Real Estate Repair Scams

It happens more often than you might think. A person in a building company's truck knocks on a homeowner's door. The person tells the home owner that they were driving by, and they noticed some serious damage to the shingles on the roof. Have they had their roof inspected lately? Are they aware that this could cause problems down the road? The contractor, it just so happens, has the equipment in his truck, and he would be glad to start work immediately for a down payment.

To anyone paying close attention, this already sounds like a scam.

But even if the home owner misses these first warning signs, he discovers it's a scam a few days later. That is, after he's paid up, and the contractor has disappeared without doing the work, or announced that it will cost twice as much as he thought and he needs more money before he can continue.

Home repair scams are fairly common, experts say, and new homeowners and the elderly are particularly susceptible. It might seem shocking that anyone would hand money to a person off the street with no guarantees, but many inexperienced owners are panicked at the thought of home repair, and they will trust anyone in a tool belt who tells them there's a problem. No questions asked- unfortunately.

What is the simplest way to tell the difference between a legitimate home contractor and a scam artist? The main rule is, if they come looking for you, consider them suspect. Legitimate contractors are busy- running a real business- and they don't go knocking on doors for jobs, not even if your roof IS dangerously close to serious damage. If someone is knocking on doors and soliciting jobs, chances are they have more than enough time on their hands to do so, because they're not actually doing any of the jobs.

Of course, that doesn't mean just because you look a contractor up in the phone book, you're perfectly safe. Do your research. You're investing a lot into choosing your contractor, including your money, your time, and your home. Don't assume that just because a contractor holds a license that they're a good one, either. Becoming a licensed contractor is hardly more than a matter of paperwork, and scam artists can become licensed just as easily as anyone else. The best way to find a good contract worker is by asking for recommendations from neighbors, coworkers, or friends who have had good work done. Ask them if they would hire the person again and what kinds of problems they might have encountered. Check with the Better Business Bureau and any local business registry offices. Ensure that the contractor is indeed registered as a business, and look into any feedback they may have received from previous customers.

Home repair can be a scary and expensive process. When you're faced with needed repairs, make sure you've got a professional on your side. It costs nothing to be careful, and it could save you a great deal.

   

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Dobler Consulting Inc
2339 Warwick Dr
Oldsmar
FL 34677
United States

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Pricing You Home to Sell

When it comes time to sell your home, settling on your list price is one of the most important decisions you will make. All sellers want to command the highest price possible, while all buyers, of course, want to buy a house for the lowest amount they can. Finding the price in between that is just right for your home, its assets, and its area, is a process that involves many factors.

The first factor in pricing your home is, naturally enough, your home itself. The desirability of the property will be the deciding factor in what price to set. It's an excellent idea to get a home inspector on the premises to check out all aspects of the house, including the roof, electrical systems, and plumbing. Get a clean bill of health for your house if possible, and seriously consider making any needed repairs. Buyers today want model-home houses. In fact, many buyers will not move in to a property if there is even a small amount of work that needs to be done. In a seller's market, you may be able to get away with selling a house that needs small improvements, but it will lower your list price.

Call in local agents to help estimate the true market value of your home. It's best to get more than one opinion on this matter. Talk to appraisers and agents who work in your area and are familiar with the neighborhood, as they will be able to factor in the prices of surrounding properties, as well as the desirability of the area. However, don't spend money on getting a formal market appraisal. Local real estate agents will have a better idea of the area and be able to price your house according to current market trends. Don't be afraid to point out certain features or traits of your home that may justify pricing it slightly higher. For example, if you have a bay window, or a carpeted basement that provides more potential living space, you have a slight edge over similar houses, and those factors should be taken into account. A good realtor will be able to take all of these factors into account when setting your list price.

Once you have settled on a fair price for your property, it's time to set your actual price tag. It's expected that most sellers will initially price their home at about 15 percent above its actual market value. The selling process will involve bargaining, and depending on the condition of the home, any possible repairs, and the amount of potential buyers, the amount it sells for will more than likely be less than the price for which you have it listed. So aim a little high and be prepared to receive various offers on your home based off your initial price. If you've done your appraising and calculated correctly, when the final paperwork is signed you should be receiving an amount very close to your home's actual worth. 

