Writing An Offer To Purchase Real Estate

Writing an offer to purchase real estate is critical in negotiating a sales contract with a property seller.

The purchase offer is a very important legal form that details the price you are intend to pay for a property as well as several terms and conditions such as the method of payment, the down payment, any inspections that will be performed, what personal property will be included, the closing date and costs and who will pay for them, terms of cancellation, any repairs you want done, and any other contingencies.

In writing the offer, your aim is to get what you want but it’s also best if you put yourself in the shoes of the seller. Anticipating the seller’s reactions will give you a better perspective in deciding what conditions to consider in your offer. Be sure to review the laws in your state as every state has its own laws on real estate.

One of the most important considerations in writing the offer is your purchase price. Be specific and realistic about your price. If you know that there are multiple offers, consider offering a higher price or making a large down payment to get the seller’s approval.

Making a reasonable down payment is also critical in a offer to purchase. You can pay in cash, personal check, cashier’s check or by using a personal property, real property, mortgage or promissory notes. Specify the person who will keep the deposit. Normally, it’s a third party like the seller’s attorney or the buyer’s agent.

Include your financing terms if it’s FHA, VA, conventional, contract of sale or assumption of mortgage. You may also include the maximum interest rate if you wish.

Contingencies are essential as well since these serve as your protection should the deal fails to push through. These written clauses will allow you to cancel the contract without penalty in case something goes wrong during the negotiation. Common contingencies include obtaining financing, property appraisals and inspections done by professionals to ensure that they pass your standards and that the property you are buying is in good condition.

Be specific about dates and timeframes. The expiration date of the offer should be stipulated and the seller should be given enough time to respond to the offer. Both the buyer and the seller have to agree on the closing date. For more information on purchase offer expiration, check your state contract laws.

The date of possession of property by the buyer should be clearly stated to avoid confusion and other problems. Will it be on the day of closing or a day after or two to three days after closing? The buyer and the seller have to agree on the date of occupancy. But normally, a seller is given up to three days to move out of the house and turn over the keys and possession to the new owner.

Stipulate in your purchase offer as to who will pay the necessary fees like title, escrow, county or city transfer taxes and closing costs. These fees may be shouldered by the seller or the buyer or split by both. If you’re not sure about the custom in your area, consult a real estate agent or lawyer before you write this portion.

View Sample Offer to Purchase Real Estate Form Purchase this form for $4.99

How to Use a Quit Claim Deed

Transactions involving the transfer of real estate normally involve several documents known as deeds (judicial, warranty, will, sheriff’s and deeds of trust). These deeds are vital to make the transfer of a property from one person to another legitimate. One of these deeds is the Quit Claim Deed.

A quit claim deed is a legal document which releases a person’s claim or interest on a certain real estate property and passes it to another individual. This type of deed, however, provides no assurance as to the rights of the person receiving it and makes no warranty that the person concerned owns anything. Quit claim deeds can be used in various situations such as in a divorce, transferring real estate properties between family members, as tokens or gifts or to remove doubts on title.

A typical example of a situation where a quit claim deed may be necessary is when one spouse disclaims any interest in the property that the other spouse owns such as during a divorce. In this circumstance, the spouse who foregoes his interest on the property is called the grantor while the spouse who owns the property is referred to as the grantee. The risks will be shouldered by the grantee especially since there is no warranty on the title.

If a married individual solely holds title to a property or the wife or the husband bought the property before tying the knot, the other spouse may be required to sign a quit claim deed when the property is sold to a third party. For instance, Annie bought a house before marrying Tom. A few years after the wedding, Annie decides to sell the house to Mr. Taylor and Tom, the husband, was required to sign a quit claim deed to Mr. Taylor. The main purpose of the quit claim deed here is to ensure that the spouse not on the deed does not return later on and reclaim the property.

Another example during a divorce is when one of the spouses wants to keep their conjugal home. In this case, the spouse who wants to remain in the house needs to request a quit claim deed so he or she could have sole interest in the house.
Of course, in selling any residential property, the owner is usually required to file a quit claim deed with the county in their state. The document will then transfer the interest of the house involved from the seller to the buyer.

Still another use is when a family home inherited by several siblings who share ownership is sold to a new owner. However, even before the sale, a sibling can already sell his or her share in the home to another sibling and sign a quit claim deed to give up all his or her rights and interests in the property.

Legal experts say there are important things to keep in mind when using a quit claim deed. They point out that the document should bear the current legal names of the parties involved. For divorced couples, the names that appear in their divorce decree should be the same as that will appear in the quit claim deed. The quit claim document will not be needed, though, if the divorcing couple decides to live in separate homes but would like to remain on the title.

Sample Quit Claim Deed Form

Read And Review Your Offer to Purchase Real Estate

An Offer to Purchase Form is a legal document presented by an interested buyer to a home seller. This is no simple document because it actually includes all the terms and conditions of the sale which are mostly negotiable. It is just right then that home sellers focus on, not only a few, but all the terms of the sale.

