How to Be a Good Neighbor

by admin on April 2, 2012

How to Be a Good NeighborMoving into a new neighborhood can be a very rewarding experience. Meeting new people, networking, joining groups, and learning ways to connect with those around you is what many individuals can look forward to when buying a new home.

However, it is important that as a new neighbor you remember the basic etiquette of the neighborhood. Below are several useful tips to keep in mind when moving into a new neighborhood.

1)      Introduce Yourself

Although it may seem quite obvious, introducing yourself to your neighbors in an excellent way for them to get to know it. It also shows a lot about who you are as a person. Introducing yourself shows your neighbors that you are:

  • Friendly
  • Open to Meeting New People
  • Willing to Take the Initiative
  • Generous
  • Social

All of these qualities are characteristics that many individuals look for in a neighbor. If you want to really impress the neighbors, it can also be fun to add a gift basket filled with items such as fruit, chocolate, a handmade gift, or a baked item into your greeting. People always enjoy gifts, and they can often add a lot to your neighbors’ impression of you.

2)      Put Your Garbage Out On The Correct Day

One of the biggest differences between a good and a bad neighbor is whether or not they take out their trash at the appropriate time. It is important that you collect all of your trash bags and take them out on the appropriate day of the week.

Also, if you forget to take out the trash, figure out the best way to contain the added stench in order to avoid attracting bugs, stray animals, or rats. It is also important to contain the smell so your neighbors do not get burdened by the stench.

3)      Let Them Know About Parties

Another important factor in being a good neighbor is letting them know when you are having a party. You have two options regarding how to approach your neighbors. You can either invite your neighbors to your gathering or you can politely ask if they will be upset by added noise that may be created from the festivities. Either way you approach the topic is adequate. Letting your neighbors know of parties demonstrates your concern for your surrounding community.

4)      Take Care of Your Yard

It is important for you to maintain your yard and any other aspects of your house that may be observed by your neighbors. Items that are important to maintain include:

  • Weeding Your Lawn
  • Watering the Grass and Plants
  • Maintaining Your Garden
  • Trimming the Hedges
  • Mending Your Fences
  • Refreshing Your Paint On the House
  • Replacing Shutters or Door Frames

How you take care of your lawn impacts how observers view your neighborhood as a whole. Thus, by maintaining your property, you are demonstrating to your neighbors that you care about their appearance as well and that you are a responsible individual.

5)      Watch Out For Your Neighbors

It is important to feel safe within your neighborhood. Thus, if you look out for the individuals in your neighborhood, you can expect the same in return. If you see an unfamiliar or suspicious individual in one of your neighbor’s yards, contact that neighbor and let them know. It makes a big difference to your neighbors if they can trust you and feel safe in the neighborhood.

Be a Number One Neighbor

A little bit of effort goes a long way in a neighborhood. Simply be polite, put your best foot forward, and help those that are willing to help you; and you are well on your way to becoming an all-star neighbor.

This article was provided by Allison Klein of http://allisonkleinhomes.com/. You can learn more about Allison by visiting her website where you can search all Greeley CO real estate here http://allisonkleinhomes.com/greater-fort-collins-area/greeley/ and Timnath CO real estate here http://allisonkleinhomes.com/greater-fort-collins-area/timnath/.

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Preparing Your Home for Sale

by admin on February 28, 2012

Preparing Your Home for SalePreparing your home for sale is the most important part of selling your home. I always tell me clients that the cleaner a home is, the more money you will get for your home.

Pace yourself, take my advice, and if you follow some simple guidelines, you will get the most money for your house. Below are six helpful concepts gathered from my own knowledge that you can use to start developing your plan for successfully preparing your home for sale.

1) Create space.

  • Clear out as much furniture from your home as you can. Potential buyers don’t need to see your décor; they need to see your home and how their own style might work in it. You can put many pieces that are more “for looks” in storage. Or, if you don’t want it anymore, give it to charity, to friends, or have a garage sale.
  • The passageways of your home need to be free and clear. Your potential buyers want the hallways to be empty and easy to walk through. The same is true of entryways and doorways into rooms.
  • Let your buyer see spacious closets. You will probably need to clean them out and pack away quite a bit of your own belongings in order to accomplish this. I usually tell my clients to at least get rid of half of everything in their closets. Space does sell, and so closet and cabinet spaces that are only half-full or even empty work well.
  • Clean off your countertops completely. No dishes, no decorative items, no magazines, no books.  Just take a day and clear off all horizontal surfaces in your home.

