SELLING YOUR HOME I have several plans to choose from!  The Residential Purchase Contract explained in detail: click here> http://www.aaronline.com/News/ARDonline/RPC_ARD_Insert.pdf By Arizona law, your Arizona Realtor writes the sales and listing contracts! The only other licensed professional in Arizona that is allowed to do so, is an attorney. SEE MY "Moving Coach" Program - below. ***************************************************************  This is how "you" see your home.
 This is how the "Appraiser" sees your home! In the end, no matter what the contract price - the Appraiser will set the "sales" price!
************************************************************ Simple - Just "click here" and I will tell you what your home is worth! ******************************************** I have over 20 years of business experience and I use all of them to ensure that your home sale moves along smoothly. For more general information, click on the link below: click here>  (the buying and selling processes) I operate several web pages and do my own web advertisements. I also advertise, weekly, in the Arizona Republic. Why? Because those forms of advertising work! See Graph. 
***************The facts************** Why use a Realtor? First, the real estate industry adapted to the Information Age and changed the way we work to meet consumers’ needs. That’s why studies have consistently shown that home buyers who use the Internet to search for a home are more likely to work with a professional than those who don’t. The industry also spawned new business models and gave consumers more choices in how they work with professionals.
Second, what real estate agents do is very different from travel agents or securities brokers. Every piece of real estate is unique, the transaction process is complex and, if you will excuse me for pointing out the obvious, real estate is the original bricks and mortar business.
Finally, the plain fact is that hiring a professional pays off. The typical home represented by a professional last year sold for 16 percent more than those sold without a professional’s help. That profit more than pays for the agent’s commission. Millions of homeowners know it, and that’s why they will continue to call on experienced real estate professionals.
Thomas M. Stevens CRB CRS GRI
2006 President,
National Association of REALTORS® *********************************************************************** Top 10 Ways Sellers can guarantee that their home will not sell: 1. Be casual, not really serious about selling your home.
A sage once quipped, "Money is only important when you don't want something enough." Real estate expert R.L. Brown said that if half of the 58,000 Sellers in Maricopa County removed their for-sale signs we'd be at normal inventory levels. Actions speak louder than words in this market. Discretionary Sellers should wait for a less competitive market environment. 2. Price it wrong.
A home properly priced is half sold. No amount of full-color ads, glossy fliers, multiple photos, virtual tours, Agent luncheons, Goodyear blimps or pom-pom girls will compensate for a wrong, timid retail price. The “wrong” price, in any market, is still the wrong price! Don’t get greedy! Take a “fair” profit and move on! 3. Ignore your Agent.
Attorneys believe if you represent yourself, you have a fool for a client. Doctors don't self-diagnose. Professionals use professionals. Even though many people believe they're experts on raising kids and real estate, full-time, career pros usually know what's best. Listen to your Agent very carefully. 4. Micro-manage the marketing.
If you sold cookware in college, carts in California, or carpeting in Cranston, it does not qualify you to second-guess your Agent. If you ever had a real estate license, years ago, save your stories about the "good old days" for your children. You can share your concerns and timelines, but leave the details to your Realtor! 5. Reject staging suggestions.
Someday shag multi-colored, sculptured carpeting will come back. Whitewashed cabinets, Navajo white walls, linoleum flooring, lots of personal photos, trinkets and Elvis paintings on black velvet need to go. Listen to your Agent! 6. Let Fido (your animals/pets) loose.
I recently entered a house and had two frisky, friendly black Labs run up to sniff me. Unfortunately, I had light-gray dress slacks on that day. Both wet stains lasted for hours. Until that day I didn't realize dogs enjoyed chewing the tassels on expensive loafers. Hide or properly secure your pets! Out-of-sight is out-of-mind, including pet accessories! 7. Talk to the Buyers – never!
Life gets lonely at times. Why not ask the buyers where they grew up? Or, how much they will qualify for? Tell them about the vacant rental next door. Maybe they could babysit next weekend! Why not share war stories, horror movies or meatloaf recipes? Never chat with prospective Buyers! You will always share too much information. Buyers are not looking for new friends; they are looking for a home. They have zero interest in you or your family! 8. Sell personal items.
Wow, maybe the buyers want to buy the patio furniture or rotary lawnmower. You have only four more boxes of Girl Scout cookies to sell. Why not ask for a donation for the March of Dimes, the Humane Society or the local PBS station? Remember the saying, "loose lips sink ships." 9. Discount that smell.
My house doesn't smell of pets, baby diapers, curry powder, garlic, fried fish, coconut incense, cigars, manure, mulch, dairy farms or low tide. The buyer must be confusing “my castle” with that tract home. If your Agents smell something – others will, as well. You are used to your odors – others are not. Tip: Place some vanilla extract in a dish and place it in the kitchen – hidden. Folks love the smell or the smell of a new home! Use an odor eliminator (unscented). 10. Dismiss feedback.
