Detroit Area Real Estate - Canton | Plymouth | Northville | Livonia - Community News » Pricing Your Home For Sale

Canton, Michigan’s “Bittinger Team” Are Short Sale Experts!

alsted — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:59:50 +0000

Canton, Michigan home sellers facing foreclosure are being helped using little known short sale strategies developed by the Bittinger Team. All the members of The Bittinger Team have been trained in this specialty and have all achieved the CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert) designation which uniquely qualifies them to help families in this unfortunate situation.

This real estate market has caused unbearable stress and heartache for many local families. A distressed family often makes decisions based on emotion rather than logic and knowledge of the situation they are in.

All of our agents here at The Bittinger Team are here to help you in such distressed situations and ultimately help you fight off foreclosures. The extensive knowledge that we have obtained will greatly benefit the community in which we all live. While experiencing financial distress is extremely difficult for any family, the process of finding a valuable real estate professional compatible with your situation shouldn’t be. The Bittinger Team is committed to helping distressed families find better solutions for their future. With current conditions and our newly acquired CDPE designations, we have all of the essential tools at hand to ensure a lightning speed “Short Sale” allowing for zero balances on mortgages, while saving your credit at the same time. As your CDPE agent, we will explore every option with you and work towards a solid resolution. You have gone through enough, let us help!

It is estimated that most American families can only maintain their current living expenses for sixty (60) days or less when income is interrupted for any reason. This type of distress causes tremendous strain on families. Many people do not even realize that they are distressed, and as a result are finding their homes are in jeopardy. Many learn of Short Sales after it is too late. Eighty percent (80%) of homes in foreclosure today were never even on the market! Did you know that, according to the current conditions, distressed families may qualify for a Short Sale before even missing their first mortgage payment? With our CDPE designation, we not only have the means to easily identify a distressed family, we also have the strong capability to rescue them with our dedicated and knowledgeable professional guidance.

“Distress” can be caused by any of the following:

Unmanageable Debt
Job Loss
Medical Bills
Serious Illness
Incarceration
Divorce
Death
Military Service
Payment Increase and Mortgage Adjustments
Relocation
Reduced Income
Insurance or Tax Increases

While it may not seem like it now, there will come a time where your current financial troubles will pass. Let us fight for you and help you to avoid a devastating financial consequence so many people face today. With the help of The Bittinger Team, no stone will be left unturned!

Rescuing families one home at a time!

The Bittinger Team: (734) 459-2600

Be on the lookout for our next blog “Short Sales vs. Foreclosures” which will answer every question you ever had about the differences!

Canton and Plymouth Michigan Residents are Selling Their Homes Faster!

alsted — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:52:17 +0000

Canton and Plymouth, Michigan home-sellers have learned some powerful staging tips that assist in getting their homes sold fast! Your home value will significantly increase and prospective buyers will be begging to purchase your home. Now that your home has curb appeal, the heart of your home requires just as much if not more attention than the outside of your home. Here are some inexpensive ways to get your home sold fast!

Grimy bathroom walls are a major red flag to buyers.

Here is an easy way to get rid of surface mold: Mix a spray bottle with one part bleach and one part water. Just spray it on the wall, and watch the mold disappear. Give it a fresh coat of paint and your grimy bathroom will go from red-flag to red-hot.

Don’t replace a yucky shower door — just scour it.

A grimy glass shower door can really wash out your sale. Instead of replacing it, clean it with a mixture of one part muriatic acid and about 10 parts water. Scrub with steel wool. After wiping it down, reinstall the door and you’ll have a shower that’ll help you clean up at the open house.

Avoid dated tile by painting.

Bathrooms sell houses, but dated tile in a bathroom doesn’t. A low-cost alternative to replacing the tile is to use paint. First coat the tiles with a high-adhesion primer. Next, brush on a special ceramic epoxy covering. For a fraction of the cost of new tile, you will have an up-to-date bathroom that brings in big bucks. ** If your tile is updated but you cannot get the stains out, try this tip: mix equal parts baking soda and bleach. Paint the mixture on with a paint brush and let it sit for at least 20 minutes. Then scrub with a rag and rinse.

Pedestal sinks are a big hit with buyers.

