If you’re considering buying a home, it’s important to consider what your life will look like in a few years. it’s so easy to become occupied with our present lifestyle and choose a home to match today’s needs. But you need to
be aware there are 5 main factors that can influence the quality of life in your home. Let’s go over 5 tips to help you find the right home:
1) What Kind Of Lifestyle Do You Want? – Do you like the nightlife and the convenience of being close to restaurants, bars, and clubs? Then a home within walking distance would be more convenient. If you travel a lot for
business, a townhouse or condo close to the airport would suit that lifestyle better.
2) Size Of Household – If you expect your household size to grow by adding roommates, kids, or parents, you’ll want
to consider buying a home with adequate bedrooms, bathrooms, backyard space, and a good school district. If you plan to remain single, a smaller home may be adequate.
3) How Will You Use Your Home? – If you have a certain hobby, work at home, like to entertain, or cook a lot in
the kitchen, you’ll need to find a home that suits those particular needs. If wouldn’t make sense to buy a home
with just a carport when you have a home business that needs a garage to store products.
4) Daily Activities – Do you love remodeling vintage homes to their original condition? Do you have plans for a backyard paradise? Then you might consider buying a home in the outskirts of town with a larger yard. But if you like being close to the nightlife or hosting big parties, a
home in the busy city may be more suitable.
5) Is This A Starter Home? – If your budget is tight and you’re barely able to qualify for a compact home, a good
idea would be to buy a minor fixer upper in a good area. By spending a little time doing minor cosmetic remodeling, you could make the very appealing and list it for greater
profit. With the extra profit earned from the sale, you can use it as a down payment on a larger home. or even a
duplex.
By paying close attention to these 5 suggestions, you’ll increase your odds of finding the right home for your
unique lifestyle. One eye opening exercise is to ask a friend or family member to help your think about the
possible directions your life may take within the next 5 years. To get the most benefit out of this exercise, it’s
important to be honest with your expectations. The end results may change the type of home you decide to purchase
Are you searching for an Orange County Home? Then check out these local Orange realtors and Villa Park realtors to help you find one.
Filed under 1 by Sarah P. Shimanski
November 23, 2009
The Power of Your Business Cards to Market Your Products and Services
I wanted to share with you some good information and knowledge I have learned over the years. If you are in direct sales of any kind, I will provide you with a proven example of how powerful business cards can contribute to your sales figures. With over 20 years experience in real estate sales, I will be more comfortable giving you examples based on my expertise. However, you will see that this can apply to any and all types of direct or commission sales personnel.
If you are in regional sales you might find what I am about to say a little more challenging and creativity will have to play a part. It is still very realistic to make a ton of money with the marketing of your business cards. If you are not given leads by your company or you are an independent contractor, this is the cheapest and most productive way to market yourself.
If you are brand new in sales, you need to come up with a way to market yourself and your product or service you sell. Advertising can be very expensive and the least expensive form of advertising is business cards. A good quality professional business card should cost you no more than $100 per 1000.
Around that same time the Super Bowl was coming to Arizona. I was a season ticket holder and was able to get tickets for $100 each. When I arrived at the game early, shortly thereafter I was offered $1000 for each ticket. The temptation was too good and I couldn’t resist.
A good habit to be in, is always keep a box of business cards in your car. Over the years I have asked so many people for their business card and they didn’t have one on them. As far as I’m concerned that is a “lost” sale.
In the next– months my sales increased over $100,000 directly from distributing these business cards. It was amazing. I always kept track of where my sales came from and that is how I knew it was from passing out my cards.
Let’s dissect this further by saying at the time, the average sales price of a home was $250,000. The average commission for the sale was 3%. This would calculate to $7500 per sale. I made $110,000 from passing out 1000 business cards, which means I sold approximately 15 customers or clients a home in the next year. It cost me $75 for 1000 business cards. That equates to only .015% in conversion but over $100,000 in my return on investment. Could you image passing out 1000 business cards per quarter. That would be 60 sales per year. Incredible for a real estate professional.
Needless to say, this strategy worked and my client base increased exponentially over the years. Always carry business cards with you no matter what. Keep them in your wallet or purse and keep them stored in your car. Take every single opportunity to give your card to everyone you come in contact with. You can’t go through too many business cards. Make it a goal to pass out at least 1000 per quarter. You will be surprised to see how much business this will generate for you in the future.
See more information about gilbert az homes by clicking the link: gilbert az homes today.
