Brandon FL Real Estate Blog

I have been getting this question quite a bit lately and so thought this would be an excellent topic for discussion!

WHAT IS A SHORT SALE?

A short sale is the sale of a property for less that what is owed on it.  A typical scenario might be a home that was purchased for $260,000 in 2005 that would now sell for $230,000.  The mortgage owed is $258,000.  The goal is to get an offer at the current market price and convince the bank to take less than what is owed to them to go ahead and get rid of the property before having to forclose on it.

You are a candidate for a short sale if:

1. You are behind on payments or getting ready to be behind
2. You owe more to the bank than what your home is worth
3. You have had a considerable life change that is going to affect how you can make your payments on time in the future.

Do not wait to sell your home if you have been put in a situation where you cannot make your payments!  the more you delay the worse the situation will get and the harder it will be to get your home sold in time.

In addition to selling homes I also provide counseling on how to keep your home and what your best situation might be.  Please don’t be afraid to call me today to discuss your situation.

**There can be tax and legal implications regarding short sales and forclosures.  I cannot give legal or accounting advice**

There are new flood maps out for Hillsborough County Florida.  If you are thinking about selling or buying a home this could be vital information for you!  many properties not formerly in flood zones now are and some that used to be in flood zones have been taken out of them.  The flood map is easy to use just click here and enter in the address of the home you wish to research.

With the slow market we have had in the Tampa Bay Area it is even more important to make sure your home is in top showing condition BEFORE you put it on the market.  I get feedback on showings from my current listings and here is what I have learned that every seller must do before putting your home on the market.  These items won’t cost you much-if anything- but will give you a big return and help your home sell faster!

AMY’S TOP TWELVE HOME SELLING TIPS

1. Pressure wash all outside sidewalks and driveways as well as patios and lanais. Also pressure wash (at a much lower pressure setting) any sides or corners of your home with mildew or wasp nests.
2. Make sure flower borders are neat and weed free.  Fill borders with RED MULCH for color and a fresh look and smell.  Trust me the red looks great with any house color and really jazzes up the appearance! You can even extend your borders to areas grass will not grow quickly and easily by adding a bit of round up and filling areas with red mulch and a few plants.
3. Make porches and lanais inviting by adding potted greenery (Costco has some really great live greenery and they are usually only about $15.00 each) and sitting areas. Make sure to remove dirty grills, lawn equipment and toys from these areas so they do not look cluttered.  You don’t want the buyer to think about work when they are sitting on your lanai. It should be peaceful and relaxing!
4. Inside remove all clutter and as many pictures as you can.  Rent a storage space if you have to but get it out of the house.  The less clutter you have the larger the home looks and the less distracted the buyer is.  You want the buyer to be able to imagine their own belongings in your home, not be distracted by yours!
5.   Kitchens are especially important, get stuff off counters and off the refrigerator! (I’m talking magnets and the top of the fridge).  Organize cabinets and panties so that they look spacious. Make sure floors and cabinets are clean.  Wipe wood cabinets down with lemon oil for a clean shiny look. Do not leave persoanl medications out in the open.  Hide them in an out of the way cabinet.
6. Make sure your home smells fresh and inviting.  Invite some friends over and ask them what the first thing they smelled was when they walked in the door.  If they say smoke,dog, cat, food spices or notice a damp smell- correct it.  Clean carpets, paint walls, don’t smoke inside the house and maybe even find an alternative living arrangement for your pets for a few weeks.
7. Neutralize the colors of your home as much as you can.  Lighter colors are better because they can match most decors. Get rid of reds, greens blues, pinks and purples.  Painting is a pain and buyers see it as work they would prefer not to do.  Spend a weekend  and do it ahead of time to ensure a faster sale.  A little elbow work can gain you thousands of dollars!
8. Organize your closets.  Pack the clothes you are not using and if necessary buy some wire organizers and install for extra space.  Storage space is a big seller in today’s market.  Make sure all your closets and stoarge areas are neat and clean and well organized.
9. Don’t forget the garage! As you know , Florida’s garages tend to take the place of the northern homes basement.  Take advantage of wall shelves and cabinets for storage. Add wall organizers and make sure the floors are neat and clean.  Plastic bins on shelves are a great way to find items quickly yet still have a neat and organized appearance. Try to keep the garbage outside somewhere if allowed to avoid smells.  If not buy a garbage can with a tight lock lid.
10. POOP STINKS! Baby diapers and dog poop are deal killers.  Diaper Genies don’t work!  Make sure to take diapers straught out to the main garbage (see above) and make sure to clean up after your pet (inside and outside) There is nothing worse for a buyer than being so turned off by a smell they can’t stand to look at your home.  Even worse if they happen to step in it!  Hire a service for a few weeks if you cannot keep up with it yourself.
11. Do any repairs that need to be done to your house ahead of time.  Don’t let a buyer walk into your home and think “WORK”  After doing the repairs make sure you are offering a Home Warranty when you sell your home.  It is inexpensive and gives buyers peace of mind.  Never sell a home “as is” or “as is for the seller’s convenience” this is a sure way to get only low ball offers on your home-if any offers at all!
12. Polish your front door.  It should be shiny, clean and inviting!

These are the things I have found that really help a home show better and sell better.  I am always available to answer your questions regarding what you should do to help your home sell.  You can also visit my website tips for even more info!

We’d love to tell you about great new neighborhood we’ve discovered that’s getting ready to be built!

Waterset is a new Community by Newland that’s set to break ground Mid Summer 2007 in Apollo Beach, Florida. Be the 1st to enjoy the move into this real town with distinct architecture, and oustanding recreational & social facilities. 

When you enter Waterset, Waterset Drive takes you around the lake to the future Discovery Center and the boathouse, event pavilion and fishing pier. Drive a little further and you’ll reach a lakeside village, clubhouse, pool with lazy river, tennis and basketball complex, all surrounding 24-acre Lake Thompson. 

This community is located just 25 minutes South of Tampa just off I75.

 Take a look at this new neighborhood and get up to date information by calling us or checking this blog regularly!

 Don’t forget our VIP New Home Buyer Program. Call us before you visit any builders and get 1% cash back at closing!