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Are You Ready to Make An Offer?

   Your real estate agent has shown you homes and you now want to make an offer. These days, everyone is looking for "a deal", but you need to be able to recognize "a deal" when you see it.

The comparable active and sold property information that your agent gives you should help you determine what market value is for this home and how asking price compares. The home may be priced above market value, but if it is priced belowt or at market, even if you made a full price offer you still would be getting a good deal.

Compare this home with the others you have seen in your price range. How does it rank among them? If it out-shines the other available properties, has more upgrades, better location, or a more appealing floor plan, for example, it will have more value than the others.

A seller offering to pay all or some closing costs, is providing a home warranty that transfers to the buyer at closing, or is willing to work with your time table also adds value. All things to consider.

In closing, a "lowball" offer does not guarantee getting a "good deal" on a home and may actually have more negative effects than positive. You have to be able to recognize a good price when you see it, and if you are a serious buyer, make an offer and negotiate it from an educated standpoint. Be realistic and stay focused on what you and your agent are trying to achieve - not the thrill of the game - and you will get the prize!

Antiques Roadshow and a Lesson in Real Estate

Recently, I subscribed to the blog of Joe Manausa, Owner of Manausa and Associates, a Century 21 affilate in Tallahassee, Florida. Joe's blog was about watching an episode of the program, Antiques Roadshow. If you've never seen it, people bring their treasures and get them appraised and valued by experts.

This episode, while not about real estate, happened to include a great analogy and might be helpful to sellers and how to price their home in the market, and clearly describes why the appraisal value may not always be the market value. Please read this short but interesting blog by Joe Manausa.

What The Antiques Roadshow Can Teach You About Selling A Home I was watching an episode of the Antiques Roadshow this past weekend and I saw numerous lessons on valuation that could be applied to selling a home.    Read more

What You Should Know About Working With A REALTOR

As a REALTOR, I think buyers and sellers should always seek the services of a real estate professional when looking to buy or sell property. But my opinion is definitely biased!  Yes, selling real estate is my job, but honestly, money is not the only reason I do it. In fact, and I know you won't believe me, but as I progress through the purchase or sales transaction and I get to know my clients, their dreams become my dreams, and the commission check I get at closing is almost an afterthought!  Told you you wouldn't believe me...but it is true!

• A real estate professional can help sellers increase their bottom line by knowing the market and what similar homes have recently sold for. Pricing your home correctly from the onset is very important and your agent can help you determine what the value of your home is.
• Agents have many tools available to them to advertise your property and get buyer attention. Close to 90% of buyers start their search on the internet and agents have access to websites, the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), and resources that syndicate listings to all major real estate websites basically all over the world.
• Real estate is our job and agents work at selling your home or property every day.
• Perhaps you're tempted to sell your home on your own because you think you will get more money, Before you put that "FSBO" sign in your yard, be aware that it can indicate to buyers that you would be willing to take a lower price. In addition, strangers will be ringing your bell to see your home who may not really be interest in purchasing or who are not qualified to get a mortgage. Agents know how to screen perspective buyers, have the contacts to get them qualified for a mortgage, and know how to negotiate price and other important aspects of a contract.
• Buyers should choose a REALTOR they want to represent them with care, but once you find one you are comfortable with, you should sign a buyer's agreement. A buyer's agency agreement is a commitment that goes both ways. It not only commits the agent to you, but also shows the agent that you are also comitted to him or her and that you have confidence in how they will represent you. Once they know know that, they will work tirelessly for you.
• When you find a home, an agent can provide market information and insight to help you determine what kind of offer to make. They will not tell you what you should pay - that is up to you, but they can tell you why a seller may or may not take less and provide the tools so you can make an informed decision.
  

In conclusion, once you have found a good agent, stick with them and let them do their job. The rewards will be great.  

Add Color to Your Rental...

If you own a rental property and prefer to have the walls a neutral color, or perhaps you are renting a home and the landlord will not let you paint the walls, there are other ways to add color and make it an inviting and enjoyable place to live or vacation. Click the pic below for some neat ideas.

Steep Your Rental in Color — Without Painting the Walls

Houzz- Kitchen Remodel, Bathroom Remodel and More »

Browse Storage And Organization on Houzz- For Example:

Baskets · Closet Organizers · Coat Stands And Umbrella Stands · Hall Trees · Medicine Cabinets · Shoeracks · Storage Boxes · Wall Shelves ·

Designing with Color

I don't know about you, but I have a difficult time choosing the right color paint anytime I want to make a color change or refresh my home.  That's why when I received a newsletter on the subject from Houzz.com (written by Laura Gaskill) I said "WOW.  This could be very helpful", and I thought I would share it.

This first installment is about Signature Color.  Do you have a signature color?  How do you find it and how do you use? 

One way to find your signature color is to think back to your childhood.  Is there a color that brings to mind good memories? I know when I was growing up I liked orange!  I would always pull that color out of the crayon box. It evoked a certain feeling in me. 

 Now I like blues and purple, although I have not yet worked up the courage to use purple paint in my home but would love to!   A signature color is a color that reminds people of you; it's one that you use often or that makes you feel comfortable and that you tend to integrate into your color schemes and your life.

Once you've found it, it could help to simplify some of your decorating decisions.  Use it in your home and wardrobe.  Don't overuse it - keep your signature color special.  Paint an accent wall with it or choose decorative accents that have it; have personalized stationery made or start a collection with it; enhance it with complimentary colors.


Check my blog or my website www.CarolinaSeasideProperties.com for future installments of Decorating with Color. Your comments are always appreciated.

Zillow Real Estate Stats & 2013 Forecasts

• From December 2011 to December 2012, housing values were up 5.9%.  In fact home prices have increased every month since October 2011 ("the bottom"??)  and are expected to continue to increase 2.5% in 2013.
• .How your particular market is recovering is largely driven by the unique characteristics of your area..."location, location"...and will play a big part in whether you should rent, buy or sell, now or later, in order to maximize value and return.
• A new wave of underwater homeowners will surface, and 2013 will likely see cycles of ups and downs in prices and inventories.  As home values go up, more underwater homeowners will be able to put their homes on the market thereby increasing supply and subduing prices (supply and demand)  
• Home affordability will likely continue to be high in 2013 due to low interest rates and still recovering home prices. 

Your comments are always appreciated.