What do Real Estate Agents do to Sell a Home?

Outside of the legal and medical professions, most industries are filled with people that work their tails off without the general public understanding their line of work. This is quite common for people that work in the real estate industry. Here are some of the many things that an agent does to sell a home for a new listing.

Extensive Photos

As the old saying goes “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Real estate agents will take lots of pictures to show off the best aspects of the home. When prospective buyers have an opportunity to see multiple pictures of a place before they view the property it helps to get the buyers more familiar with the property. It also reduces the number of people who are certain they will not buy a home based on the presence, or lack of, certain features.

Social Media Announcement

With multiple pictures of the property in hand, an agent can post to the various social media sites and alert all their friends and connections that the home is now available. With the multiple interactions found on most of the social media sites this is a great way to spread the word and let potential buyers know about the home's availability and best selling points. Good agents post to multiple sites like Facebook, Google +, Twitter and even Pinterest.

Newsletters

Many real estate agents connect with their past clients and prospects by sending out a monthly or quarterly newsletter. The newsletter can be sent via email or the old fashioned way of postal mail. This gives the agent a chance to pass along helpful information, such as home maintenance tips, energy saving advice as well as all of their new home listings. This is an easy way to reach people that may not be active on social media and still give them a chance to see the home in pictures.

Emails

Some agents aggressively market their listings by sending out emails to their prospective buyer base. These email lists are built over time from a multitude of different sources like, previous clients, internet leads and people that have signed up via their website. Since some home buyers can spend many years searching for a home, this large database of previous contacts can be a key component to selling your home.

On top of that, most agents will present any new listings to their own personal buyer clients who might be interested. Since they have in-depth knowledge of the home, it's much easier to explain the benefits. They will also share the new listing with other agents in their office/company in hopes they promote it to their buyer clients.

MLS Listing

One of the most important things an agent can do is list a home with the MLS (Multiple Listing Service). This service is accessible by local real estate agents and to Realtors® across the country via certain home search websites. When a buyer comes to an agent and asks for a list of potential homes, the agent will use the MLS service to find all available homes in the area. Agents pay yearly to have access to this database in order to be ready when either a buyer or seller is in need.

Showings

When a potential buyer wishes to see a home the real estate agent is the one that meets them at the home and gives them a tour. This is where the real estate agent can show off the home and brag about the top features of the property. Agents often make themselves available day or night for showing to accommodate the schedules of both the buyers and the sellers.

Open Houses

Agents often hold open houses on the property. These typically occur on the weekends, most commonly on Sunday. Occasionally, open houses are held on weeknights as well. An open house provides a 'no pressure' forum for people to tour the home. Many times the attendees are not actively looking to purchase at that moment and many visitors will actually be neighbors. Either way, getting your home in front of the largest audience is key. Any open house visitor could know someone 'in the market' for a home who they may tell.

An experienced real estate agent will put together a complete marketing plan for any new listing to give their client the best chance of selling the property at the anticipated price. Click the following link to see how Rock Realty can successfully market and sell your house: Rock Realty Home Marketing Plan

The Power of a Comparative Market Analysis When Selling Your Home

Most of the general public has access to various price lists when trying to sell an object. Online automobile databases offer average prices for used cars, auction sites can list recent sale of various electronics and even boats have a value listing guide. However, when selling a home it is better to get a comparative market analysis (CMA) from a local real estate agent or Realtor®. Here are some of the ways a CMA can help you.

Price Trends

The most obvious benefit is the ability to see current price trends. The CMA report will list out homes that have sold in the past 12 months in your immediate area. By organizing the transactions by date it is possible to see if home prices are on the rise or falling.

Value Placed on Square Footage

Since the homes will be listed with the square footage of each home sold, potential sellers can find out how much their home is worth based on the usable square feet in the property. In addition, if any of the sold properties had a basement or attic that was finished then sellers can also determine how the market values additional square footage. While it is common for basements to have a slightly lower price per square foot some areas may place it higher than others due to demand.

