Sellers
If you are thinking about selling real estate within the next month, three months, six months or year, contact Barbara Cook, using the linked form or call me this week at (619) 252-1785 to discuss your needs, let you know current selling timeframes, answer your questions and perhaps schedule a meeting to discuss listing your home or investment real estate for sale. On the phone and during a meeting if we both decide to move forward with the process, I will tour your home or investment property, share current market prices in your area and Days on Market (days available for sale) for other homes in your area that have sold recently. We will also discuss an initial list price or list price range for your real estate when we meet to discuss listing it for sale. There is no fee for this useful information or an initial discussion meeting if you're considering selling your residential real estate. Listing your home for sale is a mutual decision based on market factors. If I believe that I'm not the right REALTOR to sell your real estate, upon request, I would be happy to refer you to other REALTORS who would be willing to discuss listing your real estate for sale.
Your Motivation to Sell
You may be considering selling under either one of two scenarios:
1> As a long-term owner, you may have ample equity in the real estate to sell it (if you haven't cashed out most of your equity). You know the long-term benefits of holding real estate. Congratulations! The conforming (Federal Housing Administration guaranteed loan limits) have been temporarily increased in San Diego County CA to $697,500 which may help buyers be able to afford to buy your home for sale.
2> As a recent buyer, your loan balance may be higher than estimated sale proceeds. The cyclical nature of real estate may not currently be working in your favor based on the timing of your buy decision. If you're able to hold through the cycle for the very long-term, you could still achieve the benefits of real estate ownership as a hedge against inflation and an investment that uses the power of leverage to achieve returns in an upward market cycle. It may be possible to request a "loan modification" or "workout" from your lender that might enable you to stay in your home. Two other options to consider are a "short sale" of your home if the mortgage balance is higher than the value OR foreclosure. A short sale would have to be approved by the lender(s) and could require a hardship scenario like loss of job, divorce or high medical costs) to receive lender approval. The earlier you take action, the more options you may have. Consult a tax expert and an attorney before making your decision as to which option to choose. If a "short sale" is your choice, call me at (619) 252-1785 to talk about the possibility of listing your home for sale. If you do a loan modification to delay the sale for months or years, consider me as your REALTOR when it is time for you to sell. Stay current on US government housing and mortgage and tax legislation news on programs to help certain homeowners facing foreclosure including FHASecure refinancing to see if you will qualify. Visit the US Housing - HUD website at www.hud.gov and look for updates as they occur. You may also choose to call a national counseling hotline publicized by President George Bush to put you in touch with HUD-approved counselors to recommend a course of action for you.
If you have ample equity in your home or investment real estate, selling it will be easier and perhaps quicker, depending on amenities, condition and realistic pricing. As a seller, you must recognize the realities of price decreases over the past year in San Diego County CA and the negotiating power of buyers in today's San Diego County real estate market. You can cross this bridge if you are very motivated to sell to reach your next life goal. If you are buying another home in San Diego County, you will be able to get a lower price on the buy side of your transaction and have more negotiation power. I will help you with that negotiation as your REALTOR. If you plan to buy outside San Diego County, I would be happy to refer you to another REALTOR who will find you that next home or investment property.
Even if your loan balance is higher than the value of your home, it may be possible for us to sell the real estate as a "short sale" in which the lender may accept a payoff of less than the balance due on the loan. Your current lender must approve the short sale and any offers received. (No sale is guaranteed prior to foreclosure proceedings. This is often a lengthy process. Some banks are more cooperative with short sales than others.) I strongly encourage you to consult a tax or financial advisor and a qualified attorney with current knowledge in this area to determine the right course of action for your particular circumstances.
If you choose to refinance now, I'd like to be your REALTOR later when you decide to sell.
Are you ready to schedule a pre-listing or listing appointment to tour your home as a buyer would, discuss values (CMA), estimate net proceeds at escrow and review my marketing plan to sell your home or investment property? We place your home or investment property for sale on the market when we mutually agree to list the real estate for sale at the right price to attract buyers and sell. The sooner you make a decision, the more options you may have in terms of which decision you can make. The sooner your home is on the market, the sooner it can sell to allow you to pursue your plans. Call me today at (619) 252-1785 to schedule a meeting.
