right
Home Contact Us
Home
Buying
Selling
commercial
Contact Us
left
 
the gramercy of century
the knightbridge residences
 
 
center
Home > Selling
 
 
Are you selling your property? Or investment properties?  We are looking for the best investment property opportunities worldwide. We are based in the Philippines and we have a global client base who is interested in purchasing high quality property with very good potential for return.
.
Please contact me with details of your best available developments.
 
A Little Interest Pays Handsomely When It Comes to Selling Your Home
Regardless of whether someone is buying for the first time or he or she is a seasoned buyer if you are the seller you will want to make sure your property will show the best it can. The following tips will give you an edge over other sellers in what can be a very tight market.

The Three-to-Five-Year Holding Plan (Military Strategy)
The issue at hand is whether buying real estate and having to sell it within three to five years would in fact be enough time to recoup and actually make a profit, while at the same time ensuring that when they did sell they would be relatively comfortable in knowing that they indeed would make a fair profit for taking the supposed risk.

Understanding Loan Terms
When considering an investment property loan from an institutional lender, you need to consider many of the variables involved in the loan terms being offered.

Attention: For Sale By Owners!
Why People Are Afraid To Buy From You!

Ten Questions You Must Ask a Realtor Before You List or....You Could Lose Big!
Most of us sell only a small number of homes in our lifetimes. With limited experience in real estate how are we to be capable of maximizing the profits from our home sale?

Seven Selling Mistakes You Don't Want to Make!
Seven common mistakes you don't want to make when selling your home.

How to Sell Your Home at the Highest Possible Price
Making a mistake in selling a home can cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars in lost profit. Often home sellers make the same mistakes over and over. Avoiding these mistakes is easy and takes little time and effort on your part.
Easing the Transition to Your New Home
Tips to help you make a smooth move into your new home.

Ready To List With A Real Estate Agent?
13 Things Your Agent Must Do To Maximize Your Profits!

How to Get Every Dollar You Deserve....by Getting the Full Value of Your House!
The ability to reap additional profits on the sale of your home can be accomplished easily enough if you make the right improvements.

Finding the Best Real Estate Professional
Finding the right real estate professional requires doing a little research and asking a few questions. You need to know everything about the selling process.

Avoid Mistakes That Could Cost You Thousands
Selling your home can be an exhausting experience. Last minute walk throughs, inconvenient calls, price adjustment and the possibility of being stuck with two mortgages are real concerns. If you are not completely prepared you could end up losing hundreds, even thousands, of dollars in profit.

How To Ask The Right Questions Before You List Again!
Interview With Confidence....Make A Choice That Will Help You Sell Your Home Faster And....For More Money!

What is Escrow?
The Escrow Process - Both buyer and seller deserve the assurance that no funds or property will change hands until all of the instructions in the Purchase Contract have been satisfied.

The 10 Minute Showing Drill
You may receive a call requesting a showing in the next ten minutes. The decision to allow the prospective buyers in is yours. If you elect to cooperate with the showing, the following punch list may help.

Property Condition - Seller’s What to Expect During the Inspection Process
The Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS) – Perhaps the most important paper you will complete when selling your home. Most sellers (other than institutional type) are required by law to disclose facts and defects, which materially affect the value or desirability of their home.

75 Tips on Preparing your Home For Sale
If you are thinking of selling your home, there are a number of things you can do to improve the “showability” of your home. But first, let’s look at your home through the eyes of the buyer.
Determining the Listing Price
Pricing your home is an art not a science. Achieving the optimal prices is the result of both objective research into similar properties and instinct in determining how much a buyer will be willing to pay for your home.

The Listing Agent’s Role in Marketing Your Home
Every home seller likes to be assured that their listing agent and or the real estate company will run ads featuring their home. Of course, Realtors and their brokerages will run ads featuring your house, but not necessarily for the reasons the seller expects.

Top 10 Mistakes Sellers Make When Choosing a Realtor
Selling a home should be like any other business transaction, but all too often sellers make emotional or impulsive decisions that cost them money and time. Choosing the right Realtor to market a property and negotiate the sale is the most important step in the process.

Get Full Value with a Full Time Real Estate Professional
It probably doesn’t bother you that your waiter works part-time and is in school full time. Part-time store clerks are perfectly acceptable. On the other hand, you would probably think twice about a part-time surgeon or a part-time nuclear engineer.

A Fast Sale Can Be All In The Way You Market
Why does one home in a neighborhood sell faster than another that is similar in price and size? Marketing!

Should An Owner Keep Rental Property Vacant or Tenant Occupied During the Listing Period?
This has been hotly debated for many years; whether to leave your rental property rented out to others or have the unit vacated during the listing period. You've decided to sell your investment property; a single family condominium, townhouse, or home and you don't know whether to leave it empty or keep it rented.
Selling a Home
back to top

Avoid Mistakes That Could Cost You Thousands

Selling your home can be an exhausting experience. Last minute walk throughs, inconvenient calls, price adjustment and the possibility of being stuck with two mortgages are real concerns. If you are not completely prepared you could end up losing hundreds, even thousands, of dollars in profit.

