Having trouble selling your house? Sell This House, a new reality show on the Arts & Entertainment Network (A&E) can help! Each Sunday evening at 5 (Eastern Time), the Sell This House team tackles a ‘problem house’ – one that’s been on the market for some time and isn’t selling. After snooping on prospective buyers who tour the house and recording their concerns, the show’s team steps in to work wonders and transform a no-sell house into a hot property.

Hosted by Tanya Memme and Roger Hazard, Sell This House features a new property each week. Memme, a former Miss World Canada, is a sassy, wisecracking hostess who helps viewers see inside the minds and hearts of both buyers and sellers. Hazard is a decorator and design maven who has designed celebrity homes and restaurants, from the outside in. Together, the pair bring the concept of ’staging’ to life – and manage to combine a great deal of entertainment for the viewer with a heaping helping of excellent advice for anyone trying to sell a house in today’s real estate markets.

Says Hazard, “People want to feel good in a home, and it doesn’t take much to create that environment.”

And that is what “staging” is all about – creating an environment that appeals to the psychology of the buyer and makes them feel good just being in your house. Sell This House capitalizes on the concept of staging, and shows viewers easy tips and tricks to help them use staging to move their own homes in a slow market.

Sell This House has featured homes in Los Angeles, Seattle, Maui, Memphis, Fort Worth, Baltimore, Austin, Chicago and about 40 other cities. The houses are selected from homes submitted by viewers. After the camera spies on prospective buyers to hear concerns about the home, decorator Hazard sets to work to transform the property that won’t sell into a property that gets snapped up in a heartbeat.

Each episode of Sell This House also features selling tips from the experts and advice on staging your own home to sell quickly in a soft real estate market. The reality decorating real estate show is sponsored by Coldwell Banker, who offer these top 10 real estate tips to both buyers and sellers.

1. Start with a plan when you purchase a home. Know whether you’re buying a short term investment or a long term home.

2. Know your credit rating.

3. Use a professional realtor to have someone on your side who knows the local market and the real estate business inside out.

4. If you’re buying – take photos to help you remember details of the houses that you view.

5. If you’re the buyer, seek out all the alternative funding opportunities. If you the seller, KNOW them. Being able to steer prospective buyers to financing that works for them can make the difference between disappointment and a sale.

6. Know the local schools. According to realtors, being in a district with good schools increases the sale value of your house. If you’re buying, choose a house in a good school district. If you’re selling, be sure to point it out!

7. Do your research into local prices so that you know you’re pricing your home in the right ballpark. An overpriced home is not likely to sell, no matter how beautiful it is.

8. Be sure to include information about local amenities in your sell this house ads. Travel routes, close to highway, good schools, within easy walking distance to stores are all great selling points.

9. Get feedback from realtors and prospective buyers who view your house. It will help you adjust your selling angle to sell more quickly.

10. Go for full disclosure. The law is very clear on what must be disclosed to prospective buyers about defects. If there are any, you’re best off being open about them.



By: Brian Shelton

About the Author:

With the current state of the market it is worry for all of those putting property up for sale that it will remain on the market for ages. For those who are wishing to pursue a speedy sale however, there are a number of strategies that if implemented, can considerably improve the chances of a sale. Fundamentally these tactics focus upon the mind of the buyer, making a property as attractive as possible in order to secure a quick sale, at the right price.

Part of getting into the heads of the buyer is to realise what part of the market you are likely to be focussing your efforts upon. By thinking of the kind of buyers that would like your property it is possible to focus your tactics upon them. This means marketing effectively and creating a property that falls into a distinct category. For example a two bedroom flat is less likely to attract families and more likely to attract young professional couples. That said, it is wise not to restrict yourself completely to one market sector, by leaving your options open, you stand more chance of securing a deal.

One of the most touted reasons for those selling property is to keep the home de-personalised. While the photos and ornaments that adorn surfaces may fill you with joy, this can restrict the thoughts of potential buyers when they are viewing. If a home is devoid of personal effects, it will be that much easier for the viewers to imagine themselves living there, and hence they will be more likely to put in an offer. First impressions are vital so the large family portrait hanging in the hall should be removed.

