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 Secrets of Home Staging

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8 Secrets of Home Staging that You Can DYI

Feature your home’s power, whitewash its flaws and appeal to the greatest possible pool of potential buyers with these amazing home-staging tips.


Remove Clutter
Getting rid of clutter is the most important thing you can do to prepare your home for sale. Make a rule for the house that every new thing that comes in, an old thing has to be put out. Mostly the house looks cluttered because of the furniture, therefore, it is advisable to get rid of the furniture so that the house looks big enough when customers come to see it. Take a look at what you have and what you can live without.

Furniture Layout
There’s this belief that if all the furniture is pushed to the walls the room has a larger space, but that’s not the case so. Instead, place your furniture away from walls and position the sofas and chairs in a way so that conversations can be done in a better way. This way not only make the space more friendly, but it will make the room to look larger.

Transform your room
If you have a room that has all the junk, replace it with something that will add worth to your home. Just a simple addition of an armchair, a lamp and a table in a proper position will transform it into a comfortable reading spot. Drape fabric on the walls lay carpet on the floor and toss in a few cushy pillows.

Lighting your home
Staged homes look warm and welcoming when highlighted with great lighting. Most of our homes are not properly lighted which is why they do not turn out to be that beautiful in terms of lighting. To solve this problem increase in your fixtures and lamps.

Make It Bigger and Larger
To make a room look larger than it is paint it the same color as the adjacent room. If you have a dining room and a kitchen a smooth look will make both rooms look bigger. Another trick is if you want to make the illusion of a bigger space, paint the walls the same color as your drapery.

Color Experiment
Don’t ever be afraid to use dark paint in your bedroom or your dining room. A deep tone on the walls can make the room look cozier, dramatic and intimate. And it is not necessary that you have to paint it whole rather paint a wall to draw attention to a fireplace or a lovely set of windows.

Modify wall hangings
Most of our homes have the art hung in a high line encircling each room. Big mistake. Placing or positioning your pictures, paintings and prints in common places can render them almost invisible. Display your art creatively so that it stands out and shows off. So break up that line and modify your wall hangings.

Prim and Polished
Have your tiles professionally painted so that it looks brand new. Buyers will feel they are in a spa when they see it. It's a great way to create a polished look, and it doesn't either. So go on and give your bathroom the perfect look.

Selling your home in Gilbert 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.

What 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 Phoenix 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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Receive email alert as soon as a Phoenix property matching your criteria hits the market. Be one of the first to see new listings. Simply type in everything you want in a house and save your search here to be notified.

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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.

How Much is My Gilbert AZ Home is Worth Today?
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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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What is Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)?

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What is Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)?

Posted on May 12, 2015

Selling a home is a bit more complicated than putting up a sign, setting a price and praying and hoping to get a buyer to show your home. Although it involves an element of suspense, and is not often a scientific certainty, it should not be a gamble either. There are proven ways to minimize the number of "Days on Market" (DOM) and maximize the selling price.

One of your best tools is a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). When you first consider the possibility of selling your home, you will undoubtedly have some sense of its value, and at least a ballpark expectation of the price you can ask.

But a comprehensive examination of recent transactions, known as the CMA, will give you a graphic and honest appraisal of local conditions. Month-to-month comparison and previous year statistics for sales, price adjustments, pending sales and withdrawn listings provide insight into trends. Market conditions in Phoenix AZ vary from one month to the next and can change dramatically over the course of a year.

The CMA is used to help evaluate how your home will fare against the competition. It takes a look at both homes that are currently listed and those recently sold. The purpose is to find the highest price that will still make the home competitive on the open market.

