Friday, July 16, 2010

Napa Homes for Sale: Seller's Asking Price

One of the best ways to determine how much a home you're looking for is really worth is to look what other comparable homes in the neighborhood are listed for and prices of homes that have actually sold. This is one of the most reliable indications of the homes now you.

However there are other factors to consider. In some cases these other factors can give you a factual reference in negotiating with the owner. In other cases they can give you an emotional edge when negotiating. Hopefully this information will help you come up with a win-win situation for you and the seller.

How long has the seller been living there and how much did they pay for the home? Depending on what the real estate market is doing in the area the current value could be higher or lower in what the seller paid. If you are armed with the facts you can help educate the seller about home prices in the current market if they're being unrealistic.

What have other comparable homes the neighborhood sold for? As mentioned in the beginning this is one of the best ways to determine selling price because this is one of the ways that bank appraisers determine value.

How much does the seller all on the property? If the seller owns the property free and clear they may be more flexible and may even offer you terms terms, especially in a slow market. However if the seller owes more than the property is worth it came really complicate the situation in the seller may actually have to pay the bank money on home sells.

How long has the home and on the market? The longer the home is on the market, the more of an indication that the home is priced too high or the market is soft. Either way this increases the odds that you will be able get the home of a lower price. One of the key factors is how soon the homeowner needs to sell.

Have there been any offers on the home? How much worthy offers? If the home is been on the market for only a short time and has generated multiple offers, this is a good indication that the home will sell pretty quickly and most likely near the asking price. However if the home has been on the market for a long time and has not received many offers, then the seller may be much more flexible.

Getting this valuable information may not be easy to do on your own. That's why it's usually good practice to use a professional real estate agent who has the source says and contacts to be able to provide this information to you. Don't forget you can also look for Napa Homes for Sale.

Napa Homes For Sale: Selling Your Home

The amount of time and effort you put into getting your home ready to sell can pay big financial dividends. Every seller wants a quick sale at the highest price. The best way to achieve this is by getting your home into the best condition you can to appeal to a buyer.

Here are some suggestions.

1) Look at your home logically and not emotionally. Of course there are a lot of emotions in sentiment tied up in your home. But that will not increase the value of a home to a buyer, so you must remove any emotion you have about your home as you get it ready. You are probably used to some of the flaws and probably don't even notice them anymore. Look at your home through the eyes of a buyer who is seeing it for the first time and trying to find all the flaws. Think like a marketing person and your home is just a product that you need to sell.

2) Remove as much personalization from your home as possible. Those stuffed animal heads on your wall have a lot of meaning for you as you relive your big game hunts with your friends. But the odds are they are going to turn off more buyers than they attract. Same thing with little Susie's artwork hanging all over her bedroom. They may be cute to you but not to a potential buyer who is trying to picture her bedroom as an office.

3) Remove clutter. Your goal is to make your home look like a model home, and not a home that people are living in. Decluttering the house will make the rooms, closets and garage look bigger and more appealing. Take out as much as your clutter as you can. If you need to rent a storage space, it will be well worth the investment.

4) Weigh the cost/benefits of any repairs that you do. Patching the walls, cleaning the carpet and a fresh coat of paint are good investments. But installing a swimming pool probably isn't.

5) Clean your home from top to bottom. Get your yard looking the best possible. Give the home as much curb appeal as can.

Whether you are selling your home in the Napa Valley or looking for a Napa Homes For Sale a good local real estate agent can help you.

Napa Homes for Sale: Getting the Best Price

Getting the best price when buying a home in Napa comes down to several factors. One of the most important factors is amount of homework you do. The Internet is a wonderful tool for doing this research. Do a search for “Napa homes for sale” or “Napa real estate”. You will find a wealth of information on different websites. Look for the answers to these questions

What is the current real estate market like? If it's a buyers market with many homes for sale and not that many buyers you are more likely to get a homeowner to reduce its price.

Are selling prices up or down over the last few years? This will give you a good idea in what direction the markets going.

What are current homes selling for? Be sure to look in the price range and size of home which you plan to get and compare with other homes on the market that are similar.

How long have the homes been on the market? The longer a home stays on the market, the softer the real estate market is, and the more likely you will find in seller who is negotiable.

Do any of the homes offer owner financing? Although this is difficult to you can often get better terms than you would if you were going through a lending institution.

How much money can you put down on the house? Usually the more money you put down the better terms you can get with a lender.

Although you can do a lot of this homework yourself, this is one of than most important functions of a good local real estate agent. A good local agent will be able to provide all of this information for you. They may have sources of information and other contacts that can save you time and money in the long run. Consider the Napa Homes for Sale that are listed through real estate agents in the Napa Valley.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Tips for Buying Homes in Napa

Before starting the search for Napa homes for sale, it's wise to make sure you are ready to relocate. It's easy to get caught up in the romance and beauty of Napa without considering what it's really like to live there. Buying a home in Napa is a big monetary decision and a big emotional also.

Have you learned about the climate and culture of the area? Have you really investigated the job market and schools? Do you have a real understanding of the housing market? Have you weighed the pros and cons of living in the area?

Once you are ready to make the move then it's time to move on to the next step, finding a good real estate agent to help you. When looking for a good real estate agent here are some things to consider.

How long have they been selling homes in the Napa Valley?
What price range of homes do they specialize in?
Are they members of the local MLS?
Do they have referrals?

Ultimately after considering all of these factors to select an agent, it's important that you trust and like them.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Napa Homes for Sale: Get the Facts


Napa Homes for Sale: Get the Facts


Overview

Before looking for homes for sale in Napa, get the facts that will help you make a good decision. The valley is a great place to visit but it may not where you want to live. It's known for it's wine industry but also has other attractions. There are many famous restaurants, and other attractions for a wide variety of interests. Napa is a fairly small town so it may not be for you if you like the big cities.
However since it's only about an hours drive from San Francisco, you aren't too far from a major metro area.

Napa's Real Estate Market

Napa is a slow growth area. this tends to keep prices higher than other parts of the state because so much of the land is reserved for agriculture. Home home prices usually increase faster than other parts of California when prices are rising and don't fall as quickly during slower markets.

How many Napa Homes for Sale Are There?

In July of 2010, there were 550 homes for sale. The median price was $596,000. However 3bd, 2 bath homes begin around $200,000 with newly remodeled selling for $300,000. Prices tend to be higher in the north end of the Napa Valley and lower in the city of Napa and southward. It's recommended that you use a local real estate agents help you find your Napa dream home. There aren't many properties sold directly by owners in Napa so you will have access to the most houses if you go through an agent will be able to help you. They will also be a valuable resource to help you find the best time for you.