Another tactic that is used to de-personalise homes applies to the colour schemes in rooms. Once again, the bright colours that you may feel define you will not entice many buyers. More advisable is to redecorate in neutral shades such as creams and whites; this gives potential buyers the impression that the property is a blank canvas that they will be able to stamp their mark on. Redecorating will also revive tired rooms, making them fresh and attractive..

For those who feel that redecorating is not worth the effort when pursuing a quick sale, a worthwhile strategy is to de-clutter and clean the property. If you can, hire an industrial wet and dry vacuum cleaner to deep clean the carpets, this will do much to expel nasty smells and make them look almost new. Additionally it can be wise to rent storage space and move some furniture and items to this area. For instance if your living room is packed with sofas but has little room to move, removing some of the furniture will do much to create a sense of space in the room. Additionally, by taking items out of lofts and garages, prospective buyers will be given the impression that the home has a great deal of storage space.

In terms of cleaning it is worthwhile to give the property an expansive clean before the first viewing. By dong this early on it is possible just to touch up the home before each viewing thereafter. It can be difficult to keep a home tidy though, especially with children, but to save yourself a monumental cleaning task before each viewing, maintaining cleanliness is essential.

Hopefully this advice will give sellers an idea of the best ways to secure a speedy deal. By using a little bit of psychology it is possible to make your home more attractive to buyers.



By: Thomas Pretty

About the Author:

Whether you’re a real estate agent trying to move some inert inventory, a homeowner trying to sell your house, or a landlord trying to fill your rental property, it’s hard to move real estate right now. Supply (your house and the fifteen others available on your street) is high, demand is low, so you need an edge over the competition. Without further ado, allow me to introduce your edge:

Trick 1: The Kitchen & Bathrooms are King

If you’re on a limited budget (HA!), you need to prioritize and spend your limited cash well. If you only have the money to improve two rooms in the house, make sure they’re the kitchen and master bathroom, because these are consistently the most important rooms to buyers and tenants. People may ooh and aah over the new carpet in the living room, but the kitchen and bathrooms strike a more primal desire for cleanliness and comfort. Final note: if you don’t have any budget for improvement whatsoever, then at least make sure they’re spotlessly clean.

Trick 2: Don’t Forget the Exterior

What do people see first? The outside of the house, which means making sure the paint isn’t cracking, the exterior is in good condition, and the easiest thing to let slide, the landscaping is neat. Make sure the lawn is cut, the bushes are trimmed, and if you can, add additional touches like flowers or gardens. First impressions affect everything prospective tenants or buyers see afterward, so make a good first impression and ride it hard.

Trick 3: Stylish Bribery

Incentives, seller concessions, gimmicks, whatever you want to call them, need to stand out if they’re to have any effect whatsoever. Offering a seller concession makes little difference to a buyer; they’ll just subtract it from the price of the house and calculate a net price. So if you’re going to bribe your buyers or rental applicants, do it with style: a new flat screen TV, a shiny stainless steel appliance set, a Wusthof knife block, or anything that conveys a sense of status. People want to feel classy, so send the message that if they buy your house or move into your rental, they’ll suddenly become upper crust.

Trick 4: Sell Them on the Neighborhood

A gorgeous villa on a slum block is still a slum property, period. So if your rental property or home is in an area where people may have a reservation or two about moving, you need to sell them on more than just your house; you need to sell the neighborhood. This is not as hard as it sounds, if you know the neighborhood well. The trick is generate excitement, so tell them all about the quirky little café down the street that makes an authentic Italian café breve, and the bakery on the corner that fills the block with the smell of chocolate croissants. It’s the details that sell neighborhoods, so fill their head with perfect images of neighborhood charm, and they’ll be all over your property.

Selling your home or filling your rental is harder than ever before right now, so get aggressive, and with the right combination of attention and finesse you can sell or rent anything.



By: G. Brian Davis

About the Author:

A lot of people these days are deciding to sell their home themselves to help save some of the costs associated with listing the home with a realtor instead. So if you are considering selling your home as a for sale by owner, here are some things that you need to do to be successful.

First of all, get familiar with the state laws that govern what the seller has to disclose when selling a home. The disclosure requirements can vary considerably from state to state. Sometimes they are a simple as how old the house is and any problem areas that the buyer should be made aware of. But they can also extend to property disputes, whether the house is located near an airport, and other disclosure matters. Just be sure to check with your state laws to see what requirements you must meet.

