Price Reduced on 26811 NE Highland Meadows Drive in Proebstel

Proebstel, Vancouver  -  Announcing a price reduction on 26811 NE Highland Meadows Drive, a 3,076 sq. ft., 4 bath, 3 bdrm 2 story "Custom". Now MLS® $579,000 - .

Property information

Single Story For Sale in Downtown

• 1,176 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm single story - MLS® $149,900

Downtown, Camas  -  Nice 3 bedroom, 2 bath home. Some updating has been done, needs a little TLC. A slight view of the Columbia River. Requires third party approval!

Property information

Single Story For Sale in Rockwood

• 952 sq. ft., 1 bath, 3 bdrm single story - MLS® $159,900

Rockwood, Gresham  -  First time buyer's DO NOT Miss out on the $8000 tax credit. Seller to contribute up to $5000 towards buyer's closing cost/pre-paids. 3 bedroom 1 bath home has had some upgrading done but needs a little TLC. The oversize garage has an additional bedroom, bath and kitchen that is not accounted for in the square footage. Buyer can check with County if possible to rent out for additional income. Seller is offering to pay of the lease on the current alarm system located on the house (approximately 3.5 years left. Also offering a 1 year 2-10 Home Warranty.

Property information

2 Story For Sale in Proebstel

"Live on top of the world"

• 3,076 sq. ft., 4 bath, 3 bdrm 2 story "Custom" - MLS® $599,000

Proebstel, Vancouver  -  This is a must see custom home on 5 private acres. This home has a great room concept with a gas fireplace, a built-in entertainment system and surround sound. Formal dining room with wood floors. Den/office with french doors. Gourmet kitchen with granite counters, eating nook, pantry and 2 convection ovesn. A master suite withdual vanaties,  walk-in closet, soaking tub and a slider that leads to the balcony, 2 additional bedrooms, a shared bath and a home theatre room rounds out the upstairs. This home also central air conditioning. The private yard has underground sprinklers, wrap around deck. 13 windows have remote control blinds. Seller will contribute $8000 towards closing cost or could be used to buy down interest rate.

Property information

The Extended Tax Credit

Tax Credit Extended and Expanded

The tax credit was signed and was effective the next day (day after enactment) for the key provisions.  NAR provided us w/ the following information.  The highlights are:

l       Tax credit is extended until April 30^th 2010

–        Sales contract must be signed by April 30^th. (60 days to close)

l       Effective for loans closed November 7^th

–        Sales price increased to $800,000

–        Higher income limits - $125,000/$225,000

–        “Repeat borrowers” eligible IMMEDIATELY:

l       Have lived in previous home 5 of last 8 years

l       Must purchase new home as principal residence

l       Can buy smaller house - do not have to sell current home

I have attached a chart to compare the old & new tax credits for your review.  Please call me if you have any questions.

                                       Homebuyer Tax Credit 2009 & 2010

Putting It All Together

Mortgages and Interest Rates

Closing Cost

Renting versus Buying

Price Reduced on 1516 NE 88th Way in Hazel Dell

Hazel Dell, Vancouver  -  Announcing a price reduction on 1516 NE 88th Way, a 1,815 sq. ft., 3 bath, 3 bdrm two story. Now MLS® $179,000 - .

Property information

FREE Home Buyers' Awareness Class

Attend one of our monthly 

FREE

Home Buyers’  Awareness Classes 

Free Recorded Message 

1.877.896.9699 ext 37

Your Total Real Estate Solution Team

Selling A Home? Think Like A Retailer

You've put a fresh coat of paint on the walls, decluttered the closets, and spruced up the yard. The only remaining hurdle before you put your home on the market will be to decide asking price with your agent. The key might be to think like a retailer.

Merchants understand better than anyone how buyers perceive value.  And there's a ton of evidence to prove that retail strategies pay off.

Round numbers, such as $290,000, convey an image of quality and prestige, but they may also be interpreted by buyers as inflexible pricing. On the other hand, an exact figure such as $289,863 makes a buyer think "deal".  If you're after a quick sale, go with the unique price.

If the competition is fierce in your area, you may also want to consider borrowing the retailer's "loss-leader" tactic (offering a desirable item at a very low price or at a loss for the purpose of attracting buyers). Putting in new sod and a backyard firepit may not boost your asking price, but it may very well get buyers through the door, the first goal of any successful sale.

Top ten ways any seller can practically guarantee their home will expire:

1. Not serious about selling. Actions speak louder than words in this market. Discretionary sellers should wait for a less competitive enviroment.
2. Improper pricing. A home properly priced is half sold.  No amount of full color ads, glossy flyers, multiple photos, virtual tour or agent lucheons will compensate for the wrong, timid retail price.
3. Not listening to your agent. Attorneys believe if you represt yourself, you have a fool for a client.  Doctors don't self-diagnose.  Professionals use professionals. Even though most people believe they are experts on raising kids and real estate; full-time, career pros usually know what's best.  Listen very carefully.
4. Micromanage the marketing.  Just because you sold cookware in college or you had a real estate license years ago does not qualify you to second-guess your agent.  Share your concerns and timelines, but leave the details to the listing pro.
5. Don't stage the property.  Someday shag muti-colored carpeting will come back.  Whitewashed cabinets, Navajo white walls, linoleum flooring, southwest decor, lots of personal photos and Elvis paintings on black velvet should be removed.
6. Let Fido run loose. Recently, I entered a house and two frisky, friendly black labs ran to sniff me. Unfortunitly, I had light grey dress pants on that day.  Both wet stains lasted for hours.
7. Talk to the buyers.  Life gets lonely at times.  Why not ask the buyers where they grew up?  Or how much they qualify for.  Tell them about the vacant rental next door. Or, the sex offender who left the neighborhood.
8. Sell personal items. Wow, maybe the buyers want to buy the patio furniture, rotary lawnmower or the life size statue of Saint Anthony.  Why not ask for a donation for the March of Dimes, the Humane Society or the local PBS station? Remember the saying, "loose lips sink ships?"
9. What's that smell?  My house doesn't smell of pet odors, baby diapers, curry powder, garlic, fried fish, or cigars.  The buyer must be confusing my castle with a track home.
10. Avoid feedback. What do buyers know anyway? Imagine the fact they don't appreciate my barbed wire fence, heavy duty rebar, backyard bomb shelter, airport runway views, light from the power plant, hum from high voltage line, railroad trmors, termite mud tubes and pet snakes.

When you've decided to sell, I will be your advocate, your guide, and your fierce negotiator.  I will wok hard to make yours a great sale.

*Parts of the above article was taken from an article published in the Broker Agent News

THINKING OF PUTTING YOUR HOME ON THE MARKET? CONSIDER THIS.......

With nearly twice as many homes on the market this year as compared to this time last year, it’s more important than ever to make home repairs. Spiff up the kitchen and bathrooms, paint walls with neutral colors, spruce up the yard, and consider other improvements.

In an uncertain market, a little extra work can mean not only a smoother sale or a higher listing price, but whether sellers get to the closing table at all.

Some of the most effective improvements aren’t very expensive.  If you are thinking of putting your home on the market consider these five areas of improvements.

1. First Impressions

You want to make a good impression from the moment potential buyers pull up to the house.  First glimpse will include the home’s exterior, the shrubbery, the gutters and the front door.

2. Neutralize and de-clutter

When it comes to preparing a home’s interior, go with neutral colors. Neutral colors including beige and ivory have the added advantage of making a room appear larger.

Removing the home’s clutter is also extremely important.  Consider renting a storage unit to put some of your things in until you move or have a garage sell to get rid of the things you don’t need or use.  Again, the added advantage is the rooms look bigger.

Beyond that, do some spring cleaning: Shampoo the carpets, shine the hardwoods, clean the cabinetry, etc.

3. Consider replacement projects

You might want to think about getting a home inspection before listing, one is going to be done either way, why not take care of those repairs in advance instead of it becoming another bargaining tool for the buyer.

4. Kitchen and bathrooms updating.

Buyers tend to be awed by updated kitchens and bathrooms. If kitchen cabinets are structurally sound but the exterior looks old and dated, it might be worth it to reface them.  If counters are old, replacing them can add new life to the room. If the bathtub in the bathroom is chipped or damage, considering replacing it.

5. Warranty Coverage and documentation

A home warranty can be an advantage to both the seller and the buyer.  Most warranties cover the seller while the home is being marketed. This saves the seller from unexpected breakdowns of covered appliances, plumbing, heating and electrical. It provides a peace of mind to the buyer should the buyer run into those same unexpected repairs after closing.

If you’ve done replacement projects in the past few years, find the documentation to prove it. And if any of those projects cut energy cost make that known as well.