Doretha Caldwell's Blog

The Clever agent

Doretha Caldwell (Ellis Property Investments) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 01:51:59 -0700

A broker was dismayed when a brand new real estate office much like his own opened up next door and erected a huge sign which read ‘BEST AGENTS.’

He was horrified when another competitor opened up on his right, and announced its arrival with an even larger sign, reading ‘LOWEST COMMISSIONS.’

The broker panicked, until he got an idea. He put the biggest sign of all over his own real estate office. It read: ‘MAIN ENTRANCE.

You got to say he was definitely thinking outside of the box.

contact Doretha Caldwell at 910-286-9396 or visit at www.DorethaCaldwell.com

Trauma Free Homebuying Tips

Doretha Caldwell (Ellis Property Investments) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 23:37:01 -0700

Most of us buy only a few homes in our lifetime and it is usually one of the biggest investment being made. This often becomes a very scary and emotional thing for many people. The List below can help you to take some of the scariness out of it. By employing some of the steps listed below you can overcome the fear and are able to think more clearly and make sensible decisions in your homebuying efforts.

1. Find a real estate professional who’s sympathetic to your needs and concerns. Homebuying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s critical that the practitioner you choose is both skilled and a good fit with your personality.

2. Remember, there’s no “right” time to buy, any more than there’s a right time to sell. If you find a home now, don’t try to second-guess the interest rates or the housing market by waiting. Changes don’t usually occur fast enough to make that much difference in price, and a good home won’t stay on the market long.

3. Don’t ask for too many opinions. It’s natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many ideas will make it much harder to make a decision.

4. Accept that no house is ever perfect. Focus in on the things that are most important to you and let the minor ones go.

5. Don’t try to be a killer negotiator. Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, but trying to “win” by getting an extra-low price may lose you the home you love.

6. Remember your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Don’t get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself—room size, kitchen—that you forget such issues as amenities, noise level, etc., that have a big impact on what it’s like to live in your new home.

7. Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to get approved for a mortgage, investigate insurance availability, and consider a schedule for moving. Presenting an offer contingent on a lot of unresolved issues will make your bid much less attractive to sellers.

8. Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-homebuying budget. Even if you buy a new home, there will be some costs. Don’t leave yourself short and let your home deteriorate.

9. Accept that a little buyer’s remorse is inevitable and will probably pass. Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big commitment, but it also yields big benefits.

10. Choose a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation. While U.S. homes have appreciated an average of 5.4 percent annually from 1998 to 2002, a home’s most important role is as a comfortable, safe place to live.

contact Doretha Caldwell at 910-286-9396 or visit at www.DorethaCaldwell.com

The Fantastic Deal

Doretha Caldwell (Ellis Property Investments) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 22:59:06 -0700

This one had me in tears, I had to share it. I hope you enjoy.

One Sunday afternoon a couple sees an ad in the paper. They can't believe their eyes. There is a house in the paper for $1000 that is in the nicest part of town. We are talking about a Highland Park mansion for $1000. They think this has to be a misprint, but decide to call anyway.

They say to lady the who answers we saw your ad, and realize it is a misprint correct. She tells them no it's not & you are actually the first ones to call.

They decide to go look at the house. They race over as fast as they can. They pull up to the most beautiful house on the block.

In front of the house is a fountain that cost at least $30,000. They ring the door bell & the lady answers. She starts showing them the house. They realize this house is over 5000 sq ft and it is obvious that expense was not a problem in building this house. The house had marble imported from Italy & a chandelier imported from France. The landscaping was breath taking & the house had a great pool & a nice tennis court.

The couple said to the lady this is the most beautiful house we have ever seen, what's the catch? The lady assured the couple there was no catch.

The couple wanted the house for $1,000 but was leery of doing the deal. Finally the lady said you seem like a nice couple, so I'll let you know the truth.

She told them this house is completely paid for, and not a penny is owed against it. Well, last week I got a call from my Husband. He informed me he is leaving me for his secretary. He then told me I could have everything we own as long as he could have the proceeds off the sale of the house. I agreed and he asked me if I could sell the house while he & his new girlfriend hung out in the Caribbean?

contact Doretha Caldwell at 910-286-9396 or visit at www.DorethaCaldwell.com

Is It A Good Time to Move-Up?

Doretha Caldwell (Ellis Property Investments) — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 23:58:56 -0700

A very common question asked by those who are thinking about Moving-Up would be " Is the Time Right for Me to Move-Up." According to NAR ( The National Association of REALTORS) the following are questions to ask when you are trying to evaluate whether a larger home or to a more desireable location is right for you now. If you can answer yes to most of them, this could be a strong indication that the time is right.

