Flexit Realty Blog

Selling Your Home in 12 Easy Steps Step #10 Financing

Posted on 03/02/2012 by Gary L White

Selling Your Home Step #10 Financing, helping buyer’s, buy!

Many times buyers start looking for a home before they have secured financing. This means buyers are looking, dreaming about a new home, without the proven ability to purchase. Unless they have cash, which is rare, buyers will need to discuss lending option with a bank or mortgage broker.

Real estate agents representing sellers, know to ask, if the buyers have seen a lender to establish mortgage guidelines. Meaning the buyer knows the maximum lending limit the bank or mortgage company is willing to lend them. The buyer also knows how much money they must put down to secure the loan. The only way a real estate agent gets paid, selling to a buyer that can buy your home.

Without a pre-qualification letter, buyer’s are not confirmed buyer’s. Many times with a letter they cannot buy. The reason is a pre-approval letter is an estimate of the buyer’s ability to buy based on verbal discussions and “without” documentation of credit by a lender. A pre-qualification letter means, or should mean, the buyer has proven to the lender (at the time of credit review) with documentation of wages, credit report, bank statements and employment.

Remember things change. This means a buyer’s credit can change before the loan is granted. If the buyer loses a job, buyers furniture or a new car for their new home they may not have the right credit ratio to get the loan! Nothing is a sure thing until you have the check in your hand. So protect yourself and get backup offers, if you can.

One of the ways real estate agents and home sellers can remove this uncertainty is to have a lending program available for buyers. This will help sell the property and confirmed the buyer’s ability to secure financing. NO, you do not

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12 Easy Steps to Selling Your Home Step #10, Selling Your Home is more than making it look pretty!

have to provide financing for buyers. You talk to your current bank where you do business or a mortgage broker you know and have them work up three (3) proposals for loans on your home. Each proposal has a different amounts down, alternative terms, 20, 30 years to pay back.

Buyer’s can not expect seller’s to take a home off the market without written proof of their ability to buy. Buyer’s could also lose the home they stayed awake nights dreaming of living in, because someone else prepared to buy, gets the seller to accept their offer.

Preparing to sell your home is more than making it look pretty. Selling your home requires more than taking great photos and writing buyer attracting property descriptions. Selling your home is being able to have a qualified buyer present you with an acceptable offer. An offer must be backed up with proof the buyer can actually buy!

“FREE SELER’S CHECKLIST”

Ask for a FREE Seller Checklist if you live in the Grand Rapids Real Estate Market and considering selling your home. Expose your home to a wider range of buyers using today’s most up to date real estate technology and selling methods.

Call Flexit Realty: 616-784-2360
Email: GaryWhite@FlexitRealty.com
Website: www.FlexitRealty.com

In case you missed earlier “12 Easy Steps Selling Your Home Steps” the active links are below.

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Home Selling Agents

Posted on 02/02/2012 by Gary L White

Home selling agents may be specialists in representing home sellers or they may blend selling homes and representing buyers of homes. Other agents specialize in just home buyers.

When you consider selling your home a real estate agent is most likely choice 90% of the time, according to the National Association of Realtor’s report, for the year ending 2011.

Determining a “Seller’s Agent” to sell you house or property may be different

Licensed to Flexit Reaty by bigstock_Targeting_The_Home_2704145

Selling Your Grand Rapids Area Home using Technology that Attracts Buyers!

than any other choice you make when selling a possession. The reason is clear, your home is one of your most costly possessions. You have a larger financial gain or loss in the sale of your home.

Most seller’s spend less time choosing a home selling agent or real estate broker than they do driving back and forth to work in a weeks time. In fact, 7o% of the time, the first agent a seller meets they use to sell their home.

Selling your home in the Grand Rapids Michigan real estate housing marketing has changed. If you are thinking of selling your home in the grand rapids real estate market, these cities are included in the market area: Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Township, Kentwood, Wyoming, Grandville, Jenison, Walker, Comstock Park, Plainfield Township, Lowell, Ada, and Caledonia you will want a home selling real estate professional.

Selling your home, will be dependent on the real estate agent, the real estate company understanding Internet marketing. Over 80% of home buyers start looking for homes on the Internet before they call a real estate agent or home owner.

If you doubt the importance, do a test yourself. Type into Google, “Grand Rapids Home Selling Agent“, “Grand Rapids Home Selling Professional“, Sell My Grand Rapids Home and see who’s name shows on the first page of Google over and over.

Flexit Realty is devoted to helping sellers and buyers match home selling and buying needs. Flexit Realty is a name known for selling homes. We know Internet home sales marketing. We know how to promote homes and bring buyers to your front door. We also offer “Flexible Home Selling Options” that can make a difference.

