Blog – Page 43

Why Using Zillow or Trulia for Your Home Search Could End in Heartache

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

The common “wisdom” these days is that everyone searches for their new home online. Sites like Zillow or Trulia make your home search a snap. Easy to use websites and even apps for your smartphone. Mortgage payment estimates right by the listing. Now you just know you can afford that dream home. So if it’s so easy, why not? Why not indeed.

First, Zillow and Trulia are now the same company. Realtor.com has become so expensive that many Realtors don’t use it. There are other reasons why many Realtors are opting out of national sites, reasons that confuse buyers and hurt sellers.

First, none of those sites are part of the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). MLS is the most up to date place for any and all real estate listings. The Zillow/Trulia/Realtor.com listings (or “aggregator sites”) get their information from other websites or by what is input by homeowners or other agents. The problem with that is that listings on them are often out of date. A property may sell or the listing expire, or a pricing change in a property happens and the aggregate listings are not updated.

Another problem? Aggregate sites allow any agent who is willing to pay a fee have their name and photo appear next to any listing in a given region. The prospective buyer may think they are the listing agent, when in reality they know little to nothing about it.

More things that are inaccurate on the aggregate sites? Wrong pictures with listings, duplicate listings with different prices and agents listed. Speaking of pricing, those fabulous tools to figure out if you can afford that fabulous home? Often very wrong.

Finding a house to buy and make a home means setting your heart on it. Relying on aggregate sites, instead of starting your search with a local agent who knows the area, issues and homes for sale will lead to heartache, not home buying bliss.

Staging Your Home Is Important, Even In A Sellers Market

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

Staging your home is as important in a sellers’ market as it is in a buyers’ market. The same reasoning applies when selling real estate at any time or in any market. So let’s look at those reasons.

First, staging makes you declutter and organize your home. Cleaning and decluttering is the biggest part of staging. Depersonalizing the space is important so that buyers can imagine their things in the space. The easier you make it for them to see your home as theirs, the more likely you will be to get offers. You will be moving anyway, so packing up much of the daily clutter and personal items now will make moving later easier. Forces you to organize and get rid of clutter.

Staging increases the probability of a sale. Even in a sellers’ market, you home isn’t guaranteed to sell. Increase your chances by setting yourself and your home up to succeed. Staging not only increases that likelihood, but it decreases the time it will be on the market. Less time on the market means less aggravation in the showing process and a bigger probability you will get asking price or better as well.

Speaking of price, staging will justify that asking price. Clutter and dirt = turned off buyers who see a project home = lower offers. Staged home that looks clean, uncluttered and move in ready = happy buyers who want to pay your asking price to move in. In a sellers’ market it can equal a bidding war that boosts your profits.

You may be thinking that since the market has shifted in your favor as a seller that the amount of work you have to do to sell has disappeared. It really hasn’t. Being lazy won’t benefit you in the end. Go watch one of those HGTV® shows like Property Brothers to see the difference. Watch the buyers when they walk through the professionally staged “everything we want” homes, then their faces as they walk through the unstaged, cluttered or dirty ones. Listen to the reasoning on offers (“it needs work” and “its been on the market for X amount of time”) and see how it affects price. Don’t make those mistakes. Stage your home and walk away a winner.

Why Is Granite So Popular In Gourmet Kitchens

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

Ask any Realtor what one thing makes or breaks a kitchen or bath update and they’ll undoubtedly say granite. Granite is part of any gourmet kitchen. If you are hesitating and may be thinking that a cheaper option may be the way to go, stop. Go with granite. Why? It is a great investment.
Granite countertops are classic. They look classic and give any kitchen or bath a timeless look.

Granite is practical and beautiful. Its gorgeous graining and versatile color palettes seem to make a kitchen more beautiful the minute they are installed. They are also practical. Since they are natural materials, there is little man-made that can hold a candle to it. Granite is tough and durable.

Granite is almost unbreakable, and it is scratch, stain, and mildew-resistant. It is naturally cooler so that it is great for baking. Rolling out dough is easier, cooling hot pans is easier. It isn’t porous, so harmful bacteria won’t find their way into cracks and crevices and make your family sick.

Granite is also versatile. Any style of kitchen will be complemented by granite counters. From modern to craft to country to traditional and everything in between. Between the amazing color palettes available to the styling of the granite itself, it fits every lifestyle. Traditional cabinetry looks amazing with it, as do stainless steel, black or white appliances. The granite only enhances the décor.

Lastly, granite has and keeps its value. It improves appearance and makes the market value of your home higher. When selling, granite helps you sell. It appeals to a wide variety of buyers and their styles. Many demand granite counters, so knowing you have them will mean your property has an ace in the hole. The durability and beauty adds to any home. So when updating, don’t skimp. Use granite and reap the reward.

