Sellers ... Stay Informed on the Local Market

As a seller in the Salt Lake City Utah area, it can be tough to make all the right choices when selling your home. In this article, we’ll go over five common mistakes sellers make so you can ensure that you avoid these mistakes. By the end of this article, you’ll have a good idea of what to do and what not to do when you’re selling your home.
Mistake #1 – Bad Pricing Strategy
Most sellers are aware they shouldn’t price their house too low. However, it’s all too common that sellers overestimate what their house can sell for and price too high.
The logic they often go by is that they can always “accept a lower offer” if the price they’re suggesting doesn’t work. However, what usually happens is buyers are just scared off by the higher price and don’t even come to look at your property.
Mistake #2 – House is Cluttered
This may seem like common sense, but it’s an all too common mistake. The buyer comes to look at the house and it’s still cluttered with belongings from the seller’s family.
A cluttered house is unappealing to buyers. Make sure you move all your stuff out of your house, even if it means renting a storage unit for a few months.
Mistake #3 - Garden is not well kept
The front and back yards are often the first impression your buyer gets of your house. Beyond just physical looks, this tells the buyer how well your house is kept. Make sure your front yard and back yard are in tip top condition.
Mistake #4 - House is not Staged
Staging is the process of making your house as appealing as it can possibly get.
Clean the house thoroughly inside and out. Make sure the lighting is great and that there’s either fresh air or a light scent throughout the house. Make any repairs that are necessary.
Have furniture that showcases the house and have empty rooms when appropriate.
Mistake #5 - Not Hiring a Real Estate Agent
Hiring a real estate agent will almost always save you time and money. Statistics have repeatedly shown that working with a real estate agent results in higher sale prices and faster sales. Many owners who list FSBOs end up wishing they had listed with a real estate agent instead.
A real estate agent can help you sell your house quickly and for the best price. They’ve spent hundreds of hours training to do so and a great real estate agent will already have tons of experience selling homes just like yours.
To speak with an experienced real estate agent who can help you sell your home, please give me a call at 801-518-4599 or send me an email at kathyo@kathyohomes.com

There is a lot of free information available about buying, selling or investing in Holladay and Salt Lake City, Utah real estate.  For complete information about the Salt Lake City real estate market including foreclosures, short sales and more, visit the website dedicated to everything Salt Lake City Utah real estate.

For a FREE Weekly List of Foreclosed Homes with 4-5 Bedrooms in Salt Lake City, UT under $150,000 fill in the form below and you will receive home listings as they hit the market.  You will get all the hot listings as they come up even before most agents see them!

Just fill in the form below with your correct name and e-mail address and we will set it up to have the list automatically e-mailed to you.  Just add it in the comments if you have an interest in Short Sales and HUD homes too!

If you or someone you know are in need of a competent and caring real estate professional in or near Salt Lake City, Utah, I will be happy to help, just call me at 801-518-4599.

Don’t make the mistake of pricing your house too high or low for the market.  Learn how to set the most effective price for the quick sale of your house at the highest potential profit. 

SPECIAL REPORT:

Get the Best Price for the Sale of Your House in Salt Lake City Utah.

It is a big decision to make.  Now that you have made the decision to sell how do you get the most money for your home in Salt Lake City Utah.

First you want to find other homes on the Salt Lake City Utah real estate market, that are similar in age and size that have recently sold in your neighborhood.  This is called finding comparables for your home.

You want to find at least three homes in Salt Lake City Utah that have the same number of bedrooms and bathroom, as well as similar square footage.  The closer the properties that have recently sold are to your property the better comparison it will be for the price you can expect for your home.

It is best to find homes in Salt Lake City Utah that are approximately on the same sized lot and the same age as well.  To get comparables you can contact a local title company or a local real estate agent.

It is best to ask for 6-10 comparable properties from the Salt Lake City Utah real estate market area when asking for comparable statistics.  Most agents and title companies will be happy to fax these over for you to view.

Once you have the property addresses it is a good idea to drive by these other properties to see how they compare visually to your house.

Ask yourself the following questions and take notes on them:
Is the property in better or worse condition than mine? (does it need paint, a new roof, fencing, etc.)
Are there any noise problems by the property that would lower the value. (busy street, railroad, industrial area)
What is the immediate curb appeal? (Do you feel drawn to the house, does it have character?

Make notes on each house as it is easy to forget details when you drive by many houses in one day.  You may even want to take photos of the houses for future reference.

When you have narrowed the comparables down to the 3 or 4 houses in Salt Lake City Utah that closest resemble your own property, take and add up these properties sale prices.  Then add up the square footage for the properties.  

Now find the average sale price by dividing the sales price by the square footage.  You know have the average price per square foot. 

Next simply take the average price per square foot and multiply it times the square footage of your house.

This will give you a good estimate on what you can expect to set for a fair price on your house.  This process is very similar to what is done when an appraisal is done on your house. 

