Fsbo tip - don t do it

My Number one FSBO Tip? Don't sell it yourself! A "FSBO," or house "for sale by owner" can sell fast, and for as much as it would have if listed with a real estate agent. Sometimes - but not normally. Consider the following ten points.

1. Buyers work with agents. Most look at MLS listings. Sell it yourself, and they won't see or hear about your home. How do you find that "right" buyer or get top dollar when you're invisible to most of the market?

2. Your FSBO will get lower offers. Naturally, the buyer thinks you'll take less because you're saving the commission! Save a $10,000 commission, get $10,000 less - where's the advantage in that?

3. Advertising is expensive. The costs the real estate office normally pays are yours if you sell it yourself. How much could you spend on ads if it takes a a year to sell?

4. They have the resources. And you don't. Agents have books of sold properties to look at, for example, to determine the best price for your home. You can dig through county records, but you do have to value your time too, right?

5. They know the market. What's the target market for your house? Young couples, retirees? What features do they want? You should know these things before you write your ads. An experienced real estate salesperson will know.

6. They know the laws. What about written disclosures, and who pays for the real estate transfer tax? When you sell it yourself you don't get to ignore the laws.

7. Are you a good salesperson? Can you develop rapport and properly answer objections? Could your defensiveness scare off a buyer who criticizes your home? Think back on your own purchases, and you'll realize that a good salesperson makes a difference.

8. Paperwork. Will you help the buyer properly fill out an offer to purchase? An agent would. Do you have the other closing documents ready?

9. Agents negotiate for you. When did you last learn a new negotiating technique? Can you counter-offer without scaring off a buyer? A good salesperson is trained in these skills.

10. You may not save anything. The documents, newspaper advertising, signs for the yard - it's all your expense when you sell it yourself. After your hard work, you may get low offers and negotiate poorly. Honestly, sellers often net less money from the sale when they try to save the commission.

Most "FSBO" sellers eventually turn to a real estate agent for help. You could learn the things an agent does, but is it worth it to spend all that time and maybe not even save any money? Don't sell it yourself unless you really know what you're doing. That's my number one FSBO tip.

Ten tips for selling your house

One of the biggest mistakes people make when selling a house, is not understanding real estate value. It doesn't matter at all what you think your home is worth. The value of your home, and any improvements you made, is determined by buyers. What you enjoyed about your house is irrelevant when it's time to sell it. Think in terms of what other people want, and use some of the following tips.

House Selling Tips

1. Know your market. Find out what other similar houses have sold for, and have those examples ready to show potential buyers.

2. Decide on your minimum price - the price below which you will just not move. Don't tell your agent what this minimum is, but work with any buyers who make an offer above it.

3. Clean the most visible things first. Buy a new mailbox, perhaps. If buyers fall in love with the house before they even enter it, they'll forgive a lot of problems.

4. Clean up the neighborhood. If there's a neighbor who's yard is a mess, give their kids $10 to pick up the yard. Spend another $20 to put flowers in any common-areas, and buyers will have a better first impression of the neighborhood.

5. If you or your agent aren't getting many calls, find out why. Is more advertising necessary, or is the price too high? Drop it fast, if price is the problem.

6. Listen to comments of prospects. They will be more objective than you. If you hear several times that the kitchen is dark, get out the white paint.

7. Find out what the average sales time is in your area. If your house is taking longer than average to sell, there is a problem. Usually it's price.

8. Be sure to ask your real estate agent what they plan to do - before you sign a listing agreement. Write down what he says, and hold him to his promises.

9. If there are any known problems, such as an old roof, get an estimate for repairs. The sellers may want a $7,000 allowance for a new roof - until you show them your $4,000 estimate.

10. Do any improvements that can realisically get you at least a two-to-one return on investment. If $300 to seal the driveway is likely to add $600 to the sales price of the home, do it. Consider first those things that are most visible.

There are dozens of things you can do to sell your house faster, and get a better price. If you don't have time to do them all, start with the ones that will get the most "bang for your buck."

How to profit from real estate by rehabbing and retailing

Buying houses low and selling them high is called retailing. This is the most easily understood method of investing in real estate. It's the art of buying at a low price, often doing some repairs, and then selling at retail price and usually cashing out. A lot of money is made through this method. Some people do it part-time, turning 2 or 3 houses a year, and make more money at it than they make on their regular jobs. Others do it full-time and turn 40 to 80 houses a year with an average profit from $20,000 to $35,000 per deal.

