The truisms of making an offer

What is the best way to put together an offer to purchase a home you ask? Here are some suggestions and "truisms" to help you along - 

Truisms:

• Homes will always sell at market value. Market value is determined by what a buyer is willing to pay.
• Market value is not a fixed, rigid price, but instead is a range of value. This is because no two buyers are alike. 
• Property is a commodity, unlike a car that loses it's value over time. Property values fluctuate with the market.
  
• You, the buyer, are the market.

Helpful do's and don't's

• Don't offend. Unless you are offering on a property which has been held purely for investment, the seller is emotionally invested in his property.
• Do get personal.Write a cover letter summarizing why you believe this is the right home for you. On many occasions, I have seen sellers accept a lower offer because they felt a connection with the buyer.
• Don't defend your offer the wrong way. As in, by saying it is all you can afford or that you are basing it on what you believe values will be during the next lunar cycle. This approach will likely leave the seller with the notion that there is a buyer out there, one who isn't you, who can afford his home and at the price it is worth now.

Work on Referral Business this month. If you have family or friends who are thinking of moving or buying a second home anywhere in the country, let me know. I'd be happy to consult with them to help them find information and market data in that area.

Here, there and everywhere!

I'm working on Referral Business this month. If you have family or friends who are thinking of moving or buying a second home anywhere in the country, let me know. I'd be happy to consult with them to help them find information and market data in that area.

Wishing everyone a prosperous 2010!

New Years Aspirations!

I've decided to rename resolutions to aspirations. This year it's all about balance for me.

• Balance of home life and career.
• Balance of hobbies and to do's.
• Balance of family and personal.
• Balance of exercise and relaxing.
• Balancing good food and healthy food (can they be the same?)

Have you thought about your aspirations? What would you like to see come to fruition in 2010?

Wishing you a joyour Holiday and a Happy New Years!

Wishing you a joyous Holiday!

And a very happy New Year!

Should I Take My Home Off the Market During the Holidays?

When you look at your calendar you may find the months already overloaded with seasonal obligations -- shopping, entertaining, children's pageants, charity work, decorating the house, and so much more. If you are also trying to sell your home, you are under extra pressure to keep your home in "showtime" condition. And that could be the last thing you need before the holiday spirit is broken.
It is understandable why you would be tempted to take your home off the market during the holidays. And the list of justifications is long. If you are too busy, buyers may be also, and you may find your efforts unrewarded with not enough showings. And what if you do get an offer? You may be faced with the possibility of packing and moving during the busiest time of the year. Besides, you can give your house a rest, and it will have better momentum after the holidays. Better to just pack it in and start fresh in January, right?
But wait! Most top Realtors agree that taking your home off the market during the Christmas season is a mistake. The house surely isn't going to sell off the market! What is the advantage of that? So you're busy. Let your Realtor do the work. You can leave in the morning, go to work, go shopping, and let your Realtor take care of things.
The holidays are a wonderful selling period. Why? Because most people take off work sometime during the season. The husband and wife are both off and want to see houses. Most agents like the holidays because the buyers have more time, and they can look at homes together.
Before you take your home off the market, consider the following points:

Although buyer activity may appear to slow down, the buyers who are actively looking during the holidays are that much more serious. Agents believe the home market is no more affected at Christmas than during other "busy" periods. If that were so, the market would shut down throughout the year as families concentrate on spring weddings, June graduations, summer vacations, and autumn back-to-school activities.

Many buyers deliberately choose to shop for a home after the busy spring and summer rush. They know that it will be easier to look, and that negotiations will be less stressful. They may not have children, or they may have grown children, so moving to accommodate the school year isn't a consideration. Finding the right home at the right price, however, is.

Relocating families often don't have a choice when they can leave for their new destination. Although 68% of transferring families have children, many families have to transfer during the middle of the school year. These families are that much more motivated to get their families settled in before either the January semester begins, or to arrange for the move during spring break in March. If you sign a contract by New Year's Eve, the timing couldn't be more perfect.

At Christmas time, our culture focuses on family and the home. Preparing for the indoor activities of winter is one of the most enjoyable periods of family life. Allowing buyers to view your home during this most hospitable of seasons lets them better picture their own family life in the attractive environment you have created.

When is your home ever more beautiful and inviting? You have cleaned and decorated, and your home looks like a picture postcard. If the results are good enough for family and friends, they will surely be good enough to impress your buyers. Get the family team on board to do a five-minute blitz pick-up every morning to keep holiday messes to a minimum.

With many motivated buyers in the marketplace, you may find you have more showings than you would if you sold your home during a busier time of the year.

If you do get a contract, you can arrange the terms to suit your needs. If moving during the holidays isn't an option, you can put in the closing date of your choice. Most people can close 30 to 60 days after a contract is written, so there is plenty of time. Possession and closings are very negotiable.

Written by Blanche Evans | http://realtytimes.com/