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CategoriesLatest in BlogVC Funding Resources
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Real Estate Sellers Blog  Sellers ... Stay Informed on the Local Market
Ask Questions..Get Answers
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3 Things You Must Know About Hiring a Contractor in , by Real Estate Expert Beverly J. Stewart |
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If you're a seller or investor who wants to get the best price for your property, chances are at some point you're going to have to work with a contractor. In this article, we'll go over 3 essential things you must know about working with contractors to ensure the most affordable, most timely, and highest quality work.
Tip #1 - Be Very Specific
When you're requesting a bid or when you're talking about a job with a contractor, be very very specific about what you're looking for.
After you've agreed on a number, you should also be very meticulous about being specific in what you put in writing.
Taking this precaution will ensure you get exactly what you want, no more and no less.
Tip #2 - Find a Good, Reliable Contractor
Speak with several contractors before you decide on one for sure. Get a feel for the quality of the contractor's quality of work and integrity. Don't just decide based on price.
If your contractor is experienced, they should have references you can check. Check them.
Once you find a contractor you might want to work with, double check their license with the Secretary of State website. Remember, you're entrusting your property with this person, so it absolutely makes sense to do careful due diligence beforehand.
Tip #3 - Payment Tips
In general, it works in your favor to pay your contractor by project rather than by hours. A contractor can estimate how many hours it will take to complete a job, but that's just an estimate and the contractor can always exceed that estimate.
Rather than overpaying because your contractor billed by hour, agree to pay per project only.
Do not release payment until the job is complete. Once a contractor has been paid, often times they won't finish the job or the finished work will be of lesser quality. Even if the contractor asks, do not pay release payment for the job until the work is complete.
There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in real estate. For complete information about the real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything real estate at www.indyhomeliving.com. Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me, Beverly Stewart, on my cell at 317-514-9998 or email me at indyhome4u@ameritech.net. |
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Ten Questions You Must Ask a Realtor in Before You List or... You Could Lose Big! |
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Most of us sell only a small number of homes in our lifetimes. With limited experience in real estate, how are we to be capable of maximizing the profits from our home sale in ?
Many home sellers in make the critical mistake of thinking all Realtors are the same. They list with the first agent who comes along. Does it make good business sense to put the responsibility of selling your home with someone who has no plan or qualifications?
This special report will educate you with valuable information that will help you make the best decision concerning: Which real estate agent in should you list with?
Start by doing a few hours of research. Ask around. Get to know who has the most signs, ads and Internet marketing and marketing material in your neighborhood. Who’s the most active agent?
Compile a list of agent names in and use these questions to help you determine which agent is right for you.
Could you send me some information about yourself? You can often get a good idea of which agents are the most professional by looking at their promotional materials. If their own materials aren’t professional, how well are they going to market your home in ?
Track how long each agent takes to respond to your request and how quickly they follow up. If they don’t respond efficiently to your listing requests, imagine how they’ll handle potential home buyers looking to purchase a home in .
Do you sell real estate full time?-A large percentage of agents sell real estate part time. If one doesn’t devote 100% of their time to listing and selling real estate, how could they possible keep up with the changing business world that we live in. Marketing and negotiating are two skills that a top producing agent must be 100% in tune with.
How do you feel about selling your own listings?-You may be shocked to know that many agents don’t want to sell their own listings. They want to list it and then let another agent sell it to reduce their liability.
How long have you been in business?-The length of time a real estate agent has been licensed is not a sure fire sign that they’ve been an active seller. They may have been in business for 10 years but only part time, whereas an agent who’s been in business for 2 years may be a real top producer.
Do you have an assistant or support staff? - By employing someone to handle the details of their business, the agent can spend more time servicing your needs. However, make sure you know how much time an agent will spend and how much time their assistant will spend on the sale of your home.
It may be fine if the assistant does most of the legwork as long as the agent is there at the most critical times of the transaction period. Often, top producers disappear after they list your home.
This is unsettling to many sellers. Most sellers want the agent that they hired to list their house on the real estate market to be accessible to answer questions as they arise.
How often will you hold open houses?- According to the NAR (National Association of Realtors) only 1% of houses actually sell due to the open house. So why do so many Realtors do them then?
The answer is simple: so they can get more buyers. When a buyer walks into a home on Sunday (most people only have Sunday off), there is a 99% chance that they won't buy it. However, the chance of that Realtor selling them another house is very good. So who does an open house really benefit?
What listing price do you recommend and what is that price based on? - Pricing is the most critical step to selling your home in . Take great care in choosing an agent with the knowledge to price your home effectively.
