Why your house may not be selling.

There may be several reasons your house isn't selling. Here are three common causes a property may be languishing on the market.

1. Price. Remember, your property is only worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it. No one wants to lose money on a property, but keep in mind the economic climate and if you need to sell, be prepared to price your home competitively. Your listing agent should have provided you with a list of comparables in the area to equip you with the knowledge to price your home realistically.
2. Condition. Your home should be immaculate when potential buyers view it. The importance of a positive first impression cannot be stressed enough. Windows should be clean, floors polished or vacuumed and all clutter should be out of sight. A fresh coat of paint, minor repairs and well-lit entryways go a long way. Neutralize your space with soft color, so it appeals to the masses, instead of a small group. If necessary, consult a professional stager to get your house in shape.
3. Location. The one thing you can't change about your property is its location. This is another instance when your savvy real estate professional should discuss sales options with you. Stress the positives of the location, perhaps it is located near mass transit or the area is starting to turn around. Instead of selling your home in a neighborhood that is not ideal, consider renting it until the area improves.

Consult our Monrovia or Glendora offices today to connect with a professional to assist with your housing needs.

Key areas to focus on when viewing a home.

The necessity of a home inspection cannot be stressed enough. Even in new homes, an inspection is essential to protect the buyer and make them aware of any issues with the home. After the inspection the buyer has the opportunity to negotiate with the seller and reach an agreement to either repair the property or to lower the sales price to compensate the buyer for the cost of the repairs. Alternatively, the seller can decide to sell the home as-is, in which case he or she is declining to make repairs or lower the sales price, and the buyer must decide whether or not to buy the home at the original agreed-upon sales price.

 Essentially, the inspection evaluates and discloses the condition of the structure to the buyers. Three major areas to pay particular attention to in your inspection report are the property's foundation, plumbing and attic. 

• Solid foundation. Significant cracks, shifting or sinking of the foundation are serious and often quite costly to repair. Consider hiring a structural engineer to perform a second inspection if you have serious concerns about the inspector or condition of the foundation.
• It's all in the pipes. Leaks, even previous leaks that have been fixed can be problematic. Inspectors will look for signs of mold, mildew or fungus that are the result of water damage.
• Hit the roof. An attic will alert the inspector to rodent damage, previous fire damage, inadequate insulation, leaks, and water damage or structure faults.

If there is a specific concern, hiring a professional who specializes in that area may be beneficial. Also, be aware that there may be a conflict of interest if the home inspector also offer to perform repairs. Remember that our team of Sales Associates are always here to answer questions and help you. Contact us today at 626-358-1858 or 626-963-7621.

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New Listing (For Lease)

Family-Friendly 4-Bedroom house freshly renovated on a quiet cul-de-sac, convenient to Glendora schools, shopping, recreation, transportation. Mountain Views. Large master-suite includes new ceiling fan, attached bathroom and dressing area with double closets. New Carpeting and tile throughout. Kitchen, Dining and Living Room open to large brick patio in private fully-fenced backyard with an additional raised wood deck surrounded by mature shade trees. Perfect for warm weather entertaining. All landscaping has automatic irrigation. New Central A/C and Heat. New Double-Pane energy–efficient windows throughout. New Roof. All interiors freshly repainted. 400-square foot fully carpeted bonus room with laundry area features separate remote-control A/C, new ceiling fan and lots of extra storage. Large driveway accommodates up to 5 cars, with additional parking behind side gate. 200 square foot Shed on side yard provides even more storage. Don’t think twice. This SUPER CLEAN Turn-Key home will rent quickly.

801 Inverness in Glendora

Tips for planning your summer travel on a budget.

Plan that summer vacation without breaking the bank with these travel tips.

1. Research. Compare hotel and flight prices, call and ask about any unlisted discounts.
2. Be flexible. The most expensive days to fly are Mondays and Fridays. Plan your trip on the off days, and consider connecting flights instead of direct, or early flights.
3. Brave the elements. Campgrounds are inexpensive and because you often cook your own food, it doubles your savings.
4. Breakfast included. Make sure breakfast is included in the hotel rate.
5. Eat in. Cook dinner or have a picnic. When you do eat out, lunch is less expensive than dinner and drink water instead of soft drinks or liquor.
6. Use plastic. Avoid ATM fees by selecting cash back when making debit purchases.
7. Save at the pump. Utilize phone apps that list gas prices in the area.
8. Matinees. Hit up the movies during the day for cheaper admission.
9. Museums and parks. Often museums offer free admission
10. Coupons. Scan the Internet for discounts on attractions in and around your destination.

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On the Road Again

The CENTURY 21 System Launches Innovative Tool

Have you recently listed your home for sale, or do you plan to do so soon? If so, then you probably understand the importance of marketing your property on the Internet. After all, a recent National Association of Realtors survey of home buyers and sellers found that about 90 percent of home buyers use the Internet to search for a
new home.

CENTURY 21 home listings typically appear on over 500 websites, which provide extensive exposure for our listings. With so many websites, however, it can be overwhelming to monitor the effectiveness of online marketing efforts. That’s why the CENTURY 21 System has introduced an exciting new tool that will make it easier for CENTURY 21 Agents to monitor the online activity of their listings—and to keep sellers up to date on who’s looking at their homes online as well as any leads resulting from those views.

Called “The Golden Ruler,” this reporting tool also helps Agents keep better track of online listings and their marketing efforts. That means that sellers will have more extensive information, in real time, as to how their online listing is performing.

The Golden Ruler is an innovative way that CENTURY 21 supports the online marketing efforts of our sellers and Agents.

The Golden Ruler will not only keep sellers up to date on which websites their homes are listed on, but it will also indicate the number of page views, visits and leads.It provides information about the geographic area that leads are coming from and how similar properties are performing within the CENTURY 21 network of websites as well.

Interested in learning more about The Golden Ruler and other tools we use to market our listings? Give our CENTURY 21 Adams & Barnes offices a call today at 626.358.1858 - Monrovia or 626.963.7621 - Glendora.

Should You Use a Real Estate Agent for Your Home Sale?

For most people, a house is the largest investment they’ll ever make. Yet when it comes time to sell that investment, some opt to do so on their own, without the help of a real estate professional. These do-it-yourselfers are known as FSBOs—short for “for sale by owner.”

It may be tempting to go it alone. But many FSBOs end up listing their home with a real estate agent anyway. That’s because an agent offers many advantages, such as:

• Local market knowledge. An agent knows what other houses are available and will price your house right. She will perform a comparative market analysis to determine its fair market value and will list at a price that will draw buyer interest without compromising value.
• Negotiating skill. Your real estate agent will negotiate on your behalf when you receive an offer—from price to date of possession to any necessary repairs.
• Exposure. FSBOs tend to market a house with signs, newspaper ads and online listings. Yet, according to the National Association of Realtors’ 2009 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 42% of FSBOs sell to someone they already know. What happens if you don’t know someone looking for a house? That’s where an agent has a huge advantage. An agent has access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) that lists homes for sale. An MLS listing is seen by other real estate agents—around the world—therefore bringing a tremendous number of buying opportunities to the table.
• Prequalifying buyers. Why open your home to anyone who sees your sign? Your agent will prequalify potential buyers to make sure they are really interested in purchasing and are financially able to do so. That means you don’t have to allow strangers into your home who aren’t qualified or serious.

For more information about selling your home, or for a complimentary comparative market analysis, call our CENTURY 21 Adams & Barnes offices today at 626.358.1858 (Monrovia) or 626.963.7621 (Glendora)