What do buyers know anyway? They can't possibly mind my barbed wire fence, heavy-duty rebar, backyard bomb shelter, airport runway views, lights from the power plant, hum from the high-voltage lines, railroad tremors, scorpion skeletons, termite mud tubes and pet snakes. What are they thinking? Pay special attention to all feedback! Remember, Buyers have seen more homes on the market than you have and know your competition. The Buyer is always right! PS: Remember – 9 times out of 10, the first offer will be your “best” offer! The longer you hold your property, the more you will be paying for it! You do have “carrying costs”! ************************************************************************** Arizona Law In Arizona, your Realtor writes the sales and listing contracts... this is no time for mistakes. My business experience and contact writing ability assures you of the best representation. I know how to market your home locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. I have a proven record. These services are above, and beyond, anything that RE/MAX does. The RE/MAX programs, alone, reach over 120,000 agents throughout the world (in 65 countries). Several Marketing Plans to choose from! Contact me today for complete plan details! MARKETING Plans to choose from MLS beveled system marketing Re/Max Agent home tour Realtor Area MLS Tours Zip code Agents Tour Professionally photographed literature and brochures Marketing to the other Real Estate offices throughout the Valley! Direct Marketing to all of the Realtors in the area!
I advertise in the following periodicals (depends on the PLAN): Homes and Land (seasonal) Phoenix Homes & Garden (>$2m) Arizona Republic Re/Max Large Display Ads Arizona Republic Hot Properties Desert Vista's Sonoran News & Desert Advocate (location dependant) MLS - Multiple Listing Service All professionally printed brochures with professional photography Professional videography - virtual tours Agent created digital photo archive of every room in your home
I also advertise using the following: RE/MAX national Re/Max International web sites My website at www. billduffey. com MSN Home Advisor web site Google Real Estate Yahoo Real Estate Property signage (where allowed) with brochure box Internet Virtual Tours Digital still photos of every room Classified Ads .com MSN Home Advisor homes for sale Arizona Republic web site Mailings to all other area Real Estate agents Mailing to property owners in the area Mailings to other Real Estate companies Craig's list Numerous other web sites
Several of my own web sites *********************** Why use a Realtor? 76 Things that can go wrong in a real estate transaction and counting.. There is almost an endless list of problems that must be navigated in a real estate transaction. 1- The loan is denied
2- The appraisal is too low.
3- The Seller changes their mind to sell.
4- The Buyer changes their mind to buy.
5- The Buyer's employment changes.
6- The Buyer's credit changes.
7- Property cannot be conveyed by Seller.
8- There are mechanics liens on the property.
9- There are property encroachments.
10- New easements are discovered.
11- The CC& R's are not agreeable.
12- The Home Owner’s Association documents are not acceptable.
13- The Buyer’s renting history is not long enough to qualify for a loan.
14- The down payment amount cannot be reached.
15- The Seller cannot find a new property.
16- The Mortgage company “Underwriter” pulls the loan.
17- Final loan contingencies cannot be met.
18- The Seller dies.
19- The Buyer dies.
20- Probate has not cleared.
21- The money wire fails to arrive.
22- Social Security numbers don't match and clear.
23- 'Notice of Interest' found on the title.
24- Seller can't be found or the Buyer can not be found. It happens.
25- Home has sold once before, in past 90 days (FHA properties).
26- Property Tax ID is incorrect. Tax info is not correct.
27- Buyer cannot obtain insurance for the property.
28- RADON gas is found.
29- Toxins found on the property.
30- Corrections to the SPDS must be made.
31- Seller concession is disallowed.
32- Principal broker dies.
33- Seller has tenants.
34- Conflict in Buyer's current lease.
35- Loan program changes in mid-contract.
36- Water soluble soils found.
37- Spring found on property.
38- Property is below flood level.
39- Property description is not valid.
40- Unrecorded easement dispute.
41- Property line dispute.
42- Possession dispute.
43- The Buyer declared incompetent.
44- The Seller declared incompetent.
45- Buyer is not going to occupy the property and the loan fails.
46- Capital Gains tax changes sale contingencies.
47- Government condemns or seizes the property.
48- Buyers must sell their home before purchasing.
49- Seller owes more than purchase price and a very lengthy “short sale” process ensues.
50- Buyer's down payment is garnished.
51- The property inspection uncovers problems.
52- Seller takes out bankruptcy during the contract.
53- Compactable soils found. Contamination found.
54- Loan is late.
55- Appraisal is late.
56- Money for down payment is outside the country.
57- The Lender demands repairs to the property.
58- Buyer's 'proof of funds' do not clear.
59- Buyer's employment verification does not clear.
60- Tax lien encumbers the title.
61- Water rights are in dispute.
62- Seller removes 'real property' from the site.
63- Seller's employment transfer to another state, reverses.
64- FHA requires repairs (FHA only).
65- Underwriter leaves on vacation. Mortgage person quits or leaves.
66- The home is damaged, while under contract.
67- Buyer changes employers and affects the “qualification”.
68- Buyer increases debt while under contract and is disqualified.
