Tips to sell a home during the holidays

Are you planning to sell a home during the holiday season? Well during the holiday time, from November through January, it is usually thought to be the worst time to sell a home. Though the thought of putting your home on the market during the winter months may hamper your spirit, the winter season does offer some benefits. Often, holiday buyers are more likely to be more serious. This can mean a quicker sale. Further, as only few homes are actively marketed, there is less fierce competition. If you are planning to sell a home during the holidays, then decide if you really need to sell. Here are some tips that will help you in your endeavor-

Decorate it, but never go overboard.

Generally, homes look great during the holidays. However, you should not overdo it on the decorations. A crowded house with too many décor items may distract buyers. If you have a dining room, stage it for a holiday dinner. Rather than religious themes, prefer general fall and winter decorations. Keep your holiday decor ethnically neutral.

Look for a trustworthy real estate agent-

As many estate agents disappear during New Year, Thanksgiving or Christmas, you can look for someone who works hard during the holidays even.  Ask your relatives, friends, family and neighbors if they can suggest a listing agent. Asking for referrals will ease your stress. So you can enjoy the season.

Hunt for motivated buyers-

Consult with your real estate agent about targeting buyers on a deadline. Track investors on tax deadlines, people relocating for jobs in your locality, military personnel, college staff and students, etc.

Be clear about a few, show times and dates-

Help your agent or broker to schedule a showing for your home. In general, agents show multiple properties in a couple of hours. If you do not allow the agent to show the house, then buyers may have another dozen choices that are vacant. You can set a show time, which will make it easy for the agent to schedule the visit. Remember, when you are putting your home for sale, do expect some inconvenience and irritations. You have to compromise with your enjoyment too.

Set a price to sell-

Anyone will be happy to have a home that's priced low for the market. Instead of making small price reductions gradually, it is advised to cut prices prior to putting a home on the market.

Exterior of your home-

It is well known that when a house is put on the market, curb appeal should be a top priority of a  homeowner. During autumn, when the trees start to lose their leaves, it becomes even more important to maintain the exterior of your home. Clean the gutters and touch up the paint. Clean up the yard and try to remove snow, ice and leaves from stairs and walkways.

Take top-notch photographs -

During the holidays, when the weather outside is appalling, homebuyers prefer to begin their house hunt without leaving their homes. They prefer to browse listings on the Internet. You can impress buyers by offering lots of high-quality and flattering photographs of your home.

Attract house hunters by creating a video tour-

During the holidays, you may get less foot traffic. However, you can take advantage of the latest technology to attract visitors. Shoot a video tour and post it on the Web. This will attract house buyers who would not drive during a snowstorm or cannot physically see your home. Home hunters will certainly love the virtual visit to your home.

All the above mentioned tips will help you in your quest to get the best deals easily in the holidays even. Think wisely and act smartly and get ready to enjoy the holidays with a good deal for your property as well.

© Global Realty & Investment Corp 

The basics of effective property management

Are you ready to buy your first ever property investment? Have you thought what are you going to do with the property? Are you going to develop it and sell it for a higher price later? Are you planning to rent your newly acquired home? You have to answer all these questions for managing property effectively. In fact, you have to think about this seriously before pursuing your plans with your real estate.

For a novice, property management is a complicated task. The real estate field demands tons of money. For an average person, it is too expensive to shell out. That is why; if not all, the majority of people prefer home mortgages for acquiring a property. A real estate agent can help you out in securing the needed funding for your property acquisition. As real estate involves lots of paperwork and money, it is essential to make the decision wisely.

The real estate market varies from time to time and for a novice it is difficult to manage these things. At any given time, interest rates may go up or go down. Therefore, if a person has little knowledge of the real estate industry, then it may be very difficult for her or him, to decide what is best for investment. Having the services of an agent or real estate broker can help a person in making decisions, including the best property to acquire or the best price to sell a property, etc.

If you are interested in renting out your property, then you have to find out current rates in your locality. Asking for too high a rental may deprive you of probable tenants, whereas too cheap a rental may take away your profits. In this way, property management also covers setting the right price of your property. You have to price your property in such a way that it will not hamper competitiveness and your balance sheet too.

The majority of people interested in real estate investment concentrate on making money only. However, it is essential to focus on the long-term benefits of the investment. Besides considering the viability of the investment, you need to have a vision for the property. If you want to enjoy the benefits of real estate investment, then proper planning is the most essential aspect. Remember, property management is a complicated field with manifold facets. It needs sound financial management with a good grasp of the real estate market. If you are new to this field, then do invest some time and effort to understand how this business works.