When you decide on the option of selling and it's the right time for you to sell, call Barbara Cook, then invite Barbara to a listing appointment at your home or investment property or at my Keller Wiliams Realty office to discuss current home values in your area (at no cost) and how much your estimated net sales proceeds (if any) could be. Call Barbara Cook at (619) 252-1785 today to request a meeting to list your home FOR SALE on the market. Barbara will schedule an appointment at a convenient time for you and your family today or later this week, on weekdays or weekends, during the day or in the early evening.
Barbara Cook knows that four things sell homes and investment real estate:
- Compelling motivation to sell by all stakeholders in the real estate
- Competitive pricing
- Staging (preparing and presenting) to attract buyers*
- Marketing exposure
* (or reflecting current condition in the price for your home)
Barbara is an Accredited Staging Professional (ASP) REALTOR who thoroughly understands the staging process. She will explain the process of staging your home to attract the most buyers and coach you through the process at no cost to you when you do the staging work. (If you need or want more assistance to prepare your home for sale through staging, Barbara will introduce you to a fee-based ASP. Your other option is to reflect current condition in the list price of the home to attract fixer buyers.)
Barbara will give you the best, most current information available and listen to your needs and motivation to price your home to sell. Barbara Cook will keep you constantly updated with the newest market changes. Barbara's Internet marketing presence, print marketing strategies, toll-free 24-hour hotline for potential buyers, staging expertise, virtual tour, REALTOR presentations and buyer marketing campaigns will contribute to the process of selling your home or investment real estate. Barbara Cook may be the best REALTOR choice for you. She will work diligently to locate the most qualified buyers, communicate well, and negotiate as well as possible in today's market towards your goal of getting your home sold.
According to Barbara Cook:
The San Diego County real estate market has changed over the last year. If your home hasn't sold yet in today's market, you must be frustrated because your life plans are now on hold. It may be a great idea for me to meet with you and the other title holders to help you analyze the reasons why, discuss your options for selling and buying or holding on, and suggest how I would handle your house sale differently when you list it for sale with me next. You need a cutting edge REALTOR. Real estate may be your largest investment. Treat it seriously with a professional REALTOR who is on your side. (This is not intended as a solicitation of currently Active or Withdrawn listings of homes for sale with another Broker.)
Note: Real estate values may fluctuate over time in cycles (up or down), depending on interest rates, economic factors, and supply and demand patterns in the local area. Over the very long term, real estate has historically provided rewarding returns and served as a hedge against inflation.
Fiduciary responsiblity is important to me. I put the interests of my clients above my own. My services and experience allow you to focus on your move. I serve both sellers and buyers, so I would expect to help you buy your next home in San Diego County also. When you have made a decision to sell, ask me for a recommendation about how soon to list your house to meet your time needs and fill out a Your Home's Value form. I'll listen to you in our initial meeting and throughout the transaction to determine your specific real estate needs and priorities. I'll give you information to set the right marketable list price for your home and update you on market action and competitor's pricing. Then I'll help you negotiate an acceptable offer (reflecting market conditions at the time) with a buyer who will have a higher probability of sticking with the transaction in a challenging market through close of escrow. We'll keep in touch even after the sale is closed. I work hard to exceed my clients expectations so they will have a better chance to move ahead to their next goal in life reasonably within their time frames. Referrals are the key to a successful business. I plan to work hard to earn your referrals to friends, neighbors, and family. If you know of anyone planning to sell soon who needs a good Realtor, tell them to take a look at my website www.priority1sell.com and to give me a call to discuss listing their home for investment property for sale.
Your GOAL is to sell your house or condo within your time frame at an acceptable price that will attract buyers to buy it. My GOAL as your Realtor is to help you do that within your stated time frame. The factors that are responsible for selling a home are (1) market conditions, (2) Realtor's extensive marketing reach (today almost 80% of buyers use the Internet to buy a home), (3) condition, upgrades, cleanliness and staged presentation of the real estate (4) list price range that reflects its current condition and today's real estate market conditions and (5) availability for requested showings. The faster that your home sells, the less inconvenience, stress, risk and cost to you (in terms of possible price reduction and payments on both new and old home--although I recommend strongly that you sell before or concurrent with buying your next home). If I agree to list your house or condo for sale, that means that I believe that my advanced marketing and communication strategy and our pricing strategy will have a good chance of getting it SOLD and that you have enough motivation and commitment to sell it. Let's meet early in the planning stages to decide if we can work together to reach common goals.
Real estate values may fluctuate over time (up or down), depending on interest rates, economic factors, and supply and demand patterns in the local area. As your REALTOR, I do not offer tax or legal advice. Consult your tax advisor and attorney when you have tax or legal questions.
