Debbie Spaulder - Real Estate Agent - Bucks County, PA | Yardley

5 Things You Should Do When You Move Into a New Home

2012-01-25T12:19:00.000-08:00

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1. Change locks

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.

Great Expectations – Real Estate Forecasts for 2012 and Beyond

2012-01-16T08:32:00.000-08:00

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Now that everything’s back on track after a busy holiday season, we finally have a moment to step back and admire what a fantastic year 2011 happened to be. Wow – was it incredible! Despite reports of supposed “doom and gloom” and even though the economy was not doing very well, we had a great year and we have you, our valued clients and supporters, to thank for all that. With over 200 homes sold last year, we’re ready to begin 2012 with a bang.

What Makes a Good Market “Great”?

The main thing that we can attribute our selling success from 2011 to is having motivated sellers and serious buyers. It’s as simple as that. So, what exactly makes a good market “great”? We find that the perfect combination of the right price, excellent condition and accessibility, makes any home a strong contender in the crazy competitive property-selling world today. In fact, that’s exactly what we expect to see more of in 2012.

Low Interest Rates Continue and Inventory Moves

Our prediction for 2012 is that as buyers continue to reap the benefits of our current market and unbelievable interest rates right now, inventory will begin to level off and we will start to see more stabilization in the market.

Fewer, But More Serious Buyers Dominate the Season

Now that we are officially in our spring season (though it sure doesn’t feel that way from the looks of it outside) real estate is going to move at a really nice pace. And though there may be fewer buyers now than we might see a couple months from now, the ones that are out there are downright serious about purchasing a home. This is great news for sellers right now since there is less selling competition to have to worry about and at the same time a potential for more serious offers.
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As we move into what seems to be the hopeful next phase of our real estate journey beginning the past several years, it is with great confidence that we forecast an amazing year ahead. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like a custom consultation to learn how we can assist you with your real estate endeavors today or even if you just have some questions you would like answered about any of this. We look forward to hearing from you!

For 4th Quarter Market Statistics click here! >>

Tips On Getting Your Home Sold Better, Faster and At a Great Price

2011-12-01T12:34:00.000-08:00

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Though almost anyone you ask will tell you that the best time to be selling a home is in early spring and in the summer, the truth is that many experienced Realtors would advise otherwise. As the leaves continue to fall and the weather gets colder, fewer homeowners end up putting their home on the market for sale. In actuality however, so-called “off seasons” are better times to sell because of several reasons.

First, there is less competition which means there will be more buyers vying for fewer homes and the chances of your home getting sold faster at a price you are more comfortable are higher. Second, savvy buyers these days know when a good deal comes their way and though it is a soft market nationwide for the most part, good homes that are in great condition are the fastest to go and of course the most in demand.

Making Sure Your Home Is A Cut Above the Rest

Considering that during the cooler months more buyers have less to work with in terms of inventory, one of the best opportunities you have to stand out in the crowd is to be that one house on the block (or area) that is in perfect condition. Make an effort starting now to prepare the home so that when it comes time to put it on the market, the property is in perfect showing condition.

Take care of any scuffmarks, moving dents in the case of a vacant home or other surface blemishes on the walls. Apply a fresh coat of paint in all areas where it is needed. Have carpets that are in reasonably good condition professionally steam cleaned or replace carpeting altogether. Refurbish, polish and professionally clean all wood, laminate and tile floors. Power wash exterior windows and siding. Update any outdated appliances or fix and/or replace anything that is not in working order. Assign some attention to curb appeal,maintain the outdoor areas making the home’s exterior inviting.

Price Your Home Effectively

The single biggest reason that homes do not sell easily or quickly is that they are overpriced. Be conscientious when determining the price of your home. In fact, as a proactive measure, many sellers are paying for an appraisal as part of the process so that they can get a professionally accurate idea of what their home is valued compared to other like homes in the vicinity. This also serves as an excellent selling and negotiation tool when it comes to price haggling.

The attached article illustrates 7 Deadly Sins of Overpricing, courtesy www.trulia.com some of the things sellers do that get in the way of selling their homes. The list includes things like paving the way for your competition’s success when buyers compare your high price to lower prices in neighboring homes. Another problem that occurs as a result of overpricing is market stagnation where the home sits on the market way too long and then fails to attract enough attention.

Don’t Wait Till the Snow Melts

By placing your home on the market as early as mid-January to early February, you will be able to take advantage of the early buyers out there. Keep in mind that real estate agents also scour the MLS listings out there and communicate them with their buyers. Many times in this case, the early bird definitely gets the worm.
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The three main factors in any market that will result in a home sale are location, condition and price. There is little that homeowners can do about their location when reselling their property however condition and price are two areas that are very much in their own hands. With the guidance of an experienced Realtor you can achieve your home-selling goals and do it very effectively!

Harnessing the Sun’s Energy to Stay Warm This Winter and Operate Efficiently Year-Round

2011-11-09T07:23:00.000-08:00

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It’s no surprise that many homeowners continue to seek time, energy and money-saving energy options for their homes – and one of the best options remains using solar energy. Solar panels have been around for a while, in fact, for many decades and as with any technological advancement, they have progressed over the years.

In today’s world of hybrid cars, paperless offices, digital communication and so many other energy-efficient tools and techniques – solar panels have also evolved to keep up with the times. In this article, we share with you the benefits verses risks of installing solar panels in your home, as well as touching on other important things too such as price and installation considerations. Hopefully you will soon be on your way to harnessing the sun’s energy to light up and warm up YOUR life.

How Do Solar Panels Work?

Sunlight is converted into energy through the use of Photovoltaic cells – when the sun’s rays hit the Photovoltaic panels on a solar panel. The energy can then heat water and air – providing ample energy to operate a home, including its heating. Air conditioning units can also run using Photovoltaic technology when the sun’s energy is converted into electricity. Ideally, to obtain the most sunlight exposure, panels are typically placed in places getting the most direct sunlight such as rooftops or other elevated areas on or around the home.

What Does It Cost to Install Solar Panels?

The cost to install solar panels will vary depending on a few factors. First, the amount of energy needed to run the home will need to be assessed. Some homeowners use this technology in designated areas of their home while others get all their energy through this source. Of course, the more energy needed, the more it will cost, as a greater number of panels will need to be installed.

There are ways to cut costs; discounts are offered through major membership warehouse retailers like Costco. Another way to make it affordable is to assemble and install the system(s) on your own. A sizable amount of labor costs goes into the installation of solar panels. For homeowners interested in self-installing their system there is information available online or they can request installation guides from manufacturers, distributors or retailers.

Economic and Environmental Benefits to Homeowners

• Solar panels provide a free source of renewable energy – not to mention a clean and environmentally save source of fuel.

• Solar energy saves homeowners a significant amount of money on home utility bills.

• Housing values jump up, increasingly sizably with the installation and operation of solar energy units.

• The government provides tax credits to homeowners utilizing energy-saving techniques and systems in their homes.

MORE MONEY SAVING AVENUES THROUGH SOLAR ENERGY:

• When more energy is produced than needed, in some cases the utility company will buy extra energy from you and generate a credit on your account. This concept is called net metering.
• No fuel is required to generate energy using solar panels.
• Since fuel is not needed to produce energy from solar panels, the cost of gasoline and the corresponding supply and demand of fuel that drives prices up do not affect homeowners who use solar energy panels.
• Once the initial investment pays for itself, energy from the sun costs absolutely nothing.

ADDITIONAL ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ASPECTS OF SOLAR ENERGY

• Solar energy does not create any pollution through the release of harmful chemicals or by-products such as carbon dioxide, mercury, sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide.
• Using solar panels contributes to the decrease of green house gas emissions.
• Energy is generated only where it is needed and used.
• Since solar energy is a clean and renewable source of energy it is a sustainable form of energy that does not add to the perils of global warning threats, acid raid or smog – making it one of the most sustainable form of energy.

Disadvantages of Installing Solar Panels for Solar Energy Use

Though the benefits outweigh the disadvantages there are still a few drawbacks to installing solar panels in a home for energy.

• The high cost of installation usually is the biggest deterrent to most homeowners who want to use solar energy in their homes.
• Solar panels are quite large and require a lot of space for installation in order to run most efficiently.
• Weather patterns can and do affect solar energy efficiency so a backup system is needed.
• Efficient operation depends largely on the position of the home and where the panels are installed so that maximum exposure to the sun’s rays can be accessed.
• Energy is only produced during the day.
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For people who know they will be living in a home for several years, or even those who plan to sell their home soon after installing solar panels – it is largely a matter of being able to recover the cost of installing the solar panels needed. Once recovered, the cost of energy is almost non-existent. Add to that the fact that there is little to no maintenance required once installed (assuming proper installation), if homeowners can afford it, this is an excellent way to save money while giving back to the environment at the same time!

