How the Internet is Working Wonders for "For Sale By Owner" Canadians

Writen by Colleen Alderliesten

Canadians Are Taking Control!

For Sale By Owner (FSBO) families are saving literally thousands of dollars in real estate commissions when they decide to list their own homes (ie: FSBO), statistics show that it’s probably one of the best ways to go.

As Canadian home sales and prices shatter records, some consumers are wondering why they are paying the traditional commission. Clients in sizzling markets, are asking whether Canadian real estate brokers should earn twice as much, in dollar terms, on a sale as they did five years ago for the same job.

The fact is that web-surfing home buyers are changing how Canadians are buying real estate, and changing the real estate industry. With a flood of information Canadians are becoming much more studious in their real estate buying techniques and starting to chip away at the 6% commissions that Canadian real estate brokers collect off of each home

Is the Internet really that “BIG” in Canada?

In the big picture, world Internet users will top 1 billion in 2005. In Canada, Internet users reached 20,450,000 October of 2004. Doesn’t sound like much? Keep in mind that Canada’s total population is only (32,040,292 )

Chief executive officer of AOL Canada INC - Steve Bartkey stated that twice as many Canadians use the Internet to do their online banking than Americans. The Minister of Nation Revenue - John McCallum states that over 11 million Canadians filed their tax on line in 2004. Just under 1/3 of the Canadian population. Internet buyers, who comprised only 28% of the market in 2000, accounted for 45% of the market in 2002 and may now be in the majority! 78% of home buyers search the Internet before inking up a deal in 2003. That is up from 41% in 2001.

Canadians have come to realize that they cannot continue to throw their equity out the window by giving thousands of their hard earned dollars to agents. For a majority of Canadian citizens their homes are their families largest assets Simply put “For Sale By Owners” AKA “FSBO” are making great money managing decisions, It puts you in control of one of your largest assets, and Its where the real estate market is going with today’s technology.

Here are a few more reasons “FSBO” Makes Sense!

SAVINGS BASED ON 6% COMMISSION

• $50,000 ~ $3000.00
• $100,000.00 ~ $6000.00
• $150,000.00 ~ $9000.00
• $300,000.00 ~ $18,000.00
• $500,000.00 ~ $30,000.00

About the author

Colleen Alderliesten is the webmaster and site owner of http://www.canadianhomes4sale.com She has been buying and selling real estate in British Columbia, Canada for over 20 years. She decided to create a “For Sale By Owner” real estate advertising site when she recognized that there was a need for quality sites of this kind in Canada. http://www.canadianhomes4sale.com is ranked in the top 5 sites by Yahoo, Google, and MSN.

For Sale By Owner, What Are You Really Saving?

Writen by Scott Taylor

WHAT ARE YOU REALLY SAVING WHEN YOU SELL YOUR HOME YOURSELF?

Most people who try to sell their homes themselves, will put “Brokers Welcome” in their ads, fact sheets and flyers. That is a great idea, considering that over 90% of all homes sold, are in fact sold by real estate agents, even For Sale By Owner Properties! This means these sellers are willing to give licensed Realtors their 3% or 3.5% commission if they bring a qualified buyer. That leaves a perceived saving of 3 - 3.5%– what is typically paid to the “listing” agent.

In order to save that 3% or 3.5% listing fee, you as the seller will have to:

Spend a minimum of $1,000-$2,000 on advertising, color fact sheets, flyers, postage, signs, and internet presence. You’ll have to take time off from work or spend your personal leisure time showing the house, (try to estimate what your time is worth). You’ll have to trust your ability to negotiate the best deal with a tough buyer or a seasoned professional real estate agent. Hire a real estate attorney to go over paperwork, assist in writing contracts, to possibly defend you if there is a dispute. ( If there is a legal dispute, attorneys charge by the hour! ) Statistics indicate that roughly 40% of For Sale By Owner transactions were involved in legal disputes involving after sale disputes last year (2003), non disclosure, escrow disputes, etc…

To sell “By Owner” requires the sellers to become marketing experts with in-depth knowledge of mortgage financing, contracts, taxation, advertising, direct mail strategies, psychology, face-to-face selling, and negotiating. Owners must remain at home to man the phones when buyers call. Answering machines do not satisfy the needs of real buyers.

