Posts Tagged ‘Sellers Tips’

10 Things to Do While Waiting for Your Thomasville Home to Sell

Monday, August 30th, 2010

Yard Sale-640Selling a home is sometimes a long process. You can sit around worrying and wondering when you’ll have a buyer, or you can get busy to help the time fly.  Here are 10 things to do while waiting for your Thomasville home to sell:

1.    Clean. I’m sure you’ve already cleaned every part of your Thomasville home to prepare it for sale. Make a game of it this time.  Time yourself to see how fast you can clean one room or one drawer.  Or, take out every type of cleaner you have and use it in each room.

2.    Plant a container garden. The best part of a container garden is that you can take it with you. Plant some herbs or easy to grow vegetable plants, like tomatoes or cucumbers.

3.    Sort through your magazines. Now you have the time to read all those magazine articles you’ve been saving.  Cut out coupons and recipes.  Send articles to your friends to let them know you’re thinking of them.  Throw out the magazines when you’re finished.

4.    Clear the pantry and freezer. You don’t want to take all your excess food with you when you move. Clean out the pantry, and donate supplies to your local homeless shelter or food pantry.  Eat something from your freezer every day until it’s all gone.

5.    De-clutter and eliminate.  Clean out your makeup stash. Weed through the kids’ toy box. Do any small task that will lighten your moving load.  Ask yourself, do I really want to pack this item, move it and then unpack it?  If the answer is no, pitch it or give it away.

6.    Finish crafts. Go ahead and finish the quilt or scrapbook you’ve been working on. This will help clean out your craft closet and will make packing your craft supplies that much easier.

7.    Empty your medicine cabinet. Do you really need that bottle of medication from your surgery 12 years ago? Toss anything that’s out of date or that you no longer need to keep.

8.    Save your digital photos to a disk. Choose only the photos you want to keep and save them to a CD or flash drive. You never know when your computer is going to crash.

9.    Have a yard sale. You need to clean out your closets anyway. You might as well make some money off the items.

1.    Throw a barbeque. Take the proceeds of your yard sale and have a barbeque for you and your neighbors. Think of this as a going away party.

Take advantage of the time you have while waiting for your Thomasville home to sell.

Need help selling your home?  Call First Thomasville Realty today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

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Home for Sale in Thomasville? Why Disclosure Is Important

Monday, July 12th, 2010

Disclosure_webIf you have a home for sale in Thomasville or anywhere else in the U.S., you may have heard of the term “disclosure.”  What is it, why is it important, and what does it entail? 

What is disclosure?

First, disclosure is the act of informing a buyer about any issues that your home for sale in Thomasville may have. For instance, if the home has water damage in the basement, you may have to tell the potential buyer about it. I say, “may have to,” because in some states disclosure is a legal issue. In some states, not disclosing issues may be illegal, while in other states, non-disclosure is perfectly legal. 

Why is disclosure important?

Real estate transactions are fraught with pitfalls, many of which can end with a lawsuit. Non-disclosure is one of the pitfalls. Several sales throughout the years have ended in non-disclosure lawsuits, where the homebuyer believes, basically, that the homeowner knew a problem existed. The seller didn’t let the buyer know about the issue, which left the buyer feeling as if they’d been scammed – thus, the lawsuit. 

What should I disclose to the buyer?

Many real estate agents (including myself), follow a simple rule when it comes to disclosure. “If you wonder whether you should tell the buyer about something, you probably should.” While disclosing problems may mean a lower sales price, not sharing may have you paying more than you ever wanted to in legal fees. 

Some things, such as a violent death in the house, have a statute of limitations in most states. For instance, with few exceptions, California Civil Code 1710.2 requires that you tell the potential buyer if the death happened less than three years prior. 

Certain disclosures are required, such as lead based paint, the presence of asbestos, or if there’s ever been toxic mold or termites. The rest of the requirements vary from state to state. 

As you can see, disclosure isn’t a minor issue. What you have to share versus what you should share, however, all depends on whether you have a home for sale in Thomasville or elsewhere in the U.S. If you’re up front, you’ll have a much better chance of keeping the money you made off the sale, versus spending it in legal fees. 

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

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Buyer’s Market? Thomasville Real Estate Agents to the Rescue

Friday, July 9th, 2010

BuyersMarket_web“Buyer’s market” means that the buyers have the upper hand; there’s more supply than demand. When it comes to selling your home, it’s safe to say that you’re competing in one of recent history’s toughest real estate markets.  This is a true buyer’s market, where supply far outweighs demand. So how do you go about selling your home in these conditions? 

Interview Thomasville Real Estate Agents

Don’t pick an agent based on looks. An agent who drives an expensive car may very well just be someone who lives beyond his or her means. Instead, create a list of the top Thomasville real estate agents in the area and interview them. Ask: 

♦  About their experiences in selling homes in your area this year and last year – not in years gone by

♦  What they’d recommend to make your home more marketable

♦  How they would market your home 

If, after interviewing, there is more than one with excellent experience and great marketing plans, choose the one you feel most comfortable working with. 

