Posts tagged buy owner advice

Old-Fashioned Advice

Jun28
2010 Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

house for sale

Having a hard time selling your house? Even though all you hear about these days is new ways of marketing, in a competitive market like this one, sometimes good old-fashioned advice will take you the furthest. This involves you stepping out of your comfort zone.

Hopefully you already completed the first step, which is advertising with Buy Owner. Once your advertisement is set up, you have the support of the nation’s leading for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) company at your disposal. Buy Owner will promote your listing nationwide 24/7 through BuyOwner.com, its 1-800 number and its magazine.

You should do everything you can, too. Take the initiative to “sell” your house everywhere you go.

Use techniques like these:

• Talk to strangers. Though we’re taught not to as children, networking with those around you in grocery stores, churches, libraries, coffee shops and on public transportation might score you a home buyer. You never know, these seeming strangers may be the future homeowner of your house, or they might know someone who is looking. You might as well share your story!

• Hand out flyers or business cards when those you talk to seem interested. Unless you give them a reminder, they’ll forget. On the flyer or card, include the web link to your Buy Owner advertisement and the phone number on your For Sale sign. These sources give all the information the people need. You just need people to go check them out.

• Advertise on Craigslist. Make the most of your Buy Owner advertising by copying the HTML from your Seller Tools that will reproduce your professional listing on Craigslist! Include a catchy title so that people will check it out.

What will sharing your Buy Owner web link and phone number do? It’ll show potential buyers that you’re serious about selling. You set up an advertisement with a credible company and now you’re going the extra mile to make sure that people see the ad.

What happens if you don’t go the extra mile? Buy Owner will advertise your house on social networking sites and on our website. We’ll advertise to people driving past your house when they see the bright yellow sign in your yard. We’ll go the extra mile so you don’t have to. But if your house still isn’t selling in this tough, competitive market, we’re just saying there is more you could do.

Remember, it’s U that makes the difference®!

Posted in Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , , ,

Traits You Need to Buy FSBO

Feb02
2010 Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

housebuying

When you’re buying a house on your own and without an agent, there are two key traits to use throughout the process: knowledge and organization. Knowledge is necessary in making sure you obtain the correct documents and contract forms that fit your state laws and your buying situation. It’s also important in knowing exactly what you’re buying into. Organization is then needed for keeping these documents and forms protected, filled out and looked over by an attorney, an escrow agent or a title company. Here are key areas to keep in mind and focus on with knowledge and organization:

  • When beginning to look for a house, you need to research other houses in the same area and of the same size, and see what they are selling for. This way, you will not overpay for a house that has been priced only by the homeowner, who might think his or her house is worth more than it really is.
  • Find out what is happening with the properties around your house. If there is open land, find out who it belongs to and what plans that owner has for it. If you’re not sure if land belongs to your potential property or not, find out, even if the seller says it does. This could dramatically change the future value of the property.
  • Find out what disclosures your state laws require sellers to share with you, so that you are provided with all the information that you are rightfully owed. An attorney or an escrow or title company can guide you through obtaining the correct disclosure forms.
  • When downloading contract forms from the Internet, make sure to read them thoroughly and choose the type that you specifically want to follow in your financial trade. The contract you use will be followed word-for-word if a problem arises in the future, so you’ll want to know exactly what you are agreeing to.
  • Always hire some sort of third party to hold your earnest money and help you through the process of filling out documents. Whether it is an attorney or an escrow or title company, it is important to have this third party, even if you have the knowledge needed to complete the process. You never know what type of person you’ll be dealing with in a real estate transaction, so you might as well have credible backup support.
  • If you go through the process alone, keep all of your documents in organized and labeled files, in a safe location, and make copies of every form and written communication you have with the seller. If a problem arises in the future, you’ll want all the information you can find to back you up.

While this may seem overwhelming or like a lot to remember, keep in mind the enormous payback for your efforts: thousands of dollars in savings, total control of your house-hunting process and comfort in knowing you can do this.

Posted in Buying Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged ,

The Secrets of Resale Value

Sep17
2008 2 Comments Written by Shanna

Whether you’re currently in the market for a new home, looking to sell the one you live in or very comfortable in your current place, one thing’s for sure: you’ll want to think about resale value.

