I have put up another site to check out if your interested in selling your property. There is some helpful information along with useful tools to assist you through out the process.
Boston MLS
We have been working hard at Russell Realty Group to provide a easily utilized product to assist clients in there search for a home. If you haven’t already I would encourage you to use the search widget to the right of the page. Also you can visit our site to search active MLS listings in your area free of charge.
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Pricing your Home to Sell
Pricing Your Home To Sell
In addition to location and condition, the asking price of a home is at the top of the list of important considerations. When a potential buyer is looking for a property, they want to get the best possible value for their dollar. This doesn’t mean that a home should be priced too low, but it does mean that knowing how to price your home is a must.
Know The Value
Regardless of whether you are in a buyer’s market or seller’s market, it’s important for every seller to know the actual value of their home with the help of an appraisal. With this information, you will be able to choose a listing price that does not exceed the home’s value. At the same time, you will know how to react to various offers that a potential buyer may make. If you can select a price that is affordable to a range of buyers, you may receive multiple offers thereby sparking a possible competition among the interested parties.
Do Your Homework
The asking price that you choose should not be based on an appraisal alone, but rather a combination of factors. One such factor is that of recent selling prices for comparable homes in the area known as “comps.” Important comparisons include construction year, square footage, views (if applicable), interior upgrades and additional features that make the home unique. While you’re doing research, check out current listings and the asking price for each home available in your area.
Set A Realistic Timetable
In researching the sale price for other comparable homes in the area, you should also note the length of time a particular house has been on the market. Some homes practically sell overnight, while others may remain on the market for months without being sold. If you want to sell your home quickly, you should consider this when setting a price. A bargain will obviously move quicker, but it’s important to make enough from the sale to feel good about your choice. If you aren’t in a hurry to close, talk with your realtor about a fair starting price that’s at or near the appraised value of your home.
Ask Your Agent For Advice
While you hold the key, so to speak, to your house’s actual asking price, most sellers will ask their Agent for their opinion. After all, real estate is their business and they will be working with you through every step of the process. If you choose a Agent that you trust, give great consideration to the advice they offer.
The Home Remodels That Will Most Increase Your Selling Price
The Home Remodels That Will Most Increase Your Selling Price
So you are ready to sell, but you know that there are a few things in the home that could stand some updating in order to increase your selling price. Your remodel budget is limited, and you are wondering where to spend it. The good news is that there are some solid answers. But there are certain remodeling jobs that can increase your selling price more than others.
Whether you are getting ready to sell or simply want to remodel now for the best value when you do sell later, these are the remodels that give you the best return on investment.
The Kitchen
Remodeling the kitchen is one of the most important things you can do in your home, especially if the kitchen is dated. It is often one of the first rooms a potential buyer will see, and it should make an impression. The kitchen is often considered the soul of the home, and most people spend a good deal of time here. Upgrades to countertops, cabinets, and appliances are one of the wisest investments you can make in your home.
The Bathrooms
Second only to the kitchen, the bathroom is the room in the house where dated fixtures or flooring can cost you a sale. People want a bathroom that is clean, comfortable, and modern, a place of privacy and peace. Spending money on a bathroom remodel will almost always be the best way to spend your money, and you will see it in your selling price.
Curb Appeal
Getting people in to look at your house is the first step. Spending some of your remodel money on the exterior of the house and the landscaping is the best way to do that. Improving the look of the house from the outside means you can bring more people in to look and to buy. There is no underestimating the importance of curb appeal.
An Addition
With a small house, adding on square footage can mean adding a lot to the selling price. If you can swing it, an addition is a smart way to make your house worth a lot more money.
Remodeling your house now for a better sale price later is a smart move. The sooner you do it, the more you will be able to enjoy it before it is time to sell and move on. With these smart remodels, you will make maximum profit.
www.TheBostonMovesGuy.com
Mortgage Law Changes
Interesting article on changes to the Federal rules governing mortgages. Changes to take effect January 2014.
New federal rule: Make sure borrower can pay loan http://realestate.msn.com/blogs/listedblogpost.aspx?ocid=vt_twmsnre&post=0caba80f-60e6-4011-887e-236e2d385f48
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Home Buyers Ebook
Checkout my free Home Buyers Ebook. There is some good info in there for people getting ready to purchase property.
Home Selling Checklist: The Process Of Selling Your Home
Home Selling Checklist: The Process Of Selling Your Home
Once you’ve made the decision to sell your home, it’s time to think about what comes next. Throughout the process, you may find it beneficial to have a checklist to help guide you in some very important choices that you will be making in the coming months.
