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Showing posts with label Orange County Home Selling Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Orange County Home Selling Tips. Show all posts

Are We Facing a Recession?


2008 was an outlier because real estate can do well during a recession.


 

Today I’m joined by Dave Marzinke from Movement Mortgage to talk about whether we will be facing a recession in the near future.


Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch are saying that there is a 35% chance that we’ll see a recession next year. There are some indicators, like inflation, in the market that support this theory. When the Federal Reserve starts raising interest rates to get a handle on inflation, that's often a precursor to a recession as well. 


Many people think of the 2008 housing market crash when they hear the word recession. However, that was an anomaly and isn’t what normally happens during a recession. Historically, real estate has either performed well or above expectations during recessions because interest rates come down during those times. That helps with affordability. The economics are completely different than in 2008.


If you have any questions, give us a call, text, or email. We look forward to speaking to you.

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Location: Orange County, CA, USA

5 Questions to Answer Before Selling Your Home


Here are five questions that every home seller should ask before listing.
 
Low inventory and interest rates are causing absolute craziness in our real estate market. If you’re thinking about selling your home, you should hold off until you’re able to answer all five of these questions confidently:

1. Where are you going to go? Are you going to sell and buy another home right away? Are you going to rent instead?

2. Are you ready for the showings? We can’t have open houses, so we’ll have to stack showing appointments on top of each other. Within the first seven days that your home is on the market, you could have up to 70 people coming through the house.

A real estate professional is the best hire you can make.

 
3. Is the house ready? You might need to make some renovations. You’ll need to do some deep cleaning and decluttering and possibly some staging before listing the property.

4. How will this affect my finances? Talk to your CPA, accountant, or tax person because if you have a large gain, you’ll likely have a larger tax bill. Know this info ahead of time and run the numbers.

5. Are you ready to hire a Realtor? A professional is the most important person you can hire. They will be able to negotiate, handle the contracts, do disclosures, and deal with any problems that might arise. You’ll be better off if you hire a professional.

These are the five big questions every home seller should be asking before they list their home on the market. If you have any questions for me, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Location: Mission Viejo, CA, USA

When the Appraised Value & Contract Price Don’t Match


Here’s what sellers can do to deal with a low appraisal.
 
If you’re a seller, what if your home’s appraised value doesn’t meet its contract price? With the market being so hot and so many multiple-offer situations happening, we’re seeing a lot of this right now.

The first thing you want to do in this situation is look over the appraisal and check for any errors. Appraisers are super busy, so it could be something as small as having the wrong address or the wrong square footage.

If everything checks out, your next option is to have your agent file a rebuttal. This rebuttal should include all the latest comps from your neighborhood and an explanation as to why you don’t think the appraisal is correct. After you’ve made sure everything’s been done correctly, send this rebuttal to the lender. From there, they’ll take a look at it and see what they can come up with.

Appraisers are super busy, so it could be something as small as having the wrong address or the wrong square footage.

 
If that doesn’t work, your last option is to renegotiate the price with the buyer and come up with terms that satisfy both parties.

As always, if you have questions about this or any real estate topic or are thinking of buying a home soon, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’m happy to help.
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Location: Mission Viejo, CA, USA

Should I Fix Up My Home Before Selling?


These tips will help you decide how to prep your home for the market.

Should you take the time and money to fix up your home before selling or are you better off selling it at a discount and not doing anything? Here are some tips to help:

1. Get an assessment from a real estate professional. They should know the ins and outs of the market and be able to give you a better idea of what you could sell for with making fixes and without making fixes.

2. Get your reports upfront. For example, a termite inspection will give you a report about the conditions of the wood in your home. A pre-listing home inspection will point out any areas of neglect so we know how to price the home based on its condition if we do choose that route.

3. Be realistic with the pricing. In today’s market, it’s possible to overprice. Pricing at or slightly below market value will not only get you more eyes on the property, but it will also help you sell it faster and for more money.

4. Timing. If you have a few months and some cash to spend, the repairs can be easily made and really impact your final sale price.

