by Clare Stevens
Shopping for a home can be a little more complicated than finding the property and the money to pay for it. Between you and the night you sip champagne on the porch of your newly acquired house lie mounds of paperwork, with very small print, and jargon that you probably have neither the time nor inclination to wade through.
Why you need a conveyancer
That’s what conveyancers are for. As solicitors who specialise in real estate properties, they can handle all the documents and make sure that you are fully protected by the law.
For example, if you’re selling your home, your conveyancer will prepare the contracts and the property deeds. If you’re buying one, he will coordinate with your mortgage lender and handle all the necessary searches to make sure that you’re not being swindled out of your well-earned pounds. These include a local authority search (to check if your property is sitting on what will later be converted into a highway), a drainage search, a land registry search (so you know you’re talking to the real owner of the property), and a land charges search (to assure the mortgage lender that you can afford the payments).
Some counties have an even longer list of required searches, making a conveyancer even more important. For example, Cheshire county residents need a brine search, to detect if the levels of minerals present in the ground can affect your house or your health. Most conveyancers will also evaluate your property for any damages or hazards that may need repair or correction, which he will then use to negotiate for a better sale price.
Your conveyancer will also be the one to deal with the solicitor of your house’s seller (or buyer, whatever the case may be). He will prepare your offer sheet, schedule the necessary meetings and negotiations, and then prepare the final contracts. Once the sale has actually been made, your conveyancer will also take care of the deeds and make sure that the necessary documents are given to your mortgage lender.
Choosing a conveyancer
With the large amount of money involved in purchasing or selling a home, and the paperwork required by the institutions that will lend that money to you, the fees of a conveyancer are well worth the investment.
Some conveyancers charge a fixed rate, others set the amount according to a value of the property. However, fees should not be the sole determining factor behind your decision to hire someone as your legal representative. Choose someone that you’re comfortable with, who offers excellent customer service, and will update you between the long stretches when documents are being processed. As a rule, legal firms that specialise in conveyancing are more likely to provide this kind of dedicated service. You are guaranteed that you are talking someone who knows the ins and outs of real estate, and will not have to worry that the person assigned to you isn’t too busy in the courts to work on your documents.
It’s also important to ask what is included in the fees, to uncover any hidden charges or at the very least clarify who will shoulder small costs of processing paperwork, such as documentary stamps.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Buying a Diamond in the Rough
It may be your budget, or the thrill of doing it all yourself, but you are in the market for a diamond in the rough. But just how rough can a house be before a lender decides not to take the risk on a mortgage?
When you negotiate the contract, make sure that you include a provision for a home inspection for structural integrity, defects and potential problems. This isn't part of the appraisal, it is a separate detail. A home inspection ascertains the health of the house you are buying. Whether it be a bad roof, leaky plumbing or termite damage, a professional inspector will find all of the major problems. As part of your report, you will receive a list of what needs to be repaired or replaced, the time frame and the potential costs. If you are buying a fixer-upper, you may find that your lender will require an inspection. Some will and some won't. But you should insist on one to protect your best interests.
What if you luck out and there are no major problems, just minor ones? Maybe the carpet is worn and needs replacing. Perhaps the deck needs a little work. New paint and fresh air could be all it needs.
Minor, cosmetic concerns are usually not strong enough to scare away lenders, but could lead to negotiations between the buyers and sellers. Unless you've done this before, you may find a good agent is invaluable to negotiate for you.
If you want certain things repaired by the seller, such as the mailbox fixed and the deck painted, make sure it is in the contract. If it is, the seller must perform. You may be able to have the appraisal include the repairs spelled out in the contract. This can help you when getting a mortgage, as lenders will only lend on the lesser of the appraisal or purchase price. Just make sure that it is all in the contract.
Occasionally, your seller may ask to perform the repairs after closing. Many buyers simply ask for a seller's concession. Instead of installing a $5,000 carpet before closing, the seller agrees to reduce the purchase amount by the $5,000 it will cost the buyer to put in new carpeting.
But if you don't have that $5,000 in hand to buy the carpet, don't expect your lender to give it to you. Even if your contract states that the seller will give you back $5,000 after closing, don't expect it to happen. Cash allowances written into contracts can't happen. The lender will not allow the seller to hand over cash at closing. Your real estate agent should steer you away from this and help construct a sales contract that will please both the buyer and the seller. But don't expect to come home with $5,000. It just won't happen.
Buying a fixer-upper can be rewarding. You get to choose how you want to improve the home. But it is a lot of work and definately not for every buyer or lender. Your best bet is to be completely upfront with your lender about your intentions. This will help the transaction to go smoothly.
When you negotiate the contract, make sure that you include a provision for a home inspection for structural integrity, defects and potential problems. This isn't part of the appraisal, it is a separate detail. A home inspection ascertains the health of the house you are buying. Whether it be a bad roof, leaky plumbing or termite damage, a professional inspector will find all of the major problems. As part of your report, you will receive a list of what needs to be repaired or replaced, the time frame and the potential costs. If you are buying a fixer-upper, you may find that your lender will require an inspection. Some will and some won't. But you should insist on one to protect your best interests.
What if you luck out and there are no major problems, just minor ones? Maybe the carpet is worn and needs replacing. Perhaps the deck needs a little work. New paint and fresh air could be all it needs.
Minor, cosmetic concerns are usually not strong enough to scare away lenders, but could lead to negotiations between the buyers and sellers. Unless you've done this before, you may find a good agent is invaluable to negotiate for you.
If you want certain things repaired by the seller, such as the mailbox fixed and the deck painted, make sure it is in the contract. If it is, the seller must perform. You may be able to have the appraisal include the repairs spelled out in the contract. This can help you when getting a mortgage, as lenders will only lend on the lesser of the appraisal or purchase price. Just make sure that it is all in the contract.
Occasionally, your seller may ask to perform the repairs after closing. Many buyers simply ask for a seller's concession. Instead of installing a $5,000 carpet before closing, the seller agrees to reduce the purchase amount by the $5,000 it will cost the buyer to put in new carpeting.
But if you don't have that $5,000 in hand to buy the carpet, don't expect your lender to give it to you. Even if your contract states that the seller will give you back $5,000 after closing, don't expect it to happen. Cash allowances written into contracts can't happen. The lender will not allow the seller to hand over cash at closing. Your real estate agent should steer you away from this and help construct a sales contract that will please both the buyer and the seller. But don't expect to come home with $5,000. It just won't happen.
Buying a fixer-upper can be rewarding. You get to choose how you want to improve the home. But it is a lot of work and definately not for every buyer or lender. Your best bet is to be completely upfront with your lender about your intentions. This will help the transaction to go smoothly.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Boost Your Spain Property Rental Profits with Viral Marketing
If you are pressed for time and tenants, you'll want to read this! Property rentals can be very lucrative if you know how to market to your potential guests. Whether it's an apartment for rent, villa rental for vacationers, or a golf holiday rental, you can boost profits with these simple marketing strategies.
Maximize Holiday Rental Promotions Online
Don't ignore the tremendous power of the Internet. Imagine spending a mere $5 to $15 per month to advertise your Spain property rental to folks around the world 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! That's exactly what you're doing when you start your own website that is focused on property rental.
For only a few dollars per month, you can have an entire website dedicated to promoting your apartment for rent or vacation villa rental. You can put as many photos and updates as you want. There are no limits because you will be the owner! You can even offer online specials and discounts to Internet users.
To make your website really popular with the search engines, include travel articles and city information about nearby areas. For example, if you own a rental property in Marbella, Spain you can write content about that area and include keywords about traveling to Marbella. The same goes for other Spain holiday hot spots including Costa del Sol, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Mijas, Puerto Banus, and Elviria. Tourists will be searching online for a place to stay. Yours can be the one they choose!
Promote for Events and Recreation
If you have a vacation rental that's near a major tourist or sports attraction or where major events take place, then focus some of your marketing around the attraction or the event. For example, if your rental property is near a popular golf course in Spain where major tournaments are held, you can advertise in golf-focused magazines, golf-related stores, or golf web sites. This enables you to reach a targeted audience.
Don't Forget Past Guests
A guest who rented from you once may visit again. You will have all the mailing addresses or email of your guests, so send a mailing out occasionally inviting them to stay once more. Offer a "special" for past guests only. It's much easier to sell to those who already know you than to find new customers.
Include All Features and Benefits in your Promotions
When promoting your rental property, be sure to include all the features and benefits of staying at your rental property. You should list all the items or appliances that are included with their rental for convenience. The more you tell, the more you'll sell. Tourists want no surprises when it comes to a place to stay on their trip.
With these promotion techniques, you can reach a broader audience for your vacation rental property and watch your monthly profits grow!
Maximize Holiday Rental Promotions Online
Don't ignore the tremendous power of the Internet. Imagine spending a mere $5 to $15 per month to advertise your Spain property rental to folks around the world 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! That's exactly what you're doing when you start your own website that is focused on property rental.
For only a few dollars per month, you can have an entire website dedicated to promoting your apartment for rent or vacation villa rental. You can put as many photos and updates as you want. There are no limits because you will be the owner! You can even offer online specials and discounts to Internet users.
To make your website really popular with the search engines, include travel articles and city information about nearby areas. For example, if you own a rental property in Marbella, Spain you can write content about that area and include keywords about traveling to Marbella. The same goes for other Spain holiday hot spots including Costa del Sol, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Mijas, Puerto Banus, and Elviria. Tourists will be searching online for a place to stay. Yours can be the one they choose!
Promote for Events and Recreation
If you have a vacation rental that's near a major tourist or sports attraction or where major events take place, then focus some of your marketing around the attraction or the event. For example, if your rental property is near a popular golf course in Spain where major tournaments are held, you can advertise in golf-focused magazines, golf-related stores, or golf web sites. This enables you to reach a targeted audience.
Don't Forget Past Guests
A guest who rented from you once may visit again. You will have all the mailing addresses or email of your guests, so send a mailing out occasionally inviting them to stay once more. Offer a "special" for past guests only. It's much easier to sell to those who already know you than to find new customers.
Include All Features and Benefits in your Promotions
When promoting your rental property, be sure to include all the features and benefits of staying at your rental property. You should list all the items or appliances that are included with their rental for convenience. The more you tell, the more you'll sell. Tourists want no surprises when it comes to a place to stay on their trip.
With these promotion techniques, you can reach a broader audience for your vacation rental property and watch your monthly profits grow!
Advice On Selling A House
Maybe you've read lots of advice on selling a house. But do you know the biggest mistake many people make when selling a house? Not understanding real estate value.
You see, it doesn't matter what you think your home is worth. It doesn't matter what youdid to make in nicer for your family. The value of your home is determined by buyers. What you enjoyed about your house may be irrelevant when it's time to sell. Think in terms of what buyers want, and use some of the following advice on selling a house.
1. Know the market. What other similar houses have sold for? Have those examples ready to show potential buyers.
2. Decide on a minimum price - the price below which you just won't move. Don't tell your agent what this minimum is, but negotiate with any buyers who make an offer near or above it.
3. Concentrate on the visible things first. A new mailbox is often a good idea. When buyers fall in love with the house before they even enter it, they forgive a lot of problems.
4. Clean the neighborhood. If a neighbor's yard is a mess, give their kids $10 to pick up the yard. Spend $20 to put flowers in any common-areas, and buyers will have a better first impression of the neighborhood.
5. If you or your agent aren't getting many calls, try something new. Is more advertising necessary? Is the price too high? If price is the problem, drop it fast. That perfect buyer might pass on by while the the home is still over-priced.
6. Listen to prospects. They'll be more objective than you. If you hear several times that the kitchen is dark, get out the white paint.
7. Find the average sales time for your area. If your house is taking longer than average to sell, there's a problem, and usually it's the price.
8. Ask your real estate agent what she plans to do - before you sign a listing agreement. Write down what she says, and hold her to her promises.
9. If there are known problems, such as an old roof, get an estimate for repairs. The sellers may want a $7,000 allowance for a new roof - until you show them your $4,000 estimate.
10. Do improvements that can realisically get you at least a two-to-one return on investment. If $300 to seal the driveway is likely to add $600 to the sales price of the home, do it. Always consider first those things that are most visible.
There are dozens of things you can do to sell your house faster, and get a better price. Start with the ones that will get the most "bang for your buck." Also, read and USE good advice on selling a house.
You see, it doesn't matter what you think your home is worth. It doesn't matter what youdid to make in nicer for your family. The value of your home is determined by buyers. What you enjoyed about your house may be irrelevant when it's time to sell. Think in terms of what buyers want, and use some of the following advice on selling a house.
1. Know the market. What other similar houses have sold for? Have those examples ready to show potential buyers.
2. Decide on a minimum price - the price below which you just won't move. Don't tell your agent what this minimum is, but negotiate with any buyers who make an offer near or above it.
3. Concentrate on the visible things first. A new mailbox is often a good idea. When buyers fall in love with the house before they even enter it, they forgive a lot of problems.
4. Clean the neighborhood. If a neighbor's yard is a mess, give their kids $10 to pick up the yard. Spend $20 to put flowers in any common-areas, and buyers will have a better first impression of the neighborhood.
5. If you or your agent aren't getting many calls, try something new. Is more advertising necessary? Is the price too high? If price is the problem, drop it fast. That perfect buyer might pass on by while the the home is still over-priced.
6. Listen to prospects. They'll be more objective than you. If you hear several times that the kitchen is dark, get out the white paint.
7. Find the average sales time for your area. If your house is taking longer than average to sell, there's a problem, and usually it's the price.
8. Ask your real estate agent what she plans to do - before you sign a listing agreement. Write down what she says, and hold her to her promises.
9. If there are known problems, such as an old roof, get an estimate for repairs. The sellers may want a $7,000 allowance for a new roof - until you show them your $4,000 estimate.
10. Do improvements that can realisically get you at least a two-to-one return on investment. If $300 to seal the driveway is likely to add $600 to the sales price of the home, do it. Always consider first those things that are most visible.
There are dozens of things you can do to sell your house faster, and get a better price. Start with the ones that will get the most "bang for your buck." Also, read and USE good advice on selling a house.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Why investing in hud home ?
I get asked all the time by new real estate investors if investing in hud homes is a good strategy. I will be recap in this article what I tell them….
The increased demand drives up the price and new investors tend to get any and will buy based on emotion instead of logic because they “just want to get their first deal”. If you pay too much for a property, you will lose your shirt on the deal. That’s why it important to not overpay for the property because you make your money on a property on the day you buy, not the day you sell.
This is why it’s important to have the right real estate investing training so you know how to spot the good deals from the bad and not overpay for a property. Your first deal can bankrupt if you don’t structure it the right way. I see this all the time in my real estate investment club. The guys that don’t take the time to invest in their education are soon out of business because they try and figure it out on their own and fail.
Short Sales are a great way to guarantee that you won’t overpay for properties. If you are wondering “what is a short sale “or are wondering what the “definition of a short sale is“here you go. A Short Sale is when the lender accepts less than what is owed on a mortgage on home foreclosures.
All of The deals are no money down.
We don’t give the sellers any money when we get the deed to their house.
The only thing you have to pay when you get a deal is the cost of the notary and recording fee when you record your deed. That’s a maximum of $100. Now my acquisitions manager is a notary so I don’t pay any notary fees. If you don’t put any money down on the house, you aren’t putting any money at risk.
You don’t need good credit to do short sale deals.
You don’t need to go get a mortgage when you do short sales deals. If you don’t need to use your credit, you aren’t putting your credit at risk. You fund the deal the way you structure the transaction. You fund the deal by either:
The ability to own houses without having to make monthly mortgage payments.
There are no monthly payments to make for short sale deals. The houses are either
in foreclosure or about to be in foreclosure. You don’t need to make any payments therefore you aren’t putting any money at risking making monthly payments.
Preforeclosures and Short Sales are extremely easy to find right now.
There aren’t enough investors out there to handle all of the deals in the market. That’s why I’m on a mission to equip you with all of the resources you need so you can go out there and help all of these struggling homeowners and make a lot of money while doing it.
You may here some real estate speakers say to stay away from foreclosures because there is too much competition. Well that was then and this is now. They are teaching old information because they are not currently practicing what they preach. I am actively buying and selling foreclosures in my own backyard and I know what works and what doesn’t work. And I have to tell you there is no competition for preforeclosure and short sales now because there are so many of them.
Short Sales are easy to get because it doesn’t require you to do a lot of negotiating with the seller because they know they don’t have any equity and they’re just looking for a way out. You are their solution! I love working with short sale sellers because they are the most motivated sellers out there.
Short Sales are the most profitable quick turn deals to do in residential real estate because you’re making all of your profit on the discount with the lender
One of the biggest benefits of the short sale business is that it works even better on Luxury Homes. The banks are more flexible and more negotiable on larger mortgages. Banks don’t want to take houses back and they definitely don’t want to take back Luxury homes.
It takes the same amount of work to do a deal on a luxury home than it does to do a starter home. The difference is A Luxury home pays 10 times as much profit. Its like doing 10 deals in one and when you combine the short sale strategy with luxury homes, you’ve got the golden ticket.
You See, Banks are in the money business. They’re not in the Real Estate business. They don’t want to own any properties. Their only interest is making interest on their money. Foreclosing on homes is a hassle they have to deal with because it’s a cost of doing business for them. The sooner you understand this the sooner you will realize how huge this opportunity is for you right now.
When banks lend out money – they have to keep a multiple of 5 times the amount of money they lend out in reserves. When a loan goes bad, it’s now considered a non-performing asset and that limits the amount of money they can lend out.
It costs a bank a minimum of $30,000 to foreclose on a home. They would rather take a discount on the mortgage and get that bad debt off their books so they can lend out more money.
You are the solution for them. Banks need you to help them liquidate their houses so they can get rid of their bad debt. You are doing them a great service.
The increased demand drives up the price and new investors tend to get any and will buy based on emotion instead of logic because they “just want to get their first deal”. If you pay too much for a property, you will lose your shirt on the deal. That’s why it important to not overpay for the property because you make your money on a property on the day you buy, not the day you sell.
This is why it’s important to have the right real estate investing training so you know how to spot the good deals from the bad and not overpay for a property. Your first deal can bankrupt if you don’t structure it the right way. I see this all the time in my real estate investment club. The guys that don’t take the time to invest in their education are soon out of business because they try and figure it out on their own and fail.
Short Sales are a great way to guarantee that you won’t overpay for properties. If you are wondering “what is a short sale “or are wondering what the “definition of a short sale is“here you go. A Short Sale is when the lender accepts less than what is owed on a mortgage on home foreclosures.
All of The deals are no money down.
We don’t give the sellers any money when we get the deed to their house.
The only thing you have to pay when you get a deal is the cost of the notary and recording fee when you record your deed. That’s a maximum of $100. Now my acquisitions manager is a notary so I don’t pay any notary fees. If you don’t put any money down on the house, you aren’t putting any money at risk.
You don’t need good credit to do short sale deals.
You don’t need to go get a mortgage when you do short sales deals. If you don’t need to use your credit, you aren’t putting your credit at risk. You fund the deal the way you structure the transaction. You fund the deal by either:
The ability to own houses without having to make monthly mortgage payments.
There are no monthly payments to make for short sale deals. The houses are either
in foreclosure or about to be in foreclosure. You don’t need to make any payments therefore you aren’t putting any money at risking making monthly payments.
Preforeclosures and Short Sales are extremely easy to find right now.
There aren’t enough investors out there to handle all of the deals in the market. That’s why I’m on a mission to equip you with all of the resources you need so you can go out there and help all of these struggling homeowners and make a lot of money while doing it.
You may here some real estate speakers say to stay away from foreclosures because there is too much competition. Well that was then and this is now. They are teaching old information because they are not currently practicing what they preach. I am actively buying and selling foreclosures in my own backyard and I know what works and what doesn’t work. And I have to tell you there is no competition for preforeclosure and short sales now because there are so many of them.
Short Sales are easy to get because it doesn’t require you to do a lot of negotiating with the seller because they know they don’t have any equity and they’re just looking for a way out. You are their solution! I love working with short sale sellers because they are the most motivated sellers out there.
Short Sales are the most profitable quick turn deals to do in residential real estate because you’re making all of your profit on the discount with the lender
One of the biggest benefits of the short sale business is that it works even better on Luxury Homes. The banks are more flexible and more negotiable on larger mortgages. Banks don’t want to take houses back and they definitely don’t want to take back Luxury homes.
It takes the same amount of work to do a deal on a luxury home than it does to do a starter home. The difference is A Luxury home pays 10 times as much profit. Its like doing 10 deals in one and when you combine the short sale strategy with luxury homes, you’ve got the golden ticket.
You See, Banks are in the money business. They’re not in the Real Estate business. They don’t want to own any properties. Their only interest is making interest on their money. Foreclosing on homes is a hassle they have to deal with because it’s a cost of doing business for them. The sooner you understand this the sooner you will realize how huge this opportunity is for you right now.
When banks lend out money – they have to keep a multiple of 5 times the amount of money they lend out in reserves. When a loan goes bad, it’s now considered a non-performing asset and that limits the amount of money they can lend out.
It costs a bank a minimum of $30,000 to foreclose on a home. They would rather take a discount on the mortgage and get that bad debt off their books so they can lend out more money.
You are the solution for them. Banks need you to help them liquidate their houses so they can get rid of their bad debt. You are doing them a great service.
When Will It be the Buyer's Turn
There has been a lot of talk about the market cooling. Does this mean it is now the buyer's turn at benefiting from market conditions?
A buyer's market occurs when sellers have little or no power in the negotiating of the sale of a home. The buyer has an advantage in that there are more homes to choose from. Housing prices may also be down due to the negotiations of wise buyers.
Are we heading for a buyer's market? Some areas have shown indications that we are. In many areas, home sales have slowed down. Homes are staying on the market much longer. The longer a home is on the market, the sellers should be more willing to negotiate.
Not only is the inventory of homes for sale going up, but the housing prices in some areas have stopped increasing. A few areas are actually experiencing decreases in housing values.
You may be saying that interest rates are working against buyers, but that isn't necessarily the case. Interest rates still remain at a reasonably low level. What this means is that the average person can still afford to buy the average home.
In fact, interest rates help create a buyer's market. With interest rates on the rise, many homeowners are experiencing monthly payments on their adjustable-rate mortgages. Some homeowners who purchased at the peak of the market are just now having their mortgages adjust. There are reports of payments doubling in size for some borrowers who took out risky loans.
Foreclosures are on the rise. People just can't afford their homes any more. They have to sell and they have to sell quickly, before they are foreclosed on. With more and more homes popping up for sale, buyers will have plenty to choose from.
All of these conditions give buyers an edge in the real estate transaction process. Buyers don't have to jump on the first home that they see because homes are no longer few and far between. In many cases, bidding wars won't be an issue. Multiple offers may still occur, but buyers are likely to be a little more relaxed. Of course, this is in general -- there will still be areas and neighborhoods that are experiencing a lot of buyer demand.
If you are looking at buying a home in an area that is experiencing a slow down or buyer's market, you can use things to your advantage. Find out your seller's reason for selling. It could be that time is of the essence, giving you an edge. If there are any contingencies that you need to include in the contract, now is the time. Sellers that are having a hard time selling their homes are more willing to do what is necessary.
Don't forget to have the property appraised -- and make sure that there is an appraisal contingency in your contract. If you are in an area that is experiencing quickly dropping home values and your closing is several months away, I would go ahead and have the property appraised for a second time close to closing.
You should also have the property inspected by a professional. This should happen in both buyer's and seller's markets. You wouldn't buy a car without a test drive, so make sure that you at least look under the hood of the home.
Buyer's markets are great for buyers. If you are in the market to buy a home, pay attention to the home sales in your area. But don't worry too much about the market, what counts the most is buying a nice house that you can afford.
A buyer's market occurs when sellers have little or no power in the negotiating of the sale of a home. The buyer has an advantage in that there are more homes to choose from. Housing prices may also be down due to the negotiations of wise buyers.
Are we heading for a buyer's market? Some areas have shown indications that we are. In many areas, home sales have slowed down. Homes are staying on the market much longer. The longer a home is on the market, the sellers should be more willing to negotiate.
Not only is the inventory of homes for sale going up, but the housing prices in some areas have stopped increasing. A few areas are actually experiencing decreases in housing values.
You may be saying that interest rates are working against buyers, but that isn't necessarily the case. Interest rates still remain at a reasonably low level. What this means is that the average person can still afford to buy the average home.
In fact, interest rates help create a buyer's market. With interest rates on the rise, many homeowners are experiencing monthly payments on their adjustable-rate mortgages. Some homeowners who purchased at the peak of the market are just now having their mortgages adjust. There are reports of payments doubling in size for some borrowers who took out risky loans.
Foreclosures are on the rise. People just can't afford their homes any more. They have to sell and they have to sell quickly, before they are foreclosed on. With more and more homes popping up for sale, buyers will have plenty to choose from.
All of these conditions give buyers an edge in the real estate transaction process. Buyers don't have to jump on the first home that they see because homes are no longer few and far between. In many cases, bidding wars won't be an issue. Multiple offers may still occur, but buyers are likely to be a little more relaxed. Of course, this is in general -- there will still be areas and neighborhoods that are experiencing a lot of buyer demand.
If you are looking at buying a home in an area that is experiencing a slow down or buyer's market, you can use things to your advantage. Find out your seller's reason for selling. It could be that time is of the essence, giving you an edge. If there are any contingencies that you need to include in the contract, now is the time. Sellers that are having a hard time selling their homes are more willing to do what is necessary.
Don't forget to have the property appraised -- and make sure that there is an appraisal contingency in your contract. If you are in an area that is experiencing quickly dropping home values and your closing is several months away, I would go ahead and have the property appraised for a second time close to closing.
You should also have the property inspected by a professional. This should happen in both buyer's and seller's markets. You wouldn't buy a car without a test drive, so make sure that you at least look under the hood of the home.
Buyer's markets are great for buyers. If you are in the market to buy a home, pay attention to the home sales in your area. But don't worry too much about the market, what counts the most is buying a nice house that you can afford.
What Makes A "Green" Home?
While "green" has become quite the buzzword when it comes to home building and design, what exactly it means isn't always clear. There are a few standards for eco-friendly homes, but the term "green" doesn't have a universal definition beyond being a color made by mixing yellow and blue. So how does a consumer know when a home the builder is calling "green" is actually built with an ecological focus, or at least enough of one to justify its price?
Some of the standards for ecologically minded homes include increased insulation. To be really energy efficient, a home should be insulated beyond the minimum local requirements. This includes floor insulation, which in some cases is built right in to the concrete foundation. In addition to the walls, floors and ceilings, windows should also be insulating. Therefore, double paned and/or vinyl windows are becoming the "green" standard.
Energy efficiency should be continued throughout the home. Low water use toilets are a must, and those that have different flush options are extra eco-concious. These options allow you to have a more efficient flush for solid waste, while liquid waste just gets much more conservative flush. Shower heads, washing machines, faucets and dishwashers can also be equipped to limit the water used without compromising function. Air conditioners, refrigerators, heaters and all other appliances within the home should be of the highest standard of energy efficiency. In addition, compact fluorescent lights should be used throughout the home, or replaced by LED lights wherever those are suitable.
Beyond energy efficiency, use of non-toxic, ar at least less-toxic, materials is important in "green" homes. Look for a home with low VOC paints. VOC stands for volatile organic compounds, which are toxins that gas-off from conventional paint. Remember the lighter the pigment, the lower the VOC's, so white or off-white walls are healthier than some of the bolder, trendy colors. This is because it is the paint base that is quality controlled, but it is impossible to take the VOC's out of some pigments.
Another finishing detail that is popular for eco-friendly homes is bamboo or cork flooring. Bamboo is popular because it grows so quickly. It takes about five years to grow bamboo to the right size to make flooring. It is versatile and comes in a variety of styles and colors. Cork is an option because it is sustainable to harvest - removing cork does not damage the cork tree, as it replenishes its cork bark every year anyway. Cork makes a lovely, soft and springy floor surface that is also naturally warmer than many other flooring options.
For our final indoor consideration, eco-friendly homes will use more natural fabrics such as wool and cotton for carpets and window dressings.
Outside the home leaves plenty of room for "green" considerations, too. Xeriscaping is a popular means of landscaping utilizing plants native to the area being built in. These plants are naturally drought-resistant because they are acclimatized to the local environment, needing less watering and maintenance than lawns or beds full of foreign flowers.
Another "green" outdoor trend is utilizing permeable paving stones. These actually absorb water, which then is naturally filtered through the earth and goes back into the ground-water supply. These avoid the toxic run-off that can be caused by water rushing over cement and into drains, carrying oil and exhaust residue straight into the drainage system, which ultimately ends up being a nearby body of water.
If a home you are looking at is being promoted as being "green", don't hesitate to ask the builder about some of these features. If they don't measure up, don't buy it.
Some of the standards for ecologically minded homes include increased insulation. To be really energy efficient, a home should be insulated beyond the minimum local requirements. This includes floor insulation, which in some cases is built right in to the concrete foundation. In addition to the walls, floors and ceilings, windows should also be insulating. Therefore, double paned and/or vinyl windows are becoming the "green" standard.
Energy efficiency should be continued throughout the home. Low water use toilets are a must, and those that have different flush options are extra eco-concious. These options allow you to have a more efficient flush for solid waste, while liquid waste just gets much more conservative flush. Shower heads, washing machines, faucets and dishwashers can also be equipped to limit the water used without compromising function. Air conditioners, refrigerators, heaters and all other appliances within the home should be of the highest standard of energy efficiency. In addition, compact fluorescent lights should be used throughout the home, or replaced by LED lights wherever those are suitable.
Beyond energy efficiency, use of non-toxic, ar at least less-toxic, materials is important in "green" homes. Look for a home with low VOC paints. VOC stands for volatile organic compounds, which are toxins that gas-off from conventional paint. Remember the lighter the pigment, the lower the VOC's, so white or off-white walls are healthier than some of the bolder, trendy colors. This is because it is the paint base that is quality controlled, but it is impossible to take the VOC's out of some pigments.
Another finishing detail that is popular for eco-friendly homes is bamboo or cork flooring. Bamboo is popular because it grows so quickly. It takes about five years to grow bamboo to the right size to make flooring. It is versatile and comes in a variety of styles and colors. Cork is an option because it is sustainable to harvest - removing cork does not damage the cork tree, as it replenishes its cork bark every year anyway. Cork makes a lovely, soft and springy floor surface that is also naturally warmer than many other flooring options.
For our final indoor consideration, eco-friendly homes will use more natural fabrics such as wool and cotton for carpets and window dressings.
Outside the home leaves plenty of room for "green" considerations, too. Xeriscaping is a popular means of landscaping utilizing plants native to the area being built in. These plants are naturally drought-resistant because they are acclimatized to the local environment, needing less watering and maintenance than lawns or beds full of foreign flowers.
Another "green" outdoor trend is utilizing permeable paving stones. These actually absorb water, which then is naturally filtered through the earth and goes back into the ground-water supply. These avoid the toxic run-off that can be caused by water rushing over cement and into drains, carrying oil and exhaust residue straight into the drainage system, which ultimately ends up being a nearby body of water.
If a home you are looking at is being promoted as being "green", don't hesitate to ask the builder about some of these features. If they don't measure up, don't buy it.
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