Getting Your House Ready To Sell: 10 tips to selling your house quickly

Getting Your House Ready To Sell 10 tips to  selling your house quickly.

Call Keji @ 301-613-2043 to get additional tips on how to get house ready to sell

Anyone selling a home nowadays wants their home to sell fast and at a reasonable price. Selling a home in this market may require more preparation than before due to the high number of homes in the market and the competition amongst sellers in your neighborhood as well. You will therefore have to prepare it well to impress your customers. Here are some steps for getting a house ready to sell:

1. Start Outside
Make sure when a buyer pulls up to your home with an agent they have a great first impression. The outside of your home is the first thing buyers see and if they don't like the outside, they will probably not even care too much about the inside. Keep these things in mind when preparing the outside.
- Make sure your lawn is mowed and landscaping is neat. 
- Keep the sidewalks clear of all toys and gardening supplies. 
- Paint window trims if they are cracked, peeling, or faded. 

- Make sure your house number is clearly visible to the buyer.


2. Make Sure You thoroughly clean your house.
Home owners usually clean the house before they put it up for sale and, no one wants to buy a house that they feel was neglected and not well-cared for. Buyers and good agents will usually take this into account because it shows how the house was taken care of while you were living in it. Here are some things to make sure they are cleaned and looking great.
- Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures. 
- Ensure the carpets are as cleaned as well as shampooed. 
- Clean out cobwebs. 
- Wax hardwood floors and kitchen floors. 
- Clean bathroom tile and bleach the grout. 
- Hang up fresh kitchen and bathroom towels. 

- Air out any musty areas and make sure the home smells fresh.


3. Declutter Your House and make it Impersonal.
When house buyers come to see your home they are not interested in seeing your family photographs and heirlooms. This is the chance you give them to picture their own photos on the wall and their own furniture in the home. Pack up those personal pictures and keep buyers from getting distracted by thinking about your family. Allow them to imagine themselves living in the house. When it comes to decorations and kick-knacks, less is more:
- Collect all your junk and odds and ends and pack them away. 
- Remove books and pictures. 
- Clean off kitchen and bathroom counters. 
- Remove personal hygiene items from plain view and pack them in a closet for daily use.

4. Forget about your emotions.
It is totally understandable that you have developed emotional ties to the home. There have been many memories in the home that you will have to let go off. Even though this is the case, you have to remember that you are trying to sell your house quickly so holding on is only going to do more harm than good. It is going to be hard but you have to cut the ties and get ready to move on.
- Stop seeing it, and referring to it as your home. It is now a product to be sold like any other good or service. 
- Don't take offense when buyers give any negative feedback about issues in the home. 
- Remove all personal effects that will cause you to reminisce.

5. Value Properly
The last thing you need to make sure that you do is to value the house at a fair and reasonable price that will attract potential buyers. If you don't acknowledge faults in the house you will value it higher than it should be. When you are selling your house you have to remember it doesn't matter what you think it is worth. It only matters what someone is willing to pay for it. Make sure you base your price on market values and comparable property in the recent past and always be ready to negotiate.

By taking the above precautions you can prepare your home to sell and could possibly have a quick property sale. Take time and remember the goal is not to dwell on memories, but to sell so you can move on and create new ones.

Other Resources to use when getting your house ready to sell

  Adding Value to your house within budget

  How to stage a house

 Get list of homes recently sold in your neighborhood

 Staging techniques for quick sale

Also search for homes for sale in your neighborhood to see how they are priced and staged. 

Keji & Associates of Fairfax Realty is a team of licensed agents working daily to get homes sold  for our clients in Bowie, Upper Marlboro, Fort Washington and other parts of the metro area. We delight our clients by delivering  world class service every step of the way and we strive to create a win-win situation this  is all part of our values and beliefs. 