The home sale terms in the form cover the closing date, the specifics on financing by the buyer, the closing costs and how they will be shared and paid, the items included in the sale and those that are not as well as the various contingencies of the buyer. Some of the common contingencies are for property inspection, appraisal, financing and review of the property title record. For homeowners selling their residential property on their own, real estate experts advise that they thoroughly review the purchase offer after receiving the document.
Evaluating terms

Be sure to evaluate all the terms and conditions before making a decision. Remember that every term can be negotiated so consider your options. If you are amenable to some of the terms, go ahead and accept them but you can also counter the other terms to adjust them according to your needs. It will be helpful if you list the terms and conditions on a separate sheet and make a note beside each of the term to determine if they are acceptable to you or not.
If, for instance, you don’t agree with some terms such as a low price, too long closing date and limited time to move out after closing, you can counter them with a higher price, shorter closing and more time to vacate your home. It’s just a matter of negotiating well and communicating your needs and concerns clearly to the buyer.
Here’s a tip. Read and examine a blank real estate contract to familiarize yourself to the standard and non-standard terms. Understand the special clauses normally written above the signature block as these are used by the buyer to make non-standard demands, to ask the seller to pay certain portions of his costs and to demand a specific date for the homeowner to move.
Important considerations
Before accepting the purchase offer, it’s advisable that you make sure your buyer has been pre-approved or at the least, pre-qualified for a real estate mortgage enough to buy your home. Avoid signing an offer until the buyer has been pre-qualified.
Other things to watch out for include longer time for buyer to get financing, low earnest money deposit, penalty if the seller fails to move out of the home during the specified date and requirement for the seller to pay the mortgage costs of the buyer.
After reviewing the offer, you have several choices. First, you can accept the offer as it is and sign it to become a legal sales contract or agreement. Second, you can make a counter-offer by eliminating the unacceptable terms and providing your own contract with your specific terms. Third, you can reject the offer if you are not amenable to all of the terms and conditions.
When considering the purchase price offered by the buyer, look at it as a whole. Sure the buyer may have offered a price lower than what you wanted but there may be some terms that counterbalance the low purchase price such as the buyer paying for the closing costs or a fast closing.
As for the earnest money, the minimum requirement should be at least $500. There are some homesellers who require buyers to issue an earnest money check before signing the offer. The earnest money is held by a third party such as your real estate lawyer, the buyer’s agent or whoever the two parties specify in an escrow agreement. However, if you know your buyer and trust him, an earnest money may not be needed.
You also have the freedom to accept a second or backup offer if you wish. Just make sure that your second buyer knows and understands that your house is already under contract and that he or she is only next in line.

Instant Download 60+ Real Estate Forms $14.99
Complete For Sale by Owner Package which includes, Real Estate Sales Agreement, Offer to Purchase, Quit Claim Deed, and More. SPECIAL OFFER: Free Home Selling Secrets Guide with every purchase!

FINDING A LOWER COST WAY TO SELL YOUR HOME

Selling your home through the local Real Estate Agent can be very
expensive, but many of us use them because they have local buyers who
frequent their shops to find a property. The current alternative is to
try one of the many national or global internet websites, they are
usually very cheap to list a property for sale, and in some cases they
are even free. But, and there is one, they don't have much (if any)
local traffic e.g. potential buyers
for the specific area in which you are selling your property.

So what is the solution? Do you continue to pay the high estate agency
fees? In short, no, there is a new way of selling properties starting to
emerge. Basically it's the hybrid, in effect the local internet-based
estate agent. One such example is Enfield Estate Agents where
you can advertise local Enfield properties
for sale at a very low cost. This may well turn out to be the
future of local estate agents, we shall have to wait and see.

Offer Accepted, What about Closing?

After you have accepted your buyer's offer, your home will go through the escrow process. This process can last about a month or so. The escrow company (or title insurance company) transfers ownership of the property to the buyer from the seller. They will also make sure that the terms of the real estate contract have been met. An escrow or title company usually charge about 1-2% of the sales price. Some of the charges are paid by the buyer and some are paid by the seller. It varies according to local custom.

If you are selling your home yourself, the buyer's mortgage company usually chooses the escrow or title company unless you specify a choice in your real estate sales agreement. Once your house enters the escrow process someone from the escrow or title company will call and introduce themselves and will ask if you have any questions. They may also need some information from you.

After the escrow company completes all of their paperwork they will call to give you a final date and time for closing.

Instant Download 60+ Real Estate Forms $14.99
Complete For Sale by Owner Package which includes, Real Estate Sales Agreement, Offer to Purchase, Quit Claim Deed, and More. SPECIAL OFFER: Free Home Selling Secrets Guide with every purchase!

