With all of the changes enacted in real estate and related industries, the appraisal process has not been immune.  Because some lenders were found to be pressuring the appraisers they hired, they are now largely work with independent appraisers, and they're finding themselves buried in a backlog of jobs. Because of their workloads, some appraisers may gladly consider any information you can provide about your property, and hopefully they will generate a more accurate report.  As a seller, list the best features of your home, including recent improvements, professional landscaping, or even benefits of your location (like access to public transportation and schools). While you won't necessarily be graded for your housekeeping skills, appraisers do pay attention to the very appearance and ... 02/24/2011

Out of boredom one day in the office I decided to Google ‘For Sale by Owner' tips and tricks to see if they're was any truth to their advice! Pricing Strategy On one of the major sites there was a POLL asking FSBO's how they arrived at the price tag on there amazing home! Do you know that 15% believe Zillow 17% is a guess based of what others sold their home at and a 12% couldn't tell you how they arrived at their number! The Comparative Market Analysis, I believe, is one of the STRONGEST suits for us agents. We can arrive at a price that isn't to far fetched and it sells! It's not a number pulled out of thin air, its market knowledge and knowing what's on the market now and how that affects your seller! Commission Saved "New York Times advised readers on Jan. 30 that "You Don't Have To... 02/23/2011

While not a very common problem, if you've got it, it can have a terrible impact on your listing: The Messy Neighbor.  If you live next door to a "neglected" property, you might lose up to 20% of your home's market value, particularly with buyers looking for any excuse to reduce their offer. It's technically not your problem, but ask not for whom the bell tolls.  It's well worth your time and effort to resolve this situation amicably.  Always be respectful, and don't let your emotions get the best of you. Unless you believe your neighbor is "unhinged," you should begin with a visit to their home and a positive attitude - no name-calling or finger-pointing.  Don't grab everyone on the block and gang up on your neighbor - you'll get better results if you go alone or with one other person... 02/23/2011

The $8,000 first time home buyer credit, for many, has come and gone. For military, the time left to purchase and claim your credit is dwindling down. Here are the requirements: An eligible taxpayer must buy or enter into a binding contract to buy a home by April 30th and close on the purchase by June 30th  The military member had to have deployed (Haiti counts) for at least 90 days between Dec. 31, 2008 and  before May 1, 2010. You do not have to repay the credit if you own and use the home as your main home for 36 months after the date of purchase. There are also exceptions to these general rules when a repayment triggering event occurs. 02/22/2011

Real estate professionals are very often faced with a question from buyers that has nothing to do with houses: "What are the best schools in the area to which we’re moving?"  When you relocate, the most important thing you'll be moving is your child, and you want to be certain you are making the right choice for education. One excellent resource for beginning your research is SchoolMatters.com, an online database of public schools.  Begin with statistics that illustrate students' achievement levels in each school.  Compare reports for all students, including minorities and children in low-income families.  Schools in which all students perform well are providing balanced educational opportunities. Also pay attention to extra-curricular activities offered, particularly if your child is i... 02/22/2011

Here is a few quick tips to reduce your energy bill and get money back where it belongs, in your POCKET! Replace heater air filters once a month. Once a month you can clean out/ replace the air filters. Set up a programmable thermostat. I live by this one. I have mine set really low during the cool months when no one is home and warmer during the summer. I have it cool off or warm up right before the gang gets home and it stays until midnight or so. At midnight (for winter) it gets a little cooler as your under covers anyway! Then right before we wake it warms up until we leave! I have reduced my electric bill SIGNIFICANTLY! All for $50 at LOWES! DID YOU KNOW:   Every degree above 70 increases your cost by 7 percent to 10 percent.  Reverse the blades on ceiling fans during winter.  Sum... 02/20/2011

Everyone's different. I believe in heavy internet saturation, and that's what you will get from me, an online presence. 1.Assist Pricing your home strategically to be competitive with the current market and current price trends.  2.Place For Sale signage  3.Property fliers that are accessible to drive-by prospects  4. Optimize your home's Internet presence by posting it on local MLS systems and adding multiple photographs and creative descriptions  5. Feed your listing to more Internet sites on the Web to maximize your homes exposure. To include but not limited too: 1.Trulia2. Postlets3. Zillow4. Bragg Yard Sales5.  Word Press6. Active Rain7. DanielleGermick.com8.  Facebook9. Homes to Bragg About10. Realtor.com11. Twitter12. Fayetteville ReMax  6. Target my marketing to active real esta... 02/20/2011

