Home Seller Resolutions for 2009

There are only a few days left in 2008 to decide what your resolutions will be for 2009.  Personally, I don’t make them because I never, ever, never keep them.

But if you are trying to sell your West Bank home, here are a few resolutions you might want to consider adding to your list.  Don’t have a list?  Use this one!

Top 5 New Year Resolutions for West Bank Home Sellers

1. I will keep my house ready for showings at all times.  Promise me that you will not say that no one can see your house today because the beds aren’t made, the sink is overflowing with dishes and the dog had an accident on the carpet you’ve been meaning to steam clean.  See  Home Selling Tips: Clean, Clean, Clean
2. I will make it easy for buyers to view my home.  Your showing instructions should not say anything like “Appointments available only on the 3rd Wednesday with a full moon”.  See Please Make Your Home Easy to Show!
3. I will be realistic about pricing my home.  When an agent pulls comparable sales in your neighborhood, I can assure you that they are not leaving anything out or trying to get you to take a lower price just to get rid of you.  My job is to educate you about the current market realties.  Ignoring that can come back to haunt you later.  See What Happens If My West Bank Home Doesn’t Appraise?
4. I will accept that print advertising is not effective.  You know all of that junk that shows up in your email box about people who will give you millions of dollars in exchange for your bank account number?  Those are all a hoax.  The fact that almost 90% of home buyers start their home search on the internet is not.  See Choosing a Tech Savvy REALTOR to Sell Your West Bank Home
5. I will put on my listening ears when receiving feedback from other agents and buyers. Feedback from buyers who have seen your home is vital to know what their thoughts are about the price and condition and if there is anything you can do to make your home more saleable.  See What Buyers Are Saying About Your Home

Have a very Happy New Year!

Copyright 2008.  Lisa Heindel and West Bank Living.  All rights reserved.

My Agent Can’t Help Me

I got a call yesterday from an out of town buyer, “Joe”,  who wanted to know about his rights after an inspection.  He had already written a purchase agreement on a West Bank home and the inspector uncovered some items that the seller had not disclosed.  Joe had several questions about how to handle this situation and wanted my advice on how to proceed.

Unfortunately, I could not help him.

Since he already has an agent who showed him property and wrote his offer, I referred Joe back to her.  His response? “This is only the third contract she has ever written and she doesn’t know what to do”.

While I have all the sympathy in the world for Joe, there was nothing I could do beyond advise him to go to his agent’s broker for assistance (something the agent should have done if she was over her head!).

All too often, out of town buyers and military relocations have no way of determining if the local agent they are choosing to work with is knowledgeable about an area and savvy enough to get them to a successful closing.

When people decide to sell their homes, they generally spend some time researching and interviewing agents to find one that specializes in their neighborhood and has the skills to best represent them.  They ask friends and family for referrals to agents they have used and been happy with.

So why, as a home buyer, would you not spend a little time doing that same research to find a good buyer’s agent?

If you don’t have anyone local to give you a referral to a great West Bank REALTOR, here are a few tips for choosing an agent to represent you in your next relocation home purchase:

• While you are cruising through all of the online listings looking at homes in the community you want to live in, note the names of some of the active, local agents and google them.  Which ones are easy to find and which ones are invisible?  Even a new agent should have a website with community information on it.
• Search online for information on your favorite West Bank neighborhoods.  Is there an agent who is providing good information about it?
• Once you have a few names, give each of them a call or send an email and explain your wants, needs, budget and time frame for relocating.  How do they respond to you?  Do they answer the phone or never call back?  Do they respond quickly to email or is it the next day before you hear from them?  Above everything else, you need to feel comfortable communicating with your REALTOR and know that they will be available to you.
• Narrow your choices to one agent and work with them exclusively. Many people think that by working with multiple REALTORS they will find a home faster.  Not true.  All agents have access to the same information – it’s what they do with that information that sets them apart from each other.

If you have questions about relocating to the West Bank of New Orleans, it would be my pleasure to help.

Related posts:

• Real Estate Talk for Buyers
• Relocating to New Orleans and the West Bank

Copyright 2008.  Lisa Heindel and West Bank Living.  All rights reserved.

Blue Angels Returning to NAS JRB New Orleans!

I remember the first time I ever saw the Blue Angels fly….way back in the 1970’s.  Since we weren’t even old enough to drive, my friend’s big brother took us to the air show and we spent the entire afternoon climbing in and out of all different types of aircraft and watching the stunning aerial show put on by some very gifted pilots.

The Blue Angels are making a welcome return to NAS JRB New Orleans for an air show in 2009.

Scheduled for May 2-3, 2009, the Air Show has been a staple on the West Bank for many years, until funding cuts in 2008.  With more military relocations to NAS JRB, I’m not surprised that we are back on the route – hopefully to stay.

I’m thrilled to see the Angels returning to Belle Chasse and hope that you’ll be able to attend.  Don’t know where the show is?  Head south on Belle Chasse Highway and hook at right at this plane:

For more information about the Blue Angels and a schedule of 2009 performances, visit the official website.  For more information about the air show, visit www.nawlinsairshow.com or call (504) 678-3260.

Copyright 2008.  Lisa Heindel and West Bank Living.  All rights reserved.

It’s Snowing in New Orleans!!

There is a blanket of white covering my front yard and the hibiscus are NOT happy!  Snow happens so rarely in New Orleans that things grind to a screeching halt as everyone heads home to enjoy it for the short time that it lasts.

If you are driving in the snow today, PLEASE be careful.

Christmas Wishes Do Come True

I saw this video on the news a couple of nights ago and couldn’t stop thinking about it.  If this doesn’t pull at your heart strings, well…you just might be Mr. Grinch.

I wish that every child who is missing their mom or dad (or aunt, uncle, cousin, brother, sister…) serving our country could have the same Christmas present, but it won’t happen.  There is still time for you to Email Our Military for the holidays and support our troops that don’t get to be surrounded by family this year.  Take just a moment and help – isn’t that what the Christmas spirit is all about?

Copyright 2008.  Lisa Heindel and West Bank Living.  All rights reserved.

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