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Thursday, February 21, 2013

Homes for Sale - What Gets Them Sold Fast

Homes for sale signs are everywhere, but they are not all selling equally well or in a timely fashion. If you are presently attempting to sell your residence, there are certain things you can do to increase your chances of selling it as quickly as possible.

White exteriors and lighter colors in general tend to draw more of those searching for homes for sale, in comparison to darker colors. White makes the top spot for exterior colors, while yellow comes in second. Steer clear of brown or any other color that leans more towards the darker side of the color wheel.

The type of front door a house has makes a difference. It has been estimated that potential buyers make a decision within the first 10 to 15 seconds of seeing a house if they are interested or not. This may seem hasty but it happens unconsciously, whether the house hunter realizes it or not. Knowing that, when it comes to putting your home up for sale, you want your door to count. Aluminum storm doors are a no-no, as are any doors that sport chipped or faded paint. Keep the entrance to your dwelling clean, tidy and up-to-date. It is the gateway to the rest of the residence after all.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Looking for Homes for Sale - Suggestions for Home Buyers

Looking for homes for sale can be challenging and it can also take some time to do. Do not be in a rush to find a new place, because being hasty can cause you to make a decision that you may end up regretting down the line. It helps to have some suggestions from those who are more "in the know" to make your house shopping expedition easier and smoother.

Your lifestyle is not the same as everyone else's and that needs to be taken into consideration as you browse the listings for homes for sale. Do you want to live right downtown, or on the outskirts, or in a more suburban, or even rural setting? Do you want to have a large front and back yard? Where do you work? Where do you want your children to go to school? These questions all need to be asked as they play a role in the decision making process.

Once you have an idea of the location where you wish to move and you know what type of home will satisfy your needs, you then need to determine how much you can afford to spend. Meet with a financial representative to figure out an amount for a mortgage that you are able to afford (comfortably afford that is!). You want to know your price range and target it correctly. You might want to think about getting a pre-approved mortgage from the bank. This can provide you with the extra confidence you are looking for when it comes to perusing houses.

Monday, February 4, 2013

What Are the Differences Between Hawaii Fee Simple and Leasehold Properties?

Buying a home in Hawaii can be a very different experience for those used to real estate ownership on the mainland. There are unique factors you must take into account as you shop for a house or condo in Hawaii. The biggest one of all is understanding the difference between Fee Simple & Leasehold properties.

Fee Simple Properties in Hawaii - What You Own
Let's start with the one you are familiar with most, Fee Simple ownership. This is the most common form of land or property ownership in the U.S. In Hawaii, fee simple works the same way anywhere else. That simply means that you own the land itself, fully and in perpetuity until you dispose of it. That property is yours unless you sell it, give it away or trade it. You can lease it out or live on it as you wish. Easy to understand and straight forward.

Hawaii adds another category, though, found in few other places that makes it unique.

What Leasehold Properties are in Hawaii
In Hawaii, there's another designation that a lot of our real estate comes under, called Leasehold. With these you can own a house or condo, but not the land beneath it. This can cause confusion because it's something completely new for some.