“FREE SELER’S CHECKLIST”

Ask for a “FREE Seller Checklist” if you are in the Grand Rapids Real Estate Market and considering selling your home. Expose your home to a wider range of buyers using today’s most up to date real estate technology and selling methods.

Call Flexit Realty: 616-784-2360
Email: GaryWhite@FlexitRealty.com
Website: www.FlexitRealty.com

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Selling Your Home in Grand Rapids Michigan Step #9

Posted on 02/02/2012 by Gary L White

12 Easy Steps to Selling Your Home in the Grand Rapids Michigan.

Step #9 Showing Your Home To Potential Buyers

Home Showing is where the difference between a professional real estate agent and a home owner’s become evident. Home owner’s rare have to show their home, unless a quick family or friend tour, as a quest.

Showing your home to potential buyers is quite another story. Real Estate Agents are making assessments of the buyer during the meet and greet. They watch their eyes body language and “listen” for comments. In short, agents tune into buyers and their actions.

Agent know how to handle the normal negotiation objections. When buyers first come to a home we home we have three types.

The quiet buyer, that nods, hums and looks intently. They say very little even when engaged. This is a reader buyer. They will read everything you hand them. This is why it is important to have a great brochure with features and benefits to handout.
The chatterbox buyer, you hear everything, they don’t read the hardly take a
Hosting Open Houses, Showing Homes to Buyers, Flexit Realty has Professional Seller Agents www.FlexitRealty.com

breath. This is someone you let talk. When they stop talking an start asking serious questions they are interested in your property! That’s the time to hand them your disclosures and brochure.
The executive, the serious buyer that starts with a barrage of questions and keeps asking questions that have to do with facts about the home. How old is the roof? How long have you lived here? How old is the electric, plumbing, furnace, hot water heater. What are your heat bills, what are taxes. How soon can you move? Is the sell price firm? They try to set you back on your heels letting you know they know a lot about buying homes. Most of the time, they don’t, they just know the terms.

You can see selling your home requires preparation. At this point you must be ready for a variety of buyers. This is only the buyer’s side of showing your home.

You must also have your home ready for the security of showing your home. Most real estate agents and brokers have insurance to cover theft that could occur during

Bedrooms, Bathrooms and Kitchens are the most vulnerable areas for thieves to target.

a open house or home showing. Look at easy prey items, not all buyer’s are buyer’s! Some people pose as buyers looking for prescription drugs or small valuables than can be concealed and taken. One word of caution, if you are showing your own home, never, never show your home alone! Real estate agents are trained and even they turn into prey at times. Have someone else (adult) in the home, in a visible position. They do not have to say anything. They just need to be there.

Your home has to be child proofed unless you already have young children living in your home, then your child proofing is done. Favorite items that could be damaged should also be put away. Northern climates people wear large coats and turning a sleeve or back of a flowing coat can catch items and knock them over. The action will not be intentional but the result can leave you with a memorable peace broken.

Makes sure walkways, driveways and in summer months or southern climates the yard is cut edged toy or excess cars are removed. Some families have young adults with cars. They should be parked up the street leaving the driveway clear and open.

One last word on showing your home for sale. Agent are focused on selling your home. They don’t host a yard sale. Many homeowner’s during the showing process try to entice buyer’s by throwing in extras. The seller attempts to create more buyer interest because the buyer showed a little interest in the home. This tactic is designed to covert the buyer into signing a contract to buy right then. Real estate professionals know most buyers think about buyers and will want to discuss financing by locking down real numbers they will pay if they buy the home.

Showing your home and offering your dining room table, couch or play equipment, benches could get those items sold and you end up with an empty house, not sold. Always sell personal items after a sales contract has been signed. Do the sale of personal items outside of the contract to sell the home.

We didn’t discuss advertising or other issues to generate buyers. That will be in another series.

“FREE SELER’S CHECKLIST”

Ask for a FREE Seller Checklist if you are in the Grand Rapids Real Estate Market and considering selling your home. Expose your home to a wider range of buyers using today’s most up to date real estate technology and selling methods.

Call Flexit Realty: 616-784-2360
Email: GaryWhite@FlexitRealty.com
Website: www.FlexitRealty.com

In case you missed earlier “12 Easy Steps Selling Your Home Steps” the active links are below.

Selling Your Home Step #8

Posted on 01/02/2012 by Gary L White

12 Easy Steps to Selling Your Home “Step #8 “Photos, the visual details to attract buyers”

If you consider the old cliche’, “pictures are worth a thousand words”. The saying should be, pictures are worth thousands of dollars, when it comes to selling real estate! “Pictures Equals Buyers”, the real issue is getting your home sold. Photos taken with the right angles, light, clarity and descriptions help sell houses.