Contact us @ 301-613-2043, email keji@metrohomesrealty.com or visit our website . www.metrohomesrealty.com

Keji Ogunleye , Associate Broker - Licensed in Maryland & Virginia, Fairfax Realty, Inc

301-613-2043, keji@metrohomesrealty.com, 

How to Stage a House: Top 10 staging Tips

How to stage a house with  these 10  staging tips that help sellers when preparing home for sale.

Call Keji @ 301-613-2043 For Your Real Estate Need or get More information on Preparing your home for sale

Staging your home is indispensable in the process of preparing your home for sale. It is the art of playing up your home's best features. It is the genius of giving prospective buyers the ability to see your home as their home. Staging is what happens after repairs are made. By staging your home, you minimize the amount of time your house spends on the market and maximize the sale price. Trying to sell your home without properly staging it is like trying to land a job by showing up to the interview in your pajamas with bed head and morning breath.

Here are 10 staging tips on how to stage a house to help put your home's best foot forward when preparing home for sale.

Curb Appeal 
When house shopping, people often decide whether or not they are interested by first driving by. Give the outside of your home a make over to convince potential buyers to take a closer look. Paint the front door and any shutters and trim to match. Make sure your lawn is mowed and hedges are trimmed. Weed and mulch any existing flower beds. If you have a porch, sweep away stray leaves and cobwebs. Strategically place patio chairs to create an inviting vignette. Nothing says, "Welcome!" like potted flowers near the front door.


De-Clutter
You are going to be moving out of your home soon. Start getting rid of clutter before your home sells to help it sell even faster. Pack up your seasonal items and any collections you may have. Clean out the junk drawer and organize the cupboards. This will go a long way toward helping prospective buyers visualize themselves living in your home.


Clean
This is the most important part of staging your home. A clean home looks and feels more spacious. And a clean home tells your buyer that your home has been well maintained. Dirty homes are a major turn-off to potential buyers. Although you can do it yourself, having a professional come in and clean your home has the advantage of getting a fresh perspective on what needs to be done for your house to be truly clean. The longer you've lived in your house, the more you may have come to overlook stains and cluttered areas. Additionally, dirty carpets can give your home an odor that sends both buyers and realtors looking elsewhere, especially if you have pets. Have your carpets professionally cleaned to rid your home of funky odors and carpet stains.


Paint
Paint is a quick and relatively inexpensive way to brighten up your home and give it a clean, crisp feel. Choose neutral colors that appeal to the widest possible audience. Light colors give your home an open and airy feel. A fresh coat of paint also improves the appearance of your house and makes your home seem more spacious and inviting. 


Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the main selling points of any house. A well-staged kitchen can clinch the sale. Stage the kitchen in such a way that the area is clean and bright. Remove all counter top appliances. Organize pantries and cupboards. Make every effort to show your potential buyers everything that your kitchen can be. If you have an eat-in kitchen, use a small table to show them just how inviting the space truly is. Cabinets that are outdated may need more than cleaning. For a quick update, replace old knobs and drawer pulls with more modern ones. 


Bathroom
After the kitchen, the bathroom is the biggest selling point of your house. Bathrooms can me made to look and feel more spacious by installing a pedestal sink. Make sure that all glass and chrome is clean, bright, and shiny. Pay special attention to shower doors. Give your bathroom a luxurious feel by placing thick, fluffy towels that are color coordinated with floor mats and drapes. Green plants also create an open and spacious ambiance.


Living Room
Arrange furniture in such a way that potential buyers notice nothing but how great a space it is for spending quality time with their families and entertaining guests. You'll want them to imagine that it is their living room, not remind them that it is yours. Do this by removing your portraits and religious items. Arrange furniture in groupings that promote conversation. If you have a fireplace, remove the television and make the fireplace the center of attention.


Bedrooms
Bedrooms should communicate comfort. Remove any excess furniture and use the smallest size bed possible to make the room appear as spacious as possible. Dress your bed with linens in neutral colors adding a conservative splash of color with throw pillows. Fresh cut flowers and greenery add an inviting touch of comfort.


