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October 2007: Tips to Sell Your Home Part 3

In the current real estate market, you have to do everything you can to sell your home. Of course, price, in some markets, may be the main factor. However, I have found that one of the best things you can do beside having your home priced right, to get your home sold is advertising. There are often local newspapers where the classified ads are not too expensive. If your home is in a retirement community, there are community newspapers, websites and local senior newspapers. This is the best advertising since it reaches your local market. Larger newspapers may cost more and so you don't want to advertise in them as often but occasionally. Along with the ad, have an open house. In fact, the most effective ads may be ones that advertise your open house.

There are some statistics out that show that most people research online before contacting a Realtor. Have your Realtor list your home on Craig's List. Homes have been sold here as well as other Realtor online websites. (See our new offer of advertising on this site.) Advertising works to sell real estate.

I read recently about 2 unusual methods of selling your home: the ancient practice of burying a statue of St. Joseph (upside down) in your front yard. Hey, in this market you need to try everything. There are many testimonials saying this works. There is actually a website that sells St. Joseph statues for this purpose.

Another unusual method is that of using Feng Shui. Feng Shui advocates clearing space to increase energy and that is a practical suggestion. Remove the clutter from your home is definitely a must when you prepare your home for market. There are other good Feng Shui suggestions such as keeping your entry clear, using plants, using the right colors for that direction, etc. We can't guarantee your home will sell, but it makes sense if your home is giving off good energy, it may more likely sell. There are books on using Feng Shui to sell your home. Here's one: "How to Sell Your Home With Feng Shui," by Christine Ayres and Cindy Coverdale.

Open houses help. Good aromas such as come from baking bread or cookies. Also I like to place one of the plug in fragrancers. Fragrance sells. Make it apple pie or something exotic.

Do these unusual methods work? I believe they can. I believe they work on the same idea as positive thinking. Think positively, think intensely, and visualize yourself putting the sold sign out.

(If you would like to advertise your home on this website for free, please contact me and let me know of your interest. If I receive enough interest, I will set up a page to do this.) Contact me here

Sept. 1, 2007: Tips to Sell your home part 2

(Part 1 is below this article)

We had a little improvement of home sales nationally in July from June. This produced a little positive encouragement. If interest rates should drop, we may get a little more burst of buying. (Not a prediction or advice.) Check with your local Realtors.

If you want to sell your home, you must price it right. -- Be sure to have a comparative market analysis done by your local Realtor and look at the "Solds" more than the Listed prices. Listed prices are not necessarily what the home will sell for and can be misleading. The important thing is what it sold for. Also, check how many days on market, if any incentives were offered and if it had any special features. Then drive by these solds and see how it compares to your home. Then be realistic about your pricing. If you list your home higher, ask yourself why. Did you have some additional outstanding feature that these homes did not have.

It used to be you could always list higher because every month you could tack on for appreciation. However, in most areas the appreciation is flat or even negative. But check with your local Realtor as it varies so much depending where you live.

Get buyer feedback: A good tip is to ask for buyer feedback. When buyers come into your home, have your Realtor call their Realtor and ask for feedback. (Never ask them yourself since you may not get the honest answer.) If the buyer's make comments about something you can easily fix, then try to do it.

Maybe you could do an improvement. Add something that buyers really want now in their homes. Something in current demand. Upgraded bathroom or kitchen fixtures (nickel is hot now.) Know what is in demand. Granite countertops. Whirlpool tubs in some areas. A hot tub in the backyard. Don't go to any great expense if your market doesn't warrant it, but maybe you can think of something in your price range that buyers can ooh and aah about..even if its just a new decorative feature in your kitchen..

Could it be the Price: If you have gone over everything really well (see my Tips Part 1, below) then maybe it is just the price. Discuss this with your Realtor to see if a price adjustment is necessary. (In the current market be aware that if there is any lowering of interest rates, it can affect your price so be sure to discuss the matter with your local Realtor carefully before making any price adjustments.) Be sure to see the current market analysis and other considerations before making any decision. Consult with your local Realtor as nothing read here is to be considered as advice but is general information only. Many factors affect how to price your home and only a competent Realtor or other real estate professionals can advise you. Read my Real Estate Update

Put out brochures from mortgage companies and banksIn this current market where financing just got harder, ask your Realtor to talk to mortgage brokers and banks and get their brochures and interest rate information and put it out for buyers to see. This will make it easier for your buyers to find financing and stir up interest in your home. Have 2 or 3 represented so your buyer will have a choice.

Keep the goal in mindRemember that it is well known that the longer the home is on the market, it is in danger of becoming "stale." When this happens, it is harder to get your price. The usual goal is to get your home sold at the best price in the shortest time.

(see my Tips part 1, below)

Tips to Sell Your Current Home
To Buy your Retirement Home

Before you can move into your new retirement community, you may have to sell your current home. You may have to do some extra work and fixing up. Ask your Realtor's advice and weigh carefully what is said.

