5 Tips for a Successful Home Sale
A Special Report from The Pujals Team, Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley Selling a home is both exciting and stressful. It means big changes are ...Sep 25, 2019
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When Should You Sell Your Home?
Is it time to sell your home? Most homes aren’t “forever homes,” and the majority of people do sell their home at some point. According the Nati...Sep 24, 2019
Whether Buying or Selling a Home, Always Work with a Real Estate Agent
A Special Report from The Pujals Team, Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley Being a do-it-yourselfer is great for many things, but not when it comes...May 9, 2019
10 Real Estate Terms Every Buyer and Seller Should Know
A Special Report from The Pujals Team, Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley When you’re buying or selling a home, you’re sure to hear many real ...Apr 10, 2019
3 Tips for the First-Time Home Seller
A Special Report from The Pujals Team, Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley When you’re a first-time home buyer, you can easily find a lot of advi...Mar 12, 2019
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Listing Agent
When it’s time to sell your home, you need to hire a listing agent who will work hard to ensure you get the most money for your home. After all, you...Mar 5, 2019
Sell Your Home for Top Dollar
You want to sell your home for top dollar. If you’re like most home sellers, you’ve probably read many articles or watched videos about the import...Dec 11, 2018
Manage Your Expectations When Selling Your Home
Selling your home can be stressful. You may feel anxious, angry, or even sad at times. Physical manifestations of this stress may appear as fatigue, s...Nov 27, 2018
Realtor vs. Real Estate Agent – What’s the Difference?
When people talk about real estate, they often use the terms “Realtor” and “Real Estate Agent” interchangeably. But the two designations are a...Oct 16, 2018
Know When It’s Time for a Price Reduction
Many sellers have the topic of price reduction on their mind. In fact, one of the most common questions home sellers ask is, “When should I lower th...Oct 2, 2018
Stress Relief for Home Sellers
If you’re selling your home, you may be yearning for some stress relief. Did you know that selling your home is regarded as one of the most stressfu...Aug 21, 2018
Pricing Tips to Sell Your House Fast
If you want to sell your house fast, then pricing matters. After all, few people enjoy opening their home to strangers and having it on the market for...Aug 1, 2018
How To Price Your Home Effectively
One of the most difficult aspects of listing your home for sale, is trying to price it appropriately. Most people have a general idea of what thei...Jul 5, 2018
How To Price Your Home Effectively
One of the most difficult aspects of listing your home for sale, is trying to price it appropriately. Most people have a general idea of what their home might be worth, but that price may not be what the fair market value actually is. The fair market value of your home, is what any buyer is willing and able to pay to purchase your home. This is why it is so important to make sure your home is priced appropriately. There are many factors that need to be taken into consideration when pricing your home effectively. In this article we will explore the vital criteria that facilitates a successful sale. The first and probably most important aspect of pricing your home appropriately, is to find out what other homes in your neighborhood are selling for. This is called comparable home sales. By taking a look at other homes similar to yours in the same neighborhood, or nearby area, you will be able to see what buyers are willing and able to pay for a home similar to yours. There are a few different aspects of looking at comparable home sales, which we will explore in the next paragraph. One of the main components that goes into comparable home sales is the aesthetics of other homes in the neighborhood. What do the other homes in the neighborhood look like in comparison to yours? How do they compare in terms of upgrades, amenities, and property conditions? Do homes in your neighborhood that have recently sold have updated kitchens, bathrooms, or a pool? What is the square foot...Jul 5, 2018
Pricing Tips to Sell Your House Fast
If you want to sell your house fast, then pricing matters. After all, few people enjoy opening their home to strangers and having it on the market for multiple months. Therefore, when you price your home correctly from the start, you can sell your house fast and experience less stress. Here are some pricing tips to consider: 1. Look at what has recently sold, not what is currently listed. Most people know the importance of looking at comparable listings. However, many sellers do this research by looking at homes that are currently listed for sale. Unfortunately, this is not the best data to rely on. If you want to sell your house fast, a better approach is to look at what has recently sold. Realize that you can list your home for any price you want. But that doesn’t mean a buyer will be willing to pay that. Focusing on what has sold (which offers proof of what price the market will bear) is more important. 2. Listen to your Realtor. If you needed medical advice, who would you trust? A doctor, or your friend who is a teacher? Chances are you’d listen to the doctor. Likewise, when you’re selling your home, who should you defer to for the best advice? Your Realtor, or people who are not in the real estate profession? I hope you’ll trust your Realtor. Assuming you’ve talked with several real estate agents and listed with one you felt was professional and capable, you should rely on their expertise when deciding on a listing price. If you don’t agree with their l...Aug 1, 2018
