Are You Committed to Selling For Sale by Owner?

In today’s real estate market, a home-grown website, ad in the local paper and yard sign with directional signs on the corner, are just not enough. For most for sale by owners (FSBO), little incentive exists to invest the time and effort in building a meaningful web presence and the long-term upfront costs of running local newspaper ads to promote your property is impractical.

Unless you get lucky, illogical strategies like „I’ll try it on my own for a month or two and then turn it over to a realtor“, are doomed to failure. Such strategies illustrate a lack of confidence as well as a coherent plan for effectively marketing your property. It takes both to be successful and unfortunately, far too many for sale by owners (FSBO) start out with strategies like these.

Whether you’re a first time for sale by owner (FSBO) or seasoned real estate professional, buying, selling or renting a property requires commitment and hard work. If you don’t have the time, don’t kid yourself. Hire a real estate professional. Trying to market your property on the ‚cheap‘ usually offers little reward. In most cases, you’ll end up wasting valuable time and money. But if you’re serious about going it alone, do some research to understand what you’re up against and how to avoid common pitfalls.

Fortunately, most of the information you will need is readily available. You only need to avail yourself of the numerous for sale by owner (FSBO) resources currently available on the web. Since much of this information is written by real estate professionals, it’s fairly comprehensive. These resources cover every aspect of the for sale by owner process, including property preparation, determining and setting the selling price, the advertising process, buyer/seller negotiation, as well as understanding the closing process. Even the contracts and forms required to close a property are available and best of all, many of these services are free!

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

Best Rooms to Repair When Selling Your Home

When you decide to sell your home, there are always going to be rooms that need a bit of attention, and these may play an important tole with potential buyers because of their use or size.

Whatever it is, you should make sure that repairs are done so that when visitors come in, these rooms stand out. Most home owners will not have to knock down walls or do structural repairs, as most of these are quick and easy DIY renovations that you can finish in a few weekends.

The Kitchen Repairs

Many people’s final decisions on buying a home can be based on a kitchen, as it is the „epicentre“. The kitchen is where the family often spends time together and also where home-cooked meals are enjoyed every day.

There are many excellent changes that you can make to your kitchen that will not cost you a fortune, and you can create a fun backdrop with tiles, or put in new kitchen benches.

If you have wooden cabinets, rubbing some orange oil into the wood will help get rid of a dry appearance and bring the life back to your cabinets. You should also consider replacing the handles on your drawers and cabinets.

Here are some other easy tips for updating the kitchen:

• Replace any old appliances with new, stainless-steel products.

• Create more storage space in your kitchen by extending your cabinets.

• Create a flow in your kitchen by removing any unnecessary clutter and furniture that may make your kitchen appear to be small.

Renovations for the Bathroom

The bathroom is a place for privacy and relaxation, so besides a good clean, your bathroom may need some updates to appeal to buyers.

If you have any missing tiles from your bathroom, you may want to start by replacing them. You should also swap the doorknobs and the bathroom fixtures. Before an ‚open inspection‘, put all your toiletries out of sight, as it helps make the bathroom appear nicer to buyers.

Overall Repairs

If you have carpeting, you may want to consider replacing it as this will give the best rooms in your home a new, fresh feel. Screen doors that are torn or very old should also be replaced.

The more modern your rooms look, the more appealing they will be to your potential buyers. Do not stress yourself out with design and colour palettes – keep them basic and neutral.

Making renovations to your home will help to add value and sparkle to your home. You can ask for a higher selling price, and you will attract more potential buyers.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

10 Things to Consider When Evaluating Used Mobile Homes for Sale

Evaluating used mobile homes for sale can be time-consuming — but if you find the right one — it can be a financially-sound decision for buyers on a tight budget or those who need a temporary housing solution. While there are several sources to begin your search, such as dealer websites, Craig’s List and eBay, one of the best ways is to just do a „Google“ search. An example of a good search would be „used mobile homes for sale in Minnesota,“ that is, if you live in Minnesota.