How many times have you looked for a home on a website or picked up a brochure in front of a home to have one photo? Buyers may or may not take the time to go to the website. If the buyer does go to the website in the middle of the summer and finds a snow picture or in the middle of the winter and finds a summer photo, buyers immediately know the property has been for sale a long time. They also may skip seeing it because they believe something may be wrong with the property! In northern climates if you show a winter photo make sure the drives and walks are clear and clean. If the walks and drives are clear, replace the photos on your website and other sites.

No photos should be take until the home has been staged for photos. You want your property and home to visually show the best features and benefits possible. I have had buyers I knew would like a property as soon as I viewed the property. I contacted them for a showing appointment, we sold the home without staging or doing a thing. Selling without any preparation is not normal for the majority of sellers. No home preparation before taking photos to maximize buyer response is doing a disservice, in my opinion.

Here are photo selections that should be taken.

Outside, including front, back and any decks or sheds. Angles of your photos
Showing inviting photos creates more buyers if the photo shows details.

are critical. If you have special features, landscaping, woods, patios, gardens and porches these should be emphasized in photos to separate your home from others.
Inside, photos should be broken down room by room and created into a guided tour, as though you were walking from the front door through the home.
Foyer, Entrance: show a photo looking back at the inside entryway if it is something that accents the home. If not, place the entrance in an overall photo with a wide angle view.
Living Room, this room, most times, requires two photos, offering viewing angles to buyers. Make sure you capture the focal point of the room. Whatever feature accents the room, capture in you photo.
Kitchen, is a very important room, the counter space should be maximized for
Photo Angles offer a large view and help give buyers a reason to see your home.

photos. Every buyer wants counter space. Make sure no finger prints or distracting refrigerator magnets, artwork, calendars or photos are displayed on the refrigerator.
Dining Room, Eating Area: This is another area that should have several photos on showing the relationship to the kitchen as well as the area itself. This helps buyers get an orientation of the rooms location to each other.
Bath Rooms and Suites: Make sure shampoo bottles are removed, sink areas are clean and cleared. Just like The kitchen counter and sink space will be visual issues. Tubs and sinks must sparkle. Toilet seat down please! Towels and wash cloths folded and presented in a staged manor. If you have multiple bathrooms label them, include locations (first floor, lower level, master).
Bedrooms, again make all the beds, remove and animal beds, if present, take angles that include closet door. If a walk-in closet take a photo after the closet is staged for the photo. Multiple bedrooms need to have labels and locations.
Family Rooms, if you have a family room take angled photo showing the best features. If your rooms have vaulted ceiling or high ceiling make sure that feature is captured in your photos.
Storage and Garages, this is not optional, make sure buyers know they will have storage. This means these areas have to be ready to show and staged for photos.

This may sound like a lot of work but selling faster and for a maximum sell price means you have to have a home multiple buyers will bid to buy. This also means you will get a higher sell price faster. The reason, maximizing buyer exposure with the right photos, creating more buyer interest in your property.

“FREE SELER’S CHECKLIST”
Receive a “FREE Seller Checklist”, if live in the Grand Rapids Real Estate Market and considering selling your home. Expose your home to a wider range of buyers using today’s most up to date real estate technology and selling methods.

Call Flexit Realty: 616-784-2360
Email: GaryWhite@FlexitRealty.com
Website: www.FlexitRealty.com

In case you missed any of the steps to selling your home already published active links are listed below.

Posted in Flexit Realty, Grand Rapids Real Estate Services, Home Selling Technology, Real Estate Home Selling Services, Seller's Agent Grand Rapids Michigan, Selling Residential Homes Advice, West Michigan Real Estate | Tagged Attracting Buyers With Home Selling Photos, Flexit Realty Blog, Grand Rapids Real Estate, Home Seller Questions, Home Selling Agents, home selling agents grand rapids, Home Staging to Sell Faster and For More Money, Preparing your Home For Sale, Real Estate Photo Marketing, Selling Homes, Selling Your Home, Staging Homes to Sell, taking photos to sell your home | Leave a comment

Selling Your Home in 12 Easy Steps Step #7

Posted on 31/01/2012 by Gary L White

Selling Your Home in 12 Easy Steps, “Step #7”

Preparing the Inside of Your Home For Sale.

We have gone through the outside of your home, now we step inside your home to review and stage it to sell. Most home owners live in their homes and do not maintain the inside of their homes in buyer showing condition. By this, I mean, we enjoy our homes. Magazines, newspapers, books may adorn table tops. Small families and singles that use dishwashers do not run them everyday. The tendency is to have a full load and accumulate a few days of dirty dishes inside the dishwasher. Laundry is the same way. Households with small children have toys and drawings pasted about.

When we prepare the inside of our homes for an open house, we start at the front door. What do you see when you first step inside the foyer? If you have an open floor plan this can be simple to see. What you get used too and what makes a home sell may be two very different things. Many people have to items in their closets. Open the entry closet and look inside. Do you have any space to hang guest coats. Is this closet packed full, including the vacuum cleaner?

