The landing page

The landing page has the administration matrix which has been planned with dynamic yet unpretentious inventive plans which improve the vibe great variable. The shading plan dependably gives a calming impact on the eyes. In the event that you are searching for a convenience or paying guest then you should do nothing more than pick the administration choice from the administration framework and the city name. For example you are searching for apartments for rent in sarjapur then all you should do is pick the housing.com which has recently launched his new brand LookUp .

Easy to navigate Interface

The easy to navigate interface supports in smooth route with no stacking time… you are just in your coveted page inside a squint

Filters

Filters guarantee that you have the capacity to streamline the showed properties according to your inclination. The channels verifies that you are refining the hunt in view of the parameters like number of room, outfitting, feast sort, premise of convenience and so on.

Confirmed Listings and Photo Gallery

All the properties recorded in Housing.com are properly gone to and checked by the in house group of Housing.com. Henceforth when the outcome page is shown it is a part screen with the rundown and the guide view. After the beginning streamlining of the property with the assistance of the hearty channels, you can investigate the properties by clicking the individual property from the rundown which makes an alternate pop up window to slide from the left board with the superior quality photos. This improves the comfort of virtual visit guaranteeing that you spare time amid pg house hunting

Ratings

Alongside the virtual voyage through the property for having a knowledge of the insides, Housing.com likewise gives you the area, way of life and the general public appraisals so you are splendidly in a state of harmony with areas, since this is additionally a critical angle while you are hunting for paying guest or pads

Map

While hunting for a accommodation, it is critical that you have a thought of the area of the property, since the guide reference with furnish you with a comprehension of the territory and your entrance to the city enhancements and the utilities

Be moderate in your approach when considering a purchase of real estate negotiations.Many people get too aggressive so that they can get a great deal, but this doesn’t always work in their favor. Be clear about what you want, however, let your Realtor and lawyer go at the negotiations since they are used to fighting those battles.

If you’re thinking about relocating, do some research on the internet about different communities and neighborhoods. You can discover a great deal of information about even the smallest town. Consider the population, population and unemployment rate of your desired location before purchasing a house there so you ensure that you will love where you live.

When you are planning to purchase a large and costly commercial property, look for a partner who you can trust.

If you made the seller an offer that was rejected, do not completely give up on the fact that they won’t find a method of making the purchase price affordable for you. They might offer to cover the price of the closing costs or necessary repairs to the home before you move in.

Keep an open mind about what elements are the most critical while searching for Phuket real estate for sale. You might not have the financial resources to buy your dream house in your dream neighborhood, but you may be able to afford one or the other. If you can’t find the perfect home in the correct area, modify your search in either location or type of home.

When you want to make a good investment with real estate, consider doing remodel or repair work. You’ll experience the benefit of a fast return on investment and increase in property value rises. Sometimes your property value will rise more than the money you have invested.

You need to make sure that you fully understand how mortgages work prior to buying a new house.

You should invest in the real estate market at this time. Property values are low because of the housing market. The housing market will rebound, and it will make your investment profitable when it does.

If you want to buy a spot for a business, choose a good neighborhood. Starting up a new business in an area of high crime and dilapidated buildings will not win you many customers. Talk to a real estate professional to find out what locations are available.

When shopping for a home, ignore the decor. You should purchase a home based on it’s construction and shape. If you base your decision to buy on decor, you could pay for it later because you failed to see a large structural problem.

When interviewing agents to help you through the buying process, ask them if they live in the area. If an agent is relatively new to the area, he or she may not be as familiar with things like road conditions, neighborhood restrictions and the general community.

Take your time to carefully measure a house you thinking about buying. The difference between these two figures should be no more than 100 square feet; if it is more than that, either reconsider buying the property, or find out the reason.

Always make sure to obtain home warranty protection. When you are buying a new home from the person who built it, or from an owner, or get the seller of a pre-owned home to provide you with at least a one-year warranty. The person who builds the home needs to have the confidence in his or previous owner should offer some protection to you if anything should go wrong during a certain period of time.

Hire people you trust when purchasing a house. No one wants to go out and spend money on something that could receive for free. Even so, you will want people that you can trust to protect your interests in such an important decision.Getting to the unvarnished truth can save you enormous stress and expense in the road.