Closets
Yes, they will look inside your closets! Ample storage space is high on the list of amenities that people look for in a home. Don't make people imagine how great the closets are. Show them by leaving the closets half full. You'll be surprised at how much stuff you've been meaning to give to charity but never got around to. Now is a good time. You'll get a tax deduction for your charitable contribution and your house will sell quicker than you anticipated. Next, organize and put on display what remains to showcase that closet's amazing space.


Back yard
Stage the back yard like an outdoor living room. Make it inviting and comfortable. Make sure that everything is just as neat and tidy as the front yard but with a relaxed feel. If you have a porch, add a patio table and chairs. If there is no porch, add an umbrella to the patio table. If your potential buyers feel like sitting on the back porch and staying a while, you might just have sold your house. Congratulations!

These staging tips are part of the overall marketing activity we provide for home sellers to get maximum price at the least amount of time. In addition we provide detailed home value estimate to assist in a house getting priced correctly.

Get our Free Seller's Guide to get started in preparing your home for sale

Keji & Associates of Fair fax  Realty is a team of licensed agents working daily to get homes sold for our clients in Bowie, Upper Marlboro, Fort Washington and other parts of the metro area. We delight our clients by delivering  world class service every step of the way and we strive to create a win-win situation this  is all part of our values and beliefs. Contact us @ 301-613-2043 , email keji@metrohomesrealty.com or visit our website . www.metrohomesrealty.com

Pointer Ridge Bowie, MD : Homes zoned for Pointer Ridge Elementary School

Pointer Ridge Bowie, MD

Pointer Ridge Elementary School

1110 Parkington Lane 

Bowie, MD 20716

301-390-0220

FAX -- 301-390-0281

Pointer Ridge Bowie located in South Bowie, offering different home styles and price point for home buyers. Homes available for Pointer ridge elementary school age students.  Check out our school reports on Pointer Ridge Elementary school , and Middle school and High school zoned for Pointer Ridge residents.

Homes Zoned For Pointer Ridge Elementary School $100,000-$200,000

Homes Zoned for Pointer Ridge Elementary School $200,000-$300,000

Homes Zoned For Pointer Ridge Elementary School $300,000- $400,000

Pointer Ridge Bowie  a great place to live with close proximity to nations capital and other interesting area in the metro area.

If you are looking to sell your  Pointer Ridge Bowie house call me for a free market analysis of your home's current value in Bowie and check out the current market report for Pointer ridge homes. If you are looking to buy a house in Bowie, I'd be happy to give a free consultation, of what homes are available for sale  in Bowie.  

Keji Ogunleye , Associate Broker - Licensed in Maryland & Virginia, Fairfax Realty,Inc 301-613-2043 keji@metrohomesrealty.com,www.metrohomesrealty.com  

Spot Light On Pointer Ridge Community in Bowie, MD

 Pointer Ridge  Bowie MD Homes For Sale

If you are looking for a community in South Bowie with easy access to many amenities then consider Pointer Ridge in South Bowie MD. This community is in zip code 20716 and is central to many amenities within Bowie and surrounding area.

Pointer Ridge is one of the old established neighborhood in south Bowie and it features many homes styles, walk able streets with not much traffic passing through the streets. The major road into and out of the community is Pointer Ridge Rd , this road feeds into other major roads going into Bowie and Upper Marlboro.

Pointer Ridge Home For Sale$100,000- $200,000

Pointer Ridge Homes For Sale $200,000-$400,000

Pointer Ridge Homes with basement

Pointer Ridge Homes with  Swimming Pools

Pointer Ridge Community

The Pointer Ridge community was started in 1968 located just south of  Bowie. Many of the homes are build around the same time with many featuring similar amenities and floor plans.  It has 1300 homes and covers almost 1160 acres in total.

Pointer Ridge Community Amenities

The nearest park to Pointer Ridge is just about 5 minutes from Pointer Ridge road -Allen Pond park. This park features 85 acres with many attractions and large amphitheater.