Value of Accessory Items

Most people usually feel that particular features of their home will bring more value to their home than the market will warrant. For example, expensive hardwood floors, custom paint finishes and high end bathroom fixtures may be quite expensive when purchased but their overall impact on the price of a home is not as high. Instead, things that improve usable square footage, more lighting or outdoor items like pools and decks will do more to bring up the price of a home.

Expected Time of Sale

A comparative market analysis will also show when a home was listed for sale and when an offer was made on the property. This gives prospective sellers a realistic expectation for how long it will take before receiving an offer and how long it takes for the home to actually sell once the offer is accepted.

Avoiding Unrealistic Prices

Along with homes that have sold your real estate agent can also provide a list of homes that either withdrew from the market or the listing simply expired. If the home did not sell within a time period that multiple other properties sold then there are a couple of explanations. Obviously, the most common issue is the price was too high for that particular market. Another common problem is the presence of a major repair issue with the home that the seller is unwilling to fix prior to sale. Having this information should help you do a better job of picking a price for your home.

Getting a detailed CMA report from your real estate agent will provide you with the best source of realistic information to help you decide if your can sell your home for your anticipated price and if it might sell in the amount of time you had hoped for.

Original Blog Post: What's a CMA? Comparative Market Analysis

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: http://tinyurl.com/qa62n6h

Real Estate Marketing (The Podcast)

How do I get a listing or deal? #Investor #Realtor

Short Sales are BACK!

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: http://tinyurl.com/qa62n6h

GUESTS: 
Bryant Tutas 
407-873-2747 
Co-founder of www.ShortSaleSuperstars.com. Working Short Sales every day all day.

Real Estate Broker and Owner of Tutas Towne Realty. A virtual Real Estate company specializing in listing and selling Short Sales and REO properties in the Central Florida Area.

Finding solutions that get your property “sold” is what I do.

Folks, if you need to sell your home then give me a call today and let’s talk! 407-873-2747 All calls are confidential. I can help……

….if you’re facing foreclosure. www.CentralFloridaShortSales.com 
….if you need to sell a Holiday Home. www.BuyProperty.ning.com 
….expose your property to over 500 web sites. www.TutasTowneRealty.com 
….educate you on current market conditions. www.BrokerBryant.com

Mike Linkenauger 
904-733-4911

Main website http://www.short-sale-specialists.com

Short Sale Websites - www.ShortSaleHosting.com
Mike got his start in Real Estate in 2005 at the young age of 26. He immediately established himself as a top producer in the Jacksonville, FL market, moving into the top 1% of agents his first year in the business. As the Florida housing market became depressed in 2007, Mike shifted his focus and immediately found a calling in assisting home owners with a short sale. In no time he amassed an inventory of over 100 short sale listings and quickly established himself as one of the top short sale agents in the State of Florida. As his online presence grew, homeowners from other parts of Florida began contacting him for guidance with a short sale and to be connected with a local short sale agent.

Pros and Cons of Cash Buying

All-cash home purchases hit a record in the first quarter of 2014, reaching 43 percent, according to RealtyTrac, which has been tracking cash-buying trends since 2011. This latest figure represents a 19 percent rise from last year—a number industry watchers attribute to stricter mortgage qualification standards coupled with high buyer demand and competition. If you're thinking about buying your next home with cash, you might be wondering how this option stacks up against a mortgage—not to mention, how you'll come up with the money.

Why Cash? Pros & Cons

On the pro side, using cash lets you sidestep mortgage loan qualifications and much of the paperwork and administrative fees. This accelerates the buying process and makes you more attractive to sellers who are eager to close. You have better odds of out-competing other buyers and better leverage to negotiate a lower price. Finally, the prospect of not having to pay monthly mortgage obligations and interest is appealing.

On the other hand, the cash you tie up in your house won't be as readily available for emergency spending. This could place you in a position of needing to sell or mortgage your home in the event of an emergency, and convincing lenders to extend a mortgage or equity loan could be difficult if you lack a steady income, a situation many retirees face. One way to address this issue is opening a home-equity line of credit after you buy your home to make sure you have emergency funds available. A reverse mortgage can also help in a pinch.

Another issue is whether the amount you save on mortgage interest might be better invested. Buying a house with cash amounts to investing in a bond with an interest rate equivalent to what you would pay with a mortgage. Compare this interest rate with other investment options to evaluate how buying your home with cash affects your long-term savings.

