Wisconsin Limited REALTOR Services
Wisconsin Limited REALTOR Services
Since the advent of real estate as we know it today, home owners have essentially had 2 options available to them when trying to sell their home. You could list with a real estate agent and pay the resulting commissions or you could brave the FSBO market and take a chance on selling the home yourself without the benefit of the MLS service and the advertising and connections that a realtor could provide. Finally there are more than simply 2 options.
The advent of the limited service realty company has brought a wealth of choice to home owners. A limited service company provides many of the services that a normal realtor or agent provides combined with the highly desirable savings that have made FSBO so attractive to sellers who want a bit more profit from their sales. One of the main advantages of utilizing a limited service realty company is the simple fact that your home will get far more exposure by being listed on the area’s MLS service. The Multiple Listings Service is a service that previously had only been available to homes listed with an agent or realtor and as the majority of home are sold via listings on the MLS, FSBO sellers were missing out on a lot of potential customers. Blending these two concepts together seemed like a natural move as sellers had the need for access to the MLS while saving the money that is associated with FSBO selling.
Using a flat-fee listing you remain as the contact/agent for your home. You still handle all of the traditional trappings of an FSBO sale while gaining access to the most important real estate sales tool there is, the MLS. With your home listed on the MLS, other agents and realtors will be able to include your home in their searches for their clients who are looking to buy in your area. The bonus here is that you are still saving money on commissions. Also, you have the ability to show and showcase your home and after all who knows more about your home than you do?
Ryan Sellers is the broker for SellUSAHouses.com a limited service realty firm servicing the Wisconsin real estate market. For more info on our money saving programs visit us online at www.sellusahouses.com
Application Form For Residential Rental Properties
In case, you are not already using a pre-drafted rental application form, perhaps, you would like to draft your own version. Not a bad idea, as there are a number of specific questions you should ask prospective tenants to ensure your rental property is secure in the hands of responsible individuals, who will not damage it or skip away without paying rental or damage charges. These questions will help you to determine the most suitable applicants you should rent your property to. Make certain, the rental application form includes the following questions, and ensure you get the answers in full, as under: Name in full, as well as, current address. Get the applicant names in full, not just initials or monikers i.e. nicknames. What you need is their legal name, in order to conduct a background check on them or to perform due diligence. In addition, get them to fill in their current address, complete with postal code. Social Security Number. If, you want to have a background or credit check run on rental applicants, you need their social security number to do so. And, before you can do so, the applicant s permission will be required. Many landlords use a separate authorisation form for permission for conduction background or credit checks, along with their rental application form. Others include a paragraph in the rental application that states they have the applicant s permission to conduct various checks. Bring this paragraph to the notice of your applicants and have them initial it as proof, they were informed and made aware of your intentions. Getting social security numbers is important, as they will help avoid confusion, in the event the applicant has a common name, serving to differentiate between two different individuals sharing the same name. Get the names of co-tenants, roommates or family members, who will share the property. Make sure your rental application form asks for information on roommates if any, or family members who will be living on your property. You should ask the applicant to provide names in full, including the age of co-occupants, and whether they are family or simply roommates. Get everyone s rental or residence history. Ensure you have, at least, three of the applicant s past residential addresses, as well as, the correct address and contact information of previous landlords. Also, there is no harm in asking why they left their previous address, whether the landlord was given proper notice, whose name the utilities were in, dates of residency, and whether they were evicted or asked to vacate the property. Employment history. Get applicants to list information on past and current employers, including what is their current salary. Employment histories let you know if a prospective tenant is able or unable to hold down a steady job, they indicate strongly, whether the tenant could turn out to be reliable or a bad risk one. Knowing their monthly income lets you know whether they can afford the rental payments. Use the 30% guideline to charge rent, which means if your tenant earns $1,200/- a month, you can safely charge $400/- as rent. Ask whether they own a vehicle. If your rental property has limited space, knowing upfront whether they own a vehicle can reduce future issues about excessive use of parking spaces. Get the make, model, and licence plate number of all cars owned by tenants and their roommates. Vehicle information will also help in determining if any tenant has sub-let your property without taking permission from you. If you come across strange vehicles parked on your property, you can refer back to this information and check if it could belong to anyone of your tenants or their listed co-occupants, or whether it belongs to a new tenant to whom your property has been sub-let. Get references and emergency contact addresses / phone numbers. Their references and emergency contacts. Ask applicants to provide a minimum of three references, along with the current address and telephone number of each reference. It is also essential you have an emergency contact name, address and telephone number on record for tracking down a tenant, who has breached his / her lease or has skipped off without paying rent. As well, your rental application form should have a section for general information. In questionnaire form, you can ask tenants to strike off, whether they have ever been served an eviction notice or a late rent complaint, as well as, any other useful information they may wish to share with you. The right questions asked on your rental applications will assist in the selection of the best and most suitable applicants for your property. As well, to avoid any mishaps or unwanted tenants, visit www.e-renter.com for help with tenant screening and background checks, the best and only way to prevent expensive litigation or penalty charges later on.
