IN RESEARCHING RECENT HOME SALES  AND MARKET TRENDS IN MIAMI, I FOUND THAT THE PROPERTIES THAT ARE SELLING IN 2010 ARE SELLING WITHIN 10% OF THEIR ASKING PRICE – CONSISTENTLY.  IN SOME MARKET SEGMENTS, PROPERTIES ARE SELLING CLOSER TO 3-5% OF THEIR ASKING PRICE. 

THAT MEANS THAT PRICING HOMES PROPERLY IS KEY TO SELLING THEM … AND SELLERS AND BUYERS BOTH NEED TO KEEP THAT IN MIND.

IN PINECREST, FROM JANUARY 2010 THROUGH JULY 2010, THERE WERE  JUST OVER 200 HOMES FOR SALE  ON AVERAGE- IN ANY ONE GIVEN MONTH – THAT INCLUDES ALL LISTINGS, ACROSS THE BOARD, IN ALL PRICE RANGES.  OF THE 200 PLUS HOMES LISTED FOR SALE,  20 WERE SHORT SALES.  182 WERE REGULAR SALES.

WHAT SOLD?  TWO SHORT SALES PER MONTH AND TEN REGULAR SALES PER MONTH SOLD.

THE  ASKING PRICE ON NON FORECLOSURE/NON SHORT SALE PROPERTIES AVERAGED $1,555,000 IN PINECREST THROUGHOUT THE FIRST HALF OF 2010. INTERESTINGLY  $1,148.71 WAS THE AVERAGE SALES PRICE, WHICH EQUATES TO A PRICE PER  SQUARE FOOT OF $252.43 IN PINECREST IN 2010.

WHILE NATIONAL NEWS REPORTS OVERWHELMINGLY INCREASES IN FORECLOSURES (REO’S) AND SHORT SALES FLOODING THE HOUSING MARKET, THAT DOESN’T SEEM TO ACCURATELY PINPOINT WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PINECREST. SALES IN PINECREST REMAIN PREDOMINANTLY WELL-PRICED SINGLE FAMILY HOMES, SELLING AT AN AVERAGE OF $252 A SQUARE FOOT.

TO STAY UPDATED ON  THE MIAMI REAL ESTATE MARKET,  MARKET TRENDS AND CHANGES, YOU ARE WELCOME TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR POSTS, VIA THE LINK BELOW.  YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL NOTIFICATION, REQUIRING THAT YOU CONFIRM YOUR SUBSCRIPTION.  THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING OUR BLOG ON MiamiRealEstateCafe.com

AS ALWAYS, IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS WANTING TO BUY OR SELL PROPERTY IN THE MIAMI AREA (MIAMI BEACH, PINECREST, CORAL GABLES, COCONUT GROVE, MIAMI, KENDALL, SOUTH MIAMI OR HIGH PINES) PLEASE DON’T HESITATE TO CALL ME ANYTIME ON MY CELLULAR AT 305-793-1365 OR SEND ME A MESSAGE HERE.

YOUR “HOW-TO” GUIDE …  NEGOTIATING A HOME PURCHASE:  HOW TO GET THE SELLER TO TAKE  YOUR  OFFER …  ”7 EASY TIPS”  TO GETTING YOUR OFFER ACCEPTED:

1)  “007″ …   JAMES BOND:     FIND OUT THE SELLER’S TOP PRIORITY  … IT’S NOT ALWAYS PRICE.   IT COULD BE ANY NUMBER OF THINGS:   TIMEFRAME TO CLOSE, ASSURANCES ABOUT YOUR FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS OR COMMITMENT DATES,  OR IT COULD SIMPLY BE THAT THE SELLERS WANT YOU (THE BUYER) TO BE HEAD OVER HEALS IN LOVE WITH THE HOUSE.

2) IF YOU NEED FINANCING:   HAVE A SOLID PRE-APPROVAL OR AN ACTUAL LOAN COMMITMENT FROM YOUR LENDER IN HAND, TO PRESENT WITH YOUR OFFER. 