Free Real Estate Listing - Advertising With No Commision

Promoting real estate is becoming easier with many websites worldwide offering to list your properties for a fixed fee, commission % or referral fee, although many real estate websites do not have a good search engine presence. Property listing websites in general charge more than of $50 per listing for a month Real estate agents and private sellers can save on marketing and promotion costs with spending a little time and search for websites that offer free property listing for local, national and worldwide properties.
Search for free property listing and you can find a number of websites for national exposure or worldwide promotion of your property portfolio. Free listing Features:
- No financial cost- Worldwide promotion of your properties- Someone else promotes your property for free- Links on another website that will increase your search engine presence- Increase your companies presence in the real estate market
There are of course many benefits of promoting property free on another website.
What to look out for in a free property listing website:
- Totally free with no listing fee, no referral or commission at all.- Look at the conditions for listing property free- In doubt about the terms, contact them- How long is your property listed for?- Restriction on the number of words.- Number of pictures you are allowed to upload- Unlimited property uploads?
Depending on the real estate market you target and the demographic area there should be a free property listing website that will allow you to promote real estate for sale or rent. Listing real estate for the United States, European, Pacific, Middle East or other worldwide markets requires pictures and good descriptions of the properties that are uploaded.
With clients properties to sell in a number of countries means promoting these properties for sale worldwide. Websites my only have one currency, dollars, pound sterling or euros for selling price to be listed, although this indeed is no barrier. Estate agents in Europe that have properties for sale in euros can list property in $ or £ by converting the exchange rate. Simply write in your description the selling or rental cost of the property in $, $ or euros. House hunters or real estate investors would see the exact price of the property in your local currency.
Do not be put off by one currency websites, take control of your real estate promotional strategy and list client’s properties to gain maximum exposure for minimum cost.
www.propertyworldwideplace.com
http://www.propertyworldwideplace.com Ray Blanchett Email: raymondblanchett@hotmail.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ray_Blanchett

Instant Download 60+ Real Estate Forms $14.99
Complete For Sale by Owner Package which includes, Real Estate Sales Agreement, Offer to Purchase, Quit Claim Deed, and More. SPECIAL OFFER: Free Home Selling Secrets Guide with every purchase!

How to Add Thousands to Your Bottom Line When Selling Your Home!

This article was written to help the seller focus on the FIVE major areas today’s buyers look at when considering a home to purchase.
These five areas all with in the seller's control such as the appearance and condition. These may look simple enough, but how are they over looked by the vast majority of sellers and agents. Visit a few open houses to see how true this is. Remember buyers consider each of these areas when deciding to make an offer to buy a home!
1. Think Like A Buyer!According to the National Association of Realtors home buyer reports, buyers may look at an average of 10 homes before deciding on one. Regardless of how many homes are available in their price range, buyers search for the best value in their target area. Don’t make them overlook your home because of a small easy to repair or replace item. Give them a strong desire to stay.
2. Curb AppealDrive up to your home and look at it carefully as would a potential buyer. Look closely at key items such as the
Landscape, driveway and sidewalks
exterior paint, siding and roof
exterior doors and windows
Make certain each is in its tip top condition; you never know when a buyer might drive by before scheduling a showing with their agent.
3. Inside Your HomeStaging is the catch word in today's real estate market and in this case less is definitely more. Use these tips as a guideline to stage your home
Remove as many belongings and furniture as you can, but not everything! Use remaining items to focus attention on details such as a fireplace, large windows, etc
Repaint rooms with dark colors or bad paint. Use light neutral colors for this.
Replace heavy curtains with light ones and clean the windows to allow light in.
Clean the floors and carpet. Replace bad flooring now; don't offer a credit at closing!
4. Your Asking PriceFind out what similar homes in your immediate market area have been selling for and price yours accordingly. If you set the price too high, be prepared for a long market time and few if any showings. The hard truth is buyers don't care what a seller needs to net from the sale of their home. They are looking for homes priced right!
5. Its Show Time!Leave your home at least 15 minutes prior to a scheduled showing and don’t return until 15 minutes after the showing. If the buyer’s agent and buyers are at your home when you return, drive around for a while.
Before you leave make sure everything is in its proper place. If time permits, freshen up a little. Now isn’t the time to do major house cleaning.
Plus One - InspectionsHere’s a bonus for reading this far! Have your home inspection by a qualified professional home inspector, and or what ever inspections are required by local codes prior to placing your home on the market and make the repairs as outlined in your report. This will help the buyer feel more at ease with your home.
I hope you've enjoyed reading this article as much as I've enjoyed writing it. Please feel free to contact me for the entire report.
About the Author
Bob Weibrecht is a successful Realtor with Jefferson County office of Coldwell Banker Gundaker St. Louis MO. He can be reached at HeyBob@BobWeibrecht.com or visit his websites at http://www.BobWeibrecht.com or http://www.StLouisOpenDoors4u.com

Instant Download 60+ Real Estate Forms $14.99
Complete For Sale by Owner Package which includes, Real Estate Sales Agreement, Offer to Purchase, Quit Claim Deed, and More. SPECIAL OFFER: Free Home Selling Secrets Guide with every purchase!

