Where real estate is concerned, marketing is everything. You have a product you are trying to sell, and in this case, you are talking about a lot of money. Since you have already invested a lot of your own into it, you want to get it all back and then some. The key is knowing how and where to successfully market your property so you will achieve optimal results. Below are ten ways that will prove profitable.

Place signs in the yard. This is what people will see while driving or walking down the street. It’s what will let them know your property is for sale. This is effective because the sign is right in front of the product itself, the home. As people drive by and admire your property, they will see the sign in the yard and immediately recognize this particular home is on the market. Perhaps they’ll see the sign first and take a more thorough look at the property. Either way, the sign will grab their attention. Make sure the phone number on the sign is readable. There’s nothing worse than putting out information people can’t access. If that happens, they are likely to just keep driving by without giving it a second thought. Your sign should also include other pertinent information about your property.

Make sure all landscaping looks top notch. This is one of the first features a prospective buyer will see, so it is vital you keep it up. If you are unable to do so, hire someone who can. This will be a definite selling point.

Make sure the driveway is clean. Those viewing your property will prefer seeing a clean driveway that is easy to pull in and out of during the short visit while they are looking at the home. This will provide yet one more attractive feature to the property itself.

Make sure all house numbers are visible. If they need repair, be sure to do this before the property actually goes up for sale. The numbers need to be easy to see so no one will miss or mistaken them.

Make sure the inside is neat and clean. The first impression will mean everything to a prospective buyer and can make or break the decision. You want to create a positive vibe so take the time to pay attention to small details.

When taking pictures of the exterior and interior of the home, make sure they are clear and easy to see. Remember, the pictures are what some prospects will see first. You want them to sell the home, so this is an important detail.

If laws allow, place directional signs on main streets relatively near your property. This will advertise it around the entire area and make it easy to find.

List your property on the MLS. Be sure you specify whether it is for sale or lease and include pictures.

Run ads in your local newspaper specifying the home is for sale. This is a great way to reach a wide prospect base and will garner quite a bit of attention.

As prospects begin inquiring about your property, take notes. This will help you both now and in the future.

While these  ideas make a great starting place, be inventive when coming up with your own. Don’t be afraid to try new tactics and be open-minded about the results.

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It is not uncommon to see multiple foreclosures while driving through a neighborhood.  This leads many to wonder how the price that these foreclosed homes is determined.  The price of a foreclosed home is determined when a lender takes over possession of the home.  During this time a prospective listing agent must prepare a Broker’s Price Opinion.  The Broker’s Price Opinion or BPO is determined in basically the same fashion as an appraisal.  The listing agent uses comparable sold properties in the area as well as any homes that are currently listed.  Once the listing agent determines the average market value of the home the asking price is then determined by calculating how much work would need to be performed on the property to bring it up to acceptable.

The final part of the BPO requires that the listing agent provide an as-is value, a repaired value and a 30 day value.  The 30 day value is the listing agent’s opinion of how much the price should be for the lender to receive an offer within the first 30 days of listing.  This amount can vary depending on the current market conditions and the comparable prices in the neighborhood.  The property manager responsible for the property will typically order at least two BPO’s and one appraisal before determining the final asking price.  It is common that most foreclosures are listed at fair market value minus the repair costs.

This is why it is common to see a home listed for less than others in the same neighborhood.  The other homes listed are typically being sold by owners and not the bank.  If you find a foreclosure that you are interested in, it is important that you determine how much work the home requires to make it acceptable.  If you find that the work that needs to be done is within your skill and budget level you can then ask the realtor to prepare an offer.  Keep in mind that you may not be the only interested party in this property.  In that case you should be prepared for a multiple offer situation. 

In the case of multiple offers, they are all presented to the asset manager in charge of the property.  It is up to the asset manager to determine which offer is in the best interest of the bank.  If multiple offers are made on a foreclosed property, it is common that the asset manager will more than likely choose an individual’s offer over that of an investor.  They are also more than likely to accept a cash offer over a financed one.  They also tend to take offers where the buyer chooses not to have an inspection done over an offer that includes an inspection caveat.  These are only some of the things that you should consider before making an offer on a foreclosed home.  Not all foreclosed homes are in bad condition, but keep in mind that there may be work involved in the purchase of a foreclosed property.

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Staging your home is something that realtors and sellers tend to do to provide potential buyers with ideas on how the home can look.  Generally, only a few of the rooms of your home will be staged at one time, the tricky part can be continuing to live in your home after it has been staged.  The key to living in a staged home is to contain and hide your personal belongings so that they do not interfere with the staging. Here are some tips to make living in a staged home easier for you and your family.

