Tips For Selling in Summer

Tips for Selling in Summer

Summer has traditionally been the best time to sell a home. Not only do many families take advantage of moving when the kids are out of school, but in climates where winter weather is unpredictable or severe, the warmer months make it easier to be away for showings. With more homes on the market, how can you maximize your potential for a great offer among the options? Fortunately, you can take a few steps to ensure your home stands out from the crowd.

Tips for Selling in Summer

• Control the Climate – The first thing a buyer will notice when they walk into a home is the temperature. If the weather is warm and humid, it’s critical you keep the home cool. A larger air conditioning bill is a small price to pay for a top dollar offer.

• Let in the Sun – It might be tempting to close the blinds to save money on air conditioning, but bright, sunny rooms are always more appealing; leave enough open to showcase natural light.

• Extend Outdoors – Today’s lifestyle includes the outdoor areas and more and more homes feature outdoor living and dining areas. Regardless of your home’s features, maximize the impact of your yard with furniture, BBQs and manicured landscaping.

• Spring Clean – A fresh, decluttered home with a lighter, seasonal color scheme will be visually appealing to your buyers. Replace dark pillows, linen and accents with softer colors which make the rooms seem larger.

The summer selling season is here. Make sure your home is dressed for success. Welcoming outdoor spaces and bright sunny rooms combined with inviting an air conditioned rooms will ensure you get the best possible offer.

Top 3 Inexpensive Hardwoods

Top 3 Inexpensive Hardwoods

 Most people have thought about installing hardwood floors at one time or another. The natural beauty of wood brings a soft, elegance to any home. Today, hardwoods are not just for floors. Modern homes feature hardwoods for counters, back splashes and even entire walls.

Traditionally an expensive material to work with, there are inexpensive hardwoods that will bring that ambiance you crave with a price tag that won’t shock your wallet.

Top 3 Inexpensive Hardwoods

1.     Bamboo – Our first inexpensive hardwood isn’t really wood at all. Bamboo is actually a grass yet it’s harder than most hardwoods. Bamboo comes in only two shades – light and dark (boiled) – yet because of the variety in the plant itself, there are many color options available.

2.     Hickory – Hickory is most often used in rustic or country style homes. A very strong wood, it’s perfect for homes with high traffic and provides great durability and value for the price. With proper stain, hickory can take on a light, pine, tone or a darker, richer look.

3.     Lyptus – Never heard of lyptus? You’re not alone. Lyptus is commonly mistaken for mahogany. Beautiful and durable, lyptus costs a fraction of the cost of actual mahogany and provides the same lustrous look.

Hardwoods come in a large variety of tones, hardness and finishes. With so many to choose from and nice options starting at prices comparable to quality carpet, many homeowners and designers are incorporating hardwoods in their homes than ever before.

Vacation Rental Ownership – Is It For You?

Vacation Rental Ownership – Is It For You?

Investment properties used to be homes and multi-family properties used for full time rentals. Over the past decade, we’ve seen a new crop of investment properties emerge, the short term rentals. But what’s involved in owning a vacation rental? Is it worth the work?

A short term rental is a great investment for a number of reasons. In addition to creating annual income for the investor, the property could also appreciate in value during the time of ownership. Although the short term rental is still a rental property, it often pencils out to much higher income than a traditional long term lease does.

Vacation Rentals might seem like a great deal of work, and they can be. The first choice a vacation rental owner will need to make is whether they would like to self-manage or hire a property management company. Many short term rentals are managed by a professional property manager that specializes in the short term market. These managers have people on call to help with arrival, departure, cleaning, repairs and rent collections. While they do charge for their services, a professionally managed vacation rental can provide a nice income stream by building positive reviews.

Of course there are downsides to owning this kind of investment. It’s important to choose the right location to ensure a steady stream of renters. Additionally, one must budget for unexpected repairs or damage. With the deposit being made with a credit card, it can be difficult to collect for damage done to the home.

The Internet has been instrumental in the new vacation economy as peer-to-peer platforms like Airbnb, VRBO and HomeAway offer visitors the ability to interact directly with the owner. By reducing the advertising costs, investor-owners, can negotiate directly with potential renters and screen them to prevent possible problems.

Ask me for a vetted real estate agent recommendation no matter where in the world you would like to buy a property as I am only licensed to do business in Pennsylvania at this time.

Helping Families with Food Insecurity

Everyone in our area has faced challenges over the past few months as we deal with changes caused by Coronavirus. Food insecurity should not be one of them. I volunteer with the Jenkintown Food Cupboard which distributes food for residents throughout Montgomery County, PA. You can check out their website www.jenkintownfoodcupboard.net to sign up to pick up food on Saturdays.

