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Received an Offer for Your Home? How to Respond with a Counter-offer Asking for a Higher Price

May 28, 2015 by James Scott

Received an Offer for Your Home? How to Respond with a Counter-offer Asking for a Higher PriceGetting an offer on your house is the first step in getting it sold, but buyers often feel that they have to come in lower than your asking price. After all, everyone wants the deal to work out in their favor. If the offer you received isn’t quite what you hoped, you can always make a counter-offer. Getting the details right can help make your deal go more smoothly.

Deciding On A Price

When your real estate agent helped you set the price of your home, you already had an idea of what it should fetch in the marketplace. If the offer wasn’t far off from your asking price, it’s acceptable to counter with your original asking price. Many buyers could be willing to pay full price. If you feel that technique is a bit brazen for your style, you could instead drop the original price by a few thousand dollars.

Another technique is to try to “meet in the middle”. For example, if there’s a $10,000 difference between the asking price and the offer price, you might offer to drop the price $5,000. Of course, the bigger the difference, the less enthusiastic you’ll be about dropping your price.

Factors To Consider

Keep in mind that the actual selling price of the house isn’t the only thing that will be negotiated. If you’re giving in a little bit, then you should expect to get a bit in return, but the same is true for the buyer. For example, a first-time homebuyer might not have a lot of money for a down payment. If you counter with an offer that’s too high, they might respond with another offer accepting the price, but asking for seller’s concessions at closing time.

Additionally, as you start to come down in price, you might consider taking out items that you might have included in the original offer, such as high-end appliances.

Don’t Forget The Fine Details

Discuss the details of what you want with your real estate agent. They’ll be able to let you know if you’re making the right move, considering the current market in your area. They may also have information about the buyers, such as an educated guess about how high they’re willing to go. Your agent will also have all the paperwork you need readily available. In most cases, all you have to do is fill in the blanks in a few spaces.

You want the highest price for your home, but getting the best deal is often a delicate dance. Know your limits and work together with the buyers to reach an agreement that is mutually beneficial.

Filed Under: Home Seller Tips Tagged With: Home Seller Tips, Negotations, Selling A Home

Thinking About Selling Your Own Home? Think Again – Why You’ll Want to Work with a Real Estate Agent

May 6, 2015 by James Scott

Thinking About Selling Your Own Home? Think Again - Why You'll Want to Work with a Real Estate AgentThere is no requirement for a homeowner to work with a real estate agent when selling a property, and many homeowners consider saving themselves the cost of a real estate agent’s commission fee in an effort to reduce costs and to keep more money in their pocket from the sale. While this may seem to make sense, the fact is that a real estate agent’s services have true value to you, and there are several key reasons why you want to work with a real estate agent when selling your home.

Assistance With Pricing The Home

Before you initially list your home for sale, you must decide what a fair and reasonable price is. You may actively compare price per square foot data with other homes in your community to arrive at a reasonable estimate, but there are other factors that come into play. For example, one and two-story homes will have a different price per square foot even in the same neighborhood, and property condition and layout will also play a role. Pricing your home right from the start will generate immediate interest and will help you to sell your home more quickly.

Marketing Expertise And Services

It is not enough to simply list your home for sale, and you must also actively market your home for sale. A real estate agent does much more to market your property than simply place a sign in the front yard. Everything from using online marketing avenues and mobile apps services to hosting open houses are often included in an agent’s services, and these often take time, effort and financial resources to execute. These are often included in the commission that you pay to your agent.

Skilled Negotiations Services

Negotiating with a buyer and buyer’s agent on your own is possible, but you may find yourself making impulsive, emotion-driven decisions. A real estate agent is skilled with negotiations and can help you to remain clear-headed and focused on your goals during negotiations. Keep in mind that there are multiple times throughout the process when you may need negotiate with the buyer.

The Need To Pay The Buyer’s Agent

You may not save as much money as you might think on your real estate agent fees by listing your home on your own. Keep in mind that the seller typically will pay for both the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent fees. Even if you list your property for sale on your own, you will still be responsible for paying the buyer’s agent fees.

