Positive Real Estate Professionals

If I had a dollar for every time that someone ask for my input on this question, I would be RICH. But we all know that I am not. “Should I hire a stager?” is a question that only you can answer for yourself. In my personal opinion, I think that you should use every resource that is available to you. I know I do. Prior to writing this article, I emailed all the stagers on this real estate network. Before this article ends, you will see what each of them had to say. But, for now, lets take a look at ‘stagers.’

What is a ‘stager?’ Well, to put it simply, it is someone that lends their expertise in what it takes to help prepare your home to sell for top dollar. Almost all of their input is from an aesthetic point of view. Stagers should look at not only the inside of the house but also the outside of the home. One thing that sets apart stagers and interior decorators is the fact that a stager brings with them the complete package. Interior decorators tend to not keep up with market trends, therefore, they can actually cost you in the long run. If I had to draw a comparison,  it is like hiring a web developer versus someone that has taken a template and reworked it to fit your needs. Even though the last might fit your needs, it still is just a template. What happens when that template breaks and the person that calls themselves a web designer can’t fix it because they did not build it?

I have heard many Realtors® put down stagers. Personally, I think that it might show some fear on the part of the Realtor®. Instead of being able to sell it by yourself you had to reach out to someone else. Well, personally, I think that is the biggest crock of horse crap that I have ever heard. When we accept a listing, we take on the responsibility to market the home to the best of our ability. Though a Realtor® may think that they can stage just as well as a stager, it is not necessarily what they are trained for. Case in point, last night I was watching House Hunters on HGTV. The episode was called First Time Buyers in Florida. The first house is the case in point. When they walked into the home, it made you think that you just walked into a house out of the Brady Bunch era. The refrigerator was even the dingy yellow. The point is, if the Realtor® had suggested that the homeowner hire a stager and the seller agreed, I am confident that any competent stager would have made sure the house did not show that way.

So, I have given my 2 cents worth. Now, lets here what Kim Swan of 2 Swans-a-Staging and Darla Rowley of IMPACT! Interior Design Solutions have to add.

Kim Swan of 2 Swans-a-Staging had to say:

Your house is probably your largest asset. Selling it can be one of the most important decisions in your life. To ensure that it sells FAST and for top dollar, you need to showcase it so that the BUYER feels at home.

The first 30 days is the most critical timeframe for selling your property. Curiosity is piqued, interest is generated and brokers and agents tour. An Accredited Staging Professional will help you to achieve that fast sell and for top dollar

Darla Rowley of IMPACT! Interior Design Solutions added:

People should hire a stager for the same reason major companies invest in marketing. They need their product to stand out and be memorable. Staging highlights the space, not the stuff. Because staged houses look better in photos and virtual tours, they will get more viewings and draw the interest of more buyers. Staging provides insights to a perceived lifestyle a buyer aspires to. Staging provides the emotional connection to the seller, price alone can not

So many times I hear people mention that Home Inspections are only good when you are purchasing a home. This cannot be further from the truth. To shed some light on this subject, I decided to turn to the professionals that live the life of home inspectors. In a couple of instances, I just turned to the wives of the home inspectors. With that said, let me introduce you to the team of home inspectors on our real estate network.

First off, we have David and Bonnie Lelak of IHI Home Inspections out of the North Metro Atlanta area. Next, there is William and Sherri Troutman of Certainty Home Inspections out of Salem, Indiana. We also have Dave Boyd of Powder Valley Inspections out of Powder Valley, Oregon. Our most recent Home Inspector is James Brantley of Magnolia Home Inspections out of Brandon, Mississippi. Now that you have met our team of Home Inspectors from different parts of the country, let’s turn back to the subject at hand, home inspections.

When preparing to write this article, I decide to reach out to each of our inspectors and ask for their input on home inspections. I asked them for reasons why anyone would have home inspections done. But before I get into what they said, I want to interject my own thoughts here. Prior to ever putting a home on the market to sell, I think it would be a wise investment to have it checked out by a professional. In doing this, you can be aware of any major issues that might arise and tackle them head on before putting your home on the market. Other reasons that you might want a home inspection done is to search for Radon or Mold. Both of these issues can be harmful to you and early detection could be a huge difference to your well being.

