Selling your home? 3 great tips for writing descriptions that sell;

ARUBA - So you’re trying to sell your home. You know the basic facts; number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and so on, but how do you know what other information is important to buyers? Just the facts and figures are not enough; you also need to tell people what is really important about your home and sell all the features that make it special. That’s where your home description comes in. In newspaper ads, you only get a few sentences, so you have to make every word count. Online you have a lot more flexibility and can go into much greater detail about your home. Here are 3 great tips:


Consider the following two Descriptions – Nice home, good condition. Large master bedroom. Many upgrades. Garage: 24’x30’. Quiet gated community. or Walk right into this beautiful Palm Beach home with an open floor plan! The home is in excellent condition, with fresh interior paint and new kitchenr. The spacious master bedroom has a walk-in closet and private bath. The over-sized garage has plenty of room for two cars, extra storage, and a workbench. Live in a quiet gated community, with just a short walk to the clubhouse and pool. Located close to the bus line, it’s only a 10 minute trip to the mall, several restaurants, and medical facilities. Don’t let this one get away! Call today – I would love to show you this home.



So what’s the difference between these two ads? Well, the second ad follows three simple rules…



1. Write an opening line to catch the buyer’s attention.



As buyers scroll through home listings, will they stop at yours? What you need is a strong opening line to draw the reader in. Not sure what to write? Think about your audience. If your home is in a family community, the school district might be important to mention. A senior might be more interested in activities in the area – golf, fishing, tennis, shopping, and things to do with the grandkids.



Here are some words and phrases to consider including in your opening line:



Waterfront – Priced to sell – Open Floor Plan – Affordable – Recently updated -Sea view – Priced below appraised value – Like new – Corner lot Must sell – Screened in porch – Professional Landscaping – Walk right in – Garage – Nature lover’s dream – Gated community – Look no further – Walk to the beach – Must See.



2. Mention the best features.



Why do you like your house? Is it the pool? Or the deck/patio where you enjoy grilling? To get started, make a list of all the great things about your house, including any improvements you’ve done since it was purchased. Then work those items into a paragraph about your home. Think about your community as well – buyers may not know there is a pool and a clubhouse with activities, or if pets are allowed. Here are some examples of features to mention:



Fruit Trees – Close to schools – Gourmet Kitchen – Private backyard – Near shopping – New roof – Fenced in yard – Quiet community – On Golf course – Spacious storage shed – Close to beaches – Cathedral Ceilings



3. Close with a call to action.



The last part of your Home Description should prompt the reader to do something. Let them know you are available to provide more information or photos. Encourage them to call you and set an appointment. Make sure to mention if you are flexible on price or willing to consider offers. Think about including the following phrases near the end of your ad:



Make an offer – Call today – For more information call… – Call with questions – Don’t let this one get away To view the home, call… Retire in style – Don’t miss your chance – Take a look – Motivated seller so call today!



Tip: Provide as much contact information as possible. Some buyers may prefer to email while others are more likely to make a phone call. Give them both options! Also remember to return emails/phone calls promptly. Don’t give the buyer time to find something else.

Timing is everything: buy NOW.

 

For starters, you can use the same techniques that have worked for many who live by the “rule”; Buy low and sell high.

The first step is to determine the type of real estate market that exists in your area.

Types of Real Estate Markets

Although there are many variations and twists, basically real estate markets fall into three categories:

• Buyer's markets
  Buyer's markets exist when there is more inventory, meaning houses for sale, than buyers. Because buyers have many homes to choose from, not every home for sale will sell. Most experts agree that if six months or more of inventory is on the market, it is a buyer's market.
• Seller's markets
• In seller's markets, there are more buyers than available inventory. Because there are fewer homes for buyers to choose among, almost every home will sell. Typically, there is much less than six months of inventory in a seller's market. In extreme seller's markets, there is less than two months of inventory in reserve.
• Neutral markets
  Neutral markets are balanced. Typically, interest rates are affordable and the number of buyers and sellers in the marketplace are equalized. The scales don't tip in either direction, meaning the market is normal without experiencing swings. Inventory is generally around four months.

In this current market, any young person that hasn't bought a house ought to buy one.

A buyers market doesn't come along that often, you can make money on whatever you buy today at the prices they are."

Interest rates are only going to go up over the long term, so borrowing will cost more if you wait.

How to set a Rental Price for a House?

The difference between success and failure in real estate rentals often is based on charging the right price for a property.
Charging too much might make the property unattractive to potential tenants and lead to nonpayment of rent. Charging too little, though, can eliminate the potential for profit and even put a property owner in a difficult financial position.

By following some basic steps, property owners can establish a good medium in pricing that keeps both the tenant and landlord satisfied.
1 Check comparable rental listings in your local newspaper and on brokers websites. See what other property owners are charging for homes/ apartments that match your properties in terms of size and amenities.
2 Obtain the addresses for similar rental properties, particularly those properties with the same approximate value as your properties. This information might be in an ad listing, or you might need to call the number on the ad. Use the information to identify how geographic area affects rent price.
3 Consider geographic factors such as proximity to shopping malls, golf courses, roads, malls and schools. Renters might pay a premium for properties when they are in attractive settings.
4 Network with others who own and rent property and discuss with them the rental market and how much properties are renting for given current economic conditions.
5 Set a base price for your rent based on the information gathered. Figure in slight increases if your property has features that are not common or in high demand. Features might include a swimming pool, a garage, lawn service, new appliances, furniture and common areas.
6 Lower your asking price if you receive few calls on advertised properties.