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When you’re in the market for your home it is crucial that you determine the value of your property – this will help you generate the desired buyers and eventually earn some profit. Even though this is not an accurate means to determine the value of the property it is in some way close, giving you a rough estimate of what you can expect against the sale of the property.

For those of you who have little or no information about property valuation, here is something that might help you –

Property valuation is the process which determines the economic value of real estate. The process typically seeks to determine fair market value, the price at which a knowledgeable seller willingly sells her property and a knowledgeable buyer will willingly purchase it.

There are a number of things that need to be considered for property valuation that will eventually make all things simpler for you; here are some of these mentioned for you –

• Consider the Local Area – One key factor to keep in mind is the local area as well as the current rate of property in this area. While most people consider all the other factors what they in most cases forget is the role of the local area in property valuation. The process and the value of the properties on the urban side will in all cases be different from those in the countryside. Therefore, when opting for property valuation keep in mind the local area too.
• Size of Property – On the second number of property valuation is the size of the property. If you think a bigger property will get you bigger money you’re absolutely mistaken and should understand that this will never be the exact case. The entire thing about property valuation depends on the number of rooms in the house, how well kept the house is and the requirements of the buyers. Keep this thing in mind so you never go wrong with the process.
• Choose an Estate Agent – A majority of the people think and believe hiring an estate agent can be an absolute waste of money, but what they fail to understand how the agents help them in the complete process of valuation, telling them exactly everything from what reduces the value of the property to what needs to be done in order to maintain the things and get them going.
• Recent Sales in the Area – Another important thing that determines the process of property valuation is the recent sale in the area where the property is located. There will always be a number of factors that determine the sales of properties in a certain location and it will in a way play a role in determining the value of your property.
• Standard of Presentation – Remember presentation is the way to many things and presenting your house well to the buyers will always be one of the smartest decisions you could take in all time. Make sure your house is clutter-free and clean; the pets are kept away and everything that your buyers need to see is well maintained. Keep in mind that the first impression you give your buyers will stay with them for the longest period of time and if you can make it a good one there will be nothing like that.
• Areas of Improvement – Every house has certain areas that can be improved and made to look better – this can help you get the maximum value for the house upon sale. Make sure you are open to any suggestions and are willing to make the necessary improvements to the property.
• Exterior of the House – Again, a majority of the people consider the interior of the house to be an important point but ignore the exterior and this is one of the biggest blunders of all time that could possibly play a role in reducing the value of the house to barely anything. Make sure the exterior including the gardens and the lawns are properly maintained and taken care of.

Property valuation can be a lot of work but if you can include these points mentioned above as the important ones then things could to some extent become simpler for you.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

There is nothing more fun than an old-fashioned road trip. I love taking to the open road and exploring our country. Now, I’ve been a „road tripper“ for some time and though I love air travel, I love the road trip because that’s how you can really experience the country. So it’s time to get your favorite tunes and munchies ready and plan your open road trip adventure with these ten easy road trip travel tips.

1. Plan your trip. First, you need to determine where you’re going to go and then plan your trip. Planning doesn’t have to take a long a time, but you do need to know the route you’re going to drive and points of interest along the way that you’re going to want to stop and explore. Half the fun of a road trip is seeing the sites along the way. I like to MapQuest my trip and have that as my main plan of attack for my road trip. GPS is very popular these days and I recommend them, but you can’t always rely on them when you hit construction zones or accidents on your journey. That’s why it’s essential that you have a real map with you for the areas you’ll be traveling to and to plan alternate routes if necessary.

2. Make your hotel reservations BEFORE you go. Part of the fun when traveling on the road is stopping wherever your heart desires, but there’s nothing worse than a „no room at the inn“ experience on a road trip. You may not realize that there is a „Comic Book Trade Show,“ „Strawberry Festival“ or convention in town while you’re visiting and there are no rooms to be had. If you do not book your reservations in advance, not only are you running the risk of having to sleep in your car but also you can’t manage your road trip budget effectively. If you’re traveling with your family or a group of friends, consider staying at an all-suite hotel or even renting a time share, a great option for families taking a road trip. Did you know that 90 percent of people who own a timeshare don’t utilize it on a regular basis? Many great offers can be found at some of the bigger hotel chains that offer timeshares and many of them even have a washer and dryer. For my road trip to Scottsdale, I booked a fantastic one-bedroom suite with a kitchenette at a time share property directly through the hotel for just $100/night including tax at the Sheraton Desert Oasis Villas.

