5 Tips to fill SPDS When Selling Your Home in Gilbert AZ

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5 Tips to fill Seller Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS) when selling your home in Chandler AZ

Arizona law requires home seller to disclose material (important) facts about the property when selling their home. Seller Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS) is designed to assist seller in making legally required disclosures and to avoid inadvertent non-disclosures of materials facts when selling their home. To satisfy seller's disclosure obligations and protect seller against alleged nondisclosure, seller should complete the SPDS by answering all questions as truthfully and as thoroughly as possible. Here are 5 tips to seller to complete SPDS when selling home in Gilbert AZ.


Tip #1: Take your time
As a Realtor, I highly advised my seller to complete the SPDS prior activating the listing on the market. The reason is we don't want our seller to rush to fill the SPDS. According on AAR (Arizona Association of Realtors) Purchase Contract, the seller is required to deliver the SPDS to the buyer within five days of contract acceptance. If complete this document is completed prior to listing your home, you can take your time and do it right and provide any supporting documents if necessary. We often encourage sellers to complete this while we are working on preparing the marketing materials for their home.

Tip #2: Do not be afraid
Don't be afraid to fill out the SPDS. It is a great document to protect seller and helps the transaction go smoother. Based on my experience, it is VERY uncommon for a buyer to cancel the contract based on the SPDS. If they are going to cancel based on something you disclosed, like a leak that was fixed or a termite that was treated, they were probably going to cancel over the inspection anyways.

Tip #3: Do not guess
If you don’t know the answer to one of the questions in the SPDS, research it. If you still can’t find the answer, leave it blank – DO NOT GUESS! This may apply to things done by a previous owner, like upgrades or repairs. Give as much information as you can and then move on. It is OK to leave it blank for the question you don't know.

Tip #4: Tell the truth
Do NOT lie on your Seller Property Disclosure Statement. This is important. Most common area where some sellers hesitate to tell the truth is the pest section. Scorpions and termites are a fact of life here in Arizona and they are NOT a deal breaker if they have been treated properly.

Tip #5: Fill it out yourself
This one is SO important. Only home seller can complete the SPDS and seriously, you need to fill the SPDS out yourself. Your REALTOR® cannot fill this out for you. It is your legal obligation to fill this out to the best of your abilities and knowledge. It is your signature and your reputation on the line, so take it seriously.

Selling your home in Gilbert AZ
Contact Us or call Swee Ng at 480.721.6253 today to discuss your potential Gilbert House Value and our comprehensive marketing plan. We will prepare complimentary competitive market analysis (CMA) to find out what your home is worth at today¡¯s market.

What is My Gilbert Home is Worth Today?
Swee Ng, Realtor and Phoenix East Valley resident specializing in win-win real estate transaction through great communication and fighting for his clients' best interest. After all, this is more than real estates, this is about your life and your dreams.

If you are looking to buy or sell your home in Gilbert AZ area, we hope you will consider us. Contact us today for complimentary consultation.


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8 Reasons a Home Do Not Sell

If your home is on the market for a while and isn’t getting offers, something could be wrong. The good news? Knowing there’s a problem is the first step toward resolving it. There are many factors that influence whether a house sells or not. Here are just a few of the reasons why homes don’t sell:

Phoenix AZ Housing Market Trends Report
View Phoenix AZ Housing Market Report. The data used this Phoenix AZ Market Report is consolidated from multiple sources and includes current listings, recent sales, and more. Whether you are a buyer or seller, the knowledge you gain will help put you in control of your real estate transactions.

Selling your home in Phoenix AZ
Contact Us or call Swee Ng at 480.721.6253 today to discuss your potential Phoenix House Value and our comprehensive marketing plan. We will prepare complimentary competitive market analysis (CMA) to find out what your home is worth at today’s market.

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Swee Ng, Realtor and Phoenix East Valley resident specializing in win-win real estate transaction through great communication and fighting for his clients' best interest. After all, this is more than real estates, this is about your life and your dreams.

If you are looking to buy or sell your home in Phoenix AZ area, we hope you will consider us. Contact us today for complimentary consultation.


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What is Seller Closing Cost?

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What's Seller Closing Cost when I sell my house in Gilbert AZ?

When you sell your home in Gilbert AZ, there are fee a associate with selling your home. One of the larger cost of selling home in Gilbert AZ is commission to be paid to Realtors that involved in the transaction. Typically 6% - 3% for Listing Agent - represent the seller and another 3% for Buyer Agent - represent the buyer. Keep in mind that the Realtor commission is negotiable.


Other than Realtors' commission there are other fees that seller need to pay, such as:

• Payoff of all loans in Seller's name. This include all the remaining balance and prorated interest. If your loan has prepayment penalty for paying off your loan before end of the term, you need to pay the penalty. If you have home equity loan or line of credit, you also need to pay in full at settlement
• Escrow fees. Fee associate for the transaction
• Transfer tax or recording fees. These are tax and fees imposed by state and local government.
• Title insurance. In Arizona, seller typically pay the owner's title insurance premium for buyer
• Attorney fee. If the transaction involved attorney
• Unpaid/Prorated property tax, homeowner association dues up the the settlement date.
• Liens or judgement against the property, if any

In Arizona, if Seller is selling home to a VA Buyer, there will be additional fees involve. Seller has to pay VA Buyer's Termite Inspection, Document Preparation fee, HOA Transfer & Disclosure fee and others.


How much is the Seller Closing Cost?
For Home Seller, the Closing Cost typically range between 1 - 2% of the sale price and these Seller Closing Cost are paid at the settlement. Typically these won't be cash out of your pocket, rather it will be deducted from the profit on your home, unless you are selling with low or no equity. In this case, you will need to bring cash to the table.

Selling your home in Gilbert AZ
Contact Us or call Swee Ng at 480.721.6253 today to discuss your potential Gilbert AZ House Value and our comprehensive marketing plan. We will prepare complimentary competitive market analysis (CMA) to find out what your home is worth at today’s market.

