Most areas of the country are experiencing a brisk real estate market. Well priced homes are moving quickly and often sellers have multiple offers from which to choose. How can you make your offer stand out and put you in a better position to get the home? Fortunately there are a few things you can do to make your offer more attractive to sellers.

4 Tips for Making a Competitive Offer

1. Offer a Fair Price – When the market is moving quickly, this is not the time to throw out a low ball offer and hope they negotiate. Write an honest price based on market values.

2. Have a Pre-Approval – It may not be enough to simply offer a pre-qualification letter. When issuing a pre-approval the lender verifies your qualifications and an underwriter gives preliminary approval based on the actual home and a good appraisal.

3. Flexible Timing – Not everything comes down to price. A seller who is relocation might be more interested in an offer which gives them extra ti. ...

You’ve heard the term “curb appeal.” You don’t need to have a green thumb to make some simple changes to your yard which will delight your potential buyers. A weekend project is all you need to make these easy landscaping and yard changes.

• Add color; seasonal flowers in pots by the front door or beds in the front yard add
brightness to the home.

• Native plants; create a lower maintenance environment with native plants who thrive in
your area.

• Outdoor lighting; with so many solar options, it’s easy to add a glow.

• Garden accents; fountains, benches and garden art create interest and a sense of luxury.

• Vegetable and herb gardens; consider a raised bed in a portion of the yard or large pots filled with tasty plants.
• BBQs and furniture sets; while more expensive, adding furniture arranged to showcase the outdoor lifestyle will appeal to buyers and enhance your yard.

As the weather becomes warmer,. ...

It’s never too late to begin investing in real estate.....it’s never too early either. Real estate offers a solid investment opportunity which can provide not only an income stream but long term value appreciation as well. Regardless of the ups and downs of the market, people will always need housing, so real estate will remain a good way to create wealth.

By understanding some of the basics of real estate investing, you can begin to create your own plan. Here are 5 tips for first time real estate investors.

1. Use Leverage - . Learn about options other than your own savings for these costs.

2. Budget for the Unexpected - Have a fund available to draw on for the unexpected. Even the most carefully planned project can have unexpected costs.

3. Invest for the Long Term - Real estate investing should not be viewed as a “get rich quick” scheme.

4. Don’t Over Extend - After evaluating the risk, be honest about your ability to handle the negat. ...

Before you list your home for sale, it’s time to do a little work around the house – to prepare and make sure your home is seen in the best possible light. These “must-do” items are about showing your home to buyers as one which is cared for and ready for them to add their own brand of home to the space. Taking a little time up front can mean thousands of dollars as buyers start writing their offers.

3 Must-Do’s Before Listing Your House for Sale:

1. Declutter, Depersonalize and Clean – This is the time to take spring cleaning seriously, in any season. Clear out all unnecessary items from the home; closets, drawers, extra clothes, old unwanted furniture. Donate to charity, hire a dumpster or rent a storage space; buyers will look in every space and open all drawers and cabinets, make sure your home seems spacious. Spend some time to depersonalize by removing excessive pictures and hide heirlooms. Finally, deep clean every space top to bottom.. ...

Serious investors already know the value of a diversified portfolio. In addition to stocks and bonds, real estate should be included in your investment mix. One way to accomplish this is to purchase, hold, rent or flip actual physical property, as part of your investment strategy. Real estate is a solid asset which can provide annual income, asset appreciation and/or quick profit.
Millionaires understand the value of real estate and how it can be used to increase wealth and as a hedge against the volatility of other investments, such as stocks and bonds. Real estate holdings can provide immediate and long-term benefits:

• Cash Flow - Rental income is one of the primary reasons investors purchase property.

• Asset Appreciation – Property value appreciation is another advantage of investment property. While rents pay the mortgage and ownership costs, property values are on the rise, increasing the asset worth.

• Fast Capital - Buy and flip properties ar. ...