Be the best house in the area!
Buyers appreciate and make offers on well priced homes in great condition: Here are som quick tips that will get you top dollar for your home in today's competititve market.
Remember that most buyers consider up to 5 possible towns. Sellers will be competing with other homes in the same price range in other towns. So it is extremely important that their homes stand out.
Before you put your house on the market check these items:
1. Curb appeal- remove trees and shrubs that "hide" your home.. most important is the front. Flower gardens should be weed free and lawn care should be evident. Paint the exterior of your home if needed.
2. Remember the 80's wallpaper- remove all of it- then paint in neutral colors. A very easy fix, you can rent or buy a wallpaper steamer. Total cost for 5 rooms would be about $700.00 or less if you do the work yourself.
3. Repair and or replace the roof, gutters, cracked window glass
4. Clean Out the garage, basement and other storage areas so the home buyers can see your space. Rent storage is best. Placing a pod on the property is okay, but ideally, use a storage warehouse.
5. Have a yard sale! You will make the money you need to cover some repairs
6. Deep clean everything! I mean everything.. powerwash outside of home, deck, etc.. Vaccum and wash walls, remove cobwebs, dust etc..
7. Get a home inspection- the home inspector will inform you as to all of the major repairs needed. i.e. furnace, oil tank, hot water heater, insects, mold, structural issues, etc..
8 Hire a professional stager- he or she will consult with you about showing your home in the best possible way.
9 List your home with a great Realtor
Your time and money invested will cause your house to sell for more money than if the work isn't done. Well worth the time and money... hands down!
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Lori Lincoln is an educated realtor and consultant to home sellers( aka marketing expert) in Bristol County Ma and surrounding cities and towns. She has neigborhood knowledge and experience in the following cities and towns: Rehoboth, Seekonk, Swansea, Somerset, Dighton, Taunton, E. Taunton, Assonet, Freetown, Lakeville, Middeboro, Berkley, Raynham, Easton, Bridgewater, W. Bridgewater, Fall River and more.
To get your home's value go to
http://www.bristolcountyhometeam.com
emal: LoriLincoln@kw.com
508-878-0917 ( direct)
Keller Williams Realty- Greater Bristol County Massachusetts Team.
Yes, there are several bidding wars going on now particularly on homes that are well located, in good condition and are priced right. I thought this was just temporary , until time and time again in recent months, I've seen and experienced this with my clients first hand.
Many buyers, especially first time buyers feel that they are being bamboozled by a slick salesperson when they hear statements like:
"Won't last""Multiple Offers""Priced to sell" "Highest and Best"
I am telling you.. it is TRUE!!
All of the statements above have become true for me and my buyers, other buyers agents are touting the same thing> " my buyer lost out" " my buyers bid was too low" etc.. etc..
Seeing homes go under agreement in a week is now avery common practice, especially in the $250,000 and under price range.
Some buyers are saying " I refuse to particpate in bidding wars". Some say.. I'll just submit my offer and see what happens, after all, there are plenty of others out there!"
So.. what if you really had your heart set on THIS house? How will you feel if someone else owns it?
Unfortunately when one takes the types of attitude above, they inevitably will be the one losing out over and over again. They blame their agents, get angry, then ultimately see prices start to rise.
We don't know what tomorrow brings or if the market will indeed start to trend upward. Does it really matter? Right now, there are a plethora of incentives for buyers. It is such a mistake to NOT take advantage of the current opportunities that are presented RIGHT NOW.
Work with a good buyers agent to help you find and get that home now. No.. you wont' save anything by going directly to the listing agent, in fact it could cost you.. the offer and acceptance is jus the beginning. A great buyers agent will watch your deadline dates, consult with you and help protect your deposit money.
So now it's time to wake up, get smart, stop fence sitting, and get moving before the market shifts again:
If you really love the house and have to have it, then offer your highest and best offer, even if over the asking price. Make sure your offer is secured with good funds for surety to close, pre-approval in hand,and be flexible.
Be available to see new listings asap, and be ready to make an offer.
Best Regards and Happy House Hunting.
Lori Lincoln is with Keller Williams Realty and serves Greater Taunton Ma, Bristol County Ma, and surrounding cities and towns such as Rehoboth, Swansea, Somerset, Assonet, Middleboro, Dighton and more.
http://BristolCountyHomeTeam.com
508-878-0917
Since 2006, I have sold in excess of 40 homes. I don't say this to brag,because there are some who have sold more and some less, but I say this to urge you sellers to trust the professionals in this field, we don't just pull data from the air, we professionals give good facts of record to our sellers. So you should rely on the professionals in real estate and their knowledge. The same way you rely on a good doctor to determine your illness.
I sometimes meet home sellers that believe that their homes are worth far more than what a buyer will pay. ..
Home selling is in most waysis just like selling any other product. Supply and Demand and what the buyers are willing to pay. Home Buyers, like buyers for most products want to see value supercede price. It doesn't matter what you put into the home, the market doesn't care... (wow, was that tough to say..but probably harder for most home sellers to hear)
I often give this analogy: I have a 1999 Toyota 4 Runner.. it is worth $10,000 to me! I cannot, however run an ad in the local paper expecting a line at my door with buyers fist clenched with money. Realistically, I would probably be able to sell my 4 Runner ( on a good day) for $4000.00.
So why is it that home sellers think their homes are worth far more.. that's easy.. they mistake tend to value their homes based on the emotional attachment and the blood, sweat and tears ( and money) that they poured into their homes.
Here is the some easy ways to tell if a home is overprice:
1. It has been on the market over 3 months.. a clear sign that the house isn't priced to sell.
2. No showings. If a house isn't even being shown, you can bet that it more than just the agent marketing. ( refer to my Toyota 4 runner analogy)
3. Few showings.. no offers
4. Many showings.. no offers
5. Showings.. but low, low offers.. This is common for 2 reasons. Sometimes the buyers want to just 'test' the seller to see where the seller will discount.. other times, they make the offer low because it really is worth what they are offering. Buyers agents advise this type of offer sometimes due to thoughts that the home may not appraise ( another blog).
Solution: Rather than pricing your home "behind the market" which is overpricing by $20-30-40,000, and see if someone will make an offer.. price it below the market.. by about $.10-20,000. In all of my experience, I have seen homes priced this way sell faster than if they were overpriced with the seller expecting a lower offer
Here's what sellers traditionally do: Home Price $259,000... wait.. wait.. wait.. then boom an offer for $235,000.
Here's what I would do: Home Price $239,000, wait 2 days.. multiple offers.. highest price.. $245,000 SOLD!
Most sellers have a hard time buying this until they try it.. and then believe, yes this really does work.
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Lori Lincoln is a realtor with Keller Williams Realty who educates her clients and consults with them. You will not get heavy sales pressure when you work with Lori.
Lori Lincoln sells homes in Massachusetts in Taunton, Rehoboth, Swansea, Somerset, Seekonk, Lakeville, Assonet, Freetown, Middleboro, and surrounding cities and towns
To get your homes value go to: http://www.Massachusettshomevalue.net
search the entire MLS by visiting http://LincolnTeamRealEstate.com
email lorilincoln@kw.com
direct line: 508-878-0917
Does this ever happen to you? You've gone through your day feeling pretty darn good about life and then you turn on the 6:00 news and suddenly, your whole demeanor and attitude change? You are not alone. The media's job is to produce ratings and drive up revenues in air time. I know this first hand. I used to be in the advertising business and believe me ratings rule.
Lately we are hearing negative news reports on the economy and the state of the real estate market in general, but I believe they aren't reporting accurately on the big picture. As someone who is actively working in this business. The day to day mindset of most buyers are " I need to buy a house now while I can afford it and while interest rates are low.". This is a far cry from the attitude among buyers last year. Home buyers are realizing the urgency to buy now. First time home buyers are AGRESSIVELY looking so they can take advantage of the $8000.00 tax credit.
My question to the reporters are:
If the economy is really doom and gloom, why are people out buying houses? Maybe it isn't nearly as bad as the so called reports indicate??
Why are we seeing multiple offers on traditional real estate?
If it is so bad, why am I out with 5-6 different well qualified buyers every week for the past 3 months?
Where is all the foreclosure inventory? Is there really going to be second wave?
And.. Why are sales figures up?
The only good thing that comes from the negative media is that interest rates will more than likely remain low.
My conclusion. The reports don't matter. People are buying well priced, well located real estate.
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Lori Lincoln is a realtor and consultant to home buyers and sellers in Bristol county Massachusetts and surrounding cities and towns.
Lori Lincoln sells homes in Taunton, Rehoboth, Somerset, Swansea, Fall River, Dighton, Assonet, Freetown, Lakeville, Middleboro, Norton, Easton, Raynham and more.
To search the entire MLS click here
You can get your home's value at http://www.Massachusettshousevalue.net
Contact Lori Lincoln at 508-878-0917
email: lorilincoln@kw.com
Earlier this year I wrote a blog on "A Day in the Life of Showing Junky Bank Owned Properties" and boy.. am I glad it has nearly come to a screeching halt. Seems that the foreclosed homes are non existent now.
I love traditional real estate, but I am also accepting of whatever challenges the market brings, I will work it.
While nobody has a crystal ball, I am seeing glimmers of hope! I remember from June 2008- April 2009, I sold some multi-family homes in the Taunton MA area. At time, there were 91 multi family homes on the market in Taunton. Now there are less than 40!
Single family inventory has come down quite a bit too.
More and More, Lenders are working with their homeowner clients on loan modifications and short sales. This is why we aren't seeing the bank owned inventory. Though some believe we will see another run up.
First time home buyers are out in droves for well priced homes in good condition now. I am also not receiving nearly as many request to see the bank owned homes from first time buyers. I think they know that if they spend 100,000 on a house that needs 100,000 in work, they should just look at the 200k range. They know too, that the bottom doesn't matter. It is about affordability, and of course $8000 tax credit also helps!
The biggest challenge now is the number of short sale properties on the market and the challenge these transactions pose when working with the sellers bank. The process is unreasonably time consuming. The sellers banks want to see market time and normally will not accept the first offer.. so it seems. The trend I see is that the sellers lenders wants to see market time at the high price first. . this is definitely another blog.. I am sure this will work itself out as well.. I digress.
So will there be another run on foreclosures? Maybe, maybe not. It really doesn't matter.. the market is the market.
I will say what I like about the recent change in showing property is.. that I can see heating systems in operation, plumbing that actually works, not have to put Vicks under my nose because of the bank aroma, and I really like not having to worry about my clothes being torn on something. I also don't miss wearing boots and touching germ infested surfaces.
So for now, traditional real estate, for the future???
Lori Lincoln is a realtor/ consultant with Keller Williams Realty. She educates her clients so they can make good decisions.
Please contact her for a no obligation consultation.
Her service areas are: Taunton, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Somerset, Dighton, Assonet, Lakeville, Middleboro, Berkley, Dighton and other surrounding towns in and around Bristol County Massachusetts.
For An Entire MLS List of Properties for Sale in Massachusetts go to http://www.LoriLincolnTeam.com
and get your home value at http://tauntonhousevalue.com
email: LoriLincoln@kw.com
direct: 508-878-0917
Your can text or email, all messages go directly to the above phone.
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