Are you Buying Real Estate...or a Fridge!

I'm not saying fridges aren't important! 

I can't tell you how many times I get into Offer situations of hundreds of thousands of dollars...and I end up hearing these words...."Carol...we can't include the fridge...its the principle here!"...OR..."If we don't get the fridge...we'll walk away!...It's the priciple of the thing!"

Let's remember what the goal was...to buy you your next dream home...or to sell your precious castle! It's probably the largest purchase or sale you will make in your life. So...if that's the main focus...why get hung up on an appliance?

I know your answer already! "Carol...we'll have to go out and purchase a new one...and they are expensive". True enough...but... I have several deals with large appliance dealers who can get you great commercial pricing. In that way, you'll probably get a warranty as well...and you won't have to scrub out someone else's guk.(that's a technical term of course).

If you pack in a ton of extras into your deal...remember...your property taxes may be reassessed based on your purchase price. You'll be paying off your mortgage and your appliances for a whopping 20 years! and then paying taxes on the too! 

If your're selling and you want to keep your appliances, start by excluding them right from the get go in your listing....but don't be offended if someone asks for them....or even threatens to walk away from your deal. Talk with your Realtor...and remember...you're selling the largest investment most people will have. Then...re-read this little blog and remind yourself of the principle of the thing!

The Power of Marshmallow Peeps!

I will admit from time to time I do not wake up my normal, springy, overly caffeinted self! Believe it or not! On this spring day...I started off in a somewhat cloudy mood. My boys were not making my day any easier(and to be fair...my boys are sweethearts)...I wasn't gettting much help. I wake up everyday and I take it upon myself to try to get my whole family in good spirits to start their days...set the tone so to speak. Not today....I couldn't seem to get everyone "in the zone"...so I found myself somewhat...disheartened. 

UNTIL!....As most of you know....the way to my heart is with sugar, except now I do Agave in my morning coffee...Thanks Phil!(a concerned client who got me off sweetener and into the natural alternative in the last few weeks). Anyways...back to my sugar problem. Easter brings with it the perfect opportunity to shower the world with sugar...or in todays case...PEEPS. Those delectible little marshmallow chickies or bunnies coated in colored sugar. Yummy! Last year I was distressed to find Walmart out of them...so this year I started early and procured a bunch of them. 

Armed with a load of peeps, I hit the road. I visited clients young and old and bestowed my lovely Peeps on them. I wished I had started this earlier. I had a blast! I connected with so many of you. I came home with lots of new information and fun facts! I saw new kitchens...new pets...tonight's dinner! So for all that...and for all my clients who made this a fun day after all. Thanks....that's why I do real estate! 

That blasted water shut-off!

I was reading a post this am on things everyone should know when they move into a new home, and I was reminded of a panic I had several years ago. It's a small thing really. A simple knob that we all have. the problem is...when you need it...murphy's law will tell you...you won't be able to find it. Most of my clients will tell you I always make a point to find it on our home inspection. It's all becuase of a near disaster I once had.

Living on the 21st floor at the time...my husband and I were up early having recently returned from an overseas trip...so our schedules were a bit out of whack. 5am...Henry pulls the knob on the tub/shower to start the water....IT BLOWS OFF! sending water blowing straight out to the back wall of the tub. He is left standing there naked and grabs the trash can and starts bailing! Visions of our downstairs neighbours getting ready from work....and feeling drips coming from their ceiling...then the insurance nightmare...well...you get the picture. I ran to the elevator...waited and went down 21 floors to our concierge who thought I was raving mad I am sure. We all waited for the elevator again and ascended back up 21 floors...when I quickly remembered I had left my husband bailing and naked! I threw a robe over him as he continued (he wasn't happy at that moment!!). They didn't know where the shut off was either.....Call maintenance...who finally arrived...to show us all where the water shut off was.

The short lesson here is...KNOW WHERE YOUR SHUT OFF IS!....or shower with clothes on.

March 20th Smells don't Sells!

OK...So you may think that your smoking, crazy cooking, wet dog and litter box won't make a difference to  the sale of your house. I'll be truthful here. It's a super turn-off! And..don't forget those of you who over zealously use deodorizers, candles and other scary fragrances!  I can't begin to tell the number of times I have picked out perfectly lovely homes...just to be met with an offensive odor at the door. In most cases the perspective Buyers just want to leave! I will encourage them to take a tour through...knowing that the Seller has prepared his home for our visit. Life happens..and so do  odors. When it comes time to show your home however...it's time to throw them out the window.

I recently read an article...which I will attach here. It is called What Happens if Your Listing Stinks.

I am not trying to be hard on all you bacon loving, pet adoring Sellers...but...there is a price for it all. There are tones of ways to eradicate...or at least alleviate some of the smells. I have all sorts of ideas. I even used an ionizer, once when we had to get rid of cat smells. 

On the flip side, lets not throw out the baby with the bath water. If you are a Buyer...there are remedies. Take the time to check out the house, and let's see what can be done to freshen it up!

http://bit.ly/1C2mDb3