Real life moving tips!

As you may have seen on my Facebook page, we moved the weekend after Thanksgiving.  I have moved before, but I have never moved with my family.  It is a whole different process when you have kids, pets, and it is around the holidays.  I did want to share some tips while they are still fresh in my mind.  We did our move primarily ourselves, but we did have some help.  We moved on a Thursday because of closing dates, but we were able to get in the night before with our first u-haul full of boxes.  We used a company we found through U-Haul, on a website called Moving Help.  For a much smaller fee than hiring a moving company, we had three men who came for approximately three hours.  They helped to load and unload the truck, along with delivering things to the proper rooms.  We rented a large truck through U-Haul, and packed everything ourselves.

There are a few things that I would have done differently, or tips that I wanted to share.  I hope this helps someone!  

• First, I had packed a suitcase for the night before the move, where the kids and I stayed with my parents.  I should have packed more!  What I would recommend is to pack at least 3 days worth of clothes and other necessities into a suitcase for when you move to your new house.
• Second, I would highly recommend packing a separate box of the first night necessities.  One set of sheets per bed, one set of towels per person, your toothbrush, shower supplies, etc.  Anything that you don't want to have to dig out of a box when it is bedtime.  Related to that, make sure this box is labeled in big letters, and make sure you know where it ends up on moving day. 
• Pack boxes based on their intended use/room instead of where they were in your old house.  For example, we have a first floor half bath in our new house.  I packed a box with hand towels, soap, all decorative items for that room and a couple of rolls of toilet paper.  It made that room usable very quickly and easily.  
• Clearly label your boxes.  Try to get the boxes to your intended room, or at least try to group them when you are putting them in your basement or garage.  It is much easier to find things if they are grouped by room.  
• Make sure you have plenty of help!  For us, this meant hiring extra hands, and having a friend watch the kids on moving day so we could concentrate on loading and unloading and getting situated.  If people offer to help, let them!  
• My last tip is this.  If hiring movers is in your budget, do it!   

Jennifer

Selling Your Home Series: Moving

In a funny twist of events, I am writing this post today, but since I am trying to get a little ahead of myself on this blog, this post will be publishing on MY moving day! I think that everyone approaches moving a little differently, but there are a few things everyone needs to consider.

First of all, consider your timeframe. When you and your Realtor first discuss listing your home,or if you are buying, when you write the offer, one thing you will need to consider is possession dates. The day you close is not always the day you move into your new home, it really depends on your contract and local customs. It wasn’t unusual too long ago here in Ohio to have buyers giving sellers 30 days before they took possession of the house, essentially giving them a free month of rent in their old home!

In my market, giving a few days after closing is just practical and courteous. Especially if you are moving into an occupied home, you need to consider that person may also be trying to close on a home. Depending on the date THEY can move, it might be harder to coordinate the dates. If you are selling to a renter, they may have a lease that they need to get to the end of before moving.

Secondly of course, you want to figure out the best way to move you and all of your belongings to a new home. Depending on your willingness to do the work yourself and your budget, this might be movers who come and do everything including packing your fine china, or everyone you know with a pickup truck.

I wouldn’t really recommend moving on a Thursday if you can help it, but that’s what we are doing. I’m going to be paying careful attention to this next article as we are wrapping things up for our big move. We should be getting the keys about an hour after this blog posts. Keep us in your thoughts!

Jennifer

Even the smallest home contains a lot of furniture, clothes, kitchen equipment, pictures and other items. For a short move, it may be worthwhile to transport small goods by yourself, but larger items will likely require a professional mover.

How do you plan a move?

The time to plan your move begins once you've decided to sell your home. Some of the activities required to sell the home can actually help with the moving process. For example, cleaning out closets, basements and attics means there will be less to do once the home is under contract.

Your planning will be guided by a number of things:

• Are you moving a long distance? If yes, you'll likely require an interstate mover and the use of a large van.

• Moving internationally? Contact the embassy in Washington, D.C., for information. Be aware that items which may be entirely common in the United States can be prohibited in foreign countries. Ask about customs protocols, duties and taxes.

• Moving locally? If yes, will you move yourself? You'll need to consider packing boxes, peanuts, blankets or padding and a van rental.

• Planning is key. Stock up on boxes, packing materials, tape and markers. Always mark boxes so that movers will know where goods should be placed.

