Friday, October 27, 2017

Oversized or Opulent

I worked for an architectural presentation company when I was much younger. We would create 3D presentations of un-built homes for buyers - virtual model homes that they could tour with a keyboard and mouse.

I was astonished by the size of these homes. They always had master ensuites, numerous bedrooms, and what I considered to be dream kitchens. Some had billiard rooms; others had “bonus” rooms. My boss would sometimes correct me when I referred to them as mansions. These are just big houses, he would smile and say.




So what is it that separates a “big” house from a luxury home?

Luxury Home Must Haves

Location, Location, Location!


The most obvious differentiation between a big house and a luxury home is probably location. There are several key considerations:

Luxury homes are usually located in the vicinity of other luxury homes. There may be several reasons for this. The immediate community may offer certain lifestyle choices and amenities. The shared infrastructure would serve all members of the immediate community.

Proximity to beaches, lakes or spectacular mountain views is often a highly desired feature for luxury homes. Certainly for the sake of serenity and air quality most of these houses would be far from more mechanical types of industry, such as refineries and major highways.

Whether urban or a more remote ranch, luxury home owners want to be undisturbed when they choose to be home. Enough land to plant some trees between neighbors, nestled on an ocean-side beach or perched on a hillside, the luxury home offers privacy and tranquility to its occupants.


Availability of golf courses, private clubs and other often exclusive amenities are a consideration. Proximity to exceptional medical services, high end shopping and restaurants would also factor in.

The close proximity of top rated schools would be another important distinction.

Safety and Security


While harder to manage, a low crime rate would be highly desirable for the area the luxury home is in.

Certainly a private police force would be a notable service to offer peace of mind to the residents. Many luxury homes are within gated communities and some have security guards at the gate to greet guests and service providers.

In addition to these features, luxury homes have high end internal and external security. 

Entry points such as windows, doors and garages are monitored. There is usually external motion sensors for video surveillance in addition to lighting triggered by motion detectors. 


These luxury homes may come equipped with safes for valuables, safe closets, or safe rooms where the residents may take refuge in case of emergency.

Technology


In addition to the high end alarm system, luxury homes embrace advances in technology. 


Most already have wiring for speakers and other media applications throughout the home. Luxury homes often have electronic systems to control window treatments.

Now more modern luxury homes are blue tooth enabled. Not only do they have smart appliances in the kitchen, they have very specialized pieces that perform unique functions.

Remote controlled climate, lighting control and electronic door locks are all executable from a cell phone and customized by zones or rooms.


These luxury homes are quickly becoming showcases for science fiction-like advances. 

They offer the home owners the opportunity to stay connected at all times. Imagine catching up on Facebook while brushing your teeth!














Interior Features


The very architecture of these homes is different. Doorways are grander and rooms boast walk in closets or built-ins that ordinary big homes just don’t have. There are more dedicated and designed ancillary spaces such as entries, laundry facilities, work rooms, mud rooms, pantries and other storage.

Details such as moldings, tile and electric or electronic interfaces are precisely and meticulously finished. Custom tile work or trim accentuates the architecture.

Master Suite


The master suite is much more spacious sanctuary – and equipped with more features than the “big” home. 




Rather than having a walk in closet, these homes offer dressing rooms with custom cabinetry specifically suited for Madam’s and Monsieur’s garments and accessories.  There may be a vanity area for the application of makeup and storage of jewelry.

Master baths are spacious with top of the line cabinetry and fixtures incorporated into the design. Radiant floor heating and heated towel racks are desirable features. 

One of the top features in 2014 was the luxury shower. Sporting multiple shower heads, seating and controllable lighting, these large shower spaces are replacing spa tubs in terms of preference.







Kitchens


Kitchens are professional caliber. In addition to expansive cabinetry and storage, these sumptuous kitchens feature top of the line materials. 

Equipped with high end smart appliances, these kitchens include multiple ovens, side by side dishwashers, warming drawers, wine fridges coffee bars, and plenty of custom cupboards for smaller appliances. 

Walk in pantries can include enough extra storage for party and holiday feast necessities - including space for caterers to work.

Workspaces


The luxury home will offer a large workspace, or his and hers offices for the owners. Alibrary may still be prominent in some older homes. There may be a “teen room” for the children to entertain friends or study. These spaces may include custom built-in cabinetry for computers and other office equipment, gaming systems or books.

Recreation and fitness


Luxury homes have specific features most “big” houses only dream of. The gyms, cinemas, billiard rooms, home offices and servant’s quarters are more than re-purposed extra bedrooms or basements. These rooms have ample space and come equipped with the necessary amenities and perks, such as wet bars, built in mini fridges, or build in wiring for electronics that an ordinary re-purposed bedroom may not have. 


