Friday, January 24, 2014

Tips For Sandpiper Lakeland Homes For Sale By Owner


Tips For Sandpiper Lakeland Homes For Sale By Owner

Marketing your Sandpiper Lakeland home is the key.
Marketing your Sandpiper Lakeland home for sale is the key.
Tips and advice on how to market your home when doing it alone as a FSBO.

As the number of homes available in the market of Sandpiper Lakeland Florida continue to decrease, I see quite a few signs popping up that read “For Sale By Owner”. I am writing this blog to offer you some help and guidance.

I completely understood that many sellers are not open to working with a REALTOR® in selling their Sandpiper Lakeland home. This may be because they want to save on the commission or they might have had a bad experience with a listing agent. I do respect their decision to sell their Sandpiper Lakeland home on your own.

However, I would be glad to give you a free Comparative Market Analysis. This neighborhood analysis will give you a good idea of what is currently on the market, what has gone under contract, what has sold or not sold within recent months.

If you would like I can preview your home – free of charge – to see where your home’s appearance can improve, explaining what to fix or replace that may improve your profit before selling.  

Marketing your Sandpiper Lakeland FL home is key and photographs should be taken seriously.  Most home buyers begin their home search online. Buyers love lots of great pictures. 

Consider hiring a photographer to create a virtual tour and advertise the virtual tour link in your marketing materials.  All the marketing should be targeted toward making your phone ring.

Advertise on sites like, Craig’s list, Zillow, Trulia and put a home video on YouTube.  With the money you’ll be saving on the commission over hiring an agent, I encourage you to mail out oversized four-color postcards.  Local printing companies may even have a mailing list to target the buyers you want to reach.  

Selling real estate is complex and can be very confusing.  Once you find a buyer, I would be happy to connect you with Title Companies and mortgage brokers that can help you and your buyer through this process.

Check out this article concerning feedback when selling your Sandpiper Lakeland FL home for sale by owner by clicking here. 

Please call me at 863-619-6918 or email me at petra@petranorris.com. If you get my voicemail please leave me a message.  Rest assured that I will call you back promptly. I promise.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Know The Costs of Selling Your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl Home


Know The Costs of Selling Your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl Home

The largest portions of your budget in selling your
Sandpiper Lakeland FL home is the real estate commission.

In order for you to determine your net income from selling a Sandpiper Lakeland Fl, you must first determine the cost of selling it.

One thing that may eat up the largest portion of your budget in selling your home is the real estate commission. One of the most common mistakes sellers make is not hiring a Sandpiper Lakeland Fl listing agent trying to avoid paying real estate commissions. Little do sellers know that hiring a REALTOR can actually help them save them financially but also in time and effort. It is actually worth of your money.

These costs are actually deductible from the final selling price of your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale for tax purposes. Your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl agent can also help you track these expenses. Having an accurate amount of the total costs when selling your home is beneficial when the seller submits income tax documents.

Other expenses involved in selling a Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home is the property taxes and transfer taxes. Legal fees involved in the closing of the Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale are also part of the cost of home selling. If you still have an unpaid mortgage balance, this will be deducted from the selling price of your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale as well. You could request a payoff statement from the bank to confirm the correct amount owed. The bank may charge fees for this service, which can also be deducted as an expense of the Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale.

Another expense of the sale is repair costs to get the Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale in a good condition to attract buyers. To determine the extent of repairs, the seller may get a home inspection, which is another cost of selling a home.

Depending on the terms in the sales contract, it might be necessary to replace or update appliances and this could a large expense for the seller.

You should also include the cost of moving to your new home after your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale has been sold.

Storage of household furniture and items during relocation might also be a cost of  selling a home and changing residences. 

Relocation may require a large amount of money depending on the distance of the new home from your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale.

Other expenses that decrease the net proceeds from your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale is paying off liens attached to the property.

Unpaid HOA fees must also be settled when you put your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale.

Unexpected expenses and last minute disagreements between the buyer and seller of the Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale may also increase the costs the seller needs to pay in order to sell the home.

The seller must assume all these expenses and be prepared for it in order for the Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale to close.

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 our website http://lakelandfl-shortsaleagent.com/ for more information.

Monday, January 6, 2014

How To Improve Your Home Loan Application Credit Score?


How To Improve Your Home Loan Application Credit Score?

Housing market in Sandpiper Lakeland FL is a competitive buyer’s market.How to improve your home loan application credit score?
The housing market in Sandpiper Lakeland FL is a competitive buyer’s market. You will have an advantage when submitting an offer if you already have your loan completed and approved.
One thing that plays a major role in the approval of your home loan application is your credit score. Cleaning up your credit report and increasing your credit score will increase your chance of getting preapproved.
Here are the top 3 ways to prepare your credit score before getting a home loan.
  • Check your credit reports. Order a copy of your credit report. Your minimum score should be 720 to be viable for a home loan. If the score is lower than this, read the analysis and see what's bringing it down and address the problem.
  • Pay off outstanding balances. If you have late payments, bury it with timely payments. You have to convince the lender that you pay promptly. If you have recent late payments, wait at least 6 months before applying for a home loan. The older the delinquency, the better.
  • Reduce your debt to income ratio. If you have a high percentage of debt, you are at a great disadvantage. Make sure that your debt is at most only 12% of your income. Don't make any major purchases six months prior to applying for a home loan.
It is best that you start preparing at least six months before buying a Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale. This way, you will be able to repair our credit history if necessary. Contact an experienced Sandpiper Lakeland Fl listing agent to help you prepare for buying a home.
 

Hire an experienced listing agent to sell your Sandpiper Lakeland FL home for sale, call Petra Norris at (863) 619-6918 today or click here for more information.

Monday, December 23, 2013

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

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?

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?

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?

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.

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.