“Gary White is the broker/owner of Flexit Realty, Grand Rapids Michigan. He is an accredited Home Stager, his insight and expertise in home sales spans over a decade, at a high level of performance within the real estate industry.”

Does your foyer need painting, flooring need repaired,cleaned or walls painted, trim redone?

Preparing Your Home To Sell in 12 Easy Steps

Clean and paint to make your entrance fresh creating a smile on the faces buyers?

Each room must be viewed with a critical buyer’s eye to detail. This is where we take advantage of competition by cleaning and staging your home for sale.

Foyer, check the front closet, make sure it has open space with extra hangers.
Check flooring, woodwork, trim, walls, paint and repair if needed.
Living Room, can you see a flow or reason for your traffic patterns? Can you walk through the living room in a free non obstructed manor? Do you have too much furniture or too large? Do you have too many books, magazines or other materials? Is your paper or magazine rack overflowing? Do your carpets or floors need cleaned, repaired or updated?
Dining Room, if your dining room has a large table, can buyers easy move around the room or is the dining room overpowering? Remove a leaf in the table if possible. Make sure you do not have too many chairs, side tables or knick knacks, taking up space. Open the room, so buyers can visualize their furniture fitting the room.
Kitchen, look at cabinet space, junk drawers, remove extra bags, store them in the garage. Clean storage areas under the sink, clean sinks, cabinets, drawers and make sure your pantry is ready to be viewed. Besides the living room and dining room needing to be the right size for home buyers, the kitchen and bathrooms are also critical to selling your home. If these rooms are right people will live with an undersized family room or living room before compromising on smaller or less functional kitchens and bathrooms are difficult. Check flooring, counter-tops and have appliances that work!
Bathroom(s), make sure each room sparkles but the bathroom must be exceptionally clean, including showers, tubs and cabinets. If you must, buy new bath and hand towels for showing purposes. Accent your bathroom and other rooms so buyers know they found the right home for them!
Bedrooms, closets is the number one area in every bedroom where I find too many cloths, shoes, ties and laundry baskets sitting out. Remove all off season clothing and pack them away. Make sure your closets are open and roomy. Look at floor coverings, drapes and other accents. Review furniture and beds make rooms look large with open space. Don’t let large furniture overwhelm a room. Store a dresser if you need too.
Basements, Attics all have to be looked at and cleaned.
Garages, I usually put the garage with outside preparations but I should mention the garage one more time. Do not fill your garage with storage boxes after cleaning out your house. While selling your home rent a small storage unit. The cost of a small storage unit is nominal, a few dollars a month and could make the difference in selling or not selling your home.

Selling your home is a family activity. If you do not have a family invite friends over to help you. Remember no to give them food or drinks until the work is done! This is a great way to get the word out, you are going to sell your home! Word of mouth advertising works, when selling your home!

“FREE SELER’S CHECKLIST”
Receive a “FREE Seller Checklist”, if you are in the Grand Rapids Real Estate Market and considering selling your home. Expose your home to a wider range of buyers using today’s most up to date real estate technology and selling methods.

Call Flexit Realty: 616-784-2360
Email: GaryWhite@FlexitRealty.com
Website: www.FlexitRealty.com

In case you missed any of the steps to selling your home already published active links are listed below.

Posted in Flexit Realty, Grand Rapids Real Estate Services, Home Selling Technology, Real Estate Home Selling Services, Selling Residential Homes Advice, West Michigan Real Estate | Tagged Flexit Realty Blog, Grand Rapids Real Estate, Home Seller Questions, home selling agents grand rapids, Open Houses, Preparing your Home For Sale, Selling Homes, Selling Your Home, selling your home in 12 easy steps, Staging Homes to Sell | Leave a comment

12 Easy Steps to Selling Your Home Step #6

Posted on 30/01/2012 by Gary L White

12 Easy Steps to Selling Your Home “Step #6

Preparing the outside of your home for sale.

Attracting buyers to your home is one step in the homes selling process. We learned in some of the previous steps that creating the proper website presence creates the opportunity for buyers to find your home. Your website presence, marketed correctly, creates buyer showings. Buyers looking at your home must be converted to personal tours, seeing inside your home, if you are going to sell your home.

Before you get the personal tour, many buyers take a drive-by to see what your home looks like from the outside. Another step in the home buying process for buyers. Buyers are evaluating neighborhoods, condition of homes, the look and feel of a

Selling Your Home is a process of Steps, this is Step #6

home. They are also estimating the value and is your homes the one for them?

For those lucky ones that live in moderate climates, keeping the lawn cut, edged, bushes trimmed, exterior clean and in good repair is critical. Paint, window caulk, broken or cracked windows must be replaced. Any peeling paint or worn paint at door jams, entry doors and around windows should be touched up. If you have vinyl siding, is it dirty and in need of power washing? Decks, porches, roofs, sidewalks should all be reviewed.

