To Build or to Buy

To build or to buy? What you should consider to guide your decision
The spring house-buying season is underway and like many other buyers you are asking yourself, to buy or to build? There are positives and negatives to each decision. To help you better understand what those are, we've listed three possible positives and negatives for each below. Consider whether there are more that you could add to each list.
Positives for buying your next home: Move in quickly. Once you close, you can usually move in shortly afterward.1. Delay upgrades. Buy a house and you can make upgrades as old pieces wear out, saving you money.2. Know the neighborhood. When you buy a home, you can see the other homes in the neighborhood. This may not be true if you build. 3.
Negatives of buying your next home: You're stuck with your layout. Unlike a home you build, you're stuck with the layout in a home you by.1. Decorating costs. Buy a home and you may need to tear down wallpaper or add a fresh coat of paint.2. Upgrade considerations. You'll have to wait for the upgrades and your house will be in disrepair until the projects are complete. 3.
Positives for building your next home: A home of your own design. Determine the layout and specifications that works for you.1. Everything is new. Build your home and you're the first to use everything in it.2. Additional savings. A new home should provide homeowners insurance savings.3.
Negatives to building your next home: Be ready to wait. Building a home can take 4-6 months. You'll need patience and a place to live until your home is complete. 1. Choose wisely. Your price range may limit your style options and the upgrades you can make.2. More moving. Build your home and you'll have to move out of your temporary housing, meaning even more moving

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Top 5 Best Home Improvements for Sellers in 2015 | Century 21 Blog

Top 5 Best Home Improvements for Sellers in 2015 | Century 21 Blog



Spring has Spring!!! Looking to sell your house?   Now is the best time to list and beat the rush.

Home Sales For Plainview and Old-Bethpage New York For 2014

Statistics & Counts Field Count Mean (Average) Median Mode Low High List Price 285 $557,774 $529,000 $499,000 $299,000 $1,225,000 Original Price 285 $568,322 $539,000 $499,000 $299,000 $1,225,000 Sold Price 285 $539,388 $515,000 $520,000 $288,000 $1,275,000 %Difference 268 4 4 5 -10.6 16.5 Taxes 276 $13,580 $13,032 $10,000 $8,063 $30,199.51 Bedrooms 285 4 3 3 2 6 Baths 285 2 2 2 1 4 Days on Market 285 72 47 22 3 540 (Calculations are done excluding zero-values except for %Difference)   Source; MLSLI Field Value Count Town Old Bethpage 28 Plainview 257 Zip 11803 257 11804 28 Zone 3 285 County N 285 Last Status Change CL 283 Cl 2 Style 2 Story 1 Cape 17 Colonial 52 Contemporary 1 Exp Cape 9 Exp Ranch 19 Hi Ranch 23 Ranch 48 Splanch 2 Split 112 Split Ranch 1

Should I Sell My House This Year?? Or Wait for a Better Housing Market?

Should I Sell My House This Year??

OR

Wait for a Better Housing Market?

Every year many homeowners wonder if this is the BEST time to put their house up for sale.  They go back and forth with all the pros and cons of the housing market before them.   Is this the year and season that will yield the best return for my house.   Should I wait till next month, season, year? If you are one of the sellers on the sidelines waiting for the perfect market here are some tips that will help.  When should I list my house for the best return? There are many factors to consider when answering this question. Remember real-estate sales is basically controlling as many variables as possible in the sales process and then sprinkling some luck on top.      The most important factor to consider is the current local housing inventory in your market, snow, holidays and rainy season the buyers are out there.  If you are in a sellers’ market (lower inventory) you have more potential buyers looking to buy increasing your chance of getting the best value for your house.  Houses will and do sell in any market but supply and demand will have some say in your closing price.     What would be the best price to list it for?  Should I list high and reduce my price as my house sits or list low and lose money I could have earned if I listed higher?  I have had this discussion many times with sellers.  Everyone wants the most money they can get for their house. The big question is how to achieve that.  Price to high/low and you scare potential buyers away.     Put yourself in the buyers place.    If you know the recent sales of all the 3Bdrm, 2Bth houses in Plainview, Syosset, Hicksville, Bethpage, and Old-Bethpage N.Y.  Why consider anything out of that range???       Do your homework and review the last three months of comparable sales and current listings then decide where you want to be in that sub-group.    Remember like insurance companies control health costs, banks will not give a mortgage on a house with an agreed upon price that is out of the market.  Should I fix-up my house before listing?    Yes!  Buyers want houses they can feel comfortable living in with their family and that first impression means a lot.    Things like painting the front door, cleaning the house and yard, removing clutter are just a few quick fixes.  Should I hire a Realtor or go For Sale By Owner?      I can discuss the pros of having a professional help in the sales process of your home all day.    Think of this when deciding to use a Realtor the past owner of one of the largest For Sale By Owner companies in the U.S. hired a real estate sales agent to list and sell his house.  You do the math on that one.    Why is my attorney an issue when I am trying to sell my house?  I know him for the past 20yrs and he helps me with all my legal issues.  The best attorney for real estate sales is one who specializes in the process and is willing to work with the sales agent/broker to help the process move forward.     Weather you decide to list with a broker or go FSBO when your house is on the market you have to allow people to view it.  That means being home as much as possible if selling yourself or giving your agent access for showings to allow buyers to see what could be their most expensive investment.   All these controlled variables plus some good luck coming your way will help you yield the best price for your house in the current market.  

Important factors to consider when selling your home

Here are a few important factors to consider when selling your home

Price and condition are the two most important factors in selling a home, even in a down market. The first step is to price your home correctly. Use comparative sales information from your agent, to objectively evaluate your home's worth. Second, go through the house and repair any obvious cosmetic defects that could deter a buyer.
In a down market, you may have to consider lowering your price and/or making a major repair, such as replacing a high ticket item, (ie:outdated boiler) in order to lure a buyer. Also, make sure that your home is getting the exposure it deserves through open houses, broker open houses, advertising, good signage and a listing on the local and international multiple listing service.

For help selling your home contact me at (516)263-9094