When I asked Bonnie about some of the reasons that people in North Metro Atlanta order inspections through IHI Home Inspections, she opened up.

When you get a home inspection done, this is a great way to have your own professional punch list of the things that need to be done to help maintain the value of your home.  As new home owners, especially first time new home owners, figuring out where to start with the maintenance on your home can be overwhelming, so whether you’re a seasoned home owner or a new home owner a maintenance home inspection can provide you with a road map to successful home maintenance.

Have you experienced hail damage and had a roofing contractor repair or replace your roof, our suggestion before you ever release final payment is to get a second opinion on the quality of work from a professional home inspector.  Too many times we have been called by home owners to come do a roof inspection and the quality of work is less than satisfactory.  Make sure you have someone on your side.

Radon is another instance where you would want a home inspector to come out, especially when you’re not selling your home.  The question is not “if my home has radon’” every home has radon, what matters is if your home has elevated amounts of radon gas.  The way to find out is to have a radon test performed.

Sherri Troutman of Certainty Home Inspections added:

The majority of the time home inspections are for the home buyer, however home inspections can be ordered for many reasons.  A homebuyer may decide they would like a pre-listing inspection on their home prior to  putting it  on the market.  A pre-listing inspection will tell a home owner many things, such as, what condition the major components are in, such as the furnace and air conditioner unit.  They will have the choice to fix the minor problems that may be found in the home like GFCI’s defaults and leaky faucets or drains.  By getting a pre-listing inspection this allows the home owner the opportunity to fix the repairs that are needed, giving them the right to select their asking price accordingly based on the true condition of their property.  Having a pre-listing inspection done usually lets the home owner get top dollar out of their home.  Home warranties are another type of inspection that can be performed.   Home warranties are inspections done on the home towards the end of their home warranty, prior to it expiring.  This lets the home owner know of any defects that may have occurred over the last year with their home and allows them to turn them into their home builder so they can be fixed before the home warranty runs out.  A home warranty inspection should be done with a one year home warranty in approximately the tenth month of owning the home.  Lenders in Indiana also order home inspections for government loan programs.  The Indiana Housing Community Development Association uses their own forms for the inspector to fill out.  They ask several questions about the home such as the number of bedrooms, baths, and other areas of the home.  Their main concern is that the home is safe, sound and secure.  Having an IHCDA inspection done is in no way to the extent of  a complete home inspection.  A complete home inspection report goes into much more depth on the condition of the home and its components.  The USDA offers a loan program that also has its own form to fill out by the inspector.  The USDA, like the IHCDA, wants to make sure the home you’re buying is safe, sound and secure but fails to report with the thoroughness of a complete home inspection.  They ask such questions like is there 5 years of life left in the roof and is there running water with no plumbing leaks,  what size is the electric panel box and is there room in the crawl space to make repairs to the home if needed. Other reasons for inspections may include the concern for mold in the home.  If your having allergy like symptoms, headaches, or congestion problems, it could be due to mold in your home.  Mold is a plant that grows in conditions where moisture is present.  By eliminating the moisture problem, you help to eliminate the mold problem.  Radon gas is yet another concern with any home but is more likely with a basement home.  Radon is a radioactive,  colorless, odorless gas that as uranium decays in the ground it puts off  this lazy gas.  It is the second leading cause of cancer in the United States.  All homes should be tested for radon gas but especially basement homes because they are more susceptible due to the fact that  they set closer to the bedrock.    As you can see, there are many different reasons why everyone should have a home inspection done but the most important one is to make sure that the home your living in is safe for you and your family, structural sound for your family to live in for many years to come and secure from any hazards that are present at the time of inspection.

