Maximizing Your Price In Northern Nevada

Maximizing Your Price in Northern Nevada

It’s Spring in Northern Nevada and you’ve decided to sell. What do you do to get the most out of your property? Start by putting your Buyer’s hat on and look at your home from a Buyer’s perspective. As you analyze your home consider the following three categories for the deficiencies: 1. Selling Condition, 2. Market Condition, 3. Enhanced Value.

Selling Condition means you’ve met or adjusted to have the home in minimum Selling Condition. If you have a multi-patched roof your home is lacking here. Other items to fix just to achieve Selling Condition can be the removal of debris on your lot, broken window seals, plumbing leaks, etc. If you are selling short don’t worry about it, the Buyer and lender will adjust the sales price for these deficiencies without cost to you.

Market Condition is simpler, mostly involving cleaning and decluttering. You’ve naturally got many personal touches around the house, it is, after all, your home. The Buyers aren’t coming to judge your lifestyle, they want to see how theirs will work in your home. Take down the family pictures and box the knicknacks, you’re moving anyway. Empty your overstuffed closet or they may think its smaller than it really is. Its Spring, you can pack up your winter clothes. Likewise, if your kitchen drawers are stuffed with used-once-a-year gadgets they’ll think the kitchen is too small. Declutter.

Clean well. Nobody wants to live in a dirty house even if their lifestyle is such that it will be dirty soon after they move in. They want to live in their own dirt. Remember to clean the outside, too. That is your first impression and you want it to count the first time. Should you stage your home professionally? Good stagers do wonders and can yield great results, but they come with a price. Is your price point such that you can absorb their cost and profit from it?

Getting your home to Selling or Market Condition will add value, but there are times when you can Enhance Value. This can get tricky. Are you better off putting in new carpet or giving an allowance? Should you give an allowance or reduce the price? When you consider any change, or addition to sell your home question whether it will get you a higher sales price. If not, don’t do it. Your home will sell by its features, location, character and … price. Price sells more than anything else in this market. If you put money in a remodel be sure to figure what it will return. There can be a great return, but if you are trading dollars, don’t do it. Your agent can help you with your analysis.

Our Advice: You can spend months or longer getting your home perfect, but what is perfect to the Buyer? We’ve seen lovely homes in great shape that the Buyer is going to “gut”, do a major remodel on. Keep your eye on your objective. What are you going to do after you sell? If you are buying elsewhere will you lose a buying opportunity while you take the time to try to get a little more out of the home you are leaving? Selling? Ready…Fire…Aim! Get it ready and get it sold!

An increase in either rates or prices can affect your next purchase and offset any gain you may have worked for.
When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your real estate needs … Experience is Priceless! Lisa Wetzel & Jim Valentine, CDPE, SFR, RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, 775-781-5472. carsonvalleyland@hotmail.com, www.carsonvalleyland.com
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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.net or www.CarsonValleyLand.com

As A Home Buyer in Northern Nevada ... Keep Your Eye On The Goal !

As A Home Buyer in Northern Nevada ... Keep Your Eye On The Goal !

Real estate is personal, it's about what your wants and needs are. Despite what you read, see, or hear in the media, or at the water cooler, be sure to understand that those comments may, or may not, apply to you. What do really want? If we all had the same wants we'd all drive the same car, wear the same clothes, and live in the same two story home.

Your real estate endeavors are really about you ... and only you. It doesn't matter what your neighbor did, or what somebody in Timbuktu did, it's about your wants and needs and your ability to achieve them. Think about it - you meet with your agent and tell them what you want. Sometimes you tell them what you need, but do you ever tell them what you really want ... your dreams? Isn't your goal to live your dream? Share your optimum goals with your agent, how you envision your life in your new home, and how your life will be. You will be amazed how much quicker your dreams will become reality.

This applies to Sellers as well as Buyers. As you contemplate your sales process, consider the probability of your sale, how your move will go, and the benefits afforded to you by the sale of your property. Forget the price that you didn't get four years ago, what counts now is what you are doing now. If your goal was to sell then you would have. If your goal is to sell now ... you will. Look past price ... to your real goal in selling. The bigger/smaller house, new neighborhood, or the debt relief. Whatever it is, it will be, if you focus on what it is you really want to result from your sale.

Your agent will find you a property, or get yours sold, in accordance with your desires. It is important that you know what those are and that you convey them to your agent. A good mix of your input with the services and perspective of a good agent can produce miracles. Think about the details of your vision - the dog pen, the color of the granite, the neighbors, the flowers, cash in pocket before you move out, clean inspections, friendly counterpart in the transaction - Buyer or Seller, etc. Don't get paralyzed by the minutia causing you to miss a good opportunity, but likewise, don't be surprised if it becomes a reality in your life because your had it as a goal. If you have twenty specific items that you want in your new home, or in the sales process of your present home, and you get eighteen of them, you are much better off than if you had three and got two. You are truly getting much more of what you want in your life, achieving more of your personal goals.

Our advice: The only thing that counts in a real estate transaction is you ... your wants and needs. As you look at the real estate market, be sure to consider what you are looking to achieve before you respond to rumors, media goings on, and your neighbors' experience or philosophy. Despite the many media stories, neighbors' hype, or any other influencing factor that may cause you to make an emotional decision, be strong and steady in your decisions for your real estate benefit. Your agent will help you with perspective, but your agent isn't living in the house you are buying or selling. Take the information, process it, and live for you.

There are many factors that affect your ultimate happiness. Prioritize them and work towards those most impactive on you. Decide accordingly and you'll be happy with the results.

