In this blog we share our secrets for successful buying and selling real estate in the Auburn-Opelika Alabama market.
Believe it or not, after months of searching countless homes, finding the perfect one, negotiating price and finally agreeing to a deal, a sale can fall apart over a disagreement about curtains.
When striking a deal to sell a home, it’s important that you are perfectly clear about what you are taking with you and what you are leaving behind. The general rule is that if something is attached to the structure or the ground, it is real property and stays with the house...
President Obama in a recent State of the Union address spoke about homeownership and how the American Dream has dissipated for many due to lingering challenges in housing and mortgage lending.
The President offered hope to more homeowners by extending the Homes Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) until Dec. 31, 2013, and widening the program’s eligibility criteria.
HAMP allows qualifying homeowners with Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac mortgages made prior to June 1, 2009 to refinance to a better rate and more favorable terms...
Any home stager will tell you that “staging is staging” and the principals remain the same throughout the year—keep things clean, clutter free and colorful. But that doesn’t each season comes without its own brand of staging magic.
For spring, there are a number of things you can do both inside and outside to take advantage of the beautiful weather.
Barb Schwarz, creator of Homes Staging® and CEO of Stagedhomes...
Most homebuyers today understand they need a sizeable down payment and a strong credit score to secure a conforming home loan. Buyers also must hold liquid funds for another financial obligation – an earnest money deposit – to be paid when they make an offer on a home.
In short, earnest money is handed over to the seller’s agent or the title company when a purchase contract is signed...
Should I stay or should I go when my home is showing?
Gently put, most agents say that when potential homebuyers come to see your home, it’s best that you leave the premises.
Perspective buyers don’t want to see owners hovering or milling about. When they do, they get uncomfortable and feel as if they are intruding. This often causes buyers to look quickly without gaining a proper feel for the home...
It’s been another crazy year of weather with many big rain and wind storms damaging houses throughout the country. With fall upon us and winter around the corner, home sellers should take a close look at their property for storm damage and make repairs.
If you experienced a powerful storm, it’s a smart idea to check your roof for any damage and ensure there are no missing shingles or cracks around any skylights the home may have...
Today’s the day! You found the perfect house, made an offer, negotiated the price, had an inspection and ensured your mortgage. Now, the only thing standing in the way of you and “home sweet home” is your final walk-through.
A walk-through is normally scheduled the day of, or day before the settlement, as the seller should be completely moved out. The object of the walk-through is to ensure that the house stands in the same condition as when you agreed to buy it...
Single-family home sales will continue strengthening, according to latest report from the Urban Land Institute (ULI).
The Real Estate Consensus Forecast, ULI’s semi-annual survey of the nation’s leading real estate economists and analysts, examined 26 economic and real estate indicators in the third quarter. The report predicted healthy estimates for single-family housing as compared to ULI’s March report...
A plumbing checkup should be among your top priorities when preparing your home for sale. Your buying prospects might flush toilets, turns on faucets and inspect the showerheads, while more seasoned “experts” will look under the cabinets for leaks and check for water spots around key areas. The last thing you want is to drench a buyer’s enthusiasm because you didn’t fix a simple plumbing issue...
Posted March 18, 2013
you’re selling your home, you have enough to think about without worrying that your home isn’t safe, or that your things may be stolen.
Yet, whether from open houses or scheduled showings, strangers are coming and going in your house all the time. By taking a few safeguards, you can ensure that you don’t need to worry about such things and better protect your belongings in the long run...
Posted March 11, 2013
For homeowners who are underwater on their conventional mortgage, the government has enacted a new Home Affordable Refinance Program to help eligible participants pay down the principal without having to pay mortgage insurance.
The new HARP 2.0 Refinance Program was made available to U.S. homeowners March 17, 2012 and those eligible can refinance by Dec. 31, 2013.
“You can use HARP even if you’re far underwater on your mortgage...
Posted March 4, 2013
Home sellers do everything they can to make their house look as beautiful as possible, yet appealing to home buyers’ other senses can be just as important—especially when it comes to the sense of smell.
While you may not think your home has a smell to it, freshening the air and filling the home with sweet aromas can do wonders in making a favorable impression.
Most people know the old trick of baking bread or cookies to entice the noses of those looking around a home...
Posted February 25, 2013
They say a picture paints a thousand words and when it comes to selling your home, you want those words to end with “sold.” It’s no secret that better-presented homes get more traffic and more buyer interest, therefore selling faster.
