Archive for February, 2009
4 Mandatory Things Seller’s Must do to Find Buyers
If you are one of the thousands of people trying to sell a home, you need to accept the fact that home shoppers can not buy your house, if they don’t know it is for sale. Whether you are an owner, builder or real estate agent, you MUST use the marketing and advertising methods that pay off and forget about those that don’t.
4 Mandatory Things Home Seller’s Must do to Find Buyer’s
#1: Get Your Home Listed on the Local MLS:
The MLS is the #1 place you should advertise your home listing for maximum exposure. Why? Real Estate Agents use the MLS, exclusively, to locate property for the prospective buyers riding in their cars. And, the MLS is the only way to advertise your property to every real estate agent in America. In addition, an MLS listing is the only way to get your home listed on Realtor.com and other major web portals for real estate. FSBO’s pay attention!! In 2008, over 60 percent of home buyers, who did not use a Realtor, found the home they bought through these public access MLS websites.
If you don’t have your home listed on the MLS, please do it now. The spring selling season is the busiest season for real estate and you need the MLS to take advantage of the activity in the market. Go to Why 6 Percent.com. They have a network of brokers across the country that can list your home on the MLS, along with all public MLS websites, for 6-12 months only $399.
#2 Advertise on the Internet, Not a Newspaper
In addition to an MLS listing, you have to advertise your property on the internet. 90 percent of all buyers shop on the internet for a home. If you are putting money into newspaper advertising or home buyer guides, you would be much better off spending the money for online advertising. Only 3 percent of all buyers found their home through traditional print advertising. 90 percent of buyers located their home on the internet. (Curb Appeal still matters. 77 percent of home shoppers drive by or tour in person.)
#3 Create a Website About Your Property Features:
The NAR reported that Homebuyers overwhelming selected properties that have their own webpage over those that don’t. Buyers also reported that photographs (86 percent) and detailed information (84 percent) were the most important and useful website features. Video or virtual tours (offered on InfoTube.net) are also very popular (68 percent) with home buyers. Tip: When it comes to photo’s it seems the more you have the better. Studies show that having 16 photo’s instead of 15 resulted in 33 percent more page views. 20 photo’s were the optimum number for maximum exposure, which coincidentally happens to be the number of photo’s offered on InfoTube.net.
#4 Yard Sign with an InfoTube or InfoBox
One of the best ways to advertise your property is clearly low tech. 15 percent of all buyers reported that they found their home by seeing the yard sign. And, it seems that all buyers love the convenience of driving by and picking up a brochure to learn more about the house. A whopping 90 percent of buyers are angry or upset, if they find an empty InfoTube or InfoBox.
In conclusion, it is essential to advertise a property where the buyers are shopping, if you want to sell real estate. Experience and Research prove that the MLS, the internet and yard signs with stuffed InfoTubes and InfoBoxes, are the only things that pay off for the professional real estate agent or the sale by owner, alike.
Home for Sale
Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net homes for sale website. InfoTube.net is the place that Seller’s, Owners and Realtors can create a FREE property webpage, print Free brochures for their InfoTubes and InfoBoxes, get Free advice, legal forms and contracts AND place a property on the MLS in minutes. Visit our website or call 1-800-858-6000 for immediate LIVE HELP!!!
Home Inspection Finds Roof was Improperly Installed.
Dear InfoTube,
We are under contract to purchase a brand new home that is ideal for our family. Unfortunately, the home inspection revealed that the brand, new roof was improperly installed. It seems that the builder did not use felt, drip edge or flashing before he installed the shingles. The shingles were nailed directly to the plywood decking. The inspector also noted that many of the nails were set too deeply, which caused depressions into the asphalt material and would likely cause roof leaks.
After discussing our findings with the builder, he admitted that he knew about the missing roof materials, but he refused to replace the new roof due to the cost. The builder insists that the missing materials are unessential and pose no problem for us. He also gave us his personal guarantee that he would fix any problems that might come up in the future, if we would go ahead with the purchase.
We are now faced with a huge dilemma. First of all, we love the location, floorplan and lot. The house is just perfect for our needs. Secondly, we have invested nearly $1500 for the inspection, appraisal, loan application fee, etc., which we would lose if we back out of the sale. We would really appreciate your input about this situation. We love the house, but the roof problem scares us, even with the builder’s promises. We are scheduled to close and move in a couple of weeks. Please give us your opinion about what we should do.
