05.18.12
Posted in Ridgeland MS Real Estate tagged ridgeland ms real estate selling tips at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
Real estate has come a long way over the years, and its communication and marketing strategies have developed and morphed into the institution it is today. It might be helpful to appreciate real estate’s history in order to better sell your Ridgeland MS real estate. So, in honor of Memorial Day this month, we’ve compiled an outline of some of real estate’s major moments.
- The National Association of REALTORS® – Founded in 1908, this organization still strives today to uphold the ethical integrity of the real estate industry and profession.
- Condos – In 1960, the first condominiums were built, which opened up an entirely new niche for real estate agents to dive into.
- The Fair Housing Act – Passed in 1968, this Act outlawed discriminating against race, sex, religion or national origin when selling your property.
- Tax Reform Act – This Act was passed in1986 to encourage people to become property owners by giving them a tax deduction on mortgage interest.
- The World Wide Web – We all started to be connected in1990. Now this revolutionary technology provides buyers and sellers with more information at their fingertips than was ever thought possible. Promoting your Ridgeland MS real estate for sale on the Internet is now a crucial part of every marketing plan.
- The Man Cave – In 2004, Urban Dictionary uses this phrase and suddenly everyone is classifying space within their houses for men to relax and do “manly things.”
- Facebook – While this social media site launched in 2004 was originally intended to connect college students, it quickly expanded across demographics. It is now an effective marketing tool for real estate agents to reach out to their clients and potential buyers and sellers.
If you’re ready to sell your Ridgeland MS real estate, I can help. Please call me today at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@KeyTrustProperties.com for more information.
Paula Ricks Broker/Owner, REALTOR®
220 W Jackson St, Suite 200, Ridgeland MS 39157
www.PaulaRicks.com
Tags:
ridgeland ms real estate selling tips
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05.16.12
Posted in Ridgeland MS Real Estate tagged find ridgeland ms real estate agent at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
When it comes time to sell your home, the most important person that can ensure a quick sale at top dollar is your Ridgeland MS real estate agent. He or she will be the primary person marketing your home, and if your professional doesn’t work hard to sell your home, it can cost you precious time and money.
Choosing the right Ridgeland MS real estate agent can be tricky. To help you make a wise choice, below are five simple questions you should ask agents before making your decision:
- How many other homeowners are you currently working with? An agent with too many properties on their plate might not give your home the individual attention it needs to attract potential buyers. However, if the agent has no listings, that might also be a bad sign.
- Are you going to be readily available? There is nothing more frustrating than working with an agent who seems too busy to show your home, take your phone calls or answer your emails.
- How does your real estate agency compare to the others in town? Any brokerage with great statistics will be happy to share them with you. However, you may get more personal attention working with a lower-volume agency.
- Are you a member of the National Association of REALTORS®? Members are held accountable for their professional ethics. They continually participate in training and educational courses to keep up their certification.
- What’s your plan for marketing my home? A good agent should be able to give you a detailed and well-thought-out plan for marketing your home. It’s also a good idea to make sure your expectations are clear before entering into any agreement.
Selling your home can be stressful. When selecting a Ridgeland MS real estate agent to represent your interests, it’s important to make sure you feel comfortable that he or she will meet your expectations.
If you’re getting ready to sell and have questions about comparables, marketing strategies or the process in general, please call me at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@KeyTrustProperties.com for more information.
Paula Ricks Broker/Owner, REALTOR®
220 W Jackson St, Suite 200, Ridgeland MS 39157
www.PaulaRicks.com
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find ridgeland ms real estate agent
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05.14.12
Posted in Madison MS real estate tagged madison ms open house, Tips for Madison MS Home Buyers at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
Just have fun visiting open houses when you’re not ready to buy Madison MS real estate. Get serious and shop like a pro at open houses when the time is right for you to buy.
Here are tips that’ll have you shopping like a real estate pro at the next open house you attend:
- Preview the Madison MS real estate online: Don’t waste your time attending open houses for properties that don’t meet your minimum requirements.
- Remove the emotion: Professional real estate investors and agents don’t allow emotions or gut feelings to determine which property they should buy. Instead, focus on the facts and figures.
- Dig deep: Don’t fall for the fresh coat of paint and new carpeting. Peel back those layers to see what condition the home is in. Open under-sink cabinets and flush toilets. You’ll discover any obvious plumbing problems or water damage, and get some insight into how well the sellers have cared for the home.
- Rely on your senses: Do you smell cigarette smoke or pet odors? Can you hear traffic noise inside the home with all the windows and doors shut? Does the wood and wall around the window feel damp?
- Talk with the neighbors: Take a walk around the neighborhood and ask the neighbors what they like and dislike about living in the area. Look to see how well the neighbors keep up their homes and yards.