*A nice thing about “gutting” your home this way is that the more you can donate, sell, or give away to friends and family, the less you will have to pack and move into your new home when moving day arrives.

2) Let your nose guide you.

  • You want your home to not smell at all, actually. If you can get it to that state—where it does not smell good or bad–that is best. If you have pets, or smoke in your home, you may need to hire someone to professionally clean the air ducts and such to achieve this neutral state. Also, be careful of what you cook before a showing. That smell can take over the whole house, and what if the potential buyers have a strong distaste for whatever you just cooked?
  • Keep in mind that your home may carry smells in places you haven’t cleaned in a while. Scrub the vents, and wipe down your walls, your doors, and your windows. You may even want to have some professional help in these areas.
  • Smells are also contained in fabrics. Clean any curtains, draperies, bedspreads, and any other fabrics that will be part of the showing.

Consider opening the windows if it’s a nice enough day; what a lovely air that can bring to a home. If it’s kind of a “cozy up” and gloomy day, turn on the fireplace if you have one, or light a non-scented candle.

3) Fix whatever isn’t working anymore.

  • The next buyer might be a handyman type, or he/she might have no clue on how to do home improvements. So, if your property has things that need to be fixed upon the walk through, some homebuyers will be immediately discouraged. In fact, I have watched clients calculate the repairs that need to be done in a home that they are considering; and, they calculate themselves right out of even liking the home anymore.
  • A “classic” home will sell, but an “old” home might not. Of course, some homebuyers are absolutely in the market for homes that are older and need renovation. But, typically, buyers want new, or at least current. Replace and fix what you can.

4) Lighten up your space.

A dark room, perhaps a study or a library, can be seen as intriguing and as a nice little retreat area. Your whole home, however, should not be dark. When people are coming through your home, turn on the lights, open up blinds, and let them see what they came to see.

Get a Home Inspection

After you have done your best to prepare your home, I still recommend that you consider hiring a professional inspector. Since your homebuyers will probably want a home inspection done anyway, how about we do it now? You may gain confidence from the inspection that your home is right on track for sale; or, you may be told a few more things that need repair. Either way, your goal is to get a healthy selling price for your home. Focusing on the concepts above and acting upon them will lead you in the right direction.

Guest post provided by Jolenta Averill a Madison WI real estate agent. Please visit her website where you can learn more about selling your home or search all Madison WI homes for sale as well as read up on the real estate market in Madison WI on her blog.

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Selling Your Home: Separating Yourself From Your Memories To Make New Ones

by admin on February 26, 2012

Separating Yourself From Your Memories To Make New OnesAre you about to embark upon the adventure of selling your home? Such a journey can be exciting, emotional, and exhausting at times. The process can only go more smoothly if you prepare yourself as best as you can—prepare yourself and your home.

Most likely, if you have been living in your home for some years, some things need to be fixed. A real estate agent could help you determine if everything needs to be fixed and updated, or just some things.

Selling Your Home

As a real estate agent, I counsel my clients to do what they can to make their homes anonymous. It is not always easy, as often my clients are emotionally attached to their homes more than they realize.

However, it is important that when potential buyers walk through your home that they have a sense of being able to put their own “mark” on the home. The potential buyers want to be able to walk through the home and imagine it as perhaps being their home. That is difficult for them to do if you leave pieces of yourself and your family in every room.

Part of this process includes taking down family pictures from the walls. Think about anything that expresses your personality and your personal taste:  collectibles, knick-knacks, trophies, souvenirs, and any décor that speaks about you and your specific taste.

Separating Yourself From Your Memories To Make New Ones

I recognize how difficult this process can be emotionally, as I have worked with many families. Still, I can help you stay focused on your goal of selling your home successfully; and, I have years of experience that have taught me what a home must look like in order to sell. So, take my advice, and place all of your personal items in boxes. Really, you are a step ahead of the game by doing so, as you were going to have to box those items up to move anyways, right?

