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

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

Home Inspections!

The Big I Word.  Inspection DUN DUN DUNNNN

Home inspections are a big deal for everyone and although there are buyers that choose not to have an inspection done it’s not a good idea.  Even if you’re buying new construction you should have an inspection, builders and contractors make mistakes too. I can hear you asking the questions now. So what exactly does a home inspector do? Why do I need a home inspection? What do I do with the report once it’s done? What should I look out for when hiring an inspector?  All good questions and I am going to try and address them briefly in this blog.  First off, home inspectors are not required to be licensed in many states; however inspectors can be certified by a home trade association such as National Association of Certified Home Inspectors.  You also want to make sure they have a toxic and pest License.  There is specific license required to identify pests like rodents and mold, and toxic elements in your house such as asbestos, lead , radiation.  When hiring defiantly do your homework.  This is your future home now is not the time to skimp.  Some things to beware of are inspectors that say “I can repair that for you.” I would avoid any inspector who is advertising his repair service in conjunction with his inspection service. As a matter of fact in some states they are not allowed to work on a home for a year after inspecting it.  The other thing to look out for is an agent push one inspector over others.  It is one thing to recommend it’s another to require you to use their inspector. Again make sure you do your homework. 

Some of the things the inspector will check are:

Structural Elements, like walls, ceilings, floor, roof and foundation.

Exterior Evaluation such as wall covering, landscaping, grading, elevation, drainage, driveways, fence, sidewalks, fascia, trim, doors, windows, lights and exterior receptacles.

Roof and Attic, framing, ventilation, type of roof construction flashing and gutters.

Plumbing including identification of pipe materials used for potable, drain, waste and vent pipes. Toilets, showers, sinks, faucets and traps.

Systems and Components like water heaters, furnaces, air conditioning, duck work, chimney, fireplace and sprinklers.

Electrical main panel, circuit breakers, types of wiring, grounding, exhaust fans, receptacles, ceiling fans and lighting fixtures.

Appliances such as dishwasher, range and oven, built-in microwaves, garbage disposal and yes even smoke detectors.

Garage including slab, wals, ceiling, vents, entry, firwall, garage door, openers, lights, and roof.

Once the inspection is done you will receive a report.  If you hired an inspector worth his salt the report should note every item that’s defective or needing service. At this point you have some decisions to make?  How many and how sever are the repairs that need to be made.  Are you going to ask the seller to make the repairs or walk away from this home? Are the repairs minor enough that you will buy the home anyway and make the repairs yourself?  If there are major repairs that need to be made it is not a bad idea to hire a contractor and get an estimate. 

Remember no house is perfect no matter how well maintained or new it is.  Every home will have issues flagged even new homes.  Good Luck and Good Fiday.

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