How to Boost Your Curb Appeal this Summer!

How to Boost Your Curb Appeal this Summer

                With the summer selling season getting as hot as the weather, how do you keep your house in the running with buyers?  One great way is curb appeal. Here are some really easy and really fun tips to upgrade your curb appeal and get your house more attention than the rest.

Driveway & Entrance

Adding outdoor lighting to your walkway and driveway is not only chic, but it also provides safety and security. Adding some colorful potted plants around your porch and walkway is an easy way to add color and life to the front of your house without spending a ton of money or time.  Painting your front door, hanging a flag, and maybe adding some seasonal accents to your entryway are all great ways to grab attention and still leave your mark on your home.

Windows

Some well-placed flower boxes can make a ton of difference in your curb appeal.  Adding shutters are also a great attention-grabber for the front of your home. Just a simple touch like a solar powered candle in each window can really make people take a second look at your house.

Porch

If you have a covered porch, some hanging plants can really spruce things up.  Adding some inviting features like a bench or Adirondack chairs can really speak to a buyer.  If your porch is too small for a porch swing, a little chair and table with a nice potted plant or pretty tea set will all send the same message.

Yard

There are the obvious tasks: mowing and seeding the lawn, weeding and cutting back shrubs and bushes.  But there are some really cool ways to make your yard stand out but still look neat.  If you have a grass path to a back gate, lay some stone and create a walkway or outline bushes and shrubs with a border of stone or rocks.  You could always add a few fence posts to the edge of your yard and give it that picket fence feel. 

Remember, just like with the inside of your house, you don't want it to be too personalized as that will make it difficult for buyers to see themselves living there. You do, however, want it to stand out and be both different and inviting.  Good luck and happy summer!

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

Multiple Offer Market!

How To Handle Multiple Offers!

Let's face it, getting multiple offers is definitely not the worst case scenario if you're trying to sell your house.   Now that the offers are there, what do you do?  First, keep in mind that for properties with a single offer, the fallout is 10%, but for properties with two or more offers, the fallout rate increases to 50%.  The reason for the difference is buyers often feel they were unduly pressured by the multiple-offer situation and now feel it's too much to pay.  Here are some tips on how to handle a multiple offer situation.

Listen to your agent.  You hired them because you believed in them and trusted them with selling your home.  Trust them now.  Your agent wants you to get the best deal and still be fair and ethical, so take their advice.  You will be glad you did.

Price isn't everything.  Make sure you review the terms of the entire contract and don't just see dollar signs.  The highest offer, although tempting, isn't always the best offer. Are the buyers pre-approved for that amount? What kind of loan is it? Are you going to have to pay closing costs or other costs associated with the buyer's loan?  Sometimes a lower more stable offer will save you a lot of headache at the closing table.

What is your home really worth?  If the buyer you choose orders an appraisal and that appraisal comes back less than the offer price, the buyers' lender may not approve the mortgage.  Unless that buyer is willing to come to the table with cash, you may be stuck putting your home back on the market.

Review closing periods.  A buyer who's willing to close within weeks is more attractive than one who needs or wants months to do the deal.  It is also less likely they will back out of the contract. 

 

It's the sellers' house and it's the sellers' decision.   You decide which offer you want to accept or if you want to counter all the offers.  Remain sensible and be fair.

If you are selling your home in today's market, there is a good chance you will get multiple offers and it can be overwhelming.  It's not a race. Take your time, read the contracts and listen to your agent's advice.  If you follow these tips, you will pick the best offer and run less of a chance of having to sell your house twice.  Good luck!

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

Fun in the Sun

Thurston County Fun

The Sun is shining, the Mountain is visible, the birds are chirping and everyone is happy again.  I thought this would be a great week to write about some of the really cool things going on in and around Thurston County.  We have some amazing hiking trails from beginner to advanced and some even including rock climbing - if that’s your thing.  Check out co.thurston.wa.us/parks/trails.htm and go explore.

If botanical gardens are more your thing, Thurston County offers many such as the Japanese gardens in Olympia to the rose gardens in Lacey.  Go to http://www.olympialiving.com/attractions/botanical-gardens-in-olympia.htm and enjoy the blooming spring.

Thurston County is a haven for family friendly actives.  There is too too much to list it here but go to http://www.soundsfunmom.com/100-places-to-take-kids-in-south-puget-sound/ for cool stuff to do on a sunny day.  If you're working within a budget, and lets face it most of us parents are, go to http://www.thurstontalk.com>activities for free stuff to do with kids in Thurston county. 

