03.25.11
Posted in Ridgeland MS Real Estate tagged Ridgeland MS real estate agents at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
The fact is that not all Ridgeland MS real estate agents are created equal. There are important differences you need to consider before choosing an agent to help you buy a home.
Here are some fictional beliefs people have about Ridgeland MS real estate agents and the facts behind them.
- Fiction: Any agent you contact about a property is now your buyer’s agent and is looking out for your best interests.
Fact: When you call the agent whose name is on the For Sale sign in the front yard of the home, you’re calling the seller’s agent. That agent is looking out for the home seller’s best interest, not yours. Hire a buyer’s agent and ask him or her to show you homes you’re interested in seeing.
- Fiction: When you hire a buyer’s agent, you have to pay their commission.
Fact: In most cases, the seller pays the commission for both the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent. In a typical listing agreement, the seller agrees to pay a set percentage of the sales price and this amount is divided between the two real estate agents involved in the sale.
- Fiction: Ridgeland MS real estate agents won’t show you a FSBO (for sale by owner).
Fact: If you find a FSBO you’d like to see, ask your agent to show it to you. Your agent will contact the property owner and negotiate commission and paperwork, such as “permission to show” or “one-time show” agreements. If the seller is unwilling to pay commission, you may decide you don’t want to see the home, or you can choose to pay the buyer’s agent’s commission. You then get the same service from your agent as if he or she was showing you a typical home for sale.
To get the home of your dreams at the best price and terms, hire a buyer’s agent to represent your interests. Knowing you have an expert on your side makes any real estate experience more pleasant and profitable.
Looking for a professional, award winning buyer’s agent? I’d be honored if you’d give me an opportunity to interview for the job. Call me today at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@PaulaRicks.com to schedule an interview.
Paula Ricks
Coldwell Banker Nell Wyatt, Inc.
REALTOR® and Broker Associate
443A Northpark Dr, Ridgeland, MS 39157
601-942-3392
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
www.PaulaRicks.com
Tags:
Ridgeland MS real estate agents
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10.22.10
Posted in Ridgeland MS Homes for Sale tagged Ridgeland MS real estate agents, Ridgeland MS real estate sellers at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
It’s a war out there. If you’re still sitting in your robe and slippers, sipping a cup o’ joe while you casually read the Sunday comics – with the absolute knowledge that your house is going to sell – you haven’t been paying attention. The rate of Ridgeland MS homes for sale versus qualified potential buyers has made this an extreme buyer’s market.
It’s time for some tough love, sellers – some straight talk.
If you’re not ready to do more than spruce up your lawn a little, you won’t win the battle. You won’t even win a skirmish. In short, if you’re not doing everything you can (or pushing your agent about him doing everything he can) to get your home taken off the list of Ridgeland MS homes for sale, you’re not a motivated seller.
Motivated sellers use all the knowledge they can squeeze from their agent. Unless it’s a matter of money (they don’t have any), they don’t argue when the agent mentions things like home staging. They ask, “What are my options?”
Motivated sellers don’t think “negotiation” is a bad word. They consider it common business sense. For example, if a home inspector looks your home over and notices a few issues, offer to fix those issues immediately. If a potential buyer offers you $5,000 less than your listed price, actually think about it. You may not get another buyer anytime soon.
Motivated sellers don’t consider taking photos of the house “a waste of time,” or posting them online as “useless.” They listen to real estate agents (their own or in posts like these) and do what they can to implement what’s been learned.
If you aren’t a motivated seller, why is your home listed? Now isn’t the time to test the waters, because the waters are full of sharks, barracudas and other dangerous things with big teeth. Before you wonder why that house of yours is still one of the Ridgeland MS homes for sale, think about it. Are you a motivated seller?
If you’re a motivated seller looking for an award winning and experienced Ridgeland MS real estate agent who can help you win this war, call me at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@PaulaRicks.com today.
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:
Ridgeland MS real estate agents,
Ridgeland MS real estate sellers
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07.15.10
Posted in Ridgeland MS Real Estate tagged Ridgeland MS real estate agents at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
If you have never purchased a home before, you may not yet recognize how crucial it is to acquire the services of one of the professional Ridgeland MS real estate agents.