69- Buyer's cash funds are not 'seasoned'.
70- Sale fails on 'chain reaction' of sales.
71- A person or family member on title cannot be found.
72- Title must reflect divorce decree.
73- Buyer 'credit lines' are too short.
74- Adverse possession rights are found.
75- Subsurface fissures are found.
76- No agent on other side. JUST TO NAME A FEW THINGS THAT CAN GO WRONG! *********************** HOME STAGING - DO IT! I have the consultants and vendors to do it right! STAGING Q&As
1. What’s the value of staging?
A well-staged room invites buyers in and helps them see past the sellers’ possessions to the layout and square footage. Staging also helps draw buyers’ eyes to the best feature of the room, such as French doors or a fireplace. Staged homes sell faster and for more money, says professional stager Kala Callahan of Addressed to Sell in Wilmette, Ill. A 2003 Home survey of 2,000 practitioners found that staging could increase the sales price by $2,275 to $2,841; cleaning and de-cluttering could add $2,093 to $2,378 to the final price. And a 2004–2005 survey of home owners by training company StagedHomes.com found that staged homes sold for 6.9 percent more than homes that were not staged.
2. What does it cost to stage a house? Staging an average-sized home can be accomplished for about $500 to $1,000 or more, depending on the extent of the work (painting, carpeting, accessories, labor) involved, say staging pros and practitioners...Furniture rental could add more to the bottom line. Some items, like re-carpeting, etc. can be deferred until Closing. |
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************************* *********************** RESPA - Real Estate
Settlement Procedures Act  <click here ************************** Betty Beard
The Arizona Republic
Oct. 12, 2006 Real estate agents say sellers need all the help they can get in a competitive market where the average time to sell a home is now 90 days. In a standard transaction, full service costs 6 percent.
The National Association of Realtors says that regardless of whether it's a sellers' market or a buyers' market, about 85 percent of sellers use real estate agents. A survey of 7,800 buyers and sellers taken last year found that only 13 percent did not use an agent, said Walter Molony, a spokesman for the NAR. That percentage has held up for years, varying only a few percentage points every year. "We think the reason is the increasing complexity of the transactions and the time involved," Molony said. Real estate has become more complex because sellers have to disclose more, such as environmental conditions.
Sellers also worry about having strangers come to their homes. "If you use an agent, they (potential buyers) are prescreened," Molony said.
Sellers acting on their own also may be uncomfortable negotiating, said Ron LaMee, vice president of information services for the Arizona Association of Realtors.
"Do you want to mess with it? Do you have the expertise? Do you have the ability to negotiate hard bargains?" he asked.
They also said experienced real estate agents can give sellers tips that will help them sell their homes faster and for more money. "You need an objective eye to look through the house and recommend cosmetic changes," Molony said. ************************ Daily Real Estate News | January 8, 2007 Empty Houses Lead to Lower Prices
With spring right around the corner, many housing industry experts are hoping the real estate market will see some noticeable improvements.
However, there is one snag that can potentially keep prices down — the large number of vacant homes for sale and rent.
In the third quarter of 2006, there were 5.7 million vacant housing units, accounting for a record 4.6 percent of all U.S. homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The average in the 1990s was about 3.5 percent. To get this ratio back to normal, 1.3 million vacant homes would need to be occupied.
Lots of empty homes push home prices downward, says analyst Ivy Zelman of Credit Suisse. Owners of unrented, unsold homes must pay for insurance, lawn service, taxes and, often, a mortgage.
Seeing those costs pile up can motivate an owner to sell or rent at much lower prices. When a house sells at a lower price, other would-be buyers expect lower prices as well.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, Justin Lahart (01/08/07)
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*********************************** RE/MAX Moving Coach Program THE MOVING COACH™ for My Clients (free) The Moving Coach™ is the premier destination for RE/MAX customers who are moving their household goods. This unique program is designed to help make your move a great success! Moving can be complicated and time consuming. The Moving Coach helps solve this dilemma by providing them with a free, innovative, reliable, one-stop solution around making a move. By harnessing strategic relationships with the nation's leading van lines, the Moving Coach helps them identify, communicate, and contract with the top moving companies. This service saves time and money through volume-based contracts with rates and services not typically available to the general public. Best of all, they will be assigned their own moving coach. The Moving Coach will act as their advocate throughout the entire process!  I do not receive any compensation from them.
