How To Sell Your Home By Owner With Success

Writen by Andrew Hillman

Approximately twenty-percent of US home owners are interested in selling their home without the help of a traditional listing agent. These people are interested in saving money or pocketing the would be listing agents commission.

Selling By Owner is not easy. New FSBO websites are popping up all over the Internet on a daily basis making the FSBO website market fragmented. You also don’t get the visibility you need by listing on a For Sale by Owner site. Pick the most popular FSBO website and you will see that you will not get the exposure needed to sell your house for the highest amount.

Traditionally, sellers have had two options to explore when selling their property: Seller’s could market their property on there own, limiting exposure and usually resulting in a longer time on market, or Seller’s could list their property with a local real estate agency; paying upwards of 5-6% of the purchase price for listing and selling.

Now, there is a third option. This option is called MLS Entry Only, also known as a Flat Fee MLS listing. By selling via Flat Fee MLS listing service seller’s now have the opportunity to market their home without having to pay outrageous listing fees. Pay a flat fee and get your home listed in your local MLS.

By selling your home in this manner your home will receive the same amount of exposure as if you were selling with a traditional listing agent. MLS is the most reliable marketing machine for real estate. This is how agents sell properties. Your home will be viewed by thousands of buyers.

If an agent brings you a buyer you only need to compensate them half of what you would normally would pay a listing agent to market your home. If a buyer finds you without the help of an agent you pay nothing.

For Sale By Owner – 7 Ways to Determine Market Value

Writen by Bill Carey

Pricing your home correctly is the #1, must be done first, priority item in the path of selling your home. If your home is not priced at true market value, you lose. You lose money, you lose excess time on the market, and you may also lose the opportunity to sell your home.

1. Appraiser - Hire a Real Estate Appraiser, you can find a local professional from the website of The Appraisal Institute. It is an international membership association of professional real estate appraisers, with more than 18,000 members and 99 chapters throughout the United States, Canada and abroad. Its mission is to support and advance its members as the choice for real estate solutions and uphold professional credentials, standards of professional practice and ethics consistent with the public good.

2. Bank of America - Has an online service available for FREE on their webpage. Check it out easy to use enter your address and zip code press enter and there are the numbers. http://realestatecenter.bankofamerica.com/RePortal/Homepage.aspx

3. Real Estate Agents - Only the cutting edge internet savvy Realtors have an on line FREE Over-The-Net home evaluation service. Some try to send you off to pay services, if your going to pay anyone it should be an Appraiser.

4. Legal Business Newspaper - Every city and county has a Legal Business Newspaper that it uses for all public legal announcements. They also publish foreclosures, divorces, Judgments and Property Transfers. Larger papers have on-line services and keep archives.

5. Tax Records - City and County Tax records show all property ownership and transfers. They show when a property was sold and for how much. It also shows the recent appraisal information used to compute the tax. Online some have been updated to show photos of the property.

6. Multiple Listing Service - You can directly access the MLS to see at what prices homes are listed. This does not give you true market value but gives you a reference to where it may be going, up, flat, down.

7. Realtor.com - the premier real estate web site more people by far use Realtor.com to get information on residential real estate. It has the same information as the MLS but usually has more photos and is usually easier to navigate.

I have left off the most obvious which is to have a real estate agent come out and prepare a CMA (comparable market analysis), don’t believe that all real estate agents are equal. Do this only if you are not sure if you will actually try to sell on your own. It’s kind of slimy to have someone do work for you, with you knowing your not going to work with them.

Bill Carey with over 30 years in real estate sales, investments, and home building offers a unique perspective to the buying and selling process of residential real estate for F*R*E*E consumer information and reports log on to http://www.CharlotteNCExecutiveHomes.com and see “Insider Real Estate Secrets Revealed” …a must-read for Home-Owners and Renters! It’s a F*R*E*E 12-lesson e-course covering more than 20 topics exposing the realities behind buying and selling a home. It Could Make(or Save) You Thousands of Dollars

See http://www.BillCareyRealtor.com and sign up for our monthly e-newsletter with tips for buyers, sellers, home owners and soon to be home owners.

