Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. wants your help and commentary on our Real Estate Blog
Having Equity In Your Home
by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 05/22/14
Title:
Having Equity In Your Home
Word Count:
467
Summary:
If you are a homeowner then you should make building equity in your home one of your number one priorities. The reason for this is that equity in your home is like having cash in your bank account because you are able to borrow against it for a variety of different purposes. Also, when you build equity in your home it means you are that many dollars closer to owning your home outright. There are quite a few things you can do in order to build equity in your home that include ...
Keywords:
#equity,#invest,#investing,#investments,#capital,#financing,#investment,#loans,#loan,#banks,#debt, #DFW, #Dallas, #Appraisal, #Appraiser, #Texas, #Tarrant, #Mansfield, #Arlington, #Fort_Worth, #North_Texas, #Home_Appraisal, #Home_Appraiser, #Real_Estate, #De_Soto, #Euless, #Johnson
Article Body:
If you are a homeowner then you should make building equity in your home one of your number one priorities. The reason for this is that equity in your home is like having cash in your bank account because you are able to borrow against it for a variety of different purposes. Also, when you build equity in your home it means you are that many dollars closer to owning your home outright. There are quite a few things you can do in order to build equity in your home that include making a higher down payment, additional principal payments, shorter mortgage, as well as focusing on home improvements.
Making a large down payment helps you build equity in your home because every dollar you pay in your down payment goes directly to your equity. Because of this, saving money in order to make large down payments has several benefits. First, it automatically increases your equity as means that you will require a lower loan amount which means you will pay less money in interest. So, if there is any way you can make a large down payment make every effort to do so.
Another way to build equity in your home it makes more payments on principal than is required. This is important because every dollar paid on principal means another dollar built in equity and less money that will accrue interest. So, even if you can only make small extra payments on principal now still go ahead and get in the practice of doing so. It will really pay off in the long run.
Also, sacrifice in the short run and have a short mortgage term rather than a long one. By doing this you do several things. First, you pay more money per month on your loan, but you will have less money accrued in interest and build equity significantly faster. Also, if you have a short loan period you will save a considerable amount of money that would be accrued in interest otherwise and the peace of mind of knowing that you own your home much faster.
Investing in home improvements is another way you can build your equity. The reason this builds equity is because when you make home improvements you increase the value of your home, which means you will be able to build more equity. However, there are some things to keep in mind when considering home improvements. For example, home improvements to kitchens and bathrooms always increase the value of your home more so than external improvements like swimming pools or fences.
If you are interested in building home equity then make a plan that includes the following tips and make sure you follow it diligently. By doing this you will build equity in your home quickly and efficiently.
Finding a Flip
by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 05/21/14
Finding a Flip
keywords: #Flipping_houses, #Flip, #DFW, #Dallas, #Appraisal, #Appraiser, #Texas, #Tarrant, #Mansfield, #Arlington, #Fort_Worth, #North_Texas, #Home_Appraisal, #Home_Appraiser, #Real_Estate, #De_Soto, #Euless, #Johnson
Flipping houses is becoming increasingly popular. Unfortunately, the popularity of the idea is creating a bit of competition among those who would love to try it out for the first time. The increased competition often serves to drive up the costs involved in purchasing the profit, which only manages to lower the profit potential. However if you find a good deal and feel that the property is a good candidate for a flip you can ask yourself the following questions to help you determine whether or not the property really is a good candidate.
1) Have you had a qualified inspection and determined that there are only minor repairs that need to be made to the property and the landscaping? This is important because every repair that needs to be made will eat into your budget. You want to complete the project with as little extra money invested as possible in order to get the greatest return on your real estate investment possible.
2) Is the property suitable for the neighborhood? By this I mean is the property a three-bedroom house build for families in the middle of a retirement community or is it a one bedroom, cottage-style home in the midst of family houses? These aren't exactly a good match and can cause problems when it comes time to sell.
3) Can the neighborhood bear the price you need to bring in from the flip? If you are creating an upscale home in a marginal neighborhood you are almost guaranteeing a loss on your investment. You want to find a house in need of repairs selling cheap in a neighborhood of much better houses so that it can bring in the profit you are hoping to get when all is said and done.
4) Can you make the changes you envision for the house on your budget and without significantly changing the structure of the house? This is a biggie and one that often gets overlooked. You do not want to start knocking out walls or creating additions when flipping a house. That is something you should leave for the new owners. You want to make as few waves as possible and only make changes that will improve the value of the home.
