Sound Advice for Sellers

If you intend to sell your home in 2010, local data proves that Sellers get the highest prices for their homes when they list them with Realtors between January and April of any year. Therefore, if you have not already begun the process, the first weeks of the New Year are an important time for preparing your property for sale. 

Here are a few things you can do to ensure that your property will have the best chance of selling this spring with a minimum of hassle and a maximum of profit:

• Establish a relationship with an experienced real estate professional like me, with the stated intention of learning more about getting your property sold. As a free service, I will visit and evaluate your property. My office works with sellers and buyers of homes, commercial and investment properties, raw acreage, and subdivided building lots.
  
  
• An important part of my job is to prioritize the repairs/maintenance necessary to maximize the appeal of your property to your target market. Some Realtors suggest quite elaborate (and expensive) changes to your property, before it goes on the market. I am gentle and reasonable with my clients, knowing that their funds and time are often limited. When I visit your property, I will compare your “To Do List” to mine.
  
  
• Visit the following link to read a report published annually by the National Association of Realtors. The “Cost vs. Value” edition compares the return on a homeowner’s investment in a variety of upgrades and additions, http://www.realtor.org/
  rmohome_and_design/Articles
  /1001_costvsvalue_2009
  
  
• It is vital to know if pending repairs will impact the “bankability” of your property. Old or leaking roofs, scaling exterior paint and substandard electrical service panels-this deferred maintenance is likely to be noticed by the buyer’s bank (via the bank appraiser) and often complicates a purchase or sale. There are strategies for handling these problems-best discussed with me, well in advance of placing your property on the market.
  
  
• I am glad to be a source of referrals for local contractors and real estate related professionals including (but not limited to); cleaners, haulers, landscapers, property managers, lenders and attorneys.

Sound Advice for Buyers

• Serious homebuyers-now is the time to get yourselves pre-approved by a lender! As we move into the spring market, there is likely to be brisk competition from other buyers. You will be at a disadvantage if you have not done the important work of getting preapproved for a mortgage. Sellers and their real estate agents often stipulate that a prospective buyer submit a preapproval letter along with their offer, or provide such a letter within a very short time after acceptance of the offer.
  
  There is a big difference between preapproval and prequalification; for more information, go to http://www.mortgage101.com/
  article/mortgage-pre-qualification-
  vs-pre-approval
  
  
• Did you think you missed out on the $8,000.00 tax credit people were buzzing about last fall?  Due to the remarkable success of the Federal Homebuyer Tax Credit for first time home buyers, the deadline for this opportunity has been extended. Experienced homeowners can now benefit, as well.  “Eligible buyers who are selling a home that they have occupied for five of the last eight years may now apply for a $6500.00 tax credit. In order to qualify for this Tax Credit, homebuyers must close on their new homes by June 30, 2010. January, 2010.” For more information: http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/