3. Give your car a full tune up before you go or consider renting a car. One week before you go on your road trip, take your car in for a tune up and ask your mechanic to ensure the car fluids are topped, air pressure in your tires is at its best for highway driving, and any other necessary concerns regarding your vehicle are addressed. Should you need to get something fixed, it is best to do it at a place you can trust before your road trip. Plus, it can be more expensive when it is a have-to situation. Also, make sure you pack a roadside safety kit just in case of an emergency. For me that kit includes my American Automobile Association membership card (Premier Membership). If you have a car that is no longer under warranty or has automatic roadside assistance, then a American Automobile Association membership is a necessity as it will save you a fortune in the unfortunate event you have a break down and have to have your car towed. If you’re at all concerned that your current vehicle is not „road trip worthy,“ then you may want to consider renting a vehicle for your road trip. I did this for my trip to Arizona as I found a great deal on a rental car and had the peace of mind for my road trip.

4. Pack your own food and plan a picnic. I used to be addicted to stopping at fast food joints on a road trip. There was something that felt fun about that on a trip but I’ve since learned that I prefer to pack my own food for my journey. It doesn’t just keep me eating healthier, but it also saves money, too, especially if you’re traveling with your family. Also, if you plan ahead, you may find that there is a great stop for a scenic picnic in your travels and packing a picnic is so much better than flying through the Drive-through. If you do make a stop, either for a picnic or to explore a cool sight along the way.

5. Bring great music or audible books with you! Music is truly the soundtrack of our lives and every road trip needs a soundtrack. I think of my trip to Seattle every time I hear a Phil Collins song from „No Jacket Required“ because that was the primary music I was listening to on that trip. I think of the Bahamas Harbor Island and the amazing walks on the Pink Sands Beach every time I hear Wilson Phillips music. It’s sort of like having a theme song for every vacation but hearing the music even today will evoke fun memories of wonderful trips. I also love catching up on books I’d like to read but somehow find it easier to listen to. That’s where audio books come in and you can download them to your mp3 player, iPhone, or other PDA device. !

6. Don’t forget to pack a boredom buster bag for the kids. One thing I’ve learned from producing for TV’s „The Travel Mom“ Emily Kaufman, is that if you’re traveling with kids, you need to make sure you have plenty to entertain them during your road trip. She calls this the boredom buster bag. Don’t forget to pack some kid music your children like along with fun travel games that include magnetic board games. DVD players are an option for really long trips and as long as your child isn’t prone to car sickness. Of course, electronic games will keep your kids occupied but I would encourage you to limit the time on these toys especially if you’re traveling through some great scenic areas. It’s an excellent chance to bond as a family and your child’s memory of the trip will be lost if they’re lost in a Game Boy.

7. Remember, a road trip is as much about the journey as it is about the destination. One of my all time favorite road trips was the day my niece, Jessica, and I drove 52 enchanting miles on the „Road to Hana“ on the island of Maui in Hawaii. I’ll never forget that the guide book said, „Remember, Hana is not a destination, it’s a journey.“ Hana is located about 52 miles from Kahului, however a typical trip to Hana takes at least three hours, as the road is very winding with approximately 620 curves over 59 bridges, 46 of which have only one-lane. This delightful road trip is a memorable journey that winds through a lush, tropical rain forest that is laced with tumbling waterfalls, black sand beaches, scenic lava cliffs, fresh fruit stands, and tropical hillsides. Jessica and I stopped at least ten times including one stop to picnic on that black sand beach. We took photos by waterfalls, delicious fruit stands and beautiful tropical flower gardens. You should treat your road trip vacation the same way we did our Road to Hana: Enjoy your road trip as a journey, not a destination.

8. Make good use of every stop. I like to plan my stops for fuel, food, and restrooms so that I utilize my time efficiently and don’t waste time making three stops instead of one. Probably the most important thing is that every time you do stop, make sure everyone in the car uses the restroom (even if they think they don’t have to right then). This will cut down on the stops you’ll make only for that purpose. Also, if you’re traveling with kids, and you just need to stop for the restroom, I recommend stopping at a Starbucks. Parents can get a coffee or an ice tea, the restrooms are clean, and there are not a lot of distractions for kids (like toys to buy) that a truck stop or gas station may have. Use the Starbucks store locator at their website to help you plan your stops before you go. Do be a „good egg“ and make a purchase at Starbucks while you’re there.

9. Avoid Trouble. When you’re on a road trip, you need to be street wise. Don’t be a target for crime by leaving your valuables on the seat in your car (DVD players, Game Boys, etc.) and don’t advertise you’re on a road trip with pillows and blankets every where. When you park your car, hide your valuables and road trip creature comforts. If you are proactive at keeping your „I’m on a road trip clues“ clearly hidden, any thief or troublemaker should just walk right by your car. Other street wise considerations is to always park where there is good light and foot traffic and make sure your windows are rolled up and the doors are locked whenever you leave your car. You may also want to purchase items like „the Club“ if you like that extra insurance for safety. Finally, when you’re driving, watch your speed. Speeding gives you the chance to get a ticket and more importantly, it decreases your time to react if the need should arise. If you are the driver, you are responsible for your passengers. When you see signs that say, „Speed limits are photo enforced,“ believe them. Other good driving tips include avoiding rush hour, especially in bigger cities, and whenever possible take turns driving with other people in the car. You’ll also want to avoid driving at night if you are not familiar with your surroundings.

