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There’s good news for buyers and sellers of Lakewood Ranch real estate: The U.S. Economic and Housing Market Outlook that came out the end of February is encouraging. According to this research done by Freddie Mac, both the economy and the housing market are showing cautious signs of recovery.
Here are some of the changes stimulating these improvements in both nationwide and Lakewood Ranch real estate markets:
• Loans that were seriously delinquent or going into foreclosure declined to the lowest quarterly share since the start of 2009, according to the latest Mortgage Bankers Association Mortgage Delinquency Survey.
• In January, existing home sales were at their highest since May 2010, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.
• Job gains have exceeded expectations for the past three months.
• In January, the unemployment rate fell to its lowest since 2009. In December, jobless claims were at their lowest level since 2008.
• Applications for weekly unemployment benefits decreased for the third consecutive week, to 348,000; the fewest since the first week of March 2008.
• Home builder confidence continues to grow.
• Households are paying off their debts and accessing credit more easily.
• Historically low mortgage rates continue. According to Freddie Mac, the national average rate for...
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In honor of Valentine’s Day, sellers should take this month to highlight what they love best about their homes for sale. Instead of just focusing on the square footage, buyers will get the chance to see what makes your Lakewood Ranch real estate surprisingly special.
As a seller, you constantly hear tips about de-cluttering and depersonalizing a home that’s on the market. However, when you’re taking pictures to post online, be sure you capture the details you love most about your home, because buyers are likely to love them too. Below are a few photography tips to get you started:
• Capture the heart of your home. Ensure that you get pictures of all the living spaces, from the kitchen and living room to the backyard. Any place that a family will spend most of its time together should be highlighted.
• Make sure you have good lighting. Photograph on a day when there is a lot of natural light coming through the windows. Also be sure to turn on all inside lights and lamps — this gives your home that cheery, glowing feeling.
• Highlight your home’s best features. Be sure to showcase each of those unique features in...
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To sell Lakewood Ranch homes, you have to get buyers to want them. So, what do they want? Based on the data just in from the 2011 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, here are what buyers want in a neighborhood in order of importance:
1. 67 percent favor a quality neighborhood
2. 49 percent of buyers said they want convenience to jobs
3. 45 percent look at the overall affordability of homes in the neighborhood
4. 39 percent prefer to live close to family and friends
5. 28 percent of buyers are interested in having shopping close by
6. 27 percent want a quality school district
7. 22 percent ask for a neighborhood that is convenient to schools
8. 21 percent like to live close to entertainment or leisure activities
Assess your neighborhood. Which of the attributes most desired by buyers does your neighborhood have? Showcase those features in the marketing materials for your home:
• Mention the schools, shopping, entertainment and leisure activities that are close to your home.
• Give statistics on the quality of your school district.
Need help marketing your home? We specialize in selling Lakewood Ranch homes. If you’re ready to sell your home, let us market...
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You may have a few DIY renovation projects planned for your Lakewood Ranch home. Instead of plunging right into costly home renovations, you might want to take time to consider the following tips to gain insight before getting down to work.
• Talk to your parents. Give your elders a call to see what they think about your renovation plans. Those of the older generation have usually lived in many houses and did a lot more fixing up than most property owners do today.
• Consult a professional. Talk with a professional who specializes in the type of renovation that you’re planning, such as a carpenter, plumber or electrician. They might charge you for an hour of their time, but you’ll gain valuable insight and maybe even tips on which building materials to use and where you should purchase them.
• Plan for a permit. Check with your city, county and HOA before you do any major renovations or make additions to your
Lakewood Ranch home. You’ll want to get a permit if one’s needed; otherwise you might be required to undo your hard work and the repercussions could be severe when you eventually try to sell. They’re not out...
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Those who have never had Lakewood Ranch homes for sale before often think selling is as simple as hiring an agent and putting a sign in the yard. It’s not, however, as you’ll soon discover.
The Inside of Your Home
The exterior of Lakewood Ranch homes for sale is te first up-close impression buyers get. So, when buyers make it inside, they’re one step closer to actually buying. However, if the interior is a mess, it could blow the whole deal.
Here’s a checklist to make your home’s interior buyer ready:
Make sure the front door doesn’t stick
Test windows to ensure they open and close easily
Wash windows inside and out
Move pets and pet supplies to a temporary home if possible
Fix leaky faucets
Update fixtures on your cabinet hardware and door knobs
De-clutter closets and cabinets (yes, people open them!)