Thank you, T Thornton, NC
Dear T Thornton,
Let me reassure you that drip edge, felt and flashing are essential parts of a roof system and improper installation voids any manufacturer’s warranty. Furthermore, it is very unlikely that your lender would give you a loan for this property, once they discovered the problem.
Secondly, I found myself asking“What kind of seller would “cheat” on a new roof and what else is he hiding?” A new roof is a strange thing for a builder to cheat on. The roof is a basic structural system of a home. In addition, it is huge and highly visable to the eye. It is very concerning, to say the least, that the seller knew about this problem and lied to cover it up. One has to wonder what else has he cheated on and lied about, that might not be as easy to see as the short cuts he took on the roof?
This situation poses a serious problem for you, the lender and the seller on many levels. First, the builder’s non-disclosure of the known problem with the roof could likely be considered fraud. Secondly, his guarantee to fix future problems is unenforcable in a court of law. Contracts for the “promise” of future services, which is what this seller offered you, is illegal in all 50 states. Think about it. If this seller becomes disabled, leaves the area, goes broke, dies, etc., how could he possibly honor his promise to you, even if he wanted to?
My honest opinion is that you should RUN, not walk, from this deal. Instead of being disappointed, you should be very thankful that you had a good home inspection that revealed the truth before you closed. The good news is that the inventory of unsold homes are at historical high levels. This means you should find plenty of homes, owned by honest sellers, that suit your families needs. Given the seller’s blatant dishonesty, you should insist that the builder refund your earnest money, buy your appraisal and reimburse you for the inspection report. If he hesitates or refuses to do so, you should consult an attorney, immediately.
If you have your heart set on buying this home, you should know that you are taking a big chance. At the very least, you should at insist that the builder install a new roof. You are paying a premium to buy a new home, so you should receive a new roof, not one with known problems. You should also insist that the builder transfer all manufacturer’s warranties for the roof, and all other systems in the house, to you at closing.
Thank you for writing to InfoTube.net. I hope everything works out for you, but I seriously hope you walk away from this one. Everything about this home may appear pretty on the outside, but one would be foolish to not fear what kind of ugliness may be lurking beneath the surface.
Stall or Stop Foreclosure Proceedings
Homeowners: If you have received a notice of foreclosure on your property, there may be a easy and legal way to stall the lender.
Recent reports have shown that some homeowner’s have been successful in delaying a foreclosure sale, by simply requesting that their lender provide copies of their original paperwork for the loan. It seems that some of our banks and lender’s are often unable to locate the actual paperwork securing the loan against the property. Opps!
Ask your attorney to demand a copy of your original loan documents. If the bank can’t come up with them, they can’t foreclose on your loan until they do.
Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net homes for sale website. We appreciate any comments or questions that may assist other’s in the housing market.
How to Improve Your Winter Curb Appeal
Winter can be a challenging season for those trying to sell their home. The cold weather keeps many buyer’s away and the landscape is anything but exciting. That is why it is very important to maintain good curb appeal during winter, if you want to draw home shoppers inside.
The first thing seller’s can do to improve the curb appeal of their home during winter is to start with the home itself. A fresh coat of paint always makes a huge impact, but it really stands out in the grayness of winter. When repainting, don’t forget the front door, garage doors and trim around the windows. Seller’s should also take a close look at their roof and guttering. If these systems need to be repaired or replaced, winter is a great time to do so. If the gutters are dirty or stained, wipe them clean, or repaint.
One area of your home that needs special attention is the front porch and sidewalk leading to the front door. Make your entrance welcoming by updating the lighting or add two wall sconces to frame your door. Buy a fresh, new welcome mat. Try adding planters or urns on each side of the door to draw the buyer inside the home. Make sure your house number is attractive and easy to see from the street. A colorful, seasonal wreath can also add interest. Be sure to repair any cracks in the sidewalk and keep the path to your home clear of snow and ice.