According to a recent report, approximately 9 million people currently live in a manufactured home, and that number is likely to increase until the economy improves. If you’re thinking a used singlewide or doublewide might be appropriate for your situation, following are 10 things to keep in mind.

  1. The cheapest used mobile homes for sale are not necessarily the best. You might not pay much up front, but it will end up costing you in repairs down the road.
  2. If any of the used mobile homes for sale are older than 1978, be sure to check with your local building code agency. Building codes have changed drastically over the past few decades any many of the older  homes will be in violation of local code.
  3. Make sure the home you’re looking at fits your lifestyle. Don’t get hung up on a certain model, as it’s more important that you have an adequate number of bedrooms and bathrooms, among other things.
  4. Check for water damage as this is quite common with older homes. Check for stains in the ceiling and on the walls. Look under the kitchen and bathroom cabinets for signs of leaking. If there’s been a leak, there’s a good chance the wood underneath is rotting and/or moldy.
  5. Check for faulty electrical systems, especially in used mobile homes that are older than 25 years. Re-wiring is very expensive, and faulty wiring is dangerous.
  6. Ideally, the homes you are looking at will have 2-by-6-inch walls rather than 2-by-4 or even 2-by-3. The reason you want 2-by-6-inch walls is the entire home is more sturdy and there will be less sagging over time. A used mobile home built with thicker walls usually has higher ceiling and standard-height doorways, giving the home a much more spacious feel. A mobile home built with plywood or OSB (oriented-strand board) as the external sheathing with make stronger walls.
  7. Regardless of where you live, only consider used mobile homes for sale that have efficient heating, and is some areas, reliable air conditioning. In colder climates, look for heating and air vents around the room’s edges rather the ceiling. In hotter climates, look for the opposite.
  8. Insulation is important in any climate. Be sure the home is insulated for your climate. A Zone 1 rating is what you need for the coldest climates. Be sure to check under the belly to make sure the insulation isn’t dropping out. In many cases, especially with used homes, you may need to reinsulate and belly wrap the bottom. Also make sure there is adequate ventilation.
  9. Check with an insurance company before you buy. Some used manufactured homes may not be insurable for one reason or another. Check and be sure.
  10. Find out in advance what is included with the various used mobile homes for sale. If you’re buying a used mobile home with the intention of moving it to your lot or park, find out if transportation, foundation, skirting or tie-downs are included or optional.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

What to Look for in a San Diego Real Estate Listing

San Diego real estate listings aren’t hard to find. Online or local publications are full of the area’s million dollar properties and scenic views. The hard part for someone sorting through all the San Diego real estate listings is knowing where to begin. Locals have some idea of the many neighborhoods that make up the San Diego real estate listings; but even then there are so many that there is a lot to learn. One factor is sure to make your decision simpler. Money. With the prices of San Diego real estate listings as high as they are your loan options and bank account are likely to factor into your decision of which San Diego real estate listings you can choose from. Here’s a breakdown of the some of the neighborhoods in San Diego County.

San Diego Real Estate Listings in La Jolla

Let’s start with one of the undisputed gems of San Diego real estate listings. La Jolla, the „jewel by the sea“ is one of the most desirable areas in San Diego. Movie stars, affluent retirees, and esteemed scientific leaders all make their homes in the multimillion dollar estates of this gorgeous coastal community. The schools in La Jolla are in the top 80-90 percentile in the state of California. With both the University of California and the Scripps University, this community is highly educated and well off. San Diego real estate listings in La Jolla averaged around the $2.1 million mark in 2007. And homes stayed on the market around 60 days.

San Diego Real Estate Listings in San Marco

If you’re looking at the San Diego real estate listings for a community focused on families and children then look to San Marco. This is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation. And almost a third of the population hasn’t yet turned 18. The area offers parks, pools, natural resources and a very low crime rate. Located in the North County area, and further inland than La Jolla, San Diego real estate listings in San Marco are a lot lower. Median list prices in 2007 hovered around $550,000; and they still sell on average in less than 60 days.

