Lisa and Jim's Northern Nevada Real Estate Blog: March 2009

You must be well priced to compete, but there are other considerations that will help you stand out or give you separation in the market.  Considering that many of the sales today are bank-owned properties, one way to stand out is to be candid and proud of what you are offering.  Banks only sell "as is in its present condition", no Real Property Disclosure Statement, no repairs, no allowances, etc.  Buyers must sign a series of disclosers and disclaimers that emphasize that fact.  If the banks' sales prices weren't so attractive Buyers would certainly revolt against such brazen indifference to their peace of mind and statutory rights.  

A private party Seller can capitalize on this and endear Buyers to their property by having physical and pest inspections completed on their home and readily available for prospective Buyers to review.  Even better would be to make the recommended repairs so you are offering an inspected and repaired home.  Buyers can then have confidence in what they are buying.  We see many of the same problems discovered in home inspections.  Most are relatively easy to remedy and we highly suggest that you repair them immediately if you are serious about selling. The psychological advantage you gain with the Buyers is significant ... this in a time when subtle is big.  

The most common required repairs that we see:  1. "Cellulose debris" in the crawlspace.  This is usually left over wood trimmings.  Remove them and you have a clear pest report.  2. Notched floor joists.  Easy to remedy with post on concrete block.  3. Earth to wood contact around house.  Take a shovel and move it away.  4. Sweaty dual pane windows.  Indicates a broken seal - replace the window - your home will also show better.  5. Dirty air filter.  Replace and enjoy the clean air.  6. Disconnected ducting.  Reconnect.  7. Leaky sinks.  You've lived with it, but its time to fix it.  8. Electrical matters, i.e.- broken GFI, missing box covers, etc.  Electricity can spook people - get it all fixed.  9. Missing or damaged screens.  An insignificant nuisance, but a visual blight and it is always caught - repair. 

Bank-owned homes are vacant, dark and cold as the utilities are turned off.  Make sure your home is lit up and happy.  Your home should be the vibrant bastion of warmth and good energy that it is ... a home.  That is the antitheses of the bank-owned viewing experience and will give you an edge.  It is also very important that you declutter - start packing the extra stuff ... you're moving anyway.  

Our Advice: If your house is inspected, repaired, and fully disclosed you will stand out in the market.  Buyers will have confidence and peace of mind buying your home rather than going through the hassle and doubt of buying a home with obvious required repairs that might have other undisclosed problems.  Quality sells ... show your quality.  Clean, unclutter, and repair.  Sales are occurring ... it takes work on the part of the agents and the homeowner.  Do your part and you can get on with your life sooner. 

Pricing it right is a most important first step.  What you do next will determine how soon your home will sell.  When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your real estate needs... Experience is Priceless!  Lisa Wetzel & Jim Valentine, RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, 775-781- 5472.  carsonvalleyland@hotmail.com, www.carsonvalleyland.com

This is a wonderful Minden Nevada starter home!  Take a look!

Walking in to a real estate office and not being candid about your wants, needs, abilities, and overall situation is no different in its absurdity, but it is truly amazing how often that happens.  Most agents will quickly ask you a simple question, "Are you working with an agent?"  You might have been, but aren't happy with the service.  If so, explain it just that way.  You might not like what the other agent told you, or how you were treated - explain it that way.  If an agent won't show you certain properties, if an agent only shows you listings from their own office or won't show your listings from a specific other office, or if an agent doesn't hear what you are trying to tell her ... you have good cause to change agents.  Share your frustration with your new agent - don't keep it a secret. 

If you simply don't like what you are hearing from that agent, though you know it to be true in your heart, you aren't being realistic.  In that case you aren't being fair to you and your family, or to either of the agents involved.  You can't escape the truth by agent shopping.  If you find an agent you can push around, or one that says only what you want to hear, you're setting yourself up for frustration and failure.  

It's okay to be cautious with personal information until you reach a level of comfort with the agent you've just met, but be truthful when your agent is asking qualifying questions.  Qualifying questions are what the good agent asks about you and your situation so she can get an understanding of how she can help you.   The weak agents don't ask the hard questions because they are afraid of the answers they will hear.  The good agent knows that they need the information in order to properly assess your situation and match it to the market.  Without it they would be like a doctor that gives you a pain pill without knowing your broken bone is in need of repair. 

Real estate is multi-dimensional ... it is not a black and white business.  You have personal Past Experiences, i.e.- grew up in a two story farm house; future Goals, i.e.- want horses; present Needs, i.e.- want kids in certain elementary school ... all which must be understood and applied by your professional real estate practitioner to the market.  If you don't share and they don't ask you are both in the process of finding the proverbial needle in the haystack - a waste of everybody's time.  

Our Advice:  Whether buying or selling, it is more important now than ever to have competent professional representation in your real estate transaction.  Your agent can help you keep the right perspective and separate fantasy from reality.  Understand that there are those that will abuse your candor so proceed with caution as you develop your relationship with your agent.  Your honest agent will listen to you and serve your needs based on what you are saying ... sharing their thought process along the way. 

You'll know when you are in the hands of a professional.  Its then that buying and selling real estate is a magical process as your dreams manifest.  When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your real estate needs... Experience is Priceless!  Lisa Wetzel & Jim Valentine, RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, 775-781- 5472.  carsonvalleyland@hotmail.com, www.carsonvalleyland.com

I Spent The Day Showing Homes in Reno, Nevada.

What a pleasant surprise.  There are many many wonderful opportunities available there!

I live and work in Carson Valley, NV ... so I usually stick pretty close to that area when showing and selling homes.   Recently I've had some customers who were originally going to buy in Gardnerville, NV.   They decided to take a look in Reno, NV  because they have a few friends who live there.   They work in Carson City so they are commuting anyway!

Wow!  The opportunities in Reno are immense!  I have to admit, the value for a home owner seems to be much greater there than in the communities of Carson City and Carson Valley! 

Supply and demand!  It's still a buyer's market!  Many of these neighborhoods will be a long time in recovery before there will be any appreciation ... so ... these homes are suited well for owner occupants who want to live in them for several years.  These are not speculative properties! 

The bottom line is, there are many wonderful home values available in Northern Nevada!  The values are out there and it's a wonderful time to buy a home, especially for a First Time Home Buyer!

For wonderful home buying opportunities all across Northern Nevada contact Lisa and Jim at  carsonvalleyland@hotmail.com or search the entire Northern Nevada MLS and let and let us know how we can help!