These tips are helpful for getting the basics of home buying. Make certain that you use any information here that may be useful so that you don’t run into a lot of common problems. Enjoy the shopping experiences, and your new house! Search here for Phuket real estate for sale.

If you have credit that is not high enough for you to obtain a new credit line, sign up for a secured card. Most likely, a secured credit card will be easy for you to get, but you have to fund the credit account before you purchase so the bank knows that you won’t miss any payments. A responsibly used new credit card will begin healing your credit score.

If you have credit cards with balances that are greater than fifty percent of the maximum, you should pay those down as quickly as possible. It’s best to keep all of your credit cards below the fifty percent mark! Any time you exceed 50% of your credit limit, your credit rating is affected. Pay off credit cards as fast as you can, or spread the debt out further.

Before you choose a credit counseling agency, check out these credit repair reviews. The industry is rife with fraud and people with ulterior motives, so finding a legitimate credit counselor can be challenging. There are a lot of people out there that are trying to take advantage of those who are down on their luck. Smart consumers will always check to see that credit counseling agencies are, in fact, legitimate before working with them.

Call your credit card companies and request that they lower your limit on your cards. This helps you from overspending and shows that you want to borrow responsibly and it will help you get credit easier in the future.

You should look over all negative reports thoroughly when attempting to fix your credit. The item may be essentially correct, but there may be an error someplace. If the date or amount, or some other thing is incorrect it may be possible to get the entire item removed. If you’re in Florida you might try Miami credit repair. They provide the service for you.

Anything on your credit report that you feel is inaccurate should be disputed. You should contact the credit bureaus both online and by certified letter; be sure to include proof of your claims. Also include a request for a return receipt to make sure the agency gets it.

In order to start repairing your credit, you should close all but one of your credit card accounts. You can make arrangements to pay the balances, or transfer the balances of your closed credit card accounts to your single remaining credit card. In this manner, you can take care of all your credit card debt by paying down a single balance.

If you wheel and deal and get a new payment plan, be certain to have it on paper. If there is a change of heart, this paper will protect you. If you have finished paying it off, you should request a confirmation so you can send it to the credit reporting agencies.

Do not file for bankruptcy. This will reflect on your credit report for the next 10 years. Although it sounds like an easy way to get rid of debt, it will affect your life for a significant amount of time. It could be near impossible to receive a credit card or loan if you have filed for bankruptcy.

This helps you retain a proper credit status. Each late payment that you make shows on your personal credit report and can hurt you when the time comes to take out a loan.

Try lowering the balance of any revolving accounts you have. Your credit score can be raised if you lower your balances. The FICO system has a new level for every twenty percentage points of your credit available.

Credit card usage should be eliminated. Using cash will ensure that you stick to your budget and don’t overspend. If you absolutely have no other choice but to use a credit card, pay off the balance in full as soon as possible.

Any person who needs a loan or line of credit to make home repairs, start a business or send their kids to college will need to have a good credit score. Your low credit score can be rectified with the use of the simple tips described in this article.

Curb Appeal
That first impression when prospective buyers drive up is very important. If they don’t find the outside appealing, they won’t be interested in seeing what’s inside.

The Yard

• Mowed lawns, trimmed shrubbery and clean windows are a start.
• Planting a few flowers or plants can do a lot to a front yard.
• Fertilize and water the lawn and plants thoroughly 2-3 weeks before putting the house on the market.
• Clean up oil spots on the driveway. Make sure the garage door opens easily.
• Swimming pools should be clean along with the pump and filters.
• Clean up and throw away any junk or items laying around the yard.
• Now is a good time to have a yard sale, get rid of those items that you don’t plan
• to take with you. Do this before you put your house on the market to greatly reduce the “detrimental clutter look”.
• Start packing away little things that you don’t use everyday.
• Recycle magazines, newspapers, bottles, cans and so on.
• Pet droppings can easily turn the buyer back to the front door.

The Exterior

• If your house could use a paint job and you don’t have the time or money, some times hosing it off(from the bottom up) and repainting the trim will update the entire facade.
• At least paint the side facing the street.
• A clean front porch with a fresh looking front door that opens smoothly is a must.
• Any broken windows should be fixed now as they will most likely be before closing.
• A few gallons of stain or paint can add real impact to a fence.