San Diego Real Estate Listings in the Sorrento Valley

The Sorrento Valley is the high tech Mecca of San Diego. Giants like Qualcomm and Motorala are based here- very close to the U of C over in La Jolla. These techies raise their families atop mesas that overlook the eye-catching valley of the Los Penasquitos Preserve. The Sorrento Valley is right between La Jolla and the North County Inland. Homes here tend to be newer, built in the late 1990s, and range form $400,000 to $1 million. This is a highly educated community and the San Diego real estate listings here have good public schools that prove it. Well-educated parents who are highly involved in their children’s education make their homes in this neighborhood.

This is just the tip of the iceberg for neighborhoods in the San Diego area. Each one has characteristics and homes that make it unique. To be certain- browsing the San Diego real estate listings is never boring.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

Learn How Short Selling Your Home Will Affect Your Credit Score

While short sales generally tend to damage homeowners‘ credit scores less than foreclosures do, these transactions are a matter of public record and do have some impact on the homeowners‘ credit history. Exactly how much damage short selling does to homeowners‘ credit scores depends on a number of factors. One of the most important of these factors is who handles the transaction. Savvy real estate agencies and foreclosure companies with experience negotiating short sales are often able to reduce the damage done to their clients‘ credit scores. Individual homeowners and real estate agents inexperienced in foreclosure transactions tend to fare much more poorly.

Length of Mortgage Payment Default
Each missed mortgage payment adds a black mark to the homeowner’s credit history, and the longer the sale transaction drags on, the more missed mortgage payments will be tallied on the homeowner’s credit. Sales which are completed swiftly tend to inflict less damage on homeowner credit. This is all the more reason to find a professional foreclosure agent who can speed the sale along.

Forgiveness of Deficiency
Whether or not the mortgage lender chooses to forgive the homeowner the „deficiency“, or remaining balance on the original loan, greatly influences the impact the sale will have on homeowner credit. Lending companies may choose to accept a short sale but continue to hold the homeowner accountable for the deficiency, sometimes to the point of suing the owner. This can do great damage to homeowner credit.

Foreclosure transactions which are expertly conducted, however, will take precautions against the lender pursuing the homeowner for the remaining balance. Savvy real estate companies and agents typically include protection from „deficiency judgement“ lawsuits within the short sale negotiation.

How Does a Short Sale Affect My Credit History?
Short sales, like foreclosures, remain on the homeowner’s credit history for seven years. The impact this has on credit score, however, can vary greatly, depending on the factors mentioned above. Sales which are conducted swiftly and without deficiency judgement could result in seeing good credit restored within 2-5 years. In less fortunate cases, good credit restoration may take as long as seven years.

Finding a Short Sale Expert
Having your Michigan home’s short sale be handled by an experienced foreclosure company or agent greatly affects the impact this transaction will have on your credit score. When looking for a foreclosure company, be sure to research the company’s track record and references. Home foreclosure agencies like Sun Law Group have a proven record of completing foreclosure sales quickly and expertly, providing homeowners with the best possible outcome.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

How to Sell a Property to a Stingy Buyer

During these difficult economic times, it seems the buyer holds all the advantages when you’re trying to sell a property. You may already have had to lower your price, and the buyers still aggressively apply pressure to get it for less. This can prove to be very frustrating when your home has been on the market for a long time and the few bites that you do get are an uphill struggle. You may begin to wonder if it is at all possible to sell your house. The first thing you really need to understand is – there is always a buyer.

This may surprise you. In fact, you may have been wondering if there are any buyers left out there at all. The good news is that whether you need to sell your home quickly or not there are buyers that want your home.

Qualify the Buyer

Each buyer is different and so their reasons will vary for looking at your home. You need to qualify the buyer. Are they just real estate tourists or are they seriously interested in buying your property? Find out why they are interested in wanting to buy a property. This will tell you what their motivations are and it gives you a little leverage that goes beyond the price of the house. It will also give you a better idea of which buyers you should be negotiating with and are not just a waste of your time. If someone really likes your home they will come back unless it is unrealistically beyond their price range.

Why are Buyers Motivated?