If you live in a Northern Climate, your sidewalks and driveways should be clean and clear of snow and ice. Of course cracked or broken windows should be replaced. Cleaning and painting will be more difficult until warmer weather.

Yard debris, bikes, cars and lawn mowers should all be in their proper places. Trash cans set to the side of the garage instead of in the front. I mentioned this before in another article, it is worth repeating. Look at your home using buyer eyes, not seller eyes. Get in your car and drive by your home and around your neighborhood. How does you home compare?

The outside is the buyers last decision barrier you have to cross before they step inside your home to make a buying evaluation. If buyers never make it inside your home, your home will not sell!

If you missed any of the “12 Easy Steps to Selling Your Home” use the active links below.

Estimating your homes value.
Who is your homes competition?
Deciding to sell with a real estate agent or without.
Marketing Methods to expose your home to the maximum number of buyers
Property Descriptions, survey and narrative details
Preparing the outside of your home for sale.
Preparing the inside of your home for sale.
Photos, the visual details to attract buyers
Showing your home to potential buyers
Financing
Open Houses.
Personal Buyer Showings

“FREE SELER’S CHECKLIST”

Ask for a FREE Seller Checklist if you are in the Grand Rapids Real Estate Market and considering selling your home. Expose your home to a wider range of buyers using todays most up to date real estate technology and selling methods.

Call Flexit Realty: 616-784-2360
Email: GaryWhite@FlexitRealty.com
Website: www.FlexitRealty.com

Posted in Flexit Realty, Grand Rapids Real Estate Services, Home Selling Technology, Real Estate Home Selling Services, Seller's Agent Grand Rapids Michigan, Selling Residential Homes Advice, West Michigan Real Estate | Tagged 12 easy steps to selling your home Step #6, Advertising Homes, Flexit Realty Blog, Grand Rapids Homes for sale, Grand Rapids Real Estate, Home Seller Questions, Home Values, Preparing your Home For Sale, Selling Homes, Selling Your Home | 1 Comment

12 Easy Steps to Selling Your Home, Step #5

Posted on 29/01/2012 by Gary L White

12 Easy Steps to Selling Your Home

Step #5 Property Descriptions, survey and narrative details

Creating your property descriptions, including a survey of the property boundary lines, being able to express this information in a narrative to buyers and others during your home selling phase.

Your selling phase of home selling process is the time before securing a written accepted contract from a buyer to buy your home.

You may not have thought too much about property descriptions as being important. This may change your mind how to write your selling descriptions, when selling your home or homes as in the case of the real estate agents.

Property Descriptions convert readers to callers. The look at the photos, worth a thousand words, and read the captions if you remembered to put them under the photos. If the buyers like your property description, your property details are the next section they read to determine if your home is the one to see!

Most real estate agent write property descriptions for other real estate agents. Real Estate Buyer Agents bring buyers but the buyer is who you are writing your property descriptions not other real estate agents! Most real estate agents use short choppy sentences because websites only allow a limited number of characters. Real estate agents have found using abbreviations for rooms, or making up their own abbreviations, reduced the number of characters needed. This also helped them complete listing descriptions quickly. You will have to contend with limited character spaces. Make sure your descriptions are written to attract the widest range of buyers. You will be required, by law, not discriminate in your advertising and property descriptions to meet the “Fair Housing Laws”.

Property Descriptions should include the following, if your property has

88% of Home Buyers Use the Internet to Find Homes Before Calling a Real Estate Agent or Home Seller!

these features:

Outline the Inside of home for sale first, Stepping inside you’ll notice an open floor plan, fireplace accents living room, vaulted ceilings, large windows for natural lighting, crown moldings, open stairway, inviting reception area. Living room features, kitchen, built-in appliances, large kitchen counter-tops, tile back splash, cabinet space, material cabinet faces are make of, or color (white, natural wood, oak, walnut) Bathrooms, closets, Bedrooms, Bedroom Suites, layout, flooring, lighting natural and specialized (spots, recessed, can lighting), storage, garage spaces
Outline outside of home, home faces south (morning sun), professionally landscaped, mature trees, privacy fence, deck, patio, fenced yard, sandbox, play equipment stays, sidewalks, walking trails, low maintenance, underground sprinkling, new roof, just painted, view.
Outline the Convenience and location, “Friendly area, close to shopping, downtown, close to award winning schools, close to doctors, restaurants, sport parks, fishing, skiing, boating, playgrounds (parks), low traffic street, cul-de-sac.

These descriptive property terms creates a different minds eye image for every buyer. Your goal is to get buyers to call for a personal viewing appointment of your home. Creating the photos and images with property descriptions converts lookers to callers, to buyer showings and a sale!