Another factor in curb appeal is your Landscape. Buyer’s understand that your lawn isn’t going to be green and lush during winter, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t look good. Clean up toys, trash or debris from your lawn and hide the trash cans. Make sure all bushes and limbs are neatly trimmed away from the house to allow light in. Evergreen plants like pines, holly, spruce and yews add a lot of interest during the bleaker cold months. Bird feeders can also add interest and attract life to your home during winter.
Curb appeal is the first impression your home makes when a guest arrives. It is crucial to your marketing efforts because Buyer’s will certainly draw conclusions about your home, based upon what they see on the outside. Remember that all your upgrades and special features won’t matter, if you can’t get the buyer interested enough to look inside.
Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net homes for sale website. Feel free to Search for homes for sale or place a free home listing. We are here to help you.
$8000 Tax Credit for First Time Buyers
Home seller’s and real estate agent’s are waking up to the fact that nearly half of all buyer’s shopping for a home are first time home buyers.
Sellers should realize the timely opportunities that are available to this group, and they should be aware of all the benefits today’s first time home buyer will receive, in order to successfully do business with them.
One unique opportunity that provides immediate benefits for home sellers and first time buyers is an $8000 tax credit incentive from the US government. The purpose of the program is to encourage home sales and provide a much needed boost to the US economy.
Outline of the $8000 Tax Credit Program is as follows:
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The Tax Credit is available for First Time Home Buyers Only. (First Time Buyers are defined as anyone who has not owned real property in the past 3 years.)
- The home must be used as the buyer’s primary residence.
- The home must close January 1, 2009-December 1, 2009.
- The buyer claims the $8000 on their tax returns, which greatly reduces their tax liability.
- The $8000 does not need to be repaid, unless the buyer resells the home within 3 years of purchase.
The National Association of Realtors, who backed the plan, estimates that the tax credit will stimulate up to 300,000 home sales. The NAR also feels that the bill will help stablize home values and could possibly help some distressed seller’s avoid foreclosure.
To read more about working with first time buyers, click here.
Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net homes for sale website. We are here to help you market and sell your home.
Your Home Must Make a Good First Impression
The springtime is when buyer’s begin shopping for a home to buy in mass. If you need to sell your home, now is the right time to get serious or take it off the market.
First and foremost, is your home is ready to make a good first impression??? Before you advertise, market or show your property, it is imperitive that you declutter, depersonalize, clean and shine everything from top to bottom. If you don’t, buyer’s will simply cross your home off the list and move on to your competitor.
We have been following the short stories of an actual, qualified home buyer, Jennifer Fields. Jennifer offers fun and informative insight for home sellers about what she is seeing and experiencing in the home shopping market. Good and Bad.
For a sneek peek inside the mind of a full-time home shopper, take a minute and read I Can Sell this Home. Jennifer reveals some home shopping war stories of mistakes that smart seller’s can avoid without spending a dime.
A sample of some recent things she saw touring ten homes this weekend include:
- Dogs left inside in a downstairs room with a note saying not to go in there. There went 100sf we couldn’t see.
- Closets crammed with all kinds of stuff that needed to be in storage
- Obviously dirty underwear on a shelf in a walk-in closet
- Half-finished bottle of Sunny D on the front porch
Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net homes for sale website. If you have a story to share or a question to ask, please leave a comment in the space below. We will share the information with others who are in the market to buy or sell.
Home Buyer Gives Good Advice to Home Seller’s
So, my husband and I are now in the market for a house! It’s very cool, because it’s definitely a buyers’ market, as it was when we sold. Being on the other side of the equation gives me a whole new perspective, of course, and I’ve been trying to look critically at the houses that we have been seeing so I can pass on my observations to you all, as you are staging and selling your houses. I know that you have lost a bit of leverage, since there are so many houses on the market right now, but there are still things that you can do to help your house stand out. And frankly, I’ve been a little amazed at how some of the sellers whose houses we’ve seen haven’t done those things.
First and foremost, and this may sound like a little thing (but it’s not): Keep your infotubes full! I cannot stress this enough. When we are driving around and see a house that’s for sale, we immediately stop to look for “words.” If the InfoTube is empty, our immediate reaction, fair or not, is “They don’t really want to sell this house.” A neglected InfoTube could be just an oversight, or it could be a sign of greater neglect. Either way, we don’t even consider those houses. So, if you are still in the house you are selling, for goodness sake, keep that InfoTube full! And if you’re not in the house, make sure that your agent keeps the tube full. It makes a difference. Remember, I am now your potential buyer, and you’ve already lost me!
