Have you ever seen a child right after a huge chewing gum bubble pops on his face? A mess everywhere, eyes wide, mouth in an “O” – rather reminiscent of the real estate industry when its own bubble popped. Homeowners panicked and began trying to sell their Thomasville homes.

As more pushed to unload the instantly unwanted “step child” of homeownership, the real estate market became glutted, resulting in lower sales prices. Two years later, some owners are still trying to sell their Thomasville homes, still panicking, and still worried about what the future will bring. However, you might be like some homeowners, who are indecisive about selling their homes or who realize they don’t really want to sell.

Stop.

Take a deep breath.

Quit worrying for a moment and ask yourself… Why am I selling?

There are good reasons to sell:

♦    Your house has become hard to afford.
♦    You’re getting older and need to move somewhere that doesn’t take as much maintenance.
♦    You need to relocate for your job.

But there are a lot of not-so-good reasons to sell:

♦    You’ve read so much about people who have been unable to sell their homes that you became alarmed and put yours on the market “just in case” you want to sell it later.
♦    You’re simply tired of your home.  If that’s the case, all you actually need to do is update or redecorate your home to make it sparkle again.
♦    You’d just like to see what you can get for your home.

It may seem strange for a real estate agent to speak against selling Thomasville homes. However, my first motivation is always doing what’s best for my client, including giving them the best advice I can. So, I urge you to take a moment and think about it:  do you really need to sell your home now?

Even if your home has lost some of its value, there are many ways that your home is still very valuable:

♦    Building credit – Home ownership is still a good way to build credit. With good credit you can borrow for other major expenses, such as a new car.

♦   Building equity – The average home equity for the U.S. is approximately $38,000. When you consider how much your home costs, that may not seem like much. However, when you are ready to sell, that equity will be there to put toward your next home purchase or your retirement savings.

♦    Saving money on taxes – Owning a home offers several tax benefits. For most Americans, the biggest benefit is deducting the annual interest paid on a mortgage.

♦    Living well – There’s a reason why homeownership is still called the American Dream.  It simply feels good to live in a home you love.  That you can decorate any way you want.  A home that’s your very own.

Now think about why you bought your home in the first place. Do the things still exist that made you value the home enough to buy it?  If yes, maybe you should stay.

If you do need (or want) to sell your home, First Thomasville Realty can help. Call us today at 229-226-6515 or email info@FTRealty.com for more information.

Owners of Thomasville homes for sale are wondering, “What are buyers looking for?” This is especially true if the home has been on the market for a while. Well, homeowners aren’t the only ones. Several companies, including Better Homes and Gardens and Avid Ratings, the exclusive research provider for the National Association of Home Builders, have researched this question.

So, what are buyers looking for in national and Thomasville homes for sale? In a 2010 Avid Ratings homebuyer’s study, over 22,000 homeowners, who bought their homes in the past nine years, provide some clues. In short, the study says practicality beats out extras any day.

The days of formal dining rooms, oversized backyard patios and community clubhouses are gone. Swimming pools aren’t that big a deal, but neither are upstairs laundry rooms or home theaters. These extras have been replaced by practicalities such as:

♦    Children’s playground
♦    Walking paths
♦    Large kitchens (with island if possible)
♦    Home office or study
♦    Main-floor master bedroom
♦    Two-car garages
♦    Oversize showers with seating

As well, although buyers are willing to have less space, they’re big on “green” features such as high-efficiency windows, insulation and appliances.

The home survey by Better Homes and Gardens reveals much the same information. Homeowners and potential buyers pointed towards downsizing into smaller, greener homes. Again, high-efficiency appliances topped the interest levels, with a lean towards Energy Star appliances.

The home office is still a priority, although it doesn’t have to be dedicated space; many would be perfectly happy with a multi-purpose space, instead. The real key, however, is no wasted space, along with ample storage.

If you’re considering doing any amount of remodeling to excite potential buyers, the information contained in these surveys are priceless. If you’re one of the owners of Thomasville homes for sale thinking your house is too small, it’s great news. If you thought you might upgrade to more energy-efficient appliances, you’re on the right track. Consider what you can do to make your home more “future buyer” friendly!

If you’d like to sell your home or are looking for a more energy-efficient home, First Thomasville Realty can help. Call us now at 229-226-6515 or email info@FTRealty.com for more information.

At the end of 2009, there were about 18.8 million empty homes in the U.S., according to Census Bureau estimates.  This number includes foreclosures, residences for sale and vacation homes.  Do you know what this means for your Thomasville real estate?

Unfortunately, the rise of empty housing has caused a rise in vandalism, and your empty Thomasville real estate may very well become a victim. Since no one is around to report the intrusion, the damage caused by vandals is often worse than it might otherwise be.