Finding Funds

If you want to pay for your home with cash but don't have a lump sum handy, how do you find the money? Options include:

• Realtor suggests a few strategies, including investing in a long-term CD, a method that can be combined with CD laddering if you don't want to lock up all your cash.
• For current home owners, another option is refinancing your existing mortgage into a larger one, known as "cash-out refinancing." Zillow recommends weighing this option against others, such as home equity loans and lines of credit.
• If you're receiving regular payments from an annuity or structured settlement, you may be able to sell all or a portion of your future payments to a financial services firm and put the money toward your home purchase.

What About Taxes?

Paying for your home in cash precludes the tax breaks you would get from your mortgage interest payments. Use the calculator at Mortgage101 to estimate the potential tax benefits of a mortgage so you can weigh this against buying with cash.

We would like to introduce you to our home buyer specialist, Eric Engels, Realtor® | Real Estate Agent serving the Janesville, Wisconsin area!

"Hello Rock County! I am very happy to have joined the Rock Realty team. I have been a resident of Janesville for over 13 years. I lived in the Quad Cites before that living in both Illinois and Iowa. In 2006 I had the chance to move back to the Quad Cites, I thought about it for about 2 seconds, but Wisconsin is the best place to live I couldn't leave. I am a big fan of the Midwest way of living! I am very excited to meet some of the great people in Rock County, and to help them in there home buying and selling needs."

"At Rock Realty we use the newest and most innovative technology to help us in our advertising and researching needs. Please feel free to call or e-mail me with any questions you may have. Again I look forward to meeting the great people of Rock County."

Thanks

Eric Engels

Visit my site to search for Janesville, WI Real Estate Listings:

www.JanesvilleListings.com
(Homes for sale in 53545, 53546 and 53548 and the rest of Dane & Rock County)

Short Sale Real Estate Agents in Dunkirk, WI 53589  Are you looking for a Dunkirk Wisconsin Short Sale Realtor® or real estate agent? Rock Realty is a real estate brokerage that specializes in Short Sales and Bank Owned Foreclosures in the Dunkirk WI area.   My name is Michael Collins, broker for Rock Realty. I have completed the Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource training and have been given the SFR designation through the National Association of Realtors®. Feel free to contact me directly at 608-921-8536 for help with any of your short sale questions. I have helped many home owners with their distressed property needs.

REALTORS® who have earned the SFR certification know how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities. The certification program includes training on how to qualify sellers for short sales, negotiate with lenders, protect buyers, and limit risk.

A Certified Distressed Property Expert® (CDPE) is a real estate professional with specific understanding of the complex issues confronting the real estate industry. Through comprehensive training and experience, CDPEs are able to provide solutions for homeowners facing hardships in today's market.

What is a Short Sale?
A short sale occurs when a lender agrees to take less than the amount owed to payoff a loan as an alternative to foreclosure. Lenders know that it will cost them a significant amount of money to take a property back. The Realtors® at Rock Realty can often convince them that they will be better off financially if they sell the property now rather than taking the home through foreclosure and trying to sell it later. So, a short sale can actually be good for the bank. It can also be good for the home owner, as it is typically better to perform a short sale on their Dunkirk property instead of letting it proceed to foreclosure.

If you are considering the possibility of a short sale for your Dunkirk Wisconsin home and have further questions, feel free to visit the information page below.

Wisconsin Short Sale Information

Additional Short Sale Information

• What is a short sale?
• Is a Short Sale right for my home?
• Half of Homeowners Underwater on their Mortgage
• Buying a Wisconsin home after a Short Sale or Foreclosure
• Benefits of Buying an Owner-Occupied Wisconsin Short Sale
• Tips for Buying a Wisconsin Short Sale

Rock Realty SOLD Short Sale Listings

514 S Jackson St, Janesville WI | 900 King Street, Stoughton WI

105 W Main St, Brooklyn WI | 408 S Academy Street, Janesville WI

449 Farnham St #2, Marshall WI | 1117 Ontario Dr, Janesville WI

4602 N Katherine Dr, Janesville WI   

Hello Fellow Short Sale Agents...