- Observe the amenities: If there’s a pool, park or other play areas, check them out. Maintenance of these spaces can give you clues to how well the homeowner’s association functions.
- Keep an eye on what you see before entering: Are there any missing, curling or buckling roof shingles? Is the exterior paint peeling? Is there an extensive garden you’d have to maintain?
If you’re ready to buy Madison MS real estate, let me help you find a home that fits your needs and get it at a great price. Give me a call today at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@KeyTrustProperties.com to get started.
Paula Ricks Broker/Owner, REALTOR®
220 W Jackson St, Suite 200, Ridgeland MS 39157
www.PaulaRicks.com
Tags:
madison ms open house,
Tips for Madison MS Home Buyers
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05.11.12
Posted in Madison MS Homes for Sale tagged Tips for Madison MS Home Buyers at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
As home buying picks up pace with spring in full bloom, there are a few tips every Madison MS home buyer should keep in mind:
- Plan to stay in the property more than 5 years. Typically home values appreciate 7% per year; that number has been 2% to 5% recently, so it will take longer to break even and begin making a profit or building equity in your home.
- Do the math. First, figure out what price range you can afford. Then, calculate how much income is left after paying the mortgage, taxes and insurance. Use an online affordability calculator to make this easier.
- Explore the neighborhood. At various times of the day and night, visit the neighborhood of a Madison MS home you are interested in. Find out if it’s an area in which you’ll enjoy living. How are the schools, the traffic, the noise and the neighbors?
- Find the right agent. Interview at least three agents. Make sure they’re experienced, knowledgeable and professional and that your communication styles mesh. They will be overseeing the most expensive decision of your life, so take the time to find the best person for the job.
- Shop for your mortgage. Shaving even a half a percentage point off your mortgage rate can save you thousands of dollars.
- Get pre-approved. Before you start house hunting, get pre-approved for a mortgage. You’ll save yourself the grief of looking at houses you can’t afford. Being pre-approved will also improve your chances of getting the sellers to say yes to your offer. Not to be confused with pre-qualification, which is based on a cursory review of your finances, pre-approval from a lender is based on your actual income, debt and credit history.
- Hire a home inspector. Have the property checked out by a professional home inspector. Even if you and your agent carefully look over the home, there can be hidden problems only a home inspector can find.
If you’re looking for a real estate agent to help you buy one of the Madison MS homes for sale, I’d be honored to be considered for the job. Give me a call today at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@KeyTrustProperties.com to schedule a time to interview me.
Paula Ricks Broker/Owner, REALTOR®
220 W Jackson St, Suite 200, Ridgeland MS 39157
www.PaulaRicks.com
Tags:
Tips for Madison MS Home Buyers
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05.09.12
Posted in Madison MS real estate tagged hiring madison ms real estate agents at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
Selling a home is stressful enough without having to worry about developing marketing strategies, showing the house and dealing with contracts. That’s where a Madison MS real estate agent can help.
Whether they’re helping you buy or sell property, Madison MS real estate agents have extensive experience and training that makes it easier to find the buyer or house that meets your standards. Using the multitude of tools at their fingertips, real estate professionals reach out to more potential buyers, have access to listing databases and can easily determine a good offer from a bad.
Without an agent, you could be missing out on many of the following tools, resources and expertise he or she has to offer:
- Valuable Experience – From staging a home to evaluating its list price, agents have ridden the economic tides. They know what buyers are looking for and how much they’re willing to spend.
- Knowledge of Contracts – Seasoned professionals can walk you through every part of the paperwork process and answer questions you have along the way. They’re there to ensure your contracts are completely correct, negotiate offers as they come in and catch any questionable clauses that might be slipped into the proposal. Without a trained eye, you could miss something minor that turns out to be a major deal breaker.
- Advice and Referrals – Having been through this process often and worked with many professionals in the industry, local agents can provide you with advice and references for the best home inspectors and contractors in the area. It’s good to get the inside scoop to ensure you put your home in the hands of professionals.
- MLS – Real estate agents can list homes on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which is a national database that is used to promote a home for sale. Having your home listed in this database connects you to agents all over the country and widens your net to help catch the right buyer.
Don’t struggle through the home-selling or buying process without an experienced Madison MS real estate agent. Please call me today at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@KeyTrustProperties.com for more information on how I can help you achieve your real estate goals.
