01.20.11
Posted in Madison MS real estate tagged Madison MS real estate sellers at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
If you’re hoping to sell your Madison MS real estate in 2011, make some New Year’s resolutions to help the process along. Resolve to:
1. Interview and get a comparative marketing analysis (CMA) from at least three agents from three different Madison MS real estate agencies. Each agent has a different opinion about the value of your home and how to best market your home. Learn from each agent and then sign a contract with the agent you decide to hire.
2. Research the number of foreclosures and short sales in your neighborhood. To sell your home, find out how many foreclosures and short sales you’re competing against. This impacts the value of your property as well as the length of time it takes you to sell. Your Madison MS real estate agent can help you with this research.
3. Be realistic about price. After reviewing your three CMAs, talk with the agent you hired and come to an agreement on the price that can get your home sold. Ideally, that price should be at or just below the selling price of similar houses in your neighborhood that have sold in the past 90 days.
4. Counter offers. Be calm if a buyer suggests a lower price than you want. Don’t just snap his or her nose off. Consider your options. Can you afford to let the house go at the offered price? If you can and still want to say no, think about it… how long did it take to get this potential buyer? Super low bids are not insults; they’re a buyer’s way of testing you. So, even if an offer seems insulting low to you, counter it. If the buyer wants your home, he or she will come up to a realistic price.
5. Remain flexible. Make concessions where you can. The buyer wants you to pay part of the closing costs? That’s a great way to sweeten the deal. Fix those small problems found in the home inspection. Add on a home warranty. A successful sale means everyone walks away happy.
Put these resolutions into action, and your new year may turn out to be even happier than you expected!
If you’d like to get the selling advantage to get your Madison MS real estate sold, give me a call today at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@PaulaRicks.com. You’ll also receive a free competitive marketing analysis.
Paula Ricks
Coldwell Banker Nell Wyatt, Inc.
443-A Northpark Dr, Ridgeland, MS 39157
Call Direct: 601-942-3392
Office: 601-956-8533
www.PaulaRicks.com
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
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Madison MS real estate sellers
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12.24.10
Posted in Madison MS real estate tagged Madison MS real estate sellers at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
On first thought, selling your home by yourself seems to make perfect sense. It doesn’t look all that hard, right? So you decide to sell your home the FSBO way (For Sale By Owner). You figure that you can put up a sign. Let people come to look at your house. Review all the offers you are sure to get and pick the best one and you’re done. That’s all there is to understanding the Madison MS real estate market—right?
Well, not quite. One of the most difficult things for a person trying to sell their own home to do is understand the Madison MS real estate market in order to price their home correctly. All of the above steps will stall without setting a price that will make you happy and get a buyer to sign on the dotted line.
The Price is Right
In some ways selling your home as a FSBO will seem a little like the television game show “The Price Is Right.” Some buyers will walk around your home and have no idea what local values are, but they will still do their best to talk down your price.
Others that come to view your FSBO will have a very firm grasp on local real estate values and how your home stacks up against the competition.
In either case, you must know what comparable homes in your area are selling for so that you can argue your own case and know when you are being under bid.
Overpricing is Costly
The temptation to want more than true market value for your home is common but counterproductive to selling your home. It’ll set on the market so long that people will begin to wonder what’s wrong with your home. Then, when you drop your price, you’ll appear desperate. Potential buyers will devalue your house in their own minds, which decreases the chance of you getting a fair market price for your home.
If you have questions about the current Madison MS real estate market, give me a call today at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@PaulaRicks.com.
Paula Ricks
Coldwell Banker Nell Wyatt, Inc.
443-A Northpark Dr, Ridgeland, MS 39157
Call Direct: 601-942-3392
Office: 601-956-8533
www.PaulaRicks.com
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
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Madison MS real estate sellers
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12.01.10
Posted in Madison MS Homes for Sale tagged Madison MS real estate sellers at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
Selling a home is never an easy decision. If you’ve ever wondered how most people make this decision, you’ll enjoy this top 10 list. Here are the top 10 reasons people sell their Madison MS homes.
