Sell Your home quickly!

If you’re looking for ways to help sellers make quick and affordable home-improvement fixes to appeal to buyers, Bill Gassett has exactly what you need.

Gassett, a Lifetime Achievement Award winner with RE/MAX Executive Realty in Hopkinton, Mass., posted several tips on hispersonal blog and on ActiveRain that you can e-mail or give to seller clients who desperately need a home makeover on a tight budget.

Low-Cost Home Improvements for a Quick Sale

By Bill Gassett

In a very competitive real estate market, one of the things that’s vital to your success is how well your home shows in relation to the rest of the inventory for sale. There are simple things that you can do to improve your chances, and maybe put a few extra dollars in your pocket at the same time.

Maybe you’re not even thinking about selling your home right now. When the time comes, however, these lost cost improvements could make a difference.

First impressions are always important so you want to make sure the entry to your home shines. As the buyer approaches the front door, the last thing they want to see is an old, worn door with cobwebs hanging from above.

Right off the bat, most buyers are going to assume that if the home is not well maintained on the exterior, the interior won’t be much better.

The Entryway
Painting the front door or even replacing it if it’s beyond help can make a real difference. A nice shiny door set always stands out. If you have vinyl siding and haven’t cleaned it in a while, mildew, dirt and grime can accumulate. Giving it a quick spray can surprisingly make a big difference in your home’s appearance.

Plant Some Color
Planting some flowers around the entryway can really make your property come alive. Choose a variety of colors that really stand out. Adding a few potted plants in a covered entry or a large enough stoop is always a nice touch, too.

Fix Up the Baths
While remodeling a bath is one of the best home improvement projects to get the most return on your investment, it may not work in your current budget. But if you have gold toilets and sinks from the 70s, it may be time to let go and move on to something that 99 percent of the population likes better.

Have a gold shower too? There are low-cost alternatives to ripping out the shower. There are specially made bath fitters that are designed to go over a shower. New faucets are another low-cost item that can make a difference. Silver and nickel are “in” right now; brass is less popular. Changing towel racks, toilet paper holders and shower heads are also nice touches for little expense.

Paint Those Walls
Painting is one of the cheapest, most effective improvements you can make in your home – especially if the colors aren’t neutral to begin with. I know you love the pink entryway and purple bathroom, but most buyers won’t love it as much.

I know you think painting is cheap and that the buyer can just do it later. Most people think this way, however, there are many people who don’t have the vision. They need to see it done. Painting your home off white or in earth tones is the best way to go. Remember: you’re selling your home to appeal to the masses.

Address the Flooring
Flooring is a little more expensive, but will bring a better return on your investment – especially if you’re still hanging on to the orange shag. Even if you have more modern carpet but don’t have enough in the budget for new carpeting, a good cleaning by a professional can help dramatically. The same can be said for wood floors, too. A good scrubbing can go a long way.

Clean Your Windows/Treatments
Cleaning your windows can really spruce up your home. A bright home always shows far better than a dungeon. Removing heavy drapes and curtains can help, too, and breathe new life into your home. It’s far better to have nothing than to have a pattern that was popular 20 years ago.

Change Old Lighting
Lighting is a subtle enhancement to make, but a buyer will notice if a home’s lighting is outdated. There are some great lights that can be purchased rather cheaply in many lighting stores. Even little things like upgrading to brighter bulbs can help.

Dark or poorly lit rooms turn off most homebuyers. Although it’s a little more expensive to add, recessed lighting can really change the look in a room. Recessed lights work especially well in kitchens and baths.

Declutter Your Home
This one can really go a long way. Buyers like spacious rooms they can envision their own belongings in. Getting rid of things you don’t need or can put into storage while your home is on the market can transform the appearance of your home.

Hold a yard sale for those items that still hold value. For things you want to keep but will spoil how well your home shows, get a POD (portable on-site storage) or consider putting your stuff in a short-term storage facility.

Remember: not every improvement has to be expensive. Sometimes it’s the small things that make the biggest difference in a buyer’s mind.

 

Spice up your Gingerbread Recipe!