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When You Sell a House By Owner Remember to Negotiate!

Writen by B Shelton

Making the decision to sell a house by owner is the easy part of the home selling process. It’s even easier than searching for a good real estate agent. But do you realize that selling your home without the assistance of a professional who is trained in this area is risky and that these types of sales do not always go through for many different reasons? If you decide you’re going to sell your house by owner, make sure you’re being realistic about the process. After all, the money you save on commissions won’t always offset the money you lose out on if you fail during the negotiation stage.

Making it to the negotiation phase is a feat all by itself. If you’re taking the sell house by owner route, make sure you know what you are going to do when you’re faced with a Purchase and Sales Contract. At this point, many FSBO sellers are feeling the stress of the process. They find themselves tempted to “give in” to any terms and demands made by the buyer. Sellers get in this situation because they’re anxious to take the sale to the next level, because they think another buyer won’t materialize and they don’t want to blow their chances of closing, or because they simply haven’t mastered the fine art of negotiating.

When you get to the contract stage, be aware of any contingencies the buyer has added to their offer. It’s standard to have the sale contingent on the results of the Inspection Report. But watch out for rent-back clauses and offers that are contingent upon the sale of the prospective buyer’s home or on their ability to secure financing.

A significant number of home sale deals fall through because the buyer isn’t able to secure financing. This happens to sellers who sell a house by owner as well as those who use realtors. If you’re about to receive a bid from a prospective buyer, it’s in your best interest to find out what you can about the buyer’s mortgage approval. One thing about realtors is that they know how to glean this information without coming right out and asking.

And remember, even if you sell a house by owner, if you’re the least bit uncertain about something listed in the contract, you have every right to consult with an attorney who specializes in real estate.

Brian Shelton makes it easy to sell your house fast. To claim your free report entitled “How To Sell Your House In 7 Days or Less“, visit =>http://www.HouseSoldIn7Days.com/

Home Sellers: The Dangers of Overpricing Your Home

Writen by Marc Rasmussen

When I meet with sellers about listing their home often times I hear the strategy of setting the initial asking price high and then coming down in price if it does not sell. This is really not a good idea in a traditional real estate market.

Over the last few years sellers in Sarasota, Florida were successful using this strategy of listing their property with a high sales. They were successful because Sarasota like other parts of the country was in an extreme sellers market. Our prices were continually going above the most recent sales price. Now that the market has cooled off a little bit it is necessary to change strategies when deciding on an asking price.

If you start out with too high of a sales price, then decide to drop it later your house has lost that initial flurry of activity that new listings typically get. This strategy could hurt your chances of selling your home quickly.

I think home sellers want to try this strategy hoping to find an uneducated buyer. Our real estate markets have become very efficient. Real estate information is easy to get and it travels quickly. About 3 out of 4 buyers start their home search on the internet. Today’s buyers are more savvy and are more educated. Properties are listed on the MLS and most buyers have access to these listings quickly. The chances of pricing your home very high and selling it to an uneducated buyer is slim.

Lets say you do price your home high and later lower the price. Once your home has been on the market awhile it becomes stale and is harder to get a good offer. Potential buyers always ask how long a home has been on the market. If they see it has been on the market awhile they will make lower offers. By overpricing your home in the beginning, you could actually end up settling for a lower price than you would have normally received.

Marc Rasmussen is a Realtor selling Sarasota real estate.

How to Sell Your Home Lightning Fast

Writen by Mel Goodwin

Once you decide to sell your home, the most important question will probably be “how do I sell my home fast”? One house selling fact is that homes placed on the market and sold within the first two weeks usually get their asking price.

This is due to the interest from both buyers and realtors because the listings are new on the market. After a few weeks, if the house remains unsold, buyers and realtors start to wonder if there is a problem and often the ‘problem’ is the house is priced too high for the neighborhood.

