Team Jodi Bakst Chapel Hill NC Real Estate

Feb 12 2009

What buyers look for, or look out for when purchasing a home.

What should buyers look for, or look out for when purchasing a home in the Chapel Hill, Durham, Orange County North Carolina areas? This article will help sellers look into some important aspects of selling their home and what potential buyers look out for as well.

The way you live in your house is not the way to sell your house. So, what makes a house a home for sale on the market, and one that soon has a “SOLD” sign out on the front lawn? And what aspects are important to look at because potential buyers will ask the question, “How much work are we going to need to do prior to moving in and beyond?” The appearance and cleanliness of the home are significant. Always have your home ready to be shown at a moment’s notice with me, your agent, Jodi Bakst because this is what buyers are looking for. And a tip- burned out lights need to be replaced; classy lighting and upgraded fixtures can ameliorate the value of a home. Also, buyers said they would be willing to pay more for a home with a renovated kitchen.

Here are some things a buyer will look out for when dealing with the purchase of a home. The buyer will consider the following:

  • Exactly what property is included in the sale? Lighting fixtures, drapes or blinds, refrigerators, stoves, washing machines and dryers are often problem areas.
  • Is the neighborhood quiet, friendly? Are the homes well kept?
  • Are there any development plans that will affect the property?
  • The inspection report - are there any substantial problems with the house?
  • Real estate taxes - what are the current property taxes, and what impact will your purchase have on the taxes?

Another issue that raises concern regarding buyer appeal is that sellers often mistakenly think that viewing empty properties will give the buyers an accurate sense of the space available. On the contrary, it is more difficult to really judge the size of a room without furniture and other objects as reference points. An empty room even allows buyers to focus on negative details instead of getting a sense of the overall space and the flow of each room to the next. Buyers need to ask themselves the question, “Can I see myself in this home?” Therefore, staging really helps buyers envision themselves in the space.

The idea of “staging” a home to make it look alluring to buyers has become popular during the last decade, as manifested by the proliferation of numerous home staging companies offering advice about how to make the house more attractive to buyers. Check out next’s months article about “Staging a Home.”

When selling your home with myself, Jodi Bakst, your agent keep in mind what buyers look for, or look out for before coming to look at your home in the Chapel Hill, Durham, Orange County North Carolina areas.

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Jan 29 2009

New Year brings optimism for the 2009 Real Estate Market

What better way to start the New Year, then to bring confidence to our 2009 Real Estate Market. Ringing in the New Year being hopeful and optimistic will allow us to decide what we can do to improve our way of thinking about what is currently going on in the market. The New Year begins with us having a positive outlook and is a promising time for those of us looking to buy a home in the Chapel Hill, Durham, Orange County North Carolina areas.

Here are a few reasons to make a real estate investment in 2009:

Lower Home Prices: Housing prices have fallen to more affordable levels, in some markets moving back to 2003 prices. Lower home prices expand the number of people able to afford to buy and own home, creating a greater demand in the 2009 Real Estate Market.

Historically low interest rates: 30 year fixed mortgage rates are nearing 5 percent and are expected to move to 4.5 percent or lower in the 2009 Real Estate Market. Compared to 6.25 percent rates seen earlier in 2008, a rate of 4.5 percent would mean a monthly savings of $218 on a $200,000 mortgage. Lower monthly costs will keep people in their homes, reduce the number of homes on the market and lead to a stabile housing market.

The New Year brings optimism for the 2009 Real Estate Market. It is already evident that the housing inventories and prices are beginning to stabilize. The combination of lower prices and historically low interest rates will lead to a very good housing recovery.

No one can predict a market bottom, however it appears the worst of the market turmoil is behind us. The drive to stabilize and improve the housing market should lead to an improved 2009 Real Estate Market.

Let us all take a good peek into our own personal outlook on the 2009 Real Estate Market. With the interest rates low and many homes available, there is no better time than the present especially if you are looking for a home in the Chapel Hill, Durham, Orange County North Carolina areas.

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Dec 19 2008

Real Estate during the Holidays

Now is still a really good time for Real Estate in Chapel Hill, Durham, Orange County North Carolina areas. Buyers can, and do, get serious during this busy time of year. Lots of sellers take their homes off the market during the holidays, assuming no one will be buying at this time. But with serious buyers still out there and a lower inventory of homes, your home has a good chance of standing out. With fewer homes for sale, competition is decreased. There are good reasons to sell your home during the holidays.

Buyers are more serious during the holidays. Anyone shopping for a home during the holidays probably has to buy before a certain deadline. Therefore some buyers may be looking to relocate before the new year. Investors may also want to close before the end of the year for tax reasons. If you live near a university, students and staff may be looking for homes between academic sessions, and if you live near a military base, servicemen and women may be moving to the area. Work with me, Jodi Bakst, your agent to target these motivated buyers. Buyers have more time to house-hunt. Buyers who are looking at this time during the holidays are serious about making a purchase. Some buyers purposely wait until their families are together for holiday vacations to start looking for a home. Homes show better in the winter. Decked out in lights and garland, homes often look their best during the holiday months. Take advantage of the Holidays and spruce up your homes to make them more festive. Deck the halls, but don’t go overboard, just enough to make your prospects feel at home and your home still looking spacious.

Home sellers can’t always take a holiday from keeping their house on the market. Instead, they should consider ways to turn the holidays to their advantage. By holding a holiday-themed open house - maybe instead of the traditional Sunday afternoon open house; your home could be open in the evening to take advantage of a festive holiday light display. Keep in mind to not block or cover up important selling features such as fireplace mantels, stairs, stained-glass windows. Tone down the size of tree. In place of a 10-foot tree, try decorating a table-top, four-foot version. Set a plate of cookies on the counter, next to festive paper napkins for guests. Giving house hunters a place to escape from the cold is another excellent way to get them inside your home.

The holidays are stressful enough without having to think about staging and open houses, so if you’re not truly motivated to sell, it’s probably best to wait a few months. But if you absolutely have to sell, don’t be discouraged. A good agent like myself can take the burden off of your shoulders, giving you more time to enjoy the season.

With these tips in mind, it is possible to enjoy the holidays and still successfully feature a home for sale on the real estate market. Now is still a good time as ever in the Chapel Hill, Durham, Orange County North Carolina areas.

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Dec 19 2008

Real Estate Roundtables Help to Grow and Refine Your Business

 

BrainstormingI just returned from Columbus, OH where I participated in a brainstorming session with a small but high  powered group of Realtors.  We met to discuss tools and systems we are using in our business and to trade ideas on what is and is not working.  It was an awesome day. One of the goals for all of us was to bring new ideas and systems back to our business to help our buyer and seller clients.  We certainly achieved our goals.

 

Our Group Included:

Sam Miller (Mt Vernon OH)
Mike Parker (Florence KY)
Wayne Turner (Hendersonville TN)
Kevin Hildebrand (Cincinnati, OH)
Cathy Russell (Lafayette, In)
Kirk Greer (Virginia Beach, VA)
Jason O’Neil (South Tampa, FL)
Bob and Norine Sokoler (Louisville, KY)

John Jones (Murfreesboro, TN)


These top brokers all shared some of their best and most effective ideas. Not surprisingly, nearly all directly involved web marketing. The internet can certainly be the most powerful and cost effective marketing tool in any service provider’s arsenal. I’m proud that the leaders in my business are so forward-thinking and hands-on in their approaches to making their businesses successful. No doubt we will continue to see success for years to come.  We all want to learn from each other to better our business, try new things and make any changes necessary to improve the services we provide.  Our day was a complete success and we are already putting new ideas into motion.  

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Dec 10 2008

Orange County North Carolina 2009 Property Tax Revaluations

Orange County North Carolina property tax revaluations for 2009 will be mailed to homeowners by the end of 2008.  In North Carolina, counties can revalue properties for tax purposes every 4 or 8 years.  Orange County has historically done this every 4 years.

Click her for information about the revaluation process and how to appeal your valution.

If you think you could not sell your home at or above the new tax value, you should submit an appeal.

Contact Team Jodi if you need help valuing your property and working through the process.  We can be reached at 1-88-TeamJodi or Jodi@TeamJodi.com.

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Dec 08 2008

Chapel Hill Town Council Gives Feedback on Homestead Road Project - Team Jodi Homes for Sale

Chapel Hill Town Council Gives Feedback on Homestead Road Project - Team Jodi Homes for Sale

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Dec 08 2008

Two New Restaurants Open In Chapel Hill & Carrboro - Team Jodi Homes for Sale

Two New Restaurants Open In Chapel Hill & Carrboro - Team Jodi Homes for Sale

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Dec 08 2008

Current Credit Crunch Delaying Chatham County School - Team Jodi Homes for Sale

Current Credit Crunch Delaying Chatham County School - Team Jodi Homes for Sale

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Dec 08 2008

Chatham County to Revalue Properties - Team Jodi Homes for Sale

Chatham County to Revalue Properties - Team Jodi Homes for Sale

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Dec 08 2008

Changes Possible to Triangle Area Light Rail Plans - Team Jodi Homes for Sale

Changes Possible to Triangle Area Light Rail Plans - Team Jodi Homes for Sale

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