·:[ The Judy Niemeyer Team Blog ]:·
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In today’s real estate market Mobile Eastern Shore home owners trying to sell on their own get discouraged when it comes to getting their Mobile Eastern Shore homes sold. What they may not realize is that in the modern market selling a home takes a lot more than just sticking a “for sale” sign in the front yard. Traditional real estate marketing tactics have evolved into a variety of more complex and effective strategies. The internet has become the most popular and successful aid in setting up successful home-selling campaigns.

According to the National Association of Realtors®, almost 90% of home buyers do their house hunting online. The fact that the internet is taking over many traditional methods, makes it imperative for  home owners to move their campaigns to the web. Consumers are becoming more independent in the home buying process, relying on the internet for real estate market information and shopping for their perfect home. The quantity of home buyers who ended up purchasing a home they found using the Internet has significantly increased from only 8% in 2001 to a soaring 32% in 2008. However, buyers only account for half of the real estate equation that results in using the internet.

Sellers are relying on the internet to create effective online selling campaigns that catch the mouse click of potential buyers. Whether selling by owner or using a real estate agent, anyone trying to attract the attention of a buyer for their Mobile Eastern Shore home  should take full advantage of online marketing strategies. Listing agents advertise client’s homes on their company websites, the Multiple Listing Service and Realtor.com, and by other professional tools. Home owners choosing the for sale by owner route or just simply looking for more ways to expose their home on the market, now have access to many of the same professional tools real estate agents use and more. For example ForSaleByOwner.com now allows their clients to list their homes on the Multiple Listing Service and Realtor.com too. In addition, homes are also popularly advertised on websites such as, Craigslist, Google Base, Yahoo Real Estate, and Facebook.

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Mobile Eastern Shore Homes For Sale:

601 Sandpiper Lane, Daphne AL 36526

MLS# 160294

Updated Creole cottage in the heart of Daphne.  Home features heart pine floors throughout downstairs with 10’ ceilings, crown molding, kitchen with granite and breakfast area.  This home also boast a master suite with fireplace and screened back porch.  This home has been beautifully landscaped.  A must show!!

Learn more about 601 Sandpiper Lane and other Mobile Eastern Shore homes for sale by visiting JudySells.com.

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Something to consider when selling your home is the Capital Gains ramifications. Will you owe Uncle Sam money after the sale of your Mobile Eastern Shore home? Capital Gains are calculated as the difference between what you paid for your property and what you sell it for. Here is how you calculate your Capital Gains.

Calculating Capital Gains

(+) PURCHASE PRICE – Price paid for property

(+) COST OF PURCHASE – Transfer fees, attorney fees, inspections

(+) COST OF SALE – Repairs, commissions, attorney fees, inspections

(+) COST OF IMPROVEMENT – Room additions, deck, for example, though not replacing existing

(=) ADJUSTED COST BASIS OF YOUR HOME

(-) AMOUNT YOU SELL YOUR HOME

(=) CAPITAL GAIN

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Mobile Eastern Shore Real Estate For Sale:

11197 Highway 1, Fairhope AL 36532

MLS# 160717

Great getaway, this home is perfect weekender!!  Great views and incredible detail and charm.  Like new with decorator touches, granite countertops and open living area and pine floors throughout.  Outside you will find a wrap around balcony and covered porch.  Corp approval for pier.  Sandy beach and great fishing area.  This home is a must see!!

Learn more about 11197 Highway 1 and other Mobile Eastern Shore real estate for sale by visiting JudySells.com.

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Judy Niemeyer of Ashurst and Niemeyer presents:

The Mobile Eastern Shore Real Estate Podcast

February 2010: This month’s edition covers Mobile Eastern Shore real estate market activity and then we’ll offer three top tips to make sure you get the most of today’s opportunity! Features special guest Terri Murphy of US Learning. Program length: approximately 7 1/2 minutes

Mobile Eastern Shore Homes For Sale:

105 North Church Street, Fairhope AL 36532

MLS# 160519

Neat board and battan cottage in the heart of Fairhope.  Close to town, library and the bay.  Wide front porch, great landscaping and many attractive renovations.  Fabulous open kitchen with granite, gas cook top in island and stainless steel appliances.  Home boast heart pine floors.  Den has fireplace with gas logs.  Great yard and deck, lots of privacy and good storage.  Beautiful fruit trees.

Learn more about 105 North Church Street and other Mobile Eastern Shore homes for sale by visiting JudySells.com.

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A simplified guide for painless purchasing of your Mobile Eastern Shore home.

Part I of this four-part series dealt with analyzing your financial situation, getting prior loan approval, and determining your real needs/desires in a first home. All that having been accomplished, you will now want to look for a mortgage and decide which is the most advantageous for you.

Mortgage Choices for Mobile Eastern Shore Home Buyers

As with any major purchase, you will want to shop around for the best deal. Contact several lenders (bank, savings and loan, credit union, private mortgage company, or a state or federal government lender.) Before doing that, however, you need to familiarize yourself mortgage types, terminology, and options. Your real estate agent will be helpful in this mission, as will the internet. Keying in First-time house buyers, mortgage assistance, HUD, or Community Housing Partners, will result in innumerable informative sites, a wealth of information for you to consider, and, most likely, a list of questions for you to ask your realtor and/or potential lender.

Adjustable Rate Loans

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A simplified guide for painless purchasing of your Mobile Eastern Shore home, PART 1

Congratulations! So you’ve made the decision to stop renting and purchase a place of your own. The home buying process may initially appear complicated and a bit daunting, but by using the skills of a buyer’s real estate agent, searching the internet, and familiarizing yourself with each of the steps involved, your experience can be a smooth and rewarding one.

1. Analyzing your financial situation.

The first thing to do is to learn how much you can afford to pay for your Mobile Eastern Shore home. Generally speaking, mortgage costs, or PITI (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance), should not exceed 26-28% of your gross monthly income. Many internet web sites furnish free tools for calculating these expenses for you. Remember that in addition to income, your credit rating, on-going monthly expenses, amount of the down payment, and the current interest rate must be factored into your financial analysis. Also take into consideration any HOA’s (homeowners’ association) dues, maintenance costs, and utilities you’ll have to pay on a monthly basis. You would be wise to investigate state and federal government programs which help qualifying first-time buyers with down payments and closing costs. Visit  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for specific information which could be quite beneficial to you.

2. Getting prior loan approval.

The next step, before you ever begin actually looking a home, is to secure pre-approval for a loan. In order to do this, you will need to provide a potential lender with all necessary information about your finances. Your realtor will help you do this.

After performing a thorough and positive analysis of your financial situation, the lender will issue you a letter of approval which states the amount for which you qualify. This letter assures buyers that you are guaranteed a sufficient loan and that they are guaranteed a sale with no unpleasant surprises.

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Mobile Eastern Shore Homes For Sale:

1 Old Pierce Road, Fairhope AL 36532

MLS# 157044

Old Pierce Plantation is designed for equestrians and non equestrian family alike to enjoy the peace and tranquility of country living. The subdivision features 3-15 acre tracts, 5 acre common area with a stocked pond and open air gazebo. This proposed home features Open floor plan with SS appliances, granite counter tops, wood floors all on your own 5 acre mini farm.

Learn more about 1 Old Pierce Road and other Mobile Eastern Shore homes for sale by visiting JudySells.com.

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10 Strategies For Successfully Selling Your Mobile Eastern Shore Real Estate

In today’s competitive housing market, buyers can afford to be selective. It is, therefore, up to the seller to anticipate the demands of the buyer and act accordingly. The ten strategies listed below will help you accommodate the buyer’s needs and make certain the selling process is a successful one.

1. Price sensibly. Listing too high initially is doubly dangerous. Price-savvy potential buyers will simply bypass your home in favor of more realistically priced Mobile Eastern Shore real estate, thus limiting your market. In addition, you’ll have to lower your price eventually, possibly below market level, to capture their attention.

2. Utilize professional expertise. Far too many sellers come to regret their attempt to avoid a paying a sales commission when they are unable to generate widespread exposure on their own. To their dismay, they also find that potential buyers expect a far lower price on a FSBO.

3. Make needed repairs. Buyers want a home that is in good condition, up to date, and “move-in ready.” Be sure that all systems, the roof, appliances, etc., are in good working order and replace fixtures that look out-of-date.

4. Simplify the setting. Make room! Too much furniture makes rooms appear smaller, and too many accessories draw the buyer’s attention away from your home’s assets. De-clutter cupboards, counters, and other flat surfaces. Make space in your closets and storage areas, and allow for an open traffic pattern. Put away personal items. Buyers need to be able to visualize their own furniture and belongings in what could be “their” new home.

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