Including a survey, either attached to your website documents; given as part of the buyer showing packet when buyers view your property creates unspoken trust. Having the survey (if you have one available) takes away the question of property lines, lets buyers focus on the property itself and buying your home.

Knowing what to say, when buyers view your home for sale, is key to promoting the property in the final stages of selling homes. Use your property description as your outline and move through the home like a guided tour. Don’t just meet or greet potential buyers at the front door and let them walk through your home unattended! If you do this you will not be able to answer any questions. You can’t hover, but answer buyer questions. Give buyers space so they can chat, discuss and feel free to ask questions. The more of a comfort level buyers have with your home the more likely they can see themselves living in “their new home”!

“FREE SELER’S CHECKLIST”

Call Flexit Realty: 616-784-2360
Website: www.FlexitRealty.com
Email: GaryWhite@FlexitRealty.com

Links to the other “Home Selling Steps” if you missed one.

Posted in Flexit Realty, Grand Rapids Real Estate Services, Home Selling Technology, Real Estate Home Selling Services, Seller's Agent Grand Rapids Michigan, Selling Residential Homes Advice, West Michigan Real Estate | Tagged 12 easy steps to selling your home Step #5, Flexit Realty Blog, Grand Rapids Real Estate, Home Seller Questions, home selling agents grand rapids, home selling steps, Multiple Listing Service, Preparing your Home For Sale, Selling Homes, selling homes advice | Leave a comment

12 Easy Steps to Selling Your Home “Step #4”

Posted on 28/01/2012 by Gary L White

12 Easy Steps to Selling Your Home

“Step #4 Marketing Methods to expose your home to the maximum number of buyers”.

Many home sellers and agents think, a home for sale listing is completed when the photos are taken and the home has it’s description written and recorded on the local real estate agents MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and the real estate companies website. This is far from the end, this is the beginning of the marketing campaign to promote a home for sale!

Real Estate Agents let the MLS spread the word of your home being listed for sale, for them. Meaning any linking or rebroadcasting of the listing is done explicitly by the MLS on behalf of the agent and your property, is caused by the agents MLS membership. This may seem like enough for buyers to find your property, it does not shout…”Hey Look Over Here”, we have a property for sale. Agents may see your listing and decide for the buyer if it is shown to the buyer! Buyers may never look at the local MLS website. This is the normal extent of marketing by most real estate agents. Sure some go the extra mile and run a magazine ad, how effective this form of marketing remains suspect.

The fact is your home only has the basic minimum buyer exposure for listing your home. Consider what every agent does when listing a home as a minimum.

Places the home with photos on the MLS. (nearly every real estate agent uses the MLS unless they are not a member of the MLS, then inclusion is an extra charge for your listing)
Places a for sale sign in the front yard, unless you request them not too or association rules specify they may not use this form of advertising.
Maybe uses a brochure box. Some real estate agents use brochures other don’t want to be bothered and tell sellers they are a waste of time.
Maybe hosts an open house, this is an added expense and many agents do not want to host open houses. This option was used 45% of the time by buyers, open houses have some pretty good odds a buyer will see your home in person.
Maybe places a magazine ad. Magazine Advertising did not show up on the top five real estate buyer used methods list when searching for a home!
Waits for buyers or buyer agents to call!

You wait for a showing, someone interested in seeing your home in person. I

Thinking of Selling Your Home? Attract a wider range of buyers with Flexit Realty.

know the list contains “Maybe’s” because the average agent spent less in advertising homes in 2011 than 2010.

Here are the facts about basic MLS marketing by real estate agents. The MLS does feeds, allows other websites to use homes for sale listing information. You search on the Internet and see your home listed by multiple websites but the information is different, not complete and someone else has their name on your listing. The name is not the real estate agent you signed to sell your home! You never heard of the website before. This information sharing comes from the local MLS part of your original list information is used on other sites. Website domains also use a technology called “scraping”, using information from websites in a rebroadcast format as their own, with a disclaimer at the bottom. If your agent does not claim the listing, it goes unnoticed, that someone else is using your homes for sale listing to market your home. They are trying to generate a buyer. Buyers call them, the agent in turn calls the listing agent (your agent) and your agent calls you for a showing appointment.

You may say, what is the problem I still received a showing. The problem is, this is a random buyer who happened to stumble upon your home for sale. This also means other buyers just like this buyer never knew your home was for sale. The other marketing flaw is your agent didn’t capture the buyer for you. The top level professional real estate agents know how to maximize home selling marketing efforts. These agents spend the time and money to generate buyers to purchase the homes they have listed for sale.

Maximizing your online presence with blogs, podcasts and articles including controlling how your website exposure is presented will maximize your online home selling efforts. Adding other controllable home selling marketing options will increase your buyer exposure when selling your home.

For example, did you know 45% of buyers attended an open house to find a home? According to the National Association of Realtors® field guide to statistics. Most real estate agents never host an open house.

