An Updated Kitchen Equals An Easier Home Sale

Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening (depending on where you are!),

   "Kitchens Sell Houses". I'm sure you have heard this many times. It is a timeless factor when talking about selling a home.

   The kitchen is "the heart of a home", and "the stomach is the way to the heart", and the kitchen is where we "spend much of our time and most of that is with our families", writes Carla Hill for the RealtyTimes in her aptly named article, "Kitchens Sell a House". Hill says that kitchens are "integral to entertaining and in today's age of open floor plans, they're a focal piece of many family rooms".

   Due to the fact that a kitchen is the showpiece of the house and is seen every day by you and your guests, Hill says that kitchens play such an "important role in the buying and selling process", and that "buyers want homes with up-to-date kitchens".

   So if you need updates to your kitchen, where do you start?

   Kitchens are expensive and need a lot of time, as well as skills, to do the job right. With the "complicated array of flooring, tiling, cabinets, and counters", Hill says, "most buyers want a kitchen that is ready to use the day they move in".

   What to buyers want in a kitchen?

   Hill suggests that you do your homework, and to "Scope out the competition" via local open houses or MLS listings. Look at the wood on the cabinets. Is it dark? How about the counters? Are the appliances stainless steel? Are there any "add-ons like dishwashers, wine-coolers, and trash compactors"?

   There are an endless amount of changes you could potentially make, but Hill cautions not to "become overwhelmed". She adds that you might be able to make minor changes, such as a warm, neutral tome of paint, removing clutter, updating appliances. adding a lower-end or a faux granite counter. Hill also suggests that you might even "save a bundle by doing much of the work yourself."

   "The bottom line is a kitchen can sell a home", says Hill, and suggests that you do some research on what your kitchen needs to "make it competitive with area listings."

   Have you updated your kitchen? Did you research it first? What did your updates entail? Did it help you sell your home?

Would You Like Our Blog Posts Sent Directly to your E-mail? Here's How:

1. Locate the "Follow this Blog by Email" box on the Right Side of your Screen.
2. Type your E-mail address in the box, and click "Submit"
3. Check Your E-mail and Confirm Your Subscription...it's That Simple !

Have a Great Week, and Happy Rent-to-Owning !
Regards,
Rob Eisenstein
HomeRun Homes Blog: http://blogging.lease2buy.com
HomeRun Homes Websites: http://www.lease2buy.com and http://www.homerunhomes.com

TAGS: #HomeSale #kitchen #kitchenremodel #updatedkitchen #sellinghome #homebuyer #cabinet #granitecounter #openhouse #MLSlisting

Caveats For First Time Homebuyers

Good Morning,

   Hope you had a nice weekend, and enthralled to have you back with me again today!

   "First Time Homebuyers can be the most fun to work with of any client.", says Realtor Dawn Ohnstad, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Burnet in Wayzata MN, who says that first time homebuyers are, "excited, they want to learn, they ask great questions and once they have selected an agent, they operate as a team member. It makes our job fun!". David Mawyer of the CSSNMawyer Realty Group, says that first time home buyers want to be, "treated with honesty and respect. Regardless of the down payment amount or the price of the home, they are making a significant investment and want to insure that it is a good one."

   This brings us to our topic, of course, which is regarding some Caveats, or tips/warnings, from some Real Estate Professionals.

   Kris Bickell of the Website of Housebuying-tips.com, says that the best advice for new homebuyers is to get, "a good realtor, good mortgage broker, and good home inspector.". Ohnstad suggests that one of the first things they should do is to identify an experienced, reputable loan officer who will, "take the time to meet with them face to face, educate them about their various loan product options and provide a letter of pre-approval." Mawyer also concurs that the it is very important to select the Right Realtor and Lender, who will, "put the buyer’s interest ahead of their own interest". Mawyer says that this will require some homework/research by the potential buyer (asking for references, ask questions about honesty, integrity, and consistency, etc.). He warns that buyers should look out for pressure, as this should be viewed as a “red flag”."

   Mawyer says that it is important to, "Be honest about your requirements", and to assess what is important in the decision (size of the home? location? features? price?), and adds that the buyer should feel free to ask questions.