Statistics show (National Association of REALTORS

The First Impression a Buyer Gets

Writen by Raynor James

Your home may be a great place to raise a family or just live. The problem, of course, is a buyer does not know that and instead forms an immediate opinion on what they see first.

The First Impression a Buyer Gets

Love at first sight is a clich

On My Own: Five Secrets to a Successful FSBO Home Sale

Writen by Jared Erni

In the United States approximately twenty percent of home sellers complete For Sale By Owner (FSBO) transactions. For many people the cost of a real estate agent could be money well spent elsewhere and to succeed in the FSBO market using all of the tools and resources available to you is essential. Knowledge, planning and a long-term vision can mean the difference between a smooth, profitable sale and a confusing, frustrating and even costly mess. There are five basic secrets to making a For Sale By Owner situation work for you so write these down, print them out, keep them in a safe place even if you won’t use them until later.

Secret Number One: See the Future
If you decide that selling FSBO is for you, make sure you plan to stick with it for at least three months. It is easy to get discouraged or frustrated in the first few weeks and the temptation to quit will rear its ugly head. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Marketing and sales is time consuming and takes work; be patient and your investment will pay off.

Secret Number Two: Know Your Local Area
Research and become familiar with your local market conditions. Having an understanding of what is hot and what is not will help you make important decisions that affect the sale of your home. Read the local real estate columns, visit local and national real estate web sites and review commentaries from experts in the industry, ask friends and colleagues to tell you about personal experiences and look carefully at other properties in your own neighborhood.

Secret Number Three: Appearances Matter
Clean up the yard, clean the carpets and update the fixtures. Make sure the house looks its very best and highlight the areas of the home that make the strongest impression. In today’s real estate market, homeowners who place a high value on neatness and cleanliness are generally rewarded with a quicker sell and a higher price. The time and money you spend will save you both in the long run.

Secret Number Four: Know the Law
Although homeowners can complete almost every aspect of a real estate sale alone, it is always safer to hire a real estate attorney to review the legality of your property transaction. In many states, by law, a real estate attorney is required. Every home sale is different and unique. Your sale may call for the skills of a professional and when it comes to your finances “better safe than sorry” is a good rule to follow

Secret Number Five: Creative Marketing
Most FSBO home sellers use traditional marketing items such as yard signs and web listings, but adding some spice to your marketing plan always works. Creativity in this area always benefits a seller. The faster you can reach your perfect buyer the faster you can complete a successful real estate sale. Imagine all the possible ways you are going to find them. Consider posting an ad in the local paper or hang flyers in public places. Network with neighbors and friends and ask them to send emails and mention your property to their friends and associates. Word of mouth can often pay off more quickly than you expect.

FSBO opportunities can give you more freedom and make you more profitable if you aren’t afraid to do the work. For entrepreneurs who long to learn, execute and succeed individually the first complete real estate sale is a thrill. The confidence you build will lead to future accomplishments and the knowledge you acquire can be carried with you. For more information about FSBO and property listings in the Atlanta metropolitan area please visit my web site at http://www.LivingMetroAtlanta.com.

Jared Erni is the proud owner of http://www.LivingMetroAtlanta.com and an accomplished Business Management student at the University of Phoenix. His fresh, high-energy vision and passion for real estate makes Erni a natural leader in the FSBO industry. His ideas and suggestions will benefit both buyers and sellers alike in the Atlanta metropolitan FSBO market.

FSBO - How to Prepare Your House to Sell

Writen by Andrea Groves

Did you hear that? Prices of houses in Phoenix have been jumping 5% each month for 2005 according to market experts! Some even predict that the price of housing could jump an additional 10% for the upcoming year. The shortage of houses for sales and the still relatively low interest prices are causing the price of homes not just here in Phoenix but nationwide to escalate. What does this mean? If you are thinking about selling your home, there is no better time than the present. Jump on the bandwagon!

