Does a house sell faster if it's furnished or unfurnished?
538779
You should always try and show a potential buyer around your home when it's lived in and furnished.  An empty house isn't particularly attractive or inviting.\n\nIt's not always practical to do this - particularly when you're moving out before the house has sold.  Try to keep some furnishings in the property and wherever possible carpets and drapes are a must.\n\nA lot will depend on the buyer of course.  An investor or speculator would expect the house to be empty - they want to see that it's available for them to purchase in the shortest possible time.\n\nIf you do leave furnishings in the house go for fairly neutral things and a clean, tidy and uncluttered look.\n\nWhen selling make sure there's loads of light, turn lights on, raise blinds, draw drapes right back and use mirrors, they all give the illusion of extra space as does having lots of floor visible - move frnishings to the sides of rooms.\n\nUseful tip - tidy up the drive/path/garden/yard, plant some flowers etc and make the first impression a good one.  Also, make the last impression a good one by saving the best feature of the house until last (if showing the house yourself).
725005
The market has changed in a lot of areas.   NO BUBBLE THOUGH.  the thing to remember is real estate is a local market.  That being said, these are the reasons a house usually sits on the market:  price, condition.  If it has been on the market since July, relatively that is NOT really a long time, everyone just forgot what a normal market was like in the frenzy of the past few years.  Now if everything else comparable is selling in a matter of weeks then again refer back to the two items above.  Some sellers are just testing the market, some really don't understand that the market determines the value of their home, not them, and some thought appreciation was going to skyrocket forvever instead of normalizing and so kept pulling equity out when they shouldn't have.  (that is a whole other story).  \n\nThere is not standard formula for determining when someone will drop their price.  Sellers are motivated by one of three things generally and which is their strongest determines their pricing strategy.  Time, money, or hassle.  Usually all sellers have all 3 motivations, but one is always the strongest.  If they are being transferred and have to sell in a limited time frame, then they will price slightly below market value, if they want (or need) as much money as possible and have all the time in the world, they may decide to price high (and end up chasing the market usually).  \n\nSo this house may be completely normal in days on market, it may be overrpriced, or it may be in bad shape, or the sellers could have all the time in the world to sell.  Your agent (not the seller's, get your own) should help you by determining market value, based on recent comparable sales, advise you as to market conditons and overall look out for your best interests and try to get you the best deal possible.  The listing agent's job is to do all that for the seller and they do not and cannot represent your best interests.  \n\nGenerally the seller pays the buyer's agent commission (the purpose of the MLS is to offer compensation) so it usually doesn't cost you anything to have your own agent.  I cannot stress this enough, GET YOUR OWN AGENT who will protect you and have a fiduciary duty to you!  And get one that knows what they are doing, that you are comfortable with and that you trust.  Their job is to advise you and help you through the entire process so you need to like working with them.
323723
Hmmm.  The REAL question should be whether to buy (at all) or rent!  (Three years might be too short to cover the costs of the buying and selling transactions.)  I'd guess if you're willing to buy a "fixer-upper" and put some time and money into it, then three years would be okay.  Lots of folks can make good money "flipping" houses like that.  Otherwise, you might be better off just renting.  If it was longer, I'd say go ahead, buy.  If it was any shorter, I'd say definitely rent.  You're really on the cusp with three years....   Good luck.
552739
Yes, often and have sold them...\n\nYou need to take into consideration the property type when it comes to value.\n\nA single family home occupied by a tenant will be less valuable to a home buyer if they are considering occupying the property.  But, that same property might be desirable to an investor because of it's appreciation potential and it's cash flow.\n\nApartment buildings are typically the same.  Most investors are interested in the cash flow of the property as well as potential for them to raise rents according to the rental market, aka Upside.\n\nIn the end, investment decisions with rental properties are made according to their ability to monthly service their expenses with premiums paid for income/appreciation growth potential.
1175373
Low price equals a fast sale.  Price it less than market value.  Get GOOD exposure to prospective buyers, usually best by listing it with a full-time real estate agent.
956004
You'll most likely sell your stuff faster if you use eBay
186998
First, lets put this in context.  You're blasting an agent that hasn't moved mountains in 3 days?  Unless you're selling a Manhattan high-rise for $1, you should reset your expectations.  It typically takes 60-90 days to sell a home, which can vary greatly depending on your individual situation.  And you set up an open house without your agent's involvement?  In the past 3 days?  Why did you even get an agent if you don't want to work with him?  Read your listing agreement, and although it may include a clause allowing you to cancel the agreement for non-performance, you haven't even given this guy a chance to get started.  Now, if a month goes by, and he still hasn't returned any phone calls, etc. you may still be screwed depending on the agreement you signed.  You need to check the language, and see what provisions exist for termination.  Even then, you may be able to get the agent to drop your listing, then everything should be cool.
1167629
your best bet is to check with the realtor you plan on listing the property with. \n\nclosets are very important nowadays, moreso than in the past.\n\nas long as you have ample closet space, you should be fine. but, if there are say, NO closets, you should consider adding some or coming up with some alternative. \n\nthey don't necessarily have to be WALK-IN closets, but just average size for that house, room, etc.
223989
market determines the rate, look in the paper and find comparables.\n\nIf the neighborhood is not much of a rental area then you can charge a little bit higher rate but it will be harder to find a renter.\n\nYou don't want to have less money coming in that going out. You need to have a positive cash flow or you won't have the money to keep the house fixed up when it needs something and it will grow less and less valuable (might still go up but not as fast as the neighborhood) from deffered maintenance. You would be better off selling and buying a rental that has a positive cash flow.
571830
it depends on where you live and what you are selling and what the buyers are like.  Selling in Beverly Hills California will be different than selling in Paducah, Kentucky.
306295
It's probably you that got the house but call and talk to your agent ASAP.  Usually the sign would say Sale Pending.  I know in our office we run out of "Sale Pending" signs on occasion and just go right to using "Sold" signs.
1043738
depends on your state. In mine, it is 30 days if the property was sold.
1113294
It may or may not be worth it depending on the circumstances. You can usually obtain a list several days prior to the auction to see what houses are on the list. The best houses will go for the least amount of interest because they have a better chance of returning on the money invested (meaning when the house sells, etc.) The scruffier the house looks the more risk you are taking when paying the tax certificate and therefor you will get a higher interest rate. Interest rates are determined by bid process starting at the top and bidding down. These can be a good investment if you play your cards right but most of the time you are locking up your money for long periods of time unknowing when you can release it. You will get your money back when the house is sold, the owner pays up, or after usually 2 years you can file for a tax deed auction and you will get your money back then. I think there are much better investments out there.
887329
Sure, if it's worth less than $10,000.\n\nI once sold a house for $6.000.  That's what it was worth in its location and condition,
707930
I would wait just a bit more.  Donot, I repeat, DONOT BUY FROM SELLERS.  If you watch the papers, you can make some really good deals in foreclosure sales.
269114
If you can afford a single-family home, then go for it.\nMost of the time, a single-family house would appreciate at a higher rate than a duplex or condos.  Also, depends on location, condos and duplex might take longer at time of resale. \nUnless you plan to move within a year or so, and plan to keep the duplex as investment property (rent to renters),\na single family house is a better bet.
552639
no, because in most areas, the prop tax assessment is capped to match the rate of inflation, a transaction of property releases this cap and allows the assessment to match the sales price of the property.  This means that you could possibly end up paying higher prop taxes on a similar property even if the new house/old house were the same price