If you have any questions for me about fixing up your home, selling your home, or anything else related to real estate, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Location: Mission Viejo, CA, USA

What Things Differentiate Zillow and Redfin?


Here are basic the differences between Redfin and Zillow you should know.

Usually, one of the first times I’ll ever hear from someone is when they call wanting to know the value of their home. More often than not, these soon-to-be sellers mention estimates they got from Redfin and Zillow; they want to make sure they’re looking at the most accurate comps and that they know what’s been happening in their market over the past 30, 60, or 90 days.

The main difference between Zillow and Redfin is that Redfin works with a smaller number of homes—about 74 million compared to Zillow’s 110 million. However, of the 74 million homes that Redfin uses, one million are actually active on the market. Zillow may have a larger total pool of homes, but a smaller percentage of those homes are active on the market.

Redfin takes most of their listings right from the MLS.
 
Additionally, Redfin factors in the list price of properties on the market, whereas Zillow does not. Instead, Zillow will use the square footage, room count, and general tax information to figure out an average of sorts. Redfin takes most of their listings right from the MLS, which is the most accurate source. Their margin of error for estimates of value is roughly 1.77%, which is very low compared to Zillow; a couple of years ago, Zillows margin of error was around 7.9%, but they’ve managed to get that down to 4%.

Redfin and Zillow are great tools to use if you’re looking for a place to start, but I strongly recommend reaching out to a professional who has a lot of experience working with your local marketplace.

If you have any questions about your particular property, don’t hesitate to call, text, or email me. I’d be more than happy to help you.
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Location: Mission Viejo, CA, USA

Q: How Should You Prepare Your Home for Sale?


Home preparation has to start somewhere; here are top my five suggestions.

Preparing your home for sale seems simple at first, but can soon unfurl into a daunting campaign. Like most things, home prep becomes easier once you know what to focus on. Here are the top five things you should do as a soon-to-be home seller:
  1. Have a consultation with your Realtor. I love to meet with a potential client to discuss some of their goals, establish a practical time frame for each step in the process, and share what sort of approaches we can implement to maximize their sale. 
  2. Tackle home improvements. If you’ve lived in your home for 10 years or more, you’ll more likely need to tackle some problem areas. Today’s buyers are savvy when it comes to scoping out a home; they’ll leave no stone unturned, so we need to make sure any issues to the front, back, and inside get addressed beforehand.  Whatever we can do to make the home more turnkey ready will be worthwhile.  
  3. Make sure the home is decluttered. Before we can have photos taken, your home needs to be clean and photo-ready. I know everyone likes to think they always keep their home presentable, but selling is a different ball game; your home has to look like a model home—cleared out, clean, and minimally (yet tastefully) furnished. I suggest getting a few boxes and mark some for donation, trash, and the rest for storage. If you declutter thoroughly, you will get the highest value for your home.  
  4. Improve curb appeal. Now, I’ve already addressed a lot of this topic in a previous video, but here’s a quick recap of things that go a long way for a home’s exterior: power washing the driveway; planting new flowers and weeding the garden; painting your front door; trimming lawn edges and shrubbery; and laying fresh mulch.  
  5. Professionally stage the home. I have a couple of professional designers that come in and help us stage the property. So if you don’t have furniture that’s necessarily in the best shape, we can actually rent chic items and arrange them in the most conducive way for pictures. We could also just move your furniture around to maximize lighting and make each room appear larger. If you want your staging prepaid, we can deduct that money from the escrow at the end of the sale (this financing option also applies for any of the aforementioned projects if you don’t have the money to get them done yourself).

I hope this list provided you with a better sense of direction as a seller. If you have any questions, reach out to me via phone or email. I’m happy to answer your questions, refer you to great resources, or schedule that initial consultation with you.
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Location: Mission Viejo, CA, USA

Q: What Home Upgrades Should You Avoid?


When adding value to your home, avoid these two costly upgrades.

