To all our cherished friends, neighbors, family and clients – we are so proud to have been able to work with you and be a part of your lives! As we end this year and turn to the exciting time and events that 2013 holds, we just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all that you bring to our lives.
We have some really great plans in the coming year to bring more success to all your real estate endeavors. And with each transaction that makes it to the closing table in the coming months and years ahead – we know that there will continue to be new and exciting things to follow for all of us.
On behalf of the entire group – Happy Holidays, Season’s Greetings, Peace and Joy!
As we prepared for our photography
session we realized just how vital it is to present a solid first impression.
Not just in the real estate industry, but overall. In fact, we wanted to share
the immense professionalism and high-level talent of our photographer to
demonstrate as a fantastic example, just how important first impressions can
be.
The very fabulous Tim Coburn of Tim Coburn Photography in Washington DC took us into his studio and took
photographs of us. But there was much more to it than just shooting the camera.
In face, when we arrived at his studio we were taken in by his hair and makeup
department. The
consummate professional, Tim Coburn realizes the importance of first
impressions and he puts in a lot of work behind the scenes to accomplish that
result.
It’s
really no different with real estate. When we stand in front of you and show
you the comparable sales data on your home, for instance, it may look like a
simple comparison of recently sold homes but a lot more goes into the process
than meets the eye. When we advise our sellers to prepare their home for sale
and even perhaps consider staging the home to sell it effectively, it’s no
accident that we are again thinking about those first impressions.
Any
way you cut it, professional presentation entails so much more than just that
first impression but that initial glance is extremely important. We invite you
to come in and meet with us so we can have that opportunity to share with you
what we offer, provide you a glimpse of our “behind the scenes” and get to work
achieving your real estate goals. Contact us today!
With today’s real estate market as ripe for activity as it is, many people are getting into second homes, vacation places and rental or investment properties. In fact, for those that already have these additional properties – it’s a great time to own them as values are finally starting to rise on them again with our market leaning toward being a sellers’ market.
But one thing you should know as the owner of a secondary property is that come wintertime it is critical to winterize the home or else be prepared to suffer the consequences. As you can see in the video, I’ve shared with you a sample pipe that has ruptured as a result of the water main not being turned off during the winter.
What happens is that with lack of use there is standing water left in the pipelines, leading to the risk (and very often occurrence) of water in pipes to freeze. As the ice expands on such a vast scale as throughout the entire house, pipes then literally rupture and crack open. Though the root cause of the problem takes place early on in the winter, visible damage doesn’t really occur until later on when things start to warm up again.
Many times we hear of property owners that return to their homes only to find that their pipes had ruptured and there is water damage all over the place. The repair for this sort of damage is very extensive and time-consuming, costing as much as $10,000 to replace the pipelines.
The simplest and easiest thing you can do to avoid all this is to turn off the water main switch before the cold winter sets in. That is all it takes.
Other winterization tips include:
•Cleaning out fall leaves debris from gutters
•Sealing cracks and crevices in your driveway to avoid salt and grime from corroding the driveway during winter months
•Installing snow stakes to help avoid damage from snowplowing
•Double checking door and window seals to trap in as much heat as possible
We hope you find these tips useful and as always, please do not hesitate to contact us for your real estate needs!
As the East Coast has had torrential downpours due to
Hurricane Sandy this week, sump pumps have been working overtime to keep
millions of basements from flooding. A working sump pump can save you from
thousands of dollars in damages and the headache of a flooded basement. Let’s
take a look at how the sump pump works and what you can do to make sure that it
will continue to work.
How Sump
Pumps Work
A sump pump is a small pump installed in the lowest part of
a basement or crawlspace. Its job is to help keep the area under the building
dry and prevent it from flooding. As water flows through drains, the sump pump
pumps that water away from the building.
Sump Pump
Maintenance
The number one rule with sump pump maintenance is
to make sure your pump is turned on! The pump will do no good in protecting your
basement from water if it is off. By routinely taking a few minutes to make
sure your sump pump is in good working order, especially before a storm
approaches, you can keep your basement dry. Once you verify that the pump is
turned on, check the cord for any wear-and-tear and the outlet to make sure it
is working. Next, ensure that the pump is upright. If the pump is tilted to one
side or another, it can jam and cease to work. Test out your sump pump. Pour a
bucket of water into the pit and, if the pump does not quickly drain the water,
have it serviced. After you have done
this, clean the grate on the bottom of the pump and remove any debris in the
vent hole. Finally, ensure that the outlet pipes are tight joined together and
draining out at least 20 feet from your foundation.
By doing just a little extra maintenance and
inspection on your sump pump, you can insure that your basement will stay dry
during the most severe rainstorms.
After what may seem the longest ever housing slump, we are finally seeing some great conditions after five, seven years that are leading to even greater results for countless Americans. There are many reasons for this increase in activity and today I wanted to share them with you. If you have been on the fence about buying or selling or if you know someone that has been contemplating entering the real estate market, consider the seven must-know factors below. In short, if you know someone that wants to buy or sell, now is the time.
Low, Low Cost of Borrowing
Never before in the history of our real estate industry have interest rates been as low as they are today. There’s no sign at least for now of them going up and what these low rates translate to – especially when combined with other factors mentioned below, is an unprecedented opportunity for buyers and sellers.
There’s Plenty of Money for the Taking
In the past several years, banks have been wary of lending and this was particularly during a time when the housing finance industry was dealing with several scandals and subsequent settlements. But now, banks are finally able and willing to lend again, allowing deserving homebuyers the chance to finance their homes.
Low Home Prices Make Buying Better
In a traditionally stronger renters’ market, we are finally looking at buying being more affordable. This works really well in the favor of sellers that have previously been unable to sell in the wake of our recession.
Fewer Homes, More Demand
Inventory is systematically dwindling downward, causing a stronger demand for homes across our marketplace. Not only is this due to increased sales but also the number of REO and bank-owned properties is going down.
Plenty of Buying Power Floating Around
There are a large number of first-time homebuyers on the prowl at this time. With prices edging down, interest rates already at their record setting lows and inventory declining – buyers have a lot of buying power and they are out there to exercise it.
Comparable Sales Are Working Favorably
After many, many months of not-so-favorable comparable sales and appraisals, we are finally seeing numbers that work in sellers’ favor. Homes are being appraised at higher values and other sales indicate higher sales prices – leading to a good result for sellers getting top dollar for their properties.
Economy Boost With Presidential Election
Historically an election year has usually posed a good environment in terms of our national economy. Better economic times, no matter how temporary they may seem, always point to increased activity in the housing market. This works in the favor of buyers and sellers; buyers will see more quality homes on the market and will have the money to spend to purchase those homes while sellers will enjoy increased buyers vying for their property.
As you embark upon what will be one of the most important transactions of your life – whether buying or selling a home – you should be absolutely certain that you are happy with the real estate agent you have hired to help you manage it.
To help you with this all-important hiring process, here are ten important questions to ask an agent before you decide on whether or not to hire them:
Question #1
How Close Do You Get in Sale Price Related to Asking Price?
It is important to ask for this information as it relates to the past 60 days. Given that many agents are not that active in the market, you would be best served to obtain the most recent information possible. As a seller, your agent’s ability to come close to the asking price is a strong attribute and can mean a difference of thousands of dollars in your transaction.
Question #2
How Many Days on Average Does It Take You To Sell a Home?
What’s the average number of days on the marketfor properties listed by your prospective agent? Since this statistic can reach as high as six to nine months and in some cases and as much as a year, it is important to ask how your prospective agent ranks on the scale.
Question #3
What is the Rate of Homes Sold on a Monthly Basis?
Knowing the absorption rateof homes similar to yours that are on the market allows valuable insight as to how the market is performing for your particular needs. Not only does it give sellers a glimpse into the system and how it would translate to their own sale but it also presents a broader view of the entire market in general.
Question #4
What Do You Do Differently To Get Homes Sold?
Especially with the current trying economic times, many agents have been faced with adversities trying to sell the homes on their list. One of the best ways to learn whether your agent is a self-starter is to find out what they have done in the past when they were unable to successfully sell homes. Ask why the agent feels the home(s) did not sell and then find out what they are doing differently to get them sold.
Question #5
What Percentage of Deals Do You Represent the Buyer Versus Seller?
Some agents work primarily with sellers while others work mostly with buyers and still others are experienced with dual-agency deals. Depending on your needs, you will benefit from an agent that specializes in one of the two. It is important to ask which side of the fence your prospective agent tends to represent.
Questions #6
How Many Homes Did You Sell Last Year?
Nothing speaks louder than numbers. A very important statistic, ask what the total number of homes sold last year was and if possible try to get a more long-term picture of the agent’s performance in this regard. You can also ask for a month-to-month breakdown to see if there are certain stronger months.
Questions #7
Can You Provide a List of the Ten Most Current Clients You Have Worked With?
Rather than rely on the given list of referrals that many agents have handpicked, it’s a good idea to obtain a list of clients that are currently working with this Realtor. It will provide a much-needed glimpse into the agent’s performance on various stages of real estate transactions.
Question #8
How Much of Your Work Day Do You Dedicate to the Real Estate Industry?
You want an agent that is 100% committed to their job and if they are focusing more on a day job with real estate being a secondary thing, you run the risk of inaccessibility, lack of knowledge and experience plus lackluster motivation. Find out how they feel about the real estate industry and whether they are passionate about their work.
Question #9
What is Your Style of Marketing – Proactive or Reactive?
What is your potential agent’s style of working? Does he or she speak to a large number of people each day? Are they proactive or reactive in nature when it comes tomarketing? See how this lines up with your real estate needs. Are you in a hurry to buy or sell? Does a laid back agent hinder your efforts? Or does slow and steady work better for you?
Question #10
What Does Your Daily Schedule Look Like?
The typical schedule of a real estate professional can be very telling. By asking for a copy or general idea of how they conduct their day in terms of their work, you can get a good idea of how much time is devoted to the profession and what kind of business they are running.
This is one of the best times in the real estate market – as the days get longer and things get warmer, more and more people are motivated to sell their homes while at the same time others are excited about finding the perfect dream home. What is happening in today’s real estate market? To get an idea of what you can expect in the coming weeks and months ahead – we have put together some information about our local marketplace. Whether you are a buyer or a seller now is a great time to get involved and achieve your real estate goals!
Buyers Still Enjoying Record Low Interest Rates
Though we have begun coming up from the super low interest rates of just a few months ago those rates are still at record-setting lows. What this means for buyers is that they can get into much better homes for the same monthly payment as a smaller one just a few years ago when rates were much higher. Hovering at around 4%, the cost of a mortgage is one of the greatest benefits and incentives for buyers to buy now.
Home prices also remain very low. They have come up a bit in the past several months, but like interest rates, they are still lower than they have been in a very long time. But if you want to find the perfect home, there may be little time as there will be more and more competition as the months go by.
Multiple Offers Provide Sellers More Leverage
For the first time in a while sellers are beginning to see the market shifting in their favor. Especially during the warmer months and the busiest real estate season of the year, sellers will be receiving multiple offers on their homes. This is especially true for homes that are priced right, in great condition and presented well.
It is essential to hire the right agent to get the job done so together with your agent you can formulate a game plan and work to achieve your goals. At a time when buyers are savvier than ever, it becomes vital to price your home effectively. In fact, we strongly suggest working with us to pull your area’s comparable sales to make sure you know your competition and price your property accordingly.
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As we continue onward, we are expecting the market to show its true colors – something that has been a long time coming after some of the more volatile times we seem to be crossing over. One of the greatest things we are thankful for is our clients’ trust in us and their referrals. Than
A special thanks to Home At Last Decor for participating in this week's blog. Visit their website for more information! www.homeatlastdecor.com
One of the easiest ways to prepare a home for sale is by having it staged by professional home stager or interior decorator. Home staging simply means that you're decorating in a way that will show off the best features of a home. Many sellers don't realize the huge impact that home staging can have on how quickly their home sells and for how much.
One thing you have to realize as the home seller is that staging does not always create an effect that matches the way you would normally live. Instead, the house actually becomes like a product. A home stager will take your home and turn it into a marketable product that buyers want.
In this week's video, I had a professional home stager take over the challenge of staging a home office to present well for buyers. The goal was to make buyers feel like they could move right into the home and utilize the home office area. We wanted it to be inviting, yet functional.
Here are some tips to use when staging a home office, or any area in your home:
- Depersonalize: It's very important to depersonalize your home office and the rest of your home. The main idea is that you want the buyer to see themselves in your home and not be hung up on all of your personal things. This would include removing things like your personal sports team preferences, family photos and even books that refer to your own opinions such as political or religious texts.
- De-clutter: It's very important to de-clutter your home office area by putting up paperwork and other unnecessary items. Remember that you don't want people to look at your home office as a place where work will need to be done. Instead, it should look comfortable and inviting since most people will use it to sit down and pay the household bills, etc. You don't want them to be completely overwhelmed by the amount of paperwork clutter that you have around your working area.
- Artwork: If necessary, you should change the artwork in your home office to fit the theme of an office. In this particular case, the homeowner had a piece of artwork that really wasn't related to a home office. Our home stager changed that out to give it a more soothing, generic theme.
- Under the desk: It's also critical to remove anything that's under the desk. Remember that buyers are going to look everywhere in your home including closets and under your furniture. You want everything to look organized and clean. If you have a lot of stuff under your desk, it takes away from the look of the room plus it makes the space look smaller.
- Polish the desk: Remember to polish furniture throughout the house to give it a clean look. People often forget this simple step, but it can make a big impression.
- Remove dust jackets: Here's a simple tip that you can use in any home. Remove the dust jackets from hardcover books and put them between two elegant looking bookends. You can put them on a coffee table or on your desk. Removing the dust jackets gives the books a dressier look.
- Add a comfortable chair: Even if you have to make a purchase to do so, add a comfortable, elegant chair to your desk. It will be well worth the money, and you can take it with you when you move.
- Add plants: You may want to consider adding a plant to your desk or even the corner of the room. It adds texture and hides cords.
We asked our home stager to give her biggest “no-no” when it comes to showing at home. She said by far that personal items need to be removed so that people won't be focused on their opinion of you, but will be focused on the house itself. Again, this means removing religious or political books, personal pictures and anything else that might give someone an opinion of who you are. Instead, you want them to focus on living in that home.
As always, if you ever have real estate questions, we are here to help! Just give us a call or drop us an email.
With our all-time low interest rates and prices so low it’s no wonder that buyers are lining up trying to take advantage of the great deals out there right now. But if you are one of those buyers that are finding it tough to deal with the competition, what can you do better to make sure you get the home of your dreams? There are a few things that many buyers, under the guidance of their savvy agents, are doing to stand apart from the rest. Here we’ve shared them with you to make your real estate buying endeavors both fruitful and as seamless as possible!
Be Prepared In Advance and Know What to Expect
Too often when prospective homeowners walk into a new property, they do not take into consideration the all-important fact of how much they can actually afford. It’s one thing to have a ballpark figure in mind but it’s another to have an actual preapproval letter from your bank. Buyers that have a preapproval are taken far more seriously by sellers than the buyers that express an interest in the home but then have to start from square one.
Know what the market holds when you go to make an offer on a property? Many times a buyer will not have studied the area’s market trends and as a result ends up suffering the consequences. For example, in a strong market where there are good homes at desirable prices, buyers find themselves competing against others in what ends up to be bidding wars. Being prepared in advance and being willing to offer more than the asking price is sometimes what is necessary to get you that dream home. Keep in mind that eventually, the market will experience an upswing so you will see some return on your investment. By focusing on what you are getting now with the best of what the market has to offer, you will end up with a winning transaction.
Adding a Personal Touch To Appeal to Sellers
The transaction of buying or selling a house can be very impersonal at times but it does not have to be that way. One of the best ways that highly successful real estate agents succeed in helping their clients get their dream properties is to add a personal touch – especially when it comes to communication with the sellers. An example is sending a letter introducing the family that is vying for the property, with details about them, why they love the house, or what makes them the perfect fit for the home. When sellers come across this type of thing, it gives them a warm glimpse into the people that could be moving into their home – a home that they are undoubtedly very attached to and would like to see go to only the perfect new owners. Another thing that works well is complimenting the sellers on how they have maintained the home or on other aspects of the house you find very appealing. ~ At the end of the day, if the house is meant for you it will likely become yours but not without you and your agent doing the best possible to stand out from the rest. For a customized consultation on how we can help you buy the perfect home, we invite you to visit us soon!
Unfortunately, you can’t assume the keys you’re holding are the only keys to your home that could exist out there. Play it safe and have all the locks changed as soon as you can.
2. Re-program garage door opener
Again, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to the security of your new home. Most garage door remotes have a reset button that you can hold down to reprogram the opener. If you want more concise instructions, note the make and model of the opener and contact the company to walk you through the steps.
3. Replace furnace filter
Most manufacturers recommend that a furnace filter be changed once a month during the heating season to ensure the most efficient performance. While there are higher-quality filters that may not require monthly replacement, it’s still a good idea to check the filter monthly and, of course, replace it when you move into a new place.
4. Install new batteries in smoke alarm and carbon dioxide detector
You have no way of knowing when the batteries were last changed and if the home has been unoccupied, it’s probably been awhile. Test the alarm and detector and put new batteries in each. This investment of time and a few dollars is well worth it, given the stakes.
5. Replace toilet seat covers
We probably don’t need to go into specific details, but most people insist on swapping out toilet seats.