Stage Your Home to Sell - 5 Simple Steps

In order to effect the quick sale of a home without compromising on the selling price, it is not always necessary to get into complete and expensive remodeling. Here are some ideas to capture interest without having to take out another mortgage.
Eliminate Clutter: Clear away everything you don’t absolutely need. Use rented storage if you have to because the less stuff in the home, the more spacious and desirable it looks. Put away pictures, knick-knacks, extra chairs and tables, pet paraphernalia – clear the rooms down to the bare bones and the empty closets, kitchen cabinets and the garage as much as possible. Generally, the bigger it looks, the easier it will be to sell.
Give Cabinets a Facelift: Change the cabinet knobs and pulls in the kitchen and bathroom to give an upscale look for a small price. Even if you cannot paint or refinish, improved drawer and cabinet hardware will bring a fresh look and increase the appeal. Choose pieces that have the same measurements as the existing hardware for a very easy upgrade.
Get Carpets and Windows Professionally Cleaned: A professional cleaning will quickly enhance the appearance of your home and make it more attractive to buyers.
Change the lighting: Use soft peach light bulbs to give your rooms a warm glow. While showing the house, leave all the lights on and open drapes and blinds, especially where there is a pretty view.
Keep Rooms Fresh: Ventilate your rooms as much as you can so the atmosphere is pleasant. It is helpful to place some lightly scented sticks or candles to maintain a fresh impression. Some real estate agents even suggest baking cookies when prospective buyers are expected!
As a final measure, walk from the street into your home, assessing the first impression a prospective buyer will have. You may find that, after taking these simple steps, you fall in love with your property all over again – that’s when you know that your home will appeal to buyers. Good luck!
About the Author Cristi Page is the proprietress of Top Drawer Hardware and an expert on choosing new cabinet and furniture hardware for homes on the market.
Whether you are looking for period pieces or contemporary designs, go to http://www.TopDrawerHardware.com to view her extensive collection.

Instant Download 60+ Real Estate Forms $14.99
Complete For Sale by Owner Package which includes, Real Estate Sales Agreement, Offer to Purchase, Quit Claim Deed, and More. SPECIAL OFFER: Free Home Selling Secrets Guide with every purchase!

5 Low-Cost Tips To Prepare Your Home For Sale

Real estate is sold throughout the year but when spring and summer roll around, you begin to see yard sales going up as homeowners prepare their homes for sale. The following is a list of tips that are low in cost and usually require nothing more than a few weekends and some elbow grease to get the job done.
As a general rule the best time to prepare your home for sale is at the very earliest point in "spring" (actually early March or even late February), the time when seasonal buying interest is just starting to build. However, this rule is not written in stone and these tips apply throughout the year.
Here are the “Top 5” things a seller can do to increase the final selling price without spending too much money out-of-pocket.
1) Clean it. Home buyers, it turns out, hate dirty homes more than just about anything else. So, give the home a thorough cleaning from top to bottom, inside and outside.
2) Organize it and Declutter It. If the home is too cluttered for the seller, it probably will look too small for the buyer. Store away all belongings that aren’t regularly used. Store furniture that isn’t necessary for comfortable living. A sparser, less cluttered room always makes an area look more spacious. This whole process of cleaning, decluttering, sprucing up homes, and even bringing in designer furniture to prepare homes for sale has begun a new real estate industry called “home staging”. But a homeowner can duplicate some of these things by paying close attention to these low-cost things he or she can do as a seller.
3) Repaint it. Real estate surveys find that a homeowner gets their biggest bang for their buck by repainting the interior of the home in bright white or off-white paint. Painting the house in neutral colors is always a good idea.
4) Landscape it. Mow it and plant it. The exterior of the home is the first impression that a buyer will get, and it will be a long lasting one. Now with so many listings being made available on the internet, pictures of homes on the internet are what many buyers will see first of a prospective home and the exterior’s condition will determine if they want to take a look inside!
5) Fix it. If it isn’t working properly, it usually ends up costing more at the negotiating table than at the hardware store. Make sure to pay close attention to any plumbing problems (i.e. a broken garbage disposal) that may exude musty or foul smells. Today’s buyer, with their busy lifestyles, just wants to move in and get on with their day-to-day business. If they have to spend time in repairing, they will subconsciously factor in more than the actual cost at the negotiating table. Statistics usually show that these costs amount to about two to three times more.
As the homeowner busies himself with his to-do list of household chores, keep in mind that the better shape the home is in, the more a prospective home buyer will be likely to pay for it.
Nef Cortez has been a licensed real estate broker and has held various positions in the real estate and mortgage industry for over 25 years. If you would like to read more of Nef's pithy and timely advice (with the latest info on local foreclosures), visit his website at Chino Hills CA homes or read his blog at A Slice of So Cal Real Estate

Instant Download 60+ Real Estate Forms $14.99
Complete For Sale by Owner Package which includes, Real Estate Sales Agreement, Offer to Purchase, Quit Claim Deed, and More. SPECIAL OFFER: Free Home Selling Secrets Guide with every purchase!

Selling A House - Tips And Secrets

Selling a house is much like advertising of a product anybody would like to sell. Before you plan to sell your house, you should take some steps to make it better so that you can get the best value of your home. Forget about the renovation and decoration plans, all you need to do is, keep certain things in mind and it can work.
The first impression is the last impression. The first impression that your house projects, is extremely important. This is the point where you can lure your buyer. So, make sure that your house looks good from outside. If it is not attractive from outside, no body will be interested to see it from inside.
Ideally you can start from cleaning your windows and trimming your shrubbery. Flowers in your garden can do wonders. Take care of your lawn. If it is appealing, there are very good chances that a customer will be interested in buying your house. Moreover there are certain areas in your house that are not taken care regularly but any buyer will surely see them. Areas like your garage should be clean and its door should open smoothly.
You can throw all the things away that are not used but exist in your garage. Recycle all extra cans and old magazine from there. Do not forget to clean the swimming pool. A dirty pool creates a very bad impression. Clean your yard as well.
When it comes to exterior side of your house, you should at least paint the sides that face the street. Your front view of house should not show any broken window. You can spend some paint on painting your fence.
Keep these small things in mind while you plan to sell your house, we are sure you will get better results.
Las Vegas Realtors List - Find Out More

Instant Download 60+ Real Estate Forms $14.99
Complete For Sale by Owner Package which includes, Real Estate Sales Agreement, Offer to Purchase, Quit Claim Deed, and More. SPECIAL OFFER: Free Home Selling Secrets Guide with every purchase!

