Selling Your Home in a Housing Shortage

We've all heard the news about how there isn't enough homes on the market to keep up with the demand of homebuyers. So you may be hesitating if you're thinking of selling your home, it may seem like there's nothing out there to move to. However, I can solve that problem for you!

1. Make a Plan: You've decided that you want to move. Now, before you put your home on the market, make sure you make a plan with your REALTOR®. Find the area and type of home you want to buy and get an idea of what's on the market. Once you have an idea of the market, then you and your real estate agent will put the plan into action.
2. Watch the Market: Once your home is for sale, keep an eye on the homes you like, and any new homes that come on the market. Don't get attached, just watch the market. Once you get a contract on your home, it's time to tour homes to buy!
3. Make an Offer: When the house you are selling has a contract on it and your are touring homes. It is time to make an offer! The key is to have a couple of homes you love, so you can put in a few offers. If you like 80% of the house, go for it!  
4. Stay Patient: Your main job is to stay patient, not only with the showings happening at your home but with your own home search. It's going to be a hectic period of time but your REALTOR® should make it as smooth as possible. If they are experienced, this type of transaction shouldn't be hard for them at all. They should be able to line up all the dominos, so that they fall into place perfectly for you!

Now that you have a better idea of how the process would work, you shouldn't hesitate to sell your home in today's market. Home values are rising, so making a move now could be a win-win for you, sell your home for a good price and move-up before prices are even higher. 

Make sure your REALTOR® is experienced and does a good amount of business, every year. The more transactions they have been a part of the easier it will be for you. Plus you'll have a good negotiator on your side for both transactions, helping you maximize your value and close on time. 

Selling Your House in The Summer

Summertime means businesses in general are seeing increased sales. The days are longer, people are going on summer vacations, and maximizing their time outdoors before it's too hot. So now may be the perfect time for you to sell your house! Here's some tips:

More Buyers: Typically, people start looking for houses in March and the search for the perfect home can take quite a few months. So by the time summer rolls around they're ready to buy! That means more eyes on the market and if you sell in the summer, you could get a lot more traffic!

Keep it Cool: If buyers are out and about  during the heat of the day, a cool house will feel like a refuge! Pair that with a house that shows well and you'll stand out in their minds. Make sure to turn the A/C down a little lower than normal, so they can cool off while they tour your home. 

Longer Days: Even in Arizona, the longer days help more buyers search for houses. If you work until 5 pm, during the summer you have daylight until almost 8 pm! That leaves so much more time to see as many houses as possible. 

Outdoor Space: It may be getting too hot out, but buyer's still want that outdoor living space. They may be looking for a house during the summer but they'll be living in a home as the temperatures start cooling down. Keep the grass green, trim all the bushes, and create some seating areas. Bonus: add some seasonal flowers to brighten it up!

Trust a Professional: Whether you're buying a new home or on the resale market. Trust a full-time REALTOR® to help you because in a highly competitive market, you need that experience. Ask them how many transactions they do each year and then ask them how close to list price is their average sales price. That will tell you a lot about their experience. If they have the answers, that's a good sign.  

Have any questions? Let me know! I am happy to help you in any way I can!

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6 Tips for Curb Appeal

First impressions are important in so many situations, like: meeting new people, interviewing for a job, and when buying or selling a house. Curb appeal can create a great first impression and make your home welcoming for visitors. So here's some tips:

1. Red Door: Not only are they classic, red doors create a universal feeling of being welcome. Visitors will be drawn to the front door, wanting to come right inside! Talk about a great way to welcome people to your home!
2. Flowers: Color is huge, so grab a tray of seasonal flowers and get them planted! In pots or in the ground, add some pop of color to your front yard. Just don't forget to water them!
3. Curved Pathways: From the sidewalk, add a slightly curved pathway to your door. It will create a traffic pattern and give visitors a direct way to enter your home. Plus you can line it with flowers or other cool, local plants!
4. Wreaths: Adding a seasonal wreath on your door adds another layer of curb appeal. People love the "homey" feeling a wreath can bring to a home. Tap in to those feelings! Not a wreath person? Do a cute sign or colorful mat!
5. Contrast: Make your house stand out with contrasting colors! Have a white house? Try black! Have a gray house? Paint some aqua accents! The contrast in colors will make your home unique and memorable. 
6. Fly a Flag: Owning a home is part of the American Dream, so fly your flag! Have a family member in the Military? Fly their branches' flag! Everyone loves a flag, so put one outside of your home!

