Debbie
Kayoda, Realtor®
Real Estate for Real People
(866)526-9889
Below are some tried and true tips to maximize the effectiveness of the home selling and buying processes.
Tips for Sellers Tips for Buyers
Tips for Home
Sellers 
The home buying experience is an emotional one. Logically, it is the floorplan and the structure the buyer is interested in, not the decor or contents of the house. Unfortunately, that first impression triggers the emotional aspect of the buying process and boom - the sale is won or lost. Bottom line is - a buyer wants to feel at home in your house. So the question is, how do you make your home the most attractive to the most prospective buyers.
Prior to listing try to set up a new home model feel. New home manufacturers have the recipe down for what attracts buyers. It may help to visit a couple to get some ideas.
Step outside of your home and try to view it from a potential buyer's viewpoint. Ask yourself the following questions:
Outside the home:
-Does your yard look well maintained?
-Is your lawn mowed, are your trees trimmed?
-Are decks, walkways & patios clean?
-Does your house need painting?
-Do you have holes or cracking in the exterior?
-Is your roof in good condition - does it leak or sag?
-Is your chimney in good shape?
Inside the home:
-Are your carpets clean, stretched & in good condition?
-Are there any pet or smoke odors?
-Do your walls have any cracks or holes?
-Is the paint in good condition?
-Is your wallpaper neutral and in good shape?
-Do your ceilings have water stains or cracks?
-Do your ceilings need to be painted or scraped?
-Are your appliances clean?
-Are your sink, counter top, cabinets & grout clean?
-Is your plumbing in good working condition - no leaking faucets, working toilets etc.?
While the property is being marketed, you will want to do the following:
-Keep the lawns / exterior maintained.
-Pick up clutter inside and out. i.e. toys, tools, newspapers.
-Clean up after pets. If odor exists, occasionally light some candles.
-Keep a display place setting at your dining room table (cloth napkins w/ rings etc)
-Fresh flowers always brighten a room.
-The smell of fresh baked bread or cookies is always welcoming.
-Keep carpet vacuumed, waste baskets emptied and rugs straightened.
-Open drapes and turn on lights (light makes rooms look bigger and more friendly).
-Weather permitting, open windows, but always keep a comfortable temperature.
-Turn on soft background music.
Choosing a representative to help with the sale of your home is perhaps the single most important decision you will make. First, a real estate agent should of course have the Realtor® designation. This indicates the individual is committed to fair and ethical practices. The local, state and national affiliations a Realtor® has provides the tools for making successful transactions. From marketing resources to Government regulation updates, a Realtor® is in the know.
Second, your representative should be someone you feel comfortable with. This person is going to be representing you to other agents, prospective buyers, and transaction support teams. You want to make sure you feel comfortable that this person is acting according to your best interest and not their own.
Third, you want a person who is networked with a solid support team. A transaction involves many third party resources such as termite inspectors, physical inspectors, escrow officers, title company officers, lenders, etc. Advanced Real Estate has 25 years experience in the business and has selected transaction support teams that excel in their fields. We have no affiliations with these companies so they must perform continuously to maintain our business.
Fourth, you will want a person who has the technical ability and the creativity to market your house in as many effective ways as possible. With my diverse background and my computer and internet experience (by the way, I created and published this web site all on my own), I have the expertise to stay on top of the latest technological advances in the Real Estate industry. I also keep abreast of marketing trends in other industries and glean the best ideas from each.
Fifth, you want professionalism and communications. Communications is the key to a successful transaction. Your representative should be communicating regularly with you as well as other agents and support services. The method of communications should be the most effective for the individual. I work with e-mail or via phone - however you feel most comfortable.
Sixth, don't just expect more - get more. Get Advanced Real Estate Services, Inc. on your team.
Tips for Home
Buyers 
So you've decided now is the time to buy that new home. Here are some tips to help make the process much easier.
-Work with a Realtor® from the start - I am not just saying that to get business. If you choose the right Realtor (see "Choosing a Realtor®" above), you should feel comfortable working in partnership with that person to select your new home. The Realtor® should work at your pace not theirs, they should listen to your needs and should operate in a way that makes you feel comfortable. You're most likely going to end up being represented by a Realtor® when you make your final decision, so why not get her involved up front. She can provide guidance, direction and additional available properties making the process easier for you. It doesn't cost the buyer anything and it is not an inconvenience. A buyer's Realtor® traditionally gets paid by the seller - so use me.
-Make yourself a list of likes and dislikes - share it with your Realtor®. You may have a mental list already, but when you start looking at numerous houses, you may forget to notice that one thing we really wanted. Write your list down and rank it from most important to least. The list should include aspects about the home, neighborhood, schools, churches, street etc. Chances are, unless you build a custom home, you will not find the home that meets 100% of the requirements. Ranking the list helps keep focus on what is most important.
-Use e-mail if you have it - one of the best helps the internet has been to buyers is the Realtor's® use of e-mail with buyers. (Don't worry, if you don't have e-mail this can still be accomplished) As properties come available on the market, I can e-mail the listings to you for your review immediately. If the property appears to be of interest, we can go look at it together. It is still a highly active market and if we wait to look at a potentially hot property until we gather some together and set an appointment, it may be gone. This e-mailed pre-screening saves both of us a lot of time and allows us to focus on the ones you are really interested in. A Realtor® has the ability to set more search criteria than the on-line internet services such as Homeseekers.com, plus a Realtor® should have the familiarity of the areas to help add comments and if desired pre-screen properties. If you are moving from out of town, this is especially useful for getting a feel for the properties available and then pre-screening properties prior to coming out to look.
-Try to be available - if a hot property comes on the market that you are interested in, you will want to look at as soon as possible. Don't wait or it could be too late. Your Realtor® can work with the other agent to get any availability questions answered.
-Get pre-qualified -not only is this is a major key to presenting a strong offer to a seller, but it also ensures we are searching in the correct price range. Lenders change their requirements at the whim of the market so even if you've been pre-qualified in the past, it is strongly recommended you update your information with a lender for this purchase.
-Set realistic expectations and be flexible - your Realtor® can help educate you on what types of properties in what areas are available in your price range. If your not sure, don't be shy about discussing this with your Realtor®. Be flexible, remember an offer to purchase a property is a negotiations. There are many aspects to the offer, services, close of escrow dates, price, financing, condition of property etc. Work with your Realtor® to determine which ones are important to you and which ones you can give on.
-Understand the process - for me, each transaction is an opportunity to educate. I pride myself in being an open communicator and in setting the stage for each step of the transaction. The process is much more relaxed when you know what is happening next. Whether first time buyer or a more experience buyer, open communications is a must.
-If you are relocating to Orange County - Choose a Realtor® who is familiar with all parts of Orange County as well as some of the surrounding areas (that's me by the way). I can discuss what areas you might be interested in based on your goals (i.e. close to work, schools, freeways, shopping, price range....). Also choose a Realtor® who is familiar with relocations. Approximately 30% of my business is relocations either moving to or from Orange County.
-Choose Debbie Kayoda for your Realtor® - I love to work with buyers and sellers alike. I have a large following of referral and repeat business which is evidence of the trust and respect my clients have for me. I am experienced in all types of transactions, I am competent and I work hard for you.
-See also my page on mortgage tips.