Why Hasn't My Home Sold?

<div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/gingerbread-house-detail-3_zps82e8aa47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/gingerbread-house-detail-3_zps82e8aa47.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Delicious house, but no one's biting? </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>Are you getting antsy to move? Has your home been on the market and not getting the showings or offers you expected?<br /><br />If so, here are some questions you can ask yourself to test possible reasons. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Money, Honey</span></b></o:p><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Is my price fair?" </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Unrealistic expectations or an over-zealous listing agent can cause poor pricing. Work with your realtor to list your home’s assets and liabilities, then do the comps to see if your price is on target. An inflated price is usually the cause of a home that sits too long.    </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Your Point Person</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Do I have the wrong listing agent?" </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Re-examine your realtor. If FSBO, consider calling a real estate company and discussing the commission and other conditions.<br /><br />Look closely at the way your home is being marketed. The online listing should be tempting and accurate. The <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2013/04/how-not-to-photograph-your-home.html" target="_blank">MLS photos</a> should be clear and complete without being repetitive. Today’s homes need to be marketed in a variety of ways – the front yard sign, yes, but also flyers, Internet sites, open house showings, email blitzes, communications with other realtors.<br /><br /><span id="goog_412716634"></span><a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-not-to-hire-realtor.html" target="_blank">Choosing a realtor</a><span id="goog_412716635"></span> is an important decision. Choose one with whom you have good rapport. Your listing agent has to be well-connected with other agents, not a loner or someone unpopular in the industry. If you have qualms about your agent, talk to the firm’s broker or owner. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Problem Attitude</span></b></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Am I being cooperative enough? "</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Make sure your home is easy to show. There should be a lock box on your property to make showing easy for all area agents. If your realtor has to give unrealistic advance notice to show your property, because you have pets or medical problems, or the house isn’t always tidy enough, then find a way around the problem.<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/purpledoor_zps16f5b51c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/purpledoor_zps16f5b51c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A lock box won't ruin your curb appeal when your entrance is this pretty.   </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Have a frank talk with your realtor and ask for feedback. You could also solicit advice from a friend with good decorating sense or a home stager. Double check <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/05/are-you-reason-your-home-isnt-selling.html" target="_blank">your motivation and reasons for selling</a>. Are you a foot-dragging, reluctant seller? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Quirkiness</span></b></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Is there something off-putting about my home?" </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Does it have too much personality, or problems that are a turn-off? Does it smell of untended litter boxes? I’ve seen homes with <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-choose-paint-color-easy-way.html" target="_blank">paint colors</a> only an aging hippie could love and a back yard that only a pack of dogs could love. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">When people see a group of homes, yours may be remembered as the one with poor lighting or the pool with stagnant green water or low ceilings or 1970’s shag carpeting. Find solutions to these problems or expect low ball offers or no offers. People want homes ready to move into. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you decide to make major changes to your property, remove it from the market, do the repairs, cleaning and staging, and then relist. New listings get attention.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><b><span style="font-size: large;">No Temptations</span></b></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Have I done what I can to make the house desirable?"</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Buyers should feel like they are entering a boutique hotel suite when they enter your home. If you haven’t been able to deep clean the house, consider hiring a cleaning service. A house can’t be too clean! Make sure all small and distracting décor items have been replaced with open space or attractive accessories.<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/100556269jpgrenditionlargest1_zps4f63798b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/100556269jpgrenditionlargest1_zps4f63798b.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Clean, functional and luxurious -- that's what buyers want in a bath. Photo: BHG</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">If necessary, <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/10/the-trends-that-can-update-your-home.html" target="_blank">update</a>some of the fixtures like lights, faucets, shower heads, window treatments. Study <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/barbarapilcher/" target="_blank">my Pinterest boards </a>to see what décor trends make sense for home staging.</div><div class="MsoNormal">                                                                                       </div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Economy</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Is my market too sluggish?" </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Major metropolitan areas are bouncing back from the recession. Other areas, not so much. If your area has way too many homes for sale and not enough buyers, your response might be patience. wait for a better season ahead. You can always <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-pros-and-cons-of-renting-your-home.html" target="_blank">rent your home</a> until the market improves. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you just want to move on, lower your price to counteract the cold market. Calculate the costs of staying put -- your taxes, mortgage interest, maintenance, and utilities, then factor them into your price considerations. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Buyers often won’t mention price as an obstacle to making an offer because they don’t want to appear cheap, rude or unappreciative. Instead they will say, “The bedrooms are too small,” or “I didn’t like the neighborhood,” something that can’t be changed. A low price compensates for all kinds of things, including obstacles like dated appliances, ugly flooring, poor curb appeal, or a bad view. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Meanwhile, make your home irresistible. You can encourage buyers to make an offer by helping with closing costs, owner financing part of the price, or letting things like window treatments, big televisions, outdoor furniture, and laundry appliances convey with the sale.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/content_writing_up_an_offer1_zps0dacdf4e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/content_writing_up_an_offer1_zps0dacdf4e.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Motivated buyers will find a way to justify your asking price. Photo: reddoor-re.com</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Looking Ahead</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s an introspective time of year, a time when most of us review the hits and misses of the past 365 days and sets some goals for the year ahead. So, it’s a natural time to examine why your house hasn’t sold. Here’s to a prosperous 2014, when your home will sell and you’ll find another home that your love.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Be sure to download my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar. </i>I've helped hundreds of people stage their own homes to make them sell faster. My book tells you how<i> </i>to ready your home for a quick and profitable sale, no matter where you live or what kind of home you have.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>Top Photo: <a href="http://www.theredheadbaker.com/">http://www.theredheadbaker.com</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>

Why Hasn't My Home Sold?

Delicious house, but no one's biting?  Are you getting antsy to move? Has your home been on the market and not getting the showings or o...

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Stumped by Staging? These People Were.

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-Diningroom_zps9cd701fc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-Diningroom_zps9cd701fc.jpg" width="370" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">The blue walls of this dining room are the same<br />intensity as the brown walls in the neighboring rooms. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Did you have a teacher who said, “There are no stupid questions.” Yeah, I had her, too. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Asking questions is a smart thing to do. I love questions from readers. Here are some I’ve received lately. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Q:</span> </b>Our dining room is cherry red. I really like it. Do we have to change to color in order to attract a buyer? <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">A:</span></b> Staging is about removing as many obstacles as possible that will prevent a buyer from deciding your home is The One for him. You don't "have to" do anything, but you'd be wise to please as many people as possible with your wall colors.<br /><br />I doubt that rooms adjoining your dining room have walls as intense as cherry red. I’d say, yes, paint your dining room walls a color that will “talk to” surrounding rooms, <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-choose-paint-color-easy-way.html" target="_blank">a color that's the same value,</a> a color anyone have a long term relationship with.    <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Q: </span></b>I’m staging my house, and we just painted most of the walls. I don’t want bare walls, but I don’t want holes when I take the pictures down and move out. Do you have any advice?<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">A: </span></b>There are a few things you can do. Very often you can hang lightweight art with regular push pins, which leave unnoticeable pinholes. Or you can use Command products that are removable and leave virtually no holes. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The people who buy your house might paint the walls or they may hang their own art that would cover nail holes, so don’t stress about some wall holes.  Leave some of your wall paint, labelled, for the new owners. The holes won’t be apparent until a walk-through just prior to closing, when you can tell them about the touch-up paint if it comes up in conversations or negotiations. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Q:</span></b> My home has been on the market for 10 months. It’s uncluttered, clean and staged. People say it looks great. My realtor agrees. She shows it often. The feedback I get is all positive. But still no offers. Is this normal or am I missing something?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">A: </span>Find out what is typical for days on market in your area. That will tell you if you are just being impatient or there is a problem.<br /><br />If homes in your market sell in less than 10 months average, and if all that you say is accurate, I think you have to look at the price. When people tour a home and they think the price is too high for what they see, they often won’t say that, even to their own realtor. Instead, they will mention that the bedrooms are small, or they don’t like the view, or the bath needs remodeling – some deal-breaker. No one wants to look cheap. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’d recommend a review with your realtor of how you arrived at your price. You may have to adjust your expectations and ask less.     <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Q: </span></b>What finish should walls have when painting them for staging? <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">A: </span></b>Flat everywhere except baths and kitchen where semigloss or satin is best.  <o:p></o:p><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-cpapmachine_zps629e50a8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-cpapmachine_zps629e50a8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">This CPAP unit is unusually attractive. Most <br />are not this pretty. Photo Devilbiss. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Q:</span></b> My husband uses a CPAP machine for his sleep apnea. The device sits on the bedside table. Now that our home is listed, should I be concerned about how this looks to people coming to look at the house? <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">A: </span></b>Yes, you should. These devices aren't ugly, but they raise questions. Keep a pretty, cover-up box handy for the CPAP machine, tuck in under the bed, or <a href="http://www.cpapholders.com/product/specs" target="_blank">buy a holder</a>. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s never a good idea to have anything on display that hints of problems people have. Even if the problems have nothing to do specifically with the house for sale, buyers don’t want to be reminded of hardships, illnesses or unpleasantness homesellers have. They want their next home to be a place where nothing uncomfortable ever happens. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I always encourage people to find hiding places for things like an oxygen tank, walkers, crutches, braces, and medicines. Prescription drugs need to be securely out of sight. Maybe it’s just me, but I think even a flesh-colored wrist support or some bottles of supplements look too intimate.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Do you have questions about selling your home? You can email me, or ask on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/100832113324140/" target="_blank">group Facebook page</a>. My <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBooks</a> also answer your DIY home staging questions.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>

Stumped by Staging? These People Were.

The blue walls of this dining room are the same intensity as the brown walls in the neighboring rooms.  Did you have a teacher who said, “Th...