Stress Relief for Home Sellers
If you’re selling your home, you may be yearning for some stress relief. Did you know that selling your home is regarded as one of the most stressful life experiences? In fact, it’s ranked right up there with divorce, bankruptcy, and even the loss of a loved one. If you think about it, it makes sense. After all, no one likes strangers roaming through their home, engaging in contracts and price negotiations, working against deadlines, or even dealing with the whole moving process in general. It’s enough to make even the calmest person feel stressed. To make the home selling process easier and less stressful, keep these stress relief strategies in mind. 1. Remember your “why”: Chances are you’re moving for a reason that is important to you. What is it? Are you needing more space for a growing family? Downsizing so you can travel the world? Embarking on an exciting career in new city? Whatever your reason for selling, keep that “why” firmly in mind as you navigate stressful times. By doing so you’ll be more motivated to stay the course. 2. Lean on your Realtor: Remember that your Realtor has been through hundreds if not thousands of real estate transactions. He or she has “seen it all,” and can probably offer much advice on everything from pricing and negotiations to home staging and interacting with buyers. If you have a good Realtor working for you, there’s no reason for you to ever feel like you’re “in it alone.” Let your Realtor help y...Aug 21, 2018
Know When It’s Time for a Price Reduction
Many sellers have the topic of price reduction on their mind. In fact, one of the most common questions home sellers ask is, “When should I lower the price of my home?” Of course, no one wants to lower their asking price. We all want top dollar for our home. But the fact is that in some cases, lowering the price is necessary. Following are key signs that it may be time for sellers to consider a price reduction. 1. You have very few showings – If your home is new to the market, you should get a flurry of activity the first few weeks of your listing. That’s because people always want to see the newest homes that hit the market. But if you never experienced that initial viewing frenzy, or if you did and now it’s suddenly crickets, it may be an indication that your price is too high. 2. You have many showings, but no offers – Similarly, you may be getting ample showings, but no offers. This could indicate that your photos and description are compelling, but the home and its asking price are not living up to expectations. If you can’t enhance the home with updates or repairs, you may need to re-examine the asking price. 3. You need to move soon – Sometimes you can’t postpone life changes. For example, if you need to move very soon for a job transfer, and can’t afford to carry two mortgages while you wait for an offer, lowering your price may be your best strategy to get out of the home quickly. 4. The market is changing – Market changes can com...Oct 2, 2018
Realtor vs. Real Estate Agent – What’s the Difference?
When people talk about real estate, they often use the terms “Realtor” and “Real Estate Agent” interchangeably. But the two designations are actually different. Here’s what you need to know to ensure you’re working with the best professional for your needs. First, let’s start with the most common term: Real Estate Agent. A Real Estate Agent is someone who has passed the required real estate classes and licensing exams in the state where they intend to work. This is how most real estate professionals begin their career. All Real Estate Agents must work under a licensed Broker. What is a Broker? A Broker is someone who has taken real estate classes beyond the agent level. They have also passed a broker’s licensing exam. Real Estate Brokers can work as independent agents or have other agents working for them. Agents who have passed the broker exam, but who choose to work under another Broker, are typically called a Real Estate Associate Broker. As you’d expect, the Broker title comes with a lot more responsibility than an agent designation. Brokers are charged with handling the earnest money and depositing and establishing the escrow account. They also oversee the actions of the Real Estate Agents under their supervision. The Facts About a Realtor Finally, a Realtor® is a Real Estate Agent who is also a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). To become a member of the NAR, a real estate professional must agree to abide by the association's ...Oct 16, 2018
Manage Your Expectations When Selling Your Home
Selling your home can be stressful. You may feel anxious, angry, or even sad at times. Physical manifestations of this stress may appear as fatigue, snapping at others for no reason, or headaches. No matter how stress affects you, it’s never enjoyable. However, you can take steps to manage this stress before it occurs, which will help you have a more enjoyable home sale. One of the ways to keep home selling stress under control is to manage your expectations about the sale. First, let’s be clear: You should definitely have goals and expectations when selling your home. Those are obviously very important for a successful sale. The key is to make sure your goals and expectations are realistic, based on the market conditions. One thing to consider is to focus on price ranges, rather than specific numbers. For example, rather than get fixated on a final selling price, think of an acceptable range that enables you to meet your goals. Sometimes people get so focused on a singular sales price that being off that number by even a few hundred dollars seems like failure to them and causes unnecessary stress. To determine your range, look at other homes that have sold in your area in the past 30 days. Make sure you’re looking at sold listings, not active listings. Sold listings tell you what buyers are willing to pay in your area, while active listings, especially those that have been on the market for weeks or even months, tell you what the seller hopes to get, not neces...Nov 27, 2018