That’s why it is essential that you showcase your home through images in the best way possible.
According to the National Association of REALTORS®, nearly 90% of all homebuyers begin shopping for homes online...
Posted February 18, 2013
With April 15 rapidly approaching many are scrambling to complete their taxes. For those who have recently bought or sold a home, there are a number of tax deductions that that may be available to them.
Real estate broker’s commissions, title insurance, legal fees, advertising costs, administrative costs, and inspection fees are all considered selling costs and may be used to reduce one’s taxable capital gain by the amount of the selling costs...
Posted February 11, 2013
Many people dream of owning a home but don't think it's possible because they lack the resources for a down payment and closing costs. Here are tips for securing that down payment.
1) Borrow from your retirement account: Many people have been investing in a 401(k) plan or traditional IRA for years and first-time homebuyers may borrow up to $10,000 for their down payment without incurring a penalty...
Posted February 4, 2013
Tax season is upon us and for those who purchased or sold a home last year, there are a number of tax deductions for which you may qualify.
For starters, the Internal Revenue Service says that if you have a gain from the sale of your main home, you may be able to exclude up to $250,000 of the gain from your income as a single tax filer, or $500,000 on a joint return in most cases.
Here are some other factors to keep in mind:
1: Much of the interest paid on a mortgage is tax-deductible...
Posted January 28, 2013
Patience is a virtue for just about any circumstance including selling your home. Yet sometimes you must sell quickly when a job opportunity arises or you face an abrupt lifestyle change. Assuming your home is in good condition and free of liens, here are several tips to help expedite a sale.
1. Price your house correctly: Working with your agent, choose a price that’s somewhat lower than what you’re seeing in the market, but not too low that it will send up red flags...
Tags:
Tips
Posted January 23, 2013
While the warmer months are generally regarded as the time for home sellers to get their property ready for sale, marketing the home in winter and early spring is just as important. Homebuyers are out looking for homes 12 months a year and there’s no reason to drop the ball on sprucing up a home December through March.
Here are some tips for selling a home in the winter months.
Heat it up: If you are planning an open house or have showings scheduled, turn up the thermostat and make the home warm and inviting...
Tags:
Tips
Posted March 26, 2012
You may love your home, but that doesn’t mean that everyone coming through the door will feel the same way. What may be “charming” to the seller may seem off-putting to a prospective buyer. Many sellers attempt to stage their home themselves and, in doing so, create mistakes that can actually sidetrack the sale of their homes.
Here are some of the biggest staging mistakes, according to professional home stagers...
Tags:
Home Sales, Home Design
Posted March 19, 2012
There’s no denying that purchasing a home is one of the biggest thrills of your life, but it can also quickly become overwhelming. While the home you choose may appear to be the perfect house, hiding underneath the dream could be serious unknown defects that can make your investment a costly one.
Enter the home inspector. A home inspector performs a physical inspection of the structure and systems of your prospective home...
Tags:
Home Inspection
Posted March 12, 2012
It’s astonishing how many people believe they are the next Mario Batali and have taken to the kitchen in a serious way.
Ratings for cooking shows are at an all-time high as viewers are enamored with the idea of being culinary masters. Home sellers are upgrading to professional-style kitchens to capitalize on the craze, and their investments are paying off in more potential buyers and attractive returns when their homes sell...
Tags:
Kitchen, Home Sales
Posted March 5, 2012
Friends often share holidays, vacation together and are there for all the important moments in life. So, why not buy a home together?
An increasing number of consumers are considering joint ownership. Such as transaction makes sense, as it can help those who may not have been able to afford a home on their own, it gives each owner a real estate investment, and it can even strengthen the friendship...
Tags:
Co-ownership
Posted February 27, 2012
The last thing anyone wants to hear when they buy a house is that there’s a mold problem, but these sneaky little spores aren’t always easy to detect.
Mold is a fungus and although some molds are visible and even odorous, mold can also grow between walls, under floors and ceilings, or in less accessible spots, such as basements and attics. Mold flourishes in water-soaked materials (paneling, wallboard, carpet, paint and ceiling tiles), and can survive in almost any damp location...
Tags:
Mold, Home Inspection
Posted February 20, 2012
Today’s housing market makes it tougher to get the price for a home and, often, sellers can’t wait around while their homes are on the market. They may have a new job in a different location, may have already bought their next house or need to move to their new location so the kids can start at their new schools.
