Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays from
BuySellHomesInternational.com
To You and Your Loved Ones!
May this holiday season be full
of joy and laughter and may the
new year bring you happiness
and prosperity thereafter!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Featured Listing: Beautiful Home + Guest House And Studio In Sprawling Gardens Guadalajara, Mexico
Beautiful Home + Guest House And Studio In Sprawling Gardens
Guadalajara, Mexico - $950,000 USD
Reference ID 7917
Main residence + guest house + studio. Large beautiful garden. more details >
Tips to Sell Your Home in the Winter By Dorina Duncan
It you took a poll of 50 adult homeowners asking: "would you sell your current home during the winter months of November, December, January and February," most would answer: "are you crazy! Winter months are holiday months.....like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, travel. Nobody is that stupid."
Maybe. Maybe not. If you opt to sell in the winter and live in a warmer state where snow is a rarity and the sun shines 340 days a year you're in luck. Other states where the holiday season is always greeted with four feet of snow and your last Christmas gift from your wife was a snow blower machine, you might wonder who in their right mind is out looking to buy a home in the winter.
Unfortunately, not every person or family has the luxury of waiting until the thermometer climbs back into the 50's and the snow and ice disappears and the plants and flowers start to bloom. Selling a home in the winter will present a limited amount of buyers and may leave you twiddling your thumbs on your weekend open house while you watch the snow falling through your living room window. That's the bad news. The good news, and sudden ray of sunshine, is that selling your home in the winter eliminates the tire-kickers and lookylou folks from traipsing snow and mud through your house then leaving without a smile or thank you. Only serious buyers will make the effort in the winter.
So, let's make a plan. You can sell your home in the winter - but those six letters means that it will be cold, wet, snowing or a combination of all three. And even if your home is in Scottsdale, Arizona where I lived for 22 years, it can get cold in the winter. You should have your home energy-efficient because that's the first thing that's going to enter a wintertime home buyers mind. Here are a few tips to make your home sell-able and more attractive to that serious buyer.
#1 - Do you have storm windows throughout? If not and it's cold in your state 5 months a year this is a good investment and will add value to your home.
#2 - If you have a fireplace make sure the flue has a tight seal and has been recently cleaned and you have a fireplace cover to keep hot air from escaping.
#3 - Make sure your windows have been caulked and doors weather stripped. Check for cold air leaks. Your prospective buyer will.
#4 - Make sure your attic is insulated at least 7 inches.
#5 - If your furnace is over 20 years old and is crapping out, consider a new one. Your new buyer will love that gesture. While your at it, check the furnace filter.
#6 - Decorate windows with shutters or window shades to keep out the cold air.
Finally, have a recent monthly utility bill handy to show any buyers. It proves you're a good wintertime owner.
Maybe. Maybe not. If you opt to sell in the winter and live in a warmer state where snow is a rarity and the sun shines 340 days a year you're in luck. Other states where the holiday season is always greeted with four feet of snow and your last Christmas gift from your wife was a snow blower machine, you might wonder who in their right mind is out looking to buy a home in the winter.
Unfortunately, not every person or family has the luxury of waiting until the thermometer climbs back into the 50's and the snow and ice disappears and the plants and flowers start to bloom. Selling a home in the winter will present a limited amount of buyers and may leave you twiddling your thumbs on your weekend open house while you watch the snow falling through your living room window. That's the bad news. The good news, and sudden ray of sunshine, is that selling your home in the winter eliminates the tire-kickers and lookylou folks from traipsing snow and mud through your house then leaving without a smile or thank you. Only serious buyers will make the effort in the winter.
So, let's make a plan. You can sell your home in the winter - but those six letters means that it will be cold, wet, snowing or a combination of all three. And even if your home is in Scottsdale, Arizona where I lived for 22 years, it can get cold in the winter. You should have your home energy-efficient because that's the first thing that's going to enter a wintertime home buyers mind. Here are a few tips to make your home sell-able and more attractive to that serious buyer.
#1 - Do you have storm windows throughout? If not and it's cold in your state 5 months a year this is a good investment and will add value to your home.
#2 - If you have a fireplace make sure the flue has a tight seal and has been recently cleaned and you have a fireplace cover to keep hot air from escaping.
#3 - Make sure your windows have been caulked and doors weather stripped. Check for cold air leaks. Your prospective buyer will.
#4 - Make sure your attic is insulated at least 7 inches.
#5 - If your furnace is over 20 years old and is crapping out, consider a new one. Your new buyer will love that gesture. While your at it, check the furnace filter.
#6 - Decorate windows with shutters or window shades to keep out the cold air.
Finally, have a recent monthly utility bill handy to show any buyers. It proves you're a good wintertime owner.
For more helpful real estate tips or to look for a Bellaire Realtor, visit http://www.rogermartinproperties.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dorina_Duncan
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Swimming pool Villa on coast
Swimming Pool Villa on Coast of Croatia
Dolmatia, Croatia - $940,000 USD
Reference ID 7901
The 270m2 Villa with 1600 m2 surrounding terrein,15 min from seaside in Liznjan, Croatia. Small village in Istrian peninsula.
It is new and equipped with everything. For more information contact directly. more details >
Dolmatia, Croatia - $940,000 USD
Reference ID 7901
The 270m2 Villa with 1600 m2 surrounding terrein,15 min from seaside in Liznjan, Croatia. Small village in Istrian peninsula.
It is new and equipped with everything. For more information contact directly. more details >
Hard Money Loans and Rehabbing for Profit By Rebecca A Miller
What is a Hard Money Loan?
Hard money loans are a specialized type of real estate backed loans. Hard money lenders or private lenders provide short-term loans based on the value of real estate that has been collateralized for the loan.
Hard money loans typically have a much higher interest rate than bank loans because they fund deals that do not conform to bank standards and have higher risks. Hard money loans are more expensive than traditional loans because they are not based upon traditional credit guidelines. Hard money lenders may not require the income verification, credit score, etc. that typical lenders do, but their interest rate and points are higher.
"Points" on a hard money loan vary widely, some lenders may charge 1 to 3 points, while other lenders may charge up to 7 or 8 points. Some lenders base the points charged on the rehab experience of the borrower with regular clients getting reduced points the more business they do.
New rehabbers should not do more than 1 project at a time, especially in this economy. You don't want to be stuck with a couple of houses when you do not have the finances to maintain them until they are sold. Also, as a new rehabber, you should get yourself registered (qualified) with a Hard Money Lender first so you can act fast when you find a house to rehab. You will able to get a "proof of funds" letter quickly from your Hard Money Lender to be qualified as a cash buyer. It is important to be a cash buyer since the sellers of foreclosed or distressed properties want fast deals. In fact, most ads or MLS listings require a pre-approved buyer and request the proof of funds letter to be submitted with the purchase contract. With most Hard Money Lenders, it is not difficult to get qualified. Usually it takes a simple application, a bit of information about your experience or lack thereof and some personal information.
The advantages of using Hard Money Loans are:
Pricing your home is one of the most important aspects of your rehabbing. You should determine a selling price when you purchase the property. However, sometimes things change and the original price you calculated to sell it is not longer an option. Always remember that you make a profit when you BUY the property, not when you SELL it!! This means that if you do not make a wise and well thought out purchase, there is no way you are going to make money. It just doesn't happen because you want it to happen. This is a process that needs to be calculated to the end and that includes the SALE of the property after it has been rehabbed.