Hiring a great realtor will help you avoid mistakes, as they know all the techniques and tricks to answer the question of how to sell your home fast. They can advise you on the steps you can take to make this happen. Here are some tips that will help you plan how to sell your home fast:

- The price of your house should be comparable to similar, recently sold homes in your area.

- The very first thing a prospective buyer notices is curb appeal. If the outside of your home and landscaping need work, often a buyer will pass by that house for one that needs less work. Finish any projects you started outside, repair or replace necessary items and make sure the entranceway is inviting. Have the lawn freshly cut, flowerbeds weeded and shrubs trimmed if it is spring or summer. Remember that curb appeal is what gets a prospective buyer to want to see the inside of your house.

- Get rid of all the clutter and put away many personal items such as family pictures and knickknacks. A perspective buyer should be able to imagine they live there. Clutter along with too much furniture makes a place look smaller and more cramped. Repair anything that needs fixing. Fresh flowers and plants make a house feel cozy and help sell it.

- Get more house exposure by holding open houses preferable on weekend afternoons. Multiple listing services, newspapers and real estate magazines all with how help to sell your home fast.

Remember that price and market conditions should be considered in your plan on how to sell your home fast.

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Home Selling 101: Getting Your Home Ready for the Home Inspection

Writen by Preston Sandlin

OK you prepared your home to sell. You mowed the lawn. You put out new pine needles and you even replaced those three dead bushes. You disassembled the trampoline in the back yard that you couldn’t live without three summers ago. You moved out the clutter (all into the garage and the attic) to make your home seem bigger. You painted over that purple accent wall with a neutral color. You even took down your velvet painting of “Dogs Playing Poker.” You lived in your house as if it were a museum for three months. Real Estate agents have been in and out of your house more often than my family at a buffet bar.

Well, you got an offer and accepted it. The buyer’s real estate agent tells you they want you to swim in a tank with live sharks..I mean let their home inspector come and inspect your house. You feel the anxiety coming onWhat to do..no don’t take those pills they talk about on TV. Read the tips in this article.

My purpose in this article is to let you know some common things that home inspectors look for during an inspection and some things you can do to prepare for the colonoscopy..I mean the home inspection. Here are my tips:

1. The home inspector is going to find something. No mater how much you prepare your house, he will find something. Don’t take it personally.

2. Clean your gutters.

3. Trim any trees or branches touching the roof.

4. Caulk the joints on your trim around windows and doors.

5. Make sure all your downspouts have diverters under them.

6. Clean your ovenmake sure all your burners work.

7. Make sure your disposal and dishwasher are working properly.

8. Tighten your kitchen cabinets if they are loose.

9. Tighten tour toilets if they are loose.

10. Make sure your heat and air conditioning are working properly.

11. Caulk around your tub and shower if needed.

12. Change your filters for your HVAC system.

13. Make sure all your windows and doors open and close properly. Make adjustments as needed.

14. Remember all the stuff you dumped in the attic and garage to make your house more roomy? Please clean these. The inspector will need to get in there.

15. Make sure your garage door goes up and down properly. Make sure the auto reverse works properly.

16. Replace any light bulbs that are burned out.

17. For goodness sakes whatever you do, don’t put that velvet painting of “Dogs Playing Poker” back on the wall.

Get off the ledge!!! Don’t jump!!! You will be fine. You will survive the home inspection process. Remember that the home inspector is still going to find some things no matter how much you prepare. It’s not personal. If you have any questions or concerns about the home inspection processor you want to buy a used trampolinecheap. Cantact me – Preston Sandlin www.homeinspectioncarolina.com.

Preston Sandlin is a home inspector in Charlotte NC. He has been a licensed home inspector for eleven years. He is a member of the North Carolina Home Inspector’s Association, The Better Business Bureau, and the Charlotte Rgional Realtors Association. Preston has performed thousands of home inspections over the past eleven years.

Visit ==>www.homeinspectioncarolina.com

Should you FSBO or Use A Realtor?