If your kitchen is one of the rooms that you have had staged it is important that keep the countertops and sink area clean and free from clutter.  It’s acceptable to leave one or two smaller appliances on the counter but only if there is room and if they are in good condition.  You should also wash dishes or place them in the dishwasher as soon as possible.  If your kitchen features a pantry, special care should be taken to keep it neat and clean.  You should also try to limit the amount of rugs that you have on the kitchen floor having too many rugs on the floor may leave buyers with the impression that you are trying to hide problem areas.

Bathrooms are some of the most common rooms to have staged which can make it difficult on homeowners when they need to perform every day activities.  To minimize the amount of clutter in a staged bathroom it is suggested that you keep all of the items you use regularly in a bathroom tote.  Provide each family member with a tote that they can use to hold their toothbrushes, toothpaste, hair products and body washes.  You can then easily store the tote under the bathroom sink or neatly on a closet shelf. 

In your bedrooms most clutter tends to accumulate near or on the nightstands and closets.  To help reduce the appearance of clutter you may want to designate a drawer or shelf in the closet where all of your necessities can easily be hidden.  It is okay to have one or two books on the nightstands but not stacks.  You should also remove any personal items such as medications, glasses and journals.  Potential buyers tend to look at anything and everything.  Remember if you don’t want it seen, put it away.

Living in a staged home is not impossible, just a bit inconvenient.  But in the long run you are left with a home that always looks neat and is presentable at a moment’s notice for potential buyers to walk through.  Before you leave in the morning take a quick walk through your home to ensure that everything has been placed in their proper storage areas and that there is not clutter on any of the countertops. 

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Many people look at a house and try to discover all of its flaws and potential based on the appearance of the house. However, it is important to get the full history of a house before you buy it. This is true for many reasons.

First, if you do not get the full history of the house you will not know how new or old parts of the home are. For example, if a home was built in the eighteen hundreds, when was the wiring updated? When was the plumbing updated last? All of this is important because it may lend to an idea of how much work or money you will have to put into the home either immediately or in the long run.

It is also important to know if any major work has had to be done on the home. When was the roof last redone or repaired? How sound is the foundation, and has any work been done to it? These facts are going to make a difference in your home owners insurance and in your decision to buy the house in the first place.

Another reason it is important to get the full history of a house before you buy is that you need to know the age of the appliances and fixtures in the home. When was the furnace or air conditioning unit last updated or serviced? What state are the refrigerator, stove, washer and/or dryer in? When were the light fixtures or ceiling fans last installed? All of this is important because, again, it will determine how much money you will have to sink into the home.

It is also helpful to know how many owners the home has gone through. If a home goes through a lot of owners, it can be a bad sign. In addition, you want to know the history of the house as far as criminal activity is concerned. If the house has been broken into many times you may want to consider a different neighborhood.

Overall, it is not difficult to get the history on a house before you buy it. Criminal activity is generally a matter of public record, as is the number of owners of the home. The rest of the information will have to come directly from the sellers, but they should have that information even if they have owned the property only a short time. Anyone who has done their due diligence will be able to provide answers to all of the above questions about a property. If they cannot, you should seriously consider another property instead. However, if they are forthcoming, you can easily decide whether or not to buy the home.

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Buying real estate almost always starts with a spark of imagination.  Some people act on their inspiration immediately, while others daydream for years before they do anything concrete towards their goal. Whatever your style, it is exciting to think about making a real estate purchase. Planning for the search can be even more thrilling.

Dreaming

Assuming you are someone who likes to mull things over for awhile before jumping in, you will have all the time you want to dream about what you want in a home. Let your imagination run wild, thinking about the shape, size and style of your future home.

Dreaming, after all, is not a foolish waste of time. It is actually a powerful tool for motivation. Athletes use a similar activity to accomplish great feats on the field of play. It is called visualization. They picture themselves kicking a field goal, hitting a home run, or diving a perfect dive. When the time comes, their minds are prepared for success.

You can prepare your intellect to look for the home you desire the most. If you picture it long enough and vividly enough, you will recognize it when you see it. Keep dreaming until the image of your perfect home springs fully formed into your mind whenever the subject comes up.

Planning

Now that you know what you want, come down to earth. It is unlikely that you will find the exact home you have imagined. Not impossible, but highly unlikely. However, before you throw away your dream, take note of what you have come up with. Sit down and start making a list while the image is fresh in your mind.

What parts of the dream make you the happiest? Which parts of the dream make you the most excited? You can give up on minor details; when it comes to the ideas that really put a smile on your face, hold on to the dream. Real estate is no minor investment. There is no reason to get a home that does not please you.

Choose the aspects of your dream that you will not budge on, and stick to your plan. It might take some extra searching, but it will be well worth it in the end. You will look at your home and feel a sense of satisfaction that you have found a home that really suits you.

Then, if you have to change or live with some minor details that are not quite what you imagined, it will not be the end of the world. The important thing is that you will have made a purchase you can be proud of and look fondly on for as long as you own it. 

