Just because it cost you Money, Does NOT make it an improvement for buyers!!!

Just because it cost you Money, Does NOT make it an improvement for buyers!!!

Moving Checklist

 

Take a look at an amazingly helpful Moving Checklist I have compiled to make moving less stressful and more organized!

http://www.geniyak.com/MovingChecklist.aspx

It has all of the things you've never thought of to make life while moving just a little bit easier!

Things You Should Lnow About How Real Estate Agents Differ

Things You Should Lnow About How Real Estate Agents Differ
Here's a brief look at some of the details you should know prior to disclosing confidential information to a Real Estate Agent:
Seller's Agent

• An agent working for the firm that holds a seller's listing. An agent working for a firm belonging to an affiliated or local Board of Realtors is called a seller's sub agent, and is in the same category.
• The agent's loyalty is with the seller.
• Buyers should not give confidential information to a seller's agent.
• Assume any agent is a seller's agent unless you've signed a contract to change that status.

Buyer's Agent

• An agent who has signed a contract to represent a buyer in a home search and transaction.
• The agent's loyalties are to the buyer.
• Buyer's agents should not disclose confidential information about the buyer to the seller or seller's agent.
• Some buyer's agents work exclusively with buyers, taking no listings. Many do both.

Dual Agent

• An agent who works for the firm that holds a seller's listing, and who has signed a contract to represent a buyer who wishes to purchase that listing.
• The agent has a loyalty to both the buyer and seller.
• Dual agency must usually be agreed to in writing by both the buyer and the seller.

The best thing you can do to protect yourself in any real estate transaction is to make sure you have an agent on your side who is looking out for your best interests! Please contact me if you are planning to buy, sell, rent or lease a property in the North Dallas area! I will be on your side!Www.GeniyaK.com

What's wrong with this picture?

This one made me laugh...

What seems to be missing? If you see it, post it!

So don't forget.... For all your real esatet needs in the North Dallas area, I can help!

www.GeniyaK.com

Did You Know..... Frisco TX

Did you know..... FRISCO TX



5 facts about Frisco TX:

• Now known as Preston Rd, what started out as Shawnee Trail, is one of the oldest North / South roads in all of Texas!
• Ranked #4 best places to Re Locate to in the US.
• Overall ranked as #9 Best School System in Texas
• In 2010, 11.41% of the cities population worked for the Frisco Independent School District, making it the #1 employer in the city!!!
• Frisco is home to four (4) professional athletic facilities. They include Dr. Pepper Ball Park, Pizza Hut Park, Dr. Pepper Arena and the Superdome.

So if you are like me, and fall in love with this town, let me help you be one of the many happy newcomers to now call this beautiful place home! www.GeniyaK.com

Which home improvements give the BEST payback?

Which home improvements give the best payback? If you’re thinking about remodeling your kitchen, or finishing your basement, you probably want to get your investment back when you sell your home. But when it comes to payback value of home improvements, some are definitely more profitable than others. As a general rule, kitchen and bathroom projects usually get a nice return on investment, typically 90% or more. Things like adding rooms or finishing basements tend to pay back the least. Finishing a basement usually returns less than 50%, so it’s not a project likely to show profit at selling time. There are a number of factors that go into determining how well a project will pay back. Payback value depends a lot on the current market conditions in your area. If the market is hot and homes are selling fast, you can expect a higher payback value than you would get in a slow market. The type of project you do and how it fits in with other homes in the area can have a big influence on payback too. If you put your money into the wrong type of improvement, you won’t get your money back. But if you're smart about what you do, you can make money. The payback will be better on improvements that are in demand and conform to neighborhood standards. Adding a second bathroom in a neighborhood where most homes have two bathrooms will give a high return on investment. Building a large addition that makes your home twice as big as the other homes on the block probably won’t pay back very well. Likewise, the popularity of a project will factor into how much it pays back. An improvement heavily customized to your wants and needs won’t pay back as well as something more common to other homes in the neighborhood. Another factor to consider is the cost of the improvements. If you can do the work yourself, you can save significantly on the cost of the project and greatly improve the chances of getting a good return on the investment. The list below is compiled from several published surveys and shows typical payback for some popular remodeling projects: Kitchen remodeling – 90% Add a bathroom – 90% Bathroom remodeling – 80% Install central heating – 90% Install central air – 75% Add a deck – 70% Replace windows – 70% Add a room – 55% Build a pool – 45% Finish a basement – 40%

Know your options when selling your home!