5) Can you improve the value of the home enough to make it worth your while in a short amount of time? This is another big deal when it comes to a house flip. It takes time and money to make the changes that most "flippers" have in mind for their investment, especially first time flippers. Do you have the time to stick with it and the money to cover the carrying costs while you are in the process of making the changes?
6) Is the property in a high demand neighborhood, city, etc. for selling properties? Another common mistake is buying in areas that are hard sells for buyers. It is often quite simple to find lower priced properties that are attractive at first glance however; if you can't sell the property you purchase to flip it really defeats the purpose of putting all that time, effort, and money into making the improvements.
7) Can you do the work or will you need professionals and if so, will it still be cost effective? Be careful that you do not overestimate your abilities in this if possible. It is great to think you can put down a hardwood floor but the reality of doing it is quite another matter. Be sure you have a realistic understanding of the potential costs involved in the flip and whether or not the property will still be profitable in the worst-case scenario.
Answer these questions when checking out potential real estate investments and house flipping properties, and you should be well on your way to a successful flip, at least as far as the selection of the property goes. You should also find a house to flip that you like as you will likely be spending a great deal of time there. Remember, do not be afraid to consult a local professional like a realtor or home appraiser before you buy.
Do Not Be A Victim Of A Drive By BPO
by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 05/20/14
Title:
Do Not Be A Victim Of A Drive By BPO
Word Count:
764
Summary:
Tips for meeting the agent to determine the market value of a home that is in foreclosure to help bring the price down for greater short sale profits.
Keywords:
appraisal, real estate, real estate investing, real estate investor, broker price opinion, bpo, short sale, foreclosure, pre-foreclosure,#DFW, #Dallas, #Appraisal, #Appraiser, #Texas, #Tarrant, #Mansfield, #Arlington, #Fort_Worth, #North_Texas, #Home_Appraisal, #Home_Appraiser, #Real_Estate, #De_Soto, #Euless, #Johnson
Article Body:
Dallas, Texas has its share of drive by violence. But we are talking about a different type of bad drive by, being the victim of a drive by BPO as a real estate investor. We have been victims and want to help you from becoming a statistic.
We are DFW real estate investors and often work in the pre-foreclosure market. Many times sellers are financed 100% or close to it and there is no deal to be had so we try to negotiate with their lender to do a short sale or short payoff. As part of the process the lender needs a BPO or appraisal to determine fair market value.
What is a BPO? A Broker’s Price Opinion is a market value assessment usually performed by a licensed real estate agent or broker. These are most often done on properties that are in foreclosure. A lot of times when the property is not sold before or at auction, the BPO that did the opinion will get to list the property. Sometimes it can be a full time appraiser looking for extra work that may do the BPO. Because of the fact the agent may eventually get a listing they tend to sometimes give a high appraisal.
Now realize that market value generally assumes a home in great shape needing no repairs. 90% of retail buyers will not buy a home that needs any repairs. Many lenders will not finance a home that needs wood replaced or roofing done.
What is a Drive By? A drive by consists of a BPO going to the house and stopping in front, taking a picture of the outside and driving off. They never get out of the vehicle, never to see the inside or any damage or repairs needed on the property. Comparable sales, past appraisals and tax records will be used to determine the value of the home without taking needed repairs into account. A lot of houses have good curb appeal, once you step thru the front door it is a different story. We have had the BPO agent miss the fact that a tarp was on the roof to stop the rain from coming in the house because the holes in the roof were on the back of the house and the agent never stepped out of their vehicle.
How can I get an accurate BPO Appraisal? Be there early. Bring pictures and the list of repairs from your first visit. Develop rapport and become best friends with the appraiser. Do your homework on the neighborhood. Look for true comps. Example: If you are looking at a stucco home and the rest of the neighborhood is brick. You can not find true comps. For future reference if you are in a mid to high humidity area, get a moisture test on the stucco and bring the results with you.
