The Importance of a Great Buyer Specialist

Buying a home is even more complicated when you don’t have the right guidance. Here’s how a good buyer specialist can help you.

There are a variety of opportunities in the Central Pennsylvania real estate market for both buyers and sellers.
If you're a prospective buyer click here for a full home search, or if you're considering placing your home on the market, get a free home value report, right here.

Are you having a hard time finding the perfect house? Tired of missing out on the hot properties? In most of our local areas, we’re in a seller’s market. Do you know how that affects you as a homebuyer?

Understanding the market is as important for buyers as it is for sellers. A buyer consultation is one of the most important aspects of the home buying process, especially for first-time homebuyers. This consultation is used only by the best and most successful agents because it takes a driven professional to take a step outside the box in the name of providing the best service to their clients.

Most agents just want to show homes, but at Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, our buyer specialists want to equip you so you don’t miss out on a home and you're ready to purchase when you find the perfect house.

You want to use a buyer’s specialist. Don’t call the name on the sign. That agent works for the seller. You need to find an agent who will work for you and learn about your wants and needs in a home. Your buyer’s agent will help you look for homes that meet your needs and dedicate the time necessary to search for homes, write offers, and follow through with inspections, financing, appraisal, title, and everything else throughout the process.

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We often see multiple bids, but there can be only one winner.

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If you’re looking for a home, be sure to check out centralpacomingsoon.com. There’s no reason to miss out on the best homes that are listed on the real estate market. Don’t wait! This website will connect you with tomorrow’s sellers today. 

When you fall in love with a home, you’ll want to make an offer right away. A pre-approval or proof of funds letter is necessary to put you in the strongest position when submitting your offer.

In this market, we often see multiple bids on a property, but there can only be one winner. Our buyer’s specialists know what it takes to be the winner. At Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, we have an amazing group of agents who work 100% for buyers. Their eyes and ears are constantly looking and listening for what their buyer needs. Ask us about our buyers-in-waiting, love-it-or-leave-it, and coming-soon programs. 

If you have any questions for us about buying a home, selling a home, or anything else related to real estate, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Wishing You and Yours A Merry Christmas and A Wonderful New Year

The holiday season is here and we’re so thankful for your support. Here’s how that support has allowed us to positively impact the community.

There are a variety of opportunities in the Central Pennsylvania real estate market for both buyers and sellers.
If you're a prospective buyer click here for a full home search, or if you're considering placing your home on the market, get a free home value report, right here.

We hope you and your families are having fun making preparations for the upcoming holidays. Christmas will be here before you know it, and I wanted to take this time to share my heart with you.

I’ve had over 30 years of experience in real estate helping thousands of families find a home where they can celebrate, establish traditions, and make memories. 

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We love giving back to the Harrisburg community.

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Our homes are especially important during the holidays and during this time of year, we want to thank you and tell you how much we value and are grateful for your confidence in us. As we look back on 2019, we’re especially thankful that your business has allowed us to give back to our local community in many different ways. Because of you, we’ve been able to donate to a ton of great organizations in the area, including:

• Caitlin’s Smiles
• Harrisburg Area Community College
• The Humane Society of Harrisburg
• The Renova Center
• Four Diamonds
• American Cancer Society
• Luther Acres Caring Fund
• Community Cares
• 10th Annual Supporting the Troops Golf Tournament
• Northern Dauphin County Hometown Heroes 5k

Additionally, we were able to collect school supplies to help with Kick in for Kids in July and donating turkeys for local families in November. We love giving back to our Harrisburg community and I’m blessed to be part of a team that's dedicated and ready to serve.

There are so many worthy charities in central Pennsylvania and we don’t want to miss an opportunity to serve, so we created a “Joy Cares” tab on our website where you may request a donation for a cause that is special to your heart. Just head on over to joydaniels.com and click on “Joy Cares” in the “Links” tab.

If you have any questions for us about buying or selling real estate in Pennsylvania, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone at (717) 695-3177 or email at info@joydaniels.com. In the meantime, we hope you and your family have a wonderful and blessed holiday season filled with joy, love, and laughter.

Should You Consider Buying Your New Home Before Selling Your Old One?

If you need to buy a home and sell another, buying first offers you the most freedom. It isn’t without its drawbacks, though.

There are a variety of opportunities in the Central Pennsylvania real estate market for both buyers and sellers.
If you're a prospective buyer click here for a full home search, or if you're considering placing your home on the market, get a free home value report, right here.

