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Realty Executives: Bill Cox

Getting Your Home Sold In A Tough Real Estate Market

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GETTING YOUR HOME SOLD IN A TOUGH REAL ESTATE MARKET


Although the Real Estate market is improving in 2012, it is still a buyers' market. However, there are steps a seller can take that will assure them of getting their home sold quickly and getting a fair price.


According to the MLS of Catawba Valley, homes in Hickory, NC are selling for 90% of list price with an average marketing time of 183 days. Keep in mind, this 90% does not include any closing costs the seller may pay for the buyer or the seller's own closing cost, but on a positive note, if the average is 90%, then that means there are homes selling for 93 -- 95% of list price.


Here are some steps a seller can take:


1. GET YOUR HOME READY TO SELL
In preparing your home for the market, spend as little money as possible. Concentrate on making minor and inexpensive touchups to your home, rather than extensive and costly renovations. While prospective buyers may be impressed by a brand new roof or a modern kitchen, they aren't likely to give you enough extra money to pay for the renovations. Putting new knobs on cabinets and a fresh coat of neutral paint in the living room are more practical and less expensive updates.


2. MAXIMIZE THE EXTERIOR AND CURB APPEAL OF YOUR HOME 
Sellers should take the time to maximize the exterior and curb appeal of their home before putting it on the market. This can be done by:
• Keeping the lawn edged, cut, and watered regularly
• Trimming the hedges, weeding lawns and flowerbeds, and pruning trees regularly
• Adding some fresh mulch, rock, or stone to the landscaping
• Checking the foundation, steps, walkways, walls, and patios for cracks and crumbling
• Inspecting doors and windows for peeling paint
• Cleaning and aligning gutters
• Inspecting and cleaning the chimney
• Repairing and replacing loose or damaged roof shingles
• Repairing and repainting loose siding and caulking
• Re-sealing an asphalt driveway
• Keeping your garage door closed
• Storing RVs or old and beaten-up cars elsewhere while the house is on the market
• Applying a fresh coat of paint to the front door
3. MAXIMIZE THE INTERIOR APPEAL OF YOUR HOME


• A seller should take the time to give each room in the house a thorough cleaning and remove all the clutter. This alone will make your house appear bigger and brighter. You may give some thought to renting a storage unit and storing some of your furniture or collectables. 
• Remove the less frequently used items from kitchen counters, closets, basement, and attics: this makes these areas much more inviting. Since you're already anticipating a move, you may want to consider holding a garage sale at this point.
• Repaint dingy or strongly colored walls with a neutral shade of paint
• Check basement and attic for cracks, leaks, and signs of dampness.
• Repair cracks, holes, and damage to plaster, wallboard, wallpaper, paint, and tiles.
• Replace broken or cracked windowpanes, moldings, and other woodwork.
• Inspect and repair the plumbing, heating, cooling, and alarm systems.
• Repair dripping faucets and showerheads. 
• Spruce up a kitchen in need of major remodeling by investing in new cabinet knobs, new curtains, or a coat of neutral paint.
And finally, when you are ready to put the home on the market, price it to sell. Too many times a seller wants to put their home on the market at a higher price with the intentions of coming down on the price later. Please understand, when a home is on the market for a long period of time, buyers think the home has a problem and that creates low incoming offers.
Therefore, by getting the home ready to sale before marketing and initially pricing the home to sell, you can improve the odds of getting your home sold quickly and at a fair price.

Buying a Foreclosure. - Bill Cox

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Hello. My name is Bill Cox with Realty Executives of Hickory NC. I have been selling Real Estate in the Hickory and surrounding areas for over 25 years. Today, I am going to speak to you on the topic of 


Purchasing a Foreclosure

Are you interested in purchasing a foreclosure in the Hickory area? Currently there are 160 foreclosed single family homes listed for sale in the Catawba valley association realtors multiple listing service. Whether you are looking for an investment to use as a rental, a home to refurbish and flip, or a home to use as your personal residence , chances are, there is a property waiting for you. These properties range from needing total renovations to being move in ready.
A couple things to keep in mind when purchasing a foreclosed home. When an offer is submitted on a foreclosure, a proof of funds, if cash, or a pre-qualified letter, if obtaining financing, must accompany the offer to purchase. Therefore, it is important to have your finances in order when you begin to look at properties. Homes that are a good deal, usually go fast, and sometimes have several offers come in at the same time. 
Secondly, most foreclosures are sold in as is condition, and the sellers will make no repairs. Occasionally, you can negotiate some repairs, but that is not the norm. However, there are mortgage programs that will include the price of repairs into a mortgage and allow the repairs to be made after closing. Most foreclosure companies will give you 10 days to do your inspections, and to get out of the contract and get your deposit refunded, if the home is not satisfactory.
Finally, most companies want the home to close within 30 days of a signed contract, and some will even charge you a per day fee if the deal is not closed on time. Usually, you can get this fee waived, but while purchasing a foreclosure can get you a deal, it is important, to be prepared beforehand.
For help in purchasing a foreclosure or any other Real Estate need, feel free to contact me on my cell at 828-381-7449. Feel free visit me on the web at soldbybillcox.com, where you can shop for foreclosures or any other Real Estate properties.
I am Bill Cox with Realty Executives of Hickory NC. Hope you enjoyed viewing this video and find it informative. If I can help with any of your Real Estate needs, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Why Use a Realtor?

Why Use a Realtor?

Hello.  My name is Bill Cox and I am with Realty Executives of Hickory, North Carolina. I have been selling homes in the Hickory Metro area for over twenty-five years.  One of the most often asked questions that I receive is, “ Do I really need to use a Realtor?”  Well, today, I am going to answer that question. A Realtor can help in both purchasing and selling Real Estate.

When purchasing Real Estate, a Realtor will assist you in finding a qualified mortgage specialist.  A mortgage is one of the most important pieces of the real estate purchasing process. A mortgage specialist will determine how much the client can spend and let the client know the monthly payments. Once the mortgage is secured, a Realtor will assist the client in the property search.  Realtors are members of the local multiple listing service, which is a database of all the properties currently listed for sale.  So if a client is looking for a specific school district, a neighborhood near shopping, a residence outside the city limits, or a property with acreage, a Realtor can help with these categories and many, many more. After finding the right property, a Realtor can assist the buyer in negotiating a contract. With a Realtor’s knowledge of the current market, he or she can make sure the client gets the best deal possible. With the property now under contract, a Realtor can assist the buyer in finding qualified professionals to investigate and inspect the property and provide the findings in writing to the client. Finally, a Realtor can assist the buyer in finding a qualified Real Estate attorney to close the transaction. A Realtor will be there with you in every step of the purchasing process, from the beginning until the keys are in your hand. 

When selling Real Estate, a Realtor can provide you up-to-date information on what is happening in the market place. A Realtor will have knowledge of price, financing terms, and conditions of competing properties. A Realtor will market your property to other Real Estate agents as well as to the public.  As a member of the Multiple Listing Service, A Realtor can share the information about your property will all the Realtors in the area.  With print media and internet, a Realtor will be able to market your property to the general public. A Realtor can assist the seller in evaluating and negotiating any offers from potential buyers.  With the Realtor’s knowledge of the marketplace, he or she can aid the seller in accepting the right offer.

Once the property is under contract, a Realtor can help in getting the deal closed,  even  helping to resolve any last minute issues that may arise.

My name is Bill Cox with Realty Executives of Hickory N.C.  I have been selling the Hickory Metro Area for over 25 years, and I thank you for viewing.

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