Archive for the ‘For sale by owner’ Category

The Top 5 Reasons You Should Say No To FSBOing

Sunday, May 15th, 2016
FSBOing

Get the most you can possibly get from the sale of your home. Don’t take FSBOing risks.

In today’s buyers market homes are selling quickly and prices keep going up. This could encourage homeowners to try their hand at selling their home themselves without the experience of a great real estate agent. This is called FSBOing (For Sale by Owner) in the real estate industry. As tempting as FSBOing may sound, there are several good reasons why you should say no to FSBOing. Here are the top 5:

  1. You must have negotiating skills

Negotiating is part of the home buying/selling process, and you must negotiate with lots of people. Are you good at it? Do you enjoy negotiating? Do you know how to negotiate? If you decide to FSBO, you must be prepared to negotiate with the people mentioned in this list:

  • The buyer
  • The buyer’s agent
  • The buyer’s attorney
  • The home inspector
  • The appraiser
  1. FSBOing inhibits your home from being seen by prospective buyers

A whopping 89% of buyers search the internet when looking for a home. Only 20% look at print advertising. Most real estate agents have experience using the internet to promote the sale of your home and they do it well. Do you know how to market your home for sale online?

  1. Statistics show how crucial a strong internet strategy is

Buyers find their homes online. Look at these numbers:

  • 44% of buyers found their home on the internet
  • 33% worked with a real estate agent to help them find their home
  • 9% bought their home from a yard sign
  • 1% bought their home from the newspaper

It’s pretty clear that buyers find the home they actually purchased online. The days of putting a sign up and putting it in the paper are over.

  1. FSBOing is more difficult than it used to be

There’s a lot more paperwork involved in selling and buying a home than there used to be. Industry disclosures and regulations have become mandatory. This increase in paperwork is one of the reasons that people don’t choose FSBOing. The statistics have gone from 19% down to 8% since 1981.

  1. You’ll end up with more money from the sale of your home if you use a real estate agent

Homeowners choose to FSBO because they believe they will save the real estate agent’s commission. Guess what? The main reason buyers look at FSBOs is because they believe they will save the real estate agent’s commission. But the seller and buyer cannot both save the 6% commission.

Studies have shown that the typical FSBO sells for $210,000. They also show the typical house sold by a real estate agent sells for $249,000. This doesn’t mean that a real estate agent gets $39,000 more when your home sells. Studies do show that FSBO’ing might not make the best sense.

You may be determined to go it alone and think FSBO’ing is still your best choice. Before skipping to work with a real estate agent, think hard about the time and effort you really want to spend trying to sell your home. It’s possible the process could drag on.

A real estate agent’s job is to help you set the right price and get buyers in the door. They have access to and stay abreast of up-to-date and current information about recent sales of comparable homes and the competing listings in your neighborhood.

Sit down with your Brooklyn real estate professional, Charles D’Alessandro and see what he has to offer. He will market your home aggressively, recommend what it will take to make your home look great and maximize your listing with quality photographs. He will “weed out” the serious prospects from the not-so-serious- prospects so you deal only with those who are serious, too.

And once you’ve found a buyer, he will negotiate, take care of paperwork and walk you through every step of the extensive home processes.

Just say no to the time-consuming drama and headaches of FSBOing. Contact Charles D’Alessandro. With over 30 years of experience marketing Brooklyn homes, Charles has the expert marketing skills needed to sell your home. Call Charles D’Alessandro, your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate at (718) 253-9600 ext. 206 or email [email protected] today.

Homebuyers Are Different in Brooklyn

Thursday, April 30th, 2015
Homebuyers are different

Homebuyers are different. To sell your home, you must understand the different types and their specific needs.

 Homebuyers are different in Brooklyn . There are basically two categories of homebuyers: Baby Boomers and those mysterious Millenials.

Millenials are today’s first-time homebuyers. They dominate today’s housing market. Baby Boomers are your trade-up homebuyers, down-sizers and empty nesters. Gaining an understanding of these two groups and the different types of buyers represented, will help you market the unique and special features of your home to appeal to buyer’s needs and help you sell your Brooklyn home.

Millenials know how to turn a profit on everything they touch. They are known for their research, assessments and decisions during the homebuying process. In the next 10-15 years we will see more for-sale-by-owner properties (FSBOs). Millenials will be selling their own homes, and they’ll be good at it. Millenials will be better at listing a property than most real estate agents will be. And because there will be such a great demand to accommodate FSBO sales, we will see technologies surface, helping Millenials do what real estate agents do for their clients.

