Posts tagged Buy Owner tips

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.

Money-Saving Tips for New Homeowners

Aug07
2008 Leave a Comment

Written by Carrie

At Buy Owner, our mission is making home ownership more affordable for you. By cutting out commissions and giving you control of your home sale, we reduce costs and save you money!

And Buy Owner savings aren’t just for sellers! When you’re buying a new home, we want to help you make the process as affordable as possible. Buying a new place? Here are a few quick ideas on how to save money after making that huge purchase, designed to lower your cost of living by looking at things creatively! The most important thing to remember is to keep an open mind and look for new ways to save.

Buy Your Home Buy Owner

Search http://www.buyowner.com/: Browse current listings, and talk with sellers directly when you’re interested. Take a look at other helpful articles at the Buy Owner Blog for more advice.
Buy Buy Owner: A home listed “For Sale by Owner” means there will be no sales commissions. Savings for the seller translates into savings for you!

Save Money on Home Insurance

Shop around: Home insurance is an important purchase for your residence. Take the time to look at several companies. The right insurance provider will give you high-quality service for an affordable price.
Increase home security: A security alarm, dead-bolt locks and smoke detectors can get you almost as 5% discount with most insurance companies!
Raise your deductible: Raising a $200 deductible to $450 could save up to 12% on insurance!

Phone & Internet

Shop around: As with your home insurance researching, it pays to look at your options and know what’s available.
Stick with a cell phone: If you find yourself constantly using your cell phone, there is no point in having a LAN line. The main downside to this is that you may not be able to get service in your basement. You can even access the Internet, as well. You may be able to find an affordable cell plan that includes free mobile-to-mobile calls, internet usage and text messaging. If you use your cell phone for calls, e-mails, research, etc., you will not need to pay a separate bill. And if you do not have a computer, you may not even have to purchase one if it is not a necessity!

Transportation

Downsize: Just because you have a three-car garage, it doesn’t mean that you need to own three vehicles. With gas prices at an all-time high in the U.S., it would really benefit you to downsize from an SUV to a coupe or to search for any type of fuel-efficient automobile. Not owning a car would also create tons of extra storage space in your garage.
Use public transportation: If you live in an urban area, you might be able to solely use public transportation! Do some research online to find out how much monthly or yearly passes for buses and trains cost. Even if your city doesn’t offer such an affordable plan, it still might be cheaper to take the train or hop on the bus rather than spending money on gas each week.

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Posted in Buying Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged buying a fsbo home, buying a home, buying a home affordably, how to buy a home, money-saving strategies, saving money with real estate

3 Reasons Your Home Isn’t Selling

Dec06
2007 Leave a Comment

Written by Shanna

With your Buy Owner advertising, your home is showcased to a national audience of potential buyers. You’ve custom-designed your marketing package with the help of a qualified consultant, highlighting your home’s features, appearance, and location.

Now, after your ad is just the way you want it and it’s available to view, you are left waiting for the buyer. Maybe you’ve been bombarded with calls since your ad went live, or maybe you’ve had just a few trickle in. What does this mean? And, more importantly, what should you do if your home hasn’t sold yet?

Even in today’s market, there are three main reasons that homes don’t sell—reasons that you can do something about. Take a look at these factors, and consider what you can do to quicken your sale:

1. OVERPRICING

Inflating the asking price is the most common reason that homes don’t sell. Think about it: when you overprice compared to similar homes on the market, you’re moving your home into a higher-priced bracket of potentially more impressive homes. Suddenly your home looks like the poor performer, and buyers are turned away.

Also, prequalified buyers know what they can spend. If you overprice, you may eliminate a buyer who could afford a more reasonable rate. Meanwhile, your home sits waiting.

You want to be sure your price is fair and right in line with what an appraiser would estimate. Otherwise, even if a buyer does make an offer, the appraisal conducted at that point will show the truth.

2. POOR SHOWABILITY

Don’t underestimate the power of a well-prepared home. Everything you can do to improve your home’s showability will be worth the effort. It will dramatically affect buyers’ first impressions, their overall appreciation of your home and, most importantly, their ability to imagine themselves in it. See these Buy Owner Blog articles for more information about showing:

Preparing for a Showing
Smile for the Camera: Staging Your Home
Tip: Tidy Up the House!
Creating a Backyard Oasis

3. NOT ENOUGH EFFORT

Your Buy Owner advertising is a wise investment and a crucial first step in finding a buyer for your home. While the Buy Owner website draws millions of views, it is still not the only way to draw buyers. Use your Buy Owner tools to make the most of your advertising. Create brochures to hand out at local establishments, tell your friends and do absolutely everything you can to get the word out about your advertisement. (Hint: See “Tips for Drawing Buyers”). The more people who view your home online, the better chance you have of finding the right buyer!

