Why Use a REALTOR®?

All real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate licensees who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® are properly called REALTORS®. They proudly display the REALTOR "®" logo on the business card or other marketing and sales literature. REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. REALTORS® subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate. An independent survey reports that 84% of home buyers would use the same REALTOR® again.

Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $100,000. If you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney? Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the professional assistance of a REALTOR®.

But if you're still not convinced of the value of a REALTOR®, here are a dozen more reasons to use one:

1. Your REALTOR® can help you determine your buying power -- that is, your financial reserves plus your borrowing capacity. If you give a REALTOR® some basic information about your available savings, income and current debt, he or she can refer you to lenders best qualified to help you. Most lenders -- banks and mortgage companies -- offer limited choices.

2. Your REALTOR® has many resources to assist you in your home search. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your agent to find all available properties.

3. Your REALTOR® can assist you in the selection process by providing objective information about each property. Agents who are REALTORS® have access to a variety of informational resources. REALTORS® can provide local community information on utilities, zoning. schools, etc. There are two things you'll want to know. First, will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?

4. Your REALTOR® can help you negotiate. There are myriad negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and furnishings or equipment. The purchase agreement should provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.

5. Your REALTOR® provides due diligence during the evaluation of the property. Depending on the area and property, this could include inspections for termites, dry rot, asbestos, faulty structure, roof condition, septic tank and well tests, just to name a few. Your REALTOR® can assist you in finding qualified responsible professionals to do most of these investigations and provide you with written reports. You will also want to see a preliminary report on the title of the property. Title indicates ownership of property and can be mired in confusing status of past owners or rights of access. The title to most properties will have some limitations; for example, easements (access rights) for utilities. Your REALTOR®, title company or attorney can help you resolve issues that might cause problems at a later date.

6. Your REALTOR® can help you in understanding different financing options and in identifying qualified lenders.

7. Your REALTOR® can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly.

8. When selling your home, your REALTOR® can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.

9. Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. Often, your REALTOR® can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of your property. Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. In many markets across the country, over 50% of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer. Your REALTOR® acts as the marketing coordinator, disbursing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc. The REALTOR® Code of Ethicsrequires REALTORS® to utilize these cooperative relationships when they benefit their clients.

10. Your REALTOR® will know when, where and how to advertise your property. There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® studies show that 82% of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal contacts. When a property is marketed with the help of your REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.

11. Your REALTOR® can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections and financing -- a lot of possible pitfalls. Your REALTOR® can help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.

12. Your REALTOR® can help close the sale of your home. Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your REALTOR® is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement).

by Holistic Interior Designs
brought to you by Matthew Moody, mJmoody

Do you need home renovation tips? Do you long to renovate your kitchen, have a more luxurious bathroom, or just maybe you're brave enough to renovate your entire house? Well, look no further, because I have done it and am fairly confident that I can provide you with the best tips out there.

You know the saying in business, OPM? That stands for other people's money. Well, how about OPE? Other people's experience. Whether yours is a small project or the whole enchilada, armed with a little intelligence you can learn what I did right, and what's more, you can learn from my mistakes. And in the long run, that means more money in your pocket. Which is always a good thing! So if you're ready, read on!

My Top Home Renovation TipsGet recommendations for contractors and get references from their customers. Personally, I would ask to speak directly with their satisfied, or as you might discover, not so satisfied customers.

If you are acting as your own contractor, as I did, you still have to oversee the tradesmen. Get everything in writing. And I mean everything. From the price of a can of paint, to installing new plumbing.

Home Renovation Tips: Budget, Negotiate and Communicate!

And then negotiate. You'll find that there's usually wiggle room somewhere. Don't be afraid to walk if you get a quote that's too high for your budget, just because you've been told it will be worth it. That kitchen that you just turned into a great room won't be so great if it keeps you up at night wondering how you're going to pay for it. So, barring winning the lottery, stick to your budget.

Communicate communicate communicate. And don't stop until the renovation is complete. Be clear and specific in your needs. Don't assume they understand you. In fact, doublecheck to see that you've communicated effectively. People, as a rule, aren't mind readers. This is where many people trip themselves up and end up spending far more than they'd intended.

Be prepared financially. At the end of the day, unexpected expenses will most assuredly arise. That granite backsplash you decided to go for unexpectedly covered up your newly installed electrical outlets and now the electrician has to redo them all. Oh, and he has to drill a large hole smack in the middle of the newly painted, faux finished wall that cost you an arm and a leg…and then the faux painter has to come back and redo the wall! Just breathe. . .

Home Renovation Tips: Preparation

Be prepared mentally. If you're renovating your kitchen, for example, are you prepared to be without running water and the ability to prepare meals? I personally had to wash dishes in the bathroom sink for three months because all of a sudden, the countertop I'd chosen was on backorder and they "forgot" to tell me. . . did I mention my pipes had been ripped out and I had no running water? Fun! Are you prepared for the dust that's kicked up from demolition? Will you need to move out if it's a large home renovation? Ah, and that seven A.M. pounding of the jackhammer. These are all realities of large or small home renovation; you really do have to be ready for it.

Make sure that your house is structurally sound to accommodate the new changes. Will the wiring support the extra power points? Can the heating cope with a room addition? Make sure the existing systems can cope with the changes you've planned.

Do you need permits? Are they costly? If it's a room addition, be prepared for an increase in your house taxes. If it's a new electrical box like I put in, be prepared to have all of your wiring inspected.

This may sound inconsequential. . . but down the road you will be so very glad you did this. Save the paint! Even if you pour the leftover paint in smaller containers, jot down the colors/numbers on each container and put them away. When you have to touch up a wall, the exact color will be within arm's reach. Happy days.

Have a sense of humor about it all. With these home renovation tips in mind, your renovation, while admittedly disruptive, is, at the end of the day, small stuff. It's not curing cancer, it's not sending a man to the moon. Yes, it's important to you, and it should be, but if you can have a few laughs along the way, you'll be better off. So what that the granite they delivered was the wrong color and the plumber is coming in the morning to install the pipes under the sink but now he can't because the countertop needs to be installed first?? And now, it's going to take that much longer and time is money. Ahhhh, welcome to home renovation. You simply can't expect it all to go smoothly. What can you do? Plan as best you can, keep these solid home renovation tips firmly in mind, expect the unexpected and leave a bit of padding in your budget (several of you will send me thank you notes for that one... someday!).

But seriously, my final tip to you is this: put it all in perspective. Smile, breathe, and have a wonderful time planning and executing your project. After all, this is about improving your home and getting more enjoyment from your life.

Here is a link to my writings and links to preparing your home for winter.  Enjoy the beginning of Autumn~  Matthew    http://bit.ly/r6Jnu0