Benefits include:  Free multiple estimates
Personalized review of estimates Guidance throughout the entire moving process. Automatic VIP Status Discounted tariff rates more than 50% FREE valuation (protection) up to $75,000 No peak season rate increase And much more! Tips on selling your home: For Sale by Owner? This can be a very dangerous business! Roughly One Realtor, per month, is killed on the job! According to information provided by the National Association of Realtors' Realtor Safety Council, more than 200 real estate agents have been killed on the job from 1982-2000 as they showed homes to strangers. The Real Estate Safety Council, a nonprofit dedicated to improving safety in the workplace, reported that nationally 21 real estate agents were murdered while on the job in 2000. A total of 206 agents died as a result of violent assaults from 1982 through 2000. |
NORTHEAST FLORIDA -- Realtor Carney Kirtley knows what it's like to worry about safety when showing an empty house to a potential buyer. Several years ago, a man locked the door behind them as they entered alone. Kirtley left. Another time, the sellers returned home to discover a visitor had stolen drugs from the medicine cabinet during an open house. |
TWO HUNDRED ESTATE AGENTS MURDERED IN US IN THE PAST DECADE <link
Firstrung - London,UK ***************local ********** The Pima County Sheriff's Department is looking for a man who attacked and sexually assaulted a real estate agent last month while she was showing a home on the Northeast Side. The assault occurred Dec. 26, 2006 at about 4 p.m. when a man who had made an appointment to see the residence showed up and attacked the woman, said Deputy Dawn Barkman, a sheriff's spokeswoman. |
********************************* Area Convicted Murder Loses Appeal Posted: 3:08 PM Jun 28, 2007
Last Updated: 3:13 PM Jun 28, 2007 Florida's Supreme Court says Walton County killer Jesse Gaurdado should stay on death row. Needing money to continue his cocaine binge and repair his truck, the career criminal murdered and robbed 75-year-old Jackie Malone in South Walton. The murder happened at Malones home in September of 2004 as Hurricane Ivan was approaching northwest Florida.
Malone, a popular realtor and community activist, had befriended Guardado and helped him get a job after he was released from prison. Guardado pleaded guilty to the murder, admitting he beat Malone on the head with a steel breaker bar. He then stabbed her several times, including once in the heart and cut her throat. |
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************************************** Daily Real Estate News | May 29, 2007 Practitioner Found Dead at House Trying to Sell
The body of a real estate practitioner was found shot to death in the basement of a Bowie, Md., home he was trying to sell, the Prince George County Police reported.
A builder who came to the house to inspect remodeling work found Samuel D’Costa in the basement with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. D’Costa was an associate with RE/MAX Sails Inc., in Berwyn Heights, Md.
Family members said his wife last saw him on Wednesday when he rushed out the door, saying he had a lead on an interested buyer for the home.
"He usually tells [his wife] exactly where he's going, when he's going to be back, but he was in such a hurry that day, he didn't tell her much about where he was going to be," his sister-in-law Anna Quiah said.
Police say they have no suspects at this point. Police also found the charred remains of D'Costa's car less than four miles away from the home.
Source: Baltimore Sun, Madison Park and Ruma Kumar (05/27/07) ********************************************************* ****** If you thought selling real estate was without risk *********** Realtor Murder Case Goes to Trial Reported By: Jon Shirek Last Modified: 9/17/2007 11:32:15 PM A jury of nine women and three men was chosen Monday, and testimony will begin Tuesday, in the trial of the suspect in the so-called model home murders that occurred nearly four years ago in Powder Springs.
Stacey Ian Humphreys faces the death penalty if convicted of killing real estate agents Lori Brown, 21, and Cynthia Williams, 33, on November 3, 2003. Judge Robinson moved the trial far from Cobb County, to the town of Brunswick in Glynn County, in southeast Georgia, at the request of the defense, in order to have a better chance of finding jurors who have never heard about the case.
The women's violent deaths, and the search for Humphreys, frightened residents of the subdivision and nearby neighborhoods, and frightened real estate agents across the state. *************** Also ********************* Victim of alleged rape helps police arrest attacker
San Jose Mercury News - CA, USA
By Rachel Cohen A 47-year-old real estate agent's quick thinking saved her life and led to an arrest soon after she was allegedly raped by a prospective ...
See all stories on this topic Realtor Helps Cops Catch Rape Suspect
San Leandro Times - CA, United States
By : Amy Sylvestri : 8/29/07 The woman, a 47-year-old realtor, was showing a house in unincorporated Alameda County on August 16 when Howard Moore, 24, ...
See all stories on this topic Victim has alleged rapist arrested in coffee-shop sting
San Diego Union Tribune - United States
Howard Moore, 24, of San Leandro allegedly choked, robbed and raped a 47-year-old real estate agent in suburban San Francisco on Aug. ...
See all stories on this topic Man found guilty of raping real estate agent
9NEWS.com - Denver,CO,USA
When she arrived, prosecutors say Bradshaw robbed her, raped her and held her against her will. The Weld County District Attorney's office has also filed ...
See all stories on this topic *************************************************************** Over 10% of ALL properties put for sale are "For Sale By Owner" or FSBO's as we call them! BUT fewer than 13% of those FSBO's will actually sell "by the owner"! Over 87% of all FSBO's will end up selling through Realtors® 80% of all Buyers are searching the Internet and Realtor® sites. Source: NAR's Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers Report ****************************** 
******************************** CLOSING COSTS - Watch this one. For example purposes only: On roughly a $1m home it could be about 1/2 of 1 percent. It is subject to a whole list of items that can dramatically increase this rough "rule of thumb"! Always ask for the preliminary closing statement, as soon as you can, to determine your net. Your home, Homeowner's Association, prorated taxes, golf memberships, etc. can dramatically affect this closing costs. ****************************** Short Sales - If you owe more than your home will likely sell for - CALL ME! There are a number of things you will have to do with your lender to sell your home. ******************************* This article was published on: 09/01/2006
Show off the details
Spruce Up an Open House
Use these quick and easy tips to ensure that potential buyers appreciate a home's finer details from the moment they walk through the door.