Okay, great, you say. I’ll buy a for-sale-by-owner sign, set it out in the front yard, host an open-house this weekend. I should have my house sold by the end of next week! Well, two months later, that for-sale-by-owner sign is still in the front and you don’t have a buyer. Do not think that just because there is a shortage of houses for sale, selling a house is a piece of cake. It may not as easy as you think. Instead of using a Realtor, you are determined to sell the house yourself. That’s fine and it’s possible. People do it all the time; however, what are some tips to help you prepare your house to sell. I have done the research and found four minimal-cost tips in preparing your sell:

1. Clean-up. The first impression is always the lasting one. You want potential buyers to be impressed the moment that they spot your house from the street. Everything from the yard, to the windows, to every room inside should be squeaky clean. And if you have a collection of, well, several collections ofstuff, it’s distracting to the buyer and really takes away the beauty of your home. If you can’t part with those items, pack them away in boxes. A potential buyer won’t be offended by a few packed boxes in the house. They most likely are expecting you to be preparing to move anyway.

2. Deodorize. This goes hand-in-hand with cleaning your house and removing the clutter. If your house smells, it won’t sell. If the house has been vacant for a while, there is nothing more offensive to a potential buyer than the smell of mildew. Please take care of the mildew before showing the house. And you petowners, understand that your precious little pets that you keep indoors are not odor-less. You just have become accustomed to the smell. A potential buyer will pick up the pet order immediately. The same is true for cigarettes.

3. Re-paint the house. Okay, you may have enjoyed a blue kitchen, an orange living room, and a red bathroom. But your potential buyer may not be as cutting-edge. Experts agree that neutral colors are best in showcasing your house. Also take a second look at the decorations on the wall. Remove anything that could be offensive to your potential buyer.

4. Embrace the sun. I don’t particularly care for the Phoenix heat, but I love the sun. It symbolizes laughter, happiness, brightness, things that are upbeat and positive. Open the blinds and curtain in your house and let the sunshine in!

Remember, you want to impress the potential buyer. By following these four simple tips, you can be a step-ahead of the game in reducing the time it takes to sell your house. However, if you don’t have the time it requires to sell the house yourself and don’t want the expensive of hiring a Realtor, please visit my website to read the free report, Sell Your House in Seven (7) Days at www.adpropertyconsultants.com.

Andrea Groves is a private real estate investor and owner of A & D Property Consultants LLC, a real estate consulting firm. The company specializes in providing property leads for other private real estate investors. Andrea has a Bachelor’s in Business Administration/Leadership and Management and holds two professional certifications in advanced administration. For more information about A & D Property Consultants LLC, please visit the website at http://www.adpropertyconsultants.com

Home Selling 101: Getting Your Home Ready for the Home Inspection

Writen by Preston Sandlin

OK you prepared your home to sell. You mowed the lawn. You put out new pine needles and you even replaced those three dead bushes. You disassembled the trampoline in the back yard that you couldn’t live without three summers ago. You moved out the clutter (all into the garage and the attic) to make your home seem bigger. You painted over that purple accent wall with a neutral color. You even took down your velvet painting of “Dogs Playing Poker.” You lived in your house as if it were a museum for three months. Real Estate agents have been in and out of your house more often than my family at a buffet bar.

Well, you got an offer and accepted it. The buyer’s real estate agent tells you they want you to swim in a tank with live sharks..I mean let their home inspector come and inspect your house. You feel the anxiety coming onWhat to do..no don’t take those pills they talk about on TV. Read the tips in this article.

My purpose in this article is to let you know some common things that home inspectors look for during an inspection and some things you can do to prepare for the colonoscopy..I mean the home inspection. Here are my tips:

1. The home inspector is going to find something. No mater how much you prepare your house, he will find something. Don’t take it personally.

