Directory —
Real Estate —
Blog Details for "Home Buying and Selling Real Estate"
Home Buying and Selling Real Estate Home Buying and Selling Real Estate Straight advice you won't find anywhere else for buyers, sellers and agents. Elizabeth Weintraub, a real estate veteran of 33 years and Sacramento Broker-Associate, writes this site for The New York Times. 
Articles
How to Put a Home For Sale Online
2009-09-23 07:00:00 Even if you have no graphic design experience or the first clue about putting your home for sale online, you can do it. I wouldnt go so far as to say a monkey can post a home listing on the Internet, but using some of the free programs available, its pretty much fill in the blanks. Then presto! You have created a four-color digital flyer. Some of the free online software will even post the listings to all the popular Web sites for you. This is a far cry from having to learn Photoshop. Besides, when you use Photoshop, you might be tempted to color the sky a deeper blue or erase telephone poles from the photo not saying that Ive ever done that because it would be misleading and untruthful. Just saying the temptation might exist . . . read more about how to submit a Home for Sale Online . More Articles by Elizabeth Weintraub: Home Showing Tips Home Marketing Tips Home Marketing Mistakes ©Elizabeth Weintraub Technorati tag: home for sale online More About: For Sale
You Might Not Want to Tell Your Agent Your Highest Price
2009-09-21 07:00:00 Many first-time home buyers form a unique bond with their agent and will automatically tell the agent the highest price they will pay. In some ways, a buyer's top price might not be a secret as the preapproval letter is often written by the lender at the buyer's highest price. That's because some home buyers stretch themselves to the max and go for the maximum loan allowable. Other buyers may be more prudent. These buyers are generally more cautious and don't want to buy the biggest house they can find. These buyers instead prefer to develop a negotiating strategy and may offer an initial price that is much lower than they expect the seller to take . . . read more about Telling Your Agent Your Highest Price . More Articles by Elizabeth Weintraub: Top 5 Lowball Offer Mistakes Two Offers at the Same Time How to Tell If You're Ready to Make an Offer ©Big Stock Photo Technorati tag: tell agent highest price
Should You Show Your Home By Appointment or With a Lockbox?
2009-09-18 07:00:00 Home sellers, not the listing agents, decide whether a home is shown by appointment vs. lockbox. At first glance, most people would say, Hey, let my agent show the home. Thats because agents are handsomely rewarded to market and sell real estate. Sellers also say the listing agent is the person most informed about the home, and the agent has intimate knowledge, which can be passed directly to the buyer or the buyers agent if the listing agent is present. Moreover, lockboxes can be a nuisance, are sometimes envisioned as an invasion of privacy, and security issues can sometimes arise. Thieves have been known to cut off lockboxes and steal the keys, although breaking into a lockbox is generally a rare and isolated circumstance. On the other hand, some studies have shown that homes without lockboxes take longer to sell, sometimes twice as long. And whether a seller incorporates a lockbox into the marketing plan is often contingent on local custom. In buyers markets that a... More About: Home , Show
Reasons to Do a Short Sale
2009-09-16 07:00:00 For some financially strapped and upside-down home sellers, there are good reasons to do a short sale over a foreclosure. I find that most short sale sellers, once they understand the benefits of a short sale, would prefer to do a short sale instead of letting the property go to the bank. It's about maintaining a sense of control, too. Well, unless your loan was originated by Countrywide, which is now Bank of America. Lord help those sellers. Bank of America short sales are generally a nightmare, second only to original Countrywide loans, which are the devil incarnate . . . read more about good Reasons for a Short Sale . More Articles by Elizabeth Weintraub: Profits to a Seller on a Short Sale Will a Short Sale Ruin Credit? Qualifications for a Short Sale ©Big Stock Photo Technorati tag: reasons to do a short sale
Things to Know About For Sale Signs in the Yard
2009-09-14 07:00:00 All the home sellers I know long for the day when their For Sale Signs will be topped by those coveted sold signs. I use For Sale Sign modifiers in Sacramento. For example, when the seller accepts an offer and goes into contract with a buyer, I often place a "pending" sign on top of the sign post. Then, after the contract contingencies are removed, I trade out the pending sign for a "sold" sign. Those signs stay in place until the transaction closes escrow. This causes confusion for some passersby because I remove the "sold" sign on the day the escrow closes. I keep that sign in my personal inventory. The company that installed the For Sale Sign panel comes out a day or two after closing to remove the panel and post. Sometimes I get calls from people asking me if the escrow blew up because the sold sign is gone . . . read more about For Sale Signs. More Articles by Elizabeth Weintraub: Should Sellers Use a Security Alarm? 5 Steps Before Home Selling Top Home Selling Mistakes &... More About: Things , Yard
Should Home Buyers Make a Request for Repair?