If you are interviewing agents, like myself Kathy Opolski to list and help sell your property, it is best to have them do a comparable analysis for you as part of the interviewing process.  It will not take them much time and they will be happy to do it for you to help win your business.

When you have a figure to go by you need to look at your needs for selling the home.  The price you want to set for your home is partially determined by your need to sell the property.

If you need to sell fast then take the figure you have come up with and lower it by 3 to 10 percent depending on how fast you need to sell.

If you are just testing the Salt Lake City Utah real estate market and are not in a hurry to sell your house you can ask more than the average that you came up with.

Keep in mind selling your home in Salt Lake City Utah is effected by simple supply and demand.  You want to receive as much for the price of your home as possible.  The buyer wants to get the lowest price they can.

You can ask real estate agents that you interview if it is a buyer or seller’s market.  If it is a buyers market it means there are more people selling houses than looking for houses.  This means it may take your house longer to sell and you may want to consider a slightly lower price for the house.

If it is a sellers market it means just the opposite.  More people are looking for houses than there are houses available.  This drives the market price in Salt Lake City Utah up and you may want to consider going to the high side of the figures you come up with for a fair price to sell your home.

Remember, it only takes one person that falls in love with your house to buy it, but if there are better properties on the Salt Lake City Utah real estate market then yours, the house will have the tendency to sit on the market longer than you may desire.

Follow this formula for setting your price for the sale of your house.  Talk to other real estate professionals and get their opinions, but remember the final decision on pricing your house is totally up to you.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Salt Lake City Utah real estate. For complete information about the Salt Lake City Utah real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Salt Lake City Utah real estate. So please feel free to contact me with any of your mortgage questions and I will me more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 801-518-4599 or email me at kathyo@kathyohomes.com.

Real estate prices in Salt Lake City Utah have shifted drastically in the last few years. However, there are certain techniques that one can use to ensure a fast sale no matter what the market looks like. In this article, we’ll cover how you can sell your house in Salt Lake City Utah quickly, no matter what the market looks like.
Focus
First of all, remember to focus on things you can control. Focusing on what the market looks like won’t help you sell your house any faster.
Focus on the things you can control, such as your strategy, the staging of your house and so on.
Flexibility
Speed can sometimes come at the cost of your selling price. Make a decision as to how important it is to sell your house quickly.
It’s often possible to sell your house in a matter of weeks if you’re willing to sell your house to investors for a low enough price. On the other hand, the tradeoff may not be worth the speed to you.
The speed vs. price decision is an important one to make if you’re thinking about selling your house quickly.
Staging
Staging your house is the process of making it as appealing to your buyers as possible. When a buyer steps into your house, you want them to have an instantaneous “Yes!” reaction.
To do this, make sure your house is in tip top condition. Your carpets, walls, appliances, bathroom and kitchen tiles all look crystal clean. The air is well ventilated or lightly scented. The rooms are well lit.
Working With a Real Estate Agent
Work diligently with a real estate agent to ensure that you can sell your house as quickly as possible. Talk to your real estate agent about possible venues of marketing and come up with as many ways to get your house in and off the market as possible.
Remember that in the long run, working with a real estate agent will generally save you money. According to Consumer Reports, homes sold through a real estate agent sell for higher prices and stay on the market for less time.
If you don’t already have an agent you’re working with who can help you sell your house quickly, feel free to give me a call at 801-518-4599 or send me an email at kathyo@kathyohomes.com to discuss how we can help get your house sold as quickly as possible.

There is a lot of free information available about buying, selling or investing in Holladay and Salt Lake City, Utah real estate.  For complete information about the Salt Lake City real estate market including foreclosures, short sales and more, visit the website dedicated to everything Salt Lake City Utah real estate.

For a FREE Weekly List of Foreclosed Homes with 4-5 Bedrooms in Salt Lake City, UT under $150,000 fill in the form below and you will receive home listings as they hit the market.  You will get all the hot listings as they come up even before most agents see them!

Just fill in the form below with your correct name and e-mail address and we will set it up to have the list automatically e-mailed to you.  Just add it in the comments if you have an interest in Short Sales and HUD homes too!

If you or someone you know are in need of a competent and caring real estate professional in or near Salt Lake City, Utah, I will be happy to help, just call me at 801-518-4599

