December 10, 2010

Real Estate Home Tour Industry

Filed under: News — B. Slade @ 5:00 pm

1.jpgStatistic shows that fifty-one percent of American adults who use the Internet took real estate home tours using another location on the web. The National Association of Realtors Survey stated that in 2006, 24 percent of those who purchased a house found their dream house through the Internet by using a real estate home tour. This indicates of a tremendous increase compared to 2 percent in 1997. The same survey stated that 88 percent of those who used the Internet said that real estate home tour played a vital role in their search. Based from the surveys conducted, it is expected that home can go beyond 7.7 million which is the home sales in 2007.

November 10, 2010

The Final Walkthrough

Filed under: General Facts — B. Slade @ 4:23 pm

A final walk through is not a home inspection, nor is this the right time to negotiate with the seller to do repairs. This is an inspection you do several days before the closing and this is when you make sure that the property is in the same condition in which you agreed to buy it. Buyers are usually too pressed for time or too excited when the closing date draws near, which means that some bypass the final walk through. However, it is important that you go through this step.

When you do the final walk through, make sure all the light and plumbing fixtures work. If the house comes with appliances, test each and every one of them. Inspect the walls, ceilings, and floors, and test the air conditioning and heating systems. Check if all the doors and windows close well. Finally, make sure that all debris and personal belongings of the previous owner is removed from the home.

October 10, 2010

Marketing and shopping

Filed under: Tips — editor @ 5:45 am

Every family goes to the market to shop once in a while. Actually, people buy necessities on a regular basis. If you are to move houses, this habit of going to the market would have to be adjusted. In your new place, where would be the nearest grocery store or convenience store? Would it be a walking distance or would you have to use public transportation?

These are some questions you have to ask yourself about your shopping habits. Else, you will be deprived of having convenience within your reach. Decide wisely. This will affect your habit and lifestyle as well.

September 10, 2010

Online Real Estate Browsing

Filed under: Information — editor @ 6:05 pm

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Technology has been a big help nowadays in choosing a property. Many people are now into browsing properties online. No need to leave the house and search endlessly. With just one click of the mouse we can now browse and search for available properties for sale worldwide. You can even narrow your search to just properties within your budget range.

Some websites also show pictures, location map and amenities of different properties for sale (Buildings, condo’s, house and lot). When you find something you liked that is usually the time you go there to visit the site. Real estate agents are now online too. You can email them for any inquiries and questions.

This has helped a lot of busy people who really do not have the time to go to a place one at a time to check a certain property. All they need is just a computer and an internet connection and they’re all set to start browsing for properties online.

August 10, 2010

Scenarios that Bring up Buyer’s Remorse

Filed under: General Facts — B. Slade @ 11:39 am

Buyer’s remorse is when you start having second thoughts about your dream home as soon as you’ve purchased it or you are about to purchase it. Sometimes, buyer’s remorse kicks in when you talk to other people about your purchase. Your friends and family might mean well, but when they question your choices it does raise some doubts. However, chances are they don’t know the market as well as you do and aren’t quite in touch with today’s prices.

Looking at other houses also brings in buyer’s remorse. This is a big mistake, unless you feel that there’s a good chance that the sale won’t push through due to a weak contract or possible structural problems.

Some real estate agents also do not give guidance during the closing process, which will leave you with many unanswered questions and doubts. This could make you panic, especially if you’re buying your first home. Make sure your agent will be around during closing, especially if you have any questions.

Finally, your own doubts leads to buyer’s remorse. You have to acknowledge that nothing in life is certain, but also that dwelling on what ifs instead of looking at the positive aspects is counter productive.

July 10, 2010

Things to consider when buying your dream house

Filed under: Decision-Making,Tips — editor @ 5:12 pm

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Every person dreams of having their own home but before the dream becomes a reality there are things to consider.

First, visualize your dream house. How many bedrooms? Do you need a play room or a family room perhaps? Do you want a two storey house, a garden? Be realistic on your wants and needs.