Here are some tips to consider:

1) Price your home right when you first put it out--don't play games in this market. Get a good market analysis from an experienced Realtor. Do not overprice your home. Price it at market value and maybe a fraction above to leave some room for negotiating. A lot depends on your local market so check with a local Realtor. Just a year ago buyers were fighting over homes. That is no longer the case as inventories pile up. If you are stubborn about lowering your price or offering incentives, then go out and look at your competition and then decide. I can't say it enough: Ask your Realtor but in most cases now don't overprice your home.

2) Have your home looking good before it goes on the market. Sometimes the best buyers are the first to arrive and if your home is not quite ready and is unappealing, you may lose them. Also, this means you need to start earlier than you may have planned cleaning and de-cluttering.

3) Consider a "staging" professional. This is someone who has taken the course in "home staging." See the website www.stagedhomes.com. Barb Schwartz started the term "home staging" and the concept. She also wrote a book "Home Staging." You can buy the book at Amazon or bookstores. The goal of home staging is to sell your home faster at the best price. Surveys have shown it has helped to sell homes faster. If your home is on the market a long time, it can affect the offer you get. With listings sitting for 6 months or longer this can be important. You need to consider staging your home to get a faster sale.

Home staging can create the excitement to buy. A vacant home is not an appealing choice. It is a better choice if your furniture is unattractive, but a nicely furnished home that creates a warm cozy feeling sells faster. You can also rent upscale-looking furniture from furniture rental companies.

If you don't want to pay for staging, ask your Realtor's advice and get an objective opinion on how your home looks and then at least do these things:

• Clean - Nothing sells better than a clean house--clean every corner - also it is simple to put in a fragrance plug. Clean draperies and carpets. Make your home smell fresh.
• Declutter - Have a garage sale or pack until your home has the feeling of a model home. Remove any huge furniture that makes your room look smaller. Have at most 3 objects out on tables.
• De-personalize - Pack all of your family photos, put away your hobbies. Have things that help the buyers imagine themselves in the home.
• Re-arrange and organize each room. Move furniture or accessories around until they look "staged." Remove a lounge chair from your living room and put it in your bedroom if space allows. The way you sell your home is not the way you live in it.
• Accessorize - Unique accessories give a model home feeling. Go into the garden and make an interesting floral display. I had a friend who was good at crafts and she used twine to make an artistic bow wrapped around my vase of flowers. Make one room a children's room and pile 3 stuffed animals on the bed and cozy pillows.

• Paint inside and out if needed, check how your front door looks and replace hardware that is rusted. Sweep up dead leaves and debris from the patio.
• Make the entrance inviting. Plant flowers in the front of your home or in pots at the front door.

And when you finally sell your home, these organizations may be helpful if you need assistance in moving: www.helpseniorsmove.com www.seniorstages.com

Also ask at the retirement community you are interested in if they have any programs to help you buy your retirement home when you have a home to sell.

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Beware of Shoddy Construction and Broken Promises

Yes, it can happen..and even by the biggest names in builders. Ones we think we can trust. Complaints have proliferated due to the current real estate market. I am not sure if more construction problems are occurring or just more complaints. Homeowners who have lost equity are more likely to be unhappy but some have legitimate complaints.

Some of the reasons for shoddy construction seem to be either the builder is not selling homes quickly and is cutting back or maybe they have sold too many homes too quickly. Whatever the reason, and as shocking as this may be..it does happen. It isn't a new thing..there have always been builder complaints. Just be aware..dont take anything for granted.

What can you do. For one thing, do more thorough inspections. Also, be represented by a real estate attorney and your Realtor before you buy.

Sometimes an amenity is promised and never happens..ask when the amenity you desire will be built and make sure it is on schedule..you may even want to wait until a favorite amenity is built before you contractually commit. Who pays for the amenity.

Ask your Realtor or attorney what recourses you have if something goes wrong. Read your contracts carefully and ask questions before you go forward.

Would it hurt to go and watch the construction of a home before you buy yours. Often shoddy construction is apparent. Even then everything cannot be accounted for until the entire project is finished. Nothing is a 100% guarantee. Take a building expert along.

Why not do some of your own inspections. You can always go to the county building office and ask about the land the development is built on and if they know of any problems before you buy. There have been problems with the soils as well as construction. Why not contact a soils expert if there is reason for concern. Or ask the builder to see the soils report.

And speaking of inspections. Most builders put in their contracts their policy on inspections. In your final inspection before you move in, be sure that you take your time and be thorough. Do not rush this. See my article on condo.

You can go onto websites now and put the words "customer service (builder name) in the search box. Or go to websites specifically designed to show complaints about builders. Websites have proliferated.

Ask your builder if you see anything on these websites that disturb you. The builder may have a good reason why the situation occurred. In one case, a disgruntled homeowner refused to cooperate with the builder to get problems resolved. The builder claims they offered to fix the problems and the homeowner refused. Ask your builder for his side of the story and make your own decisions.

Most builders have in their contracts that you cannot sue but you must arbitrate before you sue. Some give you a choice. You must make that decision. Arbitration is intended to make things less intense and risky should a problem occur. However, every contract is different so read your contract carefully and consult with your Realtor or specialized attorney.