Now, there is another program offering food pick up on Thursdays 11-1pm with locations throughout Montgomery County. Please share with friends and family so that this message can reach anyone who may find it helpful. More information on the MontCo Anti-Hunger Network can be found on their website: www.montcoantihunger.org and below.

If you would like assistance with any of this, please reach out to me directly.

Distribution Sites and Dates (Thursdays)
Willow Grove Mall (Nordstrom Rack Lot)  May 28th
Norristown Area site approval pending     June 4th
Pottstown Area site approval pending       June 11th

Willow Grove Mall (Nordstrom Rack Lot)  June 18th
Norristown Area site approval pending     June 25th
Pottstown Area site approval pending       July 2nd

Time: 11am -1pm

Should You Get An Appraisal Before Listing Your Home For Sale?

Should You Get An Appraisal Before Listing Your Home For Sale?

The most important thing on every seller’s mind is the listing price. No one wants to leave money on the table by pricing a home too low. At the same time, pricing the home too high will also likely result in lost dollars either from wasting valuable time on the market or once stale, selling for below market value in desperation.

Getting a professional appraisal ahead of time might seem like the solution, but is it?

An appraisal can be defined as an opinion of value at a given moment in time. If you are in an ascending market where listings are selling quickly, the appraiser can only use closed sales as a reference in the appraisal, so you might be tempted to list too low for the market, but not accounting for the increase in sales activity and prices. Contrarily if the market is slow and prices are declining, an appraisal received in May could be too high for the erosion of prices seen over the summer, and your listing will be overpriced for the reality of the neighborhood.

More than just these scenarios, a pre-listing appraisal means nothing to the buyer or their lender. They will still use market data to write their offer and their lender will order a new appraisal regardless. While you can reference your appraisal in negotiations, the buyers will still only offer what the property is worth to them and you might miss out on a great deal by trying to stick to your price.

In the end, a pre-listing appraisal is probably a waste of time and money. Your agent has access to the latest market data and can show you the same comparable properties the appraiser would use. Find a good local agent you trust and work with them to price your home correctly.

Tips to Pay Off Your Loan Faster

Tips to Pay off Your Loan Faster

For generations, homeowners would buy a home for life. Working over the years to make the payments and celebrating the end of the 30 year mortgage were great milestones in the family. Today, few home buyers expect to be in their home for longer than 7 years on average. Paying off a 30 year mortgage seems like an impossible task. Fortunately, there are great ways to pay off your loan which do not involve time. Here are a few tips for paying off your mortgage loan faster.

·      Biweekly Payments – Work with your lender to determine how they handle biweekly payments. If processed immediately, you can save 8 years of payments on a 30 year loan.

·      Extra Payments – By making just one extra payment each year, you can pay off your loan 7- 11 years earlier.

·      Refinance to 15 years – There are great interest rates available for mortgage loans. Consider a 15 year mortgage.

·      Principal Reduction – Watch for ways to add to your monthly payment a little at a time. When possible, increase the principal payment you make.

Paying off your mortgage builds wealth. Consider your life goals, including retirement. A 30 year loan taken out at 37 years old will not be complete until 67 – retirement age. The loan needs to be part of the overall financial plan from the beginning and making payoff a priority with a few simple steps can add up to huge savings in interest which can then be used for better investments.

The Cost of Home Staging

The Cost of Home Staging

Have you wondered if you should consider professional staging for your home before you list it for sale? Most of us have wandered into new home developments and enjoyed the ambiance of a perfectly styled model home. Of course we would all like our homes to give that same impression to potential home buyers, but what would that cost? Understanding the options available to you for staging can help you decide what, if any, professional staging makes sense for you and your budget.

What is Staging?

First it’s important to understand what professional staging includes. The best answer is, “it depends”! Staging can be as simple as a consultation or as involved as removal of existing furniture and replacing it with designer furnishings.

Needless to say, the cost of the two extremes are drastically different. Most homeowners who hire professional stagers are somewhere in the middle.

Staging begins with a tour of the room or home. Often simple placement of furniture can make a huge impact. The stager might also bring in elements to enhance the décor, such as colorful pillows, lamps, wall art or carpet. These are loaned to the homeowner for the duration of the listing.