Fix it up

While interviewing, Thomasville real estate agents will look at your home (otherwise, how could they answer two of your questions?). They may tell you that your home is out of date. They may tell you that the cracks in the wall don’t “add character” to the house. No, neither does the wild 70’s style carpeting in the living room. 

You might even take an extra step and hire a home inspector to get a better idea of any issues. 

Then, build a list of needed home improvements – and then improve. If you need to hire a contractor, again, interview! 

Set a good price

These days, most buyers want the deals, and some are willing to compromise on interior decorating in order to get them. Sit down with your agent; find a high and a low selling price. Set the best price you can afford based on what homes are going for in the area, and be willing to negotiate. 

The worst things you could do are hire a poor agent, leave your home repairs up to the buyer and overprice your home. Follow the three simple tips above and you’ll get your “Sold!” sign! 

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

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Open Season on Homes for Sale in Thomasville – Hunting License Not Needed

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

OpenSeason_webIt’s open season on homes for sale in Thomasville, and no hunting license is needed. You might want to wear bright orange jackets if you’re a seller, though. It’s a buyer’s market and, in this case, you want the house hunters to see you. 

Now, you can only take the hunting analogy so far; I don’t think you’d appreciate being hung on a wall as a trophy. You will appreciate hunters setting their sights on homes for sale in Thomasville, however. Here are a few tips to ensure that your home is the one they target: 

Stand out in the open

To put it simply, buyers are using more and more technology nowadays. Obviously, you, as the seller, want to be where the buyers are, right? Embrace the Internet. Twitter, Facebook, blogging and other forms of social media are some of the ways successful sellers have managed to garner attention. So, start networking online, or hire an internet savvy real estate agent to do it for you. 

Use an agent

This may sound self-serving; I am, after all, a real estate agent. However, while you may be trying to figure out whether you really want to pay commission fees, also consider this. Agents have access to many places that do it yourself sellers don’t, such as MSN Real Estate, Yahoo Real Estate, their MLS listings and Realtor.com. Buyers do have access, and they’re looking. As the seller, you want as much exposure as possible, and agents can get it for you. 

Make affordable repairs

If you can afford to replace a worn out faucet, do so. If you can replace bad flooring, do it. Whether it’s plumbing issues or light switches, big or small, make the repairs you can afford to make. Then, and here’s the secret, advertise:  “All new fixtures!” or “Brand new flooring!” Sharing what you’ve done to make the house more attractive is like waving a red flag and, when you’re talking about house hunting, this is a good thing. 

Add field dressing

Okay, perhaps that goes a little far with the hunting analogy. Basically, in a tough buyer’s market, presentation is everything. Have strong curb appeal outside. Get rid of personal clutter inside. Stage the rooms and clean, clean, clean. It’s a beauty contest.  Dress your home accordingly. 

Putting these tips into action will greatly raise the chances of taking another home off the list of homes for sale in Thomasville. 

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

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“Incentivizing” the Buyer for Thomasville Homes for Sale

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

IncentiveforBuyers_webThe Federal Government envisions a secure and stable marketplace for national and Thomasville homes for sale, thus their involvement. We may or may not like the politics, but the fact remains that the marketplace has stabilized somewhat, and prices are leveling in anticipation of an upward turn. 

No matter the actual state of the market, the simple fact is that motivated buyers and sellers for Thomasville homes for sale do still exist. If not, a lot less people would visit this site.  

If you market your home correctly, the opportunity to sell is still promising. After all, interest rates are favorable, prices are realistic and the government has thrown some interesting incentives to buyers, sellers and lenders alike. 

You and your real estate agent have the ability to induce buyers to act.  If your agent is experienced, he or she will work with you to develop incentives and add appeal to the transaction. 

Step 1:  Provide Factual Information 

Facts outweigh rumor, and having provable information helps get rid of the buyer’s reservations.  Here are some of the main facts you and your agent need to have at your fingertips in order to induce buyers to act: 

♦  Knowledge of all local, state and federal tax incentives available to residents of your area

♦  Knowledge of all projected closing costs

♦  An understanding of the buyer’s financial and domestic qualifications

♦  Complete knowledge of the school system and all community services and costs

♦  Expertise concerning the history and composition of the home

♦  Knowledge of any planned growth in the area 

Step 2:  Provide Incentives 

The “incentivizing” (no, that’s not a real word) of your home involves several factors. Some incentives may be more creative than others.  Here are a few ideas: 

♦  Offer a one-year home warranty program through a third party provider. This is a popular way to relieve buyers of some of their reservations. The idea is based on getting rid of unexpected expenses and the possibility of hidden costs.