Depersonalize, please! I consider myself to be a fairly sophisticated buyer–one who is able to look beyond the stage at the bones of the space, but many potential buyers just see what they see. They see the pictures, not the walls behind them. They see the carpet, not the floor underneath. Make sure that what these buyers are seeing is the most tastefully generic stage you can possibly set. We went into a lovely home last weekend–2300sf, soaring ceilings, lovely staircase, immaculately kept. It truly was a lovely home. We didn’t like the layout; it wouldn’t work for us, so we passed. But the people who live there and are trying to sell have written off a large portion of their potential market. There were family photos all around the house and a lot of art–everywhere–that was very personal to them, because it was all religious art. Whether the art was Christian, Islamic, Hindu or Zoroastrian, it makes no difference. Many people will walk into that house and walk back out because they can’t see beyond the stage. I’m not saying you have to be Peter and deny your religion, but you do have to be sensitive to the fact that not all buyers will believe the same things you believe, and many might actually be put off.
As we continue our search, I will continue to bring reports of what I’m seeing out there. I hope that this new phase in our lives will help to focus your resolve as sellers as you get your house sold!
For more information, or to order a copy of I CAN Sell This House: Secrets to Selling Quickly in a Buyers’ Market.
A BIG thank you to Jennifer taking the time to talk straight with home seller’s as she continues her search for a home. If you are looking for a home, please check out the home listings on Infotube.net. Seller’s can post property listings for FREE on the site, so the inventory is fresh and constantly changing.
Home Inspections and Repairs. What you Should Know.
I receive a lot of questions from buyers and sellers about home inspections and repair issues. So, I decided to post links to a couple of articles I recently wrote about the subject. I hope the information clears up some of the confusion.
Buyer Repair Requests. What Repairs should the seller make.
Home Inspections. What you Should Know.
Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net homes for sale website. Search our database of homes for sale or post your property listing for FREE.
10 Mistakes that Home Seller’s Make
I came across this fun and informative, short video illustrating common mistakes that home seller’s make when marketing their homes. The video offers wonderful tips about preparing your home for sale, pricing, selling and negotiating offers. So, relax and have fun while you learn. The entire clip is only around 2 minutes.
Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net homes for sale website. Visit the website to search for homes for sale, list homes for sale or to purchase an InfoTube or InfoBox for your For Sale Sign.
Carbon Monoxide is a Silent Killer.
It is very important that everyone understands that carbon monoxide is a deadly, silent killer.
So, what is it? Where does it come from? How can you protect yourself and your family?
What is carbon monoxide? Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas. The gas is created when fuels containing carbon are burned. The most common fuels containing carbon are coal, wood, oil and gas. Carbon monoxide is poisonous and extremely harmful to all humans and animals.
Where is Carbon Monoxide Found? It can be found wherever fuel is burned. Sources of carbon fuels are wood, coal, charcoal, oil, propane, natural gas, fuel oil and kerosene. Most applicances, fireplaces and machines burn carbon fuels, as do lawn mowers, grills, bbq’s, generator’s, heaters and cars.
How can I Protect Myself? Carbon monoxide is not usually harmful or deadly, if an area is properly vented. Carbon monoxide detectors are inexpensive and can be easily installed in area’s of the home prone to leaks or problems.
What are the Signs of a Problem? People complain of nausea, headaches and extreme fatigue. Often, people think they have a flu or bug and do not seek medical treatment until it is too late. If unexplainable symptom’s present themselves, immediately get outdoors into fresh air. If you find yourself feeling better, call a professional inspector and stay out of the house.
Wintertime = High Alert. Carbon monoxide poisoning is responsible for numerous deaths and severe illnesses each year. Obviously, winter is a time of heightened risk, as heating systems and fireplaces are in use, and windows and doors are closed.
Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net homes for sale website. Please feel free to post a free property for sale or lease listing, or search our site for great deals on real estate.
7 Keys to a Great Neighborhood
Everyone knows the number one factor in determining desirability and the value of real estate is Location. According to research done by the Committee for Stabilizing America’s Neighborhoods, the best neighborhoods have seven common characteristics.
