Posts Tagged ‘people’

This article is designed to address what I consider the really “big ticket” items that simply cannot be ignored by either buyers or sellers. These are things that, in my opinion, simply must be done to even start the process of putting a house on the market to sell or to initiate the purchase of a home.

For most of us our homes are the biggest asset we will ever have. Increasingly, it is the one asset by which we have accumulated equity or “wealth” of any significance and by which we can borrow against to restructure debt, use as collateral for lines of credit and even draw on for a retirement fund. Consequently, when we purchase or sell our home it is often now much more than just providing for, or changing the roof over our heads.

Throw into the mix the emotional component of the “home is where the heart is” and you have an extremely complex and layered investment. It is rare the individual that sees the rooms of a house only as a structure rather than the nursery they will bring home their first born, the first place they can call their own where they will entertain friends and family, the “nest” where they will begin a marriage, the room where grandmother will have her own space and be close by to care for, the place where a son or daughter will remember a childhood and yes, the place where sometimes people gather around a bedside to say good bye.

When faced with the sometimes daunting, sometimes exhilarating, sometimes scary, sometimes frustrating task of a home purchase or sale it is often helpful to have a plan of action; a set of goals; a blue print (no pun intended) as it were for navigating the process of purchasing or selling a home. To that end, the following attempts to provide knowledge, advice and guidance gathered and compiled from many professionals, with years of experience.

So, let us begin. Some of it may be repetitious to you as you may already be aware of, or have the knowledge of, the information provided. But, taken as a whole, the intent is to provide a complete picture for a fairly wide spectrum of individual experiences that addresses, at some point, an issue or point of view not only relevant to the reader, but valuable to them as well. It is quite possible, actually probable, that just one point, of and by itself from the list provided here will save you thousands of dollars and/or momentous heartache.

Number 4 – Arrange Your Personal Financial Information in Advance

Raise your hand if you have had to qualify for a home loan before. For those who have their hands raised, you already know the drill and how impersonal, probing and detailed it can become. You have found your dream home, you envision holidays, birthdays, weddings, hopes, dreams, family, friends, love and happiness. Then the screech and collision of qualifying for a home loan meets the dream. A little advance preparation will do wonders for getting one ready for the reality of what to face as well as smooth the process for all parties concerned.

The list provided below is what I recommend first time or anytime buyers to prepare in advance of looking for a home and certainly in advance of talking to a mortgage broker. This information combined with your credit scores and reports, puts you in a distinct advantage when discussing loan packages available, requirements necessary to complete a loan package and time savings if critical to the completion of the purchase. In addition, and maybe even most importantly, having prepared all of this in advance creates the accurate perception by your team of professionals representing you, that you are serious about purchasing a home. I will assure you, commissioned professionals get real serious with people that make their jobs easier and don’t waste their time.

o Last two years of tax returns.

o Financial statement prepared by an accountant if possible.

o If renting, copy of lease and twelve months of cancelled checks showing rent payments on time.

o Copies of last two months utility bills.
o Photocopies of drivers license and social security card.

o The final purchase contract for the house (if applicable).

o If you’re self-employed, the mortgage company may require your personal and business tax returns for the previous two years and your company’s year-to-date Profit and Loss statement.

o Divorce settlement papers, if applicable.

o Updated account statements for listed assets in the application that may have changed in value.

o Information about debts or credit report items that may have been delinquent or not accurate.

o Evidence of your mortgage payments, such as canceled checks.

o An irrevocable gift letter if you are receiving a monetary gift from a relative.

o Your bank account numbers and the address of your bank branch, along with checking and savings account statements for the previous 2-3 months.

o Last two pay stubs, W2 withholding forms, tax returns for two years, or other proof of employment and income verification.

o Credit card bills for the past few billing periods, or canceled checks for rent or utility bill payments, to show payment history and amount of revolving debt.

o Information on other consumer debt such as car loans, furniture loans, student loans and retail credit cards.

Organize and place all of this information in a three ring binder with labeled dividers. Make three copies, one for your mortgage broker and two additional copies, one for yourself and one extra in case it is needed (which more than likely will happen).