If sellers already have a new home, it’s likely that they’ll take all their furniture and leave the property empty during selling process...
Tags:
Vacant Homes, Home Sales
Posted February 13, 2012
It may not be the first thing one thinks about when decorating for a sale, but the addition of rugs to a home can go a long way.
Rugs can help warm a dreary room, add a splash of color to a dull space, can tone down a room that already has strong and bright colored furniture, and create a new look to almost any room. Plus, it’s a quick fix to any floors that may need replacing.
While there are Persian rugs that can cost thousands of dollars, many rugs can be purchased for prices in the hundreds...
Tags:
Rugs, Home Decorating
Posted February 6, 2012
Today’s home buyers are often thinking about a home’s technology advantages as much as they are its floorplan, square footage and location.
A recent survey by the Consumer Electronics Association of real estate agents showed that home-theater systems, home security systems, home automation management systems and energy management systems are selling faster than they ever have.
“There is a strong relationship between home technologies and the real estate market,” said CEA’s Rhonda Daniel in a recent press release...
Tags:
Technology, Home Sales, Tips
Posted January 30, 2012
One of the most in-demand requests that real estate agents are getting from those looking for new homes concerns home theaters, or at least the space to add such a multi-media room.
With home-theater technology evolving and prices lowering over the last decade, the concept has evolved from luxury to near necessity for many households. It’s the place where the family comes together to be entertained, and is the most occupied room in the house after the kitchen and family room...
Tags:
Home Theaters, Technology
Posted January 17, 2012
The U.S. Green Business Council recently reported that single-family homes are responsible for a little over 20% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. By living in a green home, people can help reduce the causes of climate change and studies show that more homebuyers are looking to purchase homes that have eco-friendly features.
“We put out a homebuyer and seller survey annually and studies show people are more interested in buying green improved homes,” said Michelle Wardlaw, Public Affairs Associate for the National Association of Realtors...
Tags:
Green, Benefits
Posted January 17, 2012
With winter weather gripping most of the country the fireplace takes on greater importance in the sale of a home.
The National Association of REALTORS® recently conducted a survey that found nearly two-thirds of homebuyers had a fireplace on their wish list. The fireplace has become a coveted amenity and homes boasting this feature see its benefits during resale.
“The fireplace is a focal point when people come to see your home,” said Hillary Staats, an interior designer for Sanctuary on Church in Vienna, Va...
Tags:
Fireplace, Safety
Posted January 2, 2012
Back in the days before anyone knew better—we’re talking pre-1980—much of the paint used in homes contained lead. Over time, the paint would chip or crumble and the resulting dust caused serious health issues, especially for children and pregnant women.
Lead-based paint was used both inside and outside of homes, most notably on windows, baseboards, trim and doors. Many layers of lead-based paint have been disturbed through the years during remodeling or home repair and it’s necessary for anyone selling a home to be aware of this...
Tags:
Paint, Green, Health
Posted December 26, 2011
Home sellers are advised to create the illusion that everything is new and fresh in their homes, but when pets are involved, it’s not always easy to keep things clean and orderly.
The simplest solution for a pet owner who is selling a home is to relocate the pet to a friend’s or family member’s home or to pet daycare while the home is on the market. Keeping a pet in the backyard, the garage or in another room that you keep locked is insufficient, and is certainly not fair to the pet...
Tags:
Selling, Pets
Posted December 19, 2011
Autumn winds blow a chilly reminder that winter is fast approaching. Perform the following maintenance tips each fall to protect your property's value and prevent major repairs.
Roof, Gutters and Downspouts
Rain, ice, snow and wind can all cause damage to your roof and gutters. Now’s the time to trim back all tree limbs and vegetation away from the roof. You also should remove debris, such as leaves and sticks from your gutters and downspouts...
Tags:
Winter, Tips
Posted December 12, 2011
Most homeowners claim to be eco-friendly and want to help the environment, yet they worry that making changes in their home will be costly or inconsequential. This is especially true for someone who is in the process of selling their home and doesn’t want to make any substantial changes to a place they hope to be leaving soon.
However, making-energy efficient home improvements doesn’t have to mean sweeping changes and, by creating a better carbon footprint for your house, you will attract green-conscious homebuyers...
