Sandpiper Golf and Country Club Real Estate Market: December 2013

Monday, December 23, 2013

Why You Should Put Your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl Home Up For Sale Now?

There has been an increase in the home values of Sandpiper Lakeland Home properties, see what are the top 5 reasons why you would want to sell your home now.

This the best time to put your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale as many buyers also realized that this is the best season to buy a home. Here are the 5 reasons why NOW is the best time to sell your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home:

1. High demand.

There has been an increase of home sales this year compared to the previous years. There are lots of buyers out there who thinking of some serious purchasing.

2. Supply is starting to increase.

Inventory of Sandpiper Lakeland FL Homes for Sale is expected to continue to increase as 3.2 million homeowners nationwide are recovering from negative equity in the past year and additional 1.9 million homeowners are expected to enter positive equity in the next year. Selling while demand is high and inventory is just starting to increase will fetch you a good price for your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale.

3. New construction is jumping back in.

During the past years, sellers did not have to compete with new developments or projects. But as the market is gradually recovering, more and more builders are coming back. These new homes will become fierce competition for your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale since they are an attractive choice for many homebuyers.

4. Interest rates will start to increase.

Most experts predict that interest rates will begin to rise again in a few months. The mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae project that interest rates will rise by a full percentage point by this time in 2014.

5. It’s time to move on.

Think about your reasons for selling and decide whether it is worth waiting. Is the possibility of earning extra money more important than having your life go the way you want it to; more important than your health; more important than your family?

Only you can control your situation by putting your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale this season. This might be the right time for you and your family to move and live the life you dream of. This is the most important thing to consider of all. If you are interested in selling your home, just click here.

To get the best tips on how you can sell your Sandpiper Sandpiper Lakeland FL home for sale, call Petra Norris at (863) 619-6918 today or visit http://www.lakelandfloridaliving.com/ for more information.

How to Increase The Value of Your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl Home?

If you intend to sell your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home, remodeling it would be helpful so you can sell it quickly. Make your remodeling more cost-effective and increase the value of your home by following these top 4 tips:

1. Go easy on appliances. Don’t go overboard, especially with kitchen appliances. Don’t get carried away when you remodel. Instead, think about the buyer’s perception. An expensive stove may increase your investment but maybe not the perception of the buyer that your kitchen is state of the art. What is important is the kitchen functions as well as it looks.

2. Add functionality to areas of the Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home. Adding some more thought to your plans will go a long way. You could add large drawers in the kitchen for more storage space for pots and pans. Adding shelves also increases the storage space in your home. You will always find something to improve in your home that will be useful and of value to the potential buyer.

3. Add character. Adding character to rooms could be as simple as adding a little color. You can add stylish tiles next to your kitchen countertop. Adding or lessening light in the room can dramatically change the look and feel of the room.

4. Check on your remodeler. If you hired a builder to remodel for you, make sure that you are getting a fair price by shopping around before remodeling. Make sure they use sturdy and quality materials that do not easily break, burn, stian, weather, or fall apart. You could also investigate the remodelers past projects as well as license and insurance. Communicate regularly with the remodeler and make sure they are doing exactly what they are told to do.

Remodeling can go a long way in helping you sell your and Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for the price you are aiming for. Keep in mind that the highest perceived value for a buyer is getting a home where his or her family can have a great time.

Before you put your home on the market, be sure to get a comparable market analysis from your Sandpiper Lakeland FL Real Estate agent and asked the questions that are listed by clicking here.

To get the best tips on how you can sell your Sandpiper Sandpiper Lakeland FL home for sale, call Petra Norris at (863) 619-6918 today or visit http://activerain.com/blogs/pnorris500 for more information.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

How Your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl Home for Sale Can Compete With Short Sales and Foreclosures?

Just lately, I had a meeting with a seller in a neighborhood where the market is dominated by short sales and foreclosures. Foreclosures in this neighborhood were for sale rampantly so the seller was anxious and asked how can a Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale compete with foreclosures and short sales.

