How long does it really take to sell a house? While there is not one person who can give a definite answer to this frequently asked question, there are a numbers of factors that can help you determine how long your house would sit on the market.
Monday, December 28, 2015
Monday, December 21, 2015
3 Simple yet Effective Tips to Ensure a Successful Open House
You have done all the necessary preparations to make sure
that your house is in order but do you think you will attract the right people
to your open house? To increase your chances of success, here are some simple
yet effective tips that you may want to consider.
Tips to Increase Your Chances of Having a Successful Open House
Use the right sign.
You can dramatically increase foot traffic on the day of the
open house by replacing your "for sale" sign with an "open
house" sign at least 7 days before the event. These signs (popularly known
as "riders") are available at your favorite home improvement store
for just a few dollars.
Let your neighbors
in.
You may not believe it but the people in your neighborhood can
help you sell your house fast so invite them in. A lot of people would want
their friends and relatives to move into the neighborhood so send invitations,
fliers and/or emails to let them know about the event. You can even consider
holding a neighborhood exclusive an hour before the house opens to the public.
Choose the right agent.
Ideally, your agent should use all the tools available to
ensure that your property will sell fast and for top dollar. Aside from using
popular real estate sites such as Realtor.com, Trulia.com, Zillow.com and
multiple listing sites (MLS), your agent should blog and tweet about the
upcoming event, and make use of real estate apps and printed brochures to reach
the most number of people.
And remember - being present at the event and meeting
prospective buyers would not do you any good so it would be best if you would
get out of the way.
For more valuable tips on selling
or buying a home, please visit my site at http://www.pamsantoro.bhhsgeorgia.com/. You can also contact me at 678-656-6627 if you have any
questions about local market conditions, financing or anything that can help
you with in your search for real estate.
Photo Courtey of phanlop88 at freedigitalphotos.net
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
5 Simple Tips for First Time Home Sellers
The housing market has been changed forever. If you are selling a house for the first time, you need to know that today's home buyers are pickier and are using more tools to help them find the right home to suit their needs. As such, it is not enough to simply list your house for sale. You need to have a solid marketing strategy to help you sell your house fast and make a good profit out of it. Here are some tips that can help you accomplish this goal.
Know your potential buyers.
You can create an effective marketing plan if you know who
would most likely buy your listing. According to the National
Association of Realtors (NAR), today's home buyers
would most probably belong to the millennial generation, are mobile (use their
mobile phones to search for listings and open houses), and use photos to help
them make their buying decision. Moreover, today's buyers enter the market when
they are ready to buy.
On the other hand, buyers belonging to the Silent Generation
(those born between 1925 and 1945) start the process by getting in touch with
their agents and prefer to attend open houses before making a decision.
Price it right.
You will get the most number of showings during the first
two to three weeks so put a realistic price tag on your house right from the
start to increase your chances of selling your house fast.
Throw in some extras.
Sweeten the deal by offering some nice extras (new stainless
steel kitchen appliances, flat TVs and/or washer and dryer sets, etc.) to
potential home buyers.
Make it move-ready.
You can sell your house fast and for top dollar if you make
your home move-ready before listing it on the market. Keep in mind that most
buyers want to start fresh and would not want another item on their to-do list
after buying a new house.
Hire the right agent.
Not all real estate agents are created equal so do your
homework before choosing the agent you would like to work with. To increase
your chances of choosing the right agent, get a referral from someone you
trust, and talk with recent and past clients. Make sure that the agent is
licensed, has the right credentials, knows your area and has considerable
experience in the field. You should also look at their current listings and
business websites to see what types of properties they are selling and to determine
how effectively they are using their online tools.
For more valuable
tips on selling or buying a home, please visit my site at http://www.pamsantoro.bhhsgeorgia.com/.
You can also contact me at 678-656-6627 if you have any questions about local
market conditions, financing or anything that can help you with in your search
for real estate.
Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles at freedigitalphotos.com
Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles at freedigitalphotos.com
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Closing Delays: How Can It Be Avoided?
For a home buyer, there is nothing more frustrating than experiencing a closing delay. After making sure that all the documentation is in order and making all the arrangements for the moving day, not being able to get the keys and move in to your new home can be a nightmare. Don't let this happen to you. Consider these tips to help you avoid having your closing date put off.
