http://rismedia.com/2014-06-14/fha-offers-first-time-homebuyers-discounted-loans-for-taking-class/
Showing posts with label For Sale by owner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label For Sale by owner. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
FHA Offers first time homebuyers discounted loans for taking a class
Thursday, September 29, 2011
5 Ways To Make Your Home For Sale Stand Out
With so many homes on the market, it's important to make your home for sale as attractive to potential buyers as possible. Even if your home isn't perfect, following these five guidelines can improve the appeal and value of your home for sale.
1. Clean your home thoroughly and keep it clean!
According to real estate professionals, doing a very thorough deep-cleaning of your home, inside and out, is a great way to make your home appeal to buyers. And just to be clear, by "clean," they don't mean the typical cleaning you might do on a regular basis. Go the extra mile by cleaning every window, every baseboard, cabinets, ceiling fans, etc. Maintain this level of cleanliness until closing, if at all possible. Once you do the majority of the deep cleaning, keeping it clean will be easier as long as you keep up with it regularly. Another option would be to hire a professional cleaning service to do this for you.
2. Have quality, relevant photos on your home's listing.
Since most people browse home listings online first, it is essential to have a good selection of quality photos of your home. Dark or blurry pictures will not do a property justice, and may give the impression that you are trying to hide something. Make sure you or your real estate agent photographs your home's interior AND exterior. Listings that only show one or the other will not make a great online impression. A good rule of thumb is, if there aren't pictures of something, buyers are going to presume it's not worth seeing. Also, it is important to make your photos relevant to what you really want to show off. As nice as your furniture may be, most people don't want to see a photo that makes it the main focus of the picture. Take photos of the entire room, not just one wall or corner.
3. Keep your yard well-maintained.
Curb appeal is a big selling point, especially once a potential buyer visits your home in person. Having a tidy, well-landscaped yard will give your home a nice presentation. If you don't have much or any landscaping in your yard, just do the best you can with what you've got. Spread some fresh mulch around shrubs or flower beds, keep your yard mowed and free of weeds, and invest in a lawn edger if you can. Make sure your yard isn't cluttered by lawn ornaments and decorations. When it comes to presenting a home for sale, less is more. And speaking of clutter...
4. De-clutter your home.
Some real estate agents suggest getting a head start on the packing you'll have to do anyway by going ahead and packing things you won't need for everyday use. You can even rent a storage facility to house any non-essential furniture pieces. Whatever you decide to do, just make sure your home is free of clutter. Don't feel like you have to make your home look like a motel room; a few knickknacks can give your home a "lived in" feel to it. The important thing to remember is not to hide your home's potential. Buyers will want to envision their furniture and their things in your home. This will be much easier for them to do if they aren't distracted by a lot of art on the walls or collections of bric-a-brac.
5. Upgrade, update away!
Take stock of your home's appliances and interior features. Wherever possible, update or upgrade anything that you think is outdated. It will cost money, but not always as much as you think. And remember, whatever you put into your home is an investment and a selling point. This is especially true when it comes to kitchen appliances. If your stove, refrigerator or dishwasher is more than 10 years old - you should seriously consider an update. Many appliances these days are also more energy-efficient, which is something more and more buyers are looking for. In addition to appliances, look at the condition and age of your floors. If you have hardwood, perhaps getting them refinished would be a good idea. If you have old linoleum in your bathrooms, check prices on some new laminate or tile. This principle doesn't just apply to floors and appliances, of course. If you see anything in your home that could use some spiffing up, do it. And you can do it without breaking the bank. Even replacing old carpet with new carpet (even if it isn't top grade) will make a difference.
These are just a few ideas to help your home make a great impression on buyers. Talk to your real estate agent for more ideas, or to get a specific list of things you can do for your property.
Article Alley
1. Clean your home thoroughly and keep it clean!
According to real estate professionals, doing a very thorough deep-cleaning of your home, inside and out, is a great way to make your home appeal to buyers. And just to be clear, by "clean," they don't mean the typical cleaning you might do on a regular basis. Go the extra mile by cleaning every window, every baseboard, cabinets, ceiling fans, etc. Maintain this level of cleanliness until closing, if at all possible. Once you do the majority of the deep cleaning, keeping it clean will be easier as long as you keep up with it regularly. Another option would be to hire a professional cleaning service to do this for you.
2. Have quality, relevant photos on your home's listing.
Since most people browse home listings online first, it is essential to have a good selection of quality photos of your home. Dark or blurry pictures will not do a property justice, and may give the impression that you are trying to hide something. Make sure you or your real estate agent photographs your home's interior AND exterior. Listings that only show one or the other will not make a great online impression. A good rule of thumb is, if there aren't pictures of something, buyers are going to presume it's not worth seeing. Also, it is important to make your photos relevant to what you really want to show off. As nice as your furniture may be, most people don't want to see a photo that makes it the main focus of the picture. Take photos of the entire room, not just one wall or corner.
3. Keep your yard well-maintained.
Curb appeal is a big selling point, especially once a potential buyer visits your home in person. Having a tidy, well-landscaped yard will give your home a nice presentation. If you don't have much or any landscaping in your yard, just do the best you can with what you've got. Spread some fresh mulch around shrubs or flower beds, keep your yard mowed and free of weeds, and invest in a lawn edger if you can. Make sure your yard isn't cluttered by lawn ornaments and decorations. When it comes to presenting a home for sale, less is more. And speaking of clutter...