I’m picking up where I left off last time to explain to you what you have to gain and lose by buying a home before you sell your current home.


What are the benefits?

1. The process of house hunting can be more relaxed and enjoyable
2. You only have to move once, so you won’t have to face expensive storage fees or doubled moving costs
3. You’re less likely to have regrets from rushing into buying a house in a hurry
4. You'll have a place to go right away before you even let go of your current house
5. You have a cushion in case something goes wrong with the purchase of the home

Every situation is unique.

What are the disadvantages?

1. If your cash is tied up in your current home, you may not have as much freedom to make a larger down payment
2. You might feel pressured to accept a lower offer if you’re in a rush to sell
3. You might end up having two mortgages
4. You’ll be responsible for two sets of taxes and two sets of utilities
5. You may not qualify for two mortgages at once

Every situation is unique. Talk to your agent about the different possibilities before you make a decision. Sometimes buying first is the way to go. You could buy first with a new loan or with savings, but you could also consider a home equity line of credit. It allows you to borrow against the equity in your current home until it sells.

The complex processes of buying and selling a home can have a major impact on your financial health for years to come. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons and assess the circumstances before making a final decision.

If you have any questions for us in the meantime or need help in making your decision, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (717) 695-3177, or send us an email to info@joydaniels.com. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

These 5 Questions Will Help You Prepare for Your Home Sale

Before listing your home, there are five questions that you need to consider.

There are a variety of opportunities in the Central Pennsylvania real estate market for both buyers and sellers.
If you're a prospective buyer click here for a full home search, or if you're considering placing your home on the market, get a free home value report, right here.

Here are the five questions you need to consider before putting your home on the market: 1. What level of attention and expertise do you need from a listing agent? Some sellers want a consultant who provides real estate expertise and others want their Realtor to back off while they make final decisions. Just as real estate agents need to determine what level of services they are going to provide to sellers, sellers need to decide exactly what services they expect their listing agent to provide and make those expectations clear up front. 2. What market-specific information do you have or plan to acquire? To keep a home from sitting on the market, when possible, timing the sale to coincide with the months of greatest buyer activity is smart. Prime selling seasons can vary from city to city and from home to home! An experienced, local real estate agent can guide you on the best timing for your home. Spring might be optimum to put properties on the market in general, but some markets are also lively from Labor Day until mid-December. 3. Do you know who your likely buyer will be? An agent who sells a lot of properties similar to yours is apt to have a better feel for which properties appeal to specific groups of buyers, which means they get snapped up fast while other homes linger on the market. What property condition and features do your probable buyers demand before they make an offer? If you don’t know what appeals to whom, plan to spend a few weekends visiting open houses similar to yours in what you think will be your broad price range. Then, pay attention to who attends the open house, as well as what the house looks like.

Timing the sale to coincide with the months of greatest buyer activity is smart.

4. Do you understand that today’s buyers expect homes to look like properties they have seen on HGTV? 

What that means in real life is staging a home to sell is no longer optional in most markets. Do not think that watching HGTV qualifies you to stage your own home in a way that hits the right buttons with buyers. Do not think that because you are an “artist” or you studied interior design in college that you understand how good stagers merchandise a house. You need professional help with this every bit as much as you need a plumber to replace the kitchen sink. This is not a DIY opportunity. 

5. Are you aware that in the wake of the housing crisis of a decade ago, mortgage lending standards have changed dramatically?  

Is financing readily available for your home? If not, sellers—or their agents—need to get financing options nailed down and addressed to the extent possible. Any issues that might affect whether buyers can find a lender to offer a mortgage on specific properties will depend on whether your home qualifies for FHA, VA, or USDA financing.

We are experienced, professional agents, and if you are thinking about listing your home, we are ready to represent you! Ask yourself these five questions and check back soon for five more questions you should consider before selling.  

If you choose to move forward with selling your home, we have a team of dedicated listing specialists who will help you realize your selling goals, so don’t hesitate to give us a call at (717) 695-3177 or send us an email at info@joydaniels.com. We look forward to helping you! 

Join us at Our Upcoming Seller Seminar?

Our seller seminar is just around the corner, and you won't want to miss this helpful (and free) event. REGISTER HERE

There are a variety of opportunities in the Central Pennsylvania real estate market for both buyers and sellers.
If you're a prospective buyer click here for a full home search, or if you're considering placing your home on the market, get a free home value report, right here.