So what are the more common reasons that someone would want to buy your home? Here are some of the more common reasons:

They really like your neighbourhood – These buyers aren’t going anywhere. If you price your home favourably compared to everyone else in the area, you will sell your home quickly.

It’s close to their work – If they like conveniences, try alluding to nearby schools, shopping centres, etc.

Their friends and family live nearby – Again, this type of buyer is definitely looking for something in the area. If they don’t buy your property they will buy someone else’s in the neighbourhood.

Your home is convenient to entertainment and activities – This is probably a younger buyer, but nightlife is just as important as schools are to other buyers.

Negotiating with a Stingy Buyer

Ok, so you know why they want your home, now don’t be fooled by their antics. If the price is right, your bargaining position may be a lot stronger than you think. It’s all a matter of perception. They may say that they are also interested in a couple of other properties. You can counter with that’s all right; we have another interested party coming to look. Once you know they want your home, it’s much more difficult for them to say otherwise.

Be strong. Buyers may try to let you think that they are willing to walk away from the deal. They may also let you believe that they have all the time in the world to buy. These pressure points can be frustrating, but you need to stick to your guns to win the upper hand. If they want your home, they will buy.

What if I Need to Sell Right Away?

There is little you can do in negotiations if you are under a credit crunch. If you are in arrears or if you have a bad debt situation, the need to sell your home quickly may be vital. The longer you take to sell, the more desperate you become. Worse yet, the buyer will pick up on this and will play it to the max.

You do have another option. If you want to sell your home quickly, you can check out Rapid-Sale. This property purchasing business will buy just about any property in the UK and provide you with an offer within days. There is nothing like it for anyone wanting to sell their home quickly and maintain a good credit rating.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

Shamus Brown’s Top 5 Sales Presentation Tips

When its time to give your next sales presentation, here are my favorite tips for delivering powerful, charismatic, and engaging sales presentations.

#1 – PLANT YOUR FEET SQUARELY ON THE FLOOR

How you hold your physical body during your sales pitch communicates a tremendous amount of information about you to your audience. Studies have shown a person will unconsciously interpret approximately 55% of the meaning of your message from physiological cues in your body position, stance, and facial expressions.

Deliver your presentation from a position of confidence. Stand with your feet squarely between your shoulders. Distribute your weight evenly between your legs, and plant your feet firmly on the ground. Keep your arms relaxed at your sides, until your are ready to make a gesture.

Shifting your weight from one leg to another communicates to the audience a lack of confidence. This comes across unconsciously in that if you were to ask someone, a typical response might be „he didn’t seem like believed in his company“ or „I not sure that I can trust her“.

Try both the balanced and the unbalanced speaking postures right now, and see which one makes you feel more confident and ready for your next sales presentation.

#2 – GET PUMPED UP

It is your job to lead the audience. The reason they are there to get something from you. So you must lead them where you want them to go. If you want people to get excited about your product or to feel a sense of trust towards you and your company, you must first create this emotion within yourself.

How do you do this? Simple. Do whatever it takes to get yourself excited. Jump up and down. Clap your hands. Play your favorite music loud. High five your sales partner. You can do this where you won’t be seen by the prospect (in your car, in the customer’s stairwell, bathroom or outside the building). What do you think a rock star or an actor does to warm-up before going on stage?

The idea is to begin your presentation in an absolutely great state. Do this right and the audience will follow your where you want them to go.

Special tip: Use this technique before making important phone calls so that you are „on“ when you make the call.

#3 – WARM-UP THE AUDIENCE

Another thing big rock stars do before coming out on stage is they have warm-up acts. The job of a warm-up act is to get the audience in a mood will be receptive of the main act’s energy.

You can accomplish this same effect by simply playing music before you start your presentation. Many laptops have CD players these days, or you can use a boom-box. The type of music you play will depend on your audience, and the emotional state that you want to warm your audience up to. Just think about how this will set you apart from your competition’s stale PowerPoint slide show.

#4 – BEGIN WITH AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

The more rapport you have with an individual or a group, the more receptive they will be to your message. One way to build rapport with your audience is by asking questions of your audience during your first few minutes on stage.