2. Clean your gutters.

3. Trim any trees or branches touching the roof.

4. Caulk the joints on your trim around windows and doors.

5. Make sure all your downspouts have diverters under them.

6. Clean your ovenmake sure all your burners work.

7. Make sure your disposal and dishwasher are working properly.

8. Tighten your kitchen cabinets if they are loose.

9. Tighten tour toilets if they are loose.

10. Make sure your heat and air conditioning are working properly.

11. Caulk around your tub and shower if needed.

12. Change your filters for your HVAC system.

13. Make sure all your windows and doors open and close properly. Make adjustments as needed.

14. Remember all the stuff you dumped in the attic and garage to make your house more roomy? Please clean these. The inspector will need to get in there.

15. Make sure your garage door goes up and down properly. Make sure the auto reverse works properly.

16. Replace any light bulbs that are burned out.

17. For goodness sakes whatever you do, don’t put that velvet painting of “Dogs Playing Poker” back on the wall.

Get off the ledge!!! Don’t jump!!! You will be fine. You will survive the home inspection process. Remember that the home inspector is still going to find some things no matter how much you prepare. It’s not personal. If you have any questions or concerns about the home inspection processor you want to buy a used trampolinecheap. Cantact me - Preston Sandlin www.homeinspectioncarolina.com.

Preston Sandlin is a home inspector in Charlotte NC. He has been a licensed home inspector for eleven years. He is a member of the North Carolina Home Inspector’s Association, The Better Business Bureau, and the Charlotte Rgional Realtors Association. Preston has performed thousands of home inspections over the past eleven years.

Visit ==>www.homeinspectioncarolina.com

Real Estate Deposit vs Down Payment

Writen by Gloria Smith

When you’re selling your home, you have to be familiar with related real-estate lingo. You have to know the difference between a canopy and an awning; a mortgage and a loan; and most importantly, the difference between a deposit and a down payment.

Believe it or not, there are a lot of home sellers who think that deposits and down payments are one and the same, when in reality they are not.

A deposit is the money given or handed over to the owner when a buyer indicates a sincere desire to purchase the property being sold. It is a token amount that could be as small as a few hundred dollars, or as big as 5% of the total purchase price. The deposit can be returned when the transaction does not fall through for reasons beyond the control of the buyer, and can also be forfeited in favour of the seller. When the purchase pushes through, the deposit is credited to the buyer and forms part of his down payment.

A down payment or equity, on the other hand, can be considered as an initial payment on the property itself. It is given when the buyer has decided to actually purchase the house (unlike in deposit, where it is given when the buyer indicates a desire to buy the unit). The down payment is the total amount of money a buyer can give as a partial payment and is generally of a bigger value (10% of the total property cost, or more) than regular deposits.

It’s fairly easy to differentiate. Just remember that a deposit is smaller and, once the transaction pushes through, becomes part of the down payment. The total of these two, plus any outstanding balance, should be the agreed upon purchase price of the property.

LegalHomeForms.com provides downloadable for sale by owner forms and contracts.

http://www.legalhomeforms.com/list.htm

Hurricanes and For Sale By Owner Problems

Writen by Lance Winslow

The opening of the 2006 Atlantic tropical hurricane season is now upon us and if you live in a hurricane zone and you are thinking of selling your property or real estate you are probably rather anxious to get it sold and get out of dodge just in case a major category hurricane hits your area.

Should you try to sell your home by owner and go with a twenty to thirty day escrow? You could try to sell your home with a professional real estate salesperson and company, but if you do you will pay high commission fees and chances are you will not be totally satisfied with the price, which you get personally.

Nevertheless it might be faster to sell your home through a real estate agent if you’re in a hurricane zone, as that may be a factor for you. However it might also be better if you do it for sale by owner because you can make deals and save the commission to the real estate salesperson as a bargaining chip tool due to the amount of money it would be to make the deal close.

Whatever you decide I do not envy you trying to sell your home by yourself or through or a real estate agent if you live in a hurricane zone or in the great state of Florida, which I now call the ultimate sandbar. After the 2005 Atlantic tropical hurricane season who knows what will happen this year, so good luck of selling your home and 2006.

