FOR BUYERS

Recently, I had some interesting customers from ...well..I won't mention where....they went on and on about how many houses they owned all over the world and how knowledgable about real estate they were etc etc...you get the picture. Anyway, I could not find what they wanted because they did not AGREE on what they wanted....the husband was happy go-lucky, wanted to see everything and the wife was scared to be outside of town two miles.. We viewed everything the husband had picked out(and told me that they both wanted to see) online and the wife hated every bit of it! She ended up yelling at her husband and I almost started laughing...talk about a lack of communication...

My suggestion to you as a potential buyer/investor is to know what you want, write out(as in Goals ) and decide what issues you can be flexible on....If you have a partner, PLEASE include them in your decisions....as the good book says "can two walk together except they be agreed" and it will help your agent to feel more comfortable in finding what you both want.

Pick an agent out and come prepared with a list of goals in hand to share with them...the agent will let you know if your goals can't be found in your price range..and what adjustments need to be made.

I want to say that the above story is not fiction it is true and I have left the names out on purpose...most of the time the experiences I have had with customers have been great ones..


FOR SELLERS

It is a buyers market in this area....if your house is not selling then you need to make some adjustments... ie "If you don't like the results your getting-CHANGE what you are doing"


Here are the ten secrets of selling from Marelen Wharmby, a successful home stager:

• Freshen up the home by painting walls a light, neutral color, such as antique white. Lighter colors appeal to a wider range of buyers and make each room look larger.
  
  
• Take a close look at the floor coverings in each room. If you have hardwood floors under the carpet, you will always make money by removing it, even if the floor is not in perfect condition.
  
  
• Allow as much light as possible to enter the room. Open up or remove all draperies, blinds, shades or other window coverings.
  
  
• Removing the clutter of everyday life - all utilitarian items, stacks of paperworks, toiletries, kitchen utensils, electronic equipment and television sets.
  
  
• Remove furniture from each room that does not go with the decor, such as items that stand out too much and items that are worn or of an unappealing color.
  
  
• Place the remaining room furnishings in a way that makes best use of the character of the space. A room should be balanced so that people do not focus on one particular piece of furniture.
  
  
• Now that you've removed the clutter from your home, adding some nice but inexpensive accessories will greatly elevate the perceived value of the home.
  
  
• Clean, clean, clean. Every crevasse within the home should be spotless and gleaming. Even your normal weekly cleaning can not come close to the quality of clean you need.
  
  
• You can't over spend on fresh plants and orchids, elaborate floral arrangements and landscape plants. All these provide a strong addition to the ambience you want to create.
  
  
• Go on vacation! The houses that sell for much higher prices are homes that do not have the slightly disheveled look which comes with showering in the morning and cooking dinner in the evening. Being gone also will lower your level of stress and make the house easier to sell. Think of it this way: Your vacation will actually make you money.