GETTING AN EDGE WHEN YOURE SELLING A LAS VEGAS HOME
This summer, success in selling a home in Las Vegas will depend upon the same factors as always: location; quality; buyer appeal. A home’s location—short of calling in the house movers—is pretty much what it is. The structural quality of workmanship and the level of maintenance that it’s received though the years can be gussied up where it shows (and should be!), but that, too, is largely a done deal. Which leaves that other factor in selling a Las Vegas home—the little things that reach out to appeal to buyers. The difference between receiving a swift offer and not can hinge on what makes your home more desirable than others in its price range. A good example is with closet space. Any property with a closet organization system will carry great appeal to a large number of prospective buyers. Likewise, advanced technological touches can stick in buyers’ memories at the end of a long day of house tours. They don’t even have to be expensive or whole-house systems: a simple programmable thermostat that can be accessed on a smart phone can be an interesting selling point that sticks in the memory. It’s the kind of touch that isn’t a great deal of trouble to install—but it can provide the edge that makes selling your home that much easier. More extensive tech-savvy features, like tricked-out media rooms or home offices wired to the hilt, are also very hot right now (especially for today’s younger homebuyers) and can provide the edge you’re looking for—if. What’s the “if”? If when you are readying your home for showings and open houses, you- • prep to emphasize each of these special features (like leaving that system-organized closet door open with the light on); • you make sure your agent is in the loop, ready to showcase key elements; and • stage to bring out less visible features—whether it’s printing up a list of newly-refurbished utilities or setting out a wine bottle and glasses with a note to “be sure to check out the killer wine cellar downstairs” It’s also possible that some appealing features are ones that you take for granted; you’ve simply gotten used to them, yet they ought to be emphasized. Often those are details that your agent will be helpful in pointing out. Whatever is unique and desirable will make selling your home that much easier. If you will be selling your own Las Vegas home in this summer, I hope you will give me a call. There’s never an obligation, but if you wish, we can go over your property to uncover the marketing options that will make it a stand-out: the one with the edge!
LAS VEGAS HOME BUYER STRATEGIES WHEN BIDDING WARS BREAK OUT
Wasn’t it just yesterday that we seemed locked into a classic home buyer’s market in Las Vegas? Bad economy, bad job numbers, tanked real estate values were all we heard about…until it eventually shifted. Over the past year or so, it’s become a very different landscape. If you’ve been out looking to become a Las Vegas home buyer, it’s possible that you’ve found yourself putting in offers on multiple houses…and also possibly watching from the sidelines as another Las Vegashome buyer walked away with a deal. If this isn’t a true seller’s market, to you the difference may not be apparent. In any case, when a prospective home buyer in Las Vegas finds themselves vying for one of the plum homes that are now appearing in this summer’s Las Vegas listings, there’s no need to passively watch as others get the nod. If you are sure of the value of the property you are going for, there are straightforward tactics for improving your chances of winning the day: – Offering at or above list price is the time-tested way to give you the best shot of getting your contract accepted over bidders who offer less than list. Real estate prices are again on the rise, increasing your likelihood of being able to recoup the extra money if you decide to sell several years down the road. Look at the comps with your agent to determine what an aggressive—yet realistic price—will be. – Ask your real estate agent what the recommended earnest money amount would be; then double or triplethat deposit amount. It’s a sure way to signal that you’re a serious and financially able home buyer. This tactic has the advantage that it doesn’t really cost you anything in the long run, assuming you hold up your end of the contract. It is a way to stand out from other Las Vegas home buyers without actually spending more. – In a buyer’s market, it’s almost expected to ask for add-ons like fixing a staircase or leaving the swing set. But in a seller’s market, you can beat the competition by not asking for extras beyond what is offered in the listing. Home sellers may be fully occupied with many outside details (like looking for their own next home!) and often assign high value to an offer that looks uncomplicated. – Along the same lines, another way to set yourself apart from every other home buyer is to offer to give the seller more than the usual time to move out of their house. Many other bidders won’t think of this—but it can make the deal if the sellers are having to cope with difficult deadlines for their own move. Above all, don’t let yourself get discouraged. The right house is out there, and you will get an offer accepted! Particularly in a seller’s market, any Las Vegas home buyer will be rewarded by just remaining patient and cool-headed. First step if you will be looking to buy this summer: call me today to get started!
BUYING A HOME IN LAS VEGAS MEANS RECRUITING A PRO TEAM
I’ve written about the professionals who are on call to help anyone who sets about selling their house—but there is another team of pros who can be called on when it comes to buying a Las Vegas home. Buying a home in Las Vegas is not quite like any other purchase—even those with high dollar amounts. Buying a new Audi or Tesla, for instance, can run you well over $100,000, but you don’t need much more than a fat savings account and willing car salesman to complete the deal. Buying a home is just different; you need to be able to count on the help of a number of professionals from a number of different fields of expertise. Before you are handed the front door key, you’ll need to secure the necessary funds, acquire the property in a legally-bulletproof manner, and diligently investigate various aspects of the home’s plant and history—all the while protecting you against any kind of fraudulent representation. Here are four of the professionals whose assistance will greatly facilitate the process. The most basic requirement for buying a Las Vegas home is the substantial amount of money involved. Most often, the actual cash is pledged by a third party—bank or other financial institution—which supplies it in exchange for your promise to repay it over time. There are several financing options, with mortgages being the most popular: that makes the Mortgage Broker the person to consult. The broker will advise you on the types of mortgages available, the amount you qualify for, lay out the chosen payment plan—and take you through a substantial amount of paperwork. A great Realtor® contributes a lot more to buying your home in Las Vegas than just selecting which of the current listings will be the most suitable. That Realtor will arrange showing schedules that make the best use of your time and energy, will be a trustworthy key player when you are evaluating and negotiating the price of a potential home, and sometimes will unearth possibilities that are only available to one who is plugged into the ongoing real estate market 24/7. Your Realtor can also help you field other members of your team. Your Inspector is the pro who will give you the go-ahead on the condition of the property. That Inspector will use a lifetime of experience to go over the physical plant and prepare a comprehensive report on its every critical aspect. It’s often the prime determinant that guides your decision about whether it truly fits the price you are agreeing to pay. When you’ve reached the final stages in buying a home, it’s the Escrow Officer who facilitates the actual transfer of the property. He or she will prepare the legal documents that legally record the transfer of ownership from the seller to you, as well as oversee the proper and timely deposit and disbursement of funds. This summer will be prime time for buying a home in Las Vegas. It all starts with a phone call—if you’re looking for a top-notch professional, I hope you’ll be making that call to my number!
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