Lance Winslow

A FSBO’s Guide to Keeping It Safe When Selling Your Home

Writen by Michelle Annese

Sellers need to keep their safety in mind when prospecting potential buyers. The real estate industry has seen a problematic climb in assaults towards realtors, and so is the concern for those who are selling their own homes.

Here are just seven ways designed specifically to protect you, your family, and your home, from being victimized:

1. Fully screen callers before allowing them an appointment for seeing your home. Ask all the questions: name, existing address, and telephone number. Where are they employed? Why are they looking to buy? Do they have a family in the area? Any children? Ask as many questions until you feel comfortable with this person.

2. Do not let unannounced visitors into your home unless you have their information first. If you are alone in the house, have them come back later when there are others home. There is no reason why someone cannot be professional and make an appointment with you. Make sure there is more than one person in your home when showing your property. Remember, safety in numbers.

3. If you must show your home alone keep a cell phone with you. If you are in danger of a potential buyer, you can easily call 911 for help. In the event in needing to get away from someone run out of the house into your vehicle or neighbor’s house. Remember, your life is more important than any property. Most criminals interviewed say they do not want to harm anyone when taking valuables, prescription drugs or money. But if the home owner puts up a fight, so will they. Let it go. Property and things in your home can be replaced, your life cannot!

4. Tell your children, even if they are older to not let anyone in the house unless you are there. Even teenage children should not let anyone into the house. More assaults are committed on young people from the ages of 15- 25 years of age than any other age group.

5. Be very aware of virtual tours. If a virtual tour is an option for selling your home, make sure there are no expensive objects in the room(s). Criminals look for opportunities such as these to target homes to burglarize.

6. Let neighbors know you are selling your home. Check with them on a regular basis to see if anyone has been around the house when you are not there. Criminals will use an open house, or a walk-through to pose as a potential buyer to scope out properties to burglarize later.

7. Keeping the curb appeal not only adds value when you are selling a home, but adds to the safety of your home as well. After searching a home during an open house, criminals interviewed say they look for high bushes near windows, not well-lit areas of a home, and concealed entrances to come back and gain access to a home. Keep bushes trimmed low, repair or add higher wattage light bulbs to existing lights, and keep entrances well lit for theft prevention.

Don’t hesitate. If you’re serious about selling your home yourself, just make sure your safety plan is just as serious to protect you and your family’s future.

Michelle Annese, “The Diva of Defense

Home Buyers Search On-line First, Before Making a Deal

Writen by Colleen Alderliesten

“For Sale by Owners” AKA FSBO (pronounced “Fizz-boes”) are taking control of the sale of their own homes!

Statistics show that its probably one of the best ways to go. So-called “Internet buyers.” who comprised only 28 percent of the market in 2000, accounted for 45% of the market in 2002 and may now be in the majority. The National Association of Realtors recently reported that for the first time, more home buyers nationwide used the internet instead of newspaper ads as a key information.

• 66 percent of the buyers surveyed reported using the internet, compared to 49 percent of buyers who say they used newspaper ads.

Nation wide real estate has increased 2030% since 2000 but the cost of listing with a real estate agent has either increased or has been unchanged.

The fact is that web-surfing home buyers are changing how Canadians are buying real estate, and changing the real estate industry. With a flood of information Canadians are becoming much more studious in their real estate buying techniques and starting to chip away at the 6% commission that real estate brokers collect on each home sold.

Canadians have come to realize that they cannot continue to throw their equity out the window by giving thousands of their hard earned dollars to agents. For a majority of Canadian citizens their homes are their families largest assets. Being a “For Sale By Owners” AKA “FSBO” is simply good money managing, It puts you in control of one of your largest assets, and Its where the real estate market is going with today’s technology.

Colleen Alderliesten is the Webmaster of http://www.canadianhomes4sale.com and has bought and sold real estate in British Columbia, Canada, as a “FSBO” for over 20 years. She can be reached for comments or questions at info@canadianhomes4sale.com