3)  ARE YOU PAYING CASH:  RIGHT NOW 52% PERCENT OF ALL REAL ESTATE SALES IN SOUTH FLORIDA ARE CASH  TRANSACTIONS…  IF YOU INTEND TO PAY IN CASH,  HAVE YOUR BANK OR INVESTMENT COMPANY DRAFT A LETTER SHOWING THAT YOU HAVE THE REQUISITE FUNDS TO CLOSE.  SELLERS  WILL OFTEN TAKE OFFERS THAT ARE CERTAIN TO CLOSE,  OVER THOSE THAT ARE NEBULOUS. NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE THEIR HOME OFF THE MARKET FOR A “PIE-IN-THE-SKY-OFFER”  THAT HAS LITTLE CHANCE OF MAKING IT TO THE CLOSING TABLE.

4) SHOW THAT YOU FULLY GRASP THE LOCAL REAL ESTATE MARKET: PROVIDE THE SELLER WITH VERIFIABLE MARKET STATISTICS  INDICATING WHAT PROPERTY WILL LIKELY APPRAISE FOR, BY INCLUDING A COMPILATION OF RECENT RELEVANT PROPERTY SALES  (COMPS) TO SUPPORT YOUR OFFER. 

5) PLANT A SEED (or two!) :  LET THE SELLER KNOW THAT although EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS  THE HOUSE WILL NEED TO APPRAISE FAIRLY CLOSE  TO THE ULTIMATE CONTRACT SALES PRICE  …  YOU SEE THE VALUE IN THE PROPERTY…. AND YOU WANT TO  BUY IT.

6) SELL YOUR OFFER … SELL YOURSELF.  BE POSITIVE, PROFESSIONAL,  ENTHUSIASTIC AND NON-CONFRONTATINAL.  PRESENT YOUR CONTRACT(TYPED OR COMPUTER GENERATED)  IN AS STRAIGHTFORWARD A MANNER AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE.

7)  EXPECT YOUR OFFER TO BE ACCEPTED and  BE PREPARED TO NEGOTIATE!  SOUNDS LIKE A CONFLICT IN TERMS, BUT IT’S NOT.  BY DEMONSTRATING THAT YOU ARE  A SERIOUS BUYER …QUALIFIED AND  FIRMLY COMMITTED TO CLOSING… AND SHOWING THAT YOU FULLY GRASP  THE NUANCES OF THE  REAL ESTATE MARKET AND CURRENT PROPERTY VALUES  (and THAT YOU LOVE THE HOUSE!) YOU PUT YOURSELF IN STRONG POSITION TO ACTUALLY GET THE HOUSE AND AT THE BEST TERMS POSSIBLE. 

WE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE OUR LOYAL BLOG FOLLOWERS ON MiamiRealEstateCafe.com. 

ANYTIME YOU (OR SOMEONE CLOSE TO YOU) ARE READY TO BUY OR SELL REAL ESTATE AND ARE LOOKING FOR AN EXPERIENCED REALTOR IN MIAMI, PLEASE DON’T HESITATE TO CONTACT ME.  I CAN BE REACHED ON MY CELLULAR ANYTIME AT 305-793-1365 OR YOU CAN SEND ME A MESSAGE  HERE.

I WILL GET YOU THE BEST TERMS POSSIBLE … WHETHER YOU ARE   BUYING   or   SELLING.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU!   … THE RESTIVO TEAM.

Situated in the tranquil, guard gated community of Kings Bay. The deep backyard features mature trees and a terracotta tiled porch. Residents can access the private marina thru Deering Bay with overnight dockage and boat ramp. There are no HOA fees except for a voluntary $50/year. Move in ready-just bring the boat!

Address is 14610 SW 66 Ave in Coral Gables

Open House from 3-5 pm

Contact Vicki or Alexandra for further questions or just stop by.

AFTER SUBMITTING COUNTLESS OFFERS  (ON REGULAR… AND SHORT SALE LISTINGS) ON BEHALF OF TWO VERY DETERMINED AND SPECIAL  BUYERS OF OURS,  I AM TELLING YOU,  IF YOU HAVE THE STOMACH FOR IT, YOUR PERSEVERANCE AND DILIGENCE  COULD PAY OFF  –  BIG.  DOES IT ALWAYS?   NO, OBVIOUSLY NOT.   I AM NOT IMPLYING THAT, BY ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION.   BUT THIS STORY IS ONE FOR THE BOOKS! 

