Paying To Advertise

A recent survey shows that real estate agents who have been in the business longer tend to spend more money advertising their listings. According to the survey of more than 1,300 agents and brokers, the more experienced among them spent an average of $864 per listing for marketing while agents with less than five years' experience spent $675 per listing. Although the dollar amounts can certainly vary from area to area, the survey does reveal that experienced real estate professionals strongly believe that getting the word out about a listing through advertising is an effective sales tool. Beyond that, it takes knowledge and experience to divvy up dollars among the various media, including newspapers, signs, brochures and the Internet.

When you sell a home through my office you have made the right decision. Selling a home through the largest Brand Name known in real estate can make a potentially intimidating, complicated process much easier.

When you list with me you have found the right source for all of your real estate needs. I have a proven track record for exceptional results. For further information on all of the services available to you, contact the office or visit my web-site today.

"I can offer complete services to all my clients and customers, including marketing and listing homes, representing buyers, offering information on homes in the area, and referrals to the best Mortgage Brokers, Inspectors, Appraisers and Builders."

Check out our presence on the Internet including Trulia, Zillow, Craig'sList, Backpage, Point2, plus many more websites.

Call Century21 VantagePoint Realty at: 518-392-8484

E-mail me at: Stephanie.Samuelsohn@Century21.com

Visit our website at: http://www.columbiacountyhomes.com/

Visit our Century21 Website: http://www.c21vantagepointrealty.com/

Visit our Newsletter for the latest real estate trends at: http://www.columbiacountyhomes.com/

The Woman of the House

If you are in the process of selling your home, don't be surprised if a single woman turns out to be the buyer. According to the National Association of Realtors, single women purchased about one of every five homes sold, which is twice as many as single men purchase. This is a significant statistic in that the number of single men and women buyers was viturally the same a little over 25 years ago. Since then, the number of single women who are buyers has nearly doubled while the percentage of single men buyers has slipped one percentage point. With this in mind, sellers and their agents are increasingly gearing their marketing to women's needs, desires, and concerns.

Hint: Prior to 1974, when Congress amended the Fair Housing Act to top sex discrimination, it was difficult for single women to get mortgages om their own names.

Record numbers of single woman are buying homes. If you are a single woman who wants to buy a home, the good news is the market is wide open for you. I specialize in finding you the right location for your future home purchase. I offer complete services to my clients and customers, including marketing and listing homes, representing buyers(buyer's broker), offering information on homes in the area(comps), and referrals to the best Mortgage Brokers, Inspectors, Appraisers, and Builders. I am fully licensed in both NY and MA.

Call Stephanie Samuelsohn at 518-392-8484

or e-mail me at: Stephanie.Samuelsohn@Century21.com

Take a look at my website: http://www.columbiacountyhomes.com/

A Clause of Your Own

If you are selling a home in today's market, you will likely be presented with offers that have contingencies. One contingency typically tacked on by buyers is the one that makes the sale contingent on their selling their own home. There is also a financing contingency, which allows buyers a certain amount of time to get a loan commitment. During this time, the seller has to take his or her home off the market. While these contingencies are perfectly proper, seller's agents may suggest strategies for protecting their clients' best interests. For instance, experienced agents know that sellers may counter with a kick-out clause, which allows them to continue showing the home and consider other offers.

Hint: If a kick-out clause is in effect and a seller is presented with a better price, he or she can notify the first buyers that they have a prescribed period of time to back out and get their deposit back or drop their contingencies and get on with the sale.

Contingencies are an essential part of most home buying contracts. They are written clauses in your contract that give you time to evaluate some aspect of the property before you proceed to closing. I will help you protect your best interest with regards to nay contingencies and will confirm that all contingencies on sales contracts are met. Contract are complicated and intimidating. You don't want to go to a closing with doubts. You will have the full benefit of my Old Chatham real estate experience and knowledge for a smooth closing. My goal is to always put my clients needs first.

Call Stephanie W. Samuelsohn at 518-392-8484

or e-mail me at: Stephanie.Samuelsohn@Century21.com

Visit our website at: http://www.columbiacountyhomes.com/

Gaining A Competitive Edge

Sellers can no longer stick a "FOR SALE" sign in their front lawns and open their doors to the highest bidder. Today's market conditions require that sellers work to gain a competitive edge over the competition. To best accomplish this, sellers should enlist the services of a knowledgeable agent, who knows how to price and market a home aggressively. Experienced agents recognize that this means leaving nothing to chance that may compromise a sale, even if this requires the seller to paint walls, eliminate clutter, improve the landscaping, and fix leaks. Once prospective buyers are presented with a realistic price that gets them in the door, a home that stands out from the rest helps seal the deal.

A good real estate agent knows the local market and provides open and ongoing communication with you, the client. They will give you a fair evaluation of what your home is worth, based on recent comparable home sales in your area. My office can market your property. Conveniently located, I will tell you exactly what you need to do to make your home saleable.

I am fully licensed in NY and MA. I offer complete services to my clients and customers, including marketing and listing homes, representing buyers, offering information on homes in the area and referrals to the best Mortgage Brokers, Inspectors, Appraisers, and Builders.

Hint: To price your home correctly, it is important that a real estate agent review the most recent sales prices of properties in your area, as well as take into account the asking prices of competing properties in the surrounding area.

Call Stephanie W. Samuelsohn at 518-392-8484 or my cell phone: 518-965-8484

Visit our website at: http://www.columbiacountyhomes.com/

Features That Homebuyers Want

Sellers should know what prospective buyers want so that they may optimize their homes; potential. According to a recent survey by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), many buyers who purchased a home without a feature they desired indicated that they would have been willing to pay more for a home with that feature. According to the 2004 NAP Profile of Buyer's Home Feature Preferences, two home buyers in three indicated that they wold be willing to pay a median $825 extra for a home with a walk-in closet in the master bedroom. What else do buyers want? Nearly three-quarters of recent home buyers said that central air conditioning tops the list of most desirable features they want in a home.