If you want to add value to your home before you sell, there are two things you actually shouldn’t add to your house:

1. Windows. I had a client who wanted to replace his windows but was planning on moving in about two years. Within this time, he would not get all his money back. However, he decided to go ahead and get them because his current windows weren’t working properly.

New windows are a great idea if you’re improving your home for the long term. However, if you’re only going to be there for a short time, you won’t get your money back for that investment. (Of course, get them if you need windows that work correctly, like my client.)

New windows and solar panels are expensive, and you may not see a return.

2. Solar panels. Another client of mine had 22 panels installed on his house. At the time, the state was offering a tax credit on solar panels, so he only had to pay half the cost. He’s retiring and plans to stay in his home for a long time. His solar panels will decrease his monthly electricity bill, so it was an excellent investment.

However, a different client of mine is selling their house and has a lease on their solar panels. That lease has to be qualified by the new buyer. If you have solar panels on your home, remember that when you sell, that payment you’re making on them must be qualified by the buyer, and they may not be able to afford or get financing for that extra cost. Bottom line: You’ll save on utility costs if you plan to stay in the house long term, but there are extra costs associated with solar panels.

Also, check out this link to my video about the pros and cons of installing a pool on your property.

If you have more questions about home upgrades to avoid or real estate in general, feel free to reach out via phone, text, or email. I look forward to speaking with you soon.
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Q: Is It a Good Time to Buy or Sell?


It’s a strange time, but our real estate market is still active.

A lot of people have been asking me if it’s a good time to buy or sell a home. Even though we’re still in a global pandemic, I want to reassure you that the real estate market is moving along. Over 2,300 home sales closed in March in Orange County across all price ranges. We’re still doing business, albeit in a more safe and socially distant manner. What can you expect in the coming months? To find out, watch this short video above.
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Buying and Selling Amid COVID-19


There are many pros and cons to buying or selling a home right now. Here’s what you need to know.

Today I’m discussing the pros and cons of buying or selling a house during this pandemic. People who have lost their jobs may not be able to make their mortgage payments and might not be able to keep their homes. Of course, that’s heartbreaking, but they’re able to sell right now despite the health crisis. Also, more houses coming onto the market benefits buyers. Additionally, interest rates are currently extremely low. To learn more about buying and selling amid the coronavirus, watch the short video above.
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Should You Use an iBuyer?


More and more homeowners are selling to iBuyers these days. Here’s what they offer and why you might want to think twice before using one.

For those out there looking to sell their homes, iBuyers (or instant buyers) have become an increasingly popular option over the last few years. In fact, one particular business sold over 10,000 homes in 2018. These programs are run by companies like Zillow, Opendoor, Knock, and Offerpad.

They reach out to home sellers, ask them to fill out a home evaluation, and make a cash offer. Most of the time, the price that they offer you will be 20% less or more than your home’s actual market value.

Although you’ll take a discount on the sale price, iBuyers do offer convenience. They can get you the cash right away and let you close whenever you want. If you need to sell or move quickly, this could be a great option for you.

Another benefit is that nobody has to even come through your house or know that you're selling it. No open houses, no showings, and no nosy neighbors. If you prefer to keep your sale private, this could also be an attractive option.

iBuyers will typically ask you to make repairs after their initial offer.

The major con that you need to watch out for is the hidden fees. They can charge anywhere from 13% to 15% on commission, whereas a traditional agent will only charge you 5% to 7% with no hidden fees.

Another con is that they’ll typically ask you to make repairs. They offer the price, you sign the contract, then they find out you need repairs. Of course, they will want to reduce the offer at this point, and you may end up stuck doing them because you already signed the contract.

Finally, sellers typically aren’t represented in this type of transaction. Once you’ve signed on the dotted line, you can’t use representation. If you had an agent, they’d be able to negotiate on your behalf and in your best interest.

If you have questions about iBuyers or anything else related to real estate, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Location: Mission Viejo, CA, USA

How a Cross Collateral Loan Can Help You Buy & Sell Simultaneously


Cross collateral loans can help you buy and sell at the same time. Here’s how.

