remove clutter as this makes your home seem smaller than it actually is.
Allow as much natural light in as possible by opening blinds.
If the weather permits it's always preferable to have a couple of windows partly open to allow fresh air through. If in winter or summer provide heating or cooling as necessary as the home should feel comfortable at all times.
Make sure bathrooms and kitchens are dazzling; these are the two main areas that the major decision maker rates. (whether we like to admit it or not, we all know who that is!)
Make sure that the home is clean and tidy, beds are made etc. "don't confuse tidiness with obsessive behaviour", it is quiet acceptable to have a newspaper on your coffee table or a magazine on your bedside table so focus on clean.
Smell is particularly important, and even more so if you have pets. Some odours that are familiar to you may be offensive to others. Clean bird cages regularly, place dog/cat bowls outside. If it is a concern you can purchase several types of odour neutralising aerosols or plug in types which remove any odour.
Rather than the fresh brewed coffee or the bread in the oven trick, which most buyers are aware of and indeed may be concerned that you are trying to mask a bad odour, why not try some fresh flowers in a nice vase or some pot puree in a decretive bowl.
Try to remove dogs during inspections as some people are afraid "yes even of tiny friendly ones".
It is best that you are not in the home during the inspection as it can create a feeling of over-crowdedness, and can also make the buyer feel as they are imposing and as a result not relax and get a good feel for your home.
Attend to any general maintenance such as door knobs, light fixtures touch ups and anything that is generally speaking obvious to the buyer. Take care not to get into a major renovating job just make sure it is clean and looks well maintained.
So what's the twist?
The thing we have found is that you can look at your home and think that all these things need doing and it's going to cost a fortune and take forever to do. Remember the day you were rearranging the furniture, clipped the wall and put a little mark in the gyprock....for the last couple of years every time you walk past that spot you look at the mark. The first thing you want to tend too before any buyers come through is "that" mark. The problem here is that you see too much!
So, how do you stop seeing too much? Do the walk around as we have suggested, compile a list, then get someone else who is not that familiar with your home and who is not afraid to speak their mind to do the same. Compare lists then only do what you have both noticed. See a potential buyer who has never been in your home before is not going to notice the things that you do simply because they are trying to absorb the entire home. Whatever is not noticed is not important to fix! Remember your home is not a new show home it has been lived in and that is the appeal!
Rob Williams is the founder of Independent Real Estate Consulting(IREC), an independent body established to help consumers in Australia in their real estate dealings. IREC also provides an opportunity for sellers to avoid paying excessive real estate commissions through a unique referral system. Rob Williams has over 20 years of real estate experience and developed the business after witnessing increasing consumer demand for independent, impartial real estate advice and guidance.
Visit http://www.irec.com.au
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rob_P_Williams
How To Sell Your Home In Today's Failing Housing Market
ป้ายกำกับ: Selling
By Allison Roberts
More American homeowners than ever are filing for bankruptcy or seeking help with their debts. A large percentage of these people struggling with their finances attempt to sell their homes and to escape a mortgage they cannot afford.
The mortgage industry is in a terrible financial state. News stories of subprime lending disasters plaster the evening news and many web sites. Smaller subprime lending companies have filed for bankruptcy, and even some of the most respected mortgage lenders are on the verge of insolvency as well. The government has even stepped in to keep the industry above water.
Many homeowners caught up in the housing debacle are desperate to sell their homes. Thousands of homes across the nation are for sale due to foreclosures, which makes it a buyer’s market. Buyers now have the luxury to be choosy due to the vast number of houses on the market.
You must offer the buyer the best product, which means home renovations are critical. If you invest time and money into renovating your home, then the payoff can be huge. You can sell your home and take advantage of the buyer’s market.
Real estate experts, and many home improvement shows, advise sellers about areas of their homes most important to the buyer. Kelly Todd, a real estate expert, suggests these four areas of your home to renovate if you’re hoping to sell quickly and for a profit:
Kitchen The kitchen is traditionally a gathering place for families. It serves as a meeting area, even if you’re not eating. A sleek, clean and organized kitchen adds value to your home.