The bottom line is that most real estate agents work hard for their clients, and they bring true value to the transaction. If you have been thinking about listing your home, you may consider speaking with an agent about the services that he or she can provide to you.

Filed Under: Home Seller Tips Tagged With: Home Seller Tips, Homeowner Tips, Selling A Home

Thinking About Selling Your Own Home? Think Again – Why You’ll Want to Work with a Real Estate Agent

May 6, 2015 by James Scott

Thinking About Selling Your Own Home? Think Again - Why You'll Want to Work with a Real Estate AgentThere is no requirement for a homeowner to work with a real estate agent when selling a property, and many homeowners consider saving themselves the cost of a real estate agent’s commission fee in an effort to reduce costs and to keep more money in their pocket from the sale. While this may seem to make sense, the fact is that a real estate agent’s services have true value to you, and there are several key reasons why you want to work with a real estate agent when selling your home.

Assistance With Pricing The Home

Before you initially list your home for sale, you must decide what a fair and reasonable price is. You may actively compare price per square foot data with other homes in your community to arrive at a reasonable estimate, but there are other factors that come into play. For example, one and two-story homes will have a different price per square foot even in the same neighborhood, and property condition and layout will also play a role. Pricing your home right from the start will generate immediate interest and will help you to sell your home more quickly.

Marketing Expertise And Services

It is not enough to simply list your home for sale, and you must also actively market your home for sale. A real estate agent does much more to market your property than simply place a sign in the front yard. Everything from using online marketing avenues and mobile apps services to hosting open houses are often included in an agent’s services, and these often take time, effort and financial resources to execute. These are often included in the commission that you pay to your agent.

Skilled Negotiations Services

Negotiating with a buyer and buyer’s agent on your own is possible, but you may find yourself making impulsive, emotion-driven decisions. A real estate agent is skilled with negotiations and can help you to remain clear-headed and focused on your goals during negotiations. Keep in mind that there are multiple times throughout the process when you may need negotiate with the buyer.

The Need To Pay The Buyer’s Agent

You may not save as much money as you might think on your real estate agent fees by listing your home on your own. Keep in mind that the seller typically will pay for both the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent fees. Even if you list your property for sale on your own, you will still be responsible for paying the buyer’s agent fees.

The bottom line is that most real estate agents work hard for their clients, and they bring true value to the transaction. If you have been thinking about listing your home, you may consider speaking with an agent about the services that he or she can provide to you.

Filed Under: Home Seller Tips Tagged With: Home Seller Tips, Homeowner Tips, Selling A Home

Selling a Large Family Home? How to Stage Your Home to Appeal to Family Buyers

May 1, 2015 by James Scott

Selling a Large Family Home? How to Stage Your Home to Appeal to Family BuyersSelling a large house requires showing buyers its potential as a place where they can raise their families, enjoy space to grow, and make it their own. Preparing a large house can be a big task. There are more rooms to clear out, more square footage to get in tip-top shape, and more accumulated belongings to sort through. However, a large house also has strong points that appeal to buyers looking for a spacious home.

Clear the Clutter

Take a look at whether the house feels spacious or crammed with years of debris. Big houses have so much space that many families store more and more things. Therefore, sellers should throw out what they don’t need or want, consider putting old treasures in temporary storage, and leave closets and cabinets with plenty of empty space so buyers can envision their own belongings there.

Define Family Spaces

When children leave the nest, some couples turn bedrooms into storage space, work areas or other rooms. To sell the home, they should consider restoring bedrooms to that use. If the house is advertised as a four- or five- or even six-bedroom house, put a bed and a dresser in that many rooms. Make the large living area look like a family room by removing anything else. If there is a garage for two or more cars, remove other items.

Update Key Rooms And Spaces

Consider updating key rooms to appeal to young families. A Realtor® can give advice on whether the kitchen, bathrooms or living areas are outdated by today’s standards and whether renovation would increase the sale price.

Make Any Necessary Repairs

Families used to living with a sticky window or tarnished faucet should go through each room and make basic repairs. A fresh coat of paint is one of the least expensive ways to instantly freshen up any room.

Improve Curb Appeal

Many buyers won’t even walk in the door if they don’t like what they see when they drive by. Remove overgrown shrubs. Get rid of weeds. Add flowers. Fix the mailbox and check the condition of the front door.