As I write this, I started thinking about all the past Clients' I have helped with Short Sales through the years, Help of this Site, how many people have you helped? Because of this site? Because of the Knowledge we shared with each other...We all deserve a round of applause, if not for a simple, TAKE A BOW...my hat goes off to all of you!

In Charlotte, NC...short sales are down...maybe starting to see the end of it's great run...and then...then the phone rang this morning...A New Client in the Short Sale Arena....you see; I only have 3 Short Sales left, NOW 4(Thanks to Bank of America)....I have more "Real Deals" if you will...by that I mean, regular RE ones that will actually close before I see the short sales close(LOL)....

It all remains the same however, the 3rd Party, the Hardships, the TRUE partnering in someone else's life to help them out of a Bad Situation....THAT IS THE PART OF REGULAR REAL ESTATE THAT SHORT SALE AGENTS HAVE EXPERIENCED THAT I BELIEVE OTHER AGENTS DON'T....

While we are in the business to help and guide people to a New Home, or Sell A Property...Nothing feels quite as good as Being A Part of Real Estate Transaction where YOU REALLY HELP HOMEOWNERS, YOU ARE A KEY PERSON THAT ALLOWS THEM A NEW OUTLOOK & HOPE OF OWNING A HOME IN THE FUTURE...

So...as I suit up for another go around with the banks...I SAY BRAVO TO ALL OF YOU, What We Do, What We Have Done...Being A Short Sale Agent Has Been Some of The Most Rewarding Years of My Business!

Rock Realty Client Testimonials

"We found Mike online, and, due to positive reviews, phoned him with a request to view houses in the Madison area. We gave Mike no more than one or two days notice, but he was happy to devote the whole of his weekend to us. Our entire house-hunting experience proceeded in similar fashion. We were hunting for houses long distance, so we would wait until an opportunity to travel to Madison presented itself, phone Mike, giving him one or two days to prepare, and show up to view houses. The process took roughly one year to complete. It was long and difficult, but Mike was always pleasant, never complained, made an effort to make himself immediately available, and was never pushy.

Mike is not like many real estate agents who simply want to make a sale, any sale. Instead, Mike made an effort to help us make an honest assessment of the properties we viewed, often pointing out problems himself. Mike left us with no doubt of his honesty and his dedication to his clients.

In addition, since we were shopping long-distance, Mike, with some help from his associate Bethany (who we found to be similarly pleasant and eager to be of service), even took hundreds of high definition photos of properties which he viewed in our stead, often with only a single day's notice. Mike, or one of his associates, would then promptly email the photos to us to view.

During the house-hunting process we changed our minds a number of times, imposed last minute requests, and even had some near melt-downs, but, through it all, Mike was responsive, cheerful, and level-headed. We cannot overstate how hard Mike worked on our behalf. We highly recommend him to any home buyers."

Graham S. & Janet H. (Middleton, Wisconsin 53562)
Rock Realty Home Buyer Client

Thanks for the compliments, and Congratulations on your new home Graham & Janet!

Looking to purchase a home in Wisconsin?? Contact Rock Realty! We would love to help!!

The Wisconsin housing statistics are in for July of 2013. Here is an excerpt from what the Wisconsin Realtors® Association (WRA) had to say:

Wisconsin home sales and prices both grew in July, outpacing the solid rate established for the first half of 2013. Sales of existing homes for July increased 17.3 percent over July of 2012, which is stronger than the 11.4 percent rate of growth established in the first six months of this year over the first half of last year. Home prices also continued their strong rate of appreciation, increasing 9.0 percent in July over last July, to a statewide median of $155,299. Prices for the first six months of the year were up 7.7 percent.

“It’s clear that 2013 is shaping up to be a very strong year for Wisconsin housing and the indications are that these trends will continue,” said Renny Diedrich, chairman of the WRA board of directors. "We’re at the peak of the Wisconsin home selling season, with nearly 43 percent of all sales taking place between May and August in a typical year,” Diedrich said.

