Anthony Stokes-Pereira

Your emotions: If you're sentimental about your home, remember your buyer hasn't formed the same attachments. Your buyer may appreciate your home, but will still compare it to other available homes in terms of price, location, and condition before weighing emotion.

What you paid for the house

Many area home prices have receded as much as five to ten years. Sellers who paid high prices for their homes, purchased too recently to build equity, or took out second liens or equity loans may find that what they paid is not what the home is worth in today's market. Buyers are only concerned with what they can afford.

What you paid for improvements beyond ordinary maintenance

Your swimming pool may be beautiful and add some value to your home, but some buyers may not want the upkeep or the insurance liability, so they'll tend to offer less for the home than a buyer who really wants a pool.

What buyers expect is for homes to be properly maintained. Even if a home is in the most desirable of neighborhoods, it will never sell for as much as similar homes if it is in poor condition or lacking updates comparable to newer homes in the area.

For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you.

Anthony Stokes Pereira Office: (845) 770-2188 Cell: (845) 538-7021 Fax: (845) 624-7137 Email: anthony.stokespereira@randrealty.com

When home sales volumes increase, prices go up, and inventories of homes for sale fall below about six months on hand, (meaning it would take six months or less to sell all the homes for sale on the market to zero on hand) the market is said to be a "seller's market," because the market's conditions favor sellers.

When sales volumes decrease, prices decline, and inventories of homes rise above about six months on hand, conditions favor the buyer, making it a "buyer's market."

To sell your home in the current market, you have to consider the market's conditions.
You may adjust your price and terms accordingly.

Your competition

Your competition is not only other similar homes in your area, but what buyers can get if they buy brand-new. Your buyer is comparing size, number of bedrooms and baths, amenities, updates, views, landscaping, and décor. You can't put a price on many features, but some qualities, such as fine workmanship, room flow, and convenient storage are simply worth more money to buyers.

Your urgency

If you're relocating or have another reason to be in a hurry, you don't have time to test the market. You have to price your home to get immediate and serious offers to buy.

For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you.

Anthony Stokes Pereira Office: (845) 770-2188 Cell: (845) 538-7021 Fax: (845) 624-7137 Email: anthony.stokespereira@randrealty.com

Is your home worth your asking price? The best way to answer that question is to separate what's relevant to home buyers from what's not relevant.

Starting with the bare basics, home buyers choose homes based on:

• Price - their lenders tell them what they can afford.
• Location - they know where they want to live and why.
• Condition - they want homes that are well-maintained and move-in ready.

They look at the available inventory - your home and its competition. The greater the inventory, the more room they have to negotiate terms.

They narrow their choices to a short list, based on what they perceive to be the best value.

They buy according to what's most important to them - price, neighborhood, and/or condition. For example, a buyer who wants a certain neighborhood may choose a home in less than perfect condition, but only if the price is right.

For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you.

Anthony Stokes Pereira Office: (845) 770-2188 Cell: (845) 538-7021 Fax: (845) 624-7137 Email: anthony.stokespereira@randrealty.com

From the moment a potential buyer steps through the threshold of your home, they've got a pretty good idea of what's inside. From the grass lawn care, to the paint on the door, to the smell of fresh cut flowers in the foyer - everything adds up. With a little effort, you can create a home viewing experience buyers won't soon forget.

It's all about the entrance

To a buyer, little things go a long way. Adding a dash of color to the front door, replacing the hall mat, baking before an open house and making sure the floor, walls and mirrors are spotless will all ensure your home gets off on the right foot with potential buyers.

Every room counts

When you walk into your home, you can probably see more than just the entranceway. If you have an airy and open space, consider adding common elements that will draw the viewer's attention from one room to the next - a great way to give your home added continuity.

Clear the clutter

Coat racks are a staple in most homes. Doesn't mean you want to show yours off during an open house. To add size to the front area, lose the hats, shoes, coats and jackets. For furniture, make sure it fits in the space and is more than a great aid for tying hard-to-reach shoelaces.

Make flooring your forte

Is the laminate in your 70-year-old bungalow a turn-off? Sellers should strive to make the entrance as welcoming as possible-that includes getting rid of any flooring or materials that dramatically dates your décor. Before listing a property, you should consider making some minor remodel upgrades. Because the front hall is normally a smaller space, it may be a good place to invest some extra effort and give it a more modern appeal.