After attempting to meet all federal and state requirements for proper disclosure, it’s time to give attention to increasing your home’s appeal. The very first place to look is the outside, as this is the first impression that will be made on any perspective home buyer. In fact, sometimes the outside appearance of the home can be the deciding factor for some buyers as to whether or not they will even want to stop and look at the inside or not.

So here are some suggestions to increase your home’s curb appeal:

1. Keep the lawn mowed and weeds pulled regularly in order to help your lawn look it’s best.

2. Keep leaves and debris raked up and properly disposed of.

3. Make sure all of your bushes, shrubs and trees are nicely trimmed.

4. Clean the outside of your house and all decks with a pressure washer to brighten up the appearance of the house.

5. If there are children in your home, be sure to keep all toys and kids clutter out of the yard.

When you have the outside of the house looking it’s best, it’s time to turn your attention now to the inside as well. Here are some suggestions to help you improve the appearance of your home’s interior:

1. First and foremost, put forth extra effort to keep your home clean and tidy while you are attempting to sell it.

2. Make sure that all cosmetic blemishes are repaired before showing the home.

3. Identify and eliminate any and all foul odors throughout your house.

4. Keep your home well lit by opening up the window shades during the day, and making sure that you use plenty of lighting at night. A dark appearing home does not show well.

5. If you have children, be sure to pick up after them and keep their toys organized.

Of course, implementing these suggestions may take a lot of effort and time on your part to accomplish. But creating a warm, inviting atmosphere both outside and inside your home has been proven to be an effective strategy in selling your home quickly and for more money.



By: Jim Johnson

About the Author:

In Southern California, especially Orange County property management is an important aspect of investing in real estate.

The profitability of your property is dependent on hiring a qualified helpful and professional property management company. Hiring the wrong management company can mean losing thousand of dollars, or more. Property owners who hire the right OC property management company however, can enjoy the benefits of a lucrative property investment. Some of the most common, and often, detrimental mistakes a property owner makes is not doing enough research. The more research you do, the more you can avoid hiring a bad management company.

Property management companies that also sell properties, often nation wide corporations like Century 21, etc. are often a bad idea. They usually are primarily real estate agents, who also do property management because they want to manage when you choose the sell the property. A property management company like this is not a good idea because they make more money selling than managing. You would benefit more from a smaller, specialized company that deals only with property management in your area and nothing else.

For example, if your property is in Huntington Beach, you should try to find a local expert Orange County property management company that has a much experience in the local area only. Make sure you check the references of your management company’s other clients. Don’t be afraid to make a few phone calls, and get a good track record. You shouldn’t sign anything before you have a good idea that the company you’re hiring is the best at property management in Orange County and one that you can trust. On the other hand, as an owner, you shouldn’t be too demanding of references either. A good property management company will not release all of their clients’ information to you,

because it is private and confidential information. The management company won’t be making an obscene amount of money managing your property, so they can always tell you to take your business elsewhere if you are being too much of a pain. You will do well with around 3 references to talk to, and get an idea of how they work with their clients. Some other things to keep in mind: Is the company licensed in the state of California? Is the company insured? Do they have a fidelity bond to protect you in case an employee mishandles your money? Will they provide you with reports? Will they market your property? How do they deal with late charges? How do they handle tenant complaints? And so on. These are some tips for making sure you hire a good property management company that will professionally and efficiently manage your property, helping you turn your home/apartment/condo/commercial property into a steady investment.



By: Real Property Management

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With sales of property supposedly suffering it is unsurprising that sellers are trying as many tactics as possible to help them sell their property faster. It is important however to be realistic; while fitting a new kitchen or bathroom will impress buyers, if the roof is missing tiles or the plaster is falling off the walls the eventual sale price will not be raised considerably. Most important is that the overall condition is good, this means ensuring plumbing, electrics and gutters are all in working order.

By ensuring that the overall condition is good you can protect yourself as a seller from renegotiation. For instance, if your home is in good condition, the ammunition of buyers to gain a lower price is negated. If you really want to increase the value though the best way to do this is to add is space; experts agree that the homes in the UK are some of the smallest in Europe so by converting lofts or building extensions, the value of a property can be raised.

Here are some of the most common tactics employed by sellers to encourage quick sales.