Primarily, it is important to know that the market value of your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale is directly influenced by distressed properties in the neighborhood. Also, appraisers now giving close and thoughtful attention to the number of closed sales of distressed homes and also those that are presently listed.

What is a regular seller supposed to do to compete?

Pricing a regular home for sale in Sandpiper Lakeland Fl against short sales and foreclosures is a mix of science and emotion. You have to be able to think both like a seller and also a buyer. It doesn’t really matter how much you think your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale is worth if the buyer does not agree.

Here are three questions to help guide you in pricing your home for sale in Sandpiper Lakeland Fl:

1. What would make the buyer choose your home over a short sale or foreclosure?

2. Why would the buyer’s lender appraise your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale higher than a short sale or foreclosure?

3. How much more is your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale worth than a distressed property?

You may be surprised with your answers. You will find out that your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale is worth not much more than a foreclosure, even with all the upgrades you add in. Appraisers don’t really care too much about upgrades anymore. If all the recent sales in your area are short sales or foreclosures, then it will greatly affect your home’s value even with equity.

Home buyers now are looking for bargains, that’s why short sales and foreclosures sell. Even if they need a bit of repair, buyers think they will still end up with a good bargain. If your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale with equity is in good shape and priced within the range of distressed properties, then buyer will most likely choose your home over the short sales and foreclosures.

One very useful tip is to examine comparable sales of short sales and foreclosures in the neighborhood over the past 3 months. Make sure to compare apples to apples. Pay attention to homes with similar square footage to your home for sale, within 10% more or less from your home. Compare homes with similar ages.

Once you get the values of similar homes in your neighborhood, make sure that you price your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale among distressed homes a little below the market value. This will draw more offers to your property, with prospective buyers trying to outbid one another and eventually bringing your sales price higher in the end.

Of course, the best that you can do is to hire an experienced Sandpiper Lakeland Fl listing agent who will be your partner throughout the selling process.

To get the best tips on how you can sell your Sandpiper Lakeland FL home for sale, call Petra Norris at (863) 619-6918 today or visit http://lakelandfl-shortsaleagent.com/lakeland-florida-short-sale-specialist/ for more information.

What Questions do I Need to Ask A Sandpiper Lakeland Fl Listing Agent before hiring?

Choosing the right listing agent is the most crucial part of selling or buying a home. You don't want a failed transaction and wasted time and money just because you have employed the wrong one. Take time and consider interviewing several listing agents in order for you to have wider range of choice. But just be sure not to interview agents from the same company.

A Sandpiper Lakeland Fl agent is vital in the home selling process since they will help you set the right price for your home based on comparable sales in the neighborhood and guide you all the way through closing.

Here are a few important questions to ask a Real Estate Agent

1. What is your Marketing Plan or Strategy?

Your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl agent must be able to show you a written marketing plan which shows where they plan to advertise the listing and how they will help you prepare your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale. Excluding a sellers’s or a buyer’s market, a good selling agent should be able to negotiate a price close to or at the listing price and a competent buyer’s agent should have a record of selling below list price. If you are a seller, you should ask the following:

How do you market online?

Is direct mailing campaign appropriate for my home?

How will you sell my home?

Where do you advertise?

As a buyer, you should ask:

Will you search for homes that meet my criteria?

Will I compete against other buyers?

How many homes can I visit before making a decision?

How do you handle multiple offers?

Do you handle foreclosures and short sales?

2. How many sales have you made since last year?

An agent with a strong record of closed home sales will give you a higher chance of a successful sale of your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home.

3. What neighborhoods do you cover?

Your agent should be very knowledgeable in your neighborhood, understand your target market, and have techniques and strategies to sell your home properly.

4. How long have you been in the real estate business?

Hiring a real estate agent with experience does count. An experienced agent would recognize signs of potential problems before the deal falls apart. I would recommend a minimum of at least 3 years.

5. Can you provide me with references?

Every real estate agent should have references, even newer agents should have a referenced perhaps from the previous employer. Ask to see the references and how are they related to the agents. More importantly, ask if you can call the references.

