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Selling Guides
Major mistakes made by sellers
From incorrect financing to lack of preparation, there are countless mistakes that a seller can make when putting their house on the market. This report covers some of the most common mistakes made by sellers during the property selling process.
If you're serious about selling your house, it's
Selling Guides
Major mistakes made by sellers
From incorrect financing to lack of preparation, there are countless mistakes that a seller can make when putting their house on the market. This report covers some of the most common mistakes made by sellers during the property selling process.
If you're serious about selling your house, it's important that you know the facts. It seems like a simple prospect – just put your house on the market, show it to a few buyers, and make the sale – but as many sellers find out, selling a home can be a difficult, expensive and long prospect. By knowing some valuable information about the real estate industry, as well as some tips and tricks about selling your property, you'll be able to more effectively tackle today's real estate market. This report will tell you how you can:
- Avoid making mistakes when selling your home
- Make you aware of the most common mistakes home sellers make
10 Biggest Mistakes that Sellers Make
Selling your home can be a difficult job, especially since you're competing against hundreds of other properties. It's vital that you be aware of what works and doesn't work when it comes to home selling. Consider the following list of the most common mistakes made by home sellers:
Mistake 1: Setting the wrong price for your homeMistake 2: Selling your home in ‘As-Is' conditionMistake 3: Selling your home with a dull interiorMistake 4: No ‘Curb Appeal'Mistake 5: Over-improving your homeMistake 6: Financing IncentivesMistake 7: Stretching out buyer negotiationsMistake 8: Being Adversarial during negotiationsMistake 9: Not having a presentable houseMistake 10: Selling without a professional
28 Home-Selling Tips
"...discover how to protect and capitalize on your most important investment.."
Because your home may well be your largest asset, selling it is probably one of the most important decisions you will make in your life. To better understand the home selling process, a guide has been prepared from current industry insider reports. Through these 27 tips you will discover how to protect and capitalize on your most important investment, reduce stress, be in control of your situation, and make the most profit possible.
1. Understand Why You Are Selling Your Home2. Keep the Reason(s) You are Selling to Yourself3. Before Setting a Price - Do Your Homework4. Setting Your Home's Sale Price5. Do Some "Home Shopping" Yourself6. When Getting an Appraisal is a Benefit7. Tax Assessments - What They Really Mean8. Deciding Upon a Real Estate Agent9. Ensure You Have Room to Negotiate10. Appearances Do Matter - Make them Count!11. Invite the Honest Opinions of Others12. Get it Spic n' Span Clean and Fix Everything, Even If It Seems Insignificant13. Allow Prospective Buyers to Visualize Themselves in Your Home14. Deal Killer Odours - Must Go!15. Be a Smart Seller - Disclose Everything16. It's Better With More Prospects17. Keep Emotions in Check During Negotiations18. Learn Why Your Buyer is Motivated19. What the Buyer Can Really Pay20. When the Buyer Would Like to Close21. Never Sign a Deal on Your Next Home Until You Sell Your Current Home22. Moving Out Before You Sell Can Put You at a Disadvantage23. Deadlines Create A Serious Disadvantage24. A Low Offer - Don't Take It Personally25. Turn That Low Offer Around26. Maybe the Buyer's Not Qualified27. Ensure the Contract is Complete28. Resist Deviating From the Contract
Home Improvements
"... an 80% recovery at resale is still a 20% loss..."
Whether you're considering remodelling worn-out surroundings, enlarging your home for a growing family or rebelling against yesterday's standards, you have important investment choices to make. You'll want to choose home improvements that not only pay off in recovery of the money you spend, but also help you get a better price for your home when and if you sell it. Keep in mind that, considering today's market, it may be a smarter move to sell and buy again rather than endure a major construction project. After all, even an 80% recovery at resale is still a 20% loss.
Your Reasons for Home Improvement
The first piece of advice is never, ever try and renovate a part of your home, simply for the purpose of selling. You are incurring a huge risk here. The housing market can be volatile, and you never know which amenities are going to pay-off. If you renovate for yourself, you at least know you will get value simply by the enjoyment of the change. Your potential buyer may walk into the improved room, declare they don't like it, and then change it immediately. They won't care if you just sunk $30,000 into it. If you are looking to spruce up your home a little bit, before you sell, just make minor cosmetic changes, like painting. They are fast, inexpensive and there is little risk. If you know that you will be living in a home for some time, but you also know that in the future (perhaps when all of your children move out) you'll be selling it. You should try and balance, which home improvements will pay-off the most, and which ones you would most like to enjoy. For instance, there is little point in renovating the basement, if you never go down there. It's better just to leave it a blank slate for the next homeowner.