You should always start with the exterior of your property. By mowing the lawn regularly and giving the front door a fresh lick of paint or varnish will improve the overall ‘look’ of the house. Ensure that the number is clearly identifiable from the road so buyers do not have to search too hard. Additionally it is also advisable to clear litter from the road, give the drive a sweep and clean the windows. Above all you are trying to make the property as presentable as possible.

Another sales tip is to clear the hallway; also, if you normally use a side entrance it is important to never use this entrance when showing people around. Clearing the hallway of clutter like shoes and coats will welcome the buyers more effectively; as will making sure it is well lit. This is the first room of the house to be seen by buyers so it is important that it should be striking and attractive.

The kitchen is usually a deal breaker when it comes to selling houses. Even if you do not have the money for a complete refit it is important to ensure that all of the surfaces are clean and clear. If your kitchen is heavily outdated with dark wooden cabinets a pot of lime wash can be extremely useful in creating a contemporary look that is both light and airy. In addition, changing the cupboard handles with modern looking ones can be rewarding tactic for a kitchen update.

Widely believed to be the second most important room after the kitchen is the main bathroom. If you have a decent budget it is advisable to replace coloured bathroom suites with white ones. If your budget is less, painting the room in clever shades can diminished the effects of an oppressively coloured suite. As well as painting the walls, the sealant between the tiles should be touched up with something like a grout pen. As well as these freshening up tactics, buying new towels purely for show purposes can help in giving a bathroom that ’showroom look’.

The final tactic that can be used to pursue sales is to make the house as appealing to buyers as possible. This may sound quite generic but it refers to little jobs that are often put off by homeowners. It is easy to think that the new owners will do them but many will be put off if there is a long list of jobs to do once they have moved in, especially considering the money being spent. It may take a little effort but the financial rewards are certainly evident.

Of vital importance is how presentable the property is, by ensuring the small touches are complete the buyer will be far more attracted into making an offer. It is always going to be difficult to sell a house but by following this advice you give a property the best chance of selling quickly.



By: Thomas Pretty

About the Author:

We have talked to sellers who want to sell their house. All too often, they base their asking price on yesterday’s market. Yesterday’s market of escalating property values is over. You have heard the reports on television, in the newspapers, and on the Internet. We are in one of the worst markets in history. We have read a report that things haven’t been this bad since the Great Depression. Keep in mind the first buyers want to buy your house at the best price from the start. So here is what you can do to make sure your house doesn’t sit on the market for months:

Tip #1 – Be sensible about your asking price

Have at least three local real estate agents prepare a comparative marketing analysis. It will list the asking and selling price for home in your area. It will also list the size and amenities. If there is a small supply of similar houses, price your house for what others are asking. If there is a large supply, then you want to read the next stepSeek to generate greater interest in your house. Set your price 10% less than what others are selling for. If you do this, it raises your chances of receiving several offers on your property. If you must drop your price after it has been on the market for a while, make one large price cut instead of smaller cuts.

Selling your house on your own is a tremendous undertaking. It becomes even more challenging when the real estate market is more favorable to buyers like now. You must have the experience and the patience to weather the storm. Therefore, if you feel that you are unable to sell your house yourself, adhere to this next tip:

Tip #2 – Seek an experienced real estate agent

Selling today during this economic climate will require a great deal of marketing effort. Seek an experienced real estate agent to help you. You do not want to deal with an unseasoned agent. You want one who has been through downturns and understands what is required to close the deal. All too often, an agent will list your property without having your interests in mind.The first impression is important, especially when it comes to selling your house. You house must have curb appeal to lure potential buyers. Make sure you take the time to clean, paint, and landscape. You only have ONE chance to make a first impression. Adhere to this tip to make a difference when your prospects enter the house:

Tip #3 – Stage your house for a good first impression

In this housing market, you must use all of the tools at your disposal. Hire a stager. Staging services have become popular with the rise in the number of house-selling shows on cable television. A stager will help to organize your house to make it more attractive. They will move your house away from the “lived in” look. They will get rid of the clutter, rearrange your furniture, and give definition to each room of the house. They will also provide you with alluring paint options. Stagers may charge a little as $200 for a consultation. A full blown staging plan may cost $1,000, but it is well worth it to help you receive peace of mind.

As was stated in the previous tip, you must use everything at your disposal to get your property sold.