Pricing: Realize that because of the economy and the current housing market conditions, there are many properties on the market. Some are in great shape, some need a little work and some need a lot of work. Also there are a lot of pre-foreclosures, foreclosures and short sales. Ask yourself some questions:
1. Are there many distressed properties in the area?
2. Are there a lot of vacant lots?
3. Do the neighbors keep up their properties?
4. Are there schools nearby?
5. Are shopping areas convenient? Within walking distance?
6. Are there streetlights and sidewalks?
7. What about transportation? Bus lines? Train Lines?
8. Do comps in the neighborhood. Have your Realtor pull rehabbed properties in the same area that have recently sold (within 6 months), or do drive-bys yourself and look up the comparables with www.zillow.com or www.realtytrac.com. These sites will give you approximate values and can help you make the decision whether this is the right house to buy for rehab. Don't fudge the numbers. Make sure you comps are similar size, number of bedrooms and baths, design, frame or brick, etc. If one or more of your "test items" does not work out, then move on to another property.
All of this must be considered when making a purchase for rehab.
The actual funding of the deal, the paperwork and how it works will be discussed in my next article.
Hard money loans are a specialized type of real estate backed loans. Hard money lenders or private lenders provide short-term loans based on the value of real estate that has been collateralized for the loan.
Hard money loans typically have a much higher interest rate than bank loans because they fund deals that do not conform to bank standards and have higher risks. Hard money loans are more expensive than traditional loans because they are not based upon traditional credit guidelines. Hard money lenders may not require the income verification, credit score, etc. that typical lenders do, but their interest rate and points are higher.
"Points" on a hard money loan vary widely, some lenders may charge 1 to 3 points, while other lenders may charge up to 7 or 8 points. Some lenders base the points charged on the rehab experience of the borrower with regular clients getting reduced points the more business they do.
New rehabbers should not do more than 1 project at a time, especially in this economy. You don't want to be stuck with a couple of houses when you do not have the finances to maintain them until they are sold. Also, as a new rehabber, you should get yourself registered (qualified) with a Hard Money Lender first so you can act fast when you find a house to rehab. You will able to get a "proof of funds" letter quickly from your Hard Money Lender to be qualified as a cash buyer. It is important to be a cash buyer since the sellers of foreclosed or distressed properties want fast deals. In fact, most ads or MLS listings require a pre-approved buyer and request the proof of funds letter to be submitted with the purchase contract. With most Hard Money Lenders, it is not difficult to get qualified. Usually it takes a simple application, a bit of information about your experience or lack thereof and some personal information.
The advantages of using Hard Money Loans are:
- No Credit history, tax returns, W-2's or job history
- You can make All Cash Offers
- The property value is used to determine the loan, not your income.
- Close in a very short time frame.
- Purchase the property and have the funds available to rehab it in one loan.
- The Hard Money Lender understands all aspects of rehabbing and can, if necessary, be flexible on their programs.
Pricing your home is one of the most important aspects of your rehabbing. You should determine a selling price when you purchase the property. However, sometimes things change and the original price you calculated to sell it is not longer an option. Always remember that you make a profit when you BUY the property, not when you SELL it!! This means that if you do not make a wise and well thought out purchase, there is no way you are going to make money. It just doesn't happen because you want it to happen. This is a process that needs to be calculated to the end and that includes the SALE of the property after it has been rehabbed.
Pricing: Realize that because of the economy and the current housing market conditions, there are many properties on the market. Some are in great shape, some need a little work and some need a lot of work. Also there are a lot of pre-foreclosures, foreclosures and short sales. Ask yourself some questions:
- Would I buy this rehabbed home before buying a pre-foreclosure, foreclosure or short sale (distressed properties)?
- How is the new buyer's appraiser going to evaluate the home; equal to the distressed properties in the neighborhood or better? Sometimes appraisers don't look at the upgrades you may have put in to your project. A "budget" buyer might buy the short sale or foreclosed house that needs a little work for less money than what you are asking.
1. Are there many distressed properties in the area?
2. Are there a lot of vacant lots?
3. Do the neighbors keep up their properties?
4. Are there schools nearby?
5. Are shopping areas convenient? Within walking distance?
6. Are there streetlights and sidewalks?
7. What about transportation? Bus lines? Train Lines?
8. Do comps in the neighborhood. Have your Realtor pull rehabbed properties in the same area that have recently sold (within 6 months), or do drive-bys yourself and look up the comparables with www.zillow.com or www.realtytrac.com. These sites will give you approximate values and can help you make the decision whether this is the right house to buy for rehab. Don't fudge the numbers. Make sure you comps are similar size, number of bedrooms and baths, design, frame or brick, etc. If one or more of your "test items" does not work out, then move on to another property.
All of this must be considered when making a purchase for rehab.
The actual funding of the deal, the paperwork and how it works will be discussed in my next article.
I have ten years experience in Real Estate Investing. As a Real Estate Broker with my own company, I have personally rehabbed properties and wholesaled single family and two-flats in the Chicago area.
I am currently writing E-Books on Real Estate as an Investment, Hard Money Lending and Rehabbing for Profit that will be available on my website at http://www.RealEstateRehabProfits.com. Hard Money Lending criteria is available on the website http://www.zdeinvestments.com
I will also continue contributing shorter articles on many subjects pertaining to Real Estate.
I am currently writing E-Books on Real Estate as an Investment, Hard Money Lending and Rehabbing for Profit that will be available on my website at http://www.RealEstateRehabProfits.com. Hard Money Lending criteria is available on the website http://www.zdeinvestments.com
I will also continue contributing shorter articles on many subjects pertaining to Real Estate.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rebecca_A_Miller
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Featured Listing: Magnificent Custom Built Toronto Mansion
Magnificent Custom Built Toronto Mansion
Toronto, Canada - $4,880,000 USD
Reference ID 7869
Ravine-like cul-de-sac setting and a landmark address are features of this one of a kind property which will appeal to the discerning buyer. This Beldon style brick and limestone creation sits on half an acre and boasts a slate roof, 3 storey Dining Area, Great Hall, and much more. more details >
Toronto, Canada - $4,880,000 USD
Reference ID 7869
Ravine-like cul-de-sac setting and a landmark address are features of this one of a kind property which will appeal to the discerning buyer. This Beldon style brick and limestone creation sits on half an acre and boasts a slate roof, 3 storey Dining Area, Great Hall, and much more. more details >
Monday, November 22, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Remember That Selling Your Home is Just Business By Darrell Self
In selling your home, there are common, easily identifiable
traps to avoid -- for your sake and the buyer's. The more you
can treat the experience as a business proposition, the better
for all concerned.
** Create emotional distance. **
Once the "for sale" sign goes up in the yard, stop thinking
about the property as your home. To steal a line from The
Godfather, "It's just business." You are not selling your dreams
or your memories, you are helping someone else to find their
own. One of the best ways to divorce yourself from the house is
through staging it for sale.
- Remove extra furniture.
- Paint the rooms a neutral color.
- Remove personal memorabilia and keepsakes.
- Create vignettes in each room that highlight its purpose.