4. De-clutter your home.
Some real estate agents suggest getting a head start on the packing you'll have to do anyway by going ahead and packing things you won't need for everyday use. You can even rent a storage facility to house any non-essential furniture pieces. Whatever you decide to do, just make sure your home is free of clutter. Don't feel like you have to make your home look like a motel room; a few knickknacks can give your home a "lived in" feel to it. The important thing to remember is not to hide your home's potential. Buyers will want to envision their furniture and their things in your home. This will be much easier for them to do if they aren't distracted by a lot of art on the walls or collections of bric-a-brac.
5. Upgrade, update away!
Take stock of your home's appliances and interior features. Wherever possible, update or upgrade anything that you think is outdated. It will cost money, but not always as much as you think. And remember, whatever you put into your home is an investment and a selling point. This is especially true when it comes to kitchen appliances. If your stove, refrigerator or dishwasher is more than 10 years old - you should seriously consider an update. Many appliances these days are also more energy-efficient, which is something more and more buyers are looking for. In addition to appliances, look at the condition and age of your floors. If you have hardwood, perhaps getting them refinished would be a good idea. If you have old linoleum in your bathrooms, check prices on some new laminate or tile. This principle doesn't just apply to floors and appliances, of course. If you see anything in your home that could use some spiffing up, do it. And you can do it without breaking the bank. Even replacing old carpet with new carpet (even if it isn't top grade) will make a difference.
These are just a few ideas to help your home make a great impression on buyers. Talk to your real estate agent for more ideas, or to get a specific list of things you can do for your property.
Article Alley
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Mortgage Points: To Pay or not to Pay?
Mortgage Points: To Pay or Not to Pay
If William Shakespeare financed a home today he’d probably ask on the subject of mortgage points: “To pay or not to pay? That is the question.”
Homebuyers direct the same question to their real estate agents. Here are some perspectives:
In its simplest definition, a point is an additional loan fee that is paid to the lender in exchange for a lower interest rate. It’s called “buying down,” and it allows you to reduce your rate for the life of the loan.
Let’s say you secured a mortgage loan for $500,000 without points, at 4.6% on a 30-year mortgage, your payment would be approximately $2,560 a month. If you paid two points ($10,000), the interest rate in this example would go down to 4.1% and the monthly payment would decrease to around $2,415, a savings of $145 a month.
In this scenario, it would take you about eight years to recoup the money you paid up front, so if you are planning on staying in your home a while, this will save you money in the long-run.
Home buyers must answer some key questions to determine if paying points is a wise decision. Specifically:
• How long will you keep the home?
• Do you have extra money to pay points?
• Could that money be better used for something else?
Money managers may suggest that a smarter option is to invest that $10,000 because you could do much better than your $140 savings, but you have to weigh the variables.
“Paying points depends on your career, your interests and all the things that predict your future,” said financial advisor Thomas Watkins of Total Mortgage Services in Milford, Conn. “Points are paid up front while your savings will be spread out into the future. Therefore, you get more benefit if you own your home longer, or if you don’t refinance for a long time.”
The rule of thumb when it comes to points is simple: If you plan to stay in the house for less than three years, do not pay points. If you plan to stay in the house for more than five years, pay 1 to 2 points. If you’ll be in the house for three to five years, paying points doesn’t make a significant difference.
Another important aspect to consider: Since points are interest-payment related, they are fully deductible on your taxes in the year that you close. See your tax advisor for details.
Mortgage points can add up to valuable savings over the course of your loan, but the future isn’t always predictable. Even if you “plan” on staying in your home for
20 years, changes in your career or family life could alter the plan.
Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc.
If William Shakespeare financed a home today he’d probably ask on the subject of mortgage points: “To pay or not to pay? That is the question.”
Homebuyers direct the same question to their real estate agents. Here are some perspectives:
In its simplest definition, a point is an additional loan fee that is paid to the lender in exchange for a lower interest rate. It’s called “buying down,” and it allows you to reduce your rate for the life of the loan.
Let’s say you secured a mortgage loan for $500,000 without points, at 4.6% on a 30-year mortgage, your payment would be approximately $2,560 a month. If you paid two points ($10,000), the interest rate in this example would go down to 4.1% and the monthly payment would decrease to around $2,415, a savings of $145 a month.
In this scenario, it would take you about eight years to recoup the money you paid up front, so if you are planning on staying in your home a while, this will save you money in the long-run.
Home buyers must answer some key questions to determine if paying points is a wise decision. Specifically:
• How long will you keep the home?
• Do you have extra money to pay points?
• Could that money be better used for something else?
Money managers may suggest that a smarter option is to invest that $10,000 because you could do much better than your $140 savings, but you have to weigh the variables.
“Paying points depends on your career, your interests and all the things that predict your future,” said financial advisor Thomas Watkins of Total Mortgage Services in Milford, Conn. “Points are paid up front while your savings will be spread out into the future. Therefore, you get more benefit if you own your home longer, or if you don’t refinance for a long time.”
The rule of thumb when it comes to points is simple: If you plan to stay in the house for less than three years, do not pay points. If you plan to stay in the house for more than five years, pay 1 to 2 points. If you’ll be in the house for three to five years, paying points doesn’t make a significant difference.
Another important aspect to consider: Since points are interest-payment related, they are fully deductible on your taxes in the year that you close. See your tax advisor for details.
Mortgage points can add up to valuable savings over the course of your loan, but the future isn’t always predictable. Even if you “plan” on staying in your home for
20 years, changes in your career or family life could alter the plan.
Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Home Sellers: A Deck May Make the Difference
Home Sellers: A Deck May Make the Difference
With spring in the air, the exterior of a home becomes even more important when putting your house on the market because buyers now will spend more time outside looking at your property and envisioning what their summer barbeques and family playtime will look like.
The addition of any amount of usable real estate to a property increases value. Customized decks and personalized outdoor living areas are a hot trend in home improvement upgrades, and a great-looking deck may entice more people to come see your home.
Building or updating an existing deck isn’t simply a great investment; it also provides opportunities to personalize your backyard and customize the look to your taste. And with many families staying home this summer to save money, why not think about creating the perfect location for entertaining?
Deck experts agree that multi-level decks are the most popular now. These are a series of decks connected by stairways or walkways, which are aesthetically pleasing and can be used for different purposes. One level can be used to catch the sun, one level can be positioned for shade and another can be set close to the house for entertaining and barbequing.
Wood decks have always been the most popular, but caring for them is tough. They will rot over time, are subject to insect infestation and require a great deal of maintenance to keep the wood from fading. Accordingly, people are embracing composite materials for their decks, which cost significantly more but will last longer with less maintenance.
For those homes that already have a deck, it’s important to make sure that it’s still in good shape and adds to the attractiveness of a property. You can change your deck’s appearance with interesting balusters to match other decorative accents on your house or in your yard and really add unique touches to make the deck a personal haven. Meanwhile, railings offer a good opportunity to pull in color and ornamental detail that complements the house.
By designing your deck with accents, lights and unique accessories, you can transform your backyard into an outdoor retreat one will never want to leave. Whether you’re catching up with friends over a grilled dinner in the evening or are curled up with a book in a lounge chair on a sunny afternoon, a deck is the perfect place to be.
Prudential Fox & Roach is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company. Equal Housing Opportunity.
With spring in the air, the exterior of a home becomes even more important when putting your house on the market because buyers now will spend more time outside looking at your property and envisioning what their summer barbeques and family playtime will look like.
The addition of any amount of usable real estate to a property increases value. Customized decks and personalized outdoor living areas are a hot trend in home improvement upgrades, and a great-looking deck may entice more people to come see your home.
Building or updating an existing deck isn’t simply a great investment; it also provides opportunities to personalize your backyard and customize the look to your taste. And with many families staying home this summer to save money, why not think about creating the perfect location for entertaining?
Deck experts agree that multi-level decks are the most popular now. These are a series of decks connected by stairways or walkways, which are aesthetically pleasing and can be used for different purposes. One level can be used to catch the sun, one level can be positioned for shade and another can be set close to the house for entertaining and barbequing.
Wood decks have always been the most popular, but caring for them is tough. They will rot over time, are subject to insect infestation and require a great deal of maintenance to keep the wood from fading. Accordingly, people are embracing composite materials for their decks, which cost significantly more but will last longer with less maintenance.
For those homes that already have a deck, it’s important to make sure that it’s still in good shape and adds to the attractiveness of a property. You can change your deck’s appearance with interesting balusters to match other decorative accents on your house or in your yard and really add unique touches to make the deck a personal haven. Meanwhile, railings offer a good opportunity to pull in color and ornamental detail that complements the house.
By designing your deck with accents, lights and unique accessories, you can transform your backyard into an outdoor retreat one will never want to leave. Whether you’re catching up with friends over a grilled dinner in the evening or are curled up with a book in a lounge chair on a sunny afternoon, a deck is the perfect place to be.
Prudential Fox & Roach is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Why Isn't My Home Selling
Why Isn't My Home Selling? Price is the No. 1 culprit If your answer is price, you’ll be right a good majority of the time. If your home isn’t selling, buyers think the value of your house is less than the price you want.For all the time and effort that goes into buying and selling, the economics of the process is relatively simple. Anything is only worth what a buyer is willing to pay and a seller willing to accept. This is the same whether it’s a pack of baseball cards or a $1 million house.Although the economics may be simple, arriving at that magic price is difficult. Just think of the cost, time and energy that companies put into pricing a product so it succeeds in the marketplace. It’s no different in real estate.If you’ve taken the time to educate yourself on the local market and are diligent in hiring a professional agent, and are willing to listen to her, you can get a lot closer to the magic number. But you are setting yourself up for disaster if you don’t do your homework and go with what you “feel” your house is worth. Worse yet, is interviewing agents and choosing one solely because she says she can get you more than what the other agents think the house will sell for.These are some of the most common mistakes sellers make when setting a price: Price based on need What you want to make from selling your home means absolutely nothing to buyers or the marketplace. So setting a price based on what you want so you can retire, move up, start a business, etc. will almost certainly fail. Price based on ego Your neighbor sold for $200,000 last year so you want $210,000 because you “know” your house is better. Regardless that the market dropped five percent since your neighbor sold. Nearly every owner thinks their house is the best on the block, or at least better than any of the ones that have recently sold or are on the market. Unfortunately