Homeowners trying to sell their homes on their own — for-sale-by-owners (FSBOs) — are driven by several reasons. Although most of them want to save money that they would have otherwise spent on real estate commissions, a few others take the FSBO route because they feel they don’t need a professional to sell their home.

Whatever the reason for attempting to sell solo might be, data from a National Association of Realtors survey shows that less than 10 percent of FSBOs actually sell.

1. Too many people to negotiate with

Those deciding to take the FSBO route often have to negotiate with many people. Some of them are likely to be:

• The buyer, seeking the best possible deal.
• The buyer’s agent, who represents the buyer’s best interest.
• The buyer’s attorney (in some regions of the nation).
• Home inspection companies, working for the buyer, which are likely to find some problem or the other with the house.
• Your bank, in case it’s a short sale.
• The appraiser, if the home’s value needs to be assessed.

Without the help of experienced real estate agents, dealing with so many different parties alone is often a tough task for homeowners.

2. Homeowners do not know how to prepare the home for sale

A majority of homeowners don’t know about the prelisting tasks that FSBOs should do before they list their home for sale. These usually include:

• Decluttering.
• Painting the rooms with a fresh coat of paint.
• Getting necessary repairs done.
• Getting the home floors and carpets cleaned by professions.
• Ensuring curb appeal of the home.
• Replacing outdated light fixtures.

Because homes for sale by owners just have one chance to impress potential buyers, neglecting these home sale preparation tips often reduces the homeowners’ chances of selling the house.

3. Owners do not know how to screen potential buyers

FSBOs often have no idea about the difference between prequalification and preapproval, and they don’t know that buyers should ideally be preapproved or at least prequalified.

No wonder they let unqualified buyers inspect the house and waste their precious time. Not knowing if a buyer has the ability to purchase the home acts as a big deterrent for homes for sale by owners.

4. Owners fail to solve buyer’s queries

Handling inquiries from buyers on their listings and coordinating showings for their homes are prerequisites for making a sale. However, many homeowners either aren’t able to handle such inquiries on their homes or don’t have the time for them.

Even organizing showings might become an uphill task at times. Because these days potential buyers and their agents want quick responses to their inquiries, they don’t think twice before moving on to the next potential property if their inquiries and requests are unanswered.

5. Owners don’t understand the concept of golden time

According to this concept, homeowners get the most money for their homes in the first week of putting the property on the market. The longer homes for sale by owners stay on the market, the less money people will be willing to offer for them.

If a buyer tries FSBO first and then hires an agent, the buyer would have already lost the “golden time” window. This will eliminate the buyers who have already viewed the home, might have offered unrealistically low prices and have already moved on.

6. Owners fail to understand the contract procedures

The contract to buy a home involves much more than just the price offered by the buyer. Also, real estate contracts have lots of timelines and clauses and involve several common contract contingencies, such as inspections and mortgages.

Many FSBOs don’t have a firm understanding of such contracts and might not know what they are agreeing to or how to negotiate particular parts of the contract.

7. FSBOs don’t know how to handle the home inspection findings

Home inspections almost always find some issues with houses even when they are relatively newer structures. In such cases, the buyer requests problems be fixed or corrected before moving forward with the transaction.

However, many FSBOs believe that there is nothing wrong with their home, which is why they refuse to address the issues brought forward by home inspections. As a result, the offer falls through.

8. FSBOs incorrectly price their homes

FSBOs often price their homes incorrectly due to lack of experience. They set the price too high, which hinders their chances of closing the deal.

9. FSBO homes lack exposure

Homes for sale by owners are often listed on a few websites, but there are many that don’t allow FSBOs to list their property. Thus, FSBOs are unable to give their homes adequate exposure in the market.

However, when buyers hire a real estate agent, the professional can give a property online exposure as well as exposure in the local real estate segment of the newspaper. The agent even has tools to extend the exposure further, which FSBOs don’t have.

10. FSBOs fail in the closing process

Even after an offer is accepted, many things still need to be done prior to the closing. For instance:

• Get the inspections completed within the allotted time.
• Ensure the attorney(s) approve contracts.
• Ensure that instrument survey is ordered.
• Check if the buyer has obtained written mortgage commitment.
• Find out if title work is reviewed.
• Learn whether abstract is redated.

With so many things acting against FSBOs, it’s natural to find very few homes for sale by owners in the market.

Written by Cheryl Jensen, originally posted on http://www.inman.com/2015/07/20/10-reasons-why-for-sale-by-owners-fsbos-fail/

 

I remember hearing all of the details about Windmill Pointe Park before I moved to Grosse Pointe Park and I was beyond excited. Windmill Pointe has its on movie theater, now with two screening rooms, where you can enjoy some of the new movies. I think Joel’s favorite part about the theater is the super-comfy electric recliners that you get to enjoy.

The park also has a swimming pool, play area, and gym. The gym is located upstairs and I love the view. On days I feel like cutting corners, I look out at the water and think of boat season and swimming pools. There are fitness classes, activities for children, and a basketball court.

For Grosse Pointe Park Residents, that do not yet have their passes, see my post about how to obtain your pass.

Applications for Park Passes are avaible on the Parks and Recreation Forms Page.

Homeowners applying for passes for the first time may access the Park Pass Application at the above link.  Homeowners must have valid proof of residency, i.e. driver’s license, bank statements or bills. New homeowners must also have turned in the Property Transfer Affidavit, Principle Resident Exemption and have a valid Certificate of Occupancy.

Renters must apply for park passes annually. Applications may be accessed online at http://www.grossepointepark.org or picked up at the Public Service Department at City Hall. Passes will be mailed back after the landlord has verified tenancy and the Public Service Department has verified that the Certificate of Occupancy is valid. NO EXCEPTIONS. Lease agreements are not accepted as proof of tenancy.

At any time, you may be asked for photo I.D. Misuse of your park pass may result in revocation. Revoked passes can be suspended or cancelled for the remainder of the season. In addition, if replacement is necessary, a fee of $20.00 will be charged. Driver Licenses and other forms of identification will not be accepted for entrance to the parks. Gate guards will only accept valid passes for entrance. Revoked passes will be turned over to the Public Safety Department, which will in turn make a decision as to whether or not they may be reinstated.

Residents age 17 and under will be allowed 1 guest per visit to the City Parks. Residents 18 and older will be allowed 3 guests per visit. GUESTS MUST ACCOMPANY YOU WHEN YOU ENTER THE PARKS.

Park Pass Rules

It is the goal of the City of Grosse Pointe Park to continue to provide to you, the resident, the best possible service and recreational facilities. We ask that you read the following rules with regard to Park Passes. It is extremely important that everyone complies with these rules so that we may all enjoy our City Parks.

1. Renter Passes are valid for one year.
2. Homeowner Passes are valid for four years.
3. Park Passes are required for all residents age 10 and older and are non-transferable. (For purposes of registration of younger children in Park activities, we ask that all members of the family, even those not yet eligible for a Park Pass, be listed on your Park Pass Application.)
4. All family members age 18 or older, who are not the homeowner, MUST show proof of residency by providing three approved forms of identification (i.e. driver’s license, state identification card, voter registration card, etc.)
5. City Ordinance allows NO MORE than two unrelated persons to receive passes at any address.
6. Business Owner Passes are given to the business owner and one other family member who resides with him/her.
7. Lost passes will be replaced ONCE per season by an adult at a cost of $20.00 at the Public Service Department at City Hall. Office Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. Telephone (313) 822-4365.
8. Households that require caregiver passes will be charged $25.00 per household and only 1 such pass will be issued annually.
9. Residents with guests on an extended visit may purchase Temporary Passes (maximum 2 per household) for $10.00 each at the Public Service Department.
10. Please allow 2 weeks for processing of all passes.

 

Info from: http://www.grossepointepark.org/index.php/park-pass-info

 So I haven’t mastered meal prepping yet and I can be guilty of skipping breakfast when in a rush. However I have started making something that helps me start out my day and feel healthy and sustained too.

Homemade blueberry muffins! Too help simplfy things, I usually measure out the dry ingredients for two – now upgraded to 3! Then mix up the wet ingredients when I’m ready to bake.

 

 

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups whole-wheat flour, spooned, and leveled

1 cup old fashioned rolled oats

1/4 cup flaxseed meal (available at natural-food stores, I found at Meijer)

1/4 cup pecans

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup plain low-fat yogurt ( I like to use blueberry or strawberry instead of plain)

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 tablespoon grated orange zest

1/4  cup orange juice

1 large egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 cups fresh blueberries or one bag frozen blueberries

 

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375 F. In a food processor, process the flour, oats, flaxseed meal, pecans, baking powder,  baking soda, and salt until finely ground. Optional: you can line the muffin pan with paper liners. I do not, I grease the pan instead.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, sugar, butter, orange zest, juice, egg, and vanilla. Add the flour mixture and mix just until incorporated (do not overmix). Fold in the blueberries.
3. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 22 to 25 minutes.

 

 

 

 

Recipe found on RealSimple.com