Cost of Staging

Most stagers charge a flat rate for the initial consultation; this ranges from about $250-500, depending on the size of the home. If the homeowner determines that they also need furnishings, these are rented by the month and can range from $300-500 per room, per month. Additionally, there is often a minimum number of months required, typically 3 months.

Professionally staging your home is one option home sellers have to ensure their home is seen in its best light. Just as buyers fall in love with model homes, staging your home can bring a modern feel and entice buyers to write the offer. The best way to start is with your agent, to understand your market, competition and needs.

As I hold a Home Staging Certification, I do include staging as part of our marketing consultation. Make your appointment today!

Top Tips When Buying Vacant Land

Top Tips When Buying Vacant Land

Building a new home from scratch can be a dream come true. The idea of designing the perfect property with morning sun in the kitchen and evening breezes on the deck can be exhilarating; the first step to a successful project is finding the right piece of land on which to build. This can present challenges if not approached correctly.

Top Tips When Buying Vacant Land

• Hire Experience – More than most real estate transactions, it’s critical to hire an agent who understands and has experience in vacant land purchases and can guide you through the steps.

• Expect to Pay Cash – Finding a lender for vacant land can be very difficult. Those who will finance land typically require a 50% or higher down payment and above average interest rates and terms.

• Get the Neighborhood Comps – Do not neglect to understand home values in the community so you do not over, or under, build your home.

• Do Your Due Diligence – It is critical to research the property thoroughly. Just a few considerations much include.

  • Site Surveys and Environmental Testing

  • Easements and Zoning Restrictions

  • Lot Survey and Boundaries

  • Utilities and Water Rights

Once you’ve completed these preliminary reviews, it’s time to consult with an architect and General Contractor who will then begin to develop concept drawings to consider. Even at this stage, you might find that the home you want is not appropriate for the land you’ve chosen. Staying flexible is a key component to searching for land; remember that by following a few tips, you can ensure you find the right lot for your dream home.

What Does "Move-In-Ready" Really Mean?

What Does “Move-in Ready” Really Mean?

If you’ve been searching for a new home no doubt you’ve seen the term, “move- in ready.” This description sounds very appealing, but understanding what it actually means is important so you have the right expectations when arranging your home listing tour.

First it’s important to remember that the descriptions in real estate listings are written by the listing agent or broker. There is no set industry standard for what agents can say in their listings. While there are guidelines and rules which prevent blatant lying, most home buyers have become aware of the fluffy language used to market a home for sale.

The meaning of “move-in ready” is fairly straightforward; it means that the home is in a condition which is acceptable for immediate occupancy. The home meets the standards of living and assures the buyer that the essential elements needed to occupy the home are present and in running condition. For example, the home should have working plumbing, appliances, sound roof, electricity, gas and locking doors and windows.

What “move-in ready” does not necessarily mean is that the home is in pristine condition. A home that is “move-in ready” might still need significant updating and while systems are assumed to be operational, they might still be old or outdated.

“Move-in ready” is a common phrase in real estate listings. Understanding that the home might still need quite a bit of work to suit your taste and lifestyle, you can approach the listing with realistic expectations and determine if the property is the right fit for your needs.

3 Must-Do's Before Listing Your Home For Sale

3 Must-Do's Before Listing Your House for Sale

Before you list your home for sale, it’s time to do a little work around the house – to prepare and make sure your home is seen in the best possible light. These “must-do” items are about showing your home to buyers as one which is cared for and ready for them to add their own brand of home to the space. Taking a little time up front can mean thousands of dollars as buyers start writing their offers.

3 Must-Do’s Before Listing Your House for Sale

1.      Declutter, Depersonalize and Clean – This is the time to take spring cleaning seriously, in any season. Clear out all unnecessary items from the home; closets, drawers, extra clothes, old unwanted furniture. Donate to charity, hire a dumpster or rent a storage space; buyers will look in every space and open all drawers and cabinets, make sure your home seems spacious. Spend some time to depersonalize by removing excessive pictures and hide heirlooms. Finally, deep clean every space top to bottom.

2.      Address Deferred Maintenance – Make small repairs or hire a handyman to take care of problems which could appear during the home inspection. Replace caulking, fix broken windows and screens, replace light bulbs and freshen up and clean grout; buyers want to see a home that is cared for with “good bones.”

3.      Go for Curb Appeal – Spend some time in the yard. Trim bushes and trees, clean and repair hardscape and make sure there is adequate lighting. Welcome your buyers with seasonal flowers or décor and place a fresh mat by the front door.

Before you put that sign in the front yard, spend a little time and elbow grease to make sure you welcome your potential buyers with the best version of your home.