Right now, the real estate market looks good for sellers. Regardless of that, there are always things you can do to improve your chances of selling your homes for sale in Palm Desert, the other desert cities or any property for that matter. Here are some easy-to-implement tips that will help you boost the appeal of that gorgeous property in La Quinta, your beach cottage or even a downtown loft.
1. Augment your realtor’s online marketing efforts. In this day and age, technological advances give both buyers and sellers a head start on the process. In fact, research shows that more than 90 percent of buyers begin their search online. Therefore, listings must be dynamic and compelling in order to get buyers to actually come take a look. Provide your realtor with as many flattering photos as possible of that stunning property in La Quinta – get every nook and cranny from every angle possible.
2. Post your listing on your Facebook and Google Plus pages. Choose a stellar photo to feature and a direct link to your agent or realtor’s listing of the property. Your personal network may be able to significantly boost exposure of the home you’re selling.
3. Compete! Some of your competition may be low-priced foreclosures or short sales with pricing you don’t really want to compete with. However, you can compete in other ways. Get as many repairs done in advance of selling your home as possible and be willing to meet certain conditions regarding repairs that potential buyers may have. Strive to fix little things such as hardware, knobs, etc.—having those small items in mint condition make a big difference when it comes to a prospective buyer’s first impression.
4. Open up to the neighbors. If you live in a small, close-knit community, make sure to keep everyone abreast of your plans to sell and forward them your listing. Another unique tactic is to invite them to an open house that is more of a party, but lets them get a good look so they can tell any of their friends or family who may be on the hunt for a house. Many people would love the chance to have a hand in choosing their new neighbors, so why not give them one?
If you’re on the other side of the fence and are interested in homes for sale in Palm Desert, click here to view some incredible listings.
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Are you having trouble paying your mortgage? Is there a chance your home may go into foreclosure? If so, you may be a good candidate for a short sale. This is when a property is sold for less than the balance owed on the mortgage—it can be a win-win for many sellers who want to avoid foreclosure and lenders who want to cut their losses as much as possible. When deciding if this is a feasible option for you, it can be very helpful to enlist the help of a certified short sale expert.
It’s important to be aware that a short sale may not entirely save your credit score. While it can be better than having a foreclosure on your record, a short sale will still be recorded as a not “paid as agreed” account and factor into your FICO score.
When proceeding with a short sale, it’s important to determine whether if it will cancel all the remaining debt on the mortgage or not. There are two elements of a mortgage: 1) Your promise to pay the lender and 2) the lien on your property. So when you can’t pay your lender, they have the right to sell the property to pay off the loan. When a lender approves a short sale, they agree to release the lien on the property but may not necessarily cancel the seller’s obligation to repay the balance of the loan. You’ll need to enlist the help of a professional to get through all the fine print and ensure that the lender does not reserve their right to collect the remaining debt balance. The key to this part of the process is to find out in advance if your lender will let you off the hook for the rest of the mortgage payments and to get their answer in writing.
At this point, you should be able to decide if a short sale is the best option for you. If it is, then start looking for a certified short sale expert right away so that you can get the property on the market as soon as possible.
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Selling your home is easier then you thought!
Whether your’re listing equestrian homes or a single-family residence, selling your home may seem like an emotional decision. The truth is, it’s essential to remove all emotions from this life-changing process and completely detach from your abode. Whether you’re working with a realtor or a listing agent, there are some basic steps you can take to help prepare the property for listing.
Every seller wants to get top dollar for their home and for the process to move along as quickly as possible. It’s understandable that homeowners have a hard time letting go of the family residences, condos or equestrian homes they’ve spent so much of their life in, but a critical part of the detachment process is to learn to think about the property as a commodity. Sellers need to be objective and consciously think of the property as an asset that must be liquidated.
The first step in preparing a property for sale is to de-personalize it as much as possible. You’ll want to start this process as soon as you make the decision to sell, especially if you’re working with a short sale Realtor. The more time you can avail yourself to do this, the smoother the transition will be.
