If you’re a seller or investor who wants to get the best price for your property, chances are at some point you’re going to have to work with a contractor. In this article, we’ll go over 3 essential things you must know about working with contractors to ensure the most affordable, most timely, and highest quality work.

Tip #1 – Be Very Specific

When you’re requesting a bid or when you’re talking about a job with a contractor, be very very specific about what you’re looking for.

After you’ve agreed on a number, you should also be very meticulous about being specific in what you put in writing.

Taking this precaution will ensure you get exactly what you want, no more and no less.

Tip #2 – Find a Good, Reliable Contractor

Speak with several contractors before you decide on one for sure. Get a feel for the quality of the contractor’s quality of work and integrity. Don’t just decide based on price.

If your contractor is experienced, they should have references you can check. Check them.

Once you find a contractor you might want to work with, double check their license with the Secretary of State website. Remember, you’re entrusting your property with this person, so it absolutely makes sense to do careful due diligence beforehand.

Tip #3 – Payment Tips

In general, it works in your favor to pay your contractor by project rather than by hours. A contractor can estimate how many hours it will take to complete a job, but that’s just an estimate and the contractor can always exceed that estimate.

Rather than overpaying because your contractor billed by hour, agree to pay per project only.

Do not release payment until the job is complete. Once a contractor has been paid, often times they won’t finish the job or the finished work will be of lesser quality. Even if the contractor asks, do not pay release payment for the job until the work is complete.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Carlsbad California real estate. For complete information about the Carlsbad California real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Carlsbad California real estate at . 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 760-470-1453 or email me at Marc@MarcVonMusser.com.

Tip #1 ñ Meticulous Staging

Stage your house beautifully. Everything should be spotless and clean. The house should be well lit and lightly scented. The overall impression should be that the house is in top notch condition.

Tip #2 ñ Collect Contact Information

To increase the likelihood that a buyer will make an offer on your house, it’s important to collect their contact information so you can follow up. Ideally, you want to get their name, phone number and email addresses.

The best way to do this is to have a sign in sheet.

Tip #3 ñ Provide Snacks

Remember that the home buying process is an emotional one. By providing snacks, cookies, water and/or fruit juices, you’re associating a feeling of pleasantness to visiting your house.

Tip #4 ñ Have an Amazing First Impression

As an experienced real estate agent, I can tell you that buyers make their decision on a home within seconds. It’s vitally important that you keep your front yard and the entrance to your home in tip top condition. A plastic bag that’s lying around can literally cost you thousands of dollars.

Tip #5 ñ Have the Price in Mind

Make sure your agent knows what your price range is. This gives your agent to talk about price to qualified buyers on the spot if they’re interested.

These tips will take you a long way towards having an amazing open house. As always, make sure that you’re working with a real estate agent that really knows what they’re doing when you’re selling your house.

There is a lot of free information available to you about selling your home in Carlsbad California. For complete information about the Carlsbad California real estate market including selling tips and current market values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Carlsbad California real estate at . 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 760-470-1453 or email me at Marc@MarcVonMusser.com.

Step #1 ñ Getting Your Mortgage Pre-Approved

As we both know, lenders arenít nearly as lenient as they used to be. Itís important to find both a good lender and a good loan officer to handle your loan, preferably before you even go out to see properties.

The loan officer will usually want to know what your assets are, what your credit score is and your debt to income ratio.

Step #2 ñ Finding a Home You Like

The next step in the process is to find a home in Carlsbad California that appeals to you. Make sure you see a good number of houses before you make your decision, so that you know what the options are.

Step #3 ñ The Offer and Negotiation Process

Crafting a good offer is vitally important. Itís important to work with a real estate agent who understands how to choose contingencies, clauses, the right amount to offer and good negotiation strategies.

Once you’ve made your offer, the seller will usually make a counter offer. It’s rare that the seller will accept your offer up front. Once you both come to an agreement on the price and terms, the contract becomes binding.

Step #4 ñ Completing the Home Purchase

Once the contract has been agreed on, then you must complete the home inspection and the seller will make any necessary repairs.

Then your loan will be finalized with your loan officer. Finally, closing or escrow is where all the documents are signed, the deed and title are signed over, the seller is paid and the keys are handed over.

May I suggest calling our VP in our Buyer Division, Mr. Scott Chamberlin @ 760-845-6188 or by email @ scott@scottchamberlin.com.  Scott is very familiar with the coastal North County market, especially in Carlsbad, California. 

In brief, that is what the home buying process looks like in Carlsbad California. There is a lot of free information available to you about buying real estate in Carlsbad California. For complete information about the Carlsbad California real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Carlsbad California real estate, at . 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 760-470-1453 or email me at Marc@MarcVonMusser.com.

SPECIAL REPORT FOLLOWS:

Marc Von Musser Talks About How to Finance Your Investment Property in
Carlsbad California.

Finding nice real estate investment opportunities in Carlsbad California can be a lot of fun. You will have a great deal of pleasure when you go into the property and imagine the profits of the future. However, before you begin seeking out properties in earnest, you must have your financing squared away.

If you are planning on financing a rental in Carlsbad California The wisest way to start your search is to contact a broker with many contacts.

You are looking to find a lender in Carlsbad California that specializes in getting loans for investors.

In the event you are dealing with a real estate agent, which I highly suggest, you will be able to request referral information from them. You can also check out some of the investment clubs in Carlsbad California With people that can more than likely help you find the financing that you need.

Please take a moment to read this post, as this information is vital to you and your friends.

For the last few years we have received countless calls for help in understanding today’s market:  short sales, loan modifications, tax/credit consequences, or buying/investing. 
 
Generally the calls fall into 2 categories:

1. How can I avoid foreclosure and/or keep my house?
2. How do we get the best deal when buying or investing?

Here’s what Carlsbad, California homeowners are struggling with:  1 in 4 are facing foreclosure, and over 50% are “upside-down” – owing more than their home is worth.

There are solutions and we can help.

Our team has negotiated over 1,500 liens/ loans in the last 2 ½ years. The national average in negotiating a successful short sale is 14%, while our team has over a 95% success rate in helping Carlsbad, California homeowners avoid foreclosure.

The other half of our calls deal with buying and investing. These are historic times with both incredibly low interest rates and low prices. We have developed aggressive and comprehensive buyer/ investor strategies. We find the best deals and we know how to get the offer accepted!
 
More than ever before, there is a need for honest, accurate and truthful answers.  We want to offer HELP to you and the people you care about. If you or anyone you know have questions and want real answers, give us a call 800-990-2473 ext 101 or by email marc@marcvonmusser.com
 
We can schedule a time to address how you can “survive and thrive” in today’s market. Please visit the most comprehensive real estate web site in Carlsbad, California http://www.marcvonmusser.com 

The internet can be a powerful asset in selling your home in Carlsbad California. One of the toughest parts in selling your home is getting enough qualified buyers to look at your property. By using a wide range of internet resources near Carlsbad California, we can maximize the chances on making a sale by getting more qualified buyers to look at your property.

One great source of leads is the Multiple Listing Service, MLS for short. The MLS is an internet based system that real estate agents and buyers can access in order to find homes they’re interested in. By putting your property on the MLS, you drastically increase the chances that your home will be sold.

Another great source of buyers is Craigslist. Craigslist is a popular web based classifieds website, where buyers and agents go to find houses that they may be interested in looking at. By posting compelling advertisements on Craigslist, you can drasticically increase your house’s exposure.

No matter where you’re posting your house, the key to getting qualified buyers to physically come and look is a great ad. The most important thing is to have photos that are compelling. Often times that means hiring a professional photographer to take the photos.

If you don’t have pictures at all, most people will just skip over your ad completely. Afterall, there are so many houses that do have pictures. Why would they risk wasting their time on a house that doesn’t?

It’s also important to put down your price and whether or not you’re willing to negotiate. Remember, the idea is to get qualified buyers in to your house, not just anyone. If you have a set price and you’re not willing to negotiate, then buyers who want to make lowball offers are just wasting your time.

In this article, we’ve briefly covered some of the ways to use the internet to sell your house quickly. There’s a lot of information available to you about selling a house in Carlsbad California. For complete information about the Carlsbad California real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Carlsbad California real estate at .

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 760-470-1453 or email me at Marc@MarcVonMusser.com.

The ability to reap additional profits on the sale of your home in Carlsbad California 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 on your home in Carlsbad California can provide an improved emotional response in a potential 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 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 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 Carlsbad California 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 Carlsbad California 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, 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 Carlsbad California real estate. For complete information about the Carlsbad California real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Carlsbad California 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 your questions. Call me on my cell at 760-470-1453 or email me at Marc@MarcVonMusser.com.

When buying a Carlsbad California home you want to makes sure that you are protecting your largest purchase. There are several things that you can do to make sure you are adequately protecting your investment. Here are a few things you are either required to have or need to consider.

First, you need to have homeowner’s insurance lined up before closing. This covers fire, theft and liability.   Lenders want to make sure that their investment is protected and will make it a requirement to close. Typically, buyers contact their current insurance carrier that they have automobile coverage through, but coverage can be obtained anywhere. Many times they will offer a multiple policy discount.   If you have specific items you would like to add you can talk to your insurer about customizing a plan.

Along the same lines you may need to consider flood insurance. This will depend on where your home is located and if it is considered to be in a flood plain. Your agent can verify this for you. If it has been designated as such, your lender may require it. The coverage levels vary so it is best to talk to your carrier about this option as well. After the Katrina disaster, this insurance has become a hot topic of concern.

Next, you will want to look at title insurance. This is a one-time fee paid at closing that protects your home against title issues. It is relatively inexpensive and is well worth the money for what you get.

Home warranties are another area that you should look into. This coverage is a voluntary policy that you can pay for at closing. On new homes your builder will typically cover concerns for the first year. But what if he goes out of business? Then you will be left with no one to go to. On resales, there won’t be anyone to call so you would be left taking care of concerns on your own. This coverage is issued in one year increments and covers the major components of the home. There are additional areas that can be added- each for a flat fee. If you decide that you no longer want it you simply do not renew it and it expires.

If you want more extensive information on protecting your home, contact Carlsbad California real estate professional Marc Von Musser with Allison James Estates and Homes at 760-470-1453. 

Aesthetics play a huge part in a successful sale. A large part of a buyer’s decision to buy a house is based on emotions. Aesthetics have a powerful ability to affect emotions. In this article, we’ll go over some of the top aesthetic mistakes sellers in the Carlsbad California area make, so you can avoid these mistakes and fetch a higher price for your house.

Mistake #1 – Poor Lighting

Lighting is crucial when showing your house to a buyer. A brightly lit house with natural light seems bright and inviting. A dark house seems dark and gloomy.

Open all the windows and pull back all the curtains. If the house is naturally poorly lit, get some extra lights in the house to help with the lighting.

Mistake #2 – Lack of Attention to Scent

The subtle taste of how your house smells has a big impact on the buyer. While it’s nice to have a faint, clean scent to the house, what should absolutely be avoided are any noticeable strange smells or odors.

The last thing a buyer wants is to inherit the seller’s odors. It could go a long way to use some soft air fresheners before showing the house.

Mistake #3 – Poor Exterior First Impression

The inside of your house is not the only place you should pay attention to. The exterior, including the paint and the front yard, both play an important factor in the buyer’s decision making process.

Remember, the exterior gives the buyer a first impression of the house.

Mistake #4 – Strange Colors

Perhaps you have a teenager who’s painted his walls orange. Perhaps pink appeals to you or matches with your paintings. However, for the buyer the colors may or may not suit them.

Why take the risk? Before showing your house, make sure all the walls are painted a neutral color.

Mistake #5 – Not Making Obvious Repairs

Spray WD-40 on any squeaking hinges. If any major utilities equipment isn’t working, have it fixed beforehand. If any of the kitchen cabinets or counter tops are chipped or look old, they should probably be replaced.

Tiles must be scraped of all grime. Often times it could even pay to replace old windows.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Carlsbad California real estate. 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 760-470-1453 or email me at Marc@MarcVonMusser.com.