The home cinema and/or game room may include wet bar, or feature equipment for snacks like popcorn and sectionals have replaced the movie theater-type seating popular in the past.











In addition, the luxury home may include extravagant specialty rooms such as a spa room with wet and/or dry sauna and whirlpool tub, massage room and salon space for the styling of hair and nails. 




The enthusiast may have spaced dedicated for particular interests, such as a wine cellar, including a wine tasting room, or humidor closet and smoking room. 


These specialty rooms all have very particular requirements including climate control, ventilation and other special systems that ordinary rooms just do not have.

These rooms all offer the luxury home owner the conveniences of custom tailored recreational facilities without the need to go off property.


Exterior Features


Entertaining


Outside the house, the distinction could be a cabana, casita or guest house near the pool and spa. In 2014 the outdoor feature “must have” was the exterior kitchen equipped with grill, fridge, prep area, sink and even TV with the seating area. Additional features include a pizza oven, full bar, smoker, and burners amongst the must-haves. Also gaining in popularity are poolside fire pits or fireplaces.




Physical Activity


The private playground amenities are one of the biggest draws for the professionals, business executives and well-to-do families. Tennis or basketball courts or other playing surfaces may be incorporated into the luxury home grounds.

Other Features


Depending on the geographical location, the luxury house may also afford a boat house or dock. A four car garage or larger would not be unexpected. Gardens may be manicured or left in a more natural state.




If you are putting your luxury home on the market, consider current trends before listing. If your home does not have the features expected from today’s luxury market, you may have what is considered to be a “big house”. If updating isn't something you wish to consider right now, we can help.


If you have come to the realization that it is time to move right now to have a better life, but your house isn’t ready for market, we can help. 

If you are juggling too many responsibilities to sell your house yourself this fall, then there are people who specialize in the sale of properties "as is" - usually within a week to resolve the situation quickly. 

Contact us for details.

Next time we will look at ways to add value to your house.


So thanks for reading my post. I'm so glad you're here! 

And I really look forward to getting into more great stuff in future posts -- so that you can 

Turn Your House To $OLD!

Feel free to ask me any questions through the contact info below. I would be very happy to help.


Linda  623-335-2662







_____________
Article Sources:

Lynda Bathory






Friday, October 13, 2017

How To Sell Your House Without Enough Equity


Most people know that in traditional real estate sales, the seller pays for most of the costs associated with the transaction. Typical costs include the real estate commissions for both the buyer’s and seller’s agents, title insurance, escrow fees, real estate taxes, and often even fees for the buyer’s new loan.

In most cases, these costs can be about 10% - or more of the negotiated selling price. In today’s economy, money is tight for everyone. Particularly with FHA buyers, an additional 3% can be negotiated and come out of your sales proceeds.


This means that for every $100,000 in the selling price, between $10,000 and $13,000 will be taken out of your proceeds at the closing table! 




Do you feel so underwater that you are expecting
marine animals to visit you?

Imagine what you could do with that money– and more – depending on what price your house can sell. It’s crazy to give it to some rich agent just for showing your house a couple of times to a few people!

And this doesn’t include any repair or renovation costs a seller must pay for just to get the house onto the market! These days buyers are very fussy in the competitive market. They want move-in ready houses that are modern, well-maintained and clean.

No wonder many sellers simply cannot afford to sell under these conditions. If you’ve bought your home with 100% financing in the last 5 to 10 years you most likely don’t have enough equity to cover these costs. And even if you’ve put up a 5% or 10% down payment, you may still be under water ” due to the flat markets and no appreciation.



We don’t need you to pay your closing costs. We don’t care what shape your house is in. No need to renovate, repair or clean!


That’s why we are the best option for you. We have a variety of solutions for many different distressed seller situations – we likely have a solution that will work well for you!

If your property meets our buying criteria, we can buy your home even if you cannot afford to pay for the cost of selling, and we will even cover any closing costs for you. In some cases, we may even be able to help you with some additional moving money!

So, before you go through all the time, stress, work and expense to list your house with an agent – or worse yet, try to sell your house by yourself as a For Sale By Owner – contact us for more information!


If selling just before the holiday season isn't something you wish to consider right now, we can help.


If you have come to the realization that it is time to move right now to have a better life, but your house isn’t ready for market and you can't afford the expense to get it ready, we can help.




If you are juggling too many responsibilities to sell your house yourself this fall, then there are people who specialize in the sale of properties "as is" - usually within a week to resolve the situation quickly. We have a team of professionals able to assist you immediately.



Contact us for details.


Turn Your House To $OLD!