I’ve got some exciting news to share: You’re invited to our free upcoming seller seminar! The event will take place at the GIANT Food Store Community Room (2300 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110) on Thursday, October 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Navigating today’s dramatically changing real estate market can be challenging, especially when it comes time to try to sell your home. Listing these days can lead to a lot of confusion, and that’s why my goal for this seminar is to help you overcome this. This seminar will give you the tools, resources, and information you need to make the best decisions for one of your biggest investments.

This seminar will give you the tools, resources, and information you need to make the best decisions for one of your biggest investments.

I’ll explain the necessary steps it will take to achieve your selling goals, and also shed some light on current market conditions. 

We will also have a panel of expert speakers at the seminar, including a stager, a home inspector, and a mortgage lender—each of whom will offer invaluable insight into their role in the real estate process.

Ultimately, I want to set you on the path to success as a seller in today’s buyer’s market. 

Also, if there are any questions left unanswered at the end of the seminar, I will give you an opportunity before we wrap things up to ask me about them. 

If you have any other questions, would like more information, or are interested in attending, give my team and me a call at (717) 695-3177 or send us an email at info@joydaniels.com. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming seminar.

Clean Your Garage and Make Your Home Sell for More

As a home seller, cleaning and organizing your garage goes a long way in impressing buyers.

There are a variety of opportunities in the Central Pennsylvania real estate market for both buyers and sellers.
If you're a prospective buyer click here for a full home search, or if you're considering placing your home on the market, get a free home value report, right here.

Do you think garages sell homes? Many people ask me whether or not garages play an important part in a home sale, and my answer is always yes. When preparing to sell a home, the garage is one of the most forgotten rooms in the house. By nature, garages are places where we store many things that we don’t want or need in the house. They are also places where oil and gas are spilled due to cars,lawnmowers, etc. Garages also tend to store toys, mementos, and many other items we thought were vitally important to us at one time. Then, when we go through our piles of things, we wonder why in the world we thought they were important in the first place! As you can guess, all those boxes, stains, smells, unorganized tools, and other items can add up to an unsightly mess in the eyes of potential buyers. This means if you’re putting your home on the market, it’s time for a cleanup. And, just as important, it’s time for a rigorous reorganization of the garage to make it shine in buyers’ eyes. Here are a few steps to help eat that elephant one bite at a time: 1. Go through all of your boxes and sort the items they contain. Be ruthless! Toss out anything that no longer has any use or meaning. Even better, donate items that are still useful to your favorite charity—it feels great and makes somebody else happy at the same time. Plus, you can claim a tax deduction. By cleaning out the clutter, it will be easier to take the next step.

Garages don’t actually sell homes, but they make a big statement about the home and the homeowner trying to sell it.     

2. Clean the garage as thoroughly as possible. Get rid of any dust and dirt wherever you find it. If you have minor oil or gas stains on the floor, try pressure-washing them. However, if they are larger or they’ve been longstanding, then you’ll need to find a more thorough cleanser. Even better, you can paint the floor to create a clean, pristine appearance, showing that you care. And if you are feeling really ambitious, consider coating your garage floor with an epoxy paint that was designed to turn it into a warm and inviting room. This also reduces slip-and-fall accidents and makes any future floor cleanings easier.    

3. Consider a garage organization system. Usually the cheapest options are storage bins and wall hooks. If you’re willing to spend more, there are also wall panels and flooring packages available. Depending on your needs, an organization system can range from approximately $40 to thousands of dollars. If you simply Google “garage organization systems,” you’ll find plenty of links to companies selling these products. Whatever system you choose, it will definitely give your garage a clean and organized look. 

I can’t stress how impressive it is to potential buyers to have a well-organized garage. This tells them that you’re a person who really takes care of every detail of your home and property. And that, in turn, let’s them know that buying your home will be a great investment on their part and well worth the asking price. 

The bottom line is this: Garages don’t actually sell homes, but they make a big statement about the home and the homeowner trying to sell it. Cleaning and organizing yours is well worth the effort.

Remember, if you’re thinking about buying a new home, the Joy Daniels Real Estate Group has a team of qualified, experienced listing partners and buyer specialists who are ready to work with you to make every real estate process a positive experience. 