1. Have you built substantial equity in your current home? Look at your annual mortgage statement or call your lender to find out. Usually, you don’t build up much equity in the first few years of your mortgage, as monthly payments are mostly interest, but if you’ve owned your home for five or more years, you may have significant, unrealized gains.

2. Has your income or financial situation improved? If you’re making more money, you may be able to afford higher mortgage payments and cover the costs of moving.

3. Have you outgrown your neighborhood? The neighborhood you pick for your first home might not be the same neighborhood you want to settle down in for good. For example, you may have realized that you’d like to be closer to your job or live in a better school district.

4. Are there reasons why you can’t remodel or add on? Sometimes you can create a bigger home by adding a new room or building up. But if your property isn’t large enough, your municipality doesn’t allow it, or you’re simply not interested in remodeling, then moving to a bigger home may be your best option.

5. Are you comfortable moving in the current housing market? If your market is hot, your home may sell quickly and for top dollar, but the home you buy also will be more expensive. If your market is slow, finding a buyer may take longer, but you’ll have more selection and better pricing as you seek your new home.

6. Are interest rates attractive? A low rate not only helps you buy a larger home, but also makes it easier to find a buyer.

contact Doretha Caldwell at 910-286-9396 or visit at www.DorethaCaldwell.com

Fayetteville NC-Selling A Home..... Are You Preventing Your Home from Being Sold?

Doretha Caldwell (Ellis Property Investments) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 04:35:00 -0700

You have made the decision to sell your Fayetteville, NC home and feel like you have done everything to make that happend. Weeks, months, and more months have passed and nothing, not even a peep of a showing. The local market is hot, so what could be wrong? Well, it is possible that you could be the culprilt in sabotaging your own goals and not realize it. Have you put enough effort and thought into these areas listed below. If not, the sad result could be you preventing your home from selling. Put the time and effort into these areas and avoid this from happening to you.

PRICE IT RIGHT: Pricing a home is sort of a Science. In its simplest form, the Market price is set by what a buyer is willing to pay and a seller is willing to accept. This transaction done many times over make up the market. Price it right from the very beginning and save yourself the time and money that it will cost you in doing otherwise. Remember a house priced correctly will sell.

MAKE A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION: Curb appeal is one of the number one factors that people look at when they begin to look for homes on the market. You only get one chance to make a first impression and the curb appeal is what buyers can see first and foremost. The sidewalks should be as clean as possible in front of your home, the driveway might need to be re-sealed or paved, and the paint on your home shouldn’t be incredibly chipped that it would cause the overall look to be sacrificed. The hedges and grass should be trimmed.

DECLUTTER, DE-PERSONALIZE and CLEAN: The vast majority of buyers cannot visualize what a home can be. They only see what is in front of them and if its cluttered, dirty and outdated that’s all they see. Also note that if they can see what it can become, the seller is going to be penalized in their mind for the work and cost it will take to get it into what they visualize it to be.

BE FLEXIBLE: Allow your Fayetteville home to be available for as many showings as possible. Sure, this sometimes can be a challenge (ex. you currently have tenants that require a 24-48 hour notice) but certainly not impossible. The key is try to be as flexible as possible . You should remember that each opportunity of a successful showing is also an opportunity of an offer leading to a successful sale. After all, that is the goal, a successful sale and as Quickly as possible.

contact Doretha Caldwell at 910-286-9396 or visit at www.DorethaCaldwell.com

The Planning Commission Has Cleared Fayetteville, NC's Developement Ordinance

Doretha Caldwell (Ellis Property Investments) — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 23:33:43 -0700

After three years of work on the rewriting of Fayetteville's zoning, subdivision and development codes into a unified ordinance, the Fayetteville Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend the changes. Next step, to the City Council. This will be done next month.

The new ordinances are expected to provide the guidelines for many years on things such as sidewalks and how streets are layed out in new neighborhoods.

As a result of some upset and complaints from developers and home builders stemming from anticpated higher construction costs associated with the new ordinances. City planners responded by making some changes to the original proposals.

We will all have to stay tuned to see what happends next.

contact Doretha Caldwell at 910-286-9396 or visit at www.DorethaCaldwell.com

A Fayetteville NC Realtor's Secrets To Selling Your Home For Top Dollar

Doretha Caldwell (Ellis Property Investments) — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 01:40:40 -0700

You are looking to sell your home and are becoming increasingly discouraged at the idea when you consider all the competition. You wonder, how do I get noticed in this sea of For Sale Signs Signs? How do I go from "FOR SALE" To "SOLD" as quickly as possible. To answer these questions take a look at a Fayetteville NC REALTOR's secrets to Selling Your home quickly and for Top Dollar. Some of the Secrets are as follows:

1. Use a quality camera to get quality photos. This one is very important. Your pictures will be what represent that home to the buyer and what will give them their first impression. Photo's willl be what takes them to the next step of scheduling a showing of that property.