Property is a good investment as it is a scarce basic need. Many people prefer to stay closer to their workplace or to their children's schools. Not all can buy a house instantly. The numerous benefits of housing have made properties a basic need that man cannot do without. Therefore, as compared to any other investment options, investment in a property offers inherent investment benefits. Though there are multiple benefits of investing in a property, it is essential to keep in mind that property investment is very volatile too. That is why sound management is an inevitable aspect. No tenant wishes to lose a comfortable and good property within his or her budget. One can take advantage of this with effective management. It is advised to maintain the property in a tenant-worthy condition. Further, a property owner should carry out an audit of the property regularly according to the provision of the lease agreement. This will avoid the chances of a property being abused by the occupiers.

Remember, with or without the financial crunch, property remains an investment of choice. You need to wisely plan your strategy for industrial activities. Besides adding to your status, property will surely live up to its financial responsibilities with proper property management.

© Global Realty & Investment Corp 

Points to consider while hiring a moving company

Are you planning to relocate? Well, relocating can be quite the experience. There are some terrible stories and some smooth moves as well. If you want to avoid a terrible experience during your next move, then it can be a smart decision to hire a moving company. Nowadays, numerous moving companies offer packing and moving services at reasonable rates. However, not all companies are as good as they claim.  It is essential to look for a reliable and experienced moving company to help you through the process. 

Here are some points to consider while hiring a moving company-

Get referrals- Ask your neighbors, friends, local real estate agents and coworkers, if they know reliable companies. Search in the phone book for packing and moving companies having offices in your locality. Do not rely on any estimate, which comes from someone who is not known in your closets. Never presume that well known companies are always best. Sometimes, a novice can provide the best services within your budget. If you are using the internet to find moving companies, check the reliability of such companies. Avoid household-goods brokerage services, which find a moving company for you. Such companies are not regulated by the laws that should be followed by movers. Remember, a company that offers the best services in a state may not work well for relocating globally. So, look for companies that provide services specific to your needs.

Do an initial screening- Once you are ready with a list of recommended movers, it is time to check backgrounds. You can get help on the internet. Online reviews, articles can help you in this regards.  Visit the website or call the given numbers. Check if a moving company is a member of the association in your state. This will ensure that the company follows the rules and published tariffs of the organization. You should have at least 3-4 companies to call for an in-home estimate. Keep in mind that the estimates for interstate moves will depend on the distance of the move and the weight of the goods you intend to move. Rules about the estimate may vary for moves within the same state.

Estimates-

If you want to relocate out of state, you should ask for a binding not-to-exceed estimate. This assures your estimate to be the same, whereas with a nonbinding estimate, the final cost will probably go beyond the estimate. Show the moving company everything you want moved. This is essential because, if you overlook any items during the estimation phase, then the estimator can challenge the estimated amount. Try to collect all the details about the company. Make sure that the company will be doing the moving and not a contractor. It is better to have a company which has been in this business for 10 years or more.

Review the estimate. Try to understand all the details. You want a professional and honest moving company. So do invest time and effort in research. Compare all bids. Look for a reasonable bid. In a case where you have more than one reasonable bid, bargain the best rate possible. Verify that the moving company is legally licensed.

Before hiring a moving company, ask about insurance. Ask the moving company what responsibility they carry for the security of your belongings. A moving company worth hiring will answer all of your questions accurately.  Be careful about moving scams. Look for trustworthy movers.

All the above mentioned points need to be considered if you want to move without stress. You need to organize your move for making it easier. Think wisely and enjoy a new, fresh beginning ahead of you.

© Global Realty & Investment Corp 

Tips for negotiating with a contractor

Are you planning for home improvements? If you are worried that this project can leave a dent in your savings account, then it is time to act smart and reduce the cost without compromising the quality of your project. You have to negotiate the contract terms and price. Here are some tips that will help you cut the price in this endeavor.

• Set the budget-you should have some reference point to negotiate with your contractor. So, you should first set your budget for the home improvement project. List out all the details. Write down the tasks you expect a contractor to handle. Make sure that the contractor you choose has all of the listed elements included in the timeline and pricing of the project. Decide if you want to handle any part of the renovation on your own and consult with the contractor about it.
• Research- It is essential to invest your time in research. You should have something to compare it to. It is suggested to have at least 3 comparable estimates or bids for a project. Remember, some contractors are willing to negotiate some contract terms or cut their price to get a job. But it is essential to make sure that quality is not compromised. Provide all possible details to each contractor and read each estimate carefully. This will be helpful in comparisons.