Standard comparative market analysis reports contain the following data:

• Active Listings Active listings are homes currently on the market for sale. These listings matter only to the extent that they are your competition for buyers. They are not indicative of market value because sellers can ask whatever they want for their home. It doesn't mean any of the prices are realistic. The offered sales prices do not reflect market value until they are sold, and in buyer's markets, for example, most sell for a lot less.
• Pending Listings Pending sale homes are homes that are under contract. They have not yet closed, so they are not yet a comparable sale. Unless the listing agent is willing to share information about the pending sale -- and many are not -- you will not know the actual sold price until the transaction closes. However, pending sales do indicate the direction the market is moving. If your home is priced above the list price of these pending sales, you could face longer DOM (Days on Market).
• Sold Listings Normally homes that have closed within the past six months are your comparable sales. These are the sales an appraiser will use when appraising your home for the buyer, along with the pending sales (which will likely have closed by the time your home is sold). Keep in mind that every market are different, in a fast changing market such as in Phoenix AZ, past 3 months sales can be used as comparable.
• Off-Market / Withdrawn / Canceled / Expired Listings These are properties that were taken off the market for a variety of reasons. Usually the reason homes are removed from the market is because the prices were too high. The median prices of this group will almost always be higher than the median prices of comparable sales.

Analyze the CMA Facts
Comparable sales are those that most closely resemble your home. It is difficult to compare a tri-level home to a single-story home. Select the homes from this list that are mostly identical to your home in size, shape and condition, such as:

• Similar square footage Appraisers compare homes based on square footage. Larger square-foot homes are worth less per square foot than smaller square-foot homes. The variance among a group of median-priced homes ideally should not exceed more than 200 to 400 square feet, plus or minus.
• Similar age of construction Ideally, the age of the home -- the year it was built -- should be within a few years of other comparable sold homes.
• Similar amenities, upgrades and condition Appraisers will deduct value from your home if other homes have upgrades and yours does not. A home with a swimming pool will have a different value than a home without a pool. A completely remodeled move-in ready home is worth more than a fixer. Homes with one bath are worth less than homes with two or more baths.
• Location Everybody knows that real estate is valued on "location, location, location," but have you considered what that means? A home with a mountain view, for example, is worth more than a home facing a cement wall. Homes located on busy or main street are worth considerably less than homes on quiet streets. Compare your home to those in similar locations.

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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Should I Sell My House Before Buying New One?

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Should I Sell My House Before Buying New One?

Posted on February 27, 2015

If you are a current homeowner that wants to purchase a new home, you're most likely asking yourself a question common to folks in your situation: Should I sell before I buy? The answer to that question depends on several factors.

Your Personality
Just the thought of having two mortgage payments—even for a short period of time—can cause massive anxiety for some people. Even if your lender has assured you of a simultaneous close on the two homes, uncertainty may linger.

Then, there is the pressure to accept an unattractive offer just to ensure that the home sells in time. If you wait to buy, you'll have the luxury of being able to negotiate offers as they come in.

If you crave certainty, you should probably wait until the current home sells to take on the purchase process. There are, however, those who deal with uncertainty better than others. If that describes you, then starting the purchase process before you sell your current home probably won't faze you.

Your Finances
Regardless of your personality, if you just don't have the money to support two mortgage payments at the same time, then you have no choice but to sell your home before you purchase another.

Further, if you need the proceeds from the sale of your current home to use to buy a new home, you'll need to wait until after you sell, or attempt a simultaneous close. (We explain that process below.)

The Market
A seller's market is the ideal situation when you're selling your current home, but it can be difficult if you hope to purchase at the same time. In a seller's market—where there are few homes available and lots of buyers competing for them—sellers are in the driver's seat. With multiple offers coming in, homeowners are not likely to accept an offer that is contingent upon another home selling.

On the flip side, in a hot seller's market, homes that are in good condition and are located in decent areas will sell quickly. If your house is among them, you take on little risk if you wish to purchase a new home before selling your current one.

Ascertain if the current market caters to sellers or buyers before making the decision of whether to buy before your house sells. Your real estate agent is your best source for this information.

Achieving the Simultaneous Close
Selling one home while purchasing another can be a bit of a balancing act. If you try to time the closings to occur during the same period, you run the risk of ending up with two house payments at once.

If you allow too much time between closings, on the other hand, you may find yourself renting a temporary home and, thus, moving twice. The ideal situation is to plan for a simultaneous closing, where both transactions occur on the same day. However, this process comes with risks, too. If anything should go wrong on the first transaction you could end up not being able to close on the second.

