remax northern kentucky: Reasons To Sell Your Home Today! - 11/15/10 03:28 AM
Selling your house in todays market can be challenging. It is for that reason that every seller should take advantage of each opportunity that presents itself. This fall is an opportunity that may be just too good to pass up. Below are reasons why you should consider when pricing your house to sell in the next 90 days.1. If you are moving up, you can save thousands. A home that was once worth $300,000 may now be worth $240,000 in a market where prices have fallen 20 percent. You might think, the seller is taking a bath. But that seller may … (3 comments)

remax northern kentucky: Your Thoughts Control Your Blessings! - 11/11/10 10:13 PM
Each of us has the power to elevate the value and quality of our life, simply through our thoughts, by the power of positive thinking. Earl Nightingale gave an example in one of his taped programs. He said imagine that you are the operator of a huge piece of earth-moving equipment. You are sitting in a small cab, hands on the wheel, and have the ability to move vast amounts of earth. Would you take your hands off the wheel and let it run itself into a ditch? Your mind, and thoughts are like that wheel! Through positive thoughts, you guide your life … (5 comments)

remax northern kentucky: What You Need To Know About Property Disclosures. - 11/09/10 04:58 AM
When you are selling a property there are certain disclosures mandated by state and federal law. Do you know them? Are there other disclosures that are recommended, even if not required? This blog will help to address those issues.Federal DisclosuresFederal law requires disclosure of lead-based paint hazards on any property built before 1978. This is generally done on an EPA-approved form, combined with giving the buyer a copy of the pamphlet, "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home", available from the EPA's website. The law requires that you give your buyers a ten-day opportunity to test the house for lead. … (2 comments)

remax northern kentucky: Sow Good Seeds! - 11/04/10 04:11 AM
INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:
"A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds." - Francis Bacon
SOW GOOD SEEDS!
James Bender, in his book "How to Talk Well," tells of a farmer who grew prize-winning corn. Each year he won the blue ribbon at the state fair. When asked how he did it, the farmer explained that he shared his seed corn with his neighbors.
Pollen from ripening corn is carried by the wind from field to field. If the farmer's neighbors grew inferior corn, he felt that cross-pollination would steadily degrade his own prize-winning variety. If he was to … (0 comments)

remax northern kentucky: Valuing A Property In Todays Market. - 11/02/10 11:04 PM
In today's market where there are so many foreclosure and bank REO sales, figuring out the real value of a property can be difficult. The comparable sales method is the most commonly used -- and still the most accurate one -- to determine the value of single-family homes, condominiums and smaller rental buildings (two to four units). Start by researching information about sold properties on your local government Web sites for your target area. Many tax assessor's offices and county courthouses offer searchable online databases that allow you to view the prices for properties within a specific area. They usually list full … (1 comments)

remax northern kentucky: Is Now An Opportune Time To Buy A Home? - 11/01/10 12:44 AM
Is the housing market showing improvements and on the road to recovery? A recent survey by the National Association of Realtors shows that home sales did rise in September which can be taken as at least a positive sign. While it may be true a housing recovery is taking place it will be more than likely be volatile. Yet the overall direction should be a gradual rising trend in home sales with buyers responding to historically low mortgage interest rates.Interest rates are at historical lows which is helping the market. Interest rates are nearly just half what they were a decade … (6 comments)

remax northern kentucky: Should You Buy A Home? - 10/29/10 09:57 AM
The past few years has left some people wondering, why buy a home? Why when you hear the horror stories of markets crashing, home values underwater and home owners facing foreclosure, would you want to buy a home? When you buy a home there are tax advantages. Effectively, homeownership provides an excellent tax shelter. But there are more reasons to trade your rent payment for a mortgage. Buying a home for a tax advantage isn't how you should look at it. Consider thinking of it this way, you need a place to live. Receiving a tax advantage for the place that … (0 comments)

remax northern kentucky: Tips To Help Make Your Home Marketable - 10/28/10 10:08 PM
Your house is on the market, and you've got a real estate agent in place that you can trust. Potential buyers show up, but no offers. Now what? To help aid in the selling of your home, I will outline some tips that I personally believe will benefit in the marketability and potential selling of your home. The goal here is to obtain that all important "stamp of approval" in which the red imprint reads: "SOLD."Usually, the first place your potential buyer is going to see, will be the front of your house. The goal here is to make it as … (4 comments)

remax northern kentucky: Common Mistakes To Avoid When Purchasing A Home. - 10/20/10 06:53 AM
Common mistakes to avoid when purchasing a home:
1. Limiting your search to open houses, ads or the internet.
2. Choosing a Real Estate agent who is not committed to forming a business relationship with you.
3. Not following through on due diligence. 
4. Not considering long term needs.
5. Not knowing total cost involved.
6. Making an offer on a home without being prequalified.
7. Not having a home inspection.
8. Not examining insurance issues.
 