The Interior

• Inside, everything should be spotless.
• Spending $100 to have someone do heavy “spring cleaning” if needed can bring a return many times over in the sales price and time on the market.
• A fresh coat of light colored paint on the walls is always recommended.
• Painting only the trim and the doors will add a lot.
• Check to see that all doors open and close freely. Oil any squeaky doors.
• Replace any burned out light bulbs. Brighter lights enhance many rooms.
• Steam clean the carpets if new carpeting is not possible and to help eliminate any pet odors. Wash and wax linoleum floors. Repair or replace damaged or missing tiles.
• Bathrooms should sparkle. Remove soap scum and mildew. Replace old looking toilet seats. Kitchens should be clean and bright. Clean oven and stove top. Exhaust fans should be free of grease and dust. Clear all unnecessary objects from the counter tops.
• Keep curtains and blinds open and interior lights on for a bright warm cozy feeling.
• Store stuff and clutter under beds, not in closets.

Focus Rooms
Buyers react most strongly to kitchens, bathrooms and closets, so it pays to concentrate your efforts here. Sometimes just switching door handles, knobs, and light switch plates is a dramatic improvement. Replacing new shower curtains and sink faucets can pay off.

Final Tip
Preview the competition’s open houses to see what you are up against in both pricing and condition. Potential buyers will be previewing these and more.

In General
Try to look at your house “through the buyer’s eyes” as though you’ve never seen it before. A lock box is the number one importance. “If you don’t have it, agents won’t show it.”

Questions to Ask a Prospective Realtor:

1. Do you work as a full time Real Estate Agent?
2. How do you market your property?
3. Do you have a full time Assistant to see that no details are overlooked?
4. How do buyers contact you?
5. Are you marketing real estate on the internet?
6. If I choose to do a tax deferred exchange, are you experienced in such transactions?
7. In what ways will you encourage other Real Estate agents to sell my home?
8. Do you have a system to follow-up with other agents so that we get valuable feedback after every showing?
9. How many properties have you sold within the past 30 days? 90 days? 6 months?
10. Do you have a list of references that I may check?
11. Are you on the internet exposing my property to millions of buyers instantly?
12. What is my property worth?
13. What listing price do you recommend?
14. How did you arrive at that price?
15. How will you assist in my relocation plans?
16. Do you have a written specific marketing plan designed to sell my property quickly and for top dollar?
17. Are you affiliated with a Mortgage Broker with over 300 wholesale lenders & have underwriting experience?
18. Do you guarantee my satisfaction by allowing me to exit the listing agreement at any time, if I am not happy?

If the agent you are interviewing does not answer the above questions to your satisfaction, you should probably find another who does!

Setting the Price on your Home
The three factors to consider in selling your home Location – Condition – Price.

Location
Your home’s location and setting influences its value. A home inside a quiet subdivision sells for more that the identical home on a busy street. Remote areas typically sell for less than close-in areas. Views, streams and trees usually enhance value. You obviously have no control over location.

Condition
New homes enjoy a marketing edge over resale homes because they are shiny and clean. ASnd builders enhance their appeal by offering model homes (clean, bright, decorated in current colors and amenities) for buyers to examine.

Price
If Google stock is trading between 1100 and 1200, it does no good to insist on selling at 1500. Likewise, your home must be priced within the appropriate range. You must actually “sell” your property twice: first to a buyer and then to an appraiser. The buyer is more subjective and compares the amenities of your home to those of other homes in the same price range. The appraiser is more objective and compares age, size, and cost-identifiable features in your home against other properties that have sold. Your agent must use his experience and expertise to fine-tune the price by taking into consideration all of these variables.

Pre-Qualification
Most home buyers go about the process completely backwards! That is they spend several weeks, months and sometimes years, looking at real estate ads, driving neighborhoods and attending open houses looking for the perfect home. Once they’ve found the house of their dreams, they place an offer to purchase it subject to obtaining financing. Then they shop for a loan. More often than not, it is above their means and they lose the sale because they can’t finance it. Not only are they frustrated but so is the inexperienced agent who chauffeured them around for a year.

The savvy buyer of today shops the loan first and then knowing exactly how much they can afford, will then seek only properties that are within their reach.