♦  Have the seller pay part of the closing costs.

♦  Combine the above two incentives with a flexible closing date to make Thomasville homes for sale that much more attractive.  

Want help “incentivizing” your home to get it sold?  Give us a call today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com  to find out how First Thomasville Realty can help sell your home.

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Your Thomasville Home For Sale: Reaching Out to the Buyer

Friday, July 2nd, 2010

ReachingOuttotheBuyer_webYou placed your Thomasville home for sale on the market weeks ago, but it seems no one is interested. What you may not realize is that the most desirable, most treasured buyers arrive at your home every day. They may not knock; they may not schedule an appointment; they may even need Map Quest to figure out where you are, but they’re viewing your home. 

Buying habits are changing rapidly. More than 70 percent of today’s buyers find the house they want to buy through online resources. Why aren’t they just getting into their cars and coming by for a visit? Because a large part of your potential buyers are looking at your Thomasville home for sale from states away… 

The Invaluable Relocation Buyer

You want the relocation buyer. In fact, every seller, every agent and every community wants the relocation buyer. Why? Relocation buyers are those who have to move. They’re incredibly motivated to buy, and the chance of them buying a home in the community is high. 

Your Buyer’s Profile

Your relocation buyer is probably an educated professional in his or her field. Relocation buyers usually know exactly what they’re looking for, and aren’t willing to budge much. They’ve commonly moved before and are knowledgeable home buyers. 

If you’ve never sold a home, they’ll most likely understand the buying/selling process better than you do. They also know that real estate activity and values are different in every area. As well, they know how their companies’ relocation assistance programs work, which affects their moving budgets. 

Reaching buyers is a competitive process. If you want highly motivated buyers like these knocking on your door, you need a well-organized marketing strategy. 

Talk to your real estate agent about your online presentation. Perhaps a virtual tour would be the best strategy to attract buyers to your Thomasville home for sale. Whatever you decide to do, if your marketing strategy doesn’t include a well-put-together online presentation, you’ve already lost the relocation buyer. 

Are you missing a large buying market for your home? First Thomasville Realty can help. Call us at 229-226-6515 or email info@FTRealty.com  for more information.

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Thomasville Homes for Sale and Virtual Staging: New Sales Method or Old Scam?

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

Home staging has long been a way to sell Thomasville homes for sale. In short, stagers come into your home, look the place over and start packing (if it’s not already empty). They bring furniture, draperies and other things to make the home look warm, beautiful and inviting to buyers. 

The trick is to make the Thomasville homes for sale inviting in a way that doesn’t overwhelm the buyer’s personal tastes. It’s worked, selling thousands of homes that might not have sold otherwise, and selling them faster than non-staged homes. 

For the past year or two, however, virtual (or conceptual) staging has come into the real estate world. Somewhat like traditional home staging, the virtual stager spruces up your home for sale. The differences are where the work is done and what the live house looks like. They may not sound like much, but these two differences have people asking, “Sales method or a snake oil scam?” 

Virtual Staging

Home staging came about because the real estate industry realized that most buyers have a tough time visualizing what a place will look like with their unique touch on it. With more tech savvy buyers, however, some may not even visit the home to enjoy the staged view. Many buyers find their potential home online and, once they’ve viewed the online pictures, contact the REALTOR® listing the home. 

Virtual staging provides beautiful images for buyers to look at online using digital enhancement. You may have a home staging team doing the computer work, or it may just be one person with fantastic design software. 

Here are the benefits to virtual staging:

♦  It may pull in more potential buyers than non-virtually staged homes.

♦  It can be cheaper than having a home stager come to your home.

♦  If you’re worried about vandalism and theft (some sellers have had the staging furniture stolen), it may solve this problem. 

But there are potential pitfalls you need to be aware of before you try virtual staging:

♦  The first and most obvious is not to use virtual staging to deceptively hide imperfections in your home. The purpose of these images is to enhance, yes, but if you hide issues it’s not only unethical, but, in some states, illegal.

♦  The second is to be sure to let the potential buyer know that the home is either vacant or has different furniture than what’s shown.  You must be transparent and upfront that the images are computer generated. Otherwise, they will feel confused – or even scammed – when they get to the home to see and buy it.  This may seem a deal “killer,” but it all depends on how this information is presented.  

Home stagers have written in favor of real life home staging (putting down virtual staging, of course). Virtual stagers have written the opposite. So which one is better? If you have one of the Thomasville homes for sale, consider your budget, your options and what you want to accomplish. As long as you’re willing to be upfront about the images, virtual staging may be the right option for you. 

Need help preparing your home for sale?  First Thomasville Realty can help.  Give us a call today at 229-226-6515 or email info@FTRealty.com.

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Education: The Key to Closing Thomasville Homes for Sale

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

Education_webIn bygone days, the key to closing many of the deals on Thomasville homes for sale often relied on an agent’s networking skills. Those of us with a successful real estate history knew where to go to bring Thomasville homes for sale, financers and buyers together. 

