April 2007
Monthly Archive
30 Apr 2007 06:58 am
Pest Inspection Needed Annually
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During soft markets that favor buyers, sellers are usually more willing to pay for pest repairs than they are when houses sell quickly. However, in a hot seller’s market, buyers are more likely to overlook these defects and buy properties in their “as is” condition, without asking the sellers to pay for repairs. Even if a seller doesn’t have to do pest repairs in order to sell, there are times when it makes sense to do so. Buyers look favorably on a house that has little, if any, pest damage. It’s one less thing for buyers to worry about after moving in. A pest report with little or no damage is a big draw. Although it’s not custom everywhere, it’s wise for sellers to have their homes inspected for wood pests before selling. Actually, it’s a good idea for homeowners to have their homes inspected every few years, even if they’re not planning to sell, so that problems can be dealt with before they become major. |
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search for : pest repairs, pest report
29 Apr 2007 08:32 am
Be prepared to do some work yourself to sell home yourself
| “The biggest mistake for-sale-by-owners make is pricing their home too high,” Nichole said in an e-mail interview. If the home subsequently ends up sitting too long on the market and the asking price is lower, a potential buyer might speculate that something is wrong with the property, she said. Use Web sites such as Zillow.com and HouseValues.com to get a starting idea of what a house is worth, said Colby Sambrotto, chief operating officer of ForSaleByOwner.com. A look at a listings site, such as Realtor.com, will reveal what sellers are asking for in the neighborhood, he added. If the home is unique and difficult to compare to others, consider having it appraised, Nichole said. |
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search for : for-sale-by-owners
28 Apr 2007 05:52 am
Curb Appeal An Important Consideration When Selling
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The home buying season is quickly approaching and it’s time to think about ways to improve the “curb appeal” of your home. With all the recent activity in the real estate market and with long-term rates at near historic lows, it’s a buyers market. There is a surplus of homes available for sale on the market and home buyers can take their sweet time choosing which home they like best. That’s why you need to get a competitive edge over other home sellers in your area by making your home look better than the rest. |
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search for : home buying, curb appeal
27 Apr 2007 07:57 am
It’s Your Choice to Move Your Home Towards Energy Independence
| Taos NM is truly a solar capital and is very much into sustainable living. Even our local radio station is solar powered. This house isn’t off the grid, but when I converted it to solar power, I effectively removed it from dependence on the local utility. I invested $50,000 in the project and took out a second mortgage to do it, but I didn’t go solar expecting that I would ever recoup all of the costs. It was driven more by who I am and how I want to represent myself. That said, I do save $1,500 to $2,000 a year on electricity and propane bills. |
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search for : solar powered
26 Apr 2007 07:08 am
State’s transfer tax source of arguments
| It’s confusing that the North Carolina real estate and contractor lobby is fighting what seems like a very logical alternative of benefit to North Carolina residents as well as themselves. For example, do agents really believe a one-time 1% tax is worse than not having funds for enough good quality schools, water, sewage treatment, roads, police, fire, libraries, courts, etc? Don’t prospective home buyers think about these things in addition to just home price? |
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search for : North Carolina real estate, quality schools
25 Apr 2007 03:21 pm
Newbies need to understand real estate appraisal before making the commitment
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If you think you might like to become a real estate appraiser, first read “How to Get Started in the Real Estate Appraisal Business” by Daniel J. Nahorney. After you learn how difficult it is to get started and the very low pay for trainees who must acquire 2,000 experience hours, plus taking training courses to qualify for the basic appraiser’s exam, you might consider another career. The author is not an appraiser, but he interviewed many longtime successful appraisers who responded with glowing reports about the wonders of the appraisal profession. However, Nahorney doesn’t hesitate to emphasize the negatives of being an appraiser, such as the very low starting pay, and extreme pressure from some mortgage lenders and borrowers to “hit the mark” and appraise for a specific home valuation. |
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search for : appraiser, appraisal profession
24 Apr 2007 08:22 am
Wondering, what’s a Boomer?
| What’s a Boomer? This question seems more correct than “who is a Boomer?” since this statistic-laden collective term is usually applied to group reactions and behaviors. Don’t let the hype about Baby Boomers distract you from what is really important — you and what you want to achieve. Instead of following others, adopt self-leadership and lead yourself, your family and your community toward a brilliant future. |
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search for : Boomer, Baby Boomers
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