Archive for December, 2008

Newer Entries »

Choosing a Realtor Who

Friday, December 12th, 2008

A qualified Realtor can greatly facilitate the process of selling your property. Finding a good Realtor, however, takes time and requires a bit of research and homework to ensure that you have found a good fit.

A qualified real estate agent can help you find a home, tell you how much your home is worth and what to list your home for, recommend lenders and home inspectors, coordinate your home’s closing and help coordinate negotiations for your Coppell real estate.

The following tips will help you find a qualified Realtor:

  • Get referrals from friends, family, neighbors and business associates. Choose at least three Realtors who you will then interview. Some common questions to ask a Realtor during the interview process include:
    • How long have you been in business?
    • Will I work with you or with a business associate or assistant?
    • How many homes have you sold in the neighborhoods that I am looking at?
    • What marketing techniques will you use to sell my home?
    • How many clients do you currently have?
    • Do you work full-time (a part-time Realtor may not be able to devote the time needed to sell your home.)?
  • Learn about the Realtor’s qualifications, including continuing education and training.
  • Ask your Realtor for referrals. A qualified real estate agent should have a long list of referrals from which to choose. Any Realtor hesitant to give you referrals should be avoided.
  • Determine whether your personalities mesh well together. No matter how qualified a real estate agent is, if you don’t feel comfortable around him or her, then the relationship will not work. You will need to have frequent, honest conversations, so don’t take this area too lightly.

Find a Realtor who is easy to talk to, who answers your questions directly and honestly, and is readily available to answer questions and address concerns at any given time.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Seller Tips | No Comments »

Fix it up or Sell it As-Is

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

You are getting ready to list your property on the market and you are just not sure what to fix and what not to fix. Will you get a return on your investment? Does it make sense to make certain home improvements or is it easier to just sell your home in as-is condition?

Many sellers are faced with these questions, yet there is no clear-cut answer. A seller’s market, for example, is usually in a seller’s favor regarding home improvements. Yet in a buyer’s market, when there is a large inventory of homes on the market, your house may be passed over for another one which needs no improvements.

The first thing you can do before embarking on a costly home improvement project is to research other Dallas homes and visit them during open houses. If most of the homes in the area have updated kitchens, for example, it may be well worth your while to spruce up your kitchen. And this doesn’t have to mean granite countertops and maple cabinets, either. Often a change of hardware and a fresh coat of the paint on the cabinets can make all the difference.

Most real estate experts will tell you that kitchens and bathrooms offer the highest rate of return, which is true. However, tearing apart your bathroom and completely updating it with a Jacuzzi tub and overhead skylights could cost you thousands of dollars, some of which you may not see again. Scale back any renovation projects and instead opt for a neutral, updated look without the fancy extras.

Some home improvements, however, should always be tended to before listing your home. These include:

  • Repairing, patching and painting walls
  • Repairing or replacing any broken appliances
  • Repairing or replacing the HVAC system
  • Repairing leaky faucets
  • Replacing old or outdated light fixtures
  • Replacing worn carpet or torn linoleum
  • Repairing the roof
  • Replacing any broken windows

Tags:
Posted in Seller Tips | No Comments »

Buyer Tips: Talking with the Neighbors before Buying your Dream Home

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

Your dream Coppell home has it all: the quaint, picket fence, the brick fireplace, the wooded backyard. All seems well and you’re ready to put in an offer.

But wait! You almost forgot an important part of the home buying process – checking out the neighborhood and the neighbors!

Many home buyers will scout the neighborhood, of course, before deciding if the home is right for them. And this is a smart decision. Some questions to ask yourself:

  • How are the homes in the neighborhood cared for? Is pride of home ownership evident?
  • Is the street busy? Does traffic seem to pick up during certain times of the day? Is traffic noise evident and distracting from inside the home?
  • Is it close to schools, shopping, your place of employment, etc.?

Your inspection of the neighborhood shouldn’t end there. Your potential neighbors can, perhaps, be the best source of information.

Begin by knocking on the neighbors’ doors and asking questions such as:

  • How long have you lived in the neighborhood?
  • What do you like best about living here?
  • Is there anything about this neighborhood you would change if you could?
  • Are there problems with crime or vandalism with the neighborhood?
  • How well are the streets, parks and public areas taken care of? For example, are the streets plowed in a timely manner during snow storms?
  • Is the neighborhood quiet? Do you have any problems with nuisance neighbors?