Who should you use?

There are a number of factors to consider. Money is one issue: You'll want to spend as little as possible, but choosing only on the basis of cost can be a mistake. Movers must have the right equipment, training and experience to do a good job. A mover, no matter how large or small, should be able to provide recent references for homesellers with a similar volume of goods to transport.

Get mover estimates in writing. Be aware that it's possible to get discounts through membership organizations and, sometimes, on the basis of your profession: Clergy, for example, sometimes qualify for a discount.

Always confirm mover credentials. Movers should be licensed and bonded as required in your state, and employees should have workman's comp insurance.

Get a checklist.

Moving is a big job and checklists can make it more organized and easier. Here are some of the major items to consider:

• Money. If you're moving more than a few miles then you should have enough cash or credit to cover travel, food, transportation and lodging.

• Medicine. Keep medicines and related prescriptions in a place where they will be available during the move.

• Number boxes so that all items can be counted on arrival. Make a list of boxes by number and indicate their contents.

• If moving with children, make sure that each has a favorite toy or toys, blankets, games, music and other goods.

• Moving historic, breakable or valued items? Such goods routinely require special handling and packaging.

Copyright © by Move, Inc.

 

[source:  http://www.realtor.com/home-finance/sellers-basics/moving.aspx?source=web]

Selling Your Home Series: Closing the Deal!

I like to be honest with people in all things, so I will tell you that until recently, as a new Realtor, I had no idea that actually buying or selling a house was the EASY part. When I last bought a home, it was when I was in my early 20’s, they were giving mortgages away to anyone, and I honestly don’t remember a whole lot of what went on. I also bought new construction, so things were easy. As least, it was easy as far as I knew back then. I also did the whole thing without a realtor. Imagine!

Now, I like to prepare my clients as soon as I can about what to expect. If you meet with me early in the process I can give you information, I can help you plan, and prepare you for all of this. If you buy a house with me, I even made up a checklist for my buyers to use to organize everything from contract to closing. There is a lot that goes on both with you the buyer or the seller and behind the scenes, and I will put it all out there for you to see.

I found this article to be pretty good as far as the things that go on between contract and closing. It might be different based on your area and circumstances, but your realtor can walk you through it. In my area, the closing is mostly dependent upon your type of loan. A conventional loan can usually close in about 30 days. FHA loans take 45-60. 203Ks (a Renovation Loan) can take up to 120 days. Short sales are not short! Again, your loan officer and your realtor will help you. If your realtor is a former teacher, you might even get a worksheet explaining the whole thing.

I hope this helps you be prepared for the day when you are closing!

Jennifer

It might seem as though once a sale agreement has been signed that the selling process is complete. Not only is it not over yet, but some of the most complex aspects of a real estate transaction now begin. A sale agreement sets not only a purchase price for the home, but also a series of terms and conditions.

For instance:

• Contracts routinely depend on the ability of a buyer to obtain financing, which is why most sellers prefer buyers with preapproval letters from lenders.

• A growing percentage of transactions involve a home inspection, or a physical review of the home by a trained and independent observer.

• Lenders will establish numerous conditions before granting a loan. They will want a title exam, title insurance to protect against title errors, termite inspections, surveys and an appraisal to assure that the home has sufficient value to secure the loan. The REALTOR® typically arranges required inspections and helps the owner prepare for closing.

When should you close?

It takes time to arrange financing, conduct inspections, obtain appraisals, locate replacement housing, contact movers, pack and actually move. While instant closings are not practical, neither are closings too far in the future. The problem with closings much past 60 days is that loan rates are difficult to lock in. If mortgage rates go up, it's possible that the buyer will no longer be able to afford the home and thus the deal may fall through. The result of these considerations is that most homes close 30 to 45 days after a sale agreement has been signed.

What happens?

Closing -- or "settlement" or "escrow" as it is known in some areas -- is essentially a meeting where the closing agent (the party who conducts settlement) takes in money from the buyers, pays out money to the owner and makes sure that the purchaser's title is properly recorded in local records along with any mortgage liens.

The closing agent reviews the sale agreement to determine what payments and credits the owner should receive and what amounts are due from the buyer. The closing agent also assures that certain transaction costs are paid (taxes and title searches).

