Today’s sellers may face challenging condition in many markets, but that doesn’t mean choosing to sell is a bad idea. There are many reasons to sell and most are good ones.Here are ten tips to get you on your way to getting your home sold.

1. Hire a Professional. This is no time to be navigating the rough waters of the real estate market on your own. You want someone who can help you accurately price your home, bring in potential buyers, handle contracts, and market your home to the masses.

2. Fully Disclose. Are you selling because your current home needs more work than you can handle? Are there infestation problems you’d rather not talk about? You must dis-close all of these facts to potential buyers. If they fi nd out after the fact that you withheld information you could be in a whole heap of trouble.

3. Be Realistic about Pricing. It is much wiser to price a home correctly from the start of the selling process than to have an overpriced home sitting on the market for months only to have to do a price reduction, over and over again. You get more traffi c on a well-priced home and newly listed home.

4. Detach Emotions. Sellers may have the inclination towards adding sentimental value to a home. They see the memories and work they’ve put into a property and think every buyer should recognize this. This kind of attachment will make it harder to make smart and timely decisions about offers.

5. Be � exible. It’s no secret that today’s market can be challenging for many sellers. Some markets have seen sharp price declines and shallow buyer pools, this means you need to be fl exible on both price and terms, don’t compromise on your bottom line, but understand that you must be willing to negotiate.

TOP 5 TIPS for Sellers

GABE SMITHRealtor, Lic# 01704776

949.533.4490gabe.smith@evergreenrealty.netwww.gsmith11.valuedagent.com

Gorgeous Newer Ole Hanson Style Mixed-Use Building in the Heart of San Clemente-The Spanish Village By the Sea. Two beautiful residential units are included-one on the third fl oor with balconies and peek ocean views and one in a separate casita above four covered garage spaces. There are two fl oors of offi ce space--with arched windows, balconies, peek ocean views. Build-ing is fully rented but all can be customized to fi t your needs.

Walk to charming Del Mar with trendy shops and restaurants-all leading to famous San Clemente pier and oceanfront. Call Pauline for further details. Offered at $1,399,000

115 Avenida Miramar, San Clemente

Pauline Jordan

949-498-1936 • 949-212-7516

paulinejordan@cox.net

Paulinejordan.com

dre#01053043

Myth 1 One needs to stop making mortgage payments to be approved for a short sale.

Not true. A few years back there were some lenders told people they had to miss payments before they can be approved for a short sale. This was bad advice. Missing mortgage payments has far more implications to your credit than the short sale itself. The approval of a short sale is based on many factors.

Myth 2 One cannot receive any money from short selling a home. Not true. Lenders have always had verbiage that said, seller cannot receive any money from the transaction unless approved by the short sale lender. ALL terms of the short sale must be approved by the short sale lender. In today’s market, RC Global Real Estate using HARP 2.0 and Co-op short sales are helping sellers receive anywhere from $2,500 to $30,000 for cash and relocation expenses.

Myth 3One can’t short sale a property because it is not the primary residence. Not true. Lenders do approve short sales on investment properties. The key to short selling any property is working with an agent who has the knowledge and experience.

Myth 4One will have to wait 7 years to buy a home after short selling. Not true. Depending on one’s financial situation and whether missed payments on any mortgages will determine how long you have to wait to obtain a new home loan. If you didn’t miss any mortgage payments and you can qualify for a new loan there is no waiting period for an FHA mortgage. If you missed payments the waiting period could be 2 to 4 years depending on the type of loan you apply for. As always, for people who can put a large down payment in the transaction there are investors who will lend money no matter what your financial situation is.

If you are considering short selling your home make sure you consult a Realtor who has had success with short sales. The process is much different than a standard or fore-closure sale and you need a Realtor like RC Global Real Estate who has the experience, expertise and staff to get the transaction closed in a timely manner.

Short Sale Myths

JEFF SINFIELD Cell: 949.798.9388CA DRE License# 01382668/NMLS#358136

ROBERT CENZERPh: 949.369.9700 x301 Cell: 949.370.5728CA DRE License# 01306383/NMLS#93852 CA DRE License# 01484186/NMLS#2074

ExpErt’s CornEr

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Landscape Tip # 7 for 2012 “Remove lawn that is not specifically used as a play area.”

Some of the first lawns were installed in the 18th Century by English Nobility. Neither they nor any livestock ate the lawn, and so these lawns were more of a visual statement to the commoner - that the nobleman was wealthy enough to grow something just for the sheer pleasure of it. Here in their front yards they were growing something, on purpose, for no reason. We may find ourselves also growing something, on purpose, for no reason. More recent history may explain why. When I first began designing and installing yards, it was almost always assumed that people were going to install half or more of their yard with turf. Sod was certainly cheaper than any hardscape (it still is if you ignore the long term maintenance costs) and water, especially in the previous decades, was so cheap that the instant sodded lawn was adopted into almost all landscape designs. Today, water is more expensive but, prior to shutting off the main to your sprinkler system and installing a tribute to the Joshua Tree National Park in your backyard, take some time to assess what areas should actually be lawn. For instance, a backyard lawn is sometimes the only safe place for young kids to play and be supervised at home. Also, some lawn serves to make an area look larger and more open. These remaining lawn areas can be made more water-efficient by the use of a weather-based sprinkler timer, which will be the discussion of a future article.

If you are thinking about redesigning your yard, this may be an excellent time to consult with a professional and eliminate lawn all together or at least reduce its overall footprint. Environmental impacts aside, and there are many to consider, installing lawn only where necessary for a play area and/or reducing the lawn border and adding shrub area, will ultimately reduce your maintenance and water bill. Also, repurposing lawn areas for raised vegetable beds, a fire feature, an outdoor kitchen or a larger patio for entertaining will take an initial investment but it will make your yard more useful. Give us a call. We would be happy to help you and your lawn move in the right direction. “Look for more discussion on Landscape and Hardscape ideas in this year’s SC Times Real Estate Guide section.”

Submitted by Rob McFadgen (owner of Costa Verde)

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