Buying a home will probably be the most expensive purchase you ever make. Therefore, you undoubtedly should consider enlisting the help of a REALTOR® who has experience, extensive knowledge of the area and integrity.
Benefits of using a professional Ridgeland MS real estate agent
Having your own buyer’s agent to walk you through the entire home buying process saves you a lot of time and stress, as well as money.
You decide:
- Size of home desired
- Style preferred
- Location
- Price range
That’s easy! With this basic information, your agent begins the hard part: searching for the perfect home for you and successfully guiding you through the purchase process.
Your agent helps with:
- Generating a small defined list of good choices
- Forming a realistic budget
- Financing
- Determining what a home is really worth
- Making offers for you
- Negotiating with the seller
- Alleviating stress that’s a part of any transaction of this magnitude
- Overseeing your home inspection
- Renegotiating any problems found in the home inspection
- Explaining and demystifying taxes, interest, and other particulars
- Finalizing all the paperwork and details with the lender, seller and title company
- Closing on the sale
All the hours your agent invests assisting you and making sure your best interests are looked after financially, legally and emotionally are well worth the real estate commission he or she receives after you finalize your purchase. And typically, as the buyer, you don’t pay the commission. The seller pays it!
Where to find a professional Ridgeland MS real estate agent
I specialize in helping people just like you buy homes. Let’s get started! 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
Office: 601-956-8533
Call Direct: 601-942-3392
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
www.PaulaRicks.com
Tags:
Ridgeland MS real estate agents
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03.29.10
Posted in Ridgeland MS Real Estate tagged Ridgeland MS real estate agents at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
Modern technology is a wonderful thing, creating easy “connectivity” between people all over the nation. But it’s also causing problems in many areas, and buying Ridgeland MS real estate is one of them.
Here’s the problem: Many people selling Ridgeland MS real estate may live in another city or state. In this case, negotiations may be conducted over the phone, through email, via Yahoo conversations – some even use Twitter for real estate deals and information.
At the same time, this also means that legal documents may be passed through email, uploaded to a website for easy viewing or through any number of other online methods. PDF documents, for instance, have become a very popular way to pass on legal forms because they’re easy to fill out, don’t have to printed, etc.
As the buyer, you can’t afford to take the seller’s word that they’ve accepted your position – especially through email. For instance, a buyer recently had a home sale fall through. The seller accepted the terms through email, told the buyer that the seller had signed the contract and sent it on to the agent. Somehow, even though the buyer was positive the contract had been agreed upon, the house was sold to another buyer.
Although laws change from state to state, it’s always best to have the contract in printed form, with an actual signature – in ink. Without the actual contract, all you have is an email. Although emails can be legally binding, they don’t hold a candle to having the printed and signed contract in hand.
Here are a few tips to make sure your housing purchase goes off without a hitch:
- Meet in person – This may be a difficult prospect, especially if the seller lives out of state. However, if you can’t meet them in person, their agent should at least be local. Meeting with the home seller’s legal representative (i.e. Real estate agent) is the next best thing.
- Get it in writing, and get it in print – Who wants to wait for the post office to deliver a paper contract when you can get it from an email? Well… you do. Yes, it might slow the process of buying a house and closing the deal, but so will having the seller back out.
- Verify the important points – Make sure you and the seller really do agree on the terms of the contract before you put your signature on it. You, or preferably your buyer’s agent, should go over the contract with the seller’s agent who should go over it with the seller.
It’s a great time to buy Ridgeland MS real estate in the metro Jackson area, but don’t let technology lose you the contract. Cross your t’s and dot your i’s – on paper!
If you’re looking to buy a home, I’ll make sure all those t’s are crossed and i’s are dotted for you. Call me at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@PaulaRicks.com for more information.
Paula Ricks
Coldwell Banker Nell Wyatt, Inc.