Replace or repair cabinet doors
Clean grout
Wash the walls if not repainting
Repair cracks or holes in the wall
Paint walls a neutral color
Remove personal items, such as knick-knacks and personal mementos
Clean...
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Ideally, to make a room light and bright you want a lot of large windows that let in natural light. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have large windows in every room of our Lakewood Ranch homes. So, what do we do to brighten those dark rooms?
Increase Natural Light
If a room has one large window, make the most of this natural light by placing a mirror opposite that window. The mirror will scatter and reflect the ambient daylight throughout the room.
Add Artificial Light
Another great way to lighten window-challenged rooms in your home is to add artificial ambient lighting. Ambient lighting, whether natural or artificial, sets the tone and mood of each room. Here are several ways to add artificial ambient light to your rooms:
· Recessed fixtures: Recessed fixtures throw light downward in a cone shape, so place them in an evenly spaced grid pattern. This allows pools of light to overlap and provide consistent lighting.
· Chandeliers: A chandelier can overpower a room if it’s too big or seem out of proportion if it’s too small. To calculate the best size chandelier for your room, measure the width of...
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If you’re short on time, here’s a list that will take you one minute to read and will give you 9 tips to help get your Lakewood Ranch home sold faster:
1. Set the right price. A Lakewood Ranch home priced correctly from the start will sell faster.
2. Provide a thorough disclosure statement.
3. Add a one-year home warranty. They’re reasonably priced and provide peace of mind for the buyer.
4. Offer financial incentives. There are a variety of financial incentives you can offer depending on the needs of the home and the buyer. Here are a few to consider:
a. Cost to replace the carpet
b. Cost to paint the home
5. Make your home shine. Fix it. Paint it. Clean it. Polish it. If there’s anything you’ve put off, do it now. Your home has to be at its very best.
6. Get a pro’s opinion. Ask your Lakewood Ranch Realtor what they recommend you do to get your home in tip-top shape for marketing. Then do it!
7. Stage your home....
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The Internet has made researching real estate easy for anyone who knows how to surf online. Whether researching real estate to sell homes or to find a property for their next big investment, many property owners and home buyers think they’ll save a lot of money by doing all the work themselves.
However, statistics show that you’re more likely to sell your property quicker or find your dream house faster when you work with a professional Realtor® or real estate agent. Working with a Realtor provides you with an expanded housing database, years of property-purchasing knowledge and valuable contacts for everything from inspections to loans.
The trick is to find the right Lakewood Ranch real estate agent or Realtor to fit your needs. Here are 5 tips to help you find your perfect fit:
Knowledgeable – You’ll want to find an agent who is experienced and doesn’t always agree with you. If they’re constantly telling you yes, then they may not be working in your best interest.
Hard working – Agents who’ve been in the real estate business for decades could be burned out and new recruits might not be...
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While some people are hesitant to buy into a real estate market that seems to still be bottoming out, many studies have shown that owning a house is an investment in your future and that of your community. From tax breaks to property taxes, being a Lakewood Ranch home owner can put money in the bank. It also gives you a sense of pride in contributing to community institutions such as the police force, local government offices, fire stations and free medical services.
Did you know that statistically you and your neighbors are more likely to properly maintain and update your Lakewood Ranch homes when you own them rather than rent them? Maintaining and updating your home boosts the real estate market around you, giving you the chance to increase the value of your property, your neighbors’ property and eventually your entire community.
4 more reasons why you should buy instead of rent:
Building financial security – While it may take many years for you to actually make a...
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Lakewood Ranch Country Club, MOVE IN READY! Neal St. Raphael model with European feel courtyard entry complete with lovely fountain leading to a solid wood raised panel door. This home is a great room plan with Brazilian hardwood floors throughout (except in the bathrooms), crown molding and volume ceilings.
Large Master Suite with luxurious tiled master bath, walk in shower, bathtub and double vanity. Also, there is a large second bedroom with adjacent bathroom and a den large enough for a floor to ceiling library on one wall. The kitchen has a granite topped island, granite counters, stainless steel appliances and 42" raised panel wood cabinets with under-cabinet lighting. A granite topped breakfast bar and a breakfast Cafe add more enjoyment to your morning meal.
Oversized laundry room leads to a 2 car garage. Spending time outdoors is peaceful on the brick pavered lanai, with three fans, overlooking the mature landscaping. The nearby...
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As a homeowner, one of the biggest traps you can fall into is over improving your Lakewood Ranch home.
