·:[ The Judy Niemeyer Team Blog ]:·
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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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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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Many  renters are finding that they get more ‘bang for their’ buck if they buy a home rather than rent one. With affordable prices, low interest rates and tax incentives, Mobile Eastern Shore home ownership makes more sense than ever. 

7 Reasons to Buy Rather Than Rent Mobile Eastern Shore Home

1. Buying doesn’t always cost more.
The Associated Press reports the gap between buying and renting has decreased $550 in the last three years.

2. Affordability is at an all-time high.
Nationwide, prices have declined by nearly 20-40%.

3. Tax benefits for home ownership saves money.
The biggest tax break is the mortgage interest deduction. Most of your mortgage payment goes to interest which is tax deductible. Property taxes and mortgage insurance are also tax deductible.

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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 

A Special Real Estate Exemption for Capital Gains

Even though the above calculation may indicate you owe Capital Gains, there is a special real estate exemption. Since 1997, up to $250,000 in capital gains ($500,000 for a married couple) on the sale of a Mobile Eastern Shore home is exempt from taxation if you meet the following criteria: 

• You have lived in the home as your principal residence for two out of the last five years. 
• You have not sold or exchanged another home during the two years preceding the sale. 

NOTE: As of 2003, you may also qualify for this exemption if you meet what the IRS calls “unforeseen circumstances” such as job loss, divorce, or family medical emergency. 

Learn more about selling your Mobile Eastern Shore home by visiting JudySells.com.

Always consult a tax attorney regarding current tax laws.

Mobile Bay Real Estate And Homes For Sale:

450 Village Drive, Daphne AL 36526
MLS# 131381

MONTROSE VILLAGE IN DAPHNE, AL- MINUTES TO MOBILE. 130 FRONT FEET PLUS 5 ACRES ON MOBILE BAY. INCREDIBLE VIEWS, SANDY BEACH, MANY UPGRADES. DOUBLE MASTER FLEXIBLE FLOOR PLAN, INCREDIBLE DECKS, INDUSTRIAL ROOF. A MUST TO SEE.

Learn about Mobile Bay real estate at JudySells.com or give us a call, 251-990-0569.

Search all Mobile Bay real estate and homes for sale.

Mobile Bay Real Estate & Homes For Sale:

Gayfer Court, Fairhope AL 36532

MLS Number: 131882  

Incredible Bayfront in Baldwin County! Walking distance to Fairhope pier and yacht club. Wonderful covered pier plus crabbing and swimming pier. 2 boat lifts with water, electric and 2 fishing lights. Must see home. Custom built. Maple cabinets, and granite. Open floor plan. Built-in flat screen TV. Asl about the extra lot. MUST SEE!

For more information on Gayfer Court or other Baldwin County AL real estate, visit JudySells.com or give us a call, 251-990-0569.

Search all Baldwin County AL real estate and homes for sale.

Baldwin County AL Real Estate For Sale In Fairhope

14801 Scenic Highway, Fiarhope AL 36531

True Bay house in Point Clear, Cypress board & batten, heart pine floors – tall ceilings. Tremendous detail. Incredible lines. Expandable. Full floored attic. Plus guest house. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. Perfect! Full Kitchen – Crabbing pier. Beautifully landscaped. wide, wide screed porch.

For more information on 14801 Scenic Highway or other Baldwin County AL real estate, visit JudySells.com or give us a call, 251-990-0569.

Search all Baldwin County AL real estate and homes for sale.

Does your Mobile Bay home have a façade only a homeowner could love? Selling a home can be an emotional experience, and people can lack objectivity when it comes to their own abode. Presenting a home in its best light is always important, but it’s imperative in our current competitive real estate market. 

Professional advice and assistance can make the difference between “Wow!” and”Whaaa?” – a recent industry study found that staged homes sold for 6.9 percent more than homes that were not staged. Another study compared listing times before and after staging.

Homes that had first been offered for sale without staging were on the market an average of 4.5 months; the same homes sold within a week, on average, after being staged. 

Below are 7 tips to ‘setting the stage’ and making your Mobile Bay home more appealing to buyers:

1. Thoroughly clean from top to bottom, especially kitchens and baths.

A dirty house an immediate buyer turn-off. The two most important areas are the kitchen and the bathrooms. If you have not deep cleaned all counter and tile surfaces to a spotless condition, you stand the chance of having the buyers walk right back out the door. 

2. De-clutter the entire house.

Clutter makes it extremely hard for the buyers to visualize moving into your home. The disorganization affects the buyer’s ability to focus on your home and they will most likely overlook your key selling features. In addition, clutter has the affect of making your home appear smaller than it is as the “open” feeling is gone. 

3. Remove the personal memorabilia.

People are generally curious and when you want them to notice the beautiful entryway they may be focused on all the family pictures on the piano or all the “stuff” stuck to the front of your refrigerator. Your objective is to change the view of your home from “lived in” to “ready to move in.” 

4. Neutralize inside and out.

The best way to present a home is for the wall colors to be painted a neutral color. This goes for the outside as well – a loud or non-neutral color may just keep the buyers from even stopping to see the inside. 

5. Let the sun shine in with spotless windows.

Nothing is more distracting to a buyer than to be looking at a view through a dirty window. What you don’t see is often more important that what you do see. 

6. Make your pets go away.

While your pets are a loving member of your family, for the buyers their presence, food and boxes are generally a turn-off. Every trace of their presence should be removed so, once again, the buyers are not distracted from the prime objective – viewing your home in the best possible light. 

7. Add curb appeal.

A healthy, neat, trimmed and well maintained yard and flower beds are the keys to getting the buyers up to the front door. A well-maintained exterior translates to a well maintained home in the mind of the buyer. 

Need help setting the stage and showing off your Mobile Bay home in its best light? Give us a call, we are glad to help. 

Learn more about Mobile Bay homes and real estate.

One of the most fundamental questions when considering purchasing Mobile/Eastern Shore AL real estate is whether to purchase a single family home or a condo.  Although there are many factors to consider, the answer really lies in the buyer’s preference and lifestyle.

A condo might be a good fit for those in search of a more urban, low-maintenance lifestyle.  Condos typically resemble apartments with several units in the same building or complex sharing amenities (although they can also be duplexes, free-standing buildings, etc.).  Although there are monthly maintenance fees involved with condo ownership, that also means that the owners are not responsible for any maintenance outside their own four walls.  Because condos are a shared community, ownership is often limited to a specific space. 

For many home-buyers, single-family homes offer more privacy and control.  When purchasing a single-family home, the buyer owns the entire building as well as the land on which it sits.  Likewise, this means the maintenance of the structure and the land is the owner’s sole responsibility.

If you would like to learn more about owning Mobile/Eastern Shore AL real estate, please call me at 866-560-7474 or visit JudySells.com.  Find Your Perfect Eastern Shore AL Home!

You may have heard buzz around the term “universal design” in recent years, but do you know what it is or how it affects the Mobile/Eastern Shore AL real estate and construction markets?

According to Lowes.com, universal design is the creation of products and environments meant to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialization. The intent is to simplify life for everyone by making products, communications and the built environment more usable by as many people as possible at little or no extra cost. Universal Design benefits people of all ages and abilities.

Think this is some “far out” theory just now working its way into the “modern” world?  Think again:  if you’ve ever walked through an automatic door, you’ve experienced a version of Universal Design.   Likewise, a ramp or curb cut is just as welcome to someone with a baby stroller as it is to someone in a wheelchair.
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