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1). A Secret to Real Estate Profits – Follow The Builder As the real estate market cools, the profit potential of home ownership has cooled as well. Here’s a strategy called “follow the builder.” It is relatively easy to make a profit when you sell your home if the market is rising sharply like it has been in most of the country for the last three years. It becomes more difficult when a hot ... 2). Alabama Real Estate – A Southern Air Alabama is undeniably a stereotypical southern state, but the state and real estate market hold undeniable surprises. Alabama Alabama is distinctly southern and darn proud of it. If you have a taste for college football, country music and NASCAR, Alabama is a paradise defined. To the surprise of many, Alabama also has a m... 3). Alaska Real Estate – The Great Outdoors Alaska is the biggest state in the Union and tends to be a take it or leave it proposition for relocation. For those choosing Alaska, the real estate market is a solid investment. Alaska Known as “the great land”, Alaska seems like a harsh, remote wilderness and certainly nowhere anyone would want to live. These assumptio... 4). Arizona Real Estate - A Good Buying Opportunity? If you're looking to move to a new state, Arizona real estate is definitely worth a look. Following is a primer of the state and the FSBO Arizona real estate market. Phoenix Phoenix is by far the largest city in Arizona and it is growing fast. The sixth largest city in the United States, Phoenix is the official and econom... 5). Arkansas Real Estate – Forget the Rat Race Arkansas is a state that harkens back to a more relaxed time of life in our country. If you’re tired of hearing 90 cell phones ringing, moving to Arkansas may be the answer. Arkansas Unlike many states, Arkansas has made a concerted effort to protect and maintain its past. It is equally protective of its small, rural town ... 6). Avoid Home Buying Blues at Closing Buying a home is a stressful and emotional affair. You can avoid the home buying blues by keeping your cool at closing. I've just come from a settlement table at which a friend bought a new condo. It's beautiful, convenient and just what she wanted. However, at the settlement table she and a relative whom she clearly loves got into a ... 7). Best House Color to Sell Love at first sight is a concept that applies to the real estate market. So, what is the best house color to sell your home to a love struck buyer? Best House Color to Sell When you go to social events, do you make an effort to snazzy yourself up? Of course you do. The simply fact is attraction is a key factor in forming r... 8). Buy The Most Expensive House In The Neighborhood? When looking at homes, one is tempted to buy the best home in a neighborhood. Should you buy the most expensive home on the block? No. Think Long-Term Assume you fall in love with the masterpiece home in a particular neighborhood. It has everything you could dream of: black bottom pool, marble, an incredible kitchen, top ... 9). Buying a Home -- Is a Home Inspection a Good Idea? To avoid “buying a pig in a poke,” buyers have long demanded the closing on a home purchase be contingent upon a satisfactory inspection by a home inspection firm. In many parts of our country, we’re now experiencing a strong sellers’ real estate market and sellers often receive more than one purchase offer on the same day for their home. In this e... 10). Buying a Home – Dealing With Lender Letters Most people who set out to buy a home, be it house, townhouse, condo, apartment, or mansion on a hill, know they need to have a lender letter in hand saying they are qualified for a loan. What most “civilians” (people not in the real estate business) don’t realize is how much the value of a lender letter varies. Let’s look at some of t... 11). Buying A Home – Rain, Sun, and Weather Issues When buying a home, it can be easy to overlook year-around weather issues. You may think you are purchasing a home in a sunny area, but come to find there is always a heavy cloud cover. This is just one of a number of weather issues to consider when selecting your dream home. Clouds…Rain…Floods If you must have a sun deck ... 12). Buying A Home – What Is That Noise!?! You’ve found the perfect home, closed escrow and just finished moving in. As you happily fall asleep, all seems well in the world. An hour later, you bolt up in bed to an ear splitting sound. All is no longer well in the world. An Unholy Racket If you saw the movie “My Cousin Vinny”, you know what I’m talking about. For th... 13). Buying A Home – Zoning and Architectural Review Board Restrictions When you buy a home, you need to be aware of the various things that can limit your control over the property. This is as true for finished lots and single family homes as it is for townhouses, condos, and apartments. It’s a good idea to understand these limitations before you buy, so that you can decide whether you’re willing to live with them or ... 