Ask a question or two that most people can easily answer (but don’t put anyone on the spot too much). Questions such as „How far did you come to get here?“ and „How long have you been working in this field?“ easily get conversation going and begin creating a relationship between you and your audience.

#5 – SUSTAIN EYE CONTACT WITH INDIVIDUALS

You probably know you should do this. Now here’s why and how.

The more frequently you change the location of your focus, the more new information your brain is taking in. Your eyes are the visual sensory input system for your brain. Change focus fast enough and frequently enough, and you overload your brain to the point where you forget where you are at in the presentation. Aaaaggh!

Maintain your concentration on what you want to say next by fixing your visual focus for short periods of time. Do this by completing a thought or a sentence (whichever you find easier) while sustaining eye contact with one person. Move eye contact to a new person with each new thought or sentence.

© 1999-2004 Shamus Brown, All Rights Reserved.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

Decorate Your Home for Joy Using Design Psychology

What Is Design Psychology?

Design Psychology exceeds „traditional“ interior design practice by considering the effects of design elements on our five senses, as well as our emotions. Rather than decorating to impress or to follow a certain style, you can choose specific lighting, color, patterns, and other design elements to support your happiness and well-being.

Design Psychology includes an understanding of both physiological and psychological effects of design elements. For instance, our pituitary gland releases tranquilizing hormones when we view sky blue. Knowledge of physiological effects of color can be applied to home decorating to make sure a room uplifts, calms, or energizes.

Our physiological reaction to aspects of design leads to our psychological response. We all know that a trickling waterfall not only looks pretty, but relaxes those nearby. But do you know that certain textures make you feel irritable, while others comfort? Or that undulating patterns uplift the spirit, while geometric patterns cause anxiety?

With an understanding of design psychology you can choose elements of vision, hearing, touch, smell, and even taste which bolster positive feelings and contribute to happy living.

How Do You Get Your Home Decorated and Furnished Right the First Time?

Using design details chosen to encourage joyful living is easy. First, learn about lighting — the most important factor in residential design. Next, use colors appropriate to the natural setting, lighting, and desired emotional response. Then think about reactions to patterns already in the space and add harmonious patterns based on nature; patterns proven to make people happy. Other design details in your home also come into play — sounds, accessories, furnishings and arrangements for comfort.

Once you understand the science of Design Psychology, you can follow your own inspiration and creatively employ design elements.

Just as master artists study the physical body and anatomy, your background knowledge in Design Psychology prepares you with underlying theory. The practice or application of design details in Design Psychology is the ART of Residential Design.

(c) Copyright 2004, Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

For Sale By Owner: 14 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Attempting

The number one reasons for home sellers attempting to sell their home themselves is to save money or to facilitate a non-conventional arrangement with a buyer for a unique reason. Whatever the motivation, it’s important to ask yourself these questions so you have an overview of what your home sale will all entail. If you have any additional questions regarding the matter of selling your home, contact a local agent for a free consultation. Also, don’t be deterred if you don’t like the first one you are in touch with. It’s normal for a seller to „shop around“ for the right agent. Buying and selling homes will be one of the most important transactions of your life and both, you and a potential agent should treat it as such.

Have you asked yourself…

1. Do you have the knowledge, time, and sales skills necessary to sell your home?

2. If a potential buyer is making aggressive offers, will you be able to negotiate strategically for yourself?

3. Do you know how to analyze the market data and comparable homes to determine the accurate value of your home?

4. Are you in the know of real estate trends that might affect the sale price and timing of selling your home?

5. Do you know how to understand a buyer’s finances and qualification for a loan?

6. Do you have concerns letting strangers into your home?

7. Are you knowledgeable enough in real estate contracts to create a legally binding contract, acquire all the necessary documents and signatures, and include counter-offers according to regulation?

8. Did you know that without a realtor, you are basically taking your home off the market every time you leave your house?

9. Did you know that many professional people and services are required to close the sale including an escrow and title company, home warranty company, pest-control and inspection services, and a lender? Do you currently have these relationships in place?