Turn on any home improvement channel, and they will show you all the latest and greatest in must haves for your Lakewood Ranch home. What they don’t tell you is that even the best upgrades won’t guarantee an increase in your resale value. In fact, most remodel jobs only recoup 60% to 70% of their costs.
Here are some tips to help you avoid over improving your home:
Assess the value of homes in your neighborhood.
Unless you plan on staying in your Lakewood Ranch home forever, do some research on the home values in your neighborhood before you begin any home renovations. Ideally, you want to add improvements that increase the resale value of your home while staying within the average market price of homes in your neighborhood.
For example, if the homes in your area sell for an average of $250,000, with the highest priced home in the area going for $350,000, make home renovations that increase the value of your property to the average home price...
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There are a few misconceptions about how to set the sales price for your Lakewood Ranch real estate. Here are five common pricing myths and the reality behind them.
Myth #1: It’s OK to test a high price on your Lakewood Ranch real estate just to see if anyone will buy it at that price.
Truth: If you’re serious about selling your home, don’t play games. In this buyer’s market you have a very small window of opportunity to pull in serious buyers when your home first enters the market. If you play games, like over pricing your home just to test the market, buyers will stay away in droves.
Myth #2: You should price your Lakewood Ranch real estate higher than the market value to allow for room to negotiate.
Truth: No matter what your reasoning or rationale, overpricing your home is never a good idea. When your home is overpriced, very few potential buyers inquire about it or visit it. If no one wants to buy your home, you won’t have anyone to negotiate with.
Myth #3: The appraisal value of your home has no impact on the sales price of your home.
Truth: Lenders consider the value...
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Here are a few tips to help your Lakewood Ranch home for sale show better and sell faster:
1. Get rid of the excess: Eliminate as much as possible, and then do it again. Remember when staging yourLakewood Ranch home for sale, less is best. Swap out personal photos for framed art. The main idea is to remove as much as possible and replace personal items with neutral objects so that people can imagine their things in the home.
2. Repair and paint: Before painting, fix all those minor dings that don't really bother you. Buyers notice everything. A missing piece of baseboard, an outlet that doesn't work, or a closet door that won’t stay on track all seem minor, but they can have a huge affect on how a buyer views your home. The next step is to apply a fresh coat of paint in a neutral color. Freshly painted walls make a room look cleaner and larger.
3. Improve the curb appeal: You have to get people in the door before they’ll buy your Lakewood Ranch home for sale. If your house looks bad on the...
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On first thought, selling your home by yourself seems to make perfect sense. It doesn't look all that hard, right? So you decide to sell your home the FSBO way (For Sale By Owner). You figure that you can put up a sign. Let people come to look at your house. Review all the offers you are sure to get and pick the best one and you're done. That's all there is to understanding the Lakewood Ranch real estate market—right?
Well, not quite. One of the most difficult things for a person to do in trying to sell their own home is to understand the real estate market in order to price their home correctly. All of the above steps will not result in a sale without setting a price that will make you happy and get a buyer to sign on the dotted line.
The Price is Right
In some ways selling your home as a FSBO will seem a little like the television game show "The Price Is Right." Some buyers will walk around your home and have no idea what local values are, but they will still do ...
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Everyone wants to save a buck and some think they can save a lot of money by selling their homes by themselves. But would you really save money by doing it yourself?
To start off with it should be said that there are indeed people who can sell their homes for sale by owner (FSBO), and even save a few dollars doing it. Those are the people who have five important skills:
1. They know how to market and advertise their Lakewood Ranch real estate both online and offline without spending a fortune.
2. They are excellent sales people.
3. They know how to pre-qualify buyers to be sure they’re actually able to afford the home.
4. They’re great at negotiating.
5. They know how to execute real estate contracts and all the other associated legal work necessary to sell a home.
Additionally, they need to have plenty of time to:
· Market and advertise their home. A lot of time can be spent writing ads, creating flyers, taking photos, and loading everything to a wide variety of real estate websites.
· Show their home to potential buyers at times that are best for the buyer.
· Negotiate with buyers.
·...
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Choosing a professional real estate agent can be a very imposing task. This person is responsible for finding your new home or selling your home, guiding you through the home inspection process and negotiating a good price and terms. These are important tasks that should be taken seriously. That’s why finding a skilled real estate agent is key to a successful real estate transaction.
Here are several tips for interviewing Lakewood Ranch real estate agents:
· Interview at least three agents. Even if you love the first or second agent you interview, promise yourself you’ll interview all three. You learn more from each interview, and you never know when that third agent is going to be the perfect match for you.