Content Writer
The Ford Site In St. Paul, Continued
Well, more information has arisen over the last while about the proposed redevelopment of Saint Paul waterfront where the old Ford assembly plant stood for many years. As I mentioned in my last article concerning this site, this is an unprecedented opportunity for the upgrading and development of a prime piece of Saint Paul real estate and there are many looking forward to this project with great interest. Recently a Colliers market study of this site was conducted and some interesting points were brought forth about the positive aspects that this site brings to the table. These strengths speak highly of the potential of the projects and the positive impact that it could well have on the city and it’s visual aspect and economic future.
Collier’s had some good points regarding the old Ford site, the least of which is the stunning views of the river from atop the bluff. Taking a look at what is in store, there will be some of the finest views in the entire city from this area. Also, as this is an established neighborhood with a long and storied history there is a real neighborhood identity that has arisen over the years. An identity that will likely stay intact with the revitalization of the ford site and carry the area forth into a new era of prosperity. The strong character of this area will play an integral part in the success of the new development as it will help to provide stability and direction during the actual construction phase. It is looking as if the homes in this development are going to be extremely hot properties once complete. as this site is located in the heart of the city it looks to be a vital and exciting area.
The Collier’s study also showed real evidence of a strong market for single family homes, not only in the Highland Park area but the potential for a strong market on the proposed site as well. The plans are calling for homes at all price levels and the area is perfect for apartment, condo and even senior’s living developments. All in all there is huge potential in the Ford site that the city of Saint Paul is taking the time to plan properly for. The plan has outlined specific districts for residential and commercial development and a strong mix of these will form the nexus of what could prove to be the most exciting and influential development in Saint Paul’s history.
Matt Barker is a real estate professional specializing in <a href="http://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com">Saint Paul real estate</a>. Matt's dedication to excellence in the world of real estate is what makes Barker & Hedges the premier real estate team in Saint Paul. <a href="http://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/contact.php">Contact Matt</a> for more information today.
How Realtors Use RSS to Sell Homes
Daily more and more realtors are turning to RSS as a tool to market homes for sale. The growing RSS phenomenon in the realty market makes perfect sense. Unlike email RSS feeds have a 100% delivery rate. In addition the costs involved in creating and managing an RSS feed are insignificant when compared to the print advertising Realtors spend on each week. Imagine the amount spent each week to promote various properties in circulars and weekly newspapers, compared to the costs associated with updating and managing an RSS feed. How it Works: 1. Create Specific Feeds. Create RSS feeds of homes for sale in a specific town or zip code. Another consideration is to create an RSS feed based on the home cost or create a feed of scheduled Open Houses in a specific region. RSS feeds can be created manually using a text editor. A step by step guide is available at http://www.make-rss-feeds.com or software specifically for RSS feed creation can be used.The realtor publishing the RSS feed controls what information is syndicated in the RSS feed, so ultimately it is the realtor’s decision as to whether to include teaser copy or full articles. Generally most Realtors use copy similar to those in print ads to attract the home-buyers attention. Once you have constructed an RSS feed, you will need to transfer the feed to your server. This can be done using a standard FTP client (if it is not built into the feed creation software). The feed is usually placed in the domain’s root directory like this: http://www.mydomain.com/nameoffeed.xml or a subdirectory like this http://www.mydomain.com/rss/nameoffeed.xml. 2. Promote the Feed. Once you have an RSS feed you will need to promote the feed on the realty company website, submit the feed to the numerous RSS feed directories and tell customers about the availability of the RSS feeds. In order to signal to website visitors that an RSS feed containing content related to the website is available, include a colorful graphic on the website. Realtors can customize RSS feed buttons by selecting the text on the button and the color scheme of the button. Once the color and text is entered, a custom graphic is instantly created. Webmasters can easily match the style of the RSS button to a website’s theme. Create custom RSS buttons - http://www.feedforall.com/public/rss-graphic-tool.htm Many website visitors who have RSS readers/aggregators installed will automatically detect an RSS feed on the website if you add a small portion of text to the header field of your web page. Use the following format to assist RSS readers in auto-detecting the location of the RSS feed. [link rel=”alternate” type=”application/rss+xml” title=”RSS” href=”http://www.yourdomain.com/rss.xml”]Replace the brackets [] with less than and greater then symbols <> and replace http://www.yourdomain.com/rss.xml with the URL to the RSS feed. In order to increase exposure of a realty RSS feed, Realtors should submit the feeds to RSS search engines and directories. This can be done manually. Just as you would submit the URL of a website or web page to a search engine, or you can use software to automate the process. There is a large list of RSS directories at http://www.rss-specifications.com/rss-submission.htm . If you prefer to automate the submission process, consider evaluating RSS Submit available from: http://www.dummysoftware.com/rsssubmit.html . 3. Update the Feed. Update the RSS feed(s) daily or weekly by adding a new feed item, as new properties are made available. Repost feed items for any properties that have experienced a price change. 4. RSS Feed Tips. In order to maximize the benefit of marketing using RSS be sure to include the realty company phone number or link to the website in the description of the feed, so that any prospective buyers will call the appropriate office to receive additional details, or schedule a viewing. Include images of the home in the RSS feed’s description, so that the property will attract the viewer visually. Highlight different homes each week or emphasize different property features each time a property is listed. It is also suggested that Realtors communicate success stories by letting prospective buyers know when homes are under-contract but still on the market, or communicate when properties are sold and no longer available. The realty market will benefit from RSS as a technology as it is a natural fit for the Real Estate industry.