10. Get a Go City Card and save up to 55% on attractions and theme parks at your vacation destination. Last year, I flew my 8-year-old niece, Alexis, and 10-year-old nephew, Tyler, out to Los Angeles for their spring break (using Southwest Airlines Reward Miles, of course) and we took a road trip down to San Diego. That’s when I discovered the money saving Go City Card for San Diego. With this card, I saved hundreds of dollars in admissions to Legoland, the Wild Animal Park, the San Diego Zoo and other attractions including a Whale Watch on the Pacific Ocean just by purchasing a Go San Diego Card.

Instead of paying individually for each local attraction, you pay one price for up to 40 attractions (depending on the city your visiting) and you get to create your own experience, tailoring your activities based on what you like to do, while also enjoying tremendous savings. For example, with the Go Los Angeles Card, you can choose one, two, three, five, or seven day cards at a low, pre-paid price to gain access to 40 included attractions. This saves up to 55% compared to buying tickets directly at Universal Studios Hollywood, LEGOLAND California, Knott’s Berry Farm, Paramount Studios, the Queen Mary, and many more attractions. Go City Cards are available in many cities and vacation destinations in the U.S. including Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Las Vegas, New York City, San Diego, San Francisco, Honolulu, Orlando, Miami, Seattle, Blue Ridge and even Toronto.

Final Tips: Don’t forget your cell phone and make sure you’re „hands free“ when you do use it while driving. In many states, it’s the law, but it’s also down right dangerous. Always use your cell phone „hands free“ when you drive. Don’t forget to update your software on your mobile before you leave because you don’t want to be charged higher rates for roaming charges. Finally, it’s a real good idea to email a copy of your itinerary to other family members or friends in case of an emergency – this is especially a good idea for women traveling together. Now, drive safe and have fun!

You can get more details at my website at Best-Travel-Deals-Tips.com.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

Selling your home to a cash for property company can be advantageous for many reasons, and doing so doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to pack up and move out either. Nowadays, there are several property buying companies who are willing to buy your home from you and often times will allow you to rent the house from them after they take ownership.

One of the advantages of selling your home to a property buying company that you can get it done quickly. In today’s market, homeowners sometimes have to several months or even years to be able to sell their homes. If you’re able to sell your home quickly, you won’t have to worry about missing out on your dream home. Not to mention that any offer you make to a seller will be taken more seriously as they know you have the funds – you may even be able to save some money too. The process of selling your home to a property buying company usually takes less than two weeks. Plus, there are no real estate commissions to pay since no agent is required and the property buying company pays for all the legal fees involved.

Many of us often get into bad credit card or other debt and many times take out loans that use your homes as collateral, so falling behind on payments puts you at risk of losing your home. Selling your property for cash quickly can also help you avoid foreclosure and get you out of any other debts you have.

Another reason to sell your home to a property buying company is if you have to sell quickly due to divorce or separation in a relationship. Selling to a property buying company ensures that you will receive a lump sum of cash for you property in as little as two weeks. After the sale, you can either move to another location or rent the home from the property buying company, which should certainly be more affordable than a mortgage.

If you have to move because of a job relocation, quick cash for your property can be a huge relief. Doing so means you don’t have to worry about carrying a second mortgage or managing a bridge loan. You also wouldn’t have to worry about trying to keep your first property maintained while waiting for it to sell.

There are several reasons why it could be beneficial to sell your property to a property buying company. Quick cash for your home releases the equity in your home allowing you to settle your debt and start fresh. It’s up to you, though, whether to find another residence or to remain in the home paying a lower rental rate instead of a mortgage.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

Here are some ways in which you can sweeten the pot and beat your competition to a sale

Out here in the field we are seeing home prices dropping as sellers respond to housing market pressures. Some sellers are still expecting premium sales prices for their homes, but the transitioning real estate market is resisting high prices and causing sellers to re-evaluate their expectations.

It’s a whole new ball game and, if you want to play, you need to know the new rules. Getting an agent to stick your home on the local MLS system and waiting for the offers to come in won’t cut it anymore. Today, traditional sales methods are not enough to sell your home in a reasonable time for a decent price. Home buyers have too many choices and home options to choose from. They are driving the market and your home is only one of many that they are evaluating.

The obvious response to the market, which has been adopted by many sellers, but at a price, is to reduce the price of your home below other comparable houses in your neighborhood. Although many sellers have built in some wiggle room between their asking price and their bottom line, buyers are asking for reductions that will significantly erode the seller’s profit, sometimes to zero. Those who have a need to move quickly, for employment for example, will even take a loss in order to remove the burden of two mortgages or ending up renting. This situation, by the way, offers real estate investors an opportunity to pick up some good bargains.