In fact, the real estate community became so used to “the way things were done,” the standards for home purchasing and financing became a little lax. Today, regulators have taken aim at any less-than-transparent practices by, quite simply, changing the rules. 

Were the “good ole’ days” competitive? Most definitely. Were they as competitive as they are today? Not even close. 

Now, in order to complete contracts on Thomasville homes for sale, you have more transparency and a stricter set of industry standards, particularly when it comes to working with lenders. The good news is the changes in transparency and industry standards are designed to protect you as the seller and your buyer.

With Change Comes Education

With all the changes to the real estate industry, we, as real estate agents, have to stay informed in order to serve your best interests. After all, would you really want an agent following outdated rules from 10 years ago? Probably not, especially if you knew that outdated rules might make your sales contract useless. 

How do we stay informed? One way is through the NAR. The National Association of Realtors®, the nation’s largest trade organization, has started several programs to keep agents updated on exciting developments and market trends. Some of the most beneficial programs include:

•  Accredited Buyer Representation (ABR)

•  Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS)

  •Green Principles

•  Graduate Realtor® Institute

•  Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES)

•  Short Sale and Foreclosure Certification (SFR)

Without continuing educational courses like these, staying updated on the real estate industry would be a lot harder. Most of us already have the experience, but ongoing training is also important. Why? So we know all the ways to attract buyers to your home, no matter what they’re looking for. In other words, learning what they’re looking for helps us to better understand what selling points your home has, and how best to market them. 

Now, real estate deals are upfront and hidden agendas are (mostly) a thing of the past. Your goal, as owner/seller of one of the Thomasville homes for sale, is to make sure the agent you hire is up-to-date on any changes that may affect the sale. 

Don’t be afraid to ask about their education and training. The best agent is the one who doesn’t hesitate to answer with a list of certifications and current courses. 

If you’d like to sell your home and want an informed real estate agent, look no further. Give First Thomasville Realty a call today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com  for a complete list of all our agent’s certifications and education.

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Thomasville Real Estate – A Little Humor Goes a Long Way

Friday, June 25th, 2010

ALittleHumor_webIf you pay attention to national and Thomasville real estate at all, especially if you access news on the internet, it has to be confusing. I read stories online, and I’m amazed by the conflicting information, and I worry about how it must come across to individuals trying to buy or sell Thomasville real estate. 

For instance, only a month or two ago, experts were concerned that we didn’t have enough of a housing supply. Now, online sites like the Wall Street Journal are reporting that the U.S. actually has 103 months worth of foreclosed homes – a heavy load that would take 9 years to get rid of. Honestly, it often gives me a headache. Occasionally, it makes me laugh – in a slightly horrified, appreciating the irony type of way. 

I felt the need to lighten the load a bit and share something humorous with you. The idea for this blog came from a friend of mine, who asked her 10-year-old son what he’d learned in Social Studies that day. He replied, “Nothing. We’re still looking for the government.” 

Yesterday, I came across a page from Kensington Realty Advisors on which they share a bit of real estate humor. Here’s an excerpt: “LODGING – All employees are encouraged to stay with relatives or friends while on Company business. If weather permits, public areas such as parks and parking lots should be used as temporary lodging. Bridges may provide shelter in periods of inclement weather.” 

Will this help you sell your house? Probably not, but it might. 

You have to keep a little humor going. Tons of clichés fill our vocabulary: “when the chips are down,” “when life gives you lemons,” “look on the bright side.” They all add up to the same message, that you can’t take life too seriously – even the life of real estate. 

So – when a buyer walks into your piece of Thomasville real estate, looks around and notices a big puddle in the back yard, you can always tell them you were starting a pool. 

Want to work with professional real estate agents who know how to get the job done while keeping life in perspective?  Give First Thomasville Realty a call today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

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Top 3 Facts About Using Agents When Selling or Buying Thomasville Homes

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

Top3factsaboutusingagents_webAs you may be aware, there are two primary ways to sell and buy Thomasville homes. One, FSBO (For Sale By Owner), means just what it says – the owner sells the home. The second, of course, is selling the home through a real estate agent. What you may not be aware of is the main reasons why so many choose to hire an agent, whether selling or buying Thomasville homes. 

Should you hire an agent? Of course, I’m going to say yes. However, what I really want you to do is make up your own mind after reading. Only you can answer this question because only you know your situation, but you need to know the facts: 

Fact #1, for buyers – Real estate is one of the biggest areas of fraud in the U.S., and a fraud in which the scammer is less likely to be caught. Instances abound where an unsuspecting buyer has bought a home that still belonged to someone else.  Someone else who had no idea their home was up for sale in the first place. You won’t be able to get your down payment back, because the con artist will be long gone with it. Agents deal directly with the homeowner whose name is on the title.  If a licensed real estate agent represents a home, you know it’s really for sale. 