The difference between a profitable smooth transaction and a break even, miserable experience is often a fine line. In the majority of cases it comes down to the subtle know how of your professional. By utilizing the knowledge of a well-trained real estate investor, you'll ensure the quick, profitable sale of your home. This report is designed to arm you with the knowledge to avoid 11 common mistakes that cost sellers serious money.

  1. Refusing to Make Profit Inducing Repairs
    It always costs you more money to sell 'as is' than to make repairs that will increase the value of your home. Even minor improvements will often yield as much as three to five times the repair cost at the time of sale. Your agent will be able to point out what repairs will significantly increase the value of your home. Seemingly small fix up jobs can have quite an impact.
  2. Not Considering Other Financing Terms
    Cash is not always the most advantageous transaction. Income level, tax benefits and current legislation are all critical factors when considering purchase terms. Professional Real Estate Investors are experts at home transactions and can lead you down the path that will give you the highest yield.
  3. Provide Easy Access for Showings
    Accessibility is a major key to profitability. Appointment-only showings are the most restrictive, while a lock box is the least. However there are certain considerations to take into account: your lifestyle, time frame for the desired sale and the relationship with the person representing your interests. The more accessible your home is, the better the odds of finding a person willing to pay your asking price. You never know if the one that couldn't get a viewing was the one that got away. By developing a trusting relationship with an investor, he or she will show the home with your best interests in mind.
  4. Priced Too Low/Priced Too High
    One critical reason to find an experienced professional real estate investment professional is to make sure the property is priced appropriately for a timely and profitable sale. If the property is priced too high it will sit and develop the identity of a problem property. If it's priced too low it could cost you considerable profits. The real estate market has subtle nuances and market changes that should be re-evaluated by your representaive every 10-14 days to help you maximize your return.
  5. Relying Solely on Traditional Methods To Sell Your Home
    The real estate professional who is innovative and willing to offer new strategies of attracting home buyers will always outperform those who rely on traditional methods. Demand around the clock advertising exposure, innovative lead generation methods and lead accountability. These services exist and should be offered on your home sale.
  6. Market Timing/Seasonal Selling
    Just as a broker who continually follows the trends of a stock, your real estate professional continually follows trends of your home market. They will know if the market cycle is poised to net you the most money. Avoid believing that property sales are seasonal.. property is always selling.
  7. Refusing to Make Cosmetic Changes
    The prospective home buyer's first impression is the most important. Hundreds ordf thousands of home sales have been lost to unkempt lawns, cluttered rooms, bad stains, unpleasant odors... all the seemingly little things. Imagine you were the home buyer and clean your place from top to bottom... military style.
  8. Wasting Time With An Unqualified Prospect
    Your representative's responsibility is to screen a prospect's qualifications before valuable time is lost. Be sure to align yourself with the right professional and eliminate negotiating with unqualified prospects.
  9. Don't Test The Market
    Never put your property on line to sell unless you are serious. The right professional will find you buyers and if you are harboring indecision... you will blow the sale.
  10. Believing You are Powerless to Make a Difference
    Be a part of the team! Take an active role with your real estate professional to see what you can do to facilitate your sale. Networking with professional peers and personal friends often results in the sale of a home. It's surprising how many homes are sold this way.
Believing All Realtors, Brokers & Others are the Same
With all the intricate details and critical decisions to be made concerning your home sale, should you rely on anyone but an experienced real estate investment professional? Many friends and family members have been estranged as a result of failing to meet expectations. Your home sale is a time consuming, effort related, difficult task. Maximize your profit by utilizing a experienced real estate investment professional.
back to top
Finding the Best Real Estate Professional

Finding the right real estate professional requires doing a little research and asking a few questions. You need to know everything about the selling process. What is the marketing strategy? What kind of advertising will be done? Is the Realtor capable and willing to communicate effectively? Can the Realtor effectively present and sell the less-noticeable assets of the property?
Real estate professionals also need to be knowledgeable about the community. They need to have a feel for the history of the area and the approximate price that people will be willing to pay. Also, real estate agents should know what the competition is and how much it will effect your sale.
NEVER choose a Realtor on price alone. Remember that a Realtor cannot magically raise the selling price of the house. Consider the buyer. The purchaser won't willingly pay too much; it's most likely that he or she will do research on the market and try to find the best product for the best price. The facts simply cannot be changed, no matter which Realtor you select. In spite of these unchangeable factors, the Realtor you select must still be diligent and knowledgable.
If your property does not elicit attention within several weeks, the cause can most likely be attributed to one of these three factors: location, condition, and price. The location obviously cannot be changed. You should consider examining the conditioning of your property and reevaluating the marketing strategy. Ask your Realtor to offer an explanation of the competition and your pricing strategy.

back to top
How to Sell Your Home at the Highest Possible Price

Making a mistake in selling a home can cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars in lost profit. Often home sellers make the same mistakes over and over. Avoiding these mistakes is easy and takes little time and effort on your part. Take the time with your home sale and follow the guidelines in this report.

