Monthly Newsletter

Jefferson County WI CENTURY 21 Newsletter

October - 2008

Do It Right Pretty as a Picture FREE Phone Market Analysis Amber Castonguay I am pleased to present you with the latest issue of Life@Home. Delivered to home buyers, sellers and owners on a monthly basis, this electronic newsletter is designed to give you the real estate information that is important to you. In each issue, you will find practical tips and articles related to buying, selling or owning a home, as well as the latest news on real estate trends. I hope that you enjoy this issue of Life@Home. If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. Visit Century21.com and view more than 250,000 property listings! Visit my website at www.AmbersHomeFinder.com to view all properties.

"Do" it Right Real estate is a cyclical business. Market conditions change over time creating a selling environment that sometimes favors the seller and at other times the buyer.  Most of the country today is experiencing a buyer's market. This means there are affordable interest rates and the inventory of properties is high. In other words, buyers are getting more for their money and have lots of homes to choose from.  Faced with that type of market, what can sellers do to make sure their home sale experience is a successful one? The answer: plenty. Here are just four things you can do to increase your odds of a profitable sale.  Do hire a real estate professional to represent your property. His or her expertise can be invaluable when it comes to assessing the marketplace, crafting an asking price, staging the home for sale, screening buyers and negotiating the offer. In a buyer's market you need a leg up on the competition.  Do understand the market conditions and the different factors at play. Learn as much as you can about the buying and selling process. The more informed you are the better. Do everything you can to make your property look its best. This may include upgrading the landscaping, painting, making repairs and replacing outdated features. If there are larger projects you are not willing to undertake before you move, such as a new roof or asbestos remediation, make sure you understand how this may affect your negotiations and ultimately your sales price.   Do price it right. This is probably the most important factor in helping your home sell. Price it too low and you won't make the most on your investment. Price it too high and buyers won't be bothered. In fact, your property could end up languishing on the market. Instead use a Competitive Market Analysis and your real estate professional's expertise to help your listing move. Untitled Document  Pretty As A Picture  Some reports say as many as 80 percent of home buyers start their search online.   So it goes without saying that creating an appealing property profile on the Internet is an important step in the selling process  . Start by coordinating with your real estate agent about when and how the digital photos will be taken. Some professionals take the images themselves; others use a dedicated staff member and still others use an outside company for services such as virtual tours.  Before the photo shoot you will want to spend time preparing your property. Most online profiles begin with an appealing photo of the home's exterior. If possible, select a sunny day that will show your property in its best light, but be wary of shade trees that may cast strange shadows in the photo. Make sure the lawn and landscaping are well trimmed and there are no cars in the driveway or out front. And remember if you have an outdoor living space, such as a patio, deck, pool, porch, garden or spacious yard, to showcase these features as well.  Next turn your attention inside. The most important part of taking an effective photo for online use is to declutter. Remove all unnecessary items and distractions. You want the rooms to appear well-organized, spacious and inviting.  Finally, turn the camera outward. If you have wonderful vistas and views, buyers should see those positives too. FREE Phone Market Analysis Register here for your FREE Phone Comparative Market Analysis. Amber Castonguay can be reached via E-Mail Amber@Century21Crossroads.com or Direct: 920.699.8124!

CENTURY 21 Crossroads Realty 520 Hartwig Blvd.  .  Johnson Creek, WI 53038  .  920-699-8124 amber@century21crossroads.com  .  www.AmbersHomeFinder.com