The following is a list projecting which home improvement initiatives often produce the best results upon resale value. Naturally these numbers are not rock solid. There are many factors including your local housing market and what kind of improvements you undertake.
- Kitchen Remodel (minor) - 125%
- Basement Remodel - 98%
- Bathroom Addition - 96%
- Kitchen Remodel (major) - 92%
- Bathroom Remodel - 90%
- Exterior Paint - 90%
- Master Bedroom - 86%
So, here you can see that home improvements to kitchens and bathrooms, pay excellent dividends. Not only that but they are often the most enjoyable changes for your everyday living.
Home Improvements with a Low Return:
Generally improvement of attics and basements yield a very low return, unless of course you do something radical. Then the risk is very high, but the return could be enormous. For instance, a tranquility tank is not going to appeal to many people, but if you find a buyer that is all about tranquility, you'll make your money back, and more.
1. Use Good Judgment2. Kind of Improvement3. Scope of Improvement4. Fad = Bad5. Cost6. New Windows7. Creating New Space8. To Help You Decide
Your House Didn't Sell – Now What?
"... The first thing to do is take a step back and analyze the situation..."
You put your home up for sale and it simply didn't sell. Undoubtedly, this has created a lot of stress, inconvenience and anxiety for you and your family. Perhaps you already bought another home. Maybe you needed this home sold because of a job change. Regardless of the reason, it's certainly a burden! What Should You Do?
The first thing to do is to take a step back and analyze the situation. Try to assess what factors led to your home not selling. Below are the top four reasons why homes tend to languish on the market.
Reason 1: Is The Property Overpriced?Reason 2: Condition Of The PropertyReason 3: Was Your Property Aggressively Marketed?Reason 4: Finally, and Most Importantly, Did You Hire The “Right” Real Estate Agent?
How to Sell Your Home Yourself
If you ask anyone who has ever tried to sell their home themselves, they'll tell you that from the moment the "For Sale by Owner" sign goes up, the phone begins to ring. Unfortunately, many of those calls will not be from prospective buyers but rather from real estate agents looking to obtain your listing.
Obviously the idea of not having to pay a commission to a real estate agent is attractive to any home seller. But because of all the issues involved in the process, selling a home on one's own can be as challenging as many home sellers will attest to. The key is to be properly prepared. If you are not, your home could remain on the market longer than you expect because you are not attracting and getting offers from qualified buyers. This can be the point where many homeowners become frustrated and consider giving up their dream of selling their home themselves.
However, there are sellers who successfully accomplish selling their own homes. You can be one of them. This industry report has been especially prepared to assist home sellers, such as yourself, understand the elements involved so you, on your own, can sell your home quickly for the most amount of profit.
To help you prepare, here are 10 inside tips that you should be aware of before you make the decision as to whether or not this is the right approach for you.
1. Price it Right2. Prepare your Home for Sale3. Prepare Yourself with all Necessary Legal Documentation4. Market Your Home Effectively5. Remain Objective During a Showing of Your Home6. Pre-Qualify Your Prospects7. Negotiate Effectively & Knowledgeably8. Know Your Buyer9. Don't Move Out Before You Sell10. Know Why You're Selling and Keep it to Yourself11. How to Assess Your Net Gain
Why It Is So Important That Your Home Is Correctly Priced and Marketed Properly
"... Your home is your castle--even when it's for sale..."
Let's say your terms are competitive: your timing's clearly set. Now, what about your asking price? Without question, price is your most important sales tool. Here's why:
The period of best opportunity for selling a home at a reasonable price is the first four weeks after it is put on the market. Buyers who have seen most available listings are waiting for just the right house to come on the market. If your house is priced right from the beginning, you are in the best position to attract the maximum number of buyers able to pay the price your home is worth - and to sell your home within your timetable.
If your house is under priced, you may be swamped with lookers and perhaps get many offers. But you could lose thousands on one of your family's largest investments.
If your house is overpriced, lookers are apt to be few and far between, with little chance of any offers to pay your unrealistic price. You may lower your price later, but by that time you will have missed many of the most interested buyers.