BY LESLIE BANKER
When potential buyers look at a property, their eyes should be glued to the architectural highlights that lend to the home’s character: the crown molding, the built-in cabinets, the lavish fireplace, the open floor plan.
But if your sellers didn’t get a head start on cleaning and packing, there’s a chance buyers will instead focus on the cluttered shelves, the old family photos, or the less-than-sparkling windows.
When a listing needs some sprucing up, it takes diplomacy and a delicate touch to make suggestions to sellers and to provide solutions. It might seem awkward to ask clients to tidy up their house, yet some simple improvements might be the difference between a home that sells quickly and one that languishes on the market.
Here are few key points for making a home’s finest details stand out:
Start with the entryway. What is your first impression as you approach the house and open the front door? The lawn should look well tended and the landscaping cared for. Exterior architectural features, such as columns or a front porch, should be on display — not hidden behind overgrown shrubs. Garden tools and lawn ornaments should be tidied up or removed altogether. Tackle the clutter issue. You’ve undoubtedly heard this advice before, but that’s because it’s so important: Sellers will have to deal with clutter sooner or later, so they ought to do it sooner, before potential buyers have already come and gone. Clutter detracts from the home and should be packed up or thrown away. Pay special attention to the kitchen, where prospective buyers are sure to spend much of their time. Shine doorknobs, handrails, and more. Add a layer of sparkle in each room and the hallways by polishing the doorknobs, handrails, hinges, vents, and lighting fixtures — especially if you want to draw attention to vintage features or unique details that make the home stand out from the rest. Clean the molding and baseboards, too. Show off the windows. Those bay windows can be a major selling point — if they’re clean, that is. A good cleaning (don't forget the screens!) will help to highlight the style of the windows, bring in natural light, and draw attention to great views. Pull the curtains back so potential buyers can appreciate the full shape of each window. Accentuate closet space. In older homes, small closets are a common challenge. They’ll look bigger if they’re organized and not stuffed to the gills. A buyer should be able to look into a closet and be able to visualize placing his or her belongings into it. Box up non-essential items and store them in a rented storage space, an attic, a basement or a garage. A closet will look much more organized if, instead of a tangle of wire hangers, you use matching plastic or wooden hangers. Pack the personal items. Family photographs, children's artwork, and religious or ethnic decorations make it difficult for potential buyers to see the space as their own. Ask the sellers to move their personal items out of sight. Potential buyers also don’t need to see the seller’s prescription medications, toothbrush, or socks hanging out to dry. Conquer stale smells. While a seller might not think twice about, or even notice, the smell of cigarette smoke, a kitty litter box, or dogs, a potential buyer is sure to be turned off. This can be a delicate issue, but it’s necessary to address. Ask the seller to keep odors to a minimum by smoking outside, paying more attention to the kitty litter, or generally being aware of the issue.
Beyond these tips, there are some other things that you can do to enhance home showings. Place a vase of fresh-cut flowers in rooms that you want buyers to linger longer. On the kitchen table, a big bowl of fresh fruit such as apples, lemons, and limes makes a wonderful centerpiece. And use lighting to enhance special details, such as the marble kitchen counters or high ceilings.
If you feel that you need extra help to prepare a home for sale, you can contact professional stagers in your area, who can provide a range of services to home owners. Some real estate practitioners offer staging as part of their commission, while others refer sellers to a few stagers they’ve met and feel comfortable working with.
As you know, first impressions are a big deal in real estate. A home with great architectural details should be able to sell itself. Make sure that distractions that could deter buyer interest are eliminated so that it’s easy for potential buyers to say, “This is the one for me.”
