Know Your Local Real Estate Market

Before you put your house up for sale, it is important to know how your real estate market is behaving. Is now a good time to sell your home? Real estate is local; this means that if there are more buyers in New York it does not necessarily means the real estate in California is the same. So, if a 4-bedroom house in New York is selling at $120,000 it does not necessarily mean that a house with the same features in California will also sell at $120K.

The easiest and fastest way to get information about your local real estate market is by talking to an agent. Agents have access to the local multiple listing services so they are more familiar with how the market works, how many houses sold and at what price. By knowing these, you will have an estimate of how much your house will sell.

This may seem old school but another great way to research about the local real estate market is by reading the newspaper. Check out the local newspaper by subscribing or by visiting their website. There is a section in the newspaper which is dedicated to real estate alone; If you have not done it already, keep track on number of similar houses sold and the corresponding prices.

Make use of the Internet. With today’s technology, you can find almost anything in the Internet. You can even get an estimate of your asking price by using an online calculator. You can also interact with agents online or via social media sites.

You can also talk to a local appraiser. Appraisers are normally hired by banks to evaluate the real estate’s fair market value. They can be good source of information about the latest market trends.

Ready to sell your home? Do not wait for buyers to make an offer. You can sell your home quickly to Lucas Properties, a private investor who buys houses in any condition at any given time.

Home Selling: How to Choose a Real Estate Agent

Selling a home can be easy if you know what to do. There are many ways to sell a home – for sale by owner or FSBO, hire a real estate agent, through an auction, or sell privately.

When you do a quick search for real estate agents, you will be surprise to know that there are hundreds of them. Choosing the right one can make or break your deal. Referral from family or friends is always a good start in getting a good agent since they have had a first-hand experience with that agent. They can tell you if that agent is any good or not.

If you don’t have a referral, you can still get the best agent to sell your home and these questions will help you identify that agent.

How long have you been an agent? Although new agents bring in fresh ideas, veteran agents still take the lead. They have more experience and they know the market well, so they will more likely represent you better.

How can I contact you? There is nothing more frustrating than not be able to reach your agent. A common complaint from home owners is that after they hire the agent, they hear nothing. A good agent should keep you well informed. He should be available in common communication channels such as phone, email, and social media.

How many home units have you sold? The higher the number of units sold the better. This goes to show that an agent is good at what he does. The number must be recent, that is within the last six months or at least a year. If he has not sold a unit within a year, then he should have a good explanation for it.

How will you market my home? A good agent should be able to list your home in MLS; this listing targets a wide range of potential buyers. He should be able to provide you with a marketing plan with proof what option works and what does not based on his experience.

If you do not want to work with an agent, you can sell your home privately. This is done by working with private investors. Unlike hiring an agent, you don’t have to pay for their services. Private investors, like Lucas Properties buy houses all the time regardless of its condition.

Common Reasons Why Your House is Not Selling

Why the house has been sitting on the market for months can be attributed to several reasons. As an owner, it is wise to know the things that push buyers away so you can create actions to prevent them.

Lack of curb appeal. First impressions last – this much is true in every real estate transactions. You need to capture a buyer’s attention and make sure to leave a lasting impression otherwise, he will simply move on to the next listings. But what kind of impressions should you make? The kind that will make any buyer think that your house is what he needs.

External maintenance is as important as the house maintenance. If a buyer is turned off by a lack of exterior maintenance (bad fence, cluttered pathways, and overgrown grass) then most likely he will have a bad impression of the house itself. It is no wonder that he may not even take the time to see the house.

Unreasonable expectations. Overpricing is the most common reason why buyers stay away from your property. Although it is typical that as an owner, you will think that your house is above all the others, this is not always the case. To attract buyers, you have to think like a buyer.

• Pretend that you are shopping for a new house and compare yours to others. 
• Is your house beautifully staged?
•  Is it located in a more desirable area of the subdivision?
•  Does it have all the modern amenities?
•  Is it built by highly regarded home builders?

Does your house compare? If your answer is NO, then you have a work to do.

Lack of proper marketing. You have the most beautiful house in the area but do buyers know about it? Aggressive marketing plays an important function in getting potential buyers. Whether you are selling the house on your own or you are working with an agent, you have to make sure that your property has the maximum exposure. Make use of the social media, create a personalized website, list in multiple listings, distribute flyers, and ask for referrals.

If you need help in selling your house, contact Lucas Properties. They have been in the industry for many years and have helped many home owners who find it difficult to sell their homes.

Get Rid of Unwanted House

Disposing of unwanted house can be credited to job relocation, downsizing, divorce, impending foreclosure and family emergency. If you find your way in one of these situations, what will you do?

Give the house away. This is the fastest way to get rid of your house. This is very common to rich people where the property can be handed down from grandparents to grandchildren. It only requires simple paperwork which can be done by an attorney or title company depending on which state the property falls under.

Donate your house to charity or any organization. This is not just for the well to do but this is most beneficial to owners whose property is a financial setback. With donation, property owners can do away with liability exposure, property taxes, and insurance costs. Certain regulations apply for real estate donations and these can vary depending on which state and who is making the donation. It is recommended that paper works should be done by an attorney to avoid legal complications.

Trade your unwanted house. Although this is not common, it is worth to be given a thought. You can do away with your house by making offers to trade it for another property, may it be another house in another location, vacant lot, or even a car. Ask a tax consultant for advice regarding property exchange.

Sell your house. It may not be the easiest however this is the most efficient way because you get to be free of the property and receive monetary compensation as a result of the sale. You can use the property as leverage to earn money. Invest the funds to earn more or simply spend it on a much needed vacation. Do a little research and know the different ways in selling a house.

Sell your house quickly to Lucas Properties. As a private investor, they buy houses in any condition any time. You will receive a no hassle cash offer on your property and expect to close within a week.

Tips For Selling Your Home Quickly

In a declining economy where there is more supply than demand, these tips can help your home stand out from the rest and improve your chances of getting a buyer.

Clean your home. This simple trick is often taken for granted but you will be surprised to see how a simple clean up will improve the value of your home. Cleaning your home is not only limited to storing the trash away; this also means removing old furnitures to make the room bigger or removing wall decors to achieve a neutral look. Potential buyers need to be able to picture themselves with the space.

Improve the curb appeal. External appearance is as important as the house interior. To entice potential buyers to even look at your house, revamp your curb’s appeal by applying a fresh coat of paint to your fences, trim the bushes, and keep your lawn clean. 

Post a video on Youtube. Showcase your home by recording a video using a camera or smart phone. Walk through your home and your neighborhood while telling your buyers about your house. Include the good features in your neighborhood such as malls within walking distance, favorite coffee shop that you frequented on, and amusement parks for a week-end picnic. Let the buyers feel how great it is to be in your neighborhood.

Price it right. Regardless of how well you stage and market your house if the price is way too high, buyers will always look for another alternative. You can get an estimate of your house’s value by checking the local market. Look for properties with similar features as yours; their price should give you an idea how to price yours. You can also hire an appraiser to conduct market analysis and give you a more accurate price.

If all else fails, contact Lucas Properties. They buy lands, commercial buildings, and houses in as is condition. It’s a no hassle, no obligation cash offer on your home.