for sellers, your opinion doesn’t carry any weight with buyers. Only their opinion matters. Price based on greed Even if it’s been shown that your house will likely sell for around $250,000, you insist on listing it for $275,000 because “you never know, someone could come along who just has to have it. Besides, if we don’t get any bites we can always lower the price later.” The problem is it won’t take long for buyers to realize your price is unrealistic and think you are, too, and won’t want to deal with you unless the house is “a steal.” The listing languishes, so you drop the price, but not enough, it sits even longer and pretty soon you have a listing that’s been on the market so long buyers decide there is something wrong and steer clear. The solution is to get the price right. This is done by using what is called a Competitive Market Analysis (CMA). If you’ve hired the right agent, this is the first folder out of their briefcase when you meet to list your home. A CMA breaks down the sales price of homes that are similar to yours in location, size, age and condition.Your agent will also consider the listing prices of homes on the market, but these are used more to identify the competition. Even with a strong agent and CMA, your price may not be on target. That’s because the market is always changing and your agent should be updating your CMA whenever anything comparable to your property sells.Not every reason your home isn’t selling will be the price, although they will be related to it. Here we have that value vs. price issue. If buyers perceive imperfections in your listing, they will want a discount, so if they’re not buying, your price is not discounted enough for buyers to believe the value to them at least equals that of your price.For example, if your lawn is brown and the landscaping worn, buyers will want a discount. The problem is that a seller will not consider this a major issue and attach a much lower discount than a buyer will accept.This is why it is imperative that sellers do everything they can to eliminate any issues buyers may have with their house before listing. Obviously, you can’t do anything about a bad location, such as being near railroad tracks, or that you have just one bathroom. But you and your agent should have factored these drawbacks into the listing price. Here are some of the most common reasons buyers are turned off by a particular house, so make sure these are addressed before lopping thousands of dollars off the asking price: Put on a good showThis is the second biggest reason a home isn’t selling. Buyers often talk of “connecting” to a house. This is not likely to happen if your house is not company-coming-over clean and ready to show like a model. This goes for the outside as well. If you don’t want to put the effort into doing this, then you’d better adjust your price to compensate because buyers will only consider your house because it’s a good deal, not because it “speaks to them.”Can’t buy what they can’t seeIf you make it difficult for people to see your property, then chances of a sale at the price you want drops considerably. Selling can be a nuisance, but it’s a necessary one. If you don’t allow a lockbox or require appointment-only showings, you are the culprit to the house not selling. Out of your handsIt’s not always the seller’s fault that a house isn’t selling. Sometimes the market changes and buyers disappear. Maybe a new home development has opened nearby and they are “stealing” the customers. Or maybe you’ve received bad advice from your agent. Any of these can affect whether your house sells, which means you need to consider the reasons and make the necessary adjustments. Great article by...Copyright © by Move, Inc. By Diana Lundin Posted by Joanne Genesio - PA REALTOR
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Getting Ready to Sell? ... Freshen Up the Inside
Getting Ready to Sell? ... Freshen Up the Inside
A prospective buyer’s willingness to buy more quickly – and at a higher price – is often driven by emotion. A home that shows exceptionally well helps arouse the prospective buyer’s emotional desires for that home. First impressions count. That’s why you’ll see neat, clean homes getting snatched up while others just sit there on the market. Buyers will buy the perceived value of the property, the image and feeling that they get from experiencing the property. As it’s often been said: buyers buy on emotion. The emotions that you, the Seller, are trying to stimulate are triggered by sensory experiences. Aim for the senses - especially touch, smell, and sight. Uncluttered, clean, fresh-smelling homes sell faster and for higher prices. Try to clear your mind of any preconceived notions, then walk into your house, close the door, look around… and truly feel your house. Then consider these steps:
Organize and de-clutter! Remove clutter from countertops, desks, and garage. Remove excess furniture. Organize closets, drawers, storage areas. Throw away, sell or store excess! Rent a storage unit if necessary. Clutter makes the home appear smaller and masks the home’s good points.Freshen interior paint as needed. Again, fresh paint is the best bang for the buck. Light, neutral colors such as beige, white, or off-white have a broader appeal and can make small rooms seem larger and airier. Remove ‘tired’ or busy wallpaper. Brighten drab garage interiors, storage areas with fresh paint. Paint/stain woodwork as necessary.Make kitchen and bathrooms sparkle. Clean/oil cabinets, clean appliances/fixtures. Add fragrances. New color-coordinated towels are an excellent investment. Fresh looking kitchen and bathrooms will often make or break a sale.Clean floors and carpeting. Add carpet freshener to carpeting which is ‘tired’ or to eliminate smoking or pet odors. Make minor repairs. Tighten loose knobs, fix leaky faucets, lubricate squeaky hinges, replace filters, tighten loose banisters, repair doors and doorknobs, remove stains, and make sure your doorbell works. Make sure all lighting fixtures work. Add new bulbs with the highest wattage allowed to make your rooms seem brighter. Light, airy homes seem bigger and more inviting. It’s well worth the extra cost. Is the fireplace in good working order? Remove ashes from the fireplace and add fresh logs. Buy fresh, colorful indoor flowers or plants. They get a lot of mileage, and they will enhance your new home as well. Exterminate, one bug, dead or alive, will make a bad impression on prospective buyers. Hire a professional to sell your home, it is a process, not a single event. Getting your home ready to sell is part of that process. As you prepare to put your home on the market, make sure to pay close attention to how your home is prepared to show – it can make all the difference in the world and will help you stand out from the crowd.