Keep in mind that the selling price should attract prospective buyers to your home in , get you top dollar in the current real estate market and reflect the condition of your home. Be realistic and avoid ‘yes agents’ who will say ‘yes’ to any request or price while your home languishes on the market.
Lowball agents will try to talk you into an artificial price simply to sell as fast as possible. Be sure the agent is skilled in pricing a home and has facts to back up the price he or she recommends. Emotion or how much an agent likes the house should not be a factor.
What does the listing agreement entail, what are the beginning and expiration dates, and what are the fee amounts I will be paying?- Have your agent go over every detail in the listing agreement with you until you understand it completely.
Make sure the beginning and ending dates are on the agreement; a good standard for length is three months. Know exactly what fees you will be paying and remember that less is not always better.
If the agent stands to make very little commission, you can bet it will be reflected in the amount of time and effort that is spent marketing your home in .
If the agent reduces their commission to get the listing, it may mean they intend to spend very little money promoting the property. The normal commission is 6 percent.
If an agent will list your home for 4 or 5 percent, be sure they offer 3 percent in the MLS or it could drastically reduce the number of showings you will get.
Agents are paid strictly by commission, therefore if there are ten houses to show and eight of them offer a 3 percent selling commission and two of them offer a 2 or 2 ½ percent selling commission, which ones will possibly not even be shown?
Is the agent willing to pay for advertising or do they depend on the company to do it all?-Often agents ride on the reputation of their company in their marketing efforts. Agents are independent contractors and are self employed.
It is up to the individual agent as to how a property is marketed. Be sure that the agent is willing to invest in many different marketing strategies that will give your home maximum exposure and show you in writing what these strategies are.
What types of things separate you from your competition and will you give me some feedback? - How effectively will they advertise? Do they have 24-hour advertising capability? Will all the leads be followed up on by your agent’s team or will they go to other agents who may have other listings they would prefer to show? Agents who are innovative and offer new methods of attracting home buyers will measurably outperform agents who rely on methods of the past.
Marketing effectively in the 2000’s and beyond requires progressive strategies that add value and service for both buyers and sellers!
There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in real estate. For complete information about the real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything real estate. So please feel free to contact me with any of your mortgage questions and I will me more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 317-514-9998 or email me at indyhome4u@ameritech.net. |
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Real Estate Agent Beverly J. Stewart Addresses Whether Home Staging Really Sells Homes |
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Real Estate Agent Beverly J. Stewart Addresses Whether Home Staging Really Sells Homes
Most people these days have at least heard the term “home staging”. This is where you set up your home in such a way that maximizes the space and gives people a good feeling about the layout. It's important when selling your home to put your best foot forward, and home staging is the way to accomplish this. However, if you don't have the money to hire a professional In home stager to assess your home, and then take some of these tips into consideration.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Clutter: The very first thing you should do is go around your home and get rid of any clutter. This includes taking all the things off of your refrigerator and countertops. By having a lot of things stuck to refrigerator or on your counter, it takes away from the space and makes everything seem smaller. Remember that you're going for a streamlined look and cleanliness makes everything look larger.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Stand in the road: Take a look at your house from the perspective of potential buyers. Look your curb appeal and decide what needs to be trimmed, painted or even removed from your front yard to make the home look more inviting.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Clean: This might seem like the simplest of all tasks, but you need to work on cleaning your house like it's brand-new. When people walk in, they need to feel like they're getting a new house and not moving into someone else's mess. No one wants to move in to a house and live with someone else's dirt and dust.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Turn on the lights: Open your window shades and turn on all your lights when showing your home because more light means more space. People get the feeling of a bigger space when there's more light.
For more information on getting your home ready to sell, visit my website at www.indyhomeliving.com or call me directly at 317-514-9998 for free tips on staging your home the right way to get it sold quickly.
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Why Selling Your Own Home Is So Hard-Tips from Real Estate Expert Beverly J. Stewart |
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Why Selling Your Own Home Is So Hard-Tips from Real Estate Expert Beverly J. Stewart
When it comes time to sell many homeowners think they can do all of the work themselves without an agent. The main reason they do this is to prevent having to pay a commission. But in the end, are they really saving anything?
A for sale by owner (FSBO) will always want to be there for all of the showings. This is because they have to be there to let them in. They have no way to screen potential buyers so they are, in essence, letting strangers roam through their house. This means that they have to be available all of the time, even if it is a last minute notice. If they aren't available, are at work, or on vacation they miss a buyer.
Buyers are reluctant to see these homes without representation. The owners always want to guide them through the home and this makes buyers nervous. Plus, buyers like to have a representative to ask questions to and get advice from.