In this fashion, you not only get a jump on moving -- packing
up your things and removing the largest piece of furniture --
but you also begin the process of disassociating yourself from
the house as "yours" and you help a potential buyer to see is as
"theirs."
** Get your top price with an expert. **
Make no mistake, you can sell your home on your own. You will
need to research recently sold and currently listed properties
to arrive at a sale price. You'll need to get your home placed
on the Multiple Listing Service (about $300), and all the
showing, negotiating and paper shuffling will be up to you.
(Seriously, if you go this route, get a real estate attorney.)
You'll still have to pay the buyer's agent a fee of 1-3%. You'll
save a few thousand dollar. Is it worth it?
That's a question only you can answer, but consider these
points about real estate agents:
- They know how to set an accurate price for your home.
- They know how to negotiate and get the best price.
- They have no emotional attachment to the home and will not be
offended by buyer criticism.
- They have the time to show the home. It's what they do.
- They've done the paperwork a million times.
Bottom line. Working with an agent is easier, more efficient,
more cost effective, and in the end, more profitable.
** Avoid price fumbles. **
It is inevitable that homeowners and agents will argue about
setting a price on the home. Again, this can be a factor of
emotional attachment. Over-priced homes, especially in the wake
of an economic recession and the real estate market adjustment,
will not sell. There's just too much inventory out there.
You cannot know what the final price will be, especially if
multiple buyers are interested and start bidding. Trust your
agent. Price is crucial to a successful sale.
And price expectations are integral to avoiding a sense of
failure and disappointment. You are probably not going to get
whatever that asking price may be. If you're lucky, you'll get
more. You may get less. The important thing is that the
negotiations are carried out fairly, based on solid reasoning on
both sides, and that the price you do get represents reasonable
value for all concerned.
** Prepare your home properly. **
Getting a home ready for sale isn't just about cleaning. All
those things you've ignored for years? The missing door knob on
the hall closet? The toilet that runs unless you jiggle the
handle just right? Fix them. Don't put a patch on them or a big
potted plant in front of them. Trying to hide problems is a huge
mistake because when they are revealed, they put you in a bad
light and make the potential buyer wonder what else is wrong
that you're not telling them about.
The best way to avoid problems due to unforeseen home repairs
is simply to have your home inspected before you list it, not
after there's an offer on the table. Why dread the results of a
home inspection when you can be proactive and preemptive? Get an
inspector in. Listen to what he says. Fix what's wrong, and look
forward to a higher sale price.
** Put the focus on the buyer. **
You may think this process is about you, but it's about the
buyer. When someone wants to see your home, get up, get out, and
let them. Accept that short-term inconvenience is part of the
package -- and that includes keeping the place in constant
"show" condition. That spur of the moment showing may be the one
that seals the deal.
That being said, don't trust every Tom, Dick, and Harry who
comes up the walk, especially if you are selling your home on
your own. Don't sign anything with an unqualified buyer. Insist
on a pre-approval letter from the mortgage company or other
proof that they do have the money to go through with the
transaction.
While each of these pitfalls is easily understandable, they are
also easily avoidable. The movie line was right. Selling your
home is business. Treat it that way and make the experience
smoother for you and for your buyer.
About the Author: If you're buying or leasing a home in Dallas
| Fort Worth Texas (DFW), Darrell Self can help you. Are you
searching for Plano Texas homes for sale? If so, find properties
here: http://dmdrealtydfw.com/plano-homes-for-sale/ Are you
moving to Fort Worth? Then, visit http://dmdrealtydfw.com/.
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=646411&ca=Real+Estate
traps to avoid -- for your sake and the buyer's. The more you
can treat the experience as a business proposition, the better
for all concerned.
** Create emotional distance. **
Once the "for sale" sign goes up in the yard, stop thinking
about the property as your home. To steal a line from The
Godfather, "It's just business." You are not selling your dreams
or your memories, you are helping someone else to find their
own. One of the best ways to divorce yourself from the house is
through staging it for sale.
- Remove extra furniture.
- Paint the rooms a neutral color.
- Remove personal memorabilia and keepsakes.
- Create vignettes in each room that highlight its purpose.
In this fashion, you not only get a jump on moving -- packing
up your things and removing the largest piece of furniture --
but you also begin the process of disassociating yourself from
the house as "yours" and you help a potential buyer to see is as
"theirs."
** Get your top price with an expert. **
Make no mistake, you can sell your home on your own. You will
need to research recently sold and currently listed properties
to arrive at a sale price. You'll need to get your home placed
on the Multiple Listing Service (about $300), and all the
showing, negotiating and paper shuffling will be up to you.
(Seriously, if you go this route, get a real estate attorney.)
You'll still have to pay the buyer's agent a fee of 1-3%. You'll
save a few thousand dollar. Is it worth it?
That's a question only you can answer, but consider these
points about real estate agents:
- They know how to set an accurate price for your home.
- They know how to negotiate and get the best price.
- They have no emotional attachment to the home and will not be
offended by buyer criticism.
- They have the time to show the home. It's what they do.
- They've done the paperwork a million times.
Bottom line. Working with an agent is easier, more efficient,
more cost effective, and in the end, more profitable.
** Avoid price fumbles. **
It is inevitable that homeowners and agents will argue about
setting a price on the home. Again, this can be a factor of
emotional attachment. Over-priced homes, especially in the wake
of an economic recession and the real estate market adjustment,
will not sell. There's just too much inventory out there.
You cannot know what the final price will be, especially if
multiple buyers are interested and start bidding. Trust your
agent. Price is crucial to a successful sale.
And price expectations are integral to avoiding a sense of
failure and disappointment. You are probably not going to get
whatever that asking price may be. If you're lucky, you'll get
more. You may get less. The important thing is that the
negotiations are carried out fairly, based on solid reasoning on
both sides, and that the price you do get represents reasonable
value for all concerned.
** Prepare your home properly. **
Getting a home ready for sale isn't just about cleaning. All
those things you've ignored for years? The missing door knob on
the hall closet? The toilet that runs unless you jiggle the
handle just right? Fix them. Don't put a patch on them or a big
potted plant in front of them. Trying to hide problems is a huge
mistake because when they are revealed, they put you in a bad
light and make the potential buyer wonder what else is wrong
that you're not telling them about.
The best way to avoid problems due to unforeseen home repairs
is simply to have your home inspected before you list it, not
after there's an offer on the table. Why dread the results of a
home inspection when you can be proactive and preemptive? Get an
inspector in. Listen to what he says. Fix what's wrong, and look
forward to a higher sale price.
** Put the focus on the buyer. **
You may think this process is about you, but it's about the
buyer. When someone wants to see your home, get up, get out, and
let them. Accept that short-term inconvenience is part of the
package -- and that includes keeping the place in constant
"show" condition. That spur of the moment showing may be the one
that seals the deal.
That being said, don't trust every Tom, Dick, and Harry who
comes up the walk, especially if you are selling your home on
your own. Don't sign anything with an unqualified buyer. Insist
on a pre-approval letter from the mortgage company or other
proof that they do have the money to go through with the
transaction.
While each of these pitfalls is easily understandable, they are
also easily avoidable. The movie line was right. Selling your
home is business. Treat it that way and make the experience
smoother for you and for your buyer.
