home selling

Twin Cities Real Estate Market

Ever wonder what’s happening? Here are the statistics for our metro area. Homes are selling, prices are moving up, and there is a lack of inventory. If you are considering selling, now is the time to do it. If you looking to purchase, rates are again at a 50 yr low. Don’t wait-Look at doing something now.

Pin It

home selling

Hot Home Selling Tips in 2010

By Andrew Webber

Recently, there have been some indications that the real estate market is entering a new phase as values have improved slightly in some areas and homebuilders have finally begun to move some of their inventory. Even so, the picture is not entirely rosy, which is why sellers need to make use of some critical home selling tips and guidelines to help make the most of the market this year.

In particular, sellers should be aware that foreclosures and short sales will continue to have an impact on prices throughout the year. Perhaps one of the biggest impacts on the housing market this year will be the job market. Unemployment rates remain high at around 10%, which means that it will continue to affect sales prices.

One of the best things that sellers can do to make the most of even a lackluster market is to consider making upgrades and renovations. This can actually make a big difference in making your home stand out from all of the others that buyers have to choose from on the market today. When it comes to deciding what to spend your home remodeling dollars on, make sure you go with what will have the most impact. Kitchen remodels continue to do well in terms of being able to recoup your money at time of sale as well as the addition of decks. Window replacement is also an excellent home improvement to consider making as well.

It is also important to keep in mind that many buyers continue to judge the appearance of a home from the exterior. As a result, you may find that spending some money on your landscaping could pay off in big ways.

You might also consider making an offer to pay for a portion of the buyer’s closing costs. This can be particularly attractive to first time home buyers who may have no problems qualifying for a home mortgage but who may find themselves running short of cash for closing costs. Ultimately, this could be a good way to attract buyers without the need to drop the price of your home.

If you have not already done so, make sure you take full advantage of the ability to advertise and attract buyers via the Internet. Estimates indicate that at least 80% of buyers today begin their search for a home online. If you are not advertising for buyers on the Internet, you could be missing out on a huge slice of the market. Talk to your agent about making sure that your home is featured on their website.

In addition, it is important to make sure that you are making your home as accessible as possible. In a seller’s market, owners can get away more easily with allowing their home to be shown by appointment only, but that is not the case in a buyer’s market. When the buyer has the upper hand, the market is large enough and the prices low enough that buyers can easily find another home if they are forced to wait on a showing. Do not make it even harder to sell your home by insisting on an appointment or 24 hours notice. Also, if your agent has not already done so, consider installing a lock box on your home so that it will be easier for your home to be shown if you are not able to be present.

Remember as well that in a buyer’s market it is definitely to your advantage to negotiate. Even if a buyer makes an offer on your home that is lower than the asking price, rather than rejecting it outright, consider negotiating by making a counter-offer. Also, keep in mind that if turn down an offer now you may end up losing more money on the sale of your home if you wait and try to hold out for a higher price. Do not let a small difference in price be the cause of your home sitting on the market for months on end, especially if you really need to sell it.

Finally, consider whether it may be to your advantage to pay for the services of a stager. While this is a service that will require an investment on your part, many owners find that the price of staging can be easily recouped through higher sales prices and shorter listing times. If your home has been on the market for some time and you have not received the interest you would like, it certainly may be an investment that is worth at least considering.

Andrew owns a website that provides comprehensive Home Selling Guide. You can visit his website at: http://www.buy-and-sell-house-fast.com/home-selling-guide.shtml

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Webber
http://EzineArticles.com/?Hot-Home-Selling-Tips-in-2010&id=3784789

home selling

Home Selling Success – Your Mindset Plays a Major Role

By Robin North

Your mindset could be what stands in the way of your home selling quickly. I so often hear from realtors that their biggest challenge with clients is that the seller thinks their house is beautiful just the way it is. What happens is they price it too high, they don’t make any changes to their homes appearance, and here I mean simple changes that make a huge difference, and then their house sits on the market with no offers.

I recently viewed a video on 20/20, found on YouTube, where Kirsten Kemp, host of TLC’s show Property Ladder, explains that if you get your emotions out of the way you will be able to move on with your life. She goes on to say that you need to price your home right, market it correctly and give yourself a reality check on what is a fair price and how your home really looks. When you are able, as a homeowner, to set aside your emotions that are stirred up by the home selling process, only then will you be able to meet your home selling objectives (usually to sell high and sell fast).

