Selling Home

FCIC: Selling a Home Return to Federal Citizen Information Center Home Page Printer-friendly page -- Life Advice About... Selling A Home This Life Advice section about Home Improvement was produced by the MetLife Consumer Education Center reviewed by the Real Estate Educators Association and the U.S.D.A. Cooperative Research, Education and Extension Service. If you've decided to sell your home, chances are you're caught up in a host of emotions. You may be looking forward to moving up to a new dream house or facing the uncertainty of a major move across country. You may be reluctant to leave your memories behind or eager to start new adventures. Whatever turbulent feelings you're experiencing right now, there are plenty of practical matters that need your attention. Keep in mind the following considerations to help the whole process go more smoothly. Time Becomes Money It's a good idea to place your home on the market as far in advance as possible of purchasing a new one. If you find a new home first and then try to sell your present home, you may wind up with two mortgages. If this does happen, ask your real estate agent or banker about a bridge loan to help you make the double payments. Lenders use the same criteria for offering bridge loans as they use for mortgages. Should you qualify for a bridge loan, beware of the expense; during the term of the loan you must continue to pay both mortgages. Shop around for the best terms. Keep in mind that when people move, sell and buy, there usually is a domino effect. Closing and moving dates have to be coordinated, and the more firmly everyone commits to a window of dates and sticks to them, the better for all involved. Put all agreements about dates in writing, and protect yourself by negotiating financial penalties for failure to comply. Check Your Curb Appeal A home that's visually appealing and in good condition will attract potential buyers driving down the street. Use this checklist to view your property through an outsider's eyes. Are the lawn and shrubs well maintained? Are there cracks in the foundation or walkways? Does the driveway need resurfacing? Are the gutters, chimney and walls in good condition? Do the window casings, shutters, siding or doors need painting? Are garbage and debris stored out of sight? Are lawn mowers and hoses preperly stored? Is the garage door closed? On the Inside Strong curb appeal will lure potential buyers inside, where you have to live up to their expectations. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy improvements you can make to your home's interior without spending a lot of money. Cleaning is No. 1. Your windows, floors and bathroom tiles should sparkle. Make sure you have clean heating and air conditioning filters. Shampoo dirty carpets, clean tubs and showers, repair dripping faucets and oil squeaky doors. Keep your home neat, clean and picked-up at all times. It may not seem fair, but a peek in the oven may be the hallmark by which a buyer judges how well you have kept up your home. Remove unnecessary clutter from the garage, basement, attic, closets and straighten stored items. Also remove any items that might make a statement that would be offensive to others who may not share your same views, beliefs or sense of humor. If your home is crowded with too much furniture, consider putting some things into storage. If a room needs a fresh coat of paint, use a neutral off-white. Think, too, about how your home smells. You may be used to the smell of a pet or cigarettes, but such odors can be a strong turn-off to others. Be certain to remove valuables such as jewelry and other items from view. It might be wise to put these items in a safe deposit box before showing your home. Finally, set a mood for the buyer. Make your house homey with live flowers and fresh guest towels in the bathroom. Place scented potpourri around the house or, on the day you're expecting a potential buyer, pop a batch of frozen cinnamon rolls into the oven for a welcoming aroma. Remember, cosmetic changes do not have to be expensive. In fact, costly home improvements do not necessarily offer a good return on your investment when you sell. It's attention to the basics—anything that says “this home has been carefully maintained”—that will help you get the price you want. Go It Alone Some homeowners decide to sell their homes themselves in order to save the commission charged by a real estate agent. The commission rate may vary, depending on where you live or what agency you choose, but it is generally upwards of 5%. However, handling your own sale means you will be responsible for placing ads, answering phones and showing your home to strangers. What's more, buyers who know you are saving on an agent's commission may offer less for your home, wiping out the financial incentive to do it all yourself. You may decide an agent's commission is a bargain the first time that a would-be buyer shows up unannounced at dinnertime. Also, be aware that a real estate agent probably knows a lot more about the business of selling a home than you do. Here are some of the advantages professional agents offer: They will help you establish a fair asking price for your home. They will promote your home to other agents and list your property