Laurie Huhman, Realtor

Wichita Homes for Sale-Does Home Staging Really Work?

With all the homes for sale in the Wichita area, the idea of home staging is really more important than ever. These days, you have to work hard to make your Wichita area home for sale stand out, or it might sit on the market for months. If you're selling, you want to captivate Wichita buyers so you can sell quickly and for as much money as possible. But there's a lot to do to get a home for sale in Wichita ready for the market.

When you have a home for sell in Wichita, you have to think like a Home BUYER. When your Buyer walks into your home for sale, it's my job as a Wichita Realtor to manage the experience that Buyer will have. I have the skills to stage your home so that it will appeal to the broadest range of Wichita Home BUYERS. You may wonder though, if I have a home for sale in Wichita, does staging really make a difference? Well, consider this:

The average days on the market for a home that has been Staged is HALF that of a home that is not staged. Your home will only get one chance in this Wichita Real Estate Market to make a first impression-make it count and your Wichita Home for Sale will do just that-Sell!!!!

For more information view my website at www.mywichitahome.com

Wichita Homes for Sale-Getting Pre-Approved for a Home Loan

It's really important when you are shopping for a Wichita home for sale to visit your financial or lending institution before you begin shopping. One benefit of this is that you'll quickly know the amount of mortgage you qualify for. This will allow you to search Wichita homes for sale in the right price range. Most importantly however, you'll tell Wichita home sellers that you are a serious buyer. You'll have more negotiating power and put your offer in the best possible position to be chosen if you have gotten pre-approved for your mortgage first. So before you begin your search for Wichita homes for sale, consider getting pre-qualified with a reputable lender. This is a very simple and quick process that you should be able to do over-the-phone.

Banks and financial institutions have developed many programs especially for Wichita home buyers, whether you are a first-time home buyer or already have equity in your home. I choose to partner with experienced, professional, local lenders who are accountable to their clients and offer great service.

If you would like the name of a good lender, give me a call or send me an email!

www.mywichitahome.com*316.409.1006

For Sale by Owner Wichita-Is the MLS the "magic pill"

Good Morning! It's a cold day in Wichita, KS this morning. In our current Wichita market you can still find "For Sale by Owner" signs in yards-not as many as the past couple years but there are still some brave Homesellers out there ready to tackle the market.

I have heard from the public that there can be the perception that a Wichita Realtor is just going to put a sign in the yard, put the home in the MLS and then you won't ever hear from them. Well unfortunately there are some inexperienced Agents out there who may do just that so it may seem just as easy to do it yourself.

Choosing the For Sale by Owner route may seem like a good option. For a minimum investment and a lot of your personal time, you can put a sign in the yard, pay a fee to list it in the MLS and wait for a Buyer. However, the MLS is just one tool an experienced Realtor would use to get your Wichita home Sold and knowing how to maximize it's power is crucial. There are many other marketing tools a Realtor will use to sell your home, along with negotiating skills and making sure that potential Buyers are qualified for their mortgage.

If you are still thinking of trying a For Sale by Owner in Wichita; Consider this...Obviously just listing a home in the MLS, is not the "Magic" pill for a For Sale by Owner home. Knowing the market, how to price a home, stage a home and negotiate the contract all contribute to getting you the most money for your Wichita home in the shortest amount of time.

So far in 2008 there were 2162 homes that were listed in the Wichita MLS that DID NOT SELL before the Listing Agreement Expired.

Hiring the RIGHT Wichita Realtor saves you time, MONEY and heartache. If you would like more information on For Sale By Owners in Wichita, click here-http://lauriehuhman.point2agent.com/For_Sale_By_Owner/page_2111093.html

Wichita Homes for Sale-Divorce and the House…

From time to time I am asked the question, If I get divorced, what happens to the house? If you are considering a separation or divorce and you’re trying to decide what to do with your Wichita home, there are a few things to consider. If your main home is jointly owned with your spouse, there are a few common options when it comes to your property when you divorce. Of course before you make any decisions regarding selling your Wichita home, you should always consult a divorce attorney to make sure you are in compliance with divorce laws in Kansas and to get additional divorce information. Divorce court can be a stressful place and having a good divorce attorney on your side can help you through the process.

Common alternatives when getting a divorce:
Selling the house prior to the divorce
Selling the house shortly following the divorce
Agreeing to sell the house at a future date and maintaining a joint interest in the house
Transferring title to one of the parties as part of the judgment of divorce

If you are wondering what your Wichita home would be worth in today’s current market and how divorce may affect your Wichita home sale, visit my website at
www.mywichitahome.com or give me a call at 316-409-1006

Wichita Homes for Sale-Finding Money for a Downpayment:

As a Realtor in Wichita I know I should not complain about the current state of mortgage lending. Wichita is experiencing a good housing market, one of the best in the country and homes are selling. Yet daily I am frustrated by the homebuyers out there who want to buy a home in Wichita but no longer have the mortgage loan options they used to.

Without debating the reasons for the current state of affairs (I do have my opinions but will stay off my soapbox!) our Wichita real estate market has changed along with the rest of the country and it's due to the mortgage crisis.

Gone are the days of NO MONEY DOWN home loans...

Gone are the days of FHA Bond Money for down payment assistance...

Gone are the days of Ameridream Gift Loan Programs for down payment assistance...

Which all means gone are the days of endless Wichita Homebuyers (sigh) Now that my whining is out of the way, I want to challenge homebuyers in this Wichita market to get creative.

Mortgage interest rates in Wichita, KS on December 1^st, 2008 were 5.625%!!! That is AMAZING, that will make a difference in your house payment.

For example-If you buy a $100,000 home with a mortgage loan rate of 5.625% your payment would be $575.66 for a 30 year term. If interests rates go up to 6.5% (and they will likely go back up soon) that same house payment would be $632.00 per month. That's a savings of $57.00 per month ($20,520 over the life of the loan!) for 30 years if you take advantage of buying a Wichita home now!

I know, I know, you want to know where to get money for your down payment. Unfortunately it is back to the days of saving for a down payment, however I have some ideas....

FHA loans currently require 3% of the purchase price for the down payment. FHA loans ARE NOT just for First-Time Homebuyers anymore! So on a $100,000 home, you need $3000 for a down payment. If you don't have that much in your savings account, here are some ideas of how to get it:

• Apply for a personal loan at your local Bank
• Sell big-ticket items you no longer use (boat, jet skis, ATV's, appliances, computers)
• Use your paid for items as collateral on a loan at your local Bank (cars, boat, jet ski's)
• Credit card convenience checks....
• Ask your parents to "gift" you the money for your down payment
• Use your income tax refund for a down payment on a home

Homeownership is still the American Dream and in Wichita, Kansas it is a great investment! If you would like more information on down payment assistance ideas, give me a call or send me an email.