You may think that you don’t need to secure your vacant home because there’s nothing of value to steal.  Think again.  Light fixtures, appliances, copper plumbing,  heating and air conditioning systems and even solid wood doors and mantles have a high street value to thieves.

Protect Your Home

Your homeowner’s insurance policy most likely does not cover your home after it is vacant.  Although homeowner’s insurance for vacant properties can be costly, it might save you a lot of heartache in the long run.

In addition to purchasing vacant property insurance, here are a few things you can do to protect your property until it’s sold:

♦    Rent your property or hire a house sitter.

♦    Install a home security system. Not only can this keep your property safer, it may also help lower your current insurance.

♦    Make the property look used.  Have someone grab your mail (or have the post office hold it), park a car in your driveway, have timers that turn lights on and off at different times.

♦    Keep the lawn mowed.

In the meantime, make sure you have a good real estate agent with a track record for selling in a slow market. Your Thomasville real estate is a huge investment. Protect it!

If you’re ready to get your home sold, First Thomasville Realty can help.  Call us now at 229-226-6515 or email info@FTRealty.com .

In my years as a real estate agent, I’ve learned a lot from people and Thomasville real estate. Oddly enough, the main thing I’ve learned is that homes are a lot like people…

#1. Homes get wrinkles, too. Yes, believe it or not, I’ve seen Thomasville real estate with sagging plaster, drooping windows and hanging doors. Brand new For Sale signs sit out front, their clean, white sparkle contrasting with the wrinkles. It’s not attractive; the homes may be only ten years old (30 in house years), but they look much older. Be kind to your home – use cosmetic surgery.

#2. There’s cosmetic surgery for homes. Only, in home-speak, it’s called “replacements.” If you notice your home has wrinkles and you want to sell it, see what replacements you can afford. Windows? Check. They’re reasonably affordable on most budgets and can make a huge difference in how the house looks. Hanging doors? Check. Not as affordable as windows, but still doable. With $10,000 or less, YOU can give your home a major facelift.

#3. Homes get tired. Have you looked around your house lately? This is one of the first things you want to do before putting it on the Thomasville real estate market. Is your home tired and worn out? Even relatively young homes can show signs of energy-deficiency. Cabinets start sagging.  Doors groan and sigh when you open them. Windows refuse to stay open all the way and slowly slide back down in the tracks. Give your home an energy boost.  Even a little WD40 can make a difference, especially on groaning doors.

#4. Homes can go bald and get age spots. It’s true, they can. What used to be a bright red roof has faded and peeled in places, giving the home an “aged” look. The real kicker is, to keep it bright and pretty, you have to maintain it, dye it or replace it. Take care of your home’s head!

#5. Homes need TLC. To stay happy and healthy, homes need tender loving care. With a steady diet of maintenance, touchups and cosmetic surgery, your house will find a happy home with a good buyer.

Now, maybe it seems a little silly, and maybe it is, but all the above is true. If you’re selling your home, make sure it stands proud above the rest!

Are you looking for a buyer who will care for your home? We can help. Call First Thomasville Realty now at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com for more information.

Many real estate aficionados worried that the ending of the homebuyer tax credits would mean an end to sales. However, a new real estate survey, conducted April, 2010, says homeowners with a home for sale in Thomasville and throughout the nation have more chances to sell their homes.

Survey Group

♦    1,000 American consumers

♦    Ages 25 – 64

♦    $35,000 + household income

Survey Results

♦    Over 90% of American consumers think the homebuyer tax credit program helped the real estate industry and first-time buyers.

♦    65% actually looking for a home don’t consider the end of the tax credit program to be a factor in their own decisions.

♦    46% expect area real estate prices to increase over the next year.

♦   12% expect area real estate prices to decline over the next year.

♦   79% expect to see an increase in prices over the next five years.

♦    20% expect prices to rise significantly over the next five years.

♦   75% of renters think renting isn’t as good a long-term choice as owning a home.

How You Can Benefit

As the survey shows, there are still plenty of interested buyers out there.  You just have to know where to find them.

Talk with your agent about which markets are hot in your area. For instance, have older individuals been buying in the area more than young families or vice versa? Maybe energy efficient homes have been selling better. Find out what your home for sale in Thomasville has going for it that matches those hot markets.

Most importantly, don’t give up. Buyers are out there and consumer confidence is rising, which means nothing but good things for the real estate market and your home for sale in Thomasville.

Want to work with agents who can identify and target hot markets for your home?  Call First Thomasville Realty today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com for more information.

You may just be targeting the wrong market. Young families, Gen-Xers and 30-somethings tend to want to move into a Thomasville home with high technology: expensive items like home theatres or home automation. Older buyers, however, have a frugal mindset, are often on a fixed income, and have a different set of requirements for their potential Thomasville home.

