Sell House

Boston.com / Real estate Buying Renting Recent sales Place an ad Luxury Living Community data Financing Commercial Moving Guides THE RIGHT LISTING AGENT Tips for home sellers to find a listing agent -- Interview at least three or four agents before making a choice. Sometimes a good agent can be found through recommendations from friends or relatives who have recently sold property. Many burrow their way through the Yellow Pages. Some pick up a name at the office water cooler or a health club. It's fine to happen onto names this way, as long as you follow up by screening candidates. Ask the right questions: • What is my home worth? The broker should prepare a market analysis recommending a selling price for your house. You should insist that the agents you interview provide detailed market information supporting whatever price they propose. You want to see "comparable sales" – that is, the selling prices of properties similar to yours, located in the same or similar neighborhoods, that have sold recently. You also want the agents to provide detailed information about current conditions in your market area. That information should include the average time properties are on the market before they sell, and a listing of homes similar to yours that are for sale. How are those homes priced and how does the broker explain the speed – or lack of speed – with which they are selling? You are not going to select the broker who recommends the highest selling price, tempting though that may be; you're going to select the one who seems most knowledgeable about your market, who gives you the most realistic assessment of how much you should ask for your house, and who can articulate the factors that are likely to enhance or impede its sale prospects. • What is your marketing plan for my home? Insist that the brokers you interview submit a comprehensive marketing plan, explaining precisely what steps they plan to take to sell your home. The plan should specify, among other details: - How, where, and how often the broker will advertise your property. Bear in mind that the major daily newspapers are not the only, or necessarily the best, advertising media. Depending on the property, the location and the market, community newspaper, direct mail and even handbills may be equally appropriate. - Will your broker list your house in the Multiple Listing Service, and if so, when? (The answers should be, "yes," and immediately after the agreement is signed.) - Will the broker hold one or more open houses for other brokers to introduce them to the property? (Definitely a good idea.) - How many buyer open houses will the broker host and how will those be advertised? - What repairs or improvements, if any, does the broker think will be needed? You should be concerned if the broker recommends a gut rehab, but listen carefully to suggestions that you do some repainting, trim the hedges, and repair broken railings. • What are the terms of the contract? Once you've selected your broker, pay careful attention to the terms of the listing contract. Make sure it obligates the broker to implement the key components of the marketing plan and allows you to terminate the agreement if the broker fails to do what the plan specifies. You also want to require the broker to report periodically, preferably in writing. Don't agree to an unnecessarily long listing term. TYPES OF CONTRACTS Exclusive right to sell. Most sellers use this. One agent is assigned your property to sell; if that listing broker sells the property, he or she gets the whole commission. If another agent sells, the commission is shared, usually equally. Exclusive agency listing. One agency gets the contract, but if you sell the property, you don't pay a commission. The disadvantage is that brokers may lose some incentive to sell, since you are competing with them. Open listing. Anyone can sell, including the owner, with only the selling broker getting a commission. Some brokers may want you to commit to a six-month listing, but you shouldn't accept a term any longer than 90 days. You always can renew a listing if you're satisfied with the broker's efforts. Also make sure you understand the listing terms. Most brokers will require what is known as an "exclusive agency" agreement. That means the broker will be entitled to a commission if the house is sold any time during the listing period (and for a specified period of time after it expires), even if the broker is not directly responsible for the sale. You should expect to pay a commission of around 6 percent. Although the fee is negotiable, as a practical matter, you won't find too much variation. • What are your references? Rarely do those signing on with a real estate agent check references the way they would when hiring an office employee. Any prospective agent should provide references readily. Goyeau said you should ask any reference you call, "Would you hire this agent again?" To gather accurate information on an agent, limit the references you use to those who have worked with the agent within the previous two years. "The agent could have been great five years ago, but slacked off lately for a variety of reasons," said Joan McLellan Tayler, the author of two real estate books. • Show me the statistics. Brokers should be able to present prospective clients with a computer printout that shows the number of sales they had in the last 12 months, the listing price, the selling price, and the length the homes stayed on the market, said Carol Brenner of Carol Brenner Realty in Newton Highlands. The difference between the initial listing price and the final selling price should be no more than five or 10 percent, she said. Also, an average home should not be on the market for more than three months, she said. What to look for in an agent: • A good reputation. Verify the reputation as well as the competence of any agent with whom you deal, so check with both the Board of Registration for Real Estate Brokers and Salesmen and the Better Business Bureau to see if there is a history of complaints against the broker or the broker's firm. Also contact friends, acquaintances and references the broker provides. "Sellers should look at the reputation of the firm and the integrity of the agent to be sure they are represented ethically and professionally," said Nora F. Moran, former president of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board. • Certification from a professional organization. There are a lot of real estate agents in the field, but not all of them are "Realtors," and you want to deal only with agents who have that (R) designation. That indicates the agent belongs to the National Association of Realtors, which implies a level of professional training and commitment, and adherence to ethical standards that you can't otherwise assume. Ask brokers if they have "board designations," or certification from professional organizations. For example, CRS stands for certified residential specialist, and is the toughest level to achieve in residential sales. It's awarded by the Residential Sales Council, a group with the National Association of Realtors, and requires the completion of course and a certain level of experience. The National Association of Realtors also certifies brokers as having completed the GRI – graduate realtor institute – a less-arduous set of courses, brokers say. • Someone you feel comfortable with. When choosing a broker to list a home with, you need someone you feel comfortable with, said John Neale, a broker with Sprogis Real Estate in the South End. "If you get a good feeling from a broker, a buyer is going to get that same good feeling, too. That's going to help you sell your house," he said. • An agent who specializes in your community. You could hire a perfectly good agent from across town. But unless that agent is well-known in your area, he may fail to fulfill the potential of your home sale. Why? Because real estate is a cooperative profession, and the odds are good it will be a local agent who brings you the right buyer for the best price and terms. More tips: • Try to work in concert with the agent you choose. Homeowners are sometimes resistant to the suggestions of their listing agents on matters as basic as keeping their property clean and their beds made. A capable, committed agent is worthy of your respect and cooperation. As Tayler explained, "The relationship between an agent and a client is supposed to be a partnership. That's how you sell your property fast and for top dollar." • Consider asking for an agent who meets your specific needs. Are you a young mother compelled to sell your home due to a divorce? Then perhaps you'd be most comfortable working with an agent who has a similar background. Likewise, a senior might wish to seek an older agent who understands the art of downsizing. One way to locate an agent whose background mirrors your needs is to call the owner, broker or sales manager of a realty office in your area. Be candid about your situation and ask for several names, said Tayler, who operated her own real estate company for 17 years. • Don't give your business to someone as a favor. With more than a half-million Americans involved in real estate sales, chances are you have a friend or relative in the field. Don't engage an agent solely on the basis of friendship or to do a favor. There's too much at stake. This article was compiled from the Boston Globe archives. feedback | help | site map | advertising | globe archives | rss © 2006 The New York Times Company Real Estate Guide - Massachusetts Home Builder - New Home Construction