For the simultaneous closing process to go smoothly, it's important to choose the right buyers for your current home. How much do you know about their finances? How firm is their offer? What do you know about their motivation to purchase? How badly do they want the home?

Since the process is a bit like a string of dominoes, and the buyer of your home is the lead domino, it's crucial to choose a buyer you know will consummate the deal.

The key to success is hiring an experienced, professional real estate agent. Your agent can guide you through the process and steer the transaction to keep it on course.

View more Home Buyer tips at www.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.

Free Gilbert AZ MLS Home Search

Gilbert New Homes (New Build) for Sale
Gilbert New Listing Homes for Sale
Gilbert Just Reduced Price Homes for Sale
Gilbert AZ Homes for Sale Under $100,000
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Gilbert AZ Homes for Sale $200,000 – $300,000
Gilbert AZ Homes for Sale $300,000 – $400,000
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What Counts as a Comp for Your Home?

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What Counts as a Comp for Your Home in Gilbert AZ?

Posted on February 20, 2015

From replacing a rusted out bathroom sink to laying laminate flooring, Americans are hooked on the DIY craze. Some things, however, are better left to professionals. Establishing your home's current market value before putting it on the selling block or pursuing a refinance is one of those things.

To determine its value, appraisers and real estate agents will compare your home (the "subject property") to those that have recently sold in the area (known as "comps"). They will adjust the comps' prices up or down, according to how similar each home is to yours.

Read on to learn how a home qualifies as a comp for yours.

Status
The market value of a home is, simply, what a knowledgeable and willing buyer will pay it. This figure is reflected in the sales price of recently sold homes.

Appraisers and real estate agents use the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) database in their research, to look for homes that have sold within the past six months. Only real estate licensees that pay an MLS membership fee will have access to this database, so a DIY consumer will find it challenging to locate a full and accurate list of sold properties.

Location
Since location is one of the principal indicators of property value, appraisers and real estate agents seek sold homes that are in close proximity to the subject property. Some lenders give strict location requirements to appraisers, for example a comp in an urban or suburban area must be no more than one mile away, and rural comps no more than five miles away.

Real estate agents, on the other hand, have a little more leeway and will typically begin their research close to the subject property and then widen the area until they've found three comparable properties that have sold in the past six months.

Neighborhood characteristics that influence a home's value include:

• Nearby parks
• Proximity to shopping
• Neighborhood condition
• Traffic, airport or other noise
• The quality of the school district
• Number of distressed properties in the neighborhood
• Declining values or oversupply of homes in the area

Price Per Square Foot
You may see sold homes or homes for sale that list the price per square foot in addition to the price of the home. This figure takes into account only the home's square footage and nothing else. Because it fails to account for the diverse aspects and special features of the house, it isn't an accurate reflection of value.

That said, with all other aspects being equal, a larger home will most likely sell for more than a smaller home.

Click here to View Your House Value Instantly

Condition
Deferred maintenance will drag down the value of a home. Deferred maintenance includes all of the items you have been meaning to fix, but never got around to. Examples include:

• Leaky faucets
• Cracked windows
• Loose or missing hand rails
• Structural damage
• Overgrown landscaping
• Dirty or damaged carpets or other flooring

The Process
Since it is unlikely that your agent or an appraiser will find a home that's identical to yours, he or she will need to make adjustments to the sold prices of the comps to account for the differences.

If the comparable home is inferior to the subject property, value is added to bring it up to par. Conversely, if the comparable is superior to the subject, value is removed.

Here's an example of how this works:

1. The subject property has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a pool. The comparable property, located three blocks from the subject, sold three weeks ago for $387,500.
2. The comparable property has three bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms, but it doesn't have a pool.
3. The appraiser or agent will deduct value from the comparable for the lack of a pool and add value for the extra half bathroom. The amount to deduct or add depends on the value the local market places on items such as a pool or a half bathroom.
4. The adjusted price range of the comp will reflect the current market value of the subject property.