There are many small play grounds and park around Pointer Ridge that are walking distances to many homes in the area.

South Bowie Community Center: The community center is located on Pittsfield dr in Pointer Ridge with many  activities for all age group. Check them out for fitness, languages, summer camps and many more.

South Bowie Library: The newest library in the Prince Georges library memorial library system  with many modern amenities and books. The library is located off Hall road in Pointer Ridge.

Pointer Ridge Swim And Racquet Club One of the many private  member owned swim club in Bowie. Residents of Pointer Ridge Bowie and beyond can become a member of this club. The club has 3 different  size outdoor pool, tennis courts and out door play ground. Visit the website to get more information about becoming a member.

Bowie Post Office in Pointer Ridge:The Bowie Post Office is located off Pointer Ridge rd along with other nearby business and offices.

Pointer RidgeVolunteer Fire Department: The fire department is located on Pointer Ridge rd, they've been serving Pointer Ridge and surrounding area since 1928.

Bowie City Government: The city of Bowie government and police is located on Excalibur rd, about 10 minutes from Pointer Ridge.

Pointer Ridge Homes and Real Estate

The homes that can be found in Pointer Ridge community ranges from low $150,000 to $400,000. These homes are well built with superior craftsmanship that features different styles from colonial, to cape cod and clubbers. There is a  home waiting for anyone that wants to move to this lovely area of South Bowie. It is easy to buy or sell homes in Pointer Ridge.

ACCESS  TO AMENITIES

South Bowie provide easy access to several amenities when you live in Pointer Ridge .

Airport: BWI International Airport is just 40 minutes drive to from Pointer Ridge

Public Transportation: Metro Bus operates  multiple bus route within Pointer Ridge and to the metro rail stations. There are buses from Pointer Ridge to Addison Metro Station and Largo metro Station.

The City of Bowie operates curb-to-curb service for senior citizens, adults with disability within city limits for medical appointments, shopping, senior center activities and clubs.

There is easy access to

Schools

Hospitals

Retails shopping and Malls

Fine dinning and restaurants.

SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

There are several private, public schools which are accessible to  Pointer Ridge. We have information about local schools for Pointer Ridge and you can do a search and see many choices of schools available to residents living in this quite community.

Connect with Bowie Pointer Ridge real estate agent in the area to get detailed information about the PGCPS school ratings.

Pointer Ridge Bowie MD Real Estate Market

Due to the styles of these homes in Pointer Ridge and the central location of the community, homes  tend to sell quickly.  There are many different styles of homes to choose from with many floor plans and options. Check out the current homes available for sale in Pointer Ridge Bowie, MD

RESTAURANTS & EATERIES

Pointer Ridge in South Bowie is just minutes from Bowie town center that features many large retailers , mix of different restaurants and eateries.

There is also Pointer Ridge shopping center with local businesses and eateries and new a CVS Pharmacy coming to Route 301.

A Great place to Live: If you want close proximity to Washington Metro area but want to live in quiet area with all the amenities of big city and  suburban life then you will enjoy 

Homes Recently Sold in Pointer Ridge Bowie Zip code 20716

Homes Recently Sold in Pointer Ridge Bowie zip code 20716

Talk to real estate professional about homes in Pointer Ridge Bowie homes or other parts of Bowie: Call us at 301-613-2043

If you have a home in Pointer Ridge Bowie  and will like to get the current estimate value of your home click here for home value estimator

The median home prices in Pointer Ridge is $316,500 , higher than the national average of $179,100. Homes in Pointer ridge appreciated by 8.2% in the last 10 years, higher than city of Bowie overall average of  7.7%

The median age of homes is 46 years old ,lower than city of Bowie of 30 yrs old. The percentage of owner occupied homes in Pointer ridge is 94.0% ,higher than national average of 57.3%. Only 1.4% of homes are vacant in Pointer ridge , significantly lower than city of Bowie average of 4.5%

Homes recently sold in Pointer Ridge  are selling in average of 28 days with many selling for about 95.75% of the asking price.

