FSBO Satellite.com

Saving Money with a DIY Home Security System

FSBO Blogger — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:22:58 +0000

If you’re looking to save money by installing a DIY home security system, you’d better do it right. Make sure you follow these check points to get the maximum cover and protection you can – and, as I have referred to in another blog post about home security systems, make sure before you start that your home insurance will not be invalidated by installing a system yourself, rather than having a professionally qualified person or approved company do it on our behalf:

1: Assess every point of entry into your building. You will be amazed at how many you come up with. Do not overlook upstairs windows, cellar doors, garage doors, tool store doors or skylights. When you have totted up every possible point of entry you will know how many circuits need to be in place, or how many breakers/sensors you need for doors, windows and other modes of ingress.

2: Take time to think about the places that require most protection and the places that don’t. For example, you need motion sensors in your home to make your system worthwhile – but if you have them upstairs no one can go to the bathroom when they are turned on. In other words be practical. Combine the desire to protect your family and your property with a recognition that at night, you have to live here too.

3: DIY home security systems are all well and good – but how much additional cover do they provide? What about monitoring and 24 hour connectivity to the emergency services? It would have to be a pretty expensive DIY home system to do that. So be aware of why you are buying the system, and what you really want from it – it may actually be better to save a little more and get a professionally installed and monitored one instead. Or the DIY system can be used as an effective stop gap between non security and a full security package.

4: If you are buying a DIY home system because you want to save money then you need to work out what other measures you need to put in place to keep your home secure. One of the most effective security measures you can install is motion activated exterior lighting, which effectively freezes anyone creeping around in the dark. Ensure you arrange the lights to cover every part of your property near the house – and to shine on bushes or trees where a burglar may hide. Also invest in deadbolts, proper locks and strong doors.

5: Be prepared to work (and think) hard. There’s a reason why many home security systems are supplied and fitted by professionals – because there is a heck of a lot to think about before you fit it, and an equally huge amount to check once the fitting has been completed. If you get it right, though, you will be able to sleep sounder at night knowing that a combination of motion sensors, circuit breakers and outside lights (not to mention those locks, doors and deadbolts we mentioned) will be deterring burglars from entering your home.

6: Don’t forget fire, flood and toxic gases – all also threats to your home. Have you protected yourself against them too?

Home CCTV Systems – Protecting Your Property

FSBO Blogger — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 10:54:40 +0000

Home CCTV systems are a great solution for many people who want to see or know what is going on in their home. Whether you are trying to deter thieves by installing cameras or if you are really curious about what is going on around the house, you can find out a lot by installing these systems. Sometimes, people have even used these CCTV systems to catch babysitters or nannies mistreating children or to catch cheating spouses. However, we don’t condone installing security cameras to catch a cheating spouse. They’re designed more to protect the home from intruders and protect the family from harm.

If you have purchased a home, you deserve to be able to protect that investment. Home CCTV systems will allow you that protection while also giving you the opportunity to have everything on record in the event that something does happen. These are not spy cams or toys, either. They are designed for your protection and to help keep your home safe. That should be your primary motivation for investing in closed circuit television for your own home. Anything else is just a waste of time and money because there are cheaper ways to spy on people.

You can use home CCTV systems to keep an eye on your children and make sure that they are safe whenever you’re not home, as well. As long as you are looking out for your children, it isn’t considered the same as spying on people. You can give your kids the opportunity to have their freedom but make sure that you are monitoring what they do so that they are safe and not behaving badly. You should avoid their rooms and private spaces because this will seem like an invasion of privacy, but having cameras around the home and outside of the home can catch a lot more than you might realize.

Whether you are protecting your home or keeping an eye on your children, home CCTV systems are a great option. Plus, they’re affordable and easy to find, no matter what you are looking for. Some people dust off the old cameras from when they had a nanny around and use them just the same, while others invest in newer technology like digital systems and DVR CCTV equipment. No matter what you decide, you can protect your home and your children with security cameras and CCTV without spending a lot of money or time on the matter.