IF YOU’RE GOING TO GET YOUR FEATHERS RUFFLED BY THE ROLLER COASTER RIDE OF THE SHORT SALE PROCESS,  DON’T GET ON THE RIDE.    BUT… IF YOU HAVE  1) A KNOWLEDGEABLE REALTOR WHO WILL STAND BY YOU TILL THE BITTER END,  AND  2)  A REALLY  GOOD ATTORNEY REPRESENTING YOU… YOU MAY SNARE THE STEAL THAT SO MANY ARE HOPING FOR THIS MARKET.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CHEERFUL, UPBEAT,  UTTERLY DETERMINED, AND MARKET-SAVVY BUYERS … WHO JUST BOUGHT AN ACRE HOME IN PINECREST -  AFTER MONTHS OF NEGOTIATIONS  AND I MUST ADMIT,  LOTS OF UPS AND DOWNS AND A FAIR NUMBER OF QUIRKY QUESTION MARKS!

THE HOUSE OUR BUYERS WERE DETERMINED TO BUY, SOLD FOR HALF  OF THE ASKING PRICE.  THEY JUST CLOSED… AND  HAVE THE KEYS IN HAND.  THESE HOME-BUYERS PURCHASED A PINECREST ACRE HOME FOR HALF THE SHORT SALE LIST PRICE! THAT IS RATHER UNUSUAL  IN TODAY’S MIAMI REAL ESTATE MARKET IN WHICH PROPERTIES ARE SELLING WITHIN  3%  -  5% OF THE FINAL LIST PRICE.  

(THAT’S A GOOD REASON TO PRICE YOUR PROPERTY CORRECTLY, IF YOU’RE IN THE MARKET TO SELL.)  

TUCKED AWAY ON A PRIVATE STEET IN NORTH PINECREST,  THIS  5 BEDROOM 5 BATH CUSTOM HOME WITH A TENNIS COURT, CHICKEE HUT, POOL  … ON OVER AN ACRE OF LAND… WAS LISTED FOR $1,875,000 - AND SOLD FOR $950,000.  

MY PHONE HAS BEEN RINGING OFF THE HOOK, NOW THAT THE SALES PRICE IS PUBLIC INFORMATION IN THE MLS.   ($161.37  A SQUARE FOOT IN PINECREST) 

THE HOUSE  APPRAISED ABOVE THE CONTRACTED SALES PRICE, WHICH, AGAIN, IS  UNUSUAL … GIVEN THE CURRENT REAL ESTATE MARKET IN MIAMI, AND THE FACT THAT LENDERS AND APPRAISERS ARE CAUTIOUSLY WARY OF OVER-APPRAISING.  WE ARE SEEING MORE AND MORE APPRAISALS COMING IN “AT” OR “JUST BELOW”  CONTRACTED SALES PRICES.  APPRAISALS ABOVE THE CONTRACT PRICE  ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN. AND THIS IS ONLY THE THIRD SALE THIS MONTH THAT I HAVE SEEN COME IN  “OVER”.

6915 SW 101 STREET IN PINECREST.   NATURAL LIGHT, STONEWORK,  FIREPLACE,  OFFICE, GYM, WET-BAR …. FRUIT TREES … SERENE SETTING … AND TRANQUILITY.

WE SUBMITTED AN OFFER ON THIS HOUSE ON BEHALF OF OUR BUYERS IN  JANUARY 2010. OUR OFFER WAS BASED ON RELEVANT RECENT SALES IN PINECREST, PRICE PER SQUARE FOOT, ALLOWANCES FOR REPAIRS , CONDITION, LOCATION, LAND … TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION OTHER CURRENTLY LISTED PROPERTIES COMPETING FOR BUYERS….  KNOWING THE MARKET INSIDE OUT.

THE SELLER’S LENDER COUNTERED IN MAY. WE NEGOTIATED … AND CLOSING WAS FINALLY SET FOR JULY.  WAITING  OVER 6 MONTHS TO CLOSE IS NOT FOR EVERYONE … AND I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES WITH A SHORT SALE THAT YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL AT ALL.  BUT IF YOU’RE WILLING TO HANG IN THERE, YOUR DILIGENCE AND PATIENCE COULD POSSIBLY PAY OFF.  

THIS PARTICULAR SHORT SALE WAS FRAUGHT WITH COUNTLESS HURDLES. 

