Sellers avoid these 5 common pitfalls that will keep your home from selling.

1. Pricing too high – Be realistic, have your agent research the sales comparable. Take notice of the differences between your property and the other properties that have sold. Ask your agent how these differences may affect your price.

2. Property doesn’t look its best – Curb appeal is very important, a freshly painted front door & trim, a green mowed lawn, a house that is clean, organized and fresh smelling makes a huge difference. Ask your agent about staging tips to make your home look its best.

3. Bad photography or no photography – You have about 3 seconds to make a positive “best” first impression, make sure the opening picture is a stunner, then, support it with as many beautiful, clean crisp pictures as you can. Don’t make the mistake of having no pictures at all.

4. Making it difficult to show and or Owner will show– Making your property easy to show, after work, in the early morning and on weekends, bodes well with busy buyer schedules. Being flexible will guarantee many more showings. Once a showing is scheduled, step out of the picture and let your agent run the show. Buyers like to browse and get a feel for a home without the owner in the next room or listening in.

5. Not responding to an offer, refusing to negotiate – Nothing can turn off a buyer or their agent quicker then not responding to an offer or refusing to negotiate a serious offer. Engaging the buyer and their agent means you care and this will increase your chances of reaching an agreement. Simply turning up your nose and not responding just means a missed opportunity.

For more tips on getting your home sold contact Paul Cruz 310-498-4942, PaulCruz@AssociatesREgroup.com, www.AssociatesREgroup.com

When shopping for a home one thing always holds true, location, location, and location. 

Here are some tips on making the right choice. Check the schools – Finding a property in a desirable school district will keep you a step ahead. There is no end in sight to the rising costs of providing a good education. Not only may your family reap the benefits of this now but when it comes time to sell as well.

Find a school http://rsi.lausd.net/ResidentSchoolIdentifier/
Check the schools ranking http://www.psk12.com/rating/index.php
Check for crime – Visit the local law enforcement office or check on line.

Having a chat with an area officer can give you some direct insight on the safety of your family. Research the community – A simple GOOGLE search can reveal a wealth of information on a community. Is there a community center or a local meeting coming up you can attend?

Drive the area to see how neighbors keep their homes; visit on the weekends and at night. Walking the neighborhood can also be very revealing; do you feel welcomed and comfortable in these surroundings?

Walkability factor – Proximity to services, dining, shopping, recreation and public transportation have become very important considerations in evaluating the area of your future home. With the unpredictability of fuel costs and the increasing congestion of L.A urban areas having the choice to take public transportation or just walk somewhere has become an important option.

Work with a Realtor – Working with a Realtor can help put more time in your hands to focus on finding the property right for you. Call us today to find out how we can facilitate your home buying process.

Thank You!

Paul Cruz & The Associates RE Group Team.

9000 W. Sunset Blvd. 11th Fl., West Hollywood, CA.

(310) 498-4942

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Thinking of putting your home on the market? These helpful tips will guarantee you get an offer in the first two weeks.

Price – Price is the most important, first and foremost. Sellers, you know when you go on line, enter your property address and bingo, up comes your property value …well…so can all the Buyers out there. The Internet provides access to a wide variety of sales statistics and history, it’s open territory to all. Contact a local Real Estate agent and listen to what they have to say about prices in your area.  Paying for a professional appraisal of your property before you put it on the market is highly recommended as well. Get the price right and it will sell.

Home and Termite Inspection  – and then fix what needs to be fixed. You know those pesty termites, that leaky faucet, the air conditioning that works like a heater, oh yeah and the paint, take care of it now it will save you $$ in the long run.

Curb appeal – How many times have you driven through a neighborhood and noticed the house with the well groomed lawn, spring flowers and neatly trimmed hedges, what did you think? Exactly! It’s important. Making sure your lawn is clean and green, your front door and fence are painted and put in some flowerbeds or potted flowers, adding a little color and keeping it clean and neat will make a world of difference on how your home is perceived.

Home Staging – OK you’ve decided on the price, repairs are underway, your watering the lawn and its getting greener, flowers are in…its now time for spring cleaning. Nothing can help sell a house more then the presentation when one walks in the door. Minimizing personal items, decluttering, keeping it clean and fresh smelling well help perspective buyers feel comfortable and welcome. 

Lastly, Choose your Real Estate Broker wisely – There is a world of difference in what is required today as opposed to a few years ago. Choosing an agent with experience will get the deal done and not bust. Let us share with you what we are prepared to do to get your home sold, www.associatesREgroup.com

In the market for a home and up against multiple offers and no acceptance? Below are some tips to getting your offer accepted by the seller.

How solid is your offer? Shorter contingency and escrow periods, fewer or no seller concessions and allowing the seller to select services show’s them you mean business. Going into a deal with a list of demands sends the message this property may not be the right fit for you.

Are you pre-qualified or pre-approved? Most every approval will have conditions of appraisal and the type of property you select. Pre-qualifications, however, that require the buyer submit hard copy of information only verified by application or phone are not received well by sellers. Take the time to get all of what your lender requires so you are as close as possible to that full document Pre-approval. It makes a world of difference to the seller.

Who is your lender? Are you working with a credit union, local mortgage broker, small neighborhood bank or large national chain? Each of these will offer a different type of customer service and there will be important differences in the paperwork flow. Be as transparent as possible on who you are using and make sure your lender contact person is prepared for the seller to call and verify all your information.

Are you stretched to thin? Build your case. If you are going into this with not a lot of savings but very strong credit and work history, build your case; include a note from you explaining to seller why you’re an excellent candidate.

Who are you? Tell a little about yourself. An introductory letter letting the seller know about you, why you want the house and how you are qualified to buy the home will give you an edge over the rest. Buying an REO (foreclosed bank owned property) or a short sale will be a little different since the process is less personal, ask your Real Estate agent for the best approach in these cases.

Choose your agent. Do not underestimate the value of your Real Estate agent. So much of the market today is made up of short sales, bank owned REO, probate, trust sale and bankruptcy property, ask your agent what the differences are in each and their approach to getting your offer accepted considering these scenarios.