Tags:
Green, Selling
Posted November 30, 2011
A stressful part of putting your home on the market is trying to figure out what to fix and upgrade to get the very best price. An experienced agent will recommend projects to consider and ones to avoid. After all, just because you put money into a renovation project doesn’t mean you will recoup the money in a sale.
You may also want to consult Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs...
Tags:
Selling
Posted November 21, 2011
There’s an episode of the hit TV series “How I Met Your Mother” where the characters of Marshall and Lily decide to buy a home in a neighborhood they are unfamiliar with, only to learn later that it sits downwind from a sewer plant. The message is obvious: A buyer must do his or her due diligence on prospective neighborhoods to make the best real estate decisions.
For starters, investigate the local school district as good schools boost your property value...
Tags:
Buying, Neighborhood
Posted November 17, 2011
Let’s say that you inherited an old house in a distant location and want to put it on the market. You may not have the time, resources or energy to make it perfect and just want a quick sale.
Or, maybe you had renters at your property who did substantial damage and you don’t have the money to make necessary renovations.
Fear not. Just because the house needs work doesn’t mean you can’t sell it...
Tags:
Selling, Staging
Posted November 7, 2011
“You never get a second chance to make a great first impression.”
This saying strikes a chord in the real estate industry, where many buyers are quick to jump to a conclusion about a potential home after just one glance. That’s why an increasing number of homeowners are employing professional home stagers to prepare their homes for sale.
“Much of what staging accomplishes happens on a subconscious level,” said Carla Grammatica, a consultant with Stage Setters in New York’s Westchester County...
Tags:
Staging, Selling
Posted November 1, 2011
Home sellers spend so much time preparing their interior for the sale that they can easily overlook what’s going on outside of the home. Yet great curb appeal can increase the value of a property by as much as 15-20%.
Mario Garcia, a landscaper in Bethesda, Md. who helps prepare homes for market, says a well-manicured lawn is a magnet for buyers. On the other hand, overgrown trees or large bushes hiding the house are a no-no...
Tags:
Selling, Outdoors
Posted October 19, 2011
The ancient philosophy of feng shui, which translates as “the wind and the water,” is the Chinese art of correct placement. In real estate, those who prescribe to feng shui believe that home sales can be better achieved by arranging furniture and décor to establish harmony and energy.
“In feng shui we evaluate a house and its property for sufficient qi (pronounced chee), the living energy of all beings, but also for the land and even a house,” says Werner Brandmaier, a consultant at the Institute of Feng Shui & Geopathology in Portland, Maine...
Tags:
Selling, Staging
Posted October 11, 2011
Mortgage lenders dissect the entire credit history of a potential client with strict attention to income, credit, collateral and assets. Of the four, assets are perhaps the least discussed yet may be the most important in securing credit and buying a home.
Simply put, assets include the amount of money needed for the down payment, in addition to closing costs, pre-paid costs such as insurance and taxes, escrow fees and funds that would be available in case of an emergency...
Tags:
Buying, Mortgage
Posted October 6, 2011
One important decision homebuyers face is whether to secure a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage or go for a 15-year one, which carries a lower interest rate.
“All things equal, a 15-year mortgage allows you to pay off your mortgage twice as fast while saving a significant chunk of money on interest,” explains Mark Crosby, a mortgage expert in Wilmington, Del. Still, “I think the 30-year mortgage is a logical choice for most people because it has more advantages...
Tags:
Buying, Mortgage
Posted September 19, 2011
Real estate consumers today can find ample value in distressed homes – properties that are under a foreclosure order or up for short sale. In many cases, however, “distressed” speaks more for the condition of the homes than their recent financial histories, as they’ve sat empty for extended periods and have been subject to vandalism and theft.
Those considering homes in need of repair and renovation should consider a 203k mortgage, which enables homebuyers to finance both the acquisition and rehabilitation of the property with just one loan...
Tags:
Buying, Mortgage
Posted September 2, 2011
Today’s prospective homebuyers are increasingly interested in a property’s outdoor living space as they are its interior. Savvy agents understand this powerful trend and are staging homes on two fronts – the terrific indoors and the great outdoors.
The following tips will help ensure that your backyard is as distinctive at your home itself.
Make your Backyard Homey: Create a conversation area with some furniture...
Tags:
Selling, Outdoors, Staging
Posted August 27, 2011
Good things come in smaller packages. At least that’s the feeling today among many homebuyers, who are increasingly interested in smaller spaces instead of the gaudy, sprawling homes that were popular in the ’80s and ’90s.
