Thursday, June 27, 2013

How to Win the Bidding Wars

How to Win the Bidding Wars

It all starts with hiring an aggressive agent who knows how to get your offer to the top of the stack.  Knowing a few tricks of the trade can make the difference between walking away disappointed and purchasing the home of your dreams at a fair price.  By Marcie Geffner
In many of today's strong real estate markets, home buyers can expect to face multiple offer situations. Multiple offers are a classic example of economic realities because they appear when the supply of homes for sale is limited and the demand for good-condition homes is strong. Buyers hate multiple offers because they push up home prices and create an extremely stressful home-buying experience. Knowing a few tricks of the trade can make the difference between walking away disappointed and purchasing the home of your dreams at a fair price.  It all starts with hiring an aggressive agent who knows how to get your offer to the top of the stack.

How can I make my offer more attractive to the sellers?


Offer the highest price you can. Get preapproved, not just prequalified, for your mortgage and attach a copy of the preapproval letter to your offer. Make as large a downpayment as you can and provide documentation showing the source of your downpayment (e.g., a bank statement). If your current home is in escrow, provide information about that transaction. Avoid unnecessary contingencies. (Waiving your inspection or financing contingency can make your offer attractive, but it's foolish.)
Tip: If the equity in your current home is the source of your downpayment, make your offer contingent on obtaining financing, but not on the sale of your home. If your home doesn't sell, you won't have the downpayment and you'll get out under the financing contingency, suggests Bob Stallings, broker/owner of RE/MAX Real Estate Specialists in Long Beach, California. Finally, include a personal note about why you want to buy the home. All else being equal, some sellers are influenced by these communiqués.

My offer didn't prevail in a multiple offer situation. Can I find out why?

Neither the sellers nor their agent is obligated to reveal any information about the decision. As a courtesy, agents frequently will point out shortcomings of a rejected offer, but without disclosing details of the accepted offer. "Until a transaction is closed, it's crucial that everything remain unknown in case that property has to come back on the market," explains Carole Geronsin, a Realtor-associate with Prudential California Realty in Anaheim Hills, California. "I sold a property where [the buyer was making] a relocation transfer. A week and a half later, the company decided they were not going to transfer that executive. What would have happened if I had gone around saying, 'It sold for this amount?' You can't do that."

Can I submit an offer on a home in escrow?

Yes, but agents say you would be wiser to move on to another home, particularly if there are formal back-up offers. Even if your offer tops the accepted agreement, the sellers would have great difficulty canceling the escrow.

My agent says the sellers are getting multiple offers and accepting them only by fax. How can we be certain my offer was considered?

The temptation to suppress a buyer's offer arises when an in-house offer (one from a buyer who is represented by the seller's agent or another agent from the same brokerage company) is competing with an outside offer (one from a buyer represented by a different brokerage company). Even though an in-house offer nets a double commission for the brokerage (and sometimes the agent), the agent must present all outside offers to the seller as well. Failure to present an offer is a very serious ethics violation. The only exception occurs when the seller specifically declines to consider an offer, perhaps because a good offer is being negotiated or the home is already in escrow. If you suspect your offer hasn't been presented, your agent can request a written statement from the seller acknowledging your offer. If the written statement is not provided, your agent can call the seller's agent's broker or manager.

Can I knock on the sellers' front door and tell them personally why they should accept my offer instead of the other offers they received?

If you happen to meet the sellers during a scheduled showing, go ahead and compliment whatever you like about their home. Resist that urge to pound on the front door, however. This tactic works occasionally, but many sellers strongly dislike having their privacy invaded. REALTOR® Judy Sheller of The Bizzy Blondes team with RE/MAX Westside Properties in Culver City, California, recalls one instance when an infuriated seller actually ripped up an offer from an intrusive buyer. The agents won't be too thrilled with your behavior either.

I have lost seven homes in multiple offer situations. Should I blame my agent?