Fact #2, for sellers – Real estate agents have access to many marketing venues that individuals don’t. FSBO sellers are limited to a few websites on the Internet versus the multitude of websites agents use to advertise homes for sale. With the knowledge agents gain through training and experience, the marketing available to agents, and the resources agents have at their fingertips, you have a much better chance of selling your home with an agent than on your own. If you don’t mind having your home sit on the market for awhile, FSBO may be the way to sell. However, if you need your home to sell sooner rather than later, you need an agent. 

Fact #3, for buyers and sellers – Selling or buying a home isn’t as simple as “yeah, I’ll take it” and throwing money down. Selling real estate includes everything from negotiations and contracts to assessments and legalities. If either side doesn’t complete the steps correctly, actually closing the deal may be impossible. To be blunt, real estate agents are trained to handle the pitfalls of selling or buying a home and ensure that the sale goes smoothly. 

Should you hire an agent to sell or buy Thomasville homes? To First Thomasville Realty, this isn’t the real question. The real question is:   Can you afford not to? 

If you’d like to work with a knowledgeable, experienced agent to buy or sell a home, We’d love to have the opportunity to interview for the job. Call us at 229-226-6515 or email info@FTRealty.com.

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Thomasville Real Estate: Fight Mold Before Buyers Run

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

FightMold_webSpring is the rainy season for many parts of the nation and, for those areas where spring doesn’t bring rain, summer does. Rain brings mold, mold grows on your Thomasville real estate and buyers run. Of course, if it doesn’t rain, there’s always humidity, which can also cause mold and mildew in the home. 

How do I know if I have mold?

Well, for example, if you get up in the morning, walk into your living room and find a swimming pool where your couch used to be, you might have mold once the water dries up. Of course, if you have swimming pool in your living room every spring, you can always use it as a selling point… “Living room boasts natural, seasonal pool!” 

On the serious side, mold is often indicated by a musty, often sharp smell in the home. You also might see dark smudges and/or blotches on surfaces. While excessive humidity can cause mold, those whose homes have had some form of water damage should be the most concerned. Types of water damage can include anything from a leaking roof to a toilet overflowing. 

What’s the problem with mold and mildew?

The problem with mold and mildew is once it creeps into your Thomasville real estate, it takes a brigade to kick it out. Also, mold and mildew problems fall under many states’ disclosure laws, so you may not be able to legally keep it from the buyer. 

If you find out you have mold, you have two choices:

1.  Tell the buyer and either lose them or take a hefty chunk out of your sales price.

2.  Pay a hefty price to a mold removal company. The real kicker is even if you pay to have the mold removed, you may still be required to disclose that the home had a mold problem.

What should you do about mold?

The best way to deal with this smelly invader of the home front is to destroy it as soon as you first smell the musty, earthy odor. Track it down and kill it.  Plenty of mold-killing products out there do the job nicely on small patches. 

If you think you might have mold and can’t seem to track it down, check with your health department. They may have recommendations of where to go, who to talk to or other ways to find the mold that you haven’t used. 

If you’re trying to sell your Thomasville real estate, you can’t let something as annoying as mold ruin the deal. Even if the property is sitting vacant, keep your eyes, ears and – most importantly – nose sharp! 

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

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6 Reasons to List Your Thomasville Home for Sale

Friday, June 18th, 2010

SixReasontoList_webYou don’t list your Thomasville home for sale on a whim; you don’t just decide you don’t like the one you have. Selling a home carries significant financial, emotional and family repercussions. Selling your home is one of those life decisions, the ones you discuss with your spouse, look over with professionals and use experts to move forward. 

While you might have been able to list your Thomasville home for sale and have it sold quickly at the beginning of the decade, that’s no longer the case. Now, you have to be truly motivated in order to get your home sold.   Unmotivated sellers, those without concrete reasons, are not serious sellers.  

If you’re a motivated seller, on the other hand, you have several new marketing weapons at your disposal. These include government incentive programs, short sale practices, state-of-the-art technology and creative marketing plans to help consummate the transaction. 

Are You A Motivated Seller?

So, think about it. Are you a motivated seller? There are a number of reasons people are motivated to sell. These reasons include:

1.  Lifestyle Change – The time for a quieter way of life has arrived. The nest may be too empty. You may want more freedom and less household commitment. In any case, a change of lifestyle is a very strong motivation to sell.

2.  Relationship Changes – Partners get together and partners divide. Marriage, divorce and newborns all set the stage for household change.

3.  House Too Small – As families expand, it can be more cost effective to move rather than over-improve. For example, it can cost over $10,000 for a room extension on your home.

4.  Time to Upgrade – Prior to the recession, American families moved an average of seven times per marriage. Although those numbers have dropped some, we do still seem to seek the greenest pastures.