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The Pros and Cons of Renting Your Home on the Market

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tenantscreeningblog.com/wp-content/uploads/for-rent-sign-in-yard3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.tenantscreeningblog.com/wp-content/uploads/for-rent-sign-in-yard3.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;">When my friend Christina’s husband accepted a job out of state, they knew they’d be moving. Soon. With all their furniture. </span><span style="background-color: white;">One of the realtors they spoke with suggested renting out their 4-bedroom home instead of selling it.</span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">They talked to a property manager, worked the numbers, and discovered that the rent they could reasonably expect would cover the cost of the home’s mortgage, insurance, taxes, professional property management, and maintenance. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">So, they became landlords, and made their move. For now, they’ve become renters themselves. Meanwhile, they’re saving up, and learning the “lay of the land” in their <st1:city w:st="on">new city</st1:city>, in preparation for the day when they can buy again. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Does this approach make sense? Yes, for some people. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The rental market is healthier than ever. The New York Times describes the <span id="goog_61149784"></span>rental market as <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/08/realestate/changing-midstream-to-rental-from-condo.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y" target="_blank">"white hot," and "torrid."</a><span id="goog_61149785"></span> According to a recent, nationwide <a href="http://www.dsnews.com/articles/rental-market-attracting-residents-despite-price-increases-survey-2012-06-28" target="_blank">survey of property managers</a>, more people are renting, and at prices higher than previous years.<br /><br />Why? Because people who have lost their homes to foreclosures, and people who have difficulty obtaining credit are now renting.    </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of renting your home while you wait for a better market to sell it? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">On the Plus Side...</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Get On With Your Life.</span></b> You’re able to move without waiting. In Christina's case, her husband’s company helped with moving expenses, and even paid the mortgage until a tenant moved in, which didn’t take long. Even if you don’t have such a sweet deal, you could collect a security deposit and one month’s rent as soon as you have a committed renter. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Just Pack and Clean.</span></b> You don’t have to keep your home picture perfect while you wait for a buyer. Tenants are more forgiving, and don’t expect to see a staged home. They aren’t plunking down a huge investment and going into debt. As long as your home is clean and everything works, you’re golden. <br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k483/Mir_Haynes/IMG_16831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k483/Mir_Haynes/IMG_16831.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">You can leave an empty, unstaged house behind. If it's clean, and it's priced right, it will rent!  </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Leave the Closing Table with Cash, Not Debt.</span></b> Rather than settle for less than what you want for your home, you can wait for the real estate market to improve. According to <a href="http://www.dsnews.com/articles/zillow-one-third-of-homeowners-underwater-9-out-10-current-2012-05-23" target="_blank">Zillow</a>, one third of American homeowners are upside down with their home mortgages -– owing more than they can expect to sell for. If that’s your situation, renting might make sense. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Test the Waters.</span></b> Have you ever moved into a new town and later wished you had moved into a different neighborhood? It takes time to learn a locale. Not every realtor knows the best schools, the politics, the perks and problems, and where your favorite haunts will be. Perhaps you’re moving and still don’t have an employer in your new town. It makes sense to know where you’ll work before you invest in a home. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Vacant Homes Go Downhill.</span></b> With a renter in your home, the home can pay for itself and be cared for. A good lease stipulates that the tenant be responsible for things like lawn care. A tenant should also be required to pay utility bills. A home that has electricity, heating and cooling, and running water, is preferable to <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/08/staged-and-vacant.html" target="_blank">a shut down property</a>. Neighbors like it, and vandalism is less likely<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">You Have a Landlord to Call.</span></b> Being a homeowner is demanding. By comparison, being a tenant is easy. When the dishwasher malfunctions, when the chimney needs cleaning, when the garage door doesn’t close right, when shingles blow off the roof, you’re not the one to pay the repair person.   </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">On the Other Hand...</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Show Me The Money.</span></b> Moving takes cash in hand or cheap credit. Most American homeowners don’t have enough money in the bank to relocate without the profit that comes from a home sale. Especially if they are moving to look for work. This might be your situation.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">It Feels Like A Step Backwards.</span></b> True, being a renter can seem like financial backpedaling. Chances are your new rental home won’t be your dream home. But not always. In Christina’s case, she likes her rental better than the home she left behind!<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.zihuatanejocondos.net/photos/condo_complex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://www.zihuatanejocondos.net/photos/condo_complex.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Could it be that living in an apartment complex temporarily will feel like a vacation?  </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">Markets Turn Around Slowly.</span></b><span style="background-color: white;"> It may be years before your home reaches the point where you can command a decent selling price. Meanwhile, the property needs to be managed and maintained.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Good Tenants Are Scarce.</span></b> I’ve been a landlady for almost 20 years, so I can tell you that it’s almost impossible to tell what kind of tenant a person will be.<br /><br />I ask prospective tenants to bring me printouts of their credit reports. I telephone their employers and previous landlords. I assess their appearance, their language, their children’s behavior. <span style="background-color: white;">I casually glance in their cars to see if they are neat.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">I even search online (yes, even Facebook) for any information I can gather.</span><br /><br />In the end, it’s still a gamble. It’s rare that a renter takes care of a home the way a homeowner would. (My apologies to those of you who are perfect tenants and you probably know who you are.)<br /><br />Bank of America sees the value of keeping homeowners in their homes as renters <a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/la-fi-mortgage-to-rent-20120526,0,2758365.story?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter" target="_blank">rather than foreclosing</a> on them. It's a win/win situation. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Costs Can Go Up.</span></b> When you have a good tenant, you don’t want to lose him by increasing his rent. But taxes and insurance costs can rise. You can get hit with heavy maintenance, like a furnace that floods in a hurricane, appliances that need replacing, or other costs not covered by insurance, security or your savings.<br /><br />It’s always a delicate balance deciding between the benefits of raising rent, and risking a vacancy that could cost you more than you’ll gain. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: right;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT5DMw4ToR7vazeUXT7c_ZVKrpD_joFrte4bRbb17mqzZakXyf0fA" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT5DMw4ToR7vazeUXT7c_ZVKrpD_joFrte4bRbb17mqzZakXyf0fA" width="318" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Buy-It-Rent-Profit-Landlord/dp/1416589848/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341680401&sr=8-1&keywords=buy+it+rent+it+profit" target="_blank">Real estate investing books </a>like this one can <br />teach you how to be a successful landlord.  </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-size: large;">Property Management Is Iffy.</span></b> Just like finding a good tenant, finding a property management team is difficult.<br /><br />My experience is that property managers like properties to run on their own, and are reluctant to hassle tenants who are not doing their share.<br /><br />Find me a company called Tough Love Property Management, and I might sign up, but meanwhile, I’ll manage my own properties because I’m a hands-on kind of gal. That’s difficult to do when you live elsewhere.<br /><br />If you live close enough to your rental property to <a href="http://www.tenantscreeningblog.com/landlord-tips/landlord-basics-tips-for-success/" target="_blank">manage it yourself</a>, you need to get up to speed on regulations and smart procedures. It's a business that needs to be run like a business, a profitable and lawful one.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Homes Age.</span></b> Just like like cars and unlike wines, homes get older and show signs of age. Those new appliances, the fluffy carpeting, the newly painted walls -- they don't look as perky as they did before a tenant spent a few years living in your home.<br /><br />Although the property itself may hold its value, when it's time to get serious about selling, you'll probably need to repair and update some features. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Tenants Have Rights.</span></b> Every landlord and former landlord has horror stories about tenants from hell who have done more damage than the security deposit can cover. Typically, the eviction process favors tenants. And it takes months. Months when you are not collecting rental income.<br /><br />Rather than a lease, I use a month-to-month rental agreement that can be terminated by either landlord or tenant with 30 days notice. Leases protect tenants more than they protect property owners.<br /><br />Some smart landlords I know have discovered that, rather than begin an eviction process, it's often faster and less costly to pay a problem tenant a few hundred dollars to get gone.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">It's Not For Sale.</span></b> Although some folks keep their real estate listing active, and put a renter in the house, I don't see this as a smart move. A renter doesn't have much motivation to maintain a staged home, keeping it show-ready, clean, organized, and decorated to please buyers. In fact, once the property sells, the renter gets booted.<br /><br />Taking down the for sale sign does mean that potential buyers won't know about your property.   <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Summary:</span></b> Whether you wait for a buyer, or decide to put a renter in your home depends on your circumstances. The criteria will include how rushed you are, how flush you are, how far away you're moving, what the local rental market is like, what your mortgage and other costs are, whether you already have employment, whether you can get financial assistance from an employer, and whether you have reliable home management people.<br /><br />And guess what. Christina's tenants are talking to her about buying the house. <br /><br /><br /><br /></div><center><a href="http://www.handymancraftywoman.com/"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v127/lars72/733blog%20design%20images/WAW_BUTTON.png" /></a></center>

The Pros and Cons of Renting Your Home on the Market

When my friend Christina’s husband accepted a job out of state, they knew they’d be moving. Soon. With all their furniture.  One of the real...

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Roundup of 2011's Most Helpful Posts

<div style="text-align: right;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/wreathonMirsdoor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/wreathonMirsdoor.jpg" width="344" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>An herbal wreath is good for curb appeal.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>In case you missed them, here are my top ten posts for 2011. I chose these posts because I think they are the most helpful. If you are selling your home in 2012, you could consider this your basic reading list.<br /><br />Of course, I also recommend you download my $5 <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar</i>. It's indispensable, guaranteed!  <br /><br />With this kind of preparation, those wishes -- my own included -- for a happy and prosperous new year are bound to come true.     <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Take Step One</b></span>. I always work with a realtor. Do you know how to find the best one to sell your home? Here's my tips to guarantee you'll have the best salesperson and partner. <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-not-to-hire-realtor.html">How to hire a realtor.</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Put chairs in Place.</b></span> Where to put what is a topic that drives lots of traffic to my site, so I know people are looking for answers. Read about the common mistakes of furniture arrangement and how to avoid them. <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-to-arrange-furniture-most-common.html">How to arrange furniture. </a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Make Baths Win Buyers.</b></span> Bathrooms can be deal breakers. They are <i>that</i> important to buyers. Learn how to make yours pass the test, even if you're on a budget or your bathroom is dated. <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/07/is-your-bathroom-staged-to-impress.html">How to stage a bathroom.</a><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Rubberduck-1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Rubberduck-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Do you know the right way to stage a bath?  </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Decorate Outside, too.</b></span> We hear a lot about curb appeal, but yard art is something not always discussed in polite circles. Here's what even your best friends might not tell you. <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-guidelines-to-choosing-and-using.html">How to choose yard art. </a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Learn Thrifting Tips.</b></span> I'm telling you all I know about how to get deals at garage sales, from what to wear and what to drive, to how to score those deals! <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/06/what-every-garage-sale-shopper-needs-to.html">How to be a great garage sale shopper.  </a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Minimize Stress and Get Results.</b></span> Need advice on making staging your home go more smoothly? Want to be more creative? Looking for ways to increase efficiency? Need to get organized and stay organized? Manage your time better? Develop a positive mindset? Let me point the way. <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/06/how-to-take-work-out-of-staging-almost.html">How to make home staging less work.</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Learn the Secrets.</b></span> To using fake plants, that is. Yes, silks make a room come to life. But you need to know how to make them work for you, not against you. <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/05/seven-secrets-to-making-silk-plants-and.html">How to stage with silk plants. </a><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/setingroupwithrealstuff.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/setingroupwithrealstuff.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Artificial plants done right are convincing and add value to your rooms.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Let's Make a Deal.</b></span> You can learn to negotiate like you mean it! How you deal with your buyer determines how much money you make. <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/03/negotiating-101-how-to-get-what-you.html">How to get what you want when you sell your home.</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Why You Should DIY. </b><span style="font-size: small;">I talk about what professional home stagers may not want you to know</span><span style="font-size: small;">. <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/05/five-reasons-to-stage-your-own-home.html">Why stage your own home. </a></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Make a Headboard. </b></span>This post solves a common problem. And it's a quick and economical solution. <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/10/bedroom-staging-diy-headboard-and-make.html">How to make a DIY headboard and a bed for staging.</a><br /><br />I hope you will continue to visit my site in the coming year. Whether you're a home seller, a decorator, a builder, an investor, or a do-it-yourselfer, you'll find more home staging advice and encouragement here in the months ahead.<br /><br /><br />

Roundup of 2011's Most Helpful Posts

An herbal wreath is good for curb appeal. In case you missed them, here are my top ten posts for 2011. I chose these posts because I think t...

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Negotiating 101: How to Get What You Want

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blstb.msn.com/i/B0/F136F1DAF5A855939D83B2303A94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://blstb.msn.com/i/B0/F136F1DAF5A855939D83B2303A94.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Make them an offer they can't refuse.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Your realtor calls, and says the words that make your heart beat faster. "We have an offer." <br /><br />Knowing how to respond to an offer to purchase your home makes a difference. In dollars. To quote the Turbo Tax software, "We want to make sure you get all the money that's coming to you."<br /><br />(Pat me on the back. I finished our Turbo Taxes. Love that program!) <br /><br />It's interesting, at least to <i>me</i>, that plenty of guidance is available online, in the media, and in books about buying smart. But about selling smart, not so much. Let's balance that scale a bit, right here and now. <br /><br />Here are my tips based on what I have learned from buying and selling homes, and on what I have learned from others and from my studies. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tip #1</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Always Counter.</b> </span>Opening offers are just that. Most buyers expect they will have to increase their initial figure. To not come back with your offer -- any offer --  makes you a greedy bad guy. You never know where the talks will wind up if you don't counter.<br /><br />If you accept an offer without discussing other figures or contingencies, your buyers will always wonder how low they could have gone and walked away with your property. A prime principle of successful negotiating is that when it's over, all parties feel they got what they wanted.    <br /><br />In fact, the more times initialed papers go back and forth, the more committed emotionally the buyer is to having the deal go through. It doesn't take long for buyers to begin planning on where they will set up their big plasma screen, and how many people they will invite to their housewarming party, even though the negotiating ball is still in the air. Keep the ball in the air.<br /><br />I wrote <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-staging-helps-negotiations.html">here</a> about how staging helped us to not act too quickly when we received an opening, low offer on the condo we sold last year.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://imagecache6.allposters.com/LRG/56/5699/DJPUG00Z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://imagecache6.allposters.com/LRG/56/5699/DJPUG00Z.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Clint's characters always know how to<br />get exactly what they want.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Tip #2</span></b><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Know Your Bottom Line.</b></span> Have you done your homework? You should know how much it costs each month you stay in your home.<br /><br />Know the realistic value of your home in today's market, not based on what you paid for it, what you have to get to pay off credit cards, or how much you love your home.<br /><br />Spring for an appraisal. The bank won't loan Mr. Buyer any more than appraised value. Note: A real estate broker's market analysis is not as accurate as a full-fledged appraisal and holds no weight with banks. Having a recent, professional appraisal is a powerful tool to have in your hands.<br /><br />Your bottom line will be influenced by deadlines in your life. Your realtor will be able to give you typical days on market figures for comparable properties in your locale. If you need or want to relocate fast, your price can reflect that.   <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tip #3</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Have Backup Options. </b></span>It's not fun to think about, but it will strengthen your position during negotiations to have some plans in case you are on the market longer than you like. Patience is an asset when it comes to dealing. Not only do you not want to <i>feel </i>desperate, you don't want the buyer to <i>think</i> you are desperate.<br /><br />If your carrying costs are really high, you may choose to vacate your prettily staged home, and become a renter in a smaller, more economical place. Some sellers live in an RV or with relatives. It's temporary.<br /><br />Staging your home helps convey the message to buyers that you are comfortable and not ready to accept whatever comes along. Don't have piles of packed boxes in the garage, shed, or guest room. Get them off-site, even if it means your Dad's garage.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tip #4</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Be the Mystery Seller.</b> </span>The more a buyer knows about you, the more leverage he has. This is especially true if you are near foreclosure or bankruptcy, if one spouse has already relocated, if you are selling an inherited property, if you are a professional house flipper, or if you have not had any offers.<br /><br />At the same time, it's just smart negotiating to learn as much as you can about the prospective buyer. If he is relocating from a state where property values are high, your place may seem like a bargain, and you can anticipate an easier road to an agreed upon price. If he has been house hunting for two years, he is either very choosy or not a serious buyer, and you can let the drama just play out without getting yourself in knots. If he is a professional rehabber, he'll be giving you bottom-feeder prices. If he is shopping for a second home, money is probably not as big a problem as with a young, first-time home buyer, and you shouldn't have to compromise.<br /><br />If you are a FSBO seller, the rules change, and sitting face to face with a buyer calls for a different set of tactics. I'll blog about negotiating as a FSBO at another time.<br />   <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbzlWFV2-dFQ2CwOBp9EG9iboGgQnOJUROEtgvcUVdY7ZeGA9y-HxSp1Au8SJfxUqe0QiFfrDhyphenhyphen_TC3MRspJxZhsMIsF7J9rilQ6KgehgC128PEaZsWtBRr8nS9ZZ-q5QfRiyQr1wt2U/s1600/The+Group+1966+Candice+Bergen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbzlWFV2-dFQ2CwOBp9EG9iboGgQnOJUROEtgvcUVdY7ZeGA9y-HxSp1Au8SJfxUqe0QiFfrDhyphenhyphen_TC3MRspJxZhsMIsF7J9rilQ6KgehgC128PEaZsWtBRr8nS9ZZ-q5QfRiyQr1wt2U/s640/The+Group+1966+Candice+Bergen.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>In her first movie, The Group, Candice Bergman (right) plays a mysterious woman<br />who turns out to be the strongest character in the dynamic plot.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tip #5</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fiddle with Contingencies.</b></span> Be creative. You can say, "I won't come down another $20,000, but I will leave the piano for you," the one you didn't want to move anyway. Let them keep some of your staging furniture. Throw in the patio furniture and the riding mower.  <br /><br />If you can't give in on the big things (money), negotiate minor points. Delay the closing to meet their schedule, or move the closing up to make them happy. This tactic makes buyers feel like they are getting things for nothing.<br /><br />Offering to pay the buyer's closing costs doesn't sound like a big deal, but it is. Most buyers are stretched and need to finance most of their purchase. If they don't have to roll in the closing costs to their mortgage, it means more to them than the actual closing costs amount. You have saved them a boatload of interest money.<br /><br />Offer to finance part of their down payment for them if you can. You'll make money instead of the banks making it. A lawyer can draft the paper work. <br /><br />All these things indicate that you want the deal to go through. The buyer feels like you are on his side rather than fighting him.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTB9ktmA0EHhf5_jzsEpl44Ukt4uxOHx7H6Zsr3Y1ctngexfkXYy44dY-KOAtiWe5l3_Hu7jhCTj5EHic7aODRsB32SxIW-W9rSOM7UhrmCikfs0PlnkG9hr7HlKsDFTK2qQG_YBwP36f2/s320/pwo291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTB9ktmA0EHhf5_jzsEpl44Ukt4uxOHx7H6Zsr3Y1ctngexfkXYy44dY-KOAtiWe5l3_Hu7jhCTj5EHic7aODRsB32SxIW-W9rSOM7UhrmCikfs0PlnkG9hr7HlKsDFTK2qQG_YBwP36f2/s640/pwo291.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">In their roles in Pretty Woman, Julia Roberts and Richard Gere come to an agreement about </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">their relationship by discussing contingencies, but each maintain their own sense of integrity. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tip #6</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Build a Relationship on Integrity.</b></span> Always take the high road. The usual vibe of real estate negotiating is adversarial. Buyers and sellers always assume it is a competition. That's wrong. Assume the best of your buyer, and behave in a way that shows you are willing to work with him. Working with a realtor, especially an experienced, hard-nosed negotiator (not necessarily Ms Nice Gal), will assure that you are not taken advantage of. In a FSBO transaction, it's even more important for buyers and sellers to trust each other.  <br /><br />One false step and you've destroyed credibility and trust. Example of missteps might be: speaking negatively to your listing agent about the buyer, withholding facts about the condition of your property, or attempting to skirt the laws or ethics of real estate sales.<br /><br />One of the earliest homes Mr. Lucky and I bought we bought from a man who, when he arrived at the closing, asked the lawyer to transfer the money to his brother rather than himself. He was either avoiding taxes or avoiding having to pay his estranged wife her share. The lawyer closed his book and said, "Come back when you want to do this right." It made the seller look like a snake in the grass, didn't endear him to us, and clued us to be extra vigilant in the deal.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tip #7</b></span><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Get Outside Support.</span> </b>Whenever negotiating seems to be deadlocked, refer to a third party. It's like calling in an umpire to make a call. A third party can justify your position with facts and figures. An impartial third party can diffuse an emotional situation or clear up a deadlock.<br /><br />Take your lessons from the Big Boys. International peace talks and labor/union disputes are usually conducted with help from an arbitrator. If you are FSBO, you can pay a realtor to represent you.  <br /><br />Your third party could be a home inspector or an appraiser. Or it could be paperwork that substantiates your position, like documentation for things like repairs or warranties. Specifics like tax statements, electric bills and co-op or homeowner association records, can build your case for why you are firm on your last offer.<b> </b><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tip #8</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Let Realtors Be Buffers. </b></span>But let your own realtor convey the image of you as a regular guy, not a fast-talking wheeler dealer. Take your time considering the offers. A written offer usually has a 24-hour shelf life, meaning you must respond or the offer becomes void. People like to do business with people who are like them, and likable, so give all offers the courteous attention and time they deserve. <br /><br />Your realtor is here to run interference for you and keep the business of negotiating businesslike, not personal. She will shield you from giving away too much information about your position, and too much money. A good realtor will offer constructive advice on how to proceed.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://swoonsandsnarls.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/reiner-quiz-good-men.jpg?w=500&h=296" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="379" src="http://swoonsandsnarls.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/reiner-quiz-good-men.jpg?w=500&h=296" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Tom Cruise and his team of military lawyers pursued a vigorous defense for the men </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">they represented in court, in A Few Good Men. You want a realtor with that kind of tenacity.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tip #9</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Be Flexible.</b></span> Don't walk away over a small difference. Keep the big picture in mind. If you and your prospective buyer are just 2% of your asking price apart, examine how much it could cost you to reject the offer. Review your negotiating options. Or, stick to your price, but ask them for additional favors or contingencies.<br /><br />At the same time, know when to hold. We once signed with a realtor to sell a house, and had an offer as soon as a neighbor told friends about it, even before the MLS listing went live. We settled on a price barely below asking price because the house was so new to the market and we knew there would be other interested buyers. Sometimes holding to a predetermined price point lets buyers know you're in a strong position. It all depends on how motivated you are to sell fast. <br /><br />Follow your realtor's advice. You're paying her for it. The realtors are working for both parties and they want to see a deal happen, so they will continue to negotiate until it's obvious nothing is going to happen, or else there is agreement, and a sale!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_5099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="486" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_5099.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">I'm not a movie star, but I've staged many homes and I can help you stage yours. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Do you need staging suggestion</b><b>s </b></span>to make your home irresistible? A staged home sells faster and for more money, so there's less chance that buyers will try to grind away at your selling price. My <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar</i>, helps you do all the right things to attract buyers <i>and</i> keep them interested. You can go to my eBook page and download your copy now. <br /><br />

Negotiating 101: How to Get What You Want

Make them an offer they can't refuse. Your realtor calls, and says the words that make your heart beat faster. "We have an offer....

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Five Things to Do to Sell Your Home

I could not have said it better than Barbara Cocoran did in an interview this week with Matt Lauer.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="266" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3ZXkNIy1zNg?feature=player_embedded" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="320"></iframe></div><br />Funny thing is, watching this video, I count six tips to sell your home. To summarize, Barbara says:<br /><br />1. Time your selling right. February happens to be a good time.<br />2. Price your property 10% below your competitor's asking price, even though you may hate to do it <br />3. Get an inspection before listing your home. Fix what needs fixing.<br />4. Offer financial incentives upfront. Don't wait until you are negotiating to sweeten the deal.<br />5. Wage war online, including hiring a professional photographer.<br />6. Spend money on three key areas -- kitchen, living room, and front facade.<br /><br />Watch the video clip to learn the logic and details of each of these pointers. It's a terrific nutshell primer on selling a home in today's market. Thanks, from one Barbara to another.

Five Things to Do to Sell Your Home

I could not have said it better than Barbara Cocoran did in an interview this week with Matt Lauer.  Funny thing is, watching this video, I ...

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How Staging Helps Negotiations

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRAsAGnODAeyEFOTzuK0Emeuh7dFhgHKov_fiOTjaqPaH_5DLs&t=1&usg=__32siuBdDyCbm_CZPOJ61t51YQGc=" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="275" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our condo sold, and we're reminded that every offer is a serious offer even if it sounds goofy.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Today I discovered yet one more advantage to staging your home for sale.  It gives you a distinct leg up in negotiations.<br /><br />Two days ago we received an offer on the condo we have had on the market for 145 days.  It was a <i>very </i>low offer. The interesting thing is that the written offer came to our realtor with a $5,000 deposit and the verbal information that the buyer planned to put the same offer in to another unit in the same complex if we refused the price and terms.  The terms included the demand that we provide a home warranty, and that we accept a lower selling price if the property appraised for a lower amount.<br /><br />We didn't like the price or the terms.  Nevertheless, we countered by reducing our listing price a few thousand, still nowhere near his offer.  He countered by raising his offer a few thousand, still nowhere near our adjusted price. We refused to go lower.<br /><br />Here's where staging helped.  We knew the other unit was not staged. Both units were priced about the same and have the same floor plan. The knowledge that our property showed well provided the confidence to hold firm at our price. It was a showdown, and the buyer blinked. He agreed to our price.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRAsAGnODAeyEFOTzuK0Emeuh7dFhgHKov_fiOTjaqPaH_5DLs&t=1&usg=__32siuBdDyCbm_CZPOJ61t51YQGc=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>We knew we were gambling, that the buyer could walk away, and we might wait months for another offer.  Rather than be hustled by his warning that he had a back-up plan -- buying the other unit -- we were comfortable waiting him out. We were comfortable because we staged, so we knew we had the competitive edge.<br /><br />We've since learned that the reason our buyer opened with a low ball offer was that he had a relative advising him. When the deal looked like it wasn't going to happen, he told his adviser to step aside and he made what he knew was a more fair offer. Lesson here: take all offers seriously because you never know where negotiations will lead.<br /><br />Tomorrow we'll sign papers to seal the deal.  Another victory for effective home staging!

How Staging Helps Negotiations

Our condo sold, and we're reminded that every offer is a serious offer even if it sounds goofy. Today I discovered yet one more advantag...

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Real Estate Negotiating and Keeping Secrets

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/Heatsincrayon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="143" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/Heatsincrayon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is the home you are selling staged to make someone fall in love with it? What else can you do to make it irresistible?</td></tr></tbody></table>In  a conversation with Ms. Speedy we learn that the woman who fell in love with our condo last month  -- get this – calls Ms. Speedy almost every day to find out  if the property has been sold to someone else!<br /><br />My opinion is that being that enamored of a house is not a good state of mind.  As flattered as I am that she likes the way we fixed this property, now that we know how much she loves it (since she was foolish enough to tell the broker who will represent the sellers – us ) we are less likely to accept a lower offer from her. <br /><br />The lesson here is never to let a listing broker know how emotionally attached you are to a property.  It shows too many of your cards.  If you play them close to the chest, you’ll be in a better negotiating position. <br /><br />You as a seller, need to hide your cards as well.  It's best if a potential buyer believes you are not desperate or rushed because it could prompt a low ball offer.  Contrary to what some people believe, I believe that a staged home sends a message that you are willing to wait for a buyer.  An empty home looks like the owners have moved on and may be paying for two mortgages, but staging an unoccupied residence indicates that the seller has money and patience to take care of his investment. <br /><br />A home stager makes a house lovable.  You can be your own DIY home stager because you already know your home's most lovable qualities. 

Real Estate Negotiating and Keeping Secrets

Is the home you are selling staged to make someone fall in love with it? What else can you do to make it irresistible? In  a conversation wi...

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Advice About Negotiations and Home Inspections

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div><br /></div><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Harborwalk/homeinspection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Harborwalk/homeinspection.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>A home inspection is helpful whether </i></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><i>you are selling a home or buying a home.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Any offer you get to buy your home on the market needs to be taken seriously.<br /><br />As a seller, you should <i>always </i>counter an offer. There's a couple of reasons why this makes sense.<br /><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Reason One</b></span><br />The more times papers get passed back and forth, the more emotionally invested the buyer becomes to the offer going through.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Reason Two</b></span><br />Not many buyers will open with their top bid. We didn’t.        <br /><br />The good news is that our offer was accepted. The owner did not even counter-offer. That fact is fascinating to me. It makes me wonder if we could have bought it for less. Well, can’t get greedy, now, can we?<br /><br />My head is swimming with possibilities for this unit. My challenge will be to keep it under budget. However, for me, frugality is like an Olympic sport. It takes punishing practice and constant dedication, but I’m up for it! <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Official Inspection or Not? </b></span> <br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/frontdoor-home-inspection2-200x3001_zps51fbc49d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/frontdoor-home-inspection2-200x3001_zps51fbc49d.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Home inspectors are trained and licensed<br />so you know there are standards that<br />are understood by the real estate industry.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>We decided not to have a home inspection, even though we usually do. One reason is that both Mr. Carpenter and Mr. Lucky did a thorough examination of the property. The other reason is that the unit is part of a condominium that is well managed. <br /><br />However, a home inspection is valuable, especially if you are buying a home without knowledgeable advisers, or without much homeowner experience yourself. When buying a home, you can’t count on the seller or the realtor to educate you about every square inch. Even new homes can have surprises, especially when a builder tries to cut corners to increase profits.<br /><br />When selling a home, it can be worth the money to hire a home inspector so there are no surprises once you’re under contract. A home inspection will tell you what repairs ought to be made to keep a buyer and his financing people happy.  <br /><br />A home inspection report that shines a favorable light on your property can become part of the selling package that you or your realtor can show prospective buyers.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Taking Risks vs Taking Chances </b></span><br />Not having an official inspection when buying can be risky. Most realtors suggest it, and some insist on it.<br /><br />Any real estate investment is a risk. The difference between taking a risk and taking a chance is information. We chose to reduce the risk factor here by learning as much as we can about the property and having an experienced builder do a thorough study of the building, the electrical system, the roof, water heater, appliances, foundation, attic space, moisture content of walls and ceiling, heating and cooling systems, and plumbing. <br />  <br />Our closing is set for March 11. We have two weeks before the big push. I call it that because we need to get in and get out in four weeks, a self-imposed deadline. We set a deadline not just to make it more interesting (Ha!) but to keep costs low. The faster it sells, the lower our carrying costs are.<br /><br />Are you selling a home? Do you want advice on repairs, cleaning, and staging it? Then download my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook, </a><i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar</i>. I give you a money-back guarantee, so there's NO risk!<br /><br />

Advice About Negotiations and Home Inspections

A home inspection is helpful whether  you are selling a home or buying a home. Any offer you get to buy your home on the market needs to be ...

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