Selling in Fall

Selling in Fall

OK, so we have gone over the market predictions for this fall, we have gone over Pros and Cons of buying in the fall and now we are going to talk about what you can do to make your home easier to sell in the fall.

Clean up Yard

Rake leaves, trim hedges, weed and clean walkways to make your yard look neat and clean.

Create Autumn Curb Appeal

Place pots of marigolds or mums on steps or along the sidewalk to add a nice fall color or add pumpkins or other squash as accents on your porch.  Little touches make a big difference.

Clean Out the Fireplace

Nothing smells like autumn then a wood burning fire place or if you have a gas fireplace light it for potential buyers but make sure it’s clean of cobwebs and streaks.  You could even place candles in the fireplace in order to bring attention to a great feature. 

Utilize Autumn Accent Colors

Throw some bright red, orange or yellow pillows or throw blankets on the sofa and chairs.  Clear away the clutter and depersonalize your home then add a bold colored centerpiece in the dining room with pine cones and nuts maybe even add a few bright leaves from the yard you just raked. 

Turn on the lights

As the days grow shorter it’s harder to make the space look bright so pull up the blinds, push back the drapes and turn on those lights.

These are just a few ideas on how to make your home stand out during the fall selling season.  Ask your agent for some others and 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

Buying in Fall

Buying in Fall

With sweatshirt season quickly approaching buyers have to decide whether to continue house hunting or to wait till next year.  There are some pros and cons to buying in fall so to help you make your decision a little easier here are just a few of those. 

Pros

Year-end tax breaks

Home buyers can yield great dividends in tax returns like deducting mortgage interest and property taxes from gross income.

Sellers are serious

Sellers are who put their home on the market in fall usually want it to sell before the holidays and freezing weather of winter so negotiations are a little easier.

Getting ahead of the weather

Buying before it gets really cold is a good idea.  No one wants to move with freezing rain or icy roads.  Buying in autumn you will be moved in and curled up in front of your new fire place before winter sets in.

Cons

School year and holidays

Taking kids out of school to start a new school is never fun nor is having a house full of boxes during the holidays.

Daylight waning

Daylight savings time means leaving work early or only house hunting on the weekends in order to see houses

.

Inventory

Some sellers will take their houses off the market before the holidays which could mean less inventory to choose from.

Now that you know the ups and downs of buying fall happy house hunting.

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

The Market In Fall

As summer is coming to an end and everyone is starting to think about back to school, sweatshirts, bonfires, and pumpkin-everything; the real estate market should be slowing down. Right?

Although real estate is a 365 days a year business, there is definitely a cycle to the market.  Typically fall is when the market starts to slow down from the spring and summer rush, however, according to recent forecasts for the fall market there is very little slow down this year.  A recent Redfin forecast stated that not only is the fall market holding steady, home buyer demand is still very strong.  Nevertheless, there are some things to be concerned about.  There has been some talk of the rates going up in light of the economy growth in the past few months. With prices continuing to rise due to greater demand, buyers are worried about paying too much: making some more hesitant to make an offer.  Sellers seem to be hearing this loud and clear and many are dropping their prices which is starting a trend toward a buyer’s market in the coming months. 

(No one really knows what the market will do in the next few months but we do know it's not slowing down right now and there are a lot of benefits to buying and selling in fall; but that’s a topic for a different blog.)

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

Keep Your Info Safe This Holiday.

 

Mall security (ONLINE VERSION)

According to a 2014 Deloitte survey, 55 percent of American consumers say they are concerned about protecting their personal data when shopping online, and 42 percent say they have similar concerns when shopping in stores. With the holiday shopping season fast approaching, consumers need to be more vigilant about protecting their personal data. PC Magazine offers the following tips to shop safely online.

   If possible, avoid using a debit card for purchases. Most debit cards don’t have the same level of fraud protection that credit cards have. If a debit card is all you have, protect your PIN by shielding the keypad with your hand or body.