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Gilbert AZ New Listing Homes for Sale

Swee Ng

Keller Williams Realty

sweeng@kw.com

15905 S 46th St #160

Phoenix , AZ , 85048

480-721-6253

Swee Ng, Realtor and Gilbert AZ resident specializing in win-win real estate transaction through great communication and fighting for his clients' best interest. After all, this is more than real estates, this is about your life and your dreams.

If you are looking to buy or sell your home in Phoenix AZ area, we hope you will consider us. Contact us today for complimentary consultation.

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How to attain higher appraisal when selling home?

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How to attain higher appraisal when selling home in Gilbert AZ?

Posted on November 23, 2015

3 Tips to Attain a Higher Home Appraisal
Somewhere between when buyer applying for a home loan and the close of escrow comes a most crucial step: the home appraisal. Since the transaction that got you to this point is one in which a buyer and seller agreed on a price, an actual market dynamic, the appraisal is likely to match the purchase price.

In fluctuating markets however, especially those going up after being down for some time, low appraisals frequently occur. For instance, as the nation climbed out from under the explosion of distressed sales, it took some time for home appraisals to even out. The gap was understandable, given that appraisers were basing market values on many homes that had foreclosed or sold via short sale.

Although there is nothing a homeowner can do about nearby properties that affect the market value of all homes in the area, there are things home seller can do to help achieve a higher house value. Here are three ways to increase your home appraisal.

1. Arm the Appraiser With Accurate Info
"The reality is that the appraiser is only there for 30 minutes at most," Brian Coester, chief executive of appraisal management company CoesterVMS, told Reuters. Thirty minutes to make a good first impression is a tall order.

Put together an information packet that the appraiser can take when she heads back to the office to crunch the numbers. Here are some items to include in the packet:

• The facts – Make a list of facts about your home, including the street address, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and the year it was built. Yes, the appraiser has access to these details, but verification from you can't hurt.
• A list of recent sales – The appraiser has access to area home sale prices, but there is always the possibility of an error or two. Ask your real estate agent to print out a list of comparable homes in the area that have recently sold for prices that help justify your price.
• Inside information – Include any information you may have that the appraiser can't possibly be aware of, such as the fact that your next-door neighbor sold his home at a drastically reduced price to be able to quickly relocate for a new job out of town.
• Improvements – Let the appraiser know about any improvements you've made to the home, the date they were made and the contact information of the contractor who performed the work. Include info about new floors, windows, countertops or a new roof. If you finished the basement, list that. Any work on or replacement of major systems should go on the list, too.

2. Spiff Up Your Home
While you don't need to stage your home for the appraiser's visit, you do want to show that the house has been well maintained.

Things like overgrown landscaping, soiled carpeting, marks on walls — those do affect value and are part of the property's overall condition rating," Dean Zibas of Zibas Appraisal in San Clemente, Calif., told the Wall Street Journal.

Certified residential appraiser Ralph J. Vaccari of Marblehead, Mass., agrees. "It's important to realize that a dirty or unkempt home can increase its appearance of wear and tear beyond normal, and that condition can, in fact, affect value."

So get busy cleaning up the landscaping and sprucing up the interior of the home in advance of the appraisal appointment.

Selling your home in Gilbert AZ
Contact Us or call Swee Ng at 480.721.6253 today to discuss your potential Phoenix AZ House Value and our comprehensive marketing plan. We will prepare complimentary competitive market analysis (CMA) to find out what your home is worth at today’s market.

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3. Make Repairs
The appraiser will assign an "effective age" to the home, which is based on the condition of the home and any updates performed.

"Say you have a cracked window, thread-bare carpet, some tiles falling off the shower surround, vinyl torn in the laundry room, and the dog ate the corner of the fireplace hearth. These items could still add up to an overall average condition rating as the home is still habitable, however your effective age will be higher, resulting in comparables being utilized which will have the same effective age, and resulting in lower value," Doreen Zimmerman, an author and appraiser in Paradise, Calif., told the Journal.

Make any repairs that, if not made, would age the home in the eyes of the appraiser. Some of these may be as simple as replacing torn window screens, while others may be more substantial.

While the sale prices of comparable properties are relied upon heavily to ascertain the subject property's value, appraisers do not solely depend upon them. All pertinent data, including some intangible aspects, will help determine the closest estimate of the value of a property. And these are often the aspects of the appraisal process that you can have an influence on.

Gilbert AZ New Listing Homes for Sale

Swee Ng

Keller Williams Realty

sweeng@kw.com

15905 S 46th St #160

Phoenix AZ , 85048

480-721-6253

Swee Ng, Realtor and Gilbert AZ resident specializing in win-win real estate transaction through great communication and fighting for his clients' best interest. After all, this is more than real estates, this is about your life and your dreams.
If you are looking to buy or sell your home in Gilbert AZ, we hope you will consider us. Contact us today for complimentary consultation.

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3 Things to Think About Before Going FSBO

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3 Things to Think About Before Going FSBO

Posted on May 15, 2015

Quick: Off the top of your head, what can a real estate agent do to sell a house that you can't do?

"Frankly, I don't think a Realtor® does much that I can't do myself," a New Jersey homeowner told CBS News. After all, real estate agents just stick a sign in the yard, hold an open house or two, and fill out a couple of papers, right? Since you, too, can perform these duties, why not sell the house yourself and keep the commission money?

This is a fallacy many Americans operate under when judging the job of a real estate agent. Keep in mind that lots of jobs look easy when you aren't the one performing them.

Before you decide to plunge head-on into the world of the For-Sale-By-Owner, here are there key points you may want to consider.

1. Getting the Price Right
When the National Association of Realtors® surveyed FSBOs about what challenges they faced when attempting to sell their homes without the aid of a real estate professional, 13 percent said that setting the right price was a key challenge.

What is the "right" price? A home should be priced at or very near its market value. Therein lies the challenge – how does a layperson determine a home's current market value? The calculations require access to recent sales in the area, information about those homes, and information about the current real estate market in general.

Without access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), it is nearly impossible for anyone to gather info on all recent home sales in a given area. Although many websites claim to have this information, they are relying on public records, and most of the time they don't have all of the information required to pinpoint market value.

Would you sell a used car without consulting the Kelley Blue Book, or something similar, to ascertain its worth? Without knowing the true market value of your home, setting a price for it is akin to throwing a dart – where it lands may or may not be the bulls-eye.