  1. Distress Selling: At times, selling quickly is unavoidable. That’s when knowing the right techniques to sell your home without looking desperate and making yourself a target for low bidders really pays off. Know all there is to know about the market before listing and work hand in hand with the right real estate professional. Ensure that you are not settling for the first offer through the door.
  2. Best Home in the Neighborhood: Your home is one of your most personal possessions. Don’t be blind to flaws and needed cosmetic improvements. This will cause overvaluing of the home, hurting it’s chances to be sold. Listing with the right agent gives you a well informed third eye that will help you price your home at a fair market price.
  3. Limited Home Viewing: Buyers want to view a home on their own time schedule. Unfortunately their time schedule does not always coincide with your time schedule. Leave a lockbox or key with your agent so your home can be shown when you are not around. You never know if the one who got away was your buyer.
  4. Restrain Emotional Decisions: Don’t allow a few hundred dollarsto ruin a sale. That money will mean very little to you in the long run. Take a look at the big picture and react rationally. Use sound business judgment!
  5. Make Cosmetic Improvements: Prospects make up their minds within the first twenty minutes. First impressions can make all the difference in selling your home. Spending $1,200 on new carpet might add another $4,000 to the price of your home. Get an objective point of view from your real estate professional. They can provide you with a list of items that will maximize the profit of your home sale.
  6. Disclose Property Flaws: Property disclosure laws require sellers to list any flaws required by your state. If you are unaware of flaws or attempt to cover them up, you risk losing the sale and finding yourself in court. Get professional assistance from your agent who can introduce you to qualified inspectors and ensure the smooth sale of your home.
  7. For Sale By Owner: Most homeowners who decide to sell their own home do so because they believe they can save the commission paid to the real estate agent. Everything has a price and selling a home carries a high one. The enormous amount of time and effort required to sell a home often surprises the "For Sale By Owner." Furthermore, many costly mistakes can be avoided with the right guidance.
  8. Refusing to Trust Your Agent: Would you tell a physician that you’ve decided to run your own tests and come to your own diagnosis? By choosing the right Realtor, you can relax and trust their judgment. The right agent is a valuable team member who will protect your best interests and make your sale as profitable as possible.
  9. Know Your Market: Most homes that do not sell in their first listing period are priced too high. Conversely, most homes that sell quickly are priced too low and cheat the homeowner out of profits. You need to understand the market and evaluate the value of your home based on fact, not gut instinct or conventional wisdom. A professional agent knows the market, just as you know the market for your business.
  10. Choosing a Realtor Based on Personal Relationships: Home sellers often pick a friend or family member as their agent. Choose an agent with a strong track record and aggressive Marketing Plan. A top producer knows the market well and can generate many buyers. Selling your home is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make! Base it on good, sound business sense and the rewards will add up.
Before you make one of your most important decisions regarding your home sale shouldn’t you become as informed as possible? By aligning yourself with a top agent you ensure that all the important issues and seemingly insignificant but....very important....details are handled professionally. Your home sale should not be a grueling ordeal. The more informed you are, the better chance you have of making a sound business decision.
back to top
How to Get Every Dollar You Deserve....by Getting the Full Value of Your House!

The ability to reap additional profits on the sale of your home can be accomplished easily enough if you make the right improvements. Many changes can provide the prospective buyer with enhanced feelings about your home. Feelings of more space, more light, more rooms, more closet space, greater privacy, warmth and security. Basic, simple and inexpensive improvements can provide an improved emotional response in a potential buyer.

An example could be something as small as a crack in the paint on a wall. Simply by applying some plaster and touch up paint, you eliminated what may be an unstated concern that your home was poorly maintained. Though the feeling may be unconscious, it’s just as important that the potential buyer feel an overall desire for your home. If you are working with a small budget these simple techniques will work absolute wonders:

The Magic of Mirrors!
Mirrors can provide a greater sense of space and elegance when properly placed. Be careful not to overdo it, but when placed properly throughout your home, each area will seem larger to the potential home buyer. Try looking in your attic or basement for any old mirrors, but be sure they have a nice frame or at least give the frame a new coat of paint. You may also want to visit a local flea market or garage sale, you can almost always get a great deal on an old mirror or two. Putting one foot square mirrors on a closet door in the master bedroom is always an attractive touch.
Adding Additional Closet Space
One of the biggest complaints heard from potential buyers is that there just isn’t enough closet space! Simply purchasing an inexpensive closet organizer and installing it in any or all of your closets can make all the difference. You can also try putting a rod across one corner of a bedroom for hanging clothes. Also you could try hanging a screen made from a variety of materials. The screen could match the material of the bedspread, drapes etc. The idea here is to be creative so that the "fake closet" looks as though it was a part of the room.
Make a Bare Wall Beautiful
Wallpaper is inexpensive, quick and easy to do! The right wallpaper can brighten the room or hallway and bring it back to life. Be careful to choose something with a neutral design or pattern, remember you’re trying to move out.
Bring Old Floors Back to Life!
Nothing turns off a potential buyer quicker than dull, dingy, disgusting looking floors. Whether you have wax, wooden or tiled floors do whatever you can to make them shine again! For wax floors, either rent a floor machine and do it yourself or, if it’s in your budget, hire a professional. Have a professional give you an estimate and explain exactly what they would do to bring your floors back to life. If you have them explain what they would do, it may be just as easy to do it yourself. If you have carpeted floors you should either have the carpet steam cleaned or install new carpeting. This may sound expensive but new carpeting can add thousands of dollars to the value of your home.
Add Attractive Plants
Having plants in the house is not only healthy for you but you create a warm feeling with them. Many indoor plants are far less expensive then you might imagine. Attractive pots such as ceramic, brass or even designer plastic will add a designer flair to your home. Hanging plants such as Boston ferns are inexpensive, easy to care for and would go great in your new home wherever you move.
Adding a Room Without Calling in the Contractor!
This simple but seldom used technique, can give a buyer the feeling there are more actual rooms in your house. Floor to ceiling room dividers are inexpensive and simple to install. When a buyer walks through your home, they will generally count the rooms in a subconscious manner. Each room will present an emotional response as they walk through your home. By dividing and designing each side of your room, you create a " separate room" feeling in the potential buyer. It may sound crazy but it works!
Clean Up the Bathroom
We’ve probably all heard that phrase a hundred times growing up as children! Well guess what? It’s still valid. Give your bathroom a face-lift if needed: fresh paint, decorative moldings, tile grout, new designer faucets are allattractive eye catchers.
What is That Smell?

Though people don’t like to admit it, everyone's home has a certain smell to it. We just never notice it because we live with it day in, day out. Strategically placing fresh scent devices throughout the home will be pleasant to the nose of any potential buyer. As a matter of fact, an old Realtor trick is to pop some cinnamon rolls in an oven 5 minutes before a showing. I bet you thought all Realtors just had a sweet-tooth!
back to top
Ten Questions You Must Ask a Realtor Before You List or....You Could Lose Big!

Most of us sell only a small number of homes in our lifetimes. With limited experience in real estate how are we to be capable of maximizing the profits from our home sale? Many home sellers make the critical mistake of thinking all Realtors are the same. They list with the first agent who comes along. Does it make good business sense to put the responsibility of selling your home with someone who has no plan or qualifications? This special report will educate you with valuable information that will help you make the best decision concerning: Which real estate agent should you list with?

Start by doing a few hours of research. Ask around... get to know who has the most signs, ads and marketing material in your neighborhood. Who’s the most active agent? Compile a list of agent names and use these questions to help you determine which agent is right for you.