in multiple listing services. A multiple listing service is a book or computer database that all real estate agents who subscribe to the service can access. Your home will get exposure to all those agents, one of whom may have the perfect buyer. They will create, pay for and place advertising for you. They will schedule appointments to show your home to prospective buyers even when you are not there. They can weed out buyers who will not qualify for a mortgage. They can refer you to sources for insurance, inspections, legal counsel and financing. They will help you negotiate with the buyer. They can make suggestions to help make your home more attractive to a potential buyer. If you decide to sell through an agent, ask friends and neighbors for recommendations. Talk to several agents before picking the one you want to work with. Taking a walk through your home with an agent should give you a feel for how that person will handle prospective buyers. Ask prospective agents how they plan to market your home. Don't sign with an agent just because he or she suggests the highest asking price. Negotiate the broker's commission prior to listing your home, and sign for a limited period of time—usually three to six months. Setting a Fair Price Naturally, you want to get top dollar for your home. But, at the same time, you don't want to scare off potential buyers with a price tag that's too high. Setting an artificially high price may cause your property to languish on the market for months. Reducing your asking price later on may lead buyers to wonder if there is something wrong with your home. Here are some of the factors to consider in pricing your home. Your location Economic conditions Supply and demand in the local housing market Seasonal influences Local schools Average home prices in the neighborhood Your home's extras -- pool, fireplace, central air, etc. To determine the value of your home, you probably will want the advice of a real estate agent or appraiser. Ask an agent to prepare a market analysis for you, showing the recent selling prices of three neighborhood properties comparable to your own. The agent can help you adjust for the unique features of your own property. Qualifying a Buyer Either you or your agent will want to quickly weed out potential buyers who cannot really afford to purchase your home. A number of factors will help determine whether or not you are wasting your time negotiating a sale. The buyer's debt and credit history The buyer's current income and employment The buyer's cash position and availability of a down payment The length of time the buyer needs before closing on your home How interested the buyer appears to be in your home versus others Seek Legal Representation When selling your home—particularly if you are selling on your own—it's a good idea to be represented by an attorney. Look for an attorney with expertise in real estate transactions. When a potential buyer puts an offer in writing and you accept it, the signed acceptance becomes the sales contract. Your attorney will be present at the actual closing to protect your interests and can assist you with the following elements of a sales contract: The sale price What is included in the sale price -- draperies, carpeting, light fixtures, heating oil, etc. The amount of the down payment The date of closing and possession date Contingencies to the sale--inspections (e.g. structural, lead-based paint, radon), required improvements, legal review of the contract by the buyer's or seller's attorney, etc. The amount and length of the mortgage loan, interest rate and time limits to secure the loan Determining which closing costs are to be paid by the buyer and which by the seller Tax Implications Selling a home can have a major impact on your federal and state tax returns. Check with your tax consultant on the factors that may affect taxes resulting from the sale of your home. For example: Whether you purchased the home or acquired it by gift or inheritance Whether you used your home partly for business or rental Costs associated with selling your home Home improvements or additions, which may help to offset capital gains The sale of your home. In certain cases you can exclude up to $250,000 in gain ($500,000 for married couples filing a joint return) on the sale of property that was your principle residence for at least two years. Generally, you can use this exclusion every two years. Congratulations! You've successfully weathered the logistics of selling your current home, and you're ready to move on to a new and exciting chapter in your life.As you prepare for the coming changes, check out the Life Advice sections Moving and Buying a Home to aid you in this transition. For More Information 100 Questions Every Home Seller Should Ask Ilyce R. Glink, Times Books $14 Life Advice price $11.20 Call 1-800-793-2665 to order and mention reference number 032-02. Price and availability subject to change without notice. The American Bar Association Family Legal Guide Times Books$34.50 Life Advice price $28 Call 1-800-793-2665 to order and mention reference number 032-04. Price andavailability subject to change without notice. How to Sell Your Home in 5 Days William G. Effros, Workman Publishing $14.95 Life Advice price $8.97 The Consumer Bible, 1001 Ways to Shop Smart Mark Green, Workman Publishing $14.95 Life Advice price $8.97 Tips and Traps When Selling a Home Robert Irwin, McGraw-Hill $12.95 PAMPHLETS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT The quarterly Consumer Information Center Catalog lists more than 200 helpful federal publications. For your free copy write Consumer Information Catalog, Pueblo, CO 81009, call 1-888/8-PUEBLO, or find the catalog on the Net at www.pueblo.gsa.gov . A Home for You and Your Family Publication Series, North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, Housing & House Furnishings, Box 7605, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7605 (single copies free). Also contact the Extension Service office listed in the white pages of your phone book. Related Life Advice pamphlets See the following related Life Advice pamphlets: Buying a Home, Moving, Home Improvement, Homeowners Insurance, Renting an Apartment, Enjoying Retirement and When Your Children Leave the Nest. Helpful Links HomeWEB You'll find consumer information on selling a home from this comprehensive real estate and relocation source. Topics include info on real estate agents, marketing your home, financing & mortgages, sales contracts, pricing your home and more. Basically, this is a great place to start, if you're thinking about selling your home. Audrie's Advice Audrie provides a complete check-list for selling your home without an agent and thereby retaining all the profit for yourself. SellYourHomeYourself.com SellYourHomeYourself.Com is a unique site that helps the For Sale By Owner seller save money. On this FSBO web site you'll find all the resources you need to sell a home yourself. * Because the content of newsgroups and Websites changes constantly, it is impossible for us to review it all. We are not responsible for the content of any of the above links. Return to Federal Citizen Information Center Home Page Printer-friendly page --

Rental Property Join the

How to Invest in Rental Property - eHow.com Clear Instructions on How To Do (just about) Everything Web eHow.com Home Finance & Business Center Investing How to Invest in Rental Property Join the ranks of thousands of people who have discovered that investing in rental property can be profitable - and even enjoyable! Steps: 1. Determine what type of rental property appeals to you - a single-family residence, multi-family unit, commercial property, or a vacation home. 2. Narrow your search by focusing on available properties in a particular area. 3. Obtain comparable prices for similar properties in the area from a local real estate company. 4. Estimate possible rental income from a particular property, based on current rental prices for similar properties, found in the classified section of your local newspaper. 5. Determine possible cash flow (or loss) for the property by subtracting taxes, insurance, mortgage payment, maintenance, repairs and other expenses from the estimated rental income. 6. Consult a tax advisor about the tax consequences of investing in rental property. 7. Ask an attorney or real estate agent to review all contracts and agreements before submitting an offer. 8. Make an offer based on comparable prices for similar properties in the area, subject to appraisal, loan approval and thorough inspection of the property. 9. Determine who will manage the rental property. Tips: Establish and maintain an emergency fund to cover unexpected repairs and expenses on your rental property. Warnings: Mortgage loans for rental property usually require larger down payments with higher interest rates, than mortgages for owner-occupied properties. Tips from eHow Users: You may get turned in to code enforcement by null H. An older building that needs work may mean you can't rent it. Many cities have rental laws and fees to pay if you are a landlord. Cities may require you to hire an electrician for wiring repairs, for example, even if you can do the repairs yourself. Rate this tip: View 4 More Tip(s) from Users Please Share Your Tips with Us More Resources: Contribute to eHow: Write an eHow Article Suggest a Topic Give Us Feedback on This Article Related eHows: Make a Bid on a Home for Sale Buy a Home Invest in Precious Metals Invest in Student Housing Property Decide Whether to Buy Through a Realtor or by Yourself Things You'll Need: tax services real estate agents real estate attorneys purchase agreement Project Details: Skill Advisory: Moderately challenging New! -- Related eHows: Make a Bid on a Home for Sale Buy a Home Invest in Precious Metals Invest in Student Housing Property Decide Whether to Buy Through a Realtor or by Yourself Check out Thousands of How-To Solutions in eHow's Centers Automotive Careers & Education Computers & Home Electronics Family & Relationships Finance & Business Food & Entertaining Health Hobbies & Games Holidays & Traditions Home & Garden Personal Care & Style Pets Sports & Fitness Travel How to: --? Web eHow.com Home | Site Map | About Us | How To Books | Link to eHow Subscribe to the eHow of the Day Mailing List : Have the eHow of the Day appear on your My Yahoo! Page: Add the eHow of the Day to your RSS reader: © 1999-2005 eHow, Inc. How things get done. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy .

Property Search DIY &

Property search from Channel4.com/4Homes E4 More4 FilmFour FourDocs TV Listings Site A-Z NEWS FILM HOMES LIFE ENTERTAINMENT HISTORY SCIENCE COMMUNITY SHOP SPORT CULTURE CARS MONEY VIDEO LEARNING HEALTH MUSIC GAMES Home Welcome News On TV Grand Designs Grand Designs Abroad Previous Houses Features Information Streets Ahead Property Ladder Location, Location Relocation, Relocation Home from Home City Gardener Selling Houses Room for Improvement Up Your Street Making Space A Place In The Sun The Great Garden Challenge Home or Away A Place in France A Place in Greece A Place in Greece House Auction More Programmes Presenters TV Listings Buying & Selling Where to Buy How to Buy How to Sell Special Cases House Price Index Renting Property Search DIY & Building Guides Building a House Ask the Expert Style Design Guides Features Living Rooms -- Bedrooms -- Kids Rooms -- Storage solutions -- Dining Rooms -- Home Office -- Hall -- Outdoor Living -- Period Styles -- Buying Abroad Country Guides Features Property of the Week Chat, Vote & Win Vote Win Forum -- Newsletter Forum Profit from Property Buy to Let Property Development Money Deals SEARCH All 4Homes: On TV Buying & Selling Renting Property Search DIY & Building Style Buying Abroad Chat, Vote, Win Profit from Property PROPERTY SEARCH Property Search Search our database of over 150,000 properties currently for sale. Sell Your House Online Advertise your home to a huge audience by submitting it to the 4Homes property search Guides Buying At Auction A great opportunity to pick up a bargain but definitely not for the uninitiated Buying & Selling Everything you need to know when it comes buying or selling property How to Buy Not sure what freehold and leasehold mean? Let us help. How to Sell Smartening up your home for a faster sale. Finding The Right Property Finding the right property can be a long and tiring process, especially with so much choice on the market. Finding The Right Area Finding the right area to live in is invariably trickier than finding the right house UK PROPERTY SEARCH Over 150,000 homes Type a location: Price range: Min Price £0 £50,000 £75,000 £100,000 £125,000 £150,000 £175,000 £200,000 £225,000 £250,000 £275,000 £300,000 £325,000 £350,000 £375,000 £400,000 £425,000 £450,000 £475,000 £500,000 £550,000 £600,000 £650,000 £700,000 £750,000 £800,000 £850,000 £900,000 £950,000 £1,000,000 Max Price £50,000 £75,000 £100,000 £125,000 £150,000 £175,000 £200,000 £225,000 £250,000 £275,000 £300,000 £325,000 £350,000 £375,000 £400,000 £425,000 £450,000 £475,000 £500,000 £550,000 £600,000 £650,000 £700,000 £750,000 £800,000 £850,000 £900,000 £950,000 £1,000,000 £10,000,000 Min bedrooms: Min Beds 1 2 3 4 5 6 New homes only 4HOMES MAIL Enter your email to sign up to the 4Homes newsletter CROSS PROMO 1 Property search poll text text text text text text CROSS PROMO 2 Property book text text text text CROSS PROMO 3 Property link text text text text About C4 | Jobs | Text Only | Access Advice | Contact Us | Terms and Conditions | Privacy | Help | Online Ad Sales

Denver Real Estate Site

Denver real estate; site map Relocation buyers need extra help, learning about the area, schools, drive times and finding the best neighborhood to suit your lifestyle isn't easy. I can assist you with a relocation package tailored to your needs. [ Click Here for More ] Personalize your search and have results delivered to your inbox daily. This HomeFinder service is the most popular of all. [ Click Here for More ] Select featured homes offering a virtual tour, so you can enjoy a tour from the comforts of your home anytime, day or night. [ Click Here for More ] only search Denver Real Estate Site Denver Real Estate Site Map ~2 ~3 ~4 Alabama real estate; relocation - real estate services Find Alabama real estate information and locate area specialists to help you in your home search. Alaska Real Estate Facts and Info Find Alaska real estate & relocation information, homes for sale. Locate professional help when purchasing a home. Arizona real estate resource Moving to Arizona? 