· Ask all three agents the same questions so you can compare their answers and ability to communicate. Write out your questions so you don’t forget any, and take notes during the interviews. You think you’ll remember what they say, but the specifics will begin to blur as you interview the second and third agent.
· Ask the Lakewood Ranch real estate agents how long they've been...
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Spring is here and there is no better time to give your yard a fresh look. Here are a few simple tips to make your Lakewood Ranch home sparkle this spring.
Tip #1: Everything is blooming; take advantage of it.
Clean out the flower beds and let them shine. Don't have a flower bed? Now is the perfect time to create one (or more). Visit your local nursery to purchase small starter plants, large mature plants and everything in between. Mix them to make your beds look their best.
Tip #2: Get a lush lawn.
Reseed your yard, or if you don't want to wait, purchase sod rolls. If your lawn is in good shape, take the time to edge the sidewalks and driveway. Mow in a pattern to give your lawn a manicured look. To keep your grass healthy, alternate the mowing pattern.
Tip #3: Take it up a notch.
Add little touches like decorative edging, mulch and walkway lights. Put edging around trees and shrubs then fill with mulch. Easy to install walkway lights along the driveway and sidewalk add style and security. Don't forget the entry light. A new ...
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Today’s turbulent real estate market means the days of selling Lakewood Ranch homes without planning or preparation are a distant memory for most people. Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket, because there is competition and buyers are not always in a hurry like they once were. To sell your house quickly, staging and well-thought-out marketing plans are now necessities — not luxuries.
Do you know how to best present your property? What are the most effective ways to get buyers in the door? Using the tips and techniques below, you can begin to emerge from your rabbit hole and quickly move on to your next home with as much money in your pocket as possible.
Selling techniques for Lakewood Ranch homes:
Price it Right – No amount of marketing or staging will help if your property is overpriced. For most people, it’s hard to look at their home objectively. Compare it to other properties for sale in your neighborhood, and take into account square footage, upgrades, location, and amenities, as well as, current market trends.
· Develop a Marketing Plan – You have to decide the...
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It’s a war out there. If you’re still sitting in your robe and slippers, sipping a cup o’ joe while you casually read the Sunday comics – with the absolute knowledge that your house is going to sell – you haven’t been paying attention. The percentage of Lakewood Ranch homes for sale versus qualified potential buyers has made this a buyer’s market.
It’s time for some tough love, sellers – some straight talk.
If you’re not ready to do more than spruce up your lawn a little, you won’t win the battle. You won’t even win a skirmish. In short, if you’re not doing everything you can to get your home taken off the list of Lakewood Ranch homes for sale, you’re not a motivated seller.
Motivated sellers use all the knowledge they can squeeze from their agent. Unless it’s a matter of money, sellers don’t argue when the agent mentions such things as home staging. They ask, “What are my options?”
Motivated sellers don’t think “negotiation” is a bad word. They consider it common business sense. If a potential buyer offers you less than your list price,...
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Whether you’re planning on selling soon or just want a comfortable home to live in now, here are five projects that increase your Lakewood Ranch home’s comfort and value:
1. Uncover hardwood floors. Is there a hardwood floor lurking under your Lakewood Ranch home’s carpet? If you're not sure, pull up the carpet in an unnoticeable corner and investigate. If you find wood floors, you’ll probably need to refinish them, but that’s a lot less expensive than installing new hardwood flooring.
2. Add ceiling fans. Everyone likes to save money, and adding ceiling fans can reduce your electric bill considerably. Central air conditioning costs about 70 times more to run than a ceiling fan. In the summer, fans can make you feel 3 to 8 degrees cooler, allowing you to reduce the use of your A/C and still feel cool.
3. Install a new bathroom floor. Installation is typically the most expensive part of this home improvement, so if you can do it yourself, you’ll save quite a bit of money. Choosing a neutral-colored tile adds the most value.
4. Update bathroom and kitchen fixtures. Replacing outdated or unattractive...
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You know it’s a buyer’s market. But you really need to sell your home now. Here are 6 tips to get Lakewood Ranch homes sold even in today’s real estate market:
1. Price your home competitively from the start. Ask your agent to find out what similar homes in your neighborhood sold for in the last 6 months. Don’t bother looking at pricing prior to that. And don’t base your decision on listing prices. Some homeowners price their Lakewood Ranch homes high to start with but end up drastically reducing the price in order to get them sold.
2. Offer incentives. There are a lot of similar properties on the market, so in addition to competitively pricing your home, you should consider including incentives. You could offer a home warranty, pay part of the closing costs or leave the big screen television that fits perfectly over your fireplace.
