Preparing Your Home For Sale-A Guide to Listing Your Home

When You drive up to your house, maybe on the way home from work, or the gym, do you always approach from the same direction? Well, stop it. My point is, and bear with me because I do have one, how does your home present itself from all directions to a potential buyer? By driving up from the other direction, you may see your trash cans or some other visually displeasing feature that might be easily fixed, and improve the chances of your homes first impression being a good one for everybody. It's a variation of an old Realtor trick. When approaching a home, we try to take the most scenic route. Is it dishonest? Not at all. It is our job to show the home in the best possible light.

Do you ever walk up to your front door? I rarely do. I drive up, park my car and walk round to the back door, where I am greeted by my dog, and enter the house through the kitchen door. Just my habit. However, the point is that you need to view the front of your home very critically as this is what potential home buyers will see first. Is it neat and tidy? Is it swept? Is the front door clean and shiny or could it use a lick of paint? How about some colorful plants; maybe in pots? You get the idea. The point is, as they say, you only get ONE chance to make a first impression, so make it count.

Recently, I have been showing and selling a lot of homes in the Gilbert, Arizona area that are vacant, normally owned by "investors" deserting us for calmer seas. The problem is that some of them look a bit worn out. You can see the vague outline on the wall where pictures used to hang. Or the rubbing mark left on the wall where the sofa used to be. Often, you leave the home feeling a little "grubby". One of the best investments you can make when "fluffing up" your home is paint and carpet. For around $20 per room, you can paint and transform a room from drab to dynamite in about half a day. Add new carpet, with temporary plastic trails to protect it, and a buyer feels like they are getting something special and new. We all like that feeling. The point here is that as the market has returned to normal, especially here in Phoenix, buyers have a lot more choices, so your home needs to stand out. In some Arizona communities there are upwards of 500 homes available within a price range that are all competing for buyers. In some of those communities they are still building comparably priced new homes that are also in competition. The market is really quite healthy at the moment, although prices are softening a little. Homes are back to selling in around 60 days, as opposed to the 30 day average of last year. Interest rates remain historically low. Many buyers, who last year thought their chances of home ownership had slipped out of their reach, are back; ready and able to buy as the market temporarily slows and gives them a second bite of the apple.

Remember, it is very competitive out there. Make your home stand out, price it well, and it will sell.

Now go sweep that porch.

Listing Your Home is Easy, Selling is the Hard Part

Last year, to be a successful real estate agent all you had to do was get any listing. Underpriced? Never mind, multiple offers will fix that. Overpriced? Never mind, we'll get there in a week or two. Anyone who could fog a mirror could be a real estate pro.
This year, it's going to be a slightly bumpier ride, so make sure the Realtor you list your home with has enough experience to handle the current market conditions. Last January, the Greater Phoenix area had just above 3000 listings; this January the number is over 33,000, which is a much more normal level and will restore balance to the market. The key to success in the real estate market is often said to be listings. That is partly true. The real key is "saleable" listings which means the price has to be right. Yesterday, a lender remarked to me that many appraisals, of late, have been coming in over price. That is to be expected because the superheated market of last fall, which has cooled considerably, is still recent enough to be used as comparables. And therein lies the rub. An inexperienced agent will use those comps to justify a high listing price which will placate an owner temporarily, but won't get the house sold. I have had supposedly experienced agents attempt to justify their high, in my opinion, listing prices by stating "similar homes in the area are for sale at the same price". Right, and they're not selling either.
A good Realtor should persuade an owner of the benefits of not overpricing, in order to list and sell a property promptly for the best price. The only thing that fixes everything wrong with a home is price.
In order to survive a species has to adapt; the same can be said of Realtors and, of course, sellers.

Thinking About Retiring to Arizona?

When moving to an unfamiliar community, like Cave Creek or Carefree, Arizona, it is important that you engage a Cave Creek Realtor who will possess intimate knowledge of the amenities and nuances of the neighborhood. Cave Creek, Arizona is essentially an old cowboy town that, whilst retaining true to its roots, also caters to a growing core of residents who enjoy the equestrian, hiking and golfing opportunities that Cave Creek has to offer. Cave Creek provides homes that range from simple seasonal townhomes to luxurious spacious compounds. Cave Creek real estate runs the gamut from desert landscaping, mountain top aeries, hillside estates, golf club properties and spectacular wilderness getaways bordering state land.
Carefree is another upscale community bordering Cave Creek, AZ, which also sports a thriving community with upscale shopping, dining, and an artist community that is the envy of the state, all minutes from Scottsdale.
Carefree and Cave Creek real estate is a magnet to automobile enthusiasts from around the country. Arizona offers fantastic scenic drives on uncrowded roads that attract both motoring and motorcycling aficionados alike. Recreational vehicles abound and many Cave Creek and Carefree luxury homes include facilities to accommodate them. Oversized garages are often included in these Sonoran desert hideaways to house the family toys and heirlooms.
Many people are astonished to learn that the great state of Arizona is also home to the highest number of boats per capita in the USA. Yes, even in the middle of the Arizona desert, waterfront real estate is a possibility for the marine enthusiast.
Of course, your Cave Creek real estate professional would be privy to all this information and is the reason that when selecting an agent for that long awaited move to Arizona, you should pick someone who lives in the community you are considering. Go to our website at www.garizonaproperties.com for complete information on Cave Creek, AZ and the surrounding communities.
Finally, your Cave Creek home will be an excellent central base from which to discover the rest of the state of Arizona, be it the theater district of downtown Phoenix all the way up to the Grand Canyon.
Come home to Cave Creek or Carefree Arizona, you know it makes sense.

