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

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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

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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

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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!