Get a handle on it

What's the first thing people touch when walking into your home? If your door handle is in need of a polish or needs to be changed, it may be worth hiring a handyman to install a quality piece of hardware. If the door jams or squeaks, give it some TLC before you throw the welcome sign on the front lawn. There is nothing more embarrassing than a home in disrepair.

Mirrors and artwork

If the entrance is small, a mirror can create a trick of the eye and expand the space. A powerful piece of contemporary art can also create a memorable entrance for a purchaser. Whichever you choose, remember the first impression is the one that lasts. Take the time to ensure that every potential homebuyer feels welcomed when walking in.

Do not hesitate, call me today to discuss how I can help, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you.

Anthony Stokes Pereira Office: (845) 770-2188 Cell: (845) 538-7021 Fax: (845) 624-7137 Email: anthony.stokespereira@randrealty.com

Home buyers used to have it easy - all they had to consider when buying a home was price, condition and location. Getting loans was a snap, and reselling the home was never a worry.

But today's recessionary market is throwing home buyers a curve. They're not so certain home buying is a good investment, and neither are their bankers.

If you're a home seller, you need to know what buyers are facing in today's real estate market, so you can do the one thing that will help the right buyer buy your home.

Price it to sell.

1. Buyers begin their search for a home with prices. Buyers may search many neighborhoods or look at homes out of their price range to get an idea of the marketplace. But, when it comes to serious shopping, they know their price and use it to see which homes they can afford.
   
2. Buyers are prequalified by their lender. A serious buyer will not be satisfied with day dreaming for long. They'll share their financial information, and get prequalified by a lender who will tell them exactly how much they can afford. Is your home in the right price range?
   
3. Buyers work with real estate professionals. Once they have a green light, buyers start shopping. They ask their real estate professionals to start gathering and presenting homes they might like. If your home is priced too high, your best, likeliest buyer will never see it. Is your home overpriced compared to the competition?
   
4. Buyers have incredible sources to compare homes. Videos, virtual tours, feature sheets and multiple photos are the eye candy. They quickly sort through what's available to a short list of the most appealing homes in their price range. Did you de-clutter, clean, stage and update your home?
   
5. Buyers choose homes based on bang for the buck. As buyers walk through listings with their real estate agent, they'll quickly make snap decisions based on size, condition, and location as compared to price. Does your home offer the most bang for the buck?
   
6. Buyers use the same comparables you do. Just as you and your real estate agent have examined the market, buyers and their agents do the same. They know which homes are overpriced, and they'll assume that an overpriced home comes from either an unmotivated or unrealistic seller. They'll make their offer to the seller whose home offers the most for the money and who appears most reasonable to an offer. Do you appear negotiable?
   
7. Buyers' banks confirm prices with appraisals. Today's appraisals are strict. New codes of conduct require banks to avoid pressuring appraisers to "hit the numbers." Appraisers are required to go back as long as one year, to determine if your home is in a "declining market." If so, the appraisal can come as much as 5% under your list price. If the appraisal is under the list price, the bank won't lend. Are you prepared to lower your price to make the deal go through?
   
8. Buyers face unprecedented banking challenges. Banks no longer offer non-conforming loans with abandon. Many banks are balking at offering conforming loans, and those are government-guaranteed. They require stricter proof from buyers that they are able to repay their loans, often qualifying them at much lower levels. Are you willing to help your buyer by paying down points?
   
9. Buyers are scared. They have to have a good reason to buy a home, and news of declining prices hasn't provided much incentive. Help them by showing them all the ways your home has rewarded your ownership. Show them how much you pay in property taxes, how much you get as a homestead exemption, how much you're able to write off your income taxes as a homeowner. Are you willing to share what buyers need to know?
   
10. Buyers don't have to buy. They want to buy. They want the joys of homeownership, and it's your job as a homeowner to provide them with the tipping point they need - the best home at the best price. Is your home priced to sell?

Do not hesitate, call me today to discuss how I can help, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you.

Anthony Stokes Pereira Office: (845) 770-2188 Cell: (845) 538-7021 Fax: (845) 624-7137 Email: anthony.stokespereira@randrealty.com