Real estate prices in Salt Lake City Utah have shifted drastically in the last few years. However, there are certain techniques that one can use to ensure a fast sale no matter what the market looks like. In this article, we’ll cover how you can sell your house in Salt Lake City Utah quickly, no matter what the market looks like.
Focus
First of all, remember to focus on things you can control. Focusing on what the market looks like won’t help you sell your house any faster.
Focus on the things you can control, such as your strategy, the staging of your house and so on.
Flexibility
Speed can sometimes come at the cost of your selling price. Make a decision as to how important it is to sell your house quickly.
It’s often possible to sell your house in a matter of weeks if you’re willing to sell your house to investors for a low enough price. On the other hand, the tradeoff may not be worth the speed to you.
The speed vs. price decision is an important one to make if you’re thinking about selling your house quickly.
Staging
Staging your house is the process of making it as appealing to your buyers as possible. When a buyer steps into your house, you want them to have an instantaneous “Yes!” reaction.
To do this, make sure your house is in tip top condition. Your carpets, walls, appliances, bathroom and kitchen tiles all look crystal clean. The air is well ventilated or lightly scented. The rooms are well lit.
Working With a Real Estate Agent
Work diligently with a real estate agent to ensure that you can sell your house as quickly as possible. Talk to your real estate agent about possible venues of marketing and come up with as many ways to get your house in and off the market as possible.
Remember that in the long run, working with a real estate agent will generally save you money. According to Consumer Reports, homes sold through a real estate agent sell for higher prices and stay on the market for less time.
If you don’t already have an agent you’re working with who can help you sell your house quickly, feel free to give me a call at 801-518-4599 or send me an email at kathyo@kathyohomes.com to discuss how we can help get your house sold as quickly as possible.

There is a lot of free information available about buying, selling or investing in Holladay and Salt Lake City, Utah real estate.  For complete information about the Salt Lake City real estate market including foreclosures, short sales and more, visit the website dedicated to everything Salt Lake City Utah real estate.

For a FREE Weekly List of Foreclosed Homes with 4-5 Bedrooms in Salt Lake City, UT under $150,000 fill in the form below and you will receive home listings as they hit the market.  You will get all the hot listings as they come up even before most agents see them!

Just fill in the form below with your correct name and e-mail address and we will set it up to have the list automatically e-mailed to you.  Just add it in the comments if you have an interest in Short Sales and HUD homes too!

If you or someone you know are in need of a competent and caring real estate professional in or near Salt Lake City, Utah, I will be happy to help, just call me at 801-518-4599

As a real estate agent who has experience in Salt Lake City UtahI have assisted many individuals in buying and selling homes. In this article, I will show some top practical tips that I have discovered to help anyone sell any house. Salt Lake City Utah market. When you finish reading this article, you will know exactly how to manage a quick, stress free sale of your house.

Staging your home will lead to more success than not staging it.

Even if you have not staged a home before, you will find that it does not require any previous experience; you will be able to do it with a minimum amount of effort.

1 - Fixing things. Before showing the house, any repairs needed to the house, floor, appliances and fixtures should be taken care of.

Two-Organize your things. Store anything that seems out of place.

Third,Get your house as clean as it can be. Beautify the front of your home, steam clean the carpet, shine the windows daily.

Price is key. If your asking price is too low, you won't realize enough profit from the sale. One of the biggest pitfalls that a seller may encounter is pricing their home to high. Many believe that they can take a lower offer if they start out first with a high price. Overpricing can greatly limit marketability. The most important factor in selling your house is that you have the correct price.

If you want a smoother and easier experience with selling your home then make certain that you are working with an experienced real estate agent. Moreover, the commission you pay will be more than covered by the 16% saving that you will achieve on an average as compared to selling to FSBO.

It is very difficult to select the right real estate agent. It is in your best interest to locate an agent who is well-versed in the Salt Lake City Utah area. You will want to find an agent that is trustworthy. You'll want to seek out an agent with the ability to market as well as sell.

On the chance you have yet to find an agent Salt Lake City Utah Give me a call first for a free consultation, what can it hurt, and who knows I may just be what you need. Call me anytime at 801-518-4599

There is a lot of free information available about buying, selling or investing in Holladay and Salt Lake City, Utah real estate.  For complete information about the Salt Lake City real estate market including foreclosures, short sales and more, visit the website dedicated to everything Salt Lake City Utah real estate.

For a FREE Weekly List of Foreclosed Homes with 4-5 Bedrooms in Salt Lake City, UT under $150,000 fill in the form below and you will receive home listings as they hit the market.  You will get all the hot listings as they come up even before most agents see them!

Just fill in the form below with your correct name and e-mail address and we will set it up to have the list automatically e-mailed to you.  Just add it in the comments if you have an interest in Short Sales and HUD homes too!

If you or someone you know are in need of a competent and caring real estate professional in or near Salt Lake City, Utah, I will be happy to help, just call me at 801-518-4599.

In today's litigious society, home sellers and real estate professionals in Salt Lake City Utah should take preventative steps to avoid after-the-sale problems which are experienced statewide in the real estate industry, according to leading industry professionals.

Learning about a home and the area surounding Salt Lake City Utah, disclosing all factors affecting a home's value and obtaining a thorough inspection as well as a warranty plan are among the steps which can help reduce potential law suits.

Real estate professionals and home sellers should be aware of a neighborhood's zoning -- one of the factors which can affect a home's value in the future.

It is important to be informed about certain residential properties which can also be zoned for other uses such as commercial or multifamily housing. In a residential neighborhood for example, an adjacent lot which is later converted into an automobile body repair shop will most likely lower the value of surrounding single-family homes.

