Rowing Together
There’s a great old comic strip about real estate closings. It shows a long narrow boat, like the crew boats you see pictures of rowing up and down the Charles River in front of Harvard and MIT in Boston. In the comic strip, there are at least 8 rowers (sometimes 10 or 12), but they’re dressed in business suits and “business casual” attire. In addition to their oars, they have briefcases and computers with them, along with 6’ levels and several file folders. The “coxswain” (the guy facing backward at the front of the boat with the megaphone)...
read moreKitchens: The Heart of the Home (and the Sale)
The kitchen is used more than any other room in the house, which makes it the most important room to stage in your home. Potential home buyers are looking for a kitchen that is as beautiful as it is functional. Buyers want to view it without any unnecessary countertop appliances and clutter. By showcasing your kitchen in the best possible light, you can potentially sell your home faster and; increase the closing price. Even in a slow real estate market, making your kitchen attractive to a buyer could make the difference. Clean up the kitchen...
read moreTips to Get HUD Homes Closed with FHA Financing
There are so many things that Realtors and their customers need to be aware of when dealing with HUD properties. And if your buyer is purchasing a HUD property and utilizing FHA financing, there’s even more to consider. The following tips will help you get to a successful closing. Be sure to check out the HUD class we’re offering that discusses all of the changes that went into effect in October. The class is tomorrow (Oct. 11) at 10am inAtlantaor you can take it on Friday (Oct. 12) inWoodstockat 10am. Use the promo code “HUD“ to take the...
read moreWhat Are We REALLY Saying About Our Listings? (Puffery de-Puffed)
I love real estate. It’s “matchmaking” between buyers and properties. A happy match can be very rewarding financially and emotionally. Looking through literally tens of thousands of listings, trying to “read between the lines” and “see between the pictures” to find the perfect match for a buyer can be daunting. Thank heavens so many real estate agents use humor in their listings! Humor? Yes, whether they realize it or not, agents repeatedly use certain words or phrases to present their listings in the best possible light. We call that...
read moreBenefits of Building Green
Homeowners who choose to go the “green” route with their homes are starting to reap the benefits. Where green building was once a seldom heard term, it is now common place for homeowners to use these techniques to improve their home’s efficiency. If you are thinking of adding green technology to your home, make sure to check into the many tax credits that are available to both home owners and buyers. The two main green building tax credits currently available are: 1. Wind, Solar, Geothermal and Fuel Cell Tax Credit: Available for both...
read moreAvoiding Dangerous Situations in Real Estate
Real estate is not a dangerous profession, but when you’re constantly asked to come in contact with perfect strangers or enter locations without any prior knowledge of the area, you have to keep your guard up…especially when working with foreclosed or vacant homes. September is Realtor® Safety Month, and I thought I’d gather some safety tips that I’ve found on sites such as Realtor.org, Inman News, and Rismedia. Meeting with a new client for the first time Meeting with people you don’t know can put you at risk. You don’t know whether this...
read moreAttract Serious Home Buyers
It goes without saying that you and your real estate agent want to attract serious home buyers, but your marketing may instead be attracting Lookie-Loos. Serious buyers want to find a home. They have criteria, a price, and a moving date. They’re usually represented by a REALTOR®. They’ve eliminated homes on the Internet and have your home on the short list. They’ve been pre-qualified by a lender, and are ready to make an offer on the right home. A Lookie-Loo is a person who is not seriously in the market to buy a home. This could be a nosy...
read moreDesign Tips for Homeowners on a Budget
Having your home look like a million bucks doesn’t have to cost you big. Following a few simple design tips and researching the latest styles can help you can transform your dull space into divine living. The first rule of budget design is to have a clear focus. Work on one room and one design at a time. The reasoning behind this is simple. It’s too easy to go over-budget if you are shopping for multiple projects at the same time. By focusing on one room, you can be clear on what items you really need. To know what...
read moreTop Five Mistakes Sellers Make
It can be a tough market for selling a home, but those conditions can get even worse if sellers aren’t careful. While a seller doesn’t control the real estate market, his actions can significantly contribute to how long and how much their home is sold for. Underestimating Cleaning Up: It may seem obvious, but real estate agents everywhere are nodding their heads in agreement as they read this. Inviting potential buyers in to see an unkempt home is like going on a job interview without freshening up after you cleaned your garage....
read moreHomebuyers Make Lifestyle Options Priority
The adage when it comes to real estate has been “location, location, location.” A recent survey, though, shows that lifestyle options are a priority. These include health and safety, access to cultural activities, and family-friendly neighborhoods. Of course, location is still important, but today’s buyers are looking for a sense of belonging in a community as well as creating a desirable lifestyle with the home they buy. More than 1,000 homeowners and future home buyers were surveyed for the Meredith Corp report. The...
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