Things to think about

REAL ESTATE IS LOCAL!!

Tired of hearing all the doom and gloom??  Wondering what is really going on in YOUR neighborhood?  Click on this link for MARKET SNAPSHOT, follow the 2 step process and automatically receive the REAL DEAL on what is happening!  Pass this link on to anyone you know that is interested in buying or selling real estate!  Referrals are a big part of my buisness.

Preparing Your Home For Sale

Whether you're ready to sell now or just curious about the process, we can help.  Many homeowners begin thinking about selling long before they are really ready to move!

The sale of property involves legalities that even a For Sale By Owner must conform to.  We provide the following services in preparing your home for sale.

1. Provide a free, no obligation market evaluation for your property.
2. Provide an estimate of your cost of sale and your net equity based on your property.
3. Inform you of village ordinances which may apply to your property.
4. Provide you with a copy of the Seller Disclosure Act form.
5. Explain why offering a home warranty for your property may be in your best interest.
6. Remind you that you need to have your property  inspected by a certified home inspection service.
7. Help you determine which repairs are necessary and which are not.
8. Discuss Home Staging Services.

Garage Sale Time

Now is a great time to get rid of all those unnecessary things you accumulated - things you no longer want or need - and bring in a little extra cash at the same time. 

A garage sale is not hard to prepare for and can be fun!  Enlist the help of the whole family in organizing and pricing your merchandise.  Perhaps you could arrange a joint sale with a few neighbors.  Advertise the sale in your local paper and with signs placed around the neighborhood.  Be prepared to bargain and drop prices, if necessary, to clear out your inventory.  Make arrangements with a local charity to collect all the leftover items after the sale.

Tax Deductible Moving Expenses

Many of the expenses connected with moving may be tax deductible, if the move is job related^*.  Some of these include:

• The cost of moving your household goods.
• Expenses incurred while house-hunting.
• Travel expenses during the move for you and your family.
• The cost of meals and temporary lodging for up to 30 days after you get the new job.
• The expenses, of selling your house and buying a new one.

To substantiate your claim, keep an accurate, detailed account of your moving expenses, including all receipts.

^* It is recommended that you consult with your own tax advisor or attorney to determine what is currently allowable under IRS codes specific to your individual circumstances.

Special Care for Pets & Plants

Moving companies are not allowed to handle the shipment of pets, so you will need to explore your alternatives.

Shipping animals by air is the fastest and most convenient method.  Most airlines are familiar with the care and handling requirements of animals.

If you must take your pet with you in the car, call ahead to make sure pets are allowed at your overnight stop.  Check with your veterinarian for hints that could make the trip more enjoyable for both you and your pet.  Before moving, be sure licenses and all vaccinations are up-to-date.

House plants do not travel well in the dark interior of moving vans.  Plants are difficult to pack and may have to survive several days without light and water.  Moving companies will not guarantee the condition of plants that are shipped and some states will not allow you to bring plants across their state line due to the possible transportation of harmful insects or diseased vegetation.   Check ahead before bringing plants with you to ensure that you will be allowed to cross state borders with them.

20 Tips for Selling Your Home

As a homeowner, you can play an important part in the timely sale of your property. When you take the following steps, you'll help your RE/MAX Sales Associate sell your home faster, at the best possible price.

1. Make the Most of that First Impression
   A well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs and a clutter-free porch welcome prospects. So does a freshly painted - or at least freshly scrubbed - front door. If it's autumn, rake the leaves. If it's winter, shovel the walkways. The fewer obstacles between prospects and the true appeal of your home, the better.
   

2. Invest a Few Hours for Future Dividends
   Here's your chance to clean up in real estate. Clean up in the living room, the bathroom, the kitchen. If your woodwork is scuffed or the paint is fading, consider some minor redecoration. Fresh wallpaper adds charm and value to your property. Prospects would rather see how great your home really looks than hear how great it could look, "with a little work."
   

3. Check Faucets and Bulbs
   Dripping water rattles the nerves, discolors sinks and suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing. Burned out bulbs leave prospects in the dark. Don't let little problems detract from what's right with your home.
   

4. Don't Shut Out a Sale
   If cabinets or closet doors stick in your home, you can be sure they will also stick in a prospect's mind. Don't try to explain away sticky situations when you can easily plane them away. A little effort on your part can smooth the way toward a closing.
   

5. Think Safety
   Homeowners learn to live with all kinds of self-set booby traps: roller skates on the stairs, festooned extension cords, slippery throw rugs and low hanging overhead lights. Make your residence as non-perilous as possible for uninitiated visitors.
   

6. Make Room for Space
   Remember, potential buyers are looking for more than just comfortable living space. They're looking for storage space, too. Make sure your attic and basement are clean and free of unnecessary items.
   

7. Consider Your Closets
   The better organized a closet, the larger it appears. Now's the time to box up those unwanted clothes and donate them to charity.
   

8. Make Your Bathrooms Sparkle
   Bathrooms sell homes, so let them shine. Check and repair damaged or unsightly caulking in the tubs and showers. For added allure, display your best towels, mats and shower curtains.
   

9. Create Dream Bedrooms
   Wake up prospects to the cozy comforts of your bedrooms. For a spacious look, get rid of excess furniture. Colorful bedspreads and fresh curtains are a must.
   

10. Open up in the Daytime
    Let the sun shine in! Pull back your curtains and drapes so prospects can see how bright and cheery your home is.
    

11. Lighten up at Night
    Turn on the excitement by turning on all your lights - both inside and outside - when showing your home in the evening. Lights add color and warmth, and make prospects feel welcome.
    

12. Avoid Crowd Scenes
    Potential buyers often feel like intruders when they enter a home filled with people. Rather than giving your house the attention it deserves, they're likely to hurry through. Keep the company present to a minimum.
    

13. Watch Your Pets
    Dogs and cats are great companions, but not when you're showing your home. Pets have a talent for getting underfoot. So do everybody a favor: Keep Kitty and Spot outside, or at least out of the way.
    

14. Think Volume
    Rock-and-roll will never die. But it might kill a real estate transaction. When it's time to show your home, it's time to turn down the stereo or TV.
    

15. Relax
    Be friendly, but don't try to force conversation. Prospects want to view your home with a minimum of distraction.
    

16. Don't Apologize
    No matter how humble your abode, never apologize for its shortcomings. If a prospect volunteers a derogatory comment about your home's appearance, let your experienced RE/MAX Associate handle the situation.
    

17. Keep a Low Profile
    Nobody knows your home as well as you do. But RE/MAX Sales Associates know buyers - what they need and what they want. Your RE/MAX Associate will have an easier time articulating the virtues of your home if you stay in the background.
    

18. Don't Turn Your Home into a Second-Hand Store
    When prospects come to view your home, don't distract them with offers to sell those furnishings you no longer need. You may lose the biggest sale of all.
    

19. Defer to Experience
    When prospects want to talk price, terms, or other real estate matters, let them speak to an expert - your RE/MAX Sales Associate.
    

20. Help Your Agent
    Your RE/MAX Associate will have an easier time selling your home if showings are scheduled through his or her office. You'll appreciate the results!