Other factors which can affect a Salt Lake City Utah home's value include nearby projects in the planning stages and environmental hazards. Real estate professionals should check with local officials about future projects such as a new freeway or re-routing of streets which can increase traffic and noise.

'Real estate professionals and sellers in Salt Lake City Utah should always disclose to the buyer this type of information about the area as well as any known environmental hazards such as a nearby landfill.

At the time a seller lists a home for sale in Salt Lake City Utah, the real estate professional should be thoroughly aware of its condition and any problems to avoid future surprises during negotiations or after the close of the sale.

Termite and home inspection should be used in every transaction. A home inspection not only reveals defects in a home that can be addressed before closing the sale, but it can give buyers a comfort level, knowing what they're getting and reinforcing their decision to buy.

Another important tool to help reduce after-the-sale problems is a home warranty plan. Home warranties are a good perk and give real estate professionals an opportunity to follow up with the homeowner who has had a positive experience and is usually happy.

Most litigation arises from anger caused by resentment building up from smaller problems. Home warranties help keep anger down, so if a larger problem occurs, the home buyer is more likely to call the seller and real estate professional to discuss the problem rather than file a lawsuit.

Before home warranties, most real estate professionals and sellers received calls within the first six months about broken dishwashers, disposals, water heaters and leaking roofs on rainy days. Now, however, most calls are regarding problems about zoning issues and non-permitted add-on rooms.

The following points which are perhaps more important than price when selecting a home warranty company and plan:

1. Consider the financial stability of the company.

2. Read the contract carefully and note what items are covered.

3. Check how fast the company services calls.

4. Check how the company handles claims which are in dispute.

Be knowledgeable about the condition of the property in Salt Lake City Utah, disclose any known problems to the buyer and provide a warranty plan for unexpected mechanical breakdowns after the close of escrow. Taking these necessary steps will prevent after-the-sale problems and help limit future liability.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in [Profile.market2] real estate. For complete information about the Salt Lake City Utah real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Salt Lake City Utah real estate. So please feel free to contact me with any of your mortgage questions and I will me more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 801-518-4599 or email me at kathyo@kathyohomes.com.

Salt Lake City Utah Real Estate Agent Kathy Opolski Explains Why Local Real Estate Agents Can Help Get a Home Ready for the Market Quickly

When it comes to putting your home on the market for sale, there are many different considerations to make. In fact, it can be a frustrating and challenging time as you prepare to get your home in shape to go on the market. No one knows this better than local real estate agent Kathy Opolski.

There is no question that the real estate market all over the country has been challenging for the last couple of years. [Profile_full.name] says that this is why it is more important than ever to make sure that your home is in proper condition to be put on the market for sale.

Sometimes, sellers can be emotionally attached to their home in such a way that they might not see what needs to be repaired or replaced before listing a home for sale. This is where a professional and experienced real estate agent becomes a necessity.

What home sellers don't often understand about Salt Lake City Utah real estate agents is that they are on the ground each and every day looking at homes and assessing the competition. In other words, they regularly see who your competition is on the market and can help you make your home look as good as possible to give it the best chance of selling.

In fact, real estate agents have a list of qualities that the home should have to make it the most salable. They may be able to give you tips and tricks on ways that you can stage your home to create the appearance of more space, for instance. These tips can be invaluable for a home seller who needs to get their home sold quickly.

There is a lot of great free information available to you about buying, investing or selling in Salt Lake City Utah real estate. For more information about the [Profile.market2] real estate market, be sure to visit the website that provides information on current homes for sale, property values and more: www.BuySaltLakeCityHomes.com. You may also feel free to contact me with all of your real estate or mortgage related questions at 801-518-4599 or even e-mail me at kathyo@kathyohomes.com.

The ability to reap additional profits on the sale of your home in Salt Lake City Utah can be accomplished easily enough if you make the right improvements. Many changes can provide the prospective buyer with enhanced feelings about your home, feelings of more space, more light, more rooms, more closet space, greater privacy, warmth and security.

Basic, simple and inexpensive improvements can provide an improved emotional response in a potential Salt Lake City Utah buyer.

An example could be something as small as a crack in the paint on a wall. Simply by applying some plaster and touch up paint, you eliminated what may be an unstated concern that your home in Salt Lake City Utah was poorly maintained.

Though the feeling may be unconscious, it’s just as important that the potential buyer feel an overall desire for your home.

If you are working with a small budget these simple techniques will work absolute wonders:

The Magic of Mirrors!-Mirrors can provide a greater sense of space and elegance when properly placed. Be careful not to overdo it, but when placed properly throughout your home, each area will seem larger to the potential home buyer.

Try looking in your attic or basement for any old mirrors, but be sure they have a nice frame or at least give the frame a new coat of paint. You may also want to visit a local flea market or garage sale; you can almost always get a great deal on an old mirror or two.

Putting one foot square mirrors on a closet door in the master bedroom is always an attractive touch.