Closing is also the time when "adjustments" will be made. For instance, suppose you've pre-paid taxes four months in advance. In this case, the closing agent will compensate you for the prepayment at closing by having the buyer pay you additional money.

It could also work in reverse. If you are behind on property taxes, the closing agent will reduce the money due to you at settlement by the amount of the unpaid taxes.

How do you prepare to sell?

It's important to look at the sale agreement and review your obligations. For instance, if you have agreed to paint a room or replace the dishwasher, such work must be completed before closing. Your REALTOR® can discuss your agreement and the steps which must be taken to complete the transaction. The closing agent will handle both the settlement papers and related documents.

Copyright © by Move, Inc.

[source:  http://www.realtor.com/home-finance/sellers-basics/closing.aspx?source=web]

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing you and your family all the best today and always.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Selling Your Home Series - Offers

The next part of the selling process is. . . .selling your home! Hopefully if you have prepared it carefully and priced it at an amount to be competitive on the market, you will have reached this stage quickly, and without a lot of hassle.

For many people selling their house is the first step to an exciting change. You may be moving to a new city, moving into your dream home, or downsizing into something better for retirement. In any way it is a big event! A home sale can be complex. After showings and open houses, signing documents and preparing your house for sale, a seller has already done a lot of work to sell their home.

The first step is getting an offer, and this article from Move, Inc. explains what it really means to have an offer and where you go from there. This article really would be useful to buyers or sellers, and I hope you find it helpful!

Jennifer

What's an acceptable offer?

The goal of every seller is to have a line of buyers outside the front door, each clutching higher and higher offers. And while this has been known to happen, in most markets there is some balance between the number of buyers and sellers. A number of factors determine whether a buyer's offer is acceptable.

They include:

•Is the offer at or near the asking price? Is the offer above the asking price?

• Has the buyer accepted the asking price or something close? Has the buyer then buried thousands of dollars in discounts and seller costs within tiny clauses and contract additions?

• What is the alternative to the buyer's offer? If a home has not attracted an offer in months, then sellers need to determine if a better deal is possible -- recognizing that each month costs are being incurred for mortgage payments, taxes and insurance.

• Does the owner have enough time to wait for other offers?

• What if no other offers are received?

• What if several offers are received? Do you choose the high offer from the purchaser with questionable finances who may not be able to close, or a somewhat lesser offer from a buyer with preapproved financing?

What is a counter-offer?

When a home is made available for sale the owner is essentially making an offer to buyers: For a given number of dollars and other terms you can acquire this home.

Buyers, in turn, can respond with several options:

• Not interested.

• Yes, we'll buy on the owner's terms.

• We're interested and here's our counter-offer.

A counter-offer is nothing more than a new offer. And just as the buyer had three options in response to the owner's original price and terms, the seller can now choose one of three reactions: accept the offer, decline the offer or make a fresh counter-offer.

Offers and counter-offers reflect the back-and-forth activity of the marketplace. It's an efficient and practical process -- but also one that may contain tricky clauses and hidden costs. The REALTOR® who lists your home can explain the local bargaining process in detail and assist in the actual negotiations.

How do you negotiate?

It's sometimes argued that negotiation must produce one "winner" and one "loser." Others suggest that a "win/win" situation is possible where each side gets something of value. Real estate bargaining typically involves compromises by both sides. It's not war; it's not winner-take-all; and it's not the time to take personally any comments made by purchasers.

Instead, negotiating should be seen as a natural business process; buyers should be treated with respect; and owners should never lose sight of either their best interests or their baseline transaction requirements. These are the standards unique to each owner, which must be met before the home can be sold.

Copyright © by Move, Inc.

[source:  http://www.realtor.com/home-finance/sellers-basics/sell-it.aspx?source=web] 

Selling Your Homes Series: Marketing

Marketing your home. It isn't enough for a Realtor to just list your home, we have a job to do once it is on the market. That is where marketing comes in!

I have learned that, unsurprisingly, something like 90% of all home buyers find their home online. They don’t just find a Realtor and let them pick the houses, they are actively looking on their own. They want to find as much information as they can, they like pictures, they like being able to request more information without having to make a commitment or a phone call.