2. Getting the Word Out
One of the most important jobs of a listing agent is marketing the property. Once upon a time, all it took was an ad in the Sunday classifieds. Today, however, it requires a lot more work, and multiple marketing platforms – especially for homes with problems.

Homebuyers begin their search online, and that's where real estate agents shine in their marketing efforts. They employ multiple strategies across multiple platforms – something a homeowner with no real estate or marketing experience may find challenging.

3. Getting a Handle on the Paperwork
Understanding and completing paperwork is the one task of selling a home that stymied the largest number of FSBOs in the NAR survey. From the purchase agreement to how to deal with changes to disclosure requirements, the typical home sale requires a stack of legal contracts that few outside of the industry know anything about.

You will need to familiarize yourself with all contracts, reading and understanding every single line. Otherwise, when a buyer submits an offer to purchase, you may end up sitting there with a glazed look on your face and no idea how to decipher the pages in front of you.

Get more Real Estates tips at SweeEastValleyHomes.com

Swee Ng, is a Gilbert resident specializing in win-win real estate transaction through great communication and fighting for his clients' best interest. After all, this is more than real estates, this is about your life and your dreams.

If you are looking to buy or sell your home in Gilbert AZ, we hope you will consider us.

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3 Must-Knows Before You List Your Home for Sale

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Selling Your Home in Gilbert: 3 Must-Knows Before You List

Posted on September 9, 2014

Sometimes the hardest part of selling a home is making the decision to sell your home in Gilbert AZ. Our homes give us roots, provide sanctuary, house memories and, hopefully, give us some financial security. It's a huge decision to sell a home.

Once made, however, additional decisions will come fast and furious, so take some time now, before the frenzy, to understand three salient points about the successful sale of a home in today's real estate marketplace.

What is Market Value?
One of the most challenging aspects of selling a home in Gilbert is determining the list price. Many homeowners will go online to find homes nearby that are for sale and base their price assumption on those that are most similar.

The list price of a home, however, is a fantasy. It represents an amount of money the seller thinks, or hopes the home will bring. Until the home sells, he may be right or he may be wrong.

Buyers set market value for homes. What a knowledgeable, willing, and unpressured buyer pays for a home is the home's true market value. Therefore, when pricing a home for the market, one must always look at the sold prices of similar homes nearby.

This is the method both real estate agents and appraisers use when determining a home's market value.

First Impressions Matter
Think back to when you were house hunting. Were there houses that you arrived at that you just couldn't bear to get out of the car to look at? Chipped or peeling paint, sagging window and door screens, and overgrown or dead landscaping do not make a good first impression.

Before you do anything else, clean your house, inside and out. Make cosmetic repairs, especially outdoors where the house makes its first impression. Even if it's merely a new coat of paint on the front door, shiny new house numbers and some fresh mulch in the planting beds, it may help folks want to see more.

Don't neglect the interior either. If you don't know where to start, take a look at some websites with ideas on how to declutter and stage the home.

Don't Attempt This on Your Own
I know what you're thinking: Of course a real estate agent is going to tell me not to take the for-sale-by-owner route. So, I won't ask you to take just my word for it. Let's look at the cold, hard numbers.

First, only 9 percent of homeowners attempt to sell their homes without the aid of an agent, according to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Of those, almost half said they took this route because they were selling their home to someone they knew.

The next most commonly stated reason that a homeowner gave for not using an agent was that he or she didn't want to pay the real estate commission. That's understandable when one isn't sure exactly what an agent does to get a home sold. Once you get a look at that list, you'll understand that you definitely get what you pay for.

You should also take into consideration the fact that a home that is for sale by the owner is considered a bargain to most homebuyers. Many will walk in expecting you to kick back some of that money you're saving by not using an agent. This is why, according to NAR, homes sold by agents sell for 16 percent more than those sold by owner.

Selling a home is a big deal and, thankfully, something we don't often do. When it's time to sell yours, start with the basics, as outlined above, and you'll be ready to list your home before you know it.

Selling Your Home in Gilbert AZ?
Contact Us or call Swee Ng, Gilbert real estate agent at 480.721.6253 today to discuss your potential Gilbert AZ Housed Value and our comprehensive marketing plan. We will prepare complimentary competitive market analysis (CMA) to find out what your Home is worth at today’s market. You also can go to www.GilbertAZHouseValue.com to find out what your Gilbert house is worth instantly.

Swee Ng, Realtor with Keller Williams Realty who live, work and play in Gilbert AZ, specialize in Residential Resale, First Time Home Buyer and Investment Homes. Call 480.721.6253 today for complimentary consultation.
Sell: sell.sweephoenixhomes.com
Buy: buy.sweephoenixhomes.com

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Can Pets Hurt Gilbert Home Sale?

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Can Pets Hurt Gilbert Home Sale?

Posted on September 3, 2014

Dogs do the darndest things when they're bored. Take Squishy, for instance. Lauren came home late one night from her job as a nurse to find that Squishy –her usually well-mannered dog – had torn her sofa to shreds, right down to the woody skeleton.

Wading through the chunks of foam and scraps of distressed leather, she noticed something else: Squishy had enough time to not only disassemble the sofa but also to chew up the living room baseboards.

While a ruined sofa won't impact a home's value, gnarled-on baseboards most definitely will.

Americans Love Their Pets
Over 43 million American households own a dog, and over 36 million own at least one cat, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. It's unclear how many of these households are owner-occupied and how many rented, but since 65.5 percent of Americans own their homes, it's probably safe to say that many pet owners are also homeowners.

The various dog-shaming websites prove that pets behaving badly is sometimes funny – especially if it's someone else's pet acting up. When it's your cat or a neighbor's pooch committing the atrocities, though, you may pay dearly with a lowered resale value on your home.

Impact on Home Value
Time business and money writer Brad Tuttle claims that pets "can potentially do pretty much the same thing to your home's value that some pets do on the rug." He goes on to credit a New England real estate agent for determining that owning a pet may have a negative impact on your home's resale value.

As evidence, the agent cited a cat owner's condo that sold for up to $30,000 less than it should have because of damage caused by the pets.