FSBOs generally overprice their house at least a little because they aren't paying a commission. They do not have the up-to-date information on sales, the history of the neighborhood or the current market. They generally price based on emotional attachment and what they need or want to get for their home.
Many buyers are relocated by their companies or move to from another area. This means they have a buyer’s agent working for them in another state. These agents are looking at listed homes, and not FSBOs. These buyers do not have the time or desire to look for unlisted homes when there are so many listed ones available. FSBOs are missing out on this entire group of buyers.
Real estate professionals will probably not show these homes because the sellers are not willing to pay a commission. Even if they do agree to pay one, realtors know that they will end up doing almost all of the work since there isn't another agent involved.
A FSBO does not have the marketing resources available that realtors do. An agent listing a home allows every other agent in the nation to gain access to their listing, They are available to answer questions, fax, call and even show your home and negotiate everything from contract to closing.
To learn how to avoid becoming a FSBO, contact real estate expert Beverly J. Stewart at 317-514-9998. |
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Beverly J. Stewart Explains How to Choose a Real Estate Agent |
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[Profile.full_name] Explains How to Choose a Real Estate Agent
If you make the decision to buy a home in , you want to make sure that you get what you want at a fair price. But with the recent housing market taking a hit, sellers are more and more concerned about who they are dealing with. That's why it pays to be represented in your transaction by a real estate professional. And knowing how to find the right one is equally important, according to Beverly J. Stewart.
Sometimes buyers will have a family member who is licensed in and want to keep it in the family. This can work out fine, but if they have not sold homes lately, or only work real estate as a part time job or hobby, the best thing to do is make sure they are up to date on the guidelines, since they change frequently. There are also times that people have friends that have their license and they may feel obligated to use them because of the friendship. Unfortunately, this is not a good idea. Inevitably, something will go wrong and both sides will be uncomfortable issuing blame. Even if things work out the relationship could remain strained. The best advice would be to avoid this by using an outside party.
When you look for a real estate agent one of the first things to consider is where they are located. You want someone who works in the area and is familiar with its market data.
Another thing to consider is if they work alone or with a team. There are good points and bad points to this. The good is that they have others helping in the tasks, sometimes one person for each phase of the transaction. The bad part is that if you hire a particular agent, you should be able to talk to them when needed.
For up to date information on the real estate market, check out www.indyhomeliving.com. You can get buying and selling tips plus recent information about market sales. You can also call Beverly J. Stewart at 317-514-9998.
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How to Sell Your House Quickly in Any Market |
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Real estate prices in have shifted drastically in the last few years. However, there are certain techniques that one can use to ensure a fast sale no matter what the market looks like. In this article, we’ll cover how you can sell your house in quickly, no matter what the market looks like.
Focus
First of all, remember to focus on things you can control. Focusing on what the market looks like won’t help you sell your house any faster. Focus on the things you can control, such as your strategy, the staging of your house and so on.
Flexibility
Speed can sometimes come at the cost of your selling price. Make a decision as to how important it is to sell your house quickly. It’s often possible to sell your house in a matter of weeks if you’re willing to sell your house to investors for a low enough price. On the other hand, the tradeoff may not be worth the speed to you. The speed vs. price decision is an important one to make if you’re thinking about selling your house quickly.
Staging
Staging your house is the process of making it as appealing to your buyers as possible. When a buyer steps into your house, you want them to have an instantaneous “Yes!” reaction. To do this, make sure your house is in tip top condition. Your carpets, walls, appliances, bathroom and kitchen tiles all look crystal clean. The air is well ventilated or lightly scented. The rooms are well lit.
Working With a Real Estate Agent
Work diligently with a real estate agent to ensure that you can sell your house as quickly as possible. Talk to your real estate agent about possible venues of marketing and come up with as many ways to get your house in and off the market as possible. Remember that in the long run, working with a real estate agent will generally save you money. According to Consumer Reports, homes sold through a real estate agent sell for higher prices and stay on the market for less time.
If you don’t already have an agent you’re working with who can help you sell your house quickly, feel free to give me a call at 317-514-9998 or send me an email at indyhome4u@ameritech.net to discuss how we can help get your house sold as quickly as possible. |
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Selling Your Home by real estate expert Beverly J. Stewart |
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When it comes to putting your home on the market for sale, there are many different considerations to make.
In fact, it can be a frustrating and challenging time as you prepare to get your home in shape to go on the market. No one knows this better than local real estate agent Beverly J. Stewart.