About the Author: Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for NotePage http://www.notepage.net a wireless text messaging software company.
Saint Paul & The "Ford Site"
Anytime a major employer leaves an area there is always a big impact. However, sometimes it brings a blessing in disguise. For many years Ford Motors operated an assembly plant in the Highland Park neighborhood on the east bank of the Mississippi River. In 2008 the company will be abandoning it’s operations in the area leaving behind 125 acres of prime development land. This has offered the city an amazing redevelopment opportunity in an area that already has a stable economy and a beautiful residential community.
The care with which this development is being handled is indicative of the value of this piece of land. as it sits upon the riverbanks there is a real possibility of some stunning homes and properties being built. This site will add to the already thriving Highland Park community both in terms of homes and in terms of business development. A task force has been organized to deal with the site planning and is comprised of 25 individuals with members ranging from area residents to members of the business community and environmental experts and representatives of Ford Land Co.
The main focus of this organization is to present and design a plan for a mixed-use development that will be both a legacy for the Ford Motor Company and for the City of Saint Paul. The plan calls for a multitude of different amenities to be constructed in this space. Currently the committee is preparing a recommendation for the zoning classifications and land use regulations as well as a capital improvement plan that shall include all the familiar trappings of a residential community such as streets, sidewalks, utilities and open spaces and parks.
With such a large piece of property in such a great area, the city has it’s work cut out for it. However, the prospect of being able to create a new and vital area in Highland Park is a just reward. If the plan is carried out, there should be some amazing homes and community services that will drastically improve the state of affairs in Highland Park. Look forward to seeing great things from the former Ford Assembly Plant.
Matt Barker is a real estate professional specializing in <a href="http://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com">Saint Paul real estate</a>. Matt's dedication to excellence in the world of real estate is what makes Barker & Hedges the premier real estate team in Saint Paul. <a href="http://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/contact.php">Contact Matt</a> for more information today.
Swimming pool financing helps take care of your budget
Not having the liquidity is not a reason purchase an above ground pool for your home. Building or setting up a swimming pool is not a small purchase, but in today s environment there is an ever increasing availability of financial instruments which you can take advantage of to get your own above ground swimming pool immediately. So if you are planning to purchase a swimming pool at your house, you can opt for swimming pools made by Blue World Pools. By putting up a pool at your home you can enjoy, rest and relaxation with your family. Other than making swimming pools, Blue World Pools also provides installation, servicing and finance options as well for swimming pools.
Having a swimming pool at your home can be an advantage to you in you in numerous ways. First it goes without saying that you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in blue waters without traveling to far away places, and second if at any time you want to sell your house, you can usually sell it for a premium because of your pool which is seen as a capital investment. Real Estate Agents report that the presence of swimming pool in a house makes the market value of that house higher than the house which does not have a swimming pool. With so many advantages you will surely want to build a swimming pool at your house.
Swimming pool financing is available from many swimming pool dealers, but it important that you make a good choice about choosing these services from a particular dealer. It is important to understand all the terms and conditions of the financing options so that you can make an informed decision. There are different types of loans available for the purchase of a swimming pool so before you take on a loan please do your homework.
Loans for the purchase of a pool fall under the category of home improvement loans. Do proper research about the loan provider from whom you are going to be receiving a loan from . You have to decide beforehand the exact amount of money that you need to take as swimming pool financing loan from the loan provider. To get an exact estimate of the amount of money you will need, you can get in touch with Blue World Pools. Professionals working there will help you in this regard after taking a look at your house and finding out the exact scope of the project for building the swimming pool.
Make sure that you do not settle on the first loan provider that you come across while looking for swimming pool financing. You can always find out the rate of interest which is offered by other loan providers and choose the loan provider, who provides you with the best rates. It goes without saying that you usually you pick the loan provider that has the lowest interest rate available for you borrow money from. With swimming pool financing option, you will no longer face any difficulty in building a swimming pool at your house.
Eric Wills works for Blue World Pools, a company that helps in installing and setting up swimming pools.For any information on Blue world pools,Above ground pool dealer,swimming pools financing and Luxury swimming pools visit www.blueworldpoolinstallation.com
Sell and Rent Back - Sell and rent back your home to raise money in these tough financial times.