Then, there's the noise factor. Whining, barking dogs in a neighborhood can bring down resale home values by between 5 to 10 percent, Appraisal Institute's Richard L. Borges tells Business Insider.

There isn't much you can do about a neighbor's dog, but there is plenty you can do about your own.

De-Pet Your Home
Just as you'll need to clean and declutter your home before it goes on the market, you'll also need to de-pet it. This involves getting rid of not only any damage the pet has caused, but also the hair, stains and, most of all, odors.

Start by getting rid of the hair. You'll need a heavy-duty vacuum for the job. Consider having the upholstered furniture dry-cleaned, launder or dry-clean the drapes, and shampoo the carpets.

Carpet: The Stink Magnet
Cat urine in the carpet is one of the hardest odors to get rid of, according to Neeraj Gupta, director of product research and development at ServiceMaster Clean. "Oftentimes," he tells MSN's Marcie Geffner, "you have to remove the carpet, remove the pad and seal the floor, and then replace the carpet and the pad."

If you think you can fix the problem by shampooing the carpet, you may want to pay close attention to those areas your pet chooses to use as a restroom.

First, though, you'll need to find those spots. Christopher Solomon of MSN Real Estate says that not all of the spots will be visible to the naked eye. He suggests that you consider purchasing a battery-powered ultraviolet light – also known as a black light. They are inexpensive and, used in a totally dark room, can pinpoint every bodily fluid that has landed on the carpet.

Other Flooring
If you have a hard-surface floor, you may think you've squeaked by the pet-odor problem. Think again. Even some hard surfaces can absorb urine. You'll need a chemical deodorizer and cleaner to rid the floor of the odor. If it lingers, you may need to strip and repaint, varnish or otherwise seal the floor.

Walls
If you own a dog, you are probably familiar with how they seem to love rubbing against the walls. Walk through your home with your eyes cast on walls and interior doors at doggy height and you'll no doubt notice discolored areas. Sometimes a Magic Eraser will remove the marks. If you've lived in the home for a long time, you may need to repaint to remove the doggy odor.

Cats like walls too – especially male cats, who tend to spray vertical surfaces, such as the backs of chairs and walls, according to the experts at Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine. Ask your veterinarian what she recommends to clean and deodorize the walls.

Showings
Your real estate agent will suggest that you not be home during showings. There are a number of reasons for this, but the most significant is that buyers are more relaxed if the homeowner isn't hanging around.

The National Association of Realtors® suggests removing the pet from the home during showings as well. If you'll be home, this is easy, just take the dog for a walk or drive.

If you will be working during showings, you'll need to come up with an alternative for your pet. Here are a few places to take your dog during showings:

• Doggie Daycare – This one is ideal. The dog gets a day of socializing and playing, and potential buyers get to tour the home in solitude
• Groomer – An obvious win-win
• Veterinarian – Use the opportunity to get the dog or cat a checkup and shots
• Professional Dog Walker – Hire a dog walker to remove the dog from the home during showings.

Life is chaotic and full of unexpected events when your house is on the market. It's important to remain flexible and accommodate last-minute showings if you want to get the home sold. While pets may be members of the family, they are distractions to buyers, so it's important to decide beforehand how you'll deal with them while the home is for sale.

Selling Your Home in Gilbert AZ?
Contact Us or call Swee Ng, Gilbert real estate agent at 480.721.6253 today to discuss your potential home value and our comprehensive marketing plan. We will prepare complimentary competitive market analysis (CMA) to find out what your Home is worth at today's market. You also can view your home value instantly at www.GilbertAZHousevalue.com

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Home Seller Tips - Your Bank Account

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Home Seller Tips - Your Bank Account

Imagine if you weren't allowed to withdraw money from your bank. Well that's what's happening if your house does not sell. Yes, a house is a great way to build equity, except it only works in your favor if you can unlock it. Your agent holds the key.

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Swee Ng

Keller Williams Realty

sweeng@kw.com

15905 S 46th St #160

Phoenix , AZ , 85048

480-721-6253

Swee Ng, Realtor with Keller Williams Realty who live, work and play in Gilbert AZ, specialize in Residential Resale, First Time Home Buyer and Investment Homes.
Call 480.721.6253 today for complimentary consultation.

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Home Seller Tips - Discount Brokers

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Home Seller Tips - Discount Brokers

Did you know that houses listed with discount brokers are historically more likely to expire, which means trying to save that extra one or two percent might have actually cost you a sale. That's because just about anyone can put a house on the multiple listing service and stick a sign in the yard. A full service agent, on the other hand, can more than make up for their commission because they do the work to earn it. Want to know more?


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• Click here and Enter your zipcode and find out Market Snapshot for Free
• Not Thinking of Selling Right Now? – Text Update to 480.788.6408 and Your Zip Code and I will send you the following update on the 1st of every month. NO SPAM – JUST ONE INFORMATIVE TXT PER MONTH

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Comprehensive Property Marketing Plan for Home in Phoenix AZ

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Comprehensive Property Marketing Plan for Selling Homes in Phoenix AZ

We’d like to thank you in advance for taking the time to view our comprehensive marketing plan for getting your Phoenix Home Sold in today’s real estate market.

You’re ready to sell your property. And, while you’re looking forward to seeing the word “SOLD” posted from the curb, you know there’s a lot to consider along the way. One of your first decisions is to select a real estate agent who’ll join you in the process.

You deserve much more than a sign in the yard, fliers in a box and an occasional open house. You deserve an agent who will be at your side, from listing to closing, ensuring that your property sells smoothly and you get the most money possible from the sale.

This is not about us, it’s about you.

• Your Goals!
• Your Needs!
• Your Concerns!
• Your Time Frame!
• Your Desired Profit!

As you will see from other real estate agents, is to Put Your Home information into Multiple Listing Service (MLS), Put up For Sale Sign and Lockbox and Pray and Hope to get a buyer to show your home.

For most real estate agents, the marketing stops there.

The marketing I will do to promote your home has only one purpose - to increase awareness among potential buyers leading to in-person showings.