How can I keep from being a victim? Arrive 45-60 minutes before appt. Do not allow the home owner to greet the BPO instead of you. Stay where you can see the road. If you see a vehicle pull up and stop, jump out and holler politely,î Would you like to see the inside of the home? To make the experience better for yourself and the BPO offer help. Tell them what you have found. Don’t take it personally if they do not want help from you. Do your homework. Do not let the homeowner show them around as they will try to point out nice things. Your job is to point out the flaws of the house and drive the appraisal down. Make sure the lender knows you are the point of contact for the BPO agent and to contact you to set up the appointment for the BPO. The pictures that you took on the first visit need to be printed out; if digital take them to a kiosk that makes prints. Have 3 copies made. Put two to a piece of paper, go with colorful construction paper, yellow is a happy color, go to your local office supply store and get printable file folder labels. In detail tell what is wrong in the picture. Give the BPO agent 1 copy. Let them know what you have found wrong with the house or yard. Give them a repair list. Any true comparable sales you have found within a 5 mile radius will also help. Always pick the lowest comps. You will document a lot more problem area’s with the house than the BPO will see. This will be the difference of making 30k or 5k on a house.
State of the United States - May 19, 2014
by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 05/19/14
State of the UNited States
May 19, 2014
Please read this self authored motivational piece.
The current state of the UNited States is conveyed in the Media, the News, and the Government polls is very deceiving. Our Nation is in post recessionary at best to start the fourth quarter 2013. Real estate, the stock market, and really all financial markets are said to be back to or above 2008 levels. Humans are lucidly conveyed and taught to be creatures of Darwinian evolution in the text books and at the high dollar University's. The S&P, The Dow Jones Industrial, and the Nasdaq are actually a few percentage points higher than their pre-Recessionary values, putting them in record high territory. Real Estate values in the US are approaching levels similar to the highs of the 2007 bubble in most markets. The overall sentiment of the American populace is gleeful and willfull confusion, all the while the US Military ponders military action in the Middle East, Russia, North Africa, and any place where Global Western banking has no foot-hold. Gold or silver are touted as the only saving grace for you and your family, as the strong US dollar's value will apparently soon come to an end with hyper-inflation. Meanwhile it appears as though Gold and Silver may have already seen their highs; both of these precious metals are
At the same time the Media, the News, and the Government polls are pounding into our heads; The US debt is rising at an unsustainable rate. As the debt ceiling debate is approaching again, we all know to expect great theatre and illusionary tumult on TV. Our wealth is supposedly being redistributed to the individual's or family's who do not work or who have little, and the old American dream is now impossible to fulfill.The Affordable Health Care Act is said to make Health Care unaffordable, and the newly created Death panels will decide the faith of the sick and the elderly. The Government's endless printing of money will surely create artificial inflation and our dollar will become worthless.
In my opinion the entire bulk of the projected negative thinking is an Illusion. Hear me out!! When Real Estate and stock values, which are somewhat tangible assets, fall dramatically in price or value, then your dollar can now buy more stocks or more houses; concerning these assets, we have made the case for a stronger dollar. If your house falls in value and your retirement account decreases in worth, but your general purchasing power of daily consumer goods only experiences typical 3% annual inflation; then a populace is Experiencing a deflationary period. Yes I know, home Owners were under-water and Mutual fund values were down for years, and we are not all financially back to where we were before. In my opinion the Federal Reserves printing and overall monetary policy is not at the sacrifice of the young and up and coming American generation. America will be stronger in this Great Leap Forward, and the pessimistic future view type of thinking is a Great Illusion put on by men with an agenda. Our nations debt, though staggering, very well appears to be sustainable in the new global economy, and we all have the ability to see through the madness even with the stresses of daily life.The creator made each of us for a special purpose with unique skills and gifts, and the creator warns us of selfish men with an agenda.
The Magic trick plaguing the American people is simple. Now is the time to buy stocks and real estate. Really post 2009 and on has been an incredible time to invest in these financial vehicles. All the while the Media, the News, and the Government polls have been telling us how down and out everyone is; while the Big money in America gets richer and richer. As we prefaced before, if you have money you can now buy more stocks and more homes with that cash. In my opinion sitting on our hands purchasing gold bricks is not the answer over the next several years. Buying gold and silver at pre 2008 levels was the thing to do, and once Real Estate and Stocks reach bubble levels, then buying bullion may be the thing to do again.
If one believes in American exceptional ism, then he or she should start buying sound domestic assets; buy US stocks, buy growth and value Mutual funds, and for Pete's sake buy Real Estate. The the Media, the News, and the Government polls want you to think the prior mentioned investments will never be safe again. The rich are taking advantage of the scenario and waiting for good inflation to occur. In a good inflationary period, US homes and Mutual funds should ride inflation with appreciation gains as the economy re-calibrates. This is the great ILLUSION. The creator wants us to look to his book for guidance, hope, and optimism, and the people actually buying stocks and houses with their cash want you to think these investments are shaky. The lucid solution today is to utilize your talents and abilities and the free American governing system to your advantage, ignoring pessimism. Follow, chase, and capture your dreams; because in America you still can become whatever you want to be. You control your own destiny outside the regret, shame, and timidness the controlling body wants you to constantly feel.
