In today’s real estate market, Dallas home owners trying to sell on their own get discouraged when it comes to getting their Dallas homes sold. What they may not realize is that in the modern market selling a home takes a lot more than just sticking a “for sale” sign in the front yard. Traditional real estate marketing tactics have evolved into a variety of more complex and effective strategies. The internet has become the most popular and successful aid in setting up successful home-selling campaigns. 

According to the National Association of Realtors, almost 90% of home buyers do their house hunting online. The fact that the internet is taking over many traditional methods, makes it imperative for [city] home owners to move their campaigns to the web. Consumers are becoming more independent in the home buying process, relying on the internet for real estate market information and shopping for their perfect home. The quantity of home buyers who ended up purchasing a home they found using the Internet has significantly increased from only 8% in 2001 to a soaring 32% in 2008. However, buyers only account for half of the real estate equation that results in using the internet. 

Sellers are relying on the internet to create effective online selling campaigns that catch the mouse click of potential buyers. Whether selling by owner or using a real estate agent, anyone trying to attract the attention of a buyer for their Dallas home  should take full advantage of online marketing strategies. Listing agents advertise client’s homes on their company websites, the Multiple Listing Service and Realtor.com, and by other professional tools. Home owners choosing the for sale by owner route or just simply looking for more ways to expose their home on the market, now have access to many of the same professional tools real estate agents use and more. For example ForSaleByOwner.com now allows their clients to list their homes on the Multiple Listing Service and Realtor.com too. In addition, homes are also popularly advertised on websites such as, Craigslist, Google Base, Yahoo Real Estate, and Facebook. 

Regardless of who is selling your Dallas home, it is important to establish and maintain a successful home-selling Internet campaign. Here are a few tips to get you on the right track:

• It is crucial to give the home as much exposure as possible, especially on popular websites like local MLS sites.
• Use comprehensive and professional quality descriptions of the property.
• Be sure to include details such as room sizes, total square footage, key selling points and neighborhood or community assets.
• Display a variety of multiple, high-quality color pictures and, if possible, video tours of the home.
• Provide convenient, simple, quick and easy methods of contact for people requesting more information or pursuing a showing.
• Make scheduling a showing as convenient as possible for the prospective buyers.
• Set a competitive asking price based on the selling prices of comparable homes in the area.

Learn how my marketing strategies can get your Dallas home sold in a shorter period of time and for more money by visiting TexasHomeCentral.com.

What is yourDallas home worth?

Something to consider when selling your Dallas home is the Capital Gains ramifications. Will you owe Uncle Sam money after the sale of your Dallas home? Capital Gains are calculated as the difference between what you paid for your property and what you sell it for. Here is how you calculate your Capital Gains. 

Calculating Capital Gains

(+) PURCHASE PRICE – Price paid for property

(+) COST OF PURCHASE – Transfer fees, attorney fees, inspections

(+) COST OF SALE – Repairs, commissions, attorney fees, inspections

(+) COST OF IMPROVEMENT – Room additions, deck, for example, though not replacing existing

(=) ADJUSTED COST BASIS OF YOUR HOME

(-) AMOUNT YOU SELL YOUR HOME

(=) CAPITAL GAIN 

A Special Real Estate Exemption for Capital Gains

Even though the above calculation may indicate you owe Capital Gains, there is a special real estate exemption. Since 1997, up to $250,000 in capital gains ($500,000 for a married couple) on the sale of a Dallas home is exempt from taxation if you meet the following criteria: 

• You have lived in the home as your principal residence for two out of the last five years. 
• You have not sold or exchanged another home during the two years preceding the sale. 

NOTE: As of 2003, you may also qualify for this exemption if you meet what the IRS calls “unforeseen circumstances” such as job loss, divorce, or family medical emergency. 

Learn more about selling your Dallas home by visiting TexasHomeCentral.com.

Search all Dallas homes for sale. 

Always consult a tax attorney regarding current tax laws.