Buy Home

Best Buy " ');}else {document.write('');}//-- Entire Site Electronics Cameras & Camcorders Computers Home Appliances Phones & Communications Office Products Music -Album Title -Artist -Song Movies -Title -Person Games Software Resources empty Digital Cameras MP3 Players Flat-Panel TVs Notebook Computers Satellite Radio Video Gaming Shopping Made Easy In-store Pickup Store Locator Pricing Guarantee Weekly Ad Gift Cards Safe and Secure Holiday Shipping Info Holiday Returns More Benefits En espaol » THIS WEEK This Week's Specials Free Shipping Events Weekly Ad Hot Deals Wednesday Outlet Store Gift Ideas Privacy Reminder Computers » Desktops Notebooks Printers Software Accessories » See all Music, Movies & Games » Movies Music Video Games Toys » See all Electronics » Televisions DVD Players MP3 Players Home Theater Systems » See all Cameras & Camcorders » Digital Cameras Camcorders Camera Media » See all Home & Appliances » Refrigerators Laundry Care Heaters Vacuums » See all Phones & Communications » Telephones Cellular Cell Phone Accessories Two-Way Radios » See all Office Products » Office Equipment Office Furniture Networking » See all Services Store » High-Speed Internet Music Downloads Satellite Radio » See all See all categories » Shop by Brand » Canon Sony Toshiba Pioneer Intel Samsung » See all Great Deals on Intel® Centrino™ Notebooks This week, save up to $400 on select notebooks featuring Intel® Centrino™ mobile technology — and with your purchase, get a notebook case and USB 2.0 mobile hub free, plus free shipping on all three items! Find out how. Online only offer. Free Insignia Portable DVD/CD/MP3 Player with Qualifying Refrigerator Purchase! Get a free Insignia™ 9" Widescreen Portable DVD/CD/MP3 Player with car adapter and remote with your purchase of any Refrigerator, $999 and up. Find out how. Online only offer. Xbox 360 Console, Games and Accessories HD output, amazing graphical power, wireless connectivity and DVD playback are just some of the features that make the Xbox 360 so much more than just a gaming platform. Check it out today. NEW at Best Buy: Magnolia™ Home Theater Inside select Best Buy stores, Magnolia Home Theater offers premier brands, expert consultants and state-of-the art demo rooms for an experience that exceeds your every expectation. Magnolia's in-home design and installation services make dreams real. Learn more . Get More with Best Buy From personal shopping assistants and Geek Squad to Magnolia Home Theater, Test Drive and Best Buy for Business, there's more going on at Best Buy. Computer Problems? Call in Geek Squad®! Bring in your PC for repair to a Geek Squad precinct in a Best Buy store or have a Geek Squad Agent come directly to your home or office. Plus, their Computer Support Task Force is available by phone 24/7. Learn more. Design It Online, Using Our New Kitchen & Laundry Design Center! Our online tools let you design your new kitchen, laundry room or wet bar, creating custom layouts that include your appliance selections, color scheme and floor plan. It's easy and it's free. 4" x 6" Prints Just 19 Each at Best Buy™ imagelab Having great digital prints is easy with Best Buy imagelab photo processing. 4" x 6" prints are only 19 each! Guide to Television Features Best Buy's Guide to Speakers 'Secrets' of the Audio Elite Shoot and Digitize Photos from Film 10 Virus Detection and Prevention Tips More topics About Us News Center Careers For Our Investors Business to Business Community Relations Store Pickup Returns & Exchanges Store Locator Weekly Ad Financing Offers Buy Gift Cards Check Gift Card Balance Best Buy Credit Card Affiliates Program Offer Sign-Up Rebates Warranties Service Plans PC Upgrades Repairs Replacement Parts Software End User License Agreement Car Home Entertainment Satellite Appliances Welcome . Please create an account or Sign in . Your Cart Contains 0 items Subtotal: $0.00 View Cart | Checkout Your Account