Why use the Services of a Realtor?

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I often see and hear comments from sellers, that it would be easy to sell their home as a “For Sale By Owner” to avoid the Realtors Brokerage fee. Equally as often is the comment from a buyer that they only want to deal with the “Listing Agent” on a property, to perhaps make the Brokerage fee smaller since another Realtor is not involved.

From experience, I can tell you there are many reasons for using the services of an experienced Realtor. Here are a few of the most important.

1] The purchase contract itself.  

This is a big one! Today’s purchase contract that is used in our area is 10 pages long. That’s right, a full 10 pages of legal jargon drafted by the Florida Bar. There are 20 separate topics addressed in the basic contract ranging from default litigation issues, inspection periods, method of payment for the home, loan verbiage, escrows and deposits, title choices, assignment of contract……etc. …continue

Selling “Tips” in a Rising Price Market

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It’s been many years since we have seen a situation where prices are rising on homes, but it seems to be a consistent month to month trend in our area.  While the monthly improvement in home values has been small, its encouraging for our market.

The homes entering the market below $70,000 in list price are pretty much gone……nothing fits into that category any more.  Last years homes in the $80,000 range are now the new $90,000 homes. Last years average sale price of a home was $152,000 its now $167,000 and rising.

Here are a few Tips for sellers in this new kind of market: …continue

Sell Your Home Now? 5 Reasons Why The Answer Is……..Yes

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Here are the top 5 reasons to sell you home now,  if you’re considering a change in lifestyle or relocation to another part of the planet. Usually its all about location in any purchase……and the other is timing. This posting is about timing!

1] INVENTORY.

With the shrinking number of foreclosures and short sales entering the market, current inventory levels of available homes to purchase is dramatically low.  A normal supply of available homes is about a 4-5  month’s. Currently we have only a 2-3 month supply. This means for sellers…….rising prices [values] for their homes.  As inventories shrink, there is more competition among buyers for available homes, forcing prices up! Sellers benefit with higher sale prices right now. …continue

Condo’s and HOA’s Financial Policy Changes “Good” For Owners + Potential Buyers.

Some important news has just been released that is good news for both Condo Associations as well as Home Owners Associations [HOA] that should bring some financial aid on delinquent owners fees and dues.

Here is the problem………..over the last 4 years, Associations and its board or management groups, have been slow to react when owners become late on their fees, assessments, and dues. Most had the treasurer send a short friendly note in the mail as a reminder of the overdue payment.  Most were ignored. Owners late on their payments were a sign of another problem, the unit was most likely headed toward a short sale or foreclosure status. Most owners felt that they had 6 months to a year before their Association would pursue the additional expense of any legal action. …continue

A few quick things to do before placing your home on the market to sell.

Here are  a few quick things to complete,  when your thinking about placing your home on the market. Get these things done first, and it will bring you more buyers and a better price on the sale.

1] EXTERIOR  Physically walk to the curb and turn around and try to look at your home from a buyer’s perspective. Its called “Curb Appeal.”  This is the first step…….the exterior is usually a reflection of what a buyer perceives the interior to look like. If the flower beds, the grass, the trimming,  the paint all need attention, the buyer may judge the interior to be the same and they may pass on even looking inside. Here is a tip, if the paint is an issue and your on a tight budget, just paint the front of the home. Become a DIY and get to Wal-Mart for the flowers and bedding touch ups. Another tip, wash the front door entirely! Most people use the garage entry door after parking the car and never use their front door. …continue