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

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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

Choosing An Agent in Northern Nevada … Ask A Lot Of Questions

Choosing An Agent in Northern Nevada … Ask A Lot Of Questions

Whether selling or buying real estate in Northern Nevada, you’ll undoubtedly find the services of a Professional Real Estate Agent invaluable. There’s a reason the most savvy and successful investors always use good Agents. Good Agents not only get the job done, they keep you safe along the way. The art is to find a good professional Agent.

The biggest ad, the biggest claims, or being the biggest pest does not the best Agent make. Ads cost money, but many agents use them to simply “buy” business. They look to attract new customers for any property, not the listing they are purporting to advertise. If there is little or no inventory in the ad then it is clearly image advertising. Important for business to an extent, but understand it for what it is.

Virtually every agent is Number One at something. There’s the top producing agent types that you are seeking and then there’s the qualified Number One, like “the #1 listing agent that has seven grandkids, owns a black and white dog, and two cats”. What is really important is an agent’s production, and more importantly, their production for the type of property you are buying or selling. If you want a horse property with water rights on ten acres you don’t want to hire a condo specialist, and vice versa. Yes, in our region many agents are truly diverse in their knowledge and experience and can actually professionally serve those extremes, but you must be certain for yourself that the Agent you are working with is capable.

So how do you select an Agent? Initially, you will have some method of introduction. It could be a referral from a friend, an attractive ad, or an internet website. You might just walk in the office and meet a stranger. Once you’ve made contact, understand that you are both interviewing one another. The agent should be learning about your wants and needs, what it is that you are looking to accomplish. They should probe, ask you questions. You, too, should be asking questions … many questions. Do they handle the type of property that you are looking for or selling? What is their experience – both in real estate and in dealing with the type of property you are working with? This is especially important if you have a need for specialty knowledge, i.e. – short sale, bank owned, water rights, floodplain, seven figure price range, ag-deferred property, remodeling, etc.

Our advice: Not all Agents refrain from venturing in to the unknown … potentially at your expense. You don’t want a lawsuit to get what you want, you want good professional service. Ask a lot of questions. You should be able to get references from the Agent, the names and contact information for other people that had a similar situation that the Agent successfully assisted. Learn about their business. What areas do they work? How many listings do they inventory? How many listings sold? How many short sales have they closed? What is their typical List Price:Sales Price ratio? While asking your questions observe the answers closely. Are they appeasing you, or are they heartfelt.

One of the most important things you should look for in an agent is that they will work for your interest, not theirs. It is your real estate… they are facilitating your transaction. Some let their preferences, or needs, get in the way of the customers’ which can cause you to miss your ideal opportunity. Don’t be a victim to a self-serving incompetent agent – it’s your money on the line! We’re proud of our work and Our References. The other good agents are as well. Find the good ones – you deserve it.

Real estate is truly a people business. The real estate itself is what it is, but the people involved make the difference in the success of the transaction, Buyers, Sellers, and Agents. Evaluate the people you are dealing with so your best deal is made for you and your family. When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your real estate needs … Experience is Priceless! Lisa Wetzel & Jim Valentine, CDPE, SFR, RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, 775-781-5472. carsonvalleyland@hotmail.com, www.carsonvalleyland.com

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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

Saturday I Experienced the "Rest Of the Story". Sharing Their New Home With Their Family and Friends!

Saturday I Experienced the "Rest Of the Story". Sharing Their New Home With Their Family and Friends!

Friday I posted a blog about the joy of getting a tough loan approved for a deserving couple, The Toughest of the Toughest Loan Just Got Approved! These Kids Are Buying Their Dream Home!

Saturday I experienced the "Rest Of the Story".

This Saturday in Carson Valley was special, it's "Carson Valley Days" ... a 99 year old tradition of celebrating our wonderful Carson Valley Life! We started with the Carson Valley Day's Parade. After that, amid the confusion of taking apart the Douglas Pop Warner Float, I met with my young home buyers to open the house and let them share their future new home with their extended family and friends!

What a wonderful joy to watch them show their parents, aunts, uncles, children and friends the home they will soon be moving into!

There are many wonderful opportunities available in Carson Valley for First Time Buyers!
1 comment • Lisa Wetzel CDPE carsonvalleyland.com • June 14 2009 11:41AM

It's Not Every Day We See Our Critters In The Newspaper! Corky Makes Her Debut!

Oh! The Joys of Country Living!

We live in a small community in Northern Nevada just 15 minutes from Lake Tahoe and an hour south of Reno.

Although we have lived and worked in Carson Valley for a long long time we just moved “out” to the country 5 years ago. Leaving our ”in town” home of 25 years to relocate on to 5 acres was a long term goal for Lisa. Jim … with the bribery of a new Kubota tractor to “farm” with … was a fairly easy convert.

This morning, a quite country Sunday, we opened out local small town paper to find a good sized photo of our newest miniature donkey smiling at us from the second page! Apparently someone on the Record Courier staff thinks she’s as cute as we do!

For All you Carson Valley Real Estate or to look through all our Northern Nevada Real Estate Listings … Search the Entire Northern Nevada MLS …Click Here

Something Good Happened Yesterday At the Office … We Were Busy!

Could it be that we are off to a great start? Something good happened yesterday at the office … we were busy! Yep! January 2, 2009 was a busy day!

Well … OK … not 2005 “BUSY” ; but, busier than we have been in quite some time. Regular people walking in the office to ask about real estate possibilities, other agents calling to set up showings of our listings, RE/MAX agents in their offices meeting buyers and sellers! Yeah! Real business going on!

We definitely have a long way to go … but this is a very good start!

Experience is Priceless! Call Lisa and Jim for all your Northern Nevada Real Estate needs! If we can’t help you we know someone who can! Email carsonvalleyland@hotmail.com or dpwtigers@hotmail.com 775-783-6854 or 775-783-6855, cell 775-781-5472 fax us at 775-782-4117.