Judy Ballard's Blog by Judy Ballard

Judy Ballard, Cobb County GA Luxury Home Specialist

Judy Ballard — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:23:00 GMT

www.judyballard.com

Are You Ready To Move Up?

For many people, there comes a time when they decide that their home no longer meets their needs. Whether you’re still living in your starter home or you’re in a second or third home, there are many reasons why people choose to sell their home and move to another – a better neighborhood, more space (or less space that’s nicer), better public schools, more bathrooms for the kids, etc. If you’re considering moving up, we have some questions that may help you to make this very tough decision.

1) Can you fix the problems by making repairs to the home you currently live in? Depending on your reasons for moving, you may be able to save money by staying put. If you need another bathroom, for example, you could get an estimate ..(read more)

Increasing Seller's Property Value

Judy Ballard — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:51:00 GMT

Increasing Seller's Property Value

Judy Ballard, Cobb County's Luxury Real Estate Specialist

www.judyballard.com

Understand first of all that there IS a difference between price and value. Price is the amount you are asking for the property. Value is buyer perceived, and this perception of value is influenced by many factors such as location, features, condition, comparison to other purchase option, etc. By attending to details that can have a positive impact on the value, sellers can significantly increase their chance of attracting qualified buyers willing to pay the asking price.

Some tips to achieve a positive impact on value are:

Perceived size impacts value, even more so than actual square footage. Open ..(read more)

Judy Ballard, Marietta's Luxury Real Estate Specialist

Judy Ballard — Mon, 19 May 2008 07:54:00 GMT

www.judyballard.com

5 new rules for home sellers

Whether you're buying or selling, the real estate game has changed. To win, you've got to learn a new playbook.

By Amanda Gengler, Money Magazine

Last Updated: May 12, 2008: 12:39 PM EDT

(Money Magazine) -- Selling a home is a lot trickier than it used to be - here's how to be smart about pricing, presentation and incentives.

Rule 1: Get real about price

Too many sellers set their price based on yesterday's market. Big mistake. "The first buyers in tend to pay the best ..(read more)

Pricing Your House to Sell

Judy Ballard — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 08:50:00 GMT

Looking to sell a home in a slow market? The key is pricing your house according to your need to sell, says Lew Sichelman in the Los Angeles Times. Known as "absorption-rate pricing," the tactic involves calculating how long it takes a home to sell in your market, comparing it to your own preferred selling timeline and setting your price accordingly, Mr. Sichelman says. Sellers who aren't in a hurry have more leeway with price, and those with a shorter timeline must set their asking price lower, he says. The key to determining your price involves calculating how many similar properties are on the market in your area, how many months of inventory your market has and the rate at which homes have been selling locally.

Consumers drain equity from homes

Long before the housing downturn and today's foreclosure troubles, ..(read more)

Costly Buyer Mistakes In A Down Market

Judy Ballard — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 08:47:00 GMT

With plenty of homes on the market, prices falling and mortgage rates down, it appears to be a plum time for house hunters. But even in a buyer's market, buyers can make expensive goofs, writes Linda Stern of The Boston Globe.

Know your local market, Ms. Stern counsels. While there are bargains to be had, it's not smart to buy on the cheap if prices in your area are still falling. For instance, now might not be the time to make a purchase in Rust Belt cities like Cleveland and Rochester, N.Y., where more price corrections may be on the way. But buying a beach house now while buyers are looking to unload their properties before spring may be a good move, she ..(read more)