Posts Tagged ‘Signal Mountain Home for Sale’

« Older Entries

Signal Mountain Home for Sale Wins Academy Award!

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

Okay, it never happened; when the Academy Awards were handed out, obviously, none went to a Signal Mountain home for sale – but the Academy Awards are still relevant. Bear with me a moment.

When someone wins an Academy Award, don’t we expect more from him or her in the future? Why? Because the Award defines their abilities in some way, and here is where they’re relevant to your Signal Mountain home for sale. Just like the Awards, our homes seem to define us in some strange way.

Think about it. When you see a large home with manicured lawns, lighted pathways and a pool, don’t you automatically assume the owners have money? They’ve won the “dream home” award.

Likewise, if you see a home with a scraggly lawn and a bad paint job, you may assume the opposite. In other words, it doesn’t automatically occur to us that the people with the manicured home may just be good at money management or that the owners of the scraggly lawn home may make plenty of money but not manage it well.

We, as human beings, are good at judging a book by its cover. We assume certain things based on what we see, not reality. So what does the home you’re selling say about you? What will it say about the buyer? Would it win the dream home award?

Looking At Your Home with New Eyes

When preparing your home to sell, it’s important to look at the home you’ve lived in for years with new eyes.  Because you’re used to the cracks in the sidewalk, peeling paint or missing shingles, you probably don’t even notice it any more.

Potential buyers, however, are looking for Academy Award winners. Little things, such as unwashed windows, really can make all the difference. Trees with dead branches, lawns that haven’t been mowed, numbers falling off of mailboxes – all of these things may seem small, but they can quickly lose a sale.

Buyers see the outside of a Signal Mountian home for sale and have certain expectations of what the inside will look like. If the inside and outside don’t match, you have work to do. Don’t let the home you’re selling wallow on the market. If it’s been sitting on the selling block for months without a peep, it’s time to see what you can do about turning it into a dream home award winner!

If you’re ready to sell your home, I can help. Call me at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com for more information.

Keyword/Tag: Signal Mountain home for sale

Links:

Good at money management

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/financial-literacy2004/12-steps-home.asp

Cracks in the sidewalk

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/repairsidewalkcrack

Dream home award

http://www.dreamhomeawards.com/

Tags:
Posted in Signal Mountain Living, Signal Mountain Real Estate | Comments Off

Signal Mountain Home for Sale – Are You Obsessing?

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

The national real estate market, state markets and city markets all seemed to be wrapped up in a nifty bundle that effect whether your Signal Mountian home for sale will have a buyer. With the news reports over the last two years about the pop of the housing bubble, homeowners everywhere essentially lost their minds.

Here are a few examples:

  • Some homeowners panicked and immediately put their houses up for sale
  • Some homeowners chose to walk away from it all, leaving their homes vacant and mortgages in default
  • Some homeowners went into a flurry of home renovations, with the idea of selling
  • National and Signal Mountain home for sale listings shot through the roof

The amazing thing isn’t that the real estate market seems to be stabilizing – that’s not the miracle. The miracle is that we still even have a real estate market at all.

Obsessing Over the Sale

This year opened up with a lot of homes on the market, but it also opened with a lot of sellers digging into real estate news. They’ve started obsessing; they’ve started pouring over online real estate digests, articles and blogs. In fact, the traffic for this site alone has jumped tremendously.

While it’s understandable that you, as the seller, want to know what your chances are for selling your home, obsessing is bad for business. Especially if you’re dealing with potential buyers in person, your eagerness to sell can show in very bad ways. You might end up selling the home for way less than you could have – or you might not sell your home at all if they sense desperation.

If you’re obsessing over whether your home will sell or not, stop. Take a deep breath. Relax. Even if you’re in a hurry, taking a short break from worry can help clear your mind and leave it open for better ideas.

It may be hard to remember sometimes, and giving trust is always difficult, but that’s what we’re here for. You hired your real estate agent to take care of your Signal Mountain home for sale and get it off the market. We do the research on the market and we have the experience.  In other words, we do the worrying for you!