“This is very strong median price appreciation and it’s consistent with national trends,” said WRA President and CEO Michael Theo. Theo said statistics from the National Association of REALTORS® show that the median sales price of single-family homes nationally increased 12.2 percent in the second quarter compared to the second quarter of 2012, which represents the strongest year-over-year increase since the fourth quarter of 2005.

Below are the number of Home Sales and Median House Prices for the state of Wisconsin, Rock County, and Dane County. These stats include Janesville and Madison. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions pertaining to these figures. As you probably have heard, home sales & prices have been increasing over the past few years. Both Dane and Rock counties are showing marked improvements in the number of homes sold and the price at which they are being sold at. This summer has been really hot for the properties that are priced right! There's been a large increase in sale prices, as you can see below.

I'd be happy to show you any homes currently listed for sale. Feel free to visit: WISCONSIN HOMES FOR SALE to search for current properties listed on the MLS.

If you would like some insight into how much your home is currently worth, I would be happy to provide you with a free comparative market analysis. This is a report that gives a close estimate to what your home might sell for in your current local Wisconsin real estate market. Has your home value fallen below what you currently owe? A short sale may be right for your situation. Visit the following page on Wisconsin Short Sales.

Short Sale Real Estate Agents in Pleasant Springs, WI 53589  Are you looking for a Pleasant Springs Wisconsin Short Sale Realtor® or real estate agent? Rock Realty is a real estate brokerage that specializes in Short Sales and Bank Owned Foreclosures in the Pleasant Springs WI area.   My name is Michael Collins, broker for Rock Realty. I have completed the Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource training and have been given the SFR designation through the National Association of Realtors®. Feel free to contact me directly at 608-921-8536 for help with any of your short sale questions. I have helped many home owners with their distressed property needs.

REALTORS® who have earned the SFR certification know how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities. The certification program includes training on how to qualify sellers for short sales, negotiate with lenders, protect buyers, and limit risk. 

A Certified Distressed Property Expert® (CDPE) is a real estate professional with specific understanding of the complex issues confronting the real estate industry. Through comprehensive training and experience, CDPEs are able to provide solutions for homeowners facing hardships in today's market. 

What is a Short Sale? A short sale occurs when a lender agrees to take less than the amount owed to payoff a loan as an alternative to foreclosure. Lenders know that it will cost them a significant amount of money to take a property back. The Realtors® at Rock Realty can often convince them that they will be better off financially if they sell the property now rather than taking the home through foreclosure and trying to sell it later. So, a short sale can actually be good for the bank. It can also be good for the home owner, as it is typically better to perform a short sale on their Pleasant Springs property instead of letting it proceed to foreclosure. If you are considering the possibility of a short sale for your Pleasant Springs Wisconsin home and have further questions, feel free to visit the information page below. 

Wisconsin Short Sale Information

Additional Short Sale Information

• What is a short sale?
• Is a Short Sale right for my home?
• Half of Homeowners Underwater on their Mortgage
• Buying a Wisconsin home after a Short Sale or Foreclosure
• Benefits of Buying an Owner-Occupied Wisconsin Short Sale
• Tips for Buying a Wisconsin Short Sale

Rock Realty SOLD Short Sale Listings

514 S Jackson St, Janesville WI | 900 King Street, Stoughton WI 105 W Main St, Brooklyn WI | 408 S Academy Street, Janesville WI 449 Farnham St #2, Marshall WI | 1117 Ontario Dr, Janesville WI 4602 N Katherine Dr, Janesville WI  

Just Sold! 409 East Street, Stoughton WI 53589

We are happy to announce a recent home closing in Stoughton, Wisconsin. This was a home closing where Rock Realty represented both the buyers and the sellers. The sellers had moved out of state and left it to Michael Collins at Rock Realty to guide the transaction to a successful close. I know the buyers are excited to start their planned renovation to make the home just right for them! Congratulations to everyone involved!

If you are thinking of selling or buying a home in Wisconsin, our home buyer specialists would be happy to assist you. Give Rock Realty a call at 877-774-7625. We are a full service real estate brokerage.