The Times They Are A-Changing....

What started out as a trickle is now becoming a very steady stream of price reductions in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Admittedly, some of these homes were overpriced to begin with, but the cold harsh reality is that prices will come down as supply now exceeds demand.
So who, or what, is driving the steady fall of prices. The same folks who helped fuel the dramatic increase of the last year, or so; "investors". In many communities in the greater Phoenix area a very large percentage of homes are owned by "investors". In many cases they have seen a 50% increase in the homes value in the last 18 months and now they want to cash out. As quickly as the prices ran up, that's how quickly they could go down again. Remember, as eagerly as these "investors" trampled over each other to overbid prices on the way up, that's exactly what they will do to each other on the way down. It's going to be a dog eat dog world for a while on the way back to normalcy.
Yesterday, I read of a couple who, having already purchased a larger home, were not getting anywhere near the interest they thought they would on their currently listed home. They decided to wait it out. I would have to say that is a very brave decision. Plus the fact that area rents remain relatively low, it is also an expensive decision as these homes will not carry themselves financially.
What does it all mean? Well, genuine owner-occupiers will be giving back some of the equity they have earned, although I would be very surprised if we see wholesale price plummeting. More likely, if you picked up 40-50%, you might give back 10-15%, but in the long haul (say 5-10 years) you will be fine. For buyers it's good news. They will benefit from lower, and steady prices, with more choices and a bit more time to make their decisions. Now, they will have the luxury of being able so sleep on a decision without pressure.
What of the "investors" I hear you cry? Let's hope they don't get burnt. Too badly.

Wanna Junk Junk Mail?

I'm willing to bet that junk mail is like cockroaches, difficult to destroy entirely. But here are a few tips I came across recently, that might save a few trees, along with your sanity.
Firstly, you can have your name removed from the mailing lists used to flood you with unsolicited credit card and insurance offers. Just by calling (888)567-8688, an automated service, will remove you from the lists of the major credit bureaus. Or you can do it online at www.optoutprescreen.com .
Next, are you one of those that always fills out the warranty card on your new purchase? Well, you don't have to and you are still covered. Mostly, they use the info you provide to create a mailing list. To be removed, write to this address:
NDL List Order Services
1621 18th St., STE 300
Denver, CO 80202
Then, and this may be the most effective of all, the Direct Marketing Assoc. believes that dropping them a line will stop up to 75% of all mailings to your house.
Drop them a postcard with your name, address and signature to:
Mail Preference Service
Direct Marketing Assoc.
P.O. Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512
Finally, I hear you cry, how can I stop realtors from calling me? Just register on line at the National Do Not Call registry.
You can't say I'm not a fair man.....

New Year, New Attitude and New Batteries

Welcome to 2006. This is the time of year that we traditionally make resolutions to be slimmer, better and healthier. How about safer?
This is a great time of year to go around the house and test those smoke-detectors. Press the button, listen for the squeak, comfort the dog and move on. Remember, a waning detector will start to make plaintive squeaks to let you know it's on the way out. Eventually it will die! Many people, and I'm one of them, say "hang the expense" and replace the batteries annually. Small price to pay for peace of mind. If you are installing new ones remember to read the instructions carefully regarding positioning as this can have a vital effect on performance. Also, do not paint them when redecorating as this can render them useless, with potentially disastrous results. This year I installed an additional one in my office area at the far end of the house. Because, like most of us, my computer, fax machine and printer are always plugged in , and early warning of any problem would be greatly appreciated.
Another potential danger area is the exhaust on your tumble dryer. Over the course of a year, lint can build up in the flexible tube, which not only represents a fire hazard, but also reduces the efficiency of your dryer which will cost you more money to run. Unclip both ends, clean it out and replace.
Who knows, after going up and down the step-ladder checking detectors, and bending down to service the dryer, you might even lose a couple of pounds for your trouble.
Good luck and stay safe in 2006.

Selecting An Agent

Whether you are a seller or a buyer, selecting an agent to work with can be a daunting task. Unfortunately, for many folks, real estate practitioners rank slightly above snake-oil salesmen in the popularity scale of life. Every profession has its rogues, and real estate is no exception, but the reality is that the vast majority are hard-working, honest people just like you. Make sure your agent is a member of the National Association of Realtors, as this means they have a written "Code of Ethics" that must be strictly adhered to, and gives you some recourse if there is a problem.
Everybody always says interview three agents before you decide and I agree, but even then it can be hard to make a decision. Always go with you gut. If you feel a little uncomfortable, move on. You will spend a lot of time with your agent so it is essential that you feel at ease.
One of the best ways of finding a good agent, as is the case with many service providers, is by referral: ask your friends, colleagues and neighbors who they used. Nothing is more pleasing to a real estate professional than a referral from a satisfied client.
Finally, many people say stay away from a rookie. I disagree, with the following caveat. Under the right supervision, from a reputable company, often with a mentor, a newbie can be a great agent. They often have great enthusiasm, can offer undivided attention and will likely repay your faith in them. Remember, this is a rookie who admits to being a rookie, not someone who tries to pull the wool over your eyes. Who knows, you might meet an agent for life.