Let’s go a step further and find proper storage for the boxes that you are packing. Avoid having boxes all over the garage or in the basement and closets; instead, rent a storage unit if needed. It is important that your home look fresh, clean, and uncluttered.

As you are putting away your personal items, you may as well keep packing. The more clutter that you can pack away the better. Pardon the word “clutter” in referring to your belongings; but again, if you have lived in the home for several years, it is highly probably that you have “things” that have accumulated in all spaces.

Pack Up And Get Ready To Move On

Pack up your counter tops in the kitchen, your closets, your shelves, and items that have been left in the garage and the basement, too. The more open space that you can show your potential buyer, the better. If you are having trouble accomplishing this task, step away from your home and pretend to be a buyer.

Imagine how you would want the space to look; in general, clear out the space ruthlessly! Ask a friend to help you recognize what needs to be done. So often, after you have de-cluttered once, a friend can come in and help you do another round of de-cluttering work. And, of course, I can help you too.

Working together through this process, we can sell your home successfully. As I mentioned earlier, it is a journey that involves emotions and work; and it is a learning process, also—especially if this is the first time that you have sold your home. As you study up a little about “selling your home” from other resources, you will find this to be a common theme:  make your home as anonymous as possible. I know it is more difficult for some homeowners than others, and I am here to help.

This guest blog was provided by Linda Wise a Viera FL Realtor who sells both Merritt Island Florida homes for sale and Palm Bay Florida homes for sale.

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Interviewing a Melbourne Real Estate Agent

by admin on February 26, 2012

Interviewing a Melbourne Real Estate AgentIf you are considering putting your house on the market, a good real estate agent is a must. An experienced agent will know how to market your house, can give you input for making it appealing to buyers, and will represent you in negotiations with prospective buyers.

You want to find someone who you feel comfortable with, and who also has experience in selling homes in your area and price range.

If you are a buyer, a good real estate agent can save you time by guiding you towards properties that meet your needs, and they will help you get the best price on your new home. Competition is fierce, so take your time to interview several agents until you find the one who is the best fit.

Interviewing a Melbourne Real Estate Agent

So how much experience should your real estate agent have? It depends. An experienced agent will know your neighborhood inside and out, will have experience at negotiations and might be able to get you a better price for your home. On the other hand, established, experienced agents tend to be in demand, and may be working with several other clients, which will cut into the amount of time they can spend focusing on your house.

Always ask for their average list-price-to-sales-price ratio. A good seller’s agent will have sales prices closer to list prices, while a good buyer’s agent will have a track record of negotiating lower prices for the buyer. Good negotiating skills are the key to getting a good price for your home, so this piece is very important.

Next, as about your agent’s marketing strategies. If you are selling, you want to know specifically how your home will be marketed. What types of advertising does this agent use? Where and how often are ads placed? How does the agent market your home online? Ask to see sample flyers for previous homes the agent has sold. If you are a buyer, you will want to know how the agent will help you find your new home. Ask for the average number of homes you will see, whether the agent presents offers to sellers, and how the agent handles multiple offers on the same property.

Talk To Friends And Family

Finally, always ask for references. There is no recommendation better than a track record of happy previous customers, and most are happy to share their experinces.  And always ask to review any documents you will be asked to sign prior to making your decision.

Once you’ve interviewed several agents, choose the one your family feels the most comfortable with. This person will be in your home, learning intimate details of your life, so you want someone who “gets” you. If you are a seller, you want someone who can offer advice on the presentation and staging of your home that will appeal to buyers while still fitting in with your daily life and needs.

If you are a buyer, you want someone who understands your needs and what you are looking for in a home. Once you find a home that has all the qualities you are looking for the decision to buy or not to buy will be based on whether or not you can see yourself and your family building a life in this home. It is as much an emotional decision as it is practical and financial.

Buying or selling your home is one of the biggest decisions of your life, so it is worth the effort to find the right person to help you. There are many good agents out there, so take the time to find one who is right for you.

This article was provided by Mitch Ribak a Melbourne real estate agent. You can learn more about interviewing a real estate agent on his Palm Bay FL real estate website where you can also search all Melbourne Beach FL real estate.