Tip #4 – Money talks

Throw a little at prospects to catch their attention. Don’t waste your time giving away cars or trips. You may look desperate. Offer to pay a portion or all of the buyer’s closing costs. Or offer real estate agents and people who may refer prospects to you $1,000 if they send someone to you who eventually buys the property. Remember, there is probably a great deal of competition in the form of listings. Give people an incentive to buy your house or refer someone who will.

We have talked to many sellers over the past few months. The majority of them are “upside down”. Being upside down means the person owes more on the house than what it’s worth. So what do you do?

Tip #5 – How to handle being “upside down”

If you are upside down, you have options. They may not help you sell you receive money when you sell, but they will help you to receive peace of mind: Sell the house on terms – You may sell your house via some form of installment sale (subject to the existing loan, land contract, or wrap around mortgage). You may also sell your house via a rent to own contract. Each method has their advantages and disadvantages. Ask the lender to allow a “short sale” – A short sale is a sale that results in the lender receiving less than what is owed on the mortgage. Short sales have grown in popularity but keep in mind that they are difficult to do. You need an experienced person to talk to the lender. Also, nine times out of ten the lender will NOT allow the seller to receive money at the closing table. Just think, why would the lender want to allow you to receive money when they are discounting the loan. Rent the house and weather the storm – You may decide to move out and move a tenant in. Charge the tenant a rent rate that is close to the monthly payment of your mortgage. If you have to lower the rent and pay a little yourself, it is well worth it.

There you have it. The five tips to help you sell your property. We hope you enjoyed them. Better yet, implement these tips as soon as possible so that you can get that property sold.



By: Richard Woodfork

About the Author:

As you know, aside from food and clothing, shelter is a fundamental need. People need a roof over their heads, a place they can call home.

Now, this may seem like obvious information and not important for us to think about, but really, it’s a very important thing to be aware of as you sell your real estate. Why?

Because this awareness points to one essential fact that should give you an ENORMOUS amount of confidence; especially if this is going to be your very first (of many!) real estate sales transactions: there will always be people looking for houses, regardless of whether we live in good times or bad. Knowing the types of buyers in the market will help your position as a seller!

The Buyer Pool

So who are these buyers that are poised to do business with you? They are people in your buyer pool. The phrase “buyer pool” refers to those people who are interested in buying a certain piece of property in a certain location at a certain price. This is the group that you, as a seller, should focus on. The buyer pool is different from the bunch of mere onlookers or “prowlers” who like to spend Sunday afternoons looking into the homes of other people.

As you gain experience in this field, you’ll almost instantly be able to tell the genuine buyers from the speculators (or the people who are just bored and like looking at real estate…and yes, there are some of them out there).

The buyer pool is made up of different types of buyers – bear in mind that some buyers are looking for homes NOT to live in, but to invest in. You will typically encounter a mix of the following types of buyers:

End buyers: buyers who will live in the home.

Professional buyers – these include real estate brokers, builders who want to develop real estate in your location, speculators (quick cash wheelers and dealers) and developers looking to buy strictly for the land value. Effros says not to be afraid of professional buyers. If circumstances warrant, they could offer the best price for your house, given their cash reserves.

Cash buyers – this is the group to whom you can consider giving a discount because you do away with the lending and mortgage nitty gritty that could take weeks, even months. Cash is king, so flexibility in negotiating price is not a bad idea.

Mortgage buyers – since majority of people can’t buy homes for cash, they borrow the funds to acquire possession of a piece of property. They fall into two groups:

1. The pre-qualified ones (those who have started the process and have discussed preliminary details with the bank);

2. Pre-approved mortgage buyers (the bank has made a commitment to lend them a specific amount of money under certain terms and conditions).

For more information about how different buyers’ groups will affect their buying behaviour you may refer at http://www.realtorsprofitguide.com/



By: kate chen

About the Author:

The current financial crisis has resulted in slow real estate markets and as a result most people are dropping their house prices until they sell, but many of them fail to use every possible sales tactic in order to improve probability of making the sale in a difficult market. The following tips will help anyone trying to make a sale:

1. Improve your listings

Rather than a boring listing of basic property information, use great pictures showcasing the most appealing characteristics of your property, take pictures in the sunshine, brighten up colours with photoshop, anything to make your listing more eye catching for those eyes scanning listings.