If you are thinking of selling your home in the Grand Rapids Michigan or have real estate to sell in a surrounding city, give Flexit Realty® some serious consideration. Get your home exposed to the maximum number of buyers possible using current real estate seller and buyer technology. We know 88% of buyers start on the Internet. We include your listing on top national sites along with local websites including a featured position on our on the Flexit Realty website. Your home will be on the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors website and the through a wider network of websites covering 18 West Michigan counties of buyer agents. Flexit Realty® agents know agents make the difference when selling your home!

Call Flexit Realty: 616-784-2360 Email: GaryWhite@FlexitRealty.com

“FREE SELER’S CHECKLIST”

Ask for a FREE Seller Checklist if you are in the Grand Rapids Real Estate Market and considering selling your home. Expose your home to a wider range of buyers using todays most up to date real estate technology and selling methods.

Links to the other “Home Selling Steps” as they are published in case you missed one.

Posted in Flexit Realty, Grand Rapids Real Estate Services, Home Selling Technology, Homes For Sale, Real Estate Home Selling Services, Seller's Agent Grand Rapids Michigan, Selling Residential Homes Advice, West Michigan Real Estate | Tagged 12 easy steps to selling your home Step #4, Flexit Realty Blog, Grand Rapids Homes for sale, Grand Rapids Real Estate, Home Seller Questions, Multiple Listing Service, Open Houses, Real Estate For Sale Signs, Selling Homes, Selling Your Home, Selling Your Home in Grand Rapids Michigan | Leave a comment

Open House 1-3 Super Bowl Sunday! 137 Highland View Ct. Rockford, Michigan 49341 Condo For Sale

Posted on 28/01/2012 by Gary L White

You thinking New but can not afford a condo with all the Association Dues? How would you like to own one side of a dual unit stand alone condo? We could play with words or you could have a newly rebuilt condo in a duplex format with No Monthly Association Fees!

137 Highland View Ct. Condo, No Monthly Association Fees.

137 Highland View Ct. Rockford Michigan 49341 attached garage

Rockford Condo with Attached 1.5 Stall Garage

Now Take A Peek Inside!

This Condo smells like NEW! Looks like a model unit instead it is waiting for you. Come see for yourself. I am not sure you will be able to quit smiling. No one has ever lived in this unit since a the remodel. Includes a 5 year warranty by State Farm!

Consider the owner has invested $25,000 over the asking price! It is as if no one had ever lived in this unit, Oh they haven’t since it was remodeled! From vaulted ceilings to paint on the walls nothing visually looks like anyone has ever lived here. The carpets, new tile flooring in kitchen, dining area and baths. New doors, new electrical, new furnace, new vinyl siding, new entry doors, new windows the list goes on and on!

See yourself with a virtual tour 137 Highland View Ct. Rockford, Michigan 49341

Rockford Condo, New Bath includes fixtures, cabinets, flooring Rockford Condo

Rockford Michigan Condo, New Bath, Fixtures, Cabinets, Flooring

Kitchen is new and ready for action! Loads of counter space.

: NEW Kitchen is Gorgeous, new cabinets, new counters, new flooring

Posted in Flexit Realty, Home Selling Technology, Homes For Sale | Tagged Rockford homes for sale, Rockford Open House, Rockford Real Estate | Leave a comment

12 Easy Steps to Selling Your Home Step #3

Posted on 27/01/2012 by Gary L White

12 Easy Steps to Selling Your Home “Step #3”

“Step #3” Deciding to sell you home with a real estate agent or without.

For some, the option of using a real estate agent is a real struggle and for others there is no question. A real estate professional is going to handle the sale of their home for them.

The Internet has increased home marketing opportunities for real estate agents who understand how to use these resources to reach more home buyers than ever before. Home owners recognize buyer exposure created by the Internet can help them sell their homes with and without a real estate agent. Some compare selling your own home like the first walk in space, “you can do it successful or you can fall on your face while the world watches”. Our objective is to provide you with enough real estate comparison information to make an informed representation decision after reading this article.

The decision process of using a real estate agent to sell your home or sell your own home without a real estate agent is based on personal and financial factors.