Article Alley
A prospective buyer’s willingness to buy more quickly – and at a higher price – is often driven by emotion. A home that shows exceptionally well helps arouse the prospective buyer’s emotional desires for that home. First impressions count. That’s why you’ll see neat, clean homes getting snatched up while others just sit there on the market. Buyers will buy the perceived value of the property, the image and feeling that they get from experiencing the property. As it’s often been said: buyers buy on emotion. The emotions that you, the Seller, are trying to stimulate are triggered by sensory experiences. Aim for the senses - especially touch, smell, and sight. Uncluttered, clean, fresh-smelling homes sell faster and for higher prices. Try to clear your mind of any preconceived notions, then walk into your house, close the door, look around… and truly feel your house. Then consider these steps:
Organize and de-clutter! Remove clutter from countertops, desks, and garage. Remove excess furniture. Organize closets, drawers, storage areas. Throw away, sell or store excess! Rent a storage unit if necessary. Clutter makes the home appear smaller and masks the home’s good points.Freshen interior paint as needed. Again, fresh paint is the best bang for the buck. Light, neutral colors such as beige, white, or off-white have a broader appeal and can make small rooms seem larger and airier. Remove ‘tired’ or busy wallpaper. Brighten drab garage interiors, storage areas with fresh paint. Paint/stain woodwork as necessary.Make kitchen and bathrooms sparkle. Clean/oil cabinets, clean appliances/fixtures. Add fragrances. New color-coordinated towels are an excellent investment. Fresh looking kitchen and bathrooms will often make or break a sale.Clean floors and carpeting. Add carpet freshener to carpeting which is ‘tired’ or to eliminate smoking or pet odors. Make minor repairs. Tighten loose knobs, fix leaky faucets, lubricate squeaky hinges, replace filters, tighten loose banisters, repair doors and doorknobs, remove stains, and make sure your doorbell works. Make sure all lighting fixtures work. Add new bulbs with the highest wattage allowed to make your rooms seem brighter. Light, airy homes seem bigger and more inviting. It’s well worth the extra cost. Is the fireplace in good working order? Remove ashes from the fireplace and add fresh logs. Buy fresh, colorful indoor flowers or plants. They get a lot of mileage, and they will enhance your new home as well. Exterminate, one bug, dead or alive, will make a bad impression on prospective buyers. Hire a professional to sell your home, it is a process, not a single event. Getting your home ready to sell is part of that process. As you prepare to put your home on the market, make sure to pay close attention to how your home is prepared to show – it can make all the difference in the world and will help you stand out from the crowd.
Article Alley
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Short Sales, Reos Or Motivated Sellers, Which Is More Profitable?
Short Sales, Reos Or Motivated Sellers, Which Is More Profitable?
In a market full of mortgages going into default, a lot of real estate investors are never sure which way to go to get the best deals.
Do you get foreclosed REOs from the bank? Should you negotiate short sales to buy the houses for less than the mortgage balance? Or should you buy directly from the motivated sellers?
We will analyze these 3 situations here.
These 3 methods all have their pros and cons; let's analyze each one:
1) Buying foreclosed houses from banks - REOs Banks have too many foreclosed properties and they increase in number every day. As soon as they acquire them, they then try to sell them quickly.
Buyers are few and these properties can take a long time to sell.
Banks can therefore offer great discounts, especially if they need to be fixed up.
As a real estate investor, shop carefully for good REO deals because not all them will meet your buying criteria or equity margin for you to make a profit.
2) Short Sales Banks foreclose on homes when home owners are unable to pay. Before they foreclose, they are often willing to take less than the mortgage balance. This is called a short sale.
A bank will order an appraisal to get the true market value of the property. Then they can give you a discount on the mortgage based on their numbers.
A bank that holds a first mortgage is likely to offer very little discount on the mortgage, usually not more than 20% especially if it does not need major repairs.
A bank that holds a second mortgage can lose 100% of their investment in a foreclosure, so they are more willing to negotiate much lower. It is not unusual to get 80-90% discount on a second mortgage.
A property with more than one mortgage is therefore the best candidate for a short sale.
Short sales can also take a long time, usually 3 to 6 months. You must therefore have enough patience and capital to last you through such long waiting periods.
Banks can reject your short sale application even when all numbers look good. You must therefore be ready for rejection.
You must close fast as soon as you get an approval. Banks will not accept creative financing on short sales.
When all is said and done, you can create a lot of equity and profits as long as you select the right deals, have patience to wait for a long time, can take rejection and you can close fast.
3) Motivated sellers You can employ a wide variety of techniques to buy houses from motivated sellers.
This includes creative financing.
This is always a great way to buy investment houses as long as the sellers are in need of selling their houses.
Article Alley
Author: Kahethu
In a market full of mortgages going into default, a lot of real estate investors are never sure which way to go to get the best deals.
Do you get foreclosed REOs from the bank? Should you negotiate short sales to buy the houses for less than the mortgage balance? Or should you buy directly from the motivated sellers?
We will analyze these 3 situations here.
These 3 methods all have their pros and cons; let's analyze each one:
1) Buying foreclosed houses from banks - REOs Banks have too many foreclosed properties and they increase in number every day. As soon as they acquire them, they then try to sell them quickly.
Buyers are few and these properties can take a long time to sell.
Banks can therefore offer great discounts, especially if they need to be fixed up.
As a real estate investor, shop carefully for good REO deals because not all them will meet your buying criteria or equity margin for you to make a profit.
2) Short Sales Banks foreclose on homes when home owners are unable to pay. Before they foreclose, they are often willing to take less than the mortgage balance. This is called a short sale.
A bank will order an appraisal to get the true market value of the property. Then they can give you a discount on the mortgage based on their numbers.