Even in today’s market, you don’t have to drop the price of your home to the point of taking a loss. There are other ways in which you can add value to your home, even if it is only perceived value, that will enable you to make a good profit and still sell in a reasonably short time. The use of sales incentives can be a very smart and cost-effective way to add value to your home without sacrificing much of your asking price, if any. Here are some things that can sweeten the pot and make your home a more attractive choice to potential buyers:

1. Offer a 3% commission to the buyer’s agent. Some agents will not show your home for less than that and they will most likely pick your home apart in front of the buyer if they do show it.

2. If you’re in a homeowner’s association, pay the new buyer’s fees for the first year or more.

3. Buy a home warranty, which protects all the appliances in the house including the air conditioning and heating systems. The cost is usually less than $450 for one year.

4. You can pay all or part of the buyer’s closing costs, which can be deducted at closing from your sales proceeds, so you have no out of pocket expense.

5. Pay the buyer’s property taxes for a year or some period. You may already have paid a portion or all of it anyway. Again, no out of pocket expense.

6. If you have oil heat or propane, give the buyer a full tank of fuel.

7. Offer free grass cutting or landscaping for a period of time.

8. Provide all new carpeting or kitchen appliances or leave furnishings that the buyer may want.

9. Offer to pay the buyer’s property insurance for a year or more.

10. Buy down the buyer’s mortgage points by a point or two. This adds significant value to the buyer in terms of dollars saved and it will cost you little.

If you think about it, you can probably come up with more. I have suggested and used these and other methods for distinguishing my clients‘ homes in this tough seller’s market. In addition, if you spruce up your home with new paint, especially the front door and kitchen, landscape your yard, clean thoroughly throughout, and stage your home to put it in it’s best light, your home will outshine the others in your neighborhood.

One final suggestion – hire a competent real estate agent. An agent will ensure that you don’t leave money on the table and help you with all the ways in which your home can be the best buy on the block. I can always justify my commissions because I get the home seller more money than he could on his own. A top-performing pro will make you money and not cost you. Just ask the many ‚for sale by owners‘ who ended up hiring an agent after an unsuccessful attempt to sell on their own or the ones that ended up getting much less than their asking price. But if you are determined to go it alone, the above tips should help.

Till Next Time,

Bernie Rosellen, Real Estate Auctioneer

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

For a variety of reasons, and purposes, individuals decide, the time, is right, to relocate, and, thus, sell their existing home. How someone might be prepared, often, makes a significant difference, in the entire process, and this preparation must combine, emotional, financial, introspective/ objective, and the ability to listen, to the professional, real estate agent, you choose, and hire. With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly consider, review, and discuss, some essential components/ necessities, in preparing to sell your home, and end – up, with the best possible results, with a minimum of hassle, and get the best – available price.

1. Why are you moving?: Consider your reasons, personal needs and objectives, priorities, and purposes, in making this important decision. Are you moving, for financial reasons, personal ones, a combination of both, or some other reason? Either way, you should be seeking, obtaining, the highest available price, in the shortest period of time, with a minimum of stress/ hassle!

2. Getting the house ready/ prepared: Begin with reducing clutter, significantly. Decide what you need, and do not, and sort accordingly. Whatever is unnecessary/ needed, proceed to dispose of, either by giving things away to the needy, etc, and/ or throwing – out! With other clutter, box it up, and put it away, into storage. At the same time, consult with a professional, and reduce the amount and type of furniture, so you are staging, for optimum results. Put the excess stuff, temporarily into storage, also. How about the window coverings/ shades? Do they show, your house, to its best advantage? Objectively examine walls and flaws, and enhance, in an inexpensive, cosmetic manner, by shampooing carpets, cleaning and polishing wood flaws, enhancing tile, etc, thoroughly cleaning the entire house, and painting, with neutral colors, in all appropriate, needed areas. Remember, you only get one chance, to make a quality, first impression!

3. Choosing/ hiring the right real estate agent: What do you seek, in your real estate professional? Have a thorough discussion, and interview, several, so you choose, the individual, best – suited, for you, and your needs! Be certain, you’re on the same – page, with the person, you hire! Beware, you need someone, who will explain his pricing philosophy, and why he believes, you need, to price your house right, from the start!

4. Pricing: Don’t be persuaded to price something high, because, in most cases, houses, obtain their best offers, in the first few weeks, after being put, on the marker, so, price it right, from the start! Make your decision, based on, a Competitive Market Analysis (or CMA).

The better you prepare, the easier the process of selling your home, becomes. A wise homeowner, realizes, the house’s value is usually his single – biggest financial asset, so he, proceeds wisely, and using common sense!