How many of you did the same thing when you were looking for a home? Did you save properties you like, look in the paper for open house listings? Would you like people to be able to easily find your home, and information about it? This is where listing with me will really help you. Cutler real estate prides itself on our internet reach, on getting that much needed internet exposure. Contact me to find out more information about a personalized marketing plan for you!

The information below is a general description of marketing from an article from Move, Inc. and I've included the excerpt as part of my series on selling your home. I hope you find it useful!

Jennifer 

If you bought a car, you could purchase a given model with selected features from any dealer. Since the car comes from one assembly plant, it's going to be the same whether purchased from dealer Smith or dealer Jones.

Homes are different. Each is unique, the marketplace is always in flux, interest rates constantly change and new buyers search for homes each day. With such fluidity, it requires REALTORS® to craft marketing plans specifically for individual homes and market conditions.

Selling can entail a variety of marketing strategies. Once listed, it's likely that the home will be quickly entered into the local MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and placed on REALTOR.com®. REALTORS® routinely market by mail with new-listing announcements and regular newsletters. Open houses, broker access to the home via the use of a lock box and networking with both local and out-of-town brokers are also common. 

Much of a broker's work will be quiet and unseen -- yet important. The quiet telephone calls, the work with contacts, the follow-ups with open-house visitors, conversations with ad respondents, the web postings and other outreach efforts are all part of the process required to sell homes.

Experienced REALTORS® base their marketing efforts on previous transactions and ongoing research. For instance, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), most people begin their home-buying process on the Internet. NAR numbers also show that most households move within 10 miles of their current location while 20 percent move at least 50 miles.

How to market your home

If you look at a typical transaction you can see that there are five general areas where REALTORS® can assist in the home-selling process. 

• Preparation: Before being placed on the market, homes must be in "show" condition. REALTORS® can explain what repairs and upgrades are required for individual homes which are most likely to produce the best results. 

• Pricing: Brokers do more than price homes for sale, they also construct sale terms designed to speed the selling process. It may be, for example, that a home priced at $150,000 with a 2 percent seller credit to the buyer at closing will be far more attractive to purchasers than a home priced at $147,000. Why? That 2 percent credit is worth $3,000 to the purchaser at closing -- the time when buyers are most likely strapped for cash. 

• Marketing: REALTORS® will execute strategies and programs to get the home sold. Typically this includes placement on the local MLS and Realtor.com as well as related marketing, advertising and networking. 

• Negotiation: REALTORS® assist owners in the bargaining process, offering advice and counsel as offers are received and by working closely with legal counsel, tax specialists and inspectors as required. 

• Closing: Once a contract for the purchase of a home has been accepted, a series of inspections and checks are typically required to satisfy buyers and lenders. REALTORS® can help owners complete the transaction process by assisting with the many requirements found in a typical sale agreement. 

Copyright © by Move, Inc.

[source]http://www.realtor.com/home-finance/sellers-basics/market-your-house.aspx?source=web

Selling Your Home Series: Pricing it Right

When it comes to selling your home, the very first question many owners have is “How much is it worth?” and “How much can I get in today’s market?”

Deciding on a price is going to depend on many things. First of all, how motivated are you? Are you willing to price lower than the competition to get the interest in your home? Are you able to position yourself in the market to be competitive with other homes in the area similar to yours? Buyers are typically looking for the best home they can get for the least amount of money. Are they going to find you?

Second, you will need to look at what you owe on your home. Unfortunately, there are many people in this country who are “underwater” or who owe more on their home than it is worth in today’s market. There are many resources out there currently to help owners who are struggling to make their home affordable. I encourage you to check out http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/Pages/default.aspx to see if there is anything you can do.

Once you determine that you can get out of your home, work with your Realtor to set the right price. Homes that are priced right sell quickly! I can help you! The following is an excerpt from an article from Move, Inc. I hope you find it helpful.

Jennifer

Pricing for Success 

Every reasonable owner wants the best possible price and terms for his or her home. Several factors, including market conditions and interest rates, will determine how much you can get for your home. The idea is to get the maximum price and the best terms during the window of time when your home is being marketed.

In other words, home selling is part science, part marketing, part negotiation and part art.

What is your home worth? 

All homes have a price, and sometimes more than one. There's the price owners would like to get, the value buyers would like to offer and a point of agreement which can result in a sale. In considering home values, several factors are important:

• The value of your home relates to local sale prices. The same home, located elsewhere, would likely have a different value.