Number 5 – Common Sense Do’s and Don’ts For Both Buyers and Sellers

Often, common sense is just not that common. It seems to me, one would want to make the best impression on strangers coming into your home even if they aren’t coming to give you thousands of dollars in exchange for it. I guess sometimes life gets us going round and round so fast, we forget the obvious. To that end, the following is a compilation of good sound advice to spruce up your home when putting it on the market. You can use some of it before Aunt Ethel comes over as well.

o If you are buying a house, for goodness sakes don’t go out and purchase a car or any other big ticket item right before after applying for a loan. This includes applying for credit cards and making credit card purchases. If you have to buy something on a credit card make sure it is less than 30% of the available credit.

o If you are selling a home do clean it up. Slap a coat of off-white paint on the walls, shine the bathroom fixtures, clean the carpet, replace a cat box so that it doesn’t smell, oil the windows and doors so they open easily without creaking, clean the windows, polish the door knobs. Do remove all the appliances and anything else from the kitchen counter to show off the counter space. Do remove all clutter from shelves, closets and store rooms.

o When pricing your house for sale, don’t price it too high. Yes, you can always come down but by that time your buyers may have bought something else. Besides, lowering the price significantly signals desperation or that something is keeping this property from selling.

o Do plant some flowers in the front if at all possible or get potted flowering plants to spruce of the front when selling. Make the front door look as fresh and new as possible. If need be, paint the front door, definitely shine up the door hardware, clean the back yard and do anything possible to make the yard look neat and clean like racking leaves and mowing the grass. Put a plush new door mat at the front door. You can always take it with you but it helps give a good first impression. And, put the toilet seat down!

(Due to space limitations, this is an exert from The Top Five Things You Need to Know if You Are Buying or Selling a Home. If you would like the complete article, please go to our site and we will immediately email you a free copy.)

Pat Hicks is the Managing Partner for http://www.Iwantafreecreditreport.com , a web site providing online shopping, reviews of and links to some of the top web based credit reporting sites.

Author: Pat Hicks
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Selling a house quick can be very tricky in the current market but do remember that there are a considerable number of people who are buying now in order to take advantage of the fallen house prices.

Keep in mind that 95% of people buying a house are after a home and not an investment or development project. For this reason they can’t see beyond the presentation. You must have heard of the popular proverb “First impression is the last impression”. You must make sure that your property makes a good first impression to your prospective buyers.

You really have to ensure your house is in an excellent order. This is a lot harder to accomplish than you may initially think. When you have been living in the house for many years it is so easy to get used to the way things are and stop noticing the important bits that outsiders see immediately. Take another look at that crack in the ceiling, or the damp patch with mould growing in the corner, or the mould in the grout around the bath or the broken drainpipe outside. All these are simple jobs to rectify but are all stored away in a potential buyer’s first impression.

Call an estate agent and ask for an appraisal. It costs absolutely nothing and you will be told exactly what areas need improving. Here is what you should look out for:

OUTSIDE

It is amazing how most people overlook this part. It really is where the first impression starts so it must be as best as it can possibly be. Make sure you mow the grass and keep the garden nice and tidy even if it is only a small garden. You can make a small garden look cosy rather than small. Only keep items which will enhance the garden. Ornaments which you may think look nice may not be to a potential buyer’s taste such as gnomes.

Have a good look at the outside walls of the house. Are they looking worn and need a little TLC? If so, call upon friends and family to give it a bit of a paint over.

INSIDE

People buying houses with the desire to turn in into a home for themselves are particularly attracted to kitchens and bathrooms. These are the two most important rooms in any house. Even if you don’t have a fantastic kitchen or bathroom you can certainly make them look more appealing by cleaning the taps and any fittings making them shine brightly. Clean all furniture with perfection and don’t forget the cupboard doors, fridge doors, microwaves, dishwashers and any other loose piece of equipment around. Make sure your stove shines.

All doors around the house must look like they are always in use. In other words, they must be well oiled. Creaking doors give a bad impression to prospective buyers. It gives the impression that the house has not been well taken care.

Plants in the right places can add vibrancy and a glow to your home. This little touch will make it feel like a home for the prospective buyers. All these simple changes will help make your house sell quick. Of course this involves some labour on your part but will make all the difference.

Alternative Option

There is an alternative option if you find you do not have the time to do all the work to the house yourself. If you are really desperate to sell your house quick you can have the option of selling it to an investor. Investors are the remaining 5% who purchase property and they don’t worry about the presentation at all.

Investors can buy your house in as little time as 10 days or even to suit your own deadline requirements. They also pay for all the legal costs. A short term sell and rent back agreement can be arranged if you find you need a little extra time after completion. Sales can be done so quickly that you find you are not ready to move. It happens a lot.