Ridgeland, Mississippi
www.PaulaRicks.com
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
Call direct: 601-942-3392
Tags:
Ridgeland MS real estate agents
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09.21.09
Posted in Ridgeland MS Real Estate tagged Ridgeland MS real estate agents, Ridgeland MS real estate sellers at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
If you’re ready to sell your home but it’s not yet on the market, asking the right questions of your agent is a good way to help your home get sold. These questions assist Ridgeland MS real estate agents in creating a customized marketing plan for your home, as well as helping you know what to expect. The top five questions are:
1. When is the best time of year? Spring is supposedly “the” time of year to put homes on the market, but it all depends on the specific area. In addition, many historic trends are completely disappearing and can’t be trusted as an indicator. Ridgeland MS real estate agents can help you with a good timing strategy to get the best out of your particular area.
2. What features can I accentuate? Take the time to walk through the home with your agent. Discuss with him what you’ve enjoyed about the place and listen to their suggestions as well. Together, create a list for the agent to use in his sales and marketing tactics once it goes on the market.
3. How can I de-clutter my home? Statistics show that homes sell faster and for more money when they appear roomy, clean and are clear of personal clutter. Your agent can look over your home and give you suggestions to achieve that goal.
4. What’s the bottom line price? Let your agent know what you’d like to get from the sale, as well as the lowest price you can afford to accept. Your Ridgeland MS real estate agent will evaluate your property as compared to other similar properties that have sold recently and recommend an accurate price range.
5. What do I have to disclose? You may be obligated by law to disclose certain problems about your home, as well as common insurance and utility costs. Make sure that you find out from your real estate agent exactly what you have to disclose to maintain legal compliance.
Remember, good real estate agents are there to help you. You don’t have to do it alone, so share the responsibility.
Click to: Learn why Paula Ricks is one of the Best Ridgeland MS real estate agents.
If you want to sell your home, let me put together a custom marketing plan designed to sell your home fast and for top dollar. Call me at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@PaulaRicks.com for more information.
Paula Ricks
Coldwell Banker Nell Wyatt, Inc.
Ridgeland, Mississippi
www.PaulaRicks.com
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
Call direct: 601-942-3392
Tags:
Ridgeland MS real estate agents,
Ridgeland MS real estate sellers
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08.20.09
Posted in Ridgeland MS Real Estate tagged Ridgeland MS real estate agents, Ridgeland MS real estate sellers at 6:55 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
Thinking about selling your Ridgeland MS real estate? Have you ever walked into one of the Ridgeland homes and looked down to see stained carpet or flooring? It brings a little thought of “ew” sometimes, doesn’t it? Imagine if you were a buyer and saw that same floor.
The right type of flooring, and flooring that is well taken care of, can make a big difference to buyers. If your floor brings on the “ew” thought, here are a few fixes to help make sure your home sells:
Does your home have hardwood floors?
You’re in luck. Buyers love hardwood floors and some will actually pay extra to get them. In fact, it could be that final selling point. If your hardwood floors are covered by carpet, painted over or showing anything but the natural wood grain, it’s time for an overhaul. Pull up those carpets and get to sanding.
With the ability to rent large sanders and other tools, you can either refinish the hardwood floor yourself or hire a professional. Remember, however, that hardwood floors in Ridgeland homes have a tendency to show off scratches, dents and uneven surfaces. If you don’t think you could do a good job, hire a professional.
Does your home have carpeting?
If you don’t have hardwood floors, take a look at your carpeting. If it’s stained, out-dated, bright or ragged, it’s time to pull it up. When laying the new carpet, use good carpet padding to make it comfortable to stand on. Many Ridgeland MS real estate buyers will lean down and touch the floor, so make sure the carpet feels soft to the touch.
In addition, don’t go for the bright colors. Pick a neutral carpet color that goes well with the home.
Does your home have tiles?
Although tiles are beautiful, they typically show every ounce of old grime, dirt, chips and cracks. Go through your home and replace any that are chipped, cracked or show signs of bad wear and tear. Make sure the grout is clean and new looking, and use cleaners (or a steam cleaner) to get rid of any stains.
Beautiful floors can go a long way towards selling Ridgeland MS real estate. Take a good, honest look at yours. Show your floors some TLC. It might just get your home sold.