JUST  BEFORE OUR “FIRST” EXPECTED CLOSING DATE ,  THE SELLER’S LENDER RECEIVED AN ODDLY ERRONIOUS NOTIFICATION THAT OUR BUYERS HAD OPTED OUT.  THE ENTIRE FILE  MYSTERIOUSLY VAPORIZED …. ALL RECORDS OF THE TRANSACTION FELL FROM THE BANK’S EQUATOR SYSTEM….  DISAPPEARED.   OUR OFFER HAD TO BE RESUBMITTED, A NEW APPRAISAL AND REVIEW ORDERED, MORE NEGOTIATIONS.   A POST OCCUPANCY WAS OUT OF THE QUESTION. THE SELLERS MOVED OUT TO COMPLY WITH THE CONTRACT TERMS… AND THE HOUSE SAT EMPTY.   THE SHORT SALE BANK ORDERED  ANOTHER APPRAISAL AND REVIEW.   BUYERS AND SELLERS (BOTH) HAD ATTORNEYS REPRESENTING THEM.   THE TERMS OF THE SHORT SALE HAD BEEN FULLY NEGOTIATED.  OUT OF NOWHERE, WHEN THE FILE VAPORIZED JUST DAYS BEFORE THAT FIRST CLOSING DATE… WE DUG IN OUR HEALS AND STARTED THE PROCESS UP AGAIN.   STRANGE THINGS HAPPEN WITH SHORT SALES, AND THERE ARE DEFINITELY NO GUARANTEES.  IT TOOK ALMOST NINE MONTHS TO CLOSE THIS! 

TYPICALLY, SHORT SALES ARE SOMEWHAT OF A ROLLER COASTER RIDE, AND NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART… BUT THIS WAS ONE TO STRAP IN FOR.  THE FILE DISAPPEARED FROM THE BANK’S  EQUATOR SYSTEM.   EVERYTHING HAD TO BE RESUBMITTED, A NEW APPRAISAL ORDERED, ADDEMDUMS WRITTEN… A NEW NEGOTIATOR ASSIGNED, THE FILE REVIEWED… MORE TIME … CONCERNS… DELAYS… QUESTION MARKS.  

ALMOST NINE MONTHS INTO NEGOTIATIONS,  WE WERE NOTIFIED THAT WE HAD BANK APPROVAL  (THE SECOND APPROVAL … AND COULD SCHEDULE CLOSING!)   THE SELLER’S ATTORNEY WAS LEAVING  ON VACATION THAT AFTERNOON!  DESPITE  HURDLES AND HICCUPS, WE CLOSED… WITHIN HOURS.

WORTH IT?   YOU HAVE TO ASK YOURSELVES IF YOU HAVE THE STAMINA TO HOLD ON TIGHT … IF SO, YOU MIGHT JUST WIND UP WITH A  REAL PRIZE.  THESE BUYERS DID, AND THEY NOW OWN  WHAT IS CURRENTLY VIEWED AS  ”THE  DEAL IN PINECREST“…  IT WILL BE FOR SOME TIME…  WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR BUYERS!   WE CAN ALL CELEBRATE NOW… FINALLY!

IF YOU, OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW, ARE LOOKING TO BUY OR SELL REAL ESTATE IN MIAMI, AND WANT A KNOWLEDGEABLE LOCAL REALTOR, PLEASE DON’T HESITATE  TO CONTACT ME ON MY CELLULAR AT 305-793-1365 OR DROP ME A NOTE HERE.  THE RESTIVO TEAM - EWM REALTORS INTERNATIONAL. WE WOULD LOVE TO ASSIST YOU.

Kids are easy targets for identity thieves. Until they are old enough to apply for credit, there is little reason to check  their credit reports.  Adam Levin, founder of  Identity Theft 911  (a provider of identity theft remediation services to businesses and consumers)  says kids are prime targets because their debts often go undetected for years. 400,000 children a year become victims of ID theft after criminals get their Social Security numbers through medical records, mail tampering, computer searches or a stolen wallet.

How Can You  Protect Your Child’s ID?

