Don’t Miss Out on Fall Selling Opportunities

Why are the fall and winter months such a good time to sell a home? I’ve got five great reasons to give you today.

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I wanted to give you five reasons why you should list your home on the market now rather than waiting for spring.
 
The first is that inventory is usually low around this time of year. You want to take advantage of the fact that most homeowners are thinking of putting their house up for sale in the springtime, but if you do it now while demand is still high and the inventory is low, you’ll be able to position your home to attract a higher offer.
 
Secondly, remember that interest rates are still very good these days. There are discussions that the rates may go up after the new year, so buyers and sellers are encouraged to take advantage now and lock in those good rates. As a seller, remember that if rates go up, a portion of the people who qualify for your home now may not qualify.
 

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Fall and winter buyers are usually more serious about getting a deal done.

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The third reason is that there are more homes in the spring. It’s basic economics—the price of your home that the market will bear is a function of supply versus demand. It’s a good opportunity to sell now while demand is high and inventory is low. When the inventory increases in the spring, you'll just be another home on the market.

The fourth reason to list now is that buyers who are out looking for homes in the fall and winter months are usually far more serious about buying a home. It’s always a good idea to try to attract more serious buyers.

The fifth and final reason is that there are buyers out there who want to get into a new home before the holidays. If you put your home on the market now, it will be an option for one of these buyers who needs to buy fast.

These are the kinds of reasons why I offer my 2016 real estate report, which I’d be happy to give to you. It’s loaded with helpful information that breaks down Corpus Christi real estate from the perspective of both buyers and sellers.

If you have any questions about buying or selling in the fall, please feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I’d be happy to help!

Stop Struggling with Bad Credit in Corpus Christi

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I’m here with David Clifton, and he’s my expert in credit restoration. He’ll be sharing tips with us on how to improve your credit score. It’s not as difficult as some people may have you believe.

First, you need a copy of your report and you need to check the personal information section. Make a note of all the incorrect information you might find in there, because it all counts against you.

Another good move is to check all of your credit cards. Check your balance to limit ratio, because a ratio of more than 20% will begin to drag your credit score down. If you can keep it under 19%, your score will begin to rise back up.

These are only a few of the things that you can do to improve your credit, but you can also look at David’s blog or contact me to get in touch with him.

I would be happy to hear from you. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need assistance. This is going to be a great year to buy a home, so get your finances in order now before interest rates rise too high!

How Can You Increase Your Corpus Christi Home’s Value?

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If you’ve been thinking of selling your Corpus Christi home, you’ll want to make sure you do all you can to maximize your final sale price. Today we are excited to share five different things you can do to help your home sell this spring. These tips can dramatically increase the perceived value of your home, which will also push the final sale price up. Here they are:

1.  Declutter or remove unused items around your home
This will increase your home’s value while at the same time making it more appealing to buyers.

2. Upgrades and updates
Take some time to walk around your home like a buyer would. Notice things like countertops, lighting and plumbing fixtures, and carpets. Replacing one or all of these items could dramatically increase your perceived value.

3. Painting touch-ups
It’s important to walk around your home and touch up areas like baseboards or walls. A coat of paint can really go a long way and give the home a nice, fresh feel.

4. Deteriorated wood
Note the areas that should be replaced, such as garage and door frames, and window areas.

5. Curb appeal
Here’s another nugget. This is absolutely important when your home goes on the market. Most buyers start their search online. Cut your grass, trim your trees, plant some fresh plants around the front door area. These things can definitely increase your showings as well as your perceived value.

In the end, you’re trading nickels and dimes for dollars. Investing in this process can dramatically increase your net proceeds. Think about what the buyer is going to see. For a complete list, give us a call or send us an email. If you have any other questions or suggestions for another topic, let us know about those as well. We look forward to hearing from you!

The Difference Between Cost and Price

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Is there a difference between cost and price? As a home seller, you should be concerned about the short-term price of your home. Where are home values heading over the next six months? Will the current interest rates or rising interest rates help or hurt your home's value?

You should also consider the absorption rate. Keeping the pulse of the market helps give you an idea of the price of your home. According to the National Association of Realtors, an absorption rate of 6 months is a balanced market. Anything over six months is considered a buyer's market and anything under six months is a seller's market.

Since the price of your home is a function of supply and demand, it's important to know what's happening with the market. Work with a real estate agent who knows the market inside and out, and you'll get the best price for your home.

 As a buyer, you should pay attention to the cost of your home. What will your monthly payments be? What about taxes, home insurance, and electric bills? These are continuous expenses, and you need to make sure your home is efficient. Working with an agent will help you save tens of thousands of dollars down the line.

Buyers should also keep an eye on interest rates as rates directly impact your monthly payments. If interest rates go up, so will your monthly payments.

If you have any questions about today's video, give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to help you!

Should I List Today?

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Most homeowners are lead to believe the colder months aren’t the best to list. They identify the spring and summer as better times to sell. Although this is partially true, I disagree a bit. The fall and winter can be a great time to list. Here’s why:

• Foot traffic rises. This is the indicator of future sales. Prospective buyers now are serious about browsing properties. 
• Inventory is low while the demand remains high. This is your opportunity to stand out!
• Interest rates are low. They’re predicted to jump next year. Take advantage of the rates now.

If you have any question about the market today or suggestions for future video topics, please reach out today. I would love to assist you.

Why Isn't Your Corpus Christi Home Selling?

 

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A lot of people have been asking me lately, "What keeps a home from selling?" I'll go over four factors that contribute to the home selling process.

The first factor is the overall condition of the property. This includes things like the state of the flooring, roof, paint, and structure. As a homeowner, you want to increase the perceived value of your home. Do a thorough walkthrough of the property, and repair any deficiencies.

Factor number two is location. This is the golden rule of real estate. If your home is in an unpopular area, near a commercial property, or by a busy street, that could be why the home hasn't sold.

The third factor is marketing. Marketing confuses both agents and owners. Most people think if the home is on the MLS, that is sufficient marketing. That is simply not true. Marketing means communicating your message to your target audience. In this case, the target audience is potential home buyers. It's very important that you understand how to position your home in order to get the highest offer possible. Don't rush this process; take the time to prepare your home for marketing.

The fourth and final factor is price. Use a proprietary software system that analyzes future predictions in pricing. Don't base your home's price on past sales; base the price on future statistics and absorption rates.

How to Buy and Sell at the Same Time

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A lot of my clients have been asking me whether they should buy a home first or sell a home first. This is a catch-22 in the real estate business, but we always recommend the same thing to our clients. 

We always recommend to our clients that they put their homes on the market before they start looking to purchase. Once your home is on the market, then you can start your search, because the rubber will already be on the road by that point. 

If you find a home that you like before you find someone to purchase yours, then make sure that you write in contingencies into your offer so that you have a buyer for your home when you go to purchase another. If you have a good real estate agent, they can ensure that you secure terms that are advantageous to you. 

Usually my team and I can get your home sold at the same time that you purchase another one. We've dealt with transactions like this before, and it just takes some planning and organization. If you're in need of a capable agent in Corpus Christi, please don't hesitate to contact me!