How to Sell Your House Fast to the "We Buy Houses" Guys, Safely

 If the current chaos in housing and the economy all of a sudden has you seeing little yellow signs and big billboards that say, "We Will Buy Your House" you probably need to sell a house fast and may be wondering who are these guys behind the signs and can they really do anything to help.

The signs have been around for probably three decades, but like everything else, you only see the things that are of immediate importance to you. While anyone can buy and sell houses in the United States most people only buy and sell the house they live in or expect to live in.

Buying houses without the expectation of living in them-as a business, really started to take off about 30 years ago when a number of seminar speakers crossed the county selling training in buying and selling homes for profit.

Like any business, you can expect a number of the people who buy houses to be skilled, honest professionals and others not so skilled and some-that you would want to avoid.

The bottom line is that some of these people can in fact help you sell a house quickly, sometimes in a few days, and solve problems. Others, I have found, will not even answer the phone or call you back, if you call and leave a message. Strange as it may seem, I have found that this reluctance to follow up on a lead happens in a number of areas in sales.

So the first thing I would suggest in selecting a House Buyer to deal with is call several, see who answers the phone, and see who comes out to your house and arrives when they agreed to arrive. Not high tech, but a good start.

Who am I to tell you how to sort through these guys? I happen to be one of them and have been doing creative real estate for two decades in Florida, was previously a stock broker and financial reporter for the Chicago Tribune. It is sort of like going to a hacker to find out how to make your computer operation safe.

And as one of them, let me assure you there are good, competent people, who are able to raise the money it takes to buy and are knowledgeable of the way real estate works where you live.

There are also, and always, waves of new people who are learning how to buy houses and some of the people who need to sell a house fast will be helping these newcomers learn the trade.

In addition to seeing if they answer the phone and actually arrive at the time agreed for an appointment, I would want to know how long the person has been buying houses and how well they do it. In the second installment of this series, we will look at methods of checking them out and in the third article we will be looking at phrases in the contract they offer you that you may want to avoid.

One of the biggest pluses that the best of these guys and gals will bring to the table to help you is that they have been taught that there are a number of ways to sell a house, methods that have been used in commercial real estate for years but that are rarely used in residential real estate.

I learned the use of these creative methods the hard way twenty some years ago when I lived on the East Coast of Florida and unbeknownst to me had bought a house in an area where a garbage burning incinerator was planned. It was to be built about a mile from where my house was and when I was ready to sell the house to move to the Tampa Bay area, I could not sell.

Everyone knew of the plans when I was ready to sell and no one wanted any of the houses in my area. I finally left the house with a real estate agent and moved while bearing the cost of two homes.

While a lot of real estate agents do not like creative real estate, my agent was knowledgeable and suggested a way to sell my house. We were scarred, but after thinking about it we sold and it worked out fine.

There was a risk in what I did then and a risk in any creative answer to a real estate sales problem, but my experience was what eventually sent me into the We Buy Houses business and in the next several articles we will tell you how it may help you and discuss the risks.

For more information about buying a house check here: we buy houses for cash

 

Luxury Home Investments: The Pros and Cons

A home is something many of us had dreamt of having. And just like childbearing, buying a house is arguably one of the most crucial decisions we’ll ever make in our life.

Moreover, we prefer to own something straight out of a luxury cruise lines instead of a simple one, right? A grandiose theater, well-equipped gym, chef’s kitchen, cool wine cellar, Pinterest-worthy bathroom, and all the perks!

But with extensive designs, fancy amenities, and overall dazzling appeal, homeownership, especially that of a luxury residence, is not all rainbows and butterflies

For some, it is actually a grim reality. Because aside from the enormous purchase price, extra charges like property taxes, association fees, renovation costs, and emergency repairs should still be considered.

So before you go and decide to live lavishly in a fancy house, take a long pause and acknowledge its many advantages and disadvantages. And since we care for your long-term financial health, here are the most notable pros and cons of luxury home investments:

Pros:

1. First-Rate Quality

Probably the most significant advantage in buying a luxury home rather than an ordinary one is the combination of high-quality building materials, outstanding architectural details, and stellar workmanship. 

Living in a house that reflects your lifestyle, speaking to you on a spiritual level, you can be sure that every time you walk through the door, you’ll get a sense of pleasure and fulfillment. Also, many luxury real estates feature unique amenities like mother-in-law suites, elevators, large garages, outdoor kitchen, and community pool. So, owning an extravagant abode not only feels good but also enhances your way of life.

2. Good Location

Did you know that 80% of luxury house investments are made because of the location?

As most of these homes are in high-end neighborhoods, you can always enjoy breathtaking sceneries without drifting too far from the energetic city life. Being away from pollution and noise associated with metropolis, you’ll get to relish the cool breeze of air whatever season you are in. 

And if you want to level up with that view, there are modern luxury cruise lines where you can own a cabin, live on it, and travel the world as long as you desire.

3. Better Resale Value

We’re letting you know that investing in anything belonging to the luxury category can give you a better return in the future, as they tend to appreciate faster while depreciating slower.

If you decide to let go of your luxury house, you are certainly assured of a higher resale value.

Cons

1. Sky-High Price

Luxury property prices shouldn’t surprise you anymore. Investing in a luxury house or apartment could drain your pocket and even cost you some hundred dollars along the way. Plus, homeowner’s insurance can get really expensive, especially at these modern times.

That is why owning a 9-digit dollar mansion, for most of us, is just a pipe dream.

2. Difficult to Maintain

Bear in mind that the costly principal value of a luxury house isn’t the only thing you will spend your hard-earned money on.  

Luxury living is not simply purchasing an extravagant property but a lifestyle that requires responsible maintenance. Also, repairs can add up if the house is old. 

3. At High Risk of Deceit

If you are a newbie in luxury investments, you should be aware that you are at high risk of getting the bad end of a deal. Make sure to get a trusted real estate agent so you won’t be taken for a ride.

If you are a would-be luxury homeowner, don’t get easily swept up from the adrenaline rush of the many sale offers. Reliable financial experts always warn that in the real estate market, buying a house you can afford is a smart move. Because unfortunately, no one exactly knows what type of house is suited for your situation.

So take time in weighing both pros and cons before investing in a luxury home for you to avoid regrets soon.