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

Selling your Home - The Sweet Smell of Success

Do you remember the last time you walked into a restaurant and it smelled a little funny and you ended up eating somewhere else.  Have you ever noticed how the big chain stores in the mall all have a specific scent.  These retailers have spent countless dollars researching and determining what scents will help increase sales.  The shoe store that smells like leather, the new car smell, fresh linen in a clothing store.  The list is endless.  Why, we have all heard of Aromatherapy – it will definitely affect your mood and your buyers mood.  

When you are selling your home, you are becoming a retailer.  The only difference is you have only 1 item to sell and it costs significantly more than what you buy in a store.  Take a minute and think about what would make you feel good when you walk into a home.  Would you like to smell wet dog, a litter box, onions cooking – probably not.  Since you come to your home everyday, you may not even notice an odor.  Instead, it is important to ask others what they are experiencing.  It should be part of your pre-listing evaluation and prep.  (hint: if your agent is not giving you an honest opinion and report of what it takes to get your home ready to sell, RUN and FIND SOMEONE ELSE, no amount of marketing will overcome a poorly prepared property.)

Once you have identified if there are any changes that need to be made, take care of getting rid of the odor, if it is a litter box, change it always, empty your trash cans every day before you leave for work and at the end of the day, before your go to bed.  


NOW COMES THE FUN PART!!!! 

Make a small investment in some of the plug in type of air fresheners and a variety of scents.  Just like different stores have different scents, so do different rooms.  Your kitchen could be vanilla or cinnamon, but maybe you want the bathroom to have more of a spa feel with spring rain or fresh linen.  Stay away from the strong floral scents and look for the scents that have universal appeal.  Have some fun and as an added benefit you get to enjoy until you sell.  Set them to a medium level so the scent is not overpowering.  Buy a few extra bottles.

 Here are a few other quick little tips:
* When it is open house time, bake some chocolate chip cookies before the opening.  You get the bonus of having whatever is leftover for yourself after the open house.
* Change your AC filter regularly to help keep the air fresh and remove dust
* Vacuum your home before showings, not only does it make the carpets look crisp and cushions fresh, but it helps filter the air (just make sure you have a clean bag and filter).
* Stay away from spray type air fresheners – they tend to be strong and overpowering at first, and then fade out quickly and have little effect.


Here is to the Sweet Smell of Success!!!!

If you would like more tips on selling your home email me at howard@voginteam.com or go to our 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

Selling Your Home - Make a Grand Entrance

We have all heard how important it is to make a Great First Impression, yet when it comes to selling your home so many people seem to forget this idea.  If you have ever shopped for a home, you know what I mean.  You do your research, look at the pictures online, and then you go out and look at homes.  You pull up to the home and look out the window and think – that cannot be the same home that is in the picture. Don't let this be your home      

 If you want to know what your home should look like, go visit a new home builders models.  Spend some time looking around. You are competing with them.  Make sure you are on the same level.   

 

Now when you get home do a complete evaluation.  Start with the outside, go the beginning of your community and drive up to your home.  What do you see, be honest.

A few things to look at are:
* The Front Door and Hardware
* The Garage Door
* Your Sidewalk and Driveway
* Landscaping
* Lighting
* Fencing

In short, your home should look new, like a model.  It will help it sell faster.  Make a first great impression and get moving…
If you would like more information or need a complimentary home evaluation drop me a line at howard@voginteam.com or go to our web site and check out theSeller’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

A Few Dollars Can Go A Long Way - Get Your Home Ready to Sell

I am sure you have thought, I do not want to put any money into my home, I am selling it.  At first, it sounds like it makes a lot of sense, but if you were going to sell your car, would you get it detailed to get the best price.  Of course you would, and this is no different.  If you have no problems investing in your car for a sale or trade, why would you have a problem investing in your home which you will sell for a FEW HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.  The trick is to spend the dollars wisely. 

Before tackling any project whether large or small, make a list of everything that you would want to do and determine where you get the most bang for your buck.  This list could come from the home evaluation that your listing agent provided for you (If they did not provide an evaluation you may have the wrong agent).  Next set priorities, what can you accomplish yourself and what work requires you to hire someone. 

Do not be afraid to spend a few dollars.  Fresh landscaping, paint and clean carpets, to name a few, go a long way.  If you take this crucial step at the beginning of the process, the price at which your home sells, will more than offset the initial investment in the preparation.  After you finished and until the sale is complete keep your home in tip top shape. Touch up the paint, trim the landscaping, keep windows clean, etc.  Remember, you are now in the sales business and need to make the best presentation possible.

Remember, you have only one chance to make a great first impression.  Do everything to make your home stand out from the rest when a potential buyer sees it for the first time. 

If you would a complete professional home evaluation or want to download our do it yourself home evaluation tools check out our Homes Seller Resources page or email tohoward@voginteam.com.

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