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!

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