Driveways & Walkways Make First Impression

Once you have decided to sell your home, be sure to create a positive first impression.  Most sellers realize how important it is to make sure their home’s interior is up to par, but it’s just as important to make sure the exterior is in good shape. If you’re in the process of getting ready to list your home, be sure that your driveway and walkway aren’t overlooked. Paying attention to these areas will not only provide prospective buyers with a positive first impression, it will also help reel in interested buyers.

A well-maintained  driveway  and path to the front door adds curb appeal to your house. It’s the first impression of your home that people see and it should look as good as it can.

Once a potential buyer leaves their car to head to the front door, the walkway begins to play an important role. That’s why it’s vital to make sure both the driveway and walkway are looking their best.

I recommend that you do a thorough inspection of both the driveway and walkway and repair any cracks that you see. If you have the time and money, you may want to consider getting the driveway repaved as this will go a long way toward creating a positive first impression. Cracks in the walkway should be repaired with concrete paint. This can usually be done in a few hours and is a relatively inexpensive fix.

In addition to making repairs, make sure there are no toys,  leaves or gardening equipment blocking someone’s path to the front door. Potential buyers shouldn’t have to maneuver through an obstacle course to reach the front door. Driveways should also be free of clutter and debris.

Once the walkway is clear, make sure that no grass or weeds are growing in the cracks. Spend the time necessary to create a perfect walk to the entrance of your home.

Nancy Puder is the broker and owner of SignatureProperties, a prestigious real estate sales and management firm in Arroyo Grande, CA.  You may contact her at Nancy@NancyPuder.com or (805)710-2415

First Offer Could Be Best Offer

First Offer Could Be Best Offer

Why is it that more often than not, the first offer a seller receives on their home is usually the best offer? Of course, this is not true in every situation, but there are reasons why sellers should give serious consideration to the first offer they receive.

Buyers usually start off slowly by going to a few open houses, going online, and doing their homework.  They then  make first contact with an agent to assess what the agent thinks about the local market.

From there, the buyers begin to get more serious.  They may go on a few private showings with their agent and eventually become what we call a "real buyer"  approved for a mortgage, and actively engaged in the process of buying a home. Real buyers are often the ones who write the first offer a seller receives on a property, and that’s why their offers should be taken seriously.

A real buyer's offer may not come in within days of a property going on the market.  It will, however,  come from an informed buyer who is knowledgeable of the market.  If a home is priced too high and a month or two goes by without an offer, it will be the real buyer who has been watching the listing and waiting to see how the market responds.  If the buyer sees that there aren’t any offers on it and there is no activity after some time,  the real buyer will come in with a low offer, which actually may be a good offer, on the seller’s home.

While sellers sometimes see the low offer as insulting,  the seller should still look at this offer closely and investigate who the buyer is, how long they have been looking, ask whether they’ve written other offers nearby, determine if they are working with a good local agent, and ask if the offer comes with a pre-approval letter.

As hard as it may be for a seller to contemplate an offer much lower than their asking price, serious sellers should look at all the signs leading up to it and consider if this is the offer to accept.

Nancy Puder is the owner and broker of Signature Properties, a prestigious real estate sales and property management firm in Arroyo Grande, CA.  You may reach her at 805.710.2415 or email Nancy@NancyPuder.com. Website: www.SignatureProperties1.com. We always enjoy hearing from you!

Time to Push the Reset Button!

Time to Push the Reset Button!

It is safe to say that there are conflicting reports coming from the media on a daily basis regarding the real estate market.  The truth is that the housing market is  definitely turning around.  Why? Because there is a shortage of homes that are available for sale combined with the fact that most builders stopped building when it became evident the economy was on a downward slide. The result of the shortage is that buyers are now competing with each other, many losing out to a better offer if the home is in a good location, priced right and shows well.

Here on the Central Coast of CA, we  have been experiencing this shortage ot inventory since January. What I didn't expect to find, however, was that after attending an event hosting 200 top Realtors across the country this week, almost every Realtor I met reported the same conditions in their area!

Low interest rates are fueling this new surge of buyers coming on the market as economists and lender predict a rise in rates at some point. 

It's important to know that things have not returned to the old normal.  A lot has happened over the past few years and it is important that you discuss your particular situation with a trusted real estate advisor.

The world is not changing.  It has changed already! If  you are waiting for things to go back to normal, you will miss the boat waiting for something that likely will not happen.   As usual, some change is good and some not so good. If we want to move forward with our lives, one thing is sure that a certain level of acceptance of the facts is necessary to operate in the new world we live in! 

Nancy Puder is the owner and broker of Signature Properties, a prestigious real estate sales and property management firm in Arroyo Grande, CA.  You may reach her at 805.710.2415 or email Nancy@NancyPuder.com. Website: www.SignatureProperties1.com. We always enjoy hearing from you!

Beware of Mortgage Scams

Beware of Mortgage Scams

If someone, even an attorney, has made you a promise or guaranteed mortgage relief and asked for money up-front,  my advice is not to do it.

Mortgage fraud reports have shown an increase from more than 6,900 in 2003 to more than 93,500 in 2011, according to the FBI.  The nonprofit Homeownership Preservation Foundation reported the number of mortgage foreclosure scams has shot up 60 percent so far in 2012.

In response, the California Association of Realtors (CAR) is educating homeowners and warning consumers they are at risk of being scammed by third parties, such as those that promise loan modifications for an up-front fee, which is illegal. 

Many so-called foreclosure rescue companies or foreclosure assistance firms review foreclosure notices in newspapers, the Internet, and public files to identify potential victims.  They then ask for money up-front and claim they can help homeowners save their home.  Some are bold enough to offer a money-back guarantee.  However, the scammers simply take the homeowners’ money, often leaving them in worse circumstances than before.

Consumers should NEVER pay money up-front for services promised. Instead, get a referral to a free HUD-approved housing counselor to advise on loan modifications, short sales, and other alternatives for avoiding foreclosure by calling (888) 995-HOPE. http://www.995hope.org.

To learn more about loan fraud,  go to the California Association of Realtors website and watch videos in Spanish, English and other languages. http://www.car.org/aboutus/forconsumers/loanfraud/

Nancy Puder is the owner and broker of Signature Properties, a prestigious real estate sales and property management firm in Arroyo Grande, CA.  You may reach her at 805.710.2415 or email Nancy@NancyPuder.com. Website: www.SignatureProperties1.com. We always enjoy hearing from you!

Is It Safe to Sell Now?

Is it Safe to Sell Now?

Yes, it is safe to sell now and the market is definitely improving!  Most homes that are listed for sale on the Central Coast are being sold, contrary to what you may be hearing from other sources.

The inventory of homes currently for sale is low and we are frequently experiencing multiple offer situations.  Sellers are no longer having to compete to the same degree with foreclosures as they have had to over the past few years.  One reason is that many buyers are tired of looking at distressed properties that are in disgusting condition, while searching for the best deal.

In addition, more sellers are abandoning the notion that property prices will return to where they were anytime soon and the ones that are pricing their homes at current market value are selling.

You can be sure that we will continue to see foreclosures and short sales over the next year or so, but regular sales are definitely on the rise.  One word of advice is to be sure to get your home priced right the first time.  If you wait too long to price it right, you will probably end up getting less later as buyers will often slash the price of their offers if they feel it has been on the market too long.

Nancy Puder is the owner and broker of Signature Properties, a prestigious real estate sales and property management firm in Arroyo Grande, CA.  You may reach her at 805.710.2415 or email Nancy@NancyPuder.com. Website: www.SignatureProperties1.com. We always enjoy hearing from you!

Freddie Mac Reports a Market Revival

Spring is finally here!

If we take the time to look, we see signs everywhere that represent a new beginning and hope of things to come. Whether we are experiencing it in our gardens or just driving along our beautiful Coast, we see signs of life appearing everywhere. I think it's timely, that now we are seeing the green sprouts of recovery in our housing market.

A major player in the finance world, Freddie Mac, released a report in March that shows signs the housing market is awakening from its depression-like condition of the past few years and beginning to slowly make a recovery. The report also showed that stronger economic growth this
year should translate into a reduction in the unemployment rate to below 8.3
percent.

This is great news whether you are in the housing market or not. You won't have to look hard,
though, to find someone who will contradict this important information. I call them the "yes, but" people. They are the ones who will always find a reason not to have hope. Spring has sprung! Enjoy the season and it's promise of all things new.

Nancy Puder is the owner and broker of Signature Properties, a prestigious real estate sales and property management firm in Arroyo Grande, CA. Nancy is endorsed as a trusted Realtor by Dave Ramsey, well known speaker and author. You may reach her at 805.710.2415 or email Nancy@NancyPuder.com. Website: www.SignatureProperties1.com. We always enjoy hearing from you.

Sales Up Foreclosures Down

The past two months of home sales are at the highest levels in 5 years if you don't count the temporary spikes we had when the government was offering tax incentives in 2009 and 2010.
I find it interesting to see that vacation home sales have surged along with investment sales. In close to half of these sales, buyers have paid with all cash. Foreclosure sales are finally down a bit, and all signs are indicating that the housing economy is on the move to recovery. The report from NAR on vacation home sales is good news for homeowners on the Central Coast. I think we all know that many vacation home buyers will seek to buy in our area as it is still one of the most
beautiful areas in the world to live. Savvy investors are snatching up the most competitively priced homes, causing a bit of a buying frenzy in certain price ranges.

How this will affect your particular situation? If you are thinking about buying, you should realize that the deals are disappearing fast. When you find the home you want, don't be surprised if there are several offers on it at the same time. Be prepared to possibly pay over the asking price if it is priced particularly low. This has become a common scenario.

If you are selling your home, be encouraged because if sales remain strong, you will have a much better chance of getting your price this year, than last year. With foreclosure activity finally easing a bit, hopefully, we will see more regular sales, therefore making the playing field a little more even and "fair" for the average seller. My advice is to contact a professional to determine what your property would sell for in today 's market and be sure to ask them what your net
proceeds will be after the costs of sale.

Nancy Puder is the owner and broker of Signature Properties, a prestigious real estate sales and property management firm in Arroyo Grande, CA. Nancy is endorsed as a trusted Realtor by Dave Ramsey, well known speaker and author. You may reach her at 805.710.2415 or email Nancy@NancyPuder.com. Website: http://www.signatureproperties1.com/. We always enjoy hearing from you!