The sooner you put your house on the market for sale (which would not close escrow before you're ready to sell), the greater the chance of getting an acceptable price and being able to buy the next home that you choose. If you need to sell your home by a certain date, allow enough time to list your house for sale and get it SOLD. You should generally allow at least 30 to 45 days for Close of Escrow after an offer from a qualified and committed buyer is accepted and longer for a Short Sale because it takes more time for lender interaction.
What I will do for youRecent Home Sales
Getting the highest marketable price
Closing Costs
As Your Real Estate Consultant, I Will:
- Complete a comparative market analysis that will compare your home's value to that of your neighbors.
- Complete an estimated seller's net sheet before listing your house and as each offer is received to reflect that sales price
- Compile a comprehensive plan detailing all the efforts I will employ to sell your home, including Internet and local media.
- Present your home to as many qualified buyers as possible getting your home maximum exposure.
- Give you advice to stage your home and generate curb appeal to get the highest marketable price possible .
- Assist with obtaining offers and help you in negotiating the best deal as smoothly as possible.
- Help you find your next home and answer your questions about the local market area, including neighborhoods, social, recreational, and business networking clubs, companies, the local economy, and more.
Recent Home Sales
What are homes selling for in your area? Fill out a Your Home's Value form to find out from me, free of charge.
Getting the Highest Possible Price for Your Home in Today's Market
Curb appeal is key and could make a difference whether people stop and take a flyer, or drive right by. Here are a few tips to increase the curb appeal of your home. Staging your home is important. Many buyers will stay in your home longer if it's staged appropriately and may be inclined to make a higher offer. Consider whether some cost effective cosmetic repairs and maintenance need to be made before offering the real estate for sale to enhance its appeal. Condition is often a factor in determining sale price. If you're selling a condo, analyze what makes your unit stand out from the competition that is also currently listed in the complex and area. I have compiled some ideas to present your home in the most effective manner. Remember that buyers in your area ultimately determine the price of you home. So, be sure to impress those potential buyers and price your home in marketable territory. Make your home available to show by Realtor lockbox when buyers reasonably want to see it. This will increase the number of showings and perhaps the ultimate price. When you team up with me, you set the listing price based on real, factual information of actively listed, pending (in escrow), and sold properties from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) that I present to you in my Comparative Market Analysis, including pricing, extent of competition (and absorption rate) and Days on Market.
Some Closing Costs to Expect:
- Title insurance fees depend on the sales price of the home. Certain title insurance fees are paid by the Seller and another type is paid by the Buyer.
- Brokers commission. The Seller is charged the Brokers commission as a percentage of ultimate sales price. A portion of this commission is paid (as a deduction from the sale proceeds upon close of escrow) to the Seller's Broker and a portion is paid to the Buyer's Broker. To arrange a listing appointment to tour the real estate for sale, discuss marketing plans, comparable market values to set list price range, and estimated expenses including commission to arrive at an estimate of Seller's Net Proceeds, call Barbara Cook at (619) 252-1785 or send her an Email through this website.
- Local property transfer tax, county transfer tax, state transfer tax, and state capital gains tax are the charges that you'll pay for the privilege of selling your home (unless a 1031 Exchange is available to the seller of investment property to defer capital gains taxes). Credit to the buyer of unpaid real estate taxes for the prior or current year are variable and depend on when you close and when your taxes are due.
- FHA fees and costs are now negotiable between an FHA buyer and seller.
- Transaction Coordinator Fees are negotiable as to payor or use. A REALTOR may elect not to use a Transaction Coordinator. A Transaction Coordinator is an administrative assistant (in-house or third party) who reviews and tracks the paperwork, makes appointments, and helps coordinate communications and time lines after the opening of escrow. Will YOUR Realtor be open and honest enough with you to let you know that the payment of Transaction Coordinator Fees is voluntary?
- Seller disclosure reports for natural hazards and other issues.
- Termite inspection and any resulting required Section1 repair fees are generally paid for by the seller in Southern California.
- Home Owner Association document/transfer certificate fees
- Home Warranty Policy for buyer is recommended.
- Miscellaneous repair fees can accrue from correcting certain problems noticed during the home inspection, but are often negotiable between buyer and seller.
Equal Housing Opportunity policies will be followed in your home sale. For reasons other than Equal Housing Opportunity, Barbara Cook reserves the right not to accept a listing opportunity and to refer sellers to another qualified Realtor instead.
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