Many agents believe that smaller homes are more in demand because the Baby Boomer generation is starting to downsize. Boomers no longer need four or five bedrooms and are looking for spaces that are more in tune to their lifestyles as empty nesters...
Tags:
Buying, Selling
Posted August 15, 2011
One of the most important jobs for your real estate agent is to determine the value of your home by developing a Comparable Market Analysis, which will be used in pricing the home for the right amount.
If your property isn’t attracting serious shoppers, your agent may recommend that you invest in an appraiser to get a second pricing opinion, as the appraiser will come in with an independent, unbiased opinion to help ensure your price is correct for the market...
Tags:
Selling
Posted August 9, 2011
A time-honored business principal maintains
that consumers generally base their buying decisions on emotion. Only later do
they use logic, often to rationalize their emotional decisions.
Homesellers,
working closely with their agents, will prepare their homes to evoke positive
and personal emotions for those who come inside. They should also create
“takeaways” that will keep those fond memories resonating in prospective buyers...
Tags:
Selling, Marketing
Posted August 5, 2011
Buying a new home can be a huge,
complex undertaking, especially when it’s your first time. That’s why it’s
important to have an experienced real estate agent guiding you along the way.
In
a survey conducted earlier this year by Prudential Real Estate and Relocation
Services (PRERS), a Prudential
Financial, Inc. [NYSE:PRU] company, 75% of respondents highlighted the
importance of real estate agents in the process of buying or selling their
home, with only 24% saying agents are helpful but not imperative...
Tags:
Buying, Relocation
Posted August 1, 2011
Good things come in smaller packages.
At least that’s the feeling today among many homebuyers, who are increasingly interested
in smaller spaces instead of the gaudy, sprawling homes that were popular in
the ’80s and ’90s.
Many
agents believe that smaller homes are more in demand because the Baby Boomer
generation is starting to down. Boomers no longer need four or five bedrooms
and are looking for spaces that are more in tune to their lifestyles as empty
nesters...
Tags:
Selling, Buying
Posted July 28, 2011
Today’s prospective homebuyers are
increasingly interested in a property’s outdoor living space as they are its
interior. Savvy agents understand this powerful trend and are staging homes on
two fronts – the terrific indoors and the great outdoors.
The
following tips will help ensure that your backyard is as distinctive at your
home itself.
Make your
Backyard Homey: Create a conversation area with some furniture...
Tags:
Staging
Posted July 16, 2011
Real estate consumers today can find
ample value in distressed homes – properties that are under a foreclosure order
or up for short sale. In many cases, however, “distressed” speaks more for the
condition of the homes than their recent financial histories, as they’ve sat
empty for extended periods and have been subject to vandalism and theft.
Those
considering homes in need of repair and renovation should consider a 203k
mortgage, which enables homebuyers to finance both the acquisition and rehabilitation
of the property with just one loan...
Tags:
Buying, Price, Tax
Posted July 7, 2011
One of the most important jobs for
your real estate agent is to determine the value of your home by developing a
Comparable Market Analysis, which will be used in pricing the home for the right
amount.
If
your property isn’t attracting serious shoppers, your agent may recommend that
you invest in an appraiser to get a second pricing opinion, as the appraiser
will come in with an independent, unbiased opinion to help ensure your price is
correct for the market...
Tags:
Tax, Price
Posted June 30, 2011
Agents frequently suggest that
homeowners paint before placing their homes on the market. Don’t be offended!
Agents
understand “color psychology,” which focuses on color’s effect on human
behavior and emotion. Since people’s reaction to color is immediate, color has
a tremendous influence on the choices they make every day.
“Color
choices are very personal and when selling your home, it’s critical to appeal
to the greatest number of potential buyers,” said Allegra Dioguardi, president
of Styled and Sold Home Staging in New York...
Tags:
Selling, Marketing
Posted June 20, 2011
Homeowners with young children face a
common challenge when their house is on the market: How do you keep the home
clean and ready for prospective buyers while maintaining a kid-friendly and
safe environment?
Keeping
that “staged look” as the kids create instant messes can be overwhelming. Your primary focus should be the kids’
bedrooms, according to two home stagers.
“Children’s
bedrooms are often problematic when getting a home ready to sell,” said Külli
Yee, founder and president of Ilus Design Home Staging and Re-design, Port
Coquitlam, B...