Writen by Vicki Walker

When it comes time to sell your home, should you try to sell it on your own, or should you list it with a licensed Realtor? Consider the following factors to help you decide:

EXPOSURE

Realtors, or real estate agents, are part of an office of agents, and each of them knows of buyers that are currently in the market for a home. Their buyers are pre-qualified, that is, they have already seen a lender and have qualified for a loan so the buyer knows exactly how much they can afford, and the Realtor does too. In many areas, a realtor won’t even show homes to a buyer until they pre-qualify. The process saves a lot of wasted time on everybody’s part.

Contrast this with the prospect of you putting up a “For Sale” sign in your front yard, and having to deal with people that will be calling you to talk about your house and want to walk through it, even though they don’t have the resources to actually buy it. In the end, they are just wasting your time.

Realtors also have contact with many people from out of town who are relocating to your area. Each realtor in town gets contacted frequently through their website, by people that are looking for a home by long-distance. They may be coming to town soon to look at available homes for a few days. The Realtor lines up a number of homes for them to tour that fit their criteria. One of them could be yours. But, if you FSBO, that potential buyer won’t know your house is on the market until they get to town, if then.

EXPERIENCE

A real estate agent will be able to assist in setting the right price to list your home, according to the current market conditions.

A real estate agent is a trained professional who will spend the necessary amount of time it may take to get your home SOLD.

The agent understands and will take care of all the necessary paperwork to complete the buying process. The agent will also act as a liaison between you and the inspectors, the buyer’s agent, and between attorneys, if they are involved.

Most buyers prefer to deal with a real estate agent because the agent will give them the unbiased professional opinion on a house, and how it stacks up against other houses on the market.

Agents understand all the different types of loans and financing options. They can provide information to buyers about local lending institutions to fit their needs.

ADVERTISING

Realtors have many ways to advertise your home, not just a newspaper ad and a “For Sale” sign in the yard. They also utilize the following ways to advertise a home:

The Multiple Listing Service
Open Houses
Web sites like Realtor.com and Yahoo Real Estate
Direct mail
Newspaper inserts
Regional Real Estate Magazines
Cable TV
Word of mouth through Realtor “Caravans” where 30 or more
Realtors will tour your home and then match it to their prospective buyers.

How much of this marketing muscle will you be able to flex if you FSBO?

SHOWING YOUR HOME

Agents have expertise to help you get your home in top shape before your prospective buyers arrive. They can help you “stage” your home to look more like a model home that would appeal to a larger group of buyers. They know how to emphasize and focus on your homes good points.

If you FSBO you will be learning the process as you go, a costly education when you are trying to sell your own home.

SUMMARY

With all the time, knowledge, effort, and paperwork it takes to sell a home, you should partner with a Realtor and save yourself the headaches and frustration. Hire a Professional!

Vicki Walker is a Realtor serving clients in the Northern California towns of Davis and Woodland. You can find more great information by visiting her two websites Selling a Home in Davis or Woodland California Real Estate.

FSBO Open Houses – What If You Get An Offer?

Writen by Raynor James

You’ve decided to sell your home yourself and decide to have an open house to show off the property. Potential buyers come and you get an offer. What now?

Qualifying Buyers

Your home is looking sharp and you’ve got the word out telling people about the open house. Now you need to be prepared to take action if a qualified buyer attends, likes your home and wants to buy it.

Most qualified buyers will have a strong lender letter. If one of them wants to buy, you can move on to the next step. There may be people who come to your open house who would like to buy but don’t yet have a lender letter. Let me suggest a mutually helpful alliance for dealing with that situation.

Call several lenders before you schedule your open house. Tell them you’re planning an open house and you’d like to have a lender on hand to help buyers (even if they don’t want to buy your home) figure out what they can afford. Tell them you’d also like them to help you evaluate any lender letter you’re offered by a potential buyer. Choose the lender you feel most comfortable with and work out a mutually acceptable date for your open house.

