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13 Reasons You Should Not Sell Without A Real Estate Professional’s Help

If you’re considering selling your home without a real estate professional, you may be doing this to try and save some money in your budget. While some people choose to sell on their own, the number of people doing this is in decline. According to survey by the National Association of REALTORS^®(NAR), approximately 8% of home sellers list on their own resulting in a record-low numbers.

Why is selling on your own a bad idea? Read on:

1. Your emotions will affect the process
Home selling is a very emotional experience, and this is one of the biggest reasons homeowners should hire a real estate agent. It is possible that buyers will present low offers, disagree with your style or see less value. Will you be able to remain professional throughout, regardless of their opinions? Real estate agents are very helpful for these types of situations.

2. Bias Opinion of the Home
Your home may look comfortable and well-decorated to you, but a home that looks lived-in is not what a buyer is looking for. Aside from cleaning the house, you should also get rid of clutter and de-personalize that home as well. A real estate professional will have a helpful outside eye that can give you tips on what to keep and what to put away.

3. Lack of attention to problems in the home
Not only should you home look good, but it should smell good as well. After living in your home for so long you may not notice unpleasant smells that you’re accustomed to, but you will certainly need to take care of these problems. A buyer does not want to smell pets, molds or musty smells (which could point them to water damage). Have an agent help you confront these problems and have the, cleared to make your house look and smell good.

4. Your décor is outdated
Having an outdated home may not only slow your selling success but bring it to a halt altogether. Even the smallest updates in the kitchen and bathroom can make a huge change, so consider investing a small amount in these rooms and have your agent help you to point out possible upgrades to consider.

Listing without any updates just to save a few dollars may really hurt your home sale in the end.

5. You have a view of the busy freeway
Does your home get a lot of unwanted noise from the nearby freeway? An eyesore like a busy freeway or train track may be deal breakers for buyers, but a real estate agent may think of ways to solve the situation that you never thought of. They may use smart pricing strategies, design ideas or focus attention to other areas that will help you sell faster.

6. You do not have a large network
This is one of the biggest benefits of having a realtor; they will have a much larger network that allows them to reach more buyers and potential visitors who might want to see the home. Having these connections is extremely important; if you need contractors, painters or other professionals to help with the home before a sale, and agent can certainly help with that as well.

7. Your dream selling price is too high
You may have to lower your asking price by $20K, and then lower it by another $10K before its close enough to its actual value. This is another emotional issue for home sellers; while you may think the home is worth much more, market value is market value. A real estate professional will give you an honest valuation of your home and they will have a much easier time sticking to that value.

8. You see your home differently than buyers
You might think your home is charming and rustic, but buyers may see it as small and outdated. A realtor will have an eye for this and be able to help you update the possible issues.

9. You don’t know what moves to make
What if you get an offer that’s $30,000 below your asking price? Would you know how to proceed? What if you ask for a higher price and the buyer goes with another home? A realtor can help you make smart decisions and deal with potential buyers effectively.

10. You might not negotiate very well
This is where a real estate professional comes in handy, since this is a part of their job every single day. Homeowner’s may not consider that they will have to negotiate with potential buyers, and that buyers may make demands that they’re not ready to meet. An agent will take care of all of these problems and more- and it will be well worth the commission you pay.

11. Your yard is a mess

The first thing potential buyers will see of your home is the front exterior, and this curb appeal will help get your home sold quickly. A realtor will help you with simple, cost-friendly changes to update the exterior look to bring in more viewers instead of scaring them away.

12. The Seller
As a home seller, YOU are the main reason your home will be sold. Your decisions and approach to selling will determine whether you get potential buyers and whether you sell your home successfully. If you pester buyers during their viewings, you may turn them off to go somewhere else.

To ensure you make good decisions that result in a sell, rely on your agent to take care of buyers and to inform them of all of the details in the home. If you are pestering buyers during the viewings, they may not want to deal with you during the rest of the process.

13. The Money
The NAR reported that homes that were sold by the owner made less money overall. In the year 2015, FSBO (For Sale by Owner) homes had a median selling price of $210,000, and went as low as $151,900 if the buyer knew the seller. In comparison, homes sold by agents had a median selling price of $249,000, which is $40,000 higher for a typical home sale.