1. How do you Set the Right Price?2. Why is overpricing risky?3. Is it Ever Smart to Under Price?4. How a Market Analysis Helps Price it Right
Passing the Home Inspection – What Buyers Are Looking For
When you put your home up for sale you place it directly under the scrutiny of buyers. Superficial changes, such as new paint and resurfaced floors can do a lot to enhance your home's appeal, but when it comes to an offer, most serious buyers will seek the assistance of a professional home inspector to ensure that the house is sound beneath the surface.
During most home inspections there are over forty problem areas that will be examined for correct function and condition. It is important that you are aware of what areas buyers will examine, and what you can do to ensure that these are in proper working order. In most cases you'll be able to conduct a reasonable inspection yourself, if you know what to look for. This report will elaborate on some of the more important home inspection points, and will include information on:
- Home Inspection areas and what to look for
- How to make sure your home is as good beneath the surface as it is above
1. Home Inspection2. Plumbing3. Damp or Wet Basement4. Damp Attic Spaces5. Roofing Problems6. Rotting Wood7. Masonry Work8. Inadequate Wiring and Electrical Systems9. Unsafe or Over Fused Electrical Circuits10. Poor Heating and Cooling Systems11. Adequate Security Features12. Structural/Foundation Problems
When Smaller is Sweeter - How to Take the Money and Run
Your house is quiet except for the hum of the refrigerator or the voices from the TV. The rooms are filled with pictures and memories, but the children have grown and gone. You spend hours each week cleaning rooms you never use. Are you an “empty nester” who needs a house for the future? Is it time to downsize or to move into another home more suitable for your retirement years? Here are some tell tale signs:
Your current home is too large for your lifestyle. Rather than close off the extra rooms or rent out the excess space, you may opt to move to a smaller home.
You are retired and your income is lower than it was during your prime working years. You may want or need to sell your current home and move to one with a smaller mortgage payment or less upkeep. Maybe you could live more comfortably in a lower cost-of-living area. If you have loaded up a home equity loan, selling the home could give you welcome cash to eliminate those payments.
As you approach your golden years, your wish is to have a home with hew, if any, stairs, or one which could easily converted to be handicap-accessible if the need arises.
You prefer a location where the weather is more to your year-round liking and where there are activities you like – golf, tennis, boating, or socializing with seniors – during your leisure time.
There is no capital gains tax on the sale of your principal residence. The profit on the sale of your home is tax free, which can provide you with an additional nest egg amount to use for your pleasure and leisure.
Getting it Sold
Once you have decided to sell and move, take a critical look at your current home. Even the best-maintained homes begin to show age.
Before you list your home for sale, be sure it's in “move-in” condition. Make needed repairs and replacements so the house will show at its best.
Remember, homes that sell fastest and for top dollar show like a model home and are merchandised like a model, too. How does your home compare with other homes for sale, including new homes? Do you want to undergo major renovations, or would you prefer to make price concessions to help your home compete?
Here are some specific questions to ask yourself:
- Are kitchen appliances up to date and in good working order? Does the kitchen have popular features like a microwave, or and island?
- Up-to-date homes often have a master bedroom suite. Does yours? Does the master bathroom have a spa or soaking tub or dual-shower heads?
- Do you have a home office? Is telephone wiring adequate to support an office phone, computer modem, fax machine?
- Have you built any additions – a deck, patio, carport, sunroom – without first obtaining a building permit or without passing inspection?
- Do carpets and tile need to be replaced? Will a professional cleaning make them look like new?
- What do the walls look like? Do they suffer from puppy-bite or kitty-scratch? Should old, tired wallpaper be removed? Do walls and woodwork need repainting?
- Can you make closets and counters look larger? Are there items you can pack away and do without until after you move?
- Are shrubs and trees neat and does the yard look well kept and attractive?
- How does your home compare to others currently for sale now? What can you do to make it say, “Buy me!”
Price is one answer. If you've owned your home for years, chances are good you've got some serious equity. Perhaps you can afford to be flexible on price in order to get it sold. After all, to get the best possible sale today, a house must be in tip-top condition in every way: price, condition, terms and exposure. That's where we come in. Give us a call.
How You Know it's Time to Move
Reason #10: When you first bought the house, you were out in the country, but now that same house is part of the city scene.
Reason #9: You can't get anything repaired because "they stopped making those parts years ago."