Best Buy Credit Order Status Wish List Gift Cards TV, Home Theater & Audio Accessories Computer Accessories Camera & Camcorder Accessories Appliance Accessories Game Accessories Visit our Accessories Store Order Status Shipping Rates Returns Rebates Store Pickup Site Map Performance Plans Your California Privacy Rights Conditions of Use | Legal Policies | Privacy Policy Online prices and selection generally match our retail stores, but may vary. Prices and offers are subject to change. © 2003-2005 Best Buy. All rights reserved. Best Buy, BestBuy.com and the tag design are trademarks of Best Buy. For personal, noncommercial use only.

Sell House

Boston.com / Real estate Buying Renting Recent sales Place an ad Luxury Living Community data Financing Commercial Moving Guides SELLING YOUR HOUSE CLEAR THE CLUTTER • Recognize that many buyers resist purchasing a jam-packed home. CLUTTER EPIDEMIC Are you another victim of the "national clutter epidemic?" These six suggestions could help you slim down. Crowded rooms seem smaller than they are. Home buyers rarely determine the size of rooms with a measuring tape. Most do it mentally. • Purge your place of personal elements. House hunters are almost universally put off by any home so crowded with personal belongings that they can't picture themselves having enough space to live there. • Visualize yourself about to move out. You are about to sell your home, so start packing those things. Don't just put them in a drawer. • Eliminate bad odors. Buyers want fresh aromas. Bad smells can ruin the best-laid sale strategies. • Realize that any sort of large collection can crowd your home. • Don't seek to conceal anything weird. Remove it. THE POWER OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS • Gather intelligence before you put your house up for sale. Step back and play stranger. Take a trip along your street to see whether other properties look more fetching and why. • Recognize the increasing importance of an attractive frontal view. Many real estate specialist now urge sellers to concentrate more of their potential presale spending on outdoor improvements, including painting and landscaping. Part of this has to do with the ever-more-common practice among buyers of sizing up a home on the outside before going in. • Don't hide the merchandise. Remove any overgrown greenery that may shroud your house from view. • Remember that a color picture is worth more than 1,000 words. Your home may seem stately and grand without the benefit of any colorful floral touches. Yet for a modest sum, you can add flower beds that will beckon prospects to your property whether they see it on the Internet or while driving by. SPENDING A LITTLE CAN PAY OFF BIG • Small improvements can help you to sell your home faster. They can even command a higher selling price, and also help reduce the tax you'll have to pay on the profit from the sale of your home. • Disabuse yourself of the view that most buyers have cash to spare. Most buyers don't have the money to move in and do upgrades right away. "If people can go into a property and think that they don't have to do anything to it to move in, they are willing to spend more money," said Maio. "But where they go in and think they will have to paint, or sand the floors, or do any kind of major cleanup, that means extra money they have to spend." • Remember that condition can be nearly as important as location. Compiled from the Boston Globe archives. References include: 'Fixing up to sell often inexpensive', by Jerry Ackerman, 8/29/1993; 'Tips on preparing your home to fetch the best price', by Jennifer Babson, 1/3/1999; 'Investing in your home to ease sale', 2/27/2000; 'Devising a plan for springtime home sale', by Ellen James Martin, 2/13/2000. feedback | help | site map | advertising | globe archives | rss © 2006 The New York Times Company Real Estate Guide - Massachusetts Home Builder - New Home Construction

