My "pre-sale" remodeling budget is fairly firm – selling my home in Tulsa Oklahoma - 11/30/09 09:50 PM
You may or may not have read my post about selling my own home, but now that I have input from my home stager, painter, a few repairman and a fellow Realtor, my remodeling budget is fairly firm. Feeling the agony that I put my Sellers through has definitely given me a new perspective!
We decided to nix the window treatments and spend money on new interior and exterior doors. Instead of adding a tiled backsplash to the kitchen, we will spend money on new appliances and focus on landscaping.
We are adding some crown molding and will paint the entire … (11 comments)

Why you want your Realtor to market your property to other Realtors - 11/28/09 08:51 PM
You want your Realtor to market your property to other Realtors because we work as a community to sell each other’s listings. Your Realtor should market your property directly to prospective Buyers, but also to other Realtors whose Buyers may be the perfect match for your home sale. 
You want your Realtor to provide a detailed, accurate and thorough description of your property on the MLS and various internet sites – ask to see it.
Make sure the driving directions to your home are easy to understand and that a map is included with your listing.
Ask your Realtor to send … (19 comments)

How NOT to Price Your Home - 11/28/09 07:44 PM
Could not have said this better than this New York Realtor. Lori
Via J. Philip Real Estate LLC Briarcliff Manor, NY:
How not to price your home:
Take your mortgage balance. Add your credit cards. Throw in your cars. Add a generous portion of all the money you borrowed from relatives.  Pile on your down payment for that other house you have your eye on. Last but not least, give yourself an extra 50 grand just for being you.  Get a blank look on your face when you are told that the buying public doesn't care what you owe.  Wait. Wait some more.  … (0 comments)

Curb Appeal Brings a Lasting Impression when Staging your Home for Sale! - 11/28/09 07:39 PM
The second home featured in Peggy's post was my listing that got close to a full price offer within a month, despite the fact that the half bath shared a room with the hot water heater, washer and dryer, AND the home had no garage. But, it was staged to sell!
Via Peggy Givens (Staging Tulsa):
Curb Appeal Brings a Lasting Impression when Staging your Home for Sale!
Your home needs just as much WOW FACTOR on the exterior as it does the interior. The first impression begins when the home buyer sees your house listed on the Internet, then it continues … (0 comments)

Home Buyers, Now is the Perfect Time to Buy - 11/27/09 04:20 PM
My favorite Los Angeles Realtor, Jane, posted a great video on why now IS a perfect time to buy a home!
Via Jane Peters Los Angeles Living, Los Angeles Homes (BRC Realty Group):
If you plan to live in your home, now is the perfect time to buy. Real estate economist, Ken Rosen tells you why!
Buying or selling real estate in Los Angeles can be an overwhelming process.  Contact Jane Peters, Los Angeles realtor specializing in absentee owners, out-of-town buyers, and those who need that extra attention, in order to make the transaction a smooth, trouble-free, and fun experience.
Search Los Angeles … (4 comments)

Selling your home during the winter months - it IS a good time to sell! - 11/25/09 10:49 AM
Selling your home during the winter months - My Sellers are almost ready to put their home on the market (finishing up a few improvement projects), but they’re concerned about selling their home during the winter months.
Now IS a good time to put your home on the market, and here are the reasons why:
People still need (yes, need) to buy during the winter months. I have literally written a sales contract on Christmas day before. I sold more homes in January and February this year than I did in April and May. Many Sellers decide to hold off … (14 comments)

FHA Requirements as of January 1, 2010 - 11/24/09 01:00 PM
Heads up from this Austin Realtor about upcoming FHA changes. The reduction of appraisal validity period from six to four months is a significant change. Lori
Via Dorie Dillard: Canyon Creek & NW Austin Living (Coldwell Banker United):
 
Marie Funston with Coldwell Banker Mortgage always keeps us updated on changes in the lending industry (which this past year has been numerous).  For further information you can reach her at 512-750-7270 or marie@austinmortgageadvisor.com. Her latest advisory is about the new FHA Requirements being implemented as of January 1,2010:
Effective for FHA case numbers issue as of January 1, 2010, there are new … (4 comments)