6. How often will you communicate with me?

It is a sad situation when you receive an offer from your agent and it takes a few days the agent finally returns your call. Your agent should be able to give you weekly or daily updates. He or she should reply to you within a short period of time either via phone, email or text if you have questions. It is essential to call the agent’s references and ask about the communication they had with the real estate agent.

7. Is your commission negotiable?

You should know that all real estate commissions are negotiable. Generally, real estate agents charge a percentage of 1% – 4% on one side of the transaction – a seller or a buyer. For example, a listing agent may charge 3% for herself and another 3% for the buyer’s agent for a total of 6%.

8. What sets you apart from the competition?

I’m sure agents will fire away and list: Honesty, Trustworthy, Integrity, Negotiation skills, Friendly, Available. But everyone will say the same thing. The best answer for me is repeated record of satisfied customers, assertive – don’t take no for an answer, he or she possess strong communication skills and has great online marketing skills.

9. May I be able to review the documents/agreements?

If you are a seller, ask to see a listing agreement, sample purchase agreement and seller disclosures upfront and ask questions that you don’t understand. For a buyer, ask for the buyer’s broker agreement, a sample purchase agreement and buyer’s disclosure upfront. Make sure the agent let you cancel the agreement and are there any fees associated with a cancellation.

10. What questions haven’t I asked that I need to know?

A good real estate agent should come up with questions you missed because there is always something you need to know. Make sure you are comfortable with the agent, that you feel confident with his or her knowledge, experience and she is able to listen and counsel you. Find out what she needs to know to better serve you.

If you want to sell your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale sucessfully, you should pick the right agent.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Why is the Value of my Sandpiper Lakeland Fl Home for Sale Decreasing?

When putting your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale, you want to get top dollar for your home. But, some homeowners commit common mistakes that pull down the value of their Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home.

You know what do to do when you are selling your home. You know that you have to keep it clean, that you have to stage it, repair it and keep away the kids and pets. And, hopefully, you put this knowledge into actions.

But what about those things you are NOT doing that could cause buyers to pass up your home or offer less than what you listed the home for?

Here are some of the common mistakes sellers make and things they don’t do that affect the value of their homes for sale in Lakeland Fl:

1. Several foreclosures in the area. If your Lakeland Fl home for sale is in an area where there are several foreclosures, then your home will most likely sell for a lower value. Neighborhoods with a lot of foreclosures aren’t well-maintained. The foreclosure homes in the area are usually neglected and in need of maintenance. Are selling your Lakeland Fl home is because of the high foreclosure rate? Based on a study by the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), homes within 250 feet of a foreclosed property decreased in value by 1% for every foreclosure.

2. Poor curb appeal. Never underestimate the power of curb appeal. If you have poor landscaping, this can decrease your home’s value by 5-11%! On the other hand, a well-kept yard will increase your Lakeland Fl home for sale’s value by just as much. Take note that this doesn’t apply to just your own front yard. Even if your yard is beautiful but your neighbor’s yard is not well-kept, buyers will still offer you less for your home, since they will have the impression that the entire neighborhood is not well-kept.

3. Bad paint jobs. Bad paint jobs both inside and outside the home can decrease the value of your Lakeland Fl home for sale. This could be fixed quite easily by putting up wallpapers or repainting the home before selling it. Chipped paint and other ugly marks on the wall will give an impression to buyers that your home is badly in need of repair or is not well-maintained.

4. Broken windows and leaky faucets. These do not cost much to repair, but when leaky faucets are left dripping, this could cost you potential buyers. Some buyers might give a lower offer to compensate for them having to repair the home and they might also think there are still other hidden problems in your home.

Selling your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home is comparable to dating - you should always put your best foot forward to impress and keep the interest of the buyers by preparing your home.

To get the best tips on how you can sell your Sandpiper Lakeland FL home for sale, call Petra Norris at (863) 619-6918 today.

What are the Tips in Buying Lakeland FL Sandpiper Golf Front Homes For Sale?

In America, golf front homes have become popular since the 80's and have become common features of American suburban living.