• Sale prices are a product of supply and demand. If you live in a community with an expanding job base, a growing population and a limited housing supply, it's likely that prices will rise. Alternatively, it's important to be realistic. If the local community is losing jobs and people are moving out, then you'll likely have a buyer's market.

• Owner needs can impact sale values. If owner Smith "must" sell quickly, he will have less leverage in the marketplace. Buyers may think that Smith is willing to trade a quick closing for a lower price -- and they may be right. If Smith has no incentive to sell quickly, he may have more marketplace strength.

• Sale prices are not based on what owners "need." When an owner says, "I must sell for $300,000 because I need $100,000 in cash to buy my next home," buyers will quickly ask if $300,000 is a reasonable price for the property. If similar homes in the same community are selling for $250,000, the seller will not be successful.

• Sale prices are NOT the whole deal. Which would you rather have: A sale price of $200,000, or a sale price of $205,000 but where you agree to make a "seller contribution" of $5,000 to offset the buyer's closing costs, pay a $2,000 allowance for roof repairs, fund two mortgage points, re-paint the entire house and leave the washer and dryer?

How much is too much? 

Because all transactions are unique there is flexibility in the marketplace. The amount of flexibility depends on local conditions.

For example, suppose you're selling a townhouse. Suppose also that there have been five recent sales of the model you own and that sale values have ranged between $200,000 and $210,000. You now have an idea of how your home might be priced. In a strong market perhaps you can ask for $210,000 or a little more. If the market has slowed, $210,000 may be a reasonable asking price, but perhaps more than the final sale price.

Who can help?

Experienced REALTORS® are active in the local marketplace and can provide assistance with pricing, marketing, negotiation and closing.

Because experienced REALTORS® have handled many transactions, they're familiar with the terms and conditions that went into individual sales, not just published sale prices which may not reflect various premiums, discounts and adjustments.

Copyright © by Move, Inc.

[source] http://www.realtor.com/home-finance/sellers-basics/set-the-price.aspx?source=web

Selling Your Home Series: Finding the Right Realtor

For the second article in my Selling Your Home series, I want to talk about why it is important to find a good realtor. I think that many people think that once you make the decision to list your house for sale that is when you should contact a realtor. Did you know that there are plenty of questions you can ask before you even make that decision? That is what I am here for. I would encourage you to talk to a good realtor as soon as you are considering it. They can give you an idea of what to expect, suggest some things to do before listing your home, and to help you determine the best price to put your house competitively on the market.

Obviously, if you are local, I would hope that you would choose me! Even if you do not, I hope that this excerpt of an article from Move, Inc. helps you.

Jennifer

Why use a REALTOR®?

There are more than 2 million people nationwide who have licenses to sell real estate, of which about over 1 million members belong to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Only NAR members are entitled to use the term "REALTOR®."

NAR members must adhere to a strict Code of Ethics. By joining NAR, individuals have access to a wide range of classes, seminars and certification opportunities. Local REALTOR® groups are active in community matters, and individual members are routinely involved in PTAs and other neighborhood organizations.

In essence, local REALTORS® are community experts. They track real estate trends, share neighborhood concerns and participate in local matters. They're good neighbors who are in the business of helping others buy and sell homes.

How do you choose a REALTOR®? 

Whether you're a first-time seller or someone who has sold many homes, there are several ways to find a local REALTOR®:

• Get recommendations from past sellers.
• Look for REALTOR® signs in your community.
• Check the classifieds in local newspapers and "shopper" publications.
• Look at the listings in local real estate magazines.

In some cases, sellers elect to meet only with one REALTOR® while other owners elect to meet with several. Whatever your preference, there will be a number of questions you will want to ask, including:

• What services do you offer?

• What type of representation do you provide? (There are various forms of representation in different states. Some brokers represent buyers, some represent sellers, some facilitate transactions as a neutral party, and in some cases different salespeople in a single firm may represent different parties within a transaction.)

• What experience do you have in my immediate area?

• How long are homes in this neighborhood typically on the market? (Be aware that because all homes are unique, some will sell faster than others. Several factors can impact the amount of time a home remains on the market, including changing interest rates and local economic trends.)