7 Ways to Identify a Great Neighborhood
- An attractive civic core that serves the community with local retailers and a community gathering place like a park or square.
- Good Walkability. To See the Walkscore of your home, click here.
- Owner Occupancy. In good neighborhoods, the majority of the homes are owned by the people who live in them.
- Safety. Neighborhoods should be a place where the citizens can live and play comfortably.
- Public-private partnerships. Proper zoning, along with citizens who work together with locally supported businesses.
- Privacy and Protection. Good area’s are shielded from excessive traffic and noise.
- Identity. Clear neighborhood identity and boundaries are essential.
Tip: Buyer’s are often overwhelmed by the number of home choices in the marketplace and they are often unaware of all the benefits of a particular location. Smart Seller’s should emphasize the benefits of their neighborhood. How? Paint a picture of life in your neighborhood with a video tour, statistics and photographs that emphasize the value of the location and the desirability of the neighborhood.
Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net homes for sale website. Please take advantage of our Free real estate listing offer. Advertise your property today.
Move Those Home Buyers Off the Fence
We hear the questions on the news everyday… What will it take to get buyers off the fence and into a home? Is it lower interest rates? Tax Credits? Freebies, giveaways or bonuses to buyer agents?
The National Association of Home Builders released results from a poll which ask home buyer’s why they had not committed to a home purchase. The results: 44 percent of respondents said they are holding out for lower rates. 41 percent said they were uncertain that they could qualify for financing. 38 percent reported that they were waiting for lower prices.
Based on the poll, it looks as if free upgrades, “green” features and granite counter-tops are not budging these fence sitters. If you want to know the secret to moving buyers off the fence, take a moment to read a short article about the #1 Secret to Selling Any Property.
Tip: Remember that internet marketing, with a listing on the MLS, is essential in helping buyer’s find your property. Even if your property is priced to sell, without these powerful tools, you are simply left waiting and hoping someone drives past your home and spots your for sale sign.
Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net homes for sale website. Please search our listings for some fabulous buying opportunities found no where else on the web.
Buying a Foreclosure is Pure Torture
If you think that banks or lenders are like desperate seller’s, who are willing to do anything in order to find a buyer for their home, think again.
Picture Your Serious Offer Here. Banks are completely under staffed in their REO and loss mitigation departments. Buyer’s and their agent’s report a wait of up to four weeks or more, before a file is assigned to a negotiator, who may or may not, open the file and start to process the offer.
My Way or the Highway. In addition to understaffing problems, lenders adhere to a strict checklist of requirements. If one item is overlooked or missing from their checklist, the file is routinely placed back on the bottom of the pile, where it can take weeks to resurface again.
Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You. Lenders are famous for being non-responsive to offers, even if they are at full asking price. As a practice, banks hold offers and wait for better ones to come in, before responding. If you find yourself in a “multiple offer” game, be extremely patient. With a little luck, you may hold the winning bid, as other buyer’s drop out due to anger and a lack of patience.
Real Sellers Take Solice. While these cash ready buyers are pulling out their hair in frustration, both buyer and agent are powerless in communicating with or motivating the lending giants. If you are selling a property, you can easily give yourself a huge advantage by responding to offers in a timely manner, extending courtesy to prospective buyers, and by providing access to and information about your home when ask.
Get Ready, Get Set, Stop. Buyers seeking a foreclosure need to accept that both they and their agent’s are in powerless positions. Anyone who attempts to play the distressed property game, needs to accept that their efforts to buy a home will be futile, unless they have all the time in the world and the patience of Job.
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#1 Home Selling Secret
Home seller’s frequently ask if there is anything they can “throw in” to the deal to help their home sell faster? The truth is, not really. It is very unlikely that anyone would decide to purchase a particular home because it included a free trip to Hawaii.
Today’s buyer is educated, smart and they do their homework. They may love the fact that you are throwing your prized speedboat into the deal, but it doesn’t mean they will pay more because of it.
The ONLY thing a seller can do to increase the odds of selling their house is very simple. Price it competitively. Price it to Sell. The price is a much more powerful sales incentive than a free vacation, used car, furniture or a free granite countertops.
If you are serious about selling a home, get into A+ shape, stage it, post a listing on your local MLS and price it to sell.
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