Home Selling - Why are you having a tough time selling??

You have a fabulous home in a great location, yet it s been sitting on the market for months with little or no interest. What can you do?

Real estate is a fickle business with markets fluctuating according to season, the economy and supply and demand. All things aside, there will always be a need for homes as long as baby's don't stop being born!!

So, lets put your home in perspective...

One of the top reasons homes don t sell is because they are OVERPRICED. Many home sellers also mistakenly think padding the price of their home gives them an opportunity to negotiate down toward a more reasonable selling price. While this may seem logical, your initial high price may be driving away potential buyers put off by your over-valuation of your home. They may think your home is simply out of their price range, or that you are being greedy or unreasonable in your thinking.

It is important to price your house according to the market in which it is located.For example, the area/neighborhood plays a specific role in your homes value. Accessibility to schools, shopping is an important factor as well as high demand areas of your city/town. Additionally, if there are a lot of houses for sale in your neighborhood, it becomes a buyers market and you may not be able to secure the price you think you should get if your neighbors are willing to go lower. Finally, there are trade-offs when selling your house: a lower price usually means a larger market of potential buyers and a faster sale while a higher price means a smaller market of potential buyers and a slower sale. If you are determined to get a certain price for your home, you must be prepared to wait to get it.

Another reason your house may not be selling is exposure. Are you trying to sell it yourself? If so, it may be difficult to arrange showings around your work and family schedule, therefore limiting the potential for a sale. Listing your house with a Realtor (R) may give you the exposure boost you need to sell your home. Not only does a Realtor(R) have more flexibility in showing your home, he or she will also advertise the house and list it on the widely used MLS (Multiple Listing Service) website along with local and internet advertising.

Even if your house is listed with a Realtor(R), it may not be attracting buyersbecause of a poor or no photo on the MLS listing, advertising or feature sheets. Many potential buyers will dismiss a home as a possibility based on the impression made by the photo they see. Marketing is key with finding a good agent, so do your research...look around the internet, and local circulation...who do you see the most? It could be that simple.

Other issues to consider include:

Is your house clean and neat?This is vital to making a strong impression on potential buyers. Clutter is not desirable, so take time to sift through your belongings and get rid of the stuff you don t need or want. Throw out the junk and donate the rest of your unwanted possessions to charity. Even after going through your things, you may have too much stuff in plain view. Organize and color coordinate your closets and cabinets to fit and sharpen things up, and if you don't have enough room, buy some plastic containers and store the stuff you don t use very often in the tubs, which you can stack neatly in the basement/garage. This may be inconvenient, but it will improve the look of your home.

Curb appeal: does your home look neat and welcoming from the street? It is in good repair? Just like with photographs, your home is judged on its appearance from the street. Increase your chance of a buyer being interested by spending a few minutes ensuring your house looks great.

A dated home can reduce its appeal.Replace old flooring, apply new paint, and add a slip cover to your or unstylish furniture. Changing the hardware in your kitchen is a great way to modernize its look without spending a lot of money. A fresh coat of paint to the trim and doors with replacing painted over hinges and hardware makes an attractive new look.

Does your home smell fresh and clean to your friends? As we are used to the way we live, we are also used to the way our home smells. It is often times hard to detect "odors" that may affect the buyer's view of our home, so give it the "friends test". Also, we may love our pets, but not everyone does. Make sure kitty s litter box is fresh (and out of the way!), and that hair and musty pet blankets are out of sight. As mentioned above, smelly carpet isn't appealing. If your pet has soiled the carpet, it should be professionally cleaned or removed.

NEED TO SELL YOUR HOME FAST IN TODAY'S MARKET?

A GOOD AGENT MAYBE ALL THAT YOU NEED!

CALL KAY FOR MORE TIPS ON GETTING YOUR HOME SOLD!

Buying a house for whatever reason should be a fun and exciting time.

Open houses can be an enjoyable and rewarding event, so make your next Open House excursion an accomplished one. Try to visit three or four different homes in one day. Here are some special things to look for when going to see these houses.

• Take a notepad with you to each house and make a note of the address of the homes you visit. Jot down things you like and dislike about each house. This will help you keep track of which house is which. Note the nearby schools, the general neighborhood, commute to work, shopping convenience, and any other information that will help you decide on your choice of home. The commute to work is a vital piece of information.
• Check the condition of the house, the road and the yard. Look at the area and make sure its suitable for your needs like for children, pets, etc. Listen to your surroundings to make sure the neighborhood noises are suitable for your needs.
• Ask questions. If the agent is present, always direct your questions to him/her. If its for sale by owner, ask to make sure the people hosting is indeed the owners of the home and be sure to find out how long they have lived there, if at all. Find out all the little secrets about the house. Granted they will not always be straightforward. Have a memo of each inquiry. Put in writing all the answers, and then re-ask certain questions later to make sure of the certainty of the answers.
• Going to an open house is a time-honored tradition. Open houses are for looking and sometimes even buying. With an important and expensive decision to make, it is better to research and look at all of your options. When venturing upon an open house, understand all the choices offered. Try not to be persuaded in making rash decisions. You have the option of looking, taking those important notes, returning to look some more, and even moving on if this house is not for you.
• Get a Buyer's Agent to assist you. In attending a open house held by a Real Estate Agent, remember that the agent is most likely representing the seller. Having your own expert representing you is important for you to have the best possible clarification on the homes specifications and terms. If you do attend without representation, get the agents business card and details on the home to go over with your own agent later. a good agent is essential in the clarification of what you are about to purchase.

NEED A COOKEVILLE AGENT TO ASSIST YOU IN YOUR NEXT HOME PURCHASE?

CALL ME FOR MORE TIPS ON HOW TO GET THE MOST FOR YOUR INVESTMENT

When thinking of investing in a foreclosed home, one thing that comes to mind is the home's physical condition. Purchasing a home can be a stressful venture if you don't have the right Real Estate Agent to assist you. With Kay Bennett as your agent, you will be informed

• On the market conditions in our local area
• how to check the condition of the property
• variety of forclosures on the market
• market analysis on what is selling in a specific neighborhood
• how you can make your home investment a strong one

In Tennessee, you have the right to a home inspection before purchasing a home. Our inspectors are top notch and can provide you with a great deal of knowledge on a home's physical condition.

In Tennessee, you will have a Termite inspection done on the property before you purchase and our Pest Control services are top notch as well.

In Tennessee, you will have a top notch loan officer to assist you with your financing needs.

As your agent, these services and expert knowledge of our local market will help you make the right decision in purchasing a home, whether it is a foreclosure, or not.

As your agent, you will have access to all homes listed for sale in our area Multiple Listing System and be able to determine which home is right for you.

As your agent, I can assist you in getting financing information usually in less than 24 hours with top notch mortgage professionals in our area.

Listed below are featured, some of the area professionals ready to work for you!

JEFF ENOCHS, HOME RIGHT INSPECTION SERVICES ~931-260-9441

SANDY GLASS, MORTGAGE INVESTORS GROUP ~ 931-526-9822

SAM GARDNER, 21 CENTURY TERMITE AND PEST ~ 931-808-2398

CALL KAY BENNETT TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION ON YOUR NEXT INVESTMENT, AND MAKE IT A PROFITABLE ONE!

Need the perfect retreat or getaway!  1076 Belmont is located on the 14th fairway on the Mountain Home Golf Course in Cumberland Cove.  Cumberland Cove is over 15,000 acres and natural subdivision just minutes from Crossville and Cookeville Tennessee.  Get back to nature with Cumberland Cove living.  Home with 1.1 acres is offered at a low price of just $149,900.

Would you love to have beautiful mountain scenery, quiet lake with walking trails to stroll and a beautiful waterfall in your backyard?? Enjoy the beauty of living on this small, yet picturesque lake in Cookeville Tennessee. Our residents fish in their own back yards or go down to the public boat dock and fishing dock to enjoy some of nature's finest moments. The lake offers a public walking trail and a waterfall at the end of the trail with an overlook to soak up the soothing moment of the sound of the falls. Just another perk you get by living in Cookeville Tennessee. So, take some time to relax and live at Eastlake.

CALL KAY BENNETT FOR MORE INFORMATION ON LIVING ON EASTLAKE IN COOKEVILLE TENNESSEE

931-510-8601