4 Useful Tips to Avoid Closing Delays
Communicate.
Most closing problems can be avoided by keeping the communication lines open, so check with your lender on a regular basis. Also, don't hesitate to contact the settlement company if there is anything that you don't understand.Have enough money.
To avoid any delays, you should have enough funds in your bank account to cover your closing costs. Most experts agree that you should budget 3% of the final home price for this. Your lenders can give you a rough estimate of your closing costs but this may change on the day of the closing. Have some extra money to cover for any incidental costs for good measure.Check your documents.
Any incorrect, misspelled or missing information in your documents can cause closing delays, so check all of the information carefully prior to closing.Bring a valid ID.
Without a valid government-issued ID, the title company will not notarize your signature on the closing documents, so don't forget to bring a current driver's license or passport on closing day. You wouldn't want something as simple as this to prevent you from getting the keys to your new home, right?
Buying a new home can be a very exciting time for your
family, so follow these tips and you can be sure that closing delays wouldn't get
in your way.
For more valuable tips on selling
or buying a home, please visit my site at http://www.pamsantoro.bhhsgeorgia.com/. You can also contact me at 678-656-6627 if you have any
questions about local market conditions, financing or anything that can help
you with in your search for real estate.
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Moving to Alpharetta, Georgia: Some Things You Need to Know About
Moving to a new location can be an exciting adventure. It can also be very intimidating, to say the least. As such, you need to learn everything you can about your new neighborhood to avoid any unpleasant surprises down the line.
If you happen
to set your eyes on making Alpharetta,
GA your new home, here are some things you need to know to prepare you for
what’s in store for you in your new neighborhood.
Population
As of 2015, Alpharetta has a population of 61,375 people. It has an average household size of 2.65.
72.19% of the population is white, 10.41% are black, 12.99% are Asian, 0.08%
are Native Americans, and 1.53% belong to other racial groups.
Climate
Alpharetta
gets 53 inches of rain per year (US average is 37) and 2 inches of snowfall per
year (average US city gets 25 inches of snow). On average, Alpharetta gets 218
sunny days and 112 days with any measurable precipitation per year.
Housing
The median home cost in Alpharetta is $302,400
(Note: The price of real estate went up by about 15.20% in the
last year). 56.9% of the 24,358 housing units in the area are
owner-occupied, 38.2% are renter-occupied, and 4.9% are vacant.
Income
Median household income for 2015 is $85,183 (US average is
$53,217), while average household income is $123,427 (US average is $74,699). A 3.57% increase in household income is predicted for
2015 to 2020.
Employment
The unemployment rate in Alpharetta is 5.20%
(U.S. average is 6.30%). Recent job growth is 1.77%.
Education
Alpharetta is home
to some of the best schools in Georgia. Public education is run by the Fulton County School System while higher
education is provided by Gwinnett Technical College, Emory University and Life
University. There are also a number of private, charter and alternative schools
in the area.
Entertainment
You will never run out of
entertainment options while in Alpharetta. There are plenty of bars, restaurants, and shops to
choose from, and there’s a wide variety of things to do that will appeal to
every member of the family. You'll just North of Atlanta which houses the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, The World of Coca-Cola, and CNN Center, to name a few.
Healthcare
According to the Metro Atlanta Chamber,
Alpharetta has some of the nation’s most qualified, affordable and efficient
healthcare systems in the country.
Now, are you ready to make Alpharetta your new home?
For more valuable
tips on selling or buying a home, please visit my site at http://www.pamsantoro.bhhsgeorgia.com/.
You can also contact me at 678-656-6627 if you have any questions about local
market conditions, financing or anything that can help you with in your search
for real estate.
Logo photo courtesy of www.alpharetta.ga.us
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Home for Sale in Alpharetta, GA: Featuring a Large Basement!
9845 Rod Road, Alpharetta, GA 30022
5 beds 5 baths ~ 5,493 sq ft
For
more valuable tips on selling or buying a home, please visit my site at http://www.pamsantoro.bhhsgeorgia.com/.
