Fixing Up Your Home to Sell

Fixing up your home to sell is a big responsibility.  The way you go about decorating your home can be a big factor in the selling power of the house, adding up to 20 percent to the selling value of your home, although you may not see that much yourself.  A lot of newbies to the home selling business can be under the common misconception that making your home as "homey" as possible will make people want to buy your property.  Supposedly, seeing a home the way you have it should cause them to wish that they lived in such an environment and this is not the case.

 

It is strongly recommended that you keep your decorating prowess to a bare minimum when fixing up your home to sell.  One's natural impulse is to clean up the entire house, rearranging things and making everything look nice, and that is all well and good.  When fixing up your property to sell, put yourself in the shoes of your prospective home buyers, who will be walking around your house and sizing it up for themselves.  Most people are looking to purchase a home for themselves, to raise a family in and all that jazz.  In that respect, while they may like you and your family just fine, they are not going to want to see your son's cement handprint hanging over the doorway, or your daughter's kindergarten art project framed over the mantel.  It is to your benefit, as the seller, to remove as many visible personal items from the home as possible, especially the living room and dining room, or other areas where the prospective buyers, agents, or others may congregate to discuss your property.  Take down your wedding pictures, and if you just can't bear to do such a thing make sure they are straight on the wall.  Arrange sofa pillows, ottomans, and other objects neatly.  Having too much clutter in the home when you are showing it to prospective buyers can hurt your chances of selling the property quickly.  When your personal items are in the way, prospective home buyers may sometimes find it hard to envision their own belongings and their own family in the house.

 

It is also recommended that you bake cookies, a cake, a pie, or even just set potpourri dishes around the house.  Aroma does a lot for the senses, and baking in particular brings a homey, personal effect to the property.  Furniture placement can mean a lot as well.  Less is more! Once again, give your prospective home buyers the opportunity to envision their own belongings in the home.  A small sofa, loveseat, and table is more than enough in this case.  Of course, if you are still living in the home you must be able to continue doing so, but grandpa's easy chair, the old out-of-tune piano, and the bean bag chair can all be temporarily stored in the basement or attic.  Yes, parting with belongings like that, especially if you are a pack rat, can be such sweet sorrow, but it will pay off in the end when you sell your home for your asking price.

  

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Dobler Consulting Inc
2339 Warwick Dr
Oldsmar
FL 34677
United States

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Consider Purchasing a Fixer-Upper

Most people in the real estate business didn't start out buying and selling properties that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, making a hefty profit for their pockets.  True--some do, but not all.  Many good, successful people whether they are in the real estate business or looking to purchase their first home for themselves, start out with fixer upper properties.  The term fixer upper can range from an older house built in the 1900s to a duplex that was built twenty years ago that has plumbing problems, little or no landscaping, or a bad roof.  While it is important to assess the number of repairs that are needed in any home, it is even more important to do so when purchasing a foreclosed home or a home from the city or any government organization.  These types of homes come with lovely little price tags attached to them that can cause any person to turn their head to all of the potential problems involved in fixing the place up.

 

In your real estate business endeavors, you may want to consider purchasing a property that needs a little work.  Fixer uppers can be purchased at amazingly low selling prices, allowing you as the new owner to either make your improvements and repairs with the intention of selling the property for a profit or using the property for your own personal or business use.

 

We have all seen the For Sale By Owner signs while driving down the street.  Most of the times when people sell houses or properties that are in need of work, they do so because they either lack the time or funding to get the work done themselves.  Properties that need fixing up can be cash buckets for the person with the right eye, proper skills, and/or the proper monetary reserves to rise to the occasion. 

 

While it can be a great idea for a lot of people, do not purchase a property that needs work without thinking the situation through completely, analyzing the pros and cons of the situation.  It is important to determine whether or not the property is even a good value; ask yourself if you have the time and willingness to make the repairs yourself, or the money to hire someone to make the repairs and improvements for you.  If the costs of the repairs outweigh the profit that could have been made were you to turn around and sell the property for a higher price after the improvements have been made, you are wasting your time and money.  In this situation, one could potentially end up getting stuck with land, commercial property, or a home that is useless to them personally.  Keep in mind that not every one out there is willing to purchase a home or property as you were when you purchased it.  If, upon finalizing the deal you discover that this is so monumental of a task that you are not up to it, you cannot just give the property back, so it is important to analyze and think through the situation as thoroughly as possible. 

