Judy Niemeyer

A real estate Appraisal is not the same thing as a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). A real estate Appraisal determines the market value of the property, which is an estimate of the sale price of the house. An Appraisal is mandatory when you are borrowing money from a lender to purchase a home. An Appraisal is done by a specially trained and experienced individual known as an appraiser.

On the other hand, a Comparative Market Analysis is used to determine a reasonable asking price based on the selling and listing prices of comparable real estate. This is conducted by the real estate agent listing the property. The sole purpose of a CMA is to help the real estate agent advise the sellers when trying to come up with an appropriate asking price. This is different from an appraisal because a Comparative Market Analysis helps determine the actual asking price, where as the appraisal reveals the property's actual value. Appraisers usually use similar research on comparable properties as a factor in determining the property value.

Here are some myths and facts to help you lean more about the Appraisal of your Mobile Eastern Shore real estate.

1. Myth: Some people may think that making sure the buyer does not overpay is the main goal of an appraisal.

Fact: People buying and selling real estate can gather resourceful information from an appraisal. However, the appraiser's intended purpose is to provide protection for lenders. An Appraisal is required before the lender approves a buyer's loan.

2. Myth: Appraisers determine the property value by multiplying the price per square foot by the square footage of the property.

Fact: Appraisers determine the value of the Mobile Eastern Shore real estate by other characteristics too. Things they take in to consideration include the location, proximity to desirable destinations, school districts, quality and condition of the property, selling prices of comparable real estate, and other relevant qualities.

3. Myth: Anyone involved in real estate could conduct Appraisals.

Fact: States regulate the requirements for Appraisals to obtain a license. Obtaining a license usually includes taking courses, passing an exam, and possible hours of experience.

4. Myth: There is never an obligation to educate buyers on problems with the home found by the appraiser.

Fact: The appraiser is required to notify buyers of problems when the buyer is applying for a mortgaged insured by the Federal Housing Administration. For other types of mortgages, the appraiser is not required to disclose potential defects.

5. Myth: If an Appraisal is done there is no need to obtain a home inspection on your Mobile Eastern Shore real estate.

Fact: As mentioned earlier the purpose of the Appraisal is to protect the lender. This does more for the people selling the Mobile Eastern Shore real estate. Where as, home inspections are meant to educate buyers on the state of the home and its major elements.

Get a no obligation Comparative Market Analysis on your Mobile Eastern Shore real estate.

Selling your Mobile Eastern Shore home should be a smooth profitable transaction. But it could end up being an unsuccessful, draining experience, especially if the appropriate precautions and preparations are not observed. A majority of the time, the chance for success lies within the hands of the hired real estate expert. In order to guarantee optimal results, the sellers must be willing to cooperate and consider the professional advice of their real estate agent. Agonizing over a listing price, making the property presentable, rushing for last minute showings, answering inconvenient calls, and frazzling thoughts of not being able to sell are all stressful components of selling your Mobile Eastern Shore home. If you and your [city] home are not properly prepared there is a great risk of losing thousands of dollars in an unsuccessful transaction. Included in the following section are five of the most common, costly mistakes homeowners can easily avoid when selling their Mobile Eastern Shore home.

Do not believe all real estate professionals are the same, choose wisely

The process of selling your home involves many tedious details and critical decisions. Real estate professionals are experts in handling these situations and offering knowledgeable guidance to sellers. It is crucial to research several professionals in order to find a suitable match with experience selling homes similar to yours. Real estate agents use different methods to sell their listings. Innovative professionals who promote listings with newer techniques to attract buyers are always more successful than professionals relying on traditional strategies. 24-7 advertising, excessive exposure and lead generation are important services agents offer to aid in selling your home. Hiring and utilizing the right real estate professional can significantly maximize the chances for a smooth, profitable transaction.

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It doesn't matter if you are moving across town or across the country, moving is stressful! But a little planning can go a long way to making the move to your new Mobile Eastern Shore home less stressful. Below are 10 time-saving tips for a hassle-free move.

1. Make a list.

Create a week-by-week checklist of everything that needs doing. Start 60 days prior to your move and include the most trivial items. Staying on schedule will eliminate a lot of headaches, especially the closer you get to moving day.

2. Hire a quality moving company.

If the quote you get from a moving company seems too good to be true...it probably is! An unreliable company will cost you more in the long run, so be sure to check out the companies you interview with the Better Business Bureau.

3. Have a yard sale.

Now is the perfect time to get rid of items you haven't used in the last few years. Why pack, move and unpack something you most likely won't use in your new Mobile Eastern Shore home? Discard it now rather than later.

4. Create a system.

Create a color coded boxing system with a different color for each room in the house. Only pack items for a specific room in specific boxes. Let your movers know which colors correspond to which room so they will put the boxes in the correct room.

5. Unplug.

Most movers won't unplug appliances, computers, etc. Before the movers arrive, disconnect all appliances, electrical equipment and lighting fixtures that go to your new Mobile Eastern Shore home.

6. Stock up on packing supplies.

Don't run out of packing tape the morning of the move; have plenty of supplies on hand. Early on in the moving process, start gathering boxes, tape, bubble wrap, newsprint, box cutters and markers. Try to save time and the environment by packing with materials you already have. Load up suitcases and plastic containers and use pillows, scarves and towels to "wrap" fragile items.

7. Pack a moving survival kit.

Pack a "last-to-go" box with all of the necessities-toiletries, snacks, important documents-and keep it with you instead of packing it in moving truck.

8. Clean it up.

An empty house is much easier to clean than one with boxed stacked everywhere. Clean your new home before you move in so you can concentrate on unpacking after the movers leave.

9. Create a floor plan.

Prior to the move, create a floor plan with graph paper and cutouts for the furniture. Plan where the furniture will go so the movers can put it in the right place the first time and you don't have to move it around later.

10. Change service prior to the move.

Arrange for your mail, utilities, phone, cable, Internet and any other services to be transferred prior to the move so you don't have a lapse in service. There is nothing worse than not having water, heat or air conditioning on moving day!

Learn more about Mobile Eastern Shore homes by visiting JudySells.com. And get all your Mobile Eastern Shore relocaiton information here!

Many Mobile Eastern Shore home sellers look at the first offer on their home as just that, the First Offer with many more to come. You know what they say, ‘A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.' And in the current Buyers Market, offers are few and far between. Mobile Eastern Shore home sellers will want to consider the first offer very seriously. Here are reasons why:

• An early offer (if you're lucky!) doesn't necessarily mean buyers are lining up to follow suit. It could just mean that your home meets the needs or preferences of that one particular buyer who made the offer.
• Your home will get the most interest from buyers just after it goes on the market. The longer it stays on the market, the more "desperate" buyers will think you are, prompting lower and lower offers.
• Even if the first offer is thousands lower than your list price, consider carefully whether it might be enough - in terms of price and contract terms - before rejecting it out of hand. After all, the longer your home is on the market, the more it costs you in mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, upkeep and sheer inconvenience.
• If the offered price and contract terms are less than ideal, start negotiations by making a counteroffer, being as flexible with the terms as possible. It isn't uncommon for buyers to offer a price below what they are truly willing to pay, sometimes much below, just to see if they can buy under market.

An offer indicates serious interest in your home - don't underestimate that but don't take it for granted, either.

Thinking of selling your Mobile Eastern Shore home? We'll be happy to work with you to fine-tune your home's listing price so it fits our local market. We can also advise you on what would make your home more saleable at low cost to you. Most importantly, we can put our expertise to work for you when it comes time to negotiate with potential buyers. Learn more about us by visiting JudySells.com.

Get the value of your Mobile Eastern Shore home.

Selling your own home might sound like a good idea at first, but many Mobile Eastern Shore FSBO sellers quickly realize they've gotten in over their heads or may have sold their home for much less than they would have had they worked with a Realtor®.

The 2008 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers found that two-thirds of "For Sale By Owner" (FSBO) sellers found some aspect of the home sale to be difficult.

Twelve percent of sellers who knew the buyer thought that getting the price right was the hardest task. Among FSBO sellers who didn't know the buyer, 16 percent found it difficult to sell within the time planned, 15 percent found fixing up the home arduous, and 12 percent found it difficult to get the price right.

Statistics also show 25 percent of FSBO sellers took no action to market their home and 72 percent didn't offer incentives to attract buyers?

If you are a Mobile Eastern Shore FSBO seller and want to discuss other missteps FSBO sellers risk when attempting to go it alone, give me a call. I am glad to talk with you.

Learn how I can help you sell your Mobile Eastern Shore home by visiting JudySells.com.