Tips to Sell

I have been taking clients out to view a lot of properties recently and I would like to share with you a couple of mistakes sellers often make. These are simple things you should avoid if you want to sell your home.

1. Open the curtains and let some light in! When it is bright and sunny out and we walk into some of these homes it is like entering a cave. We step in and have to blink a few times to let our eyes adjust and then feel around a wall looking for a light switch. This is a definite turnoff. Open the blinds or curtains and let the light in. Buyers are there because they want to see the house and humans were not born with night vision.

2. Leave the bedroom and bathroom doors open. When buyers are going though an occupied house it can make them feel like they are intruding. A closed door often makes them question if someone is there and they are going to walk in on someone sleeping. I usually go first and knock on the door before opening but even this makes some buyers feel uncomfortable. Remember you want to make the potential buyer feel as comfortable as possible.

3. Make the property as easy to see as possible. Right now there is a glut of inventory and much of this is vacant so a buyer can view immediately. Buyers are becoming accustomed to viewing a property whenever they can. If you only allow showings the third Tuesday of the month at noon, with 5 days notice, you are not going to get much action. I understand that having strangers tromp through you home can be an inconvenience but you have to remember the goal is to sell the house. Yes it can be a pain when people want to see the property at dinner time but let’s face it that is when many buyers are off work and have the time to view properties. The best solution is to have showings with one hour notice within daylight times. Have the buyer's agent call the house an hour ahead, leave a message and be able to go without directly speaking with you, therefore avoiding the telephone tag game. When you get home from work you can check the messages to know if someone is expected.

4. The last tip I am sharing today is to remove as much clutter as you can and minimize your furniture. I have shown properties that are inches away from being featured on the show "Hoarders" and these are regular folks. Clothes should be put away, not strewn on the floors. Buyers want to see the floor covering. Closet doors should be able to close. There should be more than a path through the living room and move whatever piece you placed in front of the fireplace. You might know there is one there but the buyers don't unless they can see it. Counter tops should be cleared so we can see what it is made out of.
Bottom line is you need to make the property as open and bright as possible. You want it to appear fresh and clean. Make the home feel spacious and inviting for potential buyers. In the end you will benefit from the extra effort by having your home stand out in a good way to potential buyers.

Stop losing homes to higher bidders | Inman News

Stop losing homes to higher bidders Inman News

5 Bedroom El Cajon Home For Sale

El Cajon Market Report - February 2011

Here are the real estate statistics for the 3 zip codes in El Cajon. This report includes single family detached homes only.

92019

There are currently 130 active listings: ranging from $178,500 for 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1116 square feet to $2,250,000 for 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 4445 square feet.

44 properties are pending (currently in escrow).

23 properties sold (closed escrow): ranging from $175,000 for 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1131 square feet to $891,500 for 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3066 square feet. The average market time was 61 days.

92020

There are currently 105 active listings: ranging from $150,000 for 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 754 square feet to $1,025,000 for 4 bedroom, 5 bathroom, 3519 square feet.

44 properties are pending (currently in escrow).

19 properties sold (closed escrow): ranging from $185,000 for 2 bedrooms, 1 bathrooms, 786
square feet to $728,000 for 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3575 square feet. The average market
time was 69 days.

92021

There are currently 128,000 active listings: ranging from $1134,900for 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 979 square feet to $999,900 for 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom, 6229 square feet.

47 properties are pending (currently in escrow).

11 properties sold (closed escrow): ranging from $209,000 for 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1382 square feet to $437,000 for 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2418 square feet. The average market time was 64 days.

Jamul Real Estate Market Report

It's that time again! Here are the real estate statistics for Jamul for the month of February 2011.

There are currently 46 active listings: ranging from $159,000 for 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1223 square feet to $2,350,000 for 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 6264 square feet.

13 properties are pending (currently in escrow).

6 properties sold (closed escrow): ranging from $186,000 for 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 876 square feet to $819,000 for 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3350 square feet.

If you would like more information regarding these properties or if you would like me to check another area, please feel free to give me a call.

San Diego Storm Information

With the storm moving into San Diego County, the Department of Public Works has activated the emergency page.  This page will offer the latest updates on weather, roads conditions, road closures and snow plowing.  Yes, you read that correctly SNOW PLOWING!  Snow could drop to as low as 1500 feet this weekend.  
San Diego Storm Information

San Diego Real Estate Market Report

Here is a great report that shows you the recent trends in the San Diego Real Estate Market.  If you would like more information about another area or city within San Diego County, please feel free to give me a call. 
San Diego Real Estate Market Report

FHA to Raise MIP on April 18th

New loans insured by FHA on or after April 18, 2011 will have an increased annual mortgage insurance premium (MIP) of a quarter of a percentage point (.25) on all 30- and 15-year loans. The upfront MIP will remain the same at 1.0 percent. What does this mean to you, the home buyer?  It means that if you get an FHA loan for $200,000 after April 18th it is going to cost you about $42.00 more per month.  It could also mean that you would qualify for about $8,000 less due to the increased payment,

Affects of Short Sale versus Foreclosure

How Will a Short Sale or Foreclosure Affect...


CREDIT SCORES

Short Sale
Credit Scores may be lowered as little as 50 points as long as all other payments have been made and will typically affect it for as long as 12 - 18 months. Mortgages will be reported as either Paid or Negotiated.

Foreclosure
I Credit Scores may be lowered anywhere from 250 to over 300 points and will typically be affected for over 3 years.

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CREDIT HISTORY

Short Sale
A short sale may appear on a person's credit history and is usually reported as Settled for Less than the Full Amount.

Foreclosure
Foreclosures will remain as public record on a person's credit history for 10 years or longer.

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BUYING ANOTHER HOME

Short Sale
A borrower on future mortgage applications will not be asked about a short sale and may be able to receive a reasonable interest rate in less than two years.

Foreclosure
A borrower on future mortgage applications will be asked if they have had their property foreclosed on within the last 7 years and will therefore affect their interest rates.

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FUTURE LOANS

Short Sale
An investor or homeowner who completes a successful short sale will be eligible for a Fannie Mae backed mortgage after 2 years or less.

Foreclosure
An investor or homeowner of a foreclosed property will be ineligible for a Fannie Mae backed mortgage for 7 years.

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES & SECURITY CLEARANCE

Short Sale
A short sale will not appear on a person's credit history and is usually reported as Settled for Less than the Full Amount and therefore should not challenge any employment opportunities or security clearances.

Foreclosure
A foreclosure on a person's credit report may be grounds for termination for some companies and could cancel a person's security clearance. A foreclosure on record may challenge future employment opportunities as well.

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DEFICIENCY JUDGMENTS

Short Sale
In California, purchase-money loans on a one- to four-unit residential dwelling are exempt from deficiency judgments. However, hard-money loans, such as a refinance or 2nd mortgage, may be subject to deficiency judgments.

Foreclosure
In California, purchase-money loans on a one- to four-unit residential dwelling are exempt from deficiency judgments. However, hard-money loans, such as a refinance or 2nd mortgage, may be subject to deficiency judgments.



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La Mesa Real Estate Trends

Here are the latest real estate trends for La Mesa.

La Mesa Real Estate Trends

Poem For You!

Roses are red.
Violets are Blue.
I'm here at work.
I'll find a house for YOU!

Not looking to buy?
Do you need to sell?
Call me today.
I do that as well!!!!

Hope  you all have a great day!!

Suggestions for a Sweet Valentine's Day in San Diego

Here is a link to some good ideas for Valentine's Day in San Diego. What would be your idea of a great Valentine's Day?

San Diego Things To Do Smart Suggestions For A Sweet Valentine's Day