Affordability, if you pay a real estate agent a commission from the profits of your homes sale, will you be able to buy the home you want or need after the sale? Many will argue that this should not be first on the list but you cannot argue economics. If this makes the difference in between being able to buy and NOT able to buy your next home, you have an immediate decision to consider.
Education, you do not need a real estate agent with a Harvard Law degree to sell your home. You will want someone that is well Informed on Internet Marketing to maximize your homes exposure to as many buyers as possible. A real estate agent that understands the methods and use of the Internet combined with cross channel marketing. You may also consider advanced certifications the agent has to establish his commitment to his business and your representation.
Market Statistics, does the agent provide home sales knowledge and the ability to supply you with sell price guidance and a competitive market analysis? Is there an outline of the homes your home will be in direct selling competition with when listed for sale.
Evaluation process prior too listing your home. Does the agent offer to do a walk-through or an on site evaluation, provided checklists to help increase the opportunity to sell your home at a higher price if the market allows?
Communication, is so important, because the real estate agent and the seller have to work as a team in the selling process. You establish the sell price together, you have final say but should rely on expert advice If you have chosen a real estate agent.
Selling experience,having sold homes in the past on a consistent basis. Is the
Thinking of Selling Your Home in the Grand Rapids Michigan?

real estate agent full time or does the agent work another job? This may affect your ability to communicate and show your home to prospective buyers unless your prospective agent works with another agent. Is the agent a member of the local real estate board? Unless the agent (in most cases) is willing to pay an extra fee to market your home on Multiple Listing Service (MLS) your home may not be visible to local agents and buyers.
Marketing or Selling Plans, what are the steps the real estate agent will use to maximize your properties exposure to available buyers and buyer agents? What are the agents guidelines (plan) to insure your home sells within an acceptable time frame for you? Remember selling time will be dependent on the agent, market conditions, condition of property, location and price sector being marketed within, along with buyer exposure and the agents effective marketing campaign.
Financing plan, does the agent have a backup plan for buyers that are not already pre-approved to purchase your home.
Negotiations, what is negotiable and what is not an option to discuss or negotiate. Did the agent represent them self strong enough to hold their ground, so you feel confident of the agent being able to representing you? For example if you asked for certain concessions from the agent, did the agent give them too you willingly or did the agent offer alternative options that were acceptable? Or just say no, with justification for the response?
Completing the sale. Do you feel the agent can close the deal!

If so say yes you area ready to list your home with the agent. Happy Selling!

Thinking of Selling Your Own home to save commission? Here are a few home selling issues to consider, when selling your own home.

Do you have the time to sell your own home. I know how to do many things, but I choose to hire a significant number of services because I do not have the time to do them. Selling real estate takes time. You have to answer buyer calls and questions. Take over all the duties of a real estate agent to sell your own home and not pay commission.
Do you feel confident in pricing your home to competitively sell again other homes within your market segment.
Will you be able to see your home objectively with buyer eyes instead of seller eyes? Sometimes we fail to see flaws and layout issues with our own properties. A non emotional viewpoint can give you valuable insight when selling your home.
Will you be able to show your home, host open houses and maintain security, when showing your own home? Will you say to much or hover, not offering enough space for buyers to evaluate and discuss your home. Can you not become offended with routine buyer questions about repairs or colors or criticisms? Will you try to sell furniture or other personal items to “sweeten the pot” to attract offer what you perceive as an interested buyer? Turning selling your home into a garage sale event instead of a home selling mission.
Do you feel confident with the real estate paperwork? The requirements of real estate disclosures, the purchase agreement and addendum’s that may be needed to finalize your homes sale?
Do you have a marketing plan to expose your listing to home buyers and buyer agents? Can you develop one?
Do you have a real estate for sale sign strategy other than the normal for sale by owner sign that screams bargain? Using the right signage can save you thousands of dollars. Will you work with real estate buyer agents?
Do you have financing options for those buyers that have not applied for a mortgage? Will you hold the property with a minimal deposit? Will you take your property off the market if you have a signed offer without a lenders approval of the buyers ability to purchase?
Do you have negotiation skills to keep the sale going without becoming emotional when a buyers asks for repairs, help with money down and wants your furniture! You may think these are dream world questions. I am asked these types of questions every week by buyers. I have already discussed how my seller wants me to respond and do so, according to the question asked.
Can you confidently close the sale? Do you feel like you can bring yourself and the buyer to completion of the transaction. You have options of help with title companies and real estate agents for nominal fees. If you find yourself concerned.

If you answer yes call or email me we have a National Company that will allow you to sell your own home or property. You will also have a local agent should you decide for any reason selling on you own is not for you.

Links to the other “Home Selling Steps” as they are published, in case you missed one.

Posted in Flexit Realty, Grand Rapids Real Estate Services, Home Selling Technology, Real Estate Home Selling Services, Seller's Agent Grand Rapids Michigan, Selling Residential Homes Advice, West Michigan Real Estate | Tagged Advertising Homes, Flexit Realty Blog, Grand Rapids Real Estate, Home Seller Questions, home selling agents grand rapids, Multiple Listing Service, Preparing your Home For Sale, Real Estate Agent Selection, Selling Homes, Selling Your Home | Leave a comment

Flexit Realty Blog

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Open House 1-3 Super Bowl Sunday! 137 Highland View Ct. Rockford, Michigan 49341 Condo For Sale

12 Easy Steps to Selling Your Home Step #3

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