Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Business Portal

Business Portal

FSBO Sellers - What to Ask a Potential Buyer

Posted: 06 Oct 2008 12:52 PM CDT


Do you tend to ask a lot of questions? When you are selling your home there are some things that you should ask a buyer, and some things that you should refrain from asking.

There is nothing more annoying, or more frustrating, than an owner who attempts to show off obvious aspects of a home to a potential buyer. Some owners have a tendency to point out things such as large bay windows, but this sort of information isn’t necessary (and it may insult the buyer’s intelligence as well). Likewise, asking about a buyer’s current occupation or yearly salary is crossing the line. However, there are some questions that every owner should ask a buyer before any offer is made.

One of the first things that you should ask a buyer (with a great deal of tact) is, “when do you plan to buy a home?” Narrowing down some sort of buying time can be a great deal of help when you talk to prospective buyers. The other question that you will want to ask is, “have you applied for a mortgage yet?” If a buyer has not applied for a mortgage yet, gently explain that they will have to do so before placing any sort of a deal on a home (some buyers simply do not know this!). Also, make sure that every buyer you spend your time on has some sort of a feasible plan for buying a home. Take a few moments to talk with potential buyers, but don’t start to bully your way into personal details.

If you find that your buyer is starting to look slightly uncomfortable, stop with your line of questioning and leave the buyer alone. So many FSBOs attempt to bombard a buyer with an array of questions that only lead to embarrassment in the end. You merely need to know basic information regarding each buyer, and once you learn this information walk away. Also, it is a good idea to keep valuable information inside of a guest book next to each person’s name, and contact those motivated buyers shortly after your open house.

You can lay out all the refreshments in the world, but if your buyer feels intimidated, they will leave your home without a second thought. The entire point of showing your house is to help a buyer see just how “liveable” your home is, and if you think about it, you might not enjoy a hard line of questioning either. Try to be a gracious host, but do not go overboard.

Hosting an open house is a sure fire way to get buyers into your home, but you can just as easily chase them away if you are not careful. Remember to ask only the essential questions, and skip those small details that you really have no business knowing about.

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Monday, September 8, 2008

Business Portal

Business Portal

Should You Really Be Improving Your Home with Modern Amenities?

Posted: 07 Sep 2008 12:48 PM CDT


Did you know that there is a heated debate occurring within the real estate world right now? Some people thrive upon renovation, but others will warn you to stick with the bare minimum. While a lot of people have suddenly decided that renovating an entire home is the only way to go, others have found that modern renovations can really detract from a home’s overall worth. It’s true, many renovations will automatically push some potential buyers away, but if you do not fix up those things that are eye sores, you may be sending buyers away as well. So, what should you do when it comes to preparing your home for sale?

First, let’s point out the obvious - if your shutters are hanging by their last nail, and your roof is completely bald, you will need to renovate. There are some repairs that are just necessary, so take a careful tour around your property (inside and out), and note those things that would immediately send buyers away. However, when it comes to the inside of your home, modern is definitely not always better.

So many beautiful, historic, homes have been ruined by contemporary walls and built in wall units. Before you decide to renovate, understand the true value of your home. If you plan to market your home as some sort of historic landmark, do not attempt to modernize the interior in any way. Also, if you can afford to do so, try and replace your home’s hardware (door handles, window frames) with hardware from the time period in which the home was built. By following the true nature of your home, you will certainly attract a niche market, and this can be extremely profitable. Then again, not everyone can afford to completely remodel, but there are still some things that you can do to improve your home.

One of the simplest things that you can do in order to enhance your home is to wash the outside of your house. You will be surprised at the difference a good wash makes, and your home will suddenly stand out to those passing by. Also, if you have a very old front door, apply a quick coat of varnish or paint, and watch your home’s exterior transform. Lastly, make sure to wash your windows and clean your window screens, a home that has dirty windows will take on a dull appearance.

For now, the debate continues, but you will have to decide whether or not to fix up your home when it comes time for you to sell. Chances are, there are some areas of your home that need a bit of touching up, but renovating that great old farmhouse may not be such a great idea after all.
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