Sandpiper golf front homes for sale in Lakeland FL offers advantages like great views, access to your favorite sport and life in a quality home in a peaceful community. It also offers you the benefit of living with neighbors who have the same interests and preferences. The residents are still active at age 55 and older.

But just like any other decision, you also have to weigh the pros and cons of buying a Sandpiper golf front home for sale.

There is the obvious risk of stray golf balls ending up in your yard or through your window. Some residents are even bothered by golf players going into their yard to retrieve their balls. But these are minor risks compared to the benefits of living in such a beautiful, safe, and highly valuable Lakeland Sandpiper golf community home that is for sale.

Golf front homes for sale in Sandpiper have a high appreciation value because of their excellent location in Lakeland.

Knowing the risks in your area makes you responsible for any damage done to your home. If you plan to buy Lakeland Sandpiper golf front homes for sale, make sure to look for insurance policies that give a good rate for unlimited replacement of windows.

If you wish to minimize the risk of stray balls, then you could consider buying a Sandpiper golf community home for sale behind the green or right next to a tee box, as opposed to a few yards up from it. You may also want to avoid homes on the right side of the fairway since this is where erroneously sliced golf balls usually go.

When weighing the pros and cons of buying a Sandpiper golf community home for sale, consider the HOA fees and rules and regulations.

If you are a golf-lover, make sure you also love the course enough to actually live there. Otherwise, you miss out on the advantage of living in a golf front home.

Lastly, don't invest in a Lakeland Sandpiper golf front home for sale without visiting the home personally. Unless you are employing a savvy Sandpiper Lakeland listing agent who is equipped with smart devices and offers virtual touring via skype, facetime, etc. It is important to know the exact location of the Sandpiper Lakeland home before you purchase it.

To get the best tips on how you can sell your Sandpiper Lakeland FL home for sale, call Petra Norris at (863) 619-6918 today or click here for more information.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

How Can You Make Your Sandpiper Lakeland FL Homes For Sale A Part of your Retirement Plan?

You can build your retirement using your income from your home equity. As prices of Sandpiper Lakeland FL homes are rebounding, many property owners can once again consider their home as their most valuable asset. Generally, when estimating retirement revenue, home equity is not taken into consideration. But is it not reasonable to include home equity in planning for sources of retirement income? In some cases, it makes sense but others may bump into problems in presuming that their equity in their Sandpiper Lakeland FL home can be a source of retirement income.

In order for a homeowner to access home equity, you have to find a way to obtain it, and that usually means either borrowing it or cashing it out by putting your Sandpiper Lakeland FL home for sale.

Borrowing home equity is expensive and very complicated since your property is not a liquid investment. You can get a HELOC then use the funds as necessary, but it may cost you since you will need to pay off the loan or you will have to pay a monthly interest on the borrowed amount, which kind of defeats the purpose.

One option for getting your home equity is through a reverse mortgage, which comes at a high cost like loan origination fees, mortgage insurance premiums, and closing costs. On top of that, you still have the ongoing monthly interest rates and fees to pay. The upfront fees can be expensive. For a standard HECM (Home Equity Conversion Mortgage), the mortgage insurance premium is 2% of the full value of the Sandpiper Lakeland FL home and not the loan amount. There is a cheaper alternative which is the HECM Saver Loan, which has a lower mortgage insurance premium of 0.01% but the catch is the interest rates are higher.

These options are generally seen as “back up” plans to access home equity when all other means are exhausted.

Selling your Sandpiper Lakeland FL home will be the better option to get access to your home equity to use for retirement income. Many future retirees would have been hesitant to put their Sandpiper Lakeland FL Homes for Sale during the economic downturn, and even if their homes’ values did not depreciate or could sell their homes at a higher price, there just wasn’t enough buyers in the market.

Either they could not sell their Sandpiper Lakeland FL home to buy a new one so they couldn’t qualify with the tightened credit policies. A retiree just could not count on being able to sell their Sandpiper Lakeland FL home and access the equity for their retirement income.