If you’re ready to sell your home, 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.
Ridgeland, Mississippi
www.PaulaRicks.com
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
Call direct: 601-942-3392
Tags:
Ridgeland MS real estate agents,
Ridgeland MS real estate sellers
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08.02.09
Posted in Ridgeland MS Real Estate tagged Ridgeland MS real estate agents at 9:10 pm by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
Even with all the Ridgeland MS homes up for sale, some people just have to have new construction. It’s clean, it’s new and nobody else has lived in it. Understandable, but a word to the wise. If you go for a newly constructed home, bring your Ridgeland MS real estate agent.
Why? Isn’t there a site agent on hand to help you? Well, yes… and no. Here are a few good reasons why a personal agent, or buyer’s agent, is a good idea:
Conflict of Interests
While the builder has an agent on site, that agent is not working in your best interests. Consider, if the site agent got a better deal for you (which takes money out of the builder’s hands), would they still have a job? No. However, your own agent is there to make sure you get a good deal. End of story.
Being Informed
A builder’s agent doesn’t have to tell you about the negatives of a deal. They’ll push the positives and even sometimes use high-pressure tactics to get you to sign the contract. Having your own Ridgeland MS real estate agent is having a professional you know is on your side. It’s knowing the drawbacks of the transaction as well as the positives.
Contacts
Agents get around; they go everywhere. As a result, they tend to gather a lot of professional contacts and information. If you’re choosing a builder with a bad reputation, your agent might have heard about it. Your agent will have contacts to good home inspectors to go through the house when it’s finished. Your agent will know if the builder’s lender is reputable, and if not, your agent will be able to recommend a highly regarded lender to you. In short, your Ridgeland MS real estate agent is a rolodex of home buying and selling resources.
If you’re looking at new construction and need a personal real estate agent, 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.
Ridgeland, Mississippi
www.PaulaRicks.com
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
Call direct: 601-942-3392
Tags:
Ridgeland MS real estate agents
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07.09.09
Posted in Ridgeland MS Real Estate tagged Ridgeland MS real estate agents at 7:28 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
As most Ridgeland MS real estate agents will tell you, remodeling, decorating or repairing your home can go a long way towards getting it sold. For that matter, it can add value to your property in case you want to sell later – that is, if you don’t choose the wrong places to buy cheap:
1. Windows – Never buy a window based on which one is cheapest. You want windows that look good, and, as most Ridgeland MS real estate agents will recommend, you want energy-efficient windows. During 2009 and 2010, you may be eligible for a Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency of up to $1500 when you purchase Energy Star windows.
2. Paint – Paint is one of the biggest places people skimp when it comes to cost, and a big no-no. Cheap paint may take several coats to look right; those several coats can end up leaving blotches and runs. In addition, cheap paint has a tendency to peel or wash off under light cleaning. If you’re going to add painting to your remodeling or repair work, quality is always better.
3. Doors – Whether it’s for a shower or a screened-in porch, the door you choose can make all the difference. A rickety shower door falling off the railing is a big “don’t buy” sign. While you don’t want to blow your whole budget, the doors throughout your house should be of quality material. Likewise, a solid front door adds to the curb appeal and security of your home. Some exterior doors also qualify for the Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency. Find out if your exterior door qualifies for an Energy Star Rebate or Tax Credit.
4. Flooring – Unless it’s expensive carpet on sale, cheap flooring never looks like anything but cheap flooring. Low cost carpet and wood flooring seldom has high durability and is likely to wear out before you’re ready to replace it again. Take the time to find quality flooring at a price you can afford – don’t go cheap!
Many Ridgeland MS real estate agents will push quality, but the biggest point they’ll push these days is – go green! It may not be the cheapest option, but the benefits in efficiency and property value more than make up for the cost.
Want more tips on remodeling or repairing your home? Subscribe to this blog. Two or three times a week, you’ll get information like this automatically sent to your email for free. Or, give me a call at 601-942-3392 if you’re thinking about buying or selling.
Paula Ricks
Coldwell Banker Nell Wyatt, Inc.