Today I’m joined once again by Dave Marzinke of Movement Mortgage to discuss cross collateral loans.

I have a client who’s looking to sell a $1-million house in Mission Viejo that they only still owe $550,000 on. They’re also looking to purchase another house, so the plan was to sell their current home first, and close on their new home, which is listed at $1.2 million. However, this process comes with moving problems and whatever complications arise from needing to coordinate closings.

This is where the cross collateral loan can help. Nobody wants to be a contingent buyer and have to sell their current property and be in escrow before making an offer on a new home, so this loan allows you to place a loan on two properties at the same time. It also allows for more flexibility on the down payment you’ll need for your new home.

Nobody wants to be a contingent buyer and have to sell their current property and be in escrow before making an offer on a new home.

So hypothetically speaking, let’s crunch the numbers for my client. The combined value of their current home and future home is $2.2 million. The cross collateral loan can be up to 90% of that value—in this case, $1.98 million. After paying off the balance of their current home, that leaves them with a little over $1.4 million to buy their new home. They can technically buy with no money out of pocket.

To qualify for a cross collateral loan, you’ll need a minimum FICO score of 700 and a minimum debt ratio of 50%. You’ll also need six months’ worth of cash reserves for your loan payment.

If you have questions about cross collateral loans or any other real estate topic, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d love to help you.
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Location: Mission Viejo, CA, USA

2 Loans That Can Help Buyers Who Need to Sell First in Order to Buy


If you think you have to sell your current home in order to buy your next one, a bridge loan or a cross-collateralization loan can help you buy now without going through that process.

Recently, a client of mine who’s getting ready to put their home on the market found the home they want to purchase next. It’s a beautiful home and it’s exactly what they’re looking for, but when I made the call to the home’s listing agent to tell them about our offer, they told us the home already had two other offers.

My client’s original offer was contingent on the sale of their current home, but they didn’t want to let this opportunity pass by, so we elected to pursue a couple of alternative loan options that will allow them to buy the home now without needing to sell their current home first: the bridge loan and the cross-collateralization loan.

What are these loans? How can they help you if you’re in a similar situation as a buyer? Today I’ve brought in Jay Rodriguez of New American Funding to answer these questions for you.

With a bridge loan or a cross-collateralization loan, you won’t need to sell your current home first in order to buy your next one.

First, a bridge loan is a form of short-term financing that’s available on a single property. Essentially, it allows you to receive funds from a property you already own and repurpose it for, say, buying another home. Keep in mind that not every lender can offer a bridge loan, though.

A cross-collateralization loan allows you to buy a property while using one or more other properties you already own as collateral. This is especially helpful if your equity is tied up in the home you’re trying to sell. With this loan, you can put liens against both properties and leverage the equity of the property you already own to buy the new one without going through the hassle of selling it first.

If you have any more questions about these loan types, don’t hesitate to reach out to Jay or me. We’d love to help you.
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Location: Orange County, CA, USA

5 Reasons That Real Estate Transactions Fall Apart


Real estate deals fall apart for many different reasons. Here are five of the most common.

Real estate deals can fall apart for many different reasons. Here are a few of the most common:

1. The deal falls apart pre-contract. If a buyer likes a home a lot but lowballs their first offer, a lot of sellers will decide right then and there that they won’t accept the offer. However, keep in mind that a real estate professional should be able to guide you in making a fair offer.

2. The deal falls apart post-contract. The offer has been accepted at this point, but then maybe the buyer decides they don’t want to buy it anymore. It could be because of something found in the home inspection that you can’t come to an agreement on.

A contingent offer isn’t always acceptable to a seller.

3. Contingencies get in the way. Maybe the buyer is dead-set on selling their current home before buying the new home. A contingent offer isn’t always acceptable to sellers, because a lot of the time, it’s out of our control. If the buyer does have a good chance of closing on their home, you can feel better about it.

4. The buyer is denied financing. This is another automatic deal-killer. Maybe the buyer loses their job, has health issues, or made a large purchase before the loan was finalized. This could all lead to them not being able to get the financing they need.

