Monday, April 5, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
The Unfair Tax!
Wonder what everyone is talk about with the point of sale tax? Here is a website that is run by the SC REALTORS Association, http://www.itsjustnotfair.org/.
In the website they discuss the issues and how it is hurting our economy. Take look when you get a second.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
We don't list houses, We sell them!
"We don't list houses, We sell them!" That's one of the many motto's of our team. If we can sell your home without our sign ever hitting the ground we are just as happy as if 100 people drive by and see it. Why you ask? Because it's not about us its about getting you top dollar in the fastest possible time frame. Let me explain.
Listing a house is what lazy agents do. They fill out the paper work, they put a sign in the yard, they put a lock box on and they put it on the MLS and they pray. (If you have been reading our blog for a bit its the Five "P" approach) They expect someone will come along and buy it. They know the home may be over priced, they know the wall paper in the half bath is horrible and the mauve carpet and mirrored ceiling in the master are putrid. But they figure "it is what
Listing a house is what lazy agents do. They fill out the paper work, they put a sign in the yard, they put a lock box on and they put it on the MLS and they pray. (If you have been reading our blog for a bit its the Five "P" approach) They expect someone will come along and buy it. They know the home may be over priced, they know the wall paper in the half bath is horrible and the mauve carpet and mirrored ceiling in the master are putrid. But they figure "it is what it is" and the house will sell eventually. (Yeah with several price reductions)
Selling a home is what we do. It's not easy to tell a new mother to take down all the pictures of her child on the fridge, or that mural your grandmother painted in the dining room is awful, or that your house smells like cat and dog, or that the house is not decorated very well. But you know what? It's the hard stuff that sells homes. Of course both the "listing" house and the "selling" house will go on the MLS and REALTOR.com, but one person can only buy one house and who's do you think will win? The mirrored ceiling or the clean, bright, well decorated one?
It's the little hard stuff that makes a difference and fortunately we are well prepared to hurt your feelings in a good way. Why? Because you want your home sold, not listed!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
The Five "P"s
This "ain't" your Daddy's or Grand Daddy's real estate market anymore. Days are long gone from when the "old school" agents marketing plan would work. You don't know about the Five P's? Maybe your last REALTOR used it and you just didn't know there was anything else. When an old school agent would list a house they would follow the Five P's... Put in the MLS, Put on a lock box, Put a sign in the ground, Place an Ad in the newspaper, and pray it would sell.
We wish selling a home was that easy. We have a 65 item check list just to get it on the MLS and associated websites. Your home would: go on over 25 websites (REALTOR.com, Trulia, Google, You Tube, etc); get a virtual tour; get staged; get over 50 photos taken; a custom marketing plan for 6 months. It takes us a full week to prepare for it to go on the MLS. I guess you can call our marketing plan "The 500 P's".
We wish selling a home was that easy. We have a 65 item check list just to get it on the MLS and associated websites. Your home would: go on over 25 websites (REALTOR.com, Trulia, Google, You Tube, etc); get a virtual tour; get staged; get over 50 photos taken; a custom marketing plan for 6 months. It takes us a full week to prepare for it to go on the MLS. I guess you can call our marketing plan "The 500 P's".
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
4 Signs that Your Home is Overpriced!
It's no secret that the housing market continues to struggle throughout much of the country. Although the first-time home buyer tax credit has certainly given the market a healthy boost, there is still a glut of unsold inventory out there -- and as of right now, the tax credit is set to expire on December 1.
What does that mean for you, the sorry soul who's trying to sell your home? It means you'll have to make sure the price is right in this highly competitive, price-driven market. Unlike the good old days, homebuyers are no longer choosing homes based on emotion. In this tough economy, they're looking for the best deal. If your house has been sitting on the market for three or more tortuous months, your asking price may be to blame. Here are four tell-tale signs that it's time to slash that listing price.
1. No one is stopping by for a look.Your house has been on the market for a month or two, and showings have been scarce to none. Wait a second, do you hear that? Ah yes, it's the sound of warning bells ringing. If buyers are not even taking the time to look at your house, it's pretty sure sign that the price is too high.Of course, you may argue that this doesn't necessarily mean that there's no interest in your home. While you've had no actual showings, that brochure box by your "For Sale" sign is empty and your online listing has received hundreds of hits. If that's the case, this only proves that there is interest in your home, but something is keeping buyers from scheduling a showing. What's holding them back? You got it -- your absurdly high asking price.
2. You've had plenty of showings but no offers.So, your home has attracted a handful of showings since it's been on the market, but you still haven't gotten an offer. Of course, the Pepto-Bismol pink shower in the master bathroom or the turquoise blue carpet in the living room could be to blame. Poor design and color choices can certainly scare away potential buyers. But if your home is tastefully decorated and updated, it's more likely that your price needs to come down. Some experts say if you've had 10 showings without an offer, your home is probably overpriced.
