“Old Fashioned” way to sell still works

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Throughout the years techniques used to attract home buyers continuously changed with new trends coming in a old ideas never leaving.
Since real estate internet sites have now surpassed the “for sale sign” as the most effective way for a buyer to find a property listing a lot of effort is put into making the ad look attractive.
The use of photography has evolved from a front view placed in the newspaper, on to virtually tours and now the use of cameras on a drone to showcase a listing.
All of these methods are definite time savers for a buyer
and can easily shorten their “must see” list.
If you are the seller of a property keep in mind that whatever is photographed does not go to a limited audience. Once it hits the internet not only prospective buyers are looking at what you have to sell. Co-workers, relatives, your neighbors, school friends, church friends and on and on will be able to step into your personal space. Take the time to discuss this with your agent and consider areas of your home or property that you would not be comfortable with anyone other than a prospective buyer viewing.
Regardless of how the property is presented the one thing that never changes is the price being in balance with the value. A property that is priced in line with the current market values for the location and condition is the most effective way to have a successful sale in a reasonable amount of time. Over priced properties will be a great challenge to sell for the asking price regardless of how many billboards, magazine ads, virtual tours, websites they are advertised on….

Advertised pricing based on the condition and location= sold!

My Fence in Your Yard…

I’m just going come right out and say this as clear as I can…if you are not exacttly sure of the boundary lines and the location of all improvements including those tanks buried under ground on a piece of property you are preparing to purchase, hire a surveyor.

One of the most common problems in a real estate transaction discovered after the sale is a boundary line issue. In almost every case that I have seen a new survey would have revealed the problem.

Most commonly it is a driveway or fence that inches over onto a neighbors land. In a more extreme case a home buyer built a home on a lot in a new home community. All the legal work including their ownership deed and mortgage referenced the purchase of a different lot the builder owned. As a result, they owned a very expensive house built on a piece of real estate they did not legally own. The mistake was discovered years later when they decided to sell and it is a title mess. Along with the fact that you must get the person who owns the land your home is on to agree to sell it to you.

Many buyers rely on tax maps, subdivision plats, plot plans, concrete markers, flags, iron pins , natural barriers and a number of other monuments to identify boundaries. In most cases these identifiers are accurate. But the most accurate is a new survey at the time of purchase.

For more information:http://nsps.site-ym.com/?page=WhenyouneedaSurv

Employing a real estate professional

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Once you have made the decision to buy or sell real property, the next step will be to find the right person to navigate the process for you. Real estate professionals offer a specialized service, but not all are well rounded in every phase of the profession. The most commonly used services are:

Residential home Sales-At the top of the list for the most commonly used, the buyer and seller should use someone that is knowledgeable of the location they are interested in.

New home sales-Many builders will employ staff to handle the sale. Can be beneficial and may save money for a buyer as long as you keep in mind the salesperson will not be representing your interest.

Commercial Sales-this is very specific and your agent should come with proven results of qualification in this field. You can search local real estate boards for agents in this alliance.

Land and farm-Another specialty market and I recommend using an agent with a proven resume of knowledge in this phase.

Resort properties-Some may offer onsite sales representatives that can be very helpful since these properties typically have ownership regimes, rules and limited financing options.

Real estate agents make a great effort to build a referral database of past customers and clients. You may simply find the right agent just by asking family, friends and co-workers for a recommendation.

Always take the time to interview an agent or maybe three. Ask the agent to bring a business resume with references to the interview. You may also ask for a marketing plan to sell, or a summary of their negotiating skills if you are a purchaser. You should not base your decision to hire an agent based on the value they presented of a property unless a prepared analysis is reviewed.

During the interview you should discuss the fee for the service and the terms of your employment agreement. Fees are typically paid on a percentage of a sales price, but some brokerage firms offer a menu of services that are a set rate. An example of a set rate service may be when a buyer or seller already has the negotiations done on a property but needs a professional to take it through the steps to a successful closing.