• How would you price my home? Ask about recent home sales and comparable properties currently on the market. If you speak with several REALTORS® and their price estimates differ, that's OK, but be sure to ask how their price opinions were determined and why they think your home would sell for a given value.

• How will you market my home? At listing presentations, brokers will provide a detailed summary of how they market homes, what marketing strategies have worked in the past and which marketing efforts may be effective for your home.

• What is your fee? Brokerage fees are established in the marketplace and not set by law or regulation. Typically, brokers who list homes are compensated on a performance basis - that is, the broker is not paid unless the home sells under the terms and conditions that are acceptable to you.

• What happens if another REALTOR® locates a purchaser? That is, who will that broker represent, and how will he or she be paid?

• What disclosures should you receive? State rules require brokers to provide extensive agency disclosure information, usually at the first sit-down meeting with an owner or buyer.

• How long do you want to list your home? A "listing" agreement is a contract that shows the broker's obligations and outlines the terms under which your home is being made available for sale. The length of the agreement is a negotiable matter.


What should you expect when working with a REALTOR®?

Once your home is listed with a REALTOR®, he or she will immediately begin to market your home according to the most appropriate conventions for your community. 

Your REALTOR® should keep you informed as the marketing process unfolds and as expressions of interest are received. In time, the marketing plan may be modified to reflect buyer reactions and changes in the marketplace. 

In real estate there are written offers and oral offers. Oral offers ("Would they take $225,000 for the home?") are not acceptable because they generally cannot be enforced ("Gee, did I say $225,000? I was sure I said $215,000"). Written offers created by the REALTOR® with assistance from qualified attorneys address numerous issues, are consistent with local requirements and provide the foundation for an actionable offer. 

[source] http://www.realtor.com/home-finance/sellers-basics/get-a-realtor.aspx?source=web

Selling Your Home Series: Planning!

Today is the first article in a series I plan to share on Selling your Home.  In the past few years many people who wanted to sell may have hesitated because of the market.  The good news is that the market is improving.  There are actually fewer houses on the market, which is good news for sellers!  Lower inventory means that there is more demand for the houses that are on the market that are priced right, and in good condition.  Did you know that a “good” house might sell within a few days of being listed?  That was something that surprised me after I started in real estate.  We had been looking for months, and I had no idea that some of the best houses were actually snapped up before they ever were available to view on one of the big websites, or in the newspaper. 

So what does that mean to you if you are thinking about selling?  If you get your house ready, make it appealing to buyers, and price it right, you have a great chance at selling it quickly and with little hassle.  Doesn’t that sound great?   

Below is an article from Move, Inc.  I found it to be very good information and I hope you do too!

Jennifer

Steps to House-selling Success

Million of existing homes are sold each year, and while each transaction is different every owner wants the same thing -- the best possible deal with the least amount of hassle and aggravation.

Unfortunately, home selling has become a more complex business than it used to be. New seller disclosure statements, longer and more mysterious form agreements, and a range of environmental concerns have all emerged in the past decade.

More importantly, the home-selling process has changed. Buyer brokerage -- where REALTORS® represent homebuyers -- is now common nationwide, and good buyer-brokers want the best for their clients.

The result is that while hundreds of thousands of existing homes may be sold each week, the process is not as easy for sellers as it was five or 10 years ago. Surviving in today's real estate world requires experience and training in such fields as real estate marketing, financing, negotiation and closing -- the very expertise available from local REALTORS®.

Are you ready?
The home-selling process typically starts several months before a property is made available for sale. It's necessary to look at a home through the eyes of a prospective buyer and determine what needs to be cleaned, painted, repaired and tossed out.

Ask yourself: If you were buying this home what would you want to see? The goal is to show a home which looks good, maximizes space and attracts as many buyers -- and as much demand -- as possible.

While part of the "getting ready" phase relates to repairs, painting and other home improvements, this is also a good time to ask why you really want to sell.

Selling a home is an important matter and there should be a good reason to sell -- perhaps a job change to a new community or the need for more space. Your reason for selling can impact the negotiating process so it's important to discuss your needs and wants in private with the REALTOR® who lists your home.

When should you sell?
The marketplace tends to be more active in the summer because parents want to enroll children in classes at the beginning of the school year (usually August). The summer is also typically when most homes are likely to be available.