2. Know your market. Get great comparables for you home.

3. Take your marketing to the next level and go viral. Showcase your home with virtual tours, use social media sites such as facebook, youtube, and twitter to market your home. That potential buyer can come from many different places. Don't leave out the traditional marketing such as newspapers, and direct mail.

4. Price it Right from the very beginning. Don't be tempted to price yourself out of the market. Have a strategy. If you want a fast sale your strategy may be to price the property at 10% below market.

5. De-Personalize and De-Clutter the home. Move out all the extra clutter and things that are not needed.

6. Care must be given to the curb appeal and the exterior of the home. for an example, add a pop of seasonal color to the yard, get rid of weeds and overgrown bushes.

To Learn More about A Fayetteville NC REALTOR'S Secrets To Selling Your Home For Top Dollar and Selling Quickly visit www.DorethaCaldwell.com

contact Doretha Caldwell at 910-286-9396 or visit at www.DorethaCaldwell.com

Yummy... Fall Recipe For Your Next Open House

Doretha Caldwell (Ellis Property Investments) — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 23:57:43 -0700

I found this Yummy Hot Apple Cider recipe that will be a great Fall treat to serve at your next Open House.

Ingredients

*6 cups apple cider

* 1/4 cup real maple syrup

* 2 cinnamon sticks

* 6 whole cloves

* 6 whole allspice berries

* 1 orange peel, cut into strips

* 1 lemon peel, cut into strips

Directions

1. Pour the apple cider and maple syrup into a large stainless steel saucepan.

2. Place the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, orange peel and lemon peel in the center of a washed square of cheesecloth; fold up the sides of the cheesecloth to enclose the bundle, then tie it up with a length of kitchen string. Drop the spice bundle into the cider mixture.

3. Place the saucepan over moderate heat for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cider is very hot but not boiling.

4. Remove the cider from the heat. Discard the spice bundle. Ladle the cider into big cups or mugs, adding a fresh cinnamon stick to each serving if desired.

This recipe will yield 6 servings. Your guest, potential buyers will love it. Can you say Y-U-M-M-Y.

contact Doretha Caldwell at 910-286-9396 or visit at www.DorethaCaldwell.com

Compelling MLS Photos Speak A Thousand Words

Doretha Caldwell (Ellis Property Investments) — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 00:44:03 -0700

There is nothing worst than poorly done MLS photos, well except for having no photos at all. We have all seen our share of them at one time or another. We must remember that the goal is to get the buyer from the computer to the front door. We want them to be encouraged to book a showing. Bad photos are like repellents for buyers. They will often not even consider a showing after seeing photos that are pootly done.

Here are some strategies that may help you increase the amount of quality photos used in your MLS listings!

1. Pay special attention to the order that you place the photos on the MLS. The photos showing the homes best features should come first. We want to capture the buyers attention immediately.

2.Remove eye sores out of the photos like trash cans, refrigerator magnets, toys etc. Stage the photo.

3.If you can't get interesting photos and you are finding that the pictures are looking boring, empty, crowded, crooked, etc. then get some help with this task. Call a stager.

First impressions are critical on the internet. You want to put your best foot forward with this effort right at the beginning. After all, compelling photos speak a thousand words to our potential buyers.

contact Doretha Caldwell at 910-286-9396 or visit at www.DorethaCaldwell.com

Feng Shui Concepts to Help a Home Sell

Doretha Caldwell (Ellis Property Investments) — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 00:08:54 -0700

To put the best face on a listing and appeal to buyers who follow feng shui principles, keep these tips in mind.

1. Pay special attention to the front door, which is considered the “mouth of chi” (chi is the “life force” of all things) and one of the most powerful aspects of the entire property. Abundance, blessings, opportunities, and good fortune enter through the front door. It’s also the first impression buyers have of how well the sellers have taken care of the rest of the property. Make sure the area around the front door is swept clean, free of cobwebs and clutter. Make sure all lighting is straight and properly hung. Better yet, light the path leading up to the front door to create an inviting atmosphere.

2. Chi energy can be flushed away wherever there are drains in the home. To keep the good forces of a home in, always keep the toilet seats down and close the doors to bathrooms.