You can introduce all attendees at your open house to the lender. This often proves to be helpful to you, some of the buyers who attend and can be a source of additional loans for the lender. Everybody wins.

Be Prepared for Action

You need to know how you want to handle a contract should someone want to make an offer. Do you have an attorney who will draw it? Are you going to suggest using a contract form? If so, have one on hand. Do you have a specific settlement company you’d like to use? Do your homework and think these things through in advance. Buyers may have ideas and connections of their own. You should consider any reasonable suggestion a potential buyer makes, but be prepared with your own approach if the buyer isn’t sure how to proceed. The point is to plan your course of action in advance.

In Closing

FSBO sellers often worry whether anyone will attend their open houses. They are then happily surprised when people arrive. Such happiness can turn to embarrassment when an offer is made and the FSBO seller isn’t sure how to handle it. If you think positively and prepare, this need not happen to you.

Raynor James is with http://www.fsboamerica.org – providing FSBO homes for sale by owner. Visit our “sell my home” page at http://www.fsboamerica.org/seller.cfm to list and sell your home for free for one month. Visit http://www.fsboamerica.org/buyer.cfm to see homes for sale by owner.

Should You Sell Your House Yourself?

Writen by B Shelton

Once you’ve decided to sell your house, your next big decision will be whether to list your house with a realtor, or try to sell your house yourself. There are pros and cons on either side of the discussion, and good reasons why you’d choose one or the other. Should you sell your house yourself, or hire a realtor to do it for you?

You should sell your home yourself if:

1. You bought the house that you’re selling less than five years ago.

Usually, owning your home for only a short time means that your equity in the house is low. Since the realtor’s commission will come out of your equity, any commission that you pay will cut directly into any profit you might realize on the house.

2. You can afford to pay for advertising and listing costs up front.

When you list with a realtor, advertising and listing costs will come out of the sale price. Without a realtor, you’ll need to pay for your advertising, printing and listing costs with internet For Sale By Owner sites out of your pocket and up front. This will typically cost you several hundred dollars – but it’s still considerably less than the commission you’d pay to a real estate agent.

3. You have the time to show your house to buyers.

The more flexible you are time wise, the easier it will be for you to show your house. When you sell your house yourself, you must be able to make arrangements to show your house when buyers can see it.

Typically, when you sell your home yourself, you should expect to pay between 2 and 3% of your final price in sales-related costs – which is considerably less than the 4-6% that a realtor would charge.

What are the advantages to using a realtor instead of selling your home yourself? They include the realtor’s specialized knowledge of the real estate industry and their available to show your house. A real estate agent can help you set the right price without you having to do all the legwork, help you get through the tangle of legalities and paperwork and negotiate with buyers on your behalf.

An experienced real estate agent can point out needed repairs and make suggestions for cosmetic changes to your home that will make it more attractive to buyers. In return, they’ll take 6-7% of the selling price of your home as commission.

The advantages of selling your home yourself are obvious. In the current realty market, that 6-7% commission can amount to a healthy chunk of change – as much as $11,000 t $12,000 on an average house sale. By contrast, if you sell your home yourself, you’ll be saving $8,000 or more on the sale – and all of that goes into your pocket.

In the end, the choice is yours – sell your house yourself and put more of the money in your pocket, or engage a real estate agent to do the work, to save you time and effort.

Brian Shelton makes it easy to sell your house fast. To claim your free

report entitled “How To Sell Your House In 7 Days or Less“, visit the

http://www.HouseSoldIn7Days.com/

Sell Your Home Yourself: 5 Powerful Tips For A Fast And Easy Home Sale

Writen by Ken Ajoku

Why sell yourself?

Selling a home yourself, without an expensive estate agent is easier than most people think. However, it will take some work on your part since you will be doing a lot of things that an estate agent might normally do.

There are 3 main reasons why people choose to sell their home themselves.
It’s the money! Sellers save thousands of pounds not paying a 4% or 5% commission. For example, if your home can sell for