You need someone who will know the best way to market the improvements you have made to your home, for that and much more, contact me at www.GeniyaK.com

About The Back Yard...

The Back Yard

You only get one chance to make a first impression. When buyers are looking at your home, they will usually know almost instantly whether they like it or not. Make sure that by the time they get to looking at the back yard, you keep that great first impression going. Especially during summer months, when buyers will be thinking about barbeques and children playing, the back yard can make an important impression.

ü  If you have a pool or hot tub make sure you keep it looking clean and neat.

ü  If your lawn is looking a little bit weak, some fertilizer and watering will bring back the deep green color. Be sure you mow and edge your lawn frequently until your home is sold.

ü  Cut back overgrown shrubs to show more of the exterior of your home. It will look tidier and also makes the yard look bigger.

ü  Fences should be in good repair, and you should consider painting them. Make sure all latches and hinges are in good working order.

ü  If you have a dog, be extra vigilant to keep the “evidence” to a minimum.

ü  You can plant a few annuals to add some instant color that looks great.

ü  If you have a patio, make sure the furniture is clean and strategically placed.

ü  Consider adding some potted plants.

In short, do everything you can to make your back yard look as inviting and large as possible. It could mean the difference between an excited buyer and one with nagging doubts!

 

Having an agent that is proactive and involved in the preparation of a home before it is put on the market will make all the difference when it comes to selling your home.
I can do all that and much more, Give me a call and we can get started!
www.GeniyaK.com

Reasons why Homes Don't Sell

Reasons why homes don’t sell

If you have had your home on the market for several months and haven’t seen much activity or any offers, chances are that one or more of the reasons below are to blame.

1.    Your price is too high

No doubt about it, the most common reason for a home not selling is that the asking price has been set too high. The reasons for setting your price too high to begin with are many. Ranging from over enthusiastic listing agents to unrealistic seller expectations. Regardless of the reason though, if you’ve priced your home too high, you’ve set yourself up for a number of obstacles to selling your home. Even if you do get an offer for the overly high asking price, the deal may fall apart before closing because the buyer may have problems financing at too high a price. Look at other homes for sale, ones as similar and as close to yours as possible. If they are going for less than you are asking, you may be priced too high. The fact is, your home is competing against those other homes, and what buyers are willing to pay is what will determine final sales prices.

2.    The condition of your home

There is a lot of competition out there to sell homes. Your home has to compete against other similar homes for sale, as well as competing against shiny brand new homes. The more you can do to make your home look appealing to a buyer, the better your chances for a quick sale. Look at your home with a critical eye – put yourself in the buyers’ position. A buyer doesn’t want to have to do anything except move in. Your best “bang for the buck” in improving the condition of your home is paint and flooring. Make sure that all of the paint is in great condition, both inside and out. Repainting doesn’t cost too much, and will usually make the biggest impact on buyers. Make sure all of the flooring looks good too. You may want to consider putting in new carpet. Again, it’s not that expensive but it sure does make an impact on buyers coming to look at your home.

3.   Location, location, location

It’s the oldest cliché in the world, but it’s true. When it comes to real estate, it’s all about location! When it comes to homes, things like how good the schools are, crime rates, visual appeal of the neighborhood and noise or the smell of pollution can all effect how desirable the location is. If you’re in a bad location, a good real estate agent may help to minimize some of the impact by suggesting improvements to the house. But the only really reliable way to overcome a bad location is with a lower price. Simply put, an identical home in a bad location won’t sell for as much as the same home in a better location.

4.    Your marketing campaign is out of steam

The best listing agents all use an aggressive marketing plan to market their listings. If your listing agent isn’t making sure your home can be found easily on the internet, isn’t actively touting his or her listings to other agents in the area, isn’t running ads in the local newspapers and real estate publications, then it might be time to change agents. The best agents might even run radio or television ads for their listings. If all your agent has done is put a sign in your front yard and add your home to the local MLS, then that agent isn’t coming close to doing all that can be done to effectively market your home.