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Does this House Have Potential?

by admin on February 17, 2012

Does this House Have PotentialIn a perfect world, we would find the perfect house in our price range, in the perfect neighborhood, tastefully decorated with great curb appeal.  The truth of the matter is that many of the sellers whose homes you will be viewing will have very different taste in decorating than you do.

I always encourage potential buyers to look past the features that are easily and inexpensively changed.  Sometimes, a fresh coat of paint and new carpeting can turn a so-so house into your dream home.  A house with potential can be an excellent deal, if you know what to look for, and what to look past.

Does this House Have Potential?

These are the features I advise buyers to look at when viewing potential homes:

  • Floor plan

The floor plan of a home is very important.  If the rooms are tiny and make you feel claustrophobic, you may be able to knock down a wall and open up a room or two.  Additions are also a possibility.  This is a rather expensive renovation, so keep the cost in mind if you decide to make an offer.

  • Walls

Walls make a big impression.  If you like the floor plan, location, and size of a house, consider overlooking ugly wallpaper or dirty walls.  You can always wash them and add a coat of paint.  Try to picture the walls fresh and clean in the color of your choice.

  • Floors

Outdated carpet, broken tiles, and scuffed floors are fairly easy to replace, and many buyers will give you a credit towards the replacement costs.

  • View

You can’t do much about the view of the neighbor’s yard, but you can clean the windows and replace the window treatments.

  • Landscaping

If the yard is sparsely landscaped, you can add in pieces you like without spending a ton of money.

  • Closets and garages

I’ve never seen a home that had too much storage space, which explains the popularity of three car garages in recent years.  If the closets are filled with clutter, try to imagine how they would look empty.

  • Kitchen

Most buyers want a big kitchen with modern appliances.  It’s not that easy to make a small kitchen bigger, but it is simple to update the appliances, add a coat of paint, and upgrade the countertops and cabinets.  As long as you like the size and general layout of the kitchen, the updates are inexpensive and do-able.

  • The exterior

As much as I try to convince my sellers of the importance of curb appeal, I still occasionally come across houses where the landscaping is a mess and the house could use a good coat of paint.  As long as the foundation is strong, and you like the general look of the house, these are easy fixes.

  • Pools

I always advise buyers who want an in-ground pool to look at homes that already have them.  Pools are expensive to build, and sellers rarely get a good return on them.  It is much less expensive to repair a pool than it is to build a new one, so it might be worth it to purchase a home even if the pool needs work.

I always advise buyers to consider which features they just can’t live without in a home.  If the home inspection comes back clean, it can be worth the effort and minor expense of upgrading a few cosmetic issues in an otherwise great house.  Try to picture the home with the changes you would make, and keep an open mind.  That so-so house could turn out to be your dream home.

Guest blog provided by Kimberley Kelly a La Quinta Realtor. You can check out Kim’s website where you can search all La Quinta CA homes for sale, Palm Springs CA homes for sale and Palm Desert CA homes for sale.

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House Hunting 101: What It Takes To Buy A New Home

by admin on February 13, 2012

What It Takes To Buy A New HomePerhaps you’re taking the plunge after years of renting. Or maybe you’ve outgrown your first starter home, accepted a job in another state, or you are ready to downsize now that your family has left the nest.

Whatever your reason for house-hunting, these tips can help you prepare for the adventure ahead.

What It Takes To Buy A New Home

Create a plan. What do you need in your home? How many bedrooms? How many bathrooms? One-story or two?  What about schools, grocery stores, and freeway access? Write down your preferences and talk candidly with your spouse or partner about one another’s preferences before you begin the house-hunting process; it will help you narrow down the prospects more quickly.

Figure out your budget. The bottom line is how much can you afford each month. You’ll need cash for a down payment, but you must also figure in your monthly mortgage, property taxes, insurance needs, homeowner association fees (if applicable, and utilities. Figure out your budget and stick with it.

Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Don’t guess how much you can afford; work with a lender or mortgage broker to know what kinds of mortgages you may qualify for and what the cost will be.