You can also contact me at 678-656-6627 if you have any questions about local
market conditions, financing or anything that can help you with in your search
for real estate.
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Special Event - Educational Workshop for Aging Parents and Their Families - Oct. 28th 1PM to 2:30PM
Register for our special event: Exclusively for Aging Parents and their Families at Spruill Oaks Library on October 28, 2015 1pm-2:30pm. CALL FOR DETAILS 678-842-3100.
Please join us for an educational workshop Exclusively for Aging Parents and their families:
Empower
Yourself and Your Parents
Wednesday,
October 28th
1:00 pm-2:30 pm, light refreshments will
be served. Please feel free to
include in your RSVP Friends and Colleagues that would be interested in Empowering
themselves and their parents too!
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Alpharetta, GA Real Estate Agent Ready to Serve You Locally
Looking to Buy or Sell a Home?
Get valuable tips on selling or buying a home today, visit my main site at http://www.pamsantoro.bhhsgeorgia.com/. You can also contact me at 678-656-6627 if you have any questions about local market conditions, financing or anything that can help you with in your search for real estate.
Follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/@pamsantoro
Like me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PamSantoroRealEstate
Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamsantoro
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
How to Sell a House in Record Time
Naturally, sellers would prefer selling their homes in the shortest
period of time since it would allow them to use the proceeds from the sale and
use it for the intended purpose. With money on hand, they can buy their next
home, make a better investment or pay off their debts. In addition, it would
save them from spending a lot of money on repairs, maintenance and taxes.
So, how can you sell your house fast? To sell your home in
record time for maximum profit, here are some tips and tricks that you may want
to consider.
- Price it competitively. Price your property right from the start. Pricing it too high may result to a slower sale.
- Enhance curb appeal. The power of first impressions cannot be denied so use it to your advantage. Enhance your curb appeal and hook those potential homebuyers into buying your property.
- Depersonalize, upgrade and stage. Upgrade the interior and exterior of your house to make it more presentable and increase your return on investment (ROI), remove your personal stuff, and stage the house to show how the rooms are supposed to be used.
- Hire a professional photographer. A lot of buyers start their search online or in local home magazines so using great photos can help attract more potential homebuyers to your door.
- Use the power of the internet. While your agent is responsible for listing your property in all the right places, you need to be proactive and check if your listing is on Realtor, Trulia and Zillow. You should also consider using social media since most agents sell as many houses on Facebook as they do off multiple listing services.
For more valuable tips on selling or buying a home, please
visit my site at http://www.pamsantoro.bhhsgeorgia.com/.
You can also contact me at 678-656-6627 if you have any questions about local
market conditions, financing or anything that can help you with in your search
for real estate.
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Special Event: Exclusively for Aging Parents and their Families at Spruill Oaks Library on October 21, 2015
Register for our special event: Exclusively for Aging Parents and their Families at Spruill Oaks Library on October 21, 2015 1pm-2:30pm. Call for details 678-842-3100.
Showing Your Own Home? Things You Should Never Discuss with Your Buyers
Showing Your Own Home?
Things You Should Never Discuss with Your Buyers
However, it is a bad idea for the seller to be present
during the entire home showing. In fact, there are a lot of good reasons why the
seller should immediately leave the premises as soon as the buyer and the agent
appear on the doorstep. First, the seller's presence during the open house or
viewing will make the buyers feel awkward. Second, a seller can get easily hurt
when the potential buyer makes a comment or asks questions about the house. And
lastly, sellers tend to talk too much and may say something that could
seriously hurt the sales process.
Things You Should Not
Discuss with Potential Buyers
There are a number of things that you should not discuss
with potential home buyers. Here are some of them:
· The sales price (including those of similar homes) and any price reduction considerations.
· The length of time the property has been listed on the market.
· The reason why you decided to sell.
· The number of offers you have received and how quickly you would like to close.
· Things that might be wrong with the property.
Keep in mind that anything you say might and can be used
against you during the negotiation process so don't respond to any of these
questions and tell buyers to direct any questions to your agent. This is the
best thing that you can do to protect your investment.
For more valuable tips on selling or buying a home, please
visit my site at http://www.pamsantoro.bhhsgeorgia.com/.
