Monday, January 22, 2007

More About Home Staging

"Showhomes provides a specialized service to real estate agents, homeowners and custom builders by professionally staging, marketing and managing vacant houses. Showhomes creates and maintains a dynamic first impression of the property, thereby enhancing the property's marketability and maximizing the sales effort. We help potential buyers to visualize furniture placement and room use while enhancing features in house construction, layout and design" Says Sherri Nichols, Franchise Owner. "A Vacant House to Valued Home" Showhomes, serving Pensacola and Destin. Office located on Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze.

INTERIORS by Decorating Den
"Imagine the fun and convenience of having your own personal interior decorator come to your home to take care of your challenging project - with talent, creative ideas, and an incredible array of brand names you love, all to fit your taste, your style and your budget."

Staging, what is it?
Prepare home for sale by de-cluttering, de-personalizing, redesigning and organizing. Showcase key features by rearranging furniture and decor.

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Home Sellers Sweeten The Deal

Talking about incentives to buy here's an article on how sellers are sweetening the deal by offering goodies to help sell their properties. It's still a buyers market so most buyers are trying to think of ways to make their home look more enticing than the next one.
"They include everything from paying the first year's mortgage or homeowners insurance, to free carpeting, landscaping and bonuses for real estate agents" Sellers are also turning to staging companies, who advise you on the use of furniture and accessories to make your home look better. They also advise on how to use color correctly. These companies are run by interior designers and decorators who have the knowledge of what buyers are looking for and what appeals to the eye. Learn more here

Friday, January 19, 2007

Do You Have Enough Homeowners Insurance?

"Is my coverage adequate to rebuild my house and replace personal possessions?"

"Do I enough coverage for living expenses if I have to live elsewhere while my home is being rebuilt?" i.e. hotel costs and meals.

"How much liability coverage do I have in case of damage or bodily injury to others while on my property?"



So ask yourself, what is "Replacement Cost"? Most people think it is based on market value, however, that would include the land and the location, which do not effect the value of the structure. So you must take into account the following when trying to work out how much it would actually cost to rebuild...
  • Rising cost of building materials.
  • High cost of construction labor during disasters.
  • Cost of replacing antique hardwood floors or granite countertops and custom cabinetry.
Make sure your insurance agent uses a reliable cost estimator to help determine the value of your home and coverage that you need. These systems allow specific criteria of the home to estimate replacement costs, reflecting 100% of costs using "like-kind" and good quality materials. And if you upgrade or remodel your home do contact your agent again to increase coverage.
BTW, we got a new roof etc. But not everyone is lucky! We don't live in a flood zone though. But who needs flood insurance?.....EVERYBODY!

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

ABOUT Buying and Selling

"Much of the country is experiencing a buyer's market right now, which is delightful news for buyers. Serious buyers are getting some terrific deals and making out like bandits. Sellers are falling all over themselves by paying buyers' closing costs and offering incentives like cars, vacations or prepaid association dues for a year. What I want to know is where are the front-row tickets for the Academy Awards? I might be tempted to buy just about anything if I could sit up front at the Oscars" From Elizabeth Weintraub, ABOUT Buying / Selling Houses

I love this website for up-to-date information about real estate. Tidbits of info that can be helpful in either buying or selling and choosing the right REALTOR to represent you. I signed up for their newsletter and I like its format. Always something new. But talking about incentives, the sellers are offering help with closing costs, home warranties, first mortgage payments etc. All sorts of monetary help. But agents are also looking for incentives to show houses and write contracts. A cash bonus on top of regular commission is good as long it's not more than the commission itself. Agents however, need to be careful that they are not steering other agents to show only their houses by dangling a "golden carrot" Offering too much like cars or vacations can make people greedy and their practices can be unethical. We have to do what we can to sell our customers house without alienating the competition. Lets be fair here.

Monday, January 08, 2007

Wish List For Home Buyers This Year

Check out this website for tips for buying your next home.

Called the Dos and Don'ts Wish Lists of Homebuyers This Year

What buyers look for when they shop... What they want and what they don't want. So sellers take note if you are thinking of putting a bowl type sink over the countertop in your bathroom. Or maybe if you have clear glass cabinet doors in your kitchen.