Competitive Advantage in a Seller's Market Tip #1

Tip #1  Pre-Qualification -VS- Pre-Approval

Are You a Savvy Seller?

3 Top Selling Tips To Save You Money!

Let's face it...  Owning a home is one of the greatest freedoms one could possibly obtain.  And if you're lucky enough to own in a seller's market, you not only have freedom, but also a place of power!  Lucky for you this is what is happening right now in our market, and the forecast says it will continue into 2014.  

Here Are Some Things To Look Out For!

1.  Overprice Your Home:  This is a big one!  It may sound like a mixed message to want every last penny out of your home without being greedy, but it is definitely possible, and not to mention the best approach!  It comes down to staging your place properly, and pricing it correctly.  Even after all is said and done,  the secret is to not become attached to the price you start at.  As soon as you attach yourself to a number, you've already set yourself up for disappointment.  Trust that your home will sell for what it is truly worth, and trust the process.  The market will always yield you what your home is worth in the end.  So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!  

Advice:  Even if it is a very emotional decision, try to be as practical as you can about the process.  Hire an agent who will gently remind you (someone who will be by your side every step of the way).  

2.  Clutter:  This one is really simple!  Just don't do it!  Declutter the entire house by removing most items on the countertops, family photos, magnets and pictures from the refrigerator.  If you find yourself overwhelmed with this process, not to worry, it is an easy fix.  If you have a garage or attic space, you can box everything up and store it nicely.  Buyers will look beyond the boxes in the garage or attic because these are not living areas.  It is only when all of your things are in the living areas does it distract the eye, and buyers cannot look at your place wholeheartedly.  

Advice:  Talk to a professional stager who can give you advice or maybe even add a couple of items to your place to add that finishing touch.  

3.  Play The Field:  Hiring the wrong agent is a secret sale killer.  The wrong agent who is not up to date on the local market can cost you a lot of money.  It's the old 80/20 rule where 20% of the realtors are doing 80% of the work.  Knowing what properties are coming on the market daily is crucial, and your realtor should be checking the MLS daily.  

Advice:  Interview at least 3 agents before listing your home.  Ask them how many of the homes they list actually sell!  

It can be very exciting to have multiple offers on your home!  So let's do this with excitement, with skill, and with our best ethics in mind.  At the end of the day, you want to feel good about the choices you have made, right?  

Are You A 
Savvy Homebuyer?

4 Tips On How To Save Money!

Let's be honest...  It costs a lot of money just to be alive in our modern day busy lives, never mind trying to also purchase a home.  

This will be one of the biggest decisions and largest investments you will make in your life, and you need to know every way you can save money.  

Here are some great ways to do just that!  

1.  Market Age:  "Market Age" is a term we realtors use to describe those listings that have been on the market for a while.  The one that just won't sell because the sellers will not budge on their price (or for any other reason), and now many buyers think something is wrong with that home.  Well, what if there is nothing wrong with the home and it is simply overpriced?  The ball is in now your court!  Even in a "seller's market" this still happens, and it is a great way you can gain leverage if you like the home.  

Advice:  Ask your Real Estate agent to run comparables for you to let you know what the "true" value is.

2.  Foreclosures:  I hesitate to offer advice on purchasing a foreclosure, because as the saying goes, "It is not for the faint of heart."  However, if you are willing to put in the work, sometimes you can find a great deal. When I say "work," I do not just mean physical labor.  Work also requires you to do research, and to hire a team of people who are going to be by your side.  Your realtor, your appraiser, your attorney (make sure the person is a real estate attorney), and a contractor who can give you a quote on labor and material costs.  

Advice:  Be sure your Real Estate agent has foreclosure experience, and be sure to research the foreclosure process locally.  Some states are "Strict Foreclosure" states, and some are "Judgment States."  

3.  Closing Costs:  Now this is my favorite one to discuss, because this is one of those costs that is loaded with complexity, and it confuses many people.  I could write an entire blog entry on what closing costs consist of, but I will save that one for later.  Closing costs can run anywhere between $5,000 - $10,000, or more! Wow!  That is a lot of money, and outside of your down payment, this is probably the one that will hurt the most!  But it doesn't have to be so painful!  Did you know that you can ask the seller to pay your closing costs for you?  Yes, that's right!  Every single last penny paid by the seller.  Ah, relief...  

Advice:  Hire an experienced agent who is excellent at negotiating, and who can persuade the listing agent why this is a great idea (It happens all of the time).  

4.  Home Inspections:  This is a great time to ask for things you want fixed.  You're already paying a significant amount of money, and you should feel relaxed and at ease after you close.  For example, you may find that the house has an aged roof that you would like replaced, and you just learned that it is going to cost $10,000.  Do you really want that hanging over your head?  No?  Well, this would be a perfect time to ask the seller to fix the roof.  Sometimes this works, sometimes the two parties end up splitting the cost. There are many ways you can negotiate repair items (be sure you hire an agent who knows how to do this well). 

Advice:  Have repairs priced out by two different professionals so you have evidence you can provide the seller when making your repair requests.  

Here's to spending less and gaining more!