3. The master bed should be in a place of honor, power, and protection, which is farthest from and facing toward the entryway of the room. It’s even better if you can place the bed diagonally in the farthest corner. Paint the room in colors that promote serenity, relaxation, and romance, such as soft tones of green, blue, and lavender.

4. The dining room symbolizes the energy and power of family togetherness. Make sure the table is clear and uncluttered during showings. Use an attractive tablecloth to enhance the look of the table while also softening sharp corners.

5. The windows are considered to be the eyes of the home. Getting the windows professionally cleaned will make the home sparkle and ensure that the view will be optimally displayed.

contact Doretha Caldwell at 910-286-9396 or visit at www.DorethaCaldwell.com

Selling A House: Open House Safety Tips

Doretha Caldwell (Ellis Property Investments) — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 22:28:43 -0700

An open house can be a great sales tool, but it also exposes you to numerous unfamiliar people for the first time. Stay safe by practicing these guidelines.

• Call the local police department and ask them to have a squad care drive by during your open-house hours.

• Check your cell phone’s strength and signal prior to the open house. Have emergency numbers programmed on speed dial. Carry an extra, fully charged cell phone battery.

• Determine several “escape” routes that you can use in case of an emergency. Make sure all deadbolt locks are unlocked to facilitate a faster escape.

• Turn on the lights and open the curtains. These are not only sound safety procedures, but also great marketing tactics.

• Make sure that if you were to escape by the back door, you could escape from the backyard. Frequently, high fences surround yards that contain swimming pools or hot tubs.

• When prospective buyers begin to arrive, jot down their car descriptions, license numbers and physical descriptions.

• When showing the house, always walk behind the prospect. Direct them; don’t lead them. Say, for example, “The kitchen is on your left,” and gesture for them to go ahead of you.

• Notify a friend or a relative that you will be calling in every hour on the hour. And if you don’t call, they are to notify the police immediately.

• Inform a neighbor that you will be showing the house and ask if he or she would keep an eye and ear open for anything out of the ordinary.

contact Doretha Caldwell at 910-286-9396 or visit at www.DorethaCaldwell.com

Selling Your House...Staging Priorities ....Should-Dos and Nice-To-Dos

Doretha Caldwell (Ellis Property Investments) — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 21:42:17 -0700

In yesterday's Post I gave a list of the Absolute things that I feel a Seller "Must Do" in getting there house Sell Ready. Today I complete the list with the next two groups of priorities. The next groups on our Staging Priorities List include"Should Dos" and "Nice To Dos". They are as follows:

Should-Dos

1. Minor Repairs

2. Mechanicals must be in working order

3. Paint in neutral colors

4. Remove dated wallpaper

5. Update lighting

6. Update hardware

7. Replace old carpets & linoleum

8. Focus on curb appeal – don’t forget the outside – first impressions!

9. Replace bathroom mats, curtain and towels

Nice-to-Dos

1. Major Repairs

2. Organize garage

3. Organize basements

4. Organize & empty kitchen cabinets

5. Update doors

6. Update cabinets

7. Replace windows

8. Service or repair HVAC if needed

9. Update toilets & bathroom vanitie

contact Doretha Caldwell at 910-286-9396 or visit at www.DorethaCaldwell.com

Selling Your House.... Staging Priorities....Must Dos

Doretha Caldwell (Ellis Property Investments) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 23:57:10 -0700

To insure a better chance of meeting your ultimate goal of selling your house quickly and for top dollar, the list below include absolute must do s :

Staging priorities Must Dos

1. De-clutter rooms

2. Empty closets

3. Spring clean

4. Neutralize look

5. Eliminate odors

6. Address pet stains

7. Remove valuables

8. Shampoo carpets

9. Remove or re-arrange furniture items

10. Store toys away

11. Pack unnecessary clothes/items

contact Doretha Caldwell at 910-286-9396 or visit at www.DorethaCaldwell.com

House is Sold, Time to Move......Things You Will Need To Remember Check-List.....

Doretha Caldwell (Ellis Property Investments) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 23:43:02 -0700

□ Provide the post office with your forwarding address two to four weeks ahead of the move.

□ Notify your credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, and bank of your change of address.

□ Create a list of friends, relatives, and business colleagues who need to be notified about your move.

□ Arrange to disconnect utilities and have them connected at your new home.

□ Cancel the newspaper, or change the address so it will arrive at your new home.

□ Check insurance coverage for the items you’re moving. Usually movers only cover what they pack.

□ Clean out appliances and prepare them for moving, if applicable.

□ Note the weight of the goods you’ll have moved, since long-distance moves are usually billed according to weight. Watch for movers that use excessive padding to add weight.

□ Check with your condo or co-op about any restrictions on using the elevator or particular exits for moving.

□ Have a “first open” box with the things you’ll need most, such as toilet paper, soap, trash bags, scissors, hammer, screwdriver, pencils and paper, cups and plates, water, snacks, and toothpaste.

Plus, if you’re moving out of town, be sure to:

□ Get copies of medical and dental records and prescriptions for your family and your pets. □ Get copies of children’s school records for transfer.

□ Ask friends for introductions to anyone they know in your new neighborhood.

□ Consider special car needs for pets when traveling.

□ Let a friend or relative know your route.

□ Empty your safety deposit box.

□ Put plants in boxes with holes for air circulation if you’re moving in cold weather.

contact Doretha Caldwell at 910-286-9396 or visit at www.DorethaCaldwell.com

Low-Cost Ways To Spruce Up The Exterior of Your Home

Doretha Caldwell (Ellis Property Investments) — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 23:48:36 -0700

Your home can become more appealing for you and potential buyers by using these low-cost tips:

1. Trim bushes so they don’t block windows or architectural details.

2. Mow your lawn, and turn on the sprinklers for 30 minutes before the showing to make the lawn sparkle.

3. Put a pot of bright flowers (or a small evergreen in winter) on your porch.

4. Install new doorknobs on your front door.

5. Repair any cracks in the driveway.

6. Edge the grass around walkways and trees.

7. Keep your garden tools and hoses out of sight.

8. Clear toys from the lawn.

9. Buy a new mailbox.

10. Upgrade your outside lighting.

11. Buy a new doormat for the outside of your front door.

12. Clean your windows, inside and outside.

13. Polish or replace your house numbers.

14. Place a seasonal wreath on your door.

contact Doretha Caldwell at 910-286-9396 or visit at www.DorethaCaldwell.com

Staging Power in Fayetteville, NC and How Home Sellers Benefit

Doretha Caldwell (Ellis Property Investments) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 02:29:58 -0700

1. Statistics show that staged homes sell 30 to 50% faster in most areas.

2. The first impression a home makes is more often than not the one the buyers walk away with. It is therefore vital to make a good first impression right at the beginning.

3. It’s a well proven fact that buyers usually make up their mind in less than a minute on whether they want a home or not. With that in mind its critical that the outside of your home gets the same attention as the inside. If a buyer likes the home they are going to validate or reject that fact within the first 20 minutes. That 20 minutes is directly affected by the effort that went into staging (or not staging) the home.

4. Staged homes help the buyers see themselves in it by appearing to be ready to move in. Buyers place a great deal of importance on this factor in light of all the other “work” that has to be accomplished in moving into a new home. A well staged home says … I’m ready for you!

5. The vast majority of buyers cannot visualize what a home can be. They only see what is in front of them and if its cluttered, dirty and outdated that’s all they see. Also note that if they can see what it can become, the seller is going to be penalized in their mind for the work and cost it will take to get it into what they visualize it to be.

6. Staged homes just sell faster and for more money. Besides, agents love to show beautifully staged homes so you get more exposure. Staged homes have a competitive advantage over other homes that are not staged.

7. Appraisers see the home in a more positive light and are more likely to appraise the home higher than a similar one that is not staged.

contact Doretha Caldwell at 910-286-9396 or visit at www.DorethaCaldwell.com

When Is the Best Time To Sell? ---Fayetteville, NC

Doretha Caldwell (Ellis Property Investments) — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 23:20:21 -0700

The best time to sell is simple when you are ready to sell. Each situation is unique and will dictate what is the best time for you, given your situation and circumstances.

There are many reason one may decide to sell. One reason could be due to a change in a job status. If you are having to transfer jobs for example, you may want to sell right away. Or say you are being promoted, received a pay increase and as a result you would like to move-up to a more expensive home. Perhaps even the reverse, you are retiring , and want to downsize because your needs have changed.

Other common reasons that people often decide to sell is when the family situation has changed . Among the possible changes are additions to the family, the birth of a child or having to care for an elderly parent. If there is a pending divorce you may also consider selling your house, or if the last child has moved out and you simply have to much house to maintain all alone.

Even with all the reason stated above and many others, the economy will be a strong factor in determining whether we feel ready to take this step. This decision will always be more easy to make in a sellers market ; however, depending on your situation it may still be quite an advantage to sell in a buyers market for you . For an example , if you are attempting to move-up but first most sell your home. In this situation when you look at the big picture and overall savings from both transactions you can still come out on top. Making the decision to sell a good one for you.

Only you and your unique situation can determine when you are ready for such a move. When you are ready for the move, then it is a good time to sell for you.

Doretha Caldwell, REALTOR, SRS

www.dorethacaldwell.com

Serving: Fayetteville, NC, Fort Bragg, Hope Mills, Spring Lake, Raeford, NC and surrounding areas

contact Doretha Caldwell at 910-286-9396 or visit at www.DorethaCaldwell.com

Doretha Caldwell on Getting The House Ready for The Sale

Doretha Caldwell (Ellis Property Investments) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:03:50 -0700

After months of contemplating, you have decided to put your house on the market for sale. What is next? Well, if you house is in the most perfect condition, you may just have to clean up a little. However, if you are like most sellers, getting the house ready may require you to do some repairs after a careful inspection and lots of cleaning up. One of the things that I often suggest to sellers is to try to look at their property with the eyes of a potential buyer. This works very well because they are now trying to look at things from the point of view of a potential buyer. A totally different perspective.

After careful considerations of what will be repaired and the repairs have been completed, the next thing is cleaning up. Both the outside and inside of the house should be carefully cleaned. Clutter should be totally eliminated. Remember, first impressions are lasting ones , so you want to give your very best. Next, you want to gather all pertinent information that would be helpful to a new buyer. Information and receipts from repairs, maintenance and upkeep of the home would all be very useful. Other helpful Information would include utility bills such as the electric bill. This is helpful for the potential buyer to see what these expenses average from month to month for your house. After the repairs, cleanup, and information has been gathered, then the seller should complete a Disclosure Form. This form will allow you, the seller to disclose any physical defects with the property that would potentially change the buyers opinion about the value of the property. The above are the basic and most important preliminaries in getting your house ready for the sale. For additional information on getting your house ready for the sale contact Doretha Caldwell in Fayetteville, NC at www.dorethacaldwell.com or at 910-286-9396.

contact Doretha Caldwell at 910-286-9396 or visit at www.DorethaCaldwell.com

Doretha Caldwell- REALTOR,SRS Helps Home Owners in Fayetteville, NC To Meet Their Home Selling Goals

Doretha Caldwell (Ellis Property Investments) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:32:55 -0700

Doretha Caldwell, REALTOR, SRS, a Home Seller Representative Specialist with Allison James Estates & Homes uses skills in negotiations and a wide variety of marketing methods to uniquely promote her home seller clients properties to the widest range of prospective purchasers. According to Doretha Caldwell, the benefits of using a SRS agent, or a Seller Representative Specialist are tremendous for the Home Seller. The SRS Designees:

1. are members of an elite group of trained seller client advocates that know the importance of their client’s specific needs by using Seller Counseling Sessions to insure all needs are addressed.

2. concentrate their efforts on the seller client’s ultimate goals to insure the client is at the center of the sale.

3. is extensively trained in a wide variety of manual and electronic marketing methods.

4. understand that negotiation skills are critical to a successful transaction and are trained to position their client to receive the best possible outcome during ne gotiations of the sale.

5. adhere to the highest level of professional ethics and business practices in delivering ‘Client Level’ services with integrity.

6. are uniquely qualified to exceed the expectations of their clients yielding client trust.

7. know the importance of staging your property for best results. Staging is a critical component, along with accurate pricing, to attain desired results within a timely manner.

8. have an advanced level of understanding on how to collaborate with a variety of cooperating agents of all skill levels in the marketplace to insure that the ‘best’ buyer has an opportunity to purchase your property.

Doretha Caldwell, REALTOR, SRS is now servicing new clients looking to successfully sell their homes in Fayetteville, Fort Bragg, Spring lake, and Raeford, NC areas. For more Information on these services visit http://www.dorethacaldwell.com for deltails.

You may also visit http://fayettevilleandfortbraggrealestate.com/agent/doree for details. ### Doretha Caldwell, REALTOR, SRS- , www.dorethacaldwell.com, Doretha Caldwell is a REALTOR with Allison James Estates & Homes in Fayetteville, NC that specializes in helping client Home Sellers to meet their goals in selling their homes.

contact Doretha Caldwell at 910-286-9396 or visit at www.DorethaCaldwell.com

How to Prepare your Home for Sale - Part 2

Doretha Caldwell (Ellis Property Investments) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:18:01 -0700

Author: JakeConte

Getting your home prepared to be sold is a huge step you’re going to have to take. It is a lengthy process that is going to take time, effort, and a lot of work overall but it is going to be completely worth it when you get to move into your new home and your hard work has paid off on closing day. There are a few different things about your home that need to be in top shape in order for your home to sell effectively though. These are what buyers are looking for when they come to a viewing at your house.

Lighting is something that sets the entire mood of the house. It can make or break someone’s decision to buy or not so it is up to you to work out making sure the lighting is the best possible when someone is scheduled for a showing. You can make sure all of the bulbs are replaced and let in as much natural light as possible by opening up blinds and curtain as well.

A Clutter is also a huge downfall. Potential buyers are going to enter your home with the thoughts of what they can do to make it their home once they purchase it. That means you want to leave the living room especially as empty but lived in as possible so your personal little knick knacks which may be all over the place should probably get packed up sooner rather than later. Your closest should also be open and empty so that you aren’t making it seem like there is no storage space for the buyers. Your boxes could probably get placed in a storage unit or garage for temporary purposes.

Speaking of your garage, it should also be clean. Keep it organized and if you have a lot of stuff in it make sure it’s in a corner or stacked neatly so that they have the chance to get an idea of how much room is actually available for them to use. You could also paint the floor if it is too stained up to be overlooked.

Your patio should be inviting enough for the buyers to anticipate spending time out there once they move. A setup with a porch swing and a grill possibly makes it seem very homey and can make the difference in a sale or a viewing.

Your pool, if you have one, should be in operating condition and clean unless the investment will be too large to fix. The potential buyers are not going to want to have to spend thousands of dollars just to get the equipment in operating order. A sprinkler system falls under these same guidelines as well.

These are only a few tips to ensuring that your home has the best possible chances of getting sold quickly and appealing to buyers who come for a showing.

contact Doretha Caldwell at 910-286-9396 or visit at www.DorethaCaldwell.com

How to Prepare your Home for Sale - Part 1

Doretha Caldwell (Ellis Property Investments) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 02:18:11 -0700

<>Author: JakeConte

There is a lot of preparation that goes into ensuring your home is able to be sold. There are factors which can be combined to make the home sell quickly on the market. As a home seller this is the primary thing that you are looking for. There are so many houses for sale that it takes a lot of competition and energy to get yours sold successfully. People who are looking to buy a home will look for the amenities that are all available and compare these with the price of the home as well. There are a number of factors which need to be in top shape before your home is ready to be placed on the market.

Curb appeal is one of the number one factors that people look at when they begin to look for homes on the market. You only get one chance to make a first impression and the curb appeal is what buyers can see first and foremost. The sidewalks should be as clean as possible in front of your home, the driveway might need to be re-sealed or paved, and the paint on your home shouldn’t be incredibly chipped that it would cause the overall look to be sacrificed. The hedges and grass should be trimmed.

The kitchen is the most important room in the home according to statistics and home buyers so you need to make sure that yours is appealing. Your counter tops are often the first things that get looked at. Granite counter tops are the most desirable but not always so cost effective so you might try to do something like tiles or laminate. Your bathroom fixtures might want to be replaced as well since that is the second most important room in the entire house.

The front door is something that, obviously, is seen right away. Since natural light is so desirable, people want the front door to let light in by some matter. Your door shouldn’t be squeaky so oil the hinges up and make sure that it matches the hardware of the home as well. If you’re looking to really make the home appealing you could also replace the front doors with French doors but they are quite expensive and not always in the budget.

The next thing that needs to be in top shape is the floor. Each person is going to have their own preferences for what they like but hardwood is a huge seller for people. If you do have wood make sure it is in good condition and possibly re-stained to appear new. The carpet should definitely not have stains and if it’s old you might want to replace it completely to match the feel of the room and the paint.

These are only a few tips about how to get your home to sell quickly. A faster sale saves you money and valuable time as well.

contact Doretha Caldwell at 910-286-9396 or visit at www.DorethaCaldwell.com

The Benefits of Using A SRS- Seller Representative Specialist Agent and How to Find One in Fayetteville, NC and Your Area

Doretha Caldwell (Ellis Property Investments) — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 03:33:54 -0700

The Task of Selling a home can be a daunting task for any homeowner. For whatever reason a homeowner may decide to sell, whether it is a divorce, a change of jobs requiring a move, downsizing or the number of countless other reasons, a seller may decide to sell their home, this task can be quite nerving. Home owners often have developed a relationship with their homes. Homes hold treasured memories for the homeowners. A Seller Representaive Specialist (SRS) Agent is one who is trained to address these very issues and many others that are unique to a home seller. This elite group of trained seller client advocates know the importance of their client’s specific needs and use Seller Counseling Sessions to insure all needs are addressed. The SRS agent's job is to concentrate their efforts on the seller clients ultimate goals to insure the client (seller) is at the center of the sale.