   Bickell says that she had an unfortunate incident when buying her home since her Realtors ended up being "lazy", since they, "don't make nearly as much money from home buyers". Ohnstad says that it is important to caution them about going to open houses and talking with lots of listing agents. She says that if they happen to find the house that is right for them, "that listing agent will be doing all they can in the interest of the seller.", and says, "This happens quite often, and I wish I could let them all know, that we Realtors prefer to be brought into the equation to represent a buyer sooner, not later." Ohnstad adds that, "Our negotiation power on behalf of our buyer is diminished significantly when all the cards have already been shown to the other side. Any questions they may have, can be answered by their own Buyers' Representative and since the commission is already being paid by the seller, there is simply no down side to getting a pro on their team early." Ohnstad also cautions that First Time Buyers think that good Realtors who have been in the business a long time, "do not want to work on the small transactions.", but she says this is not true, and that, "A good agent wants to work with any qualified buyer who has been pre- approved by a lender and is ready to begin the process."

   When it comes to the home inspector, Bickell says that hers was, "referred by the Realtors, and really didn't do a good job.", but, "Not just because he was referred, but because he missed a lot.". Ultimately, Bickell says that they ended up having to sue him later because he missed a big electrical problem. Due to the issues she experienced during the process, Bickell started her website, "to share the lessons I learned the hard way."

   Onto another caveat; Mawyer suggest that you choose the right search engine, and says that, "If the first time buyer wants to find a home on the Internet, make sure that the search engine being used provides “real time” access to the live database", since, "finding homes that are no longer available for sale can be a major frustration for the first time home buyer." Seems like a great time to plug my website? (Yes - HomeRun Homes, the Classified Ads/Search Engine for Rent to Own Homes.

   These Pros have provided some fantastic tips. Is there anything that should be added to this? We would love to hear from you!

Have a Great Week, and Happy Rent-to-Owning !
Regards,
Rob Eisenstein
HomeRun Homes Blog http://blogging.lease2buy.com
HomeRun Homes Website http://www.lease2buy.com

TAGS: #firsttimehomebuyer #realtor #mortgagebroker #openhouse #homeinspector

UPDATED: Top 5 Concerns When Selling a Home FSBO




For Sale By Owner (FSBO)

  Hi Folks,
   Happy mid-week to all of you. Just a few more days, and it will be my birthday (Halloween). Please don't ask how old I am, will be, or if my face is a permanent Halloween mask...I've been down that road before !

   Today, we will be taking a look at some of the best pieces of advice for people selling their home as a "For Sale By Owner" (FSBO). Based on a wide variety of discussions, we have rounded out 5 of the main topics of advice for "Fizbers": Legal Concerns, Preparation of the Home, Mechanics of the Sale, Addressing Security Concerns, and Marketing the Home.

   "If they simply refuse to list with a professional, they must know the facts and legal requirements", advises Wendy Hooper, a Realtor in Orange County California, who says that it is important to, "Download as much information from the State Dept of Real Estate as they can get their hands on and use the correct forms". Patrick E. Hudson, an attorney specializing in Commercial Real Estate Law, concurs, and adds that it is important to, "Know your State's disclosure laws to avoid litigation over the property condition".

   Preparing your home for sale is also quite important, as you can imagine. Tom Wright, who was a builder and home flipper for 30 years, advises that you need to clean up the home, rake the leaves, and clean up the lawn, in order to, "Make sure the first impression is a good one". Wendy Hooper suggests that you, "Stage the home like a new model home", and that you should visit some model homes for examples. Wright adds that on walk through days, you should, "bake some bread".

   Your game plan is almost as important as the sale itself, and these "Mechanics of Selling" the home are the keys to your success. Patrick E. Hudson suggests that you know what you are willing to pay a buyer's broker, and also, where you will go once you have a willing buyer. Along the same theme of pricing, Hooper suggests that you, "Visit the local "competition" and price the home accordingly. Homes priced correctly WILL sell".