So, what value does a real estate agent bring to the table now or in the future?

  1. A valuable real estate agent will not sell Brooklyn, just a specific neighborhood in Brooklyn. He won’t be a one-size-fits-all real estate professional. He’ll go deep into the neighborhood you’re interested in, not broadly into Brooklyn.
  2. A valuable real estate agent is completely transparent, all the time. What you see is what you get, no surprises. He draws no lines between himself personally or as a real estate professional. His values, work ethic and interests don’t change with the crowd. His honesty and transparency make him refined and successful.
  3. A valuable real estate agent hustles on your behalf, and then hustles some more. His skills as a buyer’s agent are sharp. This means he puts in the smart work for custom, automated property searches. He’ll find coming soon listings before they hit the market or before they even become coming soon listings (think neighborhood FB pages, etc).

It is for these valuable reasons more and more of today’s homebuyers choose to work with professional real estate agents. Selling a home without a real estate agent puts you at a great disadvantage.

As with all types of buyers, earning your trust is important. Everyone wants to work with  someone they trust, someone who will match them with the perfect home or sell their home. Charles D’Alessandro provides his clients with outstanding care by crunching the data, running reports, walking you through a contract, negotiating inspection repairs, etc. He hustles on your behalf exceeding your expectations. If you’re ready to list your home or buy the perfect home for the type of buyer you are, Charles D’Alessandro, your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate, is your agent. Contact Charles D’Alessandro at (718) 253-9600 ext 206 or email [email protected]. You can trust him for your home buying and selling needs.

Resource:

http://www.inman.com/2015/04/13/why-for-sale-by-millennial-is-the-future-of-the-industry/

 

Spring Time Have the Best Garage Sale at Your Brooklyn Home

Sunday, April 21st, 2013

Have a Garage Sale at your Brooklyn Home

Have a Garage Sale at your Brooklyn Home

Spring time is here. It’s that time of year again… time for spring cleaning, and to have a garage sale at your Brooklyn home!  This year, you can have your most successful garage sale ever.  Here are a few tips to help:

·        Advertise your sale in local newspapers and online.  Many of the habitual Saturday morning garage patrons use the paper to plan their morning.  They do this to make sure they hit all of the sales in certain neighborhoods.  In the ad, mention your  Brooklyn home address, date and time of your garage sale and big or hot items you have for sale. 

·        Open early.  It’s best to open early, around seven in the morning.  Sales tend to taper off in the afternoon.  Don’t disappoint early shoppers who are typically your best buyers.  They have a busy schedule and a lot of sales to hit.  Open on time, or even a few minutes before the time you advertised.

·        Make plenty of signs pointing the way to your Brooklyn home.  If your yard is difficult to see, or is not on a main road, post signs pointing the way.  If allowed, post the signs near a main road and attach a few balloons to it.  This will catch the attention of the passing motorists.

·        Have everything clearly labeled with reasonable prices.  Keep in mind that these shoppers are looking for a bargain and price accordingly.  You can individually label each item, or use an easily readable color-coded chart.  For instance, a blue sticker means 25 cents, red stickers mean 50 cents, yellow stickers mean $1, etc.

·        Offer specials at different points during the sale.  You can offer a “two-for-the-price-of-one sale” hour or a “twenty percent off during the next hour” special.  Make sure to list your planned specials and their times at the bottom of your signs and newspaper ads.  At the end of the day, you may want to have an unadvertised special such as “fill a bag for $1” to get rid of as much as possible.

·        Donate leftovers.  Make your life easier and do something good for others by donating any items that don’t sell.  If you plan carefully, you can schedule a pick up by your local charitable organization at the end of your garage sale.

With these tips, you’re well on your way to having your best garage sale ever.

Want more money saving ideas like this one?  Subscribe Brooklyn Real Estate Blog get home improvement tips ?

Give me a calll Charles D’Alessandro Your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate a call at (718) 253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected].

Consumer Red Flags When Hiring Your Brooklyn Real Estate Agent

Sunday, February 10th, 2013

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Consumer Tip – Real Estate Red Flags (1)

The majority of Brooklyn licensed real estate agents and brokers are well-trained professionals who can help make the process of buying or selling your home a successful venture rather than a stressful adventure. Occasionally, however, you may run into an unlicensed person posing as an agent, or a licensed agent who is not following the rules of the profession. In either case, your real estate experience can quickly turn sour. Here are a few Consumer Red Flags When Hiring Your Brooklyn Real Estate Agent I hope you find them helpful for your next real estate transaction.