There are two methods of doing this. The standard way is to call or meet with a loan agent, tell them their financial and credit history, have the agent “run the ratios” and then tell the borrowers about how much they will qualify for. The flaws in this scenario are that the borrowers often forget to tell about their 5 late credit card payments, their new boat payment or push their income figures beyond reality.

The preferred method is to complete an application, provide income and employment records, have the loan agent run a credit report then actually submit the file to a wholesale lender for underwriting then receive an approval and commitment for a loan for the borrower.

This is also a powerful negotiating tool when presenting an offer to purchase. I don’t know of a single seller who would prefer to accept an offer from a buyer subject to obtaining financing over the buyer who already has a loan commitment! This can and will save you money when negotiating the contract. Get a loan commitment first, then find your dream house.

The first: investigate area trends. Check with a real estate agent to determine the current selling price of homes in your area. Real estate firms generally survey properties in the surrounding areas and translate that to computerized reports divided into specific communities. Compare your home with similar homes that have sold. This should provide you with an idea of what homes are being sold for as opposed to what they are listed for.

Next, pay attention to “migration” trends and see if people (and businesses) are moving in-or out-of the area. One of the best ways to track movement is to read the business section of the local newspaper or talk to the Chamber of Commerce. If there is a lot of movement into the community, chances are home prices will be going up at a relatively rapid rate. Obviously, if there is heavy migration out, prices will be flat or could even drop. Remember, too, that two side-by-side homes can command radically different prices.

Part of the reason can be attributed to certain features that may enhance the value of the home in the buyer’s eyes. For instance, older homes that have been upgraded with new fixtures, windows or room additions command higher prices than homes that remain unchanged. In many cases, with minimal expenditure, these price-enhancing features can be added and sellers can often increase the property’s value by thousands of dollars. Unchangeable elements such as lot size, or single story versus two-story can, of course, impact the value of adjoining homes.

Perhaps one of the most critical elements in selling a home, is pricing. By carefully following the local real estate market, or contacting a real estate professional, not only can sellers determine the right time to sell but, most importantly, they can also ascertain the correct price to list the property at to get it sold.

Why Do Some Homes Sell Quicker than Others?
They are priced right. Pricing is usually the number one determinant as to how short or how long a home will be on the market. Obviously, the property has to be priced competitively, but do not set the price based upon what you heard a neighbor received for their home. Adjacent homes can be radically different. They both may have the same floor plans, but improvements, a more desirable location in the tract, and other seemingly small variations can make a significant difference when it comes to price.

In determining the right price, one of the most important traits you need is objectivity. Homeowners, naturally, have an emotional attachment to their home, and because of their feelings they oftentimes overestimate what their home is worth. Despite the attachment, try to be practical and logical. Make a competitive study of recent sales that are comparable to your home. Evaluate price per square foot, age, condition, location, schools, and extras.

Remember, that the value of your home can be impacted by developments that are not yet in place. Is there vacant land nearby? If so, what businesses, or structures will be erected there in the future? Is it a desirable addition to the neighborhood? If there is vacant land, visit the local planning and zoning commissions to see what might be built or, check with a local real estate professional to help you find out what development plans might be in the offing. He or she should also explain the elements that go into pricing and why. And, ask the associate about a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) and what it means.

Remember, too, that little things can make a big difference once the home has been priced. Cosmetics are crucial. Spruce up the property as much as possible. A little exterior paint, some new shrubbery, and making sure that the house is always neat and clean can make a tremendous difference. The most important impression is the first-and the first thing buyers see is the exterior. It should look good.

To get an idea as to how price is determined, contact a local real estate professional. Ask them to carefully choose an associate who knows your neighborhood. In today’s market, there are buyers-for homes that are priced competitively.

A lack of “action,” usually indicates that your property is one of those that has been priced incorrectly. Most important, be objective. Try to look at your property as if you were a buyer going through it. What do you like? Dislike? How does it compare to other properties in the area? Is it worth more? Less? Answer those questions objectively and you will not only be on the way to pricing your home correctly . . . but to selling it too.

Thinking About Selling Your Home?
If so, there are two ways to go about doing it — sell it yourself or engage the professional services of a REALTOR.

Obviously, the advantage of selling the home yourself is you do not pay a commission. But, statistics show when you team up with a real estate professional, the chances of selling your home in a shorter time span (and frequently for more money) are much better. There are pros and cons to each technique. To determine which road you are going to take, start by asking yourself one question – If you needed a medical operation would you perform it yourself, or have a professional do it for you?