Guard their Social Security number. Don’t carry your child’s Social Security card in your wallet. Don’t give out the number by phone or email unless you trust the recipient.  
Be cautious about posting information about your child online.  If  it’s your child’s birthday, don’t post their age on Facebook or Twitter (Don’t post your own complete birth date on social networking sites either.) Talk to your children about protecting their own personal information online.
Be careful with the birth certificate. Sports teams often ask parents to present a birth certificate for proof of a child’s age. If the team needs your child’s birth certificate on file, make a copy of it (don’t give them an original), and retrieve it at the end of the season.
Check your child’s credit report. Through annualcreditreport.com you can get a free report from all  three credit bureaus – each year. If you enter your child’s information and no report comes back, that will confirm that no credit has been taken out in your child’s name.
Signs that your child’s ID has been stolen
– Your child receives unsolicited credit offers.
– Your child receives letters from debt collectors.
– The IRS send you a letter stating that the Social Security number listed for your child on your tax return (or the child’s) is a duplicate number.
– The bank tells you, when you go in for the first time to open an account for your child, that an account with your child’s Social Security number already has been opened.
– Your health insurer says it won’t cover a procedure for your child because it covered that procedure before (even though your child never had that procedure).

Reported by Cameron Huddleston -  Kiplinger.com  

YOUR CREDIT SCORE IS BASED ON A FEW SIMPLE FACTS:

35%  OF THE SCORE IS BASED ON PAYMENT HISTORY ON CREDIT ACCOUNTS  (RECENT ACTIVITY WEIGHS MORE  THAN ACTIVITY IN THE DISTANT PAST).

30%  OF THE SCORE IS BASED ON YOUR CURRENT DEBT TO  CREDITORS.

15% OF THE SCORE IS DERIVED FROM HOW LONG YOU HAVE BEEN A CREDIT USER.

10% OF THE SCORE COMES FROM RECENT INQUIRIES AND ACTIVITY (RECENT MEANING MATTER OF MONTHS).  IF YOU HAVE BEEN ACTIVELY SEARCHING FOR, AND OBTAINING,  LOANS  (CAR LOANS,  RESIDENTIAL LEASES, CREDIT CARDS, MORTGAGE APPLICATIONS) THOSE WILL SHOW UP. 

10% OF THE SCORE IS BASED ON WHAT KIND  OF CREDIT YOU HAVE.

WHAT CAN INCREASE  (OR DECREASE!)  YOUR CREDIT SCORE?

1) PAY BILLS BY THEIR DUE DATE. (LATE PAYMENTS LOWER YOUR FICO SCORES)

2) AVOID FREQUENT, REPETITIVE APPLICATIONS FOR CREDIT. (MULTIPLE INQUIRIES FOR CREDIT CARDS AND LOANS  TEND TO LOWER YOUR SCORE).  THERE IS AN EXCEPTION:  SHOPPING FOR A CAR /APPLYING FOR A RESIDENTIAL LEASE (WITHIN A BRIEF TIMESPAN) IS NOT GOING TO ADVERSELY IMPACT YOUR CREDIT SCORE.

3) REDUCE  CREDIT CARD BALANCES. (SCORES  WILL DECLINE AS  YOU MAX OUT YOUR  CREDIT CARDS)

***MAKE IT A POINT TO OBTAIN ENOUGH CREDIT (AND ESTABLISH A SOLID CREDIT HISTORY), BECAUSE  HAVING MINIMAL CREDIT CAN (AND WILL) LOWER YOUR SCORE.

KAPOW  (KIDS AND THE POWER OF WORK) is looking for volunteers  interested in teaching students how class work can help them later succeed in the workplace…  Link to the Miami Herald article here.

IF YOU’VE EVER TOUCHED AN ELECTRICAL LIGHTSWITCH, AND FOUND IT TO BE WARM, READ ON…

1) MIGHT BE A DESIGN FLAW:  TOO MANY FIXTURES ON A SINGLE SWITCH PLATE WILL OVERLOAD THE SYSTEM.

2) LOOSE WIRING INSIDE COULD CAUSE THE LIGHTSWITCH TO HEAT UP AS ADDITIONAL CURRENT IS NEEDED TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY ELECTRICITY.

3) THE WATTAGE/VOLTAGE OF THE LIGHTS (ESPECIALLY  HIGH-HATS) MAY EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED AMOUNT, OVERLOADING THE SYSTEM.

ANY OF THESE CAN POSE A FIRE HAZARD… AND THEY ARE EASILY CORRECTED.

Antony’s Pizza may be a new local Pinecrest landmark …

but during the construction of the Overseas Railroad down to the Florida Keys in the 1900’s,  railroad tycoon Henry Flagler used the corner of  US 1 and 102 Street as his staging area (pretty much same spot where Anthony’s Pizza is now). 