Images by: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=659

Debbie is Moving to Keller Williams!

2011-10-28T07:53:00.000-07:00

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Why Keller Williams?

- Fastest growing Real Estate company in North America
- #1 office in Bucks County in terms of listing and sales in units and volume.
- Training and Education
- Culture..who you in business with matters. DS and KW can contribute to lives in untold ways A Culture of Caring. Keller Williams Realty is a company that changes lives. The culture is as diverse as the countless ways in which associates and market centers commit themselves to finding and serving the higher purpose of business, and is united by cohesive understanding of our Mission, Vision, Values, Beliefs and Perspectives.
- Best technology…forefront of transforming the industry.. winner of 2011 Inman Innovations Adward for Most innovative Real Estate Website of Service
- Luxury Homes Division
- Resulting in Superior service and Stellar Results for you, my clients

The Keller Williams Belief System

At the core of Keller Williams Realty is a conviction that who you are in business with matters. We believe that the company we keep can contribute to our lives in untold ways. To help cement this understanding, we’ve formalized a belief system called the WI4C2TS that guides how we treat each other and how we do business.

Win-Win: or no deal
Integrity: do the right thing
Customers: always come first
Commitment: in all things
Communication: seek first to understand
Creativity: ideas before results
Teamwork: together everyone achieves more
Trust: starts with honesty
Success: results through people

How Low Can Rates Go?

2011-10-17T11:10:00.001-07:00

The silver lining on our sluggish economic cloud is that mortgage rates are at a new record low. Please see the following article and feel free to share with your clients. For those looking to make a move, the time is NOW.

Bloomberg News – Mortgage Rates Fall to Lowest on Record, Freddie Mac Says – Lowest Since 1950s

Sept. 15 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. mortgage rates fell for a second week to the lowest on Freddie Mac records as a slowing economy and concerns that Europe’s debt crisis is worsening drove investors to the relative safety of Treasury bonds.

The average rate for a 30-year fixed loan dropped to 4.09 percent in the week ended today from 4.12 percent, Freddie Mac said in a statement today. That’s the lowest in the McLean, Virginia-based company’s records dating back to 1971. The average 15-year rate fell to 3.30 percent from 3.33 percent.

Yields on 10-year Treasuries, a benchmark for consumer loans including mortgages, are near all-time lows amid signs that the U.S. economic recovery has stalled and the euro region is struggling to contain its debt burden. Low borrowing costs have done little to improve the housing market as foreclosures mount and the unemployment rate remains above 9 percent.

Data from the National Bureau of Economic Research measuring Federal Housing Administration loans indicate that long-term borrowing costs are the lowest since the 1950s, according to Chad Wandler, a spokesman for Freddie Mac.

Mortgage applications rose for the first time in four weeks as rate declines encouraged purchases and refinancing, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. A gauge of refinancing climbed 6 percent in the week ended Sept. 9, while the purchase index gained 7 percent, the Washington-based group said yesterday.
Please let me know if you have any questions or wpuld like to speak to a mortgage professional.

Stay Within Your Means to Get the Best Value When Buying a Home!

2011-10-17T11:09:00.001-07:00

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Before you make any kind of investment in a home, check your financial "pulse" to make sure you're financially healthy and able to comfortably afford both the down payment and the monthly payments. Below are common-sense guidelines to follow in this regard:

Guideline 1: Check your credit rating!

One of the first things lenders will check before loaning you money is your credit rating. If it’s good to excellent, your chances of borrowing money for a mortgage are very much improved. Currently, depending on circumstances, you need a credit score of at least 620 and the money for a down payment (the percentage varies with the type of loan).

If you have a credit score below the 620 benchmark, then additional documentation (and more time) will be required to prove to the lender that you're worthy of a loan - and even then there's no guarantee that the mortgage will be granted.

So, as you can see, it's important to know what your credit score is before you approach a lender. You can find out this information from one of the "Big Three" major credit reporting agencies shown below:

Equifax (equifax.com)
Experian (experian.com)
Transunion (transunion.com)

If you're wondering exactly what such agencies do, the best explanation is that they act as a clearinghouse for lenders. That means they collect financial information. They then sell it to banks, credit card companies, mortgage companies and other lending agencies. In essence, lenders use that information to decide if you’re a good financial risk.

So, if you have a credit score of 620 or better, no problem! But what if that score is below 620? What can you do then? Follow the guideline below.

Guideline 2: Reduce or Eliminate Debt!

The only method of raising your credit rating is to pay off credit cards or any other kind of debt you have.
Now, no matter what you hear or see on television, radio or the Internet, there's no "magic bullet" for reducing or eliminating debt. It has been and always will be a matter of personal discipline on your part! You can accomplish that discipline by taking the following steps:

Step 1: Pay your bills on time—all the time.
Step 2: Don’t open unneeded credit card accounts to increase available credit.
Step 3: This is the most important step. You must figure out where you stand financially by budgeting. In other words, you have to reduce unnecessary expenditures so you can apply saved monies to your debt and improve your credit score.

In this step, you must analyze your current financial situation. The first question to ask yourself is, "How much debt is too much?"

There’s an easy formula for coming up with an answer to that question. It’s called the debt to income ratio. It’s a simple method of measuring your net monthly income against your debt.

For purposes of illustration, let's assume the following: Your net monthly income is $2,000. Your monthly debt payments are $500. Divide $500 by $2,000, and you’ve calculated your debt to income ratio:

500÷2000 =.25 (25%)

Financial experts generally agree that debt expenses should be 25% or less of your income. A ratio of 10% or less is great. Anything above 25% waves a red flag in the face of lenders in general. In that case, you definitely need to reduce or eliminate debt.

So, what is your debt to income ratio? Answer that question by doing the following:

Review last month’s bills. Add up all the fixed expense items (rent, mortgage, car payments, child support, loan payments, etc.)
Review your credit card bills. Add up the minimum payments owed on each card.
Figure your monthly take-home pay (net salary).
Now divide monthly fixed expenses by monthly income.

What percentage did you get? If it’s 25% or greater, then it's time to take action to reduce your debt. It’s time to budget!

Okay, let's assume that your credit rating is in the good to excellent category and you have the money for a down payment on a house. That's great news!

But, you still need to stay within your means! So, upfront decide what you want in a home (two bedrooms, attached garage, etc.) and then stick to those guidelines!

Don't get swayed by an ultra-beautiful home with, say, four bedrooms and a state-of-the-art kitchen. If such a house is beyond your means, it won't look very beautiful when you can't make the monthly payments!
The best approach to take is to tell your realtor upfront about your guidelines and ask him or her to show you only homes that meet them.

Believe me, I or any other realtor love to work with customers who know what they want! It not only helps you but us as well because we can locate such properties faster and easier and get you into a new home that much more quickly!

Please contact me so I can answer any more questions you might have about buying a great new home within your means!

Adding Value To Your Home Through The Garage

2011-08-31T09:02:00.000-07:00

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By nature, garages are places where we store many things we don’t want or need in the house. They’re also places where oil and gasoline are spilled due to cars, mowers, snow blowers, roto-tillers, etc.

Garages tend to store toys, mementos and many other items that, at one time, we thought vitally important. Then, when we go through them, we wonder why in the world we thought they were so important in the first place!

Well, as you can guess, all those boxes, stains, smells, unorganized tools, etc., can add up to an unsightly mess in the eyes of potential buyers. So, that means it’s time for a cleanup and, just as important, a rigorous re-organization of the garage to make it “shine” in the eyes of buyers.

First:
Go through all those boxes in your garage and sort out the items. Be ruthless and toss out anything that no longer has any use or meaning. Even better, donate items that are still useful to your favorite charity. You’ll feel great and make somebody else happy at the same time. By clearing out all the clutter, you’ll make it easier to take the next step.

Second:
Clean the garage as thoroughly as possible. Get rid of dust and dirt anywhere you find it. If you have minor oil/gas stains on the floor, you may be able to pressure wash them away.

However, if they’re large and/or long-standing, then you’ll need to find a cleanser like TSP (trisodium phosphate) or specially-made cleansers like “Gunk,” “Swab,” etc. that can be found at paint/automotive stores or in sections of “big box” stores like Wal-Mart.