   A huge part of the mechanics of selling your home FSBO is actually showing the home. Hooper tells us that you need to make sure the home, "is available to see with as little notice as possible", since, "Buyers are fickle and won't wait around until it's convenient for Sellers to let them inside. They'll move on and buy the home that was easiest for them to see according to their schedule". Tom Shipley, a homeowner/homebuyer, says that, "it makes prospective buyers very uncomfortable to tour a house in front of the owner.", and that you should, "ask a trusted friend or even hire someone else and make sure they go out of their way to mention they are not the owner.". The advantage to this is that, "people will spend more time looking at your house and imagining themselves living there.", but, "If you don't have somebody to help you, make sure you don't follow the buyers around.".

   As part of selling your home, you are opening your doors to complete strangers, and this could be an invitation to trouble, so addressing the security concerns is well-warranted. Lydia Player, a Realtor, says that, "A "For-Sale-By-Owner" sign is an invitation to strangers to wander through your home". Player cites many scams, where the visitor asks if you have a security system, one where they go to your bathroom and look for the prescription drugs, and one where they take photos for a "spouse who is out of town", with the photos helping them "case" the layout of your home.

   Player offers some tips to help minimize your risks:

1. Make all of your showing  by appointment only (get a name and number and call back to verify them).
2. Don't be home alone when a stranger visits.
3. Have visitors sign a guest book and ask to see identification, and put the information in a safe place.
4. Place all valuables out of sight, including prescription drugs.
5. Eliminate displays of personal information, such as which schools children attend.
6. Never leave a messages informing callers that you are not home. Don't let strangers know your schedule.
7. Request that visitors enter and exit through one door only. Have quick and easy access to all of your exits.
8. Never leave a stranger alone and watch everything they do while in your house.
9. Do not put information on flyers which would compromise security.

   Finally, in marketing your home, Hudson suggests that to increase exposure, "get the house listed on MLS, using a friend or paying a fee". Kenny Jahng, a small biz and web consultant, suggests that you, "Create a website with a virtual tour, tons of photos and contact form using the street name in the actual URL.". Additionally, if you are also looking to entertain a Rent to Own/Lease Option arrangement, you can list your home on our website (http://www.lease2buy.com/prospectivesellers.php).

   Hopefully, these tips will serve as a great help for you in selling your home "For Sale By Owner" (FSBO), and remember, there are tons of fantastic and hard-working Realtors and Agents out there, should you decide you do not want to do it alone. As always, we welcome your comments.

Have a Great Day, and Happy Rent-to-Owning !



UPDATED: Top 5 Blog post for 2010 (For more information, CLICK HERE)

Great Real Estate Deals, Home Staging, Rehabbing....

Hi All,

Happy Wednesday to everyone.

It's been an exciting week at the HomeRun Homes campus, and to all of you who have thanked us for bringing you such a deluge of quality responses to your Ads...you are quite welcome. Our goal is to bring traffic to our website so buyers or sellers can find you, and you can Find a Rent to Own Home or Sell a Rent to Own Home. Basically, we are just doing our job, since we work for you!

We wanted to re-emphasize a fantastic article, called: "7 Cities With Great Real Estate Deals", which runs down some of the hottest returning markets. If you read through the article, you'll see that there are a lot of unpolished gems out there. Further, you will see our name mentioned in the article for Atlanta, and also for Orlando, Florida (and Central Florida), since we believe that these are two of the hottest markets right now.

This leads me to the next item, which is that our 8-Year anniversary is around the corner. We originally got our start buying and rehabbing homes in Central Florida (Read our full background here: http://www.lease2buy.com/rent-to-own-homes.php). One of the first homes we renovated is this one:



We will tell you more about this in the coming weeks, as our June anniversary approaches, along with some fantastic offers...stay tuned for your exclusive opportunities to be announced here in our company Blog!

The last item that we wanted to discuss is Home-Staging, which has gained quite a bit of momentum in the recent market. For example, I have a neighbor who was stuck in his home for 8 months, he could not sell, and he was not in a position to Rent to Own the home. I had a Home-Staging company get in touch with him, and they came in and revamped his entire home. During his next Open House, he got a few offers, and he is actually in contract now. This is a handy service. Are you a Home Stager? If so, please tell us more about your work.


Have a Great Day, and Happy Rent-to-Owning !