Why Are There Multiple Offers?
Today’s real estate market continues to provide agents and their clients with new challenges. One hurdle that we’re facing is the prevalence of multiple offers on well priced properties. If what we have been seeing and hearing on the news about our real estate market is true, why would this be happening? Statistics show that the Atlanta area listing inventory is quite low compared to the previous 4 years. In the under $100,000 range citywide, we are seeing a 3 month inventory at best. The total number of days on market for all properties has...
read moreSpice Up Your Love Life; Buy a Home!
If you’re single and on the “dating scene”, there’s no better aphrodisiac than homeownership! According to a recent survey by Trulia of 1,000 single people, more than a third of women and 18% of men stated that they’d rather date a homeowner than a renter. It all goes downhill for renters from there. Only 2% of women surveyed preferred to date a man that rents, and only 3% of men choose women who rent over one that owns her home. The survey also found that both sexes prefer it when no roommate is in the picture by a wide margin; 62% of men...
read moreTips to Increase Home Appeal
What sells a home? Is it the price, location, or condition? The truth is that it takes a combination of all of these factors to make a sale in today’s market. Unlike boom era transactions, the seller is now in the passenger seat. Buyers today have a great advantage. A glut of homes in many markets means that supply far outweighs demand. Buyers are able to be choosy and to negotiate sweet deals. When your home is on the market you want to be noticed and for the right reasons. It’s a competitive advantage that could mean the...
read moreMake Your Home Appealing to Buyers
As you start to gather up your belongings and pack them away for your move, many sellers question which items they should leave out for buyer appeal. Often the wrong items are left on display; things like family photos, personal keepsakes, and treasured belongings. All of these items should be safely packed away which very often creates open space (a plus for buyers) on shelves, refrigerator doors, and desktops. Buyers often make a decision within just seconds of seeing your home about whether or not they want to buy it. So picture your home...
read moreHousing at Forefront of Concerns With Presidential Election
As the race for the 2012 Presidential Election gets rolling, a new survey from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) shows what is on voters’ minds. Topping the list of concerns for voters is the importance of homeownership and the ease of obtaining it. The survey showed that American voters “strongly value homeownership and would oppose efforts to weaken or eliminate the mortgage interest deduction or diminish a federal role to help qualified home buyers obtain affordable 30-year mortgages.” Neil Newhouse, a...
read moreHomes and New Babies
Welcoming a new baby into a household can be both exciting and terrifying. How do you know that your home will fit a child’s growing needs? Is it safe and practical for an infant? These are both important questions to ponder as you prepare your current space or look for a new one. First, there are simple safety precautions all parents should take. Be sure to put plugs in all outlets. Babies are fascinated by things that are at their level and this includes electrical outlets. Keep unsafe areas, such as slick floors and stairs,...
read moreHow Does Your Home Compare to Others on the Market?
Real estate agents use comparable sales or “comps” (properties recently sold in the area) to see what the market bears for a listing price or value range marketing. But what makes a home a good comp? A few things must line up in order for the agent to utilize the comp to justify your listing price. The same neighborhood, school district, similar street and, of course, similar housing features and size. If these things align, then a comp can be used to provide a current estimated value of your home. Ideally, using a comp from a...
read moreWhy Buy a Home Now?
You’ve probably heard it all over media outlets. “Affordability is at an all-time high.” “Interest rates are below 4.0 percent!” The question remains, however, why buy a home? What do these proclamations actually mean for you? Let’s look at these claims. Affordability is at an all-time high. This is calculated by a ratio of median household income to median home prices for any given area. According to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) this record level is...
read moreNavigating the Purchase of a Foreclosure
Typically foreclosures – or real estate owned (REO) properties – are a very good buy. They’re priced to sell, and buyers are likely to get a great deal IF you and your real estate agent are knowledgeable about the procedures and pitfalls you’re likely to face. It happens all too often. Buyers aren’t aware of how different REO’s are from typical homeowner re-sales. Here are some things to keep in mind: The bank rules. They’ll dictate how the process will go from offer to closing. The bank looks at offers based on their offer process. Don’t be...
read moreKitchen Makeover Without Spending a Fortune
If you’re selling your home then you should know that one of the popular rooms that tops buyers’ favorites list is the kitchen. So it makes sense to spend time, energy, and even a little money to make it shine. That thought can make some sellers cringe. The thought of spending money to fix up a kitchen in a home that they’re about ready to sell is unpalatable. However, it could make the difference between a buyer making a higher offer or even any offer at all. Kitchen makeovers don’t need to make your blood boil and...
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