Thursday, September 30, 2021

Tax Rate Lowered in Aiken County-2021


Join Vikki this week as she explains more on Aiken County real estate taxes; like did you know South Carolina law requires real property in every county to be reappraised every five years?

 

Vikki Crossland and Brandi Cook

Meybohm Real Estate

 

#thesearchisover #aikenhomesteam #meybohmrealestate #theplacetobe #weeklyvideo #vikkiandbrandi #realtipsandtrends #homeowners #sellers #buyers #themoreyounknow #aikencounty #taxes #millagerate #realestate #homeownership #realproperty #heretohelp #yourhomeyourlifestyleyourteam


Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Survey, Five Tips for Buyers: Why it's Important


What exactly is a property survey? Why would I need one? This week Vikki discusses survey's and WHY they can be very important. These five tips are perfect for buyers but also, sellers and homeowners who may not have had a survey done on their property.


Vikki Crossland and Brandi Cook

Meybohm Real Estate


#thesearchisover #aikenhomesteam #meybohmrealestate #theplacetobe #weeklyvideo #vikkiandbrandi #tipsandtrends #homeowners #sellers #buyers #themoreyouknow #survey #land #lots #realestate #realtors #aikensc #csra #yourhomeyourlifestyleyourteam

Monday, September 20, 2021

No Need to Make Common Mistakes

 


A successful home sale, considered by many owners, is to maximize their proceeds in the shortest time with the least inconveniences.  Just because it is a seller's market doesn't mean that homeowners can shortcut some of the steps that make it happen and they certainly need to avoid commonly made mistakes.

Pricing too high

Low inventory and high demand have contributed to the rising prices of homes.  NAR reports that the median sales price is up 17.8% in the past year and CoreLogic recently released data that July set new record growth of 18% year over year.  This might give sellers a false sense of security about overpricing their home

Pricing a home too high initially can limit activity, attract the wrong buyers and ultimately, cause the home to realize a lower price than optimum.  There is an interesting dynamic that takes place when there is a shortage of homes to show, and a new home hits the market.  Buyers, who have been in the market but not purchased yet, will rush out to see the home.  They are familiar with what homes are selling for and possibly, have even lost bids on one or more.

These savvy buyers expect certain amenities based on the price of the home.  They can tell if a home is priced right or not.

Failure to do Market Preparation

There are people who will buy a home that is not pristine and does not have everything in good working order, but they usually will not pay top dollar for the home.  They recognize the money that needs to be spent and will adjust the price accordingly.

To command the highest price, the home needs to be spotlessly clean with everything working as it should be.  The home needs to be depersonalized to appeal to the broadest group of people.  The clutter needs to be removed so it isn't distracting or give the impression that the rooms, counters, or closets are small.

It is important to evaluate if painting is necessary along with replacing floor covering, appliances and/or light fixtures.

Thinking the agent doesn't matter

Market time is down to 17 days and 89% of homes are sold within a month.  These statistics might be used to rationalize that an agent is not currently playing an important role in the home but that would be a mistake.

Nine out of ten homeowners use an agent, and the four most important reasons were to help sell the home within a specific timeframe, help price the home competitively, help seller market the home to potential buyers and help the seller find ways to fix up home to sell it for more money.

Being present during showings

It may not be convenient, but sellers should try to leave the home when it is being shown.  Buyers like to look at the home freely and ask questions or point out things to their agent.  Sellers may have the best of intentions, but they have not established rapport with the buyer and don't really know what is causing the questions.

Not letting your agent negotiate for you

The role the agent plays as third-party negotiator is one of the most important things an agent does for a seller.  It begins long before buyers even make an offer.  The protocol is for the buyer's agent to go to the listing agent with the question and if necessary, they can ask you and get back to the buyer's agent.

Buyers and sellers have inherently different objectives.  Sellers want the highest price and buyers want to pay the least.  Sellers want the terms of the contract in their favor and the buyers want them to favor them.  Buyers want lots of contingencies to let them out of the contract and sellers want the fewest possible contingencies.  Sellers want the most earnest money and buyers want to put up the least possible.

Agents are skilled at negotiation not only because of training but also experience.  Sellers' experience is usually limited to personal transactions separated by years in frequency.   Agents see multiple transactions in their daily business and can guide people through difficult areas.