Location, location, location. As you begin your house-hunt, consider all of your lifestyle concerns. Is it in a good school district? How far will your daily commute be? Is it in an airport flight path or does it back up to a busy street? Do you prefer an age-restricted community or one with lots of kids? What about access to grocery stores, the library, church or a rec center?

Do some research.  Use the Internet to look for houses for sale in the neighborhoods you prefer. Check out the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for new homes.  Drive through areas that you like to look at home for sale and take advantage of open houses. The more you research, the more knowledgeable questions you’ll ask the real estate agent when you’re ready.

Find a real estate agent you like and trust. Unless you feel fairly confident negotiating the intricacies of purchasing a home, a good real estate agent can help you navigate the house-hunting waters. Ask your family, friends and coworkers for a referral. Interview the agent and make sure you feel comfortable with his or her style. Make sure they know your budget and have homes in the price range you are seeking.

Bring checklists and cameras. After touring several homes, they may start to run together. Use a checklist that notes areas of importance to you like bedrooms and bathrooms, layout, yards, storage space, and more. Take pictures of the homes that meet your criteria (as long as the seller and/or real estate agent approve).

Ask questions. This could be your home for the next decade, so it’s important you find out as many details as possible. What are the monthly utility rates in the winter and summer? How old is the roof? Check out the age of the heating and air conditioning unit. What do property taxes and insurance run the current owner?

Trust but verify. When you’re touring a home you really like, check out the key functions. Turn on the shower to check the water pressure and the drainage system. Run a faucet to see how long it takes for the water to warm up. Flush the toilets, check out the sprinkler system, examine the cement foundation, and inquire about the gutters and drains. These will likely be tested during any future home inspections, but it’s good to have an idea before you fall in love with a house–let alone make an offer.

Get comfortable. House-hunting can be tiring, especially if you’re trying to see a number of homes in a short period of time. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes, leave younger children at home if possible, and bring water and snacks if you think it will be a long day.

Article provided by Aaron Seekford an Arlington VA real estate agent. You can learn more about Aaron by visiting his website where you have access to all Arlington Neighborhoods as well as Arlington Virginia real estate.

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4 Real Estate Predictions for 2012

by admin on February 9, 2012

4 Real Estate Predictions for 2012Real estate experts are predicting that the recovery phase of the Housing Bubble will begin in 2012. The real estate housing crisis will not be completely over this year, but there is some relief ahead.

This recovery phase could lead to a stronger U.S. housing market than we’ve seen since the crisis began in 2006.

5 Predictions for the 2012 Real Estate Market

  1. 1.      Foreclosures and Short Sales

 

Contrary to popular belief, America’s foreclosure crisis has not ended yet. At the end of last year, a few big lenders made vows to temporarily stop foreclosure proceedings for the 2011 holidays. Many of them resumed foreclosing on distressed properties on January 2, 2012, as thousands of them already had auction dates scheduled. The 2012 predictions is that these foreclosures will cause an abundant amount of REO properties to flood the housing market. In many cases, the fastest, easiest way for the lenders to dump REOs in by selling through short sales.

  1. 2.      Buyer Confidence Affected by Election Year

 

As we all know, 2012 is an election year. Just like any other election, political parties will be making confident sounding speeches all the way up to election day. They will say whatever they feel necessary to try to make us believe they have everything all under control, including the housing market. But, with all that the market has been through since 2006, voter confident will remain low until the election determines who will be in charge. Without much certainty regarding taxes, the job market, educational expenses, even mortgage interest rates, many will continue to be uncertain about homeownership.

  1. 3.      The Mortgage Interest Deduction

 

This was a deduction that was truly needed by homeowners as the housing crisis peaked. These tax breaks were able to help sellers who lost substantial amounts of money because they were forced into short sales. Then, there were the homeowners that were able to keep their homes, but not without many sacrifices and much struggling. Not to mention, there are still, literally, thousands of homeowners still in distress at the present moment. This very needed deduction is a major topic within the government, as many politicians are ready to kick it to the curb. This could really put a strain on a market that is just starting to recover, as thousands of homeowners still desperately need this deduction.

  1. 4.      Mortgage Interest Rates

 

Mortgage interest rates are expected to stay at record lows throughout 2012. Since it’s impossible for a complete recover to occur before year’s end, rates will have to stay low. This is how the US government will continue to encourage homeownership. Low interest rates make it possible for more Americans to afford the cost of a mortgage. This encourages more of us to give homeownership a try, even with the job market still being so unsteady. Everyday that a foreclosure remains vacant, the more money the lender owning it loses. Affordable mortgage interest rates raise the chances of banks being able to find qualified buyers for their REO properties.

Our Recovering Housing Market

It’s important to understand that the American government controls the way mortgage interest rates fluctuate in this country. As of now, these rates are at record lows. This is one of the biggest reasons for the buyer’s market we are currently experiencing. After five years of non-stop foreclosures across the country, this is great news that encourages homeownership again. If we could just find a stable point between our unstable job market, and recovering housing market, our country could be back on track sooner than we think.

Article provided by Vickie Nagy. Vickie is a Dublin CA real estate agent and services both buyers and sellers. If you’re looking to buy a second home in a luxury market, you can visit Vickie’s website where you can search all Pleasanton CA real estate and Livermore CA real estate.

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Be Aware Of Pitfalls When Working With a Builder on Your New Home

by admin on February 6, 2012

Be Aware Of Pitfalls When Working With a Builder on Your New HomeBuilding a home can be a very rewarding experience. Once you find a builder who you trust, you can start working together with him to build the home that is in your dreams. As you do so, take the advice of real estate experts along the way.

Others have learned from their mistakes are willing to share their wisdom with you. Trust your builder, yes, but remember that he works to earn money, too. So it wouldn’t hurt for you to be educated in what to expect as you are building your new home in order to protect yourself and your investment.

Pitfalls When Working With a Builder on Your New Home

For example, do watch and compare prices along the way. Prices should simply be fair, and the quality of the materials should be good also. Unfortunately, there are builders out there who will put poor-quality materials in front of you for a certain price and then tell you that using a better product will cost more money.

You potentially will feel forced to upgrade and pay more. To avoid things like this happening, ask questions of your real estate agent or an owner of a building supply store on your own. Don’t be bashful about protecting your dollar; your new home is one of your most valuable assets, most likely, and you should protect yourself during every step of the building process.

Stay Practical And Plan For The Future

Experts also recommend that if you are concerned about the ability to resell your home someday in the future, remain practical in your design choices. Of course, build the home for you to live in and enjoy, but start with the basics that you and everyone else typically desires in a home: wiring for high-speed Internet access, air conditioning, maybe a fenced in a yard, extra electrical outlets, and durable flooring. Such assets in a home take precedence over a hot tub or a wine cellar if you are mindful of selling the home to someone else one day in the future.

As you are making choices for your new home, don’t be bashful about negotiating with your builder to get the most for your dollar that is possible. Real estate experts suggest that if you pay for high quality flooring and cabinetry, then ask the developer to give you an upgraded stove for no extra charge. The developer has bargaining room also with the people the he does business with, and it doesn’t hurt to ask.

Further, you can always negotiate in the contract that you have the option to purchase and install your own “extras” in the home. That way, if you come across a deal on something that would be perfect for your home, you can add it in yourself rather than always having to rely on your builder’s prices and labor.

It Won’t Happen Unless It’s In The Contract!

Even if your builder is a “good friend” of yours, it is vital that you have a very specific contract in writing and with signatures. The building process changes a little every day, and it just makes sense to have some guiding principles in writing for all parties involved to follow. Even if you are not in a particular hurry to get into your new home, consider how much things could change if you allow your builder to get by without a promise for a completion date.

Prices for materials can change quickly; therefore, while you may start building a home with an expected price tag of “x” dollars, a change in the economy could change the price of lumber, for example, and skew everything for you and the builder. So, select an agreed upon date of when the house will be done with milestones along the way, get it in writing, and get signatures. This remains true for any further negotiated changes throughout the building process.

By taking the advice of real estate experts and other who have gone before you in this exciting process, you can have an enjoyable time watching your home come together day-by-day and week-by-week. And when it is done, celebrate!

About the Author – Paula Henry is an Zionsville Real Estate agent. Visit her website to search hundreds of Homes for Sale in Zionsville Indiana and find more information about buying or selling a home at her Indianapolis real estate blog.

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