About the Author: If you're buying or leasing a home in Dallas
| Fort Worth Texas (DFW), Darrell Self can help you. Are you
searching for Plano Texas homes for sale? If so, find properties
here: http://dmdrealtydfw.com/plano-homes-for-sale/ Are you
moving to Fort Worth? Then, visit http://dmdrealtydfw.com/.
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=646411&ca=Real+Estate
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Building Personal Wealth With Bank Owned Properties By Joseph B. Smith
Bank owned properties are also known as real estate owned homes. They are sold as is but at greatly discounted rates. Most banks have an inventory of foreclosed homes that they consider non-performing assets. The pressure is high on them to sell these homes as fast as possible as they bear down on the resources of the bank.
Qualities of Bank Foreclosures
Distressed homes become bank owned properties when they do not sell at auctions. The banks then appoint real estate agents or brokers to sell these properties for them. They also list the homes in various foreclosure listings. Banks go the extra length to ensure that these homes get sold. Once a home becomes real estate owned, the mortgage is extinguished but is priced closer to the value of the outstanding loan than the real market value. The homes offer great savings potential for buyers.
Prospective buyers of bank foreclosures should be able to inspect the property prior to signing the deed of sale. In fact buyers can stipulate a clause on the sale contract that will allow them to pull out of the agreement pending the result of the home inspection to be carried out by a professional inspector.
Bank owned properties sold to the market always come with title insurance unlike other types of foreclosures where would be buyers still need to conduct a title search to reveal the status of the property in terms of back taxes, liens and other holds.
There will typically be a minimum pest certification that comes with the home and the bank will likewise handle the eviction of former occupants so that the new owners can move in without much problems.
To purchase bank foreclosed homes, you need to make an offer through the bank-appointed agent or broker. The bank can make a counter-offer which you may either accept or do a counter-offer for. You may also negotiate for other aspects of the contract like the mortgage terms and the rate of interest.
Qualities of Bank Foreclosures
Distressed homes become bank owned properties when they do not sell at auctions. The banks then appoint real estate agents or brokers to sell these properties for them. They also list the homes in various foreclosure listings. Banks go the extra length to ensure that these homes get sold. Once a home becomes real estate owned, the mortgage is extinguished but is priced closer to the value of the outstanding loan than the real market value. The homes offer great savings potential for buyers.
Prospective buyers of bank foreclosures should be able to inspect the property prior to signing the deed of sale. In fact buyers can stipulate a clause on the sale contract that will allow them to pull out of the agreement pending the result of the home inspection to be carried out by a professional inspector.
Bank owned properties sold to the market always come with title insurance unlike other types of foreclosures where would be buyers still need to conduct a title search to reveal the status of the property in terms of back taxes, liens and other holds.
There will typically be a minimum pest certification that comes with the home and the bank will likewise handle the eviction of former occupants so that the new owners can move in without much problems.
To purchase bank foreclosed homes, you need to make an offer through the bank-appointed agent or broker. The bank can make a counter-offer which you may either accept or do a counter-offer for. You may also negotiate for other aspects of the contract like the mortgage terms and the rate of interest.
Joseph B. Smith has been educating buyers on the finer points of bank owned properties at BankOwnedHome.net for over five years. Contact Joseph B. Smith through BankOwnedHome.net if you need help finding information about bank owned properties.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_B._Smith
Monday, November 15, 2010
BAAN SAINT-TROPEZ VILLA For Sale in Phuket, Thailand - $800,000 USD
Click Here for Full Details & Contact
The villa has three bedrooms all with en-suites, and a huge pool deck overlooking Kata beach. All modern facilities have been included. The large front door opens into a spacious living and dining area overlooking the swimming pool and views of Kata bay beyond. These windows and doors are full height and open to the swimming pool and outdoor courtyard, allowing the outdoors and interior to merge.
U Shape Villa Fully furnished with Wifi internet and Cable TV. Individual Villa with 3 bedrooms all with ensuite bathroom + 1 maid bedroom with ensuite.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
The New World of Real Estate Listing Marketing By James Kimmons
As a writer for the New York Times website at About.com, I am privileged to write business advice and tutorials for real estate professionals. I find that there is still a lot of misunderstanding about the best ways to use the Internet to market their clients' listings. Too many real estate agents and brokers spend too much money on print media, while neglecting the much richer environment and greater capabilities presented by the Web.
Back in 2005, selling a home was easy, fast, and usually profitable. Get a real estate professional to throw it into the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), run some ads, and go to closing. Some home sellers even enjoyed bidding competition for their homes. Those were certainly "the good old days" of real estate.
Contrasting today's markets, we have double and triple the "days on market" in most areas, with homes languishing on the market unless aggressive price-slashing is implemented. And, that's for normal homes at and around the median prices in most areas of the country. It is a tough market for those homes, but it's even tougher for "special" homes. These homes could be special solely due to location, size and price. Others are homes on high value land with special development challenges and unique architecture. There is so much greater potential in the Web marketing of these homes than many real estate professionals recognize. Or, if they do recognize it, they still do not take advantage of it.
Whatever the challenges, real estate brokerage and getting a home sold is all about "marketing," not salesmanship. What's the difference? Marketing is a planned activity that uses advertising and media to get the product in front of as many interested prospects as possible. It's about doing a great job of presenting the product, and getting that prospect to respond. Advertising is used to get the word out, but marketing is the plan and structure of the campaign, as well as the selection of the media in which it will be run.
How It's Been Done
There have been a whole lot of real estate brokers and agents doing the very same things for many years. And, most of them are still doing the very same things over and over again. Remember the definition of insanity: "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
Wait, aren't those full color homes magazines a lot better? Well, they're more colorful. But, they're not any easier to search, as they are laid out by brokerage advertiser, not home characteristics, and rarely by location. My experience with placing ads in those magazines was a deadline for placement almost two months in advance of publication. No changes were allowed after that deadline. So, the material the target prospect sees there is a couple of months old before they ever come across it. And, they must go get that publication, as it's rarely delivered to their home. Again, it's more about something nice to read while they're doing something else or waiting for the dentist. By way of contrast, the Internet home listing can be up and running in hours, and changes can be made at any time.
What about the demographics for readers of newspapers? While they'll happily tell you that they have maybe 178,000 subscribers, you really need to get the other characteristics of the readers. First, rule out any prospects too young to buy a home. Then, out come the ones with incomes below the necessary number to be able to afford the home you're selling. Next go those who only read the "funnies" or the "sports" sections. Finally, throw out the majority of the remaining readers, as they're not in the market for a home. That big number rapidly shrinks to a few thousand eyeballs, and that's two-per-prospect.
If you have a very old stack of newspapers, or some of those old homes magazines going back a few years, compare one of each from five years ago to issues running today. The new ones will be a lot thinner, with fewer ads and less color. Budgets are being cut by real estate companies, and print advertising is suffering. Why? Because it really doesn't work as well as the Web, and costs much more. Too many brokers are afraid to tell their sellers the truth, so they keep running ads because that's what their sellers think will sell their home. It's not that it can't work, but it's far less efficient than the Internet, and far more people are using the Web for home shopping. The truly advanced real estate practitioner will put most or all of their listing and marketing efforts into Web placement, syndication, and innovative ways to present their listings via images and video.