Home selling can be a very exciting experience, but it can also be overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re doing! At Showcase Realty, we’re happy to extend our experience in real estate to help you find success in your home selling journey. Contact us here!

Want to get started now? Ensure your price is accurate. Questions? Call us today today speak with one of our qualified real estate professionals at 704.997.3794.

Are you hoping to sell your home fast and in a less amount of hassle? You need Showcase Realty’s help!Your home will sell in 120 days or I will pay you $2500! Details Here!

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Pests: Protecting your home from Invasion

No one likes to spot cockroaches in restaurants or hear of bed bug cases in prestigious hotels. These pests can ruin an establishment’s reputation, and fast actions will need to be taken to halt their growth. It’s not just restaurants and hotels that are common homes for these creatures either-they can find their way into your home too! Unfortunately, many homeowners do not know how to spot these creatures, or the problem isn’t realized until it’s too late.

To help with prevention and eradication, consider these tips to recognize pest problems and how to solve them:

Get to know the Pests

Bugs, like all creatures have their important spot in the delicate ecosystem, but this doesn’t mean that all bugs are beneficial or good. Many insects tend to spread disease, and these diseases have the ability to make it into your homes and gardens.

For example, the foundation of your home may be at risk from wood-eating termites. Termites are spotted in swarms and will leaves mud tubes outside of your home. Have you ever noticed any hollow sounds in your wooden floors or peeling paint? Any of these are signs could be the work of termites. Areas like California and Florida are very susceptible to subterranean termites because of the humidity, and damp wood termites will be the biggest culprit for homeowners in the Northeast, Northwest and Midwest regions.

Large-sized pests like rodents can also bring disease to your home, and they will eat and thrive off of almost anything on site. House mice are often found on farm properties, while rats in the Norway region tend to migrate more towards populated areas. Signs of rodent infestations will include bartprints, droppings, foul odors and scratching and gnawing sounds from within the walls.

If you suspect that your home is inhabited by pests, visit a pest control professional near you.

Global Warming and Pests

As the earth continues to warm, insect populations will also continue to rise. As the winter season becomes shorter each year, disease-carrying pests like ticks will continue to come out earlier and leave later in the season. Ticks have now caused record-high amounts of Lyme disease cases, and other sicknesses such as Dengue Fever and West Nile continue to spread across the continents with the growing warmth.

One example of the spread of insects takes place in the United Kingdom, wherein the Green Shield Bug was found destroying crops. Although the insect does not carry a disease, the UK’s previously cooler temperatures discouraged the Green Shield Bug from traveling there. Previously, the insect only existed in Australia, Africa, Mediterranean, America and the Middle East.

Pesticide and Chemical Usage

The use of pesticides is just about everywhere we look. You can find them in agricultural fields, forests, homes, schools and even parks. Pesticides also exist in our bard, water and air.

A 2012 study done by Harvard and the University of Montreal found that cases of ADHD in children could be caused partly by pesticides found in vegetables. Autism has also been linked to organochlorine pesticides, as mothers who were exposed to the chemical were six times more likely to have a child with autism according to The Public Health Institute of Toxics Action Center. Pesticides also play a very large role in causing various cancers in humans, as they disrupt the endocrine system and reproductive system, as well as harm embryonic development and the regulation of hormones.

Both humans and the environment are brutally harmed by pesticides. Scientist discovered that pesticides weaken the immune systems in plant sand reduce the concentration of their most important nutrients. Farmlands overusing pesticides will also kill important soil microorganisms, worms and beneficial insects, according to Toxics Action Center.

When humans are threatened by pests, then they become a problem. Fortunately, more products are now becoming available that are eco-friendly and safer for people to use.

Are you thinking of selling your home? Your home will sell in 120 days or I will pay you $2500 guaranteed! Check details here!

Did You Know? 2016 is Projected to Be the BEST Year in Real Estate in a Decade!