Tags:
Selling
Posted June 15, 2011
When it comes to preparing your
home for sale in an environmentally friendly way, Kermit the Frog had it wrong.
It is easy being green.
With
so many homebuyers seeking green features in the homes they consider, sellers
should create an eco-friendly atmosphere for the buyer, and that doesn’t always
mean costly fixes.
It’s
always nice for a homebuyer who’s been touring houses all day to find water or
a snack waiting for them in your kitchen...
Tags:
Auburn, Green
Posted June 7, 2011
Tight lending guidelines have weighed
on the U.S. housing market during its ongoing recovery. Most lending
institutions during the past two years raised their credit score requirements
to as high as 650, making it nearly impossible for many people to obtain a
loan.
Wells Fargo made
it a little easier for homebuyers this past year, when the lender lowered its
credit score requirements on FHA mortgages...
Tags:
Price, Buying
Posted May 9, 2011
Personal attention, for confident decision-making.
Whether you’re building or buying new the process can be full of challenges - especially when it’s your first time. That’s where personalized attention from Prudential Real Estate can make all the difference. We know the developers in town and they know us. We'd love to get you in touch with the right developer for your needs. Our extensive networking with developers and first-hand knowledge of new communities help you find the right fit for your family...
Tags:
New Home Construction
Posted April 14, 2011
Hopefully the following seven tips will help you when choosing a location for your next home.
Safety
The most important question and the hardest one to answer. Ask the local police, check statistics on the internet, talk to people who live in the neighborhood. All of these things help; none of them are definitive one way or another.
Driving through a neighborhood at different times of the day, and different days of the week is always a good idea...
Tags:
Relocation
Posted April 12, 2011
When real estate professionals work with sellers and buyers, “agency” relationships are established. As you start working with a real estate professional, please ask for a clear explanation of the current agency laws in Alabama, so that you understand these important issues.
There are three kinds of agency relationships:
Seller’s agent
A “seller’s agent” represents the interests of the seller and has a fiduciary responsibility of reasonable care, loyalty, confidentiality and disclosure to the seller...
Tags:
Buying, Selling, Prudential Preferred, Auburn
Posted April 12, 2011
When marketing efforts bring a purchase offer, your Prudential agent's role will be:
Negotiate the agreement
Explain the offer to you and answer your questions.
Help you determine the best course of action by pointing out potential advantages and disadvantages of the offer and clarifying the choices available to you.
Prepare an Estimate of Net Proceeds based on the proposed price and terms.
Negotiate through the buyer’s agent, and handle possible counter offers, to reach a final agreement that is favorable to you...
Tags:
Prudential Preferred, Marketing
Posted April 12, 2011
To successfully promote your property to the market, a comprehensive plan of targeted activities is essential. Our marketing program has three aims:
Promote directly to prospective buyers
Print advertising, such as flyers
The Internet
Yard sign
Open houses for the public
Other marketing activities such as agent’s tour
Enlist the efforts of other real estate professionals
The Prudential Real Estate Network
Referral and relocation resources
Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
Direct promotion to other real estate professionals by agent tour and announcements
Maintain communication with you
Review the results of our marketing activities weekly
Consult with you to fine-tune our marketing strategy, as needed
Tags:
Marketing
Posted April 12, 2011
The following marketing activities will promote your property to prospective buyers and their real estate professionals.
Day 1
Enter into the MLS
Enter into realtor.com
Enter into additional meta-searchers and real estate websites
Upload extra pictures for the featured listing
E-mail sphere of influence property information sheet with photos and home features
E-mail in-house Realtors property information sheet with photos and home features
E-mail predominate Auburn area Realtors property information sheet with photos and home features
Put up sign
Put up lockbox
Make flyer
Put up flyer box
Process file in office
Answer calls/questions about property quickly and efficiently
Schedule showings for any current customers in this price range
Enter into Lucero (in-house listing database)
Day 2
Deliver flyers
Check listing on websites and databases
Set a date to put your home on the weekly Realtor tour
Schedule showings
Day 3
Present listing to Prudential Preferred agents at our weekly office sales meeting
Day 4
Follow up with Realtors that toured home...
Tags:
Prudential Preferred, Marketing
Posted April 12, 2011
More than 85 percent of home buyers begin their search on the Internet.1 Online Seller Advantage (OSA) brings together the collective brand strength, marketing clout and technological capabilities of Prudential Real Estate and Yahoo! It's like an open house with one million potential buyers.