1. Death or divorce. Death and divorce can cause major changes to a family’s financial situation. Homeowners are often unable to cover the maintenance and cost of the home on a single income and are forced to sell their home.
2. School district. People move to certain neighborhoods to be in the school district. They also leave neighborhoods because the schools have changed or to be in a district that better meets their child’s needs.
3. Job. A very common reason for selling a home is a job change. The family may need to move to a new area because of a new job. A job loss can mean the owners can no longer afford their home.
4. Marriage. When a couple with separate homes marries, they often choose to live in one home and sell the other. Marriage can also mean a change in finances.
5. Too much debt. Sometimes medical bills or consumer debt can become so overwhelming that homeowners have no recourse but to sell their Madison MS homes. Homeowners may sell their homes to avoid foreclosure or bankruptcy.
6. Need more space. Growing families need more space. A couple may discover that their cozy bungalow does not meet the needs of their small children. They may sell their home so they can upgrade.
7. Need less space. As children move out, some owners may find they need less space. They may no longer want to be responsible for cleaning and maintaining a large home.
8. Neighborhood. Neighborhoods change as people move in and out. What seemed like the perfect area when the owners bought their home may no longer fit their lifestyle. For this reason, people sell their Madison MS homes.
9. Climate. People living in the north may decide they want a break from the snow. Residents of the south sometimes want to be in a cooler climate.
10. Home defects. Homeowners may find themselves faced with major repairs that they don’t have the time or money to fix. Selling their home and moving is sometimes a better option.
Trying to decide if you’re ready to sell? I can help. Call me today at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@PaulaRicks.com for more information.
Paula Ricks
Coldwell Banker Nell Wyatt, Inc.
443-A Northpark Dr, Ridgeland, MS 39157
Call Direct: 601-942-3392
Office: 601-956-8533
www.PaulaRicks.com
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
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Madison MS real estate sellers
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11.15.10
Posted in Madison MS Homes for Sale tagged Madison MS real estate sellers at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
When dealing with a purchase contract for your Madison MS home for sale, you need to look in the actual print for a few things before you sign on the dotted line. Your real estate agent and / or lawyer will be able to point out glaring deficiencies, inconsistencies or other things not in your best interest. However, the more you know about the purchase contract yourself, the better chances you have of getting a good deal on your Madison MS home for sale.
Here are four points to ponder in your purchase contract:
Closing Date
Sometimes a buyer may want to wait a month or two before taking over the title. You want to check the closing date against your own schedule and make sure it’s acceptable. Don’t be inflexible. In this highly competitive real estate market, be willing to negotiate on the closing date – unless, of course, you don’t have a choice.
Remaining Property
Contracts range in terms of what fixtures and personal property will remain with the home. In a few cases, the contract entitles the buyer to everything on the property. In other cases, the contract entitles them to nothing more than attached (ceiling) light fixtures and electrical socket covers. Carefully read over what the buyer expects to remain with the home and make sure you agree.
Contingencies
The factors a buyer may want in place before the contract is finalized may be more than you’re willing to deal with. For example, the buyer may want an inspection before signing, or they may want to sell their own home. They may want the contract reviewed by their lawyer or they may still be waiting for their mortgage to be approved.
The problem with contingencies is they can drag on much longer than you expect them to. To be safe – even if you’re okay with the contingencies – set a time limit for them to be accomplished. This way, your sale won’t drag on forever without ever closing.
Expiration Date
Finally, pay attention to the expiration date of the contract. You may have eight hours or eight days to accept, reject or counter the contract. Pay attention to how long you have to consider the offer for your Madison MS home for sale.
If you’re trying to sell your home and need a knowledge agent on your side, I can help. Call me at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@PaulaRicks.com for more information.
Paula Ricks
Coldwell Banker Nell Wyatt, Inc.