14). Buying A House – Checking Exterior Wood You need to be very careful before committing to the purchase of a house. If the house has wood and brick on the exterior, you need to consider the following issues. Wood Issues Wood is a beautiful material, particularly when it is used on the exterior of a home. Compared to stucco and other materials, it is a wonder wood... 15). California Real Estate – Appreciation on Steroids For the last five years, owners of California real estate have been hitting the ball out of the appreciation ballpark. Yes, a real estate market on steroids. California California is heavily populated from north to south along the coastline, but they state offers significantly different ecologies. In Northern California, ... 16). Closing Costs When Buying A Home Closing costs are often the last thing a person thinks of when buying a home. While closing is the joyous moment the home becomes yours, the costs can be surprisingly aggravating. When you purchase a home, condo or other property, you will go through a period known as escrow. During escrow, various issues related to the property transf... 17). Coinciding Settlements Clauses - Funding Issues People who are selling their home in order to buy another frequently put a "coinciding settlements" clause into their contract offer on the new home. The purpose of this is usually twofold. In this article, we discuss the first purpose which is to use funds from the old home to pay for the new one. How Coinciding Settlements Work 18). Coinciding Settlements Clauses - Moving Issues People who are selling their home in order to buy another frequently put a "coinciding settlements" clause into their contract offer on the new home. One reason for doing this is so they can move from one home to the other at the same time. Coinciding Moving Day? One reason people want coinciding settlements is so they can... 19). Colorado Real Estate – The Rocky Mountains Colorado is the land of the Rocky Mountains and all that comes with it. Located in the foothills, Denver is the central location for Colorado real estate. Colorado A state dominated by mountains, Colorado is a popular relocation spot for outdoors enthusiasts. The state offers skiing, hiking, rock climbing, fishing, campin... 20). Condominiums – Advantages of Ownership Condominiums tend to be a love it or hate it subject with property owners. Here are the advantages of owning a condominium. Condominium – Advantages Condominiums provide a unique living opportunity in the United States, one that many people have jumped on in this hot real estate market. Although not for everyone, condomin... 21). Condominiums – Disadvantages of Ownership Purchasing a new residence involves many issues and condos may be on your radar. Before you buy, keep in mind there are disadvantages to condominium ownership. Condominiums – Disadvantages Condominiums are simply a collection of units in a structure or structures. All property on the interior of the unit is yours with few... 22). Condominiums – Should You Consider Purchasing One Condominiums tend fall into the love them or hate them position for buyers. Here’s primer on condominiums. Condominiums Condominiums are all about communal living, which can be good or bad depending upon your personal views. This type of communal living doesn’t refer to the failed experiments of the sixties wherein hippie... 23). Connecticut Real Estate – Pleasant Northeastern Escape Connecticut is close to all the major attractions in the Northeast, but has much to offer on its own. If you’re looking for a little peace in the Northeast, Connecticut real estate is a good option. Connecticut With a colonial history, beach towns and little seaside villages, Connecticut is a classic Northeastern state. U... 24). Content Ideas for Ads and Brochures When Selling Your Home Even in this hot real estate market, selling your home requires a bit of marketing effort. Ads and brochures are important and powerful tools. So, what do you put in you’re marketing materials? Content To the degree possible include key information in you’re ad or brochure. A classified ad will contain less than a poster, ... 25). Curb Appeal – First Impressions Count When Selling A Condo or Townhouse Curb appeal is the key to selling a townhouse or condo. Since common areas are controlled by a homeowners’ association, paying attention to details can make all the difference. Townhouses The same rules that apply to selling a house apply to townhouses except that the scale of things has to fit a smaller space and nothing... 