Showcase Realty Holds Safety Training Workshop for Real Estate Agents

How to stay safe when showing a property?
It’s 5pm on a Friday and you are showing your last property of the day. A man appears. He becomes persistent to come inside. His voice gets louder and he pushes you inside the home and slams the door. Do you know what to do? Do you know how to protect yourself?Continue reading

Finding the Right Home Inspector For You

You plan to buy a house, you saw one, you made an offer, the offer has been accepted and your funding is now ready. However, before you continue with the home buying process, ask yourself, are you sure your soon-to-be-home doesn’t have any major defects that will eventually cost you a lot along the way?

Therefore, you should never neglect one of the most important parts in the home buying process and that is doing a home inspection by an excellent home inspector. But how do you choose one? We’ve prepared for you some important tips to remember when choosing a home inspector.

Assess the inspector’s experience. You can do this by checking into how long he has been in the business and how many home inspections he has performed in the past. Ask about his expertise, the way he conducts the inspections, what will be included in his report, and how much he charge for his services. If possible, ask the inspector to give you a sample copy of a written report he has completed before. Remember, there is certainly no equivalent to experience as it enhances and broadens a person’s knowledge and skills in inspecting homes.

Check if the inspector is associated with a professional inspection organization. Although this won’t totally eradicate the bad options, it can help a lot in weeding out fly-by-night inspectors. But this doesn’t mean you’ll simply chose an organization, we highly recommend those professionals affiliated with groups like the National Institute of Building Inspectors, American Society of Home Inspectors, or the National Association of Home Inspectors.

Make sure the inspector has errors and omissions insurance. Your potential home inspectors should have errors and omissions insurance specifically for conducting home inspections. The purpose of the insurance is to cover mistakes of a home inspection – any flaws of a home that the inspector may have overlooked.

Ask for the type of equipment he’ll use for the home inspection. Never hire an inspector who’ll only use a flashlight throughout the inspection because he will not be able to provide you with the best and comprehensive home inspection results. There are actually now lots of sophisticated testing device today and if the inspector is serious about his job, he will invest in such delicate yet costly device to give the best services to his clients. Proper equipment will include electrical circuit analyzers, digital moisture meters, digital cameras for documentation, electronic carbon monoxide and fuel gas analyzers, along with the traditional necessary equipment.

Get feedbacks and recommendations. One of the most effective methods to get the best home inspector is to get recommendations and feedback from family or friends who have worked before with such professional. In this way, you already have an overview about his knowledge and skills. As much as possible, do not hire an inspector who’s affiliated with the seller, the seller’s agent or the agency selling the house.

Now is the Time to Sell

Now is the Time to Sell

According to the Charlotte Observer, the Charlotte area has the lowest supply of homes for sale since January of 2014. The real estate market is picking up in many areas that were slowing down over the last few years. Now is the perfect time for Sellers to put a sign out front because buyers are seriously looking. Some homes are being sold in a matter of days. Here are some easy steps to take if you want to take advantage of the low inventory and get top dollar for your home.

Understanding the Market

It is of core importance that you learn about the market structure and the competition around you. This helps you to understand the value of your property.

Quote the Right Price

A Seller’s market is perfect time to put your home on the market. If you price your home too high, there is a high probability that buyers might not even consider your home as a viable option. However, a great price can cause a bidding war. But don’t give potential buyers a reason to back out of the deal.

Keep it Spick and Span

• Fix that leaky faucet
• Secure loose railings
• Repair that chipped door, or that broken pane of window glass.

All these small details can make a difference.

Showcase the Best

If you have a fireplace, make sure the fire is crackling. If you have a modular kitchen, spread the delicious aroma all around the house by baking a pie on the day of the open house. Hook up the speakers and play some soothing music to lighten the atmosphere.

Patience and Flexibility

Even though the supply of homes is low, selling your home may take you longer than expected, so it’s important to keep calm and have a positive mindset. Often, the quickest way to sell a home is to fine-tune the terms of the sale instead of the price.

First Offer, Final Offer

You might get an offer within the first week. It is at this time that most sellers have the tendency to keep the buyer stalling in hope for a better offer.

Find the Right Agent for the Right Job

When buyers are lined up, you need a first-class real estate professional in your pocket. From pricing to advising, let the professionals make your job easier.

You need both yourself and your broker to work on the sale of your home. Hire a more experienced broker who can help you get interested buyers with comparative ease.