3. Buyers shower your home in criticism.You've had plenty of showings, but your REALTOR has noticed that prospective buyers make the same negative comments about your home time and again. For example, they may continually complain that your house is plagued with a pungent odor reminiscent of wet dog and rotten tomatoes. Or perhaps they all point out that the 1970s-themed kitchen, complete with pea green appliances, is a little outdated.Be sure to ask your realtor to notify you of any negative feedback from buyers. While some of the comments may be difficult to hear, a little constructive criticism may help you sell your home in the long run. Remember, there's no room for hurt feelings in home-selling.It may turn out that other homes in your neighborhood have remodeled, modern kitchens and a more inviting smell. If this is the case, you'll either need to freshen up your home, give your kitchen a makeover or (you guessed it) cut your asking price. After all, if the price is right, prospective home buyers may decide they can live with a pea-green dishwasher - or buy a new one.
4. You have the highest priced home on the blockLet's say comparable homes in your area are priced much lower than yours. Houston, we have a problem. If your house is the most expensive three-bedroom, two-bath, 10-year old home in your zip code, it's probably going to be the last one to sell.Ask your realtor for regular updates on home prices in your area. He or she can show you the closing price on homes similar in size and age to yours and notify you when comparable homes drop their prices. This will help you decide if it's time for you to drop you price, as well. So, after picking up on some of these warning signs, you finally give in and drop your price. But you still haven't received an offer. What's the deal? You probably haven't cut your price enough.
Realtors say if you're going to lower your price, don't do it in small increments. After all, there's really no difference between $225,000 and $224,900. Buyers won't fall for that. If you're going to slash your price, you'll have to lower it by at least $5,000 for buyers to take notice.
Amy Bell, Investopedia.com
What does that mean for you, the sorry soul who's trying to sell your home? It means you'll have to make sure the price is right in this highly competitive, price-driven market. Unlike the good old days, homebuyers are no longer choosing homes based on emotion. In this tough economy, they're looking for the best deal. If your house has been sitting on the market for three or more tortuous months, your asking price may be to blame. Here are four tell-tale signs that it's time to slash that listing price.
1. No one is stopping by for a look.Your house has been on the market for a month or two, and showings have been scarce to none. Wait a second, do you hear that? Ah yes, it's the sound of warning bells ringing. If buyers are not even taking the time to look at your house, it's pretty sure sign that the price is too high.Of course, you may argue that this doesn't necessarily mean that there's no interest in your home. While you've had no actual showings, that brochure box by your "For Sale" sign is empty and your online listing has received hundreds of hits. If that's the case, this only proves that there is interest in your home, but something is keeping buyers from scheduling a showing. What's holding them back? You got it -- your absurdly high asking price.
2. You've had plenty of showings but no offers.So, your home has attracted a handful of showings since it's been on the market, but you still haven't gotten an offer. Of course, the Pepto-Bismol pink shower in the master bathroom or the turquoise blue carpet in the living room could be to blame. Poor design and color choices can certainly scare away potential buyers. But if your home is tastefully decorated and updated, it's more likely that your price needs to come down. Some experts say if you've had 10 showings without an offer, your home is probably overpriced.
3. Buyers shower your home in criticism.You've had plenty of showings, but your REALTOR has noticed that prospective buyers make the same negative comments about your home time and again. For example, they may continually complain that your house is plagued with a pungent odor reminiscent of wet dog and rotten tomatoes. Or perhaps they all point out that the 1970s-themed kitchen, complete with pea green appliances, is a little outdated.Be sure to ask your realtor to notify you of any negative feedback from buyers. While some of the comments may be difficult to hear, a little constructive criticism may help you sell your home in the long run. Remember, there's no room for hurt feelings in home-selling.It may turn out that other homes in your neighborhood have remodeled, modern kitchens and a more inviting smell. If this is the case, you'll either need to freshen up your home, give your kitchen a makeover or (you guessed it) cut your asking price. After all, if the price is right, prospective home buyers may decide they can live with a pea-green dishwasher - or buy a new one.
4. You have the highest priced home on the blockLet's say comparable homes in your area are priced much lower than yours. Houston, we have a problem. If your house is the most expensive three-bedroom, two-bath, 10-year old home in your zip code, it's probably going to be the last one to sell.Ask your realtor for regular updates on home prices in your area. He or she can show you the closing price on homes similar in size and age to yours and notify you when comparable homes drop their prices. This will help you decide if it's time for you to drop you price, as well. So, after picking up on some of these warning signs, you finally give in and drop your price. But you still haven't received an offer. What's the deal? You probably haven't cut your price enough.