Your interview with the neighbors will not only provide you with important information about the neighborhood, but also give you a good idea as to how well you will get along with the neighbors. Were the neighbors courteous? Did they take the time to talk with you, or seem annoyed or offended by your questions?

You owe it to yourself to gather all information possible before making the decision to buy a home.

Tags: ,
Posted in Buyer Tips | No Comments »

Seller Tips: Eliminating Odors in your Home

Monday, December 8th, 2008

Your property can be as neat as a pin, clean as can be, and yet the odors can scare off even the best of potential buyers. Your fish dinner last night, Fluffy’s litter box, and the cigars from last week’s poker game are still lingering about – and you have an open house tomorrow! What to do?

The following tips will have your Highland Park real estate smelling less like last night’s dinner and more like a fresh, clean home:

  1. Take care of the cat’s litter box. Scoop and change the litter at least a few hours before an open house, and place the litter box in an inconspicuous place so that potential home buyers won’t have to view it.
  2. If your carpets smell like Fido, try sprinkling baking soda on them, letting them sit for about a half hour and then vacuuming it up. You can also try a carpet deodorizer made specifically for pet odors.
  3. Baking soda is also great on stinky garbage disposals, refrigerators and garbage cans. Pour a bit of baking soda down the garbage disposal drain, let sit for at least 10 minutes and then run the disposal. Place a box of baking soda in the refrigerator to eliminate odors.
  4. Open the windows and air out your home, is possible, at least a few hours before your showing or open house. Or, if possible, keep the windows open during the showing. There is nothing like a fresh air smell throughout your home to excite buyers and eliminate stubborn odors.
  5. Empty the garbage cans at least a few hours before your showing.
  6. Use scented candles, reed diffusers and air fresheners to freshen up any room in the home.
  7. For a quick fix of the air (especially after a strong-scented dinner), try boiling water with a few sprigs of lavender or other herbs to infuse the air with a light scent.

Tags:
Posted in Seller Tips | No Comments »

Home Buyer Tips: What to Expect During a Home Inspection

Friday, December 5th, 2008

A home inspection is an important – yet often overlooked – part of a Highland Park real estate transaction. As a buyer, a home inspection will alert you to any potential problems or areas of the home which require maintenance, repair or replacement.

A proper home inspection can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in home repairs.

A comprehensive home inspection should, at the very least, cover the following areas of the home:

  • The land and lot
  • General construction
  • The foundation
  • The exterior foundation
  • The roof, the flashing, the gutters and the downspouts (the age of the roof, the roof’s condition)
  • The roof’s support structure
  • The attic
  • The basement
  • The home’s insulation
  • The windows
  • The garage
  • The kitchen and the kitchen appliances
  • Any attached structures
  • The electrical system

Posted in Buyer Tips | 1 Comment »

The Top Five Mistakes Sellers Make When Showing Their Home

Thursday, December 4th, 2008

Creating the right atmosphere and making potential buyers feel comfortable and welcome is essential during a showing. Opening the door, though, is just the first step in a successful showing for your Fort Worth real estate.

Below are the top five mistakes sellers make when showing their home:

1. Being inflexible or difficult about scheduling. Sure, leaving the house at 9am on a Saturday morning (when you’d rather be laying in bed reading the paper) isn’t convenient for most people, but saying no to showings will cost you a potential sale.

It is important to understand that if you are inflexible about scheduling, buyers will simply go onto the next property and will not likely head back to your property at a later time or date. A scheduling conflict is often a missed opportunity for a sale. Remember: be flexible and as accommodating as possible when it comes to showings.

2. Hovering around during the showing. There are no rules regarding leaving during a showing, but most real estate agents will agree that a present homeowner is often a big turn-off for potential buyers.

The bottom line is that most potential buyers feel uncomfortable with a present homeowner and are less likely to spend a fair amount of time in your home. They are also less likely to ask questions to the real estate agent and are certainly less likely to open closets and cabinets. Remember: the best way to sell your house is to leave during a showing.

3. Returning to the house too soon. Just like hovering, a homeowner popping back in the house in the middle of a showing is surely the quickest way to lose a potential sale. If you see cars still in the driveway, just keep driving, and don’t come back until the coast is clear!

4. Not cleaning your home. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it just needs to be mentioned. By all means, take the time to clean the house and tidy up before a showing. Your home will appear a lot less inviting if there are dirty dishes in the sink and dog hair on the carpet.