You can also contact me at 678-656-6627 if you have any questions about local
market conditions, financing or anything that can help you with in your search
for real estate.
Image by stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Monday, October 5, 2015
My Presentation at the North Fulton Chamber
North Fulton Chamber of Commerce ProAlliance
This is a clip from my 6 minute presentation at the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce ProAlliance Meeting. Every week, 2 presenters are selected
to give a 6 minute presentation and share their products and services to the Chamber. Learn more and register for a ProAlliance networking meeting at http://www.gnfcc.com.
Join me on Facebook and Twitter:
See homes for sale in Alpharetta, GA at:
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Monday, September 28, 2015
Top 5 Tips for Buying a House in Alpharetta
Since
buying a house is one of the most important decisions you are likely to make
during your lifetime, the whole thing can both be exciting and challenging at
the same time. So, how do you buy the perfect home without stressing yourself
out? Here are some tips that can lead you in the right direction.
1.
Define your needs and wants. Make a list
of what you need and want in a home and take it with you as you go searching
for the right house. Reassess the items on your list after viewing a few homes
and make the necessary adjustments.
2.
Check your budget. To get an idea on how
much house you can afford, take a serious look at your monthly budget
(excluding rent) and see how much you have left after paying the bills. This
amount represents how much you can spend for the mortgage and other
house-related expenses (insurance, taxes, repairs, etc.).
3.
Get to know the neighborhood. Do your own field work to
make sure the neighborhood is everything you imagined it to be. Drive by the
property or walk around the area at different times of the day to get an idea
of what goes on there, and consider its proximity to schools, transport and
amenities.
4.
Find a good real estate agent. Interview
several real estate agents in your area before choosing one. Since you will be
working closely with your chosen agent, go for one whom you feel you can trust
and connect with on a more personal basis.
5.
Understand how the offer process works.
When you finally find the house of your dreams, you need to know how the offer
process works. To increase your chances of making a successful bid, you need to
know how long the property has been on the market and how the owner’s asking
price compare to other properties in the area. Don’t forget to factor in
contingencies such as property inspections and financing in your offer to
protect you against any untoward events.
You can find the perfect house that fits
your budget by following these simple tips so keep these in mind as you go searching
for the house of your dreams. Happy house-hunting!
About me: I am a Mom and a Alpharetta, GA Realtor working with home buyers and home sellers in the Alpharetta, Cumming, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell, Duluth, Buford, Marietta, Canton and Woodstock areas. My Motto: No One Sells a Home Like a Mom. Search for Alpharetta, GA homes for sale at http://www.pamsantoro.bhhsgeorgia.com/
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Paul Morris of the Atlanta Beltline at GNFCC Eggs and Enterprise Breakfast
Paul
Morris, President and CEO of the Atlanta
Beltline was the keynote speaker on Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Eggs
and Enterprise breakfast at the Country Club of the South. The Atlanta Beltline has revitalized a
portion of the city creating a wonderful area that attracts millennials and tourist.
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| Paul Morris, President & CEO of the Atlanta Beltline at GNFCC Eggs and Enterprise Breakfast at the Country Club of the South |
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| Paul Morris, President & CEO of the Atlanta Beltline at GNFCC Eggs and Enterprise Breakfast at the Country Club of the South |
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| Paul Morris, President & CEO of the Atlanta Beltline at GNFCC Eggs and Enterprise Breakfast at the Country Club of the South |
If you'd like to explore the Atlanta Beltline, try one of the following tours:
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Beware the Neighbors from Hell: Bad Neighbors Can Devalue Your Home
No matter how great your property is, you cannot expect to
sell at a good price if you are surrounded by bad neighbors. Unfortunately,
everyone has them.
According to the Appraisal Institute, the largest professional
association of real estate appraisers in the country, bad neighbors can
significantly reduce the value of nearby properties by 5% to 10%.
Since home
values can be affected by external obsolescence (economic or locational factors
outside the property), homeowners should always be aware of what’s going on in
their neighborhood and be prepared to take the necessary steps to correct the
problem before it gets out of hand.