If you have a home that only you can love, you will benefit for these 8 low cost fixes to getting your Dallas home sold…FAST. We don’t live in a house the way we sell a house. Buyers aren’t interested in seeing dirty socks lying around or dirty dishes in the sink. Below are a list inexpensive things, from Realtor Magazine, that you can do to make buyers fall in love with your Dallas home.

1. Move it.

Simply rearranging the furniture can reenergize a room. Add and remove furniture, lamps, rugs, and accessories from other parts of the house to create a whole new look. Mirrors are particularly useful when it comes to updating a room. Try one out in different rooms to see where it fits best. Even just moving a mirror to a different wall can create a more welcoming feel.

 2. Plant it.

Houseplants are a generally undervalued design component that can add texture, warmth, and color to any room. Just drop plants in their store containers into decorative planters. Small plants can be moved easily and regrouped to change a room’s look, while larger ones make a statement on their own. 

Group plants together of differing heights, fullness, and color for the most dramatic effect. It’s important to have plants that are well maintained and in tip-top condition.

 3. Paint it.

Paint is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to make a substantial change. Use dramatic colors in powder rooms and dining rooms, and more neutral colors in living spaces. When selecting colors, “be sure to ask, ‘What am I trying to do? How do I want this to feel?’” And always, always do a test before you paint the whole room. 

 4. Organize it. 

Clutter just happens. So neaten up!  A variety of organizing tools can make a space feel polished while maintaining utility. Hooks and shelves inside the door give people a place to hang coats and keys, while canvas bins or natural baskets help contain magazines and mail. Just a row of hooks pre-attached on a board is so easy to install. And shelves are a great way to neatly display collectibles. 

5. Hide it.

Have a banged-up wall? It may be easy to camouflage. Paintable wallpaper will smooth out an uneven wall or hide minor dents and dings. Adventurous home owners can even try a simple two-step painting process for a more complex finish. A apply a solid base coat, then a glaze. 

Your intent should never be to mislead buyers; be sure to disclose flaws that would affect home value. 

6. Replace it.

Cabinet handles, switch plates, and other small pieces of housing hardware can update a home for just a few dollars a piece. Scan each room to see what looks worn or outdated and then replacing it. Inexpensive quick-connect faucets can make upgrading the look of your bathroom a snap. Just be sure to measure before you go to the hardware store. Some sinks are drilled for an eight-inch spread. Others require just four inches. 

And don’t forget the toilet seat. Fresh towels and a new toilet seat go a long way toward making a bathroom feel clean and new. 

7. Light it.

Lighting can have a major impact on a home’s look and feel. Whether a room seems dark or too bright and harsh, try “layering” the lighting by adding accent pendants and lamps. Make sure they have independent controls, so that you can turn them on and off at will. 

Light is such a mood setter. You can create a cozy feel just by turning down the lights. Add dimmers in the dining room, bathrooms, kitchen, and even the hallways for less than $4 each. Then adjust the lighting to create the mood you want.

 8. Clean it.

Turn a critical eye to the flooring to make sure it’s up to snuff. Scrub grout and seal natural stone. Rub out scratches and nicks on wood floors with scratch cover. Get down on your hands and knees and detail the floors. It takes a little elbow grease, but the results are well worth it. Vinyl flooring is a bit harder to spruce up but usually can be replaced easily and inexpensively.

Interested in selling your Dallas area home? Give me a call, I’m glad to help! We offer more marketing and more service for less.

What’s my Dallas home worth?

Spring is coming! If you are thinking of selling your Dallas home this spring, now is the time to start getting ready to sell. Below are 5 things to do before putting the ‘For Sale’ sign in the yard:  

1. Have a pre-sale home inspection. Be proactive by arranging for a pre-sale home inspection. An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make repairs before open houses begin.  

2. Organize and clean. Pare down clutter and pack up your least-used items, such as large blenders and other kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and exercise equipment. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or basement. Clean the windows, carpets, walls, lighting fixtures, and baseboards to make the house shine.  

3. Get replacement estimates. Do you have big-ticket items that are worn our or will need to be replaced soon, such your roof or carpeting? Get estimates on how much it would cost to replace them, even if you don’t plan to do it yourself. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home, and will be handy when negotiations begin.   

4. Find your warranties. Gather up the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer and dryer, dishwasher, and any other items that will remain with the house.  

5. Spruce up the curb appeal. Pretend you’re a buyer and stand outside of your home. As you approach the front door, what is your impression of the property? Do the lawn and bushes look neatly manicured? Is the address clearly visible? Are pretty flowers or plants framing the entrance? Is the walkway free from cracks and impediments? 

Learn more about selling your Dallas home at TexasHomeCentral.com. 

What is my Dallas home worth? 

www.REALTOR.org/realtormag Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® . Copyright 2003. All rights reserved.

Spring is coming! If you are thinking of selling your Dallas home this spring, now is the time to start getting ready to sell. Below are 5 things to do before putting the ‘For Sale’ sign in the yard: 

1. Have a pre-sale home inspection. Be proactive by arranging for a pre-sale home inspection. An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make repairs before open houses begin. 

2. Organize and clean. Pare down clutter and pack up your least-used items, such as large blenders and other kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and exercise equipment. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or basement. Clean the windows, carpets, walls, lighting fixtures, and baseboards to make the house shine. 

3. Get replacement estimates. Do you have big-ticket items that are worn our or will need to be replaced soon, such your roof or carpeting? Get estimates on how much it would cost to replace them, even if you don’t plan to do it yourself. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home, and will be handy when negotiations begin.  

4. Find your warranties. Gather up the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer and dryer, dishwasher, and any other items that will remain with the house. 

5. Spruce up the curb appeal. Pretend you’re a buyer and stand outside of your home. As you approach the front door, what is your impression of the property? Do the lawn and bushes look neatly manicured? Is the address clearly visible? Are pretty flowers or plants framing the entrance? Is the walkway free from cracks and impediments? 

Learn more about selling your Dallas home at TexasHomeCentral.com. 

What is my Dallas home worth?

If you have been trying to sell your Dallas real estate recently, you probably have realized that this is not the ideal time to try to sell a house. With a struggling economy and negative media surrounding the housing market, homes are staying on the market for longer and longer as fewer buyers are making offers on them. So – what do you do if you find yourself in a situation that requires you to sell your home in a hurry? The Wall Street Journal offers the following tips that I hope you’ll find helpful:

1. DON’T WAIT AROUND.
Even in the better housing areas, it’s taking a long time to sell houses; so, don’t try to sit out the market. That’s what hundreds of other timid sellers are doing, each of them hoping — somehow, some way — that hanging on the sidelines will improve prices and, ultimately improve the chances of a successful sale. It won’t. If you want your place sold, the best way to make sure that happens is to put it up for sale.

2. FIX IT UP AND CLEAN IT UP.
Buyers are taking your house out on a date. It has to make a good impression. You don’t have to (and shouldn’t!) spend a lot of money, but ensure everything is in good working order. As you get closer to the date that the house is actually on the market, start moving out by decluttering – buyers don’t want to see a house filled to the rafters with other people’s things.

3. PRICE IT CHEAPLY.
Don’t fight the market by trying to price your house at bubble-era levels or by factoring in all those improvements you made. In today’s market, your best bet is to set a realistic, salable price on day one. Don’t let the house hang around on the market as you gradually lower the price. Forget what you think the house should be worth or what it was worth three years ago. That’s not what it’s worth today.

4. HIRE A TOP REAL-ESTATE AGENT.
Get the best listing agent you can find. When everything was selling before it even hit the market, of course, you didn’t need the best. Sellers of higher-end properties may be able to negotiate a lower commission percentage, but this is no time to quibble over a couple of percentage points. Also, offer the agent a big bonus if he or she sells the house in 30 days or at your asking price. Offer other agents bonuses if they bring in the ultimate buyer.
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