Your property will be highlighted by a distinctive Yahoo! sign rider with an exclusive Web ID. When potential home buyers drive by your property, they can enter the Web ID into the search box on Yahoo!, click on Web Search, and be connected directly to the listing details...
Tags:
Selling
Posted April 12, 2011
By providing peace of mind to prospective buyers, these steps can enhance the saleability of your property:
Written disclosure
A written property disclosure statement will give buyers a clear understanding of this property and the surrounding neighborhood.
Home warranty
A home warranty can give prospective buyers peace of mind by providing repair-or-replace coverage of major home operating systems and appliances...
Tags:
Marketing, Selling
Posted April 12, 2011
Market-sensitive pricing can be the key to maximum market exposure and, ultimately, a satisfactory sale.
The existing pool of prospective buyers in Auburn and Opelika determines a property’s value, based on:
Neighborhood and Area, design, and amenities
Condition of the property.
Availability of comparable (competing) properties.
Economic conditions that affect real property transactions...
Tags:
Auburn, Opelika
Posted April 12, 2011
An impartial evaluation of market activity is the most effective way to estimate a property’s potential selling price. A Comparative Market Analysis considers similar properties that:
Have sold in the recent past
This shows us what buyers in the Auburn-Opelika area have actually paid for properties similar to yours.
Are currently on the market
These are properties that will be competing with yours for the attention of available buyers...
Tags:
Auburn, Opelika
Posted April 12, 2011
An asking price that is beyond the Auburn-Opelika market price range can adversely affect the marketing of a property.
Fewer buyers are attracted, and fewer offers received.
Marketing time is prolonged, and initial marketing momentum is lost.
The property attracts “lookers” and helps competing houses look better by comparison.
If a property does sell above true market value, it may not appraise, and the buyers may not be able to secure a loan...
Tags:
Auburn, Opelika, Marketing
Posted April 12, 2011
It is important for a property to make the best possible impression on prospective buyers. The following can interfere with a buyer’s appreciation of a property:
Exterior
Clutter
Lawn needs mowing and edging
Untrimmed hedges and shrubs
Dead and dying plants
Grease or oil spots on the driveway
Peeling paint
Anything that looks old or worn
Make sure everything is up to neighborhood or HOA standards
Interior
Worn carpets and drapes
Soiled windows, kitchen, baths
Clutter
Pet and smoking odors
Peeling paint, smudges or marks on walls
A comparatively small investment in time, money and effort to remove these distractions can lead to stronger offers from buyers.
Tags:
Selling
Posted April 12, 2011
These tips can help your house make the best impression, every time it is previewed by sales professionals or shown to prospective buyers in Auburn and Opelika:
Exterior
Remove toys, newspapers, yard tools and other clutter.
Tidy up; pick up after pets.
Park vehicles in the garage or on the street; leave the driveway clear.
Add color with flowers and potted plants.
Interior
Make beds; clean up dishes; empty wastebaskets...
Tags:
Selling
Posted April 12, 2011
No one has a more important role in the home selling process than you. Here are some ways your participation can contribute to a successful sale:
Maintain the property in ready-to-show condition.
Ensure that the house is easily accessible to real estate professionals (lock box and key).
Try to be flexible in the scheduling of showings.
When you are not at home, let me know how you can be reached in case an offer is received...
Tags:
Selling
Posted April 12, 2011
Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services are guided by these core values:
Worthy of Trust
Our heritage reinforces the need to safeguard our customers’ interest. We keep our promises and behave with integrity at all times.
Customer Focused
We believe the best way to win customers is to earn them. Our goal is not to simply attract them, but to gain them as customers for life.
Respect for Each Other
We maintain an environment where innovative, service oriented associates work collaboratively to exceed our customers’ expectations...
Tags:
Auburn, Opelika
Posted April 12, 2011
Selling a house typically includes many of the following elements. Your Prudential Preferred Agent will be your resource and guide you every step of the way and will be your point of contact.