While many will tout their website and the nice rendition of their seller's listings there, that's pretty much all they're doing. How many Web searchers actually find those listings on those local sites, and specifically the home that's right for them? Not many. While it's a fact that print is less effective than the Web in marketing a home now, there aren't that many real estate brokerages that have managed a fully functional transition to the new real estate marketing world on the Web. They've cut their print budgets, but haven't figured out how to do effective Web marketing of their sellers' homes.
The New World of Real Estate Marketing
It's easy to say that print doesn't work as well anymore, but the homeowner who wants their property to sell needs to understand what does work, and their Realtor needs to explain it to them. Let's look at some statistics from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), and their annual survey of home buyers and sellers. These statements are from actual buyers and sellers of homes in the survey period.
Advantages of Web Home Marketing
While the numbers show clearly that people are using the Web to locate homes to buy, there are vast differences in the quality of the homes' presentations:
Work With A Broker Who Understands and Uses The Web
When you sit down with a real estate professional to discuss listing your home, make sure that you're not listening to the old "show and tell" with copies of newspaper ads and homes magazine pages in a scrapbook. What you want is a frank discussion of what works and how the full power of the Internet will be focused on marketing your home.
It's really quite simple in one respect. Print is ineffective, and the Web will sell your home. While the first half of that statement is true across the board, the second half is only true if you're working with someone who understands Web marketing and listing syndication. The brokerage that shows you how your home will be richly presented online, with images, charts, drawings, documents and anything else that a buyer would want to see, is the brokerage you want to work with.
Back in 2005, selling a home was easy, fast, and usually profitable. Get a real estate professional to throw it into the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), run some ads, and go to closing. Some home sellers even enjoyed bidding competition for their homes. Those were certainly "the good old days" of real estate.
Contrasting today's markets, we have double and triple the "days on market" in most areas, with homes languishing on the market unless aggressive price-slashing is implemented. And, that's for normal homes at and around the median prices in most areas of the country. It is a tough market for those homes, but it's even tougher for "special" homes. These homes could be special solely due to location, size and price. Others are homes on high value land with special development challenges and unique architecture. There is so much greater potential in the Web marketing of these homes than many real estate professionals recognize. Or, if they do recognize it, they still do not take advantage of it.
Whatever the challenges, real estate brokerage and getting a home sold is all about "marketing," not salesmanship. What's the difference? Marketing is a planned activity that uses advertising and media to get the product in front of as many interested prospects as possible. It's about doing a great job of presenting the product, and getting that prospect to respond. Advertising is used to get the word out, but marketing is the plan and structure of the campaign, as well as the selection of the media in which it will be run.
How It's Been Done
There have been a whole lot of real estate brokers and agents doing the very same things for many years. And, most of them are still doing the very same things over and over again. Remember the definition of insanity: "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
- Put the property into the MLS (Multiple Listing Service).
- Put some ads in the local newspaper real estate section, maybe some in color, others B&W. Almost all will have a single photo of the property.
- Put an ad in the local "Homes" magazine; again with one photo, sometimes two or three if a larger ad is purchased.
- In the last few years: put the property up on the broker's website on a page titled "Our Listings" or "Featured Listings."
- Wait for the phone to ring.
Wait, aren't those full color homes magazines a lot better? Well, they're more colorful. But, they're not any easier to search, as they are laid out by brokerage advertiser, not home characteristics, and rarely by location. My experience with placing ads in those magazines was a deadline for placement almost two months in advance of publication. No changes were allowed after that deadline. So, the material the target prospect sees there is a couple of months old before they ever come across it. And, they must go get that publication, as it's rarely delivered to their home. Again, it's more about something nice to read while they're doing something else or waiting for the dentist. By way of contrast, the Internet home listing can be up and running in hours, and changes can be made at any time.
What about the demographics for readers of newspapers? While they'll happily tell you that they have maybe 178,000 subscribers, you really need to get the other characteristics of the readers. First, rule out any prospects too young to buy a home. Then, out come the ones with incomes below the necessary number to be able to afford the home you're selling. Next go those who only read the "funnies" or the "sports" sections. Finally, throw out the majority of the remaining readers, as they're not in the market for a home. That big number rapidly shrinks to a few thousand eyeballs, and that's two-per-prospect.
If you have a very old stack of newspapers, or some of those old homes magazines going back a few years, compare one of each from five years ago to issues running today. The new ones will be a lot thinner, with fewer ads and less color. Budgets are being cut by real estate companies, and print advertising is suffering. Why? Because it really doesn't work as well as the Web, and costs much more. Too many brokers are afraid to tell their sellers the truth, so they keep running ads because that's what their sellers think will sell their home. It's not that it can't work, but it's far less efficient than the Internet, and far more people are using the Web for home shopping. The truly advanced real estate practitioner will put most or all of their listing and marketing efforts into Web placement, syndication, and innovative ways to present their listings via images and video.
While many will tout their website and the nice rendition of their seller's listings there, that's pretty much all they're doing. How many Web searchers actually find those listings on those local sites, and specifically the home that's right for them? Not many. While it's a fact that print is less effective than the Web in marketing a home now, there aren't that many real estate brokerages that have managed a fully functional transition to the new real estate marketing world on the Web. They've cut their print budgets, but haven't figured out how to do effective Web marketing of their sellers' homes.
The New World of Real Estate Marketing
It's easy to say that print doesn't work as well anymore, but the homeowner who wants their property to sell needs to understand what does work, and their Realtor needs to explain it to them. Let's look at some statistics from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), and their annual survey of home buyers and sellers. These statements are from actual buyers and sellers of homes in the survey period.
- In 2008, 87% of all buyers used the Internet to search for homes, with 33% of all buyers saying it was their first step. Only 3% looked in their newspaper first, and less than half even looked there at all.
- In 2009, the group using the Web increased to 90%. 36% made it their first step. Users of print media declined by another 7%.
- In 2009, 77% of all home buyers found the Internet the most useful resource, second only to a real estate agent. Home books, magazines and newspapers were rated the bottom three resources important to them. This was below yard signs, open houses, television, and billboards.
- One resource states that more than 266 million people use the Internet in North America alone.
- There are a number of large websites dedicated to real estate and home searches. Realtor.com alone accounts for between 6 and 8 million unique visitors every month.
- Other sites, such as Zillow.com and Trulia.com are gaining ground on Realtor.com and have many millions of page views every day.
- All of these sites bring targeted visitors. The site visitors are there because they have an immediate interest in buying or selling a home, mostly buying.
- The biggest advantage: If your home fits the criteria of a buyer, they'll find it easily using the searches at sites like these. Using keywords and search boxes for major features, getting to the homes that best meet their needs is fast and easy. You just can't do that with print media, and they'll drop that homes magazine when their turn comes up at the dentist.
Advantages of Web Home Marketing
While the numbers show clearly that people are using the Web to locate homes to buy, there are vast differences in the quality of the homes' presentations:
- Images are in full color, and can be thumbnail links to high resolution larger images to really present the property at its very best.
- Text descriptions can be as long as necessary, not limited by budget or ad size as in print media. Along with images, a great marketing description can generate that email or phone call from the prospect.
- Floor plans and land plats can be presented, a very rare thing indeed in print media.
- Video is a tool that doesn't even apply to print, but is very valuable in home marketing on the Web. While it doesn't apply to every home, a video slide show or full motion video can get the attention of a buyer and result in a sale.
