OK, so you've decided you want to sell your home and move.  Putting your home on the market with a fantasy price so you can cash in is not worth the time and effort.  You will probably find someone to take the listing. The person is either inexperienced or is using the listing to build traffic and calls for their business.  If they do not realize your home is overpriced, what other skills are they lacking.  If they are using you, do you really think they will give you 100%.  If you do list at an inflated price, chances are you will have few showings and those that do look will tell you the same thing it is too expensive.

• Fact, it is not important what you paid.
• Fact, how much you spent on upgrades does not matter.
• Fact, the value in the past is the past, not today.
• Fact, you do not need to price the home so someone can negotiate.

If you want to sell in today's market, START WITH A CLEAN SLATE.  Use a site such as Zillow and search for SOLD HOMES in the last 6 months in your area.  Print out a couple and compare to your home.  Visit any new home builder communities in your area and see what they sell for.  New Homes generally sell for 30% more than resales in given area.  Use the information to decide where your should be priced.
Now that you have your price, the next step is to find an agent that agrees with the market.  Easier said then done.  Many agents will ask you what you want to list at.  Turn it around on them, they are the experts.  Ask them their opinion of a fair selling price.  Any good agent that comes to see you will already have completed a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA).  It may change a little after they see your home, but they should have done their homework and have a complete presentation for you. Use the CMAs when your compare agents.  That along with other materials they provide to you will help you separate the professionals from the rest of the pack. 
If you would like more information or need a complimentary home evaluation and CMA drop me a line at howard@voginteam.com or go to our web site and check out the Seller's Resources Section.
The Vogin Team is your one stop choice for all of your real estate needs. With over 10 years of experience in real estate we have the expertise and experience to give the professional service your desire. Whether you are looking to buy or sell a home in South Florida we can help you. Learn more at http://www.voginteam.com

Making Changes - Do I need a Building Permit???

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Thinking of making some home improvement, changing your windows, doors, putting on an addition there are many reasons to obtain to a building permit and no reason not to obtain one.  Be smart, do your homework-call your local building department and see if you need a permit before you contact anyone for a bid.  Become an educated consumer and don't let the contractor tell you what is and is not legal.Don't believe your friendly contractor who tells says "You do not need a permit, I can save you some money if we do it without a permit" What he is actually saying I may cut some corners, use unapproved materials or unlicensed workers, but that does matter, in the end If I Finish it will look pretty, and that is all that counts. 
What looks like a saving in the short run could end up actually costing you in the future for several reasons:

• If you add square footage to your home and it is not recorded by your local property appraiser some lenders will not recognize the space and it will make it harder to finance for any potential future buyers.  Some lenders will not lend on a property regardless of the value if there was not final inspection on the work and so you might need to make changes or take it down to close the deal
• Your insurance carrier may have a problem if a fire occurs in your home and they can attribute it back to the work.  They will more than likely deny the claim and not pay for damages.
• If the local building authority does find the work, they could act in several different ways. They may ask you to file for permits and prove the work was done correctly, which may involve some opening of walls and paying some fines.  They could also just force you to remove all of the illegal work.  That would be a big waste
• You have to ask yourself why a contractor would not want to get a permit.  If they are good at what they do, they know the code and know how to do things correctly.  If they want to skip the small step of permitting, what else are they skipping?  Are they doing it correctly, do they have a license, do they have insurance, will they finish the job - All important questions.

 In the end be safe, if making changes - get a permit and protect yourself and your family.

The Vogin Team is your one stop choice for all of your real estate needs. With over 10 years of experience in real estate we have the expertise and experience to give the professional service your desire. Whether you are looking to buy or sell a home in South Florida we can help you. Learn more at http://www.voginteam.com

Open House Saturday June 23rd - Great East Boca Location

 Open House - Saturday June 23, 2012. 12 Noon to 4 PM


 Located in the heart of East Boca, this 3 Bedroom / 2 Bath home has so much to offer. Enter into the welcoming Living Room which is a perfect place for relaxing or entertaining. There is also a separate Den that could make a great office or game room. Continue to the recently redone kitchen that overlooks the screen porch and giant back yard with room for a pool, play equipment, workshop or all of them. Separated from the living areas, you will find the master suite and bath, 2 additional spacious bedrooms and another bathroom. In the heart of East Boca, the home is minutes from Mizner Park, the Beach, FAU, Whole Foods, and Boca Town Center. If you are looking for a great Florida Home with an over sized property in a location that has everything to offer, this home is for you.
Property information


The Vogin Team is your one stop choice for all of your real estate needs. With over 10 years of experience in real estate we have the expertise and experience to give the professional service your desire. Whether you are looking to buy or sell a home in South Florida we can help you. Learn more at http://www.voginteam.com

Great East Boca Home - Just Listed

1,652 sq. m., 2 bath, 3 bdrm single story - MLS® $289,900 Boca Raton, Palm Beach County  -  Looking for a great home on an over sized property in a location that offers everything; this is it. Close to the beach-shopping-restaurants and more, this 3 bedroom/2 bath has updated kitchen, master bath and more to make you feel right at home.