2009-09-11 07:00:00 A deal killer in many home buying transactions is when buyers make a request for repair. Helping buyers make sense out of a home inspection is part of the invaluable service a real estate agent can provide. Yet few new agents know what a polarized receptacle is much less how to interpret a home inspection report. This means agents who have completed a few hundred home inspections are going to be far more valuable to a buyer than a new agent. Agents are not home inspectors, though, and cannot explain a home inspection report. Thats the job of the home inspector. Agents can, however, help guide buyers to make the right decisions. Left alone, many buyers freak out over home inspections. They will gasp, The door between the kitchen and garage is not fireproof were all gonna die. This is where experienced agents can help to bring buyers back to earth and refer them to specialists who are trained to explain building code and its rationale . . . read more about a Request for ... More About: Home Buyers , Home , Make , Buyers
There May Be Solid Reasons Why Your Home Isn't Selling
2009-09-09 07:00:00 When 30 to 60 days go by without an offer, it's normal for sellers to ask why their home isn't selling. When homes don't sell, there are a host of reasons to explore apart from price. I mean, price plays an important factor; it's just not the only factor. Because, believe it or not, some homes simply take longer to sell than others. Especially upper-end homes. Some buyers lie in wait for such a home to come on the market and jump on the chance to buy these estates when they first hit MLS. In fact, some homes never make into MLS before they are sold, there's that much demand for them. Most agents, myself included, maintain lists of buyers to call when these opportunities arise. These million-dollar buyers are in no rush to buy, but if the home of their dreams becomes available, they are ready to drop serious cash. Your home doesn't have to be worth a million to be desirable. It could be a $100,000 bungalow. If it's desirable, buyers will fall over themselves to acquire it... More About: Selling , Home , Reasons , Solid
A Photo Gallery of Homes in Portland, Oregon, known as Nob Hill
2009-09-07 07:00:00 I discovered a little pocket of delightful homes in Portland , Oregon , while on vacation. These homes are located in the Alphabet Historic District in Northwest Portland, dubbed Nob Hill. My husband and I grabbed a long weekend right after the 4th of July and flew to Portland. It's a quick flight, about an hour from Sacramento. Besides touring the sights in Portland, we also walked through a few neighborhoods. I always feel the need to look at real estate, even on vacation. I constantly hear about how progressive Portland is as it's sometimes held up as a model to follow, especially concerning its infill projects and neighborhood developments. I hope you'll be as intrigued as you look through the photo gallery of homes in Nob Hill, the Northwest area of Portland . . . read more about Homes in Portland. More Articles by Elizabeth Weintraub: Photo Gallery of Homes in Land Park Photo Gallery of Homes in Mendocino Photo Gallery of Homes in East Sacramento ©Elizabeth Weintrau...
Should You Buy a Newer or Older Home?
2009-09-04 07:00:00 The debate continues regarding newer vs. older homes. Some first-time home buyers have told me that they absolutely, positively, will not buy a newer home as they prefer only older homes, homes that are classic. Other groups of home buyers believe that only a newer home offers them the amenities they seek, and this group wouldn't dream of buying an older home. Each group thinks they are right. But I've also represented buyers who had insisted on an older home in the beginning of their search yet ended up buying a brand new home. There are pros and cons to each . . . read more about buying Newer vs. Older Home s. More Articles by Elizabeth Weintraub: Buying New Construction Home Improvement Mistakes Best Time to Buy ©Elizabeth Weintraub Technorati tag: newer vs older homes
Some Home Sellers Pay to Sell
2009-09-02 07:00:00 Some home sellers who are trying to do a short sale get so frustrated waiting for a response from the bank that they decide they would rather pay to sell than wait one more torturous day. It happened on a transaction in East Sacramento last month. I represented the buyer. The listing agent had plenty of experience doing short sales, but when you're dealing with certain banks, even a top-notch short sale agent can't push every bank to quickly respond. The escrow had dragged on for 60 days, and the bank had yet to assign a negotiator. The seller was so fed up that he decided it was better to pay to sell by borrowing money from his parents and pay off the shortfall difference himself. Of course, the problem with this plan was after waiting so long, the buyer had decided he wanted to buy a home in a different area . . . read more about pay to sell. More Articles by Elizabeth Weintraub: Sell ing in Slowing Markets Selling While Divorcing Foreclosure & Short Sale Taxes ©Big... More About: Home , Sellers
Not Every Short Sale Seller Pays Taxes on Canceled Debt
2009-08-31 07:00:00 An average short sale seller may not really understand the tax consequences that may occur over the issue of canceled debt in a short sale. All sellers who are contemplating a short sale should get legal advice, but equally as important is to receive tax advice from a qualified and competent tax adviser. It's possible that certain types of canceled debt may trigger tax liabilities on a short sale. The law is complex. In particular, the possible ramifications of hard-money loans such as equity loans or cash-out refis should be discussed beforehand with a tax accountant. If the seller did not use that money to improve the home, it's possible that the seller may owe taxes when all is said and done . . . read more about canceled debt. More Articles by Elizabeth Weintraub: Establishing a Loss For Your Personal Residence Tax Consequences for a Home Business Office Writing Off Uninsured Home Losses ©Big Stock Photo Technorati tag: canceled debt More About: Taxes , Seller , Sale , Debt , Pays
Tips for Green Moving
2008-06-09 07:00:00 Consumers who are concerned about protecting the environment are typically also partial to the eco-friendly practices of green moving. Me? I don't have to worry about moving because my husband says... More About: Tips , Green , Moving
ASHI is the Oldest Home Inspection Group in the U.S.