Stoughton, WI Homes for Sale

OTHER ARTICLES

• Getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage Before Looking for a Home
• First Time Buyers: How To Wade Through Real Estate Lingo
• What’s Just as Important As Location When Choosing a Home?
• 10 Things that are Good to Know Before Buying a Home
• Tips for your first Home Inspection
• Tips for Purchasing a Foreclosure
• Tips for Picking the Right Wisconsin Home

Just Sold! 56 Valley Street, Williams Bay, WI 

We are happy to announce a recent short sale home closing in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Due to our extensive online advertising campaigns, we were able to bring in a buyer for this listing. This was a fantastic cozy but open concept home, sold at a great price! I'm sure the buyers will enjoy it for many years to come. Congratulations to everyone involved!

If you are thinking of selling or buying a home in Wisconsin, we would be happy to assist you.

Give Rock Realty a call at 877-774-7625. We are a full service real estate brokerage.

 
Madison, WI Homes for Sale

OTHER ARTICLES

• Getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage Before Looking for a Home
• First Time Buyers: How To Wade Through Real Estate Lingo
• What’s Just as Important As Location When Choosing a Home?
• 10 Things that are Good to Know Before Buying a Home
• Tips for your first Home Inspection
• Tips for Purchasing a Foreclosure
• Tips for Picking the Right Wisconsin Home

Should I list my house during the Winter months? I hear that question every year, and I say, "Yes!" One of the things that seems to happen in the cold months is that serious buyers come out and tire kickers take the season off in favor of the warmer months.

I sold two houses the first two days of January. It was cold, messy and dark. Both buyers looked at one house each (which they found online), and they immediately put a contract on them. The sales were close to list. Both homes were in good condition, vacant and ready to go. The clients were qualified and determined to buy.

I've had this scenario repeat itself over the past 5 years. Do people buy in the Winter months? Absolutely, and they tend to be prepared and very serious. So, when the question comes up about whether or not to list during the cold months, don't fret, just list. You may be pleasantly surprised at the results.

$60,000 opening bid!    Previously valued at $210,600!

Property Highlights

• Large Wooded Lot
• 2 Car Garage
• Walk Out Basement
• Five Bedrooms
• Three & 1/2 Baths
• 2 Fireplaces
• Basement Bar
• Deck
• House Vacuum

Features

1916 Clover Ln, Janesville WI 53545
Contact info:
Michael Collins | Rock Realty | 608-921-8536

4 Bedroom Janesville Ranch for Sale

1916 Clover Ln, Janesville, WI 53545

$110,000

KEY FEATURES
Year Built: 1975
Sq Footage: 1260 sqft.
Bedrooms: 4 Beds
Bathrooms: 1 Bath
Parking: 2 Garage
Laundry: In Unit
Lot Size: 10019 Square Feet
Property Type: Single Family House

DESCRIPTION

Wonderful 4 bedroom east side ranch with 2 car garage. Finished basement with bedroom and extra office. Wood burning fireplace in living room. Fenced yard with large deck. Short Sale

ADDITIONAL LINKS

• Website: 1916 Clover Lane, Janesville, WI 53545
• Virtual Tour: 1916cloverln.bestpricedhouse.com

Contact info: 
Michael Collins
Rock Realty
608-921-8536

Brodhead, WI Homes for Sale

Hello - Thank-you already to this community, as I recently fell apon your site, and this will be my first blog post here !

You can see my entire blog through my portal here !

Having been though this mess several times beginning n the late 2007's, it was pretty clear that we were in for the long hall. 

Now, why is it that most agents steer away from "short Sales"? And even still - How come the perception for the consumer is not there.....at least not in my area. 

My first Short Sale closing happened in 2008, with a property in Southbury, one town south of our home base of Woodbury, CT.

At that time, I must admit, I was not too up on what and how this thing was getting done. But knew the concept behind it all.

So as I leap forward to today with confidence to rally the consumer, and rally our fellow Realtor - to take advantage of this opportunity to help those that need it. 

It is truly amazing, how even today, if a consumer walks into a bank or home, for either a loan or to apply for a rental - and they don't meet there criteria - its ends there. 9 times out of 10. Our local bankers doing there job? Or should we look at each and every consumer and look to do what would be best for them. We can! And I do. As a Licensed NMLS Originator & Branch Manager, it is our duty to do so. 