Determining a home's market value isn't rocket science, but it does require current, accurate information and some experience with the process. A professional real estate agent will not only determine the current market value, but will also give you tips on how to get top dollar for the home.

View more Home Buyer tips at www.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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Weekend DIY Projects to Improve Your Gilbert AZ Home Value

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Weekend DIY Projects to Improve Your Gilbert AZ Home Value

Posted on December 29, 2014

The best home improvements are those that have a high return on the investment. Remodeling Magazine publishes an annual Cost vs. Value Report, analyzing the ROI of 35 separate remodeling projects. You can even look at the return based on your region.

The report is based on the assumption that you're using professional labor to perform the remodel. You'll get an even higher return on your dollar, when it's time to sell your home, if you do the job yourself.

We've compiled our own list of DIY projects that buyers like, you'll enjoy in the meantime, and you can accomplish in a weekend. To keep it simple, we focused on two areas of the home that are key when it comes time to sell: the entryway and kitchen.

Upgrade Your Entry
As potential buyers walk up to your home, they can't help but notice the door. Upgrading to a new entry door is the perfect weekend DIY project. Even better, it's one of the projects listed on the Cost vs. Value Report, year after year, as a remodel that returns most of the investment upon the sale of a home.

According to the 2014 Cost vs. Value Report, a replacement steel door recoups 96.6 percent of the investment, while a new fiberglass door will offer an ROI of 70.8 percent.

However, the report factors in labor to determine how much of the cost is recouped. When you install the door yourself, your return can only be higher.

Even if you've never done anything similar, hanging a door isn't beyond your capabilities. Expect to spend less than a day on this project.

Touch Up the Kitchen
Everyone seems to gravitate to the kitchen, and many buyers consider it the most important room in a home.

For the first time in a decade, a minor kitchen remodel increases home value by almost as much as the money spent to accomplish it, according to the "Minor Kitchen Remodel" analysis included in the Cost vs. Value Report. Keeping in mind that the figures include labor costs, the report claims an average ROI of 82.7 percent on the project.

Any single item on our list will make a noticeable difference in the feel and value of your kitchen.

Refinish your cabinetry. Modern veneer kits make resurfacing cabinet boxes fairly easy. Take off the doors and remove the drawers first. After installing the veneer, put new drawers in place. Add new knobs and pulls as well. The result: new-looking cabinets at a fraction of the cost.

Replace the countertops. Depending on the new counter surface selected, replacing a countertop is fairly simple and not likely to take more than a day or two.

Install new sink hardware. A mid-priced sink and new faucet freshen up the look of an older kitchen. Don't be afraid to try a different style or material.

Go shopping. New appliances can only increase your home value. Focus on ovens and cooktops that offer greater energy efficiency.

Focus on the flooring. As much traffic as the kitchen witnesses, the floor gets worn out easily. Consider installing new flooring to raise the value of your home.

When contemplating remodel projects, keep in mind that it's possible to over-improve a home, depending on the neighborhood and real estate market. Compare your home's features to those of nearby homes to get a better idea of what will prove valuable – or not – in your area.

View more Home Owner tips at www.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.

Click here to View Gilbert AZ Homes for Sale

Free Gilbert AZ MLS Home Search

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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.

What's My House Worth?

Click here to view your house value instantly

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?


Ready to Sell?

• Call 480.721.6253 or Contact Us to schedule a Complimentary & NO OBLIGATION Seller Consultation
• Go to sell.sweephoenixhomes.com for Comprehensive Marketing Plan when list with us
• Click here to Check your Gilbert home's value instantly
• 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
Neighborhood Information . Provides relevant neighborhood information and content about the surrounding homes, community, market, schools, and lifestyle.

Social Media
By promoting our listings and real estate company via a variety of social media networks we are able to generate traffic to our website where our listings are featured:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Linkedin
• Pinterest
• Google+ Plus
• Youtube

Mobile App (iOS and Andriod)
Gives consumers access to the most accurate real estate information right at their fingertips:

Call 480.721.6253 or Contact Us to schedule a Complimentary & NO OBLIGATION Seller Consultation.

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