When you make that exciting decision to sell your home, suddenly there are dozens of things on your  "To-Do" list. Your Realtor® will talk you through what to expect from listing to settlement, and one of the topics will surely be how to show your home to best advantage.

There are tips galore on getting your home ready to show and you probably know the logical and obvious ones:

·        Look at your home through the eyes of a buyer – inside and out

·        De-clutter and when you think you've done enough, de-clutter some more (think of it as packing sooner rather than later)

·        Make sure everything works – appliances, faucets, light switches, etc.

·        Make everything look fresh and clean – paint, replace carpet, clean the windows

·        Make your home welcoming when buyers are coming – soft music, scent of cinnamon

In recent years, "Staging" has become a popular means of getting your home ready for its close-up.  Staging includes all the things above, and more. A professional stager is able to look at your home from a fresh and unemotional perspective. Using a combination of your furniture and new or rented furniture and accessories, a stager can turn your house into a model home.

We know that first impressions count, and that potential buyers have formed an opinion about each house they see within seconds of approaching the door and going inside. Staging a home is like designing a movie set. You create an environment in which the buyers can visualize themselves living happily ever after. For this reason, staging is especially valuable if you have already moved and the house is empty.

Home staging has been shown to be a good investment - a staged home usually sells faster and at a higher price, regardless of the state of the real estate market in your area. Make the effort to stage, and your home will be ready for its close-up!

You might have seen the full-page ads in newspapers lately from the National Association of Realtors saying that this is actually a great time to get into real estate. Sure, they are the industry association, but it's in their interest to tell you the truth. And I agree – this is a good time. Here's why:

1.      Great interest rates. Despite all the ups and downs of the various markets, 30-year fixed rate mortgage interest rates are near an all-time low. This means your payments will be as low as possible, making it a good time to buy and lock in favorable rates.

2.      Plenty of choices. There is a good selection of houses to choose from now. Housing inventories grew over the spring and summer so buyers have many more choices than they did at this time last year. This means that there are more homes looking for buyers, and sellers are starting to make some adjustments to encourage sales. Buying today gives new owners the opportunity to find their dream house at a favorable price.

3.      Good value pricing. Housing prices have slowed their dramatic climb. Some areas have experienced declines while others are still increasing, but the enormous increases of a year ago are no longer the rule. Buyers are finding good values today. And with the trend indicating continued increases through the rest of this year and into 2007, this may be the time of best prices.

4.      Positive outlook. The overall outlook for real estate is good. On October 26, 2006, Former Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan said, "Most of the negatives in housing are probably behind us." (Reuters News) And real estate is still one of the best investments you can make to help build long-term wealth. There will always be fluctuations, but overall real estate is one of the best performing investments.

5.      Local knowledge and personal service. The Michael Trust Team will help you meet your real estate goals with personal, individualized service. We are a small, established company and we know our territory, so we provide the local market knowledge that will help you take advantage of the opportunities in the current market.

 Take advantage of this combination of interest rates, inventory, and pricing to find your dream home today. 

I thought this was a very interesting article. This article is by Blanche Evans from Realty Times can be found at http://realtytimes.com/rtapages/20060831_zillowed.htm.

Many people who sell an investment property believe that federal capital gains from that sale must always be handed over to the IRS.  This is not always the case.  IRS Code Section 1031 offers investors the opportunity to reinvest federal capital gains from a sale if you swap that property for another…and it does not always have to be for ‘like property’ either!  Instead, as an investor, you could have that money work for you rather than end up in the hands of the IRS. Further, you do not have to sell your property for the exact same type of property either!

The 1031 Code indicates that no gains or losses will be recognized on the exchange of any type of business use or investment property for any other business use or investment property.

So what does this mean?  How can this help you?

If you own a business or an investment property you should consider a 1031 exchange.   You would be able to defer 100% of both federal and state capital gains tax.  1031 Exchanges in essence become interest free loans; where the principal may increase through future exchanges allowing the Exchanger to never pay back, if the transactions are planned well.  Along with the guidance of an experienced realtor, www.michaeltrustrealty.com this can be one of the most profitable ventures you will ever enter into.

Are you apprehensive about the 1031 Exchanges?  Here are some interesting facts, which will make the decision easier.

1) At one time, exchanges were only done to switch like investment properties to the same person swapping for your own, but this is not the case anymore.  In fact, you can sell your own property to someone who does not have a relationship to the person from whom they are purchasing the replacement property.

2) It is important to know that like-properties once met the same, condo for condo, empty lot for empty lot but that is also no longer the case.  If you have invested your money in an empty lot but wish to exchange for an apartment building, this too is possible and again, no taxes would be paid for the sale of the vacant land when following the guidelines of the 1031 exchange. In fact, the owner of the empty lot can even sell that one lot and then purchase several others or just buy one and then sell others. Note, 1031 Exchanges only apply to investment properties and not residences.

3)  Many believe only investors of large commercial properties can utilize a 1031. One of the greatest features about a 1031 Exchange is that it applies to all investment properties, large and very small. 1031 Exchange works the same way for a corporation selling a large shopping mall as it would for an individual selling a single-family property used for rental or held for investment in a resort area.

4) Many believe 1031 Exchanges are very complicated and not worth investigating. Consider working with a qualified Realtor and Broker who can offer you professional advice and direction.  1031 Exchanges is a relatively smooth process and definitely worth considering but sound advice from an experienced realtor is the key to profitability.

5) The Exchanger can acquire a replacement property with greater income potential. For example, raw land can be sold to acquire income-producing property or a larger or more ideally located property.  A duplex rental property can be exchanged for a 4-family investment property offering greater income.

Should you wish to increase your buying flow due to greater cash flow, exchange investment or rental property for that with a greater income, acquire investment property that is easier to finance, or should you have the need to relocate or the desire to increase your current business or investment space for a larger area, the 1031 Exchange can accomplish any or all of these goals.

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Michael Trust is a native Angeleno having been born, raised, and educated in Los Angeles.  A homeowner himself, Michael is familiar with the challenges of buying, selling and owning real estate in the Greater Los Angeles area.

His background is unusual in Realtor® circles. With a baccalaureate degree from California State University, Long Beach, and a Master’s Degree in Management from the University of Southern California (USC), Michael offers 15-years of corporate management experience in Fortune 500 organizations, Michael Trust can help you look at your real estate transaction from a broader business perspective.

Not only is Michael a Realtor® but he is also a California Real Estate Broker/Officer. Many Realtors® work under the umbrella of a large real estate organization and are obliged to follow the dictates of that organization. As a Real Estate Broker, Michael does not have to answer to a large corporation. He is free to make decisions based entirely on your best interests.

As a member of the National Association of Realtors®, the California Association of Realtors®, the Southland Regional Association of Realtors® (CRISNET Multiple Listing Service), and the Simi Valley/Moorpark Association of Realtors®, as well as the Combined Los Angeles/Westside Multiple Listing Service, he keeps abreast of legal and market changes through daily communications from these organizations. Michael fully subscribes to and abides by the high ethical standards required of their members.  Michael is also a volunteer member of the Southland Regional Association's Multiple Listing Service Committee, and Regional User's Group Committee.

Michael and his Team specialize in residential, residential income, and commercial sale and lease properties. Michael and his Team are well versed in 1031 Exchanges as well.  Michael and his Team are backed up by a staff of assistants with specialties in marketing, transaction management, and general administrative support so that you can receive the best possible service.  Michael Trust Realty uses technology to the fullest to make your experience a smooth one. For more information, please contact Michael through www.michaeltrustrealty.com