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

You’ve decided, for any of a number of reasons, it’s time to sell your beloved home. Will you opt, to be your best friend, or worst enemy, based on the actions, you either choose to do, or avoid? In over a decade, as a Licensed Salesperson, in the State of New York, I have observed, how some homeowners, significantly help and assist their cause, while others, take actions, which often appear, at odds with, their best interests! This article will briefly examine, using the mnemonic approach, whether you are prepared for SELLING your home.

1. Strong points; system; staging: Will you be willing to objectively examine, your strong points/ assets, while admitting areas of weakness? Why would someone want to purchase the house? What is different/ better/ unique, about the home, which might help its marketing efforts? Will you commit to listening to, and adopting the system, your selected, professional, real estate agent, recommends, so you and your agent, proceed, on the same page? Will staging benefit the possibilities of selling the house, at the best possible price, in the shortest period of time, and with the least hassle?

2. Emphasis: Discuss your home, in detail, with your agent, and come to a meeting – of – the – minds, regarding the best place, to put the emphasis! How will you determine that, and how will you determine, what to emphasize?

3. Listen: You want your real estate agent to effectively listen to what you want, so doesn’t it make sense, for you to use effective listening, and maximize the potential, for effectively marketing your property?

4. Learn: Commit to learning from what your agent tells you, so you do what will be helpful, to successfully completing the sales process!

5. Impression; ideas: What will be the first impression, potential buyers might experience? How will you effectively distinguish your house from the competition? Will you listen to the professional ideas, offered by your agent?

6. Needs; nuances: Will you objectively consider, evaluate, and pay close attention to the needs, of marketing your house, effectively? Is there a specific niche, which might be the ideal market, and what nuances, might your agent’s marketing plan, include?

7. Get it done: Selling a home, in the real estate market, must be a proactive, well – considered activity, which considers how to best get it sold! How will you and your agent, get it done?

Don’t just say, you want to sell your home! Are you ready, willing and able to do what’s necessary, and, truly, prepared, for SELLING your house?

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

If you are in the unfortunate position of not being able to sell your house and keep asking yourself „how do I sell my house for cash“, especially if you want to get rid as soon as possible, this article will point you in the right direction. You will find out the best and most efficient way to sell your house.

This article will also go into the reasons why people want to sell their home and why some people need a quick sale. It will also go into the whole process of a quick sale and what to expect when exploring an alternative to the long drawn out process of the traditional estate agents.

The reasons why most people ask „how can I sell my house for cash“ and want a quick sale may differ greatly:

*Couples going through a divorce would find it beneficial to cut all ties as soon as possible, so selling the house and splitting the proceeds would be of benefit in a very stressful situation.

*People who are in debt and heading towards repossession will be able to cash in before they totally lose out.

*People who need to relocate in a hurry can use the cash to help set up their new home.

*People wishing to downsize to a smaller property

*People wishing to upsize to a larger property

*People who simply cannot wait for the long drawn out process through the traditional open market via estate agents.

For whatever reason you wish to sell, you will benefit from the cash outlay after the speedy completion.

The process for a speedy home sale is relatively easy and straightforward. You simply provide details about your home to an efficient cash buyer. They will then assess your needs, requirements and suitability for a cash purchase. They will then give you an estimated offer.

Assuming you are both in agreement, a viewing of your property will be arranged. If the homeowner would like to proceed then a written offer will be made. All associated costs such as solicitor’s fees and all other legal costs of selling a house will be borne by the cash buyer. There are also no hidden charges so you will not be caught out forking out for unexpected costs.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

If you do NOT read this report you will almost certainly lose thousands of dollars when you sell your home…

Home sellers don’t know how to spot a good real estate agent

This is understandable when you consider that you will only buy and sell one or two properties in your lifetime. Your home is probably your biggest asset. So, be careful whom you choose to sell it; one slip-up from an agent will wipe thousands off your selling price.

Ask the right questions

Many home sellers ask the WRONG questions when they interview an agent. They ask questions such as „How much do you charge?“ or „What’s my house worth?“. While these questions are important, they should only be asked after the agent has told you what they’ll do for you and how they’ll get you the best price.

This report is your guide to hiring a real estate agent. I’m going to show you how to spot and select the best agent to sell your home. After all, I believe there’s no one better to sell your home than a highly skilled agent. The problem is that highly skilled agents are hard to find.

WARNING! Don’t settle for second best. Too many sellers make the mistake of picking the ‚best of a bad bunch‘. You could be better off without an agent

Check out your agent

It’s a sad fact, but many people don’t check-out their agent until after they have signed with them – by then it’s too late. After you sign you’re stuck; you could be locked into a ‚minimum 90 day‘ contract.

The questions and information in this report will give you the knowledge you need to keep the power when you’re selling a house. After you sign you lose your power.