26). Curb Appeal – First Impressions Count When Selling Your Home People selling their homes via real estate brokers get lots of coaching. People selling their own homes as FSBOs need the same. One of the most important topics on which FSBOs can benefit from coaching is “curb appeal.” How does your home look when a potential buyer drives up to the curb and takes that all important first look? Be Sure... 27). Dealing With Unpleasant Negotiators Selling your house yourself can be intimidating if you're doing it the first time. Here's how to deal with unpleasant negotiators. Unpleasant Negotiators Sometimes you encounter someone who is not going to be happy unless he maneuvers you into accepting less than your home is worth or doing things for his benefit that are... 28). Delaware Real Estate – Living on the Water A classic Atlantic state, Delaware is known for beaches and towns on the Atlantic Ocean. Delaware real estate prices aren’t bad and appreciation is excellent. Delaware Delaware is a state with a lot of coastline. When you think of wind swept beaches on the Atlantic Ocean, you’re thinking of Delaware. The beach areas come ... 29). Descriptive Terms in Real Estate Ads – Even More Definitions If you are buying or selling a home, the chances are good you struggle with the meaning of descriptive real estate terms. Here are explanations and definitions for more terms. “Living Room” & “Family Room” When a home has both a living room and a family room, we know which is which. It used to be that when an ad mentioned... 30). Descriptive Terms in Real Estate Ads – More Definitions If you are buying or selling a home, the chances are good you struggle with the meaning of descriptive real estate terms. Here are explanations and definitions for more terms. “Shed Dormers” These are often seen in Dutch colonial style houses and are flat roofed dormers. Sometimes these dormers are single windows, but oft... 31). Descriptive Terms in Real Estate Ads – What Do They Mean? If you are buying or selling a home, the chances are good you struggle with the meaning of descriptive real estate terms. Here’s the first in a series of articles explaining them. The Wise Seller Be very truthful if you are a seller advertising your home. Mention your home’s best features, but do not exaggerate. If someon... 32). Descriptive Terms in Real Estate Ads – Yet More Definitions If you are buying or selling a home, the chances are good you struggle with the meaning of descriptive real estate terms. Here are explanations and definitions for more terms. “Plantation Shutters” Refers to interior shutters with large, moveable louvers that can be used much like Venetian blinds. Often they’re used only ... 33). Escalation Clauses – A Home Buyer's Secret Weapon Today we discuss escalation clauses because much of the country is experiencing an extreme “sellers’ market.” By that, I mean there are more buyers than there are sellers, and that results in sellers’ getting more than one offer to buy their property. The seller can be picky about the terms under which he is willing to sell. A potential buyer is ap... 34). Evaluating A Home – Water Pipes When evaluating a home you are considering buying, it is easy to get caught up in the visual aspects of the home. Water pipes are just one unseen area you remember to inspect. Water Pipes – Drip, Drip, Drip Alright, I’ll admit right away water pipes are not exactly the most glamorous aspect of a home. In fact, water pipin... 35). Final Walk-Through – The Value of Your Contract A walk-through is an important step in a real estate transaction. To get the most out of it, make sure you understand the terms of the purchase contract. Check Things the Contract Specifies When you signed the contact to purchase your new home, certain elements and characteristics were specified. If the home does not match... 36). Finding Structural Problems During Escrow – Small Rural Home Example In rural home purchases, the transaction is often subject to a satisfactory home inspection being done. Any imperfections are usually corrected during escrow. Now and then, however, a home inspection uncovers severe structural problems. What happens then? Structural Problems – Small Rural Home With a small rural home purch... 37). Finding Structural Problems During Escrow – Upscale Home Example When buying and selling homes, the property purchase is often subject to a satisfactory home inspection being done. Now and then, a home inspection uncovers severe structural problems. Here’s an example of a situation in an upscale neighborhood. Severe Structural Problems Does the buyer walk away when there are serious str... 38). Florida Real Estate – The Sunshine State Florida real estate is definitely worth a look if sun and fun is your ticket. Florida real estate, even close to the beach, is a very good deal. Florida Florida is a well-known haven for people living through winter storms in the northeast. Sun and warm water are an obviously attraction, but there is much more to Florida. ... 