443-A Northpark Dr, Ridgeland, MS 39157
Call Direct: 601-942-3392
Office: 601-956-8533
www.PaulaRicks.com
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
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Madison MS real estate sellers
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11.10.10
Posted in Madison MS Homes for Sale tagged Madison MS real estate sellers at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
When you have a Madison MS home for sale or elsewhere in the nation, you have to know the competition is fierce. Many home sellers think they have all their ducks in a row when a potential buyer comes to view the house, only to have a minor, forgotten issue blow the deal.
The Outside of Your Home
Your home’s exterior is the first thing potential buyers see up close. Online, you may have images of the front yard, back yard, kitchen and other rooms, but pictures can’t do justice to your Madison MS home for sale.
To prepare you home for that first up-close viewing, here are 17 outside tasks:
- Power wash your siding and windows
- Fix broken siding
- Give the exterior a fresh coat of paint if it needs it
- Paint the door and trim
- Mow the lawn
- Trim bushes
- Remove oil spots from the driveway
- Pick up all tools, toys or trash in the yard
- Remove lawn ornaments
- Clear weeds from the walkway and driveway
- Plant seasonal flowers
- Rake leaves
- Clean roof and gutters
- Sweep the porch, walkway and driveway
- Clean fences
- Take photos of a garden if it comes up each spring, as well as the yard when it’s fresh and green
- Add tasteful landscape lighting if possible
Of course, not knowing what your specific home looks like, I can’t give a complete list, but these 17 items should get you off to a good start. Don’t forget that a few fall decorations can be the added touch that gets your Madison MS home for sale sold to a new owner!
If you’re trying to sell your home and need more pointers, I can help. Call me at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@PaulaRicks.com for more information.
Paula Ricks
Coldwell Banker Nell Wyatt, Inc.
443-A Northpark Dr, Ridgeland, MS 39157
Call Direct: 601-942-3392
Office: 601-956-8533
www.PaulaRicks.com
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
Tags:
Madison MS real estate sellers
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10.29.10
Posted in Madison MS Homes for Sale tagged Madison MS real estate sellers at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
Buyers look at more than just kitchen appliances and room sizes when deciding what Madison MS home for sale to purchase. Curb appeal, or the view of your Madison MS home from the street, is extremely important.
If you want your home to sell quickly, you need to put in some extra effort to make your home’s exterior look especially attractive. You can easily do this by improving your landscaping. Here are some tips for choosing plants for your Madison MS home for a fast sale.
• Stay close to home. Plants that are native to your area are always a safe choice for landscaping. They are adapted to your region, so you know they can survive there. They are also easier to take care of and better for the environment because they don’t require as much watering. This can be an important consideration if you are selling a vacant home.
• Older is better. You can buy plants at varying stages of growth. Newer, smaller plants cost less and are easier to transplant; mature plants tend to have more foliage. Think about how they will look immediately after planting. You want to sell your home quickly, so you don’t want to wait around for your plants to grow.
• Choose carefully. No matter what types of plants you choose, make sure you find plants with lots of color. You want your landscaping to look as attractive as possible. Choose plants that bloom often, form hedges, and are not high maintenance. The last thing you need right now is a plant that requires a lot of your attention.
Let me help you sell your home quickly. I’m a professional home stager with lots of ideas to help you stage your home for a successful sale. Call me today at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@PaulaRicks.com for more information.
Paula Ricks
Coldwell Banker Nell Wyatt, Inc.
443-A Northpark Dr, Ridgeland, MS 39157
Office: 601-956-8533
Call Direct: 601-942-3392
www.PaulaRicks.com
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
Tags:
Madison MS real estate sellers
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09.20.10
Posted in Madison MS Homes for Sale tagged Madison MS real estate sellers at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
Many real estate agents say, “Stage your Madison MS homes for sale!” If you have no idea what that means, you might Google it, read a few articles and get the idea that you throw a little rented furniture into your home and call it done. If you read a little bit more, you might add a mirror or potted plant here and there. However, if you really dig into it, you’ll find that staging Madison MS homes for sale take a whole lot more than that.
Test Your Knowledge
Did you know…
- Smaller furniture in small areas makes the space appear bigger.
- Carefully arranged plants bring warmth to a living area.