Resale value, a frequent buzzword in the real estate market, simply refers to the ability of a property to be resold after being purchased. When people discuss this factor, they’re looking at probabilities and future conditions, some of which are predictable and some of which are not. Take, for example, neighborhood. There can be indications of what direction a neighborhood is heading (i.e., lots of new, affluent developments may hint at rising value), but some changes come without expectation: the local school system gets featured as a top district five years from now (value up) or crime/violence increases throughout the area (value down).

So what you want to focus on, in terms of making your home’s resale value its strongest, are the factors within your control. There are some characteristics that will, generally speaking, may a home appeal to a greater pool of buyers. Knowing what these characteristics are can help you know what your home (or your potential new home) has to offer.

+ Bedrooms/baths: It just makes sense: because of the versatility, space and accommodations of larger homes, more buyers are looking for places with at least three to four bedrooms.

+ Views: Surrounding beauty, whether waterfront, woods or something else, can make a property stand out amongst the competition.

+ Landscaping: Well-chosen landscaping can make a huge impact on how buyers view your property, especially because it’s often the first thing they notice. According to Plant-care.com, good landscaping can increase property values by up to 15%!

+ Square footage/storage space: Sometimes buyers look for minimum square footage amounts in their searches, meaning a home with too little space could be ruled out. Often, the more finished living space your home offers, the more potential buyers it will appeal to.

+ Garage: If your property is driving distance from most conveniences, anyone who buys it will probably have a car. And if the buyers have cars, they’ll want a place to put them. That’s why adding a garage can be another smart investment, particularly for homes located in colder climates that are prone to harsh weather.

+ Kitchen: To many buyers, the kitchen is a home’s most important asset. It makes sense to replace outdated appliances and fixtures; just don’t go overboard. If looking to add resale value, choose quality materials that aren’t too taste-specific.

+ Fireplaces: Because of their ability to add warmth and coziness to rooms, fireplaces are definite selling features. Centrally placed in the family room or the great room, a fireplace can make a stunning focal point, too, adding visual interest.

Posted in Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Why Own Your Own Home?

Jun13
2008 Leave a Comment Written by Shanna

houseWith all the talk of market swings and real estate trouble, it’s no surprise that today’s buyers are leery.

 Yet even when times are tough, there are a lot of reasons why it makes sense to live the American dream and own your own home.

Consider these:

  1. Better Than Renting.

    Think about it: monthly rent payments may be just as high as a mortgage, yet you’ll never see them again. When you own your own home, you’re regularly increasing your equity in a property. Your dollars are going towards something that’s yours. Plus, while rents can increase every year, your mortgage can be locked at a specific rate, allowing you to maintain the same monthly payment over time. And, don’t forget, owning means you can do whatever you want to your property: paint the walls, redo the kitchen, change up the lighting fixtures!

  2. Smart Investment.

    True, every year is a little different. But over time, median existing-home sale prices have increased an average 6.5% each year from 1972 through 2005 and 88.5% over the last 10 years, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Owning a home is a little like a savings plan: over time, your money will grow, while you reap the benefits of having a place to call home. It allows you to diversify your assets so that they’re not just in money markets or savings accounts, etc.

  3. Tax breaks.

    Speaking of taxes, as a homeowner, you can deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes and some other costs involved in your property purchase. Plus, when you sell, you can take up to $250K as gain without owing taxes on it when you sell!

Posted in Buying Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

31 Moving Day Tips

Nov23
2007 1 Comment Written by Shanna

Moving DayYou’ve prepared and planned. You’ve organized and simplified. Now it’s time for the big day: you’re moving. Keep these tips in mind to make your day run smoothly.

  1. Have everything packed and ready to go.
  2. Be flexible: things rarely happen exactly as we’d planned.
  3. Make sure you have your overnight/necessities bag: clothes, toiletries, important paperwork, cleaning supplies, towels, toilet paper, etc.
  4. Prepare an emergency pack that includes a first aid kit, paper towels, a flashlight, tools (you may need them) and other essentials.
  5. Take the garbage out.
  6. Clear an easy path for transporting boxes.
  7. Put away your pets. You may even consider boarding them or having them stay with a friend, in order to make moving day less stressful.
  8. Double-check the interior: go through all your rooms, giving everything one more once-over.
  9. Double-check the exterior: reexamine the yard, the pool, the play area, etc. Make sure you have everything.
  10. Make copies of the map of your new home’s floor plan.
  11. Once everyone’s done and your things are loaded, turn off the water heater.
  12. Before you leave, set the thermostat to 55 degrees.