Key elements:
Floors – If your floors are outdated, replace them with tile, wood, or a laminate alternative.
Cabinets and countertops – Get a price quote from a remodeling company for replacing both of these. Pick out new hardware for the cabinets and a sleek sink to match.
Appliances - Only replace your appliances if they are out of date, look shabby or do not work.
Paint – Paint your walls a neutral color to complement the new floor, countertops and cabinets.
Likely added value to the home: Up to $40,000 increase in sale price.
Bathrooms Remodeling your bathrooms is a good alternative if you cannot afford to redo the kitchen.
Key elements:
Floor and Walls – These set the atmosphere for the space. Ceramic floor tile is your best bet in the bathroom.
Shower and Tub – Bleach the tub until it shines. Replace the tile surrounding it and consider installing glass door fixtures to replace a plastic or cloth shower curtain.
Lighting and counters – Replace old light and sink fixtures, and install granite countertops. All elements make for a very stylish room.
Likely added value to your home: Up to $10,000 per bathroom increased sale price.
Landscape Your front yard is the first impression potential buyers will have of your home. Having a good curb appeal sets the tone for the rest of the house.
Key elements:
Yard – Lay new sod to make sure the grass is full.
Walkways – Stone or tile walkways with lighting add a stylish effect.
Plants – Replace all dead/dying plants with new healthy ones and get rid of any weeds in the flower bed. Mix shrubs with flowers.
Likely added value to your home: Up to $15,000 increased sale price.
Walls Clean and well-kept walls give your home an organized cozy feel.
Key elements:
Wallpaper – take it down. Do not paint over it. Sand walls after removing wallpaper to prepare them for fresh paint.
Paint – Choose rich colors that appeal to many people. Stay away from boring white. Freshly painted walls give the impression that your home is well cared for and clean.
Likely added value to your home: Up to $5,000 increased sale price.
Realtors, interior designers and home renovators laud these time-tested techniques for improving the value of your home. However, if you are suffering from extreme debt, it is unlikely that you will be able to attain a loan to make these home improvements.
Here are a few tips that won’t cost much for “staging” your home for a walk-through:
Clean out the clutter. Put all clutter into organized bins and store them in your garage or basement. Leave mainly furniture, appliances and accent items.
Paint. - A fresh coat of paint doesn’t cost much, and it will give your home a much newer, cozier and cleaner feel to a potential buyer.
New linens. - New linens on your beds improves the eye appeal of a bedroom. Also, consider rearranging the furniture. Potential buyers need to see the usability of the space.
Candles and lighting. - Set the mood. A few candles and off-set lighting can give your home a pleasant feel that will enable potential buyers to see themselves enjoying the space.
Mow the lawn. - This one is simple. Clean up the outside of your home. A mowed lawn and weeded flower bed increases your home’s curb appeal.
Regardless of why you are selling your home, following these suggestions will help you sell faster and survive the crumbling housing market. If you are in debt, it may seem scary to spend money on making improvements to a home you are selling. However, small improvements dramatically increase the value of your home and your potential profit.
Author Bio: Allison Roberts is a graduate of the University of North Texas Department of Journalism. She has experience in agency and in freelance public relations. Allison currently writes for Credit Solutions and she is completing an unfinished work of her late grandfather. For more articles by Allison on bankruptcy and bad credit visit Credit Solutions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Allison_Roberts
More American homeowners than ever are filing for bankruptcy or seeking help with their debts. A large percentage of these people struggling with their finances attempt to sell their homes and to escape a mortgage they cannot afford.
The mortgage industry is in a terrible financial state. News stories of subprime lending disasters plaster the evening news and many web sites. Smaller subprime lending companies have filed for bankruptcy, and even some of the most respected mortgage lenders are on the verge of insolvency as well. The government has even stepped in to keep the industry above water.
Many homeowners caught up in the housing debacle are desperate to sell their homes. Thousands of homes across the nation are for sale due to foreclosures, which makes it a buyer’s market. Buyers now have the luxury to be choosy due to the vast number of houses on the market.
