Entries Tagged 'General' ↓

Increasingly those who are selling and buying property are enlisting the help of an online estate agent. For first timers this can be a daunting task as most people only really have experience with a high street branch. This is not to say that the high street agent is no longer a viable option, it is just as technology and more specifically the internet becomes and increasingly large part of our lives, people will naturally want to sell and buy homes over the internet.

The internet has allowed estate agents to improve their customer service by providing online applications. Fundamentally it has widened their horizons enabling them to increase the size of their audience and client base. This had led to the creation of the modern estate agent, who has the ability to utilise a variety of methods to get the job done. What will worry some however will be whether using an online estate agent is any harder than a high street one?

Well put simply the answer is no. Some customers have found using an online estate agent much easier and a whole lot less stressful. This is because an online agent puts you in charge of the sale of your home; it removes the middle man and the spiel of sales person making the process easier. Subsequently, online selling is becoming popular as many consider it smoother and faster than the old style estate agent.

That is not to say that the high street estate agent is completely obsolete. An estate agent can provide sellers, but especially buyers with unique and valuable information that online services cannot match. For instance, the local area, schools, neighbours and how house prices in that area are being affected by economic conditions. What is clear is that while an online estate agency service may well be easier for some, others will find the human interface of the high street agent better, and more useful.

The process of using an online estate agent is simple enough; the first step is to register your property with the site that you have chosen to use. This will pretty much be the same information taken by the high street agent although instead of verbally giving the information it is entered into an online form. This way it only takes a short time and your details can be submitted in full. Once again however, some people will always prefer the human element when giving the details because of trust issues.

Once you have submitted your details the usual practise is either to contact or be contacted by a local property advisor. Normally a number is provided or you are asked to supply a suitable time for them to ring. After this, it is the job of the online estate agent to put your house on all of the major property websites to ensure it receives enough exposure. The process when using a human agent is much the same, it purely requires slightly more legwork on the part of the property owner to find a suitable agency.

Searching online to buy homes is rapidly becoming a popular market trend. While originally many have used these sites purely to judge house prices and find properties like the ones they would eventually want to buy; today increasing amounts of people are going through the process of buying online. Once again however, having an estate agent at this stage can be important, the human element cannot be underestimated and while you may think it possible to find all there is about any particular area on the internet, the knowledge possessed by your agent is invaluable.

What must be considered is whether online agents really offer something different from their high street counterparts. Naturally the ease of online services will appeal to some but for many the process of buying or selling property is personal. Having an agent that is sympathetic of your needs and recognises your individuality will be far more preferable for some than purely being a name on a list.

Property expert Thomas Pretty weighs the benefits of an online estate agent in comparison with high street agencies. To find out more please visit www.haart.co.uk/

It is a well recognised fact that the majority of buyers will make a decision on a property within the first minute of seeing it. This does not give you long to make the most of your assets but there are certain free and almost free strategies you can employ beyond the old ‘baking bread’ routine. If you want buyers to meet the valuation price it is vital that you use some of these techniques, the sale of your property depends upon it.

Most people are aware that a clean and well presented property will sell quicker and for a figure closer to its valuation than a dirty one. This article will present some tips that if not free, are at least inexpensive. While most people do not have the money to invest in major renovations to their property or adding an extension to improve the valuation, with a little time and effort the price you receive from a buyer can be increased.

Fundamentally, these tips are concerned with improving the aesthetics; the majority of buyers are especially swayed by the look of a property, not necessarily its valuation in terms of actual worth. The number one tip therefore is tidy your house thoroughly before any visits, this is free and simply requires effort on your part. The clean does not even have to be a spring clean from top to bottom; by tidying away debris, rubbish and items such as children’s toys it is possible to make the best of your home, showing the space off to its greatest ability.

In terms of the gardens if you want the property to live up to its valuation, something free that you can do is to cut back the bushes and shrubbery to ensure they look neat and appealing; this is especially true around the house, if you have a bigger garden you may get away with some unruly growth. Well trimmed bushes and shrubs will however make the property look well maintained, this is subconscious on the part of the buyer but will definitely help you achieve that valuation price you are after, and once again this action is free and well worthwhile.

Although not free, it may be worth buying inexpensive flowers for the exterior as well as the interior of the property. Attractive flowerbeds in and around windows and doorframes can be an especially strong selling point. The same can be said for well manicured and landscaped lawns. Current estimates show that properties that have undergone landscaping receive four to five percent higher prices when it comes to a sale, that much closer to the original valuation figure.

If your window frames and doorframes are made of wood ensure these are in good condition. This can be free or cost as little as a pack of sandpaper and some varnish. All it takes is a weekend spent sanding and varnishing, restoring the frames to their former glory. This will considerably improve the buyer’s response and get you closer to the valuation price. Buyers look at these kinds of details as potential problems so by making sure they look clean and tidy, as well as sturdy will make your property more appealing.

While painting the whole of your house may be an expensive remedy to a tired looking exterior, a tin of touch up paint allowing you to tackle the worst affected areas can be a great solution. This should also be applied internally making sure any chipped paint is remedied and made good. The effects will be considerable giving your house a much cleaner and tidier appearance.

The name of the game when selling your property is to get as close to the valuation price as possible. By utilising these tips that in the large part are free or at least inexpensive, the sale of your home can be speeded up and the price it sells for can be improved.

Real estate expert Thomas Pretty looks into ways to make you house worth more and how a free property valuation is vital when selling your home. To find out more please visit www.haart.co.uk/sell-house/house-valuation-online.aspx

Foreclosure! A term no one wants to become too familiar with. But, if problems have escalated beyond your control and you are no longer able to meet your mortgage obligations…there are ways to deal with the situation.

First and foremost - Don’t be in denial! Educate yourself and learn about your options before this forest fire burns out of control. How you choose to respond to the default will determine your financial status for years to come.

In my experience, a foreclosure is the worst possible detriment on your credit report…even worse than a bankruptcy. So, take steps right up front to preserve and protect your credit to the best of your ability.

Here are 5 ways to prevent the worst from happening:

1 - Contact your lender! Let them know about your situation and try to work out a plan for getting back on track. They don’t want a foreclosure any more than you do…and many times they will work with you to re-establish your mortgage. They might offer you interest only for a short period of time…or they might re-structure your mortgage by putting your past-due payments on the back end of your loan to help bring you current…or they might waive late fees. Who knows? And it certainly doesn’t hurt to try!

If you come to an agreement with your lender - be sure to get it in writing. You might also be wise to have an attorney review it before signing. And then be sure to live up to your end of the agreement.

If you see that keeping your home is not an option … carefully consider your alternatives to foreclosure.

2 - Re-finance the loan. This may not be the answer if you’re already to the default stage - but it’s worth looking into. You will need to have some equity in your home in order to do this, but in some instances it could lower your payments and save your home.

3 - Sell the home or consider a short sale. Consult with a real estate professional about the current market and what it will take to sell the house quickly. Remember, it’s much better to break even and walk away from the house than to have a foreclosure on your record.

If you find yourself upside down on the mortgage - consider a short sale. It’s best to discuss this with a real estate professional and allow that person to negotiate with your lender. In many situations - the lender will accept a short sale…again because it saves them from going through the foreclosure process.

4 - Deed-in-lieu-of Foreclosure. This means that you relinquish your rights to the home and simply sign the deed to the home over to the lender. Discuss this remedy with your lender because both of you will have to agree on it.

A deed in lieu of foreclosure is good for the lender because they don’t have to wait until foreclosure proceedings are finished to sell the house. It will save them considerable expenses and court costs as well. And it can be good for you - because you won’t have the foreclosure on your record.

5 - Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. This is usually a last resort…but can be preferable over a foreclosure. Bankruptcy will stop a foreclosure - and can prevent your being sued for a deficiency judgment. And, if you re-establish credit - it may not be as harsh on your credit as a foreclosure. Most attorneys offer a free consultation if you are considering bankruptcy…so why not take advantage of this offer. Your financial future is on the line!

Pam Rumley is a veteran real estate broker in the Nashville, TN area. She is a true Exclusive Buyer’s Agent, which means that her office never takes listings.

For more information, visit her comprehensive website www.NashvilleRealEstateAuthority.com