Below are recently sold homes in Pointer Ridge Bowie.

15717 POINTER RIDGE DR, BOWIE, MD 20716

 $280,000

16018 PARTELL CT, BOWIE, MD 20716

$325,000

16112 POND MEADOW LN, BOWIE, MD 20716

$379,900

15904 POINTER RIDGE DR, BOWIE, MD 20716

$275,000

1200 PARKINGTON LN, BOWIE, MD 20716

$269,900

There are currently 13 homes for sale in Pointer Ridge , with 7 under contract within 30 days. The market condition in Pointer Ridge make it an ideal time to sell with many homes getting close to the asking price.

It is the Perfect Time to Move-Up

If you have a house in Pointer Ridge is it time to sell or move up? With home prices where they are and interest rates at all time low, there may have been never a better time to move-up into your dream home.  
To get started get our Free Home Selling Guide to  get tips
on how to how to prepare house for sale to get maximum price  when ready to sell and  adding value to home in preparation for sale.

Looking to move Bowie? Consider Pointer Ridge community ,with many amenities nearby and close proximity to schools and shopping Pointer ridge is an ideal location for first time home buyers.

Search homes for sale in Pointer Ridge 

Search For homes for sale by neighborhood in Bowie

Keji & Associates of Fairfax Realty is a team of licensed agents working daily to get homes sold for our clients in Bowie, Silver Spring and other parts of the DC metropolitan area. We delight our clients by delivering world class service every step of the way and we strive to create a win-win situation. This is all part of our values and beliefs. Contact us @ 301-613-2043, email keji@metrohomesrealty.com or visit our website . www.metrohomesrealty.com

8 Things To Do in Bowie for under $50.00

8 Things To Do in Bowie for under  $50.00

During the winter season there are so many things to do in Bowie that makes it a fun place to live all year round. The city of Bowie sponsored many events that residents can take advantage of without driving out side of Bowie.

Here are some of the best things to do in Bowie for under $50.00

1. Opera From a Sistah's Point of View.   This a performance by Angela Brown in collaboration with The Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts(www.4caapa.org) . The performance  will also includes students from Duke Ellington and the Prince George County Schools. City of Bowie is part of the sponsor for this event that will take place in the city.

When: Sunday January 25th @ 5:00 pm

Location: Bowie Center For the Performing Arts

15200 Annapolis Rd , Bowie 20715

Tickets: $25 for General Admission and $40 for reserved seating.

Tickets may be purchased at www.4caapa.org or call the event hot line @ 301-805-6880

2.Tulip Grove Elementary School Band:  This band  from one of the public school in Bowie will be performing at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts. What a great way to support the students and the teacher that have worked so  hard to put this event together. This is a free event open to everyone. Come on out and enjoy the band performance while cheering on our future artist.

When: Tuesday January 13th @ 7:00 pm

Location: Bowie Center For the Performing Arts

15200 Annapolis Rd , Bowie 20715

Tickets: Free

3: Bowie High's Got Talent: Bowie High School version of America got's talent is coming up again in January. The  only public high school in Bowie presents aspiring artist and performer for the Bowie High Got Talent show. Come out and support these students while they present variety of shows and talents. See them live as they prepare for the big stage.

When: Friday January 30th @ 7 pm

Where: Bowie Center For the Performing Arts

15200 Annapolis Rd , Bowie 20715

Tickets: Free

4: U.S Air Force Concert: The United States Air Force Band will be in Bowie performing variety of music genre . This event will feature talented college musicians, along with professionals. This is a two day workshop that allows the college students to learn from the professionals, and  the final event is the  public performance of the ensembles in Bowie. Don't miss the opportunity to hear the finest college musicians and best of all is free.

