Real Estate Agents Tips to Getting Your Home Sold

Real Estate Agents Tips to Getting Your Home Sold

Are you thinking of Selling a Home in Cary or the Triangle area?  Experienced real estate agents will tell their clients that the key to getting top price for their homes is to move the house quickly. There is a perception that if a house has been on the market for some time, there must be something wrong with it. And when this happens, often the only way to get an offer is to reduce the price.

Ten top tips to sell your house quickly.

1. Get professional help. Professional real estate agents are trained to sell houses and manage the process. Find someone you like, who has a good reputation, who you trust, and listen to what he or she suggests. Unlike you, real estate agents do not allow emotions to get in the way of a sale. A good agent is looking out for your best interest and your bottom line.
2. Get the price right the first time. Ironically, by pricing a house a little lower than its appraisal usually attracts more buyers who will bid against one another and so increase the asking price. If you price your home too high, you’ll end up having to lower the price and people will think there are hidden problems. 
3. Clean up all the clutter. Never forget that potential buyers want to visualize themselves in the house. Too much furniture and personal paraphernalia is likely to be a turn-off. Once the clutter is gone, home staging will add appeal. Remember, they need to picture themselves there - not you.
4. Make sure everything is working.  And this means everything from doors to appliances, electric and plumbing. Unless buyers are looking for a renovator’s dream, they’re going to want to move in without having to do any serious work first. 
5. Change perspective. One of the best tips to getting your home sold quickly if it has been stuck on the market for a while is to try a different sales tactic. Change the pictures (especially if the exterior shots are out of season!)  Try different marketing angles, appealing to different types of specific buyers.
6. Don’t fight the market.  You can’t. Study sales comparables.  Buyers will - and most won't want overpay. Be realistic.  
7. Put in some elbow grease.  Relatively minor improvements including painting and basic landscaping will help to make your home stand apart from the neighbors, also giving it curb appeal. If it doesn’t have curb appeal you’re not likely to even get potential buyers through the front door.  Unless you are priced below market.
8. Don’t assume that a costly renovation will bring in more money. While a well thought out renovation can increase the selling price, it’s a very easy way to over-capitalize. Since renovations can take time, fixing, cleaning and staging will generally ensure a quicker sale.  Consult with a professional before you invest any further into your home.
9. Offer incentives to potential buyers. In a buyers’ market you want them to believe you are offering the best possible deal. Ideas include a credit towards closing costs, a home warranty on the house or a club or pool membership. 
10. Online Marketing. Use social media to spread the word that your house is on the market. This is one of the best tips to getting your home sold. Do you have an email list of the neighbors?  Or a neighborhood Facebook page?  Ask your local friends to share.  You never know who may be looking.

I would love to assist you with the sale of your home in the Cary, Apex, Raleigh and Triangle Metro area.

Please give me the opportunity to evaluate your unique situation and offer my expert advice to you get you top dollar in today's market.

Call me at 919-559-1788 or click here to Email me today.

Triangle Real Estate Market Update August 2013

Triangle Real Estate Market Update August 2013

Wow, Summer is almost over.  Kids are back to school and things are settling down.  Well, not for the local housing market!  August figures were particularly impressive since generally it's a slower month in real estate.

There has been a definite improvement overall in the local Triangle Real Estate Market since 2012.  In comparison to this time last year, August 2012 saw an average days on the market of 110 days compared to August 2013 where it was only 70 days.  Low inventory and higher demand have led to this trend.

Here are a few stats for August 2013

• Closed Sales Up 22%
• Pending Sales Up 24%
• Showings Up 15%

The overall market is showing about a 3 month supply of inventory.  However, in our local market, there is a big variance between the lower priced homes and the upper priced homes.  There is a definite shortage of inventory under $200,000 and an over supply in higher priced homes.  Job market growth will likely be the game changer in this regard.

There has been an upswing in new listings on the market, both resale and new home construction.  This can be attributed to rising confidence of sellers that there is growing demand.

Watch the Triangle MLS latest Market Update Here.

If you would like more information about the local housing market in the Cary, Raleigh, Apex and Morrisville areas of the Triangle and what it means for your unique situation, give me a call. I'm here to help.

Looking for A Home In Cary, NC?

Looking for a Home in Cary, NC

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Information provided Lisa Quin Realty - CaryHomes4You

Provided by Lisa Quin 919-559-1788 licensed with Keller Williams Realty Cary 919-882-3200

Fall Family Fun in the Triangle 2013

Fall Family Fun in the Triangle 2013

Find Things to Do this Fall in Cary, Raleigh and Surrounding Areas

Fall is one of my favorite seasons here in NC. One of the nice things about living in Cary, NC is experiencing the change of seasons. Lucky for us the mild transition and the moderate seasonal temperatures make it even more enjoyable.

As Summer comes to an end and the kids get back to school, it seems like there is change in the air.  Both figuratively and literally. In September, every now and then you feel a crispness in the air that tells you Fall is on its way. Once the leaves start their gradual, but colorful show, you know Winter is upon us.  

Here are some great family fun adventures to get out and enjoy the cooler weather and admire the spectacular Fall foliage.    

Yates Mill Historic Park

Enjoy a scenic and easy stroll down the tree-lined, lakeside path to see the old Yates Mill. There is also a boardwalk on the lake and a very interesting museum. A great way yo spend a Fall day with the family.  It's also the perfect place to take Fall family photos!

Duke Gardens

The Sarah P. Duke Gardens on the Duke University campus in Durham, NC are the perfect spot for a Fall family outing. Pack a picnic, a bag of lawn toys and a big blanket and go find your perfect spot on the sprawling grounds. Don't forget to stop at the gift shop to buy a bag of duck food.