  1. Could you send me some information about yourself? - You can often get a good idea of which agents are the most professional by looking at their promotional materials. If their own materials aren’t professional, how well are they going to market your home? Track how long each agent takes to respond to your request and how quickly they follow up. If they don’t respond efficiently to your listing requests imagine how they’ll handle potential home buyers.
  2. How many homes have you listed and how many homes have you sold in the last six months? - Look for an agent who has experience with homes similar to yours and is active in your area. If your home has special features look for an agent with experience in those areas. Your agent should have a good record of selling homes, not just listing them. After all, this is your ultimate goal.
  3. What is your average length of time from listed to sold? - Don’t automatically assume the shorter time on the market the better. That could reflect selling homes quickly at lowball prices. Look at what the asking price was compared to the selling price. An agent who sells close to the asking price and quick is effective at helping clients determine the right price and helping them get it.
  4. How long have you been in business and what professional organizations do you belong to? - The length of time a real estate agent has been licensed is not a sure fire sign that they’ve been an active seller. They may have been in business for 10 years but only part time, whereas an agent who’s been in business for 2 years may be a real top producer. So take into account what professional organizations they belong to. The minimum should be a licensed professional who’s a member of the local real estate board and multiple listing service as well as the state and National Association of Realtors. Local community groups and associations are also pluses in terms of networking and commitment.
  5. Do you have an assistant or support staff? - By employing someone to handle the details of their business the agent can spend more time servicing your needs. However, make sure you know how much time an agent will spend and how much time their assistant will spend on the sale of your home. It may be fine if the assistant does most of the legwork as long as the agent is there at the most critical times of the transaction period.
  6. How often will you hold open houses? Will they be public or by appointment only? - Simply putting a sign on your lawn and holding open houses every Sunday will not sell your home. Too frequently open houses make the property a target for low ball bidders. Look for an agent with a specific plan for each open house. The plan should be just one facet of a complete marketing plan.
  7. What listing price do you recommend and what is that price based on? - Pricing is the most critical step to selling your home. Take great care in choosing an agent with the knowledge to price your home effectively. Keep in mind the selling price should attract prospective buyers to your home, get you top dollar in the current market and reflect the condition of your home. Be realistic and avoid ‘yes agents’, who will say ‘yes’ to any request or price while your home languishes on the market. Lowball agents will try to talk you into an artificial price simply to sell as fast as possible.
  8. What does the listing agreement entail, what are the beginning and expiration dates, and what are the fee amounts I will be paying? - Have your agent go over every detail in the listing agreement with you until you understand it completely. Make sure the beginning and ending dates are on the agreement; a good standard for length is three months. Know exactly what fees you will be paying and remember that less is not always better. If the agent stands to make very little commission you can bet it will be reflected in the amount of time and effort that is spent marketing your home. If the agent reduces their commission to get the listing it may mean they intend to spend very little money promoting the property. The normal commission is between 5 and 7 percent.
  9. What disclosure laws apply to me and what do I need to be aware of? - Make sure your agent helps you with locating professional inspectors for the various mandatory home inspections required in your area. Create a home marketing file including a property fact sheet, a property transfer disclosure statement, pest control report, applicable C.C.& R’s , applicable study zones report, structural engineering report, property profile from the title company, plans for alterations or additions, and special equipment report for pools, spas, sprinklers and alarm systems. Your agent should be able to handle this for you.
What types of things separate you from your competition and will you give me some feedback? - How effectively will they advertise? Do they have 24-hour advertising capability? Will all the leads be followed up on by your agent’s team or will they go to other agents who may have other listings they would prefer to show? Agents who are innovative and offer new methods of attracting home buyers will measurably outperform agents who rely on methods of the past. Marketing effectively in the 90’s and beyond requires progressive strategies that add value and service for both buyers and sellers!
back to top
Attention: For Sale By Owners!

Why People Are Afraid To Buy From You!
Many homeowners believe that to maximize their profit on a home sale they should sell it themselves. At first glance, they feel selling a home is simple and why should they pay a broker fees for something they could do themselves? In fact, close to 25% of all the homes sold last year were sold for sale by owner (FSBO).

However, close to half of the FSBO’s said that they would hire a professional next time they sold. Thirty percent said they were unhappy with the results they achieved by choosing FSBO. Why?

Many FSBO’s told us that the time, paperwork and everyday responsibilities involved were not worth the amount of money they saved in commissions. For others, the financial savings were even more disappointing. By the time they figured the amount of fees paid to outside consultants, inspectors, appraisers, title lawyers, escrow and loan officers, marketing, advertising... they would have been better off having paid the broker’s fee which would have included many of these charges up front.

Selling a home requires an intimate understanding of the real estate market. If the property is priced too high, it will sit and develop a reputation for being a problem property. If the property is priced too low, you will cost yourself serious money. Some FSBO’s discovered that the lost money as a result of poor decisions outweighed the commission.

Before you decide to sell FSBO, consider these questions and weigh the answers of assuming the responsibility versus employing a professional. A little time spent investigating up front will pay off tenfold in the end.

Questions To Consider:
Do I have the time, energy, know-how, and ability to devote a full forced effort to sell my home?
One of the keys to selling your home efficiently and profitably is complete accessibility. Many homes have sat on the market much longer than necessary because the owner was unwilling or unavailable to show the property. Realize that a certain amount of hours each day is necessary to sell your home.

Am I prepared to deal with an onslaught of buyers who perceive FSBO’s as targets for low balling?
One of the challenges of selling a home is screening unqualified prospects and dealing with lowballers. It often goes unnoticed... how much time, effort and expertise it requires to spot these people quickly. Settling for a lowball bid is usually worse than paying broker commissions.

Am I offering financing options to the buyer? Am I prepared to answer questions about financing?

One of the keys to selling, whether it’s a home, a car... anything, is to have all the necessary information the prospective buyer needs and to offer them options. Think about the last time you purchased something of value, did you make a decision before you had all your ducks in a row? By offering financing options you give the home buyer the ability to work on their terms and open up the possibilities of selling your home quickly and more profitably. A professional real estate agent will have a complete team, from lenders to title reps for you to utilize...they’ll be at your disposal.

Do I fully understand the legal ramifications and necessary steps required in selling a home?

Many home sales have been lost due to incomplete paperwork, lack of inspections or not meeting your states disclosure laws. Are you completely informed of all the steps necessary to sell real estate? If not, a professional would be a wise choice.