Filed under Loans by Winters Hansen
October 22, 2009
Easy Steps to Take Before Selling Your Home
You are ready to put your home for sale on the market. This is not an easy task and can be quite challenging and requires a focused effort on the sellers’ part. Of course, this is only important if you want to get the highest price possible for your home.
There are many different types of buyer’s but data shows 80% of these buyer’s purchase a home based on emotion. We want to hone in on this emotion and keep the buyer emotional and excited during the preview of your home. And best of all, you probably won’t have to spend any money to accomplish this.
Pretend for a moment that you are a buyer. Walk outside and walk up to your home. Are you excited? Look around and see what appeals to you and what doesn’t. Ask yourself, “What can I do to get a buyer more excited about my home. Ever hear the saying “First impressions count”? This is so true with almost every type of introduction. Keep in mind also that “curb” appeal refers not only to the outside of the home but the inside as well.
First impressions count. Oh, does it ever. Be attentive to the outside of your home. This is the very first thing a potential buyer sees when they arrive at your home. Mow the lawn, keep the shrubs and trees trimmed and sweep the sidewalks. Be sure your outside entryway isn’t engulfed with spider webs. If you have a hardwood front door, is it weather beaten? Put a coat of stain or some sort of protection on it. These small tasks will make a great “first impression” and excite the buyer in wanting to see the inside of the home.
When the buyer opens the front door, what rooms are immediately noticed? Will it “wow” the buyer? Move any large furniture further away from the entry as to not put the main focal point on one thing. You want the buyer to notice an entire room and you want them to feel the comfort of the room.
Personally, I always thought that small furniture and accents had to be placed in small rooms. I was so wrong. However, you don’t want items too large that they engulf an entire room. You only need 18″ of walking space between two pieces of furniture. Rearrange your furniture if needed to make the room feel warm and spacious.
And finally, be sure your kitchen and bathrooms are sparkling and uncluttered. If these areas are clean, buyers will feel comfortable that the rest of the home is clean as well. Almost every buyer will look inside the oven. Ovens are self-cleaning so be sure you use this feature. Clear off countertops and you will be amazed how much more functional the kitchen will appear to the buyer.
Taking these minimal and inexpensive steps in preparing your home for sale will almost guarantee you a higher offer price. on the home when it comes time to sell.
See reference link tucson real estate home sales for more information.
Filed under Loans by Kraig Schneider
September 6, 2009
Risks To Consider And Funds Required When Buying At A Trustee Sale
Arizona Trustee sales have several benefits that outweigh the risks. Mastering the first step in winning a successful bid at a Trustee Sale can place you in a positive equity position.
There are several types of liens that can show on title of a property. First you have the mortgage liens, possibly 1st and 2nd mortgages. There could also be property tax liens, mechanic liens and IRS liens. Be sure you research all title history before bidding on a home at the Trustee Sale. If there is a lien that you’ve overlooked you will be responsible for it along with the mortgage liens.
The chain of title will determine all liens on a given property. This will show the mortgage liens in addition to any property tax and/or IRS liens. Do you research carefully as this is a crucial step in the process before bidding on a property. Don’t proceed to the next step until you feel comfortable with the valid liens and you’ve established your position.
Remember you are buying the property in an “As-Is” condition. There will be no inspection periods, no termite inspections, no home or seller warranties and no title insurance.
Once you win a Trustee Sale bid, there are financial requirements. First you must place an earnest deposit in the amount of $10,000 with a cashier’s check to the trustee. You also must have the remaining funds to pay the note in full within 24 hours after you win the bid. Failure to close the transaction the following day you will automatically lose your earnest deposit and possibly face additional legal ramifications.
Getting around the cash needed in 24 hours is usually done thru a pre-determined hard money lender. The interest rates are high but you don’t need the money for long. Usually less than 30 days as you will refinance out of the hard money into a conventional loan. And yes, you do need a down payment.
Once you purchase the home chances are they will require some maintenance. Most repairs will be cosmetic such as paint, carpet and drywall repair. You will need to bring the home up to standards before renting or selling the home. A percentage of the costs of repairs is usually decided or allotted prior to placing the bid and keep in mind you are buying a home with instant equity.
The purchase price you pay for the home is never more than 70% of market value. If you refinance the property through a conventional mortgage they will only lend at 80% of market value.
See more information about homes in tucson az by clicking the link: homes in tucson az today.
Filed under Loans by Steven Mueller
