How a home smells when a potential buyer comes to see it for the first time, can make or break the sale. Imagine for yourself the difference between the scent of fresh cut flowers and the smell of a cat’s litter box.
My experience with showing various homes over the years suggests that foul smelling odors do turn off a buyer from purchasing an otherwise perfect home. Even homes that are very attractive, with great curb appeal, can be overlooked by buyers if they fail the sniff test!
It is important when preparing for a showing of your home to do everything you can to eliminate unpleasant odors. Common odors to look out for are cigarette or cigar smoke, strong smelling foods, mothballs, pet odors, and the smell of trash left in receptacles.
Take whatever action is necessary to remove all of the above mentioned odors, and replace them with pleasant scents. Some fresh cut flowers placed strategically throughout the house, or mild potpourri could be used. One more tip, consider baking cookies or something with a cinnamon fragrance before an open house or showing. Everyone loves the scent of Mom’s home cooking!
Showing posts with label real estate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label real estate. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
How Useful Are Open HousesÉ
Across the country, every Sunday afternoon, open houses are being held. The question is why? Statistics show that less than 3% of buyers who bought property in the last three years bought the property because they saw it at an open house.
Then why are so many open houses still being held? One reason is that sellers still think that agents should hold an open house. Most sellers see open houses as a way to find a buyer for their home. The truth is, open houses do find buyers, but most of the time not for the homeowner that is holding the open house. Buyers meet an agent, and over time, the better agents match the buyers particular needs to exactly the right home.
When a buyer comes through an open house, he may have simply dropped in to take a look without knowing anything about the homes price range or features. Most of the time the house does not fulfill the particular needs of the buyer.
It would be like going to a car dealer and deciding to buy the first car you see, without knowing it’s price, features, or financing options. What’s the chance that you would qualify or that the car would suit your needs? About the same chance that your home would perfectly suit a “drop-in” buyer.
So what’s the other reason open houses are still being held? Open houses are great ways for newer agents to get their feet wet. By holding an open house they meet buyers who might be interested in another property on the market. So don’t be surprised if a more experienced agent refuses to hold an open house on your property. Seasoned agents know what types of advertising and marketing work best, and won’t use your home as an avenue for finding buyers for other agent’s listings.
Then why are so many open houses still being held? One reason is that sellers still think that agents should hold an open house. Most sellers see open houses as a way to find a buyer for their home. The truth is, open houses do find buyers, but most of the time not for the homeowner that is holding the open house. Buyers meet an agent, and over time, the better agents match the buyers particular needs to exactly the right home.
When a buyer comes through an open house, he may have simply dropped in to take a look without knowing anything about the homes price range or features. Most of the time the house does not fulfill the particular needs of the buyer.
It would be like going to a car dealer and deciding to buy the first car you see, without knowing it’s price, features, or financing options. What’s the chance that you would qualify or that the car would suit your needs? About the same chance that your home would perfectly suit a “drop-in” buyer.
So what’s the other reason open houses are still being held? Open houses are great ways for newer agents to get their feet wet. By holding an open house they meet buyers who might be interested in another property on the market. So don’t be surprised if a more experienced agent refuses to hold an open house on your property. Seasoned agents know what types of advertising and marketing work best, and won’t use your home as an avenue for finding buyers for other agent’s listings.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Top Fixes Recomended By Home Inspectors
Buyers today are more educated and demanding than they were in the past. It should not be surprising to a seller that a buyer would ask for a home inspection before signing a hefty purchase agreement. Therefore, it would be wise for homeowners to look at the areas where most home inspections fail. Start by fixing those areas up in advance, before you’re ready to place your house on the market.
The most frequently found problem area is water in the crawl space or basement. Poor drainage can result in water damage that will be more than apparent to an inspector. This can be an expensive problem to fix.
Start by re-grading the soil around the foundation of the home where water seems to be entering, or invest in waterproofing. It’s also a good idea to invest in a dehumidifier to remove moisture on an ongoing basis.
There are some areas that are more prone to water in the basement than others. Most buyers know if a little water is to be expected or not. If you’re unsure how prevalent the problem is in your area, feel free to call me anytime for advice.
The second most common problem found by inspectors is poor wiring. The wiring in your home needs to be up to code, and has to have sufficient overload protection.
Sometimes the best way to be sure the wiring in your home is in good shape is to hire a home inspector, or electrical contractor to check it out for you. Even if you’re not selling your home right now, you would want to make sure your family is living in a house that is safe from fire hazards.
Another major problem found in certain areas, is termite damage. If you begin to suspect at any time that your home may have termites, it’s urgent that you call a pest control service right away. This particular problem needs to be taken care of quickly.
