Successfully Selling a Home
May 16, 2011 · CommentsYou want to sell your home, what do you do?
1. Choose a Realtor and together develop a selling and marketing plan.
2. Prepare your home for sale – declutter the house, freshen up the yard, perhaps complete deferred maintenance.
3. Price the home according to the market, what has sold and the quality of the home itself. Overpricing means you will lessen your chances of an offer at your asking price and ultimately means you will receive less for your home than you would if you priced it correctly in the first place.
4. When you receive an offer remember it is a business transaction and isn’t personal. Remember the buyer is purchasing a house and it doesn’t have any reflection on you as a person.
5. Sweeten the deal a bit making it easier for the buyer to purchase the home if keeping the home will cost you more in the long run.
Happy Selling. Selling a home can be a stressful experience so be sure you have a good Realtor you are working with to help guide you through the process.
Home Market Update
April 25, 2011 · CommentsYou may have noticed the number of “For Sale” signs are getting smaller and smaller. There is some evidence we may have reached bottom. While local unemployment continues to lag behind the national average most people have changed their spending habits and are doing a better job of living within their budget. Regardless of the situation people would prefer owning to renting and it has now reached the point where renting is more expensive than owning. So, reconsider purchasing a home.
In the near future interest rates will begin to rise and if you couple that with fewer homes for sale the prices will begin to get more competitive. While I don’t have a crystal ball I do think in the near future we will again return to a balanced market with a slight benefit for the seller. As interest rates rise affordability decreases so you may see buyers act sooner rather than later in making their purchase. We are already experiencing that with homes that are priced correctly and are in good condition. They are selling sooner than overpriced listings and often at or slightly above the asking price.
However, with the market making such a drastic the past 5 years it is still possible for the market to take 5-10 years to regain the “perceived” value that was lost. That means people who purchased in the past 7 years and can afford to keep their homes will do so to recapture equity while those that had their homes for a longer period of time will undoubtedly consider selling depending upon their situation.
Overall it is always a good time to buy and sell real estate – one simply needs to match their needs with the market they are presented with and everyone benefits!
Murer Foundation
April 13, 2011 · CommentsSomething very exciting is happening in Folsom. The Murer Foundation is working on opening the John Murer house and grounds for tours. What a great opportunity to learn not only some of the history of Folsom but some Italian history and learn about Italian traditions. The property was put into a 40 year trust to be used as a historical site. Currently the house and grounds are under the Parks and Recreation Department but volunteers work on the property donating their time and/or money to maintain the buildings and grounds. The public you can rent space for classes or use the grounds for small events.
The grounds and house will be open during the Folsom Garden Tour being held April 3oth and May 1st. Be sure to stop by and enjoy a little piece of history. By the way, donations are always welcome!
When should a home be purchased?
March 29, 2011 · CommentsBuyers often ask when is the best time to purchase a home. The correct response should be “when you are ready”. So much goes in to purchasing a home – mental readiness, financial readiness, housing need and buyer goal. One doesn’t purchase a home like you purchase a winter coat. It is generally something that requires much thought and preparation. Not only does the buyer need to be financially prepared but the need to know where one wants to live is just as important. Purchasing a home is a decision that should be made with a long-term plan in mind. It is not something you generally keep for three or four years then trade in like a used car. Some people do that for financial reasons but many people purchase a home and stay there for decades.
When deciding whether or not to purchase be sure as a buyer you and your Realtor devise a good plan that will help you in accomplishing your goals. Set realistic expectations and fully participate in the process. Even the best of Realtors can’t help you get a home if you don’t do your part, i.e., financing, “wish list”, location, etc. Regardless of whether or not you are a first-time buyer or have purchased and sold numerous homes the process is never the same twice so ask questions and make sure you have a full understanding of the transaction.
Good luck and happy house hunting.