Paula Ricks Broker/Owner, REALTOR®
220 W Jackson St, Suite 200, Ridgeland MS 39157
www.PaulaRicks.com
Tags:
hiring madison ms real estate agents
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05.07.12
Posted in Madison MS Homes for Sale tagged Tips for Madison MS Home Sellers at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
Whether it’s your mother, mother-in-law or grandmother’s Madison MS home for sale that needs work, make the effort this Mother’s Day to give her your time and make a few quick improvements. Fixing up a Madison MS home for sale can be overwhelming, especially if costly repairs are needed.
To give you some ideas, here are six fast and inexpensive improvements that will have your loved-one’s Madison MS home for sale looking better and selling faster:
- Neutralize the rooms. Your father might take pride in his fly-fishing-inspired man cave, but potential buyers may not love it. Pack away as much of the fishing memorabilia as dad will allow, and brighten the room by painting it a neutral color.
- Add lighting. Modern track lighting can help brighten a space and is relatively cheap and easy to install. Even a few inexpensive floor lamps can dramatically improve the look of an otherwise dull or dreary room.
- Hang art. If your mother’s house has nothing but blank walls, consider buying some cheery and inexpensive art. A few pieces can help a space feel homier and make buyers feel more comfortable.
- Give the kitchen a facelift. You don’t have to completely renovate to get buyers to see a kitchen as an attractive feature instead of a potential project. Instead, replace the most worn-out appliances, paint the cabinets or invest in better countertops.
- Improve curb appeal. Hard work and a little bit of money can really improve a property’s curb appeal. Plant bright flowers, trim the hedges and add new mulch. A weekend of work can make a huge difference — and your mother will love you for it.
- Pay attention to bathrooms. Even one really appealing bathroom can help sell a house. Add flowers, paint the walls, or if you can afford it, re-tile. Bathrooms are small, but important spaces!
Give the best gift this Mother’s Day — time, labor and motivation — to get her Madison MS home for sale sold quickly!
If you would like additional suggestions for home improvement projects that help a home sell faster or for more money, please call me at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@KeyTrustProperties.com.
Paula Ricks Broker/Owner, REALTOR®
220 W Jackson St, Suite 200, Ridgeland MS 39157
www.PaulaRicks.com
Tags:
Tips for Madison MS Home Sellers
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05.04.12
Posted in Brandon MS homes for sale tagged Brandon MS real estate sellers at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
If your Brandon MS home is up for sale, you know there’s an inspection in your future. With that in mind, plan to spend a week or so getting ready for the inspection.
- Make sure the inspector has access to all areas of your Brandon MS home for sale. Here are some of the most important places:
a) Attic. If your attic is accessed through a closet, take time to clear away clutter so the inspector can get up there quickly and easily. Have a ladder at the ready if needed.
b) Basement. Clear everything away from the exterior walls of the basement so they can be seen.
c) Utilities. Clear around the furnace, air conditioner, water heater and circuit breaker boxes.
d) Foundation. Clear brush away from the foundation.
2. Keep electricity on. If your Brandon MS home for sale is vacant, be sure to have the electricity turned on when the inspector comes. Otherwise many aspects of the inspection can’t be done, causing delay.
3. Keep pilot lights lit. Again, if the home is vacant, make sure to have any gas appliances on to avoid delays in the inspection process.
4. Print and copy documents of any mechanical upgrades and maintenance.
5. Replace furnace filters.
6. Replace burned out light bulbs.
7. Check all receptacles. If any aren’t working, it could be a simple fix for a few dollars.
You don’t want any question marks on your home inspection report. This could be a perceived as a black mark against your Brandon MS home for sale. Most sellers get nervous about the home inspection, but with these tips in mind, you can pave the way to a smooth, one-time process that is just another step in moving on.
If you’re looking for a real estate agent to sell your home, I’d love to be interviewed for the job. Contact me at today at 601-942-3392 or email me at mailto: Paula@KeyTrustProperties.com.
Paula Ricks Broker/Owner, REALTOR®
220 W Jackson St, Suite 200, Ridgeland MS 39157
601-942-3392
www.PaulaRicks.com
Tags:
Brandon MS real estate sellers
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05.02.12
Posted in Madison MS real estate tagged Madison MS real estate sellers at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
With spring here, get in the spirit and do a little spring cleaning — especially if you’re putting your home on the market. It’s important for Madison MS real estate to be clean and clutter-free in order to show better and sell quicker.
Whether you’re still living in the home or have completely moved out, there are many things you can do before the first open house to ensure everything is showing at its best. Below is a list that every real estate agent would love to see when they first evaluate Madison MS real estate.
- Paint walls neutral colors. If your house has a ‘clinically white’ feeling or is on a psychedelic color spree, you’ll need to paint the rooms a neutral beige, tan or gray. Even if your rooms are already neutral, you might consider a new coat of paint to hide marks and give it a fresh feel.