The answer depends on why your offers weren't accepted. "Buyers always jump to the conclusion that it's the agent's fault. If you're writing offers on houses in the $350,000 range, and all your offers are for $300,000, you're not going to get those houses. You need to be realistic," says Sheller. On the other hand, your agent needs to know how to operate in this market. "I have been in transactions where had an agent been more savvy and more aggressive, the client would have got the property," says Geronsin. She recalls one situation when a buyer's agent called her after the seller had accepted another offer and said his buyer wanted to bid higher. "I said, 'I told you we had multiple offers and you had to come in with your best price. You didn't do it. Now it's too late.' That is the fault of the agent," she says.

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Creating Curb Appeal: 6 Ways to Improve Your Home's First Impression

Creating Curb Appeal: 6 Ways to Improve Your Home's First Impression

You've probably heard the old saying, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." That's true in life, and it's true in real estate. If you're in the process of selling your home, take a moment to walk across the street and look at your home with a critical eye. What are potential homebuyers seeing as they pull up? Is your home giving off a good first impression? Does it have good curb appeal?
Real estate agents and home staging services know how important curb appeal is to the home selling process. It only takes a couple of seconds for potential homebuyers to form an opinion of your home based on its curb appeal. Below are six ways to improve your home's first impression.

First Step: A Critical Review

Remember that trip across the street I mentioned above? Well, after living in your home for years, you may not be the best judge. Invite a friend or family member over to give your home a critique. What would they do to improve your home's curb appeal? If they can't make it over, take some photos and email them to some friends for their review. We tend to see things in photographs that we miss when we're casually looking at things. Print your pictures out on 8 ½-by-11-inch paper, draw on them, and make notes about what changes you want to make.

Give it a Fresh Coat of Paint

A fresh coat of paint can go a long way toward improving your home's curb appeal. If a potential homebuyer drives up and sees cracked and peeling paint, what impression will that leave? Not only will the homebuyer think you haven't maintained the exterior of your home, but he is going to wonder what other maintenance items have been neglected.
Make sure the colors you choose fit with the neighborhood and the character of the house. You want your home to have great curb appeal, but that doesn't mean it should stick out markedly from the rest of the houses on the block. If you're selling your home, neutral colors are the best because they will have broader appeal. However, a neutral paint color doesn't have to be boring. Add some pizzazz by painting your front door a more vibrant, complementary color.

Make it Welcoming

Whether it's a decorative wreath on the front door, some decorative pots with brightly colored flowers, or simply great porch lighting, make your front door visible and inviting. Don't overdo it. Keep things simple, but make it easy to spot your front door. If you have overgrown shrubs blocking the view to your home, it will feel less safe. Trim shrubs back to eliminate any areas where predators could lurk, and make sure your house number is clearly visible.

Get Rid of the Junk

"One man's trash is another man's treasure" applies to garage sales and antiquing. Improve your home's curb appeal by putting things away and storing items that don't enhance your home's first impression. The less clutter you have around your front door and in your front yard the better.

Maintain Your Lawn

If you have a home with a lawn, the best thing you can do to create great curb appeal is to keep it maintained. Mow your lawn to a height of about 2 inches. Many people believe that mowing a lawn shorter is better, but with a blade height of about 2 inches, the grass is long enough to provide some shade for the roots, which helps the roots retain moisture and promotes stronger root growth.
Manually remove weeds as soon as you see them to prevent them from going to seed and becoming a bigger problem. Weeds generally show up in areas where the lawn is weak or lacking in nutrients. Over-seed any areas where the grass is thin and use an organic fertilizer to provide nutrients and maintain healthy soil.
Near sidewalks, driveways, and planting beds, edge your lawn with a line trimmer or straight spade to maintain a nicely manicured edge. There is no need to buy plastic lawn edging. It rarely holds up over time. A spade and a little muscle can do the trick. However, if you find you really want a built edge to your lawn, use aluminum edging. It is far more durable than plastic and will cut down on some of the maintenance needed to maintain the shape and size of your planting beds.

Oh, the Pressure!