Third:
Consider a “garage organization” system. Usually, the cheapest ones consist of storage bins and wall hooks. But, if you want to spend the money, there are also ones available with wall panels and flooring.Depending on your needs, an organization system can range from approximately $40 to thousands.

Simply google “garage organization systems,” and you’ll find plenty of links to companies selling these products.No matter what system you choose, it will definitely give your garage a clean and professional look.

I can’t stress how impressive it is to potential buyers to have a well-organized garage.

This tells them that you’re a person who takes care of every detail of your home and property.And that, in turn, lets them know that buying your home will be a great investment on their part and well worth the asking price.

Need more hints on how to spruce up your garage or any other part of your home and property? If so, contact me today.

5 Things To Look For When Choosing Your Real Estate Agent

2011-08-15T07:15:00.000-07:00

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All agents are not created equal. Anyone can become a Realtor ©. You can get your license in a few weeks or a few weekends and pass a test. But what really sets the quality agents apart? How can you tell you are dealing with an experienced professional who gets the results you are looking for, whether on the buying side of the fence or seller? The difference between a Realtor © and real estate agent is the client level versus the customer service level. It's the difference between experience and professional experience and strictly the facts.

Good Agents Know How To Emphasize the Positives and Sell Them

Not everyone can be a good sales person. It takes the ability to recognize positive (and negative) attributes and the professional judgment to be able to know which ones should be highlighted at what time. A good salesperson also has the innate skill of knowing their client and understanding their needs so they can adapt to them during the entire process.

Negotiation is a Very Important Part of the Home Buying and Selling Process

There is a significant amount of back and forth during real estate transactions. Negotiating is a huge part of the process and it can make or break a sale if you do not have a good negotiator on your side. There are several areas where this will come handy – beginning with the initial offer. Then, following inspection results if there are any adjustments and/or concessions to be made, also for issues like deciding on a benchmark price when putting up a new listing.

Negotiations are most prevalent during the time an offer is made and/or countered but can also be equally as significant after a home inspection, when some of the parameters of the offer may need to be changed.

Staying Up-To-Date Marks A Knowledgeable and Interested Agent

Keeping up with the skills that are in tune with technology, the latest tools offered in the industry or even useful and beneficial professional characteristics is an important component of being an effective agent. Someone with extensive marketing experience will be an asset to a real estate deal because his or her market savvy will come into play at many points throughout the buy/sell process. An agent who is adept at using the latest tools like social media to enhance their existing functions stands far apart from those who still employ old school techniques. As long as your agent is one who demonstrates the creative use of professional skills and modern technology, you can bet you will have an edge.

Accessibility and Communication; Key Aspects of Real Estate Success

Nothing is worse than needing or wanting to get in touch with your Realtor © but not being able to reach them. Conversely, the agents who make sure to maintain regular open lines of communication with their clients enjoy huge success. Not only because they have happy clients who are not always chasing to be heard – but also because it ensures that there are no mismanaged expectations, inaccurate information, discrepancies, etc.

Communication is the second part of this important trait of a great real estate agent. Being able to adapt to varying levels of client communication; managing stress during lengthy transactions (such as short sales that can take months); understanding clients’ needs – all these are parts of a whole where your agent connects with you on a grander scale.

Realtors Who Take Ownership to the Last Degree – Win

Since not all Realtors © are created equal, it is the ones who are willing to walk that extra mile for their clients that almost always succeed. Though this trait relies on all other traits of an excellent agent, it stands alone in one area – attitude. Having the attitude that a client’s best interest is the first priority easily separates the top producers from the mediocre.
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As you embark on your quest to find the perfect agent who is right for you – remember that the connection you have with your agent must “feel right”. At the end of the day, this person will be representing your interests in what will probably be the largest purchase of your life so it is important that you are comfortable.

Spruce Up Your Basement With a Remodel For a Lasting and Positive Effect – in More Ways Than One

2011-07-25T09:19:00.000-07:00

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The opportunity that exists in basements is huge – and it’s simply a matter of availing it to the fullest. Many property owners neglect to realize the hidden potential in all that extra space which can offer a whole host of added benefits. Whether you have a teenager who could benefit from his own space, would like a recreation/bar area for entertaining, or if you regularly have guests and want to offer a private living space for them – there are myriad reasons to remodel a basement. A quality remodeling project will address five areas so that you are left with a usable, livable and comfortable space in your basement.

Floors

One of the most noticeable differences in any space, especially basements, is flooring. Most basements have unfinished flooring, so even if you were to install a less expensive industrial-grade carpet it would be an improvement. However, in the spirit of being economical and utilizing all resources, homeowners often upgrade to higher quality carpet or rugs to soften the seemingly harsh or rough basement finish. Wood floors are usually not recommended, since there is a potential for flooding or water leakage from heating/cooling systems. However there are several options that are practical and without compromise on quality. Tiling, linoleum or carpeting are the popular choices these days. Keeping in mind your end use, choose wisely. For families with small children, a solid Berber carpet works very well, whereas empty nesters can get away with tile.

Walls

Like the floors, basements walls are also usually unfinished. Though for several years paneling received considerable slack for being “too seventies”, there has been a recent revival but with an updated style. Instead of the standard plywood paneling we’ve seen in many finished basements in homes built in the 70s and 80s, now there is an influx of walls covered with drywall, architectural panels and even synthetic siding. If budget is a concern, you can get creative with simple tension rods and simple curtain panels, strings of beads or other hanging wall/window coverings.

Bathroom

The inclusion of a bathroom in a basement is a must. Many homeowners who have some experience in Do-It-Yourself projects attempt to do this portion of the basement on their own. If managed properly the workings of a bathroom building/remodeling project, very closely monitored by you, can result in a beautiful addition to the space. Not only will adding a bathroom to your basement significantly increase the value of your home, it will also add a tremendous about of comfort and convenient. Depending on the end purpose plus how the rest of the basement is finished – choose fixtures and other permanent bathroom elements accordingly.

Finish

A lot of basements are used as an extra entertaining space, particularly if you are avid entertainers and enjoy having groups of people over for recreation. Some popular choices are to set up a bar or game room, secondary lounge and relaxation space, an activity space for kids or a library/study or work area as a home office. With just a few finishing touches like putting up wall hangings, decorating with a cohesive style or including some essential furniture items, you will complete the space. For game rooms, installing appropriate elements such as a cork wall for darts or a table tennis area and a wet bar space preferably located near a plumbing set-up are also finishing touches that will perfect the rooms.

Storage

There is hardly a basement that isn’t used for storage purposes – and chances are that even if you already have a finished basement there is probably a space set aside for storage. One of the most popular things to do during a remodel is to get organized – literally. By setting up proper storage systems in terms of the structural aspect, you can minimize space wastage and maximize your basement’s usage. Utilizing the space behind and under staircases, for example, is a very convenient method of using otherwise dead space. By installing simple, durable shelves you can get miles of use out of the area setting it aside for those smaller storage items like tools or garden supplies.

When a home on the market has a finished basement, the basement is usually one of the first things that generate buyers’ interest. Many prospective buyers may not have even had a finished basement in mind at first but when they see an updated, modern and usable space that increases the live-in space by as much as 30%, their interest is piqued.

No matter what your final purpose is in having your basement remodeled, it is undoubtedly a great decision and one that will reap benefits for years to come. So if you can do it, don’t hesitate!

Twelve Top Trends in Kitchen Design and Décor for 2011

2011-07-25T09:17:00.000-07:00

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1. Green Design

Long before the economy reached where it is these days, the concept of energy-conserving, green living was already fast becoming mainstream. Incorporating elements of green design into the kitchen is a hot trend that remains on the top of many industry experts’ to do list. Using eco-friendly or recycled materials, bringing in energy-efficient appliances and incorporating natural sources of energy such as solar panels or skylights are some ways to implement green design into your kitchen space.

2. Elements of Nature

Bringing the outside in is a theme that will carry throughout the year and beyond. As part of our love affair with all things green, elements of design that incorporate nature through things like pebbles embedded into walls, natural waterfalls, organic materials like bamboo and highlighting the colors of nature are popular.

3. Cool, Vibrant Color

Moving on from the tradition and very blah beiges, an influx of color has taken over as the new, hot trend in kitchen décor. Splashes of oranges, reds, pinks and vibrant hues of blue and green – all draw attention to one of the most frequented spaces in the home. Spanish tiles, painted cabinetry, unique backsplashes and, of course, display pieces and fixtures – are infuse color. Warm and inviting, interesting and uplifting – lots of colors liven the space. Spruce up the kitchen by using bold splashes of paint or wallpaper on one or two walls, and even the ceiling.