Agents love to say they are all different but basic research will prove most are the same. It’s the ‚cookie cutter‘ approach when it comes to selling your home – every property is sold the same way.

What to look for when choosing an agent

In 2006 Neil Jenman (my Dad) was asked to provide a list of questions, comments, and hints to help home sellers choose an agent for a TV show he was hosting. He called his list of questions and comments, GUIDE TO GRILLING AGENTS. Over the last few years I have given the guide to many home sellers. This report contains many of the questions and comments in his original guide.

What does a good agent look like?

Most agents will be well dressed, on time, and prepared. But the best real estate agents will be the ones who put your interests first. They will offer solutions that suit you first, not them.

Agents who ask for money to advertise your home should rarely be hired. After all, if advertising was the only reason your home sold why do you need a real estate agent?

Questions are the answer

Sometimes the answer to one good question will give you the confidence you need to hire the best agent to sell your home. Good questions do the hard work for you. Before you jump in and start grilling real estate agents, take a step back.

Put your home buyer shoes on. And start with a mystery shop…

MYSTERY SHOP

Department stores do it, so why shouldn’t you? Use the ‚process of elimination‘ to weed out the poor agents. Why bother interviewing a real estate agent who doesn’t bother to return buyer’s calls? Start with an email. Approximately half of all buyer enquiry arrives via email.

If you send out 10 emails to 10 local real estate agents, I can almost guarantee that you will not receive 10 replies. If only 5 reply, then you have just saved yourself having to interview 5 agents. Include your phone number in your email. Do they call you back? Or do they just email a standard response? An agent who follows up with a call has a much better chance of ‚closing a sale‘ than an agent who sends a standard reply.

QUESTIONS ARE YOUR BEST WEAPON

If you don’t ‚test‘ your real estate agent before you hire them – one thing is for sure – the buyers for your home will do it for you.

What follows are questions that have proven to be a huge help to sellers.

REMEMBER: You are the owner of the property. You are considering employing an agent to sell your property. You are the boss. You have the power BEFORE you sign up. Make sure you keep that power at all times. Control the agents, do not let the agents control you.

Your home’s selling price is determined by your agent’s ability to negotiate

• HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET THE BEST PRICE FOR MY HOME?

When you ask this question many agents will start throwing around the word negotiation. You want to be certain that they are capable of negotiating a high price for your house, ask them to teach you something about negotiation.

Question their ability to negotiate.

Ask them what they know about negotiation. It’s a big point that most home sellers miss because they focus on what the agent says rather than on what they do.

Here’s one of my favorite questions to ask a real estate agent:

• WHEN/IF YOU BRING ME AN OFFER, HOW CAN I BE CERTAIN THAT IT’S THE ABSOLUTE BEST PRICE THAT THE BUYER CAN PAY?

Many real estate agents will have difficulty answering this question. It’s a question that’s rarely asked of agents. Ask it. The answer will tell you a lot about an agent.

Some more questions you can ask are:

• Are you a good negotiator?

• Can you tell me some of the main points you know about negotiation?

• Can you give me some examples of the results of your negotiating ability?

The Biggest Liar Gets the Job

When hiring a real estate agent, the biggest liar (the agent who quotes you the highest price) often gets the job. It’s an old (and very true) real estate saying.

Unfortunately many home sellers hire liars. This happens because people who hear what they want to hear don’t perceive the information as being a lie.

One of the best questions you can ask is:

• WHAT WILL YOU DO TO GET THE BEST PRICE FOR MY HOME?

Once you are satisfied with the answer then ask:

• WHAT PRICE DO YOU THINK YOU CAN SELL MY PROPERTY FOR?

Most agents will try hard to hedge around this question. They may be vague and say such things as „It depends on the market,“ or they may use the common ploy of answering a question with a question, such as, „How much do you want?“

Sellers should stand firm and press the agent on this point by making such comments as:

You are the agent, you sell lots of properties in this area, surely you know how much you can sell my property for – even if you have to give me a range. After all, you are the expert, aren’t you?

Once the agent has given a [verbal] quote, ask the following:

1. Will you give me that quote in writing?

2. Do you usually sell properties for the price that you quote the sellers?

Regardless of the answers, don’t dwell too long on any point at this stage. Just keep the questions rolling…

It’s not what you pay an agent, but what they cost you, that counts.

• How much commission do you charge?

Most agents will talk about ’standard rates‘ or they will say that the rate is recommended by the Real Estate Institute – this is to soften the shock. Sellers should make comments such as:

Is your fee negotiable?

Have you ever reduced your fee for anyone?

If you should ask me to accept a lower price than the price you have quoted me, will you also accept a lower fee?

NOTE: Be wary of agents who cut their commission to get your business.

These agents are often poor performers who rely on discounts to get you to sign with them.

