Things Are Looking Up!

Judging from the Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI), a forward-looking indicator based on home contract signings, pending home sales are on an upward trend.

So What’s The Plan?

Decorating projects can be daunting tasks.  It’s easy to see how they can get out of hand, costing you more money and time than you’d have liked — and possibly replacing the fun with a bit of frustration.  Here are some tips to help keep your decorating project on track and up the odds of being happy with the results.

Scents Appeal

While sellers pay much attention to how their home looks, many overlook how it smells — which is unfortunate, as scent is strongly tied to memory.  Make your home memorable with smells that sell.

Tempting, but…

A poor location, too few square feet — there are plenty of legitimate reasons to turn down a property.  However, here are a few reasons you might be tempted to overlook a home, but shouldn’t.

Cooking Alfresco

Why not bring your love of food and entertaining outside — with an outdoor kitchen? Here are some considerations to help you plan.

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The Value of Home Ownership

Despite the market’s ups and downs, Americans continue to value the concept of home ownership as a long term investment, and as an integral part of the American Dream.

Kitchen Aid

The kitchen is the epicenter of your home while you live there, and the most crucial room of your home when it is for sale.  If you kitchen needs a new look, you needn’t worry about breaking the bank.  there are plenty of ways to give it a makeover without spending a fortune.

What’s the Difference?

Over half of prospective homebuyers polled in a recent Ipsos survey didn’t undersand the difference between a home inspection and home appraisal.  Let’s clear up any confusion right now.

Move-Up Mistakes

With interest rates still low, this is a great time to move up in the market.  But things are a little more complicated for move-up buyers than first-timers. Here are a few mistakes to avoid as you trade up.

First Impressions Matter

Will your house be on the market this spring? If so, you’ll need your property to make a great first impression on buyers.  Be sure to avoid these top curb-appeal-busting oversights.

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March Into the Selling Season

Welcome to spring, the most anticipated season in the real estate calendar!  March brings a great selection of homes to the market, along with buyers eager to explore the spring listings.  In comparison to the last five years, this year is expected to produce a new sense of optimism in the real estate market.

Learn to Let Go

Do you know someone who is a bit of a hoarder?  Or do you yourself have trouble parting with belongings doing little more than occupying space?  Here are some strategies to help make letting go a little easier.

A Guide for Sellers

A property that doesn’t generate as much interest and sell as quickly as expected isn’t necessarily one that’s flawed.  There are several reasons why perfectly good homes linger on the market.  Here are some of the most common.

A Guide for Buyers

Spring’s here, which means the real estate market is in high gear!  Don’t run the risk of losing your dream home to a competing buyer by inadvertently disrespecting the seller.  Please take a moment to consider these points.

The Eyesore Next Door

When it’s time to sell your house, your street’s appeal can be just as important as your home’s.  Unfortunately, living next to (or near) that house can be another obstacle on the way to a sale.  What can you do?

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Beat The Rush

Thinking about putting your home on the market this year? If so, you’ll want to start gathering information and getting market updates now.  The right buyer for your home may already be looking, so if you’re ready to sell now, let’s talk.

Sizing it Right

Rooms that are shy on square footage can present a decorating challenge for homeowners, as can rooms that have square footage to spare.  Here are some suggestions to help you solve either dilemma.

Buying or Just Looking?

Pricing your home competitively is the key to getting it off the market sooner — as is not wasting time and energy on the wrong kind of buyer.  So who is the right kind of buyer?

Fear of Commitment

Even seasoned homebuyers can sometimes find themselves suffering a case of cold feet after signing an offer to purchase a home.  Here are some strategies to help you cope with buyer’s nerves.

Projects for the Pros

Everyone likes to save a few bucks, but when it comes to home repair and renovation, it doesn’t always pay to take the do it yourself approach.  below are five projects best left to the professionals.

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Who Needs an Agent?

According to the National Association of Realtors, 85 percent of homeowners are assisted by a real estate agent when selling their home, while 79 percent of buyers purchase their home through a real estate agent or broker.  Most buyers and sellers know they need help with their real estate transactions, and here’s why.

Sweet Dreams

Most of us are sleep deprived and overstressed.  If you consider yourself to be among the majority, here are some words of advice on how to turn your bedroom into an oasis of relaxation and get a better night’s sleep.

Showing Success

Your home is on the market and generating buyer interest.  Congratulations!  Now keep that success rolling by avoiding these critical mistakes some sellers make when showing their homes.

Ready for Seconds

Are you thinking about buying your second home?  Or your third, fourth or even fifth property?  Here are a few signs that you’re ready to make the move to a new address.

Save Your Energy

Lessening your impact on environmental damage is an admirable thing to do, but let’s face it — there’s no better incentive for making your house more energy efficient than saving money every month.  Here’s how to do just that.