Posted in General Information, Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged selling in a down market, selling your home, why your home isn't selling

10 DON’Ts for Dealing with Potential Buyers

Nov20
2007 Leave a Comment

Written by Becky

(This is part two of a two-part series.)

1. DON’T delay in returning calls

A prompt return of a phone call shows respect and shows that you care about that buyer. Wait too long and the buyer will probably call someone else.

2. DON’T skimp on customer service

Make callbacks and send postcards to potential buyers, thanking them for their interest.

3. DON’T discuss price with buyers who haven’t even seen your home

Encourage them to come see the property, and arrange a showing as soon as possible.

4. DON’T prejudge a buyer

You should always ask about a buyer’s qualifications and be cautious of uninterested buyers, but still keep an open mind. You never know who will end up purchasing your home.

5. DON’T show your property alone

Be cautious of whom you let into your home, and always have someone there with you. Chances are nothing will happen, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

6. DON’T under-show your home

Point out details about the house (crown molding, sprinkler system, energy-saving devices) that might not be obvious to the buyer.

7. DON’T discuss price over the phone

Instead, always arrange to meet potential buyers in person at a place convenient to them.

8. DON’T be confrontational

Show respect, even with the most difficult buyer. The saying “the customer is always right” is still a good one to keep in mind.

9. DON’T be inflexible with your price

Buyers expect to negotiate and will almost never make their first offer their last one.

10. DON’T take a deposit directly from the buyer

Make sure to always use a third party. It will keep things simple and professional.

Posted in Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged buy owner satisfaction, Dos and Don'ts for Dealing with Potential Buyers

7 Plan-Ahead Packing Tips

Oct25
2007 3 Comments

Written by Shanna

Let’s face it: a move is a major life event, and it can be stressful. That’s why every bit of prep work counts in reducing last-minute pressure. Think of each completed task as one step towards a smoother transition. A little work ahead of time = a little less work later.

To make your change as stress-free as possible, it’s a good idea to begin preparing as early as two months before your actual move date. Here are some specific ways you can plan ahead:

1. Do some spring cleaning: Go through storage areas in particular, and pay attention to all those cluttered closets. Examine the garage and your basement. With every found item, ask yourself if it’s worth packing: if it isn’t, get rid of it. Create three categories: keep, sell or donate. (You may want a fourth category, trash, as well.)

2. The SELL pile–Hold a garage sale: Take everything you put into your sell pile and give every item a price tag. Hold a garage sale and pocket the proceeds-think of it as a moving fund that will help with supplies and miscellaneous needs.

3. The DONATE pile–Give to a good charity: Anything you don’t sell, add to your donate pile and give it to charity.

4. The KEEP pile-Prepare to pack: This is what you’re bringing with you to your new home. Examine everything and get a good feel for just how much you need to transport.

5. Plan your strategy: Start thinking now about your moving method. Will you hire a mover? Compare prices. Are you asking friends to help? Set up a date now. Will you rent a truck and do everything yourself? Book the rental and begin planning.

6. Gather supplies: Be ready to pack with all of these necessities. You’ll need plenty of sturdy boxes in various sizes, packing tape, scissors, bubble wrap and markers for labeling. You may decide to purchases specialty items from moving companies; however, a little research and hunting around could save you money. Look around online, ask friends and put the word out that you’re planning to move soon.

7. Put your paperwork in order: Let important people and businesses know about your upcoming change. Consider contacting banks, schools, employers, medical offices, and so on. Alerting them to the new address will be one less thing to do later. You might also want to get “Change of Address” cards. Fill them out now, so you can just drop them in the mail closer to your move date.

^{Editor’s Note: This post is part of a series on packing. View the next article, “4 Steps to Start Packing,”}^here^.

Posted in Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged moving tips, selling by owner

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Posts tagged Buy Owner tips

The Secrets of Resale Value

Money-Saving Tips for New Homeowners