HURRY THE EXTENDED FIRST TIME BUYER CREDIT WILL EXPIRE ON THE 30th! The $8,000 First Time Home Buyer (or a buyer who hasn’t owned a home in over three years). Short sale buyers that have offers which were started months ago, are still awaiting acceptance from the bank, and nerves are fraying. There are no rumors that the buyer credit will be extended, but until it is known for sure, the sure bet is to get a contract for a foreclosure or regular sale. The regular sale would mean a motivated seller with no short sale or third party delay. The foreclosure buyer is usually in a bidding war these days, but the value won is worth it. The best way to win the contract is to make sure you have a full-time Realtor by your side and on the same page as you. As a Realtor, this week is going to change for a few of my clients in short sales, we are going to pursue new home contracts because the banks are not responsive enough to our short sale offer. For home sellers that need to sell their homes due to relocation, job loss, etc., this is the time to put your house on the market! Remember, as a Seller, if you take a lower amount than you’d like on the home you’re selling, you can make it up on the other side as the Buyer. This is a crucial week for buyers and sellers! Most mortgage companies will be able to close within 45 days any less, and the odds of a timely close go down!
School’s Out for Summer! Need to Make a Move to a new home? It may be surprising to find out that “non-distressed” homes are selling again. Many buyers are tired of losing out on foreclosures and waiting on short sales — they’re not short, it just means the bank is shorted money — and are heading back into the regular seller market. This makes for a more motivated buyer if the seller makes the home of value. This is a great time to move up, too, because the lower priced homes are selling and allowing the seller to buy a little higher and still get value. It makes sense to many sellers that they may lose some on the selling of their house, but gain it back on the buying of another. Many homes are under contract after months of sitting on the market due to the sellers deciding to lower their house price so that they can move into their dream home! Several steps to ensure that buyers will put in an offer on your house are as follows: 1. Put Clutter in Boxes and Store Away; 2. Make Any Repairs on Known Problems; 3. Bring a Stager in for Advice on What Else Needs to be Packed Away; 4. Get a Comparable Analysis from Your Favorite Realtor to Figure out What the Price Should Be, and Get The Seller Disclosures Started with Your Realtor; 5. Pack Anything Special that You Don’t Want to Sell, Because Whatever You Like, Be Sure to Know the Buyer will Just Have to Have It! 6. Be Flexible and Let the Buyers Pick the Time to View Your House with a Realtor, and Make Sure the Buyer and Agent are Alone when Viewing Your Home; 7. Keep Your Home Clean and Don’t Make Living in Your Home Look Like Work; 8. Put all Prescription Drugs Out of Sight; 9. Buyers are Looking for Value, Price Your Home Competively; and Lastly, Listen to Your Realtor — We Really Want to Help You Sell Your Home For The Best Price, Least Hassle and As Quickly as Possible! Call Lori Lane, Realtor, CRS, GRI, ABR, West USA Realty 480-570-0988
