Monday, November 10, 2008

Real Estate Value and the Profit Margin

Making money in real estate is a dream that millions of people have. Few will actually see that dream become a reality. Why is that? Well the fact is that it takes a person with a strong will and a stiff upper lip to make it in this cutthroat business. You cannot be the kind of person that is given to allowing others to take what you have or want. To make the money that you need you have to be willing to stand up and make it happen.

The profitability of investing in real estate depends on the market as much as it does the person doing the investing. The general rule is that you have to be smart and lucky at the same time. Knowing what to buy, when to buy it and how much to pay for it all have to ring in your ears at every potential investment. Lacking even one of these components can put you at risk for serious losses in the financial department.

This is key when you are looking to get a better grasp on real estate value and what affect it can have on your profit margin. Basically you are having to do a risk assessment before you make every deal. This can be time consuming if you are not knowledgeable in this area. However, with a few key tips and a bit of advice you can make the right choice. So below we have provided a few of these tips.

The Value and Price Gap

Learning to bridge the gap between value and price is vital to your success. You can sit there all day long and read appraisals and still not come away with any better idea as to how much you should pay for a property. This is due to the fact that appraisals are based on more factors then you need. They are giving a value that is used by the mortgage companies to determine how much can be loaned. The price is actually what a person or company would pay. Knowing how to fall in between those when buying is how you make a profit.

Risk

There is also the idea of risk that has to be considered. Any real estate deal is going to be risky but some more than others. You have to learn how to properly assess the risk and determine whether it is too high for you to make the investment. While high risk ventures do tend to be more valuable in the long run, there is the chance that you could fail. As such you have to be sure that you are prepared when establishing real estate value and the risk involved.

Long Term

As a person that is looking to make an investment in your future you have to see that true real estate value is based on the long term. Short term factors do exist but in most cases you have to assess the value on a term that is far longer. The more that you have to sit on the property the more the value could change, either for the better or for the worse.

Increase the Real Estate Value of Your Home

If you are planning on selling your home, there are some simple things that you can do to drastically increase the amount of money you will receive from it. Remember that most people that will look at your home will also look at comparable homes in your neighborhood. Top real estate value can only be achieved for your home if it stands out from all the rest of the similar homes in the neighborhood.

Real Estate Value – The 60 Second And 60% Rule

A home has 60 seconds to make a lasting impression on the potential buyer, so make it a positive one. Experts agree that 40% of the buying decision is determined when the potential buyer first drives up and gets a glimpse of the house from the curb. Another 20% of the buying decision is made when the potential buyer first enters the house; in other words 60% of the decision to buy or not to buy the house has been made right after the prospective buyer enters the house. That should tell you that 60% of your time preparing the house for sale should be concentrated in the front of the house and in the area as you just enter the house

Most potential buyers are looking to get excellent value for real estate they invest in and are looking for an uncluttered home with a free-flowing floor plan, and bright, clean interior.

Real Estate Value – Tip Top Condition

Make sure you pay special attention to the front yard: cut and trim the grass, trim trees and shrubs, plant colorful flowers, and paint the exterior of the house, if needed.

Real Estate Value – Remove Clutter

It is recommended that you open up all tight traffic areas and remove some furniture from the home to make it look larger. Change the light bulbs to the maximum wattage allowed, and open all drapes, shutters, and shades. If you are going to repaint the interior of the house then use white, this gives the potential buyer a canvas to work with.

Real Estate Value – Appeal To The Buyer’s Senses

You must make sure there are no offensive odors in the house because nothing turns off a potential buyer like a bad smell. If you are going to have an open house, then turn off the TV, turn on some soft music, and make some fresh smelling cookies or bread.

Real Estate Value – Exposure

Pure mathematics suggest that, the more potential buyers that tour your home the better chance you have to sell it at top dollar. Make sure your marketing plan includes listing your home on the internet both locally and worldwide. Professional flyers and brochures distributed in the neighborhood is another excellent way to give your home exposure.

Real Estate Value – Don’t List Too Long

If your home has not sold in a reasonable length of time, then take it off the market. A house that stays on the market to long, goes stale, and then will sell for a lower price. It is better to let the market correct itself, then relist.