Following are some “red flags” that may assist you in determining if you are NOT working with a legitimate or honest real estate agent. These tips are not intended to provide legal advice in drafting real estate related documents or provide detailed descriptions of the nature of relationships that may be created between agents and buyers and sellers.

Consumer Tip – Real Estate Red Flags (2)

Some “red flags” that may assist you in determining if you are NOT working with a legitimate or honest real estate agent. These tips are not intended to provide legal advice in drafting real estate related documents or provide detailed descriptions of the nature of relationships that may be created between agents and buyers and sellers.

  • RED FLAG – Agents using high-pressure tactics, especially in an attempt to have you sign a purchase or listing agreement
    Tips-

    • Do not be pressured into entering into a purchase agreement based solely on the agent telling you there are multiple offers so you need to make your purchase agreement offer immediately. Multiple offers may exist but don’t be pressured into making a decision you are not comfortable with or if you do not understand the terms of the purchase agreement. If the sellers accept your purchase offer it becomes a legally binding contract. You may have to forfeit your earnest money deposit if you get “cold feet” and later decide that you just don’t want or like the property.
    • Do not be pressured into signing a listing agreement unless you are comfortable with the agent and understand and agree with the terms of the listing agreement including any marketing strategy.
  • RED FLAG – Agents asking for earnest money or a down payment check made out to the agent…or asking for cash
    Tips-

    • Earnest money should be paid with a check or money order and made payable to the real estate company and not to the individual agent.
    • By law, earnest money must be placed in the listing company “trust account” and cannot be mixed with personal funds of the agent. Once the listing company receives the earnest money, it must be deposited within three business days. However, the buyer and seller may agree, in writing, to handle the funds differently.
  • RED FLAG Agents who do not provide answers to your questions about the property or fail to return your calls or maintain communication with you
    Tips-

    • By law agents are required to disclose all material facts they are aware of that may adversely and significantly affect your use or enjoyment of the property, such as existing structural or mechanical problems, water infiltration problems, easements or encroachments, or faulty septic systems.
    • Do not enter into a purchase agreement until your questions are answered. You also have the option of including “conditions” or “contingencies” in your purchase agreement. If your conditions or contingencies were not met, you would not be obligated to go through with the purchase. Some common contingencies are a buyer requiring a satisfactory home inspection report by a certain date and at the buyer’s expense. If the home inspection is unsatisfactory, the buyer can cancel the purchase agreement and obtain a refund of the earnest money.
  • RED FLAG Agents who don’t disclose who they represent
    Tips

    • Whether you are buying or selling, it is important to understand the different types of relationships that can be created between you and an agent. Expect agents to act in the best interests of whomever they represent.
    • Agents must provide a consumer with an “agency disclosure” form at the first substantive contact with the consumer. The agency disclosure is intended to provide a description of available options for agency and nonagency relationships and a description of the role of a licensee under each option. The agency disclosure form is not a contract. If a buyer or seller wants an agent to represent them, a written contract must be entered into such as a listing agreement or a buyer representation contract. Following are the different types of agency relationships in real estate transactions:

    Seller’s Broker: A broker who lists a property of a salesperson who is licensed to the listing broker who represents the seller and acts on behalf of the seller.
    Subagent: A broker or salesperson who is working with a buyer but represents the seller. In this case the buyer is only the agent’s customer and is not represented by that agent.
    Buyer’s Broker: A buyer may enter into an agreement for the broker or salesperson to represent and act on behalf of the buyer. In this case, the agent represents the buyer only and not the seller.
    Dual Agency: Dual agency occurs when one broker or salesperson represents both buyer and seller, or when two salespersons licensed to the same broker each represent a party to the transaction. Dual agency requires the informed consent of all parties.
    Facilitator: A broker or salesperson who performs services for a buyer, a seller, or both but does not represent either in a fiduciary capacity – meaning the facilitator is not obligated to represent the best interest of either party.

  • RED FLAG – Agents who will only show you properties they have listed
    Tips-

    • A Brooklyn real estate agent who you have entered into an agreement with should be acting in your best interest, not his or her own best interests. Agents should be willing to show you properties that they have listed as well as other company listed property and property that is For Sale By Owner (FSBO’s).
  • RED FLAGAgents who ask you to sign blank or incomplete documents
    Tips-

    • Do not sign any real estate related documents that are blank or incomplete. Most of these documents are legally binding.
    • Be wary if you are told, “Don’t worry about that section, we’ll fill it in later.”
  • RED FLAG Agents who require a listing agreement for extended periods of time
    Tips-