If you’d like to sell your home, I can help. Call me at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com for more information.

Keyword/Tag:  Signal Mountain home for sale

Homeowners chose to walk away

http://articles.sfgate.com/2008-03-16/news/17166894_1_foreclosure-process-subprime-home-values-tumble

A lot of homes on the market

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-foreclose_21bus.ART0.State.Edition1.3cfbcf0.html

Taking a short break from worry

http://www.caringtoday.com/reduce-stress/break-free-from-worry

Tags:
Posted in Signal Mountain Home for Sale | Comments Off

National and Signal Mountain Real Estate Gets a Makeover

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

When home values started dropping in 2007, a lot of homeowners panicked and immediately began putting their houses on the national and Signal Mountain real estate markets. The supply of homes for sale rose to a staggering amount and prices dropped lower, fueling more homeowners to “get out while they still could.”  However, as 2009 rolled to a close, a new trend that may mean a calming of the panicked markets began.

 

Meet the Nesters

 

During the real estate boom, house flippers popped up from everywhere. In fact, flipping houses became such a big industry that cable channel A&E began producing “Flip This House” for those who wanted to try it themselves. Houses had become financial investments, a way to build equity or even immediate cash. However, as prices dropped for national and Signal Mountain real estate, investors found their investments failing.

 

So, if you can’t build equity, you can’t invest and you can’t flip homes, what good are they? Ask the “nesters,” who’ve decided that a home is something to hold on to and a good investment anyway.

 

2009 showed a 20% increase in the first three quarters for home construction according to NAHB (National Association of Home Builders), and another 8.7% increase in the last quarter of the year. The amount spent on remodeling in 2009 hit $114 billion by October. What are these nesters doing?

 

While some paying for remodeling are trying to raise the quality of their home to sell it, most are fixing it up to live in. Most people move to get more space, but these nesters would rather expand the place they live in than buy a new home. As well, many contractors believe the number of home improvement bids have gone up thanks to the $1,500 energy tax credit for raising the energy efficiency of a home.

 

Whatever the reason, the rise in nesters may mean an evening out of the housing supply. Although the national and Signal Mountain real estate markets may not stabilize immediately, a drop in the number of homes hitting those markets could make all the difference in a housing recovery.

 

If you’re looking for a beautifully remodeled home, I can help. Call me at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com for more information.

 

Keyword/Tag:  Signal Mountain real estate

 

Links:

Flip This House

http://www.aetv.com/flipthishouse/

 

National Association of Home Builders

http://www.nahb.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=134

 

$1,500 energy tax credit

http://www.energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm

Tags: ,
Posted in Signal Mountain Home for Sale, Signal Mountain Real Estate | Comments Off

The Clock is Ticking on that Home for Sale on Signal Mountain – Again

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Once again, the clock is ticking for first-time home buyers to get a home for sale on Signal Mountain before the tax credit runs out. Extended in November, 2009, the first-time buyers’ tax credit is set to expire in April, 2010, and there are no plans for another extension.

 

What does this mean for you? If you’re a home seller, it’s time to look over your home for sale on Signal Mountain, make sure all your t’s are crossed, i’s are dotted and that you’ve done everything you can to put your home at the front of the buying line. If you’re a first-time or repeat buyer hoping to take advantage of the credit, it’s time to start looking for your new home; the binding sales contract has to be signed by April 30, 2010.

 

Making the Buying Process Easier

Many times, the buying process can take forever.  Red tape, failing negotiations and more has caused several possible sales to fall through. So, what can you do to make the buying process easier? Here are a few tips:

 

  1. Find out if you qualify for the first-time or repeat buyer tax credit. The home buyer requirements are many.  If you can’t afford to buy a home without the tax credit, make sure you qualify.

 

  1. Shop for lenders before hand. Choosing a mortgage lender can be a lengthy process, so finding one you want to use before you start looking for a home will cut down on the time it takes to buy the house.