- Syndication - This is a huge advantage to the home seller. Using a syndication tool and service, the real estate broker who is aggressively marketing their sellers' homes will be able to have their home listed on dozens of the largest sites on the Web. And, it will happen in a few days, not weeks or months. And, unlike the paper at the bottom of the birdcage, the listings are available 24/7, 365 days of the year.
- Wouldn't you want to quickly access home listings, but be able to "drill down" to those that meet your price range and criteria?
- Would video or multiple full color and high resolution images be much more useful to you than a print ad with a single photo in newspaper print resolution?
- Wouldn't you rather find complete textual descriptive and property information instead of a few bullets and a "call us" number? This means all of the property details.
Work With A Broker Who Understands and Uses The Web
When you sit down with a real estate professional to discuss listing your home, make sure that you're not listening to the old "show and tell" with copies of newspaper ads and homes magazine pages in a scrapbook. What you want is a frank discussion of what works and how the full power of the Internet will be focused on marketing your home.
It's really quite simple in one respect. Print is ineffective, and the Web will sell your home. While the first half of that statement is true across the board, the second half is only true if you're working with someone who understands Web marketing and listing syndication. The brokerage that shows you how your home will be richly presented online, with images, charts, drawings, documents and anything else that a buyer would want to see, is the brokerage you want to work with.
Jim Kimmons About.com Guide to Real Estate Business Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Kimmons |
Sunday, November 7, 2010
When Selling Your House Should You Sell Privately Or Hire a Realtor?
In every real estate market there is a percentage of sellers that ponder whether or not they should try selling their home on their own. No matter what reasoning they come up with to justify this, let's face it, it all comes down to wanting to save money on the commission. After all, why should you hand out as much as $20,000 or more to a Realtor? Does the work they do really merit a nice chunk of your equity? Does selling privately really save you money at the end of the day? Is it easy to do?
Whether or not you should attempt to sell on your own depends primarily on what kind of market you are currently faced with. Is it a hot seller's market or a buyer's market? Is the average property in your area selling in days, weeks or months? Are prices rising or are they dropping steadily? As much as you may hate to hear this, the only time private sellers are likely to succeed on their own is during a hot seller's market. This is when there are not many homes on the market, and those that do come out sell within hours or days. During this kind of market, you will see multiple offers as there is not much choice for buyers. When there is little supply, this drives up demand, which in turn drives up prices. When selling in such a market, the private seller or FSBO has the highest chance of selling on their own. In a slower market or buyer's market, there is a lot of supply, giving the buyer the upper hand, as there is so much to choose from. In this kind of market, unless your price is extremely competitive, you will most likely fail as a FSBO.
Another factor that will affect whether or not you should sell on your own or not is whether or not you are offering your property at a reasonable price that reflects the current market value of your home. You will need to be very objective about this figure. Many home owners tend to think that their house is special or better than the one down the street. And it very well can be... in your opinion. Not to be too harsh but sellers tend to get emotionally involved with pricing their home which is not the right way to go about it. How much you paid for the house, how much you spent on upgrades, the amount you "need" in your pocket when you sell or how special you think your house is simply does not translate into how much your house is worth today. If you overprice your house, you will not only not sell it yourself but will waste a lot of your valuable time trying to market something that simply will not move until you are in the correct price range. There is a misconception out there that if a buyer really likes the property, they will bring their offer even if the price is high. Many sellers say "I will try with this price and see what happens, if someone wants to offer less, tell them to bring an offer". Unfortunately, things don't usually pan out that way. If your home is overpriced compared to similar ones on the market, buyers will tend to think you are unreasonable or will not want to offend you by bringing a low offer. Overpricing your house will only hurt you in the long run. You will eventually have to lower the price which will make buyers think there is something wrong with the property for being on the market so long and having to reduce the price.
Your best bet is to meet with at least 3 Realtors to get a CMA based on recently sold comparables. This will give you a good ballpark figure of how much you should sell for. It will also give you a good idea of which Realtor to call if you don't end up selling privately and need to turn to a professional. Be weary of any Realtors that simply tell you what you want to hear and tell you they can get your price. They may simply be trying to get the listing and plan on getting you to reduce the price once you see that it doesn't sell for what you want. The bottom line here is, if you are willing to sell your house for a fair price, you have a higher chance of selling privately. If you are over priced on the other hand, you will only waste your time. Don't be fooled into thinking that selling privately will necessarily save you money at the end of the day either. A Realtor will not only help you price your home right the first time resulting in a quick sale at top dollar, they will also help you prepare the home to look best for showings, market the property and negotiate offers for you to put more money in your pocket. Don't forget that when selling privately, buyers automatically discount form the asking price the commission that you are saving. So in the end you end up with a lower offer, yielding less and you had to do all the work yourself as well as spend your own money on advertising.
A third factor that will affect whether or not you should sell on your own is how much experience you have with buying and selling real estate and how much you know about real estate law and contract law. If this is your first real estate transaction, it may not be a good idea to go it on your own. This is perhaps the most important factor you should consider. Even if it is a hot market, and you are able to move the property on your own, you do not want to end up in a situation where you get sued by the buyer down the road. You have to be very careful with drafting the contract and are strongly urged to consult a real estate professional, lawyer or notary in this matter. Saving some money on the commission today will not help you much if you end up getting sued for a lot more later on. It is very important to make sure you disclose any latent defects and have the contract drafted in a way which will keep you protected after the sale. If you don't know how to go about this, you should not be selling on your own. This is where a Realtor comes in handy as they are trained in real estate law, and in how to draft contracts to protect your best interests. Not to mention that most real estate transactions do not go smoothly, almost every transaction encounters some kind of problem. When this happens, you will not want to be on your own and will benefit from your Realtor's experience and resources. The misconception that Realtors simply put a sign on your front lawn and put your property on MLS and then collect hefty cheques is simply not reality. After the commission splits and expenses, Realtors don't pocket as much as you think and they really do work hard for it. However, if you end up going with a Realtor, do your homework. Don't automatically go with the one that tells you they will sell it for the most. Also, don't go with the one that will charge you the least either, they may just be desperate to get your business. Choose a well know and experienced Realtor who tells you the facts and not just what you want to hear.
One last factor we will discuss here as this list is not comprehensive, is your advertising means and marketing plan as well as how much time you have. Are you prepared to dish out advertising dollars to make sure you can reach the right buyer? Considering that you will not be listed on MLS which let's face it, is where most ready, able and willing buyers are looking for their next property. How will you reach buyers? Unless you are on a very busy road (and then you have other problems), a sign on your lawn won't do much. Newspaper advertising is a good way but it can get costly, so be prepared for that. Statistics show that most buyers these days are using the internet to look for homes. If you are not on MLS, you will have to make sure you are listed on other sites with high traffic that will get your property in front of buyer's eyes. Also, how much time do you have? Are you at work 8 + hours a day when you cannot answer your phone? If so, say goodbye to leads that you are paying good money for with your advertising dollars. Many people call private or from outgoing number where you will not be able to call them back if they don't leave a message. For all you know that was an out of town buyer ready to buy cash and was only here until Wednesday. You also need to be very flexible for showings and if you are working or not available, you may miss good opportunities to sell your home, don't expect buyers to be flexible to your schedule.