Start by packing all the family photos, albums, keepsakes and heirlooms—you may want to rent a storage space so you can strip as much as possible from the walls, closets and rooms. If there are products in your bathroom that you don’t use all the time, pack them up and store them as well. By removing these types of items from the property, you make it easier for potential buyers to visualize themselves living there.
You’ll also want to make the decor as neutral as possible, since everyone’s taste is different. Think about the demographic your property appeals to and try to visualize what may turn those potential buyers off. Eliminating items that showcase your personal style will actually help you maximize the amount you may be able to get for your house.
De-personalizing is also instrumental for selling equestrian homes. Stables, barns and outbuildings should be neat and tidy and the entire property should be as clutter-free as possible.
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Regardless of your target market, most buyers look for some of the same attributes in a home with a few specific preferences that reflect their individual needs. Whether you’re putting a beach cottage or Indian Wells real estate on the market, there are many things to consider when marketing your home.
While there may be a feature on your property that you are absolutely in love with, that same attribute may have no appeal whatsoever to someone else. Although you may not be able to change certain features of your home, you can learn what buyers are looking for and emphasize and enhance those features while staging your home in accordance.
A recent study reported that central air conditioning was very important to 65 percent of the people surveyed—when it comes to Indian Wells real estate, that number may be even greater. The same research showed that many buyers were looking for a property with a basement and either an in-law suite or maid’s quarters. Another area that is very important to buyers across the board is an upgraded kitchen and new appliances, with granite countertops rating as the most popular choice.
Closet and storage space is another important aspect for many buyers across the board, from singles and young couples to larger families and retirees. While you may not be able to add more closet space, you certainly can empty out them out as much as possible so that they appear more spacious.
Depending on where your home is located, you may want to research generational preferences to see what specific buyers are looking for. For example, if you live in an area that is popular for retirement, it would be helpful to know the preferences of baby boomers and those of the retirement age. Or if your home is located in a young, hip area, you’ll want to research the priorities of young buyers and market your property accordingly.
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Whether you’re trying to sell Indio or Palm Desert real estate, or simply want to upgrade your property, there are definite advantages to making improvements to your home. Here are some tips for getting started.
Spend some time with a professional. One of the easiest ways to get ideas for improving your property is to hire an interior designer, decorator or professional organizer for a consultation. Having a professional come in and look at your home with a fresh, objective eye helps you to see what you can do to maximize your space. They can provide you with a multitude of ideas for making improvements, and show you how to improve the flow of your house. We had a client recently do this for their Palm Desert real estate property, and they received so many great ideas, they didn’t even know where to start!
Get inspected. Not all upgrades and improvements are necessarily cosmetic. If you don’t know something needs fixing, it could turn into a worse problem or negatively impact the price if you decide to sell later. Have an inspector come in and do a thorough evaluation of your property so that you know what you are working with. Even a small plumbing issue can turn into a large, expensive one, so better to be safe than sorry—have your property looked at now in its entirety. If you have a pool, which is a commonality among owners of Indio real estate properties, have that inspected as well.
Get your landscaping in check. Assess your landscaping with a discerning eye and see what needs to be updated. If your lawns or overgrown or have “bald spots,” get that taken care of! When you’re an owner of Palm Desert real estate, you want to stay on top of your landscape, as the lifestyle focuses heavily on the outdoors. When you try to sell your house, the potential buyers will most likely survey the yard in detail, as they may plan to spend a lot of time there. Get a head start and hire someone to trim the hedges and clean up the lawns, and then plant bushes, trees and flowers so that your first impression on both guests and prospective buyers is always stellar.
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Spectacular settings garner more money/sf in la quinta
It is HOT here in the Palm Springs area..afterall, we are a desert! Normally our summer season slows down quite a bit from high season, and this summer DID slow down. However, it has been a steady stream of sales for established Realtors. I just sold another Listing and am actively seeking new Listings here in our desert cities so that I may expose them to my supurb marketing system! July saw our 7th consecutive month of price increases for our Riverside County homes (CDAR housing report). Absolutely true, but my Sellers have to be careful not to OVER price their property. Whether you own Land, an Equestrian Ranch, or a Residential property, price it appropriately to SELL!
Your Realtor should advise you of a price/sf that is based on solid comparables and recent sales. After that number is established, you and your Realtor must review carefully y our own personal situation. Do you need to get out now? Are you ok with taking a chance that you will get more money in the high season? Are there family issues? Share all the pertinent information with your Realtor and your La Quinta property will SELL! Who wants to see a FOR SALE sign stuck in the ground if not to actually SELL their property????
My Sales over the past 3 weeks..
1. Lavender Way, Canyon Crest in central Palm Desert. I am representing the Seller and we listed at $413,500..a little ahead of the market. We received a full price cash offer after a couple months of extensive marketing/showings.
2. The Hideaway Golf Club; La Quinta. I brought my Canadian buyers to this lovely home with startling golf course, to Santa Rosa mountain views. $2,795,000. Our local high end golf clubs have been gaining traction over the past 6 months and I expect the price/sf to see a slow, stead rise throughout the winter season.
3. PGA West, Norman course; La Quinta. I am representing the Sellers at $1,349,000. Again..just ahead of the market based on recent comparables, but a very patient Seller. Listed at approx. 100 days, we got our number.
If you are looking to Buy or sell your home in La Quinta, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells or the more easterly areas of our Valley, give me a call at 760-285-3578.
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While recent years were not the easiest for real estate professionals and the construction industry, even when it came to ultra-desirable properties that are typically in great demand, such as La Quinta and Rancho Mirage real estate, 2013 is shaping up to look like a great time for prospective home buyers, sellers, and the agents, brokers and short sale realtors who work with them.
The following information was excerpted from the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI):
“74.9 percent of homes sold between the beginning of October and end of December were affordable to families earning the U.S. median income of $65,000. This was up nearly a percentage point from the 74.1 percent of homes sold that were affordable to median-income earners in last year’s third quarter.”
In addition to that good news, research indicates that nearly three quarters of the local markets in the United States are improving. As all of our local markets move further down the path to recovery, potential buyers, especially those considered median-income, are building confidence that owning a home in the near future is a plausible goal. Here in Palm Springs, we’re seeing growth and positive movement as well, especially when it comes to La Quinta and Rancho Mirage real estate.
Another positive trend that brokers, agents and short sale realtors are all consistently reporting is that low interest rates are increasing affordability, which obviously can make it a lot easier for prospective buyers, especially those considering buying their first home. Additionally, sellers have become more realistic when it comes to pricing their properties. This makes the process much easier for real estate professionals as well— when buyers are confident and assertive, and sellers are realistic with their expectations, it’s hard for everyone involved not to have a win-win experience.
It sounds like 2013 is indeed your year to buy a home!
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Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes! Whether buyers are interested in equestrian homes or Indian Wells real estate, they’re going to seriously scrutinize a property from the minute they walk in the door. As sellers near the end of preparing Palm Springs homes for sale, an excellent exercise to do is to step into potential buyers’ shoes.
Literally walk outside the house and stand in the yard. Try to look at the property with fresh eyes, as if you’ve never seen it before and know nothing about the house. Does the exterior make you want to go in? Is the house welcoming? Even equestrian homes should appeal from the exterior, especially considering the additional buildings such as a barn and stable that will most likely be a part of the property. Little touches such as a welcome mat, or if it’s during the holidays, a wreath on the door, will make the property seem warmer and inviting.
Now enter the house and imagine that you are looking to buy a new property. Stand in the doorway of every room and assess the way the furniture is arranged and how the house flows. Each room should look as spacious as possible, so you may want to move furniture around now to maximize the square footage of each room, instead of keeping the layout in place to suit the purposes initially intended for each room when you first moved in.