They beautifully show off square footage in small bathrooms beautif. First, your old vanity has to go. Next, just hook up your new sink and your bathroom will have dramatic appeal that brings in big bucks. Plus, buyers will see how much floor space your bathroom has. Your bathroom will go from boxy to spacious!

A master bedroom should, without a doubt, appeal to both sexes.

When you are selling, your master bedroom should appeal to buyers of both sexes. Get rid of features that seem too gender-specific. Paint the walls a neutral color, and choose bedding that matches. Then accessorize with items that complement the overall color scheme.

Do you have an overpowering brick fireplace that sticks out like a sore thumb?

Here’s an easy way to tone it down with paint. Use a rag or brush to rub a light coat of paint on the bricks, one at a time. This will give them a new tone without covering them completely. And, if you use a color of paint that matches the walls, your fireplace will go from sticking out to standing out. Also, give the fireplace a good cleaning, scrubbing it with soap and water. Then, you could also use a stone color-enhancer, polish the bricks to make them shine. In no time you will have a fireplace that will turn your house into the hottest property on the block.

Updating an old fireplace screen is a cheap (and quick) fix.

After removing the screen and wiping it down to get rid of the dust, mask off the windows so you won’t get paint on them. Then, using a can of heat-resistant spray paint, give the screen a facelift. Hold the can about 18 inches away, and use long, even strokes. For less than $5, you will have a fireplace screen that’ll keep your sale from going up in smoke.

Stain dated kitchen cabinets instead of replacing them.

Dated kitchen cabinets can be a big turnoff to potential buyers. Instead of paying big bucks to replace them, just stain them. First, apply the stain in even strokes, going with the grain of the wood. Add some stylish new hardware, and your kitchen will have the up-to-date look that buyers love, for less than $200.

Stainless-steel appliances are definitely in with buyers.

Instead of buying a new dishwasher, here is a low-cost way to reface an old one: First, remove the front panels, and clean them. Next, apply a stainless-steel stick-on covering, and cut it to size. For just $20 your dishwasher will go from outdated to ultra-modern.

Fill existing hardware holes instead of making new, unsightly ones.

Removing old kitchen hardware can leave your cabinets with stripped out holes. Here is a trick to reusing the existing ones. First, dip a toothpick in glue and place it in the stripped hole. Cut off the excess piece. Once the glue dries, you’ll be ready to put in the new hardware that buyers love.

Save money on granite countertops.

Granite countertops are a huge selling feature, but they can be expensive. Here are a few ways to save on this investment: First, do the demo yourself. Also, ask the vendor for remnants from previous projects. And remember, any money you spend will definitely be returned in the value these beautiful counters add to your kitchen.

New kitchen appliances bring high returns from sellers.

Studies show that new kitchen appliances bring high returns from sellers, so get rid of old appliances that make the rest of the kitchen look dated. Once you install the new equipment, it will scream "new kitchen," and you will see that spending a little money will make you even more.

Need to dress up a window but don’t want to shell out big bucks for window treatments?

Here’s a trick: use place mats. First, apply a hook-and-loop fastener to the place mats and attach them in a row to a basic curtain rod. Now that the place mats are attached to the curtain rods, pin them together at the bottom, and you’ll have a stylish valance that only costs about $12.

Adding drama to old hardwood flooring is easier than you might think.

First, isolate damaged boards, cut them out, and replace them with new pieces. Rent a sander from a local hardware store, and give the floor a good sanding. The last step is to stain the boards with a rich color, and watch your floor go from drab to dramatic in no time.

Buyers love built-in bookshelves.

There’s a fine line between filling them with clutter and staging them to sell. The trick is to arrange neutral items in clusters. Make sure that no single accessory stands out too much. That way, you’ll show off your attractive built-ins, and not your personal belongings.

Curb appeal is vital to attracting buyers.

Here is how to stop traffic using color. First, with two tones of paint, add a faux finish to any corner keystones. Next, bring out the color of walkway pavers using a stone sealer. Plant blooming flowers and you’ll have buyers swarming like bees to your front door. A nice outdoor deck can be a big selling feature, but an old one is a major liability. To give your outdoor space new life, first sand the wood. Cover it with a light-colored stain instead of paint to give it a rustic, grainy look. Furnish it for entertaining, and watch your open house turn into a party.

