I have built my reputation on the quality of the service I provide my clients. It is really easy to tout the number of sales when you are advertising to prospective clients. However, I really came into this with a different mindset. I know how much service is important to me. After all, I will go out of my way when I search for clothing, food or just about anything else if I know I am going to get good service.
As many of you know, I live in Hendersonville, so much of my time is spent commuting to my clients homes and places of business. With the Middle Tennessee area as spread out as it is, it involves a lot of travel time. In all honesty, it really doesn’t bother me because I like to put myself in my client’s shoes. I want them to feel at ease. When my daughter was selling a condo a few years ago, I was very impressed with how the real estate agent really took her time to explain the process to my daughter. The agent took care to make her comfortable, and that really resonated with me.
So, when I decided to start working as a real estate agent, I wanted to bring those exact qualities to the job. I know that going through the process of buying or selling a home can be daunting, even for folks that have done it before. Some people have lived in their homes for many years, and have a strong emotional attachment to their home. Since the dollar value of a home rarely equals the emotional value a homeowner places in their home, it is very important that a real estate agent be sensitive to those feelings.
I don’t always have the chance to talk about my philosophy on real estate, so I wanted to give people a chance to read what I think it is all about. At least, this is what I think real estate should be about. It’s about the quality of service, not the quantity of sales.
There are so many great ways to sell a home, especially with modern technology and social networks aiding in how many people your home can be shown to. If you’re looking to sell your home in a quick and profitable manner, there are many things you should do, and also many things you shouldn’t do. Here are the top “don’ts” for selling your house.
Don’t leave photos out of any home listing. People who are interested in seeing your home are interested in SEEING your home. Leaving photos out of your home listing will turn off potential buyers, who may not look further than your real estate ad. Research the current real estate market, and be sure you’re pricing your home reasonably. Unrealistic pricing can turn off many potential buyers, especially if your home is overpriced. Do your research, and make sure you’re getting a fair price, but make sure it is within reason. Another home selling “don’t” is to showcase your home with poor home improvements. Home buyers will be able to tell if you botched certain home improvements like interior paint and bath renovations. If you’re not experienced at home improvement, then hire a professional. Another major turn off for home buyers is a cluttered home. Keep the entire look of your home completely neutral and free of personal objects, and free the area of any sort of junk mail, appliances, and knick-knacks. Similarly, make sure your home is immaculate before showing it, because a dirty home will never sell properly.
When you’re ready to sell your home, it’s worth your time and your money to make sure your home is in the utmost condition to be seen by potential buyers. Take care to update and renovate your home, and make sure it’s clean and priced reasonably. Doing so will make sure your house sells for a great price to a great family.
For many Americans, economic uncertainties and unexpected situations make short sales a necessary procedure. When a homeowner’s financial state suddenly becomes uncertain or diminished they may have the option to sell the home for less than is due on the mortgage, giving all the money to the lender.
Talk to your real estate attorney, and a real estate agent to clarify your options during the event of a short sale. Finding the right agent is key to making a short sale a success. The right real estate agent will have experience short selling homes, and will be knowledgeable in all the regulations in your specific area, and will also be able to get the most money from your sale as possible. Determine the true value of your home, and ask your real estate broker for an estimate to be sure you’re getting the most value. Negotiating with the bank will also help you get the most money from your sale. Overall, make sure your home is in great condition to sell, and be honest and forthright with your real estate agent, and your mortgage lender to make your short sale a successful one.
It really is great to live on the lake. When the weather is right, my husband and I will take the short ride to Anchor High Marina to enjoy a nice dinner. Sometimes, we go out on the lake just to take a ride. However, taking a ride on the boat is not the only great thing about living on the lake.
The natural ecosystem is alive with wildlife of all sorts: ducks, fish, and creatures of all sizes. This is one of the greatest joys of living on the lake. There is a certain awareness of nature that you get from being so close to the water. You get a real sense of the wonder of the world we live in. Please don’t hesitate to call if you are interested in a property on the lake. I guarantee that you won’t regret it.
In an ever-changing housing market, it’s helpful to gain all the insight and information you can. Equally important is making sure that information is relevant and up to date. Supplement your research with helpful advice from those who have recently bought a home, and be sure to consult with your trusted real estate agent. Here are some current real estate tips to give you a little home buying wisdom.
As with all advice, home buying advice will be specific to your financial situation, your familial situation, as well as the current housing market. A good example of possible outdated home buying advice pertains to new sub-divisions. When new sub-divisions are built, many people are not privy to the possible risks of buying a home in these areas. Homebuyers may initially buy up these properties, but as the sales die down, so do the property values as the builders may lower the prices by as much as half. This can be detrimental to your property value if you’ve purchased in a new sub-division. Another piece of advice pertains to buying a home with versatility. If you purchase a home with a bedroom with private bathroom, you may be able to take on a roommate and avoid foreclosure in an uncertain economy. This is a great way to plan for the future when buying a home. Planning for the future when buying a home is a great way to appreciate the value of your investment.
Think outside the box when making this important investment, and be wary before investing in brand new subdivisions, because it may be best to wait a little. These two pieces of home buying advice may seem surprising, but being privy to this knowledge can allow you to make the most out of your home buying decision. Being a savvy buyer can make the difference between a sound real estate investment that will appreciate after many years, and buying a home you may not be happy in.