How does the back yard and recreational areas look? Many buyers who are interested in Palm Springs home for sale will have an affinity for the outdoors and hope to engage the lifestyle that the area is famous for—incredible weather and a plethora of options for outdoor recreation, from golf and tennis to hiking and cycling. Is there room in the yards for recreational activities? If so, clear the areas out so that the buyer can visualize the possibilities.
Many Indian Wells real estate properties and other homes in the Coachella Valley have swimming pools. If the property you’re preparing does, make sure that the pool and its surrounding area is always clean, and feature the pool as well as you possibly can. If there’s a diving board, ensure that it’s in working order, and maintain the landscape so that it’s well-groomed and appealing.
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When selling your home, make sure the interior is spic and span! By now, you’ve got some serious momentum going in regards to preparing your home for sale. Whether you’re looking to sell La Quinta real estate property or a home in another area of the region, now is a great time to get the house looking its very best, since many visitors and international tourists in the market for a vacation home are visiting during this time of year.
Many of the details that you consider minor actually make a big difference to buyers who are seeing a property for the first time. Even if they’ve looked at other Indio real estate properties or homes in other areas of Palm Springs, when they come across a home that appears to be in mint condition and well-kept, the overall effect can quickly cause a sale to turn in your favor.
Do a scan of the house and then make it sparkle from top to bottom. When you have an open house coming up, wash the windows, both inside and outside, vacuum thoroughly and mop or wax the floors until they shine. Assess the sinks, tubs and showers to see if they need re-caulking and bleach any grout that is dingy. Dust all the furniture and areas where dirt accumulates, such as ceiling fan blades, light fixtures and chandeliers.
Remember, if you’re trying to sell a La Quinta real estate property or something similar, the buyers are going to expect the premises to be pristine and high-end. If there are worn bedspreads or duvets on the beds, replace them now. Buy brand new towels for the bathroom, only to be put out when you know there are some prospects coming to look at the house. If you’ve considered replacing a worn bedspread, do so now! Also, replace any burned-out light bulbs or worn-out rugs.
Last but not least, make sure the exterior of the house is spic and span. Hose the garage, driveways and sidewalks down, or rent a pressure washer to get the job done. Clean out any cobwebs in the garage or patio and sweep or rake any dead leaves. Polish any chrome faucets throughout, wipe down all the mirrors and air out any areas that are musty or have odors. It’s even recommended to clean out your refrigerator.
Whether your goal is to sell an Indio real estate property or any other area in Palm Springs Valley, know that if it takes some work to prepare your property, the payoff will be worth it.
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Now’s the time to replace items you want to take with you when you sell your home!
You’ve depersonalized, decluttered and rearranged—now it’s time to really get moving. Whether buyers are searching for Indian Wells real estate or equestrian homes in the Coachella Valley, there are certain things you can do to increase the appeal of your property as you prepare it for sale. Now is the time to replace and repair some of the items in your home.
If there are specific items in your home that you love or are very attached to, this is the perfect time to remove them. For example, there might be a chandelier that has sentimental value, or perhaps you really like those curtains you installed when you moved in. If that’s the case, remove them now before your house is shown to prospective buyers. The last thing you want to do is show the house with that item in it and have the buyer fall in love with it themselves! Replace those items with something that looks equally attractive, and no one will ever know the difference.
Another major component of your property that may need to be replaced in certain areas is carpeting or flooring. While you probably don’t want to make a large expenditure at this stage, if there is a room where the carpeting or the flooring is damaged beyond repair, you may want to simply replace it. Permanently stained carpeting can dissuade even the most eager buyer from purchasing your otherwise lovely Indian Wells real estate property.
If you’re selling a property that falls into a unique category, such as equestrian homes, assess specific areas with the same mindset. If there is something in particular in the barn or stables that you can’t live without, remove it and replace it before anyone sees the property.
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