3. Choose the right agent. Look for local agents who are listing, marketing, and selling in your neighborhood even though the market is slow. Interview several of them and ask what price they recommend and how they’ll market your property.
4. Get your home in tip-top shape....
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Buyers look at more than just kitchen appliances and room sizes when deciding what home to purchase. Curb appeal, view of your home from the street, is extremely important.
If you want your home to sell quickly, you need to put in some extra effort to make your home’s exterior look especially attractive. You can easily do this by improving your landscaping. Here are some tips for choosing plants for your Lakewood Ranch home for a fast sale.
· Stay close to home. Plants that are native to your area are always a safe choice for landscaping. They are adapted to your region, so you know they can survive there. They are also easier to take care of and better for the environment because they don’t require as much watering. This can be an important consideration if you are selling a vacant home.
· Older is better. You can buy plants at varying stages of growth. Newer, smaller plants cost less and are easier to transplant; mature plants tend to have more foliage. Think about how they will look immediately after planting. You want to sell your home...
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Before you put your Lakewood Ranch home up for sale, you want to make sure it looks as attractive and modern as possible. Even if you lack the budget and space to turn your bathroom into a spa-like retreat, you can still give this room a quick facelift.
1. Get creative with color. If you don’t have the time or budget to replace dated ceramic tile, try camouflaging it with towels, rugs, and other accessories for a more modern color scheme. For example, you can pair pink with brown or bright blue with light green.
2. Replace your fixtures. Brushed aluminum and pewter bathroom fixtures are more modern than the shiny chrome fixtures. They are also easier to clean because they don’t show water marks as easily.
3. Find new lighting. A bathroom light can do more than just illuminate the space; it can create an atmosphere. Sconces placed on either side of a mirror tend to look better than harsh overhead light. Track lighting can be arranged to provide light in dark corners of the room.
4. Accessorize. Put your personal touch on your bathroom with shower...
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Those who have never had Lakewood Ranch homes for sale before often think selling is as simple as hiring an agent and putting a sign in the yard. It’s not, however, as you’ll soon discover.
The Inside of Your Home
The exterior of Lakewood Ranch homes for sale is te first up-close impression buyers get. So, when buyers make it inside, they’re one step closer to actually buying. However, if the interior is a mess, it could blow the whole deal.
Here’s a checklist to make your home’s interior buyer ready:
Make sure the front door doesn’t stick
Test windows to ensure they open and close easily
Wash windows inside and out
Move pets and pet supplies to a temporary home if possible
Fix leaky faucets
Update fixtures on your cabinet hardware and door knobs
De-clutter closets and cabinets (yes, people open them!)
Replace or repair cabinet doors
Clean grout
Wash the walls if not repainting
Repair cracks or holes in the wall
Paint walls a neutral color
Remove personal items, such as knick-knacks and personal mementos
Clean the fireplace
Have...
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Selling your home takes more effort than simply listing your Lakewood Ranch home for sale on the MLS and placing a For Sale sign in the front yard. You have to showcase your home in a way that makes potential buyers desire it.
One of the best ways to create this desire is to stage your home so that buyers can see themselves living in it. Here are 10 important things to do when staging your Lakewood Ranch home for sale.
1. Remove personal touches. Buyers want to picture themselves in your home, not you and your family. Remove family photos, memorabilia and collections.
2. De-clutter. Clear the bathroom and kitchen counters. Take knickknacks off the shelves. Pack away half of the kids’ toys.
3. Organize your cabinets and closets. Take the time to neatly stack dishes and fold towels. Arrange your spices and canned goods. Interested buyers will look in all your cabinets and closets.
4. Make minor repairs. Go through your home and take care of issues like stuck drawers, missing cabinet hardware, and leaky faucets. This shows potential buyers that you meticulously care for your home.
5. Clean. Scrub every inch of your home....
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When you have a home for sale in Lakewood Ranch or elsewhere in the nation, you have to know the competition is fierce. Many home sellers think they have all their ducks in a row when a potential buyer comes to view the house, only to have a minor, forgotten issue blow the deal.
The Outside of Your Home
Your home’s exterior is the first thing potential buyers see up close. Online, you may have images of the front yard, back yard, kitchen and other rooms, but pictures can’t do justice to your home for sale in Lakewood Ranch.
