Thursday, July 1, 2010

I’ll Sell My Own Orlando Real Estate, Thanks

As I’m sure you know, the real estate industry is in a down market, and the last thing you want to do is pay commission to an Orlando real estate agent. Not to mention that you’re almost positive you can sell your home just fine on your own. Before sticking a “For Sale by Owner” sign up, however, make sure you’re ready for the work and headaches.

• Time. Yes, you can sell your Orlando real estate on your own without the help of an agent, but it takes a lot of preparation and time. How much is your time worth and how much time do you have? Before you step out on your own, make sure you can afford the time and energy investment.

• Extra services for better value. You’ll lose out on a wide variety of services offered by real estate agents. For example, many agents now provide home staging services as well as extensive advertising and marketing services both online and off.

• Dealing with the legalities. Selling a home involves contracts, closings and a multitude of legal issues that can make or break a sale. Real estate transactions have occasionally led to outcomes that were unexpected, including lawsuits. A professional helps ensure that the contracts are legally sound and binding.

• Knowing the market. Real estate agents have instant access to current market information. We can find an accurate selling range within minutes. Since the real estate market constantly fluctuates, it’s important to know what area homes sell for before pricing your own. Otherwise, your risk underselling or overpricing your home.

These are just a few points. You also need exposure to buyers, experience with legal contracts and excellent negotiating skills. Can you sell your own Orlando real estate? Yes, but can you really afford to?

If you’re trying to sell your home and need professional expertise, we can help. Call us at 407-876-5771 for more information.

How to Set a Kitchen Renovation Budget on Orlando Homes

There are many Orlando homes currently for sale. An obvious question you must ask yourself in today’s market is how to make your home stand out.

Whether you’re a real estate investor wanting to flip several Orlando homes or a homeowner selling your current home, one of the top ways to increase your home’s value is remodeling the kitchen. The kitchen is the central meeting place of the American family and people want it to be modern and up to date.

Do a Price Comparison among Orlando Homes

Your renovation budget is one of the primary concerns to take into account before you begin. The current value of your home, as compared to other homes in your neighborhood, is one way to determine how much you should spend on your kitchen renovation.

• Higher Price Range = Lower Budget Needed. Is your home worth about the same or more than most homes in your neighborhood? This indicates a diminished chance of selling for much more, even after enhancements. Stick with a moderate budget. This may seem contrary to instinct but it’s true.

• Lower Price Range = Higher Budget Needed. On the other hand, if your home is appraising lower than those in the area (or is decidedly on the lower end of the scale) investing more in excellent kitchen remodeling is a great way to increase the value of your home.

Overspending Yields Lower Rate of Return

Investing too much on one aspect of your home (especially a home that's already approaching the price ceiling for the area) is a potential money burner. Keep a moderate budget, and if you have more money to spend, invest it in other areas of your home (exterior improvements, for example).

Perception Is Reality

Once you decide on a budget, remember that appearance is everything. Faux marble, for instance, looks about as nice as marble. The only reason for genuine marble or solid oak is bragging rights. A new faucet on a moderately up-to-date sink is almost as impressive visually as a totally new sink.

“Do one thing… And do it well,” applies here. If you must add luxury, add it to one element and cover the rest with perception strategies.

If you’d like additional advice on the home improvements that are most likely to increase the value of your home, we would be happy to help. Call us today at 407-876-5771.