Selling a house in today’s market is not like it was a decade ago. The market, as well as consumers, are much more astute and the laws more complex. Liability and disclosure can complicate the sale.

Perhaps the biggest obstacle a seller faces when they decide to market their own property is emotional attachment. Many owners are blind to flaws that a real estate professional can see. And, a good Realtor goes further and recommends steps the homeowner can take to make the property more appealing-a fresh coast of paint in the kitchen, replacing a rusty mailbox, or removing clutter to make the home appear more open. The objective view can be the difference in making a sale.

An experienced Realtor can also provide a seller with a Comparative Market Analysis, so the owner knows what the home is actually worth, instead of what they feel it’s worth.

Which Home Improvements Add?
While some home improvements can add significant dollars to the resale value of a residence, others are barely worth the investment. So how can homeowners decide which improvements will add significant value and which won’t?

Here’s a few tips on cost-effective improvement; upgrades that can make the difference in the sale price and add value to your property. As a rule, kitchens and baths are the two areas that most often make the difference in a sale. They make the most impact on buyers, and definitely impact what buyers perceive the property is worth. But, kitchens and baths are not inexpensive to upgrade.

The national average for remodeling an entire kitchen is more than $20,000 with some running upwards of $30,000. Complete remodeling can include cabinets, floors, counters, sinks, appliances, lighting fixtures and new windows.

But, there’s a way to put a new look on this important area without spending significant moneys. For a relatively low cost, homeowners can make spot improvements. For example, for as low as $1,000 the existing counter top can be replaced with a Formica top. For $2,500 to $3,000, the existing cabinet faces can be replaced with solid oak faces. Homeowners can buy a new sink at a home furnishing store and have a contractor install it for approximately $300 – $400. The end result is improved appearance-and usually a higher selling price for relatively minimal expenditure.

Other areas that influence price: Central air conditioning is an important feature for which buyers will usually pay extra. Room additions, on the other hand, may add value, but may not end up paying for themselves. Upgraded carpeting, top-of-the-line windows and vaulted ceilings can command higher resale prices, but it is unlikely that the seller will be able to recoup their original investment.

Existing features that have diminished with age can usually be repaired without a lot of added expense. Hardwood floors, for instance, cost $1.50 – $2.00 per square foot to refurbish, but it is a good investment because buyers are willing to pay more for the refinished appearance.

For older homes, people are more energy conscious, so improvements in the insulation of windows, doors and storm doors are smart investments. In general, neutral, light and bright are the best rules to follow-a neutral decor, freshly painted walls and clean carpeting also help to sell a home faster.

Over Pricing Property?
A high price conveys the message that the seller may not really be interested in selling. And, when a home is priced too high, agents and buyers usually just cross it off their list and move on. After all, there are plenty of other listings.

Of course, deciding the value of a home isn’t an exact science, so it’s understandable that a seller might put their home on the market with an asking price that is on the high side.

Additionally, most of us believe that our homes are really “worth more” than the one down the block, around the corner or the one next door that was just sold. And, if we are wrong, we can always drop the price later, can’t we? Yes, but by then, the seller may have not only lost potential buyers, but they may have also driven off interested Realtors-and Realtors are the prime source of buyers. Generally, they bring the buyers.

When a property is put up for sale, the first 30 days are the most critical. Statistics show that’s when most buyers (and Realtors) see the property. Interest is highest at this time. But, the higher price the property is on the market, the fewer the prospects (and Realtors) will view it. Thus, the initial period is critical with the proper pricing.

Some sellers, however, believe that if someone is really interested they will counter-offer. Some will, some won’t. Some well-qualified buyers may just walk away. The bottom line is a high priced listing will turn many buyers off.

Still, a seller wants to be confident he or she is getting the best price for their home. The way to accomplish this is by talking to a real estate agent before listing the property. Ask for a comparative market analysis-that is, research what similar homes in the area have sold for recently. Compare your property to those, and have the agent help you calculate a fair market value. Be objective-even though it is your home. Remember, an over-priced listing will usually result in an unsold property.