Do I have the capability of handling the legal contracts, agreements and any disputes with buyers before or after the offer is presented?

Ask yourself if you are well versed in legalese and if you are prepared to handle disputes with buyers. To avoid any disputes it is wise to put all negotiations and agreements in writing. Many home sales have been lost due to misinterpretation of what was negotiated.

Have I contacted the necessary professionals....title, inspector (home and pest), attorney, and escrow company?

Are you familiar with top inspectors and escrow companies? Don’t randomly select inspectors, attorneys, and title reps. Like any profession there are inadequate individuals who will slow, delay and possibly even cost you the transaction.

back to top
How To Ask The Right Questions Before You List Again!

Your listing has expired and now you’re wondering what to do. The most important question you must ask is, "Where did I go wrong?". The answer is not usually within you, but with the agent you entrusted. Be prepared with the right information so you can interview your prospective agent with confidence and assure you make the right choice this time.

With hundreds or even thousands of dollars at stake and weeks of time invested, don’t risk making the same mistake twice. Make sure your next agent is eminently qualified to sell your home. Don’t risk this decision out of obligation to a friend, family member or acquaintance. Your listing has expired and it’s easy to develop the identity of having a problem property in the market place. Therefore, it’s vital important to choose the right agent this time around.

Typically, most people will ask business associates, family or friends to recommend someone they’ve had good luck with... someone they can trust. Other sellers will watch neighborhood real estate signs to see who is listing many of the homes. Still others rely upon the reputation of the major national franchise companies. Then, of course, there’s always the yellow pages. All of these methods could prove to be disastrous!
Trust Your Instincts First!

When selecting an agent, he or she should be someone you feel good about, someone you’re willing to trust with one of the largest financial transactions you may ever make. This report is designed to empower you with the information necessary to make the right decision before you arrive at the place where you’re ready to sign on the dotted line again. Don’t allow the prospective agent to dictate your time table. If an agent is impatient you should immediately consider them suspect. Be careful.
Do Your Homework!

Ask For References From Past Sellers - Before
you sign another listing agreement, check out references from past sellers. Flattering letters praising the agent’s work in a presentation book are a great start, but dig deeper. Ask for telephone numbers and names of the past three sellers and names of at least two current listings.

                                      Know The Companies Reputation
Ask your business associates, family and friends about the company or agent and listen carefully for the very first thing they say. A company has a reputation in the community. Listen closely for it!

Call The Real Estate Commission
Call and ask about consumer complaints. Be sure and take note of the number and nature but don’t base your entire decision on this information. In a slow or declining market, agents will get more complaints because the sellers are frustrated that their home isn’t moving and they want someone to blame when it’s simply poor market conditions. Therefore, always allow your prospective agent to explain any complaints and if their response seems reasonable, take that into consideration. One other note: if an agent does a large number of transactions per year, they will naturally be exposed to the potential for more of these kinds of comments. If an agent isn’t doing anything, they obviously won’t generate a complaint.

                                               Call The Better Business Bureau
See if the agent has had any bad dealings with his or her customers.

                       Ask For A Record Of The Agent’s Marketing Innovations
How are they dealing with the current market conditions? Is there a plan to beef up their advertising and marketing efforts to benefit the seller? Residential real estate has a long history of economic cycles. The market is either hot, improving, static or declining and with each cycle there has to be a plan to cope with the current market conditions.
Don’t Stop Asking!

Ask for a comparison chart of last year’s sales to this year’s sales. How is the agent and company doing? Ask for a history of the agent; how many companies have they been with and why did they change? If the reason is always money there may be something wrong! Be careful because if your agent changes, companies your listing belongs to the broker and you may get a new inexperienced agent as your replacement... this could be very costly!
Final Questions

           

Ask For A Detailed Marketing Plan – Request a step-by-step plan of the first four weeks, eight weeks and twelve weeks your home will be on the market. Make sure your agent is utilizing the latest innovative technologies for generating sales leads. There are now ways to literally generate leads 24 hours a day! These new marketing tools will help sell your home faster and for more money!

Define Planning Times - Establish a time with your agent to go over the marketing results within the first 15 days. Ask for all showings and feedback from other agents. Help the agent understand that any news is good news because it can help you make adjustments in your marketing plan.

If you follow these suggestions you’re sure to avoid the mistakes of the past. Make sure you’re dealing with a competent professional... making the right choice is worth thousands of dollars and a great sense of "peace of mind."
back to top
Seven Selling Mistakes You Don't Want to Make!

