Taunton Massachusetts Area- Real Estate - and- Homes for Sale: February 2012

Sellers need a Top Producer- Listing/Sellers Real Estate Agent- Realtor Rehoboth-Dighton-Swansea-surrounding areas

You’re ready to sell your property. And, while you’re looking forward to seeing the word “SOLD” posted from the curb, you know there’s a lot to consider along the way. One of your first decisions is to select a top producer-real estate listing/sellers agent who’ll join you in the process.

You deserve much more than a sign in the yard, fliers in a box and an occasional open house. You deserve an experienced agent who will be at your side, proactively. From listing to closing, ensuring that your property sells smoothly and you get the most money possible from the sale of your home.

So how do you select the right agent to sell your home?

1. Ask how many homes they sold in the past 3 years and insist on documentation.

2. Ask about their market knowledge- statistics on the area (this will be give you an idea of how experienced the agent really is).

3. Ask them what their average days on market is, and inisist on evidence.

4. Ask what their average list to sales price is.

5. Get refererences with phone numbers of sellers.

Be sure that you don't hire an agent based on years of experience. Hire based on the quality of experience in those years. I know agents that have been in business 20+ years and only sell 2 houses a year.

My local real estate market (serving Rehoboth, Swansea, Dighton and all of Southeast MA) expertise means I’m able to interpret all data that dictates the optimum pricing strategy, so your property will be priced to sell. I dig deep to learn the unique selling points of your property and neighborhood. So my marketing plans and staging strategies will effectively target and attract your potential buyers. It’s a formula for success.

And, of course, I’ll take the time to listen, understand your challenges and goals and answer any questions you may have along the way. I am a Top producer-Real Estate Agent-Realtor in Southeast Massachusetts

 I appreciate the opportunity to earn your business and look forward to meeting with you!

 

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For Your Ultimate and Complete home search go to http://www.southeastmahomes.com

 

Lori Lincoln

Keller Williams Realty

http://LoriLincolnTeam.com

lorilincoln@kw.com

508-878-0917

Search Thousands of MLS listings for Taunton,Rehoboth,Lakeville, Assonet,Somerset, Raynham, Easton and more! Certified Distressed Property Expert Home Specialist in MA

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  Search Thousands of Homes for Sale -Ultimate Taunton MA Information and Home Search

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 Taunton Massachusetts Real Estate

How to Ensure Clear Title on a Property and Why Is Title Insurance Important? Greater Taunton Real Estate and Homes for Sale Blog.

When buying a home you’re bound to encounter some things that you don’t know anything about. They are things that outside of the home buying process you won’t ever run into. And since the average homebuyer only goes through this process a few times in his or her lifetime, it’s understandable that these things would be unfamiliar. A couple of items that seem to be perplexing are title insurance and the property survey, specifically how easements are represented.

When purchasing a home with a mortgage you need to get title insurance and a survey. This is required for all financed home purchases. An attorney or title company such as Luke Travis- Bristol Legal (http://www.bristollegal.com) ,typically orders property surveys. Though the buyer has to pay for this service they usually don’t need to be directly involved in the process.

What is Title Insurance?

Title insurance is just another line item expense when purchasing your house, paid for one time at closing. Essentially, it is protection for you and your mortgage company that the person selling you the house has full and clear title to the property and was able to legally pass it to you. The title insurance company investigates the ownership of the property and then insures their work. If the seller didn’t rightfully own the home, and someone else does, the mortgage company and the homebuyer are financially protected. Fortunately, issues of title defects are relatively rare, meaning that title insurance isn’t too expensive and really not something to worry about.

What is a Property Survey?

A property survey is a carefully measured drawing that shows the land that is for sale and all structures on the property. It shows how large all the structures are and how far they are from each other and the borders of the property. Most importantly, it shows setbacks and easement lines.

Wait, what? It seems like the property lines and structures should be most important, but they are not. The setbacks and easement restrictions are actually the most critical elements of the survey because those are usually where the biggest problems are found.

What is a Setback?

A setback is the required distance between the house you wish to buy and other property features. For example, a city or county ordinance (or even a homeowners association) may require that homes be set back 20 feet from the road. So even though you own your front yard, you cannot extend your house any closer than 20 feet from the road.

Other setbacks indicate how closely you can build to your property boundaries or to your neighbors’ homes. If you live in an area with natural features like streams or lakes, certain special setbacks may also dictate how close you can build to these structures.

What is an Easement?

Easements refer to property with common usage rights. also known as a right of way. For example, you may own the land that a sidewalk is on, but anyone can walk on this part of your property.

Why Setbacks and Easement Restrictions Matter

What happens if the survey reveals that part of the house (the actual structure) up for sale sits within a setback or an easement? It’s a problem! In some instances it means that part of the house will need to be torn down before it can lawfully be sold. Otherwise title cannot be passed to a new owner because someone is attempting to sell property that was not built legally.

Surprisingly, this situation is not so uncommon. It may not affect the main domicile on a property, but garden sheds or pool equipment are occasionally located in an area where they don’t have a legal right to be. In these cases your lawyer has some work to do. Hopefully, you’ll discover that the structures are grandfathered because they were erected before certain setbacks were enacted. But definitely investigate these matters fully, as doing future improvements on the property may necessitate that they be corrected in the process.

Spend Some Time With Your Property Survey

For some, the survey process is one of those “check the box” items during home buying. Most get it done and move on. But it’s important to look over everything carefully and ask questions. Surveyors are happy to discuss the survey with you, and errors on surveys can occur. Spending 15 minutes looking this over will save you the headache of having it redone down the road when you want to build or make a change on your property. And always consult an attorney with questions about Title.

 

Lori Horton Lincoln likes

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For Your Ultimate and Complete home search go to http://www.southeastmahomes.com

 

Lori Lincoln

Keller Williams Realty

http://LoriLincolnTeam.com

lorilincoln@kw.com

508-878-0917

Search Thousands of MLS listings for Taunton,Rehoboth,Lakeville, Assonet,Somerset, Raynham, Easton and more! Certified Distressed Property Expert Home Specialist in MA

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  Search Thousands of Homes for Sale -Ultimate Taunton MA Information and Home Search

Find out what your home is worth http://tauntonhomevalue.com

Get the latest Taunton Area real estate news at http://twitter.com/mahomesforsale

 Taunton Massachusetts Real Estate

 PRICE is most important- price must represent value in location, condition and style.. and  please don't be offended by my direct approach- Today's buyer needs a home where value exceeds price. Buyers do not care what you paid, they don't care about your sweat equity, and they do not care what you think it's worth, they don't care that you and/or your agents thinks your house is "UNIQUE"..they do not carewhat you neigbhor says it's worth, or what is would cost to rebuild. period.

With all this said, Homes ARE selling! 20% of homes on the market sell fast and for top dollar in the market.

Here's some other things to consider when sellling and some pre-listing tips....

Buyers may look at your home if the price is low, but they will also consider the fix-ups and "shop up" instead of investing 20k. They will spend more on a home that's move in ready.

Curb appeal: Buyers do judge a book by its cover. Your front yard should be nicely landscaped and eye-appealing. Fresh paint or siding outside. Mulch, gardens. Make it look really nice

Be sure you keep your home clean, neat and tidy. Hire a stager if it's in your budget. Staging alone can net you thousands more for your home.

Hardwoods are in! If you got 'em flaunt them. Remove ugly, stained or dated carpet and replace with hardwoods or new carpeting. The best choice is hardwood floors. Ceramic flooring in the kitchens and baths.

Granite or Corian countertops, maple or cherry cabinets, White cabinets have also made a comeback ( not the 80's builders grade). If you have dark oak, dingy or old looking cabinets, you may want to consider painting them white. Orange countertops- OUT!

By the way, buyers hate dark rooms. Brighten up all of your rooms with light neutral wall colors. Paneling is OUT!

Leave your appliances if they are in good working order.. Not leaving them gives buyers the impression that "this seller is like the grinch".. takes the last light bulb. and the buyer may wonder if you'll strip the trim or take the front door.

If you don't want to do any work before placing on the market you may as well just take it off the price.

Small fixes can save you from having to sell below market.

Turn offs: 

Pet odors, dirty laundry hanging around, yard debris, cigarette or cigar smoke-s freshen it up and deep clean

Unpopular walls or wall colors, holes in walls, shag carpet, dirty carpets, clutter ( especially around where the mechanical systems and electrical systems are located). Broken windows, torn screens.. welll now you're probably getting the picture.

My name is Lori Lincoln, I am a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty.  I help buyers and sellers in Taunton, Rehoboth, Swansea, Somerset, Raynham, Assonet, Freetown, Middleboro, Lakeville, Berkley, Dighton and surrounding towns in RI and Mass.

For more help and pointers on selling your home in today's market, go to my website at

LoriLincolnTeam.com

 

Lori Horton Lincoln likes

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For Your Ultimate and Complete home search go to http://www.southeastmahomes.com

 

Lori Lincoln

Keller Williams Realty

http://LoriLincolnTeam.com

lorilincoln@kw.com

508-878-0917

Search Thousands of MLS listings for Taunton,Rehoboth,Lakeville, Assonet,Somerset, Raynham, Easton and more! Certified Distressed Property Expert Home Specialist in MA

Follow this blog                                                                               

 

  Search Thousands of Homes for Sale -Ultimate Taunton MA Information and Home Search

Find out what your home is worth http://tauntonhomevalue.com

Get the latest Taunton Area real estate news at http://twitter.com/mahomesforsale

 Taunton Massachusetts Real Estate

What type of buyers are looking at For Sale By Owner homes?

1. Someone who has already sold a home or has had a job transfer.

The buyer who has sold their home or is being transferred needs to make a

quick decision to purchase and see as many homes as possible in a short

amount of time.

2. Cautious and qualified.

This buyer is looking for the special/perfect home, that they are qualified for.

This buyer does not have to buy, maybe still has a home to sell, an is not in a

hurry to make a decision.

3. Non-qualified buyers needing special financing.

These buyers are not with agents because they know they cannot afford what they

want and need sellers help to finance.

4. Deal shopper and investors.

These buyers are not typically qualified and are looking for a deal. They need or

want to buy at 10%, 20%, or maybe even 30% less than current market value.

5.  Looki-Loo’s

These buyers are just getting decorating ideas. They can’t afford it, but it is

cheaper than the movies!

****Serious buyer****s such as one and two are working with buyers agents like Lori Lincoln already and have 

buyer broker agreements. 

 Chances are you will end up with buyers three through five.

Did you know...The National Association of Realtor study shows For Sale By Owners Net 20% less than when listed with a Realtor?

 

Lori Horton Lincoln likes

Lincoln Team Real Estate

Create your like badge

 

 

 

For Your Ultimate and Complete home search go to http://www.southeastmahomes.com

 

Lori Lincoln

Keller Williams Realty

http://LoriLincolnTeam.com

lorilincoln@kw.com

508-878-0917

Search Thousands of MLS listings for Taunton,Rehoboth,Lakeville, Assonet,Somerset, Raynham, Easton and more! Certified Distressed Property Expert Home Specialist in MA

Follow this blog                                                                               

 

  Search Thousands of Homes for Sale -Ultimate Taunton MA Information and Home Search

Find out what your home is worth http://tauntonhomevalue.com

Get the latest Taunton Area real estate news at http://twitter.com/mahomesforsale

 Taunton Massachusetts Real Estate