Looking Lovely
Sellers who are readying their homes for sale should not overlook the landscaping. While new paint no doubt increases the curb appeal of homes in the minds of prospective buyers, mature trees and well-maintained grounds can have an even greater impact. In fact, beautiful plantings can actually add 15 percent to the property value of a home. One need only take a look at a tree-shaded front porch to see the "homey" feeling that the leafy limbs bring to a property. It may be impossible to plan a full-grown tree or shrub where none previously existed, but it is entirely within sellers' ability to make the most of the landscape they already have.
Posted at 11:06AM Feb 15, 2012 by Davis Real Estate Inc. in General | Comments[0]
Your Local Forecast
The real estate market is somewhat similar to the weather. It seldom, if ever, happens that one gigantic weather pattern engulfs the entire nation. While it may be raining on the other side of the country or in several isolated areas, it might be sunny in your neighborhood. Similarly, while national media constantly discuss the national housing downturn, not all areas are affected similarly. The real estate climate on the coasts may be different from that of the nation's interior, and there are differences between metropolitan, suburban and rural areas. In short, all real estate is local. Ask a real estate professional about your local conditions.
Posted at 09:10AM Feb 08, 2012 by Davis Real Estate Inc. in General | Comments[0]
Seeking Approval
Even before banks and other financial institutions became more restrictive in their lending practices, it was a good idea for buyers to get pre-approved for a loan; now, it is imperative. In this respect, an experienced real estate agent may be as helpful in securing financing as in helping to find a desirable property. One thing is for sure - without the money to purchase a home, there will be no sale. With this in mind, buyers will want to get all the necessary paperwork done prior to making an offer on a home. They will also want to check their credit scores and have a clear picture of all the costs associated with owning the home of their dreams.
Posted at 09:10AM Feb 02, 2012 by Davis Real Estate Inc. in General | Comments[0]
Keystone Proud!
Thank you to the Keystone Little League team for giving us a thrilling ride! You brought our area together and showed us the meaning of teamwork and grace under pressure. We're so proud to say you are our hometown boys!
Posted at 11:33AM Sep 01, 2011 by Davis Real Estate Inc. in General | Comments[0]
Congratulations!
Our congratulations go to the Keystone Little League team, the new Mid-Atlantic champions! We are proud of our local "small town team with big time heart". Wishing them continued success as they begin the Little League World Series.
These kids have done wonders for the attitude of the entire area. It's great to see everyone coming together in a big way to rally around this team!
Go Big Blue Machine!
Posted at 08:53AM Aug 17, 2011 by Davis Real Estate Inc. in General | Comments[0]
Financing to Sell
Would-be buyers confronted by increasingly stringent borrowing standards imposed by banks and other lending institutions are looking to seller financing as a means of buying a home. This strategy makes a great deal of sense for home sellers who can afford it. Not only does seller financing help ensure a sale, but it also provides a stream of future income. Of course, sellers must be assured that the sellers they intend to take on as borrowers are a good risk. With this in mind, sellers considering this option should avail themselves of the financial and legal advice of professionals before proceeding with seller financing. It also helps greatly to get a significant down payment.
Posted at 09:03AM Jul 27, 2011 by Davis Real Estate Inc. in General | Comments[0]
Green Homes Sell
As the price of energy rises, it is no secret that buyers are showing a decided preference for homes that will cost them less to heat and cool. Water conservation and electrical costs are other important considerations. So, if you are looking to make home improvements that will increase the value of your home in the eyes of potential buyers, start in the basement. Replace the furnace or boiler, if necessary, with the most efficient model that you can afford. If your hot water heater needs replacing, check out the new on-demand, tankless devices that save both space and energy. Make sure you home's insulation is sufficient, and invest in energy-efficient replacement windows. Then advertise your energy-efficient improvements to potential buyers.
Posted at 11:46AM Jul 20, 2011 by Davis Real Estate Inc. in General | Comments[0]
Is Selling a Job for Sellers?