• What is it about you and your agency that makes you better than other agents?

This is a great question. The agents all want to say that they are „the best“ but they will struggle to define what is meant by „best“. Of course, „best“ to a seller means the highest price with the lowest risk and the lowest cost.

The Issue of Advertising

With almost every agent, advertising will be a big point. Be careful, this is the most common way in which thousands of home-owners lose thousands of dollars without selling their homes!

The Golden Rule when selling a home: Never pay any money for any reason to any agent until your home is sold and you are satisfied.

The Silver Rule is this: Don’t sign anything that requires you to pay any money [in the future] for any reason if your home is NOT sold.

Some agents will say „you don’t have to pay for advertising until your house has sold“ but what they fail to mention (or make clear) is that if your home fails to sell you will still have to pay.

Here are some comments and questions that can be made to an agent which show the absurdity of the advertising policies in most real estate offices.

• Why do you expect me to pay for the advertising to find a buyer? Surely the commission should include advertising?

• Why should I pay twice – once for advertising and once for commission?

• If you put ads in the newspapers [and charge sellers for those ads] and the buyers are going to come via you, what are you doing that sellers can’t do for themselves?

• If you advertise my home and I pay for the ads and you get calls from buyers and those buyers buy a home other than mine, do you give me any money back? If not, why not?

• If I pay you [thousands of] dollars for advertising and you do not sell my property, what happens to the money I paid?

• I notice that your advertising has your name and the name of the agency prominently featured. Surely I don’t have to pay the cost of advertising you and your agency?

• Based on the length of time you have been in business and the number of people who contact your office, don’t you already have a list of buyers on your books?

• I am not going to be paying any money to any agent for any reason until my home is sold. Once my home is sold within the price range that you quoted me, I will be delighted to pay you a GENEROUS commission as a reward.

This is my firm policy as a seller. Do you accept my policy?

Random comments and questions… [or other ways to make the same major points] might include…

• I want an agent who will get me the highest price at the lowest cost with the lowest hassle and, of course, without any risk of loss if there is no sale. Are you comfortable with being able to meet these simple requests of mine?

• How many properties do you sell? (Let them ask you if you mean weekly, monthly or annually, to which you reply that the time frame doesn’t matter. You just want to know that they are capable of getting results).

• What provisions do you take to ensure the security and safety of my home when it is being shown to prospective buyers?

• If I find a buyer – such as a close friend or relative – will you want me to pay you any commission?

• Have you ever had any unhappy clients?

• What were they unhappy about?

• If I employ you and I am not happy with your performance, I want to be able to dismiss you without any penalty to me. Is this okay by you?

• The agent I choose will be given an initial time period of 30 days on the selling agreement between us. If my property is not sold in 30 days and if I’m happy with the performance of the agent, I will be happy to extend the term of the agent’s appointment. Is this okay by you?

SELLERS‘ TERMS & CONDITIONS

Get the agent to agree to your terms BEFORE you agree to the agent’s terms.

Finally, the biggest and most important point of all for home sellers – DO NOT SIGN the document that the real estate agent asks you to sign – at least NOT on the agent’s first visit.

Ask the agent the following questions:

• If I decide to employ your agency to handle the sale of my home, what document will you be asking me to sign?

• Can I have a copy of that document so that I can get some independent advice about it?

• The following is the start of your final words to the agent at the end of the agent’s first visit…

As I am the owner of the home and as I will be employing an agent, I will be preparing a list of my own terms and conditions under which I employ an agent. I will be asking the agent to sign my terms and conditions before I sign any terms and conditions prepared by the agent. Further, if any of my terms conflict with the agent’s terms, then, of course, my terms will take precedence.

• Are you okay with me, as the owner of the home, telling you, the agent, what I require you to do?

Thank the agent for coming and tell the agent that you will be in touch should you require the services of his/her agency. Stand up, shake hands, walk towards the exit or front gate. Wave goodbye.

Smile, you have done well. You are in control.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

The greater population of the United States moves on average every five to seven years, according to Fanny Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD, and other agencies tracking these statistics, unlike Europeans and others where the family home is a legacy passed from generation to generation. With those statistics, you might want to reconsider hanging wallpaper.

Wallpaper is a personal statement and even the mere fact of having any style limits the sales value of your home. Home buyers can’t see through the personality of others and place themselves in someone else’s home when their stamp is so heavy-handedly placed on it. If they can see through that handicap, they think about the work of removing wallpaper and paint.

Home buyers cringe at the idea of painting over wallpaper. They have heard the horror stories of patterns bleeding through the paint, seams showing, edges peeling. Not a pretty picture in the mind of prospective home buyers and realtors.

Wallpaper rarely opens up a space. It usually makes it more difficult to hang art that doesn’t compete with the paper’s pattern. When it grows old, it tends to look shabby–not shabby chic. It often dates a place.

