photography by Ted Dayton

How (Not) to Show your Home
by Joshua Suess
Many sellers feel that the best way to show their home to a buyer is to be present so that they can point out the "selling points" of the house. In my opinion, this is the fastest way to ruin your chances of selling your property. Simply put, what you feel is a benefit may not be for the buyers.

Selling a home begins when the buyer pulls up to the house. Buying a home is usually a very emotional process. When a buyer drives up to a home they are considering purchasing, they do not want to see the current owners' vehicles parked in the driveway, but want to experience themselves pulling in.

The same is true when entering the home; they want to envision themselves living in the property. If the current owners are home during the showing, research has shown that the prospective buyers will feel rushed, pressured and will not be able to make the emotional connection needed.

Also, the buyers often tell the sellers what they want to hear, as they feel obligated to only speak highly of the home and typically do not feel comfortable sharing the negatives with the sellers. This creates false hope for the seller, who then thinks a sale is within reach - only to be let down after waiting anxiously for an offer to come in.

If you want to sell your home faster and for more money, here is an easy tip: Make sure you leave the home whenever you are expecting a showing. The buyers will spend more time in your home, their agent will point out the selling features and benefits of the home and the buyers will be relaxed without pressure and can make the emotional connection to your home. Now...who's ready to get their home sold?
Joshua Suess is with The Suess Home Selling Team at Re/Max 702-4640 www.nohasslenorisk.com.

What is Title Insurance for your Home?
by Scott Thompson
Title insurance is an insurance policy that insures against defects in the title in the form of a lien, encumbrance or other claim against a property. When a home is purchased, the new "owners" policy is usually paid for by the seller. The lender will also require a "lenders" title policy to protect their interests in the property.

Unlike an automobile policy that insures against theft or damage in the future, title insurance works in advance of ownership towards the elimination of risk that there are imperfections in the title of a property. Title companies maintain what are called "title plants," which have information about property transfers and liens that can go back many years. This is what most of the cost of the title policy goes towards.

A title insurance policy will cover the payment of legal fees in defense of a claim covered under the policy. It will also protect the property owner against losses which result from a covered claim. Once the premium is paid at the close of escrow, there are no other premiums due. In the recent news about banks improperly foreclosing homes, the need for title insurance is more obvious.

If you have purchased a foreclosed home, you should check with your title insurance company to confirm they cover these types of errors. For more information about title insurance be sure to ask a Realtor®.
Scott Thompson is the owner of and Realtor® with Regal Realty of California; 295-8715 www.regalrealtyca.com