A bank that holds a first mortgage is likely to offer very little discount on the mortgage, usually not more than 20% especially if it does not need major repairs.
A bank that holds a second mortgage can lose 100% of their investment in a foreclosure, so they are more willing to negotiate much lower. It is not unusual to get 80-90% discount on a second mortgage.
A property with more than one mortgage is therefore the best candidate for a short sale.
Short sales can also take a long time, usually 3 to 6 months. You must therefore have enough patience and capital to last you through such long waiting periods.
Banks can reject your short sale application even when all numbers look good. You must therefore be ready for rejection.
You must close fast as soon as you get an approval. Banks will not accept creative financing on short sales.
When all is said and done, you can create a lot of equity and profits as long as you select the right deals, have patience to wait for a long time, can take rejection and you can close fast.
3) Motivated sellers You can employ a wide variety of techniques to buy houses from motivated sellers.
This includes creative financing.
This is always a great way to buy investment houses as long as the sellers are in need of selling their houses.
Article Alley
Author: Kahethu
Friday, January 7, 2011
Home Sellers: Cut to the Chase in Home Repairs and Enhancements
2011 opens as a strong buyer’s market so home sellers must be on their toes to give their homes maximum appeal. Not only should sellers complete the home repairs they know must be made, they should also hire a certified home inspector to thoroughly and impartially evaluate their properties. If this inspection results in a fix-it list, review the list with your real estate professional to establish necessities and priorities. Depending on your budget and objectives, you may want to repair only items that could cause significant deterioration to your property, such as a leaky roof. Ideally, the closer you can get your home to “move-in-ready” status, the more likely you are to attract today’s cautious and discerning buyers. Among the most common repairs and enhancements yielding immediate buyer appeal include:
Paint inside and outside in neutral colors
Steam clean or replace carpets
Polish or replace hardwood floors
Clean or re-grout kitchen and bathrooms
Replace light fixtures
Change light bulbs throughout and replace wall-switch covers
Repair dripping faucets
Fix sticking door
Repair broken fencing
Home sellers wanting to do more should consider the findings of Remodeling magazine’s 2010-’11 Cost vs. Value Report, released in December 2010. The survey used input from REALTORS in 80 cities to rank home remodeling projects according to those that bring the greatest cost recovered at sale. Many of the top projects focus on exterior replacements, as replacements are generally less expensive than other types of projects and they add all-important curb appeal – essential for today’s competitive market or any other. The Top Five projects in the Cost vs. Value Report include:
No. 1 – Entry door replacement (steel)
No. 2 – Garage door replacement (four-section door, reuse existing motorized opener)
No. 3 – Siding replacement (fiber-cement siding)
No. 4 – Kitchen remodel (minor: new cabinet doors, drawers and hardware, plus new energy-efficient appliances, flooring, counters, sink and faucet)
No. 5 – Deck addition (wood)
When the dust clears and projects are complete, be sure that you and your real estate professional document your repairs and enhancements, and share the report with prospective buyers. Walk prospects through the enhancements and include their costs. A home in good condition demonstrates pride of ownership. Taking the time to make enhancements helps ensure your home is presented in its best-possible light, primed for sale.
Paint inside and outside in neutral colors
Steam clean or replace carpets
Polish or replace hardwood floors
Clean or re-grout kitchen and bathrooms
Replace light fixtures
Change light bulbs throughout and replace wall-switch covers
Repair dripping faucets
Fix sticking door
Repair broken fencing
Home sellers wanting to do more should consider the findings of Remodeling magazine’s 2010-’11 Cost vs. Value Report, released in December 2010. The survey used input from REALTORS in 80 cities to rank home remodeling projects according to those that bring the greatest cost recovered at sale. Many of the top projects focus on exterior replacements, as replacements are generally less expensive than other types of projects and they add all-important curb appeal – essential for today’s competitive market or any other. The Top Five projects in the Cost vs. Value Report include:
No. 1 – Entry door replacement (steel)
No. 2 – Garage door replacement (four-section door, reuse existing motorized opener)
No. 3 – Siding replacement (fiber-cement siding)
No. 4 – Kitchen remodel (minor: new cabinet doors, drawers and hardware, plus new energy-efficient appliances, flooring, counters, sink and faucet)
No. 5 – Deck addition (wood)
When the dust clears and projects are complete, be sure that you and your real estate professional document your repairs and enhancements, and share the report with prospective buyers. Walk prospects through the enhancements and include their costs. A home in good condition demonstrates pride of ownership. Taking the time to make enhancements helps ensure your home is presented in its best-possible light, primed for sale.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Home Not Selling....It's Probably Price...