4. Raising Kitchens to New Heights

Gallery kitchens are seen more and more often, with taller cabinetry that reaches even greater heights than typically found in most kitchens. Utilizing the wall space as an asset is particularly ideal for condos, apartment spaces or homes with smaller square footages such as those in big cities. Gallery kitchen space is also a great transition from the main kitchen to the next room.

5. Dark, Exotic Finishes

Where white cabinets, light to medium counter tops, neutral walls and run-of-the-mill fixtures were once the norm, the new trend in both cabinetry and flooring is dark, natural finishes. Balancing the dark elements of design with some neutral or metallic is a good idea but the overall shift toward espresso dark and chocolate brown looks are not only exotic but also practical.

6. In the Age of Technology

In an age where everything depends on connectivity, we are seeing more kitchens with technology stations incorporated into the design and architecture. Built-in desk space that provides homeowners with an area to write out bills, make phone calls, watch television, use the computer or sit back and relax, is a hot item lately.

7. Alternative Countertops

Keeping with the less formal look of many new kitchens lately, a new choice of countertops is soapstone. Though granite remains the hottest option, homeowners are now turning to soapstone for its natural and more rustic feel. The look especially complements kitchens with these days’ bright color schemes, as it offsets the heavy emphasis on color elsewhere in the space.

8. Customized Storage Solutions

There is never enough space and there is always room for improvement on how that space is organized. Customized storage is particularly hot in kitchens as the new generations of foodies continues to breed, meaning that many unique and interesting tools, materials and appliances are used. Storage solutions designed to accommodate a homeowner’s particular needs is currently on many people’s wish list.

9. Layers of Light

Gone are the days of just one ceiling light fixture and a hanging pendulum light over the kitchen table. Now, multiple layers of light is the happening thing. Providing new dimensions of aesthetic and functional design, there are several areas through which a kitchen can be illuminated. Accent lighting installed under cabinets, along the sideboards and open cabinet interiors, task lighting designed to focus on a particular display area and varying levels of functional lighting give homeowners different degrees of light to choose from.

10. Smart, Savvy Appliances

A streamlined wall of kitchen cabinets with hidden features creates a larger, fuller and more complete look. Unlike the traditional kitchen space that is broken up by major appliances, the new trend that is incorporated in kitchens of all sizes and shapes is integrated appliances. With the same exterior surface as the rest of the cabinets, integrated appliances are camouflaged, lending a customized look to the space.

11. High Glass is High Class

Glass tiling for kitchen backsplashes is a trend heavily used by top interior designers. Lending a translucent and airy look that is not only classy and elegant, but also easy to maintain and practical – glass elements are the new neutral.

12. Open Shelves

Gone with the old and in with the new cabinets that are unlike typical cabinets with no dimension that lack dimension and interest, incorporating open shelving into the kitchen is a trend that instantly enhances the space. Open shelving allows homeowners to show off and display their wares while utilizing the storage space simultaneously. Since there is a change from one cabinet to the next it lends an air of interest that is aesthetically pleasing.

How a Down Payment on a New Home Makes a Molehill Out of a Mountain!

2011-07-25T09:13:00.000-07:00

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Believe me, your down payment on a new home affects nearly everything you can think of in the buying process - the loan programs you're able to qualify for, the size of the interest rate, the amount of closing costs, etc.

The basic rule is this: the more you have to put down on a down payment for a home, the more options you have!

This rule is true because, like all lenders, mortgage lenders dislike risk. They're in the business of making money by lending money. So, the more money you put down, the lower the risk, and the more lenders like your deal.

And, that's not all. If you have enough cash for a large down payment, then more choices open up to you! You can choose conventional fixed rate loans, adjustable rate mortgages, VA, FHA, graduated payment mortgages and all the variations of each of these programs.

By the way, when you combine a good-to-excellent credit score with a large down payment, you'll definitely get positive attention from loan officers!

Acceptable Sources for Down Payment Monies

In general, lenders want to see adequate funds available for a period of at least sixty (60) days in your account. The usual methods of proof of these funds are either a Verification of Deposit form or two months' worth of your most recent bank account statements.

So, if you're person who keeps money "under the mattress" or somewhere in your home, this isn't acceptable. It has to be deposited in an account (bank or investment) for at least two months (preferably longer).

In technical terms, this is called "seasoning." And the reason behind it is this: First, by having money in an account, it shows you have to ability and discipline to save money and, thus, are a good risk from the lender's point of view. Second, it demonstrates that the money is likely yours and not a personal loan from a family member or a friend. Lastly, and obviously, it shows you have enough money on hand for a down payment.

In general, here are sources you can use for a down payment:

• Checking account
• Savings account
• 401k account
• IRA account (have to meet specific guidelines)
• Money market account
• Stocks
• Bonds
• Mutual funds
• Certificates of deposit and other liquid assets.
• Sale of an asset, etc.

Frankly, in this New Age of Frugality, the safest method is to simply save the money for a down payment. This teaches you financial discipline which is good for all aspects of your life, and it means you don't have to rob other assets to pay the down payment.

I'd be happy to discuss and suggest many different ways of obtaining down payment money. Contact me today.

Understanding the Difference Between Online Resources and a Realtor When Pricing Your Home

2011-06-14T08:20:00.000-07:00

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The Internet can be a great resource for a host of things centered on buying or selling your home, but in some cases, the most you can expect to gain is a basic understanding of things. For something as serious and important as pricing your home, relying on the Internet can only go so far. Here we’ve outlined some key differences between the figures you will yield from online sources versus those that have been compiled by your local Realtor.

ACCURACY IS VITAL

In today’s market especially, accurately pricing your home to sell is essential. With it being a buyers’ market, you will have to gain a solid understanding of all factors that contribute to your property’s value. There can be negative repercussions of pricing a home either too low or too high. One such scenario is if there is a seasoned buyer who has taken the time to research homes. That buyer’s knowing what to expect in the local market and seeing your overpriced home could result in a turn-off and you could lose the sale. By the same token, you stand to get the shorter end of the stick in the case of not knowing what you could have charged. Spending a little more time and/or expense can make a huge difference in the end outcome.

ONLINE TOOLS AND CALCULATORS

There are more than several websites where anyone can log on, put in their zip code and be given an instant “analysis” of their real estate value. The figures that appear as results from searches made through online resources stem from a conglomeration of several weeks and sometimes months of data collected from a particular region.

Websites such as www.zillow.com, www.realtytrac.com orwww.trulia.com offer a great way to get a generic idea of what homes in your region are going for or have gone for recently. As an added resource to other services offered on these sites, the goal is not to assist homeowners in assigning a selling price to their property based on the data, but rather to offer a snapshot on sales and pricing data for the area. In fact, for many people it is the perfect tool to add an extra edge when determining the fair market value of your home, along with other factors.

PROFESSIONAL COMPARABLE MARKET ANALYSIS

While online real estate tools are a great way to get a preliminary idea, they are only going to yield a figure that shows you where to start. To get an accurate assessment, you will need to avail the professional services of a Realtor. The only way to get an accurate “reading” of what market rates are for homes in your vicinity and your neighborhood in particular, is to have a comparative market analysis conducted by a Realtor who understands your neighborhood. There is a good chance that they have dealt with properties in the area on a first-hand basis, regularly interact with the agencies and organizations that deal with the very homes in your neighborhood and are familiar with the people in various facets that you will end up needing to interact with yourself, as the seller of your home.

Realtors conduct a detailed Comparable Market Analysis (sometimes also called Competitive Market Analysis) using data compiled of area homes and properties, considering factors such as the amount of land, the square footage and number of bedrooms or typical amenities in the neighborhood. Realtors factor in market trends, and often can extrapolate which comparable are most relevant to a particular home. Homeowners also have the option of hiring an independent appraiser to delve into accurate detail about their property’s value.
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When you are pricing your home to sell, it is vital that you use all available resources. At first, it makes sense to “shop around” and get to know the generalities before you head for the specifics. And as with most transactions dealing with your real estate world, it is always best to rely on your Realtor for quality, effective and accurate information that is relevant to you and YOUR market.

Four reasons to sell NOW. (And a few on why not to sell, too.) You decide.

2011-05-27T14:33:00.000-07:00

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Even though the country is sitting still waiting for the recession to recede, homeowners and prospective homeowners are practically pacing back and forth during this nail-biting period when no one’s sure of anything. You might think that there is absolutely no good reason to sell right now – but then, again, you may think it’s a perfectly good time.  No matter which side of the coin you’re on, there are valid arguments on both. Here, we’ve assembled a list of tips on both ends of the spectrum and hope it’ll help you come to some sort of consensus on your real estate marketplace.

Yes, there has been activity in the real estate marketplace in general. Don’t be surprised to hear that a good number of homeowners are opting to buy new properties, others are selling theirs and of course, others still are waiting it out, even if it means their property is currently suffering a loss.  Even though some of the sales are taking a bit longer than average, the sales are definitely there.

Now, if you’re like most people, you are just plain not sure what to do next. So as you hang out with your friends and the conversation turns to real estate, you don’t know what to answer to the question that comes up, “Why would anyone sell at a time like this?” Well. We’ve got a few reasons to share with you.

1. Buyers have been shuffling money from their savings only to fund their properties – and they just don’t want to tap into their secondary resources like their retirement fund anymore. Add negative cash flow to inflated expenses versus rental income – and you have a recipe that calls for SELLING.

2. People with no mortgage and some equity want to get that cash out of the property FAST and put it somewhere safer.  So the equation here is lower risk=lower return; they don’t want to take any chances and they’d rather sell to be on the safe side.

3. Homeowners feel they might as well cut their losses while they’re still ahead, instead of waiting 5-7-even 10 years for the market to turn around.  They are simply of tired of paying the negative cash flow month after month after month.

4. With interest rates as low as they are, buyers have a TOTAL advantage in this market, so naturally if you want to sell – DO it. There’s a good chance it’d be a successful sale.

Of course, there are many people sitting tight with their pocketbooks clamped shut and their doors locked, just waiting for the right time. Here are a few things to know on why some people are NOT going to be selling anytime soon.

1. Some homeowners are banking on the fact that the market will make a speedy recovery, their equity will return and all will return back to normal soon enough. Who knows? It could happen.

2. Owners of multiple properties are getting great use of their vacation or second home – and figure that the enjoyment gained from the use of these places, far outweigh the negative cost to run those properties. So even though they are experiencing losses every month, the price is worth the enjoyment.

3. Properties that generate a decent amount of rental income only need a little extra to top off the negative expenses and owners are willing to take the chance and wait the time out till the market gets better.

The bottom line is, you have to decide what your situation is, what your priorities are and as you head toward a real estate goal, where you want to end up. There’s a misconception that the real estate market is practically stalled right now. This is so far from the truth. Actually, the trend for the past several months, is that buyers are doing up contracts as we speak. Contrary to popular belief, foreclosures are currently on the decline and not on the rise like most believe to be the truth. In fact, short sales are on the rise. When you factor in that aggressively priced properties are selling super fast and sellers are getting multiple offers on them, you can see that there definitely is activity in the real estate arena these days.

Obviously, the choice is yours and we hope we’ve effectively shared with you that you DO have choices in this market – and we’re here to help make sure you make the right ones for you.

1st Quarter Real Estate Market Recap Bucks County, PA

2011-04-29T12:34:00.000-07:00

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* See bottom of article for MLS Statistics.

How to Successfully Buy and Sell in Today’s Housing Market

As usual, there’s a lot of activity here in Bucks County, PA – and I’m here to keep you informed. This year so far, we’ve seen lots of swing in terms of value determined by the sellers in our market. We’re looking at a ten percent drop in sales so far but that’s countered by a strong inventory of over 4,000 homes at the moment. A total of 770 homes have sold in 2011 AND you can still grab those super low interest rates before they disappear.

Sellers

The name of the game for sellers is activity. You need to generate traffic and buzz if you are going to generate offers. The three main things to pay attention to in this market are price, staging, and marketing. When so many homes are for sale, you have to make your home stand out in the crowd.

Pricing. The first way that potential buyers will find your house is by doing a search for homes in their price range. They will compare the statistics, location, and appeal of your home based on the bang they get for their dollar. Be sure to research homes that have sold recently and others that are for sale to compare square footage, room sizes, neighborhood, and perks and amenities to see how you compare. This is a price-driven market, so presenting a great value to home shoppers is the first way to get their attention. Sacrificing a few thousand dollars up front may cut your market time in half, which is worth a lot.

Also, if people are looking for a house from $200K to $250K, they won’t find your listing for $199,900. Sometimes you might want to consider rounding the price up to a nice round number that may get your home included in more searches. In this example, a $200K listing will be found by the people looking for $150K to $200K as well as the ones looking for $200K and above.

In any case, make very sure that you are priced right. Basing your price on the realities of today’s competitive market is not always easy, but it is the most important first step toward a successful sale.

Marketing. Only a real estate professional has access to all of the inside channels for marketing a home – and remember, almost all of your competition has enlisted the services of a professional. Making sure your home shows up in all of the databases that people search is vital, and having plenty of professional-quality photos in the listing is key as well. You will also want to have a nice fact sheet with photos, hold open houses, and get the word out to as many real estate agents and home buyers as possible. It takes more than a sign in the yard to sell a home, so make sure you don’t forget about the marketing piece.

Staging. You’ve built a nice fire with the right pricing and strategic marketing, and now the pot is starting to boil. People are coming to look at your house. Their impression of your home is the make-or-break part of their decision-making process. Your real estate agent can show you how to make the house ready for home shoppers.

Less is more, when it comes to staging. Less furniture, less personal memorabilia, less of a “lived-in” look will make the home feel warm and welcoming. Getting them emotionally hooked is a big step in getting an offer.

You should also consider doing some updates and cosmetic improvements that will make your home sparkle, both inside and out. Most people aren’t looking for a home improvement project. Get rid of the wallpaper and the purple paint in the kids’ bedroom and replace it with a warm and neutral paint. A carpet allowance is nice so people can pick out their own new carpeting, but a nice new neutral carpet can be very eye-catching and appealing to people too.

Fix the doors and knobs and screens, and do a little landscaping or painting outside. Depending on the price bracket your home is in, you may even want to redo the bathroom, get new appliances, or even put on a new roof if people are likely to reject the home because of those outdated features. Give people something to fall in love with about your home that will give you a competitive edge.

Buyers

It is still a buyer’s market in real estate these days. There is a huge inventory of homes for sale, lots of bargains and distressed properties to consider, and all-time low interest rates. But, even though the deck is stacked in your favor if you’re a buyer, you still need to take a systematic approach to this major investment. For buyers, success in this market depends on credit, proper budgeting, and rational expectations.

Credit. There may be a lot of homes to choose from, and interest rates may be low; but lending is not as free and easy as it was a few years ago. Banks are shy of risk and are looking for solid buyers with a history of good credit. Get pre-qualified before you shop if you want sellers to take your offer seriously. Pay your bills on time and fix any blemishes on your credit rating before you fall in love with the house of your dreams.

Stay rational. Better yet, don’t let emotions control your home purchase at all. If you let yourself become emotionally attached to a home, you are more likely to over-spend and make a poor financial choice for your family. Remain logical and realistic, and base your purchase on sound economics.

Budgeting. Set a price range based on what you can afford, and remember to factor in your property taxes, insurance, utilities, commute time and expense, and maintenance of the new home. You should become very familiar with your household budget and track all of your expenses for the past several months before you set a budget for a new home. Your household budget and your home-buying budget have to work together.

Try to put together a good down payment, and over-estimate the probable interest rate and property taxes you will have to pay in order to leave yourself a buffer of safety. Then, based on the amount of the loan you will need, you can “reverse engineer” the comfortable price range of your new affordable home.

Whether you are buying or selling, today’s fluid market has plenty of perks and potholes, so plan ahead, make smart decisions, and employ the help of a real estate professional.

Monthly Statistics for the Date Range Selected

Date	Units Listed	Listed Volume	Listed Average	Pended	Units Sold	Sold Volume
Apr 2011	979	408,720,872	417,488	359	256	76,998,116
Mar 2011	1038	400,832,145	386,158	449	329	103,255,485
Feb 2011	699	254,540,087	364,148	314	253	72,645,309
Jan 2011	688	242,118,486	351,916	305	264	81,235,991
Dec 2010	394	136,045,786	345,293	283	362	112,038,581
Nov 2010	521	187,893,498	360,640	329	350	112,690,821
Oct 2010	735	263,315,137	358,251	355	328	105,176,863
Sep 2010	837	318,847,658	380,941	341	399	140,820,578
Aug 2010	865	317,330,464	366,856	379	434	153,115,696
July 2010	814	303,583,676	372,952	405	431	158,459,449
June 2010	928	367,885,352	396,428	406	743	257,491,435
May 2010	908	373,257,869	411,076	390	534	173,166,612
Apr 2010	1271	530,896,792	417,700	783	535	162,658,201

Totals:	10677	4,105,267,822	384,496	5098	5218	1,709,753,137

Inventory Accumulation for the Last 12 Full Months


Current Inventory *	Inventory Volume	Current Average	Average Monthly Sales**	Inventory Accumulation ***
4109	1,872,145,518	455,620	382	10

*Current Inventory is based on the actual available properties on the date this report was created.