Breathe new life into a worn red brick patio.

Do you have a red brick patio surface that needs to be freshened up? Here is an easy way to give it new life with paint. First, roll a light coat of paint onto the bricks. Next, lightly spray them with water and then dab them before they dry to give them an outdoor look. When you are done, you will have a patio that looks fresh and reels in buyers.

Staging rooms to show off their true potential is essential when selling your home.

Clear out clutter or other personal items that will distract buyers. Paint the walls a neutral tone, and furnish the space to show off how functional it is. When buyers come through and imagine themselves there, you can bet an offer isn’t far behind.

A shabby wood-panel wall is not a strong selling point.

Instead of ripping it out, cover it up. Use wood filler to carefully fill in all the cracks between the panels. Then, use a sponge to wipe away the excess filler. Once it’s dry, paint the room. You’ll see an unattractive wall go from standing out to blending in.

Rearranging a room to stage it for your open house?

Here is a tip to save time and effort: Instead of lugging the heavy furniture around the room to see what feels best, put outlines on the floor with painters tape. Arrange the room according to your outlines, and save your energy for counting offers.

Vinyl tile is an inexpensive way to update your home.

Laying vinyl tile is an inexpensive way to update your home, but there’s a right way and a wrong way to do it. You need to avoid laying patterns that look too perfect. Instead, make sure to switch up the direction and placement of the tiles to mix the tones. That way, you end up with a floor that has a natural feel.

Let the sun shine in!

Buyers love light and airy living rooms, but dark and dingy isn’t on their list. Open up your window shades to let some light in. Cheat some sunshine with a light-colored paint and lots of artificial lighting. You can never have too many lamps. Last, arrange the space with lightly colored furniture, and you’ll have a living room that brightens your chances of a sale.

Stage rooms with one purpose so buyers will know what it is.

Potential buyers are confused by extra rooms that have a mishmash of uses. To avoid this problem, first clear away clutter and excess furniture. Paint the walls a neutral tone and then furnish the room with a desk to stage it as a home office in which buyers will want to get down to business.

Unpleasant pet odors can make a bad first impression on buyers.

We all love our pets, but unpleasant pet odors can make a bad first impression on buyers. Be sure to get rid of old carpet that can trap offensive smells. Replace it with fresh new carpet in a neutral color. Plus, if you paint the walls to match, your living room will look bigger. It’ll go from designed to smell to designed to sell.

Pack up unnecessary items and furniture before you show the house.

An over-packed living room is a red flag to buyers that your home lacks storage space. Pack up unnecessary items and furniture and move it your garage or a nearby storage facility. Clear the way for a sale by letting buyers see your square footage, not your personal belongings.

Storage space sells!
Potential buyers love homes that have lots of storage space. Since they will open your closets, it’s a good idea to clear out unnecessary clutter, and organize your shelves to show off how much storage you really have. Plus, it gives you a chance to start packing, as you will definitely be moving once buyers see all that closet space.

Create a nice flow in your rooms.

Buyers are attracted to homes that have a good flow. You can create circulation by replacing square or rectangular dining tables with round ones. Cutting the corners adds room to this maneuver and creates a spin-off effect that adds flow to your home — cash flow, that is.

Create a better flow in the house by starting with the floor.

Want to create better flow in your house? Start with the floor. Join two rooms together by using the most cost-efficient material in the book: vinyl tile. First, use a snap-line to create a center point between the two rooms. Next, the fun part — peel and stick the new vinyl tile down, and watch your kitchen and dining room go from old to sold!

Do you know of any other great staging tips? Share them with us by leaving a comment!

Low Appraisals Add To Seller’s Woes…Setting Your House Price, Clinic #1

alsted — Thu, 22 May 2008 19:39:50 +0000

Getting the highest price for the sale of your home is usually a seller’s primary objective. But even if you sell the house at a high price, it still has to appraise or it will never make it to closing.

Our experience in home sales in the Detroit, Michigan suburbs is that sellers, with the help of their agents, usually price a property too high. This results in a lower appraisal and an unsold house after weeks or even months of being off the market.

This blog provides the first in a series of house pricing clinics that you can use to objectively set the correct asking price for your home that will net you the most dollars after all is said and done at the closing table.