These are some easy ways to spruce up your home, even if your not selling! Spring is the perfect time to do these projects, so just pick one that you can handle and tackle it! Share your pictures with me on Instagram or Facebook! I'd love to see what you do!

What Makes Team Clayton Different

Everybody seems to know someone who's a REALTOR®, however some important things set us apart from the average real estate agent. Tom and Janet, have been full-time agents since 2002, that's a lot of experience supporting you! When you hire us, you're supporting a family business! You're also getting a whole team of agents for the price of one. That's just the beginning...

• We're charitable: Team Clayton was just recognized as a Top 10 contributor in RE/MAX Professionals to the Children's Miracle Network, supporting Phoenix Children's Hospital. Not only that RE/MAX Professionals raised over $20,000 for PHX Children's in 2018!

• We're top performers: Top 5% of agents nationwide! We do over 40 transactions every year, so all of that experience is working for you, to get you the best deal!

• A team on your side: Tom, Janet, and Kyle Clayton are all full-time Realtors®! You get all of us, plus Stephanie, our Transaction Coordinator for no additional cost to you.

• We don't drop the ball: We have the systems in place to get your transaction closed and the expertise to get your offer accepted. That's huge! Diann will be in constant contact with you and you can call any of us with questions.

We want to make buying and selling your home, an easy process. Our goal is to not only make sure you know what is going on at all times but also to ensure your transaction closes. Our experience and media presence can make the all the difference when selling your home. Team Clayton is the whole package and we continue to innovate. So let's work together!

What to Know About Real Estate Startups

They say things like, 'no hassle' and talk about taking the stress away when you sell a home. Real Estate Startups are popping up around town and while they may be good for some Sellers. However, here is some important information to know:

Profit Motive: these companies are backed by a lot of Venture Capital money, which means one thing: Buy Low and Sell High. The Startup may purchase your home but it will be for low market value because in order to make a profit, they have to sell your home for a higher price. That's your money being left on the table. 

One Sided Representation: when it comes to them buying your home, it's you and the Startup (a corporation). No one has your back in price or fee negotiations. (There's no negotiation when it comes to fees.) When the repair requests come in, are they negotiating on your behalf or their's? When you don't have representation it can cost you not only money but more importantly, time.

Higher Fees: if you think hiring a REALTOR® is expensive, wait until you see what these Startups charge. They are anywhere from 3%-6% higher than a traditional REALTOR®. Plus, if you buy and sell with one REALTOR®, they may give you a commission discount.

These are just 3 really important reasons to consider using a REALTOR® when you sell your home. Not only that, you're helping a small business and that agent's family. You have a relationship with that real estate agent and can call them if something is wrong. Do you think that startup is going to take your call after the deal is done? Not unless you have another house to sell. 

Team Clayton is committed to building relationships with our clients. So much so, that we have 5 free events every year ,that you can attend with your family. Movies, Pizza Parties, Happy Hours, and more. Once you sell with Team Clayton, you're our friend!

So, if you're thinking of selling, give me a call 623-334-5144 or email me, Kyle@TeamClayton.com

The Process of Selling Your Home

The process of selling your home can seem daunting but with Team Clayton, it won't be! That doesn't mean you shouldn't know what's going on, so here's what you can expect when you decide to sell your home. 

1. Interview Agents: Make sure they can not only list your home but get it sold. Professional photos? Transaction Coordinator? Make sure they can get the job done. 
2. Price Your Home: A real estate agent should tour your home, to see the finishes and upgrades you may have made to the property. Then they can do a comparative analysis to determine your home's value.
3. Prepare Your Home: You may have some homework to get ready for photos, to pack up personal items, or even some minor repairs. The goal is to help the buyers envision themselves in you home. Your REALTOR® should give you tips. 
4. Time for Showings: Now is the stressful part. However, your agent should have set up the showing instructions to make it as easy on you and your pets as possible. So make sure your input on how you want your home shown, is heard. 
5. Time for Offers: After about 10 showings, we should expect an offer. If not, we'll want to look at the feedback on your home and adjust accordingly. This is when you listen to the market, so be open to change!
6. SOLD!: Once you get an offer, the process isn't complete. This is where you negotiate price, who pays closing costs, and a closing date. So having an experienced REALTOR® with good negotiation skills, actually pays!