Located in the heart of East Boca, this 3 Bedroom / 2 Bath home has so much to offer. Enter into the welcoming Living Room which is a perfect place for relaxing or entertaining. There is also a separate Den that could make a great office or game room. Continue to the recently redone kitchen that overlooks the screen porch and giant back yard with room for a pool, play equipment, workshop or all of them. Separated from the living areas, you will find the master suite and bath, 2 additional spacious bedrooms and another bathroom. In the heart of East Boca, the home is minutes from Mizner Park, the Beach, FAU, Whole Foods, and Boca Town Center. If you are looking for a great Florida Home with an over sized property in a location that has everything to offer, this home is for you.
Property information

Common Seller Mistakes

Thinking of selling your home, so are many others and your success at selling depends a great deal on making sure you avoid these common selling mistakes:

Incorrect Pricing - Many sellers price their home to high with the thought that they will need to negotiate.  This is the wrong strategy.  All it does, is keep would be buyers away thinking the price is too high.  High prices also cause homes to linger on the market and the thinking becomes "why has the home been on the market for so long."  Instead price your home at the market price and you will see more traffic coming through the door.

Not Making a Great First Impression - This is one of the hardest things for a seller to accept, but it pays to make an investment into putting your home into tip-top shape, BEFORE putting it on the market.  When your home is dirty, cluttered, or in need of repairs it will not be appealing and although they may visit, they will be turned off by the amount of work they see themselves needing to do.  Instead, present it in MOVE-IN-CONDITION and your buyers will be able to see themselves living in the home.

Not Giving Buyers Space - Rule number one is that when you have a showing, the best choice is for you
to leave the home and let the visitor have time in the home.  When you are around it makes it harder for the prospective buyer to see themselves living in the home.  Instead, they feel uncomfortable, not wanting to make comments or look around as much as if you were not there - GIVE THEM THEIR SPACE.

Hiring the Wrong Agent - There are a lot of reasons to pick a listing agent, but remember it is a business decision and you should treat it as that.  Sure, you could give it to your nephew but make sure he has experience or a mentor to help him.  On the other hand, you could hire an experienced agent and make a mistake if they specialize in properties different than what you are selling.  In short, take your time and evaluate what everyone has to offer and pick the agent that is best qualified to sell YOUR home.

Questioning the First Offer - Many would be sellers feel the first offer is not the best and think that they can hold out for more money.  Educated buyers will usually make a fair offer quickly and are always looking so that when a new property is listed, they act quickly.  Don't try to over think it, an offer that would be good three months from now, is good today.


Start Planning Your Move - Make sure you know where you are going once your home sells.  Don't be in a bad position when you get an offer panic because you have no place to go.   Be ready to move. 

The Vogin Team is your one stop choice for all of your real estate needs. With over 10 years of experience in real estate we have the expertise and experience to give the professional service your desire. Whether you are looking to buy or sell a home in South Florida we can help you. Learn more at http://www.voginteam.com

Sometimes it Pays Not to be Part of the Top Ten

Every now and then a list is released and it is nice not to be on the list.  This is just one of those times.  Recently, RealtyTrac, an online market place released a list of the Ten Best Beach Towns to buy foreclosures and South Florida is not on the list.  Below is the list.  Sometimes it's nice not to be part of the best.
 

Metro Area	Q1 2012 Foreclosure Sales	% of All Sales	Avg Sales Price	Avg Foreclosure Discount %
Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL	227	21.46	$93,188	45.11
Corpus Christi, TX	152	11.44	$78,851	44.38
Naples-Marco Island, FL	564	16.17	$156,148	40.43
Santa Barbara, CA	537	46.78	$274,077	38.80
Charleston, SC	530	20.42	$159,065	34.42
Hilton Head Island, SC	159	19.78	$202,454	31.14
Atlantic City, NJ	114	12.68	$161,819	30.83
Honolulu, HI	140	6.09	$345,799	30.56
Barnstable, MA (Cape Cod)	151	6.83	$237,405	30.34
Santa Cruz, CA	326	38.81	$355,604	28.17

To view all of the Great Listings available on the Beach in South Florida use our Seach Tool

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Get out the Ladder - Spring Maintenance

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Memorial Day has passed and summer is just around the corner.  You have probably started to put away the winter clothes and get yourself ready for summer, now it is time to do the same thing for your home.  If you do it now, you avoid headaches and save money in the future.  Here are a few items to take address: 

• Check out the Air Conditioner.  Check the filters, reset the thermostat and have the unit checked by a professional.  
• Get out the ladder and clean out the gutters.  Clean out the leaves and debris and run a hose in them to make sure there are no leaks and that water is coming out the downspouts.  They are often overlooked and get clogged.  It can cause big problems. 
• While, you are up there, do a visual inspection of the roof, chimney, etc.  If anything looks suspect, call an expert to check it out.  Fixing a small issue now, can avoid big problems and damage outside and inside in the future. 
• Turn on your irrigation system and run it through each zone.  Make sure you have no broken sprinkler heads; ensure that they are all oriented correctly and not blocked. 
• Inspect all windows and doors.  Look for gaps and holes around them that need caulk.  Fill them to keep the heat and bugs that show up in the summer out of your home. 
• Cut back any landscaping that is touching your home.  It will help prevent damage and control insects and critters.  
• If you have a fireplace, have the chimney inspected and swept now so it will be ready for next year with no surprises. 
• Clean the dryer vent, if it is a long vent have it professionally cleaned.  
• Power wash and reseal any outside surfaces that need resealing.  Clean the house, driveway, patios, decks, etc.  While at it take the grill apart and power wash it as well. 

Taking care of these types of items will help ensure that you can enjoy the summer and your home will stay in good condition.  Think of it as an annual checkup for your home. 

The Vogin Team is your one stop choice for all of your real estate needs. With over 10 years of experience in real estate we have the expertise and experience to give the professional service your desire. Whether you are looking to buy or sell a home in South Florida we can help you. Learn more athttp://www.voginteam.com