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.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Is Your Orlando Home Making You Sick?
Unexplained headaches and nausea, getting sick more often than normal, showing signs of allergies that have never been there before – your Orlando home may be making you sick.
How do you find out if your Orlando home is making you sick? Look for individual sources of pollution:
• Tobacco smoke – If you’re a smoker, smoke outside. Sitting in a cloud can cause dizziness, nausea and other side effects. These problems are especially harsh if you’re a non-smoker in a home full of smoke. As well, the smoke settles into fabrics and on walls and ceilings for the carcinogens to be released into the air on a regular basis.
• Radon – Because radon is odorless and invisible, the best way to find out if you have a problem is to have a radon test done on your home. The U.S. Surgeon General and EPA recommend that all homes be tested.
• Asbestos – Pretty much everyone knows that asbestos is a health hazard, but you may not think it’s in your house. If it was built between 1920 and 1978, however, there’s a high possibility. If there’s asbestos in your house, hire a specially trained, licensed contractor to remove it.
• Pesticides – If you have a problem with bugs and use pesticides, you may have a problem with pesticides as well. Many chemical pesticide manufacturers are producing natural pesticide solutions and putting them on the shelves. Symptoms from pesticides include feeling light-headed, dizzy or nauseous. If you have those, switch to a natural pesticide.
• Mold/mildew – Mold and mildew is a common cause for asthma, allergies and other respiratory problems. A long-term cough, difficulty breathing and excessive morning phlegm may point to mold spores in the air. Have a professional scan your house for mold. It may be expensive to take care of, depending on the size of the problem, but you’ll have a lot less doctor visits and feel better.
Other issues may be damaging the indoor air quality of your Orlando home. If you want to make your house healthier, visit the EPA website for more information.
If you’re looking for a healthy home to buy, we can help. Call us at 407-876-5771 for more information.
How do you find out if your Orlando home is making you sick? Look for individual sources of pollution:
• Tobacco smoke – If you’re a smoker, smoke outside. Sitting in a cloud can cause dizziness, nausea and other side effects. These problems are especially harsh if you’re a non-smoker in a home full of smoke. As well, the smoke settles into fabrics and on walls and ceilings for the carcinogens to be released into the air on a regular basis.
• Radon – Because radon is odorless and invisible, the best way to find out if you have a problem is to have a radon test done on your home. The U.S. Surgeon General and EPA recommend that all homes be tested.
• Asbestos – Pretty much everyone knows that asbestos is a health hazard, but you may not think it’s in your house. If it was built between 1920 and 1978, however, there’s a high possibility. If there’s asbestos in your house, hire a specially trained, licensed contractor to remove it.
• Pesticides – If you have a problem with bugs and use pesticides, you may have a problem with pesticides as well. Many chemical pesticide manufacturers are producing natural pesticide solutions and putting them on the shelves. Symptoms from pesticides include feeling light-headed, dizzy or nauseous. If you have those, switch to a natural pesticide.
• Mold/mildew – Mold and mildew is a common cause for asthma, allergies and other respiratory problems. A long-term cough, difficulty breathing and excessive morning phlegm may point to mold spores in the air. Have a professional scan your house for mold. It may be expensive to take care of, depending on the size of the problem, but you’ll have a lot less doctor visits and feel better.
Other issues may be damaging the indoor air quality of your Orlando home. If you want to make your house healthier, visit the EPA website for more information.
If you’re looking for a healthy home to buy, we can help. Call us at 407-876-5771 for more information.
Industry Changes to Help Sell Your Orlando Real Estate
Like most industries, the Orlando real estate industry changes with the times. We still have the same mind-set, but the strategies we use differ from, say, before the internet. As the Orlando real estate industry improves with the use of online and mobile tools, “change” translates to a better result on the sale of your home.
Changes to the Real Estate Industry
Due to uncertain lending practices and unregulated appraisal services, the real estate game needed to change. The National Association of Realtors® pushed for change, appraisers pushed for change, the government pushed for change and, of course (it’s the government, after all), change happened.
The government mandated new regulations for lending practices. They poured tax incentives into the economy and, simply by chain of reaction, changed the real estate industry.
What This Means to You
This isn’t bad news. In fact, it’s rather good news. The emphasis on education, a new code of ethics and advanced technology is a boon to today’s Orlando real estate market and you, as the home seller. Why? Because you have a broader reach than ever before. As well, we, the successful agents, must keep our competitive edge on any lending, marketing and technical advantages and turn that edge into advantages for you.