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****************************** Pet and Smoke Smells ************** Odor buster at www.odor-buster.com can be used. Also a product called 'Zero Odor' is another product that is often used. Change the furnace filter, have the duct work cleaned, clean the carpets & drapes, wash and/or paint the ceilings & walls, use Febreeze etc? One professional home stager recommends that you purchase charcoal and leave several pieces in each room as it's an odor absorber. So is baking soda and vinegar. But, cleaning will by far eliminate the majority of the odor. There is a machine out there called an "o-zone machine". You may be able to rent it from a local rental store. It is not expensive to rent and is truly AMAZING!! It takes out odors of everything from smoke to pets. Ground Coffee beans will absorb odor too. (Its a temporary fix, otherwise painting will fix the problem.) ClenAir odor neutralizer. They sell gel tubs and liquid sprays. The gel tubs are best. You just strategically place them around the house and they draw the odor out of the air. They are fragrance free. They do not mask or deodorize the air. They actually neutralize it. Change all of the light bulbs because they are covered in smoke/tar that when turned on, will heat up and cause the smell to emit. One technique that I have used - with great success - I will share with you when you list with me....... Remember, if you smoke in your home, you have just eliminated 75% of the Buyers in the market - quit, live a healthy life and prosper! ****************************** Don't get Zillow-ized Realtors (agents who are members of the National Association of Realtors) list and sell homes within 99 percent accuracy, according to a recent report by the NAR. While that may seem a self-serving statistic, it's easy enough to check in your local MLS. Even if homes sell within 95 percent of listing price, that's still pretty good compared to zillow's zestimates. Zillow.com admitted to BusinessWeek in February 2006 during its much-publicized launch that its "estimates are typically on target, falling within 10 percent of the actual home-sale prices 62 percent of the time." ********************** GET A CLUE REPORT CLUE Report Can Alert Buyers to Damages
You can avoid nasty surprises after the deal closes by encouraging buyers to review a home's CLUE report.
That’s what ChoicePoint Asset Co. calls its Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange history.
Based on claims information submitted by insurers to the CLUE database, the report includes dates, types of claims, and the amount paid for each claim. If the report shows no losses, a home buyer can feel confident that no one has filed a fire, flood, windstorm or other claim against an insurer.
However, if a claim has been filed, the buyer will know to take an extra-hard look at the area that was damaged. Also if the report shows that someone has filed a water-based insurance claim for mold, that might be reason enough to move on. A mold claim often makes it difficult for subsequent owners to obtain homeowners insurance. And if they can obtain insurance, it might be extremely expensive.
Only the home owner can obtain these reports, so the buyer will have to ask the seller to purchase one. The report costs $19.50 and can be obtained from the ChoicePoint Web site.
Source: United Feature Syndicate, Lew Sichelman __________________________________ CLUE, an acronym for Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange, is a national database that tracks insurance claims on properties. By looking at a home's CLUE report, you can see claims on the property for the past five years, which may reveal hidden problems such as mold or water damage that a buyer would want to know about. Buyer's will request this report, so talk to your insurance agent and have it in hand when you list your home. A Statement from your insurance agent is also sufficient. Other tips. Choosing a Realtor to Sell
Your Home Can a real estate agent really help me in buying and selling property? The answer is YES! Answers the most commonly asked questions about selecting the right Realtor to help you sell your home. Setting Your List Price  Setting the list price for your home involves evaluating various market conditions and financial factors. Learn the methods professional REALTORS® use to help determine a home's list price.
Avoid the Urgent Sale To sell your home at the best possible price, avoid urgency whenever possible. Your home is a valuable and quite marketable asset. You can depend on receiving a "fair market value" price for it if you allow enough time for a sale to occur. What is Market Value? The meaning of "market value" confuses many people. Noted real estate investor and author J.P. Vaughan’s clear and informative article does a good job of defining this often misinterpreted term and the many factors that ultimately determine a homes sale price. | Improving Your Selling Time How soon will it sell? Ten days? Eighty-six days? Three hundred thirty days? What factors can influence the time it takes to produce a serious buyer? It depends on the Market and your marketing plan. Preparing Your Home
For Sale The process of readying your house for sale requires a critical eye, an impersonal attitude, and in some cases nominal money. Do it right, and you will be rewarded by a timely sale! Common Q&A About Selling
Your Home What are home sellers obligated to disclose? What is the best time to sell a house? Who determines what furnishings of a house stay with the home when it is sold? These are just a sampling of the many questions answered in this resource presented by Inman News Features. A Pre-Inspection Guide For
the Home Seller A normal part of the home sale process involves the inspection of a home by an inspection professional. Such inspections are routinely performed on homes of all ages and quality. Here is the information every home seller needs to know about home inspectors and their services. |