5. Not taking the pets. When you leave, take your pets with you, if possible. No one wants to be greeted at a showing by a barking, panting, jumping dog. Some people are pet lovers; some are not. Don’t gamble with a potential sale by keeping Fido or Fluffy at the home during a showing. Plan ahead and make arrangements regarding the pets before a showing arrives.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Seller Tips | No Comments »

How to Handle Home Inspection Problems

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

Ah, at last. The home inspection on your new Highland Park home is completed and you have just received the engineer

Tags: , ,
Posted in Buyer Tips | 3 Comments »

Seller Tips: What Not to Forget Before your Open House

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008

An open house can play a very important role in marketing and selling your Highland Park home. With this in mind, you will want to make sure that every detail has been tended to, and that no stone has been left unturned, so to speak.

Dallas open house

Here are the following tips that every seller should remember before opening their doors for an open house:

  • Don’t forget to clean! That means vacuuming, dusting, clearing the dirty dishes out of the sink, sweeping the floors, making the beds, and cleaning the bathrooms.
  • Don’t forget to clear out the clutter! Remove piles of newspapers and shoes by the front door. Clean up and organize the kids’ toys and put away any mail, bills and catalogs.
  • Don’t forget the home’s entry! Your buyers begin to form their opinion of your home as they walk toward the front door. Is your front entry warm and welcoming, or do unruly weeds and a dying pot of flowers stand out?

Sweep the porch and add a burst of color with potted plants of annuals. Add a wreath to the front door and clean the glass of the storm door.

  • Don’t forget the backyard! Most buyers will want to take a walk through your backyard. Therefore, this is the time to make sure any animal droppings are cleared, and that toys aren’t strewn about the lawn. Sweep off the back porch or deck and make sure the porch furniture is cleaned and nicely arranged. Consider adding more colorful pots of flowers to spruce up this space.
  • Don’t forget the closets! Buyers will look through your closets, whether you like it or not. Are your closets neatly organized, or are they overstuffed and cluttered? A neatly organized closet gives the impression that there is plenty of storage in the home, while a cluttered, messy closet screams lack of space.
  • Don’t forget the windows! If the weather permits, open the windows and let the fresh air and sunshine stream through the home. And by all means, clean the windows so they sparkle! Fresh air and sunshine always help create a welcoming atmosphere.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Seller Tips | No Comments »

Dallas – Fort Worth Housing Market

Monday, December 1st, 2008

While so many major markets across the country are experiencing housing slumps, Dallas-Fort Worth remains one of the countrys two strongest housing markets. This can be attributed to several factors, among them a healthy local economy, high employment rates, stable economy, steadily growing home values and home affordability. These, in turn, have contributed to the DFW areas reputation as a low-risk real estate market.

The current slowdown in housing starts, due to an abundant supply of new home inventory, has had little effect on the median price of new homes in Dallas-Fort Worth. Values continue to increase and should escalate further as existing inventory is sold. As a result, theres no time like the present for families like yours to make a new home purchase and take advantage of the affordable prices and the anticipated growth in value after you buy. You

Tags:
Posted in Market News | No Comments »

Buyer Tips: How to Shop for a Home

Monday, December 1st, 2008

House hunting seems fairly straightforward, right? Show up, check out a few properties and find your dream Fort Worth home…

But it’s not always that easy. Instead, create a game plan and begin your home search in an organized, orderly manner. It will take much of the frustration out of home buying and make it the exciting, positive experience it should be!

The following tips will help you when searching for your piece of Forth Worth real estate:

  1. Make a list of must-haves. Are two, full bathrooms absolutely necessary? Is a two-car garage something you won’t budge on? You can instantly narrow down your search by only visiting those homes which meet your basic criteria.

Now, that doesn’t mean a strict list, either, as this will leave you empty-handed and disappointed. But it should include a fairly narrow price range and a short list of minimums that your home must have.

  1. Once you have your list of must-haves and a budget, you can further refine your list by location. The home of your dreams may not be so dreamy when you’re fighting a tough commute to and from work everyday. Check out the home’s location in terms of its proximity to your children’s school, your work, shopping centers, playgrounds, etc. to determine if it makes the cut.
  2. Once you’ve actually started your home search and made it through the door, you’ll want to get a good idea of the room sizes to determine whether your furniture will fit. You may be extremely disappointed if your antique bedroom set doesn’t come close to fitting into your new bedroom.
  3. Survey the neighborhood to determine if it’s a good fit for you and your family. Is the home located on a busy street? How are the other homes in the neighborhood cared for? Is the neighborhood noisy, or unsafe? No matter how great the home is, it won’t work if the neighborhood isn’t a good fit.

Tags:
Posted in Buyer Tips | No Comments »

Newer Entries »