Mistake #1 -- Pricing Your Property Too High
Every seller obviously wants to get the most money for his or her product. Ironically, the best way to do this is NOT to list your product at an excessively high price! A high listing price will cause some prospective buyers to lose interest before even seeing your property. Also, it may lead other buyers to expect more than what you have to offer. As a result, overpriced properties tend to take an unusually long time to sell, and they end up being sold at a lower price.
Mistake #2 -- Mistaking Re-finance Appraisals for the Market Value
Unfortunately, a re-finance appraisal may have been stated at an untruthfully high price. Often, lenders estimate the value of your property to be higher than it actually is in order to encourage re-financing. The market value of your home could actually be lower. Your best bet is to ask your Realtor for the most recent information regarding property sales in your community. This will give you an up-to-date and factually accurate estimate of your property value.
Mistake #3 -- Forgetting to "Showcase Your Home"
In spite of how frequently this mistake is addressed and how simple it is to avoid, its prevalence is still widespread. When attempting to sell your home to prospective buyers, do not forget to make your home look as pleasant as possible. Make necessary repairs. Clean. Make sure everything functions and looks presentable. A poorly kept home in need of repairs will surely lower the selling price of your property and will even turn away some buyers.
Mistake #4 -- Trying to "Hard Sell" While Showing
Buying a house is always an emotional and difficult decision. As a result, you should try to allow prospective buyers to comfortably examine your property. Don't try haggling or forcefully selling. Instead, be friendly and hospitable. A good idea would be to point out any subtle amenities and be receptive to questions.
Mistake #5 -- Trying to Sell to "Looky-Loos"
A prospective buyer who shows interest because of a "for sale" sign he saw may not really be interested in your property. Often buyers who do not come through a Realtor are a good 6-9 months away from buying, and they are more interested in seeing what is out there than in actually making a purchase. They may still have to sell their house, or may not be able to afford a house yet. They may still even be unsure as to whether or not they want to relocate.
Your Realtor should be able to distinguish realistic potential buyers from mere lookers. Realtors should usually find out a prospective buyer's savings, credit rating, and purchasing power in general. If your Realtor fails to find out this pertinent information, you should do some investigating and questioning on your own. This will help you avoid wasting valuable time marketing towards the wrong people. If you have to do this work yourself, consider finding a new Realtor.
Mistake #6 -- Not Knowing Your Rights & Responsibilities
It is extremely important that you are well-informed of the details in your real estate contract. Real estate contracts are legally binding documents, and they can often be complex and confusing. Not being aware of the terms in your contract could cost you thousands for repairs and inspections. Know what you are responsible for before signing the contract. Can the property be sold "as is"? How will deed restrictions and local zoning laws will affect your transaction? Not knowing the answers to these kind of questions could end up costing you a considerable amount of money.
Mistake #7 -- Limiting the Marketing and Advertising of the Property
Your Realtor should employ a wide variety of marketing techniques. Your Realtor should also be committed to selling your property; he or she should be available for every phone call from a prospective buyer. Most calls are received, and open houses are scheduled, during business hours, so make sure that your Realtor is working on selling your home during these hours. Chances are that you have a job, too, so you may not be able to get in touch with many potential buyers.

back to top
Are You Ready To List With A Real Estate Agent?

13 Things Your Agent Must Do To Maximize Your Profits!
Ready to place your home on the market? Do you understand the process and details of selling a home? Before you list with an agent, educate yourself on all the factors that will affect your profit. Be as informed as possible so you can make the absolutely best business decisions. After all, the sale of your home is a business decision!

Most of us are not tuned into the trends and fluctuations of the real estate market. Likewise we are not aware of the necessary steps to maximize profits on the sale of our home. Typically we rely heavily upon an agent to lead us down the most profitable path. When considering our home is usually the most valuable asset we own, doesn't it make sense to list with someone who will maximize our profits? But how do we find that agent?

This report is designed to empower you with critical information necessary to evaluate an agent's qualifications and help you identify the professional top producer. The more meticulous you become in selecting the right agent the higher your profits will be!

Start by doing some research. Find out who the most active agents are in your market. Look at advertising to see how professional it is. Ask friends and family. Drive around the neighborhood looking for yard signs. Then compile a list of agents.