Hint: If the absence of a desirable feature hinders the sale of a home, the seller should consider adding it. A minor investment in a home improvement could bring big dividends at the time of sale.

When selling property, the assistance of an experienced real estate professional is critical to realizing the best return for your investment. At Century21 VantagePoint Realty, I have extensive experience helping prospective sellers to properly market their homes. I can provide you with a complimentary market analysis, indicating the value of your property in the current market. You can benefit from my knowledge!

Call Stephanie W. Samuelsohn, Principal Broker

518 - 392 - 8484

or e-mail me at Stephanie.Samuelsohn@Century21.com

Taking The Heat

A fireplace is one of the most desirable features among prospective home buyers, and a recent survey by the Hearth Patio and Barbecue Association bears out this notion. Fully half of those surveyed indicated they have some sort of "hearth appliance", which includes fireplaces and woodstoves, in their homes. Sellers should take note of this fact because fireplaces add value to homes. The survey went on to point out that the average estimated value of homes without fireplaces was $147,600 while the average estimated value of homes with fireplaces was $260,600. The average estimated value of homes with woodstoves was $212,800. If your home does not have a fireplace, zero-clearance models can be added to any room with an exterior wall.

Hint: Wood remains the most commonly used fuel in hearth appliances in the U.S. according to the HPBA.

Whether you live in an area where fireplaces are used for heat, or simply 'atmosphere', they do add a home touch and offer appeal. At Century21 VantagePoint Realty, I have a proven track record for helping sellers. Property that is marketed (and priced) properly will bring the seller the highest and best possible return for their real estate investment. I can assist you in achieving the ultimate results when marketing your home.

Call Stephanie W. Samuelsohn, Principal Broker

518 - 392 - 8484

or e-mail me at: Stephanie.Samuelsohn@Century21.com

Visit our website at: http://ColumbiaCountyHomes.com

See our Market Conditions Newsletter at: http://marketconditions.biz

Working Toward A Clean Sale

As knowledgeable, skillful, and hardworking as real estate agents may be, they are not magicians. They cannot take an unappealing house and make it attractive to prospective buyers at a good price solely on the basis of words. A lot of the responsibility for selling a home rests with the seller's ability to boost its curb appeal with proper landscaping, paint, and repair/maintenance. Unless they are looking for a fixer upper, most prospective buyers are drawn to homes that meet their needs and that they can move into with a minimum of fuss. If this means that sellers must treat interior walls to fresh paint in neutral colors and replace worn carpeting, then that is part of a successful deal.

Hint: If a home is well cared for inside and out, prospective buyers are more likely to assume that it is worth the asking price.

If you are motivated to sell, or to purchase, please contact me, Stephanie W. Samuelsohn, Realtor and Principal Broker with Century21 VantagePoint Realty. I have a successful track record of assisting sellers and buyers. I will arrange an initial meeting. You will benefit from my knowledge and experience. The office is conveniently located.

Call Stephanie at 518-392-8484

or e-mail her at: Stephanie@ColumbiaCountyHomes.com

See our website at: http://www.columbiacountyhomes.com/

Compromising Position

Once a deal between the buyer and seller is struck, it would be shameful to have it fall apart over an occupancy disagreement. As with other aspects of the deal, compromise must come into play. If this means that the seller must move out of the house earlier than he or she would like, then it may mean moving into a motel or rental unit to make the deal. Otherwise, the seller may be willing to accept rent from the buyer if the seller has the flexibility to wait as the buyer prepares a move. If circumstances do not permit a smooth transition of occupancy, each party must be prepared to do what it takes to make things work.

Hint: Sellers can use their flexibity about a closing date as a means of attracting buyer interest.

If you are motivated to sell, or to purchase, please contact me, Stephanie W. Samuelsohn, Realtor and Principal Broker with Century21 VantagePoint Realty. I have a successful track record of assisting sellers and buyers. I will arrange an initial meeting. You will benefit from my knowledge and experience. My office is conveniently located on Route 295 at the TSP in Old Chatham, New York.

Call Stephanie at 518-392-8484

or e-mail me at: Stephanie@ColumbiaCountyHomes.com

Visit our website at: http://www.columbiacountyhomes.com/

See our Market Conditions Newsletter at: http://www.marketconditions.biz/

Sellers * Think Like Buyers

If you're thinking of selling your house and moving into your dream home, sell your own home first. That way, even though there is a lot of enticing inventory out there, you will not place yourself in the potentially difficult situation of owning two homes simultaneously. Since you are going to be a buyer once you sell your own home, think like a buyer now. If you are going to expect a good deal when you enter the market as a buyer, make your home similarly attractive to potential buyers of your home. If that means reducing your price, take a good look around at comparable homes for sale in your area, and adjust your price accordingly if necessary.

Hint: To sell their own homes, sellers may have to allow buyers more time to sell theirs.

Whether you are a first time home buyer or an experienced investor, Century21 VantagePoint Realty we can provide useful information about how to choose the "right" property, making an offer, negotiating financing, mortgage rates, moving and everything involved with making an informed real estate decision in today's market. Located at 605 Route 295 & The Parkway, Old Chatham we are devoted to serving you and selling your home.

Call Stephanie @ 518-392-8484

or e-mail me @ Stephanie@ColumbiaCountyHomes.com

Visit our website at: http://columbiacountyhomes.com/

See our Market Conditions Newsletter at: http://www.marketconditions.biz/

Looking forward to your call.