To prepare you home for that first up-close viewing, here are 16 outside tasks:
Power wash your siding and windows
Fix broken siding
Give the exterior a fresh coat of paint if it needs it
Paint the door and trim
Mow the lawn
Trim bushes
Remove oil spots from the driveway
Pick up all tools, toys or trash in the yard
Remove lawn ornaments
Clear weeds from the walkway and driveway
Plant seasonal flowers
Remove leaves
Clean roof and gutters
Sweep the porch, lanai, walkway and driveway
Clean fences
Add tasteful landscape lighting if possible
Of course, not knowing what your specific home looks like, I can’t give a complete...
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The “Home for Sale" sign in your yard in Lakewood Ranch has been up for quite awhile. Are you somehow missing Morse code signals floating through the air that might give you the magic equation? Are you afraid the house won’t sell?
Well, even with the ever-pervasive issues currently making a mess of the economy in general and the real estate industry specifically, it’s still possible to replace that “Home for Sale in Lakewood Ranch” sign with a “SOLD” sign. You just have to figure out why it’s not selling, and fix it.
I know it’s easier said than done. If you knew what the problem was you would already have fixed it. Here are the top three reasons a house won’t sell:
1. Price is the number one deal breaker.
Price and value are the two things you need to wrap your thoughts around. It’s not about what you consider good price and value for a home, but what the buyer considers a good deal.
You can’t beat the competition by simply lowering the price. You have to compel the buyer with the “Goldilocks” price. This price says, It’s not cheap, so you aren’t getting a fixer-upper. It’s not expensive, because...
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The “Home for Sale" sign in your yard in Lakewood Ranch has been up for quite awhile. Are you somehow missing Morse code signals floating through the air that might give you the magic equation? Are you afraid the house won’t sell?
Well, even with the ever-pervasive issues currently making a mess of the economy in general and the real estate industry specifically, it’s still possible to replace that “Home for Sale in Lakewood Ranch” sign with a “SOLD” sign. You just have to figure out why it’s not selling, and fix it.
I know it’s easier said than done. If you knew what the problem was you would already have fixed it. Here are the top three reasons a house won’t sell:
1. Price is the number one deal breaker.
Price and value are the two things you need to wrap your thoughts around. It’s not about what you consider good price and value for a home, but what the buyer considers a good deal.
You can’t beat the competition by simply lowering the price. You have to compel the buyer with the “Goldilocks” price. This price says, It’s not cheap, so you aren’t...
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If you’re hoping to sell your Lakewood Ranch real estate in 2011, make some New Year’s resolutions to help the process along. Resolve to:
1. Interview and get a comparative marketing analysis (CMA) from at least three agents from three different Lakewood Ranch real estate agencies. Each agent has a different opinion about the value of your home and how to best market your home. Learn from each agent and then sign a contract with the agent you decide to hire.
2. Research the number of foreclosures and short sales in your neighborhood. To sell your home, find out how many foreclosures and short sales you’re competing against. This impacts the value of your property as well as the length of time it takes you to sell. Your Lakewood Ranch real estate agent can help you with this research.
3. Be realistic about price. After reviewing your three CMAs, talk with the agent you hired and come to an agreement on the price that can get your home sold. Ideally, that price should be at or just below the selling price of similar houses in your neighborhood that...
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Setting the asking price for your Lakewood Ranch home for sale is one of the most important decisions a homeowner has to make in the selling process. Why is it so important?
· You only get one chance to make a good first impression. With so many competing Lakewood Ranch homes for sale, yours has to pop out immediately as a good value or buyers will move on, unlikely to return.
· Set the price too high and you could hurt your chances of selling your home. The amount of traffic a home gets in the first week on the market is usually greater than what it gets in the following weeks. The traffic continues to decrease every week. You might say, “Well, I’ll just lower my price.” This hurts almost as much as it helps. It conveys to buyers (the few who are still considering your home) that your home was overpriced and may still be overpriced.
· Setting the price too low can be almost as harmful. Buyers who are looking in a specific price range may not consider your home because of the low price tag. They assume it will...
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Trying to sell your Lakewood Ranch real estate in a slow market can be frustrating. You may find that it takes longer to sell and you can’t get as much money as you could during a booming market. However, you can’t believe all the hype about a sluggish real estate market. Do your research and separate the facts from the fiction.
Here are 3 myths and the facts behind the fiction:
1. You won’t get a decent price. Your Lakewood Ranch real estate will sell for whatever a buyer is willing to pay. A comparative market analysis
(CMA) shows you what other buyers spent on property like yours. Of course, if you bought your home when values were up, you may not get the return on your investment you’d hoped for. However, most sellers get a fair price and some make a profit in a slow market.