Not responding to offers in a timely manner

Normally, an offer can be withdrawn, at any time, up until the point that it is accepted.   The expression a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush reminds us that the offer you have is real and the ones in the bush, may never come to fruition.

A common situation occurs when there is large amount of activity on the home and an offer comes in quickly.  Instead of negotiating on that offer, the sellers wait to see if any better ones are received.  By waiting, the seller runs the risk of the buyer changing their mind.

Alternatively, in the same situation described, the seller may decide to put the home on the market on Saturday morning and let prospective buyers know that they will be deciding on all offers received over the weekend on Sunday evening.

Your agent is a valuable part of selling a home who can offer advice, bring perspective to the transaction, and suggest different ways to help you achieve your goals.  Once you have the right agent, everything else will start to fall into place.





Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Giving Back Series: Woodchuckers Axe Throwing, The Alley- Aiken, SC


We are axe-static about this month's "Giving Back Series" featuring a family friendly new business located in the Alley in Downtown Aiken. Woodchuckers Axe Throwing owner, Jason Hamrick joins Vikki this week to talk about why he and his wife, Alisa decided to open this new spot in Aiken and all the fun you can have throwing an axe!

Check it out! Book your lane for some axe-hilarating family time at https://woodchuckersaxethrowing.com/


Vikki Crossland and Brandi Cook

Meybohm Real Estate


#thesearchisover #aikenhomesteam #meybohmrealestate #theplacetobe #downtownaiken #aikensc #givingbackseries #realtipsandtrends #homeowners #sellers #buyers #familyfun #aiken4aiken #woodchuckersaxethrowing #axeciting #newbusiness #localbusiness #supportlocal #hometownfun #thealley #yourhomeyourlifestyleyourteam

Monday, September 13, 2021

A Lesson from a Pro

 


A well-known professional home stager, recently, decided to sell the 4,000+ square foot home which she lived in with her husband.  It was certainly well maintained and by most standards, could have gone on the market immediately.  However, she still went through a full staging effort before she listed the home.

The work included painting inside and out especially, changing the kitchen cabinets from gray to white.  The carpet was replaced along with a few dated light fixtures.  They stained the fence and added minor landscaping to make it look fresh and inviting.  They removed personal items from the home that might be distracting and replaced some furniture that was too large and might have limited a buyer's imagination.

The home looked, smelled, and was clean.  It had great drive-up appeal.  Each room looked like it belonged in a magazine and the professional photos let potential buyers see the home before they visited it in person.  When the home did come on the market, it sold in five days, above list price, with multiple offers, and for a considerably higher sales price than previous comparable sales had indicated it would.

The lesson to be learned is that even if a home is in good condition, taking the time to go through the steps to make it look its best will generate the kind of results that every seller hopes for when selling their home: the highest possible price, in the shortest time with the least amount of inconvenience.





Thursday, September 9, 2021

New Looks in REAL Estate and Aiken at Home, South Carolina


This week Vikki fills you in on our article in the new Aiken at Home magazine and the new, modern look Meybohm is sporting these days.

If you'd like a copy of Aiken at Home magazine we have some to share, just let us know!


Vikki Crossland and Brandi Cook

Meybohm Real Estate


#thesearchisover #aikenhomesteam #meybohmrealestate #theplacetobe #newnew #weeklyvideo #vikkiandbrandi #welcomehome #aikenathome #modern #newlooks #realestate #realtors #summerfun #fallfun #yearroundfun #aikensc #csra #family #realtipsandtrends #homeowners #sellers #buyers #yourhomeyourlifestyleyourteam

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

150 Amberly Circle Aiken, SC 29803


Meticulously kept exterior and interior is a superb greeting to our highly appointed brick townhome that offers you an easy-care lifestyle. HOA fee covers grounds maintenance, irrigation, beautiful entrance/common areas, most exterior maintenance and a capital improvement fund. This desirable home is found in the friendly, quaint neighborhood of The Village at Houndslake located on the Southside of Aiken.


150 Amberly Circle

3 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms | Bonus Room | 2543 Sq. Ft.

$319,900


Vikki Crossland and Brandi Cook

Meybohm Real Estate


#thesearchisover #aikenhomesteam #meybohmrealestate #theplacetobe #newlisting #easycareliving #aikensc #welcomehome #townhome #realestate #realtors #homeownership #listingagents #buyersagents #yourhomeyourlifestyleyourteam