Rehabbing and retailing houses is very profitable, but it is's also the hardest way to make money in real estate and is layered with costly entanglements. A lot of satisfaction comes from rehabbing. Following is a list of tips for rehabbing and retailing:

1. Buy in areas where qualified buyers want to live.

2. Never close your purchase without confirming your assumptions, that is, after repaired value and repair estimates. Do your due diligence and get the purchase appraised as completed; buy title insurance; have a termite inspection; get repair estimates from qualified contractors; and get estimates to fix any other traps you can avoid.

3. Always borrow more than you need to buy and repair. The job will always cost more, take longer, and yield less profit than you expect. You better have a cash reserve.

4. Keep a tight leash on contractors. They'll play you like a yo-yo, which can - and probably will - be one of your biggest learning experiences in The School of Hard Knocks. But hey, don't worry; I graduated from that same school top of my class, and I survived.

5. Don't tie up your cash. Tying it up is a good way to become a motivated seller. The greater your need to sell, the longer it will take.

6. Do a nice renovation job. It'll pay handsome dividends in saved holding costs and in satisfied customers who'll send you more buyers.

7. Find a good loan processor or mortgage broker to get your buyers financed. It's the difference between success and failure. This person has your paycheck in his or her control,, so make sure the person you find knows his or her business and follows up.

8. Master the art of selling houses as fast as humanly possible. Slow selling is the biggest weakness for most yet one of the easiest to fix. If you sell houses the way most untrained investors do, it'll be a while before you get paid.

9. Never do your own repairs. If you do, you're working as a laborer, not an investor. You make money by locating and buying good deals, not swinging a paint brush. If you adhere to tip 3, it won't be a problem; you'll have the money. Some people tell me fixing houses is their therapy. I say if you lay hands on a house, you need therapy.

10. Get trained at this craft of quick turning real estate before you have to pay an ugly price for your education. Education is a lot cheaper than ignorance.

Pinellas county real estate a cornucopia of home selections

The real estate that is available in Pinellas County Florida, offers you a virtual cornucopia of choices in choosing the property you will soon call home. You will find everything from single-family homes on and off the Gulf of Mexico, condos and apartments, to upscale mansions, all with a wide-range in pricing. All this awaits you here in Pinellas County Florida.

All of the communities within the Pinellas County Area, and in fact, the entire Tampa Bay area of Florida share in natural resources that appeal to many. The Tampa Bay area is outlined by premium sandy beaches and the clearest of waters, warmed by the Gulf. The sun shines steadily, and subtropical temperatures are maintained throughout the year. Inland you will find areas of Cypress and Oak, and small waterways. The air is heavy with the scents of the ocean mixed with the delicate perfume of orange blossoms, which invigorates the mind, body and soul.

The numerous neighborhoods, subdivisions, and quaint, tight-knit communities in the Pinellas County Area, each have their own unique recipe for living. Each of these communities differs as much as the type of dwellings and price ranges available for you to select from when making the purchase of your home.

It doesn’t matter if you’re in search of a neighborhood to raise a family in, or a retired couple looking for an active 55+ community with other like-minded, active retirees, or even a single looking to mix with other singles. Regardless of whether you’re a two or a one income family, Pinellas County Florida real estate has something for everyone.

Pinellas County consists of some 280 miles of land and 35 miles of beaches. Within its borders you will find communities such as: Clearwater, Florida’s premier beach community, home to two of the nation’s best beaches for plenty of beach and aquatic activities to enjoy. Residents occupy single-family homes, 55+ communities, and condominiums in Clearwater.

Tarpon Springs is mostly an affluent community within Pinellas County and the real estate consists of gated communities, and posh mansions. There certainly are modest homes as well in Tarpon Springs to fit a family on a budget. Tarpon Springs has a heavy Greek influence, and this is evident through the many Greek style eateries residing here. Sponge fishing was made famous here by Greek divers from long ago, and you can still observe this spectacular feat to this day.

Palm Harbor, once only orange groves, has grown to be one of Tampa Bay’s most affluent areas as well with over 100 neighborhoods with various homes and price ranges to choose from. Arts, crafts, culture, history, and music are celebrated throughout the year. This Pinellas County community has much to offer home buyers.