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If you’re considering listing your home for sale during these uncertain economic times, you may have some reservations.  With so many available homes on the market, your fears are realistic.  But if you are determined to list your home there are some things that you can do to help your home get the attention it deserves in today’s market and help it sell relatively quickly if you set realistic goals and put in a little extra effort.

Realistic goals include setting an asking price that is within acceptable limits for your home and location.  Many sellers are under the assumption that their home is worth more than it really is, to help you determine the appropriate asking price for your home it is important that you and your real estate agent research homes that have recently sold in your area.  This will help you come up with an acceptable and appropriate price for your home. 

You should also remember that to help your home sell, you may have to make some improvements to your home.  These improvements don’t need to be large; they can be as simple as freshening up the interior and exterior paint.  Landscaping is also another small task that can help get your home noticed.  By taking the time to trim any overhanging trees and shrubs you can drastically enhance the appearance of your home.  Landscaping is one of the first things that prospective buyers notice when pulling up to a home, taking the time to make yours as pretty and presentable as possible can help your home make a positive first impression on buyers.

If you are unsure of your styling abilities you may want to consider hiring a professional staging company.  Staging companies come in to a home and place furniture and accessories throughout to make the home more visually appealing to buyers.  If you consult a staging company and find that the cost may be too much, you can choose to only have the larger rooms staged.  You should also take the time to remove any clutter from all of the rooms.  This presents a tidier look and helps buyers see what is possible with your space.

Selling during these times can be stressful, but if you take the proper steps to help make your home more appealing you should have no problem selling your home and getting the asking price.  These financial times have scared many sellers from listing their homes, that doesn’t need to be the case.  With the proper attention to detail and some small improvements your home should have no trouble attracting buyers and do so rather quickly.

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In the economic world that we live in today, it has become increasingly harder to secure a mortgage.  Many lenders have tightened their restrictions when it comes to approving home loans and are requiring more and more from potential borrowers.  Unless you qualify for a VA loan you are going to have to secure a mortgage from one of many well-known lenders.  While the borrowing process has become more difficult, it is not impossible.

To increase your chances of becoming approved for a loan many experts suggest that you have a minimum of six months living expenses in your bank account.  Lenders do not take into consideration how big your stock portfolio is they want to know how much cash you have on hand.  To do this you will need to show proof of money you currently have in your checking account in addition to the down payment that many lenders require.  While this may seem like an unnecessary requirement, it will greatly improve your credibility with lenders.

Before applying for a mortgage you should also ensure that your credit is in good standing.  Many lenders are now requiring buyers to have a much higher credit score than was previously needed to secure a loan.  If your credit has a few blemishes you need to clear those up as soon as possible in order to improve your credit score.  Your credit score has never been as important as it is when you are trying to purchase a home. 

Be wary of high loan offers, some lenders are still trying to push large loans onto unsuspecting borrowers.  If your mortgage broker offers you a loan for more than you can realistically afford you should find another mortgage broker as soon as possible.  Never accept a loan that you will have trouble paying back.  While it may sound appealing during the buying phase, it can come back and bite you later.  Buying a home should be something that is enjoyable, if you are in over your head from the beginning your home buying experience can turn into a nightmare.

Purchasing a home is something that everyone dreams of doing at some point in their lives.  By following the proper procedures and choosing a lender that you are comfortable working with your home buying experience will remain positive.  If you encounter a lender that doesn’t sit well with you, don’t feel pressured into staying with them.  You can always choose to work with another lender at any point during the buying process.  Once you have a letter of approval that you are comfortable with you are then free to start looking at homes and hopefully you will find the home of your dreams.

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When you know you are going to be putting your house on the market, you want to make sure you can get as much out of it as possible. With that goal in mind, there are many things you can do to make your house sell faster and at a higher price, without breaking the bank.

You may think that it is pointless to make improvements to a home that you are about to sell. However, it can actually increase the value and selling price of your home. In fact, repairs that are not made often cost you twice as much in sale price as they would to simply make the repairs. For example, if you have a leak in your roof that would cost two grand to fix and you neglect to repair it, it will probably lose you four thousand dollars on the selling price. When you look at it that way, it makes since to do some repairs and improvements before selling your house.

Start with making your house look attractive. This starts on the outside with a bit of landscaping. Make the house and yard look appealing. If your house could use an exterior paint job, consider doing so to increase the chances of selling your home at a higher price and much faster than if your paint is cracking and peeling.

Next you should look at your bathrooms. The bathrooms in a home, particularly the master bathroom, are a big consideration to home buyers. Just putting in shiny new towel racks or replacing the sink can go a long way toward increasing the selling price and value of your home.