2. Use Professional signage and direct people to you

If you are on a main street, rather than a cheap sign from a FYI shop, a solid metal sign gives a good impression and even attaching flyers allows people to take information away with them.

If you are not on a main road, you need to ensure there are signs directing traffic from the nearest main road to your house.

3.Print a professional full colour eye catching flyer

Rather than the standard black and white listings from the estate agent, a full colour flyer with some eye catching large images will get potential buyers’ attention. Your flyer should sell your property’s features

4. Learn from the car salesman

Car salesmen never let a customer just leave – why should houses be different? You should try to get enough information out of your buyer to know whether he is ready to make a decision and then help him make one! They may not be ready, but if they have already looked everywhere, then if you are ready with the contract and can get commitment such as a deposit, even if refundable, then this will get you one step closer to a sale.

5. Be realistic!

It is a fact that property prices have dropped and our advice to all property sellers is to get the opinion of professional property valuers to provide an accurate estimate of the value of property based on current market conditions, before setting the asking price.



By: Fox Estates Cyprus

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One of the most important factors in keeping the value of your house high is excellent property maintenance.

Value is determined by, among other things, how much a buyer wants your home. So if you keep your house fresh, clean and well looked after, you are much more likely to realise a top price for it when it’s time to sell.

Here is a handy guide to essential property maintenance for your home:

Tools for the job

You need to build up a kit of essential tools. That way, no matter what needs fixing or which emergencies are thrown at you, you will always have something to hand to perform a fix.

You’ll need the basics, such as a range of screwdrivers, spanners, a hammer, and pliers. It would also be handy to keep basic electricians’ tools handy, such as special pliers to strip wires when you rewrite plugs. A wrench can be handy for plumbing problems, and insulation and gaffer tape will have hundreds of uses.

It’s also good property maintenance practice to keep consumables such as fuses and light bulbs in stock in your house. Inevitably a fuse will blow on Sunday evening when the shops aren’t open. Keep a range of fuses and bulbs dry and warm. You should also buy washers in case of a dripping tap.

Other handy products to keep around are a sink unblocker, grout filler to prevent leaks in the bathroom, and a number of different sized screws and wall plugs.

One final essential in your property maintenance tool kit is a decent ladder. For safety reasons, it should be big enough to reach the very top of your house without you having to stretch out. Keep your ladder well secured and locked up in your garage or chained to the side of the house. Not only are they a target for thieves (especially the expensive aluminium ones), but your own ladder could be used to burgle your home!

Floors

The poor floors in your home get more abuse than most other surfaces, especially if you have young children. The key to keeping carpets and hard floors looking their best is preventing dirt getting in, and then cleaning it quickly when it does.

Use door mats at each entrance and clean floors regularly, at least once a week. Sweep hard floors and clean them monthly with a specialist cleaner that won’t make them slippery. Keep a powerful carpet stain remover handy and treat stains immediately. It’s worth looking at getting carpets steam cleaned once a year – if you can’t be bothered, get a professional in to do it for you. The longer a stain stays in your carpet, the harder it will be to get rid of it.

Walls

Walls are often overlooked in property maintenance, but you need to keep them in very good nick as they are the skeleton of your house. Don’t worry too much about surface cracks in the plaster or damage to the wallpaper or paint. These can easily be repaired with new decorations. The thing to really look out for it more intrusive damage to the wall.

Widening cracks should be looked at by an expert as quickly as possible. As with most problems, the earlier you deal with it, the easier and cheaper it will be to fix.

Keep an eye out for any rising damp or dry rot. And pay particular attention to the walls in your bathroom. You want to ensure that moisture and condensation each day isn’t settling into the walls causing them damage.

Windows

Get them cleaned regularly and wipe down any condensation. Paint wooden windows at least every three years to prevent the weather damaging them.

Plumbing

Don’t put up with any dripping taps! Make it a part of your property maintenance schedule to check pipes and taps regularly, and again deal with problems as they arise. If you have bought a house with shoddy plumbing, consider getting it replaced before it bursts and damages your home.

Electrical

You can do basic maintenance yourself such as replacing plugs. Remember to switch off the supply where needed. For anything else, including replacing broken switches, consider getting someone in. It is property law that any electrical installations or major work must now be done by a qualified electrician.



By: P Green

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