What is For Sale by Owner Homes?

FSBO Blogger — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 22:31:53 +0000

Most people have a dream of home ownership. In addition many people who dream of home owner make use of a real estate broker. However, some people who wish to sell their home and move to another home don’t wish to bother with using a real estate agent to sell their home. Some people who wish to sell their home opt instead to do it themselves. This do it yourself process is called for sale by owner. The formal definition of for sale by owner is the process of marketing, buying, and selling of real estate without the representation of a real estate broker.

When homeowners decide to sell their home without the aid of a real estate agent, they enter the wonderful world of for sale by owner sellers. There are also two interesting facts about for sale by owner homes. The first fact states that If a seller markets a home as a for sale by owner home and a buyer who isn’t working with a real estate agent wants to buy this home, the seller pays no commission because no real estate agents are involved in the transaction. The second interesting fact about for sale by owner homes states that if a buyer who is represented by an agent is interested in a for sale by owner home then, that buyer’s agent may request that the owner pay him or her a commission or a finder’s fee for bringing the buyer to the property.

Many sellers who choose to sell their homes through for sale by owner do so in order to avoid paying a commission to a broker which is typically about six percent of the selling price of the property in many parts of the United States. In addition, commissions can range between five percent and seven percent in different real estate markets within the United States and Canada. In many states, brokers have the appropriate pre-printed forms in place so that agents can “pre negotiate” a “one time showing with a negotiated commission rate. This practice ensures that agents can represent their clients’ best interests and to consider all available homes in the decision making process.

There is no need to fear selling a home via for sell by owner because sellers can protect themselves from harm. In order to protect themselves, sellers typically arrange to have the needed forms on hand or have them drawn up by a lawyer. Moreover, did you know that more and more homeowners that are selling their own property are using online marketing companies to advertise their properties whether they are located in Wisconsin or Vancouver Canada? The for sale by owner websites are now a real part of the real estate landscape as the Internet is vital in the home selling process. In addition, the largest for sale by owner in the United States is FSBO Madison in Madison, Wisconsin with a reported 25 percent share of Madison home sales.

Water Treatment Facilities – First Step in Pure Water

FSBO Blogger — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 14:05:10 +0000

In nearly every city, the water that is used is treated in some way. Generally, a large water treatment facility in the city takes the water from local sources and processes it. Water can go through many different types of processes. These will vary according to the kind of water it is, and what quality of water is desired. However, this is just the first step in taking polluted water from being full of impurities and transforming it to pure water suitable for human consumption.

A water treatment facility will decide which processes to use on the water based on the source of the water itself. Some water is from ground surfaces, while others come from underground aquifers through the use of a well. Each requires different treatment processes depending on the area the water is from. The type of treatment the water undergoes will also hinge on what the water will be used for once it has completed treatment. In most cases, water is treated to drinking level quality. This is especially true when it is difficult to make sure that the public does not try to drink the water. Sometimes water is treated to drinking quality levels when it will be used in other ways, because it may not be practical to treat the water to different qualities and it is best to just make it all a drinking quality.

Almost all water is run though vigorous treatments that will screen out various types of debris first. Then it begins treatments that will eliminate the wide variety of pathogenic or disease causing microorganisms that inhabit most water sources. Some of these water treatment types are lime softening, stabilization, activated carbon absorption and fluoridation. All of these processes work to transform the polluted and harsh water into a better quality of water before it makes its journey to your residential or business location.

While water treatment facilities do a good job of removing a great deal of the pollutants from the water, they cannot remove everything. Once the water begins its journey through the pipes of the city it also picks up additional sediments along the way. These sediments combined with some of the elements that are not screened out at a treatment center can be harmful to a person’s health. To combat this growing problem, many people use water filter systems at their own location. These devices can work wonderfully by eliminating other toxins that have made their way into their drinking water.

Best Viewing Procedures for FSBO Properties

FSBO Blogger — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:10:02 +0000

When you ask a realtor to sell your home, then you have to go along with the viewing procedures followed by that realtor. If the realtor wants to hold an open house on a particular day, then you need to get out of the home at an established time on that day. You expect the realtor to monitor the comings and goings of the people who come to view your home.

