Know the risks....Use a Realtor®.

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/product-reviews/history/welcome-gh-seal

I received a call yesterday from a young lady asking about a rental property in Melbourne, Florida.

After much questioning I finally understood the situation.

She had found the property listed on "so and so dot com." 

She wanted to know if I had ever heard of the web site.  I had but had no opinion or experience  with this site.  She said she had called the landlord (owner?) about the property but wanted to check with me to see if it was a real listing before she gave them money.

Her concern was "There are so many scams on the Internet with real estate."

Her concerns made me wonder why people who know the risks still go down the path.    

No, I am not in charge of the Good Housekeeping seal.   I can't vouch for or recommend you deal with any specific individual.  I do know that Realtors® operate under a state license as real estate agents as well as a Code of Conduct.

 

As a consumer one must always proceed with caution and perform their due diligence.   Starting with the assistance of a Realtor® is step one.

If you are considering buying, selling or renting a house in Brevard County, Florida, choose a professional who will look out for your interests as step one.

Call me at 321-693-3850.  If you prefer, send me an email.

Home Buyer Tips: Do you know who is listening or watching?

Sometimes sellers want to stay in their house when buyers are looking so they can eavesdrop on the conversation.  Is there interest?  Can they answer a question or offer clarifying information?

Or, if they left, they would anxiously await for their Realtor® to get some feedback on what the buyer prospects thought and if they were interested. 

Now it is not necessary for them to wait.

Remember the old video cameras of years ago?   Some were so heavy one risked injury just carrying it on a shoulder!

Today the ability to record as well as monitor in real time is less cumbersome and expensive. 

Technology is inexpensive.   Cameras are smaller.  A laptop computer sitting on a desk could have a webcam doing a live feed.  Or someone could be listening over the monitors in the baby's room.  I have read that there are even stuffed animals that are really cameras.  And security systems often provide live feeds to owners while they are away.

Am I worried a buyer is going to steal something?   No, not really although most real estate agents do not personally know their clients.

Am I worried a prospective buyer may say something like how much they are willing to pay?   Maybe.  Offers should be discussed in a private environment and the subject property may not fit the bill. 

This is just only a caution to buyers...you never know who is watching or listening! 

Ready to buy or sell a house in Melbourne, Florida?   Call me at 321-693-3850 or send me an email. 

Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Home Seller Tips: What is wrong with 700 days on the market?

I just read an article where a buyer was "forced" to see a house that had been on the market for over 700 days.  The buyer's initial response when offered the property as a prospective home to view was "What is wrong?"

Days on the market are often viewed as an indicator of a couple of things.

First, the price is too high!  After all, if it was even near the market there would have been an offer already.  Secondly, there is something really wrong with the property.  It could be structural.  It could be location.  Prospective buyers will lean toward the really negative.

How can you prevent your home from being a 700 day listing?

Buyers are going to judge you in a couple of ways.

1. First, the price.  If the price is reasonable for your home's age, location, and size, then you have won the half the battle to getting an offer.
2. The second, and most important way, is by what they see.  Buyers are going to judge you the moment they pull up in front of your house. And whatever they find inside will serve to reinforce that verdict!

The logical strategy then seems pretty simple.  The place to start is with the curb appeal.Landscaping is key.  A clean bright (fresh paint) front door sets the tone.  Clean sidewalks and stain free driveways are a good welcoming path as well!

Once inside light and bright is the rule.  Use only the furniture necessary to allow prospective buyers to "size up" the space.  Your Realtor® can share much more on staging your home for selling!

And the property mentioned above? 

The buyer bought it.  It had undergone a major renovation and updating during the listing period. So nothing was wrong - except the decision to renovate while trying to sell.  But that is another post.

When you are ready to sell your Melbourne, Viera, or Rockledge, Florida home call me at 321-693-3850.  Send me an email for your free market analysis.

Distressed sales still happen but not as often in Brevard County, Florida

There are still some distressed sales in Brevard County, Florida.  In June 2014 about 70% of all single family homes sold were standard sales (approximately 550 of 800 sales).  But the 30% of distressed sales is different than years gone by as about 25% were foreclosures.  This is consistent with May 2014 when standard sales were about 75% of single family home sales and foreclosures were about 23% of the sales.

The below graphic shows the trend since 2008 in Brevard County, Florida.

For information on homes for sale in Melbourne, Florida call me at 321-693-3850 or send me an email.