Sell Your Home for Top Dollar
You want to sell your home for top dollar. If you’re like most home sellers, you’ve probably read many articles or watched videos about the importance of painting, decluttering, and staging your home. That’s all great information to sell your home quickly and for the highest price. But there’s one more vital piece of advice you need to heed that will help you get your home market-ready. And it’s something few people consider doing. TIP: Before you list your home, ask for an outside opinion of what needs to be updated, fixed, or changed in your home. That’s the best way to sell your home for the most money. Often, when you’re emotionally invested in something, like your family home, it’s easy to not see those things that could hinder a sale. After all, you may love the bright walls, the flowery wallpaper, or the creative way you’re using the dining room as an office. But remember that not everyone will see things as you do. As a result of not knowing what outsiders see as potential issues, you may end up working haphazardly or guessing at what you should update or fix. Obviously, this is not the best strategy. Instead, ask your Realtor or a trusted friend what improvements could be made to help you sell your home. Be open to the feedback you receive. Yes, it can be difficult to hear that the wall where you measured your kids’ heights over the years should be painted over, or that your prized movie memorabilia collection should be put in storage. Bu...Dec 11, 2018
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Listing Agent
When it’s time to sell your home, you need to hire a listing agent who will work hard to ensure you get the most money for your home. After all, your home is likely one of your largest assets. Therefore, you want to hire someone you can trust and who can deliver the results you deserve. Before you sign with any listing agent, make sure you ask these 3 key questions. 1. How do you ensure my home is priced properly? While you want top dollar, if your listing agent advises you to over-price your home, it could sit on the market for months. When you price your home correctly from the beginning, you often get multiple offers on the same day, which can then drive up the sales price. Your listing agent should have the know-how, research tools, and expertise that comes from experience to help you come up with the best listing price. 2. How will you market my home? Ideally, your listing agent should take a multi-faceted approach to marketing your home. This can include such things as open houses, online exposure via home finding sites and social media, and Realtor tours, just to name a few. Your listing agent should also be able to offer staging advice, as staging is a vital aspect of marketing. 3. How often will we be in communication? You want a listing agent who communicates often. This includes getting feedback after showings, providing regular marketing updates, and sharing comments from potential buyers and other real estate agents, Set your communication expectation...Mar 5, 2019
3 Tips for the First-Time Home Seller
A Special Report from The Pujals Team, Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley When you’re a first-time home buyer, you can easily find a lot of advice and suggestions to make the home buying process easier. But what about when you’re a first-time home seller? There’s much less information about this life milestone. Yet at some point you’ll want to sell that first home. And if you’ve never done something before, it often feels overwhelming and even scary. When most people decide to sell their first home, they feel confused. “Who do I call? What do I list my home for? Do I need to update my home? What is the process for selling a home? Is it expensive?” The list of questions is endless. Being a first-time home seller doesn’t have to be stressful. By following the tips below, you can sell your first home quickly and for top dollar. 1. Choose the Right Listing Agent When you bought your home, you hired a buyer’s agent. Now that you’re selling it, you’ll need a listing agent. Most real estate agents can work for either buyers or sellers; the key is to enlist the help of an agent with a proven track record and who is dedicated to working for you. Since your home is likely one of your largest assets, you want to hire someone you can trust and who can deliver the results you deserve. Therefore, don’t sign with just any real estate agent. Interview a few and ask them the following questions: How do you ensure my home is priced properly? While yo...Mar 12, 2019
10 Real Estate Terms Every Buyer and Seller Should Know
