The Case For Staging Your Mobile AL Real Estate

“Staging”  Mobile AL real estate for sale has become a hot trend in the industry.  Unlike some trends that are more trouble than they’re worth, however, this is one trend that can really pay off!  Here are 12 reasons why you should consider staging your home on the market:

1. Turbo Boost Sales Time
Experts all agree and studies show staged homes sell quicker – sometimes up to 50% faster – than non-staged homes.  Not only are you having to pay for your mortgage while your home stays on the market, but the longer the home is on the market, the greater chance there is for a price reduction.  Typically, when a home has been on the market for some time, buyers and agents will assume there must be something wrong with it or that the seller will be anxious to sell and will take much less than the asking price.

2. First Impressions Are The Most Important
People’s first impression of your home is critical.  Staging gives you the best opportunity to make a positive first impression rather than a negative one.  The stronger the impression, the less likely a potential buyer will be bothered if some things aren’t perfect.

3. Gone In 60 Seconds…
Psychology experts have proven that people react based on emotion and then seek logic to back up the feeling.  From a real estate perspective, a buyer will make an initial reaction in less than a minute whether they like your home or not.  Then, after the potential buyer’s initial decision has been made, they will either confirm that decision or rescind it in the next 6 to 20 minutes as they tour the property.  This is why proper staging is critical for any listing.    

4. Ready, Set, Go – Move-In Ready Sells Faster
A properly staged listing not only appears to be in “Move-In Ready” condition, but it really is.  Staging a house for sale means that every component of the house is as close as possible to model condition.  All buyers prefer to buy a home where they can just move-in and start enjoying life.  Most will even pay a premium for this.

5. Imagination Not Included
Did you know that only 5% of the population can truly visualize how beautiful a home can be or see past the clutter, grime and so-so appearance?  It’s true.  Help potential buyers see themselves happily living in your listing and let the offers come pouring in. 

6. Be the Needle In The Haystack
Staged homes have a much greater competitive advantage over houses that are not staged.  Experts are predicting that more and more listings will be sitting on the market for sale in the next few years.  Some areas have already seen a 100-300% increase in available inventory and average time on market.  A staged home stands apart from other listings because it has been properly merchandised to bring out the best qualities of the listing.
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Good News For the Mobile AL Real Estate Market!

newsMobile AL real estate sales of existing homes slowed this spring, partly because restrictive lending practices hampered home buyers. At the same time, a greater number of areas are showing sales gains from a year ago and a recent reversal in mortgage policy means the Mobile AL real estate market is better positioned for a turnaround, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

NAR President Richard F. Gaylord, a broker with RE/MAX Real Estate Specialists in Long Beach, Calif., said the good news is that mortgage restrictions have just been eased. “In the past week, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae announced that they were eliminating their ‘declining market’ policies, effective June 1,” he said.
 
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said eliminating restrictive policies should be a big help to home buyers. “I would encourage buyers who were disappointed by poor mortgage options to take another look at the market because the lending changes are significant,” he said. “Also, a recent notable drop in interest rates on conforming jumbo loans will help consumers in high-cost markets like California and New York.”
 
To learn more about the current conditions of the Mobile AL real estate market, please call me at 866-560-7474 or visit JudySells.com. You may also visit the MLS to begin searching for Mobile AL homes!

Fairhope AL Real Estate Inspections

Contrary to popular belief, home inspections are not just for new home purchases!  It is extremely important to have your Fairhope AL real estate inspected professionally on a regular basis to ensure you keep up with any necessary maintenance or repairs. 

Home inspectors offer many types of inspections to suit Fairhope AL real estate owners’ needs – some of these include:

*           – Pre-Listing Inspections

*           – Pre-Purchase Inspections

*           – New Construction Inspections

*           – HUD/FHA Inspections

*           – Multiunit Inspections

*           – Annual Maintenance Checkup

A home buyer can save thousands of dollars by having a professional home inspection performed before purchasing a home.  Also, in areas with extreme weather circumstances, inspectors can help locate potential problems or damage that may be hidden to the naked eye.