2. Your Lakewood Ranch real estate will stay on the market too long. While it’s true that real estate tends to take longer to sell during a slow market, it’s not impossible to sell. People still buy in slower markets. If your home is ...
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De-cluttering your Lakewood Ranch home is an important part of preparing it for sale. Buyers want to be able to imagine themselves and their belongings inside your home. However, this idea isn’t limited to the inside of your home. It also applies to your garage.
Cluttered, over-crowded garages turn buyers away. Fortunately, sprucing up your garage is easier than you think. Here are some tips to get you started.
1. Start with a list. If you’re like most people, you probably don’t even know what’s inside your garage. Take a pencil and paper and walk through your garage, writing down everything you see. You don’t need a detailed list. For example, screws, bolts, and nails can be listed together as hardware.
2. Reduce the list. Cleaning your garage means getting rid of anything you no longer need or want. The general rule is that you can toss any item that you haven’t used in 1 year. If you don’t use it, it’s only taking up space. Give it away, trash it, or recycle it.
3. Group related items. It just makes sense to store items together. If all your camping supplies...
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You have a for sale sign in front of your Lakewood Ranch home. Even though the real estate market is slow, you still see other houses being bought. What’s the matter with yours? Why is your home still sitting on the market? Is it you? Is it your home? Is it your agent? It may just be your online marketing (or lack of it).
Do Upload Photos
The internet is one of most popular places for homebuyers to do their initial shopping. If your Lakewood Ranch home isn’t online, it needs to be there. If it is online, it needs pictures. If it has pictures, pay attention to the following issues:
Dark or grainy pictures
Images with closed windows, drapes and/or blinds
Photos of rooms with clutter
Only one photo, and it’s of the front of the house
Images that haven’t been adjusted to look their best online
Finally, ask yourself, if a picture says a thousand words, what are the photos of my home saying? If your pictures don’t look friendly and inviting, and if they don’t make your home look it’s very best, you might as well take your home off the market.
Do Add Data
Don’t forget to...
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You’ve repaired, de-cluttered, deep cleaned and polished your Lakewood Ranch home for sale until it shines. But how do you keep it that way when you and your family have to live in it every day?
Here are 5 tips to keep your Lakewood Ranch home for sale ready to show (without driving yourself crazy):
1. Decree some rooms off limits. There are a few obvious rooms that can easily be declared off limits such as the formal dining room and living room. But there are others you may not have considered. If you have 3 bathrooms, proclaim 1 or 2 of those bathrooms off limits. Have a guest room but no guest? Shut the door and forget it.
2. Hire a maid service. You may not be able to afford a cleaning crew on a regular basis, but to reduce your stress while your Lakewood Ranch home is for sale, consider hiring a housecleaner to come in once or twice a month.
3. Leave your shoes at the door. Sure, it’s inconvenient, but it really does keep your floors clean much longer which means less vacuuming, sweeping and mopping.
4. Clean as you go. Anytime you get something out, put it away when you’re...
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When you first set out to sell your home, you are probably excited by all the possibilities, maybe a little scared, and often thinking about the best ways to save money. Many times saving money when selling Lakewood Ranch real estate means trying to sell it as a FSBO (For Sale By Owner). If you have the conviction, the salesmanship, and the knowhow you might be able to sell your home yourself and keep the commission in your pocket. There are, however, a few key elements you should be aware of when attempting to sell your own home.
Your House—Not Your Home
The first trick of selling your own home is to immediately stop thinking about it as your home. It may seem like an insignificant change and purely a matter of semantics but as your 'home' you will have far less ability to coldly assess its value than simply as a piece of Lakewood Ranch real estate—a house.
As a 'home' it will be harder to handle rejection, off-handed comments by prospective buyers, and a feeling of general violation as strangers traipse through your rooms at all...
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Sometimes the simplest solution is right under your nose. Sure, renovations, additions, upgrades and updates are great—and should not be overlooked. But common sense says buyers make their first judgment of homes for sale based on the exterior of the home.
Buyers Are More Discerning In Today’s Real Estate Market
Today’s real estate market is challenging for sellers, all the more reason why every little detail matters. Buyers know they are in a strong buyer’s market and literally won’t put up with any rubbish, when window shopping for homes.
Before a potential buyer even considers stepping foot inside your home, they want to see curb appeal—and not just any curb appeal, mind you. The discerning home buyer of today wants everything “just so.”