A community with a small town feel is Dunedin, Florida which is also located within the Pinellas County Area. New and pre-existing homes are available for home buyers. You can’t get much closer to the beach when buying real estate in Dunedin. In fact, many Dunedin residents walk to the beach to enjoy the heavenly Florida sunsets. Residents enjoy hiking along the Dunedin Causeway, and also the myriad of activities available at the nearby beaches.

Safety Harbor, another Pinellas County community is a combination of the young and the young-at-heart. Children play in the parks while retirees enjoy a stroll around town. Several styles of homes exist for selecting the one to call your own.

St. Petersburg is a class-act all the way with historic buildings, shopping, museums, sailing, and all the charm of a sea-side community. This Pinellas County Area community offers single-family homes, waterfront properties, and even condominium and loft living. Virtually every weekend, there is something different going on in downtown St. Petersburg and living nearby affords you the convenience of leaving the car at home and avoiding the traffic while you stroll to the festivities.

Selecting a home in Pinellas County Florida is made easier by contacting a knowledgeable area real estate agent. Based upon your individual tastes, desired lifestyle, and housing needs, your area real estate representative can arrange for you to take a tour of the neighborhoods that match your desired living arrangements.

Selling your home yourself on the internet

If you want to sell your home, you can do this through a variety of ways. The simplest is to just put a “For Sale” sign on your lawn and hope it attracts the attention of passers by. You can also make little flyers and distribute them after mass, or during soccer games. If you don’t want to hand out flyers manually, you can just make several big posters and put these in well frequented places like groceries and post offices.

In case you want to reach a wider market, you can place an advertisement in your local newspaper. Unfortunately, this may be costly and the ad may only run for a few days. If you don’t want the hassle, you can simply hire a real estate agent and then just let him do the leg work. Finally, in recent years, a new form of advertisement has cropped up – advertisement via the Internet.

Through the internet, you can put your home up for sale at a low cost and yet reach such a wide market. There are several real estate websites on the World Wide Web and, for a small fee; you can upload information on your property. Depending on the kind of subscription you have, your ad can stay on the World Wide Web for at least 6 months or as long as it is still available for buying. You can upload photos (usually a maximum of six) or just include links to other sites (photo albums, etc). You can also upload descriptions of your home and since you will have more space for text (and your rate will not be dependent on number of lines or square cm – like newspaper ads), you will not be constrained to use usually unintelligible acronyms. With all these benefits, it is not surprising that a lot of home owners opt to place online advertisements for the properties they have on the market.

Naturally, there are downsides. You may receive inquiries from bogus buyers, or even buyers from out of town (or country). With the large number of real estate websites on the Internet, the competition is also huge. Your advertisement may not reach your intended market. However, the benefits outweigh the down sides, thus making Internet advertising one of the most preferred marketing activities for individual home sellers today.

When i moved to scottsdale

When I moved to Scottsdale more than 10 years ago, my friends thought I was crazy. “What are you going to do in the middle of the Desert?” they would say. “There is no culture there”….”great for golfing but what else?....”theatre, what about the theatre?” Many added”Where would you dine…Burger King, Denny’s or T. G.I. Friday’s?”

Well Scottsdale and the general Phoenix area has changed quite a bit since then. There is now a highway system that navigates throughout the Valley and light rail has gone from the planning stage to fulfillment! There have always been many things to do in the Scottsdale area such as hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and backpacking. The Valley has offered award-winning golf courses and fabulous shopping venues. We have wonderful resorts and spas which have been here for years and continue to add more yearly.

The snobbery and turning a frown to my adventure into the Desert did not diminish my drive to change my life and leave the problems of L. A. behind. I won’t go into the details of why I left L. A. but the words “earthquakes,” “fires”, “floods” and “rock slides” come to mind.

The Scottsdale area has many opportunities to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle and yet has a cosmopolitan feel for upscale living and entertainment including theatre. Sure, most Americans think of New York and L. A. for the raising of the curtains and seeing live entertainment on stage. Off Broadway Theatre is big in the Valley with shows at the Gammage Auditorium at ASU and Herberger Theater. Concerts fill the Valley’s night air at the Dodge and Celebrity Theaters as wells as the huge auditoriums at the Cricket Pavillion and the U. S. Airways Arena.