As you can see you don’t have to go far from home to have fun around here.  I am listing a few more links below so check them out and then go have fun in your community.

visitthurstoncounty.com

thurstontalk.com

blogs.evergreen.edu

thurstonchamber.com

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

Millennials In the Market 2

Millennials part 2

Right now millennials are the biggest group of home buyers in the country, but they have some serious competition the baby boomers.  The real estate market has become a generational war zone and baby boomers aren’t fighting fair, at least according to the millennials their not.  With Baby boomers retiring in great numbers most are looking to down size from larger more suburban homes to small homes closer to or in the city.  They are looking for convince and amenities within walking distance.  Now that the economy is head upward millennials are now making enough to move out of mom and dads basement or trade in the four roommates they have for none and buy their own home.  Great news except guess what they are looking for?  You guessed it smaller homes near or in the city with in walking distance of most amenities.    

Millennials being the socially connected, environmentally conscious group they are want to buy existing homes.  They love the history, location or architectural detail and they are usually close to downtown.  Guess who else loves all those things?  You guessed it baby boomers.  Baby boomers love history and being that most of them are retiring they are looking for something with a few projects they can work on to fill their days.

Why is any of this unfair you ask.  Well it comes down to two things that baby boomers have that millennial don’t experience and money.  Baby boomer Know how to negotiate to get what they want and being that according to NAR survey, only 3 percent of agents are under 30,and 81 percent were older than 45 Baby boomers are able to relate to and work with their agents a lot better.  Millennials who do business very differently now don’t really have the tools to negotiate.  And of course there is the money issue.  “Boomers will pay a premium if you can give them exactly what they want,” said Matt Robinson, principal at MRP Realty.  “Something closer to what was in their house, and that pushes up the price; they’re happy to pay for it.”  Many millennials are not well suited to compete being that most of them entered the market in the middle of the recession and during the lackluster recovery few have had time to build any real wealth.

This War of generations is driving up prices on not only starter homes and condos but rental prices too.  It is also cause a shortage of properties which is starting to concern most real estate agents.  Real estate agents have to start learning how to better work with millennials in order to stop the War but that’s a subject for another blog.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

Pet Lovers Are Welcome!!

Pet Friendly Real Estate

No one shopping for a new home wants to walk into a house and smell the animals that live there, however the days of being asked to hide the fact that you have a pet are long gone.  Some real estate companies are not only allowing pets, they’re catering to them.  In fact Pet friendly agents have found one another on a growing social platform called the Pet Realty Network.  The network launched in 1997, now boasts 300 members who pay $30 annually to be included in the directory and can add to its pet friendly listings.   Even home builders are touting pet-accommodating floor plans, such as pet nooks in mudrooms, heated window perches, scratch proof flooring and custom-built cabinets for food bowls. “Its quite amazing what some people are doing now and what they are demanding,” says Rhona Sutter, Founder of Pet Realty Network.  “Its something buyers really think about now when they build. Pet Friendly has come into the forefront of consideration.” 

 The reason for this pet friendly craze in the real estate world?  Well nationwide, dog ownership is climbing, fueled in part by millennials who are postponing marriage and child-rearing and getting pets instead.  The American Pet Products Association found in its most recent pet-owner study that 44 percent of American households, or more than 54 million, own at least one dog, up from 38 percent, or 35 million, in 1990.  Its not just millennials driving this new trend, ProMatura, a Mississippi real estate research and advisory firm specializing in age-qualified housing, surveys seniors every year on what they want in their housing communities.  In last years survey, 43 percent of respondents indicated they thought a dog park was essential or desirable, up 33 percent from the previous year.  Apartment and condo developers from New York City to Washington State are incorporating pet amenities like grooming stations, day boarding facilities, dog-walking services, veterinary clinics, miniature dog parks, and even rooftop dog walks with special cleaning systems.   Real estate agents now have to show themselves as pet friendly weather it is through networking, marketing or even how they stage the homes.  No matter were you are or for whom you work, you will now have to take into consideration all the members of the family even the furry ones. 

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

Get Bang for your Buck!!!

Return on Investment

Remodeling and replacement projects can add value to your home, but some projects recoup their costs

better than others. According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2015 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report, small and exterior projects return the most value for your money.

The project that offered the best value overall was a steel entry door replacement, which recouped 101.8 percent of its costs when the home was sold. The steel entry door is consistently the least expensive project named in the report, costing about $1,200 on average. The second best value is the addition of a manufactured stone veneer, which can recoup 92.2 percent of its original cost, but be prepared to invest at least $7,000 for the improvement.