Don't jump to conclusions either that your builder is a bad builder if something goes wrong. Even builders make mistakes or maybe it was something they couldn't control. Ask people who live there already, what they think. Was their home built well. Are there any complaints. Before you buy, ask around. Ask builders at other developments in the area. You should do these things anyway--no matter what the market.

Most builders are ethical and will want to resolve problems. Talk to your builder. If they don't cooperate, if they don't answer any questions thoroughly to your satisfaction, then maybe you need to decide if you still want to purchase there. Just be aware that shoddy building does go on at some developments and check everything more thoroughly.

If it is a manufactured home, see the FTC website for how to buy a manufactured home.

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Also, see our

Condo Tips

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Disclaimer: This is an information only website and no information here is to be considered as advice or even opinion. You are given links to builders for your convenience only. We are not responsible for any third party purchases or information. What you do with any information is solely your responsibility.

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Your Guide to Living a Whole Life and the 6 Dimensions of Wellness

Health is a complex and multi-dimensional issue. Health is not simply about strict numbers like blood pressure, weight or the number of minutes you exercise in a day. Health should be defined in a much wider spectrum. Health is not merely the absence of illness, but the presence of wellness, a feeling of well-being, and an all-around zest for life.

Having your health and being well does not define one's life--it is the automobile in which we drive down the highway of life. How smooth a ride you have all depends on what car you are driving--is your health equal to a beat-up and abused lemon, or is it a well-maintained, exhaust-free hybrid.

To achieve health, I believe we must first look inwards to understand our individual and unique minds and bodies. Being able to recognize your body's unique faults, assets, and needs is the first step to being able to manage your health and wellness.

While I believe self-responsibility plays a major role in achieving health--one must also work with health professionals. I firmly believe the prescription for every human being's health is to simply maintain the 6 dimensions of wellness in your life.

Wellness equals wholeness in health. Here are the 6 dimensions I personally believe in:

1) Spirituality --I am a Catholic and find that every Sunday in church I am able to refocus my mind/body/spirit on what is truly important in life. Feeling connected to a higher God helps me remember that my life should be lived with purpose, and that there is great rewards and genius in quiet contemplation of the mind, kindness to others, and self-respect and humbleness of heart. I believe everyone can find great comfort and tranquility if they remember to care for their spirit just as they would their physical body.

2) Emotional -- I find that emotional health is the trickiest dimension because no matter what you do, there will be times of sadness, anger, fear, anxiety and depression in your life. These emotions while painful, are all a part of the complex definition of being human. It is only when we suppress our emotions or try to run from or ignore them, that we are really hurting our wellness. Learning to recognize and acept every emotion you have will help you achieve wellness. I also believe that people today are overmedicating themselves hoping to suppress painful emotions. While medication is needed in many cases of depression or anxiety or maybe hyperactivity, I have seen too many who depend on them rather than learning to work through or deal with those emotions naturally. It is a complex and controversial issue that I believe will have a great impact on the future emotional wellness of our country's citizens.

3) Mental -- I believe the fountain of youth lies in mental wellness. Keeping your mind fit and engaged is truly the secret of youth and vitality. You are only as young and well as you feel--and you cannot feel well if your mind is not alert. Your mind is the master of your body--both spiritually and physically.

One simple way to keep your mind healthy is to change your routine so that you do not fall into a mentally unchallenged mind bogged down by familiarity, patterns and bad habits.

4) Environment -- Compare the well ness of a caged bird to that of a free-flying bird living in a fourishing meadow with clean air, water and endless food supply. Achieving environmental wellness makes it easy to achieve all other dimensions of wellness. Your home should be comfortable and toxin-free and complement your physical and mental wellness.

5) Physical -- Know yourself by the way you feel. Know the facts: this includes the numbers we talked about and includes taking tests of all kinds. Your diet, nutrition and way of eating. This also includes the food you eat. Keep it pesticide-free as much as possible and eat more fruit, vegetables and grains.

6) Social -- the most rewarding dimension -- being able to share your life with others. Share your wellness and vitality with others and be able to feel joy and a sense of connectedness to others. Healthy relationships with friends and family are key to social well being. With friends and family--its not the quantity but the quality.

The above article is copyrighted in 2006 and no part may be published by other parties without permission from this author.

I thought of all the years Susan felt deprived of the full expression of doing something she loved. Now in this place and time she was finally able to do just that. I looked closely at her and saw the garden dirt that covered her from head to toe that most would dust off. Susan probably loved it. How many of us cannot for some reason do the things we want to do until we reach our retirement years! Now when I walk around my retirement community, I have a new appreciation for the seniors and the many activities they are involved in. I watch people doing things they really love. Woodshop, ceramics, socializing, volunteering, taking classes, painting, getting fit, and traveling are just a few. I am grateful to Susan for unknowingly changing my perspective on the reason why seniors so vigorously pursue their activities and clubs. From my new perspective, I enjoy seeing this activity by seniors and have a greater understanding of the need for providing a variety of clubs and activities at retirement communities. Copyright 2006/www.bestguide-retirementcommunities.com/reprinted by permission only.

NOTHING IN THESE ARTICLES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ADVICE. ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR LOCAL REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS. THIS WEBSITE IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY.

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