Meet Bill Thompson, 82 year old Fayetteville business man and owner of the House of Vacuums on Hope Mills Road. Mr. Thompson opened his business in 1983 and is still there today! When you walk through the door for the first time, you immediately sense he’s never met a stranger. Mr. Thompson has unbelievable charisma and can tell countless stories that will captivate you for hours! He is honest and a very giving person. I met Mr. Thompson in the mid-eighties when I was selling insurance. If my memory serves me right I’ve bought two vacuum cleaners to date from Mr. Thompson, and he has always serviced them for me. Today I needed a new belt and he would not let me pay him. But there was no point in me arguing with him because that’s Mr. Thompson. I can’t recall ever meeting a more genuine... 02/19/2011

It's that time of year again. I've complied a few of my favorite tips & tricks! Wash Your Blinds Wipe wooden blinds with a few drops of gentle wood cleaner on a nearly dry sponge. Aluminum blinds: Place them on an old sheet on a slanted surface, and scrub with water. Use a hose to rinse well, and then dry the blinds thoroughly with a towel to prevent rust. Clean Out the Refrigerator The first step is to wipe up spills immediately so surfaces won't become stained. Make it a habit to throw out old food once a week. Every few months, wash the interior with a solution of two tablespoons of baking soda for every quart of warm water. Wash removable shelves and drawers in the solution (let glass shelves come to room temperature first so warm water won't crack them). Loosen hardened spills on ... 02/19/2011

The question on every one's lips is, "When are things going to return to normal in real estate?"  Well, if the "normal" being referred to is the conditions and shady financial dealings that created the artificially inflated markets of five years ago, then we need to be thinking about redefining “normal.” The bad lending practices of the past are indeed making it more difficult now to secure financing, but try to understand that's not necessarily a bad thing.  Those days of lower standards and easy money led us into this predicament in the first place.  It's good for housing and for the economy when banks become interested in whether loans will be repaid. In the “new” normal, home prices will stabilize, the number of sales will start gaining, and more people will again realize the benefi... 02/18/2011

Facebook and some changes....I don't know about you but for the last little while my Facebook page has been VERY quiet. I was wondering what happened to everyone! Surely everyone is not busy at the same time, and my peeps like to talk!I did what I always do when I think that something is not quite right, started clicking on everything and anything! Well, if you click on the drop down menu" at the top of your “home” page you will see at the bottom “edit options”, click there.  A box will open like you see in the photo, you will either see “Friends and pages you interact with most” (which is what mine was set to) or you will see “all of your friends and pages” (what you want to set to). So this must have changed after this last update... Think of ALL that I have missed since this happened... 02/16/2011

Read, research and decide. Do the math and make sure that this decision benefits you. 10 Signs you're ready to buy a home!  Find a local REALTOR that specializes in what you looking to do.  The REALTOR®  can point you in the direction to a lender that would best suite your needs.  If you're not equipped to buy, don't fret! The lender and agent will help you take the steps needed, and give you TIPS to get you where you need to be.  Every market is different, and every seller has different requirements. Your agent can help prepare you for any upfront costs associated with buying your home.  Look, play around in the MLS, drive by areas! How do I choose the right neighborhood?  Once you find a home, in an area and at a price point that works for you, you will write an offer. Every market i... 02/14/2011

New House, Adventure & Valentines... My clients, Joell & Judy, closed on their new house today! What Judy did not know is that Joell had a little surprise up his sleeve with the help of his fantastic agent, ME! ~Giggle~The plan was to surprise his soon to be wife with a Valentines that she would soon NOT forget. So began the wheels turning...I am SO impressed with his follow through!       This morning I met him at his office and picked up the box of goodies and my instructions for the plan.  He had meticulously planned every step, all I had to do was follow directions...which I do well. ~grin~         The adventure would begin on the stairs with all the necessary tools to get the job done, a box cutter (to make entry into the packages a breeze), a pail (to fill with the goodies along t... 02/14/2011

