Inside A Home Sellers Mind

Every home seller has key concerns about selling their home.

• They don't want to underprice their home
• They want to make certain their agent knows what they are talking about
• They want to be sure the house doesn't get listed and their agent disappear
• They want to be sure their home actually SELLS!

My goal is to step you through a successful sale process.

• I will help you with helpful insights into what a buyer usually looks for
• Guide you with low cost, high-impact enhancements to help you make more money and sell quicker
• Most importantly, show you I care about your outcome!

The current Kansas City market is currently favoring Sellers with low inventory and great interest rates.  Call me for a free home analysis to see if selling your home right now works for your plans!  Visit http://www.DebbieWhiteHomes.com your information resource!

Debbie White

Realty Executives of Kansas City

816-994-0444

Gorgeous Setting On Lee's Summit Acreage!

Gorgeous Setting On Lee's Summit Acreage!

6 Reasons Why This Winter Is a Great Time to Sell

With recent reports for the Kansas City area citing home inventory at just 4.8 months.  This article might debunk some of the myths of home selling!  If you've been on the fence contemplating whether to try to move this year, you might want to check this out!

6 Reasons Why This Winter Is a Great Time to Sell

When Would Be The Best Time To List My House?

     So, you're contemplating moving this year?  "When is the best time to list my house", you ask?  I can answer that question with just one word...NOW!

     Home sales are up over last year and inventory is down.  A great combination for Sellers!  Different price points and specific areas in the Metro are actually seeing a bit of a shortage of homes for sale.   November stats for the Kansas City Metro and surrounding communities show that home sales increased 26% in November of 2012 over November 2011!  Those are numbers you are sure to like!

      If you have questions and are ready to jump in or are just wanting information, check out my website at Debbie White Homes - Your K. C. Realtor! for tips on Buying and/or Selling.  Or just give me a call at 816-994-0444.  I have proven systems designed for your success and am here to help!

FIVE Common First Time Home Buyer Mistakes

Beware of these five common mistakes often made by first time Home Buyers.

1. They don’t ask enough questions of their lender and end up missing out on the best deal.

2. They don’t act quickly enough to make a decision and someone else buys the house.

3. They don’t find the right agent who’s willing to help them through the homebuying process.

4. They don’t do enough to make their offer look appealing to a seller.

5. They don’t think about resale before they buy. The average first-time buyer only stays in a home for four years.

Source: Real Estate Checklists and Systems

BONUS TIP - Be honest with your Realtor. If they are representing you as your Buyer's Agent let them know your time line (urgency), likes and dislikes and any information that could affect your successful home purchase. It is a partnership. A successful home purchase is the result of a team of professionals dedicated to meet your goals and expectations.

If you are seeking caring and competent representation, give me a call at 816-994-0444 (Direct Line).

Please Don't Wait Until It's Too Late!

What is a short sale?
A Short Sale is a sale of a property where the lender agrees to accept less than what is owed to pay off the loan. In a Short Sale situation the owner owes more on the property than they can sell the home for on the open market. The Owner can request that the bank allow them to sell the property to the highest offer and forgive the difference between the amount received and the amount owed. Not all Short Sale scenarios allow the Seller to be "forgiven" the difference between sale price and what was owed on the property. Please consult with a tax consultant to find out the correct answer for your situation as you may have a tax consequence for the difference or be asked to sign a Note to repay the difference. This is a viable option for many Sellers and Banks as it is a less expensive option for the Bank than to take the property through foreclosure.

Short Sale properties are typically sold in “as-is” condition, similar to purchasing an REO property. It is ALWAYS our recommendation that you hire an independent inspection of the property when purchasing any home. Selling “as-is” is most often due to the Seller’s inability to afford repairs. As a Buyer of a Short Sale, you can expect a sometimes lengthy process in obtaining a Bank’s approval of your offer.

Who can qualify to sell their house as a short sale?
A home owner who has a mortgage on their home and owe more than the home is worth may decide to sell their home as a short sale. The lenders will look at the sellers circumstances and any hardship they may have encountered since obtaining the loan. This hardship can be illness, divorce, loss of a job, reduction of income, mortgage rate adjustment etc. The seller will have to submit a hardship letter to the lender along with complete financial statements and short sale package. The seller will have to prove hardship to the lender.

It is everyone’s goal to keep you in your home whenever possible. It’s important to talk to your lender to try to work out a solution
to keep you in your home. If that process fails and a Short Sale can be your next option. A Short Sale is typically less detrimental to your credit in the long term.

We are trained and here to help you through the process of a Short Sale. Selling your home as a Short Sale does not always work, but we can help you navigate the process. It has been a viable alternative for many people.

If you would like a caring and private consulation, please call Debbie at 816-994-0444.

Why Use A Buyer's Agent?

I am often asked, "Why do I need a Buyer's Agent? Isn't it easier just to call the name on the sign?" Two really good questions. Let me help explain why representation is to your advantage. A Buyer's Agent works exclusively for you. They provide you with:

Loyalty - Your real estate agent acts in your best interests.

Obedience - Your real estate agent must follow all of your lawful instructions.

Disclosure of Material Facts and Material Defects - Your agent must disclose to you all material facts of the property.

Examples include but are not limited to:

Relationships between the agents and other parties
Existence of other offers or counter-offers
Status of earnest money deposit
Seller’s ability or lack of ability to close the transaction
Property’s market value
Impact of important contract provisions

Confidentiality - The real estate agent must keep your confidences. Any information which you reveal to the agent about your motivation to purchase, your time requirements, or any other information which would put the seller at an advantage over you must remain confidential between you and your buyer agent. However, our state laws require your buyer agent to disclose to the seller or the seller’s agent any material facts about your ability to complete the transaction.

Accounting - Reporting where any monies place in the the hands of the broker or escrow agent are kept and careful administration of monies or property placed in the care of the agent.

Reasonable Skill and Care - Negotiation for a reasonable purchase price. Affirmatively discovering material facts and disclosing them to the buyer. Investigating, when possible, the important information related to the purchase decision and process.

To answer the other frequent question, "Why can't I call the name on the sign?" Let me explain. The listing agent (name on the sign) has gone under a listing contract in most instances to represent the Seller. Many assume that they can obtain a better financial deal working with the Seller's Agent. The Seller and Seller's Agent enter into a listing agreement that spells out the amount of commission the Seller(s) are willint to pay to sell the house. Whether the Seller's Agent sells the home themself and collects the full commission or cooperates with your Buyer's Agent and splits the commission, the agreed commission remains the same with the Seller. Why not be represented?

Remember, unless you agree to other terms in writing with an agent, Buyer's Agency costs you nothing.

Make sure your best interests are taken care of in one of your most important financial decisions.

If you would like competent and caring representation, give me a call at 816-994-0444.