5. The final inspection. I’ve seen this happen plenty of times before. A buyer will come in to look at a home on the final day before closing and find out that certain repairs were not completed properly or there is a structural issue that is uncovered.

These are just some of the reasons a deal may fall apart. If you have any questions for me about buying or selling a home, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Location: Orange County, CA, USA

Why Do You Need a Real Estate Professional?


Today I want to share five reasons that you need a real estate professional at your side.

Today I want to talk about the five reasons that you need a professional at your side when entering the real estate market.
 
1. The paperwork. Selling a home involves a lot of paperwork. Therefore, you need to work with a professional who can help guide you through these documents. In my business, I use a transaction coordinator to make sure that all your paperwork is completed correctly.

2. All the steps. Between negotiations, appraisals, and inspections, there are a lot of things that need to be done when selling a home. You will definitely want a professional on your side to help you through these steps.

The national news does highlight different markets and how they are changing, but you will need to work with an agent who knows your specific market.

3. Negotiations. When it comes time to sell, you’ll want to have someone representing your best interests. Having an agent working on your behalf will ensure that you earn the best price and the best terms.

4. Valuing the home.  Pricing a home correctly can be difficult. Having someone who understands your local market and who isn’t emotionally connected to your property will help you determine a fair price. This will allow you to earn the best deal for your home.

5. The current market. The national news does highlight different markets and how they are changing, but you will need to work with an agent who knows your specific market. With a real estate professional like myself, it'll be easier for you to get that information and it'll help you sell your home in the shortest amount of time for the most money.

If you have any additional questions about this or if you're interested in learning more about buying or selling, please feel free to reach out to me. I look forward to speaking with you soon.
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Location: Orange County, CA, USA

What Renovations Will Bring You the Greatest Return on Investment?


What are the best ways to boost your home’s value before selling? We’re looking at the top four today.

Today I wanted to share the top four home renovations that will maximize your return on investment when it comes time to sell. The list comes from HGTV and gives you a good idea of what is going to be worth your while:

1. Minor bathroom renovations. Putting in a new vanity, a new toilet, mirror, or repainting are all good ideas. Something like this won’t cost much, but could bring you a return of over 100%.

2. Updating your landscaping. A big trend right now is synthetic grass. It’s a bit costly at the beginning, but it’s much more practical for buyers looking for lower water costs. It’s the first thing buyers will see when they visit your home in person and increasing your curb appeal here will also get you around a 100% return on your investment.

Synthetic grass can be costly, but it can also get you a 100% return on your investment.

3. Minor kitchen renovations. Putting in new cabinets, a new backsplash, and new tile are all great ideas. The cost is minimal, but the investment will get you around a 95% return.

4. Exterior home improvements. These include things like redone sidings, patching stucco, painting, and updating the front door or eaves. This will get you around an 87% return on your investment.

These improvements will not only keep your home in great condition and get you a great return, it will help your home sell faster and for a higher price. If you have any questions for me about any of these improvements or anything else relating to the real estate market, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email today. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Location: Orange County, CA, USA

5 Speed Bumps That Can Slow Down a Home Sale


Many things can slow a real estate transaction. Today I have the top five things which can slow down a transaction for buyers and sellers.

Today I am sharing the five possible speed bumps that may slow down a home sale.

1. Last-minute damages. I once had a client who was about to close escrow and the wife backed her car into the garage, damaging the door and stucco. You must make sure that your insurance is paid through the close of escrow so that last minute damages can be fixed as soon as possible.

2. Ensure the home seller has all of their permits. Waiting until escrow to find out that you do not have the proper property profile through your title company and making sure that the city has permits could slow the process down.

If you are a seller, make sure that your home is in good condition before you list the house.

As a buyer, make sure that all the disclosures are given to you right away. And, as a seller, have your agent work with the title company and city to make sure that there is proper documentation for any additions that there may be.

