Home Selling Tips

We've all watched the HGTV shows, read a magazine article, been given the "secret" to successfully selling a home...but yet some sellers still just do not get it! Putting your best foot forward is crucial to selling a home, especially in a "buyers" market.

We've all heard the age old saying "it's the little things that matter most" or "it's all in the details". When it comes to selling a home, truer words were never spoken. I have been with many a customer touring a home only to be greeted with a foul odor coming from who knows where from who knows what or have endured the frustration of turning on light switches to lights that do not work (simply because the bulb was burned out). Now one might say, hey what's the big deal? Everyone has dirty laundry, don't they? And you've had a light bulb burn out now & then, haven't you? So what's the big deal?

The big deal is that I am selling my house. And every little detail leaves an impression. The foul smell coming from my laundry may simply mean my sons a hockey player but in the mind of a buyer it could leave the impression that I am not a good house keeper and a house that is not well kept can deteriorate faster. Or, the burned out light bulb could say to the buyer that if I can't make sure all the lights are working when I know someone is going to be looking at my house, then what other maintenance or repairs am I neglecting? Neither of these impressions represent the reality of what is going on but they do represent the reality seen by the buyer based on his/her impressions. There is an old marketing saying, "you don't change someones reality you change their impression.

So as you prepare your home for sale and especially right before an Open House or private showing, do make sure to take stock in all the impressions that all the little things are making.

IT APPEARS TO BE WORKING SO LETS NOT STOP!

The $8,000 new home buyer tax credit stimulus seams to be working as evidenced by the three straight months of increases in home sales when compared to the same period last year. As such and with still more home foreclosures to come, it would be wise to extend the program into the new year.

The 10% tax credit (up to a maximum of $8,000) for first time homebuyers will expire on December 1, 2009. To meet that deadline buyers must close on their new home on or before December 1,2009.

This program has had a major impact on housing sales. Without it, who knows where our economy would be. Yes, I know that we still have many problems with the American economy but trust me without this program things would be much worse.

So...again I say it appears to be working so why stop now! If you agree let your Senators & Congressmen know how you feel. Do your part to keep this momentum moving.

Stimulus Tax Credit - Laughing all the way to the bank!

You've probably heard that now is the best time to buy a house, especially for first time home buyers. Why? It's simple - interest rates are at all time lows, real estate inventories are abundant and the US government is offerring up to an $8,000 tax credit.

What is a tax credit?

• Incentive for first time home buyers.
• Applies to home purchases for use as a principle residence of $80,000 and up between now and 12/1/2009 (for homes under $80,000 the credit would be 10% of the purchase price)

Who is eligible?

• 1st time homebuyers (any person who has not owned or purchased a home in the 3 years prior to the day of purchase)

How does it work?

• Every dollar of a tax credit reduces income taxes by $1 In other words the tax is directly applied against the total tax owed.

Is there an income restriction?

• Yes, for those filing form 1040 as single or head of household the income cannot exceed $75,000. Married couples who file jointly may have income of no more than $150,000.

What is a principal residence?

• Generally it is the home wherean individual resides at least 50% of the time.

Are there property location restrictions?

• Yes, the home must be located in the United States.

Do I have to repay the 2009 Tax Credit?

• No. There is no repayment for 2009 tax credits.