But there are times when tapping into home equity as a source of retirement income may be a good plan.

The IRS gives homeowners an incentive of up to $250,000 in tax-free gain for individual filers and $500,000 for couples who file jointly. In order to receive this tax-free gift, you must have lived in your Sandpiper Lakeland FL home for 2 of the previous 5 years before you sell it and have some home equity. Of course you will have to put your Sandpiper Lakeland FL home for sale, but it may be worth it. I haven’t seen an investment where you get a tax break along the way through the tax-deductible mortgage interest and property taxes and then receive a tax-free benefit as well in the end.

If the homeowner is unable to sell their Sandpiper Lakeland FL home right away, they can always rent out the home for a couple of years until a sale is feasible. They could still get the tax-free benefit as long as the ownership and use test are met. Although selling a Sandpiper Lakeland FL home with a tenant living in it would be less than ideal, but the benefit could far outweigh the hassle for most people.

Your Sandpiper Lakeland FL home could be not just a place to live, but an investment in your future as well. Keep in mind the home value’s potential appreciation as a future strategy to downsize and buy a smaller home, or to sell the Sandpiper Lakeland FL home and invest the tax-free gain.

Even though there is no security that price will continue to rise and you may not be able to sell your home at your ideal time, you can still use this strategy to boost your retirement income.

Just make sure to consult a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a reliable attorney before deciding on any of the tips mentioned above. To get the best tips on how you can sell your Sandpiper Lakeland FL home for sale, call Petra Norris at (863) 619-6918 today or click here for more information.

Why Is A Sandpiper Lakeland FL Home For Sale By Owner Not A Good Idea?

Why is a Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale by owner not a good idea?

Selling your Sandpiper Lakeland home as a For Sale By Owner (FSBO) might break your budget even more than hiring a listing agent.

Many homeowners think that selling their home by themselves helps them save money but this is not always the case. This could end up a disaster, which costing more money to repair and more time to redo, not to mention the frustration.

That is why we call in the experts, those who are the best at what they do. Their role is to make things uncomplicated and transactions faster.

This is true in real estate. If you plan to put your Sandpiper Lakeland FL home for sale, make sure you work with an experienced Sandpiper Lakeland Florida real estate agent. Real estate transactions are complicated and it takes a lot of experience and knowledge about the market, neighborhood, marketing, pricing, negotiating, and staging to successfully close a deal.

Here are some reasons why selling your Sandpiper Lakeland FL home for sale by yourself is a bad idea:

1. FSBO sellers usually price their Sandpiper Lakeland FL Homes for Sale too high. Sellers often consider how much they still owe and work on a price from there. However, buyers don’t care how much the seller owes. Buyers compare values of Sandpiper Lakeland FL Homes for Sale to other similar homes in the neighborhood. Listing a home for more than the price of comparable sales is a very big risk. Most of the time, overpriced homes get few or no showings at all. Once a Sandpiper Lakeland FL home for sale stays on the market for too long, it becomes stale and buyers and their agents will be negotiating for price reductions, capitalizing on the seller’s frustration to sell.

2. Since they lack skills and knowledge in real estate, most FSBO homeowners fail to understand many aspects of the home selling process. Hiring a seasoned Sandpiper Lakeland FL Real Estate agent will give you an assurance that someone will always be there to answer your questions about selling your Sandpiper Lakeland FL home. Real estate documents and contracts are getting more and more complicated these days, and if you attempt to do it by yourself, you put yourself at risk of making big and costly mistakes.

Putting up a Sandpiper Lakeland FL home for sale is a major decision with a huge impact on the owner and his or her family. Even if you employ a Sandpiper Lakeland FL agent, you still have to be informed and educated about the home selling process. Having an experienced Sandpiper Lakeland FL agent by your side does not only help you save time and money, but it also gives you peace of mind as you proceed with the sales of your Sandpiper Lakeland home. To get the best tips on how you can sell your Sandpiper Lakeland FL home for sale, call Petra Norris at (863) 619-6918 today or visit http://lakelandfl-shortsaleagent.com for more information.