To learn more about Fairhope AL real estate or for a referral to an experienced home inspector, please call me at 866-560-7474or visit JudySells.com.  You may also begin searching for Fairhope AL real estate here!

Fairhope AL Real Estate Trends: Catering To The Boomers

With the Baby Boomer generation becoming the largest-growing segment of the American population, it should be no surprise that these folks – not who we might think of as “trend-setters” – may be the ones driving the latest design and building trends in real estate.

 

This article in the Wall Street Journal explains how designers and architects are catering more and more toward the Baby Boomers.  Research is now showing that many of this generation are choosing to stay in their homes through retirement, instead moving to “assisted living” or a retirement community.


This influx of aging buyers has led to home renovations and new construction including halls and doorways wide enough for walkers and wheelchairs, as well as more master suites and laundry rooms on the first floor.  The technology behind home appliances and fixtures is also catching up, with a myriad of appliances and home design elements more senior-friendly. 

 

Some of the innovations in home design and appliance re-design include:

  • Stoves that monitor pots to prevent boiling over
  • Adjustable typeface on appliance control panels
  • Faucets that turn on and off with just a touch anywhere on the spout
  • Dishwashers designed to be mounted at a more comfortable height
  • Refrigerators with doors and storage designed to reduce bending over
  • Adjustable volume/pitch of oven alarms

I saved the best for last.  There is even a toilet on the market with an electric-blue nightlight built in and a motorized heated seat cover that rises with the touch of a button.  Now there’s an amenity that everyone can appreciate!

 

The impact these trends will have on the real estate market as a whole is uncertain, but with more Baby Boomers purchasing Fairhope AL real estate, light-up toilets may come standard with the next home you purchase!

 

To learn more about trends in Fairhope AL real estate, please call me at 866-560-7474 or visit JudySells.com.  You may also begin searching homes here!

Which Fairhope AL Neighborhood Is Right For You?

Whether you are a newcomer to the area or just purchasing Fairhope AL real estate for the first time, navigating the different neighborhoods can be overwhelming when you are trying to find the one that fits your needs best.  You may find the perfect home, but later discover the property values in the neighborhood have plummeted due to foreclosures or other circumstances.

 

Realty Trac’s Neighborhood Locator tool is a great resource when researching Fairhope AL neighborhoods.  You can search for neighborhoods that offer the best bargains or that boast the highest home appreciation rates.  You can also find areas that are ideal for first-time homebuyers, or that are similar to the neighborhood you currently live in!  The neighborhoods are evaluated based on home costs, crime rates, public school systems, and demographics. 

 

To get more detailed information about Fairhope AL real estate and neighborhoods, please call me any time at 866-560-7474 or visit JudySells.com.  You may also begin searching Fairhope AL real estate here!

Fairhope AL Tax Rebates: What You Need to Know

Tax rebates, which are the centerpiece of Congress’ recent $170 billion economic stimulus plan are starting to trickle in, but few Fairhope AL real estate owners and taxpayers actually understand what the rebates mean or how they may benefit.
Below are some of the main points of the plan:
  • To be eligible for a full rebate, single tax filers must have 2007 adjusted gross income (AGI) below $75,000. These filers will get rebates up to $600.
  • Joint filers must have AGI below $150,000 and are eligible to receive rebates of up to $1,200.
  • Parents will receive $300 rebates per dependent child and there is no cap on the maximum number of children eligible.
  • Filers who do not owe income taxes because of various credits and deductions but who do have at least $3,000 in income (can include Social Security or disability payments) will get $300 rebates per person or $600 per couple.
  • The rebate is a one-time tax cut – an advance on a credit you’ll receive on your 2008 return.
If you made the IRS deadline and filed your taxes by April 15, you can expect to receive a check sometime between May and July.
Why not put your 2007 tax rebate toward the purchase of a new home? To learn more about Fairhope AL real estate, please visit JudySells.com or begin searching for Fairhope AL real estate here. For more personalized service, please call me at 251-990-056