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West Virginia real estate; relocation - real estate services Search these West Virginia real estate directory to find links to realtors specializing in the area. Wisconsin real estate; relocation - real estate services Find facts on Wisconsin real estate: get relocation help from local Realtors who know the area. Wyoming real estate; relocation - real estate services Find Wyoming real estate facts, homes for sale and Realtors who specialize in the area. [ 1 ][ 2 ][ 3 ][4 ] Kristal Kraft , ABR, CIPS, CRS Licensed real estate broker selling Colorado Since 1984 The Berkshire Group - Metro Brokers 1485 S. Colorado Blvd. #300, Denver, CO. U.S.A. 800-319-7738 toll free | 303-589-2022 direct | 303-753-9965 fax Kristal@TheBerkshireGroup.net 1998-2005, Reflective Motion Inc. | Agents Only | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Site Credits | Site Map ~2 ~3 ~4 Denver Relocation | Buy a Home In Denver | Sell a Home in Denver | Denver Map | Denver Neighborhood Profiles | Denver Sales Statistics | International Real Estate | A Bio | My Favorite Places | Real Estate Resources Denver Loft Homes | The Berkshire Group | Buy and Sell Denver | We Sell Denver | Denver Colorado Real Estate | Denver Blog

Purchase Property

Boston.com / Real estate Buying Renting Recent sales Place an ad Luxury Living Community data Financing Commercial Moving Guides Making an offer MORE Buying Guide: Step 1: What can I afford? Step 2: Find an Affordable Place Step 3. Home Buyer Counseling Step 4. Pre-Qualification Step 5. Making an Offer Step 6. Applying for a Mortgage Step 7. The Home Inspection Step 8. The Closing Process Get more information on home buying. Click here NEWS LINK NEWS LINK USEFUL LINKS Mass Housing pre-qualification Affordability calculator Income worksheet Debt worksheet Frequently asked questions RESOURCES For Sale: Homes | Condos | Open Houses For Rent: Apartments | Houses | Roommates Vacation rentals Place an ad: On Boston.com | In the Globe Commercial: Search listings for sale or rent TOOL KIT Printer-friendly version E-mail to a friend Once you've found the home that best meets your wants, needs and budget, it's time to make an offer. An offer is a formal bid for the property, and among other things, sets the amount you are willing to pay for the home. The Offer to Purchase is a signed contract and is therefore a legally binding commitment stating that you will buy the property provided certain terms and conditions are met. An accepted Offer to Purchase Real Estate must be in writing and must be signed by both parties; the Commonwealth of Massachusetts does not recognize verbal offers as valid. You might consider bringing your lawyer into the process before you sign anything, because an attorney can protect your interests as a first-time home buyer. Considerations Many factors come into play as you prepare to make an offer on a property. Carefully consider the following points: What is the condition and age of the house? What will be the cost of any repairs? Are the sellers willing to take on any of the repairs or closing costs? How long has the property been on the market? How active is the market? (i.e., buyers or sellers market) Are the sellers anxious to sell? Is the property in a particularly desirable location or school system? Does the house have everything or almost everything you've been looking for? Preparing the Offer When you are ready to make an offer to a seller or to the agent involved, do not offer more than you can afford. The offer should clearly outline all terms and conditions of the sale, including your name and the name of the party to whom the offer is made, the property's address, any special provisions regarding fixtures, appliances, etc., the total amount of the purchase price being offered (including the amount of deposit you are putting down to bind the offer and the additional deposit to be paid upon the execution of the Purchase and Sale Agreement), and any additional riders and deadline dates. Real Estate Regulations for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts can be obtained from www.mass.gov Timing and Deadlines Timing and deadlines are very important