More Important Home Fixes
Other areas that should be looked at as potential problems are the heating systems of your home, structural damage, such as extensive cracks in the walls or ceiling, or leaky roofs.
When deciding what is important to fix, put yourself in the place of the buyer. If you were considering buying the home you live in now, what would you consider important that the seller fix?
Handle problems in condition or construction with estimates and repair by a reputable contractor. Sooner is better than later, especially when the demands of moving and evaluation of the buyer run high. Do it now!
Anything you can do to make your home more saleable in advance may mean more money and less hassle when you’re actually ready to sell.
The most frequently found problem area is water in the crawl space or basement. Poor drainage can result in water damage that will be more than apparent to an inspector. This can be an expensive problem to fix.
Start by re-grading the soil around the foundation of the home where water seems to be entering, or invest in waterproofing. It’s also a good idea to invest in a dehumidifier to remove moisture on an ongoing basis.
There are some areas that are more prone to water in the basement than others. Most buyers know if a little water is to be expected or not. If you’re unsure how prevalent the problem is in your area, feel free to call me anytime for advice.
The second most common problem found by inspectors is poor wiring. The wiring in your home needs to be up to code, and has to have sufficient overload protection.
Sometimes the best way to be sure the wiring in your home is in good shape is to hire a home inspector, or electrical contractor to check it out for you. Even if you’re not selling your home right now, you would want to make sure your family is living in a house that is safe from fire hazards.
Another major problem found in certain areas, is termite damage. If you begin to suspect at any time that your home may have termites, it’s urgent that you call a pest control service right away. This particular problem needs to be taken care of quickly.
More Important Home Fixes
Other areas that should be looked at as potential problems are the heating systems of your home, structural damage, such as extensive cracks in the walls or ceiling, or leaky roofs.
When deciding what is important to fix, put yourself in the place of the buyer. If you were considering buying the home you live in now, what would you consider important that the seller fix?
Handle problems in condition or construction with estimates and repair by a reputable contractor. Sooner is better than later, especially when the demands of moving and evaluation of the buyer run high. Do it now!
Anything you can do to make your home more saleable in advance may mean more money and less hassle when you’re actually ready to sell.
Monday, June 15, 2009
What to Look For in a Lawn Care Contractor
Whether you decide to hire a neighborhood teenager, a local company or a national firm, there are certain requirements that you should look for when hiring a lawn contractor.
First you should decide what your lawn care needs are. If you only want the grass mowed and nothing more, than a teenager would be perfect. If you’re hoping to have the most beautiful lawn on the block, than chances are a professional company would suit your needs better. Most professional lawn care companies offer services such as mowing, edging, fertilizing, pesticide spraying, tree trimming, weed control, and shrub maintenance.
Before hiring a contractor set some goals for your lawn, and communicate them in writing. Also, ask for written bids from the companies you are considering, and check out their reputation with the Better Business Bureau in your State.
Ask the company to provide you with proof that they are properly insured. If one of their workers falls out of your tree during a trimming, you’ll want to know the company is insured.
On a final note, make sure the company will be easy to reach and quick to respond to problems. Lawn care is a competitive business so you can expect, and should get, a high level of service.
First you should decide what your lawn care needs are. If you only want the grass mowed and nothing more, than a teenager would be perfect. If you’re hoping to have the most beautiful lawn on the block, than chances are a professional company would suit your needs better. Most professional lawn care companies offer services such as mowing, edging, fertilizing, pesticide spraying, tree trimming, weed control, and shrub maintenance.
Before hiring a contractor set some goals for your lawn, and communicate them in writing. Also, ask for written bids from the companies you are considering, and check out their reputation with the Better Business Bureau in your State.
Ask the company to provide you with proof that they are properly insured. If one of their workers falls out of your tree during a trimming, you’ll want to know the company is insured.
On a final note, make sure the company will be easy to reach and quick to respond to problems. Lawn care is a competitive business so you can expect, and should get, a high level of service.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The Relationship Between the Rising Price of Oil and Gas and Real Estate - Part 6
Today we will conclude our 6 part series on the way the inevitable increases in oil and gas prices are and will continue to effect the real estate market.
We have looked at how location, heating systems, design and floor plan, square footages, building materials, and the Building Code are all profoundly effected.
Aside from all of that, the effect of the energy crisis on the economy over all will profoundly effect the real estate market. As more of people’s disposable income is absorbed by transportation costs, food costs, and the cost of virtually every product and commodity, people will be forced carve down their housing allowances.