The kitchen is the next room to focus on, as this is also a big factor for home buyers. The kitchen should appear to be as spacious as possible, even if it is really a small space. You can sometimes make small spaces seem larger by using the right color schemes on the walls, so a paint job may be in order. You should also make sure that the cabinets and counter tops are in good repair. Remodeling a kitchen before selling a house can make it sell must faster, and in most cases you will get at least ninety percent of the investment back when you sell the house.

Light sources and cosmetic changes can also be a factor in making a house more attractive to home buyers and increasing the value of the home. You can easily increase the value of a home by replacing the windows with highly energy efficient and pretty window frames and glass. You can also increase the value of a home by painting it in bright or light colors, or changing the light sources in a room. Many people these days prefer indirect lighting, or light sources that are tucked away or hidden. Making these changes can help you sell your house faster and for more money.

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Jobs. Housing.

Those two words encapsulate the most important issues for the voting public this year. These topics are on nearly everyone’s mind as they consider who will earn their votes in the 2012 elections season.

According to a December 2011 House Logic poll, 27% percent of  those polled said that the housing issues our country are facing will have the biggest impact on how they choose to vote at the polls in November 2012.

As House Logic points out, joblessness makes housing a pretty big issue. Historically, the one payment people do their best to not get behind on is their house payment. However, as families get to the end of unemployment benefits, it gets harder and harder for them to figure out how to make that mortgage payment just one more time.

Buying a house is such a personal decision that takes all of how someone lives life into the process of choosing it. It is deeply personal and when people start to lose their homes, it hurts them. And people get angry. They get depressed. Eventually, they realize that, as individuals, they can not fix the problem, but they can vote for someone who can.

Citizens are recognizing their power to influence government. The Occupy Wall Street movement is a good example of how a group of people. This seemingly disenfranchised group is upset by choices others made before the Occupy Wall Street protestors were even old enough to vote. They are feeling the consequences of poor decision making and have decided to use their voice to affect change.

Don’t think this will have an affect on the 2012 elections? Believe that they will be long forgotten by November? That is highly unlikely as the group works to better organize and target the politicians they believe created this situation.

Anyone who looks at the current housing situation knows it is broken. The American people do not really need polls to show it them. But the power behind this poll is that it can be used to let the candidates know what they should be focusing on.

The 2012 presidential campaign, as well as the various congressional campaigns that are beginning to take shape is going to be strongly formed by the housing crisis. It is going to come up at every town hall meeting, in all of the debates, and the politicians can be sure that voters are going to be sending letters affirming the importance of fixing the housing market. If the politicians are listening and have plausible solutions, then some of those letters might even include checks of support.

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If you are a savvy real estate investor, the land trust is a great option for you. It’s a powerful tool that can serve you well in terms of making money. It is a revocable, living trust that is used for holding the title of real estate. Each property you own will be titled in a separate trust, which affords you maximum protection and privacy. Below are seven reasons why you should use one.

The first reason is privacy. The Internet has made it extremely easy for anyone to look up your real estate ownership information. Privacy is vital if you don’t want others to know what you own. Real estate titled in land trusts makes accessing this information more difficult. This is because the trust record is not public so not everyone is allowed to view it.

Reason #2 is land trusts provide protection from liens. Here you won’t be subject to liens against the beneficiary of the trust. So, if you are dealing with a particular seller in foreclosure, a claim can’t be filed against the property in the seller’s name.

Reason #3, you will receive protection from title claims. Should you sign a warranty deed in your name, you will be subject to title claims being filed against you should a problem with the title to the property arise.

Reason #4, a land trust discourages litigation. If your properties are difficult to locate, it will appear you don’t have money so others will be less likely to sue you.

Reason #5, you will receive protection from HOA claims. When you take title to a property in a HOA, or homeowner’s association, you will become personally liable for all assessments and dues pertaining to the property and association. So, if you purchase a condominium in your own name and the association assesses a certain amount as being due, a lien can be placed on your property or you may be sued. Instead of taking title in a HOA, take title in a land trust so the trust itself and the property will be the only recourse for the debts of the association.

Reason #6, taking title in a land trust will make contracts assignable. The ownership of a land trust is called the beneficial interest. This ownership is assignable in much the same way as stock would be in a corporation. Once a property has been titled in trust, the beneficiary of the trust can be changed without changing the title to the property itself.

Finally, reason #7, land trusts make loans assumable. A non-assumable loan may become assumed through use of a land trust. Here, the title is transferred by the seller into a land trust with him or herself as the beneficiary. This transfer does not trigger the due-on-sale clause of the mortgage. After all is said and done, the beneficial interest is transferred  to the buyer which then triggers the due-on-sale clause. This transfer, however, is not brought to the attention of the lender because it has not been recorded in public records. This is what makes a non-assumable loan assumable.

The seven reasons above illustrate the creativeness of a land trust. Before making the decision to use this option, make sure you know what it is and how it works. This is what will make you a more effective investor over time.

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