Adding Additional Closet Space-One of the biggest complaints heard from potential buyers in Salt Lake City Utah is that there just isn’t enough closet space! Simply purchasing an inexpensive closet organizer and installing it in any or all of your closets can make all the difference.

You can also try putting a rod across one corner of a bedroom for hanging clothes. Also you could try hanging a screen made from a variety of materials. The screen could match the material of the bedspread, drapes etc. The idea here is to be creative so that the "fake closet" looks as though it was a part of the room.

Make a Bare Wall Beautiful-Wallpaper is inexpensive, quick and easy to do! The right wallpaper can brighten the room or hallway and bring it back to life. Be careful to choose something with a neutral design or pattern. Remember, you’re trying to move out.

Bring Old Floors Back to Life!-Nothing turns off a potential buyer quicker than dull, dingy, disgusting looking floors. Whether you have wax, wooden or tiled floors, do whatever you can to make them shine again! For wax floors, either rent a floor machine and do it yourself, or if it’s in your budget, hire a professional.

Have a professional give you an estimate and explain exactly what they would do to bring your floors back to life. If you have them explain what they would do, it may be just as easy to do it yourself.

If you have carpeted floors, you should either have the carpet steam cleaned or install new carpeting. This may sound expensive but new carpeting can add thousands of dollars to the value of your home.

Add Attractive Plants-Having plants in the house is not only healthy for you but you create a warm feeling with them. Many indoor plants are far less expensive than you might imagine.

Attractive pots such as ceramic, brass or even designer plastic will add a designer flair to your home. Hanging plants such as Boston ferns are inexpensive, easy to care for and would go great in your new home whenever you move.

Adding a Room Without Calling in the Contractor!-This simple but seldom used technique, can give a buyer the feeling there are more actual rooms in your house. Floor to ceiling room dividers are inexpensive and simple to install.

When a buyer walks through your home in Salt Lake City Utah, they will generally count the rooms in a subconscious manner. Each room will present an emotional response as they walk through your home.

By dividing and designing each side of your room, you create a "separate room" feeling in the potential buyer. It may sound crazy, but it works!

Clean Up the Bathroom-We’ve probably all heard that phrase a hundred times growing up! Well, guess what? It’s still valid. Give your bathroom a face-lift if needed; fresh paint, decorative moldings, tile grout, new designer faucets are all attractive eye catchers.

What is That Smell?-Though people don’t like to admit it, everyone's home has a certain smell to it. We just never notice it because we live with it day in, day out. Strategically placing fresh scent devices throughout the home will be pleasant to the nose of any potential buyer.

As a matter of fact, an old Realtor trick is to pop some cinnamon rolls in an oven 5 minutes before a showing. I bet you thought all Realtors just had a sweet-tooth!

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Salt Lake City Utah real estate. For complete information about the Salt Lake City Utah real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything [Profile.market2] real estate. So please feel free to contact me with any of your mortgage questions and I will me more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 801-518-4599 or email me at kathyo@kathyohomes.com.

With the growth of the Internet, the prospect of 'going' FSBO — For Sale By Owner — as a method for selling your Salt Lake City Utah home is more attractive than ever.

One of the largest expenses involved in selling a property is the payment of an agent's commission — often in the 6% range. But agents do earn their money, by providing expertise on the market and sales process, by advertising widely and by assisting in the negotiation and closing phases of a sale.

Still, 6% of $200,000 is $12,000 and many find the prospect of keeping that money for themselves irresistible. Here are some things to consider when deciding whether to use an agent or 'go' FSBO.

In order to sell a property quickly and profitably, you have to know the market. If your listed price is even 1% off the Salt Lake City Utah real estate market average you will either sit on the property for a long time or fail to make as much as you could have on the sale.

Beyond the need to get an accurate, professional appraisal — required whether FSBO'ing or using an agent — agents can provide 'comps' listing the recent sale price of comparable properties. They also know the market and can often tell you whether your price is reasonable.

However, with the increasing availability of similar information on the Internet, FSBO is becoming a more realistic option. If you can access and analyze the data, FSBO may be for you.

Agents put your property in a database called an MLS, a Multiple Listing Service, to which other agents as well as potential buyers — through the agent — have access. MLS data is more difficult for the average person to gain access to and in some states you need a license to obtain the data. Almost in every case, one is required to be a member of the MLS service and pay a fee.

This is only the first step toward advertising your property far and wide to potential buyers. But, again, with the growth of Internet sites advertising homes for sale, along with other traditional options, you may find you no longer need the service once provided almost exclusively by agents.

Some individuals are natural negotiators and some have learned through long experience how to attract buyers and get the best deal. Some, though, will always be on the losing end of a proposition. Only you can decide how effective you can be in negotiating a fair, acceptable price and whether that process is enjoyable or torture.

Once you've listed the property, advertised it widely enough to attract buyers and negotiated a price one will accept, the most difficult part of the process begins. Every state and country including Salt Lake City Utah has a long and complex list of laws about how a real estate transaction has to be carried out.