 

 

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Dobler Consulting Inc
2339 Warwick Dr
Oldsmar
FL 34677
United States

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Common Architectural Styles

Have you ever heard a home referred to as a Tudor, or a Colonial, and wondered exactly what those terms meant? Have you tried to describe your home to others, and had trouble finding the right words? Maybe you're trying to plan your dream home, and you're in need of some inspiration. The history of architectural styling is a fascinating subject and is well worth the study. The evolution of real estate design to meet people's needs throughout the years has resulted in classic and enduring architecture that still exists today. Here are a few of the most common architectural "types" explained.

Tudor: A Tudor home is built in the style of late medieval architecture, and echoes designs used on English country homes through the 16th century. Tudor homes have a distinctly European look. They feature decorative half-timbering, often in parallel crown designs across the front of the home. These timbers are merely decorative today but on the original homes they were an integral part of the structural design. Tudor homes are very often a light color, with dark or black timbers criss-crossed across the gables (another important feature). Some of them have false thatched roofs, imitating the real thatches of the original homes, and most have decorative but functional chimneys.

Colonial: This term typically refers to a Colonial Revival Style home, which first appeared in 1876 at the US Centennial Exposition. After the World Wars this home style was built all over the United States and is still extremely popular today. Colonial Revival Homes feature a symmetrical design, often with a single pillar on either side of the front door, and they are usually made from brick or wood. They are extremely simple and mathematically plotted, with windows on corresponding sides of the house matching those opposite. The inside of a Colonial style home often has a main entranceway with stairs that lead up directly across from the door.

Cape Cod: A Cape Cod style home is one of the most prevalent styles still appearing across the country today. This style of home was first built in the late 17th century by English colonists arriving in America. It is a modest, symmetrical design, with a long peaked roof and no more than two stories, usually one. Cape Cods often feature wide clapboards or shingles on the exterior, and wooden shutters over the windows. Their original design was lifted from English country homes familiar to the settlers, who then modified the design to withstand the cold winds and hot suns of New England weather.

These are just three of the most common architectural designs used in today's homes. There are thousands more out there. With the trends in the real estate market changing every day, it can be reassuring to know that there are some things that will always endure. Even the fickle world of home builders can recognize the value of a true classic.

 

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Dobler Consulting Inc
2339 Warwick Dr
Oldsmar
FL 34677
United States

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Choosing a Realtor

When it's time to sell your home, one of the first things you should consider is who is going to help you through the process. Choosing a realtor is one of the most important decisions you will make during the selling process, and it isn't a decision to be made lightly.

Too many house sellers make their choice of realtors a hasty one. Calling the first number in the yellow pages is not a good idea, and neither is using the first realtor whose signs you see in front lawns around town. Just because a realtor is established does not necessarily mean they are a good fit for you. As with any major financial decision, this is a time to do your homework.

The first factor in choosing a realtor is looking for one with experience. In this sense, signs around town can be good, but only if all the other factors fit, too. Look for a company that has been in business successfully for a number of years, and ask about properties they have handled in the past. Chances are an experienced realtor will know just what to do with you and your home's particular situation. Use this as a chance to get references from people who have used this realtor in the past- many realtors keep a list of satisfied clients who are willing to supply information to potential sellers- and do your research.

Another important factor is education. It's becoming easier and easier these days for just about anyone to get a real estate license. Unfortunately not a great deal of education is required for a person to be allowed to deal in real estate. So ask about credentials. Look for special certifications and degrees that prove your realtor has actually studied the business beyond simply filling in test blanks.

Finally, go with your instinct. If your potential realtor says things that just don't sound right to you- for example, claiming they can sell your house for much more than it its appraisal value- think twice before investing time and money with this person. If you don't trust them, you're not going to be happy during the selling process and things can go badly very quickly. Look for a realtor who is able to match your style and respond to your needs. Each sale is important to the realtor, as well as the seller, and if you're made to feel like a number, it's time to look somewhere else.

A realtor can be a major benefit during the house selling process... or they can create major problems. So choose wisely. You (and your money) will be involved with this person for some time to come.

 

 

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Dobler Consulting Inc
2339 Warwick Dr
Oldsmar
FL 34677
United States

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Buying Foreclosed Properties

Buying foreclosed properties is a great way to save your pennies on your real estate endeavors.  While most properties that have been foreclosed upon sell for five to ten percent below normal selling price, there are some out there who may be selling for as much as twenty to thirty percent below market value.

