<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>
<rss version="2.0">
    <channel>
        <title>St George Utah Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.stgeorgeutproperty.com/blog/for-sale-by-owner/</link>
        <description>Find news and information pertaining to the St George Utah real estate market.  Paula Smith of ReMax First offers news and updates with relevant market statistics and analysis.   </description>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.stgeorgeutproperty.com/blog/hiring-a-real-estate-agent-avoid-common-pitfalls-with-a-proper-interview.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.stgeorgeutproperty.com/blog/hiring-a-real-estate-agent-avoid-common-pitfalls-with-a-proper-interview.html</link>
            <author>paula@stgeorgeutproperty.com (Paula Smith)</author>
            <title>Hiring A Real Estate Agent – Avoid Common Pitfalls With A Proper Interview</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The number of sold homes in St George is on the rise, and more homeowners are considering selling their home.  Hiring a real estate agent to help you sell your home is a smart decision, but there are many pitfalls to avoid in order to ensure you are hiring the best qualified professional for you.  By understanding what an agent does for their client, why they do it, and what their systems are, it is possible to not only successfully sell your home, but have a pleasant experience as well.


In essence, real estate agents work for themselves, developing their own way of marketing and selling homes, so every real estate agent is different.  These differences may be slight, or they may vary greatly, but the only way to discover what services each one provides is to interview the agent.  Interview at least three real estate agents at your home, well before you must put the home on the market if possible.  The interviews should focus on several aspects that you may not be aware of yet.  Let's take a look at what a proper real estate agent interview should involve:


The Interview


It is important to understand that the interview process is not to find out which agent claims to be able to get the most money for your home.  In fact, pricing should not even be discussed at the initial interview.  The object of the interview is to discover what services each agent provides, learn what type of marketing plan they have in place, how that marketing plan applies to your situation, and what systems are in place to manage the paperwork generated by a pending contract.


However, as important as these details are, it is just as important to learn whether or not you are comfortable communicating with the agent.  Many sellers make the mistake of simply hiring an agent who promises to sell the house for the most money, even when they do not feel comfortable with the agent, sometimes sellers will state they don't even "like" the agent.  A real estate transaction can be extremely strenuous and emotional; that is why open, clear, comfortable lines of communication are critical to a successful sale.


Questions to ask each agent should be written out and utilized during each interview.  Asking the same questions of each agent will provide you with a standard way to compare them after the interview process is completed.  Below are some of the most critical questions to ask a potential real estate agent:




How many active clients do you generally assist at any given time?


What is your marketing plan?


Describe how my home will be presented on the internet as over 80% of buyers seek homes there.


How do you manage a contract?  With all of the paperwork, the numerous service providers involved, and the buyer’s side of the transaction, it must be difficult.  How do you keep everything straight?


Are you a full time real estate agent?


Do you have any vacations planned?  If yes, how will you manage my business during your absence?  How will you be able to handle an offer or showing?




Be sure to take plenty of notes during the interviews. Once the interviews are over, go over your notes thoroughly.  It is a good idea to schedule a second interview with the realtor you've chosen, this time requesting that the agent provide you with statistical information and recommended pricing on your home.  You may even want to have each agent provide this information in a second interview as well, just to be sure of your final decision.  Although this adds to your time-line, it is critical to make the best possible choice in an agent in order to avoid the all-too-familiar pitfalls.


If you are considering the sale of your home in St George or Hurricane (or the surrounding areas) contact Paula Smith  Re/Max First in St. George, listing specialist.  Place your home on the front page of my website which attracts more than 4500 visitors each month.  I provide sellers with results, backed by Re/Max, the most recognized name in the industry.  Visit my Sellers Page to learn more about Selling your St George home.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 18 Mar 2011 21:40:55 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.stgeorgeutproperty.com/blog/common-mistakes-made-by-a-for-sale-by-owner.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.stgeorgeutproperty.com/blog/common-mistakes-made-by-a-for-sale-by-owner.html</link>
            <author>paula@stgeorgeutproperty.com (Paula Smith)</author>
            <title>Common Mistakes Made By a For-Sale-By-Owner</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
St George For Sale By Owner, also known as “FSBO”.  Selling a home may seem like a simple task,
one that only entails a 'for sale' sign, a few flyers, and possibly posting the
home on Craigslist (not recommended)  or
other mainstream venues, but there is much more involved than meets the
eye.  Real estate agents help countless
people buy and sell homes, attend many hours of education, and develop systems,
all in an effort to guarantee successful, smooth, real estate
transactions.  Homeowners who decide to
sell on their own usually make many mistakes, some of which they are unaware
of, that can come back to haunt them. Let's take a look at the most common
mistakes made by the homeowner during a for-sale-by-owner listing:


1.  Emotional Pricing
- One of the most critical mistakes often made during a for-sale-by-owner
listing is that the home is priced out of alignment with the market value.  Homeowners tend to view their property with
emotional attachment, resulting in an escalated price because they include
their personal experiences in the home as part of the value.   - For example, a homeowner may personally
paint a child’s bedroom with a fun mural, full of bright colors.  The homeowner believes the mural has value
because it special to the child, but in reality, the mural is not only a
hindrance to attracting a buyer, it devalues the home in the buyer’s mind
because all the buyer sees is the fact that they need to paint the room. Your
decorative touches, no matter how much you love them or how much you paid for
them, do not add value to the home.


2.  Improper Staging -
Buyers are very demanding when looking at homes they are interested in,
especially in the current market.  They
have a lot of homes to choose from, and the slightest problem with a home can
cause them to move on to the next place of interest.  In St George for sale by owners often make
the mistake of believing what appeals to them will also appeal to all buyers, such
as the mural story above.  Simple things
such as paint, flooring condition, cleanliness, well-lighted rooms, uncluttered
walls, all play a part in impressing buyers. 
It is a good idea to actually hire a home staging expert to provide
advice on how to best show the home.  A
staging professional will advise you about what changes can be made to not only
attract, but keep buyers interested enough to make an offer on your home.


3.  Old Fashioned
Marketing - Over 80% of people who are looking to purchase a home, surf the
internet to find the right property. 
Homeowners may not know how to properly market their home on the
internet.  Not only does a seller need to
know all possible internet marketing avenues, but also must possess a very good
understanding of the ins-and-outs of using all the search tools available.   If this
sounds like a tall order, it is.  There
are hundreds if not thousands of for-sale-by-owner sites, as well as the
popular auction sites, that are vying for the home seller's listing.  How do you know which is best?  Where do you even begin to look?  Which sites are more “spam” and do not even
attract actual buyers?  Without a strong
background is real estate and marketing, along with a firm grasp on internet
posting, your home may be lost in the shuffle and never be seen.  With an uninformed eye on the internet, the
for-sale-by-owner could be missing thousands of potential buyers.


4.  Improper Paperwork
- One of the most frustrating, and costly, mistakes made during a
for-sale-by-owner transaction is the lack of experience in managing the
paperwork and communication that is necessary once an offer is received and
accepted.  Considering only the pages of
the contract, there are dozens of documents to understand with numerous
disclosures that must meet precise dates for signing and filing.  Aside from simply signing and accepting an
offer, there are inspections to be scheduled, appraisers to meet, and
unacceptable conditions that must be negotiated.  If anything is missed, it could cause the
contract to fall through, meaning that the home must go back on the market.  Paperwork errors can also result in future
legal concerns.  Most homeowners are not
expected to know all these details; this is what real estate schooling and
training is meant for.


Although it is possible in St George Utah, for a homeowner
to sell their own home, it is extremely tedious and time consuming.  Homeowners are involved with only one, or
maybe two or three, real estate transactions in their life, whereas a real
estate a professional is involved with hundreds or thousands.  Leaving such a large investment to the professionals
is often in a homeowner's best interest. 
It is also a common misconception by homeowners that they will “make
more money” if they do not use an agent. 
This is simply not true, and most every buyer will realize there is no
agent involved either and they will want that “savings” applied as their “discount”.  It's a fact that homes that are listed sell for more than those that are not.  Many buyers are already represented by an
agent.  A buyer should always be counseled
by an agent to make certain they understand the market conditions and actual
value prior to making an offer.


If you are considering Selling your home, visit my St George Sellers page.  If you would like to find all MLS listed property in St George, view my Search Property tab at the Home Page.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:20:22 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.stgeorgeutproperty.com/blog/pricing-a-home-to-sell-making-smart-decisions-in-a-buyers-market.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.stgeorgeutproperty.com/blog/pricing-a-home-to-sell-making-smart-decisions-in-a-buyers-market.html</link>
            <author>paula@stgeorgeutproperty.com (Paula Smith)</author>
            <title>Pricing A Home To Sell – Making Smart Decisions In A Buyer's Market</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Pricing A Home To Sell in St George– Making Smart Decisions In A Buyer's Market


Are you selling your St George Utah home?   In the process of selling a home, the single most important item to address is pricing.  Pricing a home has several factors which must be addressed in order for the outcome to result in successfully attracting a buyer.  This is especially true due to the fact that St. George is currently experiencing what is termed a “buyer’s market.”


A “buyer’s market” is, in simple terms, one in which there are more homes for sale than there are buyers for those homes; basically a glut on the market.  One reason for the surplus of inventory is a result of the banking industry experiencing a record number of homes they have in foreclosure.   Currently, in St George Utah, these foreclosed homes have saturated the real estate market, increasing inventory beyond the market.  Another factor may be that people who are currently renting are hesitant to commit to a long term mortgage, even at lower interest rates, because of job instability.


What this means to someone who is attempting to sell a home is that the asking price must fall within the range of what a buyer will pay for a home in a specific location, unfortunately this also means that all sellers must compete--even if the competition is a foreclosure.  This “magic” price is determined by the following statistical facts:




comparison of asking price of other, similar and non-similar, homes that are in the vicinity of the subject home


comparison of actual sold price of other similar and non-similar, homes in the vicinity of the subject home that successfully closed escrow


how many homes are currently on the market that are comparable to the subject home


how long other homes in the vicinity of the subject property have been on the market


location of the subject home


condition of the home




A seller’s true competition are the other homes on the market.  By looking at the asking price of other homes currently active, it can be determined what the current competition is.  Upon analyzing competition, whenever possible it is best to come in slightly under asking prices of the other homes if at all possible.  This places the seller’s home in the primary position when buyers are making their lists of the best priced homes.  It is a mistaken belief that buyers and sellers are in an adversarial position.  In actuality, a buyer and a seller want the same thing.


The actual sold price of other homes provides guidance as to how much the market will bear for the property.  It is best to look at homes that are the same style, similar amenities, and within the same area as the subject home.  Buyers are looking for the best deal, not necessarily a particular style.  The actual sold data is the strongest indicator as to how to price a home to sell.  I regularly post market statistics which assist St George Sellers in understanding current market conditions in St George and Hurricane Utah.


There are a couple of helpful pointers when reviewing how long other homes have been on the market:  those that are currently active on the market, those that have received a contract on them but have not closed escrow, and those that have closed escrow.  This number, termed “days on market” or “DOM,” provide information on an estimated time it will take to sell the home.  This figure needs to be analyzed with the asking price history.


The location and condition of a home are generally the easiest to consider.  If the home is located in a desirable area, but is in poor condition, or vice-versa, it will have an impact on the price.  


In essence, with the assistance of an experienced Listing Specialist,  you need to tie the contributing facts together, starting with the hopeful sale price based on other listings, then what they are actually selling for, and the volume of houses in your price range, and neighborhood.  Then, throw in the desirability and condition of your home, and your price will finally be set.  This takes some patience and courage, but the final result will be more showings which means more potential for a successful sale.  Overpricing your home in the beginning is a common problem often resulting in frustration and no sale.  Choosing a highly recognised company to list your your home is crucial for property exposure.  ReMax First of St George has been around for over 20 years, offering stability and a proven track record. 


Currently in St George, a well priced home will sell in a matter of days (sometimes even days).  If you would like to view current St George market condition reports, including foreclosure activity and statistics, visit my St George Utah Real Estate Blog.   Paula Smith is your Listing and Marketing Specialist.  Find all Washington County MLS listed property for sale online.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sat, 12 Mar 2011 19:56:03 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.stgeorgeutproperty.com/blog/what-the-st-george-homeowner-should-expect-from-their-agent.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.stgeorgeutproperty.com/blog/what-the-st-george-homeowner-should-expect-from-their-agent.html</link>
            <author>paula@stgeorgeutproperty.com (Paula Smith)</author>
            <title>What The St George Homeowner Should Expect From Their Agent</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The Seller And Real Estate Agent Relationship - What The
Homeowner Should Expect 


Selling in St George?  If you are considering selling your home in St George or Hurricane, you may want to know what you can expect.  We all want the sale of our house to go smoothly.  We know that somewhere between sticking that
sign in the front yard and packing up the moving van, there are a lot of
details that need to be handled.  With
these details comes stress, all bundled up in emotion.  Selling our home means more than signing on
the bottom line.  That's where hiring the
right real estate professional can be invaluable.  


Listing your St. George home with a trustworthy real estate
agent that you feel comfortable with can save a lot of money and time, but also
a great many headaches and heartbreaks. 
A knowledgeable, experienced agent understands the nuances of the real estate
transaction as well as the emotions of the sale of one's home.  It takes a special understanding of what
happens between the seller, or sellers, and potential buyers to keep everyone
on track during potentially difficult times.


Contacting a real estate agent early in the process will help
alleviate many of the problems that could arise in those first discussions
about selling a house.  Once the right
agent has been selected by the seller, it's time to get to work finding out how
to build a good relationship with their client. 
This starts with learning about their clients and what motivates them.


A homeowner may be highly motivated to sell their home
quickly.  For this type of imminent sale,
the time-frame may be tight.  Perhaps a
job transfer is coming soon, or a new school year starts, or any number of
reasons; some pleasant and some unpleasant. 
A good real estate agent wants to know the motivation in order to better
serve you.  Be open and honest with the
agent you choose.  There is no need to
beat around the bush; your agent will soon know more about your personal life
and finances than you would believe. 
That is why choosing an agent with experience and integrity is so
important. 


Sometimes, a move is not imminent.  A homeowner may want to test the market for
future decisions. Instead of guessing, homeowners should use a real estate
agent's expertise to find out the true value of their home.  It prepares them better for making decisions
for the future.  In other words, guessing
what your home is worth is no way to prepare for a future sale of your home, or
purchase of another. Your agent will want to know if this is the case so he or
she can do some projecting into the future markets for you.  There is no reason to 'fool' an agent into
thinking you're ready to list your home when you're not.  A good agent wants to help you determine the
value of your home whether or not you're ready to list.


Whether the sale of your home is planned soon or in the
future, it is best to contact a qualified agent early in the process.  An experienced agent will help by getting the
information straight right from the beginning in order to avoid mistakes early
on.  The right agent will assist the
seller in defining what is important during the process, provide a sounding
board for ideas, and then help customize a plan of action.  


Once you have interviewed several agents, asked all your
questions, and finally chosen the one that's right for you, it's time for the
agent to turn the tables and ask you a few questions.  Any good agent will be sure to ask a potential
client these simple questions:




Do you need to sell your home soon?


What is the reason you're selling your home now?


Will you be open to negotiation with a buyer?


Are you prepared financially to repair items
that show up on the home inspection?


Are you listing your home now in order to sell
at a future date?


Are you pricing your house as a way to test the
market for a future sale?


Have you tried to sell your house by yourself?
If so, what have you tried?


Are there back taxes owed?


Are there liens on the property other than a
mortgage?


Are there any reasons that would prevent you
from accepting an offer, other than price?




Of course some of this information will be discovered as the
paperwork is prepared, but hearing it from the seller first matters.  If these questions seem intrusive, they are
only designed to avoid an embarrassing, or worse, situation down the road.  Be prepared to share your story; this is only
a short list of the questions you will expect a good real estate agent to ask a
client.


There is much more to selling a house than getting the
paperwork done.  I'm Paula Smith and I am
a St George listing specialist.  My goal
is to learn first about the homeowner's reason for selling, how desperately
they want to sell, and how much they are willing to sacrifice in order to
sell.  All these questions may feel very
personal, but a good agent will help their client understand that this
confidential information is necessary in order to get their home sold as
smoothly as possible.  My business
revolves around my client, and my motto is: Dedicated to providing an
unprecedented level of service and exceed Client expectations.


If you are considering selling your St George home or selling your Hurricane home, contact Paula Smith.  I would appreciate
the opportunity to demonstrate my technologically advanced marketing abilities
which will place your home in front of thousands of perspective St George area
buyers.  My St George Utah Real Estate website currently attracts
more than 4500 visitors per month, why not have your home on the front page?  Why not hire an aggressive agent backed by
RE/MAX which is the most recognized name in the industry.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sat, 12 Mar 2011 09:22:54 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.stgeorgeutproperty.com/blog/st-george-home-selling-stategies.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.stgeorgeutproperty.com/blog/st-george-home-selling-stategies.html</link>
            <author>paula@stgeorgeutproperty.com (Paula Smith)</author>
            <title>St George Home Selling Stategies</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
A St. George Utah Buyer's Market Demands Aggressive Selling
Strategies – Prepare Yourself And Your Home


Selling a house in our extremely competitive St George Utah
real estate market is possible, especially if a seller is prepared to take
action to help facilitate attracting a buyer. 
In a housing market where 'for sale' signs are springing up like
mushrooms after a downpour, it's not enough to hire a REALTOR who only puts a
sign in the yard, enters the information about the home on the local multiple
listing service (MLS), and waits for a potential buyer to find the home.


In a buyer's market, it is imperative that sellers be more
cognizant of the choices and actions they take prior to putting the home on the
market.  In some instances, it may even
be wiser to keep the home off the market until they are fully prepared to offer
it for sale.  Potential buyers may not
reappear to see your freshly painted entry. 
How should you prepare yourself for this competitive market?  Here is a brief rundown of a must-do list to
get your St George home noticed and sold:


The Right Agent - Rushing into choosing a St George REALTOR
could be your first mistake in a competitive market. You must begin by
interviewing several St. George or Hurricane area agents in order to choose the
best REALTOR available for your individual circumstance, especially in such a
competitive housing market.  Begin by
asking some standard questions to find out what marketing plans are offered,
what internet presence can be expected, a list of past clients as references,
and what type of administrative and communication systems are in place. - The
REALTOR who understands the market, who is not interested in appeasing your
over-priced value on your house (an agent should tell you what your home is
worth not ask you what you would like to receive for it) and who can explain
what it means to sell a house in a buyer's market such as the current St George
conditions, will be the agent for you. Choose the agent that gives you the
straight talk while keeping a good rapport with you, and you will have a
successful relationship and sale.


Repairs - It's time to prepare the home for sale.  Aggressive sellers will hire a home
inspection company to conduct what is termed a “pre-inspection” of the
house.  This pre-inspection will identify
potential defects in the home that will eventually show up through a buyer’s
inspection, possibly terminating any offers on the table.  By discovering defects and making the
corrections well before a buyer has an opportunity to back out, the home will
get a second and third showing, resulting in more offers.  When a pre-inspection is conducted, it is
best to inform potential buyers of it by leaving a copy of the inspection
report at the home as well as have it posted on the multiple listing
service.  Don't forget to complete those
little repairs, too.  It's not just about
whether the furnace works; buyers notice things like broken light switches and
squeaky doors.  It may seem trivial, but
each one starts a fingernails-on-the-blackboard response in a buyer which can
result in losing a follow-up showing.


Curb Appeal - In addition to making repairs to the actual
home, taking a look at the landscaping and entry is another key to selling a
home in our current St. George buyer’s market. 
Landscaping and your front door has a tremendous impact on the first
impression a buyer will get when they first see the home, it sets the tone for
what they will expect to see once the door is open.  You may be thinking that buyers are fickle,
and they may very well be.  But,
regardless of whether you think something like a few flowers and a fresh coat
of paint is trivial, your buyer may not. 
Having a potential buyer come back for a second look because they felt
welcomed by the first impression they got at your front step can make the difference
between selling and sold. Photos of your home will be posted on the internet,
printed on flyers, and used in other publications if you have an aggressive
agent.  Simple things like potted plants,
trimmed shrubbery, and neat entries make a difference.  Photographs aren't very forgiving.  You can't make up for that peeling paint or
pile of dead leaves with a clever description of your home or even cinnamon
rolls baking in the oven.  Pictures are
not forgiving, so be sure your landscaping and entry are meticulous, even if
you have to postpone your listing until you get it done.


Staging - Take a look at your home from a buyer's
perspective.  I know this is hard to do
because you have an emotional attachment to your home.  But, consider coming into your home for the
first time as a new owner.  You may have
furniture that perfectly matches your purple walls, but not everyone does.  You may have the perfect kids' rooms for your
toddlers, but not everyone has toddlers. 
Invest in neutral tone paint and cover up all those lovely colors.  You also need to take a look at replacing
carpeting, putting away all your knick-knacks, rearranging your furniture, and
even storing most of your items to clear the way for a buyer's imagination.   Many sellers benefit from hiring a home
staging professional.  These experts are
trained to see the potential, and for understanding how difficult it is to
de-personalize your home while it's on the market.  A home staging expert is trained to see homes
through the buyer’s eye and will present the home so that the buyer actually
looks at the qualities and features of the home, rather than be distracted by
the stuff the owner either loves or has become immune to.


When selling a St George home in a buyer’s market that is
saturated with a large inventory of homes for sale and competing with the
foreclosure current market, it is imperative sellers take proactive steps prior
to putting a for sale sign in the yard. 
Interview and hire the best REALTOR, review and repair any defects of the
home, and properly stage the home so you will maximize the interest each time
you show your home.  Paula Smith of
RE/MAX First Realty St. George offers experience and reputation backed by
RE/MAX which is one of the most recognized names in the industry.  I take a hands-on approach to the St George
Utah real estate market and stay on top of our market conditions.  If you would like to sell your St. George or
Hurricane home, contact Paula Smith St George Real Estate Listing Specialist today. 
If you would like to see all MLS listed St George Utah Real Estate for
sale, visit my website.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sat, 12 Mar 2011 08:24:15 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.stgeorgeutproperty.com/blog/fsbo-success-tips.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.stgeorgeutproperty.com/blog/fsbo-success-tips.html</link>
            <author> ( )</author>
            <title>FSBO Success Tips</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 


For Sale by Owner (or FSBO) signs are popping up throughout the St George Utah area. Seems the homeowners are becoming more determined to compete with, or eliminate the real estate Agent. Each FSBO has their reason for not using an agent. Some have had a less than pleasant past experiences with agents and feel they can do a better job at getting their property sold. Others must sell their home on their own, simply due to the declining property values, they can not afford to pay an agent. Also there is the &quot;experienced&quot; home seller; they have purchased and sold before therefore they do not feel the need to share proceeds with an Agent.


What ever the reason, St George home sellers are determined to act as their own agent. Here are a few tips for you FSBO sellers to consider when selling your home.



    
CLEAN and STAGE. You must keep your home extra clean and clear away the clutter. Fancy up the curb appeal by manicuring the lawn and add some flowers for a splash of color. Use a pressure washer to clean up the exterior (in our &quot;red clay&quot; country, so many homes have a shabby or premature aged appearance due to the clay formed around the lower half of the exterior). 

    
ADVERTISE. You must get your home in front of buyers. Dropping a sign in the front yard and telling the neighbors you want to sell, will not cut it. You must utilize the publications in your area and invest money in advertising. Also, you must get your home online. There are several online resources; some are free to homeowners, that will allow you to list your property on high traffic websites. You can list your FSBO on my St George Utah real estate website, contact me to find out more.&nbsp; This is a technology based world, and buyers look for homes online. Avoiding the tech savvy world, is only avoiding potential buyers. 

    
PRICE ACCORDINGLY. The number one mistake FSBO's make is pricing the property. Most buyers prefer to enlist the services of an agent (read my blog regarding Buyers Agents) and will not purchase a home without representation. Buyers who are willing to purchase direct from the owner have one intention in mind; ironically the same intention as you FSBO's...SAVE MONEY. Don't become greedy, because buyers are educated these days and they have the power to pull comparable home sales in your neighborhood. Today's buyer will also realize that YOU are not paying an agent, so they expect that your property should be priced far lower than a listed home. 

    
ALLOW a BUYERS AGENT to SELL your property. Understandably, some FSBO's feel the Agent is the &quot;enemy&quot;. Often, homeowners become inundated with calls from agents requesting to list the home; coupled with prior unpleasant experiences, this may cause the homeowner to resent agents. Not all agents are looking for the listing. If you are clear upfront (and in print) that you will offer a percentage to a buyers agent, this will give more exposure to your property. If an agent has a buyer, and you want to sell, working together will net the desired end result for everyone. True, you will have to sacrifice a portion of your proceeds; however, it may make the difference between &quot;for sale&quot; and &quot;sold&quot;. Having your home sit on the market will net you ZERO proceeds. Offering a percentage to a buyers agent will save you money since you will not be paying a listing agent, not to mention it may reduce the time on the market which ultimately adds money in your pocket.




Ultimately, a listed home will likely sell faster and for a higher amount than a FSBO property. The key is to find an Agent that will work with you, and for you. Your prospective agent should be able to offer a guarantee, which will release you from your listing agreement should you feel they are not fulfilling their obligations.&nbsp; FSBO can be a successful method, however if you would like to receive the assistance of an agent, give me a call.&nbsp; 


 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 22 May 2008 09:02:16 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.stgeorgeutproperty.com/blog/for-sale-by-owner-showing-techniques.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.stgeorgeutproperty.com/blog/for-sale-by-owner-showing-techniques.html</link>
            <author> ( )</author>
            <title>For Sale by Owner Showing Techniques</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Due to declining property values, many property owners in St George and Hurricane Utah are opting to sell their own home, For Sale By Owner (FSBO)&nbsp;in an attempt to recoup some equity or perhaps break even and avoid a short sale situation. Some owners have sold their home with success; however, in this market with the inventory of homes at an all time high it is crucial that the owner brush up on &quot;showing the home skills&quot;. Here are a few For Sale by Owner tips to consider and possibly apply to your home showing technique:


The Stalker Homeowner: Dont follow the prospective buyers into each room and stand there. The key is to point them in the direction then LET THEM LOOK. Standing over a buyer makes them feel uneasy and makes them want to hurry on their way. Give a short guided tour and point out anything that can easily be overlooked. Then tell them to feel free to open the closets and youll be in the yard if they have any questions.


The Never ending Talker: Stop talking! Disclosure is necessary but prospective buyers do not need over explanation of each room and every decision you made. If your appliances are more than 8 years old, there is really no need to point out the fact they may be a &quot;brand name&quot;. They are just old to a buyer. Drawing attention to the name is only drawing attention to their age. If your kitchen and fixtures throughout the home are more than 10 years old&hellip;your home is dated. Like it or not, your home is going to need updates from the prospective of most buyers. Although you may be proud of the brass chandelier hanging above the entry, many buyers will be calculating costs to replace it.


The Tattle Tail: No need to point out the potential &quot;honey do&quot; list you have not had a chance to do. Once, I showed a FSBO home and the owner had hardwood floors. Rather than just pointing out the hardwood, he went into detail of how they can be refinished. Then the buyers realized the floors really could use a refinish and that was more work&quot;to do. If it is not a disclosure situation then do not point out what is so time consuming that you did not even tackle it prior to selling. If the buyer commented about the floor, that would be the opportunity to explain the solution. 


Know Your STUFF. Know your energy bill averages. Know your neighborhood and amenities; know where parks and schools are located (you may not have children but a prospective buyer could). Know the basics of your home construction (year, energy features, foundation type, and furnace location/type). Know your property lines (if they are not clearly defined, or perhaps they extend past what may appear to be the end). 


Remove the Sentimental Feelings From You and Your House. Buyers do not care that you paid so much money to paint the dining room green&hellip;chances are, they dont like it and plan to repaint. If you go on in detail about your decisions on what you have done to the home (or the garden you worked so hard to plant on the side yard) buyers feel guilty as they may have plans to turn your hard work into a RV driveway. Point out unique features that may go unnoticed then retreat to the front yard. Wait for them to ask questions and give them a SIMPLE answer. Be welcoming and polite, but they are not here to meet YOU. Clean out your personal belongings and pictures. Its hard enough that someone is living there, and that the person who does live there is offering a guided tour&hellip;but if on top of that, all of your family pictures are everywhere, it will be hard for a buyer to imagine it to be THEIR home. 


If you have the phone number, call the next day for follow up. Ask simply &quot;what did you think of THE home (not &quot;MY&quot; home)?&quot; Ask how they felt it showed and the pricing as compared to others. LISTEN to what they say. You may not agree with how they felt but use it as constructive criticism. Remember, this is now business&hellip;not personal. Treat it as it is&hellip;a transaction. Do not rule out a buyers agent, if they would like to sell your home. You will still save money and if it means selling the home faster, it will be in your best interest.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; FSBO in St George Utah is a option that many will utilize, applying some of these techniques may offer success.&nbsp; If you would like to advertise your For Sale By Owner home in St George or Hurricane on this website for free, please Contact Paula Smith.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sun, 20 Apr 2008 10:38:58 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
    </channel>
</rss>