2008-06-06 07:00:00 There are many home inspection associations a home inspector can join, but the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) has been around the longest. Almost every home buyer who is represented... More About: Group
Choosing Types of Listing Agreements
2008-06-04 07:00:00 Have you ever stopped to consider the type of listing agreement your agent is asking you to sign? Odds are no. In fact, odds are nobody has explained the various... More About: Listing , Types
Will a Short Sale Ruin My Credit?
2008-06-02 07:00:00 The bulk of my emails from readers lately center around the same question: Will a short sale ruin credit? Many home owners seem under the impression that doing a short... More About: Credit , Sale , Ruin , Short
First American Title Has a Long History
2008-05-30 07:00:00 Way back in 1974, I got my start in the real estate industry by typing title policies for First American Title . I was very young, and still in college. I... More About: History , Long
Robert G. Allen: Guru or Sham?
2008-05-28 07:00:00 Out of the hundreds of seminar speakers and investment gurus I have met in my life, one person I have never met in real life is Robert G. Allen . But that... More About: Guru , Sham
Tips for Buying an REO Home From the Bank
2008-05-26 07:00:00 Where I sell in Sacramento, REOs (bank-owned homes) are receiving multiple offers, sometimes 20 to 30 offers on any given listing. My buyers win most of the time because they... More About: Buying , Tips , Home , Bank
Stewart Title Offers Nationwide Services
2008-05-23 07:00:00 Few people know this, but I used to be a Certified Escrow Officer and got my start in escrow at Stewart Title Company. In 1976, I had just moved to Newport... More About: Services , Offers
OWN IT: The Ups and Downs of Home Buying for Women
2008-05-21 07:00:00 It took me about four hours to read through Janet Musselman's new book, OWN IT: The Ups and Downs of Home Buying for Women , and it was a fun... More About: For Women
Walking Away From Your Home Carries Risk
2008-05-19 07:00:00 When home values fall, a home owner might start to think about walking away from a home. The scenario goes something like this: It's 2005. Dick and Jane have not saved... More About: Home , Walking , Risk
State Farm Earns Kudos for Claim Handling
2008-05-16 07:00:00 Full disclosure: I have been a satisfied customer of State Farm Insurance for decades. But my loyalty to State Farm doesn't mean it's better than any other insurance company. I stick... More About: Kudos
Bank of America is America's Largest Residential Mortgage Bank
2008-05-14 07:00:00 Where I live in northern California, you can find a Bank of America branch almost every mile or so. Bank of America s are almost as ubiquitous as Starbucks. I've... More About: Residential , Mortgage
How Can There Be Two Offers on the Same Listing?
2008-05-12 07:00:00 In a market like we are in today, it's not unusual for home buyers to find themselves in situations where the seller of the home they want receives two offers... More About: Offers , Listing
Coldwell Banker is More Than a Century Old
2008-05-09 07:00:00 Before anybody writes to me to ask why I am writing about Coldwell Banker and not every other real estate company out there, please understand that I am blogging about... More About: Century
Best Places to Live in America
2008-05-07 07:00:00 All of us have, I believe, at one time or another, wondered about where would be the best places to live. Some of us are lucky and born in the place... More About: America , Places , Live
East Sacramento Homes Photo Gallery
2008-05-05 07:00:00 Spring is in full bloom in Sacramento , so last week I grabbed my trusty camera and headed off to photograph the distinctive gardens and homes of East Sacramento. It amazes me... More About: Photo , Gallery , Homes
How Fed Cuts Affect Mortgage Rates
2008-05-02 07:00:00 It's not true that Fed cuts reduce mortgage rates, regardless of how many times you hear it, says my expert, Dan Tharp. According to Mr. Tharp, when the Federal Reserve Bank... More About: Mortgage , Rates , Cuts
What is Jingle Mail?
2008-04-30 07:00:00 Jingle mail is a growing phenomena in the United States, which is a direct result of the foreclosure crisis. Some home owners, terrified of pending foreclosure, decide to mail their house... More About: Mail , Jingle
Home Buying Before Marriage
More articles from this author:2008-04-28 07:00:00 Many couples choose to buy a home before marriage, but is it wise? Regardless of whether you are planning to get married, are prohibited from enjoying the institution of marriage or... More About: Marriage , Buying , Home 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
|