Thursday, September 14, 2017

How To Prepare Yourself For The Modern Buyer


seller-espionage-how-to-sell-house-fast-no-agent-need-cash-now-phoenix-az-turn-my-house-to-sold


3 Ways To Ace Your Seller’s Espionage 


There is a lot of advice out there directed towards buyer or sellers. As a buyer, people know to be aware of their budgets, to be preapproved for a mortgage, know important details about the commute time and school districts.

As sellers, most people have heard that they need to clean and declutter, and renovate or upgrade and price to sell.

In these technological times where everyone can get a certain level of access to information

Are you tech savvy enough to sell your house?


No, we are not suggesting you wire your house for smart systems. (Which, if you do your research, may not be a bad idea!) We are talking about seller espionage!

What does that mean?

Buyers know to consider comparable homes and to look at price and features. They are aware of local prices per square foot, and perhaps even city development plans when buying a home. They know what the most and least expensive house is in your neighborhood. They know which houses have been renovated and which are in original condition.

When shopping for a tract home or even a particular neighborhood, buyers can determine how much they are willing to pay fairly easily using the MLS, or Multiple Listing Service. It can be as simple as looking at the recently sold homes in the neighborhood on Zillow. It is now easier than ever to look for the perfect home in the proper price range.

Now more than at any previous time in history, buyers have access to information about your house. If you want to sell your house fast, you need to know what information buyers use to help them make the decision. Do you?

If you haven't done so already, now is the time to do a little spying. Take the time to research online how your house is presented. A little sleuthing could save you a lot of embarrassment! Think of it as seller espionage 😉 

Knowing These Buyer Resources Can Make Or Break Your Sale


1. Buyers Review Public Records


When shopping for a house, buyers look at public records that are easily available online. Your municipality’s county clerks’ office or state has public records that can provide useful insights like past sales history and tax assessments. 

seller-espionage-how-to-sell-house-fast-no-agent-need-cash-now-phoenix-az-turn-my-house-to-sold
This public info may help determine what’s reasonable for a property in the area — and give a sense of what tax payments will be. 

All at the click of a few buttons.

Buyers know that this information is a lot more reliable than information listed on real estate sites where information may be incomplete or not properly transferred.


At left: Artist's interpretation of an actual County Assesor's website.


What To Do:


🔶 Know what information is available about your house on government sites and be prepared to discuss it.

2. Buyers Use Google


Everyone uses Google, but buyers use it to look for popular neighborhood amenities, especially if they are moving from a different region.

seller-espionage-how-to-sell-house-fast-no-agent-need-cash-now-phoenix-az-turn-my-house-to-sold.jpgThere are certain neighborhood features that appeal to nearly everyone and increase the value of the homes near them. These are the must-have amenities such as highly rated schools, easy highway access, and shopping, restaurants, medical services, and recreational facilities. 

A lot of buyers check the walkability score to nearby amenities and access to public transport.

They also look for new construction developments that can signify growth, such as new streetscaping or street-widening projects, or construction of new shopping centers or schools. Smart buyers check for things like nearby train tracks, neighbors with run down homes, and nearby foreclosures – all of which can drag down a property’s value.

What To Do:

🔶 Google your neighborhood and be aware of what your search shows up. Have answers to potential questions ready.

🔶 Stay current with any planning developments your city may be planning for your area. Especially commercial developments which could negatively impact a neighborhood’s value with increased noise and traffic. Be prepared to address any concerns.

🔶 Have you Googled your own address? Is Google Street View actually showing your house, or is it showing the house across the street? Is the image of the house in similar condition to what you are selling? Knowing these things and addressing issues is important in this digital age.

seller-espionage-how-to-sell-house-fast-no-agent-need-cash-now-phoenix-az-turn-my-house-to-sold

In the example above, a house address in Google is consistently shown as the ugly loading dock of the school across the street! The real estate agent never checked and didn't understand why buyers were put off!

3. Buyers Use Online Real Estate Sites


Buyers use sites like the MLS, Zillow, and other popular real estate sites to preview houses. 

It is the easiest way to cut down on the properties they must actually visit. In some cases, the information on these sites is missing or incorrect. 

They may still be displaying the images of the house before you bought it and fixed it up. 

Even worse, they may be displaying a standard icon with no actual image available!





What To Do:

🔶 Take the time to have your best and latest images displayed on these sites. Some will charge and others will just require your time.

Knowing how buyers shop for houses in the digital age is important to any seller. If you look up and verify your house’s online profile, you will be in a much better position to address any questions or concerns presented by a potential buyer. 

Successfully using the government assessor’s sites, Google and the top real estate sites will make your sale much quicker and easier!



If selling your house is not a task you can take on right now, we can help.

We offer a simple and better way to sell your house fast.

Contact us to get a free, fast and accurate offer today.



