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Here is a selection of my recent posts:

Autumn winds will blow a chilly reminder that winter is fast approaching. Perform the following maintenance tips each fall to protect your property’s value and prevent major repairs.

 Roof, Gutters and Downspouts

Rain, ice, and wind can all cause damage to your roof and gutters. Now’s the time to trim back all tree limbs and vegetation away from the roof. You also should remove debris, such as leaves and sticks from your gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters don’t allow water to properly drain away from the home, which can cause seepage in your ceilings and walls. You can also invest in gutter guards, a screen that prevents debris from entering the gutter and directs the flow of water away from the house and into the ground.

Water Heater

You don’t want to find out that your water heater isn’t operating properly when you need it most. So use this time to perform an annual inspection, which includes having your tank’s pressure and temperature relief valve checked. In addition, remove sediment from the bottom of the tank by draining two gallons of water to improve heat transfer and the efficiency of your heater.   Read more

There is a phrase related to home selling that has always struck me as a bit odd, even before I got into the business of real estate. “I chose my Realtor ® because they said they could get me XX amount of dollars” is often the refrain of a home seller.  Really?  They can tell you precisely what your house is going to go for in the future.  If a Realtor tells you that, you ask them why they aren’t in Vegas making themselves rich with that skill.

The practice is called “buying a listing” and it can be an effective way to get business.  The problem is, it doesn’t serve the seller.       Read more

The way you answer that question will depend largely on whether you are the buyer or the seller. A seller may look at the highest comparable and start spending the cash. While the buyer will zoom in on the lowest comparable, add a couple bucks and consider the seller lucky to get that. Trouble arises when the spread between the two is a substantial one. Multiple factors that can influence the price of a home, some having to do with the home itself and others with the market. Figuring out where the subject house sits in the spectrum can go a long way selling a home or getting the one you want. Read more

There is a subject that’s been coming up a lot lately…the subject of Low Ball offers.    It would seem many are advocates of offering a price on a house that is well below asking & what the current market will support.  The thinking goes, you are showing the seller you will not be taken advantage of and you have the upper hand in negotiations.  What never seems to be addressed is the notion that the seller might not be interested in playing this game and will simply say “NO”.  No counter offer and negotiations officially over.

 If a seller wants to sell and a buyer wants to buy then there is no reason a deal can’t be worked out.  This is predicated on the idea that both parties are going into this with a willingness to negotiate in good faith.  Writing under asking is not a bad idea, writing a reasonable offer below the asking says to the seller “I like your house and want to buy it, we just have a difference in opinion of value.”  A low ball offers sends a different message.      Read more

Another Realtor(r) walked away with a check. Please understand this rant is not directed at clients who’s transactions do not work out despite the best intentions. There are times when as a Realtor you spend a great deal of energy and effort and then, for a variety of reasons, it just doesn’t happen. No, readers, this is the story of being the Starter Realtor. 

My tale started when I began working with clients who had a very set idea about what they were looking for.  They were pre-approved         Read more

Either that, or try and sell something to them.  This was the first thought that went through my head when a fellow agent handed me a flier an elderly friend received with an offer to sell them a copy of the deed of trust on their home.  As with most things…one should always read the small print and if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

 In all fairness, this particular notification did print in very large letters that the program was not endorsed by the government.  In addition,  they went so far as to say that one doesn’t actually need what it is they are selling, a copy of your deed,  to prove home ownership.  While their “fine print” was actually legible and clear, many offers don’t always come with such warning.     Read more

When working with Buyers I always get asked about how they can boost their credit scores especially when trying to qualify to purchase their first time home.  My 13 years experience in the finance industry spanning from retail banking, credit, to mortgage brokering has taught me to not to take your credit history for granted.  A lot of folks don’t understand that something miniscule as not paying your movie rental collection can come back to truly haunt you on your credit report; and thus prevent you from buying a home sooner than later. 

 For instance, just recently I had a new buyer pre-approved for a loan, and we discovered that he actually can not start looking for a home until early next Summer.  He had to correct a major derogatory item on his credit report beforehand.  I told him to please not feel defeated!      Read more

This is the place you’ve rested your head, had numerous family gatherings and lovingly taken care of for years. You’ve decided to put your home on the market and while you understand this will involve some inconvenience, the buyers will understand this is still my home, right? Well, while this is technically true, the sooner you make the transition to thinking of your home as a product to sell, the better off you will be. Read more