 

  1. Get pre-approved. Getting pre-qualified is the first step in the loan process, but it’s based on an estimate, not verified facts. By getting pre-approved for a mortgage, you know exactly how much you qualify for, and how much house you can afford. Because this is a large part of the buying process, once you’re pre-approved, the lender can expedite the rest of the deal for a quicker closing.

 

  1. Negotiate wisely. Remember that you’re on a time-line and try not to let negotiations with the seller turn into a contest of wills. Yes, negotiate, but make sure your counteroffer on the home is realistic.

 

Buying a great home for sale on Signal Mountain before the tax credit expires is definitely possible, even with only four months to go.  Following the tips outlined above can make the sale go as smoothly and quickly as possible.

 

Have questions about the home buyer tax credit?  I can help. Call me now at 423-488-1882 or email me at tclose@realtycenter.com .

 

Keyword/Tag:  Signal Mountain Home for sale

 

Links:

Home buyer requirements

http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/faq1.php#11

 

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage

http://mortgage-x.com/library/pre-approval.htm

 

Counteroffer on the home

http://www.dcu.org/streetwise/homes/hbg-negotiate.html

Tags:
Posted in Signal Mountain Home for Sale, Signal Mountain Real Estate | Comments Off

DOM – What It Is, Why It’s Important & How It Affects Your Signal Mountain Home for Sale

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

Oh, the dreaded/happy DOM question. “How long has this house been up for sale?” If it’s your Signal Moutnain home for sale we’re talking about, you’re probably wondering about the split “dreaded/happy” bit. For that matter, whether you’re a buyer or a seller, you’re probably asking, “what the heck is ‘DOM’?”

 

Days On Market

“DOM” is the shortened industry term for Days on Market, used by the multiple listing services (MLS). It’s exactly what it sounds like: the number of days your Signal Mountain home for sale has been on the market. This metric covers the time it actually goes on sale to the time the deal is closed.

 

Why Is DOM Important?

Remember the “dreaded/happy” part at the beginning of this article? As a buyer’s agent, I might gleefully answer, “Fifty days.” I say “gleefully”, because a house that has sat on the market for a long time is a good thing for my client. The seller is probably more eager to sell than a month before, and is most likely willing to work a deal. An eager seller makes a happy buyer in most cases.

 

On the other hand, as a seller’s agent, I might not be so happy about it, and for the same reason. My seller is now an eager seller. I want to get the best deal for my client, but I know the buyer has the upper hand. It is then up to me to help my client get the home sold without giving away the barn, the pool, the tool shed and the tools.

 

Already, you may be beginning to understand how the Days on Market metric can affect the sale of your home.

 

The problem with the DOM metric is that it causes buyers and agents to build false assumptions. If a home has been on the market for an above-average length of time, we start to wonder, “What’s the matter with that listing?” Even though I know there are other reasons for a home to go static and not sell, many people automatically think there’s something wrong.

 

Although you can’t force a house to sell, you do have control over some of the reasons for an extended DOM metric:

 

  • The home may be overpriced – Nothing is wrong with the property itself; it’s just priced too high.

 

  • Testing the market – Although it’s a big mistake and agents will tell you so, some sellers test the market by throwing a high price on a home they don’t care if they sell – just to see if somebody is foolish enough to take it.

 

  • Sticking to your guns – Often, sellers get fixed on a price and won’t budge, come hell or high water. They figure they can wait around until the market can meet their price, not the other way around.

 

  • Renovations – Sometimes, a home will go on the market in the middle of renovations. The sellers aren’t ready to let the home be seen, so it just sits there.

 

  • Availability – A growing problem is the lack of access to a Signal Mountain home for sale. Sadly, agents and FSBOs alike seem to be unavailable when a buyer wants to view the home. Obviously, no viewing means no sale.

 

Don’t let your DOM get high because of simple mistakes. If you’re serious about selling your home, remember the five reasons above and make sure you aren’t doing them.

