5 Staging Mistakes Sellers Think Are Awesome

Nowhere in life is the old adage that beauty is in the eye of the beholder truer than in real estate. One woman’s dream home might be a mid-century modern, Mad Men styled contemporary, while another’s includes all the gingerbread charm of a classic Victorian. But when it comes to prepping a home to be viewed and (fingers crossed!) sold, there is both art and science to staging a home before its listed to maximize its appeal to the broadest number of target buyers.

The challenge is this: staging is an investment, one every seller can’t afford to make (although studies have shown professionally staged homes sell faster and for more than non-staged counterparts). So many sellers take it on as a do-it-yourself project which, like all DIY home improvement projects, can be fantastic or, mmm, not—depending on the approach, skill, and resources of the ‘self’ who does it.

Here are a few common scenarios in which sellers think their staging is awesome and buyers, well, beg to differ.   Read More...

6 Horrible House Hunting Pitfalls to Avoid →

Sometimes it’s not the market or their agent (we know, we know) that stops buyers from snagging their dream home. And despite their good intentions, sometimes buyers unknowingly self-sabotage their home search. Which got us thinking: As agents, what can we tell buyers from the get-go that can help them avoid some of the worst house hunting pitfalls?

We reached out to Arron Sweeney, founder of Your Berkeley and realtor at King Realty Group in San Francisco, as well as Lance King, broker and owner of King Realty Group. They shared six home buying hang-ups and what agents can say to clients to help them avoid these common missteps.

Love these tips? Get the printable handout to share with current and prospective clients!

1. Missing out on the perfect place.

Hundreds of new homes hit the market every day, and buyers who are not using all of the house hunting tools available, could let their dream home could slip by unnoticed —or worse, someone else might snatch it up before they even know that it’s for sale. One of the toughest lessons for a first-time (and, yes, even a second-time) buyer is that in this market, passive house hunting simply will not cut it. No matter what we agents do—and no matter how many e-mails we send showcasing a just listed property that agents would love to show our clients—if the buyer doesn’t make house hunting a top priority, it’s going to be a painful process.

Read more...

3 Genius Strategies for Going Green On a Budget

The concept of greening up your home means different things to different people.  To some, it’s all about boosting their property’s energy efficiency (and slashing those monthly utility bills), others might be more concerned about creating a healthful home environment for their children.  Still others are concerned about the ecological environment, and minimizing their footprint on it....READ MORE. 

Sell or Stay?

Every real estate market creates its own buyer and seller personas, or profiles. When the market is slow and prices are low, it brings out 'the wheeler-dealer' and 'the lowballer,' as well as the 'paralyzed panicker' in some buyers.

But sellers aren’t immune. 

And in a warm or hot market climate, the rise in home prices makes some sellers wonder whether they should exercise the freedom of finally having some home equity and make a move, or if it's a better idea to stay put in hopes they can sell for more, next year or later.

Truth is, whether any given person should sell their home or stay put at any given time is a highly personal decision. Market dynamics should come into play, but that should be considered in the context of your personal life, career, family and financial plans.

Trying to figure out whether to sell or stay put? Here are four ways to know which decision is right for you.

Read more here...

Qualified Mortgages

Rip City

Check out this interesting piece on our beloved Trailblazers...click here. 

4560 NW Kahneeta Drive - Short Sale Pending!!!

5 bed | 2.1 bath | 2454 sqft | PENDING

$275,000 | Visit Property Webpage

 Large home on HUGE 1/4+ acre lot. Great price and rare find! Features formal living and dining room with vaulted ceiling, large kitchen with family room, laundry room and huge bonus room! Too much to list. Don't miss out on the best deal in Rock Creek!

DESIGN PIC OF THE MONTH

​Credit | Houzz

13703 NW Mill Creek Drive - JUST SOLD!!!

$249,900 - 3 bedrooms - 1 bathroom - 1184 Square Feet  

Updated bungalow, loaded with charm. Features hardwood floors, remodeled kitchen and bath, new windows, new plumbing, high-end fixtures throughout and new, ductless heat pump with A/C. Huge, fully fenced yard with immaculate landscaping, large garden, oversized shed and room for RV/toys. Close to Nike and 5 minutes to downtown. Refrig, washer/dryer included. Home is in excellent condition. This one won't last!

9424 SW Wood Pkwy - PENDING!!!

$294,900 -  3 bedrooms - 2.1 bathrooms - 2077 Square Feet  

Charming traditional 3 story home located next to the beautiful Woods Memorial Park! Spacious layout with extended deck, water feature, and exceptionally private, fenced backyard. Master suite has walk-in closet and dbl sinks. Vaulted living room, formal dining, large family room with fireplace plus an oversized bonus room. Amazing storage. Excellent schools and perfect location! Refrig, wash/dryer included.

