Tuesday, March 30, 2010
SQUEEZING EVERY LAST DOLLAR FROM YOUR HOME SALE
HERE ARE SOME INVESTMENTS IN YOUR HOME'S EXTERIOR THAT I HAVE FOUND THROUGH FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE CAN PAY HUGE DIVIDENDS:PAINTIt should come as no surprise that surveys show that painting the exterior of your home results in the greatest return on the time and money invested when compared to other improvements done for selling purposes. An investment of $1000-$2000 can mean adding $3000-$4000 to your asking price. If you can do a good job yourself, your profit could be even greater. Even if your home does not need full treatment, check the trim around windows and doorways for cracking or peeling, and any necessary touch-up work. Bryan VogtStrano & Associates, Realtors® - GMAC Real Estate (618) 355-5824 --- O'Fallon IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleSwansea IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleBellville IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleScott AFB PCS Relocation---
# posted by Bryan Vogt @ 2:34 PM
Friday, March 26, 2010
SQUEEZING EVERY LAST DOLLAR FROM YOUR HOME SALE
Now let's take a look at some projects you might consider, beginning with some simple steps that can reap huge dividends.CATCH 'EM AT THE CURB"Curb appeal" is not just catchy real estate jargon, it recognizes the fact that many buyers form their first and often strongest opinions before they step out of the car. Remember, buying a home first and foremost is an emotional commitment, especially for the first time homebuyer. You may have a long list of loigical reasons you home is a good catch , but a buyer is reacting emotionally to what he or she is seeing. Knowing this, you can use a buyer's emotions to your advantage. First, take a good hard look at the first impression your property makes. What do people see? If it is flaking paint and unkept yard, they may be seeing a home that needs alot of work. Bryan VogtStrano & Associates, Realtors® - GMAC Real Estate (618) 355-5824 --- O'Fallon IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleSwansea IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleBellville IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleScott AFB PCS Relocation---
# posted by Bryan Vogt @ 11:37 AM
Thursday, March 25, 2010
SQUEEZING EVERY LAST DOLLAR FROM YOUR HOME SALE
PLANNING IS EVERYTHINGIf there is one piece of advice I would give to every homeowner regardless of the circumstances it is this: Plan first, then do. Careful planning on your part is a prerequisite to undertaking any home improvement project, major or minor. In fact, the quickest way a "minor" project balloons into a major one is when you haven't thought it through in advance. I have seen more people get in over their heads because they did not think things through before starting work. Whether you hire someone or do the work yourself, expect to spend more time and money than you initially anticipate. But by choosing well, you can ensure that the work you do adds the greatest value at the lowest cost. Be methodical. Try breaking your list into "exterior" and "interior" projects, then break it down by room. Decide which projects you are going to take on yourself and which require outside help, and do a rough cost estimate for each job. One rule of thumb to keep in mind is that if you do the work yourself, you will probably recoup more than you would pay out for some improvements. You can probably save anywhere from 10 to 30 percent by removimg hired labor from the equation. On the other hand, you might pay more for work done by professionals, but the improvements can speed up the sale of your property. Whether you should tackle the work yourself or hire a professional depends on several things. Do you have the time? Can your friends or relatives help you, or are you going to do it all yourself? How skilled are you and your helpers in the task at hand? You may decide to split the job, the contractor does the major work and you do the finishing. Doing the least amount of work yourself can still save you money. Whatever you do, the key lies in doing it well. If it means hiring a professional, do it. A poorly done job can do you more harm than good. Bryan VogtStrano & Associates, Realtors® - GMAC Real Estate (618) 355-5824 --- O'Fallon IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleSwansea IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleBellville IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleScott AFB PCS Relocation---
# posted by Bryan Vogt @ 3:00 PM
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
409 Winthrop, Belleville, Il Brick Ranch
$147,000 MLS # 3003872 Take a look at this beautifully maintained, bright, airy, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, brick ranch. It sports a large living room/dining room combination. The kitchen has been updated and has plenty of cabinet space. The family room has a brick, gas, fireplace for those cool days and a sliding door for easy access to the patio. The patio and large fenced backyard are great for family and entertaining family and/or friends. There is also a shed for storage. Don’t pass this one up!
