Thought You'd be Interested

Thought You'd be Interested

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Sold 4104 Hanshire 63129 for $123,000

Consider Five Key Areas to Reduce Unpleasant Surprises When Selling

There are five key areas that will be examined closely by the buyer and their team. If a problem exists in of the five areas, it could kill the deal. These key areas are:

1.    Home inspection – Obtain a licensed inspector to examine your home and notify you of any potential issues so you can repair or replace defective items.

2.    Occupancy and or Fire Department Inspections – These departments will advise you of any local code or zoning violations which will need to be address prior to the buyer moving in.

3.    Title report – This will inform you of any liens that have been placed on your home.

4.    Survey – To inform you of the actual lines of the property and show any encroachments. That is

5.    Appraisal – by a licensed appraiser

It is in your financial best interest to repair any issues revealed by these key areas. In doing so your buyer will be more confident in their decision to buy your home.

Why do I need Inspections?

During the home buying process I’m often asked, “Why do I need inspections?” by my buyers. They continue their reasoning by saying, “The house looks fine and the seller’s disclosure didn’t reveal anything out of the ordinary. So why should I pay for inspections?”

I simply say, “That’s because inspections performed by a qualified professional may reveal things that even the home owner is unaware of. Sometimes these repairs can be costly and wouldn’t it be better to know sooner than later.”

There are five common hidden defects that your inspector should look for. They are

1.    Roof- The roof may be nearing the end of its life or have been damaged.

2.    Pest – The home may have termite damage or another type of pest infestation.

3.    Bad Foundation – This may be more than just dampness, cracks may be signs of a bigger problem.

4.    Water damage – can be from multiple sources, pipes, gutters, basement leakage to mention a few.

5.    House components itself:

a.    Inadequate or improper wiring components

b.    Inadequate or improper heating and cooling systems

c.    Inadequate or improper plumbing

Plus 1 – If the property is located in an area serviced by private roads, water or sewage, the buyer may wish to have each inspected to confirm these and or other items meet the current standards for the area where they are located.     

Repairs to any of these items can add up quickly. Buyers should protect themselves from this financial liability of unseen or unknown damage by obtaining inspections.

This is why I recommend inspections to my buyers!

Thinking of buying a home? Here are 12 “Don’ts” every buyer needs to know!

Thinking about buying real estate in today's market? Here are 12 Don'ts to keep in mind when looking for that new home or investment.

      1.    Don’t wait to shop for a home loan. Having a pre-approval letter will help you establish your price range and make your offer appear better to the sellers.

2.    Don’t buy until you shop and compare. This is very important if you’re moving into a new area.

3.    Don’t think you need to negotiate if the property has few days on the market and is priced at market value.  Well priced properties tend to sell quickly and for near or above the asking price.

4.    Don’t be afraid to offer what you think the property is worth to you.

5.    Don’t work with any one less than a full service agent. One that has access to lenders, title companies, inspectors etc. Look for value added services.

6.    Don’t wait for the perfect house for you. It doesn’t exist! Prioritize what is important to you in a home and search for the top priorities.

7.    Don’t wait for the perfect conditions to buy. The best time to buy is when you found a home that meets most of your priorities.

8.    Don’t write an unrealistic purchase offer. This will help another parties offer look more attractive to the Seller than yours.

9.    Don’t work with more than one agent.  Find one that listens to what you have to say, offers a Buyer’s Consultation and offers full service.

10.  Don’t think all real estate agents and companies are the same.  They are NOT. Find an real estate agent and company with a proven track record.

11.  Don’t get too many friends and family involved in your decision. The well meaning advice will make you CRAZY!

12. Don’t be surprised if you get buyer’s remorse at some time during the process. Most buyers do. It is normal and will pass. Think about moving into your new home instead

Are You RWA?

Are you RWA?

Thinking of buying in today's real estate market?  First step is to see if you're RWA. That is are you a Ready,Willing, and Able buyer?  Let’s find out if you are by considering these seven critical areas!

1.    Finances – are you financially qualified to buy a home in today’s market? Speak with your lender(s) of choice to find out.

2.    Authority – Is it your decision to buy a home? Are there others to have a say in the purchase of a home?  Who are they and what do they have to say?

3.    Commitment – Are you committed to doing what it takes to find the right home for you? This includes:

• Getting a pre-approved for a home loan
• Finding a professional real estate agent to help you search and guide you through the paperwork and deadlines.
• Driving by homes to eliminate them or put them on the top of your list.
• Keeping your team of professionals informed of your needs, wants and desires, so they can best help you.

4.    Competitive – Putting your best offer on the table first may help you beat out other offers and get the right house for you! Trying to get the deal of the century may cost you the house.

5.    Motivation – Why do you want to buy a home?  What would happen if you found the right house tomorrow? Are you ready to take advantage of it?

6.    Availability - When are you available to view a property in person? Viewing it online is nice, but nothing beats seeing the property in person.

7.    Compromise -  In reality the perfect home doesn’t exist, you’ll get about 80% of what you’re looking for in a home. Be ready to prioritize and compromise to get the right home for you! What are your priorities in the home you're looking for?  What items are you willing to give up?



Cloud Computing: Business Toolbox: REALTOR Magazine

Here's an interesting article about "At the Door" computing methods. We could still find ourselves with a "paperless office"

Cloud Computing: Business Toolbox: REALTOR Magazine

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-FSBOs Vanish, Sellers Turn to Real Estate Pros

Interesting reading about a trend in real estate.