When: Sunday February 8th @ 3:00 pm

Where: Bowie Center For the Performing Arts

15200 Annapolis Rd , Bowie 20715

Tickets: Free

5: Ballroom Dance Lesson : Opportunity in Bowie to learn how to dance and meet new friends at the same time. If you've ever wanted to learn ballroom dance and have fun at the same time come out on Thursday evening for dance lesson for under $12:00.

When: Every Thursday @ 7 pm

Where: Knights of Columbus Hall

6111 Columbian Way, Bowie, MD 20715

Tickets: $10.00

7.Classic Jam: If ballroom dancing is not your thing, there is a classic jam location right in old Bowie. Come out and hear the classic music of past and present and get a dinner at the grille. Come out early to sigh up for this free event.

When: Every Wednesday @ 8:00 pm

Where: Old Bowie Town Grill

8604 Chestnut Av, Bowie, MD 20720

www:oldbowietowngrille.com

Tickets: Event free, but pay for food

8:Bowie Playhouse: Bowie Playhouse present 'A Shot in the Dark'  a production of Prince George's Little Theatre . A comedy  about a murder, a magistrate , parlor maid and a dead chauffeur .Come out and enjoy this light hearted comedy with the whole family.

When: January 9th 2015- January 24th @ 8 pm

Where : Bowie Playhouse in White Marsh Park

Route 3 Bowie, MD 20715

Tickets: $20 Adults. $15 Children

http://www.pglt.org  301-937-7458 for more information.

Whether you live in Bowie or surrounding area, or planning to visit soon, there's plenty to do on a budget. Get out and explore the city while supporting the arts and students of the city. 

Bowie is great city to live in, consider Keji & Associates for your real estate needs. We are even more knowledgeable in the area of real estate for all parts of Bowie and beyond

Keji Ogunleye

Fairfax Realty,lnc

301-613-2043

Making a Low ball offer on a house. Can I offer less than the asking price?

Making a Low ball offer on a house. Can I offer less than the asking price?

Talk to real estate professional at 301-613-2043

As agents, we get these questions every time from buyers: Can I offer less than the asking price? Can I make a low ball offer on a house and see if the seller will negotiate? My answer to these questions is you can make any offer you like, but is up to the seller to either accept, reject or counter the offer. However, before deciding to make a low ball offer consider the following:

- Home prices are based on the current market condition, home sellers working with agents price their houses based on what other homes are selling in the neighborhood, and not on what is selling in the state or in the country. The real estate market is local, extremely local. House prices in Bowie, MD  are very different from house prices in Upper Marlboro, MD even though they are in close proximity. Even within Upper Marlboro, the house prices differ based on the zip codes. For example, a house prices in the Upper Marlboro zip code of 20774 is higher than a house in zip code 20772. In deciding to make an offer, consider how much other houses in the subdivision or neighborhood are selling for. Is the price comparable to the others? Sometimes, when a house is over priced the seller may not be motivated to sell and as such any low ball offer will not motivate the seller to respond.

How long the house has been in the market?

When a house just gets into the market, home sellers generally will not entertain low ball offers. Before deciding to make a low ball offer, ask yourself: How many days have the house being in the market?  How long did it take other houses in the area to get an offer? How much showing is the house getting? Many times when a house that is appropriately priced gets in the market, regardless of what time many buyers want to see the house, increasing interest means a contract is sure to be offered very soon. Many times a low ball offer will not get a second chance if there are multiple offers on a house.  I listed a house in the Upper Marlboro zip code 20774 in October, the first day the house was on the market, we had over seven showing requests and by the second day, we had 5 offers. Why?  The house was priced appropriately and competitively. When the house gets on the market, there are seven other houses for sale in the market, five are under contract within a few days, the other two are active, but are often over priced.  In the offers we received, two of the offers were full price, three of the offers were over the listed price and two were low ball offers. The seller made a counter offer to the two offers that were over the asking price and the house was sold for $15,000 over the asking price.  In this real life example, the low ball offers was rejected without any chance for a counter offer. Sometimes, buyers will not a have a second chance. Before deciding to make a low ball offer, consider how long a house has been in the market and the level of buyers’ interest.