How to Make a House Look “Bigger and Better”
One sure way for you house to appear larger-and more appealing-is if clutter is eliminated and furniture and household goods are reorganized. In fact, the time to have a garage sale is before you put your house on the market, not after it is sold! When you decide to sell, start going through your closets and cupboards, eliminating items you don’t want to keep.

Do the same in the garage and backyard. Get rid of, or store, the odds and ends. It’s interesting to note that the more someone lives in a home, the more used to the clutter they become.

Unfortunately, closets, cupboards and garages brimming with “old treasures” make a home look small and cramped to a prospective buyer. Sellers should also carefully examine their furniture, and consign items that are not needed to the storage or the garage sale. Most homes occupied by the same owner for several years tend to be somewhat over-furnished. Erring on the side of space, not clutter, makes for a more marketable home.

Another “item” that adds to the clutter of a home are excess knickknacks. Scrutinize the kitchen for rarely used utensils/gadgets; miscellaneous items in closets and cupboards, even small furniture and throw rugs, that can be neatly stored.

Pack or give away clothing that will not be worn as well. Rearrange and organize. Remove as many articles as possible from the kitchen and bathroom countertops to the cupboards below-they’ll still be within handy reach in the newly created space. Organize closets. Clear off your night stands and bureaus. Size up the arrangement of your furniture-any room for improvement there? Examine the walls and windows. Do they need repainting or new window coverings?

For some expert, objective advice, have your real estate professional go through the home. Realtors know what enhances a property’s appearance — and what hinders it. One last hint — don’t forget the outside. Sweep the garage and sidewalks, trim the lawn and bushes, wash all the windows, inside and out. It all helps to make your home look fresher, lighter-and larger.

How Can Two Similar Homes Vary in Price by More Than $10,000?
Forgetting, for a moment, the interior improvements that set one home apart from another, there are exterior factors that also influence price. For instance, homes on primary ingress and egress streets-(that is, the main streets that lead in and out of a tract)-generally appreciate more slowly than those within the tract that are not on primary streets. Primary ingress/egress streets generate more traffic and are therefore, generally less desirable. Thus, they have lower prices.

Within a tract, a home on a cul-de-sac may generate a higher price for the same reason-less traffic. Cul-de-sacs are frequently like a maze and they discourage drive-throughs, which is, of course, a definite benefit to residential privacy.

Even properties on one side of a street can be worth more than a similar property across from it. Why? Certain communities, because of their name, are more prestigious than others. Beverly Hills, California, of course, is one. It is known worldwide for its high-end shopping, expensive housing and impeccable name. In sections where Beverly Hills is divided from other cities and/or communities by a street, the homes on the Beverly Hills side of the avenue command a higher price than those in the non-Beverly Hills city across from it.

Existing homes may differ radically in price for another reason-one homeowner wants to sell, and the other has to sell. The motivation for each is quite different, and so may be the pricing strategies. Some other factors that influence price: What commercial developments are adjacent to the tract? How (un)desirable are they? And, don’t forget supply and demand. The wise buyer checks one other thing-a community’s master plan. This is a must, especially if a tract (or home) is surrounded by vacant land. Most communities have one. It is usually drawn up by planners within the city of county and approved by a local planning commission. Find out what is going to be built nearby and determine how it might impact the value of the tract.All this, of course, takes time and homework. But, it is well worth it, especially when you consider that the purchase of a home is usually going to be the largest, single financial investment most people make in a lifetime.

Should you Appraise your Home Before Putting it on the Market?
It isn’t necessary, but an appraisal will give a good indication of the price the seller will actually get for their property. A real estate agent can give you similar reliable data to determine current market value. First, to determine the asking price, a seller’s agent will look at the “comps,” the price for which “comparable” homes in the area have recently been sold.

Based upon these prices, the seller should adjust what they are asking. For example, if similar properties in the area are selling for $210,000, then trying to get $250,000 usually does not make sense. Thus, before putting the house on the market, a seller should review the “comps,” which can be obtained from a local real estate professional. The appraisal process used by a licensed appraiser is more theoretical than a “comp,” and doesn’t predict what a buyer will be willing to pay. Why would anyone ever get an appraisal then? Although rarely needed by buyers or sellers, appraisals are normally required by lenders who are considering making a loan.