If you or someone you know is ready to buy or sell a home, give us a call today at 717-695-3177, email us at info@joydaniels.com or you can visit us online at www.joydaniels.com.

                                                                   

5 Home-Selling Tips for Pet Owners

If you’re planning to sell your home and you have pets, here are five tips to help you navigate the process with ease.

There are a variety of opportunities in the Central Pennsylvania real estate market for both buyers and sellers.
If you're a prospective buyer click here for a full home search, or if you're considering placing your home on the market, get a free home value report, right here.

Many homeowners have pets, and their animal companions definitely become part of the family. But when it’s time to put your home on the market, you need to consider that not everyone loves pets. Buyers need to be able to see themselves living in your home, and that doesn’t include your pets. Here are some things you should consider if you have pets and you need to prepare to sell your home: 1. Make repairs. Pet damage isn’t a selling point for your home. Dogs and cats at some point in their lives, no matter how well behaved they are, are going to damage something in your home, whether it be carpet, hardwood floors, walls, or grass in the yard. Repairs need to be completed prior to your home going on the market. Some repairs can be expensive but, correcting them will pay off in the form of an increased bottom line. 2. Remove pet odors. Even the biggest animal lover doesn’t want a home that smells like pets. Your furry friends’ favorite place to lay takes on their scent over time. Accidents also happen and you never want your home to be remembered as the house that smelled bad. One of the top reasons a homebuyer will pass on a home is a strong odor. Having your carpets and floors professionally cleaned will in most cases remove the odors. There are some homes that will need to replace the carpet if the odor cannot be removed.

Leaving your pet home during a showing is asking for trouble.     

3. Clean up the yard. Pick up any messes that are in your yard. That’s not a surprise any buyer wants if they’re walking in your yard. Look to see if there are any spots that need new sod laid or damage repaired. Your outdoor space is a big selling point for many buyers, and because of that, you need to pay equal attention to the yard as you do to the interior of your home.

4. Erase signs that you have a pet. Your pet’s bowls, beds, toys, food, etc., will all need to be put away. Pet accessories are not staging items and look cluttered when left out for photos and showings. Aside from an aesthetics standpoint some buyers do not like pets and in turn, you want to avoid leaving signs out that you have pets in your home. If a buyer asks, you’ll need to answer honestly but, you can often avoid the question ever being asked if your pet’s belongings are put away.

5. Remove your pet for showings. If there’s one tip you take away from this post, it needs to be this one. There are far too many risks that come with a pet being left in a home for showings. Buyers and their agents are strangers to your pet, and that creates a liability for you. When pets are scared or unsure of what’s happening, they act differently. Pets can also get out during a showing, and no agent wants to be looking for your pet if they escape. Leaving your pet home during a showing is asking for trouble. If you can’t get home from work to remove them, have a neighbor keep them, or consider hiring someone to come remove them from your home before a showing starts. 

I hope that I was able to share and encourage you with some key preparation you can do to prepare your home for sale if you have pets. If you are thinking about purchasing a new home this summer, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. At the Joy Daniels Real Estate Group we have a team of qualified, experienced listing partners and buyers specialists who are ready to work with you to make every real estate process a positive experience.

If you have any real estate needs or questions, feel free to give us a call today at 717-695-3177, email us at info@joydaniels.com or you can visit us online at www.joydaniels.com.

                                                                   

Thank You for Voting for Us as “Simply the Best”

Our team has been blessed to win several prestigious awards and recognitions recently, and we couldn’t have done it without you.

There are a variety of opportunities in the Central Pennsylvania real estate market for both buyers and sellers.
If you're a prospective buyer click here for a full home search, or if you're considering placing your home on the market, get a free home value report, right here.

I’m proud to announce that the Joy Daniels Real Estate Group won one of Harrisburg Magazine’s Simply the Best awards for Real Estate Agency in 2019, and we want to thank you for voting for us. We value and appreciate your confidence and support, and we’ll continue our mission to deliver world-class service to our community, past clients, neighbors, friends, and their families.

When you work with us, you work with an entire group of professionals dedicated to your satisfaction.     

We’ve also gained several other prestigious recognitions recently that wouldn’t be possible without you, including:

• Being named one of Central Penn Business Journal’s “Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies in 2019”
• Being ranked 51st in REAL Trends’ “1000 Top Teams in the Nation” (as advertised in The Wall Street Journal)
• "Best of Zillow" 2019

When we created the Joy Daniels Real Estate Group in 2010, we made a team of specialists to meet our clients’ needs, and we’re still dedicated to providing you first-class service. Just as doctors and attorneys specialize their practice, so does each member of our team. When you work with us, you work with an entire group of professionals dedicated to your satisfaction. 

If you’re looking to buy or sell a home in the near future, feel free to give us a call today at 717-695-3177, email us at info@joydaniels.com or you can visit us online at www.joydaniels.com.

                                                                   

4 Ways to Get Rid of Unwanted Items When Decluttering

When decluttering your home, there are four ways you can get rid of items you no longer need.

There are a variety of opportunities in the Central Pennsylvania real estate market for both buyers and sellers.
If you're a prospective buyer click here for a full home search, or if you're considering placing your home on the market, get a free home value report, right here.

Today I want to give you some ideas on how to declutter by selling, donating, recycling, or disposing of your unwanted items. We all have items in our home that we no longer want. Perhaps it’s a consequence of living in a society where speed and efficiency are of the essence. Everything has to be quick so we can try and grab some relaxing time. This is perhaps why the trend of decluttering has become so popular—it’s a response to the acknowledgment that we tend to own too many things. Decluttering is good for both you and your home for a variety of reasons, but the foremost is that it gives you the chance to use everything you own. There’s no point worrying about storage for items you have no use for, so getting rid of them gives you access to more room in your house for the things you actually will use. However, this isn’t just another blog post about how to declutter your home. Instead, we’re going to focus on what happens with the “not needed” pile that you have decided can exit your home. What can you do with these things? You have four options: 1. Sell. For the items that are still in a usable condition but also just a surplus to your requirements, you can sell them. There are a variety of different ways to sell, but here are a few ideas:

• Use auction websites like eBay. Clear photographs and a well-written description will catch people’s eye, so spend time creating your listing where necessary. The more effort you put in, the more likely you’ll find a buyer.
• Consignment stores. If you don’t want to go through auction websites, these stores sell items on your behalf and then give you a cut of the profit, usually at a 50:50 ratio. You might not get as much, but it’s still easier than selling yourself.
• Sell items on social media sites like Facebook. Join local groups and explain what you have to offer—there are lots of options for hosting a virtual stoop sale!
• Hold a garage sale

It’s always worth spending the time thinking about these things, as it helps to clarify the way you organize your life from this point on.     

2. Donate. Some people have the wrong impression of what donations actually entail. They round up all of their unwanted items, dump it at the door of a charity shop, and tell themselves they have done their part. If you want to donate, then it’s important you avoid this. 

Charities want these items, but they need to be usable items. This means you need to wash any clothes you donate and make sure anything you hand over is fit for purpose. What you give away will hopefully be sold at a profit to the charity. Donate items that have a real second-hand value and find another method of disposal (such as listed below) for everything else.

3. Recycle. If you no longer use an item, it might still have a use in some capacity. Recycling items into separate containers and finding somewhere to take them can be time-consuming. If you’re as pressed for time as most of us are, then consider using a home organizer for the project. Be thorough if you have small amounts that you can sort through yourself. Clothes can be recycled or reused. As for furniture, it’s worth a cheap online ad to see if there’s anyone who is interested in buying it.

4. Repurpose. For example, if you have an old set of shelves that no longer works with your decor, rather than removing them from your home, you could find a new purpose for them. Perhaps you could move them into the garden to hold pots of plants or be chopped down to create wall shelving? Finding ways to repurpose old items is a trend, often referred to as “upcycling.” You’ll have to dedicate the time, but you could give a new lease of life to an item otherwise destined for a landfill. 

Hopefully, by following one of the above options, you will find a solution that works for you. It’s always worth spending the time thinking about these things, as it helps to clarify the way you organize your life from this point on. Unless you want to have to run through these decisions again in a few months’ time, perhaps it will be worth focusing on what you bring into your home and make sure it’s something you really need!

If you are going to start the process of selling things online, I have several ideas for websites that you might want to consider, so do not hesitate to email and ask about a specific need. If you’re thinking of buying a home, we have a team of qualified, experienced listing partners and buyers specialists who are ready to work with you to make your transaction a positive experience.  

If you have any real estate needs or questions, feel free to give us a call today at 717-695-3177, email us at info@joydaniels.com or you can visit us online at www.joydaniels.com.

                                                                   

Items to Check Off Your Summer Maintenance Checklist

Today I want to talk to you about everything you need to do to keep your home and yard in tip-top shape this summer.

There are a variety of opportunities in the Central Pennsylvania real estate market for both buyers and sellers.
If you're a prospective buyer click here for a full home search, or if you're considering placing your home on the market, get a free home value report, right here.

With the change of each season comes a new set of maintenance tasks for your home. Now that summer's here, you'll want to prepare your home and yard for the onslaught of summer heat. From air-conditioner upkeep to hanging a clothesline, these simple chores will help keep your home happy and healthy:

• Check detectors. Check your home's smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they're working properly.
• Inspect air conditioners. If you haven't already, prep your air conditioners and fans for their busiest season. With the help of your spouse, install window air conditioning units. Also, remove and clean the filters before firing up the AC. If you have central air conditioning, consider a professional servicing. And be sure to clean all ceiling fans and other fans with a damp rag. If you have high ceilings, a ceiling-fan duster can help you de-grime hard-to-reach blades.
• Enjoy a dry spell. Install an outdoor clothesline to dry your laundry in the summer sun; you'll save money and energy by skipping the dryer. Plus, who doesn't love the smell of air-dried sheets?
• Clean your outdoor cooker. Give your grill a deep cleaning. 

Deadhead both perennial and annual flowers to keep them productive.     

• Polish your porch. Thoroughly sweep painted porch floors; then mop them with an all-purpose cleaner. If there's a lot of built-up dirt on the floorboards, you may need to scrub them with a brush.
• Analyze your deck. Look over your deck for signs of rotting and hammer in any nails that are poking up. Then, determine if your deck needs sealing. Sprinkle water on the deck's boards. If the water beads up, you're in good shape; but if it soaks right in, it's time to reseal it.
• Wash your windows. If you didn't tackle exterior window washing in the spring, now's the time to get your glass clean.

• Make much ado about mulch. Add a layer of mulch to keep weeds down and help the ground retain its moisture in the heat. It'll give your plants a chance to grow.
• Be a leak detective. Check your hoses and exterior faucets for leaks—even a tiny drip can add up to a big waste of water. Pinhole leaks in hoses can be covered up by winding regular electrical tape around the (dry) hose in overlapping layers.
• Primp your plants. Deadhead both perennials and annuals to keep them productive. If you have visible dead foliage from spring bulbs, pull it out to maintain a tidy look, but if the daffodil or tulip leaves are still green, leave them alone; they're busy nourishing the bulb to bloom again next year.
• Plan your watering schedule. Train your garden to endure dry days by watering deeply a couple of times a week, instead of watering lightly daily. This style of watering will promote the growth of deep, strong roots.
• Stop dirt at the door. Keep summer's mud and muck outside with not one, but two doormats at your main entry door. Place a coarse mat at the exterior and a softer, cloth one on the interior to catch the most dirt. Better still, instruct family members to remove their shoes upon entering. If you live near a beach, a tub of water for sandy feet placed by the door works wonders for keeping sand outside where it belongs.

I am sure you have already completed many of these projects, but I hope that I was able to share and encourage you with other projects you may not have remembered. 

If you are thinking about a new home this summer, at Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, we have a team of qualified, experienced listing partners and buyers specialists who are ready to work with you to make every real estate process a positive experience. If you or someone you know is ready to buy or sell a home, give us a call today at 717-695-3177, email info@joydaniels.com or you can visit us online at www.joydaniels.com.

                                                                                                            

What Else Should FSBO Sellers Know Before Listing?

There are so many different issues that can arise when selling a home FSBO. Here are four more of them.

There are a variety of opportunities in the Central Pennsylvania real estate market for both buyers and sellers.
If you're a prospective buyer click here for a full home search, or if you're considering placing your home on the market, get a free home value report, right here.

Welcome back to part two of my discussion on why you should not sell your home on your own. A For Sale By Owner represents a lost opportunity for Realtors and sellers. The agent misses out on the chance to sell a home and build their portfolio, but the seller loses out too. If you didn’t watch last week’s video, take a moment now to watch it here. We covered four FSBO issues there, and we’ll cover four more today: 1. There are too many people to negotiate with. Some of the many people with whom you will need to be prepared to negotiate with include the buyer, the buyer’s agent, the buyer’s attorney, the home inspection companies (who also work with the buyer), the buyer’s lender, the appraiser, the title company, the town or municipality, and more. 2. Let a skilled negotiator handle the negotiations for you. Having an experienced negotiator on your side could save you thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars. Each step of the way, from the original offer to the possible renegotiation after the inspection, you need someone who can keep a deal together until it closes.

With an agent by your side, you’ll be able to maximize the three P’s of selling: preparation, pricing, and presentation.     

3. What is your home worth in today’s market? There is so much information out there about home sales, prices, and market demands. How do you know what affects your specific situation? Real estate values and demand from homes are hyperlocal, and an experienced, local real estate agent should be your primary resource to competitively and correctly price your home at the beginning of the selling process. Hiring someone who has their finger on the pulse of the local market will enhance your selling experience and increase your final sale price.

4. Security issues. Have you considered how you will keep your home and family safe when showing it to strangers? How are you going to vet prospective buyers when they call for an appointment? When you agree to show your home as an FSBO, you are letting strangers into your home. With an agent, you have the comfort of knowing that the buyers who come see your home have been vetted, not only just for safety, but also to ensure that they are serious about buying a home.

Don't be one of the many FSBO homes that receives lower offers, isn’t well negotiated, and fails to sell due to lack of expertise in the transaction. I don't want you to find yourself in a mess. We are experienced in selling homes and know and understand all the details involved in a successful transaction. 

If you have any questions for me or you’re ready to sell your home today, don’t hesitate to reach out and give me a call at 717-695-3177 or email me at info@joydaniels.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

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FSBO Series, Part 1

In the first of my two-part For Sale by Owner (FSBO) series, we’ll explore whether or not going the home selling process alone instead of working with an agent is worth it.

There are a variety of opportunities in the Central Pennsylvania real estate market for both buyers and sellers.
If you're a prospective buyer click here for a full home search, or if you're considering placing your home on the market, get a free home value report, right here.

Selling your home is a massively important financial decision—one of the biggest of your life, in fact. With an agent by your side, you’ll be able to maximize the three P’s of selling: preparation, pricing, and presentation. Beyond the three P’s, a Realtor will give you greater exposure to prospective buyers. Did you know that 94% of buyers start their search online? In light of this, it’s critical to have an internet broad-based marketing strategy for your home, and an agent will expertly devise a plan to reach as many buyers as possible. This includes everything from professional staging and photography to handling marketing materials. Professional agents spend more than $15,000 a month purely on marketing homes. 50% of buyers find the home they end up purchasing on the internet. Another 28% find theirs from an agent, 7% from yard signs, and the remaining 1% of buyers find their home from the newspaper. It goes without saying that having a strong marketing strategy is crucial for selling your home quickly and for top dollar these days. Another benefit to using an agent is that you’ll net more money from your sale. Many homeowners believe they’ll ultimately save money by not paying a commission to an agent. What they fail to account for, however, is the primary reason buyers look at FSBO homes in the first place: They’re also looking to save by avoiding commission costs. Of course, both parties can’t save on commission, so the buyer’s offer will be low.

With an agent by your side, you’ll be able to maximize the three P’s of selling: preparation, pricing, and presentation.     

In a study by Collateral Analytics, it was revealed that FSBO sellers don’t save any money whatsoever, and in some cases, they might even leave money on the table by not enlisting the help of an agent.   

Counterintuitive as it may seem, other studies have shown that, by and large, homes sell for more money when handled by an agent. The National Association of Realtors’ research found that the median sale price for FSBO homes was $200,000. Contrast that with the median sale price of those sold with an agent’s assistance, which was $640,000. 

Choosing to go the FSBO route has become increasingly complex—the paperwork involved as it pertains to industry disclosures and regulations have grown more and more stringent. The increase in potential liabilities home sellers face is likely to blame for the declining number of FSBO sellers. Over the last 20 years, that number has dropped from 19% to just 7%. 

On top of all of this, there are 230 possible steps that need to be taken over the course of any successful real estate transaction. When you take that into consideration, don’t you want the help of someone who’s been there before? And don’t you want guidance every step of the way to prevent any missteps?  

All in all, if you’re thinking of selling your home soon, it’d behoove you to talk to a real estate professional. We at Joy Daniels Real Estate Group can produce the best possible results for you. Just give us a call at 717-695-3177 or visit us online at JoyDaniels.com. We’re really excited to work with you! Stay tuned for the second part of our FSBO series!

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