Short Sale attempt day one - I head up to the home, spend a few hours cleaning and get picture and show ready. Look at the comps, and make an attempt to see just how and what Flag-star will require. So with some help from this community already, I have my Flagstar "guns a blazing" & ready to "get er done".

These home renovations tend to not pay back your investment.

Home investors have to walk a very thin line in their prospecting and repairing.  They want to find a home that others have ignored due to necessary repairs and updating.  However, they don’t want to waste money on improvements that simply look nice but fail to increase the home’s overall price.  Here are the top renovations that do not add much value to the home.

Grandiose Landscaping

Potential buyers will appreciate a well-kept lawn and may be somewhat attracted to a nice flower bed by the front door, but elaborate landscaping will not add to the home’s price.  Even worse, if the prospective buyer has no inclination to spend hours in the yard weeding, fertilizing and replanting then you may actually scare off a few buyers.  A simple lawn with low maintenance bushes are the best bet for most homes.

Pool

A new pool is extremely expensive and you may not recover even half of your investment when the property sells.  The average home buyer looks at the pool as a major expense and a potential problem in the form of injury or a lawsuit.  Some contracts in recent years have actually been structured to include filling in the pool with dirt and sod just to avoid potential problems.

Carpet throughout the Whole Home

It can be rather expensive to replace the carpet in an entire home.  Additionally, styles and preferences change over the course of time and homeowners may wish to have a more updated look in the home.  The need to replace a large amount of carpet sometime in the next 3-5 years would likely be daunting for most homeowners.  A better bet is to have hardwood and tile in the home.  They are easier to clean and most people appreciate the simple upkeep. Although the initial investment in hardwood or tile is more expensive, you are more likely to get a greater amount back when you sell the home.

More Home than the Rest of the Neighborhood

One of the fundamental basics of flipping homes is to search for a property that conforms to the neighborhood.  Never buy the absolute biggest home or the smallest home in the neighborhood.  They will be harder to sell.  Along the same thought process, never add more to a home that will make it vastly different from the neighborhood.  If all the properties on the street are single story homes then it makes no sense to tack on a double story addition.  Stick with the norm for the neighborhood in order to be able to move the property quickly.

Expensive Cosmetic Features

Some people like to brag about the Italian tile in the kitchen or the gold chandelier in the dining room when they are working on a remodel.  However, these expensive items add little to the value of the home.  It is better to make sure the home has plenty of lighting, has ample space and that the closets and cabinets are well organized.  Those expensive add-ons can be purchased by the next owner.

Basically, the best improvements you can make to an investment home are the ones that add function and space.  Anything else will simply be for show and potentially cost you too much in the long run.

The most valuable gift you can give others is your presence. This is the perfection of giving. When we are present we are practicing the perfection of giving. When we are present and mindful we can touch life. We can truly be of service to others.

Working for a real estate service provider I come across many people experiencing great anxiety and stress. Some buying a home for the first time. Some desperate to save their homes. Some trying to prevent a foreclosure.

People rely on real estate professionals to help them through what can easily turn into a nightmare. Most real estate agents are quick to highlight their achievements, their qualifications, the number of deals they have completed etc. Only a few say, "Don't worry. I will be there. It can get complicated and frustrating but I'll help you cope with it."

Being there we can do more. We do not have to be Governors or Presidents to make a difference. We don't have to be the CEO to bring about transformation. We just need to be present and mindful. When we are present and mindful we can penetrate the moment. We can heal. We can transform.

Your presence reassures a first time home buyer. Your presence gives confidence to someone trying to prevent a foreclosure. Offer your presence, your serenity, your freshness. These are more valuable than you can imagine.

I am happy to be with you. Lets see what comes along. When we are present, we are aware. We can experience. The food, the music, the love. We can experience life. We can touch happiness. “The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.”

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Saurabh Singh is a student of the Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh and is currently employed with Altisource. None of the views expressed in this post are endorsed by his employer.

We would like to introduce you to our home buyer specialist, Bethany Alexander, Realtor® serving the Oregon, Wisconsin area!