 5.    The market is slow

You’ll hear it described as a slow market, or a buyers’ market, or maybe a cold market. But it all means the same thing; home sales in the local area or market, are slow. That there are too many homes for sale and not enough active buyers. There are several things you can do to combat a slow market. The most effective strategy is to sell at a lower price. Buyers are expecting to find bargains during a slow market. You can also help yourself by offering to pay some concessions to help a buyer that might not have a lot of cash. The ultimate way to beat a slow market is to simply wait it out. But that’s not always an option for many sellers.

6.    Your home isn’t easily accessible

To get your home sold quickly, it’s important that other agents in the area show it to as many potential buyers as possible. When a busy agent is compiling a list of homes to show a buyer, the agent will naturally tend to show those houses that are easiest to gain access to first. Many homes on the market have “lock boxes” on them. The lock box is a device which holds a key to the home, that only qualified local agents can access. Homes that are listed as being “lock box, no appointment needed” will get shown more often than homes listed as “agent has key, call for appointment”. If at all possible, you should let your agent put a lock box on your home for easier showing. If not, you should do anything else you can to make it as convenient as possible for agents to show your home.

To avoid getting caught up in any of the reasons above, while still receiving the best customer care, contact me! You can do it, when you have a great agent on your side!
www.GeniyaK.com

Why Have an Agent When Looking for a Rental Home???

​Even though associated with rentals also, it is known as a “Buyer's Agency”. Simply put, it allows the Agent with whom you are working to be your representative and to put your interests above all others. This gives you someone on your side, whose main concern in a transaction is you and your needs.
When you see a listing agent’s contact information, know this: The Agent, unless specifically disclosed otherwise, represents the owner in any transaction for the leasing of a home. It is that Agent's fiduciary duty (where their loyalty lies) to protect the owner’s position at all times. So protect yourself and your interest in the home renting transaction, get an agent to look out for you. Best of all; it will be no out of pocket cost to you! That’s right, it’s FREE!!!

So have a friend on your side, working for you!
www.GeniyaK.com

5 Steps Towards Securing a Home Mortgage:

1.    Know and maintain your credit score.
Your credit rating will be the first thing lenders look at, make sure you know what it is and where you want it to be (most banks look for a rating over 675)  before you walk in to a bank, or apply for a quote online. This will also keep you in the know about any inaccuracies that may be in your credit history, giving you time to fix anything that may not be correct.

2.    Document your monthly bills and determine how much you can afford.$$$
Lenders want to make sure that you will be able to pay them each month, so budgeting your monthly bills will show you what you realistically spend every month on bills. Be sure to include all credit card payment, car loans, school loans, insurance payments, and all of the other bills that are constant monthly expenses. Before you talk to a mortgage broker; gather copies of all your bills, three years’ worth of tax returns and pay stubs. This will be important in showing that your bills are under the maximum preferred 33% of your total monthly income.

3.    Plan on making a down payment.
Almost all lenders will require that you make at least a 10% down payment. In order to avoid costly private mortgage insurance (PMI) you will be required to make a down payment of at least 20%. Make sure that you work the amount of money you plan to put down in to your budget planning when figuring out your monthly expenses. 

4.    Shop around locally and online fore mortgage lenders.
Make sure that you find the mortgage that best works for you, and also has the most competitive rates. Keep in mind that not all banks and lenders use the same criteria when determining the rate they are willing to offer you. While most banks do determine your rate based on the amount of your loan, there are many other factors that weigh heavily on the quote you will receive so shop around and compare.

5.    Once you have chosen a lender.
You have gotten all of your paperwork in order after figuring out a comfortable budget, saved for a down payment, shopped around for the lender that best fits your needs. Now it is time to apply for a prequalification letter. This letter, while not an actual loan, is stating that the lender of your choosing has agreed to lend you money for a home given the information provided is accurate upon their further investigation. A prequalification letter is one of the most important tools when looking to purchase a home, helping your chances of getting an offer on a home accepted.

With this letter in hand, all you need now is the right house, and I’ll be happy to help you find it!
www.GeniyaK.com