Archive for January, 2009

Little Things Matter to FSBO Buyers

Friday, January 23rd, 2009

If you have decided to sell your property as an FSBO home, consider even the little things to attract buyers. Try going out of your door, and then as you walk inside, take note of what your eyes take in. Do you like what you see?

You will soon realize that you notice even the littlest of things. The magazines on the sofa, the strong color of the decor, the boxes on the refrigerator, the glasses on the counter top and the shape of the pillows. If you noticed these, your prospective FSBO buyer will see even more of the little things. So as you pack your things for your next move, pack also your FSBO house in a way that buyers feel warmth, sense of space, sense of calm, sense of order and all those positive feelings when they enter your house.

Here are some tips to achieve those positive feelings:

  1. Clean out the things you will no longer use in your next place. Hold a yard sale or check if your neighborhood is holding a multi-family garage sale within your time frame.
  2. Create a welcoming atmosphere. Place potted flowers near the doorway and spread a new doormat. As the FSBO buyer enters, there should be no odor of any kind except the smell of freshness.
  3. Stir feelings of romance and calm by putting flowers and wine glasses on a table near the fireplace.
  4. Evoke a sense of space. Move large furniture and equipment to a storage service. Make small rooms appear larger by removing some of the contents. Open the windows to let the breeze in. Make sure all the windows are thoroughly cleaned.
  5. Set a general feeling of cleanliness all throughout the house. Remove clutter in all rooms, especially in the kitchen.

If you have done these things, then get ready with your big smile to close your FSBO sale.

Related Posts:

Posted in For Sale By Owner | No Comments »

Win Over Your FSBO Buyer at First Sight

Thursday, January 22nd, 2009

If your prospective FSBO buyer gets wowed at the first sight of your house, it is very likely that he or she is already forming ideas of buying your home.

So before listing your house on FSBO homes, try standing on the curb, walk towards your house and take note of all the things that catch your eyes, giving attention to the details and the general view. And then work towards having a look that attracts FSBO buyers at first sight.

Here are some tips to achieve the winning look:

  1. Repaint your house and highlight features that enhance the facade.
  2. Fix and repaint the gate. Make sure all outdoor lamps work. Replace an old mailbox.
  3. Place potted flowering plants on the front porch. Clean the front windows thoroughly. Make sure that the front door opens easily.
  4. Remove dead plants and mow the lawn. Keep the plants healthy and vigorous. Plant some colorful flowers.
  5. Keep foot paths free of debris. Remove oil spills and grease on surfaces.
  6. Clean out dried leaves and stems from the roof. Align and paint downspouts and gutters. Fix exposed wiring and repair cracked surfaces.
  7. Remove gardening equipment from the lawn. Clean the outdoor grill and make sure it enhances the look of the outdoor living area.
  8. If you have a swimming pool, fountains or outdoor showers, make sure that the areas are clean and the pumps are functioning. Sprinklers and outdoor faucets should be operating too.

When finally you are finished with all the repairing, fixing and prettifying tasks, stand at the curb again and walk toward your house. If you feel like regretting your move and canceling your FSBO listing, then you could be sure the first prospective buyer will fall in love with your FSBO home at first sight.

Related Posts:

Posted in FSBO Tips | 2 Comments »

10 FSBO Selling Tips

Monday, January 19th, 2009

The moment you put the For Sale by Owner sign, you expect to receive phone calls from prospective buyers. If most calls come from real estate agents trying to get for sale by owner listings and not prospective buyers, do not feel defeated or think of giving up on selling your home. You can accomplish selling your home. It is just that those For Sale by Owner signs are not enough to get the attention of qualified buyers and for you to succeed being properly prepared plays an important part.

Preparation is indeed essential for properties for sale by owner to move. Here are 10 things to consider for properties FSBO.