Realtors say if you're going to lower your price, don't do it in small increments. After all, there's really no difference between $225,000 and $224,900. Buyers won't fall for that. If you're going to slash your price, you'll have to lower it by at least $5,000 for buyers to take notice.
Amy Bell, Investopedia.com
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Do you have one lurking in your backyard?
Have you ever looked a home or, do you see one or two metal tubes extending from the ground in your yard? Then there are good odds that there is an under ground storage tank buried on the property. Not let me say it's an easy yet expensive problem to over come. I have had quotes from $1,200 to $2,000 to either fill or remove the tank.
However, there are some unknowns that may creep up and make the ordeal a lot more expensive. So here are some questions to ask if you are going to have one removed/filled.
What do you fill the tank with? - From my experience when they fill a tank, they cut the caps off and suck out the remaining oil/water and fill it through the same hole. If they are going to use sand which is acceptable then they need to cut the entire length of the tank to ensure an even spread. If they are going to use a sludge (cement mixture) then it is OK to use the same holes that are there, because the sludge will get to every open space.
How much does it cost if the tank is leaking? - Obviously they can not know if the tank is or has been leaking unless they take it out. Recently I had a tank removed and the tank was leaking. They charged me $85 per 55 gallon bucket of contaminated soil. I had to end up getting 6 barrels filled and hauled off. A cost that my clients were not expecting to pay.
Is it better to fill it or remove it? - It actually cost my clients less to have it removed than filled. As far as I know there is nothing wrong with filling and leaving it. Just remember that if you fill it with sludge and then you have to remove it, then you will be removing and solid barrel of cement. You will not be able to build over it, if you ever decide to do an addition. I would think that removing it would be better if you can. Sure you might have some different looking soil in the yard for a bit but you won't have a solid barrel of cement to deal with down the road.
Variables - There are several factors that go into a price to get a tank removed. Here are some...
1) Can they get their vacuum truck (the size of a garbage truck), to the area or close to it?
2) Are there any obstructions around the tank? i.e. trees, decks, patios, HVAC units.
3) How full is the tank? They will suck out all of the oil but they have to pay by the gallon to have it recycled.
4) How large the tank is. Obviously the larger the more expensive.
5) What you want to fill it with. Sand or Sludge?
An underground storage tank is one of those things that you just inherit with an older house. Fortunately for those people buying homes with FHA or VA loans, the government requires the seller to remove them. For the rest of us it's all part of the fun negotiation process. Keep in mind its quick(takes about a day) and simple, it just cost a little money.
Let us know if you have any questions or if you need the name and number of a good under ground tank specialist.
This entry was written by Brad and all misspellings and lack of grammatical structure are a direct reflection of his intelligence not the "Teams".
However, there are some unknowns that may creep up and make the ordeal a lot more expensive. So here are some questions to ask if you are going to have one removed/filled.
What do you fill the tank with? - From my experience when they fill a tank, they cut the caps off and suck out the remaining oil/water and fill it through the same hole. If they are going to use sand which is acceptable then they need to cut the entire length of the tank to ensure an even spread. If they are going to use a sludge (cement mixture) then it is OK to use the same holes that are there, because the sludge will get to every open space.
How much does it cost if the tank is leaking? - Obviously they can not know if the tank is or has been leaking unless they take it out. Recently I had a tank removed and the tank was leaking. They charged me $85 per 55 gallon bucket of contaminated soil. I had to end up getting 6 barrels filled and hauled off. A cost that my clients were not expecting to pay.
Is it better to fill it or remove it? - It actually cost my clients less to have it removed than filled. As far as I know there is nothing wrong with filling and leaving it. Just remember that if you fill it with sludge and then you have to remove it, then you will be removing and solid barrel of cement. You will not be able to build over it, if you ever decide to do an addition. I would think that removing it would be better if you can. Sure you might have some different looking soil in the yard for a bit but you won't have a solid barrel of cement to deal with down the road.
Variables - There are several factors that go into a price to get a tank removed. Here are some...
1) Can they get their vacuum truck (the size of a garbage truck), to the area or close to it?
2) Are there any obstructions around the tank? i.e. trees, decks, patios, HVAC units.
3) How full is the tank? They will suck out all of the oil but they have to pay by the gallon to have it recycled.
4) How large the tank is. Obviously the larger the more expensive.
5) What you want to fill it with. Sand or Sludge?
An underground storage tank is one of those things that you just inherit with an older house. Fortunately for those people buying homes with FHA or VA loans, the government requires the seller to remove them. For the rest of us it's all part of the fun negotiation process. Keep in mind its quick(takes about a day) and simple, it just cost a little money.
Let us know if you have any questions or if you need the name and number of a good under ground tank specialist.
This entry was written by Brad and all misspellings and lack of grammatical structure are a direct reflection of his intelligence not the "Teams".
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