However, sellers of expensive, custom homes may get appraisals, because there may not be any homes in the area that compare. Buyers of these one-of-a-kind homes will also have more confidence in an asking price that is supported by an appraisal. Before determining an asking price, sellers should give their agent a list of major improvements done to the home, such as a new roof or upgraded heating system. This will help the agent consider all the factors when recommending a price. It will also put him or her in a better position to sell the house-and all of its features-for the best possible price.

What is the MLS?
MLS stands for “Multiple Listing Service,” which is usually a computerized listing of virtually all the homes that are for sale in a specific area. When a Realtor lists your property for sale, they pay a fee and your home is placed on the MLS system. The big advantage to sellers is that the MLS is the #1 resource used by buyers (and agents) to locate homes.
Properties that are not listed (usually those being sold by their owners) are not on the MLS-thus there are many buyers and Realtors who will not be exposed to the home. The MLS has become such a standard in real estate that no serious broker would think of trying to sell real estate without it. It would be like an accountant trying to work without a calculator.

About the only residential brokers who might not use the MLS are those who exclusively handle foreclosed properties, or high-end homes owned by celebrities and the like. The MLS provides a surprising amount of detail, depending upon the area of the country it may include the location (by zip code); size of the home (square footage); size of the lot; number of bedrooms and bathrooms; extra rooms such as a den, family room, formal dining room, or enclosed patio; amenities such as a backyard, fireplace, hot tub, pool, kitchen features, new carpet and drapes; capacity of garage; age of home; and. of course, the selling price and terms.

Buyers can narrow their house-hunting searches dramatically by using the MLS. For instance, their real estate professional can do a computer search and ask for a listing of all homes within a certain location and price range that have two or three bedrooms and that are not more than ten years old. Not only will this request generate a brief list of viable possibilities, it also helps buyers gauge, roughly, what they can expect to get for their money, and to compare the value of the homes listed. Thus, the MLS is more than a system that lists properties. It’s an aid to both buyers and sellers, and is a definite asset to consumers when it comes to real estate.

What is Escrow?
Escrow is a process that begins when the purchase offer papers are signed by both parties, and ends when the loan is approved and all the necessary requirements have been fulfilled by both the buyer and the seller. The escrow holder is an intermediary, and an agent of both the buyer and seller. The escrow holder is given the buyer’s deposit, and holds onto all funds until the agreement is finalized. They notify the seller when the deposit has been received and if the check has cleared the bank. The escrow holder also draws up a set of instructions, itemizing things that have to be done to the property before it is sold and the title is transferred.
For example, if the seller is required to supply a termite inspection, the escrow holder would track this obligation and make it is fulfilled before any funds are transferred to the seller. Findings in the termite inspection report must be corrected on or before the close of escrow. If the report calls for a plumber, roofer or other contractor, the agent would advise the seller and get authorization for work to be done.

The escrow/title company provides a complete ownership history of the property and any liens on record in the preliminary title report. Anything that is out of the ordinary, such as condo liens, judgments, etc. against the buyer and the seller must be clarified prior to the close of escrow. The escrow process can be any number of days depending on what is agreed upon between the buyer and seller. To assure a timely closing, the buyer should do things like inform, the escrow holder of the name and phone number of their insurance agent as soon as possible. The homeowner insurance policy needs to be ordered early, so verification can be made with the lender. The lender will not fund a new loan without a homeowner policy. If there is a delay, the escrow process may be held up.

Closing Costs
First, the responsibility of who pays for closing costs is always negotiable. Local custom may dictate which fees the buyer will pay and those the seller pays. Typically, the buyer pays for home inspection services and escrow, deed preparation and recording fees, depending upon what is customary for the county the property is located in. He or she may also pay for title insurance, since this is required by the lender. The buyer is also responsible for any fees or costs associated with obtaining the purchase loan.

The seller customarily pays the real estate agent’s commission, as well as costs associated with transferring an unencumbered title, such as a title search, reconveyance deed and documentary transfer tax. Often, a seller will sweeten the deal by offering a one-year home warranty. Who will pay for what closing costs customarily differs from county to county and should always be clearly spelled out in the purchase offer. A creative sales associate will consider the cash, income and tax situation of the home seller and the buyer when constructing an offer. For instance, if the buyer is short of cash, the agent may ask the seller to pay the buyer’s loan points up front in exchange for some other concessions from the buyer. In this scenario, the buyer and seller benefit and both get what they want.