Home sellers face a new reality as they look to move up, down, in or out of their American dream in today’s market. Consumers, particularly those who purchased their homes within the last five years, often find their options limited by a lack of equity. Those who can sell are sometimes numbed by deflated home prices and find it difficult to justify yesterday’s valuations with today’s reality. Many home sellers have dug in on price hoping to lose no additional ground. Others seem to have taken this market personally, letting emotions override analysis when setting price. Buyer sentiment has shifted as well, centered on maximum value with abundant amenities – resulting in stalemates and homes languishing on the market. Both sides should be realistic as comparable sales and local-market dynamics still determine fair-market value. And there are compelling reasons to be realistic and make a move now. Sellers, assuming their objective is to buy another home, can capitalize on some of the lowest mortgage interest rates on record and an inventory of homes at attractive prices. So while they will sell for less, they will also buy for less and with significantly cheaper borrowing costs. Of course, professional sales representation is essential this transitioning market or any other. The Prudential Real Estate Network, recently recognized for “Highest Overall Satisfaction for Home Sellers Among National Full Service Real Estate Firms” in J.D. Power and Associates’ 2010 Home Buyer/Seller StudySM, is composed of true, local-market experts whose experience, analysis and consultation generate results in all market conditions. As the local experts, they’ll help set fair-market prices using factual reference points, such as an appraisal, comparables sales and personal knowledge to help estimate market value. Today, a house priced at or slightly below market value will attract the interest of real estate professionals and buyers, while overpricing chases them away. Even if the sellers adjust their prices later, it’s difficult to recapture buyer interest. Sales professionals develop comprehensive marketing strategies to sell a home. They generally use open houses, yard signs, Internet exposure, MLS, newspaper ads, brochures and other means to market properties. Beyond that, they counsel sellers on other conditions that may keep sellers’ homes on the market, including:
• Condition and appearance. Sellers shouldn’t rely on buyers to use their imagination; they need to capture it. Remember that buyers may see seven or eight homes in a single day. The most memorable home will be the one that seemed the brightest, the most spacious, and the most cheerful. This invariably means rearranging and eliminating furniture, removing excess knickknacks and so on, to create an open, uncluttered look. Outside, do a visual check of the front of the house from across the street. Does it have curb appeal? It should look inviting, with a trimmed lawn and a freshly painted front door. A real estate professional can offer some guidance in this area.
• Terms/conditions. Even if the home is accurately priced, and the buyer is delighted with what he or she sees, if the buyer can’t live with the terms of the sale, he or she may walk away. Keep an open mind on terms and conditions and evaluate how they may affect a potential sale.
• Incentives. Offering incentives can be just the impetus a potential buyer needs a buyer needs to choose your property over others. Consider offering a carpet or paint allowance. If the buyer knows up front there is allowance for the worn carpet or paint, then may overlook those cosmetic flaws. You could pay for a professional home inspection or a home warranty, or pay closing costs.
Indeed, real estate opportunities abound for sellers and buyers who can come to terms with today’s market conditions. A qualified real estate professional will help you navigate the market, protect your interests and keep you moving toward your housing dreams.
• Condition and appearance. Sellers shouldn’t rely on buyers to use their imagination; they need to capture it. Remember that buyers may see seven or eight homes in a single day. The most memorable home will be the one that seemed the brightest, the most spacious, and the most cheerful. This invariably means rearranging and eliminating furniture, removing excess knickknacks and so on, to create an open, uncluttered look. Outside, do a visual check of the front of the house from across the street. Does it have curb appeal? It should look inviting, with a trimmed lawn and a freshly painted front door. A real estate professional can offer some guidance in this area.
• Terms/conditions. Even if the home is accurately priced, and the buyer is delighted with what he or she sees, if the buyer can’t live with the terms of the sale, he or she may walk away. Keep an open mind on terms and conditions and evaluate how they may affect a potential sale.
• Incentives. Offering incentives can be just the impetus a potential buyer needs a buyer needs to choose your property over others. Consider offering a carpet or paint allowance. If the buyer knows up front there is allowance for the worn carpet or paint, then may overlook those cosmetic flaws. You could pay for a professional home inspection or a home warranty, or pay closing costs.
Indeed, real estate opportunities abound for sellers and buyers who can come to terms with today’s market conditions. A qualified real estate professional will help you navigate the market, protect your interests and keep you moving toward your housing dreams.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Why Asking too Much For Your Home Doesn’t Help it Sell
Why Asking too Much For Your Home Doesn’t Help it Sell.
Thinking of Overpricing?
Since the fall of housing prices over the last few years, many home owners seem determined to get at least their purchase price out of their home for sale, while many others are looking to recoup the amount of money that they’ve paid into their homes. While this seems like a reasonable strategy, when you consider that the fall in housing prices has greatly reduced the amount of money that many of these homes are worth now, it is easy to see how listing your home at possibly a hugely inflated price is most certainly going to hurt your chance of a sale.
There are many problems with pricing your home with unrealistic expectations, as you can well imagine. Firstly, if you price your home like you’re trying to sell it to home buyers who’ve taken a time machine trip from 2005, you’re likely to not get many people coming to look at your home. Anyone who is looking for homes in the price range that you’ve set for your home is probably going to be looking at substantially nicer or larger homes than yours because your home should be priced in a lower bracket. If you do get any prospective buyers coming through to tour your home, you are likely to not get many offers—at least not in the range that you’re looking for.
What home owners might not realize though, is that a home that sits on the market for long periods of time isn’t encouraging for prospective buyers; they see that a property has been on the market for months—maybe with small drops in the outrageous asking price—and decide that all the other buyers out there have already decided that it’s not a property that’s worth buying. In addition, you’ve had to keep your home in a show-ready state for months in case a realtor calls to show your house; this can be merely a hassle to keep a home in a permanently staged state and it can also cost you money if you’re renting furniture or having a house cleaner come in to help you keep it immaculate.
For your best results in home selling, consult your realtor for their judgment on what kind of listing price they think that you should start with; many listing agents won’t even take on a client if they insist on pricing their home completely unreasonably because they know that it can be a waste of time to go through all that work for something that isn’t going to sell.
aa
Thinking of Overpricing?