Here is a fun Gingerbread recipe blended with sugar cookie as well! This recipe is so easy, and is a great way to get your kids involved with the Holiday baking as well!

striped ginger cookies*

Ingredients

• 1/2 of a 16-1/2-ounce package  refrigerated sugar cookie dough
• 2 tablespoons  all-purpose flour
• 1/2 of a 16-1/2-ounce package  refrigerated gingerbread cookie dough
• 2 tablespoons  all-purpose flour

directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a medium bowl, combine sugar cookie dough and 2 tablespoons flour. Using a wooden spoon, stir until well mixed. In another medium bowl, combine gingerbread cookie dough and 2 tablespoons flour; stir until well mixed.

2. Shape both doughs into 1-inch balls. To shape each cookie, roll one ball of each color into a 4-inch-long rope. Lay ropes side by side, then twist and roll together to make an 8-inch-long rope. Cut each rope into six pieces. Place pieces on an ungreased cookie sheet.

3. Bake in the preheated oven for 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are set. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; let cool. Makes about 96 cookies.

4. To Store: Layer cookies between waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

 

* Recipe courtesy and product of:http://www.bhg.com/recipe/cookies/striped-ginger-cookies/

5 Tips to Sell Your Home in the Winter

5 Tips to Sell a Home in the Winter

HOLIDAY GLOW: Help your sellers add an inviting holiday ambience to their home that will entice winter buyers.

Selling a home in December, January or February in frigid climates can be a tough task with a slowdown in market activity and chilly weather.

Typically, buyers searching in the winter months are more serious. And sellers who are motivated to close quickly can make it happen with your help this winter.

Here are five tips from RE/MAX Associates in Northern Illinois that you can share with your clients:

1. Let those lights shine. “Turn on all interior lights for a showing – even in closets and utility/mechanical rooms – and make sure all the bulbs are working. Stock up on all the right bulbs for your lamps and fixtures so you can replace burned out bulbs immediately. Also, it’s a great idea to keep front exterior lights on even if no showings are scheduled.  Open drapes and blinds to let in light and show visitors the view.”
– Marlene Granacki, RE/MAX Exclusive Properties, Chicago

2. Make entry easy. “Winter showings can get off to an awkward start if prospective buyers arrive with snow or salt on their shoes.  Make it easy for buyers to deal with their shoes when they arrive by putting out a nice, festive area rug at the front door so visitors can wipe their feet, and have slippers or disposable booties available. Also, put out a bench, if there’s room for one, where visitors can sit and remove their shoes.”
– Barbara Hibnick, RE/MAX Showcase, Long Grove

3. Keep odors under control.  “Homes can be stuffy in winter when windows are rarely opened, and that can allow odors to build up, which is a huge turn-off to buyers. Pet odors can be especially worrisome in winter. Use a room fragrance if needed, but nothing too strong, and clean more often (especially cat litter, which should be changed daily). Consider using an air purifier and adjusting your thermostat so that your furnace fan runs throughout the day to move air through the house and dissipate odors.”
– Mike Mondello, RE/MAX Team 2000, Orland Park

4. Make it festive. “Appropriate holiday decorations can give your home a cheerful look during the winter months – and even help homes sell, however, don’t go to extremes. Small, decorative white lights on trees and bushes are OK through the winter season, but other decorations should be taken down quickly once the holiday passes.”
– Starr Zook, RE/MAX on Track, Aledo

5. Keep it comfy. Adjust your thermostat so the temperature is warm, but comfortable; you don’t want it too hot or cold. “When it comes to keeping heating bills under control, don’t use plastic sheeting to insulate your windows. You may save a few hundred dollars on heating costs if you cover the windows with plastic, but it could cost you thousands on the sales price because buyers might believe they will have to replace the windows,” Hibnick says.

© 2010 RE/MAX, LLC. RE/MAX Affiliates may share this article, provided they do not charge for it and this notice is included. All other rights reserved.

 

Short Sales Must Increase in ’11.

Liniger: Short Sales Must Increase in ’11

COVER: Dave Liniger’s column appears in the December issue of DS News.

Although the concept of short sales gained momentum in 2010, the number of successful closings remained woefully small, Dave Liniger says in his “Ground Forces” column in the December issue of DS News. (Download a PDF.) Short sales should be a priority for servicers and lenders in 2011, he says.

An excerpt from the column, which is headlined “Selling It Short: Real Estate Pros Must Work Diligently Next Year to Ensure Short Sales Don’t Fall Short of Expectations” and referenced on the magazine’s front cover:

“It’s time for avoidable problems such as lost files, conflicting responses, and inadequate communication to be minimized or eliminated altogether. It’s essential for servicers to be specific about what they need, Realtors to follow those directions carefully, and everyone to cooperate throughout the process.”