5.  Changes in Neighborhood – Many homeowners move because of local community issues. A school system may trim budgets or the homes may not be increasing in value. A desire for neighborhood change could be your motivation.

6.  Health Issues – People with health issues who cannot continue or afford household upkeep are moving to smaller, more protected and service oriented communities. If this is you, you can definitely consider yourself a motivated seller.

If you’re motivated and have a Thomasville home for sale, you already know the market is competitive. However, professional representation, an astute marketing plan and expanded reach can help you locate the perfect buyer. 

Are you a motivated seller? The professional real estate agents at First Thomasville Realty would be honored to help you get your home sold. Call us at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com  for more information.

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Industry Changes to Help Sell Your Thomasville Real Estate

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

realtor_logoLike most industries, the Thomasville real estate industry changes with the times. We still have the same mind-set, but the strategies we use differ from, say, before the internet. As the Thomasville real estate industry improves with the use of online and mobile tools, “change” translates to a better result on the sale of your home. 

Changes to the Real Estate Industry

Due to uncertain lending practices and unregulated appraisal services, the real estate game needed to change.  The National Association of Realtors® pushed for change, appraisers pushed for change,  the government pushed for change and, of course (it’s the government, after all), change happened. 

The government mandated new regulations for lending practices. They poured tax incentives into the economy and, simply by chain of reaction, changed the real estate industry. 

What This Means to You

This isn’t bad news.  In fact, it’s rather good news. The emphasis on education, a new code of ethics and advanced technology is a boon to today’s Thomasville real estate market and you, as the home seller. Why? Because you have a broader reach than ever before. As well, we, the successful agents, must keep our competitive edge on any lending, marketing and technical advantages and turn that edge into advantages for you. 

The focus of the new-age real estate agent is on – not just one or two things – but on everything and anything that can bring buyers to your home.  

Today’s Thomasville real estate agents evaluate, market, create strategies, work with technology and are in constant contact with hundreds of potential buyers. We know you need expert representation to sell your home.   You expect it, and we provide it. 

When you’re ready to sell your home, call First Thomasville Realty at 229-226-6515 or contact us at info@FTRealty.com  for expert representation you can rely on.

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Europe’s Crisis a Plus for Thomasville Homes for Sale?

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

EuropeDebtCrisis_webEurope, or more correctly, Greece, is having a debt crisis that may end up being a great boon for national and Thomasville homes for sale. The euro, Europe’s currency, dropped drastically and Europeans responded by exchanging euros for the American dollar. 

Help for Thomasville Homes for Sale

As more money pours into the U.S. “safe haven,” interest rates drop. Although interest rates may rise again once global economies begin to recover, the real estate market will benefit during this period of European instability. In fact, the mortgage markets are already benefiting. 

On May 20, Bankrate.com, known for its accurate reporting of average national mortgage rates, reported the lowest 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in almost 25 years. At the time of the report, national averages hit at 4.96% for a 30-year fixed mortgage, 4.34% for a 15-year fixed and 4.14% for a 5-year ARM (adjustable rate mortgage). 

Pessimists vs. Optimists

Pessimists believe that the low mortgage rates won’t affect home sales, because of the large influx of buyers who beat April’s tax credit deadline. In short, their view is that all the eligible homebuyers have already signed closing papers.  They think that a few more buyers may trickle in before the busy season for real estate is over, but their general attitude is that the fat lady has already sung. 

Optimists, as usual, have a much brighter point of view about the economy. Banks, they say, are finally letting some of the much-talked-about shadow inventory into the light. Unemployment seems to have slightly reversed, retail sales are up and manufacturing inventories are increasing – all of which indicate a stabilizing economy. Although even optimists aren’t betting on a huge real estate boon, they do point to an uphill trend. 

Questions for You

Which are you, an optimist or a pessimist?  And, how can there be such a big difference in real estate market outlook when all the experts are looking at the same information? Lastly, if you’re trying to sell your home, can you really afford to be pessimistic? 

Here’s a hint: the attitude you have about your chances of selling will carry over to the results you achieve. Think positive, even when you hear about downturns.  You’ll have a better chance of getting your home sold than other Thomasville homes for sale! 

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

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Tips For Selling Your Home

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

Selling Your HomeUnlike other things that you may own, you can never take selling your home lightly. A house is a big commodity, one that is worth a lot of money. Before you even think about selling your Thomasville home, you should put a lot of thought and consideration into it. Although you may want to sell your home – you should make sure that you do it the right way.

The first thing you should do when you are thinking of selling your home is to hire yourself a qualified real estate agent who knows the neighborhood. An agent who knows your neighborhood will know the ideal price for your home, and help you sell it at the ideal price. If your home is priced right for the neighborhood, chances are it will sell. If it is priced too high, you might not get any offers or anyone interested in buying the home.

