Moving to a new area: Hire a Realtor

Need to move to a new area due to job transfer, storm damage, or just looking to relocate for a change. Your current group of connections or past Realtor resources is an excellent place to find a qualifed Realtor that can help you find your new home. Look for someone that has experience in the area your moving to that has the time to properly service you with listing before the move, and the time to adequately show you listings on your time schedule.

To get started previewing listing for sale in Worcester or Central Ma today go to Maureenhbrennan@aol.com. You can also sign up at that web address for daily listing to be emailed to you.

Storm damage alert: Check Contractor licenses and references

Whether your doing general repairs, repairs to improve your property prior to a sale, preparing to upgrade, or doing storm damage repairs check references and the length of time your potential contractor has been in business. If someone is constantly changing business names that maybe a sign that they are tryig to not be located by past clients. Its also a good idea to see if you can get these references from someone you know yourself or in the are and ask how they found the contractor or what references they saw or if the follow up repairs, warranties, or guantees held up to what was offered. All reputable contractors have licenses. All reputable contractors will give you a written contract with there address and phone number on the contract. 1/3 of the contract is the normal deposit to cover materials. The more specific the contract the more likely you will get the results desired.

After a storm its tempting to take the first person that comes along and hire them. But if there are no references, contracts, etc...do you really want to take the risk of loosing your deposit? A temporary repair by a reputable contract may be a better solution than to pay for less than what you expect.

Looking for real estate to purchase in Worcester or central MA. Contact me at maureenhbrennan.com or visit my webpage at maureenhbrennan.com

If you can't get them in you can't sell the listing

No curb appeal = fewer buyers.
Fewer buyers= longer hoding periods.
Longer holding periods = more seller holding expenses
More seller holding expenses = less profit.
Less curb appeal = lower listing price to entice buyers to look inside or inside photos in advertising to the public that will tell the buyer its worth looing inside.

So if you want lower selling expenses and have no curb appeal the lower the price the faster the sale. The faster te sale the lower the caring costs that cut into your profit. Over priced listing shave higher advertising and caring costs and result in slower sales or no sale at all.

Selling staged or empty

Do you want to sell staged or vacant? The answer is that depends on what your budget is and the condition of the property and staging materials. If at all possible stage at lease the rooms that will be shown in on line advertising. Vacant homes never should be advertised as vacant for safety reasons. Staging photos can be taken prior to a property being completely empty or a property can be staged with a minimal amoung of furnishings or prior to old owners moving out if furniture will not date home. Or photos can be limited to exterior pictures, and only a few interior shots of kitchen, baths, fireplace, a close up of hardwoods or flooring. So the answer is that depends. Sometimes less is more. But to much stuff may bring a smaller price or overpower a buyer so they can not picture themself in your property.

Get a home inspection

Have a certified home inspector review the home your purchasing to show you how your home works and to elimate as many visible surprises immediately before or after making an offer.  This will keep you from having as few problems as  possible after you own or beyond the period you maybe able to renegotiate the purchase.  If you are planning on havig a home inspection and have not done this at the time of offer, make sure this is clearly part of the offer.

Home inspectors are licensed and trained to look for more things than the buyer. Unless your family or friends are licensed inspectors even if problems are found you may not be able to renegotiate unless the offer states this specifically ( and seller may not take you as a serious buyer

Don't test drive without a license.

You wouldn't get behind the wheel of a car with out a license. Don't buy a house without a few basis steps. Sellers: (1) Clean, remove all clutter and personal reminders of you and your family (as much as possible)completely from the entire property, and neutalize all colors so any buyer can see their pocessions in your home as their new home. (2)Repair anything that is broken in a professional manner. (3)Market & Price your property correctly. You can't get emotional on a low ball offer or be insulted. Consider hiring a professional Realtor not just a real estate agent. Realtors need to adhere to a code of ethics. (4) Be prepared to negotiate. Buyers: (1) Get pre approved, aprroved, or even get a letter of commitment subject to finding a property and it appraising. The further you are in the process the more seriously the seller will take you as a buyer. Cash buyers need proof of funds. (2) Update your docuemnts regualarly with your lender so you can close quickly. (3) Get a Realtor that is a buyers agent to represent your interest. (4) Be prepared to negotiate on all offers.