EXPOSURE to Generate Buyers for Your Home!
According to national research, about 15% of all home buyers actually found the property they purchased via signs, flyers, or other onsite advertising.

Open House Tours

Full Color Custom Flyers

Online marketing your home:
Targeted Online Marketing to FIND Buyers for Your Home!
A much better way is to create a buyer lead generation platform around your listing to literally drive hundreds of interested buyers for your home to us.

According to National Association of Realtor survey on 2013: "The use of the Internet in the home search rose slightly to 92 percent."

Our Online Marketing Strategy = Get ALL OVER the Internet.

The MORE Phoenix home buyer leads we generate for your home, the more buyers we talk to and show your property to which gives us the highest advantage of exposure and the best opportunity to receive a high offer for your home. This means more opportunities to get qualified buyers into your home!

Craigslist and Classified Ads:
Our Craigslist ad displaying your home for Craigslist with proven call-to-actions that generate more buyers.

Virtual Tours:
Virtual Tours are favorites for buyers. Virtual Tours provide a 24 hour Open House for our properties and more buyers see our listings!

Single Property Websites
Our single property websites display all photos with everything a buyer could ask for including a mortgage calculator, map, full property details, school information, and and virtual tour.

Listing eCards to ALL Phoenix AZ Realtors
Our Real Estate eCard displaying our listing with multiple ways to contact us to schedule showings and proven call-to-actions that alert Cooperating Realtors about our listings!

Postcards Mailed to Neighborhood
A mass-mailed postcard showcasing your house is sent out to your neighborhood, as residents may know of others who would like to move into the area.

Blogging
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Paint to Sell: Painting Tips to Ensure a Quick Home Sale

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Paint to Sell: Painting Tips to Ensure a Quick Home Sale

No matter how much you rearrange or decorate a room, nothing affects appearance like a fresh coat of paint. When you enter a house, your eye may be drawn to little decorative touches, but all the staging in the world will fall flat if your paint is drab, dirty, or goes against the potential buyer's taste. Considering that a gallon of paint is only about $25, it's also an inexpensive way to give your home a makeover.

Choosing Colors to Appeal to Homebuyers
Using colors that make the buyer feel "at home" will help you sell your home more quickly. You want them to look at each room and be able to literally see themselves and their belongings fitting inside your walls. Inspire a feeling of peace and relaxation, and part of the sale is already done!

Neutrals and soft colors create a soothing, calm atmosphere. Homebuyers can more easily visualize the paint colors they want when other colors aren't bombarding them at every glance.

Avoid bold, vibrant or dark colors. Even pure white can prove overwhelming. Stay away from trendy colors no matter how good they look to you.

Keep in mind color psychology. Not only do certain colors calm you, but the shade can also affect the room itself. Light colors make a space appear larger. Dark colors, on the other hand, make the room feel smaller. Of course, sometimes a darker color is good if you want a certain effect. A cozy den with a darker color and a bright, cheery kitchen with a lighter color may work best to highlight each room's appeal.

Neutral Shades
Even with neutrals, you still have a variety of colors to choose from. Off-white is a popular, all-purpose color, but it's not the only one. Beige, tan, eggshell and ecru are other colors that work well with almost any style. But your choices range even further: pale shades of blue, green, yellow and gray, for instance, can blend with the house and complement the room. Aim for colors that don't overpower the room or furnishings. Keep the color variations to a minimum to lend a sense of continuity to the house. If every room is a different color, it can prove overwhelming. It's much better to pick two or three colors to use throughout the house.

Painting Tips
Take the time to paint properly. Mask off areas that will be left unpainted. Throw down floor and furniture coverings to ensure you don't create damage during the process. Most importantly, prep the wall properly.

You may wish to spread a primer first to block bold colors. If the walls don't require color or stain blocking, sanding the walls slightly or washing with a solution of trisodium phosphate are other options. Both sanding and washing with TSP will remove dirt, oils and other contaminants that prevent the color from adhering well and looking good.

While you paint, take time and care to cut in the corners and avoid drips. Aim for the best paint job of your life – it will be worth it when the buyers sign on the dotted line!

If you can't afford to repaint your entire house, concentrate on a few select areas. The first room the buyer enters is the place to start – remember, first impressions count! Consider painting cupboards, trim and doors along with key rooms. Let your instincts guide you. Look around at other homes for ideas. If your home has a "parade of homes" that local builders showcase, you can glean a lot of tips in a short amount of time.

With a minimum investment, a little time and elbow grease, it shouldn't take long for you to have your home ready for its next owner.


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• Click here to Request a complimentary custom evaluation for your house value at today's market, including comparisons to other homes that have recently sold or are on the market
• Click here and Enter your zipcode and find out Market Data at no cost
• Not Thinking of Selling Right Now? – Text Update to 480.788.6408 and Your Zip Code and I will send you the following update on the 1st of every month. NO SPAM – JUST ONE INFORMATIVE TXT PER MONTH

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Swee Ng, Realtor Keller Williams Realty Sonoran Living specialty in Residential Resale, First Time Home Buyer and Investment Homes.
Visit www.SweeEastValleyHomes.com for your Gilbert Real Estate needs.
Go to www.GilbertAZHouseValue.com to find out what your Gilbert house is worth instantly.

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How Homes are Valued?

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How Homes are Valued

Homes are valued a lot like everything else: They are worth what people will pay for them. The Maybach Exelero, the most expensive car in the world, sells for $8 million because that's what people will pay for it. By the same token, you can ask for $8 million for your Hyundai, Ford or Chrysler, but don't count on getting it – you'll get what the market says it's worth.
So, how do we know what a willing buyer will spend for a house? Although we may never be certain, by looking at the recent past, we can come up with a pretty good idea. This is why the market value of a house is based on sold homes that are comparable in various ways.
In other words, it doesn't matter what amount Tom, the next-door neighbor, lists his house for. The only thing that matters is what Jessica, your former neighbor, got for her house. List prices are fantasies while sold prices are reality.

Determining an accurate asking price for your home is vital, and the best way to find that price is by having the home professionally appraised. The second best way is to ask a real estate agent for a comparative market analysis. While both the appraiser and the real estate agent use the prices of sold homes as a basis, the appraisal process is a bit more in-depth.