There is a lot of misconception with this one, and it all stems on not being educated on ‘HOW TO BUY'. Stays tuned for that segment, but for now let's look at the financial aspect. You are already paying rent now. Financially, you're already footing the bill for housing as we speak. There is a comfort in ‘renting' that soothes your financial stability concerns.The main point. You're doing it now. Not only are you paying for a roof over your head now, but your more then likely OVER PAYING for that roof! Rent prices, for a decent apartment/home, in a decent area are almost always MORE then what it's costing the landlord! That's the point, if no one made money of the rental business, no one would do it! A real life example: In my subdivision the average mortgage is around $900 a month. Do... 02/13/2011

If you own or plan to purchase a home, then you know that insurance is not just a luxury, it’s a requirement.  While you should not skimp on certain coverage items, there are some steps you can take to reduce your overall premium. If you have a security system installed (and operating!), you might lower your premium by 5% or more.  You'll just need to provide your insurer with a copy of your contract or latest statement.  Also, while newer homes have smoke alarms already installed, hooking them up in an older home might also reduce your premium by as much as 10%. Just like health or auto insurance, if you increase your deductible on homeowners insurance, you'll reduce your premium.  Just be sure you're prepared to pocket smaller repairs like broken windows or damages from leaks. If your... 02/13/2011

It that time once again girls and boys!! My favorite time of year...time to hit the ball diamonds!Fayetteville/Cumberland County Pars and Recreation is now registering for baseball & softball 2011 season.  The fee is $20 and is open to ages 5 to 18.  You need to bring with you three proofs of residence, one of those MUST be a SCHOOL record with ADDRESS on the form, a birth certificate and your $20Open registration ends March 1st 2011, and the 2011 season will begin on April 16th... Visit their web site at Fayetteville/Cumberland County Parks & Rec PLAY BALL!! 02/13/2011

If you came here because you searched for these keywords, you can just click any of them and it will take you there: Fayetteville NC Homes for Sale; Selling a Home in Fayetteville NC; 3 bedroom 2.5 bath home close to Fort Bragg; or even, 3 bedroom 2 bath condo close to Fort Bragg. If you came because the title caught your eye and you're up for a sweet and funny Valentine's Day story, enjoy! My husband has cooties. That's what we say in our house when someone has the flu. He started that saying one day when he told my 4 year old daughter, "Don't get too close, hon, I don't want you to get my cooties." We kept it, and now, last night and today, he's been locked away in his cave, percolating in his cooties! Now my husband is no Peter Pan or one of the Lost Boys who is looking for a mother.... 02/12/2011

  A "buyers' market" is just what it implies - a market in which buyers have the advantage and exploit it.  It's not a market that rewards foot-dragging, hesitation or indecision. Unfortunately, all the factors that created the buyers' market we have today have been reported so negatively and rampantly by various media outlets that buyers are themselves too spooked to even enter the fray.  Strangely, people were buying like crazy during the previous sellers' market, when the advantage was actually all to the sellers. That's when buyers didn't fear paying too much, and now that prices are so low and inventories so high, suddenly buyers DO fear paying too much!  However, it's impossible to purposefully time the market to buy at the bottom and sell at the top. Once the market begins to set... 02/12/2011

Whether buying or selling a home, the Offer To Purchase is the starting point for making the sale go through.  If the sellers do not accept the offer outright, they may make a counter-offer, which the buyers may likewise accept or counter again. In the interest of speed and success, it's best to keep counter-offers to a minimum.  If you are trying to sell with urgency (and who isn't?), weigh the buyers' offer against your need to move quickly.  Perhaps the value of the concession is quite small against the profit you'll see upon a sale. If you are asking $200,000 and receive an offer of $196,000, that's equivalent to just 2% less, which is like offering $.98 instead of $1.  Similarly, buyers must also be realistic about the possible costs of "over negotiating" in today's rapidly changin... 02/11/2011

If you plan to move while your home is still listed for sale, you may face a marketing challenge - the vacant home.  While lived-in homes may be more attractive during showings, there is much you can do to present your vacant property successfully. On the outside, give your home an occupied look by asking a neighbor to park their car in your driveway, open and close your drapes, and retrieve any mail that still arrives.  During the warm season, have a lawn service maintain the yard (in the winter, a snow removal service may be in order). On the inside, create a sense of space by leaving some strategically placed pieces of furniture, like a few chairs, tables and lamps.  You can create a "bed" by covering an empty mattress box or several moving boxes with a thick comforter. If you remove... 02/10/2011