Liniger acknowledges that untrained agents clog the system with short sale transactions that have little chance of closing. But he also notes that others could close more sales if they received adequate support from the servicing side. An excerpt:

“Tens of thousands of sales professionals have invested time and money to get the serious training they need. They’re as skilled in short sales as they are in any other transaction, and they are the ones getting the job done. … There’s an art to it, and credentialed, experienced agents bring specific skills to the table.

“In fact, servicers who truly wish to close more short sales would do so if they directed potential sellers to these most qualified agents. One approach is for a servicer to proactively identify and contact strong short-sale candidates among its defaulting borrowers and then help those consumers connect with capable agents. I know that at RE/MAX, we have suggested this strategy to several lenders, proposing to create a link between families in distress and the agents – whether they’re in our organization or not – who provide the best chances for successful closings. Such programs work in the interests of servicers, investors, sellers and buyers, and also reduce the number of fraudulent, unrealistic or incomplete submissions in the pipeline.”

In closing, the RE/MAX Chairman is hopeful for better results next year:

“As an industry, we wasted far too much time and effort on failed short sales this year. But with a foundation now in place, there’s good reason to expect a more productive 2011. We should start with virtually all portfolio loans with few or no encumbrances, and work from there. The benefits of short sales to all parties – including the other homeowners in a neighborhood – are widely accepted at this point. If all of the professionals involved understand their roles and work diligently to keep things on track, more short sales will close. And each one that does will further strengthen this very real solution for families in distress.”

© 2010 RE/MAX, LLC. RE/MAX Affiliates may share this article, provided they do not charge for it and this notice is included. All other rights reserved.

 

Welcome New Agent!

Welcome to our new agent, Tina Yakel!

We are so excited to have Tina join our RE/MAX Family.

2011 Forecast

Below is an article that suggests that things just may be turning around in 2011.

Check it out at : http://www.remax-oa.com/media-newsroom/article/63/

How to save money on your groceries!

Below is a wonderful website that gives great tips on how to save money in the grocery store. In today’s economy, every little bit helps!

Enjoy!

http://manofthehouse.com/money/budget/bargain-buying-your-groceries

Tis the season…

Now that Thanksgiving is officially over, the Holiday season is upon us! Before we know it, it will be Christmas time! Here are a few quick tips to keep your Holiday season as relaxed as possible!

 

http://www.christmas-celebrations.com/shopping_tips.htm

No. 1 Producer’s Advice: ‘Be Seen’

The No. 1 RE/MAX producer internationally isn’t afraid to put herself out there to gain new clients. From friends and neighbors to hairdressers and electricians, Jenny Heroldt of RE/MAX Masters (Weltevreden Park) in Johannesburg, South Africa, will talk real estate with anyone, anywhere.

“If you want to grow your business, the community has to see you involved and giving back,” says Heroldt, who tops the international individuals rankings through July. “Whether you sponsor bake sales or offer a RE/MAX branded jumping castle for a kids’ event, do things that will get you noticed. Word of mouth is a very powerful way to gain leads.”

Here are her other tips for success:

1. Get a mentor. Ongoing training is vital to your success. Find a mentor within your office and use the training resources provided by RE/MAX University. I attend road shows, which are often sponsored by banks or bond originators to discuss financing trends and issues. In South Africa, real estate agents must take national qualification training to ensure they know consumers’ rights and related laws.

2. Listen. If you want to be an effective negotiator, you have to listen to your clients. Show empathy, but never get emotional about an issue. Stick to the facts. Always be ready to offer solutions by anticipating issues in the process. Stay in constant communication with your clients.

3. Know the market. Research local market conditions and stay current on financing issues. In South Africa, many banks are not granting loans having tightened requirements, and buyers are unable to come up with money for deposits and other costs. We educate our buyers up front about the costs they are responsible for.

4. Treat clients like gold. Stay in constant contact with your database by phone and e-mail. Send messages to past clients on important occasions, such as birthdays and anniversaries.

5. Join a team. Working on a team is hugely beneficial; it offers great support and work systems that allow you to list and sell effectively. You share the workload and are viewed as a powerful, dynamic force by prospective clients.

