Plan, Search, Sort, Invest, Enjoy and Sell!
That's the success formula when buying and selling a condo.  All six steps are important and each one requires its own set of skills and understanding.  From Plan to Sell can take months or many years, you and your plan make that determination. The purpose of this website is to help your avoid some of the pitfalls that can cost a lot of time, effort, stress and money.

Real Estate has made a lot of people wealthy and secure, on the flip side it has cost a lot of people their life savings.  A buyer should have a five, ten and if time permits, a twenty year plan that is designed to build wealth and enjoyment along the way.
The Sort!
In any given location there can be thousands of condos for sale.  Sorting through them can be simple or a major project.  Your PLAN will help speed up the process.

Some considerations to ponder.  How much money do you want to invest?  What kind or configuration do you want (one, two or more beds)?  What view do you want?  What amenities do you want?  Are you going to rent it out all of the time, some of the time or maybe never?  Are you looking for a basket case that needs work or one that is ready to roll (turn key)? 

You can see having a plan going into this stage is a must if you are going to cut stress and strain.  Keep your plan flexible enough to bend with your trip but firm enough to keep you on the right track.  Our Plan is to help you go into the market, check out everything for sale by all of the real estate companies (MLS) and negotiate for the best price and terms.  When you are "sold" on the complex its time to look for the best deal in that complex.  Remember: "Buy to Enjoy and Sell!".
The Plan
From the day you buy a condo, the clock starts ticking down to the day you will sell the condo.  Typically that time frame is three to four years.  At that point owners do one of three things.  The first group will sell the condo, bail out and go home never to return,.  The second group will sell the condo and move up to a nicer condo.  The third group will  keep their condo, buy another one and sell one or both of them down the road for a profit.  

Which group you will be in depends on your plan.  No plan and you, most likely, will be part of the first group.  The second group buys for lifestyle, enjoyment and some appreciation in value.   The third group does the same but with a plan to accumulate wealth.  Smart buyers always buy with a plan to enjoy and sell.  Our mission is to help you build the plan.
The Search
This stage can be simple or it can be a tough call.  At this point we are not searching for the right condo, that's the following step.  The search is for "where to buy"!  There are many options. 

Do you want to buy a condo in a location where you want to end up (retire)?  Do you want to buy a condo that is quick to get to?  Do you want to be on the beach?  Do you want to be in the thick of things or maybe in some remote location.  This decision should be part of your plan.  Remember "Buy to Enjoy and Sell"?  Who is going to buy your condo down the road? 

It's a good idea to buy where there are going to be lots of people looking when you are ready to sell.  Once you have narrowed down the location it's time to start the sorting process.
Invest
The day of reckoning is here, it's time to get out the check book and become an owner of investment property.  If your plan was well constructed, you already know what you are going to spend and how much you need to make things work.  Having a plan takes the lump out of your throat when you write the check.  With no plan, about this time you having a major anxiety attack.  Remember you have done your homework and you are buying this to enjoy it and then sell it for a profit.  Part of our Plan to help your Plan involves working with lenders to reduce your closing cost (from $1,000 to $5,000)
Enjoy
The word Enjoy puts a smile on your face and gets you through all of the previous steps a little quicker.  Those who rent their condo will enjoy looking forward to income, tax incentives and appreciation down the road.

For those who choose to use their condo, it's time to walk on the sand, go fishing or maybe just relax and do nothing.  The reason they bought the condo will appeal to the next buyer for the same reason.  For the record the largest group of buyers head to the beaches. There is some internal attraction to the sand and surf that just motivates people to the beach. 

Part of our Plan to help your Plan is to be here when you need us, track the market, keep you updated, send you info on what's happing in your condo complex and plug in programs that will increase your rental income (more on this point later).
SELL!
Yes, that day will come.  Who will be the next buyer is determined in large part by which group you were in: rent only, rent and use or non rental.  That doesn't mean the next buyer can't use the condo for one of the other reasons but buyer's use often follows the seller's use.  The rent only and the rent and use groups are by far the largest number of owners.  Here is part of our Plan to help your Plan along the way.

Rental history has a big impact on future value.  Remember high rental income results in a higher selling price.  One of the powerful tools we make available as part of our plan is our exclusive "Rent Booster" program. 

One of its features is the creation of a unique web site for your condo. (www.complex name/unit number.com).  It is dedicated to promoting your condo to the rental market. We promote your condo on our websites.  That generates renters and points them to who ever is doing the rental management.  This is in addition to the advertising and marketing that your rental management company is already doing.  It also lets you promote your condo for the same reason.  This unique service can put an additional 20%-30% more income in your pocket at no cost to you.

When you are ready to sell we make a duplicate copy of the website and change the copy over to a For Sale site.  The rental site stays up and running to help show your buyer what you are bringing to the table.  The rental website is transfered to the new buyer at close with no cost to them.  This gives you an advantage over other condos the buyer may be considering.

At the time of sale our mission is to get the highest price, in the shortest time and with the least amount of stress on you..  Our Plan to support your Plan is extensive and we need to set up a time to fill in the details.  We are looking forward to working with and for you.

         Call us or email us now at 1 800 686-4005 or steve@gulfshoresmls.com
The Buyer's Coach game plan
by the Gulf e-TEAM
Steve, Linda, Shelby, Dana and John
RE/MAX of Gulf Shores    Gulf Shores, Al 36542
www.baldwinmls.com       1 800 686-4005
This website is owned and managed by Steve Warren,  RE/MAX of Gulf Shores,  Gulf Shores, Al  36542
Copyright 2007   Steve Warren, Inc, All Rights Reserved
Our Plan of Action