Archive for the 'Real Estate Investing' Category

Real Estate Location vs. Price

Caroline Ashe Your Source in Augusta, GA Real Estate July 23rd, 2012

The ol’ real estate saying has always went… Location Location Location! That may have been true until the housing melt down of a few years ago. Now the new saying is Price Price Price! Homes linger on the market and sellers begin to ask, “Why isn’t my home selling?” Even good homes that are well maintained and in top rated schools-still no offers.

 

The new rule is a home will sell at the right price, but some sellers are not willing to give their homes away or just don’t have the equity in the home and can not afford to take a loss. Sellers must remember the days of starting at a higher price and coming down just doesn’t work. Buyers are savvy and they know what a home should be priced for in today’s market. The competition is so high that if a seller’s pricing is off, then the buyer will simply move on to another house. If your home is overpriced then consider a price adjustment to generate new activity.

Other than pricing consider these other issue that might be hindering you from getting an offer:

  • Be willing to accommodate buyers with showings and be flexible! If a buyer can’t look they can’t buy.
  • Don’t underestimate the power of STAGING! Clean and de-clutter before the first showing!

Selling in today’s market is a challenge, but remember the there things you can control, focus on perfecting those things!

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Homeowners Insurance Tips PLUS Quote Worksheet

Caroline Ashe Your Source in Augusta, GA Real Estate May 17th, 2012

Homeowners Insurance can make your head hurt! I’m not an expert on homeowners insurance, but I compiled a few helpful tips when shopping for a new homeowners  policy.

BONUS - Homeowners Insurance Worksheet attached below. Be prepared when calling for a quote.

Your homeowners insurance policy should provide protection for your property to include the dwelling, other structures, personal property and the loss of use. You should have enough protection to rebuild your home and replace it’s contents. The policy should also protect you from the liability to others, for example if someone is visiting your home and is injured. Other considerations should be disasters, flooding and vacant properties.

Top Ways to Save on Your Premium:

  • Consider Raising your deductible
  • invest in a home security system
  • update exterior locks and deadbolts
  • install smoke alarms
  • select an automatic payment method
  • monitor your credit rating
  • ask about multi-policy discounts

Homeowners Insurance and your Credit Score

Yourinsurance premium is calculated by many things including your credit score. Your credit score is used to determine how likely it is that you may experience a loss. Statistics show that the higher your credit score the less likely you are to have a claim and that indicates a low risk for the insurance companies, therefore you get a better rate.  That’s good news for those with a good credit standing.

 

 If you have any questions on homeowners insurance or just need a referral to a good agent, give me a call. I’m happy to help! Or you can always

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Be a Smart Augusta GA Home Buyer

Caroline Ashe Your Source in Augusta, GA Real Estate April 23rd, 2012

Tips For Augusta GA Home Buyers

  1. Be a Pre-Approved Buyer: A pre-approved buyer always has the advantage in an offer situation. Becoming pre-approved is very easy: you complete your loan application with a credit check prior to beginning your home search process. Pre-approval means that you have actually been approved for the purchase by a lender, which gives you the edge in home purchase negotiating.
  2. Beat The Competition to The Best New Listings: The search process can be both fun and trying. You will notice that some homes sell very fast and others hang around for long periods of time. The best homes at the best prices sell fast. Keeping on top of this is essential. Connect with me and I can set up automated NEW LISTING ALERTS or Click Here to set up your own. NEW LISTING ALERTS right to your email!
  3. Do The Research: Make yourself a “home value expert.” Investigate the areas and price ranges for the kind of home you are looking for. Get a good idea of the price ranges these homes sell for and how long the market time is for them. Your agent is a great asset here.
  4. Have Your Offer Presented in Person: Your agent represents you and your best interests. To adequately do this, make sure that your home offer is presented by them directly to the seller. The personal touch will give you the edge. Your agent also might pick up critical information during this meeting.
  5. Prove That You Are a Serious Buyer: The best way to accomplish this is with strong earnest money. This might mean that you put 5% or more down to get the sellers attention.
  6. Don’t Go Crazy: Even in a hot market, be cool and calculated with your decisions. A knowledgeable agent can really help you here. Your home purchase may be your single largest investment. It is important to make sure that you get the best deal possible. Overpaying now will make it harder to get your value back when you sell.

  7. Keep Your Offer Simple and Clean: Make sure that your contract to purchase is simple, clean and not bogged down with unnecessary contingencies, especially repairs. Keep the time frames of repairs and responses to a minimum. The cleaner your offer, the more interested the seller will become. This may help you purchase the property at the best price.

  8. Don’t Wing It Alone: What you need most in today’s complex marketplace is an experienced and professional real estate agent who represents your interests only. No matter how heated the competition or the negotiations, a professional agent will represent your best interests, keep you from paying too much and help you maximize your investment.