  1. Set a realistic price. You can do this by comparing the price, features and condition of similar homes that were sold in your neighborhood or elsewhere.
  2. Your home should leave a good impression to buyers. Properties for sale by owners should project competitive statement.
  3. Prepare all forms that you will need for potential buyers and for legal documentation. Be familiar with all legal documentation.
  4. Advertise your home effectively. Be service minded and easy to reach.
  5. Stay on your objective during a home viewing. Do not be oversensitive when buyers give negative comments, instead emphasize on positives.
  6. Know your buyers financial status. This will give you an idea if the buyer can afford your home.
  7. Be an effective negotiator. Keep the buyers interest during negotiations.
  8. Gather information about your buyer. This will help during negotiation in order to determine what you need to do to close the deal in advance.
  9. Do not vacate the home you sell. It leaves a less attractive impression to buyers.
  10. Whatever your reasons for selling your home, just keep it to yourself or else it will be your disadvantage during negotiation.

Homes for sale by owner may be tall task but proper preparations and motivation should keep you on the right track.

Related Posts:

Posted in For Sale By Owner | 1 Comment »

5 Things to Consider When Buying FSBO Properties

Friday, January 16th, 2009

For house hunters looking for less expensive homes, fsbo homes bring a number of advantages without going through a seller agent. Since they are getting in touch directly with the owner or seller of the home, they can get a good offer and cheaper price than those listed with a real estate agent.

Instead of contacting a real estate agent, there are things house hunters should consider when looking to purchase a real estate for sale by owner. There are five things to remember when hunting for a house in a private real estate sale.

  1. Looking for a perfect for sale by owner home starts with looking for the right location suited for you. Determine the surrounding area if it will provide all the necessary things you and your family need. A home in the wrong location is something you do not want to happen.
  2. You do not just strike anywhere. You need guidance in choosing for sale by owner homes to look at. Write down the important things that you are looking for in a home. Making a list and ranking them by interest should give you a clear look of the things you look for in a home.
  3. In our modern time, getting information is just a click away. You can collect important details about homes online. The internet can provide a lot of valuable information about homes that seller agents can not produce. Researching on potential homes will give you all the important details that you should know.
  4. Be pre-approved for a mortgage. Mortgage pre-approval helps determine the financing for a mortgage that you potentially qualify for before you go looking at for sale by owner homes.
  5. Always be prepared to make an offer. Set your mind to make an offer before you go to look at a property. Just be prepared even if you do not make an actual offer on a home right now. It would prove useful when you suddenly fall in love with an fsbo property.

Related Posts:

Posted in FSBO | No Comments »

Attracting Potential Buyers of FSBO During the Cold Season

Thursday, January 15th, 2009

To get people interested in purchasing your property, you have to take extra effort and keep your curb appeal at peak in the duration of the season. An interesting outside view of your home would be very helpful in attracting potential home buyers of FSBO homes. A strong curb appeal can leave the impression of a great home. Follow these tips to lure potential buyers into checking out your property:

  • Upgrade the exteriors of your home. Make sure the roof and gutters are in perfect condition. If not, fix them, or better yet, have them replaced. Aside from performing necessary repairs, have the house repainted.
  • Do some changes to the front porch. They may be as simple as placing a new doormat or as elaborate as changing the lights to give a warmer feel to your home.
  • Add some greens. Choose plants that radiate through the cold season. It is best to use colorful ones like poinsettias. Hollies are also great winter plants. However, be sure they do not cover your street number.
  • Pay attention to your landscape. Mow the lawn and clear them of leaves and debris. Keep your front yard clean and keep away your garbage bin unless it is pick-up day.
  • Make sure that your front door is accessible. Potential buyers must be able to go to your door step with much safety and ease. Your walkways must be well-lit. Also, keep them clean and immediately repair all cracks.
  • Give your potential buyer a feel of how it is like to live in your home. They must be able to visualize themselves living in your property. Keep your decorations simple so as not to overwhelm your buyer.

For Sale By Owner transactions may be a little hard during the winter, but not hopeless. Attracting potential buyers does not take a huge amount of money. All you have to do is think creatively, plan carefully, and work industriously.

Related Posts:

Posted in For Sale By Owner | No Comments »

Save Yourself from Trouble, Tell All During FSBO Transactions

Wednesday, January 14th, 2009

Most legal cases regarding FSBO sales are caused by hiding information from buyers. Disclosing significant information to your buyer can definitely save you from the possibility of going to jail in the future, not to mention, save lives.