Phase two of selling your home involves fulfilling the contractual obligations and getting to the close of escrow date. Here's what that involves:

1. Inspection Period: From the date you accept the contract, the buyer has 10 days to complete inspections. This could involves any number of inspectors so be patient and don't worry. They will do their best work with you away, so plan a day out of the house. *During this period, the buyer can walk at any time.
2. Repairs: Once the inspection period is complete, you will have a list of repairs that the seller wants you to complete, based on the inspections. This is where more negotiation begins, so decide what you're willing to repair and what you wont. *Depending on what you decide, you may have 5 more days of inspection period. 
3. Appraisal: The lender orders an appraisal after the inspection and he will determine your homes values. If it comes in too high, more negotiations! Just right, then the deal moves forward. This may be the most crucial point to have good negotiator on your side.
4. Close of Escrow: Most agents will think it's smooth sailing from here, but not us! We make sure to maintain contact with the buyer's lender to ensure the loan process stays on track.
5. Signing Day: Finally, the day to go down to the Title Company and sign all the paperwork is here. This completes the transaction and the Title Company will do the rest. Once they record the paperwork at the County Recorder's Office, it's official. You have to be moved out by that time, no exceptions! 

Talk about a lot to handle! So, ask your REALTOR® how many transactions they do a year. That will tell you how experienced they are at getting deals done! It's one thing to list a home for sale, it's another task to get it sold! So give us a call and put our team to work for you!

Have any questions? Email me at Kyle@teamclayton.com or on Facebook!

Why Homes Sell.

Did you know that homes sell for 3 reasons? 

Price: Pricing your home is important, too high and you lose the enthusiasm of buyers when you put it on the market. Buyers are educated in today's market and with home value estimators, they know what a home is worth, and they expect it to be priced right. Also, with low inventory of homes for sale, buyers will be flocking to new homes, but if you over price your home, they won't even waste time viewing it. 

Condition: Once a buyer decides to see your home, it's all about condition! They're walking around your home not only to look at the layout but also to inspect the condition. They're looking for signs of deferred maintenance and other potential problems, that would cost them more money in the future. So if you're home is in good condition, keep it that way! If not, you may be able to do some cheap things to fix it up, in order to prevent those types of problems. When your property is in good condition, it reduces the friction of getting buyers to make an offer!

Exposure: When you list your home for sale, it's published on the Multiple Listing System (MLS), where all the real estate agents in your area can see the property and it's information. Zillow pulls their data from the MLS, along with tens of thousands of other sites, put your best food forward with amazing images. So having good photos and good data, is key to good exposure. However, that's not enough! A good REALTOR® is going to have a marketing plan and things they do to further market your home to find buyers. Good marketing exposure is key to getting people to see your home and hopefully to want a tour. 

When you price your home correctly, it's in good condition, and has the exposure of the MLS and my Team's marketing, it will sell fast and for what it's actually worth!

Have any questions? Email me at Kyle@TeamClayton.com!

Sell Your House: 4 Reasons Why Now is The Perfect Time

It's a sellers market! You may have heard this already and it's true! Currently there are not enough homes for sale to keep up with the high demand, and that creates a unique opportunity for homeowners. These two conditions are perfect for those who might be sitting on a pile of equity or homeowners who just need a change.

1. Return on Investment: you've invested your money in this home and with rising prices, you've reached your desired return on investment. Are you ready to use that return to further your investment, or maybe in another property or another investment vehicle? You have options and there are opportunities to maximize your return in today's conditions! 
2. Low Inventory: simply put: there are not enough houses for sale to meet the demand of home buyers in the market. A home that is put on the market in a low inventory condition, may end up with multiple offers - and ultimately sell for a price above asking. A professional, experienced REALTOR® can assist with listing you home, placing your home in the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service (ARMLS), which will expose your home to thousands of online search engines, and hundreds of buyers actively looking in Maricopa County. For Sale By Owners do not have access to ARMLS and with limited exposure, they typically do not get multiple offers. 
3. Interest Rates: rates are still low, so if you are buying up or downsizing, you can save money by purchasing your longer-term investment property now. Plus, buyers are more likely to want to buy before interest rates rise, increasing the demand for properties like yours. 
4. You Deserve the House That You Love: chances are that you purchased your home in the downturn market, and maybe you updated your home - or maybe not - if you want something different, then now is the best time to think about selling. Since 2007 prices in Maricopa County have risen 87.9%, so you may be sitting on enough equity to upsize or downsize, depending on your real estate goals. Why not use that equity to buy the house you have been dreaming of? After all, you deserve a house that you love!