   

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Dobler Consulting Inc
2339 Warwick Dr
Oldsmar
FL 34677
United States

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Owning Vs. Renting

In the recipe known as the American Dream, it's one of the main ingredients:  Owning your own home.  With the real estate market of America in constant flux, it's not as simple as it sounds to obtain.  For those who are just starting out in the credit world, newly graduated with jobs, degrees, kids, or credit cards, the steps towards making this milestone purchase are getting steeper and steeper.  The effects can be seen across the country, as more Americans are settling for tract housing, condos, or living in rentals much longer than ever before.  Today many 30 and 40 year olds, especially single, unmarried ones, are still living in rental property because the cost of buying a home is 'just too much.'  Although the claim is often made that a good mortgage won't cost you much more per month than paying rent, some renters argue that theory.  And they're right, in a way:  the cost of home ownership far exceeds simply paying the mortgage.  What about all of those day-to-day repairs, both little (leaky faucets) and big (leaky roofs)? 

Someone living in a rental property, whether it's a home or an apartment, can reasonably expect their landlord to take care of repairs in a timely fashion.  If they don't, per laws in place in every state, the tenant has the right to vacate the property.  The cost of property repairs falls strictly on the landlord, not the tenant, provided the repairs were not brought about by any act of negligence or otherwise on the tenant's part.  So goes the rule of rental:  You pay your rent, and you keep things in good shape, and if they break, it's not your job to fix them.

This is a convenience that is hard to ignore.  Having someone mow your lawn, take care of your furnace, and patch your roof… well, it saves money.  And work.  But even with the massive costs and inconvenience that can come from owning a home, it remains an indispensable fact of life for most Americans.  They want somewhere to call their own.  Even a leaky, expensive roof that you have to pay for is better than not owning a roof at all.

In spite of the costs involved, the repairs, the down payments, and the mortgages that can last for years, this longing for ownership makes a great deal of financial sense.  A homeowner in today's market has far more pull than those whose biggest financial asset is their car.  Owning a home gives you property value, something to borrow against, and something to leave to your children for the future.  As prices of real estate skyrocket across the country, and show no signs of slowing, even a modest bungalow in a small town is an investment that you can be relatively at peace with making.  After all, human beings are always going to need a roof over their heads; ideally, one they can call their own

 

 

   

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Dobler Consulting Inc
2339 Warwick Dr
Oldsmar
FL 34677
United States

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Owning Rental Property

Many people today are intrigued with the idea of owning investment real estate. It sound like an awfully simple way to make money: Owning property, renting it out to tenants, and collecting rent payments. The truth is, it can be an extremely profitable venture, or it can be a train wreck.

An individual who is purchasing rental property for the purposes of income has a long road ahead of him, and he should be involved every step of the way to ensure that his investment turns out in the end.

The first step in figuring out if you're ready to own investment property is to ask yourself how much money you have to pay up front. Buying your own home can require costly down payments, but investment properties generally require that plus much more. You may very well have to come up with not only the down payment on the property, but also the cash needed to bring the place up to code and rental standards. There are different standards for a rental property than for a private home. Unless the place you purchase has been a rental before, expect to be shelling out quite a bit of cash upfront.

Keep in mind, there are loans available for those buying rental properties. But rates and terms for investment real estate loans are harsher than those for private homes, since lenders believe there is not as much emotional investment for the borrower, and so their loan is more at risk. Explore your options and check into a few different lenders, trying to get the best loan rates you can. It may not be easy, but if you are not planning to back down from the task, you will not be wasting your time.

Once you manage to get your property renovated and you're ready to go, you'll face the issue of finding good tenants through the screening process. You can certainly hire a property manager to help you out here, as well as to deal with repairs that come up later, but most small landlords are much better off doing this process themselves. Screen tenants carefully and don't let emotional involvement get in the way. Set some standards regarding credit reports and income, and stick to them regardless of who walks in your door.

Don't expect to make a profit at first. Your rate of return is going to be small, even if you have done the math and figured out your rent cost as carefully as possible. Also prepare yourself for unexpected repairs which are going to bring down your profit margin and require some work on your part. The first three years of a rental property are, typically, the shakiest. If you're committed to being a landlord, you're not afraid to roll up your sleeves, and if you're planning to stick with it, you can reasonably expect a decent profit at some point in the future.