 

Replacing a garage door can return 82.5 percent for an upscale project and 88.5 percent for a mid-range project. Replacing your home’s siding with fiber cement will return 84.3 percent of the costs, while replacing vinyl siding recoups 80.7 percent. Adding a wood deck will return 80.5 percent and replacing wood windows earns 78.8 percent.

A minor kitchen remodel is a strong bet to add value to your home. An investment of $19,226 can return 79.3 percent of its costs. A major kitchen remodel recoups 67.8 percent and a bathroom remodel returns 70 percent.

  

To find out which home improvement projects bring the most value, talk to a CRS REALTOR® who knows the local market, housing inventory, and what buyers want in a home.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

Your Health and Your Neighborhood

Heart-Healthy NEIGHBORHOODS

Living in a friendly neighborhood may be good for your heart, according to a recent study by psychologists at the University of Michigan. In fact, the more social connections you have among your neighbors, the less likely you are to die from a heart attack.
       The study analyzed the social connections of more than 5,000 adults in urban, suburban and rural areas over a four-year period. Researchers controlled for factors like age, race, income, marital status, education, mental health, optimism and other known health-risk factors associated with heart attacks, such as diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. By the end of the four years, 148 of the individuals studied had suffered a heart attack.
       Maintaining friendly relationships with your neighbors may be good for your health because neighbors are more likely to check on each other and notice any potential health problems, share resources and health information, and lend money. They can also offer emotional support, which can be a buffer during times of stress.
       Conversely, other studies have shown that negative aspects of a neighborhood can have a detrimental effect on a person’s health. For example, living in areas with violence, noise, poor air quality and access to too many fast food restaurants can have a negative impact on a person’s health. Further, a study at the University of Pennsylvania finds that living in areas with abandoned buildings can lead to isolation and hamper social relationships, which can lead to poor physical health of residents who live nearby.
       Being helpful and neighborly is not only good for your health, it’s good for the health of the neighborhood.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

WHEN IT RAINS, IT REALLY POURS

Tips and Trends for homeowners,Buyers and Sellers.     

   No matter where you live, emergencies are bound
to happen when you least expect them: the furnace
breaks down, appliances stop working, the roof starts
leaking or a window gets smashed. The costs for repairs
can be tough to stomach, unless you have an
emergency fund.

Setting up an emergency fund is easier than you think.
These tips from Bankrate.com will help you handle
unexpected surprises with ease.

   

•  First, estimate how much money you might need for the fund. Experts suggest saving enough to cover four to seven months of expenses. Remember, this fund should not replace your entire income, and it should not be used to fund luxuries, like vacations, fancy new clothes or a new car (unless your existing one breaks down).  Keep funds accessible, but not so readily available that you are tempted to borrow from it.

 

• Set up an account separate from your regular checking account. Consider using credit unions, which   allow consumers to open accounts with smaller sums of cash, and online banks, so you can’t withdraw money from a storefront location.

 

• Be sure to use the funds only for emergencies, such as replacing broken appliances, replacing the furnace or paying your regular monthly expenses after a job layoff or during a lengthy illness.  

•   Begin slowly. Start with a deposit of $50 from each paycheck, then increase it gradually with each job change or pay increase. Set aside a portion of commission checks and tax refunds, too.

 

 

With these simple steps, you’ll have greater peace of mind, knowing you are prepared for any emergency.

   

Where is your investment best spent?

RETURN ON improvement

Are you thinking about selling your home, or do you just want to spruce things up and don’t know where to start? If you’re working within a strict budget, the thought of remodeling your home can be daunting. It’s best to assess your needs and also educate yourself on current market trends before you get started.

The 2015 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report, produced by Remodeling magazine in cooperation with the National Association of REALTORS®, reports that large-scale jobs aren’t likely to return sellers their full cost. Instead, smaller replacement jobs tend to generate a higher return than remodeling projects. The report uncovers that replacement projects showed an average return of 73.2 percent, while the cost-value ratio of remodeling projects showed an average rate of return of 60.8 percent.

Arming yourself with information like this is key before you invest in making improvements. Here are the five mid-range projects that are most likely to recoup the cost of investment.

     →Entry door replacement – 101.8%

                    →Manufactured Stone Veneer – 92.2%
                                →Garage Door Replacement – 88.4%
                                           →Siding Replacement Vinyl – 80.7%
                                                        →Deck Addition Wood – 80.5%

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country

Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com