Selling your property is a big step but if it's been something you've been thinking about and market conditions are lining up with those goals; it's time to consult an expert! As a full-time, local expert, I can help you determine the value of your home and help you make a logical, informed decision that is best for your lifestyle. The market is ready for fresh inventory and your house may be the most desirable in this area, giving you the best conditions to accomplish your goals!

Let me know if you have any questions, email me at Kyle@TeamClayton.com or connect with me on Facebook!

Tips for First-Time Home Sellers

When you bought your first home, you probably thought that was 'the one' and you'd never move again! Until now, when home values are rising and you need a little more space. As a Seller, you're in the driver seat and can take control of the sale of your home. The choices you make now will be what set the tone, so being prepared will make the process much smoother.

Here's some tips for selling your first home:

1. Detach and Declutter: the first thing you want to do is realize that your house, is about to be someone else's home. That disconnection can help you in negotiations too. You'll also want you to declutter and make your home a little less personal. This will help potential buyers visualize themselves in the home. That makes them more likely to buy. 
2. Price it Right: competitive pricing gives your property exposure to as many potential buyers as possible. That exposure can lead to more interest and multiple offers, especially in today's market. The more interested buyers viewing your home, could drive the price up. If you start too high, you skip all that excitement. Correct pricing also prevents potential appraisal issues that could come up once you have an offer accepted.
3. Stage: If you are living in your home, staging it means things are clean and tidy. All the beds are made, the house is at the most presentable level possible. If you're moving out of the house, that means we bring in furniture and other items to stage the house. It still conveys the 'homey' feeling without a family being in the home. 
4. Be Ready for Showings: When you list your home for sale, you want to make it as easy as possible for agents to show the house. However, it's still your home and you may have kids and pets. So, have a conversation with your REALTOR® about when you want the house available for showings. You will also want to think about open houses and what you expect with those events. Knowing how you will handle showings and when they'll happen will take some stress out of the process.
5. Minor Adjustments and Repairs: your REALTOR® may suggest a couple of items to repair or fix to make the house as desirable as possible. The home's systems and appliances should be working. Touching up paint or cleaning windows, helps make the property stand out, and more likely to be considered as desirable by buyers. Some repairs will also alleviate inspection issues down the road too.
6. Time to Negotiate: when an offer comes in, you need to be ready to make a deal. You are in the driver seat and can decide what you will or won't accept. However, just like any other deal, you have to be willing to negotiate and work to make the best deal happen. Focus on what is important to you, such as sales price, timing, repairs, and minimal concessions. Whatever it is, know that you'll have to make some adjustments to hit your ultimate goal. 
7. Get to Close of Escrow: once you've agreed upon a price and terms, it's time to close. After the buyer does a home inspection, they may ask you to make repairs to items found in the inspection. So be prepare, and don't take this part of the process personally. If the buyer is financing their purchase, your home will need an appraisal. This is another area that could be open to negotiating your sales price. If the appraisal meet the sales price, the deal moves closer to completion. Just be patient!
8. Find a Good REALTOR®: A licensed, full-time real estate agent will give you the representation you deserve. In a competitive market, negotiations matter, so choose an agent that can negotiate for you. Ask them about what they have negotiated for past seller clients. If they can give you more information, they may be able to produce the results you want. (Ask us!) Professional photos of your home to be displayed on the internet will give your house the exposure it needs to sell. If the REALTOR® you are thinking of hiring is not offering this service, you are want to consider a second option.   

Today's market is competitive, and with the lack of available homes for sale, this creates what we call a "sellers market." Now is a great time to think about your options when it comes to selling. Especially if you bought during the downturn, you may have a lot of equity, and we can help you cash out, and upgrade your living condition. If you need more space, or maybe even less space, or just a change of address - it's a great time to take advantage of the opportunities available. 

Knowing the process is half the battle because then, you'll know what to expect. After that, it's just about working to get you the best deal that accomplishes your financial goals.

If you have any questions email me at Kyle@teamclayton.com or connect with me on Facebook!