12 Things You Can Sacrifice To Save On A Home: Tips 4-6

Many homebuyers begin house hunting with a list of must-haves. This is particularly true for first-time buyers who have heard that theirs is a buyers market. I've notice that my younger buyers really expect a lot, then they're disappointed with what they find because they had read that the market's terrible. In many markets, the best homes for sale are now getting multiple offers and selling quickly. But even in a market where a buyer can definitely get more for his money, why should he pay for things he doesn't need? Just because you can afford to buy a 10-bedroom, 12-bathroom home with separate butler's quarters doesn't mean it's a good idea. Wouldn't you rather spend that extra money on something else? It's good to know what your deal-breakers are when you're looking for a home, but you should also be realistic about which things you don't need. Consider these 12 possible sacrifices, and then decide which you can give up to find a less expensive house that won't make you regret your purchase. In today's blog I will examine sacrifices 4-6

4. Extra or master bathroom

Some buyers will insist on having an extra bathroom in the house "for when we have guests come." But when I ask how often guests visit, they admit it's "not that often." Buyers also insist on having master bathrooms, there are a lot of older homes that weren't built with a master bath. Instead hey usually have a nice large hall bath, and you can always add a master bath. Buyers also worry about resale. Will it be hard to sell a home if it only has one bathroom? Or even two? If it's priced appropriately, you'll sell it anyways.

5. Number of bedrooms

A lot of first-time buyers are looking for homes with four bedrooms. For one thing, homes that are listed as having three bedrooms may have an extra room that isn't classified as a bedroom, maybe because it doesn't have a closet. That space could be used as a guest room or office and meet the buyer's needs. Just as the extra bathroom for guests may be an unnecessary expense, forking over that extra cash to have a guest room for the occasional in-laws or college friends may not be worth it. Put guests in a child's room for a few days; kids love sleeping bags on the floor. Or buy a comfortable futon and let your office do double duty once or twice a year.

6. Garage

Buyers are just as stubborn about garages as they are about fenced yards and that many refuse to look at homes that don't have a garage. In some parts of the country, a garage is a need. But if you're dead-set on a three-car garage simply because you want the extra storage space. A detached storage building is a fantastic, inexpensive option instead of a garage, he says. So maybe a one-car garage will meet your vehicle needs, and you can look elsewhere for a place to stow that sports equipment and lawn mower. That's called compromise — and savings.


Next blog sacrifices 7-9

Cloudy with a chance of home sales

Why cloud technology? What is it? How can it help my business? Why should I learn this new technology? These were the questions that popped in my head but after research i realized this is just another tool to help sell homes. Cloud storage technology was first introduced by both Google (think GoogleApps and GoggleDocs) and Amazon back in 2009. Apple recently introduced its iCloud storage and is pushing to capitalize on the growing needs many companies have for expanding storage capabilities.  Realtors who use cloud storage can access real estate listings anywhere. (Courtesy of Net DNA)  As a Realtor or Mortgage Professional, cloud storage offers the freedom to be in the field and instantly access information regarding a transaction. Cloud storage is surprisingly affordable for both large companies as well as the individual. Most cloud storage providers offer either a monthly fee or hour usage fee (or sometimes both) and many offer “free trial periods” as well. Here are just some of the top providers:

• AMAZON
• DROPBOX
• EGNYTE

As a real estate agent you should welcome this new cloud technology with open arms.  While many cloud storage service features may vary slightly, most offer one or more of the following:
•Securely access your files from any PC, MAC or Smart Phone
•Keep a local copy and auto-sync with online storage
•Map online folders on to your desktop
•Automatically back up your computers
•Control access to your files for your employees and clients
•Quick setup and management for multiple users
•Enterprise class security and privacy controls
•FTP service without complexity or additional hardware
Being a busy Real Estate professional, cloud storage technology can offer a quick, accessible and cheap solution for data management and storage while on-the-go. Like all services, be sure to shop around for the best prices and features you really need. Start small…you can always expand over time and with your usage needs.