Las Vegas has its different kind of night life as well for which the Valley has its own affordable alternatives! The casinos here present the opportunity to enjoy the same gambling and nightlife without the hassle of leaving town.

We have some of the finest dining that can be imagined. There are standalone restaurants like Eddie V’s and Mary Elaine’s to upscale restaurants like Roy’s and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. There is not one restaurant chain that has not entered the Valley. The Phoenix area is one of the fastest growing in the nation and many of the residents are multi millionaires. With the influx of upper income individuals comes the need for quality services.

So for all the caterwauling and invectives that were thrown at me for leaving L. A., I have come to and continue to enjoy the quality of life in Scottsdale and the Greater Phoenix Area.

Whatever you want, you can find it right here...in the Valley of the Sun.

Invest in a money making condo

Condo properties must surely be the investment of the future. Condo living is like having your own place but without the maintenance. It's like swimming in the pool without having to worry about the Ph balance.

It's like being able to walk around lovely, large grounds without having to worry about when you are going to cut the lawn. It's about having your screen door get stuck without having to get down on your hands and knees to fix it.

And all these reasons are linked to the reason why it may be the investment buy of the future. It has to do with 'ease of living' - which has to do with the large numbers of baby boomers who are coming up to retirement age. They may not be into condos yet ..... Many of them may initially want to lead a more active life while they still have a surplus of energy.

However, perhaps by the time they are into their late seventies or eighties they may be looking for the easier life! A life with someone to help with the upkeep: a life in a condo!

The sort of pampering that you can expect in a condo complex will largely depend on the type of service that is offered when you buy the place. The term full service is often quoted, but some full service tariffs are fuller than others!

Before you purchase a condo, check the full service list. Does it have a limit on the yearly number of maintenance calls you are entitled to? Are there routine maintenance checks included in the contract? Is there a shopping shuttle and could you have any input into the choice of shop?

Are there any rules in the prospectus that you would not like to concur with? For instance, are outdoor barbeques allowed on your balcony or patio? Is there limit time for noise at night?

Ask to have the full service list in writing and dated. When you draw up a purchase agreement, have the full service list attached to it as an appendix and have the terms of it signed into the contract.

Make sure that you do not only look into the lay-out of the unit and the facilities offered. There are other important factors. What is outside the resort wall? Anything? It has long been a complaint of condo-buyers that there is no nearby town to stroll to.

How private is the beach, if there is one. If you are considering buying a condo as an investment for possible future sale to a baby boomer, bear in mind that you will be opting for the facilities required by an older person.

Finally, when the sale time comes perhaps you will be too fond of your odd trips to the condo to want to sell it - maybe you should buy two while you're at it?

Lancaster cebu resort residences expands condotel operations

Beth Collingz, International Marketing Director of PLC Global an internet based sales and marketing company and lead marketing partners with Pacific Concord Properties, Inc., for the Lancaster Brand of Condotels in the Philippines, recently announced the company has acquired by purchase an additional 27 units in its Lancaster Cebu Condotel adding another 75M pesos to its project inventory and expansion program. This brings the number of properties held in the development to 75 suites with another 120 units to be added before year end for Condo Hotel rental operations.

Property is all about LOCATION said Collingz. Mactan, Cebu, provides one with both the laid back pace of provincial living, as well as prerequisites of the urban dweller. Schools, hospitals, restaurants, shopping malls, and leisure are all found on the island itself.

Lancaster Cebu Resort Residences, located a mere 3 minutes from Mactan-Cebu International Airport, provides you with easy access to all the essentials of urban living. This ideal location will complement the Condotel operation since Lancaster Cebu will function as a condominium hotel a preferred accommodation choice of businessmen and holiday travelers alike. Clients can either purchase Condotel Suites for investment purposes or lease the units on weekly, monthly or yearly basis. We have Fully Furnished Executive Studio Suite and Two-Bedroom Suites available for sale at Lancaster Cebu Resort Residences at Pre-Increase Prices that will be Ready For Occupancy from September 2007 at the current price said Collingz.