You must offer the buyer the best product, which means home renovations are critical. If you invest time and money into renovating your home, then the payoff can be huge. You can sell your home and take advantage of the buyer’s market.
Real estate experts, and many home improvement shows, advise sellers about areas of their homes most important to the buyer. Kelly Todd, a real estate expert, suggests these four areas of your home to renovate if you’re hoping to sell quickly and for a profit:
Kitchen The kitchen is traditionally a gathering place for families. It serves as a meeting area, even if you’re not eating. A sleek, clean and organized kitchen adds value to your home.
Key elements:
Floors – If your floors are outdated, replace them with tile, wood, or a laminate alternative.
Cabinets and countertops – Get a price quote from a remodeling company for replacing both of these. Pick out new hardware for the cabinets and a sleek sink to match.
Appliances - Only replace your appliances if they are out of date, look shabby or do not work.
Paint – Paint your walls a neutral color to complement the new floor, countertops and cabinets.
Likely added value to the home: Up to $40,000 increase in sale price.
Bathrooms Remodeling your bathrooms is a good alternative if you cannot afford to redo the kitchen.
Key elements:
Floor and Walls – These set the atmosphere for the space. Ceramic floor tile is your best bet in the bathroom.
Shower and Tub – Bleach the tub until it shines. Replace the tile surrounding it and consider installing glass door fixtures to replace a plastic or cloth shower curtain.
Lighting and counters – Replace old light and sink fixtures, and install granite countertops. All elements make for a very stylish room.
Likely added value to your home: Up to $10,000 per bathroom increased sale price.
Landscape Your front yard is the first impression potential buyers will have of your home. Having a good curb appeal sets the tone for the rest of the house.
Key elements:
Yard – Lay new sod to make sure the grass is full.
Walkways – Stone or tile walkways with lighting add a stylish effect.
Plants – Replace all dead/dying plants with new healthy ones and get rid of any weeds in the flower bed. Mix shrubs with flowers.
Likely added value to your home: Up to $15,000 increased sale price.
Walls Clean and well-kept walls give your home an organized cozy feel.
Key elements:
Wallpaper – take it down. Do not paint over it. Sand walls after removing wallpaper to prepare them for fresh paint.
Paint – Choose rich colors that appeal to many people. Stay away from boring white. Freshly painted walls give the impression that your home is well cared for and clean.
Likely added value to your home: Up to $5,000 increased sale price.
Realtors, interior designers and home renovators laud these time-tested techniques for improving the value of your home. However, if you are suffering from extreme debt, it is unlikely that you will be able to attain a loan to make these home improvements.
Here are a few tips that won’t cost much for “staging” your home for a walk-through:
Clean out the clutter. Put all clutter into organized bins and store them in your garage or basement. Leave mainly furniture, appliances and accent items.
Paint. - A fresh coat of paint doesn’t cost much, and it will give your home a much newer, cozier and cleaner feel to a potential buyer.
New linens. - New linens on your beds improves the eye appeal of a bedroom. Also, consider rearranging the furniture. Potential buyers need to see the usability of the space.
Candles and lighting. - Set the mood. A few candles and off-set lighting can give your home a pleasant feel that will enable potential buyers to see themselves enjoying the space.
Mow the lawn. - This one is simple. Clean up the outside of your home. A mowed lawn and weeded flower bed increases your home’s curb appeal.
Regardless of why you are selling your home, following these suggestions will help you sell faster and survive the crumbling housing market. If you are in debt, it may seem scary to spend money on making improvements to a home you are selling. However, small improvements dramatically increase the value of your home and your potential profit.
Author Bio: Allison Roberts is a graduate of the University of North Texas Department of Journalism. She has experience in agency and in freelance public relations. Allison currently writes for Credit Solutions and she is completing an unfinished work of her late grandfather. For more articles by Allison on bankruptcy and bad credit visit Credit Solutions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Allison_Roberts
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