Start deciding who you are, form your dreams and goals, and find a way to make a difference in the World!!!
I am not a registered or practicing financial adviser, and the previously mentioned diction is simply an opinion.
Descriptive Terms in Real Estate Ads - More Definitions
by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 05/19/14
Title:
Descriptive Terms in Real Estate Ads - More Definitions
Word Count:
336
Summary:
If you are buying or selling a home, the chances are good you struggle with the meaning of descriptive real estate terms. Here are explanations and definitions for more terms.
Keywords:
real estate terms, definitions, oversize garage, shed dormers, dormers, windows, great room, #DFW, #Dallas, #Appraisal, #Appraiser, #Texas, #Tarrant, #Mansfield, #Arlington, #Fort_Worth, #North_Texas, #Home_Appraisal, #Home_Appraiser, #Real_Estate, #De_Soto, #Euless, #Johnson
Article Body:
If you are buying or selling a home, the chances are good you struggle with the meaning of descriptive real estate terms. Here are explanations and definitions for more terms.
Shed Dormers
These are often seen in Dutch colonial style houses and are flat roofed dormers. Sometimes these dormers are single windows, but often they are two or three windows side by side with one flat roof.
Blind Dormer Window
Sometimes builders construct fake dormer windows to add architectural interest to new houses. They are at attic level but can not be seen from the attic because the roof of the house covers access to them.
Oversize Garage
Ads often say how many cars a garage will hold. Then they add the word oversize as in oversize 2-car garage. What is usually meant is that there is room for storage, or a work bench in addition to space for the cars. Occasionally it simply means you can open a car door wide enough to actually get out with both cars in the garage!
Gourmet Kitchen
This phrase is intended to convey the idea that a very good cook can happily work here. That may or may not be the case, but it does usually mean that the kitchen is fairly large and attractive.
Great Room
I have seen this used in two distinctly different ways. The first is to describe a living room, dining room, and kitchen in a very open floor plan. The area typically has a high ceiling. The second way I have seen it used is when what we would normally call a family room has a high, often coffered, ceiling, a fireplace with a dramatically massive mantle, and perhaps an upstairs balcony overlooking it. I think this may stem from the idea of a great hall in old English houses.
If you can get the verbiage down, you will be way ahead in the real estate game. Look for future articles on this subject or visit our site to read more terms.
Descriptive Terms in Real Estate Ads - Even More Definitions
by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 05/19/14
Title:
Title:
Descriptive Terms in Real Estate Ads - Even More Definitions
Word Count:
381
Summary:
If you are buying or selling a home, the chances are good you struggle with the meaning of descriptive real estate terms. Here are explanations and definitions for more terms.
Keywords:
real estate ads, descriptive terms, sun room, terrace, patio, family room, waterfront, water view, #DFW, #Dallas, #Appraisal, #Appraiser, #Texas, #Tarrant, #Mansfield, #Arlington, #Fort_Worth, #North_Texas, #Home_Appraisal, #Home_Appraiser, #Real_Estate, #De_Soto, #Euless, #Johnson
Article Body:
If you are buying or selling a home, the chances are good you struggle with the meaning of descriptive real estate terms. Here are explanations and definitions for more terms.
Living Room & Family Room
When a home has both a living room and a family room, we know which is which. It used to be that when an ad mentioned a family room, we could assume it also had a living room. Now some builders are building houses with something akin to the first use of Great Room above and calling it the Family Room on the floor plan. Thus houses and their terminology seem to be evolving. I suppose in the new builder speak we should just think of the room as an informal family living room.
Patio & Terrace
Both are outdoor living areas paved with something like slate or brick. A patio is level with the ground around it. A terrace has adjoining areas of ground which are higher, or lower, or perhaps both.
Solarium,Sun Room, Florida Room
These terms are used to describe rooms with lots of windows (often on three sides). Many times these areas also have skylights. The choice of what to call them seems purely personal. They tend to be charming, bright, sunny places in which to over winter plants and sit in the garden in chilly or downright cold weather.
Jack and Jill Bath
A bathroom with two doors into it. It is frequently situated between two bedrooms with doors to each. Sometimes the doors are into a bedroom and into a hallway.
Waterfront vs. Water View
Waterfront property actually has a common boundary with (frontage on) the water. Sometimes the property line actually goes into the water. Water view just means water can be seen from the property. Sometimes there is a beautiful view. Sometimes it means the water can be seen from one upstairs window when the leaves are off the trees! Also, many times a new structure might block the view at some time in the future unless there is a protective covenant or something to prevent it.
If you can get the verbiage down, you will be way ahead in the real estate game. Look for future articles on this subject or visit our site to read more terms.
Descriptive Terms in Real Estate Ads ñ Ev
Word Count:
381
Summary:
If you are buying or selling a home, the chances are good you struggle with the meaning of descriptive real estate terms. Here are explanations and definitions for more terms.
Keywords:
real estate ads, descriptive terms, sun room, terrace, patio, family room, waterfront, water view, #DFW, #Dallas, #Appraisal, #Appraiser, #Texas, #Tarrant, #Mansfield, #Arlington, #Fort_Worth, #North_Texas, #Home_Appraisal, #Home_Appraiser, #Real_Estate, #De_Soto, #Euless, #Johnson
Article Body:
If you are buying or selling a home, the chances are good you struggle with the meaning of descriptive real estate terms. Here are explanations and definitions for more terms.
Living Room & Family Room
When a home has both a living room and a family room, we know which is which. It used to be that when an ad mentioned a family room, we could assume it also had a living room. Now some builders are building houses with something akin to the first use of Great Room above and calling it the Family Room on the floor plan. Thus houses and their terminology seem to be evolving. I suppose in the new builder speak we should just think of the room as an informal family living room.
Patio & Terrace
Both are outdoor living areas paved with something like slate or brick. A patio is level with the ground around it. A terrace has adjoining areas of ground which are higher, or lower, or perhaps both.
Solarium,Sun Room, Florida Room
These terms are used to describe rooms with lots of windows (often on three sides). Many times these areas also have skylights. The choice of what to call them seems purely personal. They tend to be charming, bright, sunny places in which to over winter plants and sit in the garden in chilly or downright cold weather.
Jack and Jill Bath
A bathroom with two doors into it. It is frequently situated between two bedrooms with doors to each. Sometimes the doors are into a bedroom and into a hallway.
Waterfront vs. Water View
Waterfront property actually has a common boundary with (frontage on) the water. Sometimes the property line actually goes into the water. Water view just means water can be seen from the property. Sometimes there is a beautiful view. Sometimes it means the water can be seen from one upstairs window when the leaves are off the trees! Also, many times a new structure might block the view at some time in the future unless there is a protective covenant or something to prevent it.
If you can get the verbiage down, you will be way ahead in the real estate game. Look for future articles on this subject or visit our site to read more terms.
Dallas Apartments
by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 05/19/14
Title:
Dallas Apartments
Word Count:
411
Summary:
Get your rental apartments for rent in Dallas and Texas area. Dallas apartment searches apartments for free in Dallas.It provides other rental moving services in your area.
Keywords:
Dallas Apartments, Dallas apartment search, Dallas Texas apartments search, Dallas apartment locator, #DFW, #Dallas, #Appraisal, #Appraiser, #Texas, #Tarrant, #Mansfield, #Arlington, #Fort_Worth, #North_Texas, #Home_Appraisal, #Home_Appraiser, #Real_Estate, #De_Soto, #Euless, #Johnson
Article Body:
Apartments, townhouses, condos, duplex, studio or loft ñ whatever you may be looking for, Dallas apartments has it all. Dallas rental apartments vary in their size conveniences and locations, but most are modern dwelling units with a host of features and all basic amenities. Depending on your requirement, select from apartments in the city with conveniences of restaurants and shopping complexes or choose a suburban apartment complex with open areas, ample parking space, games facilities, swimming pools and recreation centers. Two bed, three bed, terraced, apartment sharing, corporate apartments, senior housing and more ñ you can select from a wide choice of apartments for rent in Dallas and Texas area.
Apartment interiors, neighborhood, facilities and rent rates - you can be sure to find the best deals at Dallas and Texas. Once you have chalked out your requirements, you are ready for your Dallas apartment search! But, unlike the traditional search, now your apartment is just a few clicks away; you do not have to go through the rigors of the normal home hunting experience. We make it easy for you to find a home in Dallas and Texas area. All you need to do is fill in a small form on the website giving your specific requirements. Use precise search criteria such as price, number of bedrooms, type of housing and area. We give you a list of apartments that meet your needs and you can then weigh the pros and cons.
Browse through the selected list of Dallas apartments from the convenience of your home or office, read the reviews and then decide. Also view photos, floor plans, price, and detailed descriptions and contact the apartment community. Dallas Texas apartment search is done from a database of thousands of apartments in Dallas and suburbs. We provide free customized rental search from our exhaustive listing. Our specialists know where the best apartments are located and you can get them at the best prices.
Our Dallas apartment finder services make it easy for you to find an apartment with specifications you have in mind, and in any area of your choice. Unlike dealing with middlemen, you do not need to pay a penny for the Dallas apartment locator services provided by us. It saves you all your time, effort and money. So, if you are moving to Dallas and looking for an apartment on rent, you know where to look. We help you locate the best apartments at the lowest rent rates in Dallas.
Curb Appeal is Key to Real Estate Investing
by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 05/18/14
Title:
Curb Appeal is Key to Real Estate Investing
Word Count:
505
Summary:
To sell a property for profit, you need to ensure that your property is attractive, and a large part of that is making a first great impression. Make sure that your property makes a great impression from the curb by cleaning, repairing, and using good color contrast.
Keywords:
real estate ,real estate investing, real estate investment ,real estate investments, real estate investor, real estate investors, real estate market ,real estate properties, real estate property, real estate value ,home real estate, investment properties, property flipping, real estate flipping, real estate flipping business, real estate flipping properties, real estate flipping tips, real estate investing flipping ,Flipping real estate property, real estate investing
Article Body:
To sell a property for profit, you need to ensure that your property is attractive, and a large part of that is making a first great impression. Make sure that your property makes a great impression from the curb by cleaning, repairing, and using good color contrast.
If you are interested in real estate investing for handsome profits, you need to consider the curb appeal of any property you wish to rent or sell. A big part of the real estate game is buyer and tenant psychology. One thing that researchers have found about tenants and home buyers alike is that emotional response accounts for a great deal of investor success. In other words, the investors who can appeal to a tenant or buyerís emotions -- and make the tenant or buyer imagine themselves in the property -- has the greatest chances of success. Curb appeal means improving the first impression that your property makes. Studies have shown that when the first impression of a property is positive, it is easier to convince a tenant or buyer to invest.
There are many ways that you can increase the curb appeal of your properties without a great deal of time and money:
1) Clean. A very tidy appearance is paramount to good curb appeal. Therefore, be sure to scrub the sidewalk, flagstones, walkway, windows, and siding. Mow the lawn, rake the leaves, clear the snow, and do everything you can to create the neatest possible appearance. You can do much of this yourself, although you may want to hire professionals or at least rent a high-pressure cleaning system for taking care of the exterior tiles or brickwork of a home. If the sidewalk outside your rental property or home is crumbled and in poor shape, you can generally contact the municipality to fix the problem.
2) Choose great colors. The color of your property goes a long way towards asserting good appeal. In general, you want to consider the colors of the properties around your property. If you are selling a suburban home, for example, located in a lot surrounded by pastel colored homes, you do not want to paint your property a right color. It would stand out too much. The right color blends well with the properties on either side of it. Make sure that the colors are fresh by applying a new coat of paint. Don't forget the colors around the property, either. A bright green lawn or even crisp white snow contrasted with the few pine trees create visual appeal as well. If you're interested in real estate investing, learn which colors to select, or hire a professional to select the right colors for you.
3) Repair. It should go without saying that you should ensure that everything outside is in good working order and looks attractive. This means that any broken walkways, bare patches on the lawn, and rickety shutters should be fixed up at once. You'll find more success in real estate investing if you are selling a property that people want to buy.
Curb Appeal Matters When Selling Real Estate
by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 05/18/14
Curb Appeal Matters When Selling Real Estate
keywords: #DFW, #Dallas, #Appraisal, #Appraiser, #Texas, #Tarrant, #Mansfield, #Arlington, #Fort_Worth, #North_Texas, #Home_Appraisal, #Home_Appraiser, #Real_Estate, #De_Soto, #Euless, #Johnson
First impressions matter most. This is one concept that many homeowners trying to sell their homes and first time property investors trying to sell or rent property fail to. Curb appeal is the first impression when it comes to a house. This is the place that you as an investor or seller want those driving buy to think of as home. For this reason you should pay careful attention and spend some degree of time and effort making the outside of the home inviting and appealing to potential buyers or renters.
One of the first things that people will notice is crumbling paint and bland or tired and faded colors on the exterior. Vinyl siding is often inviting because it is easily cleaned and reinvigorated. It also happens to be fairly low maintenance, which often appeals to buyers and renters alike. There are those however who will argue that siding detracts from the potential personality of a home. To each his or her own in this as it is a personal decision on behalf of the buyer and the seller. Regardless a clean and crisp paint job or siding makes a much better impression than an apparent state of disrepair.
Remember those first impressions are important. If the outside of the home is rather unimpressive potential buyers are quite likely to discover the diamond that is the inside of your home. Another thing you can do to add curb appeal is to plant low maintenance flowers and plants around the exterior of your home. You do not want to invest in plants that require constant care nor do you want to seriously invest in plants that are going to grow out of control and look unwieldy. At least you do not want to plant these around the exterior of your home that is facing the road. Bushes and climbing vines do well in many cases along fences that surround the property however or as a dividing privacy line between your property and neighboring properties.
If you live in an area that isn't conducive to green grass you may want to consider some sort of hybrid that can thrive with less water or choose some form of landscaping that doesn't rely on large open patches of grass in order to be beautiful such as xeriscaping then that is quite probably a wise idea. The point is to make the house as attractive on the outside as you hope those viewing the property will find the inside.
Another thing to keep in mind when making the upgrades is to clean the sidewalks and driveway if it is concrete. It is amazing what a high power pressure washer can do to your sidewalks, driveway, and/or front porch. Don't stop there however; take the time to make sure your doors and windows are clean as well. These little things often make the biggest impression. If you care properly for the exterior of your home and keep it nice and shiny chances are (in the buyer's mind) that you will have taken the same care of the inside of the home that they are quite possibly now considering.
Taking the extra time to insure that the outside of your home is attractive to buyers can translate into higher and quicker offers than neglecting the essential real estate between the front door and the curb. Do not overlook this powerful piece of advice and you should enjoy a little more success in your efforts to sell your home or investment property.
Examining the Power of Curb Appeal
by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 05/18/14
Title:
Examining the Power of Curb Appeal
Word Count:
377
Summary:
With so many potential buyers viewing property on the Internet, first impressions are essential. If your house doesn't stand out the next listing is only a click away. A great exterior will not only stop a surfer, it will get a drive-by buyer through your front door. Don't underestimate the power of curb appeal!
Keywords:
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Article Body:
With so many potential buyers viewing property on the Internet, first impressions are essential. If your house doesn't stand out the next listing is only a click away. A great exterior will not only stop a surfer, it will get a drive-by buyer through your front door. Don't underestimate the power of curb appeal! The front of your house is its calling card, and it's up to you to make sure it's giving the right number.
First take care of the obvious: Poor exterior maintenance will have potential buyers wondering what else you didn't keep up. Clean moss off the roof and plants out of gutters; wash the windows and pressure wash dirty decks or siding. Clear weeds growing from the front walk. Take care of the details. If your driveway has faded, it's time to re-seal it. Fill the cracks in your sidewalk. Trim back unruly bushes, mow the lawn and add mulch to tidy up garden beds. Put away tools and other yard clutter - the property should look well taken care of.
Spruce up your front entrance. You may want to change your front door for something more eye-catching, perhaps engraved wood or one with decorative glasswork. Changing the door's hardware can also help it stand out. The doorknob and knocker should be polished. Placing planters near the front door can add a pleasing visual as well as contributing fragrance to further the sensory experience. A front doormat can also be welcoming touch.
Changes that cost more can also increase the selling price. If you can afford to paint the house, look for examples of eye-catching color combinations in design magazines, online and in your city. If you can't afford to paint the whole building, just do the trim and shutters. Adding window boxes can also brighten the exterior.
Landscaping is another opportunity to increase the value of your property. You could hire a professional, but just adding a few shrubs and flowering bushes should do the trick. A well placed bench can help potential buyers imagine themselves sitting in their new garden.
You can ensure potential buyers notice your home just by giving the exterior a little extra attention. Remember, your traffic and often your selling price will increase with your home's curb appeal.