39). Following A Builder for Profits - An Example As the real estate market begins to calm down, many worry about making a profit on their homes. Here’s an example of the “follow the builder” profit strategy. Follow That Builder In many areas of the country, there are builders who build hundreds of houses each year within a fifty mile radius of each other. They build enti... 40). Found the Perfect Home – But Furniture Won’t Fit You’ve been looking for a home and you’ve found one that feels almost perfect. The location is convenient and you can picture your family living here happily. There’s a problem, however. One or more pieces of furniture you’ve had for years just will not fit. Do you buy the home anyway, or keep looking? Move It? Suppose the... 41). FSBO Open Houses - What If You Get An Offer? You've decided to sell your home yourself and decide to have an open house to show off the property. Potential buyers come and you get an offer. What now? Qualifying Buyers Your home is looking sharp and you've got the word out telling people about the open house. Now you need to be prepared to take action if a qualified ... 42). FSBOs –The Secret of “After Settlement Escrow” to Solve Problems Most FSBOs (people who are selling their own homes) are aware of the conventional use of escrow. In this article, we look at ways to use escrow to solve problems. Escrow Escrow means different things in different parts of the country. In California it’s part and parcel of the settlement process. In Virginia, while there’s... 43). Georgia Real Estate – Southern Hospitality Known as the Peach State, Georgia is the state of southern hospitality. If you prefer the traditional southern culture, Georgia real estate is certainly worth a look. Georgia The largest state east of the Mississippi, Georgia has a long and glorious history. Civil war monuments are rife throughout the state as are small t... 44). Good Faith Deposit – Real Estate Transactions In a real estate transaction, a touchy issue is how much trust the seller has in a buyer. The existence of a good faith deposit helps put a seller at rest. Good Faith Deposit If you are selling your home, condominium or other real estate, you should always require a buyer to make a good faith deposit. The good faith deposi... 45). Hawaii Real Estate – Paying for Paradise Where does one even begin to start when discussing the island paradise of Hawaii. Perhaps with an inflated Hawaii real estate market for those considering relocating. Hawaii Formed by volcanoes, Hawaii is a collection of islands that feel like paradise. In fact, the islands continue to grow with active volcanoes consisten... 46). Home Buying - Close and Move on Same Day? Closing on a home is an undeniably stressful experience. Trying to move on the same day you close just adds to the stress unless you prepare. Get Moving A very high percentage of people move on the day they complete the purchase of their new home. They've just come through an experience that can be very tense, yet they pit... 47). Home Buying Checklist – Paint and Stucco Buying a home is a big investment. You should use a checklist when sizing up potential homes. In this article, we cover a home buying checklist for paint and stucco. Paint and Stucco The exterior of a home typically makes the biggest impression when you first view a potential buying opportunity. Many homebuyers, however, ... 48). Home Buying Checklist – Windows If you are in the market to purchase a home, it can be easy to fall in love at first sight. Do so at your own risk. While the overall appearance of a home is important, the quality is in the details. In this article, I provide a checklist of window issues you should consider when viewing a home. Windows If you are consider... 49). Home Buying – School District Issues A good school district is a key factor in home buying if you have kids. It can also be a positive selling point when it comes time to sell your home. School Districts When considering the quality of school districts, keep in mind that everyone is looking for “good ones.” The question, of course, is what does “good” exactly... 50). Home Buying – What Can You Afford? Okay, you’ve decided to buy a home and are trying to figure out what you can afford. Before you go home buying, you need to carefully consider what you can afford as far as a mortgage payment. Mortgage Payments The first step you should take in determining what you can afford is to talk to a mortgage lender. In fact, the b... Browse Pages: 1 [2] [3] [4]