Following these steps will show off the best attributes of a big house and help buyers envision it as a place for their own families. Call your real estate agent today for an assessment of how to prepare your home for today’s family buyers.

Filed Under: Home Seller Tips Tagged With: Home Seller Tips, Selling A Home, Staging

Selling a Large Family Home? How to Stage Your Home to Appeal to Family Buyers

May 1, 2015 by James Scott

Selling a Large Family Home? How to Stage Your Home to Appeal to Family BuyersSelling a large house requires showing buyers its potential as a place where they can raise their families, enjoy space to grow, and make it their own. Preparing a large house can be a big task. There are more rooms to clear out, more square footage to get in tip-top shape, and more accumulated belongings to sort through. However, a large house also has strong points that appeal to buyers looking for a spacious home.

Clear the Clutter

Take a look at whether the house feels spacious or crammed with years of debris. Big houses have so much space that many families store more and more things. Therefore, sellers should throw out what they don’t need or want, consider putting old treasures in temporary storage, and leave closets and cabinets with plenty of empty space so buyers can envision their own belongings there.

Define Family Spaces

When children leave the nest, some couples turn bedrooms into storage space, work areas or other rooms. To sell the home, they should consider restoring bedrooms to that use. If the house is advertised as a four- or five- or even six-bedroom house, put a bed and a dresser in that many rooms. Make the large living area look like a family room by removing anything else. If there is a garage for two or more cars, remove other items.

Update Key Rooms And Spaces

Consider updating key rooms to appeal to young families. A Realtor® can give advice on whether the kitchen, bathrooms or living areas are outdated by today’s standards and whether renovation would increase the sale price.

Make Any Necessary Repairs

Families used to living with a sticky window or tarnished faucet should go through each room and make basic repairs. A fresh coat of paint is one of the least expensive ways to instantly freshen up any room.

Improve Curb Appeal

Many buyers won’t even walk in the door if they don’t like what they see when they drive by. Remove overgrown shrubs. Get rid of weeds. Add flowers. Fix the mailbox and check the condition of the front door.

Following these steps will show off the best attributes of a big house and help buyers envision it as a place for their own families. Call your real estate agent today for an assessment of how to prepare your home for today’s family buyers.

Filed Under: Home Seller Tips Tagged With: Home Seller Tips, Selling A Home, Staging

You Ask, We Answer: How Long Should It Take to Sell My House in the Spring?

April 21, 2015 by James Scott

You Ask, We Answer: How Long Should It Take to Sell My House in the Spring?Depending on where you live, selling your house in the spring could take a few weeks to a few months. Although people are in the market to buy a home all throughout the year, spring time appeals to buyers who may be planning to use an income tax refund to help with the down-payment or closing costs. If you want to sell fast make sure you pay attention to the details like curb appeal, freshening the interior, and pricing your home right.

Curb Appeal Basics

Selling your home quickly in the spring depends on a buyer’s first impression when they see your house. If you want to sell in the first couple of weeks it is on the market make sure to clean up debris that has collected and plant some flowers for a pop of color. You may also want to power wash the exterior and touch up paint around windows and doors to help get top dollar for your home.

Clear Out The Clutter

Freshening the interior of your home will give buyers an opportunity to imagine their own belongings in the house. Over the holidays you and the children may have collected new items that need to be packed away and stored out of sight. Once the clutter is cleared out make sure to clean the windows and baseboards to offer spring buyers a fresh clean view of your home.

Sell For The Right Price

Pricing your home right for the spring market is essential to make a quick sale. You may even want to set the price below market value to bring in multiple offers and drive the price up. If you are looking for a quick closing make sure your real estate agent uses this as a bargaining tool with potential buyers.

So how long should it take you to sell your house in the spring? It really depends on the market in your area and how well you prepare your house in advance. Curb appeal will make sure buyers stop in at your open house instead of driving by because the yard looks trashy. Giving the interior of your home a clean non-cluttered look will also help buyers envision a move in ready home. Finally, pricing your home in line with comparable homes in your neighborhood will help ensure you get the right buyer quickly so you can move on to a new adventure.