MLS Lockbox System and Agent Availability In the Listing Contract, there is a provision to allow a Lockbox to be placed on your home for the use of MLS Realtors to gain access to the property. You have a choice as to whether or not to allow the use of a Lockbox. Generally, if you utilize a Lockbox, Realtors have a greater ability to show your home to more prospective buyers. You are advised that you can restrict access to your home during certain hours and provide detailed showing instructions in the listing (in the MLS). Agents are to follow those MLS instructions, but errors have occurred and an agent may enter your premises, contrary to your instructions. If you elect to use a Lockbox, you are advised to remove all of your valuables from the home and place them in a safe deposit box or another secure location, elsewhere. On occasion, electronic Lockbox keys have been misplaced, or stolen, and it takes approximately 30 days to re-key all of the remaining Lockbox keys. Realtors are then notified by the MLS system and upon such notification I will remove the Lockbox. If you elect not to use a Lockbox, you agree to make every effort to allow Buyer’s agents and their clients to access the property, in the event I am unable to meet them at the property. I will notify you as soon as I receive a request to view your property and we will determine, together, the best time to view the property. Only licensed Realtors are allowed to view your home and you must get a card from them proving that they are a licensed Realtor. If anyone else comes to the door, do not let them in! Have them call me at 480-585-2904 for a viewing appointment. The Buyer Inspection and Seller’s Response Process After the Buyer and Seller have signed a contract, the Buyer can request to have the Seller repair items, based on an inspection of the property, pursuant to the provisions contained in the Contract (usually within a 10 day inspection period). The Buyers may submit a list of repair items and each time this occurs, both parties have 5 days to respond (from the day each party receives the response). As you can see, this process will continue until there is an agreement and can extend right up to the day of Closing. If the Buyer and Seller do not come to an agreement on the repairs, the Buyer may decline to purchase the property. This process and your specific performance may last until the day of the Close of Escrow. Unless both Buyer and Seller come to an agreement, the Buyer can decide, even at Closing, not to purchase the property. This creates an untenable situation and the Seller is well advised to settle the issues as soon as possible, after receiving the Inspection Report. I strongly urge Sellers to make their decision as soon as possible. You can choose not to make any repairs. If you do so, the Buyer can decide not to proceed with the purchase. If you decide to make the repairs, send the receipts for those repairs to me, as soon as possible. Home Owner Associations Your Home Owners Association (HOA) will be asked by the Title Company to provide a compliance letter to the Title Company prior to Closing. Without this letter, the Closing can not proceed without the Seller agreeing to either fix all of the HOA concerns prior to Closing, or the Seller must agree to place in a fund with the Title Company a sum of money that, the HOA agrees, is appropriate to remedy the situation. All parties must sign this agreement prior to Closing. Sometimes money alone will not satisfy the conditions the HOA has set for compliance and you will be on a legally defined deadline, the Close of Escrow. At any rate, the HOA requirements must be met prior to Closing. Most HOA’s will require a pre-closing and final inspection of the property before they provide a letter to the Title Company. The Owner is responsible for arranging any pre-closing inspections and to remedy any and all non-compliance issues with the Home Owners Association, prior to the Close of Escrow. The Seller is advised that some HOA’s are not professionally managed and may not be as responsive as a full-time, professionally staffed, Home Owners Association. Seller’s Property Disclosure Form You must fill out this form in its entirety. I cannot fill in any item on that form, as you are legally required to fill it out. I will need this document within days of the listing. It is required and must be given to the new Buyer within 5 days of signing the contract. It can be revised later in the process, but only before I give it to a Buyer. Buyer’s Remorse Buyer’s Remorse usually sets in after an offer has been made and accepted on the property. Buyers begin to worry about whether or not to purchase the property. On occasion, Buyer family or economic situations arise that causes them re-think their decision to purchase the property. The inspection repair request can offer the Buyer a reason not to purchase the property. Caution is advised when responding to the inspection repair requests, as sometimes the Buyers may be hoping you will not agree to the requested repairs. Seller’s Remorse Seller’s Remorse usually occurs after you have signed the contract! Generally, Sellers start to second-guess the process. My advice is to start packing and move on with your life. You would have not signed the contract if you did not want to sell your property for the amount in the contract plus repairs and closing costs. The Contract Process and Closing Costs Remember, at the time you receive a contract you may have to pay more funds to repair the property after the inspection process. Further, you will pay around 1% of the purchase price in closing costs at the Close of Escrow. You should also plan to move the day before the Close of Escrow as in Arizona, Closing occurs at Recordation at the County offices, not at the time you sign documents at the Title Company. If there is a Buyer loan involved, the lender will decide when to fund on the day of Closing and the Title company will then record. At that point in time, you no longer own the property and have to be off of the premises. No keys may be delivered to a Buyer until the time of Recordation with the County. Listing Process and Advertising Plan Home Staging for Buyers 1031 Exchanges Inconvenience Finally, please understand that selling your property is an inconvenience, but I will make it as easy as possible for you! I hope this informational brochure answers some of the problematic situations that you may encounter in the listing and sale of your property. If you have any questions, please call me, anytime. Thank you, in advance, for listing your property with me. Bill Duffey, billduffey@remax.net RE/MAX Excalibur 480-585-2904 ******************************************************************************************************* FOR SALE BY OWNER? This can be risky. Be very careful. According to the US Labor Department: How many REALTORS® have been killed on the job? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a total of 25 real estate agents and brokers died as a result of "assaults and violent acts" between 2001 and 2004. (5 in 2001; 6 in 2002; 9 in 2003; and 5 in 2004).