A Special Report from The Pujals Team, Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley When you’re buying or selling a home, you’re sure to hear many real estate terms that may be unfamiliar to you. Not knowing the real estate lingo is common and nothing to be embarrassed about. Since you don’t live and breathe real estate day in and day out, there’s really no need for you to know the exact terminology. However, when you find yourself in the role of home buyer or home seller, being up-to-speed with real estate terminology can be helpful and make the process feel less stressful. Following are the top ten real estate terms you’re most likely to hear during the transaction. 10 Common Real Estate Terms 1. Appraisal The estimated value of a property based on a qualified appraiser’s written analysis. Banks typically require appraisals before issuing loans to ensure the estimated value of the property adequately exceeds the amount borrowed. 2. Buyer’s Agent A licensed real estate agent who represents the interests of the home buyer during the transaction. The buyer's agent has authority to act on behalf of the buyer in negotiating a purchase and sale agreement with the seller's agent. 3. Closing Costs Fees associated with completing the real estate transaction. Some fees are paid by the seller and some are paid by the buyer. Closing fees can include such things as credit report fees, document preparation fees, deed recording fees, appraisal fees, real estate fees, e...Apr 10, 2019
Whether Buying or Selling a Home, Always Work with a Real Estate Agent
A Special Report from The Pujals Team, Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley Being a do-it-yourselfer is great for many things, but not when it comes to real estate. The fact is that both selling and buying a home can be time-consuming, frustrating, emotional, and confusing. Thinking you can do it yourself may sound great in theory, but when it comes down to it, most people who sell or buy on their own end up selling for less than they could have, paying more for their new home, and taking a lot more time to complete the transaction. Realize that real estate agents do much more than unlock doors. They provide valuable services that make the home buying and selling process easier. Following are the top 7 reasons why you should always work with a real estate agent. 1. If you’re a seller, your home will be on the MLS. According to research from the National Association of Realtors, 93% of buyers find their new home by searching the Multiple Listing Service, which are listings only Realtors can obtain. That means only 7% of buyers are relying on local ads or calling phone numbers on yard signs. If you opt to sell on your own (do a For Sale by Owner - FSBO) versus have a Realtor represent you, you’re missing out on a huge base of prospective buyers. 2. Your real estate agent knows how to price and market a home. Setting the right price for a home and then marketing that home to sell fast takes skill and resources. Because your agent lives and breathes real estate, they...May 9, 2019
When Should You Sell Your Home?
Is it time to sell your home? Most homes aren’t “forever homes,” and the majority of people do sell their home at some point. According the National Association of Realtors, the average homeowner lives in their home for 10 years. But what if you want to sell your home sooner? How soon is too soon? Of course, when you sell your home is up to you and dependent on many factors. For example, if you have a great new job offer in a faraway city, you may have no choice but to sell your home, even if you’ve lived there for less than a year. But not all reasons to move are that extreme. And the longer you stay in your home, the better, because selling your home too soon can be costly. Most experts agree that you should stay in your home at least five years before selling it and buying a new one. Why? Because that’s the amount of time it usually takes the average homeowner to recoup many of the initial fees they paid when buying the home, as well as the yearly mortgage costs. You also need to account for the new fees you’ll incur when selling the home, such as real estate commissions and closing costs. Additionally, if you sell your home too soon, you may have to pay capital gains tax. To avoid capital gains tax, the home you are selling must be your primary residence that you personally live in for a minimum of two of the five years prior to the sale. If you meet this criterion, you can exclude $250,000 ($500,000 for married couples) of your sale’s profit from c...Sep 24, 2019
5 Tips for a Successful Home Sale
A Special Report from The Pujals Team, Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley Selling a home is both exciting and stressful. It means big changes are coming in your life, exciting adventures await, or new beginnings are right around the corner. At the same time, you have to deal with strangers in your home, lots of uncertainty, and sometimes a mountain of paperwork. It’s bittersweet, to say the least. When you’re selling your home, you obviously want to get the highest price possible. Over the years, we at The Pujals Team have helped thousands of homeowners sell their home for top dollar. Of course, every seller has the same questions: “How do I attract the best buyers who will meet and possibly even exceed my asking price?” “How do I keep my sanity during the home sale process?” and “How can I have a successful home sale?” The key is to be smart about such things as staging, listing, and pricing your home. Whether it’s a seller’s market or a buyer’s market, and whether you need a fast sale or have plenty of time before you must move, following are our top 5 suggestions for getting the highest price for your home and having a successful home sale. Home Sale Tip #1: Find the right agent Having the right agent to represent you is vital. You want someone who has a track record of success, who knows the local area, who can pinpoint both the strengths and weaknesses of your home, and who believes in open communication, mutual trust, and respect. Resea...Sep 25, 2019