mistakes (3)

Although sellers seem to have the advantage in the current market, this does not mean that sellers can simply put their home up for sale and wait for offers.  There is still some work to be done in order to get a buyer to pay the right asking price.  In fact, a lot of sellers are not aware of costly mistakes that are made that turn away buyers.

Mistake #1: Condition does not meet Home’s Price

Comparative Market AnalysisNobody likes to pay more for a product than they have to.  When a home is priced above its condition then most potential buyers are immediately turned off.  If your home is priced at the upper end of your area’s price range then the home should be ready to move in, right now.  If a potential buyer has to replace a window pane, steam clean the carpet or any other minor repair then the price of the home needs to be reduced or you can keep the price as is and make the necessary improvement.

Mistake #2: Limiting the Buyer’s Ability to Inspect the Home

There is no doubt that trying to hold down a full time job, take care of social and personal responsibilities while keeping a home sparkly clean can be nerve racking.  However, most real estate agents will agree that people who don’t make their home readily available to a potential buyer often lose a chance for a sale.  It is important that you are easy to reach during normal hours so that your agent can contact you and schedule a showing.

Mistake #3: Getting Too Attached to Memories

People that have lived in a home for 10+ years have built up some memories in that place.  A first marriage, a first child or a college graduation can all carry some cherished memories that we associate with a particular room or the whole house.  Some sellers will ask full price for their home simply because they are so connected to the property in an emotional way.  It is important for sellers to communicate with their agent and develop a reasonable price for the home and come to the realization that they will soon part with that special walkway or bedroom.

Mistake #4: Failing to Disclose any Problem

If a deal fails to close the blame can sometimes be laid on the seller.  Almost every home has some type of flaw that needs to be repaired or replaced.  Some of these flaws are minor and can be negotiated in a contract before purchase.  But certain items, like a roof that leaks or an electrical system that operates sporadically, can cause not only monetary damage but also physical harm.  It is vital that a seller walk through their home and inspect every room and every feature.  Being up front and honest about potential problems will make it easier on you and your agent to sell the home.

Take some time to go through the home and fix the things that are within your budget and ability.  When you are through, talk to your real estate agent and ask them to go through the house with you and come up with a firm asking price.  This will make the whole process much simpler for you.

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Top 5 Mistakes Short Sale Sellers Make


As a Santa Maria Short Sale Agent, I see short sale sellers make critical mistakes time and time again.  Here is my list of the top 5 mistakes I see:

 

wait1-150x150.jpg?width=1501)   They wait too long to put the home on the market.Many times sellers believe that they will work out terms with the bank and their loan modification will be approved.  However, if your back up plan is a short sale, you need to leave enough time for an agent to get an offer and present it to the bank.  Less than a week is generally not enough time to get a lender to stop a foreclosure sale -- it can be done -- but you are taking a big risk.  If you want a short sale, you need to give your agent enough time to present a short sale application to the bank.  There are routine delays with short sales; banks lose documents and packages have to be re-faxed.  Don't wait until it is down to the wire.

 

 

roofer-150x150.jpg?width=1502)  They let the house fall apart. You should do all you can to make sure that your home does not fall into disrepair.  A house with uncut grass and full of deferred maintenance is generally not appealing to buyers.  And you still have to sell your home to a buyer.  You can lower the price to compensate and attract a bargain hunting buyer, but ultimately the lender has to approve that price.  And in my experience, a short sale lender’s estimation of value tends to assume that your home is in above average condition.   Indeed, one of the most common reasons a short sale will fail is “the bank wants too much for it.”  Now there could be other reasons that the bank wants too much (including the existence of mortgage insurance) but often the short sale lender will not want to take a hit on the price just because you decided not to repair that roof leak.

 

 

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3)    They make the home difficult to be shown. Many short sale home sellers are not happy about selling their home.  Some are angry because efforts at a loan modification with the lender have failed.  However, making the home difficult to be shown will not help the situation -- in fact, if you don’t have an offer on your home, it could put you in a jam down the road.  If the bank determines that you are deliberately delayingthe short sale, and you have not been making payments, often they will simply continue the path toward foreclosure.  Also a listing that is difficult to be shown gains a reputation among agents, so don’t assume that agents will begin eagerly showing your home again after you’ve spent months running them around about showing appointments.

 

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4)   They take too long to present the short sale application to the bank. Short sale sellers must remember that the buyer is waiting for the short sale to be approved as well.  They have to put much of their personal life and their entire financial life on hold to buy a home in today’s lending environment   They have concerns on their end as well, including when they are going to move, interest rate fluctuations, and the cheaper short sale next door that just hit the market.  As a short sale seller, you should do your part and have your hardship letter and financial documents ready.  Ideally, you should have all material for the short sale application ready to go when you put the home on the market.

 

 

CoinToss-150x150.jpg?width=1505) They select the wrong short sale agent. Short sales are different than regular listings.  They generally take twice as long, present unique issues, and require a specialized skill and approach.  Some agents have never successfully closed a short sale, or they simply hate them.  That is understandable because short sales require a certain level of experience, determination and tenacity.  They are not easy listings to close and I believe you must be passionate about short sales to be successful at them.  Accordingly, it is important to select an experienced short sale agent that can make it through the long haul, and is prepared to fight it out with the bank for you.

 

 

Before deciding whether to short sell your home, it is essential that you obtain legal and tax advice, and consult with an experienced local short sale agent.   If you are considering a short sale of your Santa Maria, Orcutt, or Nipomo home and would like ashort sale consultation, please call my office to schedule a meeting or a telephone consultation at (805) 938-9950.

 

Tni LeBlanc is an independent Real Estate Broker, Attorney, and Short Sale Agent. She is a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) and Certified HAFA Specialist (CHS) serving the Santa Maria, Orcutt and Five Cities area of the Central Coast of California.


*  Nothing in this article is intended to solicit listings currently under contract with another broker.  This article offers no legal or tax advice.  Those considering a short sale are advised to consult with their own attorney for legal advice, and their tax professional for tax advice prior to entering into a short sale listing agreement.  Mint Properties is not associated with the government, and our service is not approved by the government or your lender. Even if you accept this offer and use our service, your lender may not agree to change your loan. If you stop paying your mortgage, you could lose your home and damage your credit rating.

 

Copyright© 2011 Tni LeBlanc *Top 5 Mistakes Short Sale Sellers Make*

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