Reason #8: The swing set out in the backyard has grown roots.
Reason #7: The plumber's phone number is on your speed dial.
Reason #6: You're on a first-name basis with the handyman.
Reason #5: The children's rooms have all been turned into guest bedrooms.
Reason #4: The newspaper lining the guest room dresser is dated July 4th, 1976.
Reason #3: You have to move the furniture to see the carpet's original colour.
Reason #2: You can't do anything to the exterior of your home without getting approval from the "Board of Historic Places".
Reason #1: You haven't visited half the house in the last six months.
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Buying Guides
6 Mistakes to Avoid When Trading Up to a Larger Home
Unlike the experience of buying a first home, when you're looking to move-up, and already own a home, there are certain factors that can complicate the situation. It's very important for you to consider these issues before you list your home for sale.
Not only is there the i
Buying Guides
6 Mistakes to Avoid When Trading Up to a Larger Home
Unlike the experience of buying a first home, when you're looking to move-up, and already own a home, there are certain factors that can complicate the situation. It's very important for you to consider these issues before you list your home for sale.
Not only is there the issue of financing to consider, but you also have to sell your present home at exactly the right time in order to avoid either the financial burden of owning two homes or, just as bad, the dilemma of having no place to live during the gap between closings.
Six Mistakes
In this report, we outline the six most common mistakes homeowners make when moving to a larger home. Knowledge of these six mistakes, and the strategies to overcome them, will help you make informed choices before you put your existing home on the market.
Mistake 1: Rose-colored glassesMistake 2: Failing to make necessary improvementsMistake 3: Not selling firstMistake 4: Failing to get a pre-approved mortgageMistake 5: Getting caught in the Real Estate Catch 22Mistake 6: Failing to coordinate closings
7 Things You Must Know About Mortgages Before You Buy
Mortgage regulations have changed significantly over the last few years, making your options wider than ever. Subtle changes in the way you approach mortgage shopping, and even small differences in the way you structure your mortgage, can cost or save you literally thousands of dollars and years of expense.
1. Get the Right Information2. You can, and should, get pre-approved for a mortgage before you go looking for a home3. Know what monthly dollar amount you feel comfortable committing to4. You should be thinking about your long-term goals, and expected situation, to determine the type of mortgage that will best suit your needs5. Make sure you understand what prepayment privileges and payment frequency options are available to you6. Ask if your mortgage is both portable and/or assumable7. You should seriously consider dealing with a Mortgage Expert
8 Simple Secrets to Avoid Costly Mistakes Buying Your Dream Home
So you've finally decided to buy your next home. Problem is while you were making up your mind, other fence sitters jumped into the home market too. Now you may be facing some competition for the best properties. What to do? Just because there are other buyers in the market doesn't mean you can't come away with your dream house. But to be a successful buyer in today's real estate market you're going to need help.
Your first best move is to know a few inside tricks. As experienced real estate professionals we have many more than eight ways to increase your chances of landing a prize property despite heavy competition. The following tested tips will increase your market savvy and sharpen your competitive position. Then you'll be ready to act quickly the minute you see that perfect house.
Step 1: Get Pre-ApprovedStep 2: Beat the Competition to the Newest ListingsStep 3: Do Your ResearchStep 4: Have your Agent Present the Offer in PersonStep 5: Prove you Mean BusinessStep 6: Stay CoolStep 7: Keep It Simple And CleanStep 8: Don't be a Lone Wolf
9 Buyer Traps and How to Avoid Them
No matter which way you look at it buying a home is a major investment. For many homebuyers however, it can be an even more expensive process than it needs to be because many fall prey to at least a few of the many common and costly mistakes which trap them into either:
- paying too much for the home they want, or
- losing their dream home to another buyer, or
- (worse) buying the wrong home for their needs.
A systemized approach to the home buying process can help you steer clear of these common traps, allowing you to not only cut costs, but also secure the home that's best for you.
This important report discusses the nine most common and costly of these homebuyer traps, how to identify them, and what you can do to avoid them.
Trap 1: Bidding BlindTrap 2: Buying the Wrong HomeTrap 3: Unclear TitleTrap 4: Inaccurate SurveyTrap 5: Undisclosed Fix-upsTrap 6: Not Getting Mortgage Pre-approvalTrap 7: Contract MissesTrap 8: Hidden CostsTrap 9: Rushing the Closing
How Much Should I Expect to Pay on Closing Costs?