Since the fall of housing prices over the last few years, many home owners seem determined to get at least their purchase price out of their home for sale, while many others are looking to recoup the amount of money that they’ve paid into their homes. While this seems like a reasonable strategy, when you consider that the fall in housing prices has greatly reduced the amount of money that many of these homes are worth now, it is easy to see how listing your home at possibly a hugely inflated price is most certainly going to hurt your chance of a sale.
There are many problems with pricing your home with unrealistic expectations, as you can well imagine. Firstly, if you price your home like you’re trying to sell it to home buyers who’ve taken a time machine trip from 2005, you’re likely to not get many people coming to look at your home. Anyone who is looking for homes in the price range that you’ve set for your home is probably going to be looking at substantially nicer or larger homes than yours because your home should be priced in a lower bracket. If you do get any prospective buyers coming through to tour your home, you are likely to not get many offers—at least not in the range that you’re looking for.
What home owners might not realize though, is that a home that sits on the market for long periods of time isn’t encouraging for prospective buyers; they see that a property has been on the market for months—maybe with small drops in the outrageous asking price—and decide that all the other buyers out there have already decided that it’s not a property that’s worth buying. In addition, you’ve had to keep your home in a show-ready state for months in case a realtor calls to show your house; this can be merely a hassle to keep a home in a permanently staged state and it can also cost you money if you’re renting furniture or having a house cleaner come in to help you keep it immaculate.
For your best results in home selling, consult your realtor for their judgment on what kind of listing price they think that you should start with; many listing agents won’t even take on a client if they insist on pricing their home completely unreasonably because they know that it can be a waste of time to go through all that work for something that isn’t going to sell.
aa
Monday, December 21, 2009
Realtor vs FSBO
Trained Realtors - The Understanding You Require To Sell Your House
It is very difficult to market your home for sale all by yourself, as many people who do so often run into a difficult situation and trying to give themselves maximum exposure. For this reason it is a good idea to utilize a professional Realtor.
When it comes to having your house sell or not, it all comes down to marketing. Without any of the exposure that you get from a real estate agent, putting your home in front of prospective buyers is difficult.
These days one of the best ways to get some attention for your home is by using the Web, and an agent who is already established with a web presence could be a real boon to get people to look at your house. Let's face it, this is the era of the internet.
The vast majority of those in the market to buy a home have spent quite a bit of time on the Internet looking around to find homes before they actually contact a Realtor to go see them. This is why it is vital for a Realtor or agent to have a commanding web presence.
Another thing that an agent excels at is putting your home in front of other agents who may have potential buyers. This is probably one of the most important parts in the process of selling your home.
Your Realtor will most likely know all of the other realtors in town and set up a private viewing for all of his or her agent buddies so your home can get full exposure to all of the different realtors in the area. These are some pretty powerful benefits as I'm sure you can imagine. Most all of your realtors will also have a budget for advertising their listings both in print and media.
This should be including full-color advertisements in your local newspaper, and have your home listed and flyers that can be found 24 hours a day on a sign in the front of your yard. Without the help of a Realtor it is nearly impossible to gain this type of exposure.
Not only is the Realtor going to make an investment of their time and effort into the sale of your home, but they will also put their money into it as well. It is in their best interest to see that your home is sold in a timely manner and for the best price possible. They are able to showcase your home in a fashion that most home owners cannot achieve due to the time involved.
Not only do they have very good knowledge of the market in the area, but they have access to all of the marketing media as well. You might surely be surprised when you ask your Realtor what it is they are doing to effectively market your home. Discovering the right Realtor can be tough I understand, and as this article said you need to get one with a powerful web presense.
Article Source
articlealley
It is very difficult to market your home for sale all by yourself, as many people who do so often run into a difficult situation and trying to give themselves maximum exposure. For this reason it is a good idea to utilize a professional Realtor.
When it comes to having your house sell or not, it all comes down to marketing. Without any of the exposure that you get from a real estate agent, putting your home in front of prospective buyers is difficult.
These days one of the best ways to get some attention for your home is by using the Web, and an agent who is already established with a web presence could be a real boon to get people to look at your house. Let's face it, this is the era of the internet.
The vast majority of those in the market to buy a home have spent quite a bit of time on the Internet looking around to find homes before they actually contact a Realtor to go see them. This is why it is vital for a Realtor or agent to have a commanding web presence.
Another thing that an agent excels at is putting your home in front of other agents who may have potential buyers. This is probably one of the most important parts in the process of selling your home.
Your Realtor will most likely know all of the other realtors in town and set up a private viewing for all of his or her agent buddies so your home can get full exposure to all of the different realtors in the area. These are some pretty powerful benefits as I'm sure you can imagine. Most all of your realtors will also have a budget for advertising their listings both in print and media.
This should be including full-color advertisements in your local newspaper, and have your home listed and flyers that can be found 24 hours a day on a sign in the front of your yard. Without the help of a Realtor it is nearly impossible to gain this type of exposure.
Not only is the Realtor going to make an investment of their time and effort into the sale of your home, but they will also put their money into it as well. It is in their best interest to see that your home is sold in a timely manner and for the best price possible. They are able to showcase your home in a fashion that most home owners cannot achieve due to the time involved.
Not only do they have very good knowledge of the market in the area, but they have access to all of the marketing media as well. You might surely be surprised when you ask your Realtor what it is they are doing to effectively market your home. Discovering the right Realtor can be tough I understand, and as this article said you need to get one with a powerful web presense.
Article Source
articlealley
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