Sunday, April 29, 2007

Vacant Home or "Open House"?

If you move out of your home while it's on the market, you'll expect your real estate agent to handle showings in your absence. But how do you avoid the unwanted attention that a vacant home can attract from uninvited intruders?

There are many suggestions to offer to increase your security. While your agent likely won't have the time available to constantly monitor your home, you do have the option of registering with the local police department, so that officers assigned to your neighborhood can keep an eye on your home and perform security checks as needed (generally at no charge).

If you have a security system already installed, be sure to notify your service that the house is empty, and provide an emergency contact number. Also employ a caretaker for the grounds, to keep the yard clean and maintained for a more lived-in look. Stop your newspaper deliveries and make sure your mail is being forwarded to your new address before your big moving day.

Don't leave anything valuable behind, and be sure to program all of the lights on timers, inside and out. An overlooked issue, however, is to not leave the lights on all night, as that is actually an obvious clue that no one is home.

Some simple planning now can save you untold worry and stress later. Enjoy your move!

Sunday, April 22, 2007

An Ounce of Prevention!

What does the phrase "title search" mean to you? Aside from an activity at the local library, its purpose is critical to the successful sale of a home. A title search is performed by an attorney in order to guarantee that there are no unknown liens on or claims to a property.

Because title searches are often ordered only after a purchase contract is on the table, problems can suddenly turn up at the eleventh hour, causing delays in the closing. That's why it may be advisable for the sellers to request a title search before even listing their property for sale.

What sort of problems might a title search unearth? There might be an "unreleased mortgage," which happens when a previous refinance is paid off, but the lender fails to file a release on the old mortgage. Property taxes may appear to be unpaid until filing errors are discovered. A divorce or death in the family may not be properly reflected in the ownership structure. Sometimes property records are fraudulently used to commit identity theft.

This is not to say that these errors are common, but they are increasingly prevalent among properties that have changed hands several times over these last few years of frenzied real estate activity. Speak with an agent before listing your home to determine whether a title search is appropriate.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Back to Basics!


Okay, it's time to return to Real Estate 101. With so much gloom and doom reported, our successful sale stories are being pushed aside by national reports of overstocked inventories and reluctant buyers. Blaming slow sales on "the market" is just an excuse. There is only one reason that homes remain unsold: they are overpriced.

For many sellers, this lesson is only learned after it's too late, resulting in frustration and finger pointing. Let's try to put the record straight. Many markets experienced extremely high levels of activity over the last few years. Inventories adjust as the number of eager and willing buyers drops off. Simply put, buyers are becoming choosier.

Sellers must look around them and take note of homes currently for sale, homes that have recently sold, and homes that have languished or expired. In other words, look at those prices and learn from the experiences of those who have gone before you.

A primary rule of Real Estate 101 is that a home's value is determined by the buyer, not the seller. That means today's buyer, not yesterday's and not tomorrow's.

Buyers are in fact plentiful, but they're just as tuned in to the media's scare tactics as sellers are. If you want to sell your home to "today's" buyer, consult with a professional and price your home competitively against your rivals.

Sunday, April 8, 2007

A Truly Secure Transaction!

If there were a health issue in your family, you would turn to your doctor with questions. Likewise, you would consult an attorney if you were facing a legal problem. Chances are, however, that you would first go online to any number of medical or legal websites to familiarize yourself with the issues and get enough information to begin an informed discussion with the professional.

Those websites won't illustrate how to perform surgery, or advise you how to conduct your case in court. That's up to the professional. The Internet plays a similar role in real estate. It's a place to discover information, but it doesn't replace the trust and service provided by an accomplished representative.

Nearly three-quarters of buyers these days use the Internet to begin their home search, and most of them eventually seek the assistance of a living real estate agent to consummate their purchase. They're not about to take a virtual tour of 264 Elmwood Drive, add it to their "shopping cart," and proceed to "secure checkout" to complete the sale.

Buying a home is not the same as buying airline tickets or DVDs. Real estate agents provide essential services to both buyers and sellers, marketing properties as unique as their owners. Don't short change yourself on the biggest transaction of your life. Seek the representation of a knowledgeable and experienced professional.

Sunday, April 1, 2007

First Impressions Count!


When you start planning to put your home on the market, it's time to show off! Try to imagine that your in-laws are coming for an extended visit, and then triple the effort you would put into preparing for their arrival. Sellers are competing for offers, and it all starts at your front door - literally.

Impress potential buyers at first sight with a well-tended lawn and entryway. When they walk through the door, make sure they do not sense any clutter. You've got to pack it up sooner or later, so take the opportunity to do it now, before another agent or buyer steps into your home. An abundance of personal items like photos and children's "refrigerator art" can interfere with a buyer's ability to picture the home as their own.

Next, if it should shine, make it so! Polish doorknobs, handrails, and lighting fixtures, anything that can add a little sparkle and show your pride of ownership. This includes windows (and screens), which should let in plenty of light for the show.

First impressions really do count when it comes to presenting your home. Accentuate its features and eliminate distractions such as personal items or unpleasant odors. An uncluttered, well kept home will attract buyers, and a little time and care can make the difference between a quick sale and a languishing listing.