Tag Archives: Real estate broker/agent

Short Sales? Sometimes not very short. Buyers should enter the process with lots of patience and an agent trained in short sale negotiations.

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The term short sale has woven its way into the homebuyer lexicon during the past year. While not a foreclosure property, short sale homes have their own special financial issues that require a real estate agent who is trained in this type of sale.

What is a short sale? When a homeowner is in financial difficulty, can’t keep current on mortgage payments and may see a foreclosure in the near future, the owner and the lending institution decide to sell the home for less than owed on the mortgage.

Buyers are attracted to short sales hoping to score a property at rock bottom price. That could be a misconception, because short sales are much more complicated than price. While the seller and her agent may set the listing price, the lender has final say to approve the sale or not. Dealing with two entities to buy a home can be a long process suited for buyers with patience and an experienced agent. There’s nothing short about a short sale. Here are some tips when you decide on a short sale:

  • Price. Submitting a low-ball offer most likely won’t get you anywhere. Your agent will show you comparable prices in the neighborhood, which should set the tone for your offer. The lending institution has the final say in approving the sale price. If the lender feels your offer is way out of line, they may not even respond.
  • Repairs. Short sales are sold as is. The home may have any number of repairs to be done, so be in the fixer-upper state of mind. Whether you’ll be issued a credit is up to the lender. Another way of thinking is that you are buying a home below market value and that gives you the financial leeway to make repairs.
  • Financials. You and your agent can perform a search on the property to see if the owner has more loans than the mortgage. The more debt, like a line of credit, the more complicated the process becomes.
  • How long? Short sales take a long time. If you don’t have the patience for that, continue looking for properties with your agent that may be easier to purchase and offer what you want in a home.

Short sales can result in amazing properties and a commitment to a very special home. With a generous dose of patience and attention to detail, plus a trained short sale agent, you very well may purchase your dream home.

Real estate agents are community resources. We do much more than buy and sell homes.

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Realtors sell houses and help people buy homes. You have a relationship with your agent for a brief time and then both of you move on. Sounds simple enough. But, peel back the layers of that relationship, and you find how much of an impact your agent can be, not just during the buying and selling process, for many years to come.

A home doesn’t stand as a single, uncomplicated entity. It needs maintenance, decorating, fixing up, landscaping and protection. A home needs to be cleaned, plumbed, air conditioned, heated, insured and pest-protected.

As real estate agents, we have so many reliable resources that will make life in a new home much easier. Our referrals are very important for first-time homebuyers who may have difficulty looking beyond the thrill of owning property for the first time.

When that first leak appears, whom should you call? It might be odd to say, “Call your real estate agent” but we know top-notch talented plumbers who understand the homes in our area and all their quirks.

Are you new to our area? We know the best schools, where to shop, how to get your car fixed in less than a day and when the next St. Charles area festival will happen. Do you want a short commute to work, or would you prefer to live a bit outside the metro area?

We can recommend doctors, dentists and optometrists, bakeries, farmers’ markets that sell homegrown produce and great cultural events to get a feel for your new community.

As real estate agents, we know our communities and have a wealth of information to make your life in your new home so much easier. Count on us to make the whole home buying/selling experience that much more.

Getting sellers and buyers together for a happy ending: Current market value will determine a sale, not emotions

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The real estate market can be very complex these days; but mix in emotions and the occasional ego, and it can be even more complicated. Enter your real estate agent, who will sort out the best approaches for both buyers and sellers.

For sellers, correct pricing is a must. A recent Zillow survey showed that homeowners who purchased their property in 2007 or later were overpricing their homes by an average of 14.1 percent, and homeowners who purchased between 2002 and 2006 were overpricing about 9.3 percent above market value.

The key here is market value. The market has changed drastically since 2002 and sellers should look at current market value, not the value when the home was purchased years ago. Buyers aren’t taking into consideration what you paid then, but what the house is worth right now.

Both sellers and buyers should review the comparable properties for sale that your agent will provide. These comparables offer a good snapshot of current values for homes similar to yours.

Overpricing a home is very counterproductive in this economy. Most likely, the property will sit on the market for a while. The longer the property languishes, even with subsequent price reductions, the less desirable it is. Follow your agent’s pricing strategy instead of your emotions for a quick sale.

Buyers, too, have high expectations, but for lower prices. With the buyer’s market in full swing, buyers are looking for a great bargain, to “make a steal.” Again, your agent’s comparables will guide you to a fair offer that is a good deal for you.

Some buyers are tempted to make a very low first bid. That’s called low-balling. Just like a seller pricing a property too high, an extremely low bid can be counterproductive. This can insult the seller and shut down any further negotiations. If you really want a property, take your agent’s advice on a reasonable offer and that will assure communication that can lead to a happy ending for both parties.