- Remove clutter and stage your home. You hear this over and over when it comes to preparing a house for sale. Sometimes it goes in one ear and right out the other. Leave just a few of your children’s favorite toys and make sure even the closet floors are bare. Take this one seriously — rent a storage unit if you need to — it’s usually worth the cost.
- Straighten everything. Take the time to align your bookshelves, organize your closet and clean out your pantry. You can clean and dust nooks and crannies as you go.
- Wipe down EVERY surface. Sellers often get to the counters and windows, but usually miss the baseboards and window frames. Any amount of dirt reminds buyers of the people who currently live there instead of envisioning themselves in the space. Plus, everything will smell clean, which is very inviting!
While it may be hard to maintain some of these tips if you’re still living in the home, try your best and you won’t be living there long! If you’d like more spring cleaning tips or are getting ready to sell your Madison MS real estate, please call me at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@KeyTrustProperties.com for more information.
Paula Ricks Broker/Owner, REALTOR®
220 W Jackson St, Suite 200, Ridgeland MS 39157
601-942-3392
www.PaulaRicks.com
Tags:
Madison MS real estate sellers
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04.30.12
Posted in Ridgeland MS Homes for Sale tagged tips for ridgeland ms home buyers at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
When you see “motivated seller” in real estate listings, does that mean the sellers are desperate to sell their Ridgeland MS home for sale and are open to negotiation? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Do not assume it means you’re going to get the home at a bargain price.
When you see “motivated seller” in real estate listings, it could mean a wide variety of things including:
- The seller is willing to accept a lower price or give some concessions.
- The Ridgeland MS home for sale could be near foreclosure.
- The sellers want to see an offer before canceling the listing.
- It’s a marketing strategy. (In other words, it means nothing.)
Here are some tips on how to deal with motivated sellers:
- Decide if you really want to buy the Ridgeland MS home for sale. Don’t buy it just because you think you might get it at a greatly reduced price.
- Have your agent ask the listing agent why the seller is so motivated to sell. If there is no realistic reason, you could be wasting your time.
- Consider giving a low-ball offer to see how the seller responds. If the seller does not give a counter offer, you have your answer. If they give a reasonable counter offer, they’re obviously willing to negotiate.
- Wait for a price reduction. Most listing agents will ask the sellers to reduce their price when the property hasn’t gotten any offers or sold in the expected time frame.
- Ask if other offers have been made. If yes, find out why they were rejected, and try to overcome the seller’s objections.
Owning a home is the American Dream. Figuring out if it’s the right time for you to buy, and which property is best for you to purchase, is something only you can decide.
When you’re ready to find your American Dream home, I’d love to help. Call me at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@KeyTrustProperties.com.
Paula Ricks Broker/Owner, REALTOR®
220 W Jackson St, Suite 200, Ridgeland MS 39157
601-942-3392
www.PaulaRicks.com
Tags:
tips for ridgeland ms home buyers
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04.27.12
Posted in Ridgeland MS Real Estate tagged tips for ridgeland ms home buyers at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
Are you unsure about buying Ridgeland MS real estate? Warren Buffet was recently quoted as saying, “If I had a way of buying a couple hundred thousand single-family homes…I would load up on them and… take mortgages out at very, very low rates…it’s a leveraged way of owning a very cheap asset now, and I think that’s probably as attractive an investment as you can make now.”
Homeownership in the United States is dropping and we are becoming a society of renters, according to a Morgan Stanley Housing Market Insights report. Why is this happening?
- It’s harder to get mortgages: Banks have made it more difficult for people to become homeowners. If they have marginal credit or small down payments, they won’t get approved.
- Some have a fear of buying: The economic and real estate market collapse caused many people to fear buying a home. Many who could buy a Ridgeland MS real estate right now are sitting on the sidelines waiting for the market to recover. If your credit is good and you have the money for a down payment, all reports are saying, do not wait!
Here are a few tips to help you make the most of this real estate market:
- Act now: Savvy investors know the market has started to recover. If you wait for the media to say it’s ok to start investing in Ridgeland MS real estate again, it’ll be too late.
- Earn rental income: If you buy a second (or third or fourth) home or a home you don’t want to live in, rent it and generate income. Large investors are saying single-family real estate is the way to go right now.
- Take advantage of low prices: Prices have fallen dramatically in a lot of markets, while rental rates are increasing.
To find single-family investment properties or your own new home, call me today at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@KeyTrustProperties.com. I’ll help you find the property that meets your investment goals.
Paula Ricks Broker/Owner, REALTOR®
220 W Jackson St, Suite 200, Ridgeland MS 39157
601-942-3392
www.PaulaRicks.com
Tags:
tips for ridgeland ms home buyers
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