Dave Boyd of Powder Valley Inspections added:

I have performed home inspections for folks who have lived in their home for many years (decades) and are heading into retirement.  To avoid any surprises when living on limited financial resources, they order an inspection for a home tuneup before taking the retirement “plunge”.  Also, after natural disasters such as earth quakes or severe wind storms you would want to get an inspection to ascertain the condition of your home.  And, finally, there is always the gratifying wisdom of a second opinion after having had a contractor perform remodels or constructing additions to the home. This is a very economical way to make sure the work was performed according to current standards, given the alternatives.

James Brantley of Magnolia Home Inspections out of Brandon, Mississippi finished us off by adding:

We all know that buying a home is one of the largest investments we will make in our life time. Buying a home provides us with a sense of achievement and brings great joy to the family. During the home buying process there are so many decisions to be made such as finding a reputable real estate agent, calculating budgets, getting loan approvals, and picking out furniture just to name a few. However, choosing the right home inspection firm could possibly be the most important decision you’ll ever make. Often times, home buyers will simply pull the name of an inspection firm right out of a hat and place all their trust in that firm alone while doing little home work. Professional home inspection firms should be able to provide you with prior client testimonies and references.

Once the inspection is completed and the report is delivered, you the client, should feel well educated about the current condition of the home. Good home inspectors always take the necessary time to show you unique aspects of the home as well as basic home maintenance tips. Do a little home work and choose the right home inspection firm to help educate you and protect your families investment.

I know that I have laid out a lot of information here, but I think it is important to understand the purposes behind home inspections and how they can protect you and your investment. If you are in any of the areas that these 4 home inspectors operate in, then I highly recommend that you contact them for your next home inspection. If you own a home, there is no need to wait till you are ready to sell. Today is a great day to get your home inspected.

Living for tomorrow loses today. There really is no other way to say it any clearer. Whether it is being unsure, procrastination, or cold feet, it all leads to the same thing; putting off ’til tomorrow what can be done today. Whether it is purchasing a jacket that you have had your eye on, joining a real estate network, buying a new car, or buying a dream home, each of these can be a major decision. However, putting the decision off for another day can also be what causes you to lose out on the deal of a lifetime.

Now, before I go any further, let me state something clearly. When spending money in today’s economy, a buyer needs to be sure of what they are getting into. Some research is needed to make sure that it is a sound investment. With that said, you and only you can decide if it is the right investment for you. You can listen to 30 different people and you will probably get 30 different answers. You are going to be the only person that knows if it is right for you. Believe me when I say that you will know when the right one comes along. I always refer back to when I bought my home in Florida versus my home in Georgia. The home in Florida required one visit and just one house to know that I found the right one. The home in Georgia took 3 weekends and more than 60 homes to make up our mind. However, both times we knew we WERE going to buy and window shopping was not even an option.

So, let’s get back on track here. In the paragraph above, I mention window shopping. The reason for it is because that is what most people do. They have no intention of buying unless they come across the perfect buy. Frankly, I think you are wasting your time and the agent’s time. It is one thing if you are ready to buy and you just need something that will strike your fancy. But, on the other hand, if you are just a tire kicker, window shopper, or fence sitter, then why even engage an agent other than to gain information?

Just the other day I was watching HGTV and saw a potential home buyer that found the home of their dreams. However, instead of buying it, their comment was that they wanted to see if there was a better bargain out there. After looking for 12 more hours and not seeing anything better, they called it a day. The next morning the couple got up, had breakfast, talked it over and decided to call their Realtor®. To their surprise, the home they had really liked was already under contract. They wanted to know how this travesty could have happened. The Realtor® referred back to the conversation she had with them the previous day. To put it simply, she told them to live for today and not tomorrow. Some markets might be unstable, but when you find what you want, you buy it because it might not be here in another 24 hours.

In closing, there is not much for me to add to what she said. It is what it is. There is never a good reason for putting off ’til tomorrow what can be done today.