My Home Isn't Selling!

“Hey, Miss Realtor . . .
My House Ain’t Sellin!” Here’s Why . . . And What You Can Do About It If You Need To Sell Your Home
No, it’s not your real estate agent’s fault that your home hasn’t sold yet, at least not because of most agents. There are forces greater than the marketing and sales blunders of inept agents that are causing homes to linger on the market much longer than we have seen in a long, long time. If it makes you feel any better, it’s not just your home that hasn’t sold. You have a lot of company out there. And that, by the way, is just one reason for this mess you are in if you are a home seller. As homes stay on the market longer, new homes coming up for sale increase the total number of homes already available because not as many homes are selling as buyers are buying.
Can you see where this is going? So, you may ask, why is all this happening? What happened to the rosy predictions of just a few months ago by our revered soothsayers about a come-back of the housing market after last year’s precipitous decline in housing values and sales? Great questions. There’s one simple answer – fewer buyers. That’s all. There aren’t as many buyers as there were in previous years, but the rate of homes coming on the market continues to edge up (although we are seeing a slight scaling back now). Normally a market like this, however, does correct itself over time as it goes through cycles and the real estate gurus figured on increasing numbers of buyers entering the market as summer approached. It hasn’t happened yet. There is one other thing that the market prognosticators didn’t figure on, something that looms menacingly on the horizon, something that is imminent and approaching, something that has yet to hit us with full force – the subprime lending fiasco that you have undoubtedly heard about.
This is the fly in the ointment that will spoil a correction in the real estate market in the short term, at least, and exacerbate the home seller’s problems. Because of “creative” lending practices by our nation’s mortgage brokers and other lending institutions and, in some cases, down right fraud, millions of Americans are facing the threat of foreclosure on their homes and filings have already surpassed previous levels. This trend can be tracked by the record number of home owners who are behind in their mortgage payments. As they get further behind each month, foreclosure often ensues. The root of the problem is that lenders and borrowers planned on refinancing these fancy loans, which have low monthly payments, before the time came for the mortgage to adjust to higher monthly payments as in the case of adjustable rate mortgages. A large number of these mortgages are due to adjust this year through next and a scramble to refinance is gaining momentum. Normally, this is all well and good. Refinancing allowed people to keep their monthly mortgage payment at a manageable amount and life went happily on. Now is where it gets interesting and a bit scary.
Subprime mortgage lenders, those who lend to people with shaky credit and questionable income, were a bit overly aggressive in the numbers and amount of the mortgage they issued to people whose credit was not always verified and, as it turns out, not qualified to receive the amount offered. As a result, these people purchased homes above their means and began to crumble, after just a few years, from the burden of mortgage payments that they could no longer support and should not have received in the first place. The next thing you know, these people get behind in their mortgage payments, then the bank forecloses on the property and puts it up for sale, and you have another home on the market that would not have been for sale under normal circumstances.
This is happening more and more now as the whole subprime dilemma begins to unfold. This is what you are hearing and reading about. You’d think that was bad enough and we should all be biting our fingernails, but nooo. To make matters worse, several major subprime lenders have sought bankruptcy protection or were taken over, the federal government has gotten involved (boy, is that a monkey wrench in the works), the major housing lenders have tightened lending parameters, and banks are requiring more documentation and financial substantiation. This means that many of the people who had counted on refinancing this year or next cannot now get mortgages because their current credit situation no longer qualifies them with the more stringent guidelines set by the lenders.
These are all potential foreclosures for home owners and it locks out a certain group of home buyers who don’t qualify. How all this will pan out is anyone’s guess and some parts of the country will be affected less than others and the overall impact may not be catastrophic down here in the neighborhoods. We do see, however, longer days on market, a small buyer pool, and a slight increase in the number of foreclosures and there is reason for concern and we are watching the signs. The tip of the iceberg is in view. We don’t know what lies underneath. We’ll find out soon. What can you do to sell your house in this capricious market? You won’t like it, but take it from me here in the trenches, if you want to sell your house you have to lower your price until you get an offer. It’s called “the market”. It’s not called “It’s my house and I can sell it for whatever I want”. Buyers will only pay for what they want and not what you happen to have that you think adds value to your property. You can’t charge more for your home because you did something that you thought added value. If it is of no value to the buyer, neither is the price of your home when he or she can buy a similar house for less and they have an almost unlimited supply to choose from. It all depends upon how long you can hang on.
One thing is clear, people are buying on price now. Your tray ceilings and stainless steel appliances can’t compete with a house that has a better price, but without these and similar features. The real estate market waters are choppy for home sellers and the brewing dark clouds of the impending subprime storm are beginning to whip up the whitecaps. We will have to wait and see how big this storm will get. I think that I will need to get new rain gear. There is good news – for home buyers, at least the ones with a good credit score. Not so good for buyers with a mediocre score. They are part of the shrinking buyer pool affected by the more stringent lending rules. Since nothing is certain, however, all this speculation on the effects of the subprime woes may result in just a minor hiccup in the whole scheme of things. Let’s hope so. But I’m keeping my rain coat handy.
Ciao for now, Bernie Rosellen, Your Agent In The Field
Please keep in mind that my statements above are based on my personal experiences and observations around the neighborhoods of central Virginia. Some statements may not reflect fully the situations, regulations and laws of other states nor apply in all areas, so please see what applies in your state (my disclaimer to keep me out of Realtor Jail).
About the author: Bernie Rosellen is a Virginia licensed Realtor®. He works with both home buyers and home sellers and specializes in the Richmond, VA and surrounding areas. Besides actively practicing real estate, Bernie writes real estate articles as “Your Agent In The Field”™ from the perspective of being out in the neighborhoods and in the trenches of real estate. You can find out more about him and the real estate market in central Virginia at his websites http://www.TheRosellenTeam.com and http://www.RichmondHomesForSale.net

