What Every Buyer Should Know

Buying a home is one of the largest financial commitments a person can make in his or her lifetime.

It's especially critical for first-time buyers to make informed decisions about the investment that they are about to make.

My advice to you...

Define your wants versus your needs. Making a list of wants and needs before beginning the search for a home can make the entire process less overwhelming.

Check your credit rating. Make improvements to strengthen your score.

Investigate the neighborhood. Where are the schools and places of worship? How far is the nearest hospital or grocery store? How are the utilities handled?

Insist on a home inspection. Attend property inspections, be aware of environmental concerns and ask questions. Read the NHD Report with your agent and ask questions.

Get help with the details. Coordinating these and the many details of a move can be overwhelming for even the most experienced homebuyer.

Make use of our Concierge Program to assist you with your move, painting, roofing, winterizing and other necessities.

Don't rush.

ADVICE TO SELLERS

Setting the Stage to Sell Your Home
How can you ensure that your home will make the best impression possible? Here are some tips for savvy home sellers:

Curb appeal . The outside of your house can be the source of a very good first impression. Most buyers do “judge a book by its cover”. Make certain the trees and bushes are trimmed. Have the grass mowed, trimmed and edged. Walkways should be swept. Clean away any debris and store toys, bicycles, gardening equipment and the like out of sight. Keep garage door closed and remove parked cars. During spring and summer months consider adding a few showy annuals, perhaps in pots, near your front entrance. This all adds to curb appeal. If it’s wintertime, make sure all walks and driveways are clear of snow and ice.


Interior appeal . Most people are turned off by even the smallest amount of uncleanness or odor when buying a home. Sellers lose thousands of dollars because they do not adequately clean. If your home is squeaky clean, you will be able to sell faster and net hundreds, if not thousands of dollars more. Potential buyers dislike a home that has too much furniture, overflowing closets, crowded kitchen and bathroom countertops or lots of family photos or collectibles on display.

Many people are extremely sensitive to offensive odors. Odors MUST be eliminated especially if you are a smoker, have pets or young children in diapers. There are a number of ways you can make your home smell great. Here are a few tips to eliminate bad odors: shampoo carpets; empty trash cans and ash trays; bathe your pets; freshen the cat litter box frequently; and place open boxes of baking soda in smell-prone areas. Introduce pleasing smells by placing flowers or potpourri in your home and by using air fresheners.

We realize that most owners are part-time residents of Big Bear and may need some assistance with accomplishing some of the items listed above. Please feel free to contact our Concierge Service Agent, who will be happy to assist you. 800-757-2210.

Pricing
You may have an idea of how much you want or need from the sale of your home. But what is a buyer willing to pay?

Please call for a FREE CMA. This is a comparative market analysis of homes, currently on the market and homes that have sold in the last 6 months that are most like your home in style, size, neighborhood and features. Your agent will explain how to come up with the most likely sale price based on the competition.

Your Role as the Seller
Keep the house in model condition - clean, neat and like nobody lives there.
Make agent access as convenient as possible. Allow a lockbox, signage with info box and make arrangements to be out of the house during showings.
For showings: have all lights on, do not use fragrant sprays, have trash empty, pay special attention to pets (inside or out) and their food, odors, etc. You agent will assist you with this.
Prepare all Disclosures requested of you by your agent to ensure a smooth escrow when a buyer has been accepted.
Have Fun!

Market Stats

2007 Statistics as of 7/5/2007

1888 Total Active Listings. ( + 50 last 7 days)

92 Price Reductions in the past 7 days.

102 New Listings in the past 7 days.

There is more than a 20 MONTH SUPPLY of available inventory.




Year to Date Sold Information.

77 Sold in January.

98 Sold in February.

96 Sold in March.

88 Sold in April.

106 Sold in May

78 sold in June

There is an average of 91 properties selling each month