Maintaining concrete driveways, sidewalks, and patios is always important for providing safe walking surfaces. However, if you are selling your home, what is the one thing a potential homebuyer is going to do? They will walk up your sidewalk or driveway to your front door. If you want your home to make a great first impression, fix any major cracks and make sure your entry sidewalk is free of debris, moss, and uneven edges. Pressure-wash concrete surfaces to remove any built up dirt and moss.
As you can see, most of these tasks are things you are probably already doing, but when neglected, they can take away from your home's curb appeal. Creating great curb appeal really just comes down to maintaining your home. Performing these tasks on a regular basis means you'll never have to worry about your home making a great first impression.





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Friday, June 21, 2013

Little Elm Homes For Sale Check Out These Impresive Kitchens

LOOKING FOR A HOME WITH A BIGGER NICER KITCHEN? CHECK OUT THESE AMAZING HOMES ---> JUST SOME EXAMPLES OF WHATS OUT THERE IN LITTLE ELM!

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Tuesday, June 18, 2013

L@@K NORTH TO PROSPER TX

Looking to move to Prosper? Prosper is a wealthy suburban town located in Collin and Denton counties within the state of Texas. The Town of Prosper is located within the Dallas- Fort Worth metropolitan area.The median single-family home price is $401,000.

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5 Bed 4 Bath Park View The Colony

Wow! 5 Bedrooms,3.5 Baths,2 Living,2 Dining! Across from Bill Allen Park*Upgrades Galore*Gourmet Kitchen with Granite Countertops,Smooth-Top Stove,Extra Deep Sink,18 inch Tile Floors on Diagonal,Tile Backsplash*Breakfast area & Formal Living with Bay windows*Split formals*Family Room off the kitchen*Large Laundry with room for Freezer*Oversized extra deep garage with 10 ft ceilings*Tons of Storage*Updated Baths*Big bedrooms with Dbl door closets*
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Cascades At The Legends Homes for Sale   The Colony Homes Under $100,000
Northpointe Homes for Sale   The Colony Homes $100,000-$150,000
Ridgepointe Homes for Sale   The Colony Homes $150,000-$200,000
Stewart Peninsula Homes for Sale   The Colony Homes $200,000-$250,000
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Splish Splash Walk to Lake From your POOL

Splish-Splash in your inground pool! 4 Bedrooms*2 Full Baths*Split Master*Combo Formal living & Dining*4th bedroom is an optional Study*Gourmet Island Kitchen has BfstBar,C-Tile Floors,Micro,Pantry,42 Inch Cabinets,Tile BackSplash*Crown Moldings*Blinds*Ceiling Fans*Kitchen opens to Big Family Room with Gas-Start Fireplace*Split Master with Walkin Closet*Mast Bath has Garden Tub,Sep Shower,Dbl Sinks,& C-Fan*

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Allen TX Very nice one story home in a great location

Very nice one story home in a great location. Perfect layout for entertaining with friends and guests. This home has beautiful front elevation with stone and brick combo and in a fantastic well kept community. Dont miss this great home and value in Allen.

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Single Story on Golf Course in Lantana Home For Sale

SINGLE STORY on FABULOUS GOLF COURSE LOT w.WATER VIEWS*Open floorplan w.soaring ceilings shows like a model*Plantation shutters*4th Bdrm or Study w.blt-ins&private Bath*Lg FamilyRm w.addtl sitting area*Private GameRm w.french drs*Butlers Pantry w.wine cooler*Master w.granite&glass block wlk-in shower*Kitchen w.granite,island w.warming drawer&wlk-in pantry*Enjoy views from covd Patio&arbor covd flagstone*Lush landscaping*Gorgeous curb appeal

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Friday, June 14, 2013

RIchardson ISD Fabulous Townhome Backing to Nature Preserve and Creek!

RICHARDSON ISD Upgrades and Casual Elegance in Fabulous Town-home Backing to Nature Preserve and Creek! Very Private Cul De Sac Drive, Enjoy Coffee in Arbored Courtyard. Extensive Bamboo Flooring, Slate and Berber. Designer Paint and Light Fixtures, Crown Moldings, Vaulted Ceilings. Incredible Kitchen with SS Appliances and Custom Back-splash perfect for Entertaining! Peaceful Views of Courtyard from Living, Dining and Master Suite. Must See!!

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