3. Refrain from making any large, last-minute purchases. I have had past buyers purchase new appliances which they needed for their new house that was closing soon. However, it delayed the loan process. It also added balance to their credit cards to create a different debt-to-income ratio. While your lender is doing your final credit check, you need to make sure that there are no large expenditures on your statements.

4. Have all your documentation in line. You need to have all documentation accounted for before the lender does a final credit check. Money transfers from retirement accounts, parents, family, etc, need to be documented so there is a paper trail.  Do not wait until the last minute to do it because it can slow the closing process.

5. The home inspection. Make sure that the items you asked the seller to fix are completed and are in working order before you get the keys. If you are a seller, make sure that your home is in good condition before you list the house, if possible. This way you can avoid getting a request for repairs from the buyer which can delay the sale.

These are the top five speed bumps that could slow the sale of a home down. Making sure that all of these are done right prior to closing will make the sale go a lot smoother and everyone will be a lot happier.

If you have any additional questions or are interested in buying or selling, please feel free to contract me by phone or email. I look forward to speaking with you soon.

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Location: Orange County, CA, USA

8 Great Tips for Listing During the Wintertime



I have eight tips to share with you that will help your home show better if you’re listing it now in the wintertime.

Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation

If you’re listing your home in wintertime, there are certain things you need to think about that you wouldn’t have to think about during the other seasons. Some of these things can vary depending on which coast you live on, but they’re important to keep in mind nonetheless.

Here are eight tips to follow to make sure you list your house appropriately for the wintertime and your house sells for top dollar:

1. Take listing photos of the home during springtime or use photos that were taken during the springtime to post online. This way, the trees along the exterior of your home have leaves on them and don’t look barren.

2. Don’t over-decorate for the holidays. This way, the inside of your home won’t look so cluttered. Sellers want to see your home—not the holidays.

3. Maintain good curb appeal. In the winter, your lawn will need a different kind of maintenance, and your home’s exterior might need more artificial lighting to brighten its appearance.


I have eight tips to share with you that will help your home show better if you’re listing it now in the wintertime.


4. Remember your safety manners. On the east coast, you’ll have to deal with ice, snow, and sleet, so it’s a good idea to sprinkle salt along your driveway and entryway to keep people from slipping. On the West Coast, you’ll typically only need to deal with rain, so keep a mat by the door or an area where people can take off their shoes.

5. Declutter the area around the door. On the east coast, you might have a lot of snowshoes, scarves, hats, and heavy coats lying around, so set up a hanger or a coat rack so people have a place to hang their own coats when they walk in.

6. Make sure your house is functional. Make sure you turn on the heater before you list the property. If there are any mechanical issues with your heater, get them fixed. There’s nothing worse than walking into a house that’s freezing instead of warm and cozy.

7. Make sure you have plenty of light. Since the sun sets earlier this time of year, consider setting timers on your outside lights to activate late in the afternoon or evening so buyers have a well-lit home to visit after they get off work.

8. Heed the advice your agent gives you. If you use their expertise and follow their direction, your home will sell for a higher price and you’ll be much better off in general.

If you have any more questions about preparing your house to be listed in winter or you’re curious about our market, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d be happy to help you.
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Location: Orange County, CA, USA

Renovations Loans, Explained



With a renovation loan, you can add renovation projects on a home you buy to the actual mortgage. Watch this video to learn more about them.

Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation

 Today I’m joined by a special guest: Barry Krevoy, who is our LoanDepot representative.

We had a situation that came up this last weekend. My buyers are looking for that perfect home that’s turnkey and ready to go. When I talked to Barry about this, he found that they’re well-qualified to get the loan, but he was suggesting that maybe we look into a renovation loan.

So today, Barry will be talking about renovation loans—the different types, and how they all work.

A renovation loan is just like any other loan, except for the fact that we’ll be adding renovation projects on the home to your actual mortgage. There are two different types: a full renovation loan, which you can do a conventional FHA loan on, and a VA renovation loan, which is a streamline loan.

There are also FHA and conventional streamlines. Streamlines are non-structural, so you can put in new countertops, new carpet, new appliances, and so on. No permits are required for this, since it’s not for construction projects.