- Rugs and artwork add depth and dimension to a room.
- Sunlight shining through a window makes a room feel warm and inviting.
- A staged bedroom is as important as the bathroom and kitchen.
- The colors you choose can make the difference between a sale and a flop.
If you didn’t know any of the above, it’s time to do your learn how to stage or hire a professional stager. Why? Home staging has been proven time and again to be one of the best steps to take to sell a home quickly and for more money.
Find Home Staging Resources
There are tons of online resources available to help you stage your home, if you’d rather do it yourself. Here are just a few, in no particular order:
- Field Guide to Preparing and Staging a House
- Home-Staging Cheat Sheet
- Staging to Sell: The Secret to Selling Homes in a Down Market
Hire a Professional Stager
Does this mean you can’t do it yourself? Not at all. You just need to ask yourself two questions:
- Can you afford to wait to sell your house while you’re learning how to stage your home?
- Even after researching and studying, will you be able to do a quality staging job?
If you can’t afford to wait or you’ll never be great at staging, hire a professional.
What’s the moral of the story? If you have one of the Madison MS homes for sale and you’ve been considering home staging, stop considering. Do it!
Need help preparing your home for sale? In addition to being a professional real estate agent, I’m an Accredited Staging Professional. Call me today at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@PaulaRicks.com for more information.
Paula Ricks
Coldwell Banker Nell Wyatt, Inc.
443-A Northpark Dr, Ridgeland, MS 39157
Office: 601-956-8533
Call Direct: 601-942-3392
www.PaulaRicks.com
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
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Madison MS real estate sellers
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09.09.10
Posted in Madison MS Homes for Sale tagged Madison MS real estate sellers at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
If your Madison MS home for sale has a big kitchen and you haven’t marketed this feature, you may be in luck, thanks to a recently noted trend.
With the staggering economy, the national unemployment rate is still sitting above 9%. Many young adults just out of college are having trouble find jobs. In fact, the age group hardest hit seems to be between 16 and 24. As well, there are a number of people without homes due to foreclosure. How are Americans weathering the economic fallout? Many are doing so by consolidating multiple generations into one home.
2 Things That May Change How You Market Your Madison MS Home for Sale
A Pew Research Center study on living conditions and an Associated Press – iVillage poll on dinner habits may change how you market your home.
The Pew study, based on information gained from the Census, shows that over 16% of U.S. households had multiple generations living together by 2008. Although the results of 2009 and 2010 aren’t in yet, you can assume with reasonable surety that this trend continues to rise.
The iVillage poll shows that over 60% of families – no matter how big or small – still eat together. Granted, dinner may be full of texting, phone calls and TV, but it’s also full of home cooked meals most of the time.
What does this mean for you and your home?
A larger family in one household, eating home cooked meals together, equals the need for a bigger kitchen. According to several surveys through the years, dinnertime is one tradition that’s held on – despite both parents working. Also, keep in mind that the cost of eating out may have many more people eating at home.
Lastly, buying bulk food, which also needs bigger kitchens, is fast becoming another trend. According to the Bulk is Green Council, bulk buying is one of the biggest money-saving trends for this year.
The next potential buyer may just be looking for a big kitchen. If you have one, it may be the number one benefit of your home. Don’t sell it short. Make sure the large kitchen and/or dining area is highlighted in the marketing material for your Madison MS home for sale. With the above-mentioned trends, big kitchens are – well, big!
If you’re looking for a home with enough room to make and sit down to a home-cooked meal, I can help. Call me today at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@PaulaRicks.com for more information.
Paula Ricks
Coldwell Banker Nell Wyatt, Inc.
443-A Northpark Dr, Ridgeland, MS 39157
Office: 601-956-8533
Call Direct: 601-942-3392
www.PaulaRicks.com
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
Tags:
Madison MS real estate sellers
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09.02.10
Posted in Madison MS real estate tagged Madison MS real estate sellers at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
When you first set out to sell your home, you are probably excited by all the possibilities, maybe a little scared, and often thinking about the best ways to save money. Many times saving money when selling Madison MS real estate means trying to sell it as a FSBO (For Sale By Owner). If you have the conviction, the salesmanship, and the knowhow you might be able to sell your home yourself and keep the commission in your pocket. There are, however, a few key elements you should be aware of when attempting to sell your own home.