Can this Realtor selling her own home follow the same advice this Realtor gives home sellers? - 11/23/09 09:56 PM
Can this Realtor selling her own home follow the same advice this Realtor gives home sellers?
This Realtor is selling her dream home and wondering if I can follow the same advice this Realtor gives home sellers. Finally, the shoe is on the other foot.
Some would say that I am too strict with my clients selling their home. It must be priced competitively. Needed updates and improvements are to be made before photos are taken and before my sign goes in the yard. I encourage my home sellers to utilize the services of a home stager. Remove any objections a … (16 comments)

No FHA or VA financing? SERIOUSLY? - 11/21/09 08:31 AM
No FHA or VA financing? Recently I’ve seen several property listings state in the Broker’s remarks (area that the public can’t see) that the Sellers will not accept offers with FHA or VA financing. Do these Sellers realize that they’re possibly ruling out 95% of the market by not accepting that type of financing?
I’m shopping in a range for first-time home buyers who will typically have FHA or VA financing. I’ve explained to my Buyers that if they choose an “as-is” property, they will be responsible for whatever repairs may be required by the type of financing they choose. … (10 comments)

$8,000 / $6,500 Tax Credit Legislation Extended and Modified for Home Buyers - 11/16/09 12:12 PM
Via Mike Jones (SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC): 
$8,000 / $6,500 Tax Credit Legislation Extended and Modified for Home Buyers
Until the new legislation was signed into law, first time homebuyers could apply for and receive a tax credit in the amount of $8,000. when they purchased a home before the sunset date of November 30, 2009.
The new legislation, signed into law by President Obama on Friday, November 6, 2009
extends that date until April 30, 2010 for civilians, and to April 30, 2011 for certain military buyers. increases the income limits so that millions more can qualify for the tax … (3 comments)

Home Buyers: Don’t fall in love with a house and ignore the old roof! - 11/14/09 09:52 AM
Home Buyers: Don’t fall in love with a house and ignore the old roof!
I bought my first home before I became a real estate professional. I was in that home for less than two minutes before I knew it was the perfect home for me.
Because I saw the home in daylight, I never noticed that there was no electricity in the detached garage. My cousin gave me an electric overhead garage door opener as a house-warming gift, which of course couldn’t be installed until I ran electric lines to the garage.
I also didn’t pay attention to the … (10 comments)

Outgrown your starter home? NOW is the time to upgrade & here are three reasons why. - 11/06/09 02:13 PM
Outgrown your starter home? NOW is the time to upgrade & here are three reasons why.
Okay, it’s time to sell your house.
You've outgrown that cute little starter home with two bedrooms and 1 bath that you bought after you got married and before you had two children. It’s time to pass that along to another young couple and find a larger home in a school district of your choice with a separate bathroom for the kiddos.
You may have heard that the Senate & House extended the 1st-time home buyer $8,000 tax credit. They ALSO added a $6,500 credit … (11 comments)

Creek Stickball Park of the midtown Tulsa Riverview Neighborhood Association - 11/03/09 09:08 PM
Creek Stickball Park of the midtown Tulsa Riverview Neighborhood Association
My neighborhood, the Riverview Neighborhood Association, is home to a recent Oklahoma Centennial project, a sculpture in Creek Stickball Park. Located at 18th & Cheyenne in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the sculpture features three Native American youths playing stickball – a traditional game with ceremonial significance in the Native American Culture.
The statue in Creek Stickball Park was made possible through a $250,000 donation from the Oklahoma Centennial Commemoration Commission. Besides the sculpture, this provided park amenities including wrought iron fencing, new sidewalks, landscaping, irrigation and benches.
Dedicated in December 2008, the … (2 comments)

Our Alley Herb Garden in the Riverview Association, midtown Tulsa - 11/02/09 10:08 PM
Our Alley Herb Garden in the Riverview Association, midtown Tulsa
Our home is in the Riverview Neighborhood association, right next to the beautiful Arkansas River in Tulsa and just slightly south of downtown. My 55 year-old husband has lived in this home his entire life, and we couldn’t imagine living anywhere else!
Our beautiful Spanish-style home at 19th & Cheyenne was built in 1915, and is within half a block of Riverside Drive and less than a block from Veteran’s Park. We are within walking distance of many restaurants, our organic grocer, Grindstaff Cleaners and Mrs. DeHaven’s flower shop – all … (2 comments)

 

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