**Average Monthly Sales is the average sales for the last 12 full months

***Inventory accumulation (in months) = Current Inventory Units / Average Monthly Sales

Pricing Details of Sold Units for the Date Range Selected

Minimum Prices	Maximum Prices	Average Prices
Original List Price : $49,900	Original List Price: $4,395,000	Original List Price: $357,691
Sold Price : $33,500	Sold Price: $3,400,000	Sold Price: $327,664

Inventory Accumulation figures are only calculated when Report End Month is the current month

Market Statistics Criteria Used
Date Range:	4/2010 to 4/2011
Price Range:	$9,000 to $9,999,000
Property Category:	Residential
Area:	All Bucks County

Landscaping Tips for Spring – How to Care For Your Home’s Exterior

2011-04-18T09:05:00.000-07:00

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A special thanks to Shady Brook Farm for letting us film there and participating in our video!

It’s that time of year again when everyone will be seen working on their yard! What exactly does your yard say about you? Is it messy, unkempt and in a total state of disarray? Or has it been meticulously manicured to a level that even glossy magazines couldn’t compete? No matter where you fit on the spectrum of the landscaping scales, there is no question that the exterior appearance of your home is an important one. Too many homeowners neglect to look after the very first noticeable part of their abode – so here’s how to make sure you are not one of them.

Time to Spring Clean Up Last Year’s Messes

That’s right. Very often by the time this year’s snow melts, we tend to find last year’s garden messes all over the place. Maybe that first snowfall was enough to make you hang up the rake and wait it out till the following season, but too often there are many things left behind. Anything from garden tools, piles of left over (and very moldy) mulch or an old garden statue that you meant to put away in the shed before the snow set in – all these things can tend to look very bad after a season of ice and cold. And if you’re in a warmer climate, things sitting in the yard for so long just keep gathering more dirt and grime, making your front (and back) yard look like a major eye sore.

Make a Plan, Check It Twice and Implement It

Many times an over-zealous homeowner will make a trip to the home and garden store, buy everything they see in the main aisles, that are currently being hyped by the store, and then end up back home with no plan in sight as to how to implement it. By carefully reviewing the space you have, taking notice of the areas that need more help than others and realizing where the opportunities lie for you to enhance your outdoor space, you will be in a better position in the long run. Use the help of the technicians and associates at the home and garden store, since they are very well versed with these projects and have a lot more experience.

Invest In Some Help

Unless you are an avid lawn and garden enthusiast, have all the time in the world or are just not too concerned about perfection, it would be a good idea to invest in some help. By hiring a landscaping company to jumpstart the look of your home’s exterior, you will benefit from the high-quality and often expensive equipment that you may not own plus the knowledge and expertise of skilled, quality craftsmen and women. Landscapers also offer a maintenance plan where they come during the week at pre-set times and make sure the lawn is kept up.

Water the Plants, Shrubs and Trees

Thirsty vegetation can be seen from a mile away. Instead of having dry, cracked and brittle brown leaves and grass, be sure to water your lawn, the surrounding leaves and greenery with enough water to sustain it. Whether you install a complex sprinkler system or a purchase a $20 single unite that you need to manually move around throughout the day and weekend, the important thing is that your greens stay green.

Make the Space Pretty, Or At Least Easy on the Eyes

With just a few simple enhancements you can make all the difference in the curb appeal of your home. Retouching the fence paint, trimming the hedges to a reasonable height, removing all extra items, planting seasonal plants and flowers (especially along the walkways) or including interesting garden elements – are all ways to enhance the space.
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As long as you realize that the landscaping of your home is just as important aesthetically as the interior, you will begin to make changes that will improve the overall look and feel of your house. Not only will it be more enjoyable to spend time outdoors, but it will also be a source of pride for you when visitors (and neighbors) comment on the fabulous look you have going!

Ten Things Real Estate Agents Help Take Care of When Buying a Home

2011-04-01T12:46:00.000-07:00

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You may have heard the common question asking why anyone would want to hire an agent to help buy a home. The fact of the matter is that real estate agents have many services to offer on all sides of the real estate equation. We all know what they do to assist us in selling our homes but did you know that there is equally as much, if not more, that they can assist us with when buying? Industry jargon coins it Buyer’s Value Proposition – and to make it simple we’ve listed ten things, from start to finish, helping to clarify exactly why, if you’re in the market to buy a property, hiring a real estate agent is a very smart initial move to make.

Needs Analysis

Agents thoroughly assess your needs as a buyer and assist you with identifying how you define the ideal home. They focus on the things that matter most to buyers in a home so that finding the right home is a much more fruitful endeavor.

Pre-Qualification and Pre-Approval
Choosing a loan officer can be a daunting task if you are out there on your own. An agent has a solid rapport with qualified loan officers in the region and they connect you with one to suit your needs, see through the process of getting pre-qualified and then approved. Terms are then negotiated to be in the buyer’s favor and assistance with finding the best possible mortgage financing is also provided.

Neighborhood Profiles

Understanding and listing a buyer’s selection of neighborhoods, real estate agents also compile data for each locale that helps to center in on which neighborhood is the right one.

Home Search Multiple List Services

Helping you to gain access to a large number of properties, agents arrange a home search process that makes accessing and perusing a MLS much simpler and useful at the same time. Not only that, your agent will keep you updated regularly, provide you assistance with drive-by home visits and coordinate home showings of the ones you are interested in.

Making Offers

When you center in on a home after going through the entire prequalification and then search process, the last thing you want to do is to make a decision that could hurt your chances of getting that ideal home. Agents go through the process with you, offering advice on terms so that you can be confident in your decision. Once the offer is decided, the contract is filed out with your agent’s help.

Negotiation to Buy

One less thing for you to worry about, your real estate agent will handle the process of taking your offer to the seller and his/her agent and negotiate the purchase on your behalf.

Coordination of Vendors

With so many vendors also in the picture for things ranging from the mortgage, title and insurance to other important aspects of the real estate deal, some coordination is required. As real estate agents, most deal with vendors on a regular basis and your own agent can help connect you to reputable vendors.

Preparation Prior to Closing

The main thing to be careful on is the documents right before closing on your new home. With assistance on all pre-close preparation, including document generation, agents also provide consultations to make sure the buyer is comfortable with all stages of the process and is ready to proceed.

Closing of the Sale

Providing a watchful eye and a helpful hand, real estate agents play a pivotal role in making sure all things are lined up during the closing stage of your new home purchase. Working to make everything as smooth as possible, you will be guided and then provided help throughout, until the final transaction is successful.

After Closing Assistance

Once all is said is done, the real work begins. Your agent will provide you support and backing to make the move-in process as smooth and effortless as possible. Whether assistance with moving your household items or learning about the new neighborhood you will be given ample help on that front, or in any thing you may need.

It’s an often misconstrued fact that real estate agents are very useful for the all-around real estate process; whether you are looking to sell or buy, you can definitely benefit from the supportive hands of your local agent.

How to Make a Buyer WANT Your House! Staging your house, before it’s too late and you lose the sale

2011-03-10T08:37:00.000-08:00

If you’ve shopped for a home, chances are you’ve come across one that you really wish you hadn’t visited in the first place. True, houses for sale ought to have a certain “lived in” quality to them, because they are to be lived in after all, but the art of tactfully balancing just the right amount of homeliness with neutrality is not so simple. You need to know what you’re doing when you prepare to set up your house and show it to potential buyers. We’ve put together some great tips for home-sellers so you can get the same results you’d get by hiring a professional staging company.

Fix Up the Place

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make before putting their house up for sale is to neglect areas in the house that need attention. Don’t leave that faulty step unrepaired, only for a potential buyer to step on, slide off of or worse, get injured on – FIX IT! You might think potential buyers won’t notice but they are walking around on your premises like hawks, noticing each little detail. The good news is that they are noticing the first-rate stuff too, so as long as you have the home’s amenities in order and other major areas in tip-top condition, you should be in good shape. Here’s how:

Get Rid of the Clutter

If you want to successfully sell your house, you need to get those potential buyers to imagine they already live there. Too much clutter, hobby-oriented items or personal possessions that most people may not be able to identify with, can easily get in the way of that vision. Organize things in stylish storage bins or better yet, have a garage sale before the open house and get rid of unwanted stuff. You have to move soon anyway, why not kill two birds with one stone? A clean and organized home will seem like a clean slate to buyers, who can then see themselves moving in without much hassle and settle in effortlessly.

Stay Neutral

Skip the tie and dye sofa cushions, shaggy 70s rug and don’t light incense on the day of your open house. While you’re at it, don’t fill the space with gender-specific things either. Buyers should walk into a neutral ground – literally. Light to medium colors, preferably in beige tones, are the simplest way to pull buyers’ attention away from other personal aspects of your home that they may not be able to identify with. Beige goes with almost anything so if someone considering purchasing your home can imagine their things in the space, then you’ve just crossed one of the most major hurdles in home-selling – making a buyer identify with the home.

Make It a Modern, Inviting Environment

If you don’t already have them, invest in a few modern decorative accessories to improve the look of your space while lending an air of style and taste and making it more enticing. It doesn’t have to take much but depending on how you set it up, you can enhance a given space with a few simple additions and deletions. Take your over-crowded study and rearrange the bookshelf to display only a few strategic but essential books, like a leather-bound set of encyclopedia or some literature classics. In the same way, leave a few children’s toys in a child’s room but be sure to display them tastefully.

Put a Few Finishing Touches in Place

The idea is that you want your house to be sold – and you probably want it sold fast. If you are careful to respect the people who are visiting your space to decide whether it’s the right one for them, then you are doing something that a lot of homeowners neglect to consider. Taking down a piece of controversial artwork that may make a potential purchaser uncomfortable could be the one bargaining chip that could make or break the sale. Arranging for all those who currently live in the home to be away during the open house and while showing the house being dressed in a way to present a good impression are also great ways to tip the scales in the right direction.

It’s very simple. You need to make the potential buyer feel right at home from the get-go. If from the moment they walk in and smell cinnamon cookies baking makes them wish this was already home – then you’re already two steps ahead and can call the open house a success! Of course, a signature on the dotted line is where the real success lies and as long as the buyer feels at home, chances are that if everything else lines up – the sale is a winner!

Maximize Your Space; Putting All That Stuff in Its Place!

2011-03-01T07:42:00.000-08:00

Everyone loves a ton of space. Whether in your closet, garage or anyplace else in your home, there always seems to be the need for more room. So what happens with all that stuff we’ve accumulated over the years? It keeps getting piled up, adding clutter and making our space much more uninhabitable than it really needs to be. The easiest way to circumvent the problem of very tight spaces is to open it up. How, you ask? Simple. Play around with creative storage solutions, use any and all unused space around you – and things will start falling into place, literally.

Imagine yourself walking into your home office, only to be greeted by stacks of paper, unruly computer and technology equipment and wires, storage boxes, books and more. It’s not that your obsessive-compulsive next door neighbor with the perfect home office has less stuff. It’s just that he knows how to work with the space he has to utilize it to the best of his needs. With these few simple steps, you can be on the road to being able to focus on the things that really matter, leaving those that don’t to be sitting somewhere safe where it belongs.

Double-Decking and Triple Stacking

Closets

The most obvious place we see a ton of wasted opportunity is the closet. On the one hand, a closet is designed to store and maintain our most personal of possessions. But if you take a closer look, nine times out of ten, the closet space just isn’t very functional. Yes, there is some hanging space. Yes, some shoes can be stored on the floor and for most people there is at least one shelf above all this, to put items like folded sweaters and handbags on. Unless you’re one of the very lucky people who have a walk-in closet the size of most homeowners’ master bedroom, chances are you are lacking in sufficient closet space.

By installing simple and easily affordable stacked storage units, the dead space that is typically from the top of your shelf to the ceiling, and also that which is from the floor to hanging clothes – can be utilized. Set up your hanging areas in a way that double-deck your pants storage and other shorter items. The shelf space overhead is a great place to keep seasonal items that rarely need to be accessed.

Stairs and Landings

There is always room under or over staircases. Whether it’s your basement stairs that leave a wide-open opportunity to keep things under wraps or the gaping section overhead where there is a staircase and foyer area – the prospects are limitless. Consider using the basement gaps to house your washer and dryer units. Large, cumbersome appliances are never aesthetically pleasing. So to be able to keep them semi-hidden and devote that extra room to recreation or an entertainment space is very useful to homeowners.

Kitchens

If you’re not careful, over the years the amount of kitchen that can be accumulated is tremendous. One method used to keep homes within reason in terms of stuff is to purge and purchase. Many people employ a policy of donating or selling old items before bringing in the new; a great way to maintain balance. But for the rest of us, that is just not practical. One great way to use extra space in the kitchen is to hang a pot rack. Not only does it add character to your kitchen, it also frees up a ton of kitchen cabinet area.

Staying Together in Groups

Families know only all too well the need for space, space and more space. The larger the family, the more stuff keeps coming in – and there’s a good chance these people are not among those who purge and purchase. So what is the solution opportunity here? Organize, stack, store and keep together items that are similar. If your six-year-old insists on owning every single Matchbox car that ever was, you will need to find a viable and practical solution to store his collection. Keeping all his cars in one large bin is a great way to maintain his room, yet provide him the much-needed accessibility to his possessions. This basic rule of thumb applies to all areas around the house. Grouping kitchen utensils, stationery or a million little hair doodads owned by your very particular, up and coming teenager is the way to maintain available space and use up the dead variety.

Deep Down Under

EVERYONE knows that monsters live under the bed. Ok, well maybe not. But if you install a couple of under bed storage drawers and make that the place where all art supplies are stored, you will be doing your child a huge favor. Not only will it free up her desk but it will also keep her room neat and provide more area for her to hang out.

It’s NOT Always What’s on the Inside

The garage is the single best opportunity to maximize wasted space. You can hang peg board on the walls, put up tools, small bins and other clever storage knick-knacks. Avid cyclists often hang their bicycles overhead in the garage. Floor-to-ceiling garage cabinetry is another way to replace clutter for the cars in your space.

Who says you have to move into a five-thousand square foot expanse? With just a little bit of creativity, an open-minded attitude, some innovative methods and the will to implement, you CAN change the entire look of your smaller home – almost “doubling” it in appearance and tastefully maximize every last bit of space available. The only thing you may find challenging is knowing about and finding all that “hidden” dead space in your home so you can work at making it useful!

Replace Your Space and Add Pizzazz with a Fresh Splash of Color!

2011-02-10T14:56:00.001-08:00

The bottom line is that if you aren’t in the market for a new home anytime soon, you just have to learn to “live” with the one you already have. Not that your four walls are anything less than to be desired – but the simple fact is that after 5, 10, especially 20 years later – you NEED change. We’ve put together some trendy ideas that will at least make you feel as if you’ve moved on to a bigger and better place. So enjoy the best of both worlds while you are in the comfort of your familiar domain yet surrounded by a new look!

Add Tangible Texture

By simply incorporating a few textured walls in your design scheme, you will enhance the look of your home or office significantly. The updated look will almost instantly increase the perceived value of your domain. The modern, stylish trend has been around largely since the 70s but today’s newer patterns, large variety of painting accessoriesand exciting paint finishes, make the end result seem as if you had your place decorated by a professional. Whether you opt for an extra-wide tree bark texture finish or go for an exaggerated striped wall making a mixed pattern of some glossy paint finish stripes and others matte – the choice (and look) is yours. Break away from the boring and routine. Embrace the pizzazz your place will instantly command attention to – after all you are going to be around for a while, right?

Make it Monochrome

For rooms that should be larger than they really are (like your family room, for instance) one way to add some zing to it is to play around with all shades of one color. So while it’s technically ‘monochromatic’ the varying shades add interest and dimension to the room. The first step: choose your color. It would be a good idea to consider the number of furniture pieces you have in the space, your liking or disliking of a particular color, and also just how much you want to ‘go crazy’ with this color. Once you decide, visit a color specialist at a leading home improvement store and go up one shade and down one shade, select the spectrum you want to decorate with. From that point on, pick and choose select pieces in the room, being careful not to overdo large pieces with heavy colors, therefore throwing off the balance of the room.

Hang it all Up

In case your goal is to feel as if you’ve moved into that extra large house with the spacious closets and HUGE living room, there is a solution for you! Once you’ve fixed up the place with a textured and (maybe) monochrome look, by strategically installing large mirrors in key areas, you can expand the look and feel of the space. Not only that, the flow of light will increase hugely, which can lend an entirely different personality to your home or office. When you install mirrors, use the beveled-edge variety for a more polished look. The larger the wall, the larger the mirror – and the more perceived space in the room.