Fully furnished Studio Suites are priced at - Pph-2,753,924.06 and may be purchased with initial Reservation Fee - Pph-100,000.00 Balance Payable without interest over 24 consecutive equal monthly payments of - Pph-110,580.17 [Tax Inclusive]. Alternatively Save - Pph-106,156.96 by making Reservation [-Pph-100,000.00] then within 30 days 40% Net Down Payment of - Pph-955,412.70 with resulting Balance payable without interest over 24 consecutive equal monthly payments - Pph-66,348.10. Another option, Pay Cash and take 10% discount [Save - Pph-275,392.40] Pay the Reservation Now [-Pph-100,000.00] and the Cash Balance within 30 days [-Pph-2,378,531.66] for an Effective Total Cash Price of - Pph-2,478,531.66. This Suite many also be purchased on Five Year Payment Terms through our no qualification In-House Finance with 15% Down Payment.

Whilst, fully furnished 2 BR Loft Type Suites are priced at - Pph-5,467,004.14 and may also be purchased with an initial Reservation Fee of only - Pph-100,000.00 with the Balance Payable without interest over 24 consecutive equal monthly payments of - Pph-223,625.18 Tax Inclusive. Alternatively Save - Pph-214,680.16 by making the Reservation - Pph-100,000.00 then within 30 days 40% Net Down Payment of - Pph-1,932,121.50 and resulting Balance payable without interest over 24 consecutive equal monthly payments - Pph-134,175.10. Another option, Pay Cash take 10% discount [Save - Pph-546,700.41] Pay the Reservation Now [-Pph-100,000.00] and Balance within 30 days [-Pph-4,820,303.73] for an Effective Total Cash Price of - Pph-4,920,303.73. These Two Bedroom Fully Furnished Suites many also be purchased on Five Year Payment Terms through our no qualification In-House Finance Available with 15% Down Payment.

Collingz said Lancaster Cebu Resort Residences is also offering Studio and 2-Bedroom Fully Furnished "Ready for Occupancy" Suites on daily, weekly, monthly or yearly lease rental terms. Whilst some renovation works are still ongoing within the complex, unit rentals are now available to guests at 'Special Promo Rates'.

Cebu City is the acknowledged gateway and Queen City of the South. Cebu is the most important trading and commercial hub outside of Metro Manila. Mactan Cebu International Airport assures the arrival of a steady stream of international flights from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Kota Kinabalu, Seoul and Qatar. There are also chartered flights from Incheon, Taipei, Kansai, Nagoya and Kiaoshung that arrive on a weekly basis. Cebu is identified by Asiaweek and Conde Nast Traveller as one of Asia’s Best Cities

It is better to work with the right mortgage broker

When it comes with buying or investing a property in Florida real estate, there are very important factors that you have to look up to obtain success. Definitely, you want to end up with success and not with frustration and embarrassment.

Yes, there are factors that you need to consider and follow in order to make sure you will end up happy with your real estate experience and not as unhappy and frustrated as others who do not take the right steps.

The common mistake of people out there who planned to purchase or invest a property is that they go out in Florida real estate market and search for property or home; they use their time, effort and money without the assurance that they will be having an approved mortgage, so they end up embarrassed and frustrated.

Of course, you do not want to have such situation right, so you have to do the step right in order to gain the success you want. It is advisable to settle your finances. Indeed, you know that investing or buying a property or home involves large amount of money, so you have to apply for a mortgage.

In buying a mortgage, it is better to work with mortgage broker, but not just a mortgage broker it should be the right mortgage broker. You have to work with a mortgage broker that has the proper expertise and experiences regarding assisting in having the best loan that you need. The right mortgage broker will not make you focus with a specific option but will give you lots of option to choose from, since a mortgage broker works will different lenders. The right mortgage broker should have time for you, he/she will assist you all the way until you will have the best loan that you need in purchasing a property or home in Florida real estate. The right mortgage broker will make you understand each option; he/she will take time in explaining each option to you until you could understand each.

But how can you find the right mortgage broker you need? You can ask for recommendation from family and friends, they might have worked with a mortgage broker that gave them satisfaction and comfort. If in case they can’t give you any recommendation, you can at least contact few investors and ask for recommendation, but do not focus with one mortgage broker. It is wiser to contact few mortgage brokers and take time to interview them, in order to know their expertise and experiences, so you can come up with the right one for you.

Allocating time and effort is very important, this can help you out o have smooth process, it is better not to rush things out, since this involves large sum of money, you need to be careful and sure with every move you make.

Working with the right mortgage broker is advantageous since he/she will make sure that you will have the bets loan you need. So in having the best loan, you can have the home or property you want and need in Florida real estate.