Initial Consultation
Determine your needs and priorities
Review “agency” choices and select appropriate working relationship
Discuss Marketing Plan
Establish Pricing Strategy
Design and Implement Marketing Plan
Complete home enhancement recommendations
Carry out scheduled marketing activities
Show the property to brokers and prospective buyers
Communicate with you on a regular basis
Monitor results of marketing activities
Modify Marketing Plan and Pricing Strategy as necessary
Review Offer and Reach Agreement with Buyer
Buyer’s real estate professional presents offer
Discuss and clarify proposed terms and conditions
Negotiation; possible counter offers
Reach final agreement
Complete Settlement Process (per purchase contract)
Deposit of buyer’s earnest money
Sign documents
Title search; preliminary title report to buyer
Inspections
Removal of remaining contingencies
Buyer’s final walk-through of property
Loan funding/balance of funds from buyer
Recording of title
Relocation of seller; possession of property by buyer
After-sale Service
Help you find your next home, as needed
Assist you with relocation, as needed
Provide resources for other after-sale homeowner needs
Tags:
Prudential Preferred
Posted April 7, 2011
Auburn, Alabama— The majority of America’s potential homebuyers and sellers -- 68 percent -- believe that the real estate market and property values will recover in the next year or two, according to a new survey by Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services, a Prudential Financial, Inc. [NYSE:PRU] company. This exceeds the 47 percent of Americans who expected house prices would rise in a similar survey conducted in April 2010, underscoring a more bullish outlook for the real estate market today...
Tags:
Marketing, Prudential Preferred
Posted March 18, 2011
With April 15 rapidly approaching many are scrambling to complete their taxes. For those who have recently bought or sold a home, there are a number of tax deductions that that may be available to them.
Real estate broker’s commissions, title insurance, legal fees, advertising costs, administrative costs, and inspection fees are all considered selling costs and may be used to reduce one’s taxable capital gain by the amount of the selling costs...
Tags:
Tax, Buying
Posted March 3, 2011
When people enter your home they usually look down before up, so that first step is vital for attracting a homebuyer and making a great first impression. This is one reason why more people are installing hardwood floors in their homes.
Hardwood flooring enhances the look of any room and can create a classic ambiance that will beautify the interior design of your home. Residential real estate agents agree that homes with wood floors hold their value better, sell faster and fetch higher prices...
Tags:
Selling
Posted February 18, 2011
Spring is a season of renewal – this year in particular. Just as the birds are chirping and flowers are starting to bloom, the U.S. economy is moving forward with real estate sales percolating in many markets. Indeed, the days grow longer in spring, allowing more time for consumers – especially those motivated by current, historically low interest rates and attractive home prices – to shop for their American dream...
Tags:
Selling
Posted February 10, 2011
Home sellers face a new reality as they look to move up, down, in or out of their American dream in today’s market. Consumers, particularly those who purchased their homes within the last five years, often find their options limited by a lack of equity. Those who can sell are sometimes numbed by deflated home prices and find it difficult to justify yesterday’s valuations with today’s reality...
Tags:
Selling, Price
Posted January 10, 2011
Every homebuyer has a vision of their perfect house and the rooms that are most important to them. Because of their relatively small size in comparison to the rest of a home, bathrooms are often overlooked in the staging process, but for many, it could be the most important room in a buying decision.
A bathroom is more than just a place for grooming; it’s a sanctuary. It’s a place one can relax in a hot bath and escape the stresses of daily life for a few moments at a time...
Tags:
Selling, Bathrooms
Posted January 1, 2011
Professional home stagers consult with homeowners on ways to sell their homes quickly and for the most money possible, but often lost in the design process is the fact that men are involved in buying decisions as well.
When having your home staged, it’s important to remember to appeal to both sexes and do some things that will pique a man’s interest just as much as a woman’s.
Professional stagers take into account buyer demographics, buying psychology, and utilize design elements in planning out the rooms and space and the use of lighting and its effect on the space...
Tags:
Selling, Staging
Posted December 1, 2010
Today’s first-time homebuyers are presented with the opportunity of a lifetime. Mortgage rates in early December 2010 stood near lows last seen during the Truman administration while home prices were well off their peaks of previous years. The combination made housing affordability, as measured by the National Association of REALTORS®, the highest since NAR® launched its Affordability Index in 1973...
Tags:
Buying
Posted December 31, 1969
If William Shakespeare financed a
home today he’d probably ask on the subject of mortgage points: “To pay or not
to pay? That is the question.”
Homebuyers
direct the same question to their real estate agents. Here are some
perspectives:
In
its simplest definition, a point is an additional loan fee that is paid to the
lender in exchange for a lower interest rate. It’s called “buying down,” and it
allows you to reduce your rate for the life of the loan...