    13. Using Movers?

  13. Communicate with the moving company.
  14. Go over the day’s schedule.
  15. Make sure anything not to be taken is put in a separate place and clearly identified.
  16. Provide drinks and snacks for everyone involved.
  17. Point out the bathroom to use, and make sure it has necessities inside.
  18. Exchange phone numbers with the driver of the moving van.
  19. Provide or get a copy of the inventory list.
  20. Check to make sure everything’s loaded before the van leaves.
  21. Confirm directions with the driver.
  22. Get to your new home before the movers do; there could be a fee if they have to wait for you.
  23. Be there to guide and/or answer questions for the movers.
  24. Prepare the moving company payment, and have a tip ready for the drivers/movers.
  25. Check the condition of every item as it is unloaded. Keep a list of anything damaged.



    26. Moving on Your Own?

  26. Enlist friends to help.
  27. Preplan your directions and have them confirmed before starting out.
  28. Plan to leave early, if at all possible.
  29. Make sure your moving vehicle has a full tank of gas.
  30. Load in reverse order: things you’ll need last in back and things you’ll need right away in front.
  31. Leave a forwarding address somewhere in the home, just in case you did leave something.

*Editor’s Note: This post is part of a series on packing. See “7 Plan-Ahead Packing Tips” here and “4 Steps to Start Packing” here.

Posted in Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , , , ,

Multiple Offers: A Good Problem to Have

Nov03
2007 Leave a Comment Written by Becky

Receiving more than one offer on your home is a problem that every home seller wants to have. Sure, it’s certainly something to celebrate. But before you kick back and pop open the champagne, you have a decision to make. Going for the most money may seem like the obvious choice, but it’s not necessarily that easy. While it’s natural to be attracted to the offer with the highest price, it’s important to realize that the highest offer isn’t always the best offer. You might choose to accept a lower offer from a buyer who is better qualified or an offer with more appealing conditions.There are three important factors to consider when dealing with multiple offers:

Amount Offered

Of course the amount of the offer is important when deciding which buyer to go with, but you should also look at other aspects involved in the offer price, such as which potential buyer will be putting more money into the down payment. If you had two offers with the exact same price, the cash down payment amount might just be your deciding factor.

Buyers’ Financial Status

When doing business with someone it is necessary to know about financial status, and even though selling your home can be a personal, emotional experience, it is also the ultimate business transaction. You have the right to find out if the potential buyers are in good financial standing. You should also find out if they will be seeking a loan, and, if so, what kind of loan.

Contingencies

The final factor to consider when deciding which offer to accept is whether there are any contingencies involved. Does the buyer need to sell a home in order to close? Maybe there are other issues, such as inspections, that would hold up the sale for an extended period of time. Make sure you have all the information so you can weigh your options.

It may sound simple, but deciding which offer best suits your needs can be complicated. It might help to sit down and actually write out all of the elements involved in the sale and decide what is most important to you. Then create a list using those elements to compare the potential buyers. That way you can look at all of the significant factors involved, including the total amount offered for the property, the amount of the down payment, the closing date, any contingencies involved and the buyers’ financial standing. This will give you a straightforward comparison of the potential buyers and will show you their pros and cons.

Lastly, a word of caution: Don’t get overconfident and blow the deal. Consider each offer seriously, keeping in mind that it could be the only one.

Now sit back, relax and enjoy!

Posted in Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , ,

About the BuyOwner.com Blog

Welcome to the BuyOwner.com Blog, your source for regularly updated market information!

Founded in 1984, BuyOwner.com® is the leading provider of real estate marketing services. We pioneered the "For Sale by Owner" (FSBO) market, which today represents over 20 percent of all residential real estate transactions.

You can read more about BuyOwner.com here.

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