… (2 comments)

remax northern kentucky: Guidelines To Help Remodeling Pay Off. - 10/16/10 12:27 AM
Just a few years ago you could count on getting the bulk of your money back for almost any home improvement. Today that isn't true. According to a study from Remodeling magazine, the average return on value for an upgrade declined from 87% in 2005 to 64% in 2009. But these six new rules will help you maximize your return on your remodeling investment.Rule No. 1: Repairs Get The Biggest ReturnsThe smartest money now goes into "undeferring" needed maintenance. That's because while buyers might appreciate enhancements like Jacuzzis and Sub-Zeros, they won't tolerate a house with a leaky roof or antiquated … (4 comments)

remax northern kentucky: Slowing Down To Keep Up? - 10/14/10 04:10 AM
The title of this blog may be a bit confusing. After all is it possible to slow down but actually go faster? Consider the following. Our business now travels at the speed of the Internet. You're connected, I'm connected and we're all moving at warp speed! Yet do you ever want to put on the brakes? Maybe just curl up in bed under the covers? If you're feeling overwhelmed at the break neck speed of business and your life take heart because there are solutions. Yet you must make time for them. Some call it checking out. Others call it needing … (4 comments)

remax northern kentucky: Thoughts And Practices For Today's Economy. - 10/12/10 03:16 AM
Is that a question you've ever asked yourself? Have you ever wondered why some entrepreneurs do well in today's economy while others fail? There is a huge discrepancy right now between people who are failing and people who are succeeding.In my opinion here's the secret to what separates those who are doing well in today's economy from those who are not. It's one word and that word is fear. The not so successful business owners have fallen into a cycle of fear. Usually that pattern is established through incessant watching of the news, whether it's reading a newspaper, a magazine, watching … (1 comments)

remax northern kentucky: How To Get Top Dollar When Selling Your Home. - 10/09/10 02:14 AM
Buyers pay a premium for a home that is in top-notch, move-in condition, so once you decided to sell, make sure the home is ready to be sold.First, you have to figure out what needs to be done to your home. A thorough property inspection up front will help to identify problem areas. Having the property inspection done and all the corrections taken care of before you get offers also shows the buyers that you are conscientious homeowners. This will relieve some of their anxiety about buying your home.Also, almost all buyers will have a property inspection done before closing the … (0 comments)

remax northern kentucky: Exterior Remodeling Proves Best Bang for Your Buck. - 10/07/10 03:56 AM
Some homeowners have decided to remodel their exisiting home verses purchasing another due to the national pullback in home values over the last several years.Despite a slow market and a slight decrease in the resale value of most remodeling projects, the smartest home improvement investments may also be some of the least expensive. Results from the 2009 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report show that small-scale exterior projects are the most profitable at resale, according to Realtors® who completed the survey.On a national level, 8 out of the top 10 projects in terms of costs recouped were exterior replacement projects that cost … (2 comments)

remax northern kentucky: Avoid Mistakes When Selling Your Home In Todays Market. - 10/06/10 12:13 AM
Making a mistake in selling a home can cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Avoiding these mistakes is easy and takes little time and effort on your part. Take the time with your home sale and follow the following guidelines. Distress Selling: At times, selling quickly is unavoidable. That's when knowing the right techniques to sell your home without looking desperate and making yourself a target for low bidders pays off. know your market before listing and work hand in hand with the right real estate professional. Ensure that you are not settling for the first offer through the door.
… (1 comments)

remax northern kentucky: Home Buying Mistakes To Avoid. - 10/04/10 11:33 PM
1. Not doing your homework. Enter the market well-prepared by researching locations, school districts, deed restrictions and taxes. 2. Trying to make only a shrewd investment. Focus on finding the best place for you and your family to live rather than trying to predict the real estate market. 3. Choosing a poor location. Consider what part of town you would like to live in and avoid homes located on busy streets. 4. Overlooking an inferior floor plan for an attractive exterior. Choose a great floor plan over a great exterior because you'll spend far more time inside the house than outside. … (10 comments)

remax northern kentucky: How To Avoid Costly Mistakes When Selling Your Home. - 10/01/10 07:51 AM
Selling your home can be an exhausting experience. Last minute walk throughs, inconvenient calls, price adjustment and the possibility of being stuck with two mortgages are real concerns. If you are not completely prepared you could end up losing hundreds, even thousands, of dollars in profit. The difference between a profitable smooth transaction and a break even, miserable experience is often a fine line. In the majority of cases it comes down to the subtle know how of your professional. By utilizing the knowledge of a well-trained Realtor, you'll ensure the quick, profitable sale of your home. This blog is designed to … (2 comments)

remax northern kentucky: Baby Boomers Start Downsizing Trend. - 09/30/10 09:20 AM
It's a fact, baby boomers want to feel connected. Many decide to downgrade after their kids go off to college or move out on their own. The size of the home they raised their family in just is too big after the kids leave. However, it's more than just the size of their living quarters that makes them want to buy again. Previously there was a preconceived idea that senior citizens retire, move to Florida, Arizona or into a community of their same demographic. Yet there is a changing mindset emerging. Aging baby boomers no longer want to be in isolated … (10 comments)

remax northern kentucky: For Sale By Owners: Worth the hassle? - 09/29/10 11:43 PM
For-sale-by-owner residential transactions are less than 15% of all home listings nationwide. According to a survey of homebuyers and sellers conducted by the National Association of REALTORS®, 68% of respondents sold their homes through a real estate professional. Of that percentage, 8% tried unsuccessfully to sell on their own. Only 13% of respondents sold their own homes.Further, the research shows that 50% of those homeowners who did successfully sell their homes without a real estate professional's help vowed never to do it again, because of the complexities and hassles associated with the transaction.Among the major problems cited:Cost associated with marketing the … (4 comments)

remax northern kentucky: Pricing Your Home Right Is Key To Selling It! - 09/29/10 09:13 AM
When you decide to sell your home, you want the highest possible return from its sale. Determining price is the most critical step in preparing your home for sale. Obviously, pricing your property too low won't provide the best return. You are apt to be deluged with lookers and may get many offers, but you could lose thousands of dollars on one of your family's largest investments. Likewise, pricing a property too high is risky. Homes priced too high miss their target market. Qualified buyers who might find the home just right for their needs won't see your home, or make … (0 comments)