The term and implications of the word “downsizing” will change from being an elective change of values from ownership to experiential living, to a mandatory change for survival. Downsizing will be a matter of absolute necessity verses a lifestyle choice.
Look forward to many more small 1000 to 1500 square foot 3 bedroom ranchers in the lower mid range of your market area’s average residential housing price point, and look at larger homes on the high end of the market sitting for a much longer period of time on the market.
Increasing gas prices will also effect on a macro economic scale as it effects tourism and the influx of people to our area as new citizens, as well as tourism dollars dropped in our communities, which will in turn have a spin off effect on our real estate market as the trickle down effect ensues.
This concludes our study of the impact of rising energy costs on the real estate market. We hope you’ve enjoyed it and we tremendously value your input.
Best Regards,
The Debbie Simmonds Lifestyles Real Estate Team
We have looked at how location, heating systems, design and floor plan, square footages, building materials, and the Building Code are all profoundly effected.
Aside from all of that, the effect of the energy crisis on the economy over all will profoundly effect the real estate market. As more of people’s disposable income is absorbed by transportation costs, food costs, and the cost of virtually every product and commodity, people will be forced carve down their housing allowances.
The term and implications of the word “downsizing” will change from being an elective change of values from ownership to experiential living, to a mandatory change for survival. Downsizing will be a matter of absolute necessity verses a lifestyle choice.
Look forward to many more small 1000 to 1500 square foot 3 bedroom ranchers in the lower mid range of your market area’s average residential housing price point, and look at larger homes on the high end of the market sitting for a much longer period of time on the market.
Increasing gas prices will also effect on a macro economic scale as it effects tourism and the influx of people to our area as new citizens, as well as tourism dollars dropped in our communities, which will in turn have a spin off effect on our real estate market as the trickle down effect ensues.
This concludes our study of the impact of rising energy costs on the real estate market. We hope you’ve enjoyed it and we tremendously value your input.
Best Regards,
The Debbie Simmonds Lifestyles Real Estate Team
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
The Relationship Between the Rising Price of Oil and Gas and Real Estate - Part 5
This week’s topic is how rising oil and gas prices will effect the building code. Each year our building codes are revised and enhanced to increase the safety and quality of our housing. This also inevitably leads to the increase in the cost of new construction. For example, with climate change and the consequent wind storms etc. not normally experienced in our area, the building code was amended to require that shingle nails be much be longer. This of course means more cost for longer shingle nails and this is just a minute example of how the code effects over all costs and begins to add up on a construction project.
Ultimately the building code will demand increased energy efficiency. R ratings are likely to increase, new and improved insulation materials will be employed, hot water systems that are locale specific rather than one hot water tank inefficiently supplying the whole house may be considered as mandatory one day. New roofing materials that in themselves have a greater R factor will be considered.
Eco-block insulated construction which is much more energy efficient than frame construction could one day be mandatory. This would cause an enormous cost to the developer, but much increased energy efficiency to the end user.
Houses may be mandated to be built in such a way that they are solar efficient by the nature of their orientation on the property. Solar panels may also be mandated one day.
These are just a few examples of what are, and what may become reality for Canadians in the years to come as a result of increasing oil and gas prices.
Best Regards,
The Debbie Simmonds Lifestyles Real Estate Team
Ultimately the building code will demand increased energy efficiency. R ratings are likely to increase, new and improved insulation materials will be employed, hot water systems that are locale specific rather than one hot water tank inefficiently supplying the whole house may be considered as mandatory one day. New roofing materials that in themselves have a greater R factor will be considered.
Eco-block insulated construction which is much more energy efficient than frame construction could one day be mandatory. This would cause an enormous cost to the developer, but much increased energy efficiency to the end user.
Houses may be mandated to be built in such a way that they are solar efficient by the nature of their orientation on the property. Solar panels may also be mandated one day.
These are just a few examples of what are, and what may become reality for Canadians in the years to come as a result of increasing oil and gas prices.
Best Regards,
The Debbie Simmonds Lifestyles Real Estate Team
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The Relationship Between the Rising Price of Oil and Gas and Real Estate - Part 4
As we continue our series on how rising oil and gas prices are effecting the real estate industry, this week we would like to focus on how the energy crisis is impacting the cost of new construction.
The cost of all building materials are going up, some at alarming rates. Builders are pausing and reassessing their costs and unit margins on a weekly basis. Inevitably there will be a lull in new construction until markets begin rising fast enough to keep pace with inflation. We anticipate that there will be a lag time before that happens. In the mean time developers will finish the projects they have started and prices will necessarily be much higher to cover their costs.