Deposits have to be made of the right amounts and at the right times in an escrow account, and insurance regulations have to be met. Title history is investigated and a hundred other details completed before ownership can be transferred and profits (if any) gained. If you don't have the knowledge or temperament for this sort of thing, FSBO is not for you.

But, on the bright side, there are dozens of books, Internet sites such as this, and low-cost 'seller assistance' businesses that can guide you through the process.

Investigate before you decide, and best of luck.There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Salt Lake City Utah real estate. For complete information about the Salt Lake City Utah real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Salt Lake City Utah real estate. So please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate questions and I will me more than glad to answer you queries. Call me on my cell at 801-518-4599 or email me at kathyo@kathyohomes.com.

The Root Causes Of Foreclosures by real estate expert Kathy Opolski

At one time there were two main causes for foreclosures in our country. We are going to discuss these causes and see how it affects the real estate and banking industries.

The two main causes that originally brought about a foreclosure event were divorce and failed businesses. The bigger of the two is divorce and it is usually based on the departure of the husband.

Failed businesses are the second commonest cause for foreclosure in Salt Lake City Utah. Often times, the homeowner has been swamped with debts and has either refinanced or gotten second or third mortgages in [Profile.market. Unfortunately in these cases, the only available avenue for the bank to take is to foreclose on the house in Salt Lake City Utah.

In our country today, the state of the nation has caused a horrendous amount of foreclosures. Layoffs and major companies going bankrupt has caused people to get behind in their monthly payments and not able to catch up.

In previous years, a lot of people were able to avoid these problems by doing such things as refinancing their homes, sell their homes, or get a consolidation loan. When they combined their debt they were often able to get one lower payment.

Unfortunately, today the debt is a lot higher than what a home is worth and the only option is foreclosure. This has brought about a huge amount of homes in Salt Lake City Utah that are either sitting empty or are now owned by the banks.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Salt Lake City Utah real estate. For complete information about the Salt Lake City Utah real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything [Profile.market2] real estate at www.BuySaltLakeCityHomes.com. Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I would be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 801-518-4599 or email me at kathyo@kathyohomes.com.

Staging a home is a detailed and intricate process. You're going through the process of making your home as nice as possible to get the highest price possible. When it comes to staging, there are many things most real estate agents to right. However, based on my years of experience in the Salt Lake City Utah market, I've found that most agents tend to leave out these three important factors.

Factor #1 - Scent

Scent plays a big part in staging a home. Remember that a home purchase is an emotional decision. The sense of smell plays a big part in influencing one's emotions.

Having any odors, stale air, muskiness or strange smells will kill your chances of making the sale. Itís absolutely critical that your house smell at least neutral, if not good.

There are many ways to change the scent of your house. You could burn incense an hour before showing the house. You could install some air fresheners. You could even use essential oils that are used in aromatherapy to truly create a luxurious feel.

Factor #2 - Lighting

Lighting is another very important factor that many agents overlook. The lighting in the house literally colors everything else. A house that appears bright will feel vibrant, happy and alive to the buyer. A house that's dim will feel gloomy, dark and dead.

Natural lighting is the optimal source of lighting. If you canít get natural lighting to work or to be well lit enough, the get some artistic indoor lighting. Avoid hard lights and avoid fluorescent lights.

Factor #3 - Furnishing

It's very common for agents to show an empty house. While this does create a clean and open look, the reality is that most people don't have a very strong ability to imagine what a house will look like with furnishing.

It's important to have good furnishing in the house when you're staging it so that the buyer can really get a feel for what the house will feel like when it's furnished. Pick just a few key pieces to help the buyer do that.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Salt Lake City Utah real estate. For complete information about the Salt Lake City Utah real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Salt Lake City Utah real estate at www.BuySaltLakeCityHomes.com. Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 801-518-4599 or email me at kathyo@kathyohomes.com.

Selling your home in Salt Lake City Utah can be an exhausting experience. Last minute walk-throughs, inconvenient calls, price adjustment and the possibility of being stuck with two mortgages are real concerns.

If you are not completely prepared, you could end up losing hundreds, even thousands, of dollars in profit.

The difference between a profitable smooth transaction and a break-even, miserable experience is often a fine line. In the majority of cases, it comes down to the subtle know-how of your professional.

By utilizing the knowledge of a qualified real estate professional, you’ll ensure the quick, profitable sale of your home. This report is designed to arm you with the knowledge to avoid 11 common mistakes that cost sellers serious money.

1. Refusing to Make Profit Inducing Repairs
It always costs you more money to sell ‘as is’ than to make repairs that will increase the value of your home. Even minor improvements will often yield as much as three to five times the repair cost at the time of sale. Your agent will be able to point out what repairs will significantly increase the value of your home in Salt Lake City Utah. Seemingly small fix up jobs can have quite an impact.