If you are selling due to financial difficulties and do not want to move but are being forced to then the sell and rent back option is definitely for you. You can take advantage of the sell and rent back scheme which will allow you to sell your house and rent it back at rents which are set to the current market rates in your area.

For more information visit the website below.

For lots more information on the sell and rent back scheme or how to sell your home fast go to http://www.beeseproperties.com

Author: Carmen Beese
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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You mention to a friend that you are considering selling my house and may be looking for a real estate agent. Somehow the word gets out quickly and next the next thing you know everyone has a real estate agent for you. The hard part is many of these people suggested are your friends too. So you are obligated to go through the first one of your agent friends that contacts you directly right? Nope. Choosing the wrong agent to sell your home is a common mistake people make when selling their home. So you need to choose wisely and do some interviewing prior to your choice.

During the interview process you will want to find out a few things about the agents. Obviously, you want to feel like they can relate to you and others. However, don’t let that be the ultimate deciding factor. Otherwise, just choose one of your real estate agent friends. Find out how long they have been doing this. How many houses have they sold? How many did they sell last year? What is their commission? How do they intend to market your home? What will they do for you that another agent won’t? Can they provide references to people they have worked with in the past year? What separates them from the other real estate agents? Why is their brokerage better than the others around town?

In fairness and so you can compare individuals equally ask the same questions of all. Talk with at least three potential agents, but if you don’t find one that really jumps out keep looking. You will want to ask the question what they are going to do sell your home and then feel comfortable with your decision.

Once you make a choice on which real estate agent you will use find out what their plan is moving forward and what their suggestions are for you to prepare your home for sell. A great combination is an agent and seller who are equally motivated to get the house on the market, viewed and sold.

Selling your home will take patience on your part. You will need to be ready for real estate agents when they call and want to show your house on a moment’s notice. This can be frustrating, but just remember your objective is to sell the house and sell it quickly. The process won’t last forever, so smile and deal with it as best you can.

Tab Pierce is an executive sales leader and security professional who has spent years as a serial entrepreneur. He has owned successful companies within eLearning, data management, telecommunications and others. He has also successfully assisted companies integrate sound sales processes into their organization.

Author: Tab Pierce
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Most people are intimidated by the prospect of acquiring investment properties. This fear often stems from the fact that potential investors are so preoccupied with what they perceive as the proper time to buy that they pass up opportunities along the way. Some people on the other hand are unsure as to how to choose the best property to invest in. Buying real estate specifically as an investment property guarantees several benefits that are superior to other investments like stocks.

Investment properties are a source of reliable and steadily increasing income. Rent and lease income can be a reliable and more convenient source of income for a wide variety of owners. Moreover, the value of the property itself appreciates through time. With the population increasing yearly, the demand for real estate properties will remain a constant even in the years to come.

The crucial point is choosing which of innumerable options would constitute a good investment property. The first characteristic of a good investment would be the intrinsic value of the property. Ideally, the investment property is bought at a price that is lower than the real intrinsic value so that upon purchase, a profit has already been made.

A buyer should ask himself how long he plans to keep the property. If the intention is long term, he will need to consider expenses relative to the investment property such as repairs, maintenance and taxes. Investors should choose properties that offer income greater than the expense needed for maintenance.

The next major consideration for any investment property is the risk factor. It would do no good to drain the investor of his assets by investing in a risky property. It is also healthy to consider having an exit strategy. This means studying all the possibilities, even those that can happen when things don’t go according to plan.

Finally, review the characteristics of the potential investment property. The location of the property is the primary characteristic that will determine its feasibility and profitability as an investment property. The focus should be on a steadily increasing income and a positive outcome. A common pitfall for some investors is the temptation to be greedy in having a speedy and unrealistic return. By concentrating on a more realistic expectation, buyers are less likely to be attracted to unreliable investment options.

Especially for long term plans, it would also be beneficial for the buyer to avoid the lure of trendy purchases. Just because the rest of the herd is snapping up a particular investment, it does not make that particular investment more reliable. A buyer should rely on rational study instead of emotional judgment in making such an important selection.

All in all, a good investment property is characterized by its suitability to the financial capability of the buyer as well as his investment time frame. It is also characterized by the present and future income to be generated, as well as its suitability to the future goals of the buyer.

Sunil Sharma writes on various Real Estate topics including Investment Properties. Learn more about Zero Money Down Condo Investments in our Real Estate Investment Alliance site Today. For more details visit http://www.reinalliance.com

Author: Sunil V Sharma
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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When you want to buy a house there are certain things you should look for to make sure that you get a good resell value on your investment. We are going to look at the some of the most important things to look for when you decide to buy a house.