# posted by Bryan Vogt @ 9:56 AM
Friday, March 19, 2010
SQUEEZING EVERY LAST DOLLAR FROM YOUR HOME SALE
SPEND TIME BEFORE YOU SPEND A DIMEUnless your home is in mint comdition or you are selling it as a "fixer upper" there is probably a long list of repair or remodeling projects to consider. Those can range form relatively simple jobs, such as painting a bathroom, to more complex room additions or remodeling projects. In considering any home improvements project, you need to ask yourself a couple of questions: Why are you doing it? Is it work that really needs to be done: a paint job or a leaky roof? Or is it an amenity you would like that you think might appeal to a potential buyer, such as a hot tub or a home office addition. Will it add value to your home, or have no impact at all? Or will it make your home more difficult to sell? Some investmants like paintng and yard work involve relatively little cash outlay and yet return many times your cost. Other improvements that you think will add value have no significant impact. Adding a swimming pool is a good example. Besides the hassles of maintenance, a pool can reduce your home's appeal among families with small children because of safety concerns. Bryan VogtStrano & Associates, Realtors® - GMAC Real Estate (618) 355-5824 --- O'Fallon IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleSwansea IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleBellville IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleScott AFB PCS Relocation---
# posted by Bryan Vogt @ 3:30 PM
SQUEEZING EVERY LAST DOLLAR FROM YOUR HOME SALE
HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR RETURN WHEN YOU SELL YOUR HOMEThe "secret" to making top dollar when you sell your home isn't really a secret after all. I have been revealing it to my clients for years. But because it involves alot of discipline and elbow grease, many people decide to cut corners. That is when the price you could command begins to drop. Do not be one of those people. During my years in real eatate, I have seen countless examples where well considered , well placed investments of time and a little money have dramatically improved the sales price and increased the speed in which a home is sold. My report will show you how even minor home improvements can substantailly improve the value and marketability of your home. In today's economy there are no guarantees that you will recoup what you spend to improve the value of your home; all the more reason it is important to pick the right investment But even when you do not recoup all the money you invest to upgrade, many improvements can give you an important edge over the other homes on the market. The failure to make some improvemants can leave you at a distinct disadvantage as buyers compare your home with the competition. Believe me, I have seen it happen time and time again. BryanVogtStrano & Associates, Realtors® - GMAC Real Estate (618) 355-5824 --- O'Fallon IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleSwansea IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleBellville IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleScott AFB PCS Relocation---
# posted by Bryan Vogt @ 3:11 PM
Friday, March 05, 2010
Nab a Real Estate Deal While You Can
Nab a real estate deal - while you still can By Beth Braverman, staff reporter March 2, 2010: 10:30 AM ET
(Money Magazine) -- If you've been holding off on a real estate purchase, glimmers of a turnaround in the housing market may have you wondering if it's finally time to make your move. While home prices remain low, they're no longer free-falling in most markets. Mortgages are historically cheap. And the sweet tax credit that was offered to new buyers last year has been extended to April 30 and expanded to include current homeowners too. But for all the motivation to act quickly, buying right now is not a no-brainer. In some areas home prices may fall further. If you own a house now, it may take longer than you expect to sell it, and you may walk away with less cash than you thought. "It's a good time to buy, but it's still a really difficult market," says Patrick Newport of IHS Global Insight. As the clock ticks toward the tax-credit deadline, answer these questions to decide whether it's time to get off the sidelines. Can you really nab that tax credit?Current homeowners who sign a contract to buy a home on or before April 30 get a dollar-for-dollar reduction on their taxes of 10% of the purchase price of the home, up to a maximum of $6,500 (first-time buyers can get up to $8,000). But according to the National Association of Realtors, buyers spend about 12 weeks home shopping before making an offer, so if you haven't already started looking, you may be pressed to meet the deadline. Plus, to qualify for the full credit, your household income must be under $225,000 if you're married and less than $125,000 if you're single; repeat buyers must have lived in the home they are selling for five of the past eight years. The good news: Once you've signed the contract, you have until June 30 to close the deal. How much could you lose by waiting? Besides the loss of the tax credit, the biggest game-changer facing buyers is a potential jump in mortgage rates. If the Fed moves ahead with its plan to stop buying mortgage-backed securities at the end of March, the rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage is expected to increase nearly a percentage point from today's 5.18% to 6.1% by the end of 2010, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. On a $300,000 fixed-rate mortgage, that's an extra $174 per month. But if home values are falling in your area, you don't have much to lose by waiting. If the house you want costs $375,000 today and you put down 20%, you'd pay $1,644 a month for a fixed-rate mortgage at 5.18%. Buy that same home for 5% less later on with rates at 6% and you'd only pay an extra $65 a month. If prices plunge 10% or more this year ( as they are expected to in 12% of markets, according to Fiserv), you'll come out even or ahead. To get a handle on the direction of your market, check trulia.com to see whether inventory levels are increasing, and visit realtytrac.com to find out whether foreclosure filings are still rising. A glut of properties and bank-owned homes means a recovery may not be in sight. How quickly can you sell the home you now own? Even in markets that are recovering, sellers must price aggressively to make a fast deal. "Everybody thinks their house is worth more than it is," says Dallas realtor Bruce Lynn. Before you sign a contract for a new place, ask a few agents to give you a realistic figure that will generate a quick sale. Can't bear to part with your home at that price? Waiting may be your only option. Also keep in mind that, with the credit crunch not far in the past, lenders may not approve your purchase until you've sold your home. A delay in sale could also stick you with two mortgages, far outstripping any savings from the tax credit. See if the sellers will let you put a contingency in the contract that negates the sale if you don't find a buyer -- it's a long shot but worth a try. If they won't, propose adding a kick-out clause that allows the sellers to keep their home on the market, but lets you either pull out or quickly move ahead with the deal if they get another offer. While extra contract negotiations may be a hassle, the past few years have proved that a purchase decision shouldn't be taken lightly. "This may be the best time in history to buy a home," says Denver realtor Jeff Fogler, "but only if you can really afford it." Bryan VogtStrano & Associates, Realtors® - GMAC Real Estate (618) 355-5824 --- O'Fallon IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleSwansea IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleBellville IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleScott AFB PCS Relocation---
# posted by Bryan Vogt @ 3:52 PM
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Beautiful ranch home in The Orchards Golf Community
2217 Arnold Palmer, Belleville, Il$279,900
MLS# 3002625 You will love this 3 bedroom, 4 bathroom, beautifully maintained ranch home in a golfing community. Enjoy many hours of relaxation or entertaining on the multi level deck with a gazebo. The kitchen has plenty of counter space and cabinets, in addition to a breakfast bar and a see through fireplace shared by the living room. The roomy living room and formal dining room with vaulted ceilings add to the spacious feel of this home. The master bathroom has dual sinks, separate shower, and a vanity. The lower level has a family room, a ¾ bath, and plenty of storage. http://bryanvogt.com.idxre.com/idx/listings.cfm?cid=4294&pc=MLS&sr=1&gsr=1&sb=pdBryan VogtStrano & Associates, Realtors® - GMAC Real Estate (618) 355-5824 --- O'Fallon IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleSwansea IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleBellville IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleScott AFB PCS Relocation---
# posted by Bryan Vogt @ 9:47 AM
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