Ridgeland, Mississippi
www.PaulaRicks.com
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
Call direct: 601-942-3392
Tags:
Ridgeland MS real estate agents
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07.06.09
Posted in Mississippi Foreclosures tagged Ridgeland MS real estate agents at 8:31 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
Foreclosure is a dreaded word at any time, but the present economy makes it a common dread, one that many homeowners share that normally would never enter their minds. There are new government aid programs as well as tried and true methods for combating Mississippi foreclosures and every homeowner should know them.
Nip It in the Bud
Procrastination is never a good thing but when it comes to foreclosures it is a death sentence. Most homeowners know when they are on shaky ground and starting to have problems paying their mortgage.
Because it is usually the biggest monthly expense, mortgages are often the first thing to suffer when things get tight. Waiting to talk to your mortgage company about problems until you actually begin missing payments doesn’t leave much time to correct the situation, and believe it or not, most mortgage companies would prefer to work things out than have a “dead” non-performing asset on their books.
Call your mortgage company and talk to them about solutions to your problems. When you call, be prepared to explain the situation that is causing your difficulties to prove that there really is a hardship. Most lenders will send you a pre-foreclosure package that guides you and shows you what you need to do to prove you are under financial strain.
HOPE for Homeowners
HOPE is the HUD program that helps homeowners avoid imminent Mississippi foreclosures. The government program refinances at a lower rate to help people stay in their homes when all other avenues of solution have failed.
Don’t Give Up Without Exhausting All Means
Your home is important and worth the effort it takes to keep it. With the help of the stimulus plan, banks are able to do more than they used to be able (or willing) to do to provide solutions to homeowners to avoid Mississippi foreclosures.
If you would like more information on what to do in the event of possible foreclosure, please give me a call today at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@PaulaRicks.com.
Paula Ricks
Coldwell Banker Nell Wyatt, Inc.
Ridgeland, Mississippi
www.PaulaRicks.com
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
Call direct: 601-942-3392
Tags:
Ridgeland MS real estate agents
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06.25.09
Posted in Ridgeland MS Real Estate tagged Ridgeland MS real estate agents, Ridgeland MS real estate sellers at 9:02 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
Do you have one of the Ridgeland MS real estate homes that has been languishing on the market? Just when you think you’ve done everything you need to do to get your home ready for the market, months pass and your home doesn’t sell. Consider a few factors that can effect your goal of selling your home.
- Priced Too High – If your home has an excessive asking price, it will be harder to sell. With so many Ridgeland MS homes for sale available today, a big price tag may turn buyers off. And, your competition down the street may have the same home but a better price.
- The Market – No longer can you simply put a home on the market and watch the offers roll in. Nowadays, you have to be diligent and knowledgeable in your approach. Research the market value of Ridgeland homes in your neighborhood and know what kind of competition you’re up against. And, understand today’s buyers and what they need in order to make a good offer on a home.
- Unfavorable Location – No matter how gorgeous a home is a bad location can hurt sales. Although you can’t change the location, you can be creative in figuring out ways to appeal to buyers. Offer incentives to attract buyers or lower your asking price.
- The Appearance – Does your home need some work? If so, you want to attack those issues first before putting your home on the market. Things like dirty carpets and broken appliances can turn buyers off. Try staging your home. A staged home helps ensure your home dazzles potential buyers.
- You Didn’t Consult a Professional – Trying to sell a home yourself can be an extremely daunting task. That’s why you need to hire a real estate professional who knows the ins and outs of the industry and can market your home in the right way.
The good thing is that you can make changes that will improve the situation. Go over all the points listed and address any problems. Once that’s done, you’ll have a better chance of watching your home sell.
Let me give you a free analysis of your home’s value in today’s Ridgeland MS real estate market. Contact me now or call me at 601-942-3392 today.
Paula Ricks
Coldwell Banker Nell Wyatt, Inc.
Ridgeland, Mississippi
www.PaulaRicks.com
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
Call direct: 601-942-3392
Tags:
Ridgeland MS real estate agents,
Ridgeland MS real estate sellers
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