Dawn's shared items

Friday, September 12, 2014

Facts About Expired Listings

Nearly 15% to 25% of all listings do not sell.

The market rejects them.

In other words, the market did not accept the Marketing Effort, the Price, the Condition, the Location, or a combination of these areas-perhaps all four of them!

The good thing is that you control two of these areas: Price and Condition.  We control one: Marketing Efforts.

Marketing Effort

  • Staging and Pricing Strategies
  • For Sale Sings, Rider Signs, Directional Signs, Tube or Box with Flyers and Distribution of Flyers in Neighborhood
  • Flyers in House/Comment Cards
  • Multiple Listing Service, Web Listings with Virtual Tour
  • Open House Program
  • Track Showings/Collect Feedback
  • Weekly Seller Updates
  • Property Caravans
  • And more!

Condition

A hundred dollar bill is a great metaphor: they all look good, but people will always choose the nice, clean crisp one over a dirty wrinkled one. How does your house look to others? This is the crucial important difference between showing  condition and Living condition.

Price

Being overpriced is usually the reason a home did not sell, but condition will help determine what the market is willing to pay.  Remember that YOU control the price and condition.  The wrong price attracts the wrong buyers.  It creates a bad reputation for the house in the market place and makes properly priced homes look even better.  Would anyone intentionally put their home on the market to help sell the competition?

Location

Nobody can do a thing about their location except to accent the positives and minimize the negatives.

ABC’s of “Why Work with a Realtor?”

Advertising- Your agent pays for all advertising.

Bargain- Research shows 77% of all sellers felt that their commission was well spent.

Contracts- Your agent can supply standard forms to expedite your transaction.

Details- Your agent frees you from handling many details of selling your home.

Experience and Expertise- In marketing, financing, negotiations, and more…

Financial “Know-how”- Your agent is aware of many financing options.

Glossary- A real estate professional understands, and can explain, real estate lingo.

Homework- Your agent will do the homework to determine your ideal marketing plan.

Information- Your agent has the resources to answer all of your real estate questions.

Juggle showings- Your agent will coordinate all of your showings.

Keeping your best interest in mind- It’s your agent’s job!

Laws & regulations- Your agent is “up-to-date” on real estate laws that affect you.

Multiple Listings Service- The most effective way of bringing sellers and buyers together.

Negotiation- Your agent will assist you in negotiating your offers.

Open Houses- A great way to enhance your home’s exposure in the marketplace.

Prospecting- Your agent has a network of contacts that assist in producing a buyer.

Qualifying- Avoid opening your home to “looky-loos”.

Realtor- An agent who belongs to the National Association of Realtors under a strict Code of Ethics.

Suggested Price- Your agent will perform a market analysis to establish fair market price.

Time- Your agent will save you tremendous amounts of valuable time.

Unbiased Opinion- A homeowner’s emotions can affect his/her objectiveness.

VIP- Your agent will treat you as their one and only customer.

Wisdom- A knowledgeable agent offers wisdom that comes from years of experience.

X marks the spot- Your agent is with you all the way, even through the signing of your final paperwork.

Yard Signs- Your agent provides professional signage, which encourages serious buyers.

Zero Stress- Selling your home is an emotional experience.  Your agent can help!

Friday, September 5, 2014

Renting vs. Owning

Although some renters believe that renting is “maintenance free”, they are actually paying for maintenance in their rent –whether they need it or not.  Renting offers you no equity , no tax benefit, and no protection against regular rent increases.  If you’re paying rent, you’re really just paying someone else’s mortgage.  Let’s compare.

 

                                                       Rent      vs.       Own


Monthly Payment               $1,000               Monthly Payment               $855

Insurance                               $30                       Insurance                                $50

Taxes                                       $0                          Taxes                                         $260

                                                                                   MIP Insurance                      $45      

Total Payment           $1, 030               Total Payment                $1,210

Savings


Interest Deduction                      $0                Interest Deduction             $175

Tax Deduction                              $0                Tax Deduction                      $75

                                                                                   After Tax                        

Net Monthly Payment    $1,030     Net Monthly                $960

                                                               Payment

 

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Fall Seasonal Maintenance Guide


                               

                                   
                                                                               

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                                                        Midwest Winterization
                                                   

                                                   
                                                       
                                                   
                                               

                                               
                                               
                                               

    Fall & Winter Seasonal Maintenance Guide -- Midwest


                                               
    If you live in the Midwest, here are maintenance jobs you should complete every fall and winter to prevent costly repairs and keep your home in peak condition. Read

                                               

                                           
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Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

                                       
Copyright 2014 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

                                   

                               

                            If you or anyone you know is looking to buy, build or sell feel free to contact me at 317-807-1568, or by email at dawnwhalen@remax.net Dawn Whalen, Realtor RE/MAX Select Serving Your Family Needs First

Friday, August 29, 2014

Ten Steps to Selling Your Home For-Sale-By-Owner

  1. Define your goals, wants, needs and expectations.  A good place to begin is by exploring your short and long term goals in life and how selling your home fits in.
  2. Determine the best price for what’s going on in the market right now.  Assess the current state of the market and what comparable homes are actually selling for by reviewing a Comparative Market Analysis  (CMA) on your home.  That way, you can objectively determine its fair market value and price it right.
  3. Prepare your property so that it is in top-selling condition.  Most of us don’t keep our homes in top-selling condition.  Think about your home from a buyer’s point of view.  Repair, replace or remove items in your home so that it makes a GREAT first impression.
  4. Implement time-proven, research-based marketing strategies.  Market your home to as many people as possible using for sale signs, flyer boxes, open houses, feedback tracking and web listings.
  5. Show your property.  Ensure that your home is always in top-selling condition.  When you leave for work, make sure that your home remains in top-selling condition.  You know what they say about first impressions!
  6. Receive an offer.  When a buyer decides to buy your home, an offer will be presented.  Consult with legal counsel.
  7. Negotiate to sell.  Most offers require some level of negotiation.  Decide your parameters and be prepared to negotiate towards a win-win situation.
  8. Have your home appraised and inspected.  Once you have accepted an offer, work with they buyer or buyer’s agent to coordinate an appraisal, inspections and a survey (if required).  If the buyer requires that certain repairs be made on your home, negotiate or make them to move successfully from contract to closing.
  9. Prepare for closing.  A few days before closing (also known as settlement), contact the title company and the buyer or buyer’s agent to ensure that all necessary forms and documents have been prepared.  Consult with legal counsel.
  10. Close! At the closing meeting, ownership of your property is legally transferred to the buyer.