It really opens up a lot of options, and takes a house that needed love and turns it into the house of your dreams.


Then there are full-rental loans, where you can add bedrooms, floors, and other larger projects. We have a lot of people that are getting priced out because everybody wants a single-family residence with 2,000 square feet. There might be properties out there where you can add a bedroom, bathroom, or maybe a second story. It really opens up a lot of options, and takes a house that needed love and turns it into the house of your dreams.

In flipping shows like the ones you see on HGTV, they don’t buy a home and flip it using money they have laying around; they use renovation loans to finance it.

As far as benefits go for regular buyers, the interest rates will be a little bit higher because you’re packing more into the loan. On a full renovation loan, you can put six months' worth of payments into the loans, so you don’t even have to make a payment on the house for six months.

Another great fact is that you can use the renovation loan to flip a house, and you only have to put 15% down. We all know on an investment property, you usually have to put 25% down, so there really are a lot of benefits.

If you’re interested in a renovation loan, I suggest you give me or Kevin a call, text, or email. Let’s see whether or not it works for you.
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Location: Orange County, FL, USA

6 Tips of Why You Don't Want to Sell Your Own Home



There are a lot of challenges to selling your home on your own. Here are just a few of them.

Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation

Every year, tens of thousands of homeowners attempt to sell their own homes. If you’re thinking about it, here are six things that most FSBO (For Sale By Owner) home sellers forget that you’ll need to know in order to have a successful sale:

1. Complete the paperwork. 82% of those surveyed had no idea about all the different contracts involved and how to do the paperwork that is specific to where they live. If you don’t know, it could be a huge liability.

2. Getting the right price. Most people have no idea what the true value of their home is because they don’t know anything about the market and how homes are valued within it. Using Zillow or any other online home value estimator based on data alone isn’t a good way to figure out your home’s market value.

3. Fixing up your home for sale. There are certain things, including staging and curb appeal, that you’re only going to be able to get with the agent. You simply don’t have that expertise on your own unless you’re a real estate professional yourself.

4. Attracting potential buyers. 94% of FSBO sellers surveyed don’t know how to properly attract a buyer. Most FSBO sellers just put a sign in their yard and hope buyers see it. The thousands of agents here in our market know how to get that home listed on the local MLS so that thousands of buyers are exposed to it every day.

5. Selling within the planned time. If you’re looking to sell your home in a short amount of time, selling FSBO isn’t the best route. It will take at least 90 to 120 days. With a real estate agent, you’ll be able to expedite your sale.

It can get overwhelming quickly if you aren’t experienced.

6. Energy and effort. Unless you are in this business full-time, you have no idea how much energy and effort it takes to get a home sold. With all the paperwork, marketing, and communication involved, it can get overwhelming quickly if you aren’t experienced.

If you have any questions for us or want our help to make your home sale a breeze, give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.
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Location: Orange County, FL, USA

How to Freshen Up Your Curb Appeal



Curb appeal is essential to drawing in buyers to your home. Here are three ways to increase your curb appeal.

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 A client of mine recently asked a question about how to spruce up their home when getting it ready for the market. Specifically, they wanted to know what they could do to increase their home’s curb appeal. These are the three areas I advised that they focus on:

1. The entryway. This is the first impression buyers will get when they actually walk into the house. The door should be in good shape. If it’s not, repainting it and replacing the doorknob are two good options.

2. Home structure. Clean those windows and screens. Repainting your trim is a good idea as well.

3. Landscaping. When someone drives up to the property, this is the first thing they will see. A well-maintained lawn free of weeds is a great image to put into a buyer’s mind. Other good ideas include power washing your walkways and cutting back shrubs or trees that may be blocking natural light coming in through your windows.

These are the most important areas to focus on.

These are the most important areas to focus on for curb appeal, but getting your home ready for showings is an even more complicated task. If you have any questions for us about how to prepare your home for sale, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We would love to hear from you.
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Location: Orange County, CA, USA
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