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Good timing

With U.S. mortgage rates lower than they have been in decades, and homes in many areas offered for sale below previous market value, many people are viewing this as the perfect time to buy real estate.

A Place For Everything

Have you just moved into a new place and are loking for room for all of your belongings?  Are you having trouble accommodating all the things you’ve accumulated in your home throughout the years?  Whatever your reasons for wanting more storage space are, there are plenty of ways to get it  .

Holiday Shopping

If you think there’s little point to hunting for a new home during the holidays, think again.  The holiday season can yield some great deals for homebuyers willing to put in the effort at that time of the year.  Here’s why.

Price it Right

Pricing your home right is critical for a quicker sale.  To help prevent your property from lingering on the market longer than it needs to, avoid the following mistakes many seers unfortunately make when establishing their asking price.

It’s A Lock!

Gone are the days when sellers’ keys hung on pegs in real estate offices.  Today it’s sophisticated lockboxes that make your house accessible — and easier to sell.

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As One Door Closes, Another One Opens

In 2010, 37.5 million people changed residences in the U.S.  Of these, an estimated 43.7 percent of the movers cited housing-related reasons, such as the desire to live in a new or better home or apartment.

Say “Ahhhh…”

As life grows increasingly stressful, people are increasingly viewing their homes as retreats–and decorating them as such.  Bathrooms are often a primary focus, and the rend today is to design a space devoted to relaxing and rejuvenating.

Table Talk

Negotiating the purchase agreement is arguably the most challenging aspect of byiing a home, particularly in markets that favor sellers.  To strengthen your position at the negotiating table, consider this advice.

Show Ready

How you live in your home when it’s on the market is different from how you normally live in it.  If you’re serious about selling, you need to be prepared for buyers’ eyes at all times.

Stop Loss

Air leaks make your house a less comfortable place to live and a more expensive place to maintain.  Here’s how to spot leaks so that you can remedy them, and prevent money from floating out your windows.

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Market Down?  Buy Up!

Property values are still down in many areas, causing some homeowners to feel they should just stay put until the housing market turns around.  Before you resign yourself to sitting and waiting until home values rise again, remember, while your house might not sell for as much as you expect in a “normal” market, the same thing also applies to your dream home.  Could now be the time to move “up” in the housing market?

A New Look For Less

It’s a new season; your tastes have changed. You and your significant other are moving in together.  There are many reasons why you might want to change the look of a room–or rooms–in your home.  But if budgetary concerns are keeping you from doing so, you’ll find solutions here.

Analysis Paralysis

Are you so overwhelmed by the home-buying process that you find yourself unable to move forward?  If so, you may suffer from buyer’s paralysis.  Luckily this condition can be cured.

Ready, Set, Move

Most buyers, especially first-time buyers, agree that finding a property in ‘move-in ready’ condition is important to them.  So, sellers, it’s time to roll up you sleeves and get to work.

Weathering the Storm

From high winds to heavy rains, this country is no stranger to extreme weather.  What can you do to help protect your home from storm damage?

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Attention Home Shoppers

When it comes to buying a property, the “good old days” are here again!  The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) announced that nationwide housing affordability during the first quarter of 2011 rose to its highest level in the more than 20 years since it started being measured.

Inviting Inspiration

Whether you’ve just moved into your very first home and you’re working with a blank canvas, or you’re redecorating your home for the fifth time, coming up with decorating ideas can be a challenge.

Going Local

You may have heard the adage that “every market is different.”  But do you know why? Here’s a look at just a few of the may factors that make very real estate market unique.

Mind the Gap

Ideally, you’d always be able to coordinate your closings so that you sell one home and buy the next on the same day.  But things don’t always go so smoothly.  So what do you do when your closings don’t line up?

Reno Recoup

If you’re considering doing any major outdoor renovations this summer, remember: some projects are better bets than others in terms of recouping expenses when you sell your house.

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The Path to Recovery

Even though recent home sales statistics reflect a somewhat irregular growth pattern, they do suggeste a promise of recovery from when sales bottomed out in July 2010.

Tread Softly

Out with the old, in the with new.  Carpeting, that is.  Are you redecorating?  Or preparing your home for sale?  Whatever your reasons for installing new carpeting, here’s a guide to help you make the best choice for your needs.

Setting the Stage

Have you discussed with your real estate sales representative the possibility of having your home professionally staged before it goes on the market.  Here are four reasons you may consider going this route.

The Personal Touch

The internet has been a boon to both buyers and real estate professionals.  But it’s no replacement for personal service.  Here’s why you still need a real estate sales representative to walk you through the home-buying process.

Beat the Heat

Hot enough for you?  Take these few steps to prepare your house for the hottest weather of the year, and not only will you be more comfortable when the mercury spikes, you’ll save energy and money too.

Read this month’s newsletter here.