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Judith Knutson

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New angle on an old method, humor goes a long way !

10-05-11
Judith Knutson

In this market it is hard to innovate outside of technology, I had to be inventive to move a stagnet home- What do you think?

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What it Takes to Sell Your Property (part 2 of 10)

05-08-09
Judith Knutson

Welcome back! It's time for the 2nd installment in my 10-part "What it takes to sell your property" series.

Last time, we talked about the "pre-listing" activities I do for you to help you sell your property.

Now, let's get down to the "nitty gritty" and cover the listing presentation. Why? Because then you'll know what to expect when we meet to go over the "Game plan" for getting your property sold as quickly and easily as possible.

Here's my brief "12-step" Listing Appointment Presentation

  1. First, I'll give you an overview of current conditions in your market. Plus, it's vitally important for you to know the trends in your marketplace, and your neighborhood.
  2. Then I'll give you a little background on myself so you can see if we're a good ‘match' to work together. Here's where I'll also ask about YOU & your unique situation.
  3. Third, I'll show you how my company can position your property in the best way possible. You'll understand how we can give your property an advantage in the market.
  4. I'll walk you through results of the comparative market analysis(CMA) so you'll know not only how I came up with the price of your home, but also why. I'll explain all of the elements that go into this important process. You'll discover how comparable sales, previous and expired listings all influence the results. And you'll understand why the pricing of your home correctly (from the beginning) is HUGE! The CMA is a valuable tool for this decision. This leads into...
  5. The pricing strategy I use - It's based on professional judgment and my thorough interpretation of the current conditions in your area.
  6. Then it's time to go over YOUR goals so we effectively market your property.
  7. I share with you the power we'll get from exposing your property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS.)
  8. Then I explain the power of web marketing and REALTOR.com (I'll also let you in on the other, valuable high traffic sites I use to put your property in front of the right sets of eyeballs.
  9. I'll "part the curtain" and give you a peek at what I do "behind the scenes" to help you sell your property quickly...
  10. I'll tell you how I take calls to screen for qualified buyersand how I'll protect you from curiosity seekers (you know, "tire kickers" or "looky-loo's".)
  11. Then we "put it all together" into a powerful, strategic master marketing plan.
  12. Last but not least, we'll review the Listing Contract; get your signatures on all the proper documents. Here's where I'll get 2 keys to the property from you as well...

So, there you have it... Step 2 of our 10-step process to get your property SOLD! Ready to see what's next? Next time, we'll talk about the first critical steps we take after we activate your listing. It's going to get fun, so come on back and see what's cooking....

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Use These 9 Tips to Make the Home Buying Process a Breeze…

02-16-09
Judith Knutson
Are you thinking about buying a home? It can be an overwhelming process. Especially when what you see, hear and read in the media is all ‘doom and gloom’ and talking about the ‘subprime mortgage meltdown.’ Don’t let it stop you. You can still buy a home for little to no money down, even in the middle of the ‘topsy-turvy’ market we’re in now. All it takes to make it happen is little preparation and some careful planning. And these 9 tips can help get you there: 1. Educate yourself. Learn all you can about the home buying process. Understand the role of each party involved. Explore your loan options. Learn all you can about the approval process. And give yourself a clear picture of what to expect regarding time frame, costs… even possible delays. Real estate professionals have a ton of resources they can share with you. Use their expertise to get you started! 2. Get a copy of your credit report. You can get one for free at www.annualcreditreport.com. Check it for incorrect items, duplicate entries, address and employment information and inquiries. Your lender can help you review it and ‘make sense of it all.’ Usually for free. 3. Resolve any outstanding credit issues. Make arrangements to bring any delinquent accounts and/or collections current. Keep accurate records of all everything. And be prepared to provide a letter of explanation to your lender to explain any past issues. Normally, your lender will assist you with this. Once you get any outstanding issues resolved, be sure document how you did it. If there are no issues, great. You’re one step ahead of the game! 4. Plan a realistic budget. Analyze your spending. Cut back wherever possible. And be ready to have funds available to cover your costs to buy. Even if you’re getting a ‘no down payment’ home loan, you’ll still need to set aside some money. What for? Things like an ‘earnest money’ deposit, homeowners insurance, and moving expenses. You’ll need to let your lender know where your funds came from. If you don’t, you’re loan could be denied. Don’t let it happen! Some lenders even require your funds to be ‘seasoned,’ or on deposit, for anywhere from 30 to 90 days. 5. Get your paperwork in order. In most cases, it’ll be necessary to provide proof of your income, assets, and things that affect your credit rating. If you’ve been through a divorce or bankruptcy, you’ll need to have the paperwork for these available also. Your loan officer can give you a checklist for your specific situation. 6. Get actively involved in the process. Be honest and upfront about everything. When asked to provide any additional information, do it in a timely manner. Not doing it will slow down the process. Extended delays can even cause your approval to expire… and result in less favorable loan terms (i.e. a higher rate or lower loan amount.) 7. Don’t make any major purchases before or during the loan process. This could adversely affect your debt ratios. It can also deplete the cash reserves you need. 8. Stay positive. Sure, the process can be challenging. But the reward is great. The more prepared you are, the smoother the process will be for you. Finally… 9. Get expert advice. Seek a knowledgeable professional with experience. Ask them for references upfront. And make the smart decision of putting them to work for you. Don’t ‘go it alone!’ I hope you find these tips helpful. With the right plan in place, there’s no limit to what you can achieve! For more valuable home buying tips, visit www.own40down.com
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How to get $7,500 interest free...

02-09-09
Judith Knutson

Wow, this year is already flying, isn't it?

I don't know about you, but I can't believe it's already February...

Anyway I wanted to put up a quick post to remind you about the $7,500

interest-free loan available to you from the IRS.

Don't forget the 'catches' though; you must purchase a home before July 1st!

For all the details, visit the IRS site here:

http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc611.html

Do not overlook this HUGE opportunity!

Hope this helps. Enjoy your day!

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