Generally speaking, markets tend to have some balance between buyers and sellers year-round. In a given community, for example, there may be fewer buyers in late December, but there are also likely to be fewer homes available for purchase. So, home prices tend to rise or fall because of general demand patterns rather than the time of the year.

Owners are encouraged to sell when the property is ready for sale, there is a need or desire to sell, and the services of a local REALTOR® have been retained.

How do you improve your home's value?
The general rule in real estate is that buyers seek the least expensive home in the best neighborhood they can afford. In terms of improvements, this means you want a home that fits in the neighborhood but is not over-improved. For example, if most homes in your neighborhood have three bedrooms, two baths and 2,500 sq. ft. of finished space, a property with five bedrooms, more baths and far more space would likely be priced much higher and likely be more difficult to sell.

Improvements should be made so that the property shows well, is consistent with the neighborhood and does not involve capital investments, the cost of which cannot be recovered from the sale. Furthermore, improvements should reflect community preferences.

Cosmetic improvements - paint, wallpaper and landscaping - help a home "show" better and often are good investments. Mechanical repairs - to ensure that all systems and appliances are in good working condition - are required to get a top price.

Ideally, you want to be sure that your property is competitive with other homes available in the community. REALTORS®, who see numerous homes, can provide suggestions that are consistent with your marketplace.

Copyright © by Move, Inc. 

[Source] http://www.realtor.com/home-finance/sellers-basics/plan-and-prepare-to-sell-your-house.aspx?source=web

Helping Kids with a Move

I have been reading a lot of articles lately in other real estate blogs.  I think that this all varies depending on the age of the kids, but plenty of ideas here work even for the youngest set.  We are preparing for a move of our own, and our little ones are excited, but I know it will be hard to leave our first home together. 

Here's an excerpt from an article I found on Zillow's blog.  I hope it helps!     

Jennifer

Moving can be a stressful for adults, and that stress level can skyrocket if the whole family isn’t on board. How do you get buy-in from kids who are being forced to leave their schools, sports teams, friends and family? Chances are, there will be tears along the way, but these tips may help ease the shock and make the experience a positive one for the whole gang:

Share the news in a timely fashion

The more time they have to think about and prepare for the move, the easier it will be for them. Plus, the absolute worst thing that could happen is to have your children inadvertently hear about the move from a teacher or a friend’s parent. When you first talk about the move, make sure you allow plenty of time for the conversation: It’s likely your children will have lots of questions.

Listen

Your kids may be excited about the move, or they may feel sad. Either way, you need to hear them out and help them work through their feelings.

Involve them

If at all possible, sit down together and create a family wish list for your new home. Teens may want a game room. A young child may want to live near a park. Don’t make promises but, rather, let family members know their desires will be considered as you search for a new home. Becoming part of the search may help turn anxiety into excitement.

Don’t share too much

This is especially true if you need to move because of financial hardship. Knowing too many details about the family’s finances could just add to a child’s anxiety.

Get them excited about the move

Older kids may be able to help with online searches for information about houses, schools, nearby dog parks and more. Ask the kids to pack and label their own boxes. Empower them to make decisions about how their new bedrooms will be decorated.

Don’t downplay good-byes

Talk with your children about how they’d like to say good-bye to their closest friends. Do they want to invite a bunch of friends to a party? Would they rather host one last sleepover with a best friend? Would they like to create a scrapbook their friends can sign? Let your children know that you appreciate the impact this move will have on them and you want their good-byes to be meaningful.

excerpted from Making Your Next Move Easier on the Kids

By, Mary Boone

So what do you think?  Has anyone ever moved with kids?  Is there anything you did to make it easier?


[Source]http://www.zillow.com/blog/2012-10-18/making-your-next-move-easier-on-the-kids/

 

Know You're Not Alone

Welcome to my new blog!  My goal is to share helpful information, news from the real estate world, and success stories and updates from my clients.  I started in my new career in real estate after easing out of the teaching world.  I figured out that what I really like, is just helping people!  Moving into real estate seemed like a good transition for me, and I am excited by what I have learned and accomplished so far.  Finding people the home of their dreams, helping people to sell their home or a loved ones is one of the biggest events in someone's life.  I look forward to being able to work with families, with couples starting out, people looking to retire or downsize and anyone else who needs a hand.

Know you're not alone.  I'll help you buy or sell your home!  

Jennifer