If, however, you decide to put an “FSBO” sign on your property, then you, the seller choose whether or not to schedule a viewing for your property. If you want to find a buyer, then you generally need to agree to allow each potential seller to view the property on which you have placed an FSBO sign. If you have arranged for a potential seller to come and look at your home, then you need to follow a few common sense rules.

FSBO Procedure

First, make sure that you put all of your valuables in a secure location. If you have a safe deposit box, then transfer your valuables to that secure spot. Remember, you and not a realtor are responsible for those valuables. You can not turn for help to a realtor, in the event that a less than desirable person has requested and obtained permission to view your home.

When scheduling a time for a potential buyer to view your home, pick a time when there will be at least two adults in the residence. While you do not need to have two people show the home, it is good to let any potential buyer see that the seller is not “home alone.”

Take the time to open your blinds and curtains before each viewing. In that way, you diminsh chances that any potential buyer might try to perform an unscrupulous act while in your home.

Never agree to allow a potential buyer in your home without an appointment. That rule must be enforced with greatest vigilance after dark. It should not be hard to back up any demand that a potential buyer view you home during the day. All of the features on any home show up best during daylight hours. You should always have a flyer avalilable for the buyer to study, until he or she can schedule a daylight visit.

If you decide to put an FSBO sign on your home, do not think that you need to follow every one of the procedures that is followed by the typical realtor. You should not plan to have an open house viewing. Realtors have made a point of scheduling open house viewings so that they can better share with other realtors the information about any home that is listed by the associated agency.

Moreover, research has shown that a number of buyers become frustrated when they attend an open house, They often find it difficult to approach the seller with an important question. In addition, an open house in a home can act like an invitation to burglers.

Selling Your Home without an Agent – Pricing and Marketing

FSBO Blogger — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:54:52 +0000

If you are thinking about selling your home without an agent, you are not alone. More than twenty percent of properties for sale are FSBO and this is becoming more popular each day. This is beneficial to both buyer and seller. Sellers benefit by keeping all of the profit and buyers are often attracted to FSBO homes as they are generally priced less than those who will be giving big commission checks to agents.

For example, if you were to sell your home for a final negotiated price of 300K, and the agent was to receive 10 percent, your profit would be 270K. If you go it alone, your final negotiated price could be 285K, thus giving you an extra 15K and saving the buyers 15K. In the end, both sides end up happy and receiving a great deal.

Let’s talk about how to handle some of the important steps of the FSBO process. Unless you own two properties, you will want arrangements in place for the home that you are to move into when your current home sells. Whether your home sells in three days or three months, you will feel secure if you have already been pre-approved for a mortgage if needed and if you have done a fair amount of house hunting yourself so that you are very familiar with where you will want to move to and the type of home that you will be able to afford. Be sure to check out neighborhoods and other elements that are important to you, so that should your home sell very quickly, you will not be caught off guard. You can, however, have a clause in your agreement that you will be allowed a certain number of days to move out, or even that they sale will not finalize until you have purchased your next home.

Next, we will talk about pricing. While an agent can quickly summon up an asking price for your home, there is no reason why you cannot come to a fair price that works in your favor, all you need to do is a little bit of research. If you still owe on a mortgage, be sure to figure out what you need, as opposed to what you want. If you cannot come out of the sale with your head above the debt, it is not time to sell. You will want to pay attention to your home’s tax appraisal value and also compare your home to others in the same area that are of the same approximate age and square footage.

One of the elements that most people associate with real estate agents is the ability to get the house for sale noticed. However, in today’s world of the Internet, the majority of home buyers browse on their computers before they look at any homes in person. In this aspect, you can easily market your own home. You will want to post your home for sale keeping in mind two important elements. First, you will want the photographs of your home to be very appealing. If it is summer time, do not post photos taken in the winter. Even before reading anything, a potential buyer will assume that you have not been able to sell your home for quite a while. Have recent photos, taken with a quality camera, and show off the house and rooms in a flattering light. The second element will be your wording. Look at homes that are being sold by agents. Follow the same formatting. Be your own agent, marketing the house as if it is the best house for the best price. When you are your own best supporter you will find that you do have the power to get others excited about your house as well.

How to Take Great Outside Photos of Your Home

FSBO Blogger — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 16:50:15 +0000

When you have decided to sell your house yourself, FSBO, the photographs that you post with your listing will be extremely important. One bad photo can prompt a potential buyer to skip over to the next listing. You will want each picture to be intriguing, showing off your house in a great light and prompting the potential buyers to click away at all photos and then read the details of your posting. This guideline will talk about how to take excellent photos of the outside of your house in order to maximize the amount of traffic that stays looking at your listing.

Photos of Your Home

While the inside of your home is important, never underestimate the outside. While potential buyers will want the inside to fit their living needs, the outside speaks volumes. The exterior of your home represents who lives inside of it. The average person takes between 1 and 3 seconds to decide if a home is a possibility just by looking at the first outside photograph. Therefore, let’s take a detailed look at how to take photographs of the outside of your home that will draw people in.

Remember that your exterior shots will also include your yard and property. This is especially important for buyers with children and those with dogs. If you have a good sized yard, show it off. Just as you would do with the interior, you will want to remove any clutter. It is acceptable to show an outdoor swing set, it is not going to play in your favor to have children’s toys scattered all over the yard! Think “clean”; this means having the grass cut short, trimming around the edges, removing any weeds from flower beds, etc. If you have hardscape, such as a pool or sundeck, be sure to take photos of those as well. In regard to any deck area, it is alright to have a patio set in the shot, as long as it is sparkling clean. If your umbrella has seen better days, it will be best to remove it before you begin taking snapshots.

The best time of the day to take photos will be between 10 AM and 2 PM, when the sun is at its strongest. You will also want to make sure that no one inside of the home is peaking out of the windows! Many sellers do not even think about this until the photos are posted and they then notice that Aunt Mary can be seen vacuuming through the living room window.

As you may have guessed, waiting for a bright sunny day will be in your best interest. You will not want to have any outside photos that show gray sky or impending rain. Another tip is that you may want to take a long shot that shows the entire house and to make sure that your “For sale by Owner” lawn sign shows in the photo. This reminds potential buyers that there is competition for the house and that they are not the only ones who may be interested. This prompts people to think about asking for an in person showing.

How to Sell Using FSBO

FSBO Blogger — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 16:14:13 +0000

When people decide to put their house on the market, they automatically think that they need to hire a realtor in order to get the job done right. The truth is that you can sell your house yourself using the “for sale by owner,” or FSBO, process. All you need to do is sign-up with a FSBO company for marketing support, and the rest is up to you. An FSBO company will provide you with exposure on a website, a listing in a local print catalog, and all the help you need to get the paperwork right when you sell. The only thing you have to do is set the price on your home, and get to selling it.

There are some things you should do before you actually put the house on the market to make your chances of selling the house better. The first thing you want to do is walk out the front door, and look at your house from the curb. Do you like the way it looks? If you were house hunting, would you stop in at your house looking the way it does? This is called measuring curb appeal, and it is extremely important that your home have a lot of curb appeal to gather in prospective buyers.

For Sale by Owner

In some cases it can be extremely inexpensive to create curb appeal on your home. Maybe your sidewalks need to be edged, or those weeds growing along the side of the house could be removed, and maybe the porch could use a coat of paint. Anything you can do to improve the look of the house from the curb is going to increase your selling chances. Do not think that a lower selling price will compensate for a lack of curb appeal, because it simply will not. If you want serious buyers to look your house over, you need to make that good first impression.

From the curb we walk through the front door and gauge how that strikes you. It can be difficult to be objective when judging your own home, so you may want to have a close friend or relative help you by making suggestions of the things they see. How does the carpet look? Is it time to replace the crown molding running along the ceiling? Could the walls use a new coat of paint, or maybe a makeover with some wallpaper? The idea is to spend as little as possible to try and get the maximum possible value from your home. You would be amazed how much value a $20 can of interior paint can add to a home.

The final check is the backyard. Are you making the most of the space in the backyard? Is your current layout making the backyard look as big as it can look? If there is very little in your backyard, then sometimes the best approach is to clear your backyard and make it look bigger to prospective buyers. Perception is everything, and if someone sees a big backyard then that may push them towards making you an offer.

FSBO Vs Realtors

FSBO Blogger — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 15:46:58 +0000

When it comes to selling your home there are two different roads that you can take. First you can take the most used way, which would be with the Realtors. They have their positive things because they are going to do the work for you. They are going to put your house on the market and show it off to people. They can hold open houses, and they pretty much take care of everything. However, if you are looking to save some money then you may want to go with the FSBO. There are many websites that are out there now that can help you get your house on the market without the help from Realtors. Also, you can set up everything yourself because you do not have to do what the Realtors tell you to do. It seems like they both have their plus sides. now let’s take a look at the bad.

When it comes to down falls,both FSBO and Realtors have their negatives. First, we will start with Realtors. Sure they guys may do everything for you, but it all is going to come as a big cost to you. They are going to get 5 to 6 percent of whatever you make on your house. Now say your house sells for 100,000 dollars, they are getting a good bit of that. However, if you go with FSBO you are going to have to pay to post your house on different sites.

Now only that, but you are also going to have to do everything yourself. Sure they have tools to help you, but you are not gong to have Realtors to handle all the dirty paper work. It’s always nice to know that you do not have to do something by yourself, but doing it this way you are kind of taking a shot in the dark.

So who comes out on top? Well it really depends on what you like. For me it would have to be the Realtors. This is just because it seems like a lot less work to go ahead and pay someone to help you get your house off the market as quickly as possible. However, if you know what you are doing to sell a home then you may think that FSBO is the way to go. By doing it yourself you are saving a lot of money. It is great to save money because then you know longer have to pay the Realtors. So what it comes down to is what you like the most. However, I do think that it is great that we have two different roads to travel down. Sure the FSBO is the less traveled road, but we are starting to see a shift in that.

For Sale By Owner FAQ

FSBO Blogger — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 14:55:20 +0000

FSBO is one of the fastest growing markets on the internet. This is for people who are trying to sell their own home. Now you can actually get your home to sell without having to pay someone a fee. First of all, we need to talk about some of the good things about For Sale By Owner. When you use to want to try and sell your home by yourself you had to wait for the word of mouth to kick in.

Now with the For Sale By Owner website you have the power of the internet behind you. The best thing about For Sale By Owner is that you have nothing to lose. If your house does not sell then you get a full return of your money. This means that if you put your house up on their website and it does not get a bite then you are going to get all your money back. If you are trying to sell your house there is no deal that is better than that one. Selling your own home has never been easier.

When I am thinking of For Sale By Owner I start thinking of the fact that I do not have to pay any commission on my home. That means that you do not have to give someone 6% of what your home is worth in order for them to sell it. That means that is going to put more money back in your pocket. That way you can use that money for more important things like finding your own house and putting a down payment on it. Also, when I say that you do not have to do it alone I mean that you do not have to do it alone.

You are going to have full access to their hotline. That means that you can reach them day or night to help you get your house off the market as quickly as humanly possible. Many people have problems trying to sell their home themselves, however, with For Sale By Owner on your side you are going to be just fine.

If you have any questions all you have to do is look at the FSBO FAQ, and you will see that all your questions can be answered there. If you still have a question that needs to be answered then all you need to do is get a hold of them, and they will answer your question one on one. Remember this company is here to help you. Having a way to get your hands on all the tools they have available to you is great.

I think that you are going to be amazed at how fast you sell your home After all, the best part about putting your home up on the market is the fact that you get a new one. So do not waste time waiting for your home to sell.