The Appraiser
Licensed appraisers aren't house experts, but they are analysts, able to pull together myriad facts and statistics to arrive at a home's value.

To avoid a conflict of interest, most lenders adhere to the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) and use the services of an appraisal management company.

The First Step in the Appraisal Process
Shortly after you've accepted an offer to purchase, you'll receive a call from the appraiser to set up an appointment to see the home. The time he or she spends inspecting the home varies, depending on the appraiser, but plan on it taking at least 30 minutes.

The appraiser makes note of the floor plan and any improvements, and takes measurements of the exterior of the home to determine the square footage.

Step Two
The appraiser uses statistics from the multiple listing service, public records, or a combination of both to find recently closed sales that are similar in age, size, location and features to your home. Typically, the appraiser relies on sales within the last 90 days, but may go back as far as six months. She will also use homes within a 1-mile radius of yours.

The Final Steps
The final steps of the appraisal involve comparing your house, which the appraiser calls the "subject," to the comparable homes. She'll use a list of criteria that includes the age of the homes, size, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, location and any improvements made to the homes.

She'll add or subtract value from your home depending on how it stacks up to the comparable houses until she arrives at the market value of your home.

What to Do if You Disagree With the Appraisal
An appraisal obtained by the lender is paid for by, and therefore belongs to, the buyer. So the lender won't send you, as the seller, a copy. It is up to the buyer to supply you with a copy if he or she is willing.

That said, if the appraised value is determined to be lower than what the buyer has agreed to pay, the lender will typically not lend on the property and the buyer and seller have some decisions to make.

The buyer can come up with a larger down payment (which brings down the amount of money he needs to borrow). Most buyers think long and hard about this option – nobody wants to overpay for a house.

The seller and the buyer can agree to split the amount that is over the appraised value, with the buyer bringing half the cash to the deal and the seller lowering the price of the home to meet his half of the deal.
Another option, and the one most commonly used, is that the seller lowers the price of the house to meet the appraiser's evaluation.

Finally, the seller can simply walk away from the deal.

Before any of these steps are taken, however, the buyer and the seller should review the appraisal to ensure that the appraiser used accurate information in his determination. Appraisers are human and do make mistakes. If errors are found, the buyer can notify the lender and ask for another appraisal.

via www.SweeEastValleyHomes.com

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Creating Curb Appeal: 6 Ways to Improve Your Home's First Impression

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Creating Curb Appeal: 6 Ways to Improve Your Home's First Impression

You've probably heard the old saying, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." That's true in life, and it's true in real estate. If you're in the process of selling your home, take a moment to walk across the street and look at your home with a critical eye. What are potential homebuyers seeing as they pull up? Is your home giving off a good first impression? Does it have good curb appeal?

Real estate agents and home staging services know how important curb appeal is to the home selling process. It only takes a couple of seconds for potential homebuyers to form an opinion of your home based on its curb appeal. Below are six ways to improve your home's first impression.

First Step: A Critical Review
Remember that trip across the street I mentioned above? Well, after living in your home for years, you may not be the best judge. Invite a friend or family member over to give your home a critique. What would they do to improve your home's curb appeal? If they can't make it over, take some photos and email them to some friends for their review. We tend to see things in photographs that we miss when we're casually looking at things. Print your pictures out on 8 ½-by-11-inch paper, draw on them, and make notes about what changes you want to make.

Give it a Fresh Coat of Paint
A fresh coat of paint can go a long way toward improving your home's curb appeal. If a potential homebuyer drives up and sees cracked and peeling paint, what impression will that leave? Not only will the homebuyer think you haven't maintained the exterior of your home, but he is going to wonder what other maintenance items have been neglected.

Make sure the colors you choose fit with the neighborhood and the character of the house. You want your home to have great curb appeal, but that doesn't mean it should stick out markedly from the rest of the houses on the block. If you're selling your home, neutral colors are the best because they will have broader appeal. However, a neutral paint color doesn't have to be boring. Add some pizzazz by painting your front door a more vibrant, complementary color.

Make it Welcoming
Whether it's a decorative wreath on the front door, some decorative pots with brightly colored flowers, or simply great porch lighting, make your front door visible and inviting. Don't overdo it. Keep things simple, but make it easy to spot your front door. If you have overgrown shrubs blocking the view to your home, it will feel less safe. Trim shrubs back to eliminate any areas where predators could lurk, and make sure your house number is clearly visible.

Get Rid of the Junk
"One man's trash is another man's treasure" applies to garage sales and antiquing. Improve your home's curb appeal by putting things away and storing items that don't enhance your home's first impression. The less clutter you have around your front door and in your front yard the better.

Maintain Your Lawn
If you have a home with a lawn, the best thing you can do to create great curb appeal is to keep it maintained. Mow your lawn to a height of about 2 inches. Many people believe that mowing a lawn shorter is better, but with a blade height of about 2 inches, the grass is long enough to provide some shade for the roots, which helps the roots retain moisture and promotes stronger root growth.

Manually remove weeds as soon as you see them to prevent them from going to seed and becoming a bigger problem. Weeds generally show up in areas where the lawn is weak or lacking in nutrients. Over-seed any areas where the grass is thin and use an organic fertilizer to provide nutrients and maintain healthy soil.
Near sidewalks, driveways, and planting beds, edge your lawn with a line trimmer or straight spade to maintain a nicely manicured edge. There is no need to buy plastic lawn edging. It rarely holds up over time. A spade and a little muscle can do the trick. However, if you find you really want a built edge to your lawn, use aluminum edging. It is far more durable than plastic and will cut down on some of the maintenance needed to maintain the shape and size of your planting beds.

Oh, the Pressure!
Maintaining concrete driveways, sidewalks, and patios is always important for providing safe walking surfaces. However, if you are selling your home, what is the one thing a potential homebuyer is going to do? They will walk up your sidewalk or driveway to your front door. If you want your home to make a great first impression, fix any major cracks and make sure your entry sidewalk is free of debris, moss, and uneven edges. Pressure-wash concrete surfaces to remove any built up dirt and moss.
As you can see, most of these tasks are things you are probably already doing, but when neglected, they can take away from your home's curb appeal. Creating great curb appeal really just comes down to maintaining your home. Performing these tasks on a regular basis means you'll never have to worry about your home making a great first impression.