Source: http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfoi1.htm <click here for the full report So, if you want to try to sell your home, yourself, please read this page carefully. You can always call me and I will provide you with some tips, if you like. I do have some marketing documents that you may be interested in using. They are free. *********************These are real alerts************ Read this! If you thought selling real estate was easy! Last month (August 2004), Realtor Garland Taylor was shot in the back of the head and left in a closet as he was showing a $1 million home to a prospect. Mario Lucas Chavez was arrested for the murder of the 74-year-old real estate veteran just a few days after the victim was discovered in the displayed home. Mario Chavez, originally from Albuquerque, who more recently was living in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. Chavez allegedly pretended to Taylor and others that he was a corporate attorney from Arizona. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Chavez was charged with murder and tampering with evidence. He is also being investigated for other violent acts toward realtors. He is also being investigated for fraud involving the business community in Arizona, police said. He was being held in lieu of $2 million bond. Garland Taylor was also a church deacon, and had worked for many years in real estate, and had opened his own agency. He was highly regarded among his peers, and was well-known and respected in the community. According to information provided by the National Association of Realtors' Realtor Safety Council, more than 200 real estate agents have been killed on the job from 1982-2000 as they showed homes to strangers. An increase against stranger violence against real estate professionals in recent years has prompted the National Association of Realtors to create and distribute safety educational materials to all Realtors and to draw attention to the topic with an annual Realtor Safety Week. |
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______________________________ Arizona among top 10 states for mortgage fraudCatherine Reagor
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 20, 2007 12:00 AM Arizona has shot up to No. 7 in a ranking of states with the greatest amount of mortgage fraud, blowing past the 23rd spot it held the previous year.
This is the highest Arizona has placed on the Mortgage Asset Research Institute's annual fraud survey, which is based on the number of mortgage fraud cases per total of state home loans. Data from the nation's biggest lenders are used to compile the survey.
____________________________________ 3 posing as salesmen rob Scottsdale homeJoseph W. Cox
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 20, 2007 10:46 AM Three men posing as salesmen broke into a Scottsdale home and stole an undisclosed amount of valuables.
The men knocked on the door of a residence Monday morning in the 7800 block of East Via Del Futuro, near the McCormick Ranch Golf Club, and attempted to sell something to the woman who answered the door, police said.
When the woman refused, the men waved a gun at the woman and pushed their way into the house. When the woman's husband tried to confront the men, they hit him and tied him up, police said.
No one was hurt, but the robbers stole jewelry and other valuables.
The woman said she had never seen the men before ______________________________ Woman raped while showing a home 08:41 PM EDT on Monday, May 14, 2007By WCNC Staff
E-mail Us: 6NEWS@WCNC.com ROCK HILL, S.C. -- A real estate agent said she was raped while showing a home in Rock Hill. The house has all the signs of a house for sale: signs in the front yard and a lockbox on the door. The only difference is the black fingerprint dust the police left behind. "When I looked out the window there was a forensic truck and the police cars all parked in front of my driveway," said neighbor Valerie Bullard. The realtor showing the Rock Hill house said she had been raped. Detectives said the woman got a call to meet a client at 9:30 Saturday morning. When she got to the house, her attacker came at her from behind, forcing her inside the house to the floor and then raped her, according to police. People who live near the house said they were shocked. "It's pretty bad cause I'm here all day by myself all the time," said neighbor Shannon Garcia. She said she thinks she saw the victim minutes after it happened. "She had on a white skirt and what we could see from here the skirt looked messed up," said Garcia. Police said the realtor was terrified and couldn't tell them if her rapist was outside the house waiting for her, or inside when she arrived to show the house. "(I feel) scared, 'cause you know, if they could do that to her they could do that to anybody," said Garcia. "I've always felt safe, but not now," said Bullard. ________________________________ Woman Speaks Out On 1995 RapePOSTED: 5:56 pm EDT July 18, 2006 UPDATED: 7:25 pm EDT July 18, 2006 WASHINGTON -- A rapist who preyed on Northern Virginia women could spend the rest of his life in prison after a hit on the DNA database last November. A realtor said she was held at gunpoint and raped as she worked at a Woodbridge open house in 1995. Kenneth Bedard, 42, of Spotsylvania County was found guilty Monday in Prince William County, and his victim spoke to News4's Julie Carey Tuesday about finally seeing her attacker brought to justice. "They caught the rapist, and I immediately started crying," the victim said. The call from a Prince William County cold case detective came 10 years and one month after the 37-year-old was terrorized and raped as she worked inside a model home sales office. The attacker posed as a customer. Kenneth Bedard has been sentenced to 50 years. Courtesy of News4 ______________________________ unsolved Wisconsin's Unsolved Murders: Realtor Richard Scott Reporter: Mark Povolny |
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In 1980, Wisconsin Eau Claire Realtor Richard Scott was murdered while showing a house in Chippewa County. The killer pulled out a handgun and shot Scott once in the back of the head. He was 41. __________________________________ July 18, 2006 It’s all real estate agents in the Dallas area are talking about. Who murdered fellow realtor Sarah Anne Walker? Known for her high-spirited and vivacious personality, by all accounts, Sarah Anne never met a stranger. One recent Saturday afternoon, on a steamy Texas summer day, unfortunately, Sarah Anne Walker met her killer. Actually police believe Ms. Walker knew the person who so violently attacked her. Capt. Randy Roland of the McKinney Police Department says while they don’t have any specific leads on suspects at this point, investigators are not ruling out anyone.  article below.
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