Archive for real estate
Selling Your Home? Get in Spring Cleaning Mode
We are rapidly ap
proaching Spring and if you are selling your home or thinking about selling your home, you might want to get into the Spring cleaning mode. There is no doubt about it, across the board clean homes sell better than messy or dirty homes do. It is an unwritten, yet openly discussed, rule in real estate.
The main areas to focus on when cleaning, or examining your already cleaned home, are windows, walls, baseboards, bathrooms, closets and cabinets.
- Windows should be clear inside and out. Large picture windows should offer a clear, smudge-free view.
- Walls should be clean, free of holes and have a fresh coat of paint if needed.
- Baseboards should be free of dust and clean as well.
- Bathrooms should sparkle. Tile and grout should be clean, any cracked tiles should be replaced. Toilets, tubs and showers should be stain-free.
- Closets and cabinets should be cleared of clutter, organized and neat. If there is a door or drawer the chances are good that a prospective buyer will open it.
The important thing to remember is that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. The better condition your home is in and the cleaner it appears the more likely it is to make a good impression.
Click here to view an article from Realty Times about selling a clean house.
The Reality of Realty
The reality of realty is that searching for positive news about real estate is not that difficult these days. Foreclosures have dropped in certain areas of the Country. Some areas are showing rebounds, having an increase in sales volume and home values. The available ho
me buyer tax credits and low mortgage rates are boosting home sales. Even the drop in January sales appears temporary because, after-all, the tax credit expires on April 30th and people will start pounding the pavement in search of the new home to use it on.
Real estate that is selling in most places is selling because the price is right. People are buying real estate that they view as priced appropriately. If the home is affordable it will sell. The real estate that is not selling is real estate that is owned by people who are having a hard time letting go of what they think their home is worth or who will lose their shirt if they sell at the correct price. The reality of realty is that home values are not nearly what most people thought they would be when they bought their homes at the height of the market.
Click here for a recent article from CNBC on what is going on in real estate right now.
Home Values
In glomming on to positive news don’t forget to remember your basic math. Median prices have been going up in some areas, down in others. The median is the value that occurs in the middle of everything that has sold. For example, if seven apples have sold for $1, $1.25, $1.5, $1.5, $1.5, $1.75 and $2. The median price would be $1.5. The median value is the middle price, it does not represent the size, quality or type of apple.
In real estate it is important to remember that the median sales price represents the average price of what homes are selling for in a given area. It is not representing the size, condition or value of a home. The median sales price can be offset by foreclosure property that is selling in an area as well as by luxury property that is selling in an area.
The best way to determine the value of your real estate is to get it analyzed by an experienced real estate professional. There are many factors in determining real estate values today and picking an average out of the air could hinder the sale of your home. In today’s real estate market it is more important than ever to price your home appropriately.
January, Shmanuary, Look Ahead When it Comes to Real Estate
The latest real estate headlines for the US are that home sales were down in January, some of these headlines even use the word “plunged”. However, there are a few areas scattered around that managed to buck this trend and no media frenzy can change that. Think about it, is it really a surprise that sales are down in January? January is the coldest month, even if you live in a southern state like Florida, who wants to move in to a new house in January.
Does anyone really feel like shopping in January when they have just completed a major holiday season that began with Thanksgiving at the end of November? Most people are just plain worn out by the time New Year’s Day is over, the last thing they feel like doing in packing up and moving. It is a month to relax and observe.
The original First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit was meant to expire in November and when it got extended and expanded people realized that they had more time to make a decision. January data is showing a dip because people wanted to stop and take a look at what the new year would bring. Now that 2010 is here and people can see that mortgage rates and property values are staying low, housing is bound to show a steady increase in sales and eventually prices as well. Even Warren Buffet appears optimistic, stating that he believes that housing problems will soon be behind us.
Click here to view Warren Buffet’s stance on the economy and real estate as a whole.
Going Green With Your Home
Green homes are becoming more attractive for the environment and the wallet
When it comes to your home going green no longer means painting your house a shade of the color, it means you are taking steps toward improving both the environment and your wallet. In real estate green improvements can mean more energy efficient appliances like refrigerators, stoves, toilets and lighting fixtures to major improvements like adding solar heating, recycled materials and wind energy. Green improvements are not only becoming more popular but they are also becoming more attractive financially due to tax savings and long term cost effectiveness.