20647 NW Sedona Lane - JUST SOLD!!!

$200,000 - 2 bedrooms - 2 bathrooms - 1524 Square Feet

Visit Property Webpage

Immaculate Brownstone in convenient Quatama! Excellent location, backing to park and just a few steps to Light Rail Station. Extensively upgraded throughout-plantation shutters, granite counters, central A/C and more! Perfect layout features large living room w/ fireplace and slider to level, fully-fenced and private backyard. Large kitchen with pantry and semi-formal dining room. HUGE, 2 car-tandem garage. Immaculate condition!

DESIGN PIC OF THE MONTH

Credit | Houzz

TIME TO REALITY CHECK THE REAL ESTATE MARKET

Rarely does a day go by that I don’t get asked if this is a good time to buy and/or sell a home. Some people might think that my response is always an emphatic “YES!” because I work in real estate. But in truth, there is no right or wrong answer. Every person’s circumstances are unique, so in some cases the answer might be yes, but for others it might make more sense to wait. Allow me to explain.

The good news is that we’re finally coming out of the housing slump of the past five-plus years. Housing is a major driving factor of the U.S. economy, so regardless of whether or not one owns a home, a stronger housing market is good for everyone. For some would-be home sellers, this positive momentum, combined with a rise in home prices and buyer activity, is enough to compel them to list their home. And right now the statistics appear to be on their side.

According to the most recent findings from the National Association of REALTORS®, total housing inventory has fallen for the past several months, settling at just under two million existing homes on the market that are available to buyers. This represents about a four-month-supply of homes throughout the U.S. This is the lowest housing supply the nation has seen since May of 2005 – during the peak of the housing boom.

“Months supply” basically means that if existing homes were to continue selling at the current rate, the inventory of homes would be sold by that many months. A “normal” market usually has around six months of supply; therefore lower numbers mean a shortage of inventory. If demand is greater than supply, this often leads to competition amongst buyers – and rising prices – as we’ve seen in many markets throughout the Western U.S.

Here are the current inventory levels in key markets along the West Coast, all of which fall below six months of supply and report strong competition among buyers.

How new finance legislation affects home owners, buyers and sellers

Many home owners, buyers, and sellers have been carefully watching the new federal finance package passed on January 1, 2013 by both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. This is because it included automatic tax increases as well as federal spending cuts that involve real estate programs.

Many important real estate programs were extended, albeit for a limited time. Therefore homeowners, buyers and sellers should pay attention to these new time periods when planning financially.

Components of the legislation most likely to impact real estate decisions: 

• Capital gains tax exclusions for sale of a principal residence remain in place. This benefit protects up to $500,000 of capital gain ($250,000 for individual filers). However, home sellers with incomes of $450,000 ($400,00 for individual filers) or above and where the gain on the sale of their home is above $500,000 will now pay taxes on the excess capital gains at a higher tax higher rate.

• Key provisions of the Mortgage Debt Relief Act are extended through January 1, 2014. This provides financial relief in the form of lower taxes for home owners or sellers who have a portion of their mortgage debt forgiven by their lender. For sellers, this forgiveness occurs through a form of a short sale or foreclosure. For home owners, this relief comes in the form of a loan modification.  

Without this extension, any debt forgiven would become taxable. Home buyers will benefit from this extension since it will likely result in a greater number of short sales and foreclosures being available for sale, as underwater sellers are more incentivized.

• Deductions for mortgage insurance for filers earning below $110,000 are extended to through 2013. Mortgage insurance—usually paid for by home buyers—allows home buyers who have less money to put down to qualify for better loans. Home buyers with qualified residences will be able to continue to deduct the cost of this mortgage insurance. This benefit is also retroactive through 2012.

• The 10 percent tax credit for energy improvements to existing homes is extended through 2013. This credit, which is limited to $500, applies to existing homes and is also retroactive through 2012.

• Capital gains on real estate contributed by home owners for conservation are extended through 2014.  Increased contribution limits and carry-forward periods for contributions of appreciated real property will be maintained.

• The first $5M in individual estates and $10M for family estates are now exempt from estate tax. Tax rates in excess of these figures have increased. This will benefit the heirs.  

