Jun 5, 2014 | Home Seller Tips
Selling your home or property in a slow real estate market isn’t easy, but it can be done. Pricing your property right is the key to selling it within a reasonable amount of time.
Sometimes this means lowering your price while it’s on the market. Of course, you want to get as much money as possible, so how do you know when it’s time to lower your asking price?
No One Is Looking At Your Home
If you expect your home to sell, you need to have people look inside it. Most buyers search for homes within a certain price range. If you aren’t getting any showings, chances are it’s because your home is overpriced compared to other homes in the area. In this case, you may need to lower your price so buyers will look at your home.
Comparable Homes Are Selling For Less
Your home will sell for whatever a buyer is willing to pay for it. If the homes around you are selling for less than your asking price, it may be time to lower it. No one is going to pay more for your home when they can get the same thing for less.
Pay attention to what homes are selling for in your community and adjust your price accordingly.
You Are Getting A Lot Of Negative Feedback
Buyers are a great source of information about other homes in your price range. After all, they’re spending their free time looking at countless homes similar to yours.
Your real estate agent can find out exactly what buyers think of your home. Perhaps homes comparable to yours have updated kitchens or more attractive landscaping. With this knowledge, you can choose to either remodel or lower your price.
Call or email me if you have any questions. I can help you sell your home or property in any real estate market.
Feb 13, 2014 | Home Seller Tips
When we are going through a difficult and stressful time, our bodies naturally react to the situation. This “fight or flight” reaction to stress makes us more alert and ready to avoid danger, so it is helpful in the moment.
However, if you are in a constant state of stress on an ongoing basis, this can be very damaging to your health and can increase the risk of diseases such as heart disease, depression and other problems.
Chronic stress can also result in insomnia, headaches, upset stomach, elevated blood pressure, chest pain and much more – as well as emotional issues such as panic attacks, anxiety and worry.
This is why learning to manage your stress is crucial to your health. Many people try to manage their stress by overindulging in unhealthy substances, such as tobacco, drugs and alcohol.
However, by managing stress in this way you are actually making the problem worse because you are contributing to the stress on your body.
So what are some of the healthy ways that you can manage stress?
Express Your Feelings
A lot of stress comes from being angry or upset about a situation, but keeping your thoughts and feelings inside. You can relieve that stress by sharing your feelings and expressing how you feel.
Take Time To Relax
No matter how busy and chaotic things might be, take time for yourself to recharge and relax. Even if it’s only 20-30 minutes per day, having a bath, reading a book or going for a walk – it will really help to keep you calm.
Get Some Exercise
The act of exercising is a great stress reliever because it encourages your brain to produce feel-good chemicals such as endorphins. Also, your body will be better able to fight stress when it is in good shape.
Make Sure You Get Sleep
When there are a lot of demands on you, it can be tempting to want to skip sleep so that you can get more things done. However, when you are sleep deprived you will actually be much less effective and you won’t be able to handle stressful situations as well. Make sure that you go to bed at a reasonable time and get the sleep you need.
Speak To A Friend
Having a close friend who you can discuss your issues with can be a huge help when you are feeling stressed. Even if they can’t solve anything, it is simply helpful to have someone who listens, cares about how you are feeling and offers some encouraging words.
Managing your stress is crucial to your health, so make sure that you keep these tips in mind when things start to get overwhelming.
Jan 29, 2014 | Home Seller Tips
As a society, it seems like we’ve gotten away from appreciating our homes for their emotional and sentimental worth. Instead, we focus solely on their monetary value.
An Appraiser Can Estimate A Home’s Monetary Value, But To Gain A True Concept Of Your Home’s Worth, You Must Also Take Into Consideration:
- Pride Of Ownership. You don’t buy a pair of Prada shoes because you’re going to be able to resell them and make a profit. You buy them because they make you look good and feel good.
- Security And Stability.Your home provides a roof over your head that’s in your control. You can decorate it how you want. You don’t have to worry about a landlord selling the property or asking you to move out. In the “olden days” (or should I say “golden days”), we called our homes our castles because, as owners, we felt like the kings and queens of our homes. You can still feel that way! Claim your castle and crown yourself king or queen today.
- A Safe Haven.After a tough day at work or a day of disappointments, where’s the first place you think of going? Home! As Dorothy says, “There’s no place like home.”
- A Place To Make Memories. Your son’s tree house and daughter’s playhouse. The markings on the wall that tracked your children’s growth. The porch swing where you start and end every anniversary celebration.
- A Neighborhood Full Of Friends. In the event of an emergency, your neighbors are your first line of defense. They’re also the simplest, best and least expensive form of security. Additionally, they may have the exact tool you need for a project; the extra pair of hands you need to complete a project or children to become playmates with yours. Neighbors also give you that much needed in-person, up-close social network.
Even if your home’s economic value has dropped, you continue to benefit from its emotional values of community, stability, security and success.
Thinking of buying a home? I can help you evaluate the emotional and monetary worth of homes and find a home that fits your values and lifestyle. Give your trusted real estate professional a call today.
Jan 20, 2014 | Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips, Interesting Stuff
An LLC is a valid and effective way to hold and manage real estate. An LLC is recognized 
as a separate legal entity for tax and liability purposes.
1. An LLC can provide certain tax and liability advantages. In certain circumstances, holding title to real estate in an LLC can provide a valuable tax advantage. However, if the main intent of forming an LLC to hold real estate is for its tax advantages, you should be sure to speak with a qualified tax advisor. Be certain that you obtain a specific tax identification number from the IRS for the LLC. Applying for an Employer Identification Number or tax id is a rather simple process and can be done online. You will need to provide a tax id number to the closing attorney.
2. There is a cost to create and maintain an LLC. The cost to file for and create an LLC in Massachusetts is around $500.00. This does not include the cost of legal counsel. An annual report will need to be filed with the Mass. Secretary of State each year at a cost of $500.00 per LLC. In most circumstances, if the intent of having an LLC is to avoid legal liability associated with the ownership of real estate, you should probably have two LLCs. One LLC to hold title and one to manage the property. Be certain that the application to create an LLC and operating agreement are prepared properly. Mistakes made in filing for an LLC can be costly and time consuming to correct. Don’t file for an LLC in any other state or jurisdiction unless you have a really good reason for doing so. Cost should not be the sole reason. Consult qualified legal counsel to assist you.
3. An LLC is not right for every situation. Although an LLC can hold title to real estate, it does not mean that it is the best way to do so. You should carefully consider the pros and cons of using a realty or nominee trust, a standard corporation, or individual ownership for each piece of real estate. We often find that sellers spend needless time and money to hold title in an LLC when it really was not necessary or proper for their situation. It may be considered “fashionable” to have an LLC, but it is not always prudent.
4. An LLC is not like a regular corporation. One of the primary differences between an LLC and standard corporation, or S Corp, is the way gains and losses are accounted for between members and shareholders. With an LLC, gains and losses can be allocated disproportionately between members, not so with an S Corp where it is shared between pro-rata shares of ownership. With LLCs, members are able to pass losses to their personal income reporting. This can’t be done with a regular corporation.
5. An LLC must be in good standing with the state in order to sell its real estate. If your LLC holds title to Massachusetts real estate you will need to prove that the LLC is in good standing with the State before you can actually close on the sale. The most acceptable way to show good standing is to obtain a certificate from the Secretary of State’s office. The Secretary will not issue a certificate if the LLC is not current with its annual report filings. The cost of a Certificate of Good Standing is about $25.00. Obtain it well in advance of an anticipated sale, the closing attorney will likely require it prior to closing.
Jan 2, 2014 | Home Seller Tips
Many people think that selling a home after the holidays and during the Winter season is a bad idea. Most people are not in the home buying mood, because they are thinking about the holidays.
Also, buyers will think that you are desperate and they will give you offers that are less than list price.
Advantages Of Selling Your Home Now
However, there are some advantages to selling your home over the holidays and into the new year. There will be less homes on the market, so there won’t be as much competition.
Also, buyers will likely be on their holidays from work, so they will have much more time to view properties and look around at homes.
Another factor is mood – buyers will generally be feeling more cheery and relaxed over the holidays, which will result in them being more likely to make the decision to buy a home.
A home can have a really romantic and cosy feeling during the winter season, which could make a buyer fall in love with it.
When You Are Selling Your Home During The Winter Season, Here Are Some Tips To Keep In Mind:
- Choose a good real estate agent who will be able to communicate with you well and find the right buyers for your house.
- Price the house realistically. This time of year, it helps to be competitive. You might even get buyers competing, which will push the price up as they bid against each other.
- Make sure that you have all of the paperwork in order, including an energy performance certificate, fittings and fixtures list and much more.
- Give your home a little makeover so that it gives a great first impression. Touch up the paintwork, rearrange the furniture and remove clutter.
- Giving a sense of airy lightness is important, especially in the winter months. Make sure that your windows let in plenty of natural light.
- Be flexible. You might need to be able to accommodate last minute viewings or viewings at strange times, so keep your schedule open.
- Serve seasonal drinks and snacks at your open house, such as mulled wine, eggnog and cookies, to put your buyers in a good mood.
- Have your moving company chosen and ready to go in advance, in case there is the possibility of a quick sale.
These are just a few tips to keep in mind for selling your home over the holidays. For more helpful tips, contact your trusted real estate professional.
Dec 11, 2013 | Home Seller Tips
Putting your home on the market during the holiday season might seem like you’re just inviting stress and frustration to come knocking on your door. However, December is a great time to sell because there are few homes on the market, buyers are serious and your house will be decorated to look nice and cozy.
With the tips below, you can get your home ready to sell and ensure important family time by having the kids help out.
Hire A Real Estate Agent
Employing a professional will allow you to unload the worries that come along with selling a home. Your real estate agent will burden the pressure — and work — of finding the perfect buyer for your home. This will free up your time to enjoy the season with your family.
Get The Kids Involved
With your house up for sale, you don’t want to go too crazy with decorations. Make a day out of decorating and have the kids help you put up your more tasteful trimmings.
Then you’ll be creating family memories and making your house festive for the season. Avoid any overly religious decorations and try to go for a winter theme.
Shoot A Video
Have your teenager be the cameraman while you narrate. Or, for an even more adorable virtual tour of your home, have your child describe each room. Then post the video on your home’s website for buyers to view.
Not only will buyers get a feel for your home, but you’ll have great memento of where you lived once you move.
Create A Cozy Retreat
Use low lighting, build a fire, play classical music and turn up the thermostat to create a snug environment that buyers and your family will enjoy. You’ll make potential buyers want to linger in your inviting home. And, your family will have fond, homely memories of their last holiday season in this house.
Loosen Up
Keeping your home immaculately organized and clean can be exhausting. Remember that this time of year is all about family. So relax and enjoy yours! If you don’t end up selling your home this December, then there’s always next year — which is fortunately only a few days away.
Don’t let the holiday rush intimidate you when it comes to selling your home. By getting your kids involved, you’ll sell your house and make lasting memories of the final festive season in that home.