-Condition of the house

Before deciding to make a low ball offer, consider the condition of the house in relation to the other houses in the neighborhood that were recently sold.  Does the house need a lot of work? Is the house in move-in ready condition?   When a house is in move-in condition, sellers many times will not entertain a low ball offer. If a house needs some cosmetic work such as painting and new carpeting, the first question should be how much generally it will cost for these repairs. Sellers, many times, have an idea what it will cost to make some repairs and are willing to give concession for these repairs, but not accept a low ball offer.  In a townhouse for sale in Bowie that I recently sold, the townhouse needed some cosmetic repairs that would cost about $5000 based on a recent estimate. When the house got on the market, the cosmetic repairs were factored into the asking price. In two weeks the seller got three offers, one offer was for the asking price with three percent closing concession, the other offer was $10,000 below asking price and also asking for 3 percent closing concession, and the last offer was for $50,000 below asking price.  All these offers came in at different times; the seller decided to negotiate with the full price offer contract and accepted the offer after reducing the concession to two percent.  The lesson behind is before deciding to make a low ball offer consider how much you like the house. Also, ask yourself: will you have competition?  Many times, buyers only have one shot at getting a house, be sure to always put in your best offer. Before making a low ball offer, consider the condition of the house in relation to other houses in the neighborhood.

Valuations

Some buyers get home valuations from some of the online instant valuation site and reference that as the basis of their low ball offer. Online valuations like zestimate and trulia are grossly inaccurate. Many times, these valuations are 40-50% off on the value of a property and in some cases for unique properties they can be up to 70% off.  The data they use are many times outdated making the valuations will be incorrect.  The lesson here is: don't rely on these instant valuations to make an offer, ask your agent to provide a list of recent home sales in the neighborhood and compare those prices to the house for sale before making an offer.

Type of sale: Short Sale or Foreclosure

Many buyers tend to believe that because a house is a short sale they can make a low ball  offer and expect the bank to accept or negotiate with them. The truth about short sale is that many sell for close to the market value. Short sale lenders will do market valuations and make a decision on the price based on that valuation. As an experienced short sale agent, all of my short sales are priced very close to market value depending on the condition of the property. I also advised sellers on low ball offers since they will have very little chance of being accepted by short sale lender.  In a recent contract I wrote for a buyer client, the short sale property was listed for $255,000, the property condition was fair. It needed work before anyone could move in. However, similar homes in the area were selling for $320,000. My buyer client decided to offer $155,000 against my advice. I informed the buyer that the chance of the contract being accepted by the seller is next to nothing, but I wrote the offer.  As predicted the seller did not accept the offer, the house went under contract for $260,000- Someone else knew how much the house would be worth after repairs and made a very competitive offer. Short sales are already a discount and they are going to sell very close to market price.

Foreclosures are going to sell for close to market value as well depending on the condition. Just like short sales, foreclosure properties are also bank-owned properties and go through property valuations once the foreclosure process is completed before the house is put on the market for sale. The foreclosure lender will conduct a property condition inspection and some will request contractor estimate on what the necessary repairs will cost. All these factors are considered when deciding on the sales price. Some buyers think that because a house is bank-owned or foreclosed, the lender is desperate to get rid of the house. On the contrary, they want to sell the house, but they will not give it away. As with standard sale or short sale, ask for recent sold houses and make decision based on the market and condition.

Again, the real estate market is very local and state or national information should not be use as a basis of making offer on a house. Talk to a professional and use data to make a reasonable offer.

Keji & Associates of Fair fax  Realty is a team of licensed agents working daily to get homes sold for our clients in Bowie, Upper Marlboro, Fort Washington and other parts of the metro area. We delight our clients by delivering  world class service every step of the way and we strive to create a win-win situation this  is all part of our values and beliefs. Contact us @ 301-613-2043 , email keji@metrohomesrealty.com or visit our website . www.metrohomesrealty.com

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