Home Seller Tips – Selling Your Assets

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

Here are some home seller tips to help you with selling your assets, (your home is an asset). What is the best part of your home? That is the question you should be asking yourself as you start to get it ready to sell. Why? Because the answer will tell you which assets you need to be playing up. You aren’t selling your home, as much as you are selling your assets.

The first home seller tip is to have a Realtor come in and look at your home with you when you are getting ready to sell it. They will be able to give you ideas on what are great selling points and what needs to be spruced up. Have a list ready before they get there of your favorite spots in your home. Is it your deck? How about your pool? The amazing lanai? Where do you spend most of your leisure hours when at home? What would draw you to an area like that in another home? Your Realtor will probably agree with you and have great ideas on how to make these areas shine. Selling your assets like your home is a big deal so get all the help you can from a Realtor.

Most people know to look at the kitchens and baths. Yeah, we all have them and isn’t it great when they are up to date. But what about the great reading nook you have on your lanai? Or the amazing set up around your pool? And who could resist the outside kitchen on your deck? These are the assets you need to play up. These are the areas that will make people want to live in your home.

So, another home seller tip is stage them. Just like every other area of your home. Make sure your deck or lanai furniture is clean, new looking or replace it. If your grill has seen better days, replace it. Even if it’s all going with you, it’s the visual you need the buyer to see to want to be there every day. Fix screening outside. Make sure your pool is clean 100% of the time. If you have safety covers, make sure they are in working order and ON when people come to look. It will be a huge selling point with families.

You know what you love about your home, so make others love it too. Then get ready to pack and move!

Waterfront Condos in Clearwater – The Top Amenities To Look For

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

If you are condo shopping in Clearwater, finding a waterfront condo is easy. If you’re not sure what you want in a waterfront condo, here are some of the top amenities found in some of the best ones around. So wet your whistle on these and then have fun finding the best fit for you!

So let’s start with the most obvious top amenity in a waterfront condo: the views! Whether the condo is on the beach or the Intracoastal Waterway, the views will take your breath away! Beach view condos will greet you every day with the clean white sands and gorgeous turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Start your day watching dolphins frolic in the surf, and end it with the most gorgeous sunsets around.

You might like a condo that fronts the Intracoastal Waterway. Watch from your windows, or sit on your balcony and watch all kinds of wildlife swim, swoop and soar past. Enjoy the view of the boats as they skim by on their way out to the Gulf. Watch a sunrise or a sunset daily and take in the grandeur of nature.

All those views aren’t the only fun. You’ll have great water access as well. Beachfront means walk out the door and onto the beach. No long car rides, traffic nightmares or parking hassles. Take a book, chair, blanket and you’re ready. Need something else? No worries, just a quick run into your condo to get it! If you buy on the Intracoastal Waterway, think boating. Many condos have boat ramps and lifts, and your own dock. No extra docking fees or driving a distance to get to your boat. Grab what you need, climb aboard and off you go for your day of fun on the water.

The communities will also have the amenities you expect. Pools, spas, exercise facilities, private parking, gorgeous grounds and community buildings for all to use. And of course the condos themselves will most likely be top notch with all of the things you expect. Granite, wood, marble or tile flooring, all up to date and ready to enjoy. Great kitchens with top notch appliances, granite countertops and beautiful views..what’s not to love! Clearwater condos have all the top amenities, so call your Realtor and come see for yourself!

What Does It Cost To Sell Your Home?

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

So you think you’ll walk away from the sale of your home with a fat check? Yes, but it’s probably not going to be as fat as you think once the costs of the sale are deducted or counted against the amount written. Knowing what the cost to sell your home is and how it will impact your final bottom line can also give you the information you need to lower those costs where you can.

Getting ready to sell

Before you list you’ll have to spend money to get it ready to sell. Spend on things like paint, cleaning supplies and storage for all your extra stuff after you declutter the home.

These expenses don’t have to be high, but if you are advised by your Realtor that you should do some updates to kitchens and/or baths, those expenses could rise into the tens of thousands of dollars.

Pet expenses, etc.

Once it’s listed, there are other expenses that you may not expect. Do you have a pet? That could be a problem for people looking at your home.

If it’s a cat or dog you may have to kennel them or pay a pet sitter to take them from the house for showings, or for the time it takes to sell. And when you have to be away for showings, remember that unless you have other errands to run, eating out is often the choice.

So now you have your contract. The costs keep on coming. Here’s what you have to look forward to:

Realtor’s commission: Your agent charges a commission in the form of a percentage of the sale price. This commission percentage is usually 6%, could be lower, could be higher, but let’s say you sell for $250,000.00 a 6% commission will cost you $15,000.00.

Transfer taxes: The state, county and/or municipality will charge taxes or “stamps” for the transfer of the property. Depending on how many charge it, it can range from 0.01% to 2% of the sales price.

And don’t forget that if you’ve sold a property before and realized a profit on it you’ll owe the federal and state tax authorities money on for capital gains taxes. Those will be due at tax time, but be sure to provision for it.

Don’t forget your mortgage payoff and moving costs!