10. Do you know if you need a real estate attorney to assist this transaction, how much it will cost, and how much liability they will assume?

11. Do you have marketing experience, specifically in real estate, and the funds to allocate to your strategy?

12. Did you know that potential buyers will possibly expect you to lower your price because there is no realtor to pay a commission fee?

13. Did you know that there are advantages and disadvantages to the seller depending on which type of loan the buyer chooses?

14. Are you prepared to put in a lot of time, during evenings and weekends when it’s most convenient for potential buyers, to show your home?

Before you decide to sell your home yourself, consider the benefits a realtor can provide you that you may currently be unaware of. Because transactions facilitated by a realtor generally sell at 15% higher price points, the benefits you receive for paying your realtor their average 6% commission usually far outweigh the benefits of selling your home alone.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

5 Easy Tips To Infuse A Retro Look Into Your Home

Retro home decor is making a comeback, and it’s doing it with style as many homeowners are now turning to the older days to give a new look to their house. When you decide to infuse a retro look into your home, what’s the first thing that crosses your mind? Is it the kitchen walls of avocado color? Or is it the classic shag carpets in front of the fireplace? Well, whatever your idea of retro may be, know that vintage pieces not only bring much-needed refreshment in your home but also don’t cost you a fortune.

So how do you add bits and pieces of retro without completely changing the theme of your home? Keep reading this guide to find out.

5 easy tips to infuse a retro look into your home

1. Use saturated colors

Home decor in the 60’s and 70’s placed a lot of focus on color, which lent almost every house a distinct look of its own. You don’t need to redo your entire home, all you have to do is use punchy hues in certain areas of your house to give it a classic look from the bygone era. While bold colors that go slightly over the top may bring a look of retro to a room, remember that the same color won’t suit everywhere.

As a general rule of thumb, use pale colors in a small room and darker colors in rooms that are larger in size. If your room is small, paint the walls with a lighter color and complement the look by throwing in more saturated accessories.

2. Use vintage furniture and accessories

Infuse a retro look into your home

The best part about trying to infuse a retro look into your home is perhaps the fact that you don’t need to match everything to the last possible detail. To bring a feeling of nostalgia all you may have to do is introduce a retro style table, few classic chairs, or a 70’s inspired sofa set. As more people are experimenting with retro visuals, many companies have dedicated themselves to offering specialized services to re-imagining and recreating all things retro.

Accessories like a rotary phone, lava lamp, a stacked record of albums placed in a corner, or a few retro posters can significantly boost the overall appeal without burning a hole in your pocket. If you can manage to find old retro posters of your favorite band or films, just frame and hang them on the wall to create a fabulous centerpiece.

3. Make the best use of lighting

Similar to furniture, lighting has a tremendous impact on how your room looks and feels. To fully capture the essence of a bygone era, you may use industrial pendants of vintage style to imbue a rustic kitchen like feel or bring in few circular mod chandeliers for a quick retro fix. If you are yet not ready to invest in getting permanent fixtures, try out Edison light bulbs that come in a broad range of shapes and sizes. Do not ignore the aspect of lighting if you want to completely infuse a retro look into your home.

4. Change up the headboard and paneling

Try out some designs of the Victorian era with bead-board or paneling that should be readily available in any of your neighborhood hardware stores. This can be an excellent way to infuse a retro look into your home as it adds the required character and texture to reflect fully on the older days. Concentrate on overlooked spaces like laundry rooms, hallways, entryways, and other small areas to add an immediate spark to the visual aesthetics.

5. Make the most of the flea market items

There’s always one thing in every home that defines its character. When you’re going to infuse a retro look into your home, the best way you can find a one-of-a-kind piece, without burning through the dollars is by checking the flea market or a reputed online auction site. You can bring in an antique steamer trunk and use as a coffee table or use old fabric ladders to hang linens or for stacking potted plants. Whatever you do, be prepared to see a look of astonishment on the faces of your guests.

To infuse a retro look into your home is easy if you know how to change a few things here and there and are willing to spend some time researching and experimenting. We hope these tips help you get the retro home of your dreams.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg