http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/selling-your-home-get-ready.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/selling-your-home-get-ready.html Mon, 14 May 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Step one is to clean like a pro. Or to make it even easier, hire a pro then simply maintain the job that they did. But one thing is for sure, the clutter needs to go. Now what is defined as clutter may not be what you are expecting. Try thinking about it like this: do you use it on a daily basis? Weekly? If not it might be suspect. Besides, you are selling your home. This implies moving. So it might be a good idea to start your packing early and save some time.

Step two is to take care of the home's exterior. A clean and quick sale hinges on first impressions and a buyer's first impression is largely formed by the exterior impact of your home. If the front of your home is not attractive then the possibility of a sale is exponentially lowered. A good way to gauge the impact of your home is to take some pictures from the street. Now, compare those pictures to some pictures in home & garden magazines. Then compare them to other homes for sale in your area. These homes are your direct competition. So be sure to do what is necessary to set your home apart from your competition.

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Simon Conway is a real estate agent specializing in Orlando FL real estate. For excellent service and advice on buying or selling real estate or investing in real estate contact Simon today.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/if-your-home-does-not-sell-quickly.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/if-your-home-does-not-sell-quickly.html Mon, 14 May 2007 00:00:00 -0500
If this is happening to you there are a few steps you should take. The first should be to do a once-over of the homes and property to make sure it is all in order and as clean and pristine as possible. Take a day to go over every aspect of your home, are the rooms spotless? How does the kitchen look? At this point the home needs to be in the best condition it can possibly be. The same goes for the yard, if there is clutter and trash in the yard people will not be impressed with the home. One of the biggest reasons that homes don't sell is the fact that a mess does not sell homes. After all, if the yard and home is messy, what other problems might there be with the home?

Another reason that homes do not sell quickly is the fact that many are overpriced. This is especially true when a home is listed by the owner and they have attached their sentimental value to the asking price. Don't forget that no matter how much a home means to you, it still has an accepted market value. Smart buyers will also know this and will not overpay if there are properly priced options available. If homes are overpriced many buyers will simply ignore them as the inflated price makes no sense and is simply too much to bother with. Confer with your realtor and decide on the proper price for your home.

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Simon Conway is a real estate agent specializing in Orlando FL real estate. For excellent service and advice on buying or selling real estate or investing in real estate contact Simon today.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/investing-in-orlando-homes.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/investing-in-orlando-homes.html Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0600
The tourism industry is Orlando's largest industry and bring million upon millions of dollars in the area on a yearly basis. One of the major money makers in this tourism industry is the vacation rentals sector. Recently vacation rentals have gained enormous popularity as a cheaper alternative to the major resorts. This industry has exploded in Orlando and there is an amazing amount of money to be made. This is one of the prime investment markets in the United States today.

There are numerous other reasons to invest in the Orlando real estate market. Aside from the major theme parks, Orlando is a tropical paradise that has a vast array of natural beauty to showcase. In particular the Windermere area and the lake country is stunningly beautiful at any time of the year. Orlando and the surrounding area offers a lifestyle that is unique and highly desirable. There is an abundance of amazing golf courses and other recreational options that are perfect for active people of all ages. Orlando truly offers a investment opportunity that is hard to pass up, when the possible ROI is taken into account it becomes clear that investing in Orlando is simply a great idea.

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Simon Conway is a professional real estate agent and investor specializing in Orlando real estate , and Orlando vacation homes & resort communities. Simon has won several accolades including agent of the year in his firm, and has been a member of the multi-million dollar club for many years, he is also a speaker and lecturer on real estate investing.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/investing-in-orlando-land.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/investing-in-orlando-land.html Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0600
Investing in land is something that takes a bit of research, timing, and some risk but it can be extremely rewarding if done properly. The first thing you need to wonder about when considering a certain piece of land is the zoning of that land. This is probably the most important factor in land purchases. If the land is not zoned for residential, the getting the zoning changed for sale to a development company interested in sub-divisions could be kind of tricky. The same can be said for land that is not zoned for commercial purposes. So do your homework when looking at different land parcels. Make sure that the zoning is appropriate for you and who you want to sell to at the end.

If you are thinking large scale when doing this, prepare to spend a fair chunk of cash. These days land is not too cheap. But in comparison to what you can expect as a ROI in a few years it is well worth the time and money. If you live in an expanding area where housing is at a premium then buying land is a fantastic idea. It should only be a matter of time until the developers come knocking. Or, if you are so inclined, sub-divide your land yourself. The process does have some merit as a great profit can be realized from the sale of single home lots. When you get down to brass tacks, investing in land is a great way to make some profit and increase your wealth exponentially.

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Simon Conway is a professional real estate agent and investor specializing in Orlando real estate , and Orlando vacation homes & resort communities. Simon has won several accolades including agent of the year in his firm, and has been a member of the multi-million dollar club for many years, he is also a speaker and lecturer on real estate investing.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/staging-your-home-for-sale.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/staging-your-home-for-sale.html Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0600
It is usually a good idea to try to disassociate yourself from your home. This may be a difficult thing to do but remember, your favorite aspects may not appeal to all buyers. Try to see your home as something that simply needs to be sold, much like any other product. Removing your precious photos and curios can help viewers to place themselves in your home. It is important that the prospective buyer can see themselves living in your home. Your home should be as warm and welcoming as possible. It should make people want to live there.

Now take a quick look through your home, is there a fair amount of unused things lying around? This is a great point to clean up any outstanding clutter and junk. During a showing your home should be clean and simple. A minimalist approach is good for it will allow viewers to visualize their own possessions in your home. Another good thing to remember is that buyers are likely going to open all closets and cupboards. Its a good idea to ensure that these areas are clear and organized. This will also speak highly of you as a homeowner.

Small repairs can make a world of difference. Cosmetic fixes can also raise the value of a home and increase your bargaining power. However do not rely on a cosmetic fix for a problem that requires a more permanent solution! Make sure that drawers and closets open and close smoothly and without a hitch. Ensure that faucets do not drip and that there are no water stains in the sinks and tubs. The more time you spend cleaning and detailing your home, the better it will show.

Do not forget the exterior of the home either. There are a variety of things that you can easily do to improve the curb appeal of your home. Ensuring that the yard is neat and tidy with mown lawns and clear walkways makes the home more inviting and more likely to grab a viewer's attention.

It is a good idea to remove any decorative items such as drapes or fixtures that you will be taking with you. This can save a lot of time and heartache when closing time comes and the buyer wants certain items that were seen during the viewing, but were not for sale.

Now it is simply a matter of your home showing to interested buyers. This is where your choice of Realtor really makes a difference. Hopefully this list will help your home to show to its full potential!

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Simon Conway is a professional real estate agent and investor specializing in Orlando real estate , and Orlando vacation homes & resort communities. Simon has won several accolades including agent of the year in his firm, and has been a member of the multi-million dollar club for many years, he is also a speaker and lecturer on real estate investing.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/things-to-look-for-when-purchasing-a-home.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/things-to-look-for-when-purchasing-a-home.html Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0600
1. Damp Basements

A damp feeling in a basement can suggest water seepage, either from improperly graded soil, or a bad foundation. This can lead to many problems further down the road when considering renovations or remodeling. This can also lead to problems with mold and the deterioration of the standing foundations. Moisture can also weaken the foundations leading to expensive repairs in the future. This is also a health concern as the presence of mold has been linked to several respiratory conditions and ailments.

2. Cracks in the Foundation

Always inspect the interior and exterior of the foundation for cracks and stress marks. Visible cracks can mean several things; excessive settling of the house, the fact that the house may have been built on an improperly graded site, or in an area that is prone to earth movement. Cracks can also allow small insects access to the interior of the home. Ants and termites can cause no end of costly problems in a home. There are many different types of foundation imperfection and the causes of these are quite varied. If there is any evidence of an imperfection in the foundation, have the entire foundation checked by a professional.

3. Odor

The presence of unappealing odors can mean many things in a home, the most common of these is mold. Biological problems like mold can be difficult to repair as it usually means an extensive amount of work to correct them. Ripping out walls is the most common "fix" for mold as it can be trying to find the source. Visible mold can be killed with bleach, but usually the problem runs far deeper than the surface. A professional inspector should identify any mold problems upon the necessary inspection and relate these to the realtor or home buyer.

4. Poorly Ventilated or Damp Attic

This is another factor that can cause large amounts of mold and dry-rot to develop in a home. Check the interior of the roof if it is accessible. Is it wet? If so, there is a problem. This means there is insufficient ventilation and/or a leak in the roof itself. The interior of a roof should be bone-dry, year-round. This could also be a result of fans from the kitchen or bathroom that vent into the attic and the attic is not properly set up to accommodate the moisture that this generates.

5. Discoloration

The discoloration of portions of the walls or ceiling is a good indicator of leaks and seepage. This could indicate a problem with leaking roofs or plumbing pipes. This can be an extremely expensive problem to fix as it usually involves cutting into the walls and/or ceilings. Leaks such as this can also cause a fire hazard as they may interfere with the existing wiring. Be mindful of fresh paint as this is a common way to cover up spots that show water damage.

6. Electrical Work

One of the largest causes of electrical fires in homes is D.I.Y. Electrical work. Check the connections on fixtures and anything that appears to be added post-construction. Electrical work should never be done by an unqualified individual. For instance, check the main electrical panel, does it look unorganized and sloppy? This is one indication that the home's electrical work may have been done by a non-certified individual. Haphazard wiring can lead to costly repairs and is a definite danger to the homes and residents.

7. The Property Itself

The Property itself can contain many oft-overlooked problems. In particular the landscaping of the property can affect the home itself and particularly the foundations. Is the property sloped away from the house? The high point of the property should always be the house itself. This assists in drainage and presents water problems. If the land slopes downward towards the home, chances are there will be issues with water and seepage.

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Simon Conway is a professional real estate agent and investor specializing in Orlando real estate , and Orlando vacation homes & resort communities. Simon has won several accolades including agent of the year in his firm, and has been a member of the multi-million dollar club for many years, he is also a speaker and lecturer on real estate investing.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>