  1. The Phone Interview - Place a call to each of the agents on your list. Document how quickly they returned your call. Remember: they will be returning calls to your prospective home buyers. Do an initial 'feel out' interview over the phone so when you meet you will both be prepared.
  2. Request a Complete Plan - From title to escrow, request a complete plan as to the services they can provide for you.
  3. Evaluate Their Team - Top producers will have established relationships with lenders, title reps, inspectors... everything. They are there for your benefit and if they are ill prepared to handle all the steps, you are being short changed.
  4. Detailed Report of your Property - Request a complete report of your property with ideas for improvements, cosmetic changes, structural repairs or anything that could add value to your property. Remember a small investment up front will pay higher dividends at the time of sale.
  5. Alternative Report - Request a complete report of alternatives to the home sale. What would current market leases generate? Rentals? Responsibilities attached with leasing? Have your agent educate you as to all your options.
  6. Insist on Prequalification - Don't waste valuable time negotiating or showing your property to unqualified prospects. Insist your agent prequalifies candidates to screen out all unwanted prospects.
  7. A Net Sheet - Request a complete net sheet, minus commissions and fees, showing your exact proceeds at the time of sale.
  8. A Marketing Plan - Insist on a step-by-step marketing plan of how your property is going to be sold and marketed. Look for innovative ways to attract home buyers. Demand 24-hour advertising, lead accountability and tracking services. These services exist and you should insist upon them.
  9. Telemarketing Efforts - Investigate the agents telemarketing team. Do they just cold call or do they have a mechanism to create proactive leads and call on those prospects?
  10. Direct Mail - Investigate the agents capacity to send direct mail. How often do prospects receive mail? Is it professional? Does the mail piece motivate prospects to respond?
  11. Advertising - Is it well written and professional? How many ad mediums do they utilize? They should be advertising in at least three; a homes magazine, community or local newspaper and yard signs. Remember: the quality of the advertising will directly influence how well your home will be perceived.
  12. Negotiation Strategy - Have a written, well conceived, negotiation strategy. The old adage, "You don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate" rings true in real estate. Insist on a sound negotiation strategy before you entertain buyers.
  13. Closing Checklist - Be sure to get a written closing checklist. You need to know in detail how you will conclude the sale of your home. This should provide a step-by-step procedure that will be easy to understand and follow.
back to top

10 Important Tips to Successful Real Estate Investing
When it comes to investing, everybody has certain goals and aspirations. However, we have found that there are certain guidelines every aspiring real estate investor needs to know

5 Secrets to Buying the Best House for Your Money

Do you want to get the best property you can for the least amount of money? Then make sure you are in the strongest negotiating position possible.

A few Points about Interest Rates

If you're new to investing or real estate and don't know the first thing about interest rates, here's a good tip: the higher the interest rate, the more expensive it's going to be.

Avoid Mistakes That Could Cost You Thousands

Selling your home can be an exhausting experience. Last minute walk throughs, inconvenient calls, price adjustment and the possibility of being stuck with two mortgages are real concerns. If you are not completely prepared you could end up losing hundreds, even thousands, of dollars in profit.

Easing the Transition to Your New Home

Tips to help you make a smooth move into your new home.

Finding the Best Real Estate Professional

Finding the right real estate professional requires doing a little research and asking a few questions. You need to know everything about the selling process.

How Much Home Do I Qualify For?

Buying a home in today’s marketplace is a bit intimidating. And your new home purchase is likely to be one of the most important decisions you’ve ever had to make.

How To Ask The Right Questions Before You List Again!

Interview With Confidence....Make A Choice That Will Help You Sell Your Home Faster And....For More Money!

How to Buy Your First Home....the Easy Way!

Avoid the 10 Most Common, Painful, Frustrating Mistakes First-Time Home Buyers Make

How to Eliminate Risk in Real Estate Investment!

Avoid 12 Common Mistakes Made by Novice Investors and Ensure High Rates of Return!

How to Get Every Dollar You Deserve....by Getting the Full Value of Your House!

The ability to reap additional profits on the sale of your home can be accomplished easily enough if you make the right improvements.

How to Make Money in Real Estate Investing

Tax breaks can often enable investors to turn a loss into a profit.

How to Sell Your Home at the Highest Possible Price

Making a mistake in selling a home can cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars in lost profit. Often home sellers make the same mistakes over and over. Avoiding these mistakes is easy and takes little time and effort on your part.

Ready To List With A Real Estate Agent?

13 Things Your Agent Must Do To Maximize Your Profits!

Secrets Lenders Don’t Want You to Know!

The right or wrong decision when signing your home mortgage can mean thousands of dollars difference in interest paid. There are very important considerations to evaluate before you commit to a 15 or 30 year note.

Seven Selling Mistakes You Don't Want to Make!

Seven common mistakes you don't want to make when selling your home.

Ten Questions You Must Ask a Realtor Before You List or....You Could Lose Big!

Most of us sell only a small number of homes in our lifetimes. With limited experience in real estate how are we to be capable of maximizing the profits from our home sale?

The Nine Most Common Mistakes to Avoid When Obtaining a Home Mortgage!

You are about to make what will most likely be the largest transaction of your life: your home mortgage. Unfortunately, many homebuyers do not take the time to research some of the little but weighty intricacies of mortgages.

Twenty Terms You Must Know and Understand Before You Sign Off On Your Mortgage!

To ensure that you have complete confidence during your home loan process, invest a moment to read this report and become familiar with the concepts and terms you’ll encounter.

Which Mortgage Should I Choose?

Key Questions to Ask Yourself and Lenders When Shopping for a Mortgage!

back to top
 
right
mezza residences
grass residences
 
right
home buying selling commercial contact us
right
Mobile: +63 922 8716230
Tel.: +63 (2) 5218340
copyright © 2007 Avida Towers . All rights reserved
mindedheart.com