Other changes—such as new estate tax exemptions and an increased capital gain tax rate for those earning more than $450,000 ($400,000 for individuals)—may also impact real estate decision-making. As always, home owners, buyers, and sellers are advised to seek the advice of a qualified tax advisor before making major financial decisions, including the decision to buy or sell real estate. 

Happy Holidays!

Over the next four days most of our offices will be closed for the holidays, so we want to take a few moments to thank everyone for making 2012 such an extraordinary year. The holidays provide us with a special time to reflect on the year behind us, plan for the year to come, and surround ourselves with friends and family.

We want to extend a special thank you to our many Windermere agents and offices that went above and beyond to support those in need this holiday season. Through the Windermere Foundation, our team has the privilege of working with some really exceptional organizations whose mission it is to ensure low-income and homeless families get the resources they need.

From everyone in the Windermere family, we wish you and yours Happy Holidays!

Veterans, Thank You for Your Service

This Sunday, November 11, is Veterans Day 

- a special day set aside to honor those who have served our country through the armed forces. Here at Windermere, we are very blessed to work with many Veterans, as real estate agents, clients, and members of the communities we serve. We would love to hear your stories about the Veterans you have in your life and how you will be honoring them this weekend.

To our Veterans, thank you for your service and dedication. We are proud to work alongside you.

Preventive home maintenance

Posted in Living by Tara Sharp

 It is storm season, and between British Columbia earthquakes, Hawaiian Island tsunamis and East Coast “Frankenstorms”, it is time to take a few minutes to think about storm preparedness and making sure you and your home are as ready as possible for whatever nature throws your way this fall and winter.

Over the next few weeks we will share some valuable tips on preventive home maintenance, disaster preparedness and post-winter storm cleanup.

Preventive home maintenance:

Control where the water goes. Water in the wrong place can do a whole lot of damage. Start by ensuring your gutters and downspouts are doing their job. Don’t attempt this task yourself if you have a multi-story house with a deep roof; hire a professional instead. Your gutter maintenance will depend on your property. If you have tall trees nearby that can drop needles or leaves, you will want to check your gutters quarterly.

First, make sure your gutters are secured, flush to the roof. Repair or replace sagging and broken portions of the gutters. Then clean out your gutters and downspouts, checking that outlet strainers are in good shape and firmly in place. Finally, ensure that your downspouts direct water away from the house, not straight into the foundation. You may want to consider gutter/downspout extensions to redirect water away from your foundation. 

If you have a sump pump under your home, test it. Run a hose to be sure draining water travels directly to the pump (dig small trenches if needed), and that the pump removes the water efficiently and expels it well away from the house.

Check your roof, doors and windows.  Now that the rain has started again, check your roof for any leaks. Check the underside, looking for moisture on joints or insulation. You can mark any damp spots and have a professional come out and repair any leaks. Don’t wait for wet spots to appear on the ceiling; the damage will be much more expensive if the insulation and dry wall is soaked. Waiting can also lead to larger problems such as mold, a health hazard.

Also check your windows and doors to ensure they are properly sealed. If you feel any drafts, isolate the location using the match trick. You may want to use silicon to repair any gaps between the frame and wall, or if the window itself is drafty you can use weather stripping.  With doors, you may want to use weather stripping, or if you have a large gap at the bottom of your door, a draft dodger may be a simple solution.

Maintaining your heating and cooling systems. Fall is a smart time to have your home’s heating and air-conditioning systems checked and tuned up if necessary. Don’t wait for extreme temperatures to arrive, when service companies are slammed with emergency calls. Between maintenance calls, keep your system performing optimally by cleaning and/or replacing air filters.

If you have a wood-burning fireplace, a professional inspection and cleaning will help prevent potentially lethal chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. Even if you don’t use your fireplace often, always keep a supply of dry firewood or sawdust composite logs so you have a backup source of heat in case of an emergency. 

Next week we will have more information about preparing your family and your home for winter storms, from power outages to natural disasters. 

Home Staging Tips

Posted in Selling on September 26 2012, 10:03 AM PDT by Tara Sharp

 

A few weeks ago we shared some insights into why home staging is an important part of the selling process. Below you will find some of our tips for staging and photographing your home for sale. 

DIY Home Staging Tips:

With a little time, effort and imagination, you can stage your home to showcase its best features, sell it faster and get top dollar.

Clean up, pare down, and toss out: By simply getting rid of excess furniture and clutter, you can make any room look larger and more inviting.

Make it professional, not personal: Remove family photos, mementos and other personal items from the space. This not only eliminates clutter, it helps potential homebuyers envision their lives in the space.

Repurpose rooms: Do you have a “junk” room? You can transform