in real estate transactions. You should allow yourself enough time in the Offer to Purchase Real Estate to get an inspection, negotiate the Purchase and Sale Agreement, apply for and obtain mortgage financing, and set a closing date. Real estate deals often fail based on the inability to meet deadlines set forth in the offer. An Accepted Offer The seller may accept, reject or counter your offer. If there is a counter-offer, you may in turn accept, reject or counter. The negotiations between you and the seller could go on for several days and may be stressful at times. One way to mitigate stress during the negotiations is to involve a broker to mediate the process. It is important to remember that regardless of the progress of your negotiations, the house remains on the market during negotiations. Do I Need an Attorney? It is recommended that you retain an attorney when purchasing your first home. How will an Attorney help me? An attorney will protect your interests as a home buyer, and will: Help you negotiate a fair purchase price Help you prepare the Offer to Purchase Help you negotiate a more favorable purchase price if the home inspection uncovers significant problems Draft and/or revise the Purchase and Sale Agreement to protect you and your money Assist you with the mortgage process Prepare you for the final walk-through of the property Attend the closing and represent your interests. Tips for Successful Negotiations When negotiating the price of a home with the seller, you must analyze all of the relevant factors and determine who has the stronger bargaining position. Potential factors include market activity, location and timing. If the local market is active with many other buyers interested in the home, the seller may have the better position. If your local market is not active and the seller needs to sell the home, you may be in a better position to negotiate. For negotiating tips, Go The Purchase and Sale Agreement Once your offer has been accepted a Purchase and Sales agreement (normally the second contract between the buyer and the seller after the initial Offer to Purchase is signed) is drawn up by the broker. The Purchase and Sale Agreement spells out the agreement between the parties in specific detail. REMEMBER! This is a legally binding contract that should be reviewed by your attorney before you sign it. There are two types of Purchase and Sale Agreements: a Standard Form Purchase and Sale Agreement and a Condominium Purchase and Sales Agreement, which is designed specifically for issues associated with condominiums. It is a good idea to contact a broker to obtain copies of these forms. For a description of all components of a sales contract, Go Provisions and Contingencies By placing provisions and contingencies in your offer, you provide additional protections for you and your money. The Purchase and Sale Agreement should include a mortgage contingency clause, which states that your ability to buy the house is contingent upon your ability to obtain financing by an agreed upon date. Such a clause ensures that you do not lose your deposit on the house if your loan is not approved. Other contingencies should include acceptable home, termite, radon and lead paint inspections. The loan closing date and occupancy date should also be indicated in the agreement. For more information on provisions and contingencies, Go The Home Inspection What is the value of a home inspection? A satisfactory home inspection, although not required by law, is a major component of purchasing a home. A home inspection examines the condition of the property, and ensures that you are aware of any necessary repairs and potential problems before you buy the home. The buyer selects a licensed home inspector and pays for the inspection. The home inspection will cost a few hundred dollars but should be done; after all, uncovering problems before you buy could save you thousands. For more information, see Step 7: The Home Inspection . feedback | help | site map | advertising | globe archives | rss © 2006 The New York Times Company Real Estate Guide - Massachusetts Home Builder - New Home Construction