Achieving the optimal asking price is the result of both objective research into similar properties and instinct in determining how much a buyer will be willing to pay for your home. The correct price will maximize showings, which will generate offers.

The unfortunate fact is that price is the number one factor that most homebuyers use when determining which properties to view. It is also important to remember that although you and your Realtor set the asking price, the selling price is determined by what the buyer will pay.

The Correct Price Will:

Result in a quicker sale, with less inconvenience to the seller

• Expose the property to more buyers • Increase Realtor response • Generate more telephone inquires from advertising efforts • Prevent your listing from becoming stale or “shop worn”

Typically homes that sell more quickly, sell near and sometimes over asking price.

Some Common Reasons for Overpricing: • Over improved property • Original purchase price too high • Desire “negotiating room”

Overpricing Pitfalls: • Most of the activity on your home will occur in the first several weeks. Initially pricing a home properly creates immediate urgency in the minds of buyers and agents. • There is a pool of buyers who have all ready seen most available homes in their price range and are now only waiting for new listings or price reductions. A buyer which has been waiting for new listings, may fail to see your home if it is priced too high. • Sometimes, a price reduction may be too late, as interest by both buyers and Realtors may have waned. • Buyers and their agents are very aware of the length of time a home has been on the market; the most common buyer question continues to be: “How long has it been on the market?” Often buyers are reluctant to make an offer on a home that has been on the market for “awhile” believing that there is something wrong with the home. • Unfortunately, overpriced listings frequently help you to sell your neighbor’s reasonably priced home, making it appear that their home is well priced.

The Role of a Real estate Agent in Pricing: • Provide you with a comparative market analysis, which is a comparison of homes with similar locations and amenities that are available for sale (listings – your competition), homes currently in escrow, recently sold and expired listings (those that did not sell). • There is no “exact price”; your home is worth what a buyer is willing to pay. • The market determines value; together you and your agent determine asking price.

Realtors have no control over the market, only the marketing plan. The seller determines the asking price. Some inexperienced agents may try to “buy your listing”; by suggesting an over inflated asking price. If you list with an agent who has provided you with an unrealistic asking price, they will only pressure you for a price reduction. Listings (even overpriced ones) generate visibility and potential clients for agents. Never select an agent based solely on their pricing recommendation; select an agent based on their marketing plan.

Phyllis Harb, a California native is a Realtor/Marketing Specialist at Dickson Podley Realtors in La Canada, California. Dickson Podley offers additional offices in Glendale, Pasadena, Altadena, Monrovia, and Glendora. Harb has been assisting Los Angeles County home sellers and buyers since 1989 and additionally offers over 10 years experience in real estate lending. Harb has an award winning web site @ Visit www.RealtorHarb.com or contact Phyllis at 818 790-7325.

It is estimated that approximately 1/4 of Onslow County's population is made up of active service members.

The base consists of 246 square miles with 14 miles of beaches which makes it a major area for amphibious assault training. Its location between two deep-water ports in Wilmington and Morehead City enables fast and efficient deployments.

Now that you know some of the facts about the base, I bet you would like to know more about what the area has to offer and information and tips on relocating to the area.

But first, you must get organized and prepare for the move:

Preparing for Relocation to Camp Lejeune Marine Base - http://activerain.com/blogsview/421339/Preparing-for-Relocation-to

And of course, the most important issue at hand.........you need a place to live and that's where I come in.

We take pride in assisting Military Families locate a home in Onslow County when relocating to Camp Lejeune North Carolina

Sellers also are required to indicate any significant defects or malfunctions existing in the home's major systems. A checklist specifies interior and exterior walls, ceilings, roof, insulation, windows, fences, driveway, sidewalks, floors, doors, foundation, as well as the electrical and plumbing systems. The form also asks sellers to note the presence of environmental hazards, walls or fences shared with adjoining landowners, any encroachments or easements, room additions or repairs made without the necessary permits or not in compliance with building codes, zoning violations, citations against the property and lawsuits against the seller affecting the property.

People buying a condominium must be told about covenants, codes and restrictions or other deed restrictions.

Always ask to see a Seller's Disclosure Form before making an offer on a property.

Let's look at how low home sellers went in March:

La Canada 9 homes sold, $718,000 - $1,480,000 Average days on market: 80 7 of the 9 homes had a price reduction prior to entering escrow 97.04% AVERAGE list to selling price (based on final asking price), none sold over asking

Glendale 23 homes sold, $490,000 - 1,200,000 Average days on market: 61 Apparently Glendale home sellers and their Realtors are more attuned to the market as only 6 of these 23 homes had a price reduction prior to entering escrow. 94.76% AVERAGE list to selling price (based on final asking price). 4 of these homes sold over asking price.

La Crescenta 13 homes sold, $365,000 - $1,510,000 Average days on market: 89 9 of the 13 homes had price reductions prior to entering escrow. 95.30% AVERAGE list to selling price (based on final asking price) 2 homes sold at asking price and one over.

1. Keep an eye on your balances.

The higher the total balance as a percentage of your total credit limit, the lower your score will be. You should not exceed 30% of your total credit limit.

2. Late Payments.

Make at least the minimum amount due as soon as the bill arrives. Better yet if you can pay them off in full. To help ensure your payments are there on time. Pay your bill with automatic bill payments online.

3. Know what's on your credit report.

Get a copy of your credit report before you apply for a loan. Check it for accuracy if there is something that is not yours on it contact the reporting agency to dispute any inaccuracies. You are entitled to one free report per year per agency get you can get one from all three agencies at www.annualcreditreport.com. Learn more about your rights at www.ftc.gov/credit

4. Do not close old accounts.

Remember above I talked about your credit limit. By closing old accounts you are lowering your total credit limit. If you have transferred balances from one card to another keep the card active till you have paid off the second one. Doing this will ensure you stay within the 30% rang talked about in item 1.

5. A mix of credit types is best.

Lenders like to see you manage a mix of revolving debt, such as credit cards and installment debt like car loans. Old accounts are better than new ones. Do not rush out and open a bunch of credit cards or loans just to have a mix.

1. List your home for sell as soon as possible. One of the most important aspects of successfully selling your property is to avoid overpricing. Many seller, and unfortunately, some real estate licensees, will initially overprice a home with the belief that the price can always be adjusted downward at a late date with little or no penalty. Experienced agents are quick to point out that the best and most active period of listing is the first few weeks on the market. At no other time will the interest of fellow practitioners, both within and outside of the listing company, be at a greater level. But let's examine the inevitable reaction of the potential buyers who see this new, but overpriced, listing. It is crucial to understanding that buyers are looking at multiple properties and making decision to offer on a particular property based on various factors, one of which is comparable price. A buyer who is pleased with the amenities of two or three properties my then make a decision to offer based on listed price. What if you can?t price the home to sell at a price that will cover all cost?

2. Consider a short sale. A short sale is an arrangement between the owner and the bank that holds the mortgage to accept an offer for less than the amount owed to pay off the home. Why would the mortgage company do this? 1) Mortgage companies want to avoid foreclosure. When a bank forecloses on a home it becomes a non-performing loan. This affects the amount of money a bank can borrow from the Federal Reserve. Since banks only make money by borrowing from the Federal Reserve and lending to the public, they must borrow as much as they can. Every non-performing loan reduces the amount the bank can lend to the public, affecting the bottom line profits. 2) If the property is foreclosed, it goes to auction and is sold for what is owed on the first mortgage and typically not any more. This leaves the second mortgage holder getting absolutely nothing. This creates a win-win situation for everyone. The bank gets some money, but more importantly they keep a non-performing loan off their books. The homeowner avoids foreclosure and this helps there credit. 3. There is the possibility of Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure. The mortgager could accept a Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure in which you would sign over all rights to the house. The bank in return would promise to forgive the balance of the debt owed. Why would they want to do this? You want to pursue this as soon as you know you are having problems. The smaller the amount you are behind the better the chance. The bank saves the cost of foreclosure and can sell the home faster and at a better price because they don't have as much cost. In all cases check with a good real estate attorney and your accountant before pursuing any strategy.

While most of us have an idea of what we want our dream home to be like, we may have to gradually build to that dream home - starting off with something that is basic and able to meet our immediate needs- the starter home.

Starter homes can make for a great investment especially when you are ready to move up. If you keep the house properly maintained it will build value and in turn it could become someone else?s starter home or it could be used as an investment rental property providing you with additional monthly income over the years.

Another benefit of homeownership is the tax advantages it provides. The government provides several tax deductions for homeowners. Of course it is best to discuss the details of these deductions with your tax advisor to make sure that you are taking advantage of all your deductions and that you have the most current information.

Initially most of your monthly mortgage payment goes toward interest payments with only a few hundred dollars being applied toward your principal. As a general rule, mortgage interest is deductible on your main residence and for those with second homes the interest may be deductible as well under certain conditions. Those interest payments could add up to thousands of dollars in tax deductions over the year as well as over the life of the loan.

There are also other tax deductions which come with homeownership. The cost of getting your mortgage loan such as loan origination fees, mortgage insurance payments, and the annual property taxes that you pay on your property may all be deductible. All of these deductions when taken with the equity appreciation that is usually realized upon resale of a home that?s properly maintained can provide a sizeable financial benefit to the homeowner.

In summary, homeownership not only instills pride in us, but can also provide the basis on which to build our financial stability from starter home all the way to our dream home and beyond to retirement.