Whoever said “a little bit goes a long way” really knew what they were talking about. It doesn’t have to break your bank to replace your space, but as long as you are willing to give it some time and energy, in no time – and especially until you are ready to move on to that dream home – you can have a home that looks and feels brand new!

Instead of Burning All That Cash, SAVE It With These Great Energy Conservation Tips!

2011-01-19T08:15:00.000-08:00

When your home is poorly insulated, running on faulty ground or operating on less-than-efficient standards, rest assured, you WILL at some point have to empty those pockets and suffer some serious damages. It’s not just a matter of being ‘green’, though that is always a great way to live, it’s actually more a matter of finding the best and most efficient ways to live in your home so that you and your family aren’t losing out. It doesn’t have to be this way forever. By following just a few straightforward adjustments you can conserve energy and live comfortably. Here’s how:

Close the Gaps

The biggest lost opportunity to save energy is when people don’t make sure all seals are properly closed. This holds true for all areas that lead from one environment to the next – even indoor climate changes apply here. So if you don’t heat your basement in the wintertime by placing a draft roll at the base of the door that leads from the basement to the heated area, you are doing yourself a huge financial favor. A lot of times, homeowners are simply not aware of how much energy is lost through these gaps. You can save several hundred dollars per year if you make sure there are no drafts coming through your windows, doors and other similar closures. Making sure there are no gaps left unclosed will also keep the heat out or cool in depending on the season.

If it’s Broken, Fix It

Few people actually realize just how much a broken or inefficiently running appliance can become an energy-monger. Take a dishwasher, for instance. When a dishwasher is run at a less-than optimal level, it uses up more electricity, tends to run in a way that requires more than the usual cycles because the dishes don’t end up as clean as they should be. If the electrical systems are not working properly, for example, the appliance will run on a lower voltage, for a longer period. All these things are examples of things that go wrong when a machine is not working 100% properly. The same philosophy applies to heating/cooling systems, bathroom fixtures (imagine how much water wastage occurs with leaking faucets or toilets!), faulty security devices or even bad window and doors installation.

Light Up With Sky Lights

In the dark ages it was literally dark. Ok, so maybe not all the time but the basic concept of daylight and twilight remained, leaving activities that required light to be done after dawn. Since the advent of electricity, however, all that has changed. But it doesn’t mean that just because we can have ‘daylight’ around the clock, that we should. By seizing the energy opportunities availed to us by the sun, you can save a lot of money on unused (and unnecessary) wasted electricity. A skylight is an excellent solution because depending on the design, not only does it light up a large area of space in your home, it is also stylish, modern and green. Skylights were around long before everyone starting ‘going green’ but they have significantly evolved and they are definitely here to stay.

Plant Roots on the Roof

Plants are a surprisingly good insulator against the elements – and they look great too! Most people think of plants as an aesthetic addition to their home, to liven it up and add that greenery that is loved so much. But did you know that plants are also a great way to naturally clean the air and block irritants like dust and insects by acting as barriers if placed strategically in your home? The most unknown benefit of greenery from an energy conservation standpoint, however, is the insulation effect it offers when used on rooftops. The phenomenon of rooftop gardening for this purpose is very prevalent in Europe and other parts of the world and extends beyond household real estate to commercial real estate as well. As an excellent way to seal in the cool (or warmth) inside a space and of course ideal for flat rooftops, if yours is an outside space that you can cover with greenery, you will start seeing the savings pile up with less energy costs.

Use the Sun

Install solar energy panels wherever possible so you can generate electricity using the natural power of our sun, rather than the energy company with constantly rising costs. With so many options, sizes and styles of solar panels, you can even go one step further and purchase things like solar-powered outdoor lamps, heating and cooling and air conditioning too. The choices and price ranges are limitless.

Whether you decide to go on a maintenance spree, invite the sun right inside your home or go green on your roof, you are sure to save enough to return any investments made to conserve the energy in the first place. It doesn’t take much but if you and your family are consciously aware of making these few changes to your home and lifestyle, before you know it, you will be able to take a vacation with all that money you save!

What to Look for in 2011

2010-12-28T09:57:00.001-08:00

My Video Blogging Promise to You in 2011

I started video blogging last year to help you make better decisions in real estate. Now, in 2011, I'd like to help you improve and maintain the value of your home so you keep a strong financial asset. So, instead of buying and selling topics, I'd like to share with you tips and tricks to keep the most value in your property. I made a short video with what you can expect from my blog in the coming months, as I want my email updates to be valuable for you. If you have any special request for topics, reply and let me know, otherwise watch the video I made just for you!

Determine if the "Neighborhood Value" Is There!

2010-12-10T10:29:00.000-08:00

"Neighborhood value" is the atmosphere of a particular area - the look and feel of the homes and yards and so forth. But, more importantly, it's the "vibe" you receive from the neighbors.

Let's be honest: You can buy the finest home on the planet, but obnoxious neighbors can spoil the whole living experience for you.

Or, it could be the opposite - the neighbors aren't obnoxious; the current owners are. They may have had disputes with their neighbors and created an unhappy climate.

Depending on the nature of the disputes, the neighbors may be glad to see you, or they may be so negative toward the current owners that their attitude may spill over onto you, even though you had nothing to do with the situation! If that's true, then you may want to look at homes in a different area.

I'll give you an extreme example that happened to a friend of mine in a different city. We'll call him "Dave." He was interested in a home in a nice central-city neighborhood. The price seemed high, but the owner was trying to sell the house by himself so that didn't seem unusual since a "For Sale By Owner" often asks for a price above the estimated market value. As I'd advised him to do, Dave did his "due diligence" and talked to the neighbors.

Boy, did he get an earful! Turns out everyone hated "Ted," the owner of the property. As far as Dave could tell, this man had gone out of his way to offend everyone he possibly could in the neighborhood.

"Ted" played loud music at all hours of the night…shot a BB gun at pets that weren't in his yard…disputed suggested changes at neighborhood meetings…and had even tried to prevent a current neighbor (a nice family with two well-behaved children) from buying his present home because…well…no one was quite sure why. "Ted" simply seemed to have "mean" in his circulatory system, instead of blood.
Needless to say, this was a strange situation for Dave! On the one hand, the neighbors were practically begging him to buy the home simply to get rid of "Ted."

On the other, "Ted" was every bit as obnoxious with him in the bargaining process. He was loud, verbally abusive, and ridiculed every offer Dave made.

Well, you can guess the result. Dave felt sorry for the neighbors, but walked away because he didn't need the grief! Let me emphasize once again that this is an extreme case; however, as you can see, it never hurts to investigate a neighborhood thoroughly before buying a home!

But there's also another important reason for you to talk with neighbors; good neighbors can alert you to problems you may not be aware of; for example, basement flooding, termites, leaky roofs, etc.

When that happens, you can either look at a different house or negotiate with the seller to lower the price of the property!

The Best Way to Evaluate a Neighborhood and Its Value

The best way to evaluate a particular neighborhood is write up a checklist of desirable aspects before you ever enter that neighborhood!

Below, I provide you with typical features (in alphabetical order) to check out. However, you should add as much detail as possible to that list since everyone has different needs and wants.
• Association fees (if applicable)
• Closeness to parks and recreation for the kids
• Crime rate
• Length of commute to work
• Noisy pets (barking dogs, etc.)
• Property taxes.
• Proximity to busy streets or main thoroughfares.
• Proximity to mall, shops, restaurants, etc.
• Reputation of school district
• Sidewalks and running trails throughout the neighborhood.
• Type of families in the neighborhood, etc.

The list above has all the "objective" features of a neighborhood; that is, you can measure them, for the most part, by facts and figures.

Assuming a neighborhood meets these objective criteria, then it's time to analyze the "subjective" features by visiting the area.

Drive through the neighborhood to get an initial look. Do this at different times and on several different days to get a real feel for the area.

Assuming you like what you see, you should also get out and walk the neighborhood. You may well see things you missed from the car.

As I suggested earlier, talk to the neighbors to get their opinions of the neighborhood and the property you're considering.

I'd recommend you select a time when they're likely to be outside walking or in their yards (gardening, watering, mowing, etc.). That way, you don't have to knock on their doors and interrupt their personal time.

Since buying a home is such an important decision, you can see that it's vitally important to check both the objective and subjective features of a neighborhood. And, since it's my business to know every one of those aspects, I encourage you to contact me so I can fill you in on the "neighborhood value" of an area you're interested in! Contact me today!