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Home Seller Tips - See The Light

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Did you know that Thomas Edison tried and failed 10,000 times to create the light bulb? Where would we be if he stopped at 9,999? If your house didn't sell recently maybe it's time to give it another try. After all, a buyer for your house might be just around the corner- literally.

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• Click here and Enter your zipcode and find out Market Data at no cost
• Not Thinking of Selling Right Now? – Text Update to 480.788.6408 and Your Zip Code and I will send you the following update on the 1st of every month. NO SPAM – JUST ONE INFORMATIVE TXT PER MONTH

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8 kitchen remodeling ideas for under $500

Frugal ideas to remodel the kitchen
Remodeling a kitchen may sound like a big, expensive project. But the truth is that there are ways to breathe new life into an old kitchen without spending much money.

"A kitchen remodel can be done on any budget," says Lowe's spokeswoman Jaclyn Pardini. "The secret to success lies in careful planning. Conduct research ahead of time, find your inspirations, and know which projects you can complete yourself and which ones you'll leave for an expert."

Naturally, there are limits to what you can do on a budget. But many home-remodeling experts stress that moderately handy homeowners with just a little cash to spend can make a big difference in their kitchen. And if the work looks good, you're adding equity to your home, according Erin Davis, lead designer for Mosaik Design & Remodeling in Portland, Ore.

Here are eight kitchen remodeling projects that cost $500 or less.

Spruce up your walls
If your kitchen feels old, there's no better remedy than a coat of paint.

"Paint is by far the best bang for your buck," Davis says. "One of my design teachers once told me that a gallon of paint is worth $500 (in terms of) the value it brings to a space. Not only does it instantly change the feel of a space, but if you do it yourself, it will cost virtually nothing."

For about $100, a less time-consuming upgrade is to add molding to the area where your cabinets meet the ceiling.

"If you're handy with a table saw, it would only take you an afternoon to add a chunky piece of crown molding to the tops of your upper cabinets," says Atlanta-based DIY blogger Kelly Marzka, who runs View Along The Way. "This is an easy way to make inexpensive cabinetry feel like custom pieces."

Freshen up cabinets
New cabinets may sound expensive, but most DIYers know cabinets are one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to revamp a kitchen.

One simple trick is to add or replace the hardware on existing cabinets.

"Hardware is like jewelry for your cabinets," Davis says. "You'll be surprised at how different your cabinetry looks with updated hardware."

Changing hardware is easy, and you can choose from many styles without spending more than a few dollars per piece.

Another, more involved, option is to paint the cabinets, which will make them look new without replacing them.

"All cabinets, even laminate ones, can be painted if you use a strong primer," says Jay Hart, CEO of Sold with Style, a New York home design firm.

Supplies should run less than $100. But before you paint, it's important to prep. Remove the doors from the cabinets, cover the hardware or remove it, and be sure to sand away old paint.

Float a new look for the sink
You don't have to be a plumber to give your kitchen sink a makeover, but you do have to be somewhat handy, according to Jamie Gold, a certified kitchen designer in San Diego and the author of "New Kitchen Ideas That Work."

You can replace the faucet on your sink rather easily in about an hour. But, says Gold, the costs vary dramatically. "Depending on the quality and features of the faucet, you could spend anywhere between $150 and $500."

A more dramatic option, and one that requires a little more muscle, is to replace the whole sink. The project will take a few hours, and it should run you between $250 and $500 for a new sink.

Update the lighting
If you've ever thought your kitchen might look better in a different light, you may be on to something, according to Davis.

"It is amazing what a great light fixture can do to a room," Davis says. "Just swapping out new fixtures in the existing locations is the most affordable way to go. Another good idea is to add recessed can lights to a kitchen to improve the general lighting."

If you're changing fixtures, Davis says most homeowners can do it pretty quickly on their own with some basic instruction. But adding recessed cans might get a little tricky for a novice. Thankfully, each high-quality recessed light installed by an electrician should run about $150, which includes materials and labor. And if you don't feel comfortable doing anything electrical yourself, Davis says it's possible to hire a good electrician for up to $95 an hour.

Renew counters and floors
New counters and floors will probably test your kitchen remodel budget and your handiwork. But if you're up for it, either one of these changes can have a dramatic impact on your kitchen's appearance.

At about $2 a square foot, Hart says homeowners shouldn't overlook vinyl flooring, which "has come a long way."

When it comes to countertops, homeowners have even more budget options. Granite tile can give you a granite look without the price of a granite slab, says Gold, who adds that you can tile over existing tile if you rough up the underlying surface with a sander.

Similarly, Davis points out that you can install laminate countertops on top of existing counters. Hardware stores sell countertops for as little as $45 per section. And if you're looking for an installation tutorial, the experts say you can find a lot of quality presentations on YouTube. Just remember to keep a laptop or tablet handy as a reference.

Buy (almost) new appliances
Changing an appliance will push the outer limit of any budget. But if you're willing to accept minor imperfections, it is possible to pick up a new appliance for less than $500.

"You can update appliances by going to a 'scratch-and-dent' store where they sell new appliances at a steep discount due to minor cosmetic flaws," Gold says.

The term refers to cosmetic blemishes that preclude retailers from selling the appliances as new, but when it comes to functionality, the buyer is getting a new product.

Unfortunately for your budget, unless you're talking about a new refrigerator, you may have to hire someone to install the new appliance, which could add a few hundred dollars to the project.

Add a backsplash
You may not think the wall space behind your sink offers a lot of design potential. But the truth is that adding a backsplash is one of those small changes that can have a big impact.

"One of the easiest ways to spruce up a kitchen is to change the backsplash," says Christine Tse, an interior designer in New York City. "This small change will instantly change your kitchen from drab to fab."

The cost will depend on the size of your backsplash and the type of material you choose. Coming from New York, Tse says she's fond of subway tiles, which can run about $350 for 12 square feet. If you want something high-end like white Carrara marble, you should plan on spending about $450. But if you want to keep costs down, you can hunt around for options in the $200 range.

