SAN DIEGO REAL ESTATE AGENT BLOG » San Diego Real Estate Agent

Ten Inexpensive Ways to Wow Buyers

Michael Carter - San Diego Real Estate Agent — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:29:03 +0000

Here are 10 cheap ways to make a property more attractive to shoppers.

Improve first impressions. Touch up the paint on the front door and other areas that buyers see first.
Clean up the landscaping. Trim the hedges and trees and plant some annuals in the flowerbeds.
Paint the interior. A coat of light yellow or cream with contrasting white woodwork looks fresh and clean.
Refurbish the floors. Buff the hardwoods. Install new carpets – or at least get them professionally cleaned.
Take care of the big problems. If the house needs a roof or the front stoop is crumbling, get them fixed.
Buy warranties. Putting appliances under warranty gives homebuyers a secure feeling.
Improve energy efficiency. New windows or improved insulation tell a potential buyer the seller is on top of things plus they come with tax benefits.
Replace light fixtures. Updated fixtures, especially at the entrance way and in the foyer, create a good first impression.
Buy a stove. Home owners whose kitchen isn’t top of the line can jazz it up for a few hundred dollars by buying a new stove, which gives the room a fresh feel.
Tidy up the bathrooms. Get rid of mildew, replace caulking and replace stained sinks.

Source: U.S. News & World Report, Luke Mullins (01/21/2010)

Michael Carter
San Diego Real Estate Agent
MTC Future Realty
(619) 488-5774

More Foreclosures to COME!

Michael Carter - San Diego Real Estate Agent — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:42:27 +0000

Housing inventory is likely to continue increasing in 28 key metro areas, according to the Wall Street Journals’ quarterly survey of housing data.

Areas where the number of foreclosed homes is likely to contribute the most to the inventory of available properties include Las Vegas, Atlanta, Detroit, Phoenix, Miami and other parts of Florida, and Sacramento, Calif.,

Areas where the fewest homes are likely to go into foreclosure, according to the survey, include Boston, Denver, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Seattle, Raleigh, N.C., and Portland, Ore.

Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody’s Economy.com, predicts that home prices will hit bottom in most parts of the country in the third quarter of 2010. He says that mortgage rates will rise beyond 6 percent by March 2010 as the Federal Reserve reduces its support for low interest rates.

In the meantime, observers point out that the housing market can confuse anyone shopping for a home because even in hard-hit markets like Las Vegas, well-kept, moderately priced properties are hard to find and are snapped up when they come on the market.

“Anything under $300,000 that is decent within hours has dozens of offers,” said Michael Lyon, CEO of Lyon Real Estate in Sacramento.

The Wall Street Journal, James R. Hagerty

Michael Carter
San Diego Real Estate Agent
MTC Future Realty
(619) 488-5774

Safety Week Tip: Showing Empty Properties

Michael Carter - San Diego Real Estate Agent — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:44:26 +0000

When you’re showing an empty property, you can take these simple steps to empower yourself against attack or theft.

Be sure to use the lockbox property-key procedure that has been established to improve real estate agent safety. A reliable, secure lockbox system ensures that keys don’t fall into the wrong hands.
Preview the property and don’t go into a neighborhood that you perceive as unsafe. Be familiar with the area so you know the location of the nearest police station. Drive there immediately if you feel you are in danger.
Try and call the office once an hour to let people know where you are.
At the beginning of the showing, mention to the client that you have another appointment to show the house within a short time.
Prepare a scenario so that you can leave, or encourage someone who makes you uncomfortable to leave. Examples: Your cell phone or beeper went off and you have to call your office, you left some important information in your car, or another agent with buyers is on his way.
In showing a property, always leave the front door unlocked for a quick exit while you and the client are inside. As you enter each room, stand near the door.
It is better to not display purses while at a property. Lock your purse in the car trunk before you arrive. Carry only non-valuable business items (except for your cell phone), and do not wear expensive jewelry or watches, or appear to be carrying large sums of money.
Park at the curb in front of the property rather than in the driveway. You will attract much more attention running and screaming to the curb area. It is much easier to escape in your vehicle if you don’t have to back out of a driveway. Besides, parked in a driveway, another vehicle could purposefully or accidentally trap you.

Daily Real Estate News | September 18, 2009

Michael Carter
San Diego Real Estate Agent
MTC Future Realty
(619) 488-5774