But there is a solution if you insist on having pattern on your walls. It’s an old trick that is rarely used. Hang fabric with starch rather than wallpaper paste. The fabric peels off as easily as contact paper. All the rules for hanging wallpaper are the same for hanging fabric, except it’s done with starch. You will still have to paint when you remove the fabric, but removing the fabric is a snap. You don’t have to steam, soak, score, or scrape. Just peel!

When your realtor suggests you remove wallpaper, do it. Or don’t be surprised when home buyers low-ball their offer because they are anticipating the work involved to depersonalize your home. You may not understand why home buyers don’t love your selection, but you can wallpaper–oops, fabric–your new place and make memories there. After all, you are moving on. How would you like to move into other people’s memorabilia?

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

Buying or selling real estate is probably the most significant transaction you’ll ever make in your life. That’s why it’s important to choose the best Realtor to help you achieve this goal. But before you hire the services of a real estate agent, there are important factors to consider.

Many people have the perception that all real estate agents are the same. Some sign with the first one that comes along. Unfortunately, they realize later on that they should have been more selective before signing an agreement. To guide you in choosing the best Realtor for your needs, below are seven questions to ask your prospective real estate agent.

1) What is your experience in real estate?

The first thing you need to ask a real estate agent is how long they’ve been in the real estate business. It doesn’t mean that you cannot enlist the services of newly licensed real estate agents. Just keep in mind that those who have years of experience under their belts are probably more knowledgeable on what to do, from listing to closing. Aside from the number of years in the business, ask them what segment of real estate they focus on – residential, commercial, luxury, etc. Find out if he/she is primarily a listing agent or a buyer’s agent (or both). Familiarity with the market is also essential, so ask what geographic areas the agent usually covers. You can even dig deeper by asking if the agent has received any awards for outstanding performance.

2) How many and what types of properties have you listed and sold in the past year?

It’s one of the most important questions you should ask a real estate agent. The number of properties he or she has listed and sold in the past year is a valuable indicator how good a real estate professional is in getting the job done. Take note that this question consists of two parts: properties listed and properties sold. Agents may demonstrate their ability to list homes; however, the more important thing is the sales part – the ability to close deals. If they have many properties listed and sold in the past year, it shows that whatever strategy the agent is using, it’s certainly working.

3) What was the average sales price for the properties you’ve sold over the last year?

Asking this will give you an idea in what kind of market the agent specializes. Find out if the real estate professional has experience selling properties in the price range you’re listing at. If a majority of properties sold falls on the low-end market segment, it might take longer for the agent to sell if yours is a higher-end home. Although agents can sell any property regardless of price range, it’s likely that they will have better success in the market and price segments in which they have the most experience.

4) What is your average sale to list price ratio?

The sale to list price ratio (sometimes called the sale-to-list or list-to-sale ratio) is the final sales price divided by the listing price, expressed as a percentage. If it is 100%, it means the sales price was equal to the list price. You can view this ratio in two ways. A skilled listing agent can negotiate sales prices that are equal or close to the list price, and sometimes even greater in a very competitive market. So ideally, listing agents should have sale to list price ratios closer to 100%. On the other side of the coin, a good buyer’s agent can often negotiate a sales price that is lower than the list price. Therefore, buyer’s agent ratios ideally should be lower than 99%.

5) What marketing strategies will you use?

Deciding on what strategies to use can spell the difference between success and failure. A poor marketing strategy will diminish the chances for success. Do your own due diligence by asking how the agent will sell your property. There are lots of options – staging, open houses, joint marketing, print advertising, and of course, online marketing. Whatever approaches are used, they should be designed to bring in the highest number of qualified potential buyers. Higher end properties can also often benefit from professional staging. In any case, your agent should advise you on how to best prepare the property to make it the most attractive to potential buyers.

6) Can you give me some references?

Reputation is important in this line of business. Whether you’re buying or selling a property, you should ask for references (past clients). If possible, call a few and ask them about their experiences with the agent. Were they pleased with the service provided? Also ask if they are in any way related to the agent. A list of references made up of friends or relatives generally won’t provide an objective assessment of the agent’s qualifications.

7) Do you offer any type of guarantee, and will you let me out of my contract early if I am not satisfied with your service?

You can’t say with certainty how things will go, even if you did your due diligence. For this reason, you should ensure that you’re prepared for any eventuality. If you sign a contract and later find that you’re not satisfied with the service, will the agent allow you to cancel the agreement? If things don’t work out the way they’re supposed to, you should have the freedom to choose another agent who can deliver better results.

As you can see, there are many things to consider when choosing a real estate agent. Finding and interviewing Realtors can be a very time-consuming and laborious task. However, now armed with these seven questions, you are on your way in choosing the best Realtor for your needs.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg