The buyers on the other hand see things differently and act
on different emotions. The buyers are looking for that
emotional spark at the first viewing. The all-important
first impression is what drives the potential buyers...at
first. From there the first impression quickly turns to
affordability, the cost to get in the home, the closing
costs, the monthly notes, the taxes. Should I make an offer?
What is the least I should offer?

Market value is somewhere between
these two emotional extremes. This is where the appraiser
comes in with an objective opinion backed by market data.
Market value is defined as the price a willing buyer will
pay to a willing seller for a product or service. In real
estate, this is known as an "arms length transaction"
meaning both buyer and seller acted willingly and not under
duress.

Where does the appraiser begin and how
do they arrive at those magic numbers called Market Value?
It is not magical at all; it is a methodical series of
analytical steps.

First, the appraiser makes a physical
inspection of the property, determining size of livable
floor space and making note of all amenities, such as the
number of bedrooms and baths, the garage, washing
facilities, storage areas, and any special features such as
a fireplace, pool, patio or outbuildings. After a through
inspection, the appraiser has a starting point to arrive at
market value. With all the physical data collected, the
appraiser uses two or three methods to arrive at market
value. The three methods are: Market Approach: The appraiser
searches for comparable homes in your neighborhood,
subdivision or within your city with comparable
neighborhoods. Cost Approach/Cost analysis: The appraiser
calculates the cost to build your home at current material
and labor costs, less depreciation for structural damage,
poor upkeep and neighborhood disintegration. Income
Approach: The income approach does not apply to residential
market value. This approach applies to income producing
properties such as residential duplexes, apartments and of
course commercial properties.

If the property being appraised is a
residential structure many factors are taken into
consideration beyond the physical attributes of the
property. The appraiser also considers the compatibility of
your home within the neighborhood, such as does your
neighborhood add to or reduce the value of your home? This
involves pride in ownership factors, which occur in most
communities. However, location, location, location drives
the final market analysis. The appraiser considers the ebb
and flow of growth and its direction within your town or
city due to socio-economic factors. In addition, future city
planning contributes to a large degree in your home
maintaining its present value.

In summary, determining the value of
your home is a complex procedure. The appraiser must know
his/her city well and all the socio-economic factors driving
the market. This takes years of observation, study, and
considerable research by the appraiser. When considering a
professional appraisal, it is best to choose an appraiser
who is certified and has any of the following professional
designations: MAI (Member American Institute) ASA (American
Society of Appraisers) SRA (Society of Appraisers) CRA
(Certified Real Estate Appraiser) IFAS (Independent Fee
Appraisal Society). This list is a few of the most
recognized professional appraisal organizations in America.

John Tatman

John Tatman ASA, IFAS, CRA is a retired Real Estate Appraiser with 25 years experience in the Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Tatman	0	0	-- In: ---- By:
	Go the Extra Mile When Preparing Your Home for Sale Bad First Impressions Will Turn Buyers Away by Rick Hendershot, Free Real Estate Articles Go the Extra Mile When Preparing Your Home for Sale So you've decided to sell your home, and now you are wondering how much time, effort and money you should spend sprucing it up to make it more attractive, sell faster, and get a higher price. One important question is this: "If I spend money redecorating or renovating a specific part of my house, how likely am I to get that money back in a higher sale price?" Or here is another slightly different way of putting this question: "Where will my efforts have the biggest impact in helping me to sell the house?" By "impact" we mean helping you to get a higher final price, but also making the house easier to sell, and ensuring that it will go quickly. First impressions are very important when you are selling your home. In fact, making a good first impression can make all the difference. So be sure to present your home in its best light right from that very first time your prospective buyers set eyes on it. Indeed, this is one of the frustrations all real estate agents have to deal with. They carefully research the available homes, and then go to the trouble of making an appointment so the prospective buyer can have a first hand look at the home. Then when they drive up in front of the home the buyer says, "I don't want to look at this. I don't like the looks of the front." It is not easy to overcome these first impressions. Once they are made, you and your agent will be fighting against them every step of the way. So the first place to start is with the front of the house. Stand at the street and look at your house from the perspective of the buyers who are coming to look at it. First, have a close look at the landscaping. If all you can see are trees and shrubs, you have some yard work to do. The purpose of landscaping is to enhance the home, not hide it. One of the easiest and least expensive things you can do is trim the shrubs that are overgrown. They should be lowered to a height near the bottom of the windows. If there is ivy growing on the side of the home, remove it. If there are trees with low hanging branches, or shrubs that have grown a bit out of control, be sure to have them trimmed so they look neat and tidy. A simple rule of thumb for large trees is to trim the limbs high enough so you can walk comfortably under the tree. Now look closely at the flower beds. They should be neat and tidy with a distinct border between the beds and the yard. Get rid of all the weeds, and make room for some flowers. Everyone dreams of a "Home & Garden" type home with neat and tidy flower beds and bright colorful flowers in them. Clean out those beds of all weeds and overgrowth. Trim the shrubs back to leave some room for flowers. Invest in a few flats of flowers such as petunias or begonias that will last the entire growing season and will add color and beauty to the front of your home? Another nice touch is to put some attractive flower pots on the porch or front step. Fill them with bright red geraniums or some other blooming plants. Next, take a look at the front door and the area around it. These are the most important points of contact between your home and the prospective buyers who will be coming to look at it. If you paint nothing else, at least give the entrance area a fresh coat of paint. If the doorbell is broken, replace it. Make sure the mail box is clean and not overflowing with junk mail. Keep the porch swept, and be sure to get an attractive mat to put in front of the door. Now you've taken the first important steps towards making a good first impression. Rick Hendershot is a marketing consultant, writer, and internet publisher. For more Real Estate articles see Free Real Estate Articles. Go here to post a Free For Sale By Owner listing. For a free home evaluation visit Free Home Evaluations. Read More Articles at www.southernhomeshopper.com	0	0	-- In: ---- By:
	Tips On Buying A Home This guide will help you know exactly what questions you should be asking when you are looking for a home inspector that will inspect your potential new home. By choosing the right home inspector, you will be providing you and your family with a high level of comfort by allowing yourselves to know if there are any types of problems, disrepair, or breakage within your home. You must choose a home inspector that is professional, knowledgeable, and experienced, by asking just the right questions you will find one that is all of the above. First, you will want to question what areas of the home the home inspector will inspect. Each government have their own sets of rules in regards to home inspections, therefore you will want to ask up front what is required and that your chosen home inspector will actually look at the required areas. You could ask the inspector for a copy of the checklist they use for inspections, by doing so you will be able to look and see what exactly they will cover. If the inspector will not give you a copy, it may be time to find a different home inspector. Next, you should ask your home inspector about their certifications, a home inspector that is a professional will have no problems with this question and will be glad to tell you about them or show them to you. Additionally, you should ask what area of inspections they specialize in, rather it be commercial or residential. This is an important criteria because you want to ensure that the inspector knows exactly what is needed. You should also question the home inspector as to their experience and how long they have been inspecting in your area. New or general experienced inspectors are ok to work with, however if you happen to locate one that has been in your area for a great deal of time and has a good deal of experience this could be your best bet. This is for the simple reason that they will likely have a good idea about specific problems or issues that may be common in your area. One very important aspect of home inspection is how much they will charge you; you will want to know up front of how much you should expect. It is not uncommon to expect an inspection to cost anywhere from $300 to $500, it all depends on several factors within the home, such as the size. By: Bob Benson Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Jeff Lakie is a contributing author at our website where You can get a free Secured Loans Quote right now. Take a moment and see for yourself.	0	0	-- In: ---- By:
	10 Steps To Getting Top Dollar For Your Home When you decide to sell your home you should immediately begin referring to it as a house. You’ve become emotionally attached to this place and it’s now time to say goodbye. Start detaching yourself by making some changes that will help you with the sale of the house. You probably have accumulated a lot of clutter over the years. This must be the first step. 1. Unclutter your home. Start in the basement and either throw things out or rent a locker off premises to store it until you move but prospective buyers need to see what the house looks like behind all your stuff. This means going room to room and clearing everything out that makes it look junkie and disorganized. 2. Neutralize the personal nature of your home. You may love the native tapestry on the living room wall from Bora Bora but I’ll guarantee 95% of your prospects will have it on their mind when they leave your home and not in a good way. Knick knacks and generally all things that you’ve previously enjoyed should be stored away until after the sale, that includes grandma’s spoon collection that takes up half a wall in the kitchen. Replace these things with neutral items like picture frames or vase with a simple arrangement. 3. Minor cosmetic work. Once you remove the clutter you will see all the things that you’ve been meaning to get to over the years. Painting where necessary, new carpet/s, moldings repaired, cracked plaster and re-taping/ repairing drywall. When making these improvements think neutral colors for any coverings be it paint or carpets. If you have hardwood floors sand them and finish them. Area rugs can look amazing. Whatever you do, don’t over do it. Try and think like a buyer. 4. Hire a professional cleaner. Once you have the house cleared you should hire a professional cleaning crew to wash the walls, windows, work over the kitchen and bathrooms, clean the floors and shampoo all carpets that don’t need to be replaced. Your house should be spotless and kept this way for the duration. 5. Staging each room. If your rooms are smaller rearrange the furniture to make the room look bigger. For example removing some furniture is better than having too much cramped in. Set your furniture up in conversation pit style. Like a gourmet coffee house, make it cozy. Pull couches away from walls to give the appearance of depth. Remove wall clutter, one or two pictures but no more. Generally make it look inviting. 6. Kitchen and bathrooms. These are the most important rooms in your home to a buyer. Make sure they are impeccable. Plumbing fixtures should be working properly and look like new or they should be replaced. Use a good cleaner or even a metal polish to make them gleam. Showers and tubs need to be spotless! Sinks and vanities need to be pristine and uncluttered. Kitchen cupboards should be orderly, doors opening and closing properly, drawers the same. I can’t stress enough how important these two rooms are to your potential outcome. 7. Doors and windows. First thing prospects see when they walk in your home is a door. Make sure its painted or cleaned up and that it will open and close properly. This goes for screen doors as well. Often screen doors are a problem people let go. Not anymore. Windows should all be cleaned and be sure if someone wants to open them that they work properly. If they have been painted closed as is the case with some older homes, now is the time to get them to open. Do whatever it takes. 8. Garages and workshops. These are the second most important areas. Again remove all clutter from the garage and make it accessible so you can actually park your car in it! As for the workshop, try and organize it so the handy person prospect will appreciate what they can do with their “new shop” when they move in. It’s all about your prospect picturing themselves in your house. 9. Family effort. Everyone in your family needs to be on board with the presentation of the house. This means your kids need to buy into the project and keep their rooms tidy. Bribe them if you need to but everyone has to help maintain the appearance of the entire house. 10. Odors and pets. Wow, is this ever important. If you have pets only you really love them. When you walk into a house with dogs or cats you immediately smell them, especially if you don’t have your own. Keep litter boxes fresh and clean daily. Restrict your animals if at all possible to certain areas of the home until after the sale. Vinegar and water will do wonders when you clean their areas every other day until the sale is complete, and top it off with effective air fresheners wherever you need them. Vacuum often with carpet fresh powders two or 3 times a week. This sounds like quite a bit of work and it is. Try and remember that by following these tips you could easily add five to ten thousand dollars to the sale price of your home, maybe more. A little elbow grease now will be a solid investment. The Author is the President/CEO of www.realestatemate.com , www.homeheap.com and www.agentsmate.com . He has over 26 years experience in the real estate industry. ©Copyright 2006, Used by Permission, All Rights Reserved By: Richard Embro-Pantalony Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Richard Embro-Pantalony is the President of www.realestatemate.com Author of "How to Sell Your Home Like a Pro". He offers expert advice on selling your home privately and saving agent fees'	0	0	-- In: ---- By:

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