Try to buy a house in a good area with a under-landscaped area. You will pay much less for this and you could always improve your landscape over time, fixing the grass and adding a few bushes and trees.

You will also have to determine the size of the house you buy. When you buy a house and deciding on the size, try to look at the other houses in the same neighborhood. Buying a big house in a neighborhood might not be such a good idea as when the time comes to sell, the price could be dragged down by the prices of the other smaller houses in the same neighborhood.

If you decide to buy a house with a good view, try to pay as little extra as possible. Most people usually spend a tremendous amount of money on a home with a view. Though you spend a lot of money on your view, you have to think if future buyers would do the same. By the time you want to resell your house you will maybe looking wait a long time for a buyer to come along. This could also cause you to drop your price a lot just to keep in match with the other houses in the neighborhood.

Also try to buy a house with a rectangular yard. Get a house with a decent front and back yard no- odd shape shaped yards or oddly situated yards.

Try to buy a house with at least three or four bedrooms, as this is the majority of home buyers’ needs. Try to also make sure that you buy a home with two bathrooms or two and a half bathrooms.

Garages also adds a lot to the resell value of your home, so try to at least get a double garage the next time you are looking at a house.

Make sure that there are enough closets in the house and that there are enough closets for linings to.

The kitchen is the most important aspect of the house as the centers around the kitchen. Try to get a big kitchen with a lot of space and modern appliances. Your dinning room should also be near your kitchen. Make sure that there is easy access from your kitchen to your backyard as you occasionally might have a barbecue from time to time and that you can easily get to the kitchen when you want to.

The above factors should guide you in the right way the next time you decide to buy a house to make sure that you get a good resell value.

The author is the webmaster of SecureBonds.co.za. To read more on bond originators visit our home loan South Africa web site.

Author: Dawie Bester
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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It takes time to get your home ready to place on the market, and doing so means you need to sell it. However, it takes much more than luck to get your home sold for the price you are asking. There are so many other factors out there that also have to contribute to that occurring. There are common mistakes that people make which continue prevent them from selling their homes. By being aware of them though you can avoid those pitfalls for your own home.

Having a game plan is a wise course of action, but most people don’t do so. They go about selling their home the wrong way from the very start. Granted, the process can be one that is complex for people. After all, the average person doesn’t sell a home every day. However, you will be spinning your wheels and getting nowhere fast if you don’t do your homework.

Instead of rushing to put your home on the market, take your time to find out the best ways to do so. That time you invest in the process is going to pay off for you in the long run. First, it can help you to sell you home much faster than you would otherwise. Second, it can help you to get more for it then you would otherwise. Don’t assume you already have all the answers as hindsight can leaving regretting many decisions you made along the way.

Don’t assume that all real estate agencies operate the same way. While they do the same type of job, the services they offer, their fees, and the quality of what you will get from this is going to be different. Take your time to evaluate what is available and then choose the one that is best for your own needs. You also want to find the right real estate agent within that entity to help you sell your home.

Take the time ask questions so that you know what the process is going to be from start to finish. When you are able to eliminate surprises along the way you will get more out of the home selling process. You will also reduce your stress and anxiety that is involved with that process taking place.

It isn’t necessarily a mistake to choose to sell your home on your own. However, you need to make sure you have the time to do it right. You must be flexible too when it comes to allowing people to see your home. That can be difficult if you have a job you must be at for scheduled hours each day. Don’t sell your home on your own just to save money as that can mean you won’t sell your home for a very long time.

Be flexible with offers that come in for your home as well. If someone is willing to buy it for $5,000 less than the asking price it can be worth it to you. What if you have to continue paying that $1,000 a month mortgage for the next six months? That is easily going to cost you more than that $5,000. You can also sweeten the deal by offering to pay $500 of the closing costs or something else that will encourage a potential home buyer to look your way.

While there are many effective ways to sell a home, there are also many mistakes that can occur on that road. Being prepared against them is going to help you sell your home without it becoming a nightmare. You will also have the ability to sell it when other homes in your area continue to be listed.

How to sell my house? Many home owners may have this question when they want to sell house. How can I selling my house with a good price can be another question for home owners. If you don’t want go with an agent who just label you house with a “house for sale” sign, you should try to sell house privately. Sellhousenow.com.au is a free portal for both home sellers and buyers.

Author: Paul Sharp
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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