• Look for a reliable contractor- Always check a contractor's credentials and experience before making any hiring decision. You can secure a lower cost by working with a less experienced but a reliable contractor with less time in the trade. Choosing a reliable contractor is surely an essential step to get the better costs of home improvement projects. You can look for reviews on home improvement contractors online. It is a challenge for contractors to lend their expertise to your home improvement project. They also want to get the money, worth their efforts and time. Many offer correct estimates but it is not needed to accept the contractor's terms as it is. You can ask for changes. You can protect your interest and wallet by negotiating the agreement with contractors prior to hiring them. Cost is not the only aspect of negotiation. You can consider the materials used as well as the timeline of the project.

Do invest your time and efforts to find out the costs of materials that will be used on the project. This will help you in bargaining. Further, you can check out that the contractor is charging correctly for the supplies of the project.

• Buy your own supplies- Many contractors offer to buy the supplies required for the project and cover their cost in the estimate. In general, this contractor purchases all the supplies from one supplier. In other words, that contractor probably is not shopping around for the best price. You can cut the cost by purchasing the supplies on your own. You should check the required quantities with your contractor twice. Make sure to get enough material to complete the work. This will avoid project delays.
• Consider the timing-Generally; the cost of your home improvement project may vary with the season in which the project is executed. So, you can lower costs by looking for estimates during the slack season when construction work is usually slower. During this time, contractors will be more willing to cut the price.
• Treat the contractor as a friend- Instead of reflecting negatively; try to treat the contractor, as a friend. Creating a healthy relationship will definitely help you in lowering costs for your home improvement project. Show your contractor that you respect their knowledge and experience. Be polite and discuss the changes you could make to the project to lower the cost.

Keep in mind that cheaper is not always better. Consider all the aspects including timeline, materials, quality, etc. while negotiating with the contractor.  This will surely help you in getting the best deals for your home project.

© Global Realty & Investment Corp 

Effective ways to determine value of your home

So, you want to sell your home. Knowing the value can be an important factor while pricing your house when you put it on the market. The value of a house changes with numerous factors including the neighborhood around it, local house marketing, age and remodeling etc. You need to figure out what your home is worth properly because, if your home is overpriced for your area, buyers will shy away from it, whereas an underpriced home will puzzle the buyers. Further, you have to compromise with your profit too. If you want to get the best deal for your home, then you have to price and present your home properly.

The market eventually determines the true value of your property. Here are some points to consider before comparing your home to similar properties and setting up a competitive list price-

·         Size

·         Location

·         Community amenities

·         Condition

·         Financing Options

·         Buyer supply

Pricing your home correctly means:

ü  Higher exposure to more potential buyers

ü  Your home does not lose its ‘marketability’

ü  Higher probability of quick deals

ü  More competing offers for the price closer to market value

Market analysis - You should get to know about the market to find out the current trends and what today’s buyers are ready to pay for a home. In this analysis, you need to evaluate the market activity of homes similar to yours in your area. The homes sold or listed for sale currently represent the value sellers hope to gain. Typically, the listings that have expired are of either poorly marketed or overpriced homes. You can hire an agent who will prepare a competitive market analysis for your home on the basis of the most current market information. You can thus set up the proper list price for your home.

MARKET PLAN-

For many of us, a home is the largest asset. It is not something we put on sale daily. As a property is slightly complex to market, you need to be well organized. You need a marketing plan to organize the process. Depending on your needs, your agent will prepare a personalized plan for you. It will contain all activities proposed to market your home including online promotion, mailings to probable buyers in your area, MLS services, etc.

·         Pay for an appraisal- The simplest way to find out your home's value is to pay for an appraisal, and set a price of your home close to this price. You can get a by-unit comparison appraisal to similar property in your neighborhood. It will cost you money. However, you can have in writing a professional appraisal on your home that can be displayed to potential buyers. This can be an added advantage. Look for a certified appraiser who can provide an appraisal establishing the number of construction quality, rooms, square footage and size, etc. After reviewing the recent comparable sales; the appraiser will determine the estimated value of the home.

·         Real estate agents- You can consult 3-4 real estate agents in your area. While interviewing a realtor, talk to an agent directly. Tell him clearly if you are planning to sell your home yourself. Remember, an agent's services are free to the buyer.

·         Use the Internet- With technological advancement, you can now avail a wealth of information quickly. You can now use it for calculating your home’s market value. While using this method, make reasonable comparisons to avoid wrong estimates.

·         Understand the changes and evaluate the Housing Market-You can observe pricing trends to determine the market value of your home. Remember, the housing market will not always give the most precise impression. So, you need to gather the details and evaluate the housing market to determine the price.

You can employ one or a multiple of the above mentioned methods to formulate a reasonably accurate price range for your home. This will help you determine the value of your home.

© Global Realty & Investment Corp