In summary, only a small percentage of private sellers succeed on selling on their own. This will be most likely in a hot sellers market and when the property is well priced to reflect the current market value. Being experienced in buying and selling real estate will also help. However, none of this will matter if you cannot protect your interests and are left vulnerable for lawsuits down the road. A way to think about Realtor's commission is it's like insurance. This will give you peace of mind and protect you from getting into a legal mess in the future. It is also more difficult to negotiate when you are the seller. Your Realtor will be much more convincing. However, if you have bought and sold lots of real estate, have experience with contract law, are a top negotiator by nature, selling in a hot or balanced market, your asking price is in line with market value and you have lots of time on your hands as well as a budget for advertising... go for it. You might get lucky and end up in that 5% of FSBOS that succeed but don't say we didn't warn you. A good place to start when selling privately is to advertise online. Here is a great website that will give you international exposure and help you sell even when your local market is slow whether using a Realtor or not. Visit http://www.buysellhomesinternational.com to post your ad or to find a local real estate professional in your region.
Whether or not you should attempt to sell on your own depends primarily on what kind of market you are currently faced with. Is it a hot seller's market or a buyer's market? Is the average property in your area selling in days, weeks or months? Are prices rising or are they dropping steadily? As much as you may hate to hear this, the only time private sellers are likely to succeed on their own is during a hot seller's market. This is when there are not many homes on the market, and those that do come out sell within hours or days. During this kind of market, you will see multiple offers as there is not much choice for buyers. When there is little supply, this drives up demand, which in turn drives up prices. When selling in such a market, the private seller or FSBO has the highest chance of selling on their own. In a slower market or buyer's market, there is a lot of supply, giving the buyer the upper hand, as there is so much to choose from. In this kind of market, unless your price is extremely competitive, you will most likely fail as a FSBO.
Another factor that will affect whether or not you should sell on your own or not is whether or not you are offering your property at a reasonable price that reflects the current market value of your home. You will need to be very objective about this figure. Many home owners tend to think that their house is special or better than the one down the street. And it very well can be... in your opinion. Not to be too harsh but sellers tend to get emotionally involved with pricing their home which is not the right way to go about it. How much you paid for the house, how much you spent on upgrades, the amount you "need" in your pocket when you sell or how special you think your house is simply does not translate into how much your house is worth today. If you overprice your house, you will not only not sell it yourself but will waste a lot of your valuable time trying to market something that simply will not move until you are in the correct price range. There is a misconception out there that if a buyer really likes the property, they will bring their offer even if the price is high. Many sellers say "I will try with this price and see what happens, if someone wants to offer less, tell them to bring an offer". Unfortunately, things don't usually pan out that way. If your home is overpriced compared to similar ones on the market, buyers will tend to think you are unreasonable or will not want to offend you by bringing a low offer. Overpricing your house will only hurt you in the long run. You will eventually have to lower the price which will make buyers think there is something wrong with the property for being on the market so long and having to reduce the price.
Your best bet is to meet with at least 3 Realtors to get a CMA based on recently sold comparables. This will give you a good ballpark figure of how much you should sell for. It will also give you a good idea of which Realtor to call if you don't end up selling privately and need to turn to a professional. Be weary of any Realtors that simply tell you what you want to hear and tell you they can get your price. They may simply be trying to get the listing and plan on getting you to reduce the price once you see that it doesn't sell for what you want. The bottom line here is, if you are willing to sell your house for a fair price, you have a higher chance of selling privately. If you are over priced on the other hand, you will only waste your time. Don't be fooled into thinking that selling privately will necessarily save you money at the end of the day either. A Realtor will not only help you price your home right the first time resulting in a quick sale at top dollar, they will also help you prepare the home to look best for showings, market the property and negotiate offers for you to put more money in your pocket. Don't forget that when selling privately, buyers automatically discount form the asking price the commission that you are saving. So in the end you end up with a lower offer, yielding less and you had to do all the work yourself as well as spend your own money on advertising.
A third factor that will affect whether or not you should sell on your own is how much experience you have with buying and selling real estate and how much you know about real estate law and contract law. If this is your first real estate transaction, it may not be a good idea to go it on your own. This is perhaps the most important factor you should consider. Even if it is a hot market, and you are able to move the property on your own, you do not want to end up in a situation where you get sued by the buyer down the road. You have to be very careful with drafting the contract and are strongly urged to consult a real estate professional, lawyer or notary in this matter. Saving some money on the commission today will not help you much if you end up getting sued for a lot more later on. It is very important to make sure you disclose any latent defects and have the contract drafted in a way which will keep you protected after the sale. If you don't know how to go about this, you should not be selling on your own. This is where a Realtor comes in handy as they are trained in real estate law, and in how to draft contracts to protect your best interests. Not to mention that most real estate transactions do not go smoothly, almost every transaction encounters some kind of problem. When this happens, you will not want to be on your own and will benefit from your Realtor's experience and resources. The misconception that Realtors simply put a sign on your front lawn and put your property on MLS and then collect hefty cheques is simply not reality. After the commission splits and expenses, Realtors don't pocket as much as you think and they really do work hard for it. However, if you end up going with a Realtor, do your homework. Don't automatically go with the one that tells you they will sell it for the most. Also, don't go with the one that will charge you the least either, they may just be desperate to get your business. Choose a well know and experienced Realtor who tells you the facts and not just what you want to hear.
One last factor we will discuss here as this list is not comprehensive, is your advertising means and marketing plan as well as how much time you have. Are you prepared to dish out advertising dollars to make sure you can reach the right buyer? Considering that you will not be listed on MLS which let's face it, is where most ready, able and willing buyers are looking for their next property. How will you reach buyers? Unless you are on a very busy road (and then you have other problems), a sign on your lawn won't do much. Newspaper advertising is a good way but it can get costly, so be prepared for that. Statistics show that most buyers these days are using the internet to look for homes. If you are not on MLS, you will have to make sure you are listed on other sites with high traffic that will get your property in front of buyer's eyes. Also, how much time do you have? Are you at work 8 + hours a day when you cannot answer your phone? If so, say goodbye to leads that you are paying good money for with your advertising dollars. Many people call private or from outgoing number where you will not be able to call them back if they don't leave a message. For all you know that was an out of town buyer ready to buy cash and was only here until Wednesday. You also need to be very flexible for showings and if you are working or not available, you may miss good opportunities to sell your home, don't expect buyers to be flexible to your schedule.
In summary, only a small percentage of private sellers succeed on selling on their own. This will be most likely in a hot sellers market and when the property is well priced to reflect the current market value. Being experienced in buying and selling real estate will also help. However, none of this will matter if you cannot protect your interests and are left vulnerable for lawsuits down the road. A way to think about Realtor's commission is it's like insurance. This will give you peace of mind and protect you from getting into a legal mess in the future. It is also more difficult to negotiate when you are the seller. Your Realtor will be much more convincing. However, if you have bought and sold lots of real estate, have experience with contract law, are a top negotiator by nature, selling in a hot or balanced market, your asking price is in line with market value and you have lots of time on your hands as well as a budget for advertising... go for it. You might get lucky and end up in that 5% of FSBOS that succeed but don't say we didn't warn you. A good place to start when selling privately is to advertise online. Here is a great website that will give you international exposure and help you sell even when your local market is slow whether using a Realtor or not. Visit http://www.buysellhomesinternational.com to post your ad or to find a local real estate professional in your region.