One of the most important things to consider when buying a home is the neighborhood. The last thing that you want to do is end up in a neighborhood that is just not right for you. Before you get on the phone with a Realtor, you need to narrow down just what it is that you want out of the neighborhood. If you already have a target neighborhood picked out, make sure that you relay this to the Realtor as well. Lori Palermo has a great article on finding the perfect neighborhood.

As always, if you have questions, please ask.

Via Lori Palermo of Oregon Real Estate Queen:

The neighborhood you choose can have a big impact on your lifestyle—safety, available amenities, and convenience all play their part.

1. Make a list of the activities—movies, health club, church—you engage in regularly and stores you visit frequently. See how far you would have to travel from each neighborhood you’re considering to engaging in your most common activities.
2. Check out the school district. The Department of Education in your town can probably provide information on test scores, class size, percentage of students who attend college, and special enrichment programs. If you have school-age children, also consider paying a visit to schools in the neighborhoods you’re considering. Even if you don’t have children, a house in a good school district will be easier to sell in the future.
3. Find out if the neighborhood is safe. Ask the police department for neighborhood crime statistics. Consider not only the number of crimes but also the type—burglaries, armed robberies—and the trend of increasing or decreasing crime. Also, is crime centered in only one part of the neighborhood, such as near a retail area?
4. Determine if the neighborhood is economically stable. Check with your local city economic development office to see if income and property values in the neighborhood are stable or rising. What is the percentage of homes to apartments? Apartments don’t necessarily diminish value, but they do mean a more transient population. Do you see vacant businesses or homes that have been for sale for months?
5. See if you’ll make money. Ask a local REALTOR or call the local REALTOR association to get information about price appreciation trends in the neighborhood. Although past performance is no guarantee of future results, this information may give you a sense of how good an investment your home will be. A REALTOR or the government planning agency also may be able to tell you about planned developments or other changes in the neighborhood—like a new school or highway—that might affect value.
6. See for yourself. Once you’ve narrowed your focus to two or three neighborhoods, go there, and walk around. Are homes tidy and well maintained? Are streets quiet? Pick a warm day if you can and chat with people working or playing outside. Are they friendly? Are their children to play with your family?

During your search, keep in mind that this is likely the single largest investment that you will ever make. Surround yourself with seasoned professionals throughout the process and do your research. Please don’t hesitate to phone me if I can answer any questions for you!

I love it when PREP gets new vendors that love what they do for a living. The following article was written by Lori Palermo of Fairway Real Estate, Inc. It is designed to help take the stress out of buying your home. This is suppose to be a rewarding experience and Lori offers some sound advice to help it turn out that way.

Via Lori Palermo of Oregon Real Estate Queen:

1. Find a real estate agent that you “click” with. Home buying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s critical that the agent you chose is both skilled and a good fit with your personality.

2. Remember, there’s no “right” time to buy, any more than there’s a right time to sell. If you find a home now, don’t try to second-guess the interest rates or the housing market by waiting. Changes don’t usually occur fast enough to make that much difference in price, and a good home won’t stay on the market long.

3. Don’t ask for too many opinions. It’s natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many ideas will make it much harder to make a decision.

4. Accept that no house is ever perfect. Focus in on the things that are most important to you and let the minor ones go. Make sure you get a well qualified, certified home inspector to do the inspections and get the findings in writing.

5. Don’t try to be a killer negotiator. Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, but trying to “win” by getting an extra-low price may lose you the home you love.

6. Remember your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Don’t get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself—room size, kitchen—that you forget such issues as amenities, noise level, etc., that have a big impact on what it’s like to live in your new home.

7. Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to get approved for a mortgage, investigate insurance availability, and consider a schedule for moving. Presenting an offer contingent on a lot of unresolved issues will make your bid much less attractive to sellers.

8. Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-home buying budget. Even if you buy a new home, there will be some costs. Don’t leave yourself short and let your home deteriorate.

9. Accept that a little buyer’s remorse is inevitable and will probably pass. Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big commitment, but it also yields big benefits.

10. Choose a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation. A home’s most important role is as a comfortable, safe place to live.