The focus of the new-age real estate agent is on - not just one or two things - but on everything and anything that can bring buyers to your home.
Today’s Orlando real estate agents evaluate, market, create strategies, work with technology and are in constant contact with hundreds of potential buyers. We know you need expert representation to sell your home. You expect it, and we provide it.
When you’re ready to sell your home, call us at 407-876-5771 for expert representation you can rely on.
Changes to the Real Estate Industry
Due to uncertain lending practices and unregulated appraisal services, the real estate game needed to change. The National Association of Realtors® pushed for change, appraisers pushed for change, the government pushed for change and, of course (it’s the government, after all), change happened.
The government mandated new regulations for lending practices. They poured tax incentives into the economy and, simply by chain of reaction, changed the real estate industry.
What This Means to You
This isn’t bad news. In fact, it’s rather good news. The emphasis on education, a new code of ethics and advanced technology is a boon to today’s Orlando real estate market and you, as the home seller. Why? Because you have a broader reach than ever before. As well, we, the successful agents, must keep our competitive edge on any lending, marketing and technical advantages and turn that edge into advantages for you.
The focus of the new-age real estate agent is on - not just one or two things - but on everything and anything that can bring buyers to your home.
Today’s Orlando real estate agents evaluate, market, create strategies, work with technology and are in constant contact with hundreds of potential buyers. We know you need expert representation to sell your home. You expect it, and we provide it.
When you’re ready to sell your home, call us at 407-876-5771 for expert representation you can rely on.
Friday, May 7, 2010
The Home Inspection and Your Orlando Home for Sale
The home inspection is one of the most important considerations that can directly impact your Orlando home for sale.
According to the National Association of REALTORS®, 84 percent of all residential real estate transactions include a provision for home inspection. The purpose of this inspection is to provide an unbiased, analytical analysis of your Orlando home for sale. In a sense, this is the purchaser’s opportunity to avoid the “buyer beware” syndrome.
Because of the importance of the home inspection, as the seller, it’s an excellent idea to get your Orlando home for sale inspected before putting it on the market. That gives you a chance to fix any problems before potential buyers see your home.
How to Choose a Home Inspector
Not every state requires a home inspector to be licensed. Therefore, you need to do your homework before choosing a home inspector.
Well informed buyers and sellers usually ask for inspectors who are members of either the American Society of Home Inspectors or the National Association of Home Inspectors.
Additionally, before hiring a home inspector ask for:
• A description of the services to be provided: A typical home inspection should include a thorough and itemized written report detailing the home’s structural elements, an exterior evaluation, roofing, plumbing electrical and appliance testing. Outbuildings and garages can also be included in the inspection. Items such as insect and rodent infestation and radon inspections can also be performed.
• A list of references: Be sure to contact these references and ask what they thought of the home inspector and whether or not they’d use the inspector again.
Now What?
Okay. Now, the inspection is performed and you’ve received the written report. You have a couple of options to resolve any problems noted in the report:
1. You can fix the problems yourself.
2. You can hire someone to fix the problems.
3. You can reduce the sales price by the estimated cost to fix the problems.
While it’s ultimately your decision, a professional real estate agent can help you determine which option will get your home sold the fastest and for the highest profit.
If you’d like recommendations to the best home inspectors in Orlando, or want help getting your home sold, give us a call at 407-876-5771.
According to the National Association of REALTORS®, 84 percent of all residential real estate transactions include a provision for home inspection. The purpose of this inspection is to provide an unbiased, analytical analysis of your Orlando home for sale. In a sense, this is the purchaser’s opportunity to avoid the “buyer beware” syndrome.
Because of the importance of the home inspection, as the seller, it’s an excellent idea to get your Orlando home for sale inspected before putting it on the market. That gives you a chance to fix any problems before potential buyers see your home.
How to Choose a Home Inspector
Not every state requires a home inspector to be licensed. Therefore, you need to do your homework before choosing a home inspector.
Well informed buyers and sellers usually ask for inspectors who are members of either the American Society of Home Inspectors or the National Association of Home Inspectors.
Additionally, before hiring a home inspector ask for:
• A description of the services to be provided: A typical home inspection should include a thorough and itemized written report detailing the home’s structural elements, an exterior evaluation, roofing, plumbing electrical and appliance testing. Outbuildings and garages can also be included in the inspection. Items such as insect and rodent infestation and radon inspections can also be performed.