New Hope Valley Train Ride

What better way to experience the changing of the season than a train ride through lush NC forests on the New Hope Valley Railway. The whole family will have a blast riding a real steam engine, open air train and then visiting several old train cars at the outdoor museum. There is also a miniature train village.  Bring a picnic and spend the afternoon.

NC State Gardens

The JC Raulstin Arboretum in Raleigh is another great way to spend a lovely Fall afternoon. Pack up your picnic gear again and enjoy this fun and free activity, fun for the whole family. The ever changing foliage and blooms at the gardens makes this a perfect place to come for every season.

Hillridge Farms

A hayride to pick your own pumpkin  - what could be more fall than that? Hillridge Farms in Youngsville, NC just north of Raleigh is a kids dream come true and fun for everyone. This is a must do with the kids in the Triangle this Fall.  Be prepared for a crowd on the weekends though.

More Hayrides and Pumpkin Patches

There are a ton of great Agritourism Farms in our area. Every season offers something new and exciting. Here is a complete list of Places to Go this Fall to pick a pumpkin, zig zag a corn maze, ride behind a tractor and have some good ole' fashioned fun.

Enjoy the fantastic Fall weather here in NC.  Hope to see you out and about.

Triangle Real Estate Market Update July 2013

Triangle Real Estate Market Update July 2013

As a professional Realtor, my job requires me to stay on top of the local housing market - both in the field and on paper.  One resource I rely on is the local real estate board - Triangle Multiple Listing Service (TMLS).  It is a little known fact that the public also has access to the valuable data they compile.  You can go to their website anytime to view current and past reports.  TMLS Market Trends.

This month's video released by TMLS highlights some important facts about our local market.

• Since last July 2012 Closed Sales are up 39% and Pending Sales are up 22%.
• Showings are up 14% since last July, the 3rd highest on record in the last 10 years.
• Inventory is down 16% since last year.
• There is currently a 3 month supply of inventory compared to a 5 month supply this time last year.
• A "one size fits all" can not be applied to our market.  Under $200k there is an inventory shortage, $300-600k is balanced, and $800k+ there is actually a 17 month supply.
• Average Days on Market (DOM) are 69 days compared to 112 days a year ago.

Take a look at this video produced by TMLS for more detailed information.

With all this information at hand, how do you interpret it to your life and your real estate needs?  This is also another part of my job I take very serious.  All of these stats are great, but really each individual, each home and each set of circumstances are what counts when a contract is written.  

While it is definitely smart to watch the market, decisions to buy and sell should be weighed carefully. 

Contact Me anytime to review your unique situation and how the market affects you.  I'm ready to help you make the right move.

Understanding Market Data Can Help You Determine Value When Home Shopping

Understanding Market Data Can Help You Determine Value When Home Shopping

So you find a home you really like and it's in your budget - great!  However, don't assume that just because it is in your budget, it's a good value - or priced right.  Before you make an offer - do your homework.

If you have a specific area in mind to buy someday - start now by watching the market in that area to see what homes are selling, how fast and for what price.  That way when a home comes on the market that is in your budget, you will know if it is a good value too!

Here is a great tool for watching the market in a selected area.  It's called Market Insider.

See all home sale data for Cary, Apex, Raleigh, Holly Springs, Morrisville and surrounding areas of the Triangle area NC.

The data displayed in this report is consolidated from multiple sources and includes current listings, recent sales, and more. Whether you're a buyer or seller, the knowledge you gain will help put you in control of your real estate transactions.

If you are thinking about Selling Your Home in the near future it is definitely a good idea to start now watching the market so you will understand how to price your home accordingly.  You will also be better equipped to "time the market" ensuring your home is the best value at a given time.

Call or email me anytime to discuss how this information can benefit you!

Pros and Cons of Searching for Homes Online

Pros and Cons of Searching for Homes Online

Research shows that about 90 percent of potential buyers in the USA (only about 60% in the UK) search for homes on the Internet. This doesn’t mean that this is where they find or buy homes, but it does mean that the Internet is a meaningful marketplace, and an exceptionally good research tool for anyone buying a house. 

Pros of Searching for Homes Online

Searching for homes online is a bit like window shopping from your couch. You can look anywhere at any time and will immediately see which property listings are new, and what has been sold, and is no longer available. When you search for homes online, you can define your needs and wants, and therefore limit your choice to what ought to meet you own personal requirements. 

There are also specialist property websites that aggregate properties from a selection of different companies, so you get a really good idea of what is on offer. But you do need to find a good, reliable website or two that have taken the trouble to fully exploit the potential of successful searching for homes online. 

Cons of Searching for Homes Online

People often complain when they are buying a house, and they search online, that whatever they find has in fact already been sold. The reason for this is that even though properties may have a signed purchase agreement, these agreements are often still subject to some kind of contingency other than finance. Inspection contingencies, for example, are pretty standard, but buyers don’t generally want to remove the house from the public eye until the inspection is complete.  

While there is any possibility that the offer to purchase may be canceled, they would rather remain in the list of online results when potential buyers search for homes. 

Buyers also have a due diligence period and can cancel the agreement without a penalty within this period of time. But perhaps the most common reason that a property remains “available”, when in fact an offer has been accepted, is the need for a third party approval of short sale or mortgage agreements. It takes about two to three months for most banks to approve the short sale, and the contract doesn’t become binding until this happens. This would be a good enough reason to have the right agent looking after your interests. 

If you are looking to buy a home, I would love to take the opportunity to work with you. We could discuss the options upfront and decide on the most appropriate strategy for finding your dream home.

Sign up here so that you hear about the new listings first. I also have the heads up on properties that are coming onto the market and that would be a great opportunity for you to see homes before they get into the MLS and syndication websites.

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