   Visit only trusted sites, which are more likely to be secure. Make sure an “https” appears in the site’s URL and a lock icon is visibly displayed. Log out of all shopping accounts after completing a transaction.

   Avoid using a public Wi-Fi for your online shopping and financial transactions. Also use a password manager to create strong, unique passwords for each shopping site.

   Provide as little information to merchants as possible. Online retailers do not need to know your social security number or birth date to do business.

   Purchase gift cards directly from the retailer, not through a third-party source. Some scammers will auction off gift cards on sites like eBay with little or no funds on them.

   Review online bank statements frequently to confirm charges; don’t wait for your monthly statement to arrive in the mail. If you notice any questionable charges, contact your financial institution immediately. Keep these suggestions in mind, and you can enjoy a secure holiday shopping experience.

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.

   

Your Home - The Heat Is On

As the weather gets cooler, it's a good time to check your HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) system to make sure it's operating properly.  While it's wise to have your HVAC inspected by a heating professional every fall and spring, you can increase the efficiency of your system by following these simple maintenance tips from American Home Shield.

Now: Use a high-efficiency pleated filter with an electrostatic charge that works like a magnet to grab the tiniest of particles.  Replace the filter every 90 days and check it monthly.  If it looks dark and clogged, and if you have pets, you may need to change it more often.

Keep the air-conditioning unit free of leaves, pollen, grass or branches that can interfere with its future efficiency.  Make sure there is at least two feet of space cleared around outdoor units.

Monthly or Seasonally:  Inspect the insulation and refrigerant lines monthly.  Before winter sets in, replace the humidifier filter and turn on the water.

Annually:  Replace the battery in the carbon monoxide detector.  Walk around the exterior of the house and check that outdoor AC units and heat pumps are on firm and level ground.  Pour one cup of bleach mixed with water down the AC condensate drain to prevent a buildup of mold and algae, which can clog the drain.

Always:  Keep at least 20% of the home's registers open to avoid putting unnecessary strain on the HVAC system.

Following these simple tips can prolong the life of your HVAC system and help you be prepared for whatever the winter season may bring.

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

Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com

(360) 400-3475

www.cynthia-online.com

Your Home - Fall Tune-Up Checklist

Home-ownership comes with its share of routine seasonal tasks and chores.  But keeping track of what needs to be done - and when - can be a challenge.  To help homeowners stay on top of their maintenance projects, home improvement retailer Lowe's offers easy-to-follow checklists for each season of the year and covers both inside and outside chores.  Get your home ready for fall and winter with these tasks:

Indoor Tasks:

ü  When you turn your clocks back, change the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

ü  Install weather stripping where needed around the windows.

ü  Have the furnace professionally inspected.

ü  If needed, set traps for rodents.

ü  Dust blinds and vacuum curtains throughout the house.

ü  Clean kitchen and bathroom cabinets and throw away outdates food, medicine and cosmetics.

ü  Change or clean furnace filters.  Consult the manufacturer's instructions to determine how frequently the filters should be replaced.

ü  Clean kitchen appliances inside and out, including refrigerator coils.

ü  Maintain clean drains by adding one-half cup of baking soda followed by on-half cup white vinegar.  After 10 minutes, flush with boiling water.

Outdoor Tasks:

ü  Clean gutters and downspouts.

ü  Inspect the roof and chimney for cracks and damage, and have them repaired.

ü  Rake and shred leaves to use as mulch or dispose of them.

ü  Close or install storm windows.

ü  Remove hoses from spigots and drain, store indoors, coiled and flat.

ü  Store outdoor furniture and cushions.

ü  Walk around the house and check for open crawl space vents and close them before cooler temperatures set in.

ü  Cover your central air conditioning unit, and remove and store window air conditioners.

ü  Clean and store garden tools.

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

Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com

(360) 400-3475

www.cynthia-online.com