Filed Under: Home Seller Tips Tagged With: Home Seller Tips, Selling A Home, Staging

Understanding Commissions and How Your Real Estate Agent is Compensated When Your Home Sells

April 8, 2015 by James Scott

Understanding Commissions and How Your Real Estate Agent is Compensated when Your Home SellsWhen you make the decision to sell your home, you may eagerly seek assistance from a skilled real estate agent. A real estate agent offers important services that can help you to more successfully and easily sell your home in the fastest amount of time and for the best price. This is a professional who is committed to helping you achieve your goal and who will not be compensated for his or her efforts unless successful. With a closer look at how real estate commissions are earned, you will see that your agent will work hard for his or her compensation.

The Efforts A Real Estate Agent Makes To Sell Your Home

A real estate agent will go to great lengths to help you sell your home. From helping you to establish a fair and competitive listing price to assisting with marketing, contract negotiations and more, your agent will take considerable steps to help you with all stages in the selling process. He or she will often pay for some related expenses out of his or her own pocket, such as printing fees for flyers and snacks and décor for open houses.

No Compensation Unless Your Home Sells

Real estate agents generally will begin working for you as soon as you sign a listing agreement, and they will not collect any fees up-front. All out-of-pocket expenses will not be reimbursed to the agent unless your home sells, and your agent will not be compensated for the many hours he or she spends marketing your home and working with sellers’ agents on your behalf until your home is actually sold. If your home does not sell, your agent will receive nothing for his or her attempts. Keep in mind that the total compensation that you pay for real estate agents’ fees will typically be split between the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent.

Real estate agents essentially get compensated for their performance and their ability to follow through on what they say they will do for you. Their services are being used by you to sell your home, and you will not pay an agent unless this goal is accomplished. If you are thinking about using the services of a real estate agent when listing your home for sale, you can learn more about the professional services and related agent fees by contacting a real estate agent today.

Filed Under: Real Estate Tips Tagged With: Home Seller Tips, Real Estate Tips, Selling A Home

Three Handy Home Staging Tips That Will Help You Display Your Home in the Best Light

March 26, 2015 by James Scott

Three Handy Home Staging Tips That Will Help You Display Your Home in the Best Light Your home may be one of your largest assets, and you certainly want to take steps to get the highest price possible for it when you list it on the market to sell. In addition, you may have plans to purchase a new home or to take other similar steps when list your home, so you may need to your house to sell quickly. Staging your home is a great way to present it in the best possible light for potential buyers to see. While there are dozens of staging tips and ideas that you may use, there are a few that are rather simple and affordable for most to complete.

Give Each Room a Single Purpose

If your home is like most, there may be several rooms that have multiple uses. For example, you may have a work desk placed in the master bedroom, or a section of the living room may be designated as a kids’ play area. While this may be functional for how your family lives, it can confuse buyers. Buyers need to be able to walk into a room and imagine their own family living in the area. They may not have a need or use for a desk in the master bedroom, and this can confuse the use of the space. In addition, it also can make a room look smaller and more cramped than it is.

De-Clutter Your Rooms

In addition to defining a single use for each room in your home, you should also de-clutter your rooms. Depending how long you have lived in your home and how significant your periodic spring cleaning sessions have been, this can be a major undertaking. As a good rule of thumb, items that have not been used in more than six months may need to be donated or tossed away. The exception to this rule is seasonal items, like winter coats, pool toys or holiday décor. Keep in mind that buyers will open cabinets, drawers and closets, so your cleaning session should be thorough and not superficial.

Pack Away Personal Belongings

A final step to take is to pack away personal belongings. Everything from religious symbols like crosses to a family photo over the mantel should be packed in boxes. Your goal is to make your home look like any family could live there rather than to make it look like your home. Only decorative items that have a broad or universal appeal should remain.

When a home is properly staged, it may feel as though your home is not your own and even as though you are camping out in your own home. Keep in mind that staging can help you to sell your home as quickly as possible and to get the highest bid possible. Therefore, your effort is well worthwhile.

Filed Under: Home Seller Tips Tagged With: Home Seller Tips, Selling A Home, Staging

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