 

While purchasing foreclosed homes is a great way to buy, sell, and make a profit, there is a process to the purchasing of these properties that must be followed by everyone.  When a home is being foreclosed upon it means that the home owner was unable to make their mortgage payments on time and fell more behind than their bank or lender allowed.  Usually the mortgage loan is taken against the house, there by granting the lender or bank the right to seize the property as fulfillment of their loan.

 

As far as purchasing foreclosed properties go, there are some advantages to buying properties this way that buying properties the normal traditional way do not offer.  Appraisal fees can range anywhere from $300 to $600.  During an appraisal, a professional appraiser inspects the property, measuring the square footage, inspecting the yard, fencing, garage, and other appurtenant structures.  They will also do an inspection of the property itself; things like pools, decks, number of bathrooms, number of bedrooms, and such are all taken into consideration when evaluating the value of a particular property or home.  The appraisal process can be rather tiresome, as an appraisal is simply the appraiser's professional opinion.  If the lender, bank, or purchaser does not agree with the figure the appraiser comes up with the appraisal is disputed and the process begins again.  When you buy a property that is being foreclosed upon, the appraisal process can usually be skipped because the lender already has some idea of what the property is worth. This saves both of you money, and can make the buying and selling process a lot easier and smoother on everyone's behalf.

 

Buying properties that are being foreclosed upon is a great way to locate a fixer upper that is worth the work.  Usually foreclosed homes need repairs because the owner was, obviously, having some financial troubles that caused them to get so behind in the payments.  This is an indicator that there may be problems with the roof, plumbing, or even the yard that need fixing.  These are all things that can add to or take away from the market value of a home, and if you can purchase a home with these problems and you have the ability or monetary reserves to correct these problems, you have found yourself a nice little cash bucket.

 

The Department of Housing and Urban Development, also known simply as HUD, also holds auctions periodically to unload homes that were funded through their federal mortgage program.  Sometimes these houses can be bought at rock bottom prices and are not in as bad condition as one might think, although the auction environment can drive prices up in others' determination to secure a particular property for their own needs, personal or business related.

 

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Dobler Consulting Inc
2339 Warwick Dr
Oldsmar
FL 34677
United States

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Buying and Selling As Is

Buying or selling a home 'as is' on the real estate market today is fairly common. As Americans move more often and the practice of renovating run-down homes for profit grows more widespread, many sellers aren't finding it necessary to repair the defects in their property before putting it on the market. They're much more liable today to find a buyer who's willing to purchase the home, defects and all.

How does 'as is' selling work? The process is simple. The contract simply states that the seller is not responsible for making any repairs to the home before the buyer takes possession. The seller is still required to disclose any defects of which they are aware. However, if other defects appear after the sale is complete, the seller is not liable for those problems, provided they didn't hide knowledge of the condition during the sale.

With the 'as is' buying and selling process, sellers accept the fact that they're getting less money for their home. Buyers are entitled to a lower price to make up for the cost of repairs. Usually sellers who put their homes on the market as is are not as interested in high market value as they are in a quick sale; or they simply do not have the resources to make the repairs before sale.

In order to sell a home as is, however, a home inspection is still required. Both parties must be aware of the damages, so that the buyer knows what he is getting into and the seller knows approximately how much he is going to lose in market value.

Purchasing a home with knowledge of its condition allows a buyer to examine his budget and decide if purchase price plus repair cost is worth it. Usually, it is- the buyer is essentially paying less because he's willing to go through the hassle of repairs, and not necessarily because the repairs will cost a certain amount. Also, often the defects in a home are perfectly livable; for example, if a seller refuses to put a new coat of paint on the rooms, then the house qualifies for an as is sale. The industrious buyer who doesn't mind painting a few rooms can get his purchase price lowered for the sake of a very easy repair.

In a home being sold as is, both sides would do well to hire home inspectors, and check the house over thoroughly. Provided the seller doesn't mind losing a little sticker price, and the buyer doesn't mind a few costs down the road, it can be an excellent deal for both sides. One gets out with having to do any work and makes a quick sale; the other gets a bargain home that needs a little TLC.


Peter Dobler
http://www.suncoastrenttoown.com
http://www.pinellas247.com

Dobler Consulting Inc
2339 Warwick Dr
Oldsmar
FL 34677
United States

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