The cost of materials themselves have increased dramatically because of the energy cost of producing them at source, as well as the transportation cost increases to have them shipped to the site. This is particularly significant for those of us on Vancouver Island because of proximity to the manufacturers and ferry costs. Combined with a labour shortage in Canada of the trades, this is making life very uncomfortable for builders and developers.
Numerous materials containing oil derivatives ie. rubbers, wiring conduit, plastics, pipes carpet, paint, vinyl, etc., will also see significantly inflated prices.
All of these combined factors are and will continue to culminate in higher building material cost and consequently higher new construction prices past on to the consumer.
Best Regards,
The Debbie Simmonds Lifestyles Real Estate Team
The cost of all building materials are going up, some at alarming rates. Builders are pausing and reassessing their costs and unit margins on a weekly basis. Inevitably there will be a lull in new construction until markets begin rising fast enough to keep pace with inflation. We anticipate that there will be a lag time before that happens. In the mean time developers will finish the projects they have started and prices will necessarily be much higher to cover their costs.
The cost of materials themselves have increased dramatically because of the energy cost of producing them at source, as well as the transportation cost increases to have them shipped to the site. This is particularly significant for those of us on Vancouver Island because of proximity to the manufacturers and ferry costs. Combined with a labour shortage in Canada of the trades, this is making life very uncomfortable for builders and developers.
Numerous materials containing oil derivatives ie. rubbers, wiring conduit, plastics, pipes carpet, paint, vinyl, etc., will also see significantly inflated prices.
All of these combined factors are and will continue to culminate in higher building material cost and consequently higher new construction prices past on to the consumer.
Best Regards,
The Debbie Simmonds Lifestyles Real Estate Team
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
The Relationship Between the Rising Price of Oil and Gas and Real Estate - Part 3
This week we are on a discovery of how increasing oil and gas prices are effecting real estate from a design perspective. More and more we are seeing a concern for maintaining large homes and the associated energy costs. There is more pressure on developers, designers and builders to provide less square footage.
We will see, and are already in some cases, a demand for smaller, more efficient floor plans. That means much more open floor plans with very little space wasted in hallways. This also means one eating area instead of our traditional formal dining room and informal nook. Instead we will see one dining area that can be dressed up for formal occasions, or dressed down for informal ones.
It means smaller room sizes over all, as well as rooms that will be multi-purposed. An example of this would be a secondary bedroom also acting as a media room and home office by using innovative accessories such as a Murphy bed wall unit that encompasses the guest bed and home entertainment wall unit, as well as desk and filing cabinet drawers.
In this respect we have much to learn from population dense countries such as Japan as regards their architecture and design which are traditionally much more compact than ours.
Best Regards,
The Debbie Simmonds Lifestyles Real Estate Team
We will see, and are already in some cases, a demand for smaller, more efficient floor plans. That means much more open floor plans with very little space wasted in hallways. This also means one eating area instead of our traditional formal dining room and informal nook. Instead we will see one dining area that can be dressed up for formal occasions, or dressed down for informal ones.
It means smaller room sizes over all, as well as rooms that will be multi-purposed. An example of this would be a secondary bedroom also acting as a media room and home office by using innovative accessories such as a Murphy bed wall unit that encompasses the guest bed and home entertainment wall unit, as well as desk and filing cabinet drawers.
In this respect we have much to learn from population dense countries such as Japan as regards their architecture and design which are traditionally much more compact than ours.
Best Regards,
The Debbie Simmonds Lifestyles Real Estate Team
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
The Relationship Between the Rising Price of Oil and Gas and Real Estate - Part 2
Today we would like to discuss how oil and gas prices will impact heating systems in new home construction, and also in converting heating systems of older homes to more energy efficient technologies.
As of late heating systems have been much more prevalent in my conversations with Buyers as they are weighing all of their options. With rising gas and food prices, home heating and cooling costs are more significant in the minds of Buyers. Already for the past year or more builders are putting in heat pumps with electric forced are furnaces in the higher end homes. This is by far, according to heating contractors, the most cost effective technology available to consumers today for heating and cooling. I am already making significant adjustments when I am analyzing homes for the purpose of Comparative Market Analyses based on their energy efficiency. Of course those homes with heat pumps deserve a significant credit as opposed to those that are much less energy efficient.
There is also the option of installing electric baseboard heating in rooms that are remote from the main core of the house, or are seldom used so that they are kept at a
minimal temperature except when in use.
For older homes or those with relatively inefficient heating systems, upgrading to a heat pump can be challenging. If a ducting system already exists throughout the home, it is a much easier conversion as the furnace and ducting are already in place, and therefore it is a much simpler process to install a heat pump unit.