You'll need to block out a day to do the job, or two days if the tiles need grout work. But the good news is you don't have to be a tile expert to put in a backsplash. A lot of hardware stores run free weekend classes that show you how to do these projects.

Install more storage
If you're strapped for storage in your kitchen, you probably aren't doing yourself any favors in the aesthetics department.

"Clear the clutter by moving cookbooks and other clutter off of the countertops and adding some floating shelves to the walls," says Dorothy Myers, a Realtor and interior designer at Sky Real Estate in Washington, D.C. "There are all kinds of wonderful storage solutions to organize kitchen cabinets and to move those often-needed items off of the countertop and into the cabinets or onto the walls that will be functional and beautiful."

The shelves you pick will drive the cost, but Myers says you can pick up thick floating wood or glass shelves for about $40 each. Thinner, less expensive shelves can be had for as little as $5 apiece.

A moderately handy homeowner should be able to do the project in a few hours, according to Myers.

"Just make sure that you anchor the shelves to studs to ensure that the shelves can hold some weight, if your wall is drywall," Myers says.

via bankrate

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Home Seller Tips - Asking Price

Would you ever pay more than market value for a house? No way, right? But check this out. If your house doesn't sell, it might have been overpriced. Which means you're the highest bidder for a house you're trying to sell. Want to know more? Contact me for Free and No Obligation Consultation today.



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• Call 480.721.6253 now for FREE & NO OBLIGATION Consultation
• Click here to Request a FREE custom evaluation for your house value at today's market, including comparisons to other homes that have recently sold or are on the market
• Click here and Enter your zipcode and find out Market Data for FREE
• Not Thinking of Selling Right Now? – Text Update to 480.788.6408 and Your Zip Code and I will send you the following update on the 1st of every month. NO SPAM – JUST ONE INFORMATIVE TXT PER MONTH

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For Sale: Get a Home Market Ready to Sell

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Want to be the seller who goes to market instead of the one who stays home? The difference might be a few of the things you do before you plant that "for sale" sign.

It's a buyer's market. Your house has competition, and that means you have to do some work to get it ready to sell. So, while your home looks great compared to the neighbor's foreclosure, it might not quite compare to that house a block over where, rumor has it, the owner clips the lawn with an electric razor.

You don't have to spend a ton of time or money. A few simple tricks can get you market ready in time for the start of the spring selling season. Especially if you start now.

Here are tips from top agents to give your home the edge.

Make it shine
Step one to getting your house market ready: Break out the cleaning supplies.

"Give it a really good cleaning," says Jeff Wiren, immediate past president of the Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors in Oregon.

The problem: "A lot of sellers might not have the same perception of 'deep cleaning' that a buyer would," he says. For that reason, "it might be worth spending a couple hundred dollars to have professionals come in and clean."

Two places where clean can be critical for buyers are kitchens and bathrooms, says Pat Vredevoogd Combs, past president of the National Association of Realtors. Having those rooms clean and sparkling can make a huge difference in the perception of "whether a house is kept up or not," she says.

Windows and baseboards are crucial, says Mark Ramsey, broker with The Ramsey Group at Keller Williams Realty in Charlotte, N.C. If you're not replacing carpets, have those cleaned, too, Wiren says. The potential outlay for a cleaning service and carpet cleaning is likely in the neighborhood of $300 to $500 total, he estimates. "It has a much greater impact than most sellers think."

Add square footage -- free!
Ditch junk and clutter to make your house look more attractive and spacious.

"This is now a showcase," says Patricia Szot, immediate past president of the Dallas-based MetroTex Association of Realtors. "You are no longer living in it; you are showing it."

A couple of pro tips:

• Laundry room: Make it neat and orderly, Szot says. Your goal is to make it look like the room is plenty big enough for the job.
• Pantry: It's for food only, Ramsey says. Using the pantry for general storage screams, "Not enough cupboard space."
• Garage: If it's a two-car garage, make room for two cars, Szot says. For a lot of men, if the garage "looks small because of the clutter, there's an issue."

"And while you're decluttering, you're depersonalizing," Wiren says. "You really need the buyer to be able to picture your home as their home." A picture of your kids on the nightstand is "not a big deal," he says. But you don't want the family portrait gallery lining the hallway.

Color it neutral
With paint, stick to neutrals, several agents say.

"I have had people who painted some of their rooms and picked the colors themselves" in shades of pink and purple, says Combs, who is vice president of Coldwell Banker AJS Schmidt Realty in Grand Rapids, Mich. "And it was more of a negative than a positive when they put their homes on the market."

Their mistake wasn't DIY painting but color selection, she says. Opt for neutrals, which have a broader appeal.

"Then consider the flooring. If the carpeting is old and stained, put in new carpeting," says Szot, operating principal with Keller Williams Realty, Lake Cities at Firewheel.

Keep plans practical
Keep any planned changes to the house reasonable and in character with the home and the neighborhood.

"Don't lie to yourself," says Wiren, a principal broker with Re/Max Equity Group. If the house has areas that show wear, get that work done before offering the home.

Seek a second opinion from your agent or a potential agent. A real estate professional can advise you on what repairs or upgrades will give you the most bang for your buck.

"The price of your house is going to determine what things you should do," Combs says. One client spent $10,000 putting in hickory cabinets and granite countertops in the kitchen of a home that listed in the $100,000 range, she recalls.

"In that price range, it wasn't necessary," Combs says. "And we couldn't get any more money for the house."

See with 'buyer's eyes'
View the house from the buyer's perspective. "Pull up and stop right in front of it, just like a buyer's going to do," Ramsey says. Then "let yourself in the front door, like a buyer's going to do."

How does your home compare to others on the street? Is it inviting? Does it make you want to see more?

"Walk through the home with the eyes of a buyer," Szot says. If you're buying another house, think about what you want to see in your new home, she says.

Pay special attention to the entryway, Ramsey says. "You want it to be open as much as possible," he says. Look at the furnishings you have in the area, and err on the side of less-is-more. "When in doubt, get it out," Ramsey says. "You want it open and bright with neutral paint."

via bankrate

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