There is no question that the real estate market all over the country has been challenging for the last couple of years. [Profile_full.name] says that this is why it is more important than ever to make sure that your home is in proper condition to be put on the market for sale.
Sometimes, sellers can be emotionally attached to their home in such a way that they might not see what needs to be repaired or replaced before listing a home for sale. This is where a professional and experienced real estate agent becomes a necessity.
What home sellers don't often understand about real estate agents is that they are on the ground each and every day looking at homes and assessing the competition. In other words, they regularly see who your competition is on the market and can help you make your home look as good as possible to give it the best chance of selling.
In fact, real estate agents have a list of qualities that the home should have to make it the most salable. They may be able to give you tips and tricks on ways that you can stage your home to create the appearance of more space, for instance. These tips can be invaluable for a home seller who needs to get their home sold quickly.
There is a lot of great free information available to you about buying, investing or selling in real estate. For more information about the really steep market, it sure to visit the website that provides information on current homes for sale, property values and more: www.indyhomeliving.com. You may also feel free to contact me with all of your real estate or mortgage related questions at 317-514-9998 or even e-mail me at indyhome4u@ameritech.net.
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Get the Best Price for the Sale of Your House in . |
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Don’t make the mistake of pricing your house too high or low for the market. Learn how to set the most effective price for the quick sale of your house at the highest potential profit.
SPECIAL REPORT:
Get the Best Price for the Sale of Your House in Township .
It is a big decision to make. Now that you have made the decision to sell how do you get the most money for your home in Township.
First you want to find other homes on the real estate market, that are similar in age and size that have recently sold in your neighborhood. This is called finding comparables for your home.
You want to find at least three homes in that have the same number of bedrooms and bathroom, as well as similar square footage. The closer the properties that have recently sold are to your property the better comparison it will be for the price you can expect for your home.
It is best to find homes in that are approximately on the same sized lot and the same age as well. To get comparables you can contact a local title company or a local real estate agent.
It is best to ask for 6-10 comparable properties from the real estate market area when asking for comparable statistics. Most agents and title companies will be happy to fax these over for you to view.
Once you have the property addresses it is a good idea to drive by these other properties to see how they compare visually to your house.
Ask yourself the following questions and take notes on them:
1) Is the property in better or worse condition than mine? (does it need paint, a new roof, fencing, etc.)
2) Are there any noise problems by the property that would lower the valu? (busy street, railroad, industrial area)
3) What is the immediate curb appeal? (Do you feel drawn to the house, does it have character?
Make notes on each house as it is easy to forget details when you drive by many houses in one day. You may even want to take photos of the houses for future reference.
When you have narrowed the comparables down to the 3 or 4 houses in Township that closest resemble your own property, take and add up these properties sale prices. Then add up the square footage for the properties.
Now find the average sale price by dividing the sales price by the square footage. You know have the average price per square foot.
Next simply take the average price per square foot and multiply it times the square footage of your house.
This will give you a good estimate on what you can expect to set for a fair price on your house. This process is very similar to what is done when an appraisal is done on your house.
If you are interviewing agents, like myself Beverly J. Stewart to list and help sell your property, it is best to have them do a comparable analysis for you as part of the interviewing process.
When you have a figure to go by you need to look at your needs for selling the home. The price you want to set for your home is partially determined by your need to sell the property.
If you need to sell fast then take the figure you have come up with and lower it by 3 to 10 percent depending on how fast you need to sell.
If you are just testing the real estate market and are not in a hurry to sell your house you can ask more than the average that you came up with.
Keep in mind selling your home in is effected by simple supply and demand. You want to receive as much for the price of your home as possible. The buyer wants to get the lowest price they can.
You can ask real estate agents that you interview if it is a buyer or seller’s market. If it is a buyers market it means there are more people selling houses than looking for houses. This means it may take your house longer to sell and you may want to consider a slightly lower price for the house.
If it is a sellers market it means just the opposite. More people are looking for houses than there are houses available. This drives the market price in up and you may want to consider going to the high side of the figures you come up with for a fair price to sell your home.
Remember, it only takes one person that falls in love with your house to buy it, but if there are better properties on the real estate market then yours, the house will have the tendency to sit on the market longer than you may desire.
Follow this formula for setting your price for the sale of your house. Talk to other real estate professionals and get their opinions, but remember the final decision on pricing your house is totally up to you.
There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Township real estate. For complete information about the Township real estate market including current homes for sale, property values, and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Township real estate. So please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 317-514-9998 or email me at indyhome4u@ameritech.net. |
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Top 5 Things to Consider when Looking at a House in , by Real Estate Expert Beverly J. Stewart |
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During the home buying process when youíre seeing house after house every day, the houses can sometimes seem to blend together. What exactly should you be looking for in a home? In this article, Iíll go over the top 5 things you should look for based on my experience with real estate.