• A list of references: Be sure to contact these references and ask what they thought of the home inspector and whether or not they’d use the inspector again.
Now What?
Okay. Now, the inspection is performed and you’ve received the written report. You have a couple of options to resolve any problems noted in the report:
1. You can fix the problems yourself.
2. You can hire someone to fix the problems.
3. You can reduce the sales price by the estimated cost to fix the problems.
While it’s ultimately your decision, a professional real estate agent can help you determine which option will get your home sold the fastest and for the highest profit.
If you’d like recommendations to the best home inspectors in Orlando, or want help getting your home sold, give us a call at 407-876-5771.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Buying Orlando Homes – Why You Might Not Want to Wait
Surprising numbers of potential homebuyers are holding off on buying Orlando homes. They see the housing prices drop and are waiting for them to go lower. They see the mortgage rates and are waiting for them to drop further. If this is you, you might want to rethink your strategy and take a real look at potential Orlando homes.
Here are two crucial reasons why you might not want to wait any longer:
1. Interest Rates on the Rise - Thanks to the Federal Reserve buying $1.23 trillion worth of mortgages, interest rates have been kept somewhere between 4.93% and 5.09% for a 30-year fixed-rate loan. That’s about 0.4 % lower than it might be without the Fed’s help. However, by the end of 2009, the Federal Reserve had already started implementing a phase out of the mortgage program. With the Fed program closing at the beginning of this month, it’s not a question of whether mortgage rates will rise, but when, how much and how fast. The experts don’t expect them to climb very high, stopping somewhere between 5.5% and 6% by the end of 2010.
2. Lower Home Prices - Home prices, predicted to drop another 5% in 2010, will also make some difference in overall cost. Putting the falling home prices together with the currently low interest rates, you still have a chance to get a great home at a great deal – for a little while longer.
Instead of waiting for lower costs that may never come, consider where you are now:
• Do you have good credit?
• Are you pre-approved (not pre-qualified) for a mortgage loan?
• Do you know how much home you can afford?
• Are you certain (or as certain as you can be) of your job stability?
It’s very possible that the market will never be better than it is right now for buyers. It’s a buyers’ real estate market, with the scales tipped to make homeownership as cheap as it can get. If you can afford to buy now, but are waiting for things to get even better, reconsider – you might wait yourself into a market you can no longer afford!
Ready to take advantage of this buyers’ market and purchase one of the Orlando homes for sale? we can help. Call us today at 407-876-5771 for more information.
Here are two crucial reasons why you might not want to wait any longer:
1. Interest Rates on the Rise - Thanks to the Federal Reserve buying $1.23 trillion worth of mortgages, interest rates have been kept somewhere between 4.93% and 5.09% for a 30-year fixed-rate loan. That’s about 0.4 % lower than it might be without the Fed’s help. However, by the end of 2009, the Federal Reserve had already started implementing a phase out of the mortgage program. With the Fed program closing at the beginning of this month, it’s not a question of whether mortgage rates will rise, but when, how much and how fast. The experts don’t expect them to climb very high, stopping somewhere between 5.5% and 6% by the end of 2010.
2. Lower Home Prices - Home prices, predicted to drop another 5% in 2010, will also make some difference in overall cost. Putting the falling home prices together with the currently low interest rates, you still have a chance to get a great home at a great deal – for a little while longer.
Instead of waiting for lower costs that may never come, consider where you are now:
• Do you have good credit?
• Are you pre-approved (not pre-qualified) for a mortgage loan?
• Do you know how much home you can afford?
• Are you certain (or as certain as you can be) of your job stability?
It’s very possible that the market will never be better than it is right now for buyers. It’s a buyers’ real estate market, with the scales tipped to make homeownership as cheap as it can get. If you can afford to buy now, but are waiting for things to get even better, reconsider – you might wait yourself into a market you can no longer afford!
Ready to take advantage of this buyers’ market and purchase one of the Orlando homes for sale? we can help. Call us today at 407-876-5771 for more information.
Introducing Buena Vista Development Services .com
BVDServices.com is headquartered in Orlando, Florida. It's owned and operated by a small group of seasoned entrepreneurs with decades of business and marketing experience. They specialize in business development, real estate marketing, business inovation, (SEO) search engine optimization, (SEM) search engine marketing, (SNM) social network marketing, lead conversion, lead generation and internet marketing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)