Second, you need to be able to have the sufficient funds for your dream house. If you are planning on getting a loan, all documents required must be ready so as not to delay the acquiring of your dream house. Know the best financing scheme for your loan.

Next, browse in the internet, newspapers for houses that are on sale. A real estate agent can also help. Know well the developer of the home that you are planning to buy. Ask the real estate agent as much questions as possible especially if there are conditions on the buying process that are not clear to you.

Buying your dream house can be very exhausting as there are lots of things to consider however having your own home sweet home is a very fulfilling experience.

June 10, 2010

The Difference Between A Real Estate Seller And A Real Estate Agent

Filed under: Decision-Making — B. Slade @ 4:57 pm

Sadly, many, actually about 90% of Real Estate Sellers are mistaken or called Real Estate Agents. Although the Agents sell, not all that sell are agents.

What’s the main difference?

Real estate sellers have a product in mind which they have been trained to sell. If they have about 3 houses they are selling, it will not really matter much to that seller whether the prospective buyer is qualified to buy any of the 3 because he or she will go even an extra mile to enlighten the buyer how good it is to own one of those houses. Much time got spent selling to someone who cannot even afford. The prospect just agreed on everything else good except for the price.

The real estate agent, on the other hand, does not sell or offer anything without first knowing the facts like what the buyer needs and if the buyer can afford it. If it’s a housing loan, will the age and income qualify? From a given data, an agent qualifies the buyer and matches the qualifications to the agent’s list of available units and will not even clutter the buyer’s mind with information not needed (like those of the properties the buyer is not qualified to have).

So, a real estate agent does not sell. He or she helps the buyer get the property he or she needs under his or her financial and legal capacity.

May 25, 2010

Home Improvements Before Selling

Filed under: Tips — B. Slade @ 4:29 pm

Doing simple cosmetic changes can help your home look more attractive to potential buyers. Before you do anything, put yourself int heir shoes and see what needs to be updated or cleaned up. You’d be surprised at the impact simple changes can make.

Unless you have minimal decorations, put all your clutter and personal belongings into storage, especially those you won’t need over the next couple of months. This will also make moving out a bit easier.

Make sure your front door looks welcoming and that any glass sparkles. Potential buyers will definitely spend a few minutes at this part of the house as the real estate broker gets the key to the house.

Dirty, worn, old carpeting can be a turn-off for a lot of buyers. If your home has hardwood floors, remove the carpeting and show off the wood. Chances are they’ll love the patina and look of your hardwood flooring.

April 20, 2010

Dealing With Buyer’s Remorse

Filed under: Tips — B. Slade @ 11:33 am

You were beyond ecstatic when you finally signed the contract to buy your future home, but now you’re not so sure that you made the right decision. So many “what if” scenarios are racing through your head. Most of these questions may be simple to answer but some doubts are keeping you from wanting to go through with the purchase. This is called “buyer’s remorse”.

To determine if this is just buyer’s remorse or a real indication that something is wrong with the property, look at the list of things you liked about the home before you purchased it and analyze if these have changed in any way. Does the property include the important things in the list? What makes this house stand out from the others you’ve seen? What was so special about the house before you bought it and why has this changed? Analyzing the facts will help you sort out your feelings about your new home.

March 17, 2010

Congratulations For Having A New Home

Filed under: Fun Stuff — B. Slade @ 4:02 pm

Wanting to express thankfulness for the new deal, a real estate agent welcomes the new owner by asking a florist to send flowers to the specific family at a specific address.

The flowers came and the note read, “Rest in Peace!”

The recipient was furious he took the attention of the florist for the obvious mistake that was committed.

The tactful florist said, “Sir, I’m terribly sorry for the mistake but to ease your furious state somehow, just imagine that at this very moment a funeral is taking place and the bereaved family receives the beautiful flowers with a note that reads, “Congratulations For Having A New Home!” :D