In one home sale incident, the seller kept from the buyer that the heater of the property was not in good condition. This caused the suffocation and eventual death of the buyers and one of their two children, leaving orphan a four-year-old child who was the only survivor. The seller was sent to jail after being proven guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

Hiding necessary information so as to guarantee home sale and high price is not worth the life of any person. Declaring home defects, whether they have been fixed or not, is very important for a successful FSBO transaction. One way of doing so is through the Transfer Disclosure Statement.

Although there is no written law about the disclosure of already fixed problems, it can still turn out to be a wise move. If you do not report previous problems about your home, there is a big chance that the buyer will hear about it from neighbors and it will make them think that you were not completely honest when you were selling the property.

Do not be afraid that your property might not sell if you disclose everything. Matter of fact is, in most cases, when buyers know everything about the property they are planning to buy and are able to arrive at an informed decision, they end up buying the home and realize that it is right for them.

A completely honest FSBO transaction does not only contribute to a successful home sale. More importantly, in the long run, it can save you from post-sale troubles. You will find yourself free from lawsuits and enjoying every dollar you earned from the sale.

Related Posts:

Posted in FSBO | 1 Comment »

Advantages of FSBO Over Hiring a Real Estate Agent

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009

If a seller has the time and determination, FSBO Homes can turn out to be a better choice. Here are some of the advantages of FSBO over real estate agent sale:

  • There is direct communication between you and the buyer. This translates to fast and efficient exchange of information.
  • You are the only person most fit to market your home. You know every single detail about it and no real estate agent can contend to that.
  • You know about all the offers that have been submitted. Since you are involved in every single transaction, you are well-informed about prospective buyers.
  • You have the assurance that people who check out your home are actually serious buyers. On the contrary, real estate agents have the tendency to show several properties the same buyer only to give them basis for comparison.
  • You set your own rules. Unlike in real estate agent sale, you decide on the time line and all other matters involved.

Indeed, For Sale By Owner has its advantages. However, it also has its downside that can not be neglected:

  • FSBO has not as much resources as real estate agent sale. Unlike real estate agents, you might not have access to significant information such as real estate market reports, comprehensive list of potential buyers, and real estate contacts, among others.
  • You might have limited real estate sale experience. On the other hand, real estate agents have been doing home sales all their lives. This can prove to be important in terms of negotiating with potential buyers.
  • You cannot list your home on some real estate Internet sites. There are some websites where only real estate agents have access to. Having your property listed on such sites can be very beneficial as they are frequently visited by potential buyers.

Related Posts:

Posted in For Sale By Owner | 3 Comments »

5 Tips for Making a Profitable FSBO

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009

One of the many reasons that may affect your home sale is the economic condition of your local community. An unstable situation is most often followed by a weak market. Market size is another reason. When only a few home buyers are planning to buy properties, chances are, your FSBO property will stay long in the market.

Another possible reason is competition. The number of properties for sale determines the likelihood that your property will be noticed. This segues to another reason – the presentation of your home.

In order to boost your competitive edge, your property must answer the needs and wants of home buyers.

  1. A fully-finished house is one hot prospect for buyers. Most of them look for a property that can readily accommodate them anytime they decide to move in. When there are items that have to be fixed, do so before selling your home. This will quicken your home sale and is more advisable than slashing credit off your asking price as you leave repairs to home buyers.
  2. Put yourself in the shoes of the buyer. If you were to buy your property, how would you want it to be? Pay attention to every little detail of your home especially necessary repairs.
  3. Have your home thoroughly inspected by a professional home inspector before the home buyer does conduct their own inspection. That way, you would not be surprised when damages appear in their findings. Include other necessary home inspections like pest control.
  4. Scout for a reliable real estate agent once your home is ready for FSBO. They can give expert advice on significant matters. They can give you a comparative market analysis to see how your home compares to competing properties. You can also ask them about a reasonable asking price for your home. Choose an agent whom you can readily contact whenever you need them.
  5. Set a fair price for your FSBO property. Be open to price negotiations. Buyers might lose interest once they feel that they are transacting with a seller who only cares about making profit.

Related Posts:

Posted in FSBO | 1 Comment »