|
|
|
Play It Up
|
|
|
|
|
Seller's Mathematics
|
|
|
|
|
|
A New You
|
|
|
|
|
I am pleased to present you with the latest issue of Life@Home. Delivered to home buyers, sellers and owners on a monthly basis, this electronic newsletter is designed to give you the real estate information that is important to you. In each issue, you will find practical tips and articles related to buying, selling or owning a home, as well as the latest news on real estate trends. I hope that you enjoy this issue of Life@Home. If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
|
|
|
Visit Century21.com and view more than 250,000 property listings!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Play It Up
 A playroom can be a great asset. It’s a spot kids can call their own and a space where you can store their things like books, toys, crafts, dress-up clothes.
But the attributes that make such a room attractive, can also make it hard to manage when it comes time to sell. How do you make a room that is often a catch-all, attractive and appealing when buyers come calling?
The key is organization. Start with a good purge. Identify things your children have outgrown and donate them or give them to friends with younger children. If there are items that have sentimental value, like a favorite infant toy, pack them away.
The decision to involve your children is a personal one. Children often have trouble saying goodbye to their belongings, even if they don’t play with them anymore. You may want to sort through the items on your own. Afterward, explain to the kids what you have done. Ask them to look through the box and let them choose one or two things they want to keep. Emphasize that to make room for new belongings, they have to part with those they no longer use.
If an argument ensues, you may agree to store the items for a certain period. If the toys are not used or requested during that time, agree to donate them to a good cause.
Once you have organized the playthings, create a system. Keep books in a designated area and put building blocks, craft items in plastic storage boxes. When everything is in its place, make sure the system meets their needs. Once everyone is in agreement, talk about how you will keep the room looking great while the house is on the market. Everyone needs to share in the responsibility of keeping the room up to par.
|
|
|
|
|
Seller’s Mathematics
When buyers begin the real estate process, they are often encouraged to carefully consider their finances. The fact is sellers would be wise to do the same. You want to know exactly what money you have, how much you owe and what expenses you might incur.  Each of these will be factors when determining list price and ultimately the final sale price.
Here are four steps that can help you see the big financial picture.
1. Ask a real estate agent for a Competitive Market Analysis (CMA) to help determine the value of your home.
2. Estimate how much it will cost to sell the home. Including commission, closing costs, taxes and the cost of getting the house ready to show.
3. Think about how much it will cost to purchase your next home. In addition to sale price, add in things like moving expenses, home inspections, homeowners insurance and other ancillary costs.
4. When you have all this information together, do the math. Take the estimated value from the CMA and deduct the amount left on your mortgage note. (This number can be acquired by calling your lender.) From that result subtract what you expect to spend on selling the home. What is left is an estimate of your total proceeds. This number will help you gauge how much money you have to spend on a new home and/or how much you may need to borrow.
|
A New You
 Many New Year's resolutions involve getting fit. Once you start, the key is staying motivated. You can improve your chance for success by choosing an exercise you enjoy. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. If treadmills aren’t for you, try gardening, dancing, and dog walking to burn calories too!
|
|
|
|
|
|
SPECIAL BONUS!
Buy & Sell your home with me and recieve 1000 BONUS AIRMILES! 
Just mention this ad from my website! |
|
|