Investment Property Calculator Our

Investment Property Friday, 30.12.2005 Calculate Everyday Banking Ways to Bank E-Commerce Solutions Borrow International Trade Property Finance Plant, Equipment and Vehicle Finance Information Debtor Finance Apply For... Search this site Go | BNZ Home | Site Map | Terms & Conditions | Contact Us | Rates & Fees | Careers | Investment Property Calculator Our investment property finance calculator is a unique tool developed to help you as an investor test the affordability of property investments you might be considering. It can help you to find out what level of surplus or deficit your "financed" property investment may generate. To move between fields use your mouse, or the Tab button on your keyboard. For further help on using the calculator, just read our instructions . Enter the property's annual rental income: $ Enter the yield you wish to obtain: % Purchase Price: $ ~ result Enter either: loan amount as % of purchase price: Or amount of cash or equity you wish to contribute: 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% 55% 60% 65% 70% 75% $ Loan Amount: $ ~ result Loan Repayments: Interest Only Principal & Interest Interest Rate: 6.00% 6.25% 6.50% 6.75% 7.00% 7.25% 7.50% 7.75% 8.00% 8.25% 8.50% 8.75% 9.00% 9.25% 9.50% 9.75% 10.00% 10.25% 10.50% 10.75% 11.00% 11.25% 11.50% 11.75% 12.00% Repayment based on year term Annual Repayment: $ ~ result Surplus: $ ~ result Surplus return on cash contribution: % ~ result How much will be owing on my loan after years? Amount Remaining: $ ~ result How to use the calculator: Rent is the source of income from any investment property that you may be considering. Key in the rental income that your proposed investment will generate. Yield is the rate of return you expect to achieve from any property investment you may wish to make. Key in the yield that you believe is an appropriate return on your investment. The combination of the rental income together with the yield you expect will determine the amount you will need to pay for the property to satisfy your return expectations. Enter the cash (equity) you would like to contribute to the investment; or Select the loan amount as a percentage of the purchase property you are considering, to test the tolerance of your investment compared to debt levels. Which loan repayment option would you prefer? Interest only or principal and interest? Select an option. Interest rate? Select an interest rate option , or call a property finance lending manager for a quote. Term? The term of your loan will also affect the level of debt servicing that your financed investment property can sustain. Select a term over which you wish to repay your debt. What the calculator will tell you: The price you are prepared to pay for the property you are considering, based on the rental income from the property and the return (yield) you expect on your investment. The total of the annual payments to service the debt on this proposition, based on the percentage you have considered borrowing against the purchase price, the repayment option you have selected and the term you have chosen. The cashflow surplus before any overheads, depreciation, miscellaneous costs and taxation. What it won't tell you: The quality of the rent. Before you make any investment, you must independently check that the tenant(s) in the property you are considering purchasing have a sound track record, and can be relied upon (in your opinion) to pay the rent. The quality of the property. Check with a registered valuer about the quality of the investment you are about to make. Ask a property finance lending manager for some guidance on how to choose a registered valuer to help you in making a prudent decision. The quality of your investment decision. Once again, we recommend you seek guidance from a registered valuer, a solicitor and an accountant in helping you make a sound decision. Ask a property finance lending manager for some guidance on how to choose your professional advisors. DISCLAIMER The calculator is provided for general information purposes only and does not form advice given by Bank of New Zealand. Bank of New Zealand accept no liability whatsoever for the consequences of any use of the calculator which shall not constitute an offer of finance. back to top © Bank of New Zealand 2001. Use of the information contained on this page is subject to our Terms and Conditions