Your House—Not Your Home
The first trick of selling your own home is to immediately stop thinking about it as your home. It may seem like an insignificant change and purely a matter of semantics but as your ‘home’ you will have far less ability to coldly asses its value than simply as a piece of Madison MS real estate—a house.
As a ‘home’ it will be harder to handle rejection, off-handed comments by viewers, and a feeling of general violation as strangers traipse through your rooms at all hours of the day interrupting your home life. As a house it is simply a piece of property you have to move. Thinking about your property as just a house, a structure you need to get rid of, will help you detach emotionally enough to have realistic expectations and the ability to handle the stress of selling.
Be Realistic
Carefully assess the value of your Madison MS real estate. Check out the competition. Know what others have to offer in your same neighborhood and what their prices are.
Prepare and Market
Stage your home for a successful sale. Get rid of personal items. Put them in storage. Eliminate all the clutter of everyday living and make your home sparkle. Also remember that no one will be viewing your house if they don’t know it’s for sale. Get the word out in as many ways as possible.
If you would like help selling your home in Madison or the metro Jackson area, give me a call at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@PaulaRicks.com.
Paula Ricks
Coldwell Banker Nell Wyatt, Inc.
443-A Northpark Dr, Ridgeland, MS 39157
Office: 601-956-8533
Call Direct: 601-942-3392
www.PaulaRicks.com
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
Tags:
Madison MS real estate sellers
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08.01.10
Posted in Madison MS real estate tagged Madison MS real estate sellers at 5:00 pm by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
In my years as a real estate agent, I’ve learned a lot from people and Madison MS real estate. Oddly enough, the main thing I’ve learned is that homes are a lot like people…
#1. Homes get wrinkles, too. Yes, believe it or not, I’ve seen Madison MS real estate with sagging plaster, drooping windows and hanging doors. Brand new For Sale signs sit out front, their clean, white sparkle contrasting with the wrinkles. It’s not attractive; the homes may be only ten years old (30 in house years), but they look much older. Be kind to your home – use cosmetic surgery.
#2. There’s cosmetic surgery for homes. Only, in home-speak, it’s called “replacements.” If you notice your home has wrinkles and you want to sell it, see what replacements you can afford. Windows? Check. They’re reasonably affordable on most budgets and can make a huge difference in how the house looks. Hanging doors? Check. Not as affordable as windows, but still doable. With $10,000 or less, YOU can give your home a major facelift.
#3. Homes get tired. Have you looked around your house lately? This is one of the first things you want to do before putting it on the Madison MS real estate market. Is your home tired and worn out? Even relatively young homes can show signs of energy-deficiency. Cabinets start sagging. Doors groan and sigh when you open them. Windows refuse to stay open all the way and slowly slide back down in the tracks. Give your home an energy boost. Even a little WD40 can make a difference, especially on groaning doors.
#4. Homes can go bald and get age spots. It’s true, they can. What used to be a bright red roof has faded and peeled in places, giving the home an “aged” look. The real kicker is, to keep it bright and pretty, you have to maintain it, dye it or replace it. Take care of your home’s head!
#5. Homes need TLC. To stay happy and healthy, homes need tender loving care. With a steady diet of maintenance, touchups and cosmetic surgery, your house will find a happy home with a good buyer.
Now, maybe it seems a little silly, and maybe it is, but all the above is true. If you’re selling your home, make sure it stands proud above the rest!
Are you looking for a buyer who will care for your home? I can help. Call me now at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@PaulaRicks.com for more information.
Paula Ricks
Coldwell Banker Nell Wyatt, Inc.
443-A Northpark Dr, Ridgeland, MS 39157
Office: 601-956-8533
Call Direct: 601-942-3392
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
www.PaulaRicks.com
Tags:
Madison MS real estate sellers
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