 

 

   

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Dobler Consulting Inc
2339 Warwick Dr
Oldsmar
FL 34677
United States

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Out of Date Real Estate

As with any other possession, whether it's clothing or cars, there are trends in real estate that come and go. These trends eventually make their way down through the levels of home ownership, and mark a property as "clearly hot" or "clearly not." If you're planning on selling or buying, it might be wise to take a look at current "out" trends such as these.

First of all, swimming pools? Not such a big deal anymore. More home buyers today are thrilled with a huge backyard, and not as thrilled with the fact that it's taken up by a huge tiled pool. Although once the symbol of opulent luxury, a swimming pool in the backyard nowadays tends to label your property. It makes it suitable for a certain type of buyer- and the right buyer may very well pay big bucks for it- but it can take away from the general market appeal of a home. Today's family wants a big yard with lots of potential for landscaping, jungle gyms, or gardens; and an inset swimming pool removes that potential.

Another trend that is suddenly disappearing from the market is the age-old trend of bay windows. These high-maintenance windows, while beautiful from both inside and out, can be a negative on today's market. That doesn't mean having one will lower your property value, but if you're considering installing one, you might want to think again. The more glass in a window, the more likely it is to break, be broken into, and leak warm air during the cold months. If you have a bay window, make sure it's properly sealed and has good insulation, and try to plate it with the heaviest glass you can afford.

Another "trend" on its way out, although it's so old it can hardly be called a trend, is carpeting. Home owners today are conscious of the fact that carpet styles come and go, but wood floors will always remain. Carpeted rooms require more maintenance than wood floors, and cost more money; a carpet wears out and goes out of style much more quickly than a wood floor. If your house has carpet over floors that you'd just as soon not expose, installing wood floors for the sake of higher property value can be a tremendous expense. In that case, the shrewd home seller may simply choose to re-carpet. If you go this direction, make sure to pick a durable carpet that wears well and doesn't adhere to any particular style.

Whether you're buying, selling, or building, the best advice is to keep an eye open for what's popular today, and use those trends as starting points when it comes to making decisions about your house. Each property is different, and each home owner has his own sense of style. In the end, regardless of trends, it all boils down to what works for the home, as well as for the people living inside it.

 

 

   

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Dobler Consulting Inc
2339 Warwick Dr
Oldsmar
FL 34677
United States

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Open Houses: Are They Worth It?

Many home sellers who wish to expose their property to a larger market make the decision to hold an open house, and schedule a date and time during which they invite people to come and explore the property. Is it worthwhile for potential sellers to go through the hassle of an open house? Is it more risk than reward?

Of course, plenty of homes are sold through private showings, scheduled only between the home owner, the realtor, and the buyer. But the publicity of a well-advertised open house can bring in a larger sphere of interested people who might not have been exposed to the property otherwise.

Many people in the market to buy a home can't leave work or family to go house-hunting during the week; it can be difficult to find a time that works for both the buyer and the owner. Open houses make this simple. They are usually held on weekends, and all parties have plenty of advance notice. Not to mention the fact that a buyer at a well-prepared open house sees a much more pleasing display than one who is led through the house at 9:30 on a Monday morning.

However, all of this can come at a price. The number one concern among home sellers regarding open houses is security, for their possessions as well as their property. A seller who is already packing up to move might be very amenable to the idea of an open walkthrough, but one who is still living in the home would have quite a lot of preparation ahead. Things can, and do, get broken or stolen at open houses. It takes a great deal of time to organize a household's worth of belongings in such a way that several strangers poking through the house at once, trying to see how big the closets are, will not disturb them.

There is another security factor. Home owners are often just plain bothered by the idea of people seeing what they own and getting a chance to essentially case the joint. This is another reason why, if the owner is unable to store their property elsewhere during the open house, it may not be worth the risk.

Those who feel that an open house would be a good move in their market simply need to act smart. Request the help of your realtor, friends, and family, and pack away belongings. Provide adequate supervision in every room during the open house. If you would rather organize the open house into a series of guided tours, with one starting every fifteen minutes, this is a possibility (although you might lose one or two buyers who would prefer to wander free).

Basically, if your house doesn't have a lot of curb appeal and is short on offers, it might be worth your time to let potential buyers get a free peek inside. It can be a secure and helpful step in the selling process, provided you take the time to prepare for it.

 

   

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www.suncoastrenttoown.com

Dobler Consulting Inc
2339 Warwick Dr
Oldsmar
FL 34677
United States

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