2. Not Considering Other Financing Terms
Cash is not always the most advantageous transaction. Income level, tax benefits and current legislation are all critical factors when considering purchase terms. Professional real estate agents are experts at home transactions and can lead you down the path that will give you the highest yield.

3. Provide Easy Access for Showings
Accessibility is a major key to profitability. Appointment-only showings are the most restrictive, while a lock box is the least.

However there are certain considerations to take into account: your lifestyle, time frame for the desired sale and the relationship with your agent. The more accessible your home in Salt Lake City Utah is, the better the odds of finding a person willing to pay your asking price.

You never know if the one that couldn’t get a viewing was the one that got away. By developing a trusting relationship with your agent, he or she will show the home with your best interests in mind.

4. Priced Too Low/Priced Too High
One critical reason to find the right professional is to make sure the property is priced appropriately for a timely and profitable sale. If the property is priced too high, it will sit and develop the identity of a problem property.

If it’s priced too low, it could cost you considerable profits. The real estate market in Salt Lake City Utah has subtle nuances and market changes that should be re-evaluated by your agent every 30 days to help you maximize your return.

5. Relying Solely on Traditional Methods To Sell Your Home
The agent who is innovative and willing to offer new strategies of attracting home buyers will always outperform agents who rely on traditional methods. Demand around the clock advertising exposure, innovative lead generation methods and lead accountability. These services exist and should be offered on your Salt Lake City Utah home sale.

6. Market Timing/Seasonal Selling
Just as a broker who continually follows the trends of a stock, your professional agent continually follows trends of your Salt Lake City Utah real estate home market. They will know if the market cycle is poised to net you the most money. Avoid believing that property sales are seasonal; property is always selling.

7. Refusing to Make Cosmetic Changes
The prospective Salt Lake City Utah home buyer’s first impression is the most important. An unbelievable amount of home sales have been lost to unkempt lawns, cluttered rooms, bad stains, unpleasant odors- all seemingly little things. Imagine you were the home buyer and clean your place from top to bottom, military style.

8. Wasting Time With An Unqualified Prospect
Your agent’s responsibility is to screen a prospect’s qualifications before valuable time is lost. Be sure to align yourself with the right professional and eliminate negotiating with unqualified prospects.

9. Don’t Test The Market Never put your property online to sell unless you are serious.
The right professional will find you buyers and if you are harboring indecision, you will blow the sale.

10. Believing You are Powerless to Make a Difference
Be a part of the team! Take an active role with your agent to see what you can do to facilitate your sale. Networking with professional peers and personal friends often results in the sale of a home. It’s surprising how many homes in Salt Lake City Utah are sold this way.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Salt Lake City Utah real estate. For complete information about the Salt Lake City Utah real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Salt Lake City Utah real estate. So please feel free to contact me with any of your mortgage questions and I will me more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 801-518-4599 or email me at kathyo@kathyohomes.com.

As a real estate agent who has experience in Salt Lake City UtahI have assisted many individuals in buying and selling homes. In this article, I will show some top practical tips that I have discovered to help anyone sell any house. Salt Lake City Utah market. When you finish reading this article, you will know exactly how to manage a quick, stress free sale of your house.

Effectively Staging Your House

Many real estate agents will not tell you that a having a staged home is much more effective than having one that is not.

If you have never staged a home in the past, it may seem like an overwhelming task, but in reality it only requires several easy steps.

One-Fixing things. Prior to showing the house, any necessary repairs should be taken care of.

Two-Jet rid of extra junk. You will need to remove and store anything that doesn't fit the overall look.

ThreeGet your house as clean as it can be. Wipe down the windows daily, steam wash the carpet, and beautify the front yard.

Price is key. When determining the price you need to keep your profit in mind. Remember that the most common mistake is a high price. Many believe that they can take a lower offer if they start out first with a high price. If the price is too high, that might scare potential buyers away. The most important factor in selling your house is that you have the correct price.

A competent real estate agent is a requirement to make the home selling process efficient. In addition, instead of selling to FSBO, you can save 16% on average, which makes up for the commission.

It is very difficult to select the right real estate agent. It is in your best interest to locate an agent who is well-versed in the Salt Lake City Utah area. You will need to find an agent that you are sure will work toward your best interests. What you want in an agent is someone who can market and sell.

If you have been unable to locate an agent in Salt Lake City Utah Give me a call first for a free consultation, what can it hurt, and who knows I may just be what you need.

There is a lot of free information available about buying, selling or investing in Holladay and Salt Lake City, Utah real estate.  For complete information about the Salt Lake City real estate market including foreclosures, short sales and more, visit the website dedicated to everything Salt Lake City Utah real estate.

For a FREE Weekly List of Foreclosed Homes with 4-5 Bedrooms in Salt Lake City, UT under $150,000 fill in the form below and you will receive home listings as they hit the market.  You will get all the hot listings as they come up even before most agents see them!

Just fill in the form below with your correct name and e-mail address and we will set it up to have the list automatically e-mailed to you.  Just add it in the comments if you have an interest in Short Sales and HUD homes too!