    • Do not be pressured into signing a listing agreement for lengthy periods of time. A typical listing period is six months but you can negotiate a shorter or longer listing period.
  • RED FLAGAgents who are difficult to contact or do not regularly communicate with the consumer
    Tips-

    • An agent who has your best interests in mind should be easy to reach.
  • RED FLAGAgents who do not provide a basis for a listing price
    Tips-

    • The agent should provide a market analysis with documentation to support the listing price.
  • RED FLAG Agents who attempt to talk you out of a home inspection or hiring a real estate attorney
    Tips-

    • Agents are prohibited from discouraging the use of an attorney. Hiring an attorney, while not required, may be desired and it’s your right to do so.
    • If an inspection is discouraged, it might be because there is a defect in the property.
  • Make sure your agent is licensed
    Tips-

  • Tip-
    If you’re thinking about selling your Brooklyn real estate and would like more tips on how to get it ready, please call Charles D’Alessandro Your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate a call at 718/253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected], for more information and a Free Market Price Evaluation without obligation!

Using Comparables to Sell Your Brooklyn Home Like an Olympic Athlete

Thursday, July 5th, 2012

With the London Olympics kicking off this month, athletes from all over the world are putting their competitive strategies into place to be one step ahead of the competition and go for gold. Channel the world’s champions this summer to establish a game plan, analyze what’s worked in the past and beat out the competition by presenting your Brooklyn home at its best!

Athletes constantly stay informed on the statistics of their biggest competitors, and so should you when it comes to selling your Brooklyn home. Below are the basic components to consider when using comparables to price your real estate:

Make sure the comparable house has sold. Before using a property as a comparable, it needs to have sold so that you know the selling price. Consider the original listing price as compared to the selling price of the home, when developing your winning strategy. Pay close attention to price reductions and how many months the house was on the market. These are essential indicators to pricing your property right the first time.

  • Look to see if it is the same type of home as yours. Find comparable sales that are similar to your home in square footage, style, construction material, number of bathrooms and bedrooms and other amenities.
  • See if it’s in the same location. Real estate pricing is largely based on location, so make sure any houses you consider as comparables are close to your own house or in proximity to the same conveniences.
  • Double-check the research. Just because someone hands you papers that they claim to be comparables doesn’t mean they actually are. You know your house best, so do your own research and read the fine print to make sure that the comparables you’re using to determine your property’s resale value are a good match.

Starting off on the right foot might help you sell your house faster than an Olympic track star. Dedicate yourself to researching comparables so that you can contribute educated facts when discussing the list price of your Brooklyn home.

If you need help pricing your property or need a real estate agent to help you beat out the competition, please call Charles D’Alessandro Your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate a call at 718/253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected].for more information.

 

 

 

U.S. and Brooklyn Real Estate Continue to Improve

Tuesday, June 19th, 2012

 

Economists say and statistics show that there are true signs of improvement in the most recent housing figures for U.S. and Brooklyn real estate markets. Here are a few of those stats:

Investors bought 1.23 million homes in 2011, up 64.5 percent over 2010, according to data from the National Association of REALTORS®. 

  • The median investment-home price was $100,000 in 2011, up 6.4 percent from $94,000 in 2010.
  • Single-family home sales rose 3 percent in April.
  • New home sales increased 3.3 percent in April, according to new Commerce Department data.
  • Sales of existing homes rose in April, up 10 percent from April of 2011.
  • The median price of existing homes nationwide also moved up to $177,400 from $164,800. This is the biggest year-to-year gain since January, 2006.

In addition to good news in both nationwide and Brooklyn real estate, there’s also good news about the economy:

Economic growth is now projected to grow by 2.4 percent this year, up from a 2.2 percent forecast in February.

  • The new job creation forecast, which is the most watched economic indicator, has also improved. The data now shows that 188,000 new jobs will be created each month this year, which is up from the 170,000 new jobs per month forecasted earlier this year.

As you can tell from this data, if you want to buy Brooklyn real estate while prices are at their lowest, you shouldn’t wait a minute longer. Give me a call today at Charles D’Alessandro Your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate a call at 718/253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected].. to get started!

 

 

How to Catch a Brooklyn Home Buyer’s Eye

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

How to Catch a Brooklyn Home Buyer

In this economy, every leg up on other sellers will help your home sell faster and at the price you want.  If you’re not getting the offers you want on your Brooklyn home, here are nine ideas to get things moving in the right direction:

Get an appraisal.  Knowing what a professional appraiser thinks your home is worth gives owners a reality check. It also helps you determine the best price for your home.