Real Estate Listing

REALTOR.com: Real estate listings & homes for sale Welcome, Visitor! Sign Up to: Save Searches Save Listings Sign Up Now! Already a member? Sign In Homebuying Tools Find a Lender Find a Mover Market Conditions Neighborhood Tour Real Estate 101 Buyers Sellers For REALTORS® Resource Center News REALTOR.org Search the Web Select a Top Search: Bad Credit Contractors Homeowner's Insurance Debt Consolidation Interior Design Mortgage Rates Loan Types Rates Points 30-yr fixed 5.74% 0.37 15-yr fixed 5.38% 0.28 ARM 3/1, 30Yrs 4.87% 0.26 Updated: 12/29/2005 11:47:15 AM Check Local Rates Search our national directory of mortgage brokers and lenders. Find a Home Over 2.5 million listings for sale! State/Province AB AK AL AR AZ BC CA CO CT DC DE FL GA GU HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MB MD ME MI MO MN MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK ON OR PA PR RI SC SD TN TX UT VI VT VA WA WI WV WY - OR - Minimum Price $0 $500 $1,000 $1,400 $2,000 $5,000 $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $45,000 $50,000 $55,000 $60,000 $70,000 $75,000 $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $400,000 $450,000 $500,000 $550,000 $600,000 $650,000 $700,000 $750,000 $800,000 $850,000 $900,000 $1,000,000 $1,250,000 $1,500,000 $1,750,000 $2,000,000 $2,250,000 $2,500,000 $2,750,000 $3,000,000 $3,500,000 $4,000,000 $4,500,000 $5,000,000 $6,000,000 $8,000,000 $10,000,000 to Maximum Price $1,000 $1,400 $2,000 $5,000 $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $45,000 $50,000 $55,000 $60,000 $70,000 $75,000 $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $400,000 $450,000 $500,000 $550,000 $600,000 $650,000 $700,000 $750,000 $800,000 $850,000 $900,000 $1,000,000 $1,250,000 $1,500,000 $1,750,000 $2,000,000 $2,250,000 $2,500,000 $2,750,000 $3,000,000 $3,500,000 $4,000,000 $4,500,000 $5,000,000 $6,000,000 $8,000,000 $10,000,000 no maximum Beds 1+ Beds 2+ Beds 3+ Beds 4+ Beds 5+ Beds Baths 1+ Baths 1.5+ Baths 2+ Baths 2.5+ Baths 3+ Baths 3.5+ Baths 4+ Baths More Search Options Map Search Hurricane Relief Find or offer immediately available temporary housing to assist Hurricane victims: HurricaneHousing.net Relief.WelcomeWagon.com -- Find a REALTOR State/Province Alabama Alaska Alberta Arizona Arkansas British Columbia California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District Of Columbia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Manitoba Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Ontario Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming From the National Association of REALTORS ® Join REALTORS® in supporting hurricane victims Why Use a REALTOR® With a GRI? Make the most of every moment with FamilyTime, an interactive DVD celebrating the family. Visit REALTOR® Magazine Online Read current NAR Press Releases For REALTORS ® REALTORS Relief Effort exceeds $5.2 million for Hurricane victims, donate now... Enter the Business Success Zone at REALTOR.org! Find out how REALTOR.com can help you secure more listings, sell homes for more and promote yourself and your brand NEW name for NAR member benefits offeringsthe REALTOR Benefits(sm) Program. Learn about the practical, everyday solutions for your professional and personal life! Reach new levels of success with NAR partner, The Pacific Institute! About the National Association of REALTORS ® Representing Home Owners State & Local Associations Real Estate Specialty Organizations Find an Appraiser Find a Commercial Property International Real Estate Search in popular metros: Atlanta | Austin | Boston | Chicago | Dallas | Denver | Houston | Las Vegas | Long Island | Los Angeles | Memphis | Miami | New York City | Orange County | Palm Beach | Phoenix | Sacramento | San Diego | Seattle Site Map | Corporate News & Info | Contact Us | Advertise With Us | Join our staff Terms of Use and PrivacyPolicy . 1995- NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS and Homestore, Inc. All rights reserved. Equal Housing Opportunity REALTOR.com is the official site of the National Association of REALTORS and is operated by Homestore, Inc. REALTOR -- A Registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Inquiries regarding the Code of Ethics should be directed to the board in which a REALTOR holds membership.