In meeting these goals it is also mandatory for the SRS agent to adhere to the highest level of professional ethics and business practices in delivering services with integrity. The benefits stated above are just a few of the many benefits of using a SRS (Seller Representative Specialist). In summany, these agents are uniquely qualified to exceed the expectations of their clients trust.

If this is the level of service that you require, a SRS agent can be found in just about every city. You may start you search by going to Google or Yahoo to do a search on SRS and your City Name. For additional information on SRS agents and help finding one, feel free to give me a call at 1-800-590-1286 Ext. 24, I will be glad to assist you. My name is Doretha Caldwell. I am a REATOR and SRS agent with Allison James Estates and Homes of NC. I service clients in the Fayetteville, and Fort Bragg, NC areas.

contact Doretha Caldwell at 910-286-9396 or visit at www.DorethaCaldwell.com

Buying or Selling Your Fayetteville, Hope Mills, Raeford, or Fort Bragg, NC Home

Doretha Caldwell (Ellis Property Investments) — Fri, 28 May 2010 02:32:54 -0700

When you are faced with the very important decision of buying or selling your home, knowing that you have a trusted and knowledgeable agent there by your side to assist you with every step in the buying or selling process will guarantee you a greater peace of mind. As your agent that is my goal, ensuring that all is carried out smoothly from beginning to the end.

I like to take a personalized approach to each client’s needs. If you are buying a home, you can expect that I will educate you and provide resources to help you make the best home purchase for you and your family. If you are selling a home, you can expect me to provide you with a comprehensive marketing plan, assist you with staging your home, and spending the necessary time with you the seller to price your home correctly to ensure the highest market price is received for the sale of your home. " Your Satisfaction is My Guarantee". give me a call at 910-286-9396 ( my direct number) and put "Doree" to work for you.

contact Doretha Caldwell at 910-286-9396 or visit at www.DorethaCaldwell.com

The Number One Selling Mistake to Avoid

Doretha Caldwell (Ellis Property Investments) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 00:07:41 -0700

If you are thinking of selling a home please read this first! It could save you a lot of Money, Time and Other Opportunity Costs.

When you, a seller are about to sell a home, whether you are going to make a go of it on your own or hire an expert, a real estate agent to handle this endeavor, it is easy to get caught up in the excitement over choosing a sales price. Perhaps a higher sales price could afford you, the seller many financial opportunities and rewards. You, the Seller may decided to come up with a sales price based solely on the desires of your heart. As Tempting as that may be, you need to avoid this like a plaque. Instead, you should become well informed and work with a well informed expert who understands the market and its forces. Ths will save you a lot of money and lost time.

Unfortunately, this first scenario is played out over and over again with sellers. As a result the opportunity costs are great and the outcome for the seller is far from what is desired. When pricing a home, it is very important to remember that what we think or what anyone uninformed may think does not matter in pricing that home. What matters is what a buyer thinks. In todays market buyers are very informed and will not be moved in purchasing a home that is overpriced according to the market. That buyer will simply move on to something else that is priced more in line with what market forces are dictating.

Pricing a home is sort of a Science. In its simplest form, the Market price is set by what a buyer is willing to pay and a seller is willing to accept. This transaction done many times over make up the market.

Price it right from the very beginning and save yourself the time and money that it will cost you in making this huge mistake. Remember a house priced correctly will sell.

Visit me at www.dorethacaldwell.homesandland.com If you have any questions about pricing your home right from the start you may also contact me at (910)286-9396.

contact Doretha Caldwell at 910-286-9396 or visit at www.DorethaCaldwell.com

Selling Your Home in Fayetteville NC/ Fort Bragg: Increase Your Success of Selling Quickly

Doretha Caldwell (Ellis Property Investments) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 23:14:55 -0700

If you are selling a home in Fayetteville, NC or Fort Bragg, it is important that your home be exposed to as many potential buyers as possible to ensure your success in the current market. The most important exposure avenue is through physical showings. There is simply no way around it. Therefore, you should allow your home to be available for as many showings as possible. Sure, this sometimes can be a challenge (ex. you currently have tenants that require a 24-48 hour notice) but certainly not impossible.

The key is try to be as flexible as possible . You should remember that each opportunity of a successful showing is also an opportunity of an offer leading to a successful sale. After all, that is the goal, a successful sale and as quickly as possible.

contact Doretha Caldwell at 910-286-9396 or visit at www.DorethaCaldwell.com