Discover the Easy and Inexpensive Remodeling Tips to Sell your Home Fast

When the time comes to sell your home it is a good idea to take a perusal of your property and start making note of some items that could be spruced up in order to not only reduce the amount of time your home is on the market but also to possibly increase your sales price as well. While the idea of remodeling your home to sell it might seem as though it would hit hard in the pocketbook there are actually some inexpensive repairs and remodels you can do to your home that can really make a big difference for just a few dollars.
Unfortunately, many people first start to consider what they can do their kitchens and bathrooms in order to increase the home's value and the price tag. Ideally; however, you should first turn your attention to those repairs and remodels you can do that will result in an increased curb appeal. Remember it is the exterior of your home that actually makes the first impression and ultimately decides whether a buyer is interested or not.
The first area you should take a look at is the trim around your doors and windows as well as the corners of the home and along the roofline. Over time, this trim can become warped, cracked or split for a variety of weather factors in addition to simple exposure to the sun. While you may have become accustomed to them over time, chances are prospective buyers won't be so forgiving.
Therefore, it's a good idea to consider what you can do to repair or replace the trim. Many home builders are now recommending a product known as MiraTec. This is actually an engineered wood trim that is quite durable in addition to providing resistance to extremes in temperatures as well as moisture. Prospective buyers may also be impressed with the fact that MiraTec is treated with a wood preservative that works to control the growth of rot as well as damage created by termites and other wood-boring insects. Taking the time to replace your unsightly trim will not only make your house look better but will also provide limited maintenance for future owners; a fact that is surely to pay off well when it comes time to sell.
It's also a good idea to make sure the gutters are cleaned out in addition to giving the shutters and siding a coat of new paint. Don't overlook the windows. Taking the time to be sure they are clean and sparkling both inside and out can really pay off in big dividends. Finally, take the time to be sure the lawn is well trimmed and clutter free. Set out some seasonal flowers and your home will be sure to attract attention.
Inside the home, be sure to give the house a good spring cleaning; even if it's the middle of winter. Nothing sells a home better than a thoroughly clean interior. Start at the baseboards and clean all the way up to the ceiling. If you feel you do not have the time, invest in professional cleaners to do the job for you. The cost will be money well spent.
Also, carefully view your interior doors to be sure they meet the grade. Don't forget to look over the closet doors as well to see if they could benefit from some sprucing up. Check the bathrooms as well to see if caulking needs to be repaired and take care of it immediately. If the bathroom accessories are dated, invest in installing new towel bars, towel rings and paper holders. This can be done for under $100 and will give your home a stylish, updated look.
Consider the amount of lighting in your home. While you may have become accustomed to, or even enjoy limited lighting, chances are prospective buyers won't fill the same way. Most buyers want a home that is filled with plenty of light and sunshine. Dust the blinds and wash the curtains so that they let in plenty of fresh bright sunlight. If the curtains and blinds are outdated, replace them. Take a look around each room and consider where you can add additional lighting to brighten things up.
Finally, get a head start on your packing by de-cluttering your home and getting rid of any excess furniture. If you're not quite ready to move yet, pack everything up and rent a storage facility to store everything until your home is sold.
Remember that ultimately buyers are looking for a home that has been obviously cared for and well maintained. A little bit of tender loving care and a small investment can go a long way toward projecting that image.
Andrew owns a Home Selling Tips website that provides many home selling advices. You can visit his website at: http://www.buy-and-sell-house-fast.com/home-selling-guide.shtml

Marketing to other Real Estate Professionals

great way to increase your sales and income, is to ask for help from other Real Estate Professionals. If you are a Sales Consultant for a Home Builder, it is imperative that you become business partners with a few different Real Estate Agents. What I mean by business partners, is essentially to work in cohesion with one another so that all three parties benefit. That means you, the Real Estate Agent, and the buyer. The goal is to create a win-win-win situation.
I cannot stress enough, how important it is for sales consultants to forge a relationship bond with Real Estate Agents. Find out who the top producers are in a particular office. Single them out and make an effort to meet with them. If possible, take them to lunch, pick their brain for new ideas. Find out the type of clients that they typically work with, what price range of homes do they normally sell. Ask them how they want to be communicated with and find out how you can help them. Make the relationship reciprocal, if they are going to bring you new business, figure out a way to be of assistance to them.
Most times this is what happens. The sales consultant will print out a bunch of copies of their available homes, then they take them to the real estate office and stuff their mailboxes with them. Then they go back to their sales office and wonder why they are not seeing any new sales.
Think about it, why would somebody that you don’t know, go out of their way to find your office with their clients? It makes no sense. If they don’t have a trusting relationship with you in advance, you will never see them in your office. The Real Estate Agent has spent a large amount of time with their client and invested a great deal of energy as well. To risk all that time, their integrity, and their clients future happiness with an unknown variable such as yourself is about as likely as finding a needle in a haystack.
It’s like that scene from the movie Field of Dreams, “If you build it, they will come.” If you build the relationship first, they will bring their clients to you.
Curt Fletcher, is the author of several books about increasing your likeability, selling homes, creating success, and improving your life. His goal is to help people gain confidence in their own abilities and maximize their full potential in creating success, wealth and happiness. To book Curt for a meeting, conference, or event, contact Curt Fletcher Success Strategies via email curtfletcher@curtfletchersuccessstrategies.com

WOW Buyers With Your Home - Top 10 Tips

When showing your home as the seller, it is important to realize that the only reason buyers are looking at your house is to cross it off their list. It is their intention to eliminate as many homes as possible before they make their final decision. It is your goal not to be eliminated from the buyer’s list! In the current buyer’s market buyers can afford to be more picky and demanding than in recent years. The onus is now on the sellers to make their home as perfect as possible for every showing. The following 10 tips will help you maximize every showing that you have and will help you sell your house more quickly and for more money!
1) Leave - This is THE most important thing you can do as a seller. Nothing will make a potential buyer feel more uncomfortable than you being in the house. If the buyers like the house then they are picturing themselves living in the house, picturing if their furniture will fit in the house, and picturing what rooms their children will choose. If the seller is in the house they can’t do any of this because they feel like a guest. This is the last thing you want your buyers to feel - GET OUT!
2) Be Flexible - It can be very annoying to have some call and want to show your home in 20 minutes, however, you need to be flexible and allow them to see it. If they are calling on short notice that probably means they are looking in your neighborhood and for some reason your house did not pop up on their internet search – but they like it! If a buyer likes the looks of your house enough to call when they are in the neighborhood, they are motivated. Let them see it even if it is not in perfect shape.
3) Lights/Blinds – Turn every single light on in your house. This is very important and makes the house seem so much brighter and bigger. In addition the turning all the lights on, opening all the blinds and letting in as much natural light as possible is another way to make the home appear large and open.
4) Clean - Clean up and pick up every time a potential buyer is coming to look at your house. It is extremely difficult, but your home should always be ready to show within a 20 minute notice.
5) Pets – Get them out. Not all people like animals and in fact some people are scared of them. Even more than being scared some people simply won’t like the idea of living in a house that had dogs or cats and may choose a similar house based on this alone. If you are home, take the pet on walk or to the store. If you are at work, put the pet in a cage or at the very least a small room like the laundry room and post a sign on the door.
6) Temperature – Heating and cooling your home can be expensive, but you need to make sure that your home is at a comfortable temperature when you are showing it. If it is cold outside, the heat needs to be set to 70 – 72 degrees. If it is hot outside, turn the air conditioner to 68 – 70 degrees. Make your buyers feel comfortable.
7) Windows/ Fireplace – If it is a beautiful day outside and you do not need to have the air or heat on, open up your windows to create an airy feeling in the house. People love fresh air, and a house with a nice breeze blowing through it can create a very relaxing feeling. If it is cold outside and you have an electric fireplace, turn it on. This creates a warm inviting feeling and the buyers can imagine themselves enjoying the fireplace on a cold night.
8) Music/ TV – If you have a stereo system in your house, turn it on to an easy listening station. If you do not have a stereo system, leave the television on to create some ambient background noise. People in general are uncomfortable with silence, so make your potential buyers more comfortable with a little relaxing background noise.
9) Scents/ Candles - Use a plug in air freshener and/or candles to add to the ambience of your home. Make sure the scent you select smells fresh and clean. Vanilla and other fruity aromas are good as well but never choose something that is overly “flowery” or anything that is too strong. You want a nice subtle scent.
10) Brochures/Flyers – Always have a brochure or flyer with at least one picture on it for the buyers to take with them. Odds are they are looking at many other houses on the same day and they might forget what yours looks like. When they go home at night and talk about it, your picture will help them recall your house and how nice it looked, felt, and smelled.
If you are ever in doubt as to if your house is “show ready”, stop by a local Builder’s Model Center and take a quick stroll through. Notice how every light is on, there is nice music playing in the background, it is clean and orderly, it smells nice and feels comfortable. This is not by accident!
Michael Taylor is the broker/owner of Rebate Real Estate. Rebate Real Estate offers full service representation and a 50% commission rebate and specializes in Indianapolis Real Estate, Carmel Real Esate, and Fishers Real Estate.

Home Sale Problems

There is nothing quite as difficult for a home seller than to see their home sitting on the market getting no offers or interest from buyers. It is even worse if they have reduced the price a few times to no avail. The best homes in the best locations are selling quickly, however lesser homes are having a difficult time in this down market. In this event it has become necessary to ensure that your home shows well. The revolution in home showing that has evolved to fill this need is known as staging. This is the planned and careful re-arranging and decoration of a home in order to show off its strong points and minimize the weaker ones.
If you really want to set your home apart from the rest apply the principles of staging to both the interior and the exterior. Many people make judgments on a home based on its exterior. With first impressions playing a major role in a buyer's decision, the yard and appearance of the home's exterior has never been so important. Your home should have the ability to capture a buyer's interest as they drive by the home. This can be easily achieved by spending some time on the home's landscaping and gardens. Painting the home is another good way to attract attention and add value. Homes with an attractive facade will sell much quicker than homes that need extensive yard work.
Home interiors are where the sale of the home is made or broken. After viewing the nicely reworked yard and gardens, it is up to the interior to make that final lasting impression that will be the sale maker. In order to stage a home interior you must first make sure that the interior is spotless. From top to bottom the home should sparkle. Then, start to remove and excess furniture, clothing, or things that you have just seemed to collect over the years until all that is left are the daily essentials. Also consider changing some of the art and decorations to reflect a more neutral theme. Your decorations may be your favorites but they may not appeal to as wide an audience as necessary for the home to show properly.
Nelson Stewart is a representative of the best Gated Community in Arizona. The Palm Gardens Arizona 55 Community Come visit our site and see what the best in senior living can be Contact us anytime or visit us online at http://www.palmgardensonline.com

Home Selling Tips - Staging Finishes

Most smart buyers know what it takes to generate interest in a home. There are, of course, a few things that are just common sense. The most natural of these is easily the cleanliness factor of the home. Remember that image of the white glove test? That's how clean the home should be. The entire house should squeak! But there are also a few tricks of the trade that can be utilized to feature certain aspects of your home or, to make it more inviting to buyers.
One aspect of the home that is often overlooked is the lighting. One way that the light in a room can be improved is by cleaning the windows if natural light is needed or by the addition of lamps if the room is simply too dark. Try not to overdo it as harsh lighting is not overly attractive. Also, make sure that the home is a comfortable temperature. If a home is freezing cold then buyers will not stay long enough to notice everything, likewise if they are sweating after 3 minutes in the home.
There is another aspect that many people seem to forget when selling their homes. Odor. This is not to say that your home stinks, merely that every home has its own smell. This is created by things like smoking, pets, or cooking to name a few. It's always good practice to air the home out for a while before a showing. Try not to use overpowering air fresheners or sprays as this can lead viewers to believe there may be an odor problem. Another nice touch is adding flowers throughout the house. This can bestow pleasant smells on the rooms as well as creating a nice accent to the furniture and art. Remember, you are not trying to sell the home to yourself, your home has to appeal to as many people as possible so do whatever it takes to ensure that your home is an inviting and appealing place.
Sanjog Gopal is a CPA & REALTOR specializing in the Arizona real estate market. My background as a CPA ensures that I am ideally suited to provide elite service in all aspects of home purchases and sales. For more information contact me anytime or visit me on the web at http://www.azresidence.com

Top-Notch Curb Appeal

As I drove to work this morning I found myself considering the curb appeal of the homes I drove past. There were some nice homes, some not so nice, and one or two that grabbed my attention from the street while motoring past. This is the kind of curb appeal that a home needs to sell quickly and for a good profit. How many homes do you see that grab you by the face and say "here I am?" Especially while you are driving past at (hopefully) the speed limit, but let's be serious, usually a bit faster.
It was funny, but one thing stood out about the homes that really caught my attention. It may seem like a broken record in this industry but it was the overall cleanliness and presentation of the property. It would make a realtor's job so much easier if when a sign was placed in the front yard, the home was transformed into a pristine Eden with a unified theme that would appeal to any buyer no matter what their tastes are. Unfortunately this is not the case. Making that transition takes a bit of work. However the ideal remains the same. A home that is able to attract positive attention from someone driving past at 50 miles per hour is a home that will sell quickly.
A good way to begin this transformation is by doing a bit of landscaping. Ensure that your yard is as tidy as possible with the lawn neatly trimmed and edged. Also trim the trees and bushes, if possible use a uniform shape for these plants. Also refinishing the driveway can be a quick way to add to any home. These things really help the exterior of a home to show at its absolute best, In today's market its necessary to go the extra mile to ensure your home gets the attention it deserves and is memorable to viewers. It takes time and effort to create a perfect home for selling but the expenditure is well worth the effort.
Sanjog Gopal is a CPA & REALTOR specializing in the Arizona real estate market. My background as a CPA ensures that I am ideally suited to provide elite service in all aspects of home purchases and sales. For more information contact me anytime or visit me on the web at http://www.azresidence.com