Pinecrest has changed over the years…  

“Pinecrest” became fairly well known 1930’s.  Parrot Jungle and Gardens  (which relocated recently to Watson Island… just over the bridge as you head toward Miami Beach) was among the first tourist attractions.  Winston Churchill visited the 20 acre Parrot Jungle,founded by Franz and Louise Scherr in 1936 .  

Once Parrot Jungle, it is now Pinecrest Gardens, with only a few wild parrots remaining .  The gardens are open to the public for community events, art shows, weddings, botanical exploration,trails, paths and gardens.  Adjacent to it is a public library … with grounds, and a community center, classes and activities, and a statue by Romero Britto.   Years ago,  Pinecrest was also home to the Miami Serpentarium, which lured tourists in by the droves (and which you can link to, above).

Ranch-style construction in the 50’s and 60’s in Pinecrest’s  avocado and mango orchards… offered acreage to homebuyers.  Unlike other areas of South Florida where land was (and still is )very much  at a premium,  Pinecrest homes provided a buffer zone between one house and the neighbor.   With a  rural residential character and “A-Rated” public schools, Pinecrest  attracted families  relocating to Miami …   Today nearly 20,000  residents live in Pinecrest: in an eight square mile radius,  20 minutes south of Miami International Airport and Downtown Miami.

Evelyn Langlieb Greer and Gary Matzner  incorporated the “village”  in  March, 1996.  Greer became the first mayor (and served for two terms).  Matzner followed in 2004.  Peter G. Lombardi, Pinecrest’s  founding Village council and Village Manager began adding municipal services (police, parks and recreation, building and planning services and public works).   From the railroad …  to parrots … snakes  …  and Realtors …. 

Whether you are moving to Miami, or considering selling a property here,  please don’t hesitate to give us a call or contact us here.  We look forward to making your move a good one!

20 TIPS  TO HIGHLIGHT  YOUR HOME’S FEATURES. FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT …  STRESS THE MANY STRENGTHS AND SELLING POINTS OF YOUR HOUSE … AND IT WILL SELL.    HERE’S HOW:

1) FIRST IS CURB APPEAL !   TRIM THE LAWN.   PLANT FLOWERS OR SHRUBS AND MAKE THEM THE FOCAL POINTS.  PAINT THE FRONT DOOR (AND CHECK TO SEE THAT THE DOORBELL RINGS).

2)  SPIFF IT UP …   DECORATE  -  PAINT THE WALLS AND WOODWORK. DINGY DOESN’T SELL AND PAINT IS  A RELATIVELY CHEAP FIX.

3) GET THE PLUMBER IN:  FIX DRIPS, SLUGGISH DRAINS, RUST-STAINED SINKS. 

4) GIVE AN ILLUSION OF SPACIOUSNESS:  ORGANIZE CLOSETS /SHELVES.  PUT A FRESH COAT OF PAINT IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM AND STORAGE AREAS

5) MAKE THE GARAGE SOMETHING SPECIAL …   CLEAN THE GARAGE. 

6) BATHROOMS ARE BIG SELLING POINTS:   CLEAR OFF THE COUNTER TOPS. CAULK, SCRUB TILL THE SINK AND TUB SPARKLE.  ROLL UP  PLUSH TOWELLS, ADD RUGS, AND ADD FLOWERS.

7) REMOVE CLUTTER:  BOX AND STORE ‘STUFF’. BUYERS SHOULD FEEL THE FLOW  –  ROOM TO ROOM.  THEY HAVE TO BE ABLE  TO IMAGINE THEMSELVES LIVING THERE.  PERSONAL BELONGINGS CAN BE A DISTRACTION.

FIX ANY DEAL BREAKERS:  WINDOWS THAT STICK, KNOBS THAT WOBBLE, DOORS THAT CREAK OR STICK - THOSE CAN BE SUBTLE BUT DEFINITE DEAL BREAKERS.

9) LIGHT /BRIGHT  SELLS:  OPEN THE BLINDS/DRAPES.  YOU WANT SUNSHINE.   AT NIGHT,  TURN ON EVERY LIGHT YOU HAVE… EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM.

10)  LOSE EVERY INDICATION THAT YOU HAVE A PET (FEEDING BOWLS/PET BEDS):  NOT EVERYONE SHARES YOUR TASTE IN ANIMALS, AND YOUR BUYER  MIGHT HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT ALLERGIES/ODORS. 

11) MAKE  BEDROOMS LOOK INVITING:  OPEN THE DRAPES. USE LUXURIOUS BED LINENS.  REMOVE ALL BUT THE MOST ESSENTIAL FURNITURE. 

12) CLEAN THE WINDOWS:   CLEAN WINDOWS MAKE THE HOUSE FEEL NEW AND FRESH. 

13) ELIMINATE NOISE.   NOISE CAN BE A DEAL BREAKER:    TV IN THE BACKGROUND,  THE WRONG  MUSIC, A NOISY WASHING MACHINE, A  ’STRUGGLING’ POOL PUMP … OR A BARKING DOG.  NOISE CAN OFTEN SEND THE BUYER RUNNING.

14) LEAVE!  GO OUT FOR A DRIVE OR A WALK.  TAKE YOUR KIDS/ PETS … LET YOUR REALTOR SHOW AND SELL YOUR HOUSE.  THAT’S WHY YOU  HIRE A REALTOR.  YOU WANT PROSPECTIVE BUYERS TO FEEL LIKE THE HOUSE IS/OR COULD BE THEIRS (YOU DON’T WANT THEM TO FEEL LIKE JUST YOUR GUEST).

15)  MAKE THE HOUSE LOOK LIKE IT’S A MODEL HOME –  SINKS AND COUTERTOPS… NOTHING ON THEM, BEDS MADE AND TOILET SEATS CLOSED: YOUR REALTOR MAY GIVE YOU ULTRA LAST-MINUTE NOTICE TO SHOW, AND THE HOUSE SHOULD BE READY TO SHOW ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT. 

16) LEAVE PERSONAL ITEMS COMPLETELY OUT OF THE NEGOTIATIONS:  SELL THE HOUSE FIRST, BY ITSELF.  FURNISHINGS, BAR STOOLS, PATIO FURNITURE AND PLANTS CAN AND SHOULD BE NEGOTIATED SEPARATELY… AFTER EVERYONE HAS SIGNED TO BUY WHAT YOU’RE REALLY SELLING (THE  ”HOUSE”).

17)  LET YOUR REALTOR DEAL WITH ANY NEGATIVE COMMENTS FROM POTENTIAL BUYERS:  NO HOUSE IS PERFECT.  BUYERS MAY WANT PERFECTION … BUT EVERY HOUSE HAS IMPERFECTIONS.  LET YOUR REALTOR DEAL WITH ANY UNFAVORABLE COMMENTS (AGAIN, THAT’S WHY YOU HAVE A REALTOR!).  BUYERS  NEED TO VOICE OBJECTIONS BEFORE THEY CAN OVERCOME THEM … AND THEY NEED SOMEONE OTHER THAN YOU TO LISTEN.

18) AVOID OVERLAPPING SHOWINGS (UNLESS IT’S AN OPEN HOUSE):  NO ONE WANTS TO BUMP ELBOWS WITH OTHER BUYERS.  A NEGATIVE COMMENT FROM ANOTHER PROSPECTIVE BUYER CAN UNDERMINE A SALE.

19) LEAVE IT TO THE PROFESSIONAL YOU HIRED TO SELL YOUR HOUSE:  LET YOUR AGENT DISCUSS THE DETAILS WITH THE BUYER/BUYER’S AGENT: PRICE, TERMS, POSSESSION DATES…. AND LEAVE IT TO YOUR REALTOR TO CLOSE THE SALE. 

20) SHOW BY APPOINTMENT ONLY:  YOUR REALTOR SHOULD SCEHDULE ALL SHOWINGS, WHETHER WITH  INDIVIDUAL BUYERS OR WITH OTHER REAL ESTATE AGENTS AND BROKERS.  ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS HAVE YOUR HOUSE READY TO SHOW … AND THEN DISAPPEAR  WHILE IT’S SHOWN.

IF YOU FOLLOW THIS BLOG, YOU KNOW THAT  WHENEVER YOU,  OR A FRIEND,  ARE READY TO BUY OR SELL,  WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.  CALL US AT 305 793-1365 OR LEAVE US A NOTE HERE.  WE LOOK FORWARD TO BEING YOUR REALTOR.   THE RESTIVO TEAM – EWM REALTORS – MIAMI.