Are you looking for an agent to represent you and your best interests? You, the home buyer, pay nothing for a professional agent. Their fees are paid for by the seller. Click here to contact me today and find out how I can help you find the most house for the best price.

 

 

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6 Tips to Buying Bank Owned or REO Homes

Caroline Ashe Your Source in Augusta, GA Real Estate April 20th, 2012

The buzz words these days in real estate might be bank owned one day or foreclosure homes the next….OR if you are real savvy REO a.k.a Real Estate Owned and refers to property that a lender or investor acquires due to a repossession through foreclosure. Foreclosureis the actual process in which the property is acquired.

Search Augusta GA Area Bank Owned Homes HERE!

 

Helpful tips to buying bank owned property:

  1. Get pre-qualified, IT’S FREE and will save you hassle in getting your offer considered.
  2. If you are a cash buyer have proof of funds ready and available.
  3. Use a Realtor to represent you, like me Caroline Ashe.
  4. Work with your Realtor to locate bank owned homes in your area.
  5. Keep in mind lenders/investor price the home at market value taking into account condition, so many REO homes are priced well already for the current market.
  6. Be ready to make an offer when you see a home you like. There will most likely be multiple offers.

My personal tip – Be patient. There is more paperwork and you must do your due diligence because most bank owned homes are purchased AS-IS, but the benefits to getting a home at a ‘deal’ is worth it!

Search Augusta GA Area Bank Owned Homes HERE!

 

If you’d like to discuss the process further, plese let me know!

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Good Homes Sell Fast in Augusta, GA

Caroline Ashe Your Source in Augusta, GA Real Estate February 19th, 2012

Even in a challenging market, good homes go fast! Smart sellers are realizing that a proactive selling strategy can go a long way in getting their home sold, even when inventories are high. Here are three tips for today’s sellers:

  1. Price your home right. Markets change, so don’t be influenced by last year’s selling activity and home prices. Buyers will evaluate your home based on what others are selling for today, so make sure you know the market and price your home accordingly.
  2. Make your home shine. Buyers like to envision a home they can move right into. Clean carpets, fresh paint, and a nicely landscaped yard can go a long way to make perspective buyers feel at home.
  3. Anticipate the selling season. Many sellers wait for the market to pick up before they place their home for sale, but smart sellers anticipate these seasonal adjustments and list their homes early in the sales cycle. Give yourself the best opportunity by placing your home on the market before everyone else does!

Whether you’re looking to sell today or are thinking of selling tomorrow, please feel free to call and ask for a computer analysis of our recent market activity. We would be more than happy answer any questions you might have.

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Real Estate Negotiation 101

Caroline Ashe Your Source in Augusta, GA Real Estate February 18th, 2012

Real Estate Negotiation 101

This is the part of the deal I salivate over, as an agent! If you are buying a new home all the pounding the streets looking at home after home is complete. If you are selling your Realtor’s marketing plan has paid off!

So let’s get down to business! If you’ve never bought or sold a home before the real estate negotiations can be intimidating. It doesn’t have to be if you remember these tips and have a knowledgeable agent on your side.

First, try your best to keep your emotions out of the negotiations. In my experience as a REALTOR, this is the hardest part for buyers and sellers. Think big picture and don’t get ‘offended’ by the offer, if you are seller, but instead remember the real estate climate we are in- a buyer’s market. It’s what buyers are conditioned to do in today’s real estate market and think, if you are buying a home after selling you will then have the same want to make an aggressive offer on a home.

Second, know that there are other hidden terms and motivations at play with both buyers and sellers. A good REALTOR can be valuable here if he/she has done their job and tried to uncover any hidden terms or motivations. These could be things like divorce, job loss or a job transfer. Make sure you and your agent do your ‘homework’ and get the scoop!

Thirdly, always have a plan or strategy for how to get to your desired price and terms. Your agent should be able to guide and advise you in developing the best strategy to achieve your negotiating goal. Mix this plan with a large dose of patience and understanding. You should strive for a win-win outcome, don’t come off as greedy or uncaring. Buyers and sellers like to do dealings with people who are caring and honest.

Lastly, work with all parties to problem solve through the terms and conditions of the sale. If a buyer wants to buy and a seller wants to sell all parties should work to find a solution. 99% of the time one can be found, it just may take some work.

Bonus tip – Make sure as a buyer or a seller you have your walk-away price and terms in mind. There comes a time when the deal just will not work for a various of reasons. Timing, financial, etc… Know what this is BEFORE you begin the negotiations. 

Want to talk about your next move and want a negotiation pro in your corner? I would like to talk to you!

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