Choosing renewable products and making environmentally friendly decisions when it comes to your property can make a big difference. While being green is often a state of mind, for people who dedicate themselves to recycling, turning off lights, and bicycling instead of driving a car, making green improvements in the home has proven to make quite a difference.
For information about green choices for the home click here to read a recent article from Realty Times.
Foreclosure Figures Show Improvement
The feeling is that foreclosures are subsiding. The incredible increase in foreclosure activity that hit the United States hard over the past couple of years was a huge catalyst for falling home prices, as well as a staggering hit to the real estate market as a whole. The decrease in foreclosures for the end of 2009 that has been reported is good news for all. As foreclosures disappear real estate values will be less affected.
The Mortgage Bankers Association reported on Friday that there was a decrease in foreclosure applications for the last quarter of 2009. This was particularly good news considering the fourth quarter typically sees a rise in foreclosures due to heating costs, according to the MBA.
While foreclosures will still be coming the decrease appears to make the problem improving or, at the very least, not getting worse. The nation’s employment numbers need to improve before we are out of the woods but slowly and steadily we are climbing out of the recession and real estate is taking baby steps toward a solid recovery.
Click here to read the full report from the MBA.
Clean Homes Show Better!
Clean Homes Show Better–Five Areas To Scrub to Make Yours Sparkle
by Phoebe Chongchua
So, here’s a question for you. Would you rather walk into a clean home or a dirty one? No, it’s not a trick question but it is an important one. You see, when it comes to selling a home, many people forget how important the answer to that question really is. Sellers get busy looking for their new home, preparing the kids for a move, packing up their belongings, getting organized for their new life and relocation so much that sometimes their home that’s for sale doesn’t get the TLC that’s needed to push it to the top of the buyers’ must-have list.
It’s not until the home sits on the market for long periods that sellers realize something has to change. Read more…..
Buying a Home? Research the Neighborhood
It is important to research a neighborhood before purchasing your new home
While many people seem to think that it is not wise to think of your home as an investment, the reality is that your home is an investment. This being said there are some things to keep in mind when setting out to buy a home, the least of which is getting to know the neighborhood you wish to buy in. If you do your research and your homework selecting your home properly can insure more of a return for you when you decide to sell at some point in the future.
Research the neighborhood that you want to live in. Aside from knowing the schools and amenities that are available, take a close look at the property levels. Which streets hold more value? Is one edge of the neighborhood closer to a more upscale neighborhood, is one side close to a less desirable neighborhood? According to Realty Times, less is more. They say purchasing the least in the best neighborhood will give you the greatest return as every time a better house sells your value goes up as well.
While you may not look at your primary residence as an investment, in the long run it may be the best investment you have, so do your research and you will be happier in the long run.
Click here to read buying advice from Realty times.
Current Trends For the Home
Current home trends lean toward a simpler more efficient lifestyle
From wall coverings to energy efficient appliances, trends are set in home remodeling and design just as they are in fashion, entertainment and elsewhere. Realtor Magazine recently published an article on current home trends and, not surprisingly most are geared toward cost effectiveness, energy efficiency or reducing stress. The past few years of enduring a recession and a housing bust have made people want to get down to the basics and live a simpler life and these priorities have filtered into the home.
Current trends in home design include neutral colors, like white and beige, which are more calming than bright vibrant colors. Energy efficient appliances like refrigerators and cook tops are also being used more frequently as they are better for the environment and, in the long run, the wallet. In order to keep the calm people are also adding relaxation rooms to their homes, whether they be complete spa rooms or a simple massage chair. A designated place to unwind helps erase stress and add to home’s value at the same time.
Click here for a complete look at current home trends.
Relocating with the Right Realtor
Relocating can be much easier with the right Realtor
Moving to a new home can be quite an ordeal, whether you are moving within the same area or across the country. To make a complicated and often stressful situation easier choosing a qualified and experienced real estate broker can make all the difference.
A qualified Realtor can:
- Help you locate the best neighborhood to suit you and your family’s needs. He will know the area and will match it with your considerations and needs.
- Help you settle in faster by matching your interests and hobbies with the appropriate groups. He will also point you toward the right doctors, schools and professional areas that will set you out on the right foot.
- Will have the answers to your questions. He will have survived relocation many times with many people and have the answers you are looking for.
Keep in mind that choosing a Realtor with a solid reputation, a track record behind him and the knowledge you need to not only succeed in your real estate transaction but adjust to your new surroundings will make your entire move run much more smoothly. Do your homework and the real estate broker you choose will do the homework on your new environment.
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