Dubai house prices down 6%, expected to fall further
Real Estate - ArabianBusiness.com
House prices in Dubai fell six percent in the third quarter from the previous quarter caused by tightened bank lending and a summer seasonal slowdown, real estate firm Colliers International said on Sunday.
The blended average house price for the third quarter was AED951 per sq ft, down from AED1,015 per sq ft in the second quarter, the firm said in an emailed report, while transactions fell by four percent.
As in the previous quarter, demand was driven by end-users and favoured established residential projects with completed infrastructure and facilities.
The decline in pricing pushed Collier’s Dubai House Price Index down to its lowest recorded level since the second quarter of 2009.
House prices in Dubai fell six percent in the third quarter from the previous quarter caused by tightened bank lending and a summer seasonal slowdown, real estate firm Colliers International said on Sunday.
The blended average house price for the third quarter was AED951 per sq ft, down from AED1,015 per sq ft in the second quarter, the firm said in an emailed report, while transactions fell by four percent.
As in the previous quarter, demand was driven by end-users and favoured established residential projects with completed infrastructure and facilities.
The decline in pricing pushed Collier’s Dubai House Price Index down to its lowest recorded level since the second quarter of 2009.
Attaining Real Estate In The South Of France | Real Estate News Articles
Attaining Real Estate In The South Of France | Real Estate News Articles
in Real Estate by
Purchasing real estate in the South of France will promise a beautiful location regardless of where you buy. The South of France is one of the most beautiful and sought out destinations in the world. You can find all different types of properties all in different sizes and price ranges.
The South of France is in a region of Europe where it is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. Another term for this area is Midi. It is a very popular vacation destination that has a lot to offer. It has a beach community as well as a long established artistic community. This area has some of the finest restaurants in the world and have a vibrant night life. There is literally something for everyone in the South of France.
The South of France is a very popular location in France. People come from all over the world to enjoy their holiday in this region. All kinds of people visit and live here. It is an area know for its vibrant yet subdued lifestyle. You do not have to be a millionaire to enjoy living in this region of France. There is something for everyone. Read the whole story
in Real Estate by
Purchasing real estate in the South of France will promise a beautiful location regardless of where you buy. The South of France is one of the most beautiful and sought out destinations in the world. You can find all different types of properties all in different sizes and price ranges.
The South of France is in a region of Europe where it is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. Another term for this area is Midi. It is a very popular vacation destination that has a lot to offer. It has a beach community as well as a long established artistic community. This area has some of the finest restaurants in the world and have a vibrant night life. There is literally something for everyone in the South of France.
The South of France is a very popular location in France. People come from all over the world to enjoy their holiday in this region. All kinds of people visit and live here. It is an area know for its vibrant yet subdued lifestyle. You do not have to be a millionaire to enjoy living in this region of France. There is something for everyone. Read the whole story
Saturday, November 6, 2010
America's Best Neighborhoods 2010
What makes a neighborhood a good place to live? Most of us would agree on a few things: some green space, pretty houses or apartment buildings, a place for your kids to play safely. Maybe an important monument or a sense of history. A movie theater or some nightlife nearby wouldn't be so bad either.
But what makes a neighborhood great? Truly great, that is: one of the best in the entire United States?
That's a bit tougher. Yet each year since 2007, the American Planning Association, a nonprofit educational group for community developers, has issued a list of 10 "Great Neighborhoods." (The organization also publishes lists of "Great Streets" and "Great Public Spaces.") To qualify neighborhoods must be at least 10 years old and have definable boundaries, though they can be urban or suburban, in small towns or large. The designees are typically rich in architecture and history.
Click here to see America's Best Neighborhoods
Home prices expected to slide another 8%
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The robo-signing controversy is just another issue that the already sluggish housing market didn't need -- but most analysts do not think it will have far-reaching impact.
Nevertheless, the housing market still faces many problems: a weak economy, sluggish hiring, tight mortgage underwriting, falling home prices, and slowing sales.
Home prices expected to slide another 8%
Nevertheless, the housing market still faces many problems: a weak economy, sluggish hiring, tight mortgage underwriting, falling home prices, and slowing sales.
Home prices expected to slide another 8%
New Feature Ad: Luxury Home for Sale in Netherlands
Description:
Central location of Heerlen/The Netherlands, 3bed, 1 1/2 bath, luxury home, situated on the quiet street very close to public transportation and walking distance to train station. Open floor plan, spacious master suite, hardwood floors in all 4 rooms, bathroom and kitchen floor tile and a wonderful backyard+shed. Assigned parking space for 1-2 cars with security system.
Address: Heerlen
Number of Bedrooms: 3
Number of Bathrooms: 2
Land Size: 1485 m2
more details and photos >
Central location of Heerlen/The Netherlands, 3bed, 1 1/2 bath, luxury home, situated on the quiet street very close to public transportation and walking distance to train station. Open floor plan, spacious master suite, hardwood floors in all 4 rooms, bathroom and kitchen floor tile and a wonderful backyard+shed. Assigned parking space for 1-2 cars with security system.
Address: Heerlen
Number of Bedrooms: 3
Number of Bathrooms: 2
Land Size: 1485 m2
more details and photos >
Friday, June 4, 2010
Does Staging Really Help To Sell Your House?
In recent years we have all been hearing more and more about staging. Is staging really necessary when selling a home? Is it worth it to spend the money to have your property staged? Studies show that staged homes generally sell faster and for more money then homes that are not staged. We recommend that you take into account the current state of the market when deciding whether or not to stage your home. First, are you selling in a hot seller's market, balanced or buyer's market? If you are selling during a seller's market, it probably will not be necessary to stage your home. If the market is a bit slower or if there is a lot of competition, staging may be a good idea. You will want your property to stand out from the others on the market and having a staged home may bring higher offers to the table.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Useful Resources in Your Area
Do you have any tips for out of town buyers moving to or investing in your area?
MARKET UPDATE: Give us an update on your local real estate market
With unstable real estate markets across the United States and the world, it seems like the hope for a quick recovery will be long coming. Though some regions have seen some improvement over the last few months, this may not be an ongoing trend.
Joseph Foudy, a professor of economics and management at NYU's Stern School of Business, notes, "We're coming off of an artificial bump from the first time home buyer credit, which expired last month." He predicts the second half of this year will see sluggish economic growth and that housing prices, at best, will be flat for the next few months, while commercial real estate "is likely to see significant declines." Read Article
We would like to hear from you. What is the condition of your local market? Are values and sales down or is your market recovering? What are the predictions for the rest of the year and going into 2011? Also do you think your current market offers good investment opportunities?
Joseph Foudy, a professor of economics and management at NYU's Stern School of Business, notes, "We're coming off of an artificial bump from the first time home buyer credit, which expired last month." He predicts the second half of this year will see sluggish economic growth and that housing prices, at best, will be flat for the next few months, while commercial real estate "is likely to see significant declines." Read Article
We would like to hear from you. What is the condition of your local market? Are values and sales down or is your market recovering? What are the predictions for the rest of the year and going into 2011? Also do you think your current market offers good investment opportunities?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)