When it comes time to buy a home, you should consider the value of hiring a realtor. Realtors can provide an invaluable service to many homebuyers, whether it is their first home purchase or they are seasoned professionals. Many people see this as an unnecessary expense, but when you factor in the time saved when hiring an experienced realtor, it really is a worthy investment.
When choosing a realtor, consider the following stipulations. How well do they know the neighborhood that you are looking to purchase in? A successful realtor relationship will involve an agent that understands the market in which you are looking to purchase. Also ask a real estate agent how you will communicate with them, and whether or not they are available for frequent and direct communication. Questions may come up when you are looking to purchase a home, and it’s important to feel that you can communicate with your agent without having to play phone tag. Having a good rapport with your real estate agent will also make the process go smoothly. You want to be able to feel that you can communicate openly and honestly with your real estate agent regarding any concerns you may have about a home you are viewing. Locate the real estate agent’s website to see if they have any testimonials from recent customers, or if they have examples of recent sales they have made. Understanding the agent’s experience will also give you a better idea of whether or not they will be a good fit for you.
Once you choose a professional real estate agent, your home buying experience will be positive and stress-free. Investing in professional help when looking to purchase a home is one of the best ways to ensure that you will find the right home and the right price for you and your family.
Buying a home is a detailed process that requires extensive knowledge in real estate law, mortgage processes, as well as the current real estate market. Because this information is often overwhelming to homebuyers, many choose to hire a real estate agent. A professional real estate agent will have your best interests at heart, and will be able to quickly put you in a home that’s perfect for you.
A real estate agent’s job is to find you a home you’ll be happy in. Some homebuyers choose to browse Internet listings before hiring a realtor, while others hire a realtor right after they make the decision to start looking for a home. Choose a realtor you can trust, and ask for references from other homebuyers the agent has assisted. If you view the realtor’s website, you can also get a better idea of the types of homes the real estate agent typically works in, and how many homes they have recently sold. Many realtors also have reviews available on the Internet to see how recent home sales have gone.
While the Internet provides a lot of valuable information regarding how to buy a home, it’s helpful to have a knowledgeable and experienced real estate agent on your side. You may feel stressed or overwhelmed throughout the home buying process, and a realtor is there to help answer any questions as they arise. A local agent will also be familiar with the current real estate market in your area, and may know about homes that are about to go on sale, before the general public does. Hire a real estate agent you can trust to put you in the home of your dreams. It could make all the different in a stress-free and positive home buying experience.
Open houses are widely considered a great way to sell your home, because they are faster and more efficient than single showings. Rather than continuing to open your home up to viewers, you can set a specific day to show your home, and allow all interested parties to view it at the same time. Yet, many question if having an open house is truly the most effective way to sell your home.
Many people realize that an open house is open to the public, and so people who are just beginning their house search or are, “just looking” often attend these types of events. Because of this, you may not get many serious offers from every open house. Instead, you will get many people browsing your home to see what’s on the market. However, you can still learn a lot about how to sell and market your home from people who are just looking.
When you’re first scheduling an open house, make sure it’s at a convenient time, like on the weekend. Most people are working during weekdays, and won’t have time to stop by an open house. If you’re planning on having an open house, make sure your house is in the perfect shape to sell, and don’t let any repairs our outdated pieces of your home go untouched. Often when people have an open house, they find it helpful to hire a realtor. Having an open house by yourself can prove to be a lot more work, and a qualified real estate agent will be knowledgeable in all the facets of a successful open house.
During the actual showing, don’t hover over people viewing your home. In fact, some realtors suggest the homeowners are not present during the home showing. If you do choose to be present during the viewing, be sure to answer any questions openly, and to not hover over viewers. Combine all these tips to have a successful open house and to sell your home quickly and for a great price.
A tragic result of our troubled economy is the abundance of foreclosed homes all over the nation. Families have not been able to stay in their homes because of skyrocketing mortgage rates, and job losses. However, as the economy continues to show improvement, now may be the time to invest in a foreclosed home.
Generally speaking, homes that are being sold because of foreclosure can be purchased much cheaper than if sold for other reasons. The reason for this is because the homeowner and/or bank do not wish to hold onto the house. Because they have already lost money on it, they want to make a quick sale and move onto better investments. This loss can be your gain, and you may be able to purchase a beautiful home for much less than you would in an otherwise strong economy. Speak with your real estate agent about forecloses homes on the market, and discover your options. You may be able to get a bigger house, or a house in an otherwise expensive neighborhood that you normally may not be able to afford. The unreliable economy is scary at times, but new opportunities are always upon us.
As with home appraisals, home inspections are also an important and a vital part of the home buying process. Simply put, a home inspection is a thorough and comprehensive look at the interior and exterior integrity of the home.
Because purchasing a home is one of the most important and expensive investments you’ll ever make, you will want to be sure there are no unwanted surprises in and about your new home. To this end, it’s so important to have a good inspection done by a well qualified and certified home inspector on the home you are planning on buying. Even if you are selling your home, it’s wise to have the home professionally inspected so that you can make all repairs needed before your home goes on the real estate market. It’s unwise to perform a home inspection by yourself, and best to hire a professionally trained inspector to do the best possible job. Remember, it’s impossible to “fail” a home inspection, because it’s simply a list of major repairs that need to be completed on the home and can include some minor ones that might add value to your home as well. Whether you are buying or selling your home, try to minimize as much risk as possible in order to make the home buying/home selling experience more seamless.