The relationship between you and your agent should be comfortable and trust worthy. If it is not that way, you can almost be sure it is a mutual feeling. Some folks just don’t click.

Real estate laws vary from state to state, and agents are likely to take required continuing education. So whether the agent is new to the business or a seasoned professional you should be confident that they are keeping your best interest in mind.

Best wishes for selecting an agent that “gets people moving”

A Kind find

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For some home sellers, the old saying of “home is where the heart is” really has a deep meaning.
Memories of family and friends, life events, decorating and remodeling all come bright to life when the reality of selling your home is looking straight at you.
Buyers that are complimenting, comfortable and avoid talking about the changes they will make to a home with the homeowner put themselves in a favorable position when negotiating an offer especially if they are in a multiple offer situation.
There are sellers that will accept a lower priced offer or try to negotiate an offer simply because they like the buyer. The idea of dealing with kinder, reasonable people has value during a real estate transaction that is packed full of conditions, deadlines and overall stress.
To achieve a successful transaction that works for everyone, cooperation and communication between the parties involved are essential. A buyer or seller that has rejected a term offered by the other party should understand that is likely due to the parameters in which that party can perform, and not create a personal conflict.

Keep smiling, happy home shopping, and put a few compliments out there…it may not always work but it’s worth a try 🙂

Covenants, zoning and HOA’S

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Before you decide on the location of your real estate purchase or during your due diligence period take the time to do some homework.
All of the above come with rules that will become part of your ownership responsibility.
They also affect your long term plans and budget, so let’s get started and I’ll make this a simple as possible.
Zoning is applied though your local government, information on how a property is zoned is usually attainable through the tax assessors office. An example of zoning may be that you are looking to buy a property for a mobile home when in fact stick built homes will only be allowed in the area, or the setback requirement that states where on a lot you must place your home or improvement.

Restrictive or protective covenants, may be recorded at the county courthouse or conveyed in your deed. Even if a neighborhood has not been complying they are still worth reading. A few examples of a covenant may be the ability to lease your property at anytime, what kind of pets are allowed, landscaping ornaments, the size of your home and house paint colors or finishes.

Homeowners associations are usually managed by the home owners, the declarant of the covenants or with the help of a management company. The Homeowners association enforces the covenants, collects dues, and oversees the maintenance of common areas , and amenities in a community. They may also become active in issues of the greater community to promote the best interest of their neighborhood.

You can almost be certain that zoning will apply, a good chance of covenants, and home owners and property owners associations are most popular in newer developments and condominiums. Zoning requirements take precedence over restrictive covenants.

Happy home shopping 🙂

Buying into the American dream for the first time

It all starts with the idea. A new job, relocation, looking for a tax deduction, or you may just be ready to move on from the family home. These are just a few reasons to get you thinking about a home purchase and below are a few tips to get you started.

The very first thing to consider is your budget. If you are going to mortgage a home your loan officer can be a very useful resource in assisting you with down payment options, the term of your loan by the number of years, current interest rates, how much you can borrow and what most people care about is “the monthly payment”. I always advised buyers to carefully select the mortgage offered to them because it is a long term commitment and refinancing later typically results in more fees added on to the cost to pay off their home.

Once your price range is determined, decide on the location. This is a very important choice because the only way to change it after you buy would be to move again. The location can also play a part in your budget because taxes and home insurance costs vary from area to area. At times you can simply cross a county line to note a variable in these two items. Even a cash buyer should look at location carefully for this same reason. Buyers can request that their real estate agent prepare a market analysis of more than one of your favorite locations and that will tell you how the market is trending and help you make this decision. This will also give you an indication of how real estate appreciates in the area.

After you know your price point and location make a list of your “needs and wants”. Begin with the most important and note everything you can think of. You may be prepared enough to get it all but don’t be disappointed if the list gets shortened during your home search. Make sure to take your time looking so you don’t settle and keep in mind it may take months. Your real estate agent will be there to assist you in making the choice that is right for you. When you find it you will know it!

Happy home shopping 🙂

Alice