  1. Get a home inspection before listing your home.  Find out the hidden problems with your Brooklyn home and correct them in advance. If you get your home inspected and find problems but elect not to repair them, be sure to include the problems on the property condition disclosure form.
  2. Consider offering a home warranty.  Everyone likes a security blanket and a home warranty gives buyers an assurance that if something goes wrong with major appliances, plumbing or electrical systems, they will not have to spend a lot of money to get it fixed.
  3. Pay for lawn care through the summer.  This lets the buyer know you’ve thought of everything, and it’s one less worry for them when moving.  Taking care of the pool cleaning tab is another incentive you may want to consider including.
  4. Pay the HOA dues. If you’re in a homeowner’s association (HOA), pay the new buyer’s fees for the first year.
  5. Pay all or part of the buyer’s closing costs. This can be deducted at closing from the proceeds of the sale.
  6. Pay the buyer’s property taxes for a year. You may already have paid a portion or all of it anyway.
  7. Offer to leave furnishings. If you have a couch that perfectly fits an unusually shaped living space, offer to include it in the sale of the home.
  8. Have some flexibility on the price.  Being willing to negotiate on the price shows a buyer you are willing to work with them.

If you’re looking for a real estate agent who can get your Brooklyn home sold at a good price, give me a call today call Charles D’Alessandro Your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate a call at 718/253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected].

Renting versus Buying a Home in Brooklyn

Thursday, April 19th, 2012

Just because you can buy a home in Brooklyn does not always mean that you should.  It’s important for you to consider if it is better for you to own or rent a Brooklyn  home.

Here are five reasons you might want to rent:

  1. You may be moving within five years. It usually takes five years to break even on your home purchase or investment.
  2. You don’t want the responsibilities associated with being a homeowner.  It can be expensive and time consuming to maintain a home.
  3. You have a bad credit report.  If your score is below 620, you will not get a good interest rate.
  4. You have a high debt ratio. A high debt ratio means you may not qualify for a loan.
  5. You have job instability.  If your job is not secure, it’s not a good idea to buy.

Here are four reasons you might want to buy:

  1. You want to build equity.  The longer you own your home the more equity it will build. When you pay rent, that money goes down the drain.
  2. You get a tax break when you deduct mortgage interest.
  3. You want the emotional satisfaction of owning your own home in Brooklyn.
  4. It’s an investment. With low interest rates and home prices, buying investment property is a wise decision.

If you are ready to buy a home in Brooklyn or purchase investment property, call Call me at Charles D’Alessandro of Fillmore Real Estate at (718) 253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected]..

Seven Signs Brooklyn Real Estate and Real Estate Nationwide are Improving

Friday, March 9th, 2012

Recently released figures indicate real estate nationwide and Brooklyn real estate are continuing to steadily improve. Here are seven signs that demonstrate the upturn:

Housing affordability has risen dramatically. This is due to a combination of reduced real estate prices and record-low mortgage rates.

  1. Housing starts are increasing, driven mostly by multifamily starts.
  2. Existing home sales increased in January. That means we’ve now had three months of gains out of the past four months.
  3. Total housing inventory fell to a 6.1 month supply at the end of January. This means that on average it now takes just over 6 months to sell a home, which is an improvement. According to Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, “The broad inventory condition can be described as moving into a rough balance, not favoring buyers or sellers.”
  4. There are plenty of home buyers and investors competing for foreclosure sales in almost all markets.
  5. Purchases of homes are on the rise by all types of buyers, from seasoned investors to first-time home buyers.
  6. Most economists agree that the market is improving. Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist says, “Our outlook anticipates gradual, but steady, improvement in the economy and the housing market, supported by low interest rates and brightening job market prospects.”

This is excellent news for the spring and summer Brooklyn real estate season that’s just around the corner. If you’ve been considering buying or selling a home, now’s the time to start that process so you’re ready for the hottest season we’ve seen in years.

Thinking about buying or selling Brooklyn real estate? Please contact Call Charles D’Alessandro of Fillmore Real Estate at (718) 253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected] . I can help you achieve your goals.

Brooklyn Real Estate Deal Of The Week

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

Brooklyn Home For Sale !

Located in the beautiful

Midwood Community

Midwood spacious grand home located in the heart of Brooklyn’s Midwood community ,

House needs TLC! House sold “as is condition”. Lots of potential! Priced to sell!

For more information, Call Charles D’Alessandro your Brooklyn Realtor®

with Fillmore Real Estate today (718) 253-9600 ext 206

or e mail me at [email protected]

For private tour , and or Open House Schedule !

for these or any other Brooklyn House For Sale, priced to deal !