December 22nd, 2015 at 11:00 am
Author: Rosamaria Acuna
Do you think putting your home on the market in winter and during the holiday season is a bad idea? You would be surprised. Buyers at year end are serious and motivated, and inventory may be limited as other sellers wait for the New Year. Your home may be a standout, particularly if you get it prepared by taking some simple steps.
Start packing – you are moving. We all have pictures and objects that we think are charming because they are part of our lifestyle. But the potential buyer is not charmed by them and sees nothing but distractions. You want buyers to picture themselves in the living spaces you are selling, and not sidetracked by your personal objects. .
Don’t be hesitant to repaint rooms that look “tired.” A few dollars spent does wonders for the appearance. Wash the windows inside and outside, and power-wash the exterior. Don’t forget curb appeal. Keep the yard free of debris and leaves. The effects of drought can be minimized with evergreen trees, or container plants and cold-weather flowers to make the premises inviting.
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November 2nd, 2015 at 10:00 am
You’ve got enough to think about during the holidays besides selling your home. Or do you?
If you think about it, putting your home on the market November through January has a lot of advantages. In fact, according to REALTOR.com, 60 percent of REALTORS® advise their clients to list homes during the holidays because they feel it’s such a great time to sell.
While any experienced real estate agent will tell you there’s never a bad month to list your home, the holiday season has been shown to be an ideal time for reasons you might not have considered. Here are just a few of them:
Listing your home during the holidays places it in a smaller pool of what real estate professionals call “inventory.” The lower the inventory of available homes, the higher the likelihood they will attract potential buyers. That’s typically the case in hot markets like Southern California. Of course, factors such as neighborhood, the home’s condition, and mortgage rates play into the equation. Your agent can give you a good estimate of how long it could take to sell, realistic asking price, etc.
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October 21st, 2015 at 10:00 am
Not all real estate agents are created equal. Many sales associates carry designations and certifications from accredited programs, such as those offered by The National Association of REALTORS®, while others have worked in a specific niche market throughout their career.
The benefits of working with a specialist abound when you are trying to target a specific market or buy a certain type of home. For example, if you’re a first-time homebuyer, working with an agent who specializes in first-time homes can help you find qualifying programs. The same goes for buyers and sellers looking across the pond. Janice Lee, a REALTOR® – Sales Associate in our Pasadena office has seen continued success working with international clients. “Being bicultural, not just bilingual is such a gift. It allows me to best negotiate on my clients’ behalf (both sellers and buyers)!” Whether you’re looking to make an international purchase, or sell your home to an overseas buyer, working with a specialist can help you reach your goals with ease.
If you’re an international buyer looking to purchase in the U.S. or an American looking to buy in another country, you’re on your way to a smart investment. “The best asset to own on Earth is earth,” said agent Calvin Lo. Working with an experienced international sales associate gives you an advantage over other buyers.
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October 2nd, 2015 at 10:00 am
Are you aware of how the mortgage process will change on October 3?
The TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure Rule (TRID) will ultimately change the forms used, the timelines of when certain documents need to be executed, and the processes involved with closing. This new rule is roughly 2,000 pages and won’t just affect real estate agents; it will also affect home buyers and sellers. Compliance will be enforced by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
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September 21st, 2015 at 10:00 am
How neighborly are you? Do you know the family that lives next door? Did you welcome the couple who moved in across the street a few weeks ago?
September is Good Neighbor Month, so we encourage everyone to reach out and make friends (or at least attempt to!) with their neighbors.
This sounds pretty straightforward, but you might be wondering how exactly how you should introduce yourself to someone you’ve never met before and know nothing about. It’s actually pretty easy to do. Here are some of our suggestions:
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