However, in homes with electric baseboard heating, or in-floor or radiant heating, there are no ducts. This becomes a major project where head room, walls, valances etc. become strategic problems as an entire ducting system must be installed. In this scenario the home owner must be careful to calculate what energy cost savings may be recovered taking into account anticipated rate increases, versus the cost of the improvement. One should also consider the added market value, and how long they intend to stay in the house to reap that incremental market value.
Best Regards,
The Debbie Simmonds Lifestyles Real Estate Team
As of late heating systems have been much more prevalent in my conversations with Buyers as they are weighing all of their options. With rising gas and food prices, home heating and cooling costs are more significant in the minds of Buyers. Already for the past year or more builders are putting in heat pumps with electric forced are furnaces in the higher end homes. This is by far, according to heating contractors, the most cost effective technology available to consumers today for heating and cooling. I am already making significant adjustments when I am analyzing homes for the purpose of Comparative Market Analyses based on their energy efficiency. Of course those homes with heat pumps deserve a significant credit as opposed to those that are much less energy efficient.
There is also the option of installing electric baseboard heating in rooms that are remote from the main core of the house, or are seldom used so that they are kept at a
minimal temperature except when in use.
For older homes or those with relatively inefficient heating systems, upgrading to a heat pump can be challenging. If a ducting system already exists throughout the home, it is a much easier conversion as the furnace and ducting are already in place, and therefore it is a much simpler process to install a heat pump unit.
However, in homes with electric baseboard heating, or in-floor or radiant heating, there are no ducts. This becomes a major project where head room, walls, valances etc. become strategic problems as an entire ducting system must be installed. In this scenario the home owner must be careful to calculate what energy cost savings may be recovered taking into account anticipated rate increases, versus the cost of the improvement. One should also consider the added market value, and how long they intend to stay in the house to reap that incremental market value.
Best Regards,
The Debbie Simmonds Lifestyles Real Estate Team
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
The Relationship Between the Rising Price of Oil and Gas and Real Estate
Welcome to our Blog! As we encounter important issues on a daily basis in this multi-facetted world of real estate, we feel compelled to share many of these lessons with you. We look forward to sharing information with you, and to learning from you in return.
This week’s real estate topic is how oil and gas prices may have an effect on location in real estate. Every time I hear news from all sources and venues recently, the headlines are dominated by how the looming energy crisis will effect our lives. This is Part 1 of a six part series on the various ways real estate will be affected.
My Team is keeping a very close eye on this issue as I believe that this will ultimately have a profound effect on proximity to man made amenities to decrease people’s exposure to gas dollars spent on travel time to and fro work, school, doctors, hospitals, shopping, recreational facilities etc.
I am already starting to hear trepidation on the part of Buyers when I am showing them properties that are more than 10 minutes from any major commercial center. For the first time the subject of gas prices and number of trips to town is starting to dominate conversations. Inevitably as gas prices rise as they are anticipated to do, this may effect the way we analyze properties in terms of their comparative market value. ie. people will pay a premium to live closer to city centres, and conversely there may be a downward pressure on remote locations to compensate for increased travel costs.
So, inevitably we can look forward to higher densities in town cores and more multi-use buildings in our central business districts; put another way, a trend towards urban and city living, with an emphasis on the pragmatic aspect of location.
Best Regards,
The Debbie Simmonds Lifestyles Real Estate Team
This week’s real estate topic is how oil and gas prices may have an effect on location in real estate. Every time I hear news from all sources and venues recently, the headlines are dominated by how the looming energy crisis will effect our lives. This is Part 1 of a six part series on the various ways real estate will be affected.
My Team is keeping a very close eye on this issue as I believe that this will ultimately have a profound effect on proximity to man made amenities to decrease people’s exposure to gas dollars spent on travel time to and fro work, school, doctors, hospitals, shopping, recreational facilities etc.
I am already starting to hear trepidation on the part of Buyers when I am showing them properties that are more than 10 minutes from any major commercial center. For the first time the subject of gas prices and number of trips to town is starting to dominate conversations. Inevitably as gas prices rise as they are anticipated to do, this may effect the way we analyze properties in terms of their comparative market value. ie. people will pay a premium to live closer to city centres, and conversely there may be a downward pressure on remote locations to compensate for increased travel costs.
So, inevitably we can look forward to higher densities in town cores and more multi-use buildings in our central business districts; put another way, a trend towards urban and city living, with an emphasis on the pragmatic aspect of location.
Best Regards,
The Debbie Simmonds Lifestyles Real Estate Team
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