Whether you're looking to buy your first home, or trading up to a larger one, there are many costs – on top of the purchase price – that you must figure into your calculation of affordability. These extra fees, such as taxes and other additional costs, could surprise you with an unwanted financial nightmare on closing day if you're not informed and prepared.
Some of these costs are one-time fixed payments, while others represent an ongoing monthly or yearly commitment. Not all of these costs will apply in every situation, however it's better to know about them ahead of time so you can budget properly.
Remember that buying a home is a major milestone. Whether it's your first, second or tenth home, there are many important details to address during the process. The last thing you need is unbudgeted financial obligations cropping up hours before you take possession of your new home.
Read through the following checklist to make sure you're budgeting properly for your next move.
1. Appraisal Fee2. Property Taxes3. Survey Fee4. Property Insurance5. Service Charges6: Legal Fees7. Mortgage Loan Insurance Fee8. Mortgage Brokers Fee9. Moving Costs10. Maintenance Fees11. Water Quality and Quality Certification12. Local Improvements13. Land Transfer Tax
Stop Paying Rent – A guide to becoming a homeowner rather than a home-renter
From basement suites to full houses, renting is a huge business in this country. If you currently rent, you know that paying out those hundreds of dollars every month to line the pockets of your landlord is not a pleasant task. However, like most renters you probably feel stuck in a home that isn't even yours simply because you can't save up that down payment for your own home.
This report contains details on how you can stop paying rent and start contributing to your own financial future, rather than that of your landlord. By knowing some valuable information about the real estate industry, as well as some tips and tricks about property ownership, you'll be able to start on the road from renting to owning. This report will tell you how you can:
- Save for a down payment for your property
- Make best use of your financial institution, and other loan sources
- Consider reversing the rental roles
7 Little-known Facts That Can Help You Purchase Your First Home
Purchasing your first home can be challenging. Your monthly cash flow may easily cover the proposed mortgage costs, but perhaps accumulating the down payment is what you find difficult. Or maybe you have financial reserves, but cash flow is what's holding you back. Whatever the reasons, purchasing a new property can still be accomplished, regardless of your financial standing. Consider the following facts:
1. The down payment on your property doesn't have to be as large as you think2. Your lender may help you with your down payment and closing costs3. The seller may assist you in purchasing your home4. You may be able to borrow without going into debt5. While purchasing, consider becoming a landlord yourself6. You may be able to secure a loan even with a lower credit rating7. Secure a mortgage before you begin your searching
Where to go from here?
This report is designed to illustrate that you have options other than paying large monthly payments to your landlord. It is clear that with a little creativity and help from a real estate professional, you can make the break from renting to owning.
Make sure to consider your options – this report is not designed to make you feel obligated to purchase a home. If you're interested in more information, please contact your real estate agent.
Saving Money – A guide to saving thousands of dollars when buying a home
Buying a home is one of the most expensive purchases you'll ever make, and by following some simple guidelines you can stand to save thousands of dollars. If you're like most people shopping for a home you're probably trying to match a home that fits your needs perfectly, with the lowest possible price.
When looking for a home yourself, it's important to know how previous successful homebuyers have purchased their homes for thousands of dollars below a seller's asking price. Skills like negotiation are handy, but the fundamentals are often overlooked. This report will cover the following:
- Steps for saving thousands when you buy a home
- How sellers price their homes
Here are some simple steps that will save your thousands when you purchase a home.
Going into the home-buying process with some basic knowledge in the area can make all the difference. The following are some simple, but often overlooked, points that every homebuyer should take into account.
Step 1: Be sure about what you wantStep 2: Shopping with powerful helpStep 3: Understand how sellers set their asking price
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OUR PROMISE:
We do provide the Full Service Real Estate including : Searching and Showing the Properties of Interest, Provide Updated Market Analysis, be a part of your Home Inspection Process etc. We will Represent and Assist you as any other certified full service agent on the market.
Mission Statement
To provide full real estate servic
OUR PROMISE:
We do provide the Full Service Real Estate including : Searching and Showing the Properties of Interest, Provide Updated Market Analysis, be a part of your Home Inspection Process etc. We will Represent and Assist you as any other certified full service agent on the market.
Mission Statement
To provide full real estate services dedicated to making the buying and selling of real estate as cost effective as possible, allowing clients to keep more of their investment.