Buy, Sell, Rent and Invest in Ocean City, NJ

BUYING

Comprehensive Buying and Selling Guide

There are many things involved in either buying or selling a home in all parts of the country...not just Ocean City and surrounding areas. You must do your homework so that your buying or selling experience is a pleasant one. If you are thinking of selling, there are numerous things you must do before you even put it on the market. This is not an easy market and you want to have an advantage over your competition. There are so many houses for sale today....make yours the one that is priced right, has a good appearance and is in "move-in" condition.

Today, with the glut of homes on the market, prospective buyers have many properties from which to choose and don't necessarily have the imagination or the desire to picture your house in its prime condition. They are looking for VALUE. Before you put your home on the market, you should make the necessary improvements needed. These repairs or improvements should be cost effective or value enhanced improvements. For example: you do not need a brand new kitchen as that is not a cost effective improvement. Instead, paint the walls (and cabinets) if needed, add a new faucet, buy new knobs for the cabinets, look into new stainless steel appliances and a more modern flooring. This can give you the look you need and give you a good return on the money spent. The main reasons sellers go through this expense and effort is to sell their homes faster and for a higher price.

However, if you choose not to fix up your home, you can still sell it. Homes can be sold in any condition IF IT IS PRICED RIGHT.  Something to remember....price is not what you need but what it is worth

SELLING If you currently own property and are thinking of placing it on the market, this site contains information about

Preparing Your Home for Sale
Selecting the Right Agent -  How to Find an Agent
Pricing your home appropriately
Marketing it effectively
Going through the Inspection Process      
Receiving a timely market evaluation

Now, take a good, hard look at your home and ask yourself...would I buy this house...why or why not? Remember, buyers buy emotionally.

EXTERIOR CHECKLIST - take care of these items before you call a Realtor

1. Does it have curb appeal
2. Is the roof in good condition
3. Does the outside need painting or power washing
4. Are the screens/storm windows in good repair
5. Is the yard well maintained
6. Are the gardens weeded and mulched
7. Do the garage doors need adjustment
8. Does the garage door opener work properly
9. Is the front door "welcoming"
10. Are the gutters clean
11. Do the trees or bushes need pruning
12. Is the driveway cracked, stained or in need of major repair
13. Do you need to remove old playground equipment
14. Is the deck or patio "party ready"
15. Are the outside light fixtures working or do you need them

INTERIOR CHECKLIST - time to get busy and evaluate EVERY room - You must present your home as a finished "work of art"

1. Are the rooms cluttered
2. Do the carpets need cleaning or replacing
3. Clean out ALL closets
4. Are the rooms bright and sunny - remove heavy drapery or remove all window dressings completely
5. Wash and paint the walls
6. Does the kitchen date the house
   1. replace the cabinet hardware
   2. paint the cabinets if needed
   3. purchase a new faucet
   4. purchase a "granite" laminate for the counters
   5. replace old appliances with stainless steel
   6. replace outdated floor coverings
   7. buy a new light fixture
   8. remove "stuff" from counter tops
   9. organize drawers and cabinets
7. Are the bathrooms modern
   1. buy new modern faucets
   2. treat all mildew
   3. replace shower curtain
   4. check and repair caulking if needed
   5. remove all stains from toilet bowl (try Coke or pumice stone)
   6. bleach the grout or replace if needed
   7. fold towels neatly in linen closet
   8. remove all items on sink and toilet tank and clean out medicine cabinet
   9. hang pretty towels and decorate bathrooms as if they were rooms
8. Remove most of the items from the closets
9. Rent a storage shed for seasonal clothing, excess furniture, any clutter you can remove...

10. sell, donate or throw away items not used

CHOOSE A REALTOR WISELY OR SELL IT YOURSELF

RENTING

When you purchase a home, you also can choose to rent the property for more than 2 weeks of the year, thereby making it an investment property - Rental Properties

INVESTING

Investing information including 1031

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