Zaytoun-Raines
CENTURY 21 Newsletter

The CENTURY 21 Newsletter
October - 2008
Do It Right
Pretty as a Picture
Just My Size

I am pleased to present you with the latest issue of Life@Home. Delivered to home buyers, sellers and owners on a monthly basis, this electronic newsletter is designed to give you the real estate information that is important to you. In each issue, you will find practical tips and articles related to buying, selling or owning a home, as well as the latest news on real estate trends. I hope that you enjoy this issue of Life@Home. If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

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"Do" it Right
Real estate is a cyclical business. Market conditions change over time creating a selling environment that sometimes favors the seller and at other times the buyer.

Most of the country
today is experiencing a buyer's market. This means there are affordable interest rates and the inventory of properties is high. In other words, buyers are getting more for their money and have lots of homes to choose from.

Faced with that type of market, what can sellers do to make sure their home sale experience is a successful one? The answer: plenty. Here are just four things you can do to increase your odds of a profitable sale.

Do hire a real estate professional to represent your property. His or her expertise can be invaluable when it comes to assessing the marketplace, crafting an asking price, staging the home for sale, screening buyers and negotiating the offer. In a buyer's market you need a leg up on the competition.

Do understand the market conditions and the different factors at play. Learn as much as you can about the buying and selling process. The more informed you are the better.
Pretty As A Picture

Some reports say as many as 80 percent of home buyers start their search online. So it goes without saying that creating an appealing property profile on the Internet is an important step in the selling process .

Start by coordinating with your real estate agent about when and how the digital photos will be taken. Some professionals take the images themselves; others use a dedicated staff member and still others use an outside company for services such as virtual tours.

Before the photo shoot you will want to spend time preparing your property. Most online profiles begin with an appealing photo of the home's exterior. If possible, select a sunny day that will show your property in its best light, but be wary of shade trees that may cast strange shadows in the photo. Make sure the lawn and landscaping are well trimmed and there are no cars in the driveway or out front. And remember if you have an outdoor living space, such as a patio, deck, pool, porch, garden or spacious yard, to showcase these features as well.

Next turn your attention inside. The most important part of taking an effective photo for online use is to declutter. Remove all unnecessary items and distractions. You want the rooms to appear well-organized, spacious and inviting.

Finally, turn the camera outward. If you have wonderful vistas and views, buyers should see those positives too.


Just My Size
One of the keys to maintaining a healthy weight is controlling the size of your food portions. For instance, a recommended portion of meat should be about the size of a deck of cards. Snacks, such as pretzels, should be enjoyed by the single handful. For more information on portion size, visit MyPyramid.gov.

CENTURY 21 Zaytoun-Raines Real Estate
312 South Front Street  .  New Bern, NC 28560  .  2526333069
mraines@c21zr.com  .  http://www.c21zr.com
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