If you are thinking about selling your home without an agent, consider that only 12% of home sellers successfully did so last year. Moreover, 40% of those FSBO (For Sale By Owner) properties went to family members or acquaintances of the sellers. Surely, if selling a home were so easy that anyone could do it, nearly everyone would. Bear in mind that selling a home involves analyzing sales of nearby comparable homes, setting a home's price, writing and placing ads in newspapers and online, meeting with potential buyers (many of whom are neither serious or financially able), negotiating a price and contract terms, and closing the deal with all the necessary paperwork. Are you ready for all that?
Posted at 11:45AM Jul 12, 2011 by Davis Real Estate Inc. in General | Comments[0]
EXPERIENCE COUNTS
If a seller wants to get their home sold in a reasonable amount of time, the best way is to use an experienced Realtor®. An agent who has a detailed knowledge of the local market will give the seller a detailed marketing plan for the property. They can help them set a price that is based on other homes that have sold and what the local market is doing. Besides knowing what homes sold, they will be able to talk about the “whys” of a home that sold or did not sell. This can help buyers set the right price and know what to expect in the process of selling their home. Nothing beats experience.
Posted at 09:39AM Jul 05, 2011 by Davis Real Estate Inc. in General | Comments[0]
Holiday Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and safe 4th of July weekend!
Posted at 08:42AM Jun 29, 2011 by Davis Real Estate Inc. in General | Comments[0]
Buyers Should Act Now
Current market conditions present buyers with a great opportunity. Prices and interest rates are still low, but have started to rise. By getting into the market now, buyers can save money. Lower interest rates mean that you can afford more home for your money. As they rise, so do mortgage payments. Home prices are also starting to go up, with more buyers getting into the market. So, if you are thinking of buying a new home and you have a decent credit rating, now is the time to act.
Posted at 09:21AM Jun 22, 2011 by Davis Real Estate Inc. in General | Comments[0]
Making the First Move
Homeowners planning to move are faced with the decision whether it is best to sell their home first or purchase a new home and then sell their old one. This dilemma is mostly influenced by market conditions and personal motivation. When it comes to doing what is in the best interests of sellers, it pays to sell the home they are currently living in first. Then sellers have time to carefully negotiate the sale of their home without the pressure of having to move into a newly purchased replacement home. Sellers can make the sale of their home contingent on closing concurrently with their new home, but doing so may inhibit their ability to sell their old home.
Posted at 09:08AM Jun 08, 2011 by Davis Real Estate Inc. in General | Comments[0]
Reading Minds
In order to facilitate the sale of a property, real estate agents must sometimes rely on instinct to elicit any unvoiced concern that prospective buyers might have about properties before it impedes a deal. A good real estate broker can sense buyer hesitancy and work to bring it out into the open so that it may be addressed. Doing so involves asking the right questions. Once the reasons for balking are brought to light, the agent may be able to make some constructive suggestions. For instance, there may be discussion about future expansion plans or repairs that the seller would be willing to make. Part of the broker's job is to root out perceived problems and solve them.
Posted at 11:33AM Jun 01, 2011 by Davis Real Estate Inc. in General | Comments[0]
What Sets Your Home Apart From the Competition?
The house-hunting process involves buyers checking out homes of a certain price range and then choosing from among those homes. If all the houses in that price range have comparable bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage, what is there to set one apart from the others? Sellers should ask themselves this question. Buyers often refer to a house according to a particular feature they really like. They might say "that house with the granite countertops" or "that home with the beautiful back yard." With that in mind, sellers should concentrate on a feature or amenity that sets their home apart from the competition.
Posted at 09:12AM May 25, 2011 by Davis Real Estate Inc. in General | Comments[0]
Clinton County Looking Good
According to local statistics for the first four months of 2011, Clinton County residential real estate sales are up 25% over the same period last year. In addition, the dollar volume of home sales is up 57% and the average sale price of homes is up 26%. These figures are great news for home sellers. For the past two years, many potential sellers didn't put their homes on the market because the recession news sounded bleak. But the figures for this year mean that houses are selling and people are buying. So, if you have been thinking about putting your home on the market, now is a great time to do it.
Posted at 08:55AM May 18, 2011 by Davis Real Estate Inc. in General | Comments[0]