6. Love what you do. I automatically share my passion for real estate – and for RE/MAX – with everyone I meet, and I like to lift people up when they are feeling low. You need a positive attitude in this business. Focus on offering the best service you can, and clients will repay you with referrals down the road.

© 2010 RE/MAX, LLC. RE/MAX Affiliates may share this article, provided they do not charge for it and this notice is included. All other rights reserved.

 

7 Tips on how to be an asset manager’s agent of choice.

By Amanda Okker, RE/MAX Times Online Editor

For more than 15 years, Dean Rosenburg has devoted his time and expertise to working with asset managers.

The Hall of Fame member with RE/MAX Innovations in Kansas City, Mo., has cemented numerous asset manager relationships since 1994, when he stumbled upon the then-niche market. He closes hundreds of REO transactions a year, averaging 90 to 100 listings at any given time. He closed 245 transactions in 2008 alone, earning is way into the U.S. Top 100 group of individual agents and the Chairman’s Club.

“There’s been a lot of finger-pointing lately in the media and even in the industry,” says Rosenburg (CDPE), a Platinum Club member. “Asset managers are under tremendous pressure to produce, too. Yes, sometimes a failed transaction is the bank’s fault, but I’ve seen many transactions fall apart because of agents’ lack of experience and diligence.

“There’s plenty of blame to go around, but you have to work harder than ever before if you’re going to be part of a permanent solution.”

Here are Rosenburg’s tips for becoming an asset manager’s agent of choice:

1. Be visible to be noticed – I find it’s sometimes luck of the draw making initial contact with asset managers, but being in the right places at the right times helps tremendously.  Everything I have ever been told doesn’t work has worked. I also go to some of the REOMAC, Five Star and Corelogic gatherings whenever I can. Many times there will be asset managers at these conferences but you don’t always know who they are, but if you network with other REO agents you can find yourself networking with asset managers those agents work with.  It’s a great opportunity to hand out your business card.
2. Do BPOs and do them well – I hear people say that BPOs don’t work, but I started out doing as many as I could and still do several. One time I received a call from an asset manager who saw one of my BPOs and asked if I wanted to list the property. I’ve made more than $1 million in commission from providing that one BPO.
3. Prioritize title work – If you don’t have that title work expertise, ask your title company for guidance. You want to look for any tax liens or other problems now that can be cleared in time for closing. You don’t want to discover them two or three days before closing and have to delay. You might close a month later, but you failed because the asset manager was counting on an on-time closing. Many agents cross their fingers hoping title will clear, instead of taking the extra steps to be sure.
4. Study financing – Financing is a challenge in REO, so you almost have to become an expert to make the transactions work. You need to know the various types of financing and rehabilitation programs. Also, I often call the lender to try and determine how strong the buyer is. It’s no good, for instance, to enter into a contract with an FHA buyer if the property won’t qualify for FHA. It’s an extra step, but then I’m not wasting anyone’s time.
   
5. Triple-check paperwork – Always make sure the file is right before it goes to the bank. If paperwork comes in from the buyer’s agent, my attorney audits the file to make sure all applicable boxes are checked, signatures and dates are completed and all required pieces of paper are accounted for. When the process is held up because you didn’t take the time to triple check, think about how that reflects on you when an asset manager goes to assign the next listing.
   
6. Identify problems early – Asset managers are extremely busy, and I try to make sure they don’t have to deal with something I can handle. When I identify problems with inspections, appraisals or anything else, I let the asset manager know right away and indicate how I’m handling it. Keep them updated on the progress, too; it doesn’t have to be much more than a quick e-mail.
   
7. Don’t be a performer, just perform – You should not send big gifts and engage in gimmicky look-at-me practices. Handling transactions in a professional, efficient manner is all it takes to land at the top of asset managers’ referral lists. That’s not to say I never show appreciation. In years past, I’ve bought angels off the Salvation Army tree and donated them in asset managers’ names. I’m also a longtime supporter of Children’s Miracle Network and participate in the Miracle Home Program. I make a donation with each closed transaction, and have sent Honor Cards to asset managers. It’s something I’ll do for any good client, because it’s just good service.

© 2010 RE/MAX, LLC. RE/MAX Affiliates may share this article, provided they do not charge for it and this notice is included. All other rights reserved.