Why would you want to market to older buyers? Several reasons, but the main reason is the size of this market, especially the size of the baby boomer generation.

The Population Reference Bureau reports that there were 76 million births during the 19 years covering the baby boomer generation.  A large percentage of these baby boomers, who are now between the ages of 46 and 64, are looking or soon will be looking for a home to live in during their retirement years.

What are they looking for? The National Association of Home Builders says this market wants practicality over technical advances:

♦    Storage space – Most have amassed a lot of personal belongings they aren’t willing to get rid of when they move.

♦    First floor master bedrooms – The older you get, the less stairs you want to climb as a rule. First floor master bedrooms are an excellent selling point.

♦    Easy-open windows – No one wants to struggle with opening windows. This is especially true with the older generations.

♦    Room-related aids – Grab bars in the bathrooms, easy-to-reach kitchen cabinets, railings on the porch: these aids can make a big difference to older buyers.

♦    Public transportation access – Many of the older generations prefer public transportation to driving, and easy access to that transportation is paramount.

♦    Non-slip flooring – It’s a fact of life. The older you get, the more fragile your bones and muscles are. Non-slip flooring reduces the chance of severe injury.

The two major features older generations want fall under the categories of “easy living” and “security.” Home maintenance and repair services, outside lawn maintenance and security systems are big sellers. As well, home entries without stairs, lever-handled doors, wider hallways and walk-in showers and tubs are all extras that raise the chance of the older generation buying a home.

If your Thomasville home isn’t bringing younger buyers, take a second look. You may very well be targeting the wrong market!

If you’re trying to sell your home, or if you’re looking for a home to live in during your retirement years, we can help. Call First Thomasville Realty at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com for more information.

As I’m sure you know, the real estate industry is in a down market, and the last thing you want to do is pay commission to a Thomasville real estate agent. Not to mention that you’re almost positive you can sell your home just fine on your own. Before sticking a “For Sale by Owner” sign up, however, make sure you’re ready for the work and headaches.

♦    Time. Yes, you can sell your Thomasville real estate on your own without the help of an agent, but it takes a lot of preparation and time. How much is your time worth and how much time do you have? Before you step out on your own, make sure you can afford the time and energy investment.

♦ Extra services for better value. You’ll lose out on a wide variety of services offered by real estate agents.  For example, many agents now provide home staging services as well as extensive advertising and marketing services both online and off.

♦ Dealing with the legalities. Selling a home involves contracts, closings and a multitude of legal issues that can make or break a sale. Real estate transactions have occasionally led to outcomes that were unexpected, including lawsuits. A professional helps ensure that the contracts are legally sound and binding. 

♦ Knowing the market. Real estate agents have instant access to current market information. We can find an accurate selling range within minutes. Since the real estate market constantly fluctuates, it’s important to know what area homes sell for before pricing your own. Otherwise, your risk underselling or overpricing your home.

These are just a few points. You also need exposure to buyers, experience with legal contracts and excellent negotiating skills.  Can you sell your own Thomasville real estate? Yes, but can you really afford to?

If you’re trying to sell your home and need professional expertise, First Thomasville Realty can help. Call 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com for more information.

For homeowners getting ready to put their Thomasville homes on the market, here are a few stunningly-easy tips to help get your home sold faster and maybe even for more money.

Keep in mind that your prospective buyers will most likely be viewing several Thomasville homes on the same day as your showing. The emotional elements you include will have a profound impact on their memory, and will make your home standout when they review what they’ve seen with their agents at day’s end.

Preparing your home for the perfect showing is essential and comprises three basic elements that will make your home sparkle.

Atmosphere

♦   Soft classical music
♦  Simmering potpourri
♦   Bake an apple pie in the oven.  Or, if you have a bread machine, bake bread.
♦   Well-lit rooms and inviting indirect lighting
♦   Air conditioning or heating set at a comfortable temperature

Decorations

♦   Garden-fresh bouquet of flowers near the entrance or on the kitchen table
♦   Fresh neutral-colored paint and cleaned or new carpet
♦   Remove family photos or personal items (allows buyer to imagine it is their home)

Cleanliness

♦   Meticulously spotless kitchen and bath
♦   Walls washed and spackled as needed
♦   No clutter whatsoever (uncluttered rooms look larger)
♦   No pets – kennel them if needed (buyer may be allergic)
♦ Clean closets (yes, people peek in your closets)

Remember it’s the little things in life that matter, and the same is absolutely true when it comes to a buyer looking for a place to call home-sweet-home

For more ideas on how to sell fast and make the most from the sale of your Thomasville home, call First Thomasville Realty today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .