Sunday, July 15, 2012

Helping A Family Member Buy A Home in Northern Nevada

Helping A Family Member Buy A Home in Northern Nevada

Buying a home in Northern Nevada is an exhilarating experience.  From the realization that a new home is in order, or even possible, to the day you move in, there are many emotional moments.  Such moments are often enhanced by family members, well intended family members.  Their impact on your emotions is unavoidable, it is family after all.  Though they are well intended they can sure twist your perspective at times. 

Family help usually begins with everyone looking at the home.  If you are looking at a home that a family member wants to buy remember your role in the viewing.  Sometimes you are asked for your technical help, you are in the trades and can help assess the condition of the property.  Most often, however, you are invited along to look to reinforce their decision.  No different than when you are asked your opinion about the new car they are buying. “Whaddya think?”
 
When you are providing the “second opinion” remember that you aren’t the one buying the property.   Just as you didn’t do all the comparison shopping to know whether it was for horsepower, price or the radio that they selected the car they wanted to buy, you haven’t seen all the homes they’ve looked at and eliminated in the process of getting to considering this one.  The home must satisfy their wants and needs or you wouldn’t have been called out so remember that as you provide your feedback.

Don’t give artificial praise for the property, and don’t be over analytical.  They are riding on an emotional high and either one defeats the purpose of your role.  If they haven’t contracted the price they can get too emotionally involved which is a detriment in their negotiations.  If they over analyze they might lose what they really want and what is really the best home for them.  Work to understand how it will work for them.  Kind of like what you did when they decided to get married – its their choice and they have to live with it so make sure there aren’t any obvious serious defects and understand that they are the ones that are going to live with it.

If you are giving financial assistance by co-signing or gifting money to the endeavor you will want to protect your investment and can be more vocal with your analysis.  When you give money, by loan or gift, make sure everyone understands what you are giving and the terms of your involvement.  Keep it on a business level.  Also, don’t “Lord” it over them if you give them something – they will soon hate the home.  A gift is a gift.  Make sure the money is available when they need it to close.

Our Advice:  Buying a home with a “family committee” can be a lot of fun for everybody.  The enthusiasm can be infectious with the event producing fond memories.  The opposite can be true as well if you don’t do your job when assisting.  Just like when your sister asks you why you didn’t tell her that her ex-husband was a Dirty Rotten Lousy when you knew it, you must speak up about the reality of the situation.  Understand when they buy it anyway because they are blinded by the love of the home… like your sister when she married the bum!

We are all different which is why most people call in family help.  They are looking for a diverse opinion to offset and confirm their decision.  Fulfill that role objectively and the right thing will happen.  Help them make the right decision and maybe they’ll forget to call you on moving day as a token of their appreciation.

When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your real estate needs ... Experience is Priceless! Lisa Wetzel and Jim Valentine, CDPE, SFR, RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, 775-781-5472 carsonvalleyland@hotmail.com, www.carsonvalleyland.com

Here are a few of our blog posts ... please enjoy!


Lisa Wetzel and Jim Valentine are the authors of this blog.  Lisa, Jim and Jessie are experts in Carson Valley , Carson City and the tri-county area of Douglas County, Carson City and Lyon County. Call our team anytime at 775-781-5472 or 775-781-3704.  To Search for Homes go to: Carson Valley Listing Book or visit our website at www.CarsonValleyLand.com

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Concerns When A Property Sells Quickly These Days In Northern Nevada



Concerns When A Property Sells Quickly These Days In Northern Nevada

Like other areas across the country, the rejoicing when a property sells quickly these days in Northern Nevada is often a bit reserved.  The Sellers’ initial response is inevitably, “Did we price it too low?”  A logical question with a complex answer.  Most Sellers and Agents spend a lot of time evaluating a property before pricing it and in doing so consider such things as recent sales, competing properties, condition of the subject property, floor plan and other amenities of the subject, location, and more.

After all the discussion is done, and points and counterpoints have been made, a price is established that works for the Seller as well as the Agents.  It is usually correct, but there is no way of knowing for sure until someone makes an offer.  The price until then is only conjecture based on reasonable assumptions and analysis.  No one knows for sure, however, what it will actually sell for.  The Agent usually knows what it won’t sell for and the Seller knows what they won’t sell for.  Somewhere in between is a value that becomes the List Price.

The property is put up for sale and ... in our current Northern Nevada Real Estate market ... along comes someone on the second day that makes an offer and ends up buying it. 

That doesn’t mean it was priced too low, rather in such cases it is more likely that the Buyer was looking for just such a property.  Buyers in this market are finding fewer properties to look at and competition when they get there.  If a Buyer has determined where they want to live, and the type of home they want to live in, when such a property becomes available they have learned to act quickly.  This is enhanced if you have a specialty feature they desire, i.e.- a large shop building or horse facilities. 

Great selling agents have their buyers poised and ready as they both scour MLS several times everyday to find the "New" Listing that suits their Customer's wants and needs.

We always talk to our Sellers about “Pent Up Demand”, so they are prepared for this scenario when it happens.  If there is such latent demand it usually occurs in the first week to ten days.  After that normal marketing time will prevail for the properly priced property.  That will vary by area and price point, but will be consistent within the property’s feature and amenity parameters. 

Look carefully at the first offer.  It is uncanny how many times the First Offer Is The Best, but that fact isn’t known until you are reaching the end of the listing period and the property remains unsold.  That scenario is typical of an overpriced listing or falling market.  Hopefully, you priced your property right so you won’t be too high, and our market is stabilizing so the latter scenario shouldn’t come in to play.  That means They are simply shopping for price. Consult your Agent for a negotiation strategy and enjoy the process.

Our Advice:  Price your home properly and if it sells quickly understand that you and your Agent did a good job! The property must have been show ready.  The promotion must have been effective.  The price must have attracted the right Buyer.  The price was acceptable to you or you wouldn’t have agreed to it and signed the contract.   Take the money and run.  You can now get on with your life because you prepared your home right, selected the right agent, and got a good offer.  Good things happen to good people.  Selling quickly is a good thing.  The opposite can be very frustrating.  Enjoy your blessings.

Be careful of the Agent that will price it too low to make their job easy.  If you are not comfortable with the pricing being suggested get a second opinion. Then be aware of someone looking to price it too high to get the listing and beat you up on price until you lower it to sell.  Work with a pro and enjoy the results!

When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your real estate needs ... Experience is Priceless! Lisa Wetzel and Jim Valentine, CDPE, SFR, RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, 775-781-5472 carsonvalleyland@hotmail.com, www.carsonvalleyland.com

Here are a few of our blog posts ... please enjoy!



Lisa Wetzel and Jim Valentine are the authors of this blog.  Lisa, Jim and Jessie are experts in Carson Valley , Carson City and the tri-county area of Douglas County, Carson City and Lyon County. Call our team anytime at 775-781-5472 or 775-781-3704.  To Search for Homes go to: Carson Valley Listing Book or visit our website at www.CarsonValleyLand.com

Trees And Nevada Real Estate

Trees And Northern Nevada Real Estate

It takes a long time to grow a tall maple or pine tree and they add value provided they are well located on the property and in good health.  Pine trees in the wooded parts of our area can feel the stress of drought and many trees had a tough time getting through last winter because of the lack of water.  The forest goes through the natural cycle of drought, fire, and the resulting forest cleansing, but if you want to keep the trees on your property in good health you might want to bring in experts to assist you in a designing and implementing a health plan for them to help fight the bark beetle and other tree killing natural phenomenon. 

Most of the trees on private property in our area were planted by a property owner along the way.  They often have drip system watering systems and are used for shade, wind breaks, privacy, and boundary delineation.  These trees are usually pampered and appreciated, but the property owners don’t always know what is best when they plant and attend to their trees without the benefit of a professional landscaper or arborist. 

When looking at a property with trees there are several things to consider.  The age of the trees is important. Old cottonwood trees by your house can be a hazard.  Other older trees may be reaching the end of their life expectancy and won’t be around long.  Maples near a sidewalk or a foundation can cause upheaval of the concrete in a surprisingly short period of time.  Where are the trees in relation to your septic system or sewer drain pipe?  Tree roots are probably the biggest cause of septic failure in our area.  We know of one local situation where a septic tank was completed filled with a ball of roots that penetrated the tank and grew dramatically in that environment. 

Our advice:  If you own a home with trees or are considering buying one look beyond the natural beauty of the trees.  Just as you take your kids to the doctor for a periodic physical to determine their health, seriously consider hiring an arborist to come and look at your trees – tree doctors still make house calls.  You will be amazed at how differently they look at them than you do.  They will assess the root system and potential for property damage, the branches for health and vitality of the tree, the leaves, what is on them, and what might come in the future.  They can also offer bio-stimulant injections, in addition to a fertilizer, that help your trees’ health.

Considering the financial and aesthetic investment you have in your trees, don’t neglect them or take them for granted.  Give them the proper care and attention that you would anything else that is so important in your life.  Don’t gamble with your most important investment, your home and the grounds around it.



When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your real estate needs ... Experience is Priceless! Lisa Wetzel and Jim Valentine, CDPE, SFR, RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, 775-781-5472 carsonvalleyland@hotmail.com, www.carsonvalleyland.com


Here are a few of our blog posts ... please enjoy!





Lisa Wetzel and Jim Valentine are the authors of this blog.  Lisa, Jim and Jessie are experts in Carson Valley , Carson City and the tri-county area of Douglas County, Carson City and Lyon County. Call our team anytime at 775-781-5472 or 775-781-3704.  To Search for Homes go to: Carson Valley Listing Book or visit our website at www.CarsonValleyLand.com