GOOD CURB APPEAL
Here’s what buyers are looking for:
• Precision lawn care: That means weekly mowing and edging in the warm months. The perfect lawn features mowing done in precise straight lines resulting in a very symmetrical, uniform look. Don’t forget to trim around the driveway, stones, garden, trees, and especially the sidewalk....
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For homeowners getting ready to put their Lakewood Ranch homes on the market, here are a few stunningly-easy tips to help get your home sold faster and maybe even for more money.
Keep in mind that your prospective buyers will most likely be viewing several Lakewood Ranch homes on the same day as your showing. The emotional elements you include will have a profound impact on their memory, and will make your home standout when they review what they’ve seen with their agents at day’s end.
Preparing your home for the perfect showing is essential and comprises three basic elements that will make your home sparkle.
Curb Appeal
• A buyer is first introduced to your home from the outside. Make sure all shrubs, grass and lawn ornaments are looking their best. This gives the buyer a more positive outlook before they enter your home.
Atmosphere
• Soft classical music
• Simmering potpourri
• If you feel ambitious, bake an apple pie or some cookies in the oven.
• Well-lit rooms and inviting indirect lighting
• Air conditioning or heating set at a comfortable temperature
Decorations
• Garden-fresh bouquet of flowers...
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Going it alone and listing your home as a for sale by owner can be exciting at first, but there is a turning point where the prospect of losing money makes it necessary to bring in help. Here are four reasons to change your plan and list your home with a Lakewood Ranch Area Realtor® in order to facilitate a sale.
1. Speed: If your property has been languishing on the market for more than three months, it is no longer fresh. People will avoid it simply because it hasn't sold. A Realtor can give your home wider exposure and get traffic moving through it again.
2. Knowledge: Fresh eyes on a project are helpful in any business endeavor. You can be too close to your home. You love it and see it in a positive light that can often overlook minor items that could prevent a sale. Your Realtor® can help you see the problems you didn't even know existed.
3. National Exposure: As a FSBO (for sale by owner) seller, you are not able to list your home on the official MLS (multiple listing service). This exposure alone can get...
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Both Sellers and Buyers are worried about the real estate market. There are plenty of people on both sides of the market with a case of cold feet.
For instance, some with Lakewood Ranch homes for sale took them off the market. Others, who’ve thought of selling, haven’t.
The same can be said for buyers. Many potential homebuyers change their minds or still worry over that age-old question of, “Should I or shouldn’t I?”
Two Cases of Cold Feet
A 26-year old with a steady job, good paycheck and good credit, sums it up for many potential buyers. “My job’s steady and my credit is good. I keep watching the houses that go up for sale, thinking I could go ahead and buy, but then the ‘what if’s’ pop into my head. I don’t want to miss this opportunity to get a great deal and lock in a low interest rate, but there are so many unknowns…”
A former seller shares why he took his home off the market. “My wife and I decided to sell and went through the process of hiring an agent. The agent suggested having someone come in and redecorate the...
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It’s time for some tough love, here. Your home doesn’t fit in with other Lakewood Ranch homes for sale. It doesn’t play well with others. When you put it on the market, you priced it more than 8% higher than the other Lakewood Ranch homes for sale. Frankly, it’s a market bully.
We understand that you want to make the most out of your investment. Maybe you’ve done some serious remodeling that you feel warrants the price hike. We understand, but we’d be doing you a disservice if we let you ignore the facts.
There is no longer a federal tax credit to entice buyers and get them interested.
Your house is competing with several foreclosures – many of which are priced as low as the lender can handle.
If your house sits on the market too long, waiting for a buyer, the harder it will be to actually attract a buyer.
There is very little incentive for buyers to go out and buy now, especially higher priced homes.
Mortgage rates are low, but lender qualifications are much tighter now.
Any seller hitting the market in today’s economy has two choices: wait or cut your losses. They...
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As I’m sure you know, the real estate industry is in a down market, and the last thing you want to do is pay commission to a real estate agent. Not to mention that you’re almost positive you can sell your home just fine on your own. Before sticking a “For Sale by Owner” sign up, however, make sure you’re ready for the work and headaches.
Time. Yes, you can sell your Lakewood Ranch real estate on your own without the help of an agent, but it takes a lot of preparation and time. How much is your time worth and how much time do you have? Before you step out on your own, make sure you can afford the time and energy investment.
Extra services for better value. You’ll lose out on a wide variety of services offered by real estate agents. For example, many agents provide home staging services as well as extensive advertising and marketing services both online and off.
Dealing with the legalities. Selling a home involves contracts, closings and a multitude of legal issues that can make or break a sale. Real estate transactions...
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