Once you have a real estate agent, you and your agent will need to develop a strategy. You’ll need to decide on the price and how long you will leave it on the market before you think about a reduction. You’ll also need to discuss his commission as well, which will help to avoid any misunderstandings in the future. If you talk about these types of things when you first start out selling your home, you’ll find the entire process to go much smoother.

In some cases, you may run out of time before you are able to sell your home. In this situation, you may want to rent out your home. When you rent out your home, you may also be able to strike a deal with renters that your home is available for showing. To make the house accessible to potential buyers, you may want to offer your renters a lower price. This way, they will be more inclined to make the house available for potential buyers.

Have questions about the selling your home?  We’re happy to answer your questions.  Give First Thomasville Realty a call now at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

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Short Sales: A Viable Option for Distressed Thomasville Real Estate

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

Short_SaleI know the words “short sale” may scare you.  But please take just a minute to learn why short sales have become a viable option for your Thomasville real estate if you’re considering foreclosure. 

Once deemed difficult to get, hard to close and rough on the credit score, corrective measures have been taken to improve the valued short sale.  And, the winners are those who understand how short sales work in Thomasville real estate. 

If you are faced with a house underwater or considering foreclosure or a short sale option, please understand the game has changed.  

Short Sales Before versus Now 

In early 2009, the typical short sale had less than a 50% chance of success.  Banks were skeptical, unprepared and unwilling to accept losses.  No longer! 

Thanks to aggressive changes made by the Federal Government, the short sale has become the preferred option for distressed buyers, sellers and lenders.  

♦    The administration has thrown incentives to first mortgage holders, second mortgage holders and new lenders.  

♦    Primary lien holders in who agree to a short sale can receive as much as $3,000 from the government.  

♦    Secondary lien holders, who previously were often asked to step away empty handed, now can receive up to $6,000 for formal releases. 

Additionally, there used to be more serious credit devastation for the short sale seller.  In some cases, outright releases were not provided.  The administration has stepped in to protect these distressed sellers.  Today’s short sale has less credit impact on the seller as would the credit impact of a foreclosure. 

Now that short sales are a viable option, the market has exploded.  Short sales increased by 4% between November, 2009, and February, 2010.  Activity will only continue to increase. 

If you would like to find out whether a short sale could benefit your distressed Thomasville real estate, give First Thomasville Realty a call now at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

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5 Tips for Selling Your Thomasville Home on Your Own

Friday, May 14th, 2010

FSBOSometimes sellers want to try to sell their Thomasville homes on their own.  That’s called selling your home “For Sale by Owner” or FSBO for short. 

If you’d like to give FSBO a try, here are some tips:

1. Prepare your home for sale. Go through your Thomasville home and make a list of repairs that need to be done. Clean your carpets. Repair the grout in the bathroom. Remove dead plants from your yard. Paint the interior. Wash the windows. Make sure you home looks as good as possible.

2. Choose a fair selling price. Look at what the houses in your area are selling for to get an idea. You should hire a professional appraiser to assess your home. Of course you want to make as much money as possible, but you also have to have a reasonable asking price if you want anyone to look at your home.

3. Advertise your home. Put a sign in your front yard. Create a flyer.  Post information online. Spread the word to everyone you know. People need to know your home is for sale.

4. Get help with the legal issues. Selling a house involves several legal documents. You need someone to help make sure everything is complete and correct.  If you don’t want to work with a real estate agent, consider hiring a real estate lawyer to handle the paperwork.

5. Know when to ask for help. At some point selling your home on your own may not be a good idea. When you feel like you’re in over your head or just frustration, call a professional.  A good rule of thumb is to try selling your home as a FSBO for 30 days, then reassess. 

If you’re ready to get some professional help selling your home, Place your home in MLS (Multiple Listing Service) by giving First Thomasville Realty a call at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

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Setting the Right Selling Price for Thomasville Real Estate

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

Set_The_Right_PriceThe debate is as old as the real estate industry.  Does a low, highly competitive selling price for Thomasville real estate actually generate a faster, more profitable sale than a slightly inflated price with a willingness to negotiate?  Yes, it is an age-old debate.  Yes, it has never been more important that sellers make informed decisions about their asking price and negotiating strategy. 

A seller with an unreasonable opinion of their home’s value is either a wishful thinker or does not have the benefit of an accurate comparative market analysis and a real estate agent who specializes in the area. 

Get Real, Know the Facts 

When sellers decide to list their home in the Thomasville real estate market, they usually have an opinion of value based on reported sales of similar properties.  Consciously or subconsciously, most homeowners follow the real estate activity of surrounding homes. 

However, every real estate transaction stands independently.  In today’s market, buyers and sellers negotiate to capitalize on tax incentives, green-initiative improvements, closing fees, homeowner credits and local incentives.  Thus, the “neighborhood selling price” may not represent the price you can actually get for your home. 