If your home is still on the market, fall can be a very stressful time. Most people are not focused on buying a house at this time of year. The holidays are coming up and the selling season is winding down. This may extend the time it takes to sell your property.




need-to-sell-house-fast-no-agent-cash-now-phoenix-az













If selling during the fall isn't something you wish to consider right now, we can help.
If you have come to the realization that it is time to move right now to have a better life, but your house isn’t ready for market, we can help.


If you are juggling too many responsibilities to sell your house yourself this fall, then there are people who specialize in the sale of properties "as is" - usually within a week to resolve the situation quickly. We have a team of professionals able to assist you immediately.

Contact us for details.


Turn Your House To $OLD!

Thursday, July 13, 2017

How To Say Goodbye To Your Old House Today!

It can be really rough when you are all ready to move to your new life, but your old house hasn’t sold.

Summer is in full swing and the spring buying season is long over. But if your house is still for sale, your summer may not be a happy one. Your house might not sell until the fall – or even next spring!

Nothing is worse than being stuck with a house you no longer want!


how-to-sell-house-fast-no-agent-cash-now-phoenix

How To Say Goodbye To Your Old House Today!


You still have to pay the mortgage, the utilities, taxes, and insurance until it sells! Those summer air conditioning bills will be killer! And if it is unoccupied because you have already moved out then you risk break-ins, and will have to pay even more for insurance for the increased risk!

Not to mention the stress and strain on your family. You want them to move on and settle in as quickly as possible. Going to new jobs and new schools are hard enough as it is!

Most people know that these days a seller must make their home near perfect to sell on the traditional real estate market. Buyers expect homes to be Move In Ready.

That means a seller has to fix everything and even make improvements, live through the nightmare of renovations, pay for it all– just to let someone else enjoy it! If your house didn’t sell during the spring, this may be your big issue. Dated features don’t sell!

This is a lot of time, effort, and distress all at a time when the family should be focused on packing carefully and moving towards their new lives! Not to mention these renovations can be a big expense just when you are getting ready to move on!

There is a much better way to sell your house today.


You don’t have to clean, or stage, or repair, or renovate!

We buy your house just as it is!

What is the catch?

There isn’t one!

Why would we buy a house that is in bad shape?

Well, we know we can’t just turn around and sell it the next day if it is a fixer upper!

But we are willing to take on the expense of all repairs and renovations. We won’t be moving in, so it is much easier for us to get the work done than it would be for you if you were living in it. With our team of experts, we are betting that we can get the work done in less time and for less money than you could!

But that still means the house will be unoccupied for several months while the work is getting done. We pay the monthly expenses like the loan, insurance, and utilities while all the work is in progress. You don’t have to pay a thing!

When all that is done, then we can put the house up for sale.

Why would we be willing to carry the monthly costs and pay for the renovations?


When we make our offer, we think about these expenses. If you stayed in your house, kept paying the bills, lived through the renovations, and paid for it all, you would still only be able to sell your house for a certain amount of money. If and When the right buyer came along!

We take all the uncertainty out of the equation for you.

We figure out how much it will cost to do the work in both time and money. When we show you our offer, it might seem a little low, but the amount for the work has been deducted. You probably would have had to pay that amount anyway, but this way you save yourself the fuss! Isn’t that better than the burden of carrying the costs of an unwanted and even empty house?

That’s fair, right?

Because we pay the loan, insurance, taxes, and utilities while all the work is being done. After that, we are taking on the gamble that the house is going to sell in 90 days or less.

So how much is eliminating all that effort worth to you?

On top of that, you get to decide the day you want to move and close – if you haven’t moved already. You don’t need to deal with viewings and open houses or fussy buyers and nosey neighbors who look through all of your things!

Don’t laugh! We’ve seen it happen!

We offer a simple and better way to sell your house fast.

Contact us to get a free, fast and accurate offer today.



If your home is still on the market, summer can be a very stressful time. Most people are not focused on buying a house at this time of year. This may extend the time it takes to sell your property.




need-to-sell-house-fast-no-agent-cash-now-phoenix-az













If selling during the summer isn't something you wish to consider right now, we can help.
If you have come to the realization that it is time to move right now to have a better life, but your house isn’t ready for market, we can help.


If you are juggling too many responsibilities to sell your house yourself this summer, then there are people who specialize in the sale of properties "as is" - usually within a week to resolve the situation quickly. We have a team of professionals able to assist you immediately.

Contact us for details.




So thanks for reading my post. I'm so glad you're here!



And I really look forward to getting into more great stuff in future posts -- so that you can


Turn Your House To $OLD!



Feel free to ask me any questions through the contact info below. I would be very happy to help.


need-to-sell-house-fast-no-agent-cash-now-phoenix-azLinda  623-335-2662







_____________
Article Sources:

Turn My House To SOLD