Interview Several Agents
An Agent is a person who you will enlist to help with the selling of your home. Just like no two homes are alike, no two owners are alike and each has different needs when it comes to real estate. The Agent that you ultimately choose will have access to your home at any time and will be responsible for marketing it to potential buyers. As such, you should choose someone that you feel comfortable with and will do the best job for you. The only way to know which Agent this will be is to speak with more than one, ask plenty of questions and get a feel for how they do business.
Get An Appraisal
When you list your home for sale, an appraisal will be helpful for a number of reasons. As the seller, you may wonder why you would need to have your home appraised, but here’s why. As a seller, you do not want to overprice or underprice your home. If you ask for more than the home is actually worth, lenders won’t likely grant a loan even if you find a willing buyer. If you price your home too low, not only will you be taking away from your own profit, but potential buyers may wonder what’s wrong with the home that it’s priced so far below market value.
With an appraisal, you can list your home with the knowledge that you need to make sure the price is right. If you want to advertise the home as a bargain, sell it somewhat below the appraised value. Buyers will know they are getting instant equity in the home and lenders will see the investment as a good one.
As a final thought to choosing an asking price, note that your Agent will require a commission and possibly other fees in connection with listing your home on the market. It’s perfectly acceptable to ask the Agent for a written summary of these fees, as opposed to just a mention of them in the contract, and how much they will be. With this information, you will know exactly how much money you will have left in your pocket from the sale of your home.
Decide How Quickly You Want To Sell
Believe it or not, your schedule could greatly impact the listing price. If you are in a hurry to sell, you may find that a competitive asking price will help you to get the cash you need much quicker. A price that reflects the higher end of a buyer’s budget may take some time to sell, so consider these factors when pricing your home.
Make Time For Updates
Your Agent will offer advice as to what needs updated, repaired or changed in order to maximize the potential of your home. When a buyer looks at a house, they are looking at the cost, needed repairs or upgrades, decor, etc. Once your Agent does a walkthrough and explains what, if anything, needs updated, you will commit to an asking price and sign the listing agreement.
Field Offers
As a seller, you are probably already aware that potential buyers will make an offer that could be less than your actual asking price. Most Agents will tell you that if you ask for ‘X’ amount of dollars, buyers will probably offer you ‘X’ amount instead. That’s the name of the game, and you will need to decide whether or not your asking price is firm or negotiable. If an offer comes your way, you will always have the option of making a counteroffer or simply rejecting the deal altogether.
As a final thought to the negotiation process, keep in mind that buyers typically offer less than they are actually willing to pay initially. Most offers are time sensitive, which means you may have to make some quick decisions. Of course, your Agent will be there to guide you through every step of the process and will likely offer an opinion as to whether or not an offer is fair in the current market.
Close The Deal
When the price is right and you agree to the terms, it’s time to say goodbye to your former home and hello to a brand new life. Letting go is not always easy, but moving forward is a part of life. If you still live in the home, most contracts will require that you move within 30 days. If you no longer live in the home, most buyers will want to move in immediately.
www.TheBostonMovesGuy.com
Single Family Sales in Boston for 2012
Single Family Sales in Boston for December 2012
Single Family Listings: 78
Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: 3,230.42
Avg. List$: $633,448
Avg. DOM: 74.85
Avg. Sale$: $612,264
Avg. Sale$/SqFt: $287
Here are the stats for December 2012 for single families in Boston. January starts the new year, with the new year comes new opportunity.
Check us out at www.thebostonmovesguy.com
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Single Family Sales in Boston for November 2012
Single Family Sales for Boston in During November 2012
Single Family Listings: 86
Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: 1,716.28
Avg. List$: $534,404
Avg. DOM: 69.40
Avg. Sale$: $510,474
Avg. Sale$/SqFt: $272
This is the statistics for the sales of single families in the entire city of Boston during November 2012. It is interesting to see that the properties on average are selling quicker, and for closer to the asking price than in the recent past. This brings up a couple questions and I would love to hear your opinions.
So is this the beginning of a market turn around?
Do we contribute this to the hard work and dedication of us agents, or are sellers becoming better educated and more lenient with properly pricing a property or of course a combo of both?
Are we going to see a bit of supply and demand as the inventory drops will prices rise?
As prices rise and we experience a bit of a rebound will mortgage rates start to rise as well?
Finally is it all just a cycle and we are on the way back up after hitting the bottom?
Check me out at www.thebostonmovesguy.com and weigh in.
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