If you or someone you know are in need of a competent and caring real estate professional in or near Salt Lake City, Utah, I will be happy to help, just call me at 801-518-4599.

Real Estate Expert Kathy Opolski Reveals How to Get the Highest Price for any House in Salt Lake City Utah

It's only natural to want to sell your house for as much as it possibly can go for. As an experienced agent in the Salt Lake City Utah area, I've seen many houses go for both low and high prices. What makes the difference? In this article, we'll go over several steps you can take to ensure your house goes for the highest price possible.

Tip #1 - Have Amazing Curb Appeal

Pay a disproportionate amount of time to your buyer's first impression. Your front lawn and the front of your house will make a big impact on your buyer's impression of the house.

If the outside is dirty, at the very least have the house power washed. If the paint is old to the point where it's noticable, it'll pay off to have the exterior repainted.

Tip #2 - Stage the Interior Like a Pro

Staging a house well is essential to a top dollar sale. You wouldn't pay top dollar for damaged goods, any more than a buyer wouldn't pay top dollar for a house that isn't in tip top condition.

Make sure the walls, carpets, floors, tiles and even the ceiling are in great condition. Steam wash the carpets and repaint the walls if necessary.

Make any necessary repairs before showing the house. Scrape the tiles, grease up sqeaking hinges, replace rusted fixtures. Appliances such and refridgerators and microwaves should be cleaned inside and out.

Pay particular attention to the lighting and the scent. These both have a powerful subliminal impact on the buyer. The lighting in your house could be the difference between getting the sale and losing the sale.

Tip #3 - Have Great Marketing

One of the top reasons to work with an experienced real estate agent is because they bring great marketing skills to the table. They've sold dozens of homes already and know how to bring in buyers consistently.

There are many different ways to market a house. Often times they're not exclusive. The more places you market your house, the quicker you'll sell your house and the more you'll get for your house.

Remember that none of the repairs or aesthetics matter at all if you don't get buyers in to your house. Working with a qualified real estate agent will help you do just that.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Salt Lake City Utah real estate. For complete information about the Salt Lake City Utah real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything [Profile.market2] real estate at www.BuySaltLakeCityHomes.com. Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 801-518-4599 or email me at kathyo@kathyohomes.com.

Are You Ready To Sell Your Home? Salt Lake City Utah Real Estate Professional Kathy Opolski Gives Advice

When it's time to sell your [Profile.profile] home you want to make sure that everything is taken care of that may cause a problem during the process.  Here is a list of the inexpensive things you can do to help make your home more appealing to buyers without breaking the bank.

1. Curb appeal: this is a crucial area because you have to give buyers a reason to get out of their car and see your home instead of every other Salt Lake City Utah seller.  The most important thing you can do here is keep the grass cut, tree limbs pruned and bushes trimmed.  First impressions, as with people, are important.
2. Mailbox:  believe it or not this is an important, yet often overlooked area.  If your mailbox is on its last leg take the time to paint it or, if needed, replace it.  It can take away from the whole look of the home's front.
3. Plant some flowers:  this does wonders for curb appeal.  A few annuals and even some colored mulch enhances the front and attracts the eye of buyers.
4. Paine the front door:  if your door is older and especially if it's wooden then a fresh coat of paint will bring it back to life.  If it is stained then take a few hours and revive it with a little sanding and a new coat of stain.  It shows buyers that you take pride in your home's appearance.
5. De-clutter inside:  you want buyers to see the size of your rooms and not how many boxes haven't made it to storage.  Buyers are sizing rooms to see how their furniture will fit.  Don't take away from it with clutter.
6. Control pets:  if you have animals make arrangements to keep them in their kennel while you are away.  Your chihuahua may be cute, but to someone scared of dogs it might as well be Cujo on steroids.  And don't lock them up in a room in the home.  It not only keeps that room from being seen but it causes a lot of annoying noise while buyers are in the home.

Salt Lake City Utah real estate agent Kathy Opolski would love to answer all of your home selling questions. Just call 801-518-4599 or visit www.BuySaltLakeCityHomes.com to get your questions answered.

There is a lot of free information available about buying, selling or investing in Holladay and Salt Lake City, Utah real estate.  For complete information about the Salt Lake City real estate market including foreclosures, short sales and more, visit the website dedicated to everything Salt Lake City Utah real estate.

For a FREE Weekly List of Foreclosed Homes with 4-5 Bedrooms in Salt Lake City, UT under $150,000 fill in the form below and you will receive home listings as they hit the market.  You will get all the hot listings as they come up even before most agents see them!

Just fill in the form below with your correct name and e-mail address and we will set it up to have the list automatically e-mailed to you.  Just add it in the comments if you have an interest in Short Sales and HUD homes too!

If you or someone you know are in need of a competent and caring real estate professional in or near Salt Lake City, Utah, I will be happy to help, just call me at 801-518-4599.