As multi-talented as you may be you are probably not a real estate agent or a designer, therefore it is likely you are going to need to hire some help. Recognize your unique gifts and recognize what they are not. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking a bit of cleaning and de-cluttering will do the trick. I’m not going to say it won’t work, however I have seen many homeowners, including the couple in the 20/20 video I mentioned above who thought everything was perfect, but received no offers.

Take some time to hire a good real estate agent who has a marketing plan. Set up an informational interview and come prepared with specific questions. Know which answers you are looking for and which will give you cues that they are not the right fit for you. They need to be able to bring the traffic into your home. They are earning an automatic commission on your home so ensure they are doing what is best to get your home sold.

Hire a home stager. It could be your best investment in the entire process. They are experienced in the details. If you have good traffic coming to your home you want it to look its best not in your eyes, but in the buyers’ eyes. A home stager offers an objective opinion on what they see when they initially come to your home and what needs to change for more buyers to see it as their home. They know what buyers are looking for. While it is important for a seller to put their emotions aside, it is important to evoke emotions in the buyer.

When a property is priced right, marketed correctly and shows at its best, you have the greatest combination for a home that sells quickly for the best price. Start off on the right foot and really take a look at how you feel about your home and about the move.

Robin North is the owner of Dramatic Spaces Home Staging and Design. Her goal is to help homeowners prepare their home to sell fast, for the highest price using budget friendly techniques so you keep more profit. She has sold both a staged home and an un-staged home and she hopes to pass on to you what she has learned. You can register for Robin’s FREE special report “Home to Get Through Selling Your Home Without Losing Your Mind” at http://SurvivingTheSale.com and you will also receive her weekly ezine “Homeowner Survival”. You can visit her blog at http://www.dramaticspaces.com/blog where you can find more information like this.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_North
http://EzineArticles.com/?Home-Selling-Success—Your-Mindset-Plays-a-Major-Role&id=3549258

home selling

Home Selling Success – Your Mindset Plays a Major Role

By Robin North

Your mindset could be what stands in the way of your home selling quickly. I so often hear from realtors that their biggest challenge with clients is that the seller thinks their house is beautiful just the way it is. What happens is they price it too high, they don’t make any changes to their homes appearance, and here I mean simple changes that make a huge difference, and then their house sits on the market with no offers.

I recently viewed a video on 20/20, found on YouTube, where Kirsten Kemp, host of TLC’s show Property Ladder, explains that if you get your emotions out of the way you will be able to move on with your life. She goes on to say that you need to price your home right, market it correctly and give yourself a reality check on what is a fair price and how your home really looks. When you are able, as a homeowner, to set aside your emotions that are stirred up by the home selling process, only then will you be able to meet your home selling objectives (usually to sell high and sell fast).

As multi-talented as you may be you are probably not a real estate agent or a designer, therefore it is likely you are going to need to hire some help. Recognize your unique gifts and recognize what they are not. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking a bit of cleaning and de-cluttering will do the trick. I’m not going to say it won’t work, however I have seen many homeowners, including the couple in the 20/20 video I mentioned above who thought everything was perfect, but received no offers.

Take some time to hire a good real estate agent who has a marketing plan. Set up an informational interview and come prepared with specific questions. Know which answers you are looking for and which will give you cues that they are not the right fit for you. They need to be able to bring the traffic into your home. They are earning an automatic commission on your home so ensure they are doing what is best to get your home sold.

Hire a home stager. It could be your best investment in the entire process. They are experienced in the details. If you have good traffic coming to your home you want it to look its best not in your eyes, but in the buyers’ eyes. A home stager offers an objective opinion on what they see when they initially come to your home and what needs to change for more buyers to see it as their home. They know what buyers are looking for. While it is important for a seller to put their emotions aside, it is important to evoke emotions in the buyer.

When a property is priced right, marketed correctly and shows at its best, you have the greatest combination for a home that sells quickly for the best price. Start off on the right foot and really take a look at how you feel about your home and about the move.

Robin North is the owner of Dramatic Spaces Home Staging and Design. Her goal is to help homeowners prepare their home to sell fast, for the highest price using budget friendly techniques so you keep more profit. She has sold both a staged home and an un-staged home and she hopes to pass on to you what she has learned. You can register for Robin’s FREE special report “Home to Get Through Selling Your Home Without Losing Your Mind” at http://SurvivingTheSale.com and you will also receive her weekly ezine “Homeowner Survival”. You can visit her blog at http://www.dramaticspaces.com/blog where you can find more information like this.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_North
http://EzineArticles.com/?Home-Selling-Success—Your-Mindset-Plays-a-Major-Role&id=3549258