So, what should you do when you are surrounded by troublesome
neighbors? Here are some tips that you may want to consider.
·
Find
strength in numbers. Speak with your other neighbors and approach the
offending neighbor together. Make sure you get a consensus when identifying
issues before making a move.
·
Review
local laws. If you cannot convince other neighbors to complain against the
offending neighbor, review your local laws and ordinances to see if they are
committing any violations. If they are, report the issue to the code office.
·
Hire an
attorney. If none of these options work, then you may want to consider
hiring an attorney to solve the issue and avoid any potential loss in your
home’s value.
In the same manner, potential homebuyers should also be more
vigilant when looking for their next home. They should visit the neighborhood
at different times of the day to get a feel of what’s really going on in the
area, and reduce the likelihood of living near a neighbor from hell.
About me
I am a Mom and a Alpharetta, GA Realtor working with home buyers and home sellers in the Alpharetta, Cumming, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell, Duluth, Buford, Marietta, Canton and Woodstock areas.
Image by artur84 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Home Improvement Projects: Which Brings the Most Value for Your Money?
What are the best design choices to improve the value of my house?
Are you thinking about selling your home? If you are seriously toying about the idea of putting your property in the market, you may need to invest in it to attract the attention of potential buyers, make it sell faster, and make a good profit in the process. While there are a lot of things that you can do to accomplish this goal even if you are on a tight budget, investing a little more money on certain remodeling projects can make a huge difference. So, which home improvement projects should you focus on? Here’s what the experts recommend.
Do a kitchen upgrade. Experts agree that updating your kitchen can maximize the value of your home. So, upgrade your countertops (Tip: most home buyers love granite and/or stainless steel countertops), add a splash of color by changing the backsplash, replace old appliances with energy efficient appliances, and change cabinet doors and fixtures. To add that “wow” factor, you may want to consider adding an island (a definite must-have in most home buyer’s list) and creating a pantry.
Give the bathroom a modern look. Studies indicate that remodeling a bathroom and/or installing an additional bathroom significantly increases the value of any property. To get the most bang for your buck, consider installing a shower with body spray, a second sink, and a new tile floor. You should also consider installing stylish faucets, lighting fixtures, and cabinet hardware to complete the look.
Remember, you don’t have to do everything at once. You can tackle one project at a time since every small improvement counts.
Ask Pam Santoro: Do you have questions about how to buy/sell a home? Ask Pam Santoro, your friendly neighborhood Alpharetta real estate agent. Be sure to visit my blog and real estate website today! No one sells a home like a mom!
Image by dreamstudiographics at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Friday, September 4, 2015
Top 5 Tips for Selling a House
If you are thinking about selling your home, this may be the right time to put your property on the market. According to the National Association of Realtors, median sales prices of existing homes sold in April 2015 increased by 8.9% as compared to the previous year.
To further increase your chances of selling
your home fast and help you get top dollar in the process, here are some tips
you may want to consider.
1.
Price it right. If you want to attract a
lot of potential buyers, try taking 15% to 20% off what your home is really
worth. This does not only ensure that you will receive multiple bids – there is
a great chance that interested buyers will bid up the price!
2.
Stage your home –inside and out. While
you need to organize every room in your home, you may need to pay particular
attention to the kitchen and the master bath. You also need to create a great
curb appeal, and declutter and de-personalize your entire home before showing
it to potential buyers.
3.
Be show-ready at all times. You’ll never
know when a potential buyer will walk through your front door so you need to
make sure your house is in great condition at all times. Keep in mind that
first impression can determine whether your house will sell or not.
4.
Do pre-inspection repairs. Since it
costs less to do repairs before a home inspection, consider hiring your own
home inspector to help you determine which needs to be fixed before you put
your house in the market.
5.
Work with the right Realtor. Hire the
wrong Realtor and you may not sell your home. For best results, choose an agent
who is knowledgeable, has a great work ethic, vast network of contacts, and an
engaging personality. Having a tech-savvy agent also helps.
Consider these tips and you can be sure that your house will sell
before you even know it! If you're looking to buy or sell a home in the Alpharetta, GA area, I'd be happy to assist you, be sure to check out listings in the Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Cumming areas.
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