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-FSBOs Vanish, Sellers Turn to Real Estate Pros

Five Steps to Holding A Successful Open House For the For Sale By Owner

Thinking of selling your home by owner?  Here’s some information on how to hold an open house I believe you’ll find useful!

An open house is one way to expose your home to multiple buyers at once. Not only is an open house designed to market your home in a way that differs from a simple listing, but it also opens the door for competitive offers, as more than one buyer could potentially fall in love with your home on the same day.

1. Make Your Home Shine

A successful open house begins with cleanliness, so make sure that your home is ready to be shown. This means the clutter should be removed and the home should be “staged” to allow potential buyers to envision themselves living in a beautifully decorated home.

2. Cross Your T's & Dot Your I's

Your next step to an open house is making sure that the price is right. If the day is successful, you may be fielding offers within hours, so be ready to make a deal. Most open houses are advertised locally in order to attract buyers looking to move into the area, which means a newspaper ad may have a lot of potential. The advertisement should feature a photo, along with text that outlines all of the unique and positive aspects of the home. The date, time, and clear directions should also be given in the ad, along with your contact information. Before your ad goes to press, make sure that you have proofread it to ensure accuracy.

3.  Spruce Up Your Curb Appeal

As buyers begin to show up for your open house, they will want to see attractive landscaping with an inviting atmosphere. This will make them eager to see what's inside the home. The front yard should feature an Open House sign with colorful balloons, but don't forget to place signs along the street (with permission, of course) to help potential buyers find you.

Make sure the lawn is freshly cut and flower beds are well kept. Any clutter, including bicycles or yard care equipment, should be removed to produce a visually pleasing image of the home. Make sure your windows and doors are sparkling clean and free of fingerprints. Nothing should distract buyers from the prize, which is your house.

4. Feed Your Guests

It's customary for every open house to have complimentary coffee or other refreshments and/or cookies. The smell of freshly baked cookies will give buyers the feeling of being at home-exactly the type of reaction you want when trying to sell your home.

5. Reading Material Is Golden

You should provide a business card and/or informational sheet for each potential buyer that tours your home. Take a few minutes to design your own flyer using a computer and print out some full-color circulars to offer interested parties as they arrive. You should also provide copies of any appraisal, inspection or other information about the home that potential buyers would find interesting.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I am happy to consult with you without any obligation regarding the sale of your property. 

Sincerely,

Bob Weibrecht
Realtor / Sales Associate
314-852-9566www.BobWeibrecht.com
Coldwell Banker Gundaker
1925 Richardson Rd
Arnold, MO 63010
636-461-2000

Keep current with today's Real Estate Market, subscribe to my market reports at www.BobWeibrecht.com !

Caught in between selling and buying a home? Here are a few tips on what to do.

Trying to sell a home and buy one at the same time can be a challenging task. Many home buyers find themselves caught in a difficult position as they often cannot place an offer on a desired home and simultaneously sell their current one.

Below are some tips from Coldwell Banker Gundaker on how to close the gap between buying and selling a home:

1. Consider bridge loans. A bridge loan means borrowing from the current home's equity until the proceeds from its sale are obtained. Some bridge loans require that only the interest be repaid; others mandate a single payment of interest and principal when the loan needs to be paid back. If protracted, bridge loans can be expensive, so it is best to use them for overlaps of a short period of time between closings.

2. Buy on contingency. Have a prior-sale contingency included in the purchase contract of the new home. It provides the opportunity to withdraw from an offer if the current home does not sell by a specific and agreed upon date.

3. Evaluate whether to buy or sell first. You could still find yourself caught in between even with a prior-sale contingency clause. Home owners must consider which is better to do first. In a seller’s market, locating the new home and starting the buying process may be the best approach. It is important to note most people need to sell their current home to qualify for a loan to purchase the next one, which is often more expensive. In a buyer’s market, you should be aware of the time frame and the possibility of not being able to sell your current home quickly.

4. Review home equity options. For those who need to borrow for a longer period than just a few months, it is best to use a home equity loan or a fixed-rate line of credit, particularly if sizable equity has been built up.

I hope you find this information useful. Best wishes for the successful conclusion of your real estate transaction!

The Top 10 Exterior Items That Make Your Home Look Its Best!

When it comes to selling your home, the first thing to do is to make sure to put your home's best foot forward. That means make it look nice and attractive on the exterior. Buyers will draw conclusions home based upon the exterior appearance of your home.  Here are the top ten exterior items to make your home look the very best.

1.    Check the exterior of items like siding, window sashes, trim and shutters. Clean and/or paint as needed. Give special attention to the front door area. Make it welcoming and inviting..

2.    Add color to your yard and front porch with flowers or flowering plants in the ground or in planters.

3.    Check the roof for shingles or flashing that needs replacing or repair.

4.    Make sure your gutters are clean of debris. Clean or paint them as need and re-align the gutters crooked.

5.    Repair or replace broken windows, doors and screens. Make sure each is clean and in good condition.

6.    Repair and or replace broken sections of your fence, deck, patio, etc. Make sure these areas are clean and in good shape. Paint as needed.

7.    Clean the driveways and sidewalks. Patch holes and remove stains. Consider concrete paint for stubborn stains or to make concrete surfaces appear uniform.

8.    Neatly put outdoor furniture in a pleasing arrangement.  Store all lawn equipment, bikes and other yard toys when not in use.

9.    Make sure your lawn is kept cut and trimmed.  Trim trees and shrubs, removing all dead limbs and yard debris.

10. Last but not least touch up the little things.  That is house numbers, mail box, door bell, etc. A new welcome mat is a big plus.

By taking advantage of these top ten items, you’ll ensure your home has that WOW factor when potential buyers visit!