Real estate agents use differing strategies to secure listings and set sales prices.  Therefore, a seller who requests proposals from three different Thomasville real estate agents may well get three different opinions of value: 

1.  One agent may want the listing at any price and be willing to accept an owner’s requirement for a high asking price just to land the listing. 

2.  Another agent may be conservative and encourage a low asking price in the hopes of generating superior demand.  This strategy was effective in the boom years of 2006 and 2007.

3.  A third agent may combine his knowledge about the property, the neighborhood and today’s real estate market to come up with the optimal listing price. 

The Optimal Listing Price 

Responsible Thomasville real estate agents view the property from three postures.  

1  First we inspect the property, top to bottom.  We understand its history, the neighborhood, its strengths and its weaknesses. 

2.  Next, we do our research.  We compile a complete, relevant list of recent sales, a thorough list of properties on the market and a comparable list of recently concluded Thomasville real estate transactions.

3.  We balance this information against the cost of new construction.  We factor in what improvements might be necessary to stage the home more effectively.  And, we use this quantitative analysis, called a comparative market analysis, to recommend a strong selling price designed to garner demand. 

This is not a whimsical exercise.  This is about establishing the maximum selling price your Thomasville real estate should achieve. 

To further discuss how you can realize the greatest real estate value for your home, contact First Thomasville Realty today at 229-226-6515 or by email at info@FTRealty.com .

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2010 Trends for Thomasville Homes

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Real Estate TrendsEven though it may sometimes seem like it, home building and design trends are not conjured up using a crystal ball. They are the result of surveys, observations, lifestyles, socioeconomic issues, entertainment, technology, and most importantly, the needs and desires of buyers.

Here are some of the national and Thomasville homes trends to expect in 2010.

Green is growing.

A study conducted by Burst Media in late December, 2009, found that 90 percent of Web users surveyed have incorporated some aspect of going green into their lives, and overall, they are willing to pay a premium for environmentally friendly products.

Homes are getting smaller.

For 2010, home builders say they will focus on lower-priced and smaller homes. More than 95 percent of home builders surveyed by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in January said that was the way they saw their businesses evolving.

Single-story homes are in.

Because of the rise in homebuyers who are 55 years of age and older, more single-story Thomasville homes are being purchased. According to NAHB, barely over half of new homes today are built with two stories or more. Two-story homes peaked at about 55 percent of the market in 2006.

Lower cost, more practical homes are being purchased.

In an attempt to respond to consumer demands for practicality, as well as hold the line on prices, home builders surveyed by NAHB are most likely to include these features as standard in their houses this year:

Walk-in closets in the master bedroom

Laundry rooms

Insulated front doors

Great rooms

Energy-efficient windows

Linen closets

Programmable thermostats

Energy-efficient appliances and lighting

Separate shower and tub in master bathrooms

Nine-foot ceilings on the first floor

Here are the features builders said they are least likely to add to houses in 2010. You’ll notice a lot of the items being eliminated are luxury features, as builders try to lower costs.

Outdoor kitchens

Outdoor fireplaces

Sunrooms

Butler’s pantries

Media rooms

Desks in kitchens

Two-story foyers

Multiple shower heads in the master bath

Smaller kitchens

Want to buy one of the new Thomasville homes in 2010? Call First Thomasville Realty today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com to get started.

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5 Tips for Removing Offensive Odors from Your Thomasville Home for Sale

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

Odors in the HomeNothing will turn off a potential buyer quicker than an offensive odor in your Thomasville home for sale. It may make them think you don’t take care of your home. At the very least, the odor will interfere with their ability to picture themselves in your home. Take the time to remove odors from your home.

Here are 5 tips to make your home smell fresh and clean:

1. Clean your carpets. Your carpets are fibers that absorb odor. Have your carpets cleaned by a professional to remove odors stuck in the carpet and pad. Another option is to rent a carpet cleaner and clean them yourself.

2. Paint. Sometimes odors like smoke can be trapped in your walls. A fresh coat of paint will not only brighten your room, it can seal the walls and mask the offending odors. Just choose a neutral shade and paint at least two coats.

3. Open your windows. Open the windows to let in fresh air. This will also help eliminate odors from your home.

4. Replace your attic insulation. Cooking odors can rise to the ceiling and get trapped in your attic insulation. The only way to remove that odor is to remove the insulation and replace it. If at all possible, do this before you put up your Thomasville home for sale.

5. Light candles and bring in air fresheners. If all else fails or as an extra precaution, place candles or air fresheners in each room. Choose light scents that won’t overpower the room. You just want enough fragrance to lightly mask odors.

Get your home in its best shape possible to convince a buyer to purchase your home. Let First Thomasville Realty help you prepare your Thomasville home for sale. Call us today at 229-226-6515 or email at info@FTRealty.com .

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