Factor #1 Location
The most important factor in considering a home purchase is its location. You can always remodel the kitchen or improve the lighting, but the location can never be changed.
Factor #2 The View
For many, the view is a key factor when purchasing a home. Does your home overlook a beautiful mountain top or does it face a busy, dusty road?
Factor #3 Get Overall Feel of the House
How does the house feel overall? Does it feel bright? Homely? Lively? Remember that how your house feels right now will always be in the ìbackgroundî once youíve made your purchase decision.
Factor #4 Kitchens & Bathrooms
The kitchens and the bathrooms are often important considerations for buyers. If you want a beautiful kitchen with dazzling countertops and a bathroom to match, then donít settle for anything less when youíre looking at houses. If you do, it may turn into someone you always regret later on.
Factor #5 The Neighborhood
This is another very important factor. What are your neighbors like? Are there community centers, parks or schools nearby? How near or far are the closest restaurants and grocery stores? Before you make your purchase decision, make sure you know your neighborhood.
These 5 things are some of the most important things to consider when youíre looking through properties. Having your criteria in mind can help a lot, but in the end you want to go with the house that you really fall in love with.
There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in real estate. For complete information about the real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything real estate at www.indyhomeliving.com. Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 317-514-9998 or email me at indyhome4u@ameritech.net. |
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Deducting Property taxes |
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Are Indianapolis Metrpolitan, Lawrence Township, and Suburban Areas property taxes deductible?
Property taxes on all real estate, including those levied by state and local governments and school districts, are fully deductible against current income taxes.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 13 August 2008 )
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property taxes - how they work |
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How do property taxes work?
Indianapolis Metrpolitan, Lawrence Township, and Suburban Areas
Property taxes are what most homeowners in the United States pay for the privilege of owning a piece of real estate, on average 1.5 percent of the property's current market value. These annual local assessments by county or local authorities help pay for public services and are calculated using a variety of formulas.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 July 2008 )
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Are seller-paid points deductible? |
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Are seller-paid points deductible?
As of Jan. 1, 1991, homeowners have been able to deduct points paid by the seller. This deduction previously was reserved only for points actually paid by the buyer.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 July 2008 )
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tips for negotiation |
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What are some tips on negotiation?
The more you know about a seller's motivation, the stronger a negotiating position you are in. For example, seller who must move quickly due to a job transfer may be amenable to a lower price with a speedy escrow. Other so-called "motivated sellers" include people going through a divorce or who have already purchased another home.
Remember, that the listing price is what the seller would like to receive but is not necessarily what they will settle for.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 July 2008 )
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what's seller financing? |
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What is seller financing?
Seller financing is when a seller helps to finance a real estate transaction by taking back a second note or even financing the entire purchase if the seller owns the home free and clear. Usually sellers do this when a buyer has difficulty qualifying for a conventional loan or meeting the purchase price.
Seller financing differs from a traditional loan because the seller does not give the buyer cash to complete the purchase, as does a lender.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 July 2008 )
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two most important factors when selling a home |
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What are the two most important factors when selling a home?
Price and condition are the two most important factors in selling a home, even in a down market. The first step is to price your home correctly. Use comparative sales information from your agent, or pay for a professional appraiser (usually $200 to $300), to objectively evaluate your home's worth. Second, go through the house and repair any obvious cosmetic defects that could deter a buyer.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 July 2008 )
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list vs. sales prices |
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What is the difference between list and sales prices?
The list price is how much a Indianapolis Metrpolitan, Lawrence Township, and Suburban Areas house is advertised for and is usually only an estimate of what a seller would like to get for the property. The sales price is the amount a property actually sells for. It may be the same as the listing price, or higher or lower, depending on how accurately the property was originally priced and on market conditions.
If you are a seller, you may need to adjust the listing price if there have been no offers within the first few months of the property's listing period.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 July 2008 )
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How does someone sell a slow mover? |
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How does someone sell a slow mover?
Even in a down market, real estate experts say that price and condition are the two most important factors in selling a home.
If you are selling in a slow market, your first step would be to lower your price. Also, go through the Indianapolis Metrpolitan, Lawrence Township, and Suburban Areas house and see if there are cosmetic defects that you missed and can be repaired.
Secondly, you need to make sure that the home is getting the exposure it deserves through open houses, broker open houses, advertising, good signage, and listings on the local multiple listing service (MLS) and on the Internet.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 July 2008 )
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