 

If you’re ready to sell your home with a professional who understands how to keep the DOM to a minimum, give me a call today at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com

 

Keyword/Tag:  Signal Mountain home for sale

 

Links:

Multiple listing services

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_Listing_Service

 

Buyer’s agent

http://home.howstuffworks.com/real-estate/house-buying11.htm

 

FSBOs

http://www.realtor.org/research/research/fsbofacts

www.travisclosehomes.com

Tags: , ,
Posted in Signal Mountain Real Estate | Comments Off

4 New Year’s Resolutions for Signal Mountain Homes for Sale

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

New Years is just around the corner, and for many with Signal Mountain homes for sale, it’s the perfect time to make some resolutions. Let’s be expansive, though, shall we? Don’t say, “I will sell my house by April.” We can be more specific than that. Here’s a short list of resolutions that might help you take that home off the sales shelf:

 

  1. Resolve to look over the competition. Not just one or two of the Signal Mountain homes for sale, but ten or eleven. Look at them with the buyer’s mindset. What selling points do they have? What negative points do they have? Your goal should be to outshine the competition. You can’t do that if you don’t know what the competition is.

 

  1. Resolve to do a little home improvement. These don’t have to be big projects. Your project could be as simple as adding a few bushes for better curb appeal. You don’t have to spend a lot of money or a huge amount of time for the home improvement to count. What you do have to do, however, is make the improvement count. In other words, don’t forget to walk buyers past whatever you’ve decided to do, or tell your real estate agent about it.

 

  1. Resolve to check with your agent about the state of your home. Not when they think it will sell, but what you can do to up the value. Remember, “value” is a relative term. Upping the value for buyers may be as simple as cutting $5,000 off your price.

 

  1. Resolve to be calm if a buyer suggests a lower price than you want. Consider the options fully – don’t just snap his or her nose off. Can you afford to let the house go at the offered price? If you can and still want to say no, think about it… how long did it take to get this potential buyer? Can you afford to wait longer?

 

If you have one of the Signal Mountain homes for sale, keep in mind that it’s just one of the homes for sale. You have an amazing amount of competition; not just here, but around the nation. Take a chance to do something a little different. Your New Years may turn out to be even happier than you expected!

 

If you’re looking for unique ways to sell your home, I can help. Call me at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com  for more information.

 

Keyword/Tag:  Signal Mountain homes for sale

 

Links:

Buyer’s mindset

http://www.kitchenbathdesign.com/print/Kitchen-and-Bath-Design-News/Realtors-Survey-Provides-Insights-Into-Home-Buyers-Mindset/2$5364

 

Better curb appeal

http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/exteriors/curb-appeal/ways-to-add-curb-appeal/

 

Amazing amount of competition

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2009-04-09-vacanthomes_N.htm

Tags:
Posted in Signal Mountain Foreclosure, Signal Mountain Real Estate | Comments Off

Face Those Buying Fears on Homes for Sale on Signal Moutnain

Monday, November 9th, 2009

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, but if you’re looking at the homes for sale in the town of Signal Moutnain, it’s probably the first-time buyer fears that have your knees shaking. Hey, buying a house seems like such a final thing, so that’s understandable. It could be the biggest change in your life – EVER!

 

Now that I’ve thrown some scary thoughts your way, let’s take a turn at facing those first-time buyer fears.

 

  • Am I crazy? No, you’re a first-time buyer. You may alternate between periods of paranoia, confidence, nervousness and calm, but you aren’t crazy to want to buy one of the homes for sale on Signal Mountain.

 

  • Is this really the right time to buy a house? The best way to answer this question is with a few questions. Do you have good credit? Do you have a decent job? If the answers to these questions are “yes,” then there’s never a bad time to buy the right house. Especially now, with tons of inventory, record low interest rates and the $8000 tax credit.

 

  • What if I don’t pick the right neighborhood? What if I buy, move in, hate it, and then can’t turn around and sell the house? An understandable fear; one of the most common horror stories is moving into the perfect house, right next to the neighbor from the Black Lagoon. This is why it’s imperative to do your research (or, at the very least, tell your real estate agent exactly what kind of neighborhood you want). With the Internet, you can find out everything from the crime rate of an area to the quality of the schools.

 

  • What if I lose my job? I won’t say that’s not a possibility. However, keep in mind that you have the same question when you’re renting. The difference is that if you can’t pay the rent, you can be evicted within days, depending on where you currently live. While some lenders may do the same, most lenders don’t want to foreclose and are willing to work with you to keep you in the home and making your payments. In addition, many are willing to wait for at least two months of nonpayment before starting the foreclosure process.

 

If you’ve been a renter all your life and are looking at the homes for sale in Signal Mountain, take a deep breath. Yes, it’s scary and yes, the worries can give you worse nightmares than the freakiest Halloween you’ve ever experienced. However, remember what made you decide to start looking in the first place. If those reasons still exist, go for it!

 

If you’re looking for that perfect, affordable home, I can make the whole process less scary and fear free. Call me at 423-488-1882 or email me at tclose@realtycenter.com for more information.

 

Keyword/Tag:  Homes for sale in Signal Mountain

 

Links:

Record low interest rates

http://www.cnbc.com/id/32350362

 

Crime rate of an area

http://www.bestplaces.net/Default.aspx

 

Lenders don’t want to foreclose

http:/howto-you.com/family/episode-36-why-lenders-dont-want-to-foreclose

Tags:
Posted in Signal Mountain Real Estate | Comments Off

Buying One of the Signal Mountain Homes for Sale? Don’t Forget Your…

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

2009 might not have brought on the hottest market for sellers, but it’s an excellent market for buyers.  If you’re taking advantage and buying one of the Signal Mountain homes for sale, it means you’ll be moving soon.  It also means that you’ll probably forget something you really need in the new house – after it’s too late.

 

Don’t Forget Your…

There are at least five items commonly forgotten when moving:

 

1. Personal Phonebook – Make sure you pack up any personal numbers, phonebooks or notepads you might have written needed numbers on.  If you have time, transfer them to your computer.  Even if you call the numbers a lot, there is still a chance you’ll forget them.

 

2. Neat and Tidy – Too often, people will be giving their old home a final once-over and find a spot that needs to be cleaned.  Realizing they have packed the cleaning equipment, they rush out to buy new cleaners.  Instead, have your cleaning supplies set aside as one of the last things to go – just in case. 

 

3. Records – No, not the vinyl ones.  If the Signal Mountain home for sale is in another neighborhood, you’ll have to get your medical records, vet records for your pet and your child’s permanent school record.  Copies usually aren’t allowed, so make sure you have the real deal!

 

4. Your Address – As silly as it may seem, it’s easy to forget your new address.  Write it down and put it in your wallet or purse for easy reference.

 

5.  Hidden Valuables – Did you remember that roll of bills you hid in the attic, or the necklace in the bathroom?  Before leaving, collect all your valuables and put them in a safe deposit box.

 

If you’re looking to buy one of the Signal Mountain homes for sale, I can help.  Call me at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com  for more information.

 

Keyword and Tag:  Signal Mountain homes for sale

 

Links:

 

Items commonly forgotten when moving

http://www.articlesbase.com/moving-and-relocating-articles/10-things-people-forget-when-moving-979883.html

 

Medical records

http://www.genetichealth.com/Resources_Collecting_Medical_Records.shtml#Anchor3

 

Safe deposit box

http://www.foreignborn.com/self-help/banking/10-sd_boxes.htm

Tags: ,
Posted in Signal Mountain Real Estate, Signal Mountain Realtor | Comments Off

Buyers Beware: Disappearing Homes for Sale on Signal Mountain

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

July saw the largest increase in home sales in at least ten years, which brings hope for all the homes for sale on Signal Mountain. What’s the culprit for this more-than-expected rise? The first-time buyers tax credit!

 

The $8,000 tax credit first time buyers are eligible for expires November 30, 2009. Buyers that otherwise may have stood on the side lines are rushing to find the home of their dreams in time for the closing to happen before the deadline. Thanks to that deadline, one out of three homes for sale are getting that coveted “Sold” sign.

 

So why should buyers beware?

If you’re holding off for a better time to buy one of the homes for sale on Signal Mountain, you might never see it! Mortgage interest rates are at a historical low; housing prices are also much lower than they have been.

 

The tax credit is another excellent reason. If you’re a first-time buyer and close the deal before November 30, you get a 10% credit on the purchase price. That percentage caps out at $8,000. What can you do in a new house with $8,000?

 

Many buyers are looking at foreclosures, due to lower costs. While the foreclosures may not be in the best condition, the tax credit has helped them make repairs without taking a huge bite out of their wallet. You may have a foreclosure with $15,000 off the initial price and $7,000 in needed repairs. If you receive the full $8,000 tax credit, you actually end up saving $16,000!

 

So, if you’re honestly looking for a home to buy, go ahead. Take your time; make sure it’s a home you want. However, don’t take too long, because the homes for sale on Signal Mountain are rapidly disappearing. Take advantage of the tax credit and the number of possibilities!

 

If you’re looking for a great home, I can help. Call me at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travis@travisclosehomes.com for more information.

 

Keyword and Tag:  Homes for sale on Signal Mountain

 

Links:

 

$8,000 tax credit

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204671,00.html

 

Mortgage interest rates

http://www.mortgage101.com/articles/dailyratesurvey.asp

 

Make repairs

http://www.hometips.com/

Tags: ,
Posted in Signal Mountain Real Estate | Comments Off

5 Steps Owners of Signal Mountain Homes for Sale Should Follow

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

There’s a lot of competition in the current market for Signal Mountain homes for sale.  If you’re thinking about adding your home to the list, this checklist is for you.

 

#1.  Set your goals.  What do you expect from your sale?  Do you just want to get rid of the home, or do you want the highest price possible?  Will you be ready if a buyer wants to close quickly?  The answers to these questions factor into how much time it takes for a house to come off the market.

 

#2.  Decide whether to use an agent or not.  Although many Signal Mountain homes for sale go faster and at better prices with a real estate agent, it’s still possible to get a decent price doing it yourself.  If you decide to use an agent, interview them and talk to their past clients to make sure you feel confident in their services.

 

#3.  Set your home price.  This is tricky, because if you don’t set the right price, your house can sit on the market for a long time and sell for much less than it’s worth.  If you hire an agent, they’ll analyze comparable homes and find a good price.  If you don’t hire an agent, make sure you look at recent sales on comparable homes, as well as neighborhood demographics to find the right price.

 

#4.  Find the problems and get serious issues fixed.  Although you aren’t obligated to hire a home inspector, a professional home inspection can help head off serious issues that can delay the sale.  If you can fix the serious issues, do so.  If you can’t, you can still sell the house “as is,” as a fixer-upper.  Keep records of everything you do fix.

 

#5.  Consider staging your home.  From curb appeal to inside style, home stagers can help your house look its best.  Studies show that, in general, staged homes sell faster and for better prices than those that haven’t been staged.

 

Adding your house to the list of Signal Mountain homes for sale will be an exercise in patience, but following this checklist can help make the exercise a much shorter one. 

If you’re thinking of selling your home, please allow me to interview for the job.  Call me today at 423-488-1882 or email me at tclose@realtycenter.com for more information or to schedule an interview.

 

Keyword:  Signal Mountain homes for sale

 

Links:

1.  Real estate agent

http://homebuying.about.com/od/realestateagents/tp/findagent.htm

 

2.  Find the right price

http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=13108482

 

3.  Home stagers – if you offer home staging services, or recommend a home stager, link to your page about that service.  Otherwise, link to this:

http://www.iahsp.com/

Tags:
Posted in Signal Mountain Real Estate | Comments Off

« Older Entries