Imagine having to run a marathon in almost impossible weather conditions. In fact, it is the worst race-day weather in almost twenty years. Somehow, you grit it out. Determination enables you to keep one foot in front of the other, even though the finish line is still miles ahead of you.

How would you feel if you were that runner? That’s how sellers feel when they are told, about a week prior to closing, that their property won’t close because of a low appraisal. It’s a long walk back to the starting line.

Low appraisals are becoming more common in our correcting market, and it’s adding to the frustration levels of sellers, agents and even the appraisers. However, there are steps that sellers and agents can take to possibly improve the appraisal. In the cases where they cannot, they can at least minimize the disruption a low appraisal can cause.

The first step in avoiding a low appraisal is setting the price right the first time and getting a sale at a price that will appraise at current market conditions. Click here for advice on how to set the price right.

Secondly, in our market where the price is decreasing, you’ll want to get the house sold as quickly as possible. Staging the house is crucial to getting it sold quickly at the right price. We often tell our clients who we represent in the sale of their home "We are in a price war and a beauty contest". Not only does the house have to be priced right, it also has to look great. Our home staging checklist will help in taking you through the things that must be done before putting your house on the market.

If you set the price right and made the house look like a gem, chances are you will get a sale in a reasonable time period. Once that happens it is crucial to get an appraisal fast. We work diligently with the selling agent and bank to get the appraisal fast. Every day the house is off the market is a loss to the seller if the appraisal comes in low. We want to know about appraisal issues right away so we can get the house back on the market if the issue is unresolvable. An added benefit is that often there were other buyers for the house that may still be in the market to buy. We want to resurrect them if possible

If their is an appraisal issue we work with the appraiser to try to arrive at a solution. Understand that the appraiser’s livelihood is tied to the success of our market, just like ours. Appraisers want every property to appraise, as long as they have the proper supporting information. Working together, instead of yelling and pointing fingers at each other, will better accomplish that.

Sellers may be able to help the cause, particularly if they know inside information on a recent sale in their neighborhood, such as a death or divorce, something that would explain a lower-than-normal sales price. Appraisers welcome input and reasons to use or disqualify a particular sale. Agents can do a better job of being cooperative with appraisers when they call to verify the details of a sale. The information they give may help rescue a transaction.

Buyers can lose because of a low appraisal too. Therefore, agents should be proactive in helping a buyer select a lender. Local lenders use local appraisers. Buyers take caution: chasing the “lowest rate of the day” from one of the many Internet lenders may not be the best path to take. Internet lenders sometimes use out-of-area appraisers, who do not know the nuances of the local market. Not only that, they may take the attitude that they will never have to do business with us again, so why go the extra mile in order to make the deal happen?

When a local lender is selected, agents should ask to see the list of approved appraisers. If a familiar name pops up, the agent may be able to request that person. It’s always better to work with someone you know. Consumers choosing an agent should request a list of all appraisers they have worked with in the past.

One of the most prudent things to do is to require the appraisal be done as close to the effective date of the contract as possible. Sellers, if you are selling privately, you should write this into the contract because if you do not specify the timing of the appraisal, then it may be completed according to someone else’s convenience, not yours. It may even take place after the mortgage contingency period is over. However, it could still ruin the sale because an acceptable appraisal is usually one of the conditions of loan approval. Either way, the property may not close. Aggressive buyers may even delay the appraisal and use it to reopen negotiations to the unsuspecting seller. Sellers, your negotiation strength is weakened somewhat once your moving truck is loaded.

A low appraisal does not have to kill the deal. Remedies include getting a second appraisal, renegotiation of the price, or the buyer can increase the down payment to cover the shortage. Regardless, the marathon process of selling requires stamina. Therefore, when you run the race in the conditions we face, run it once. If you have to start over because of a low appraisal, the sooner off the starting line you find out, the better.

If you are ready to put your house on the market call us and ask for a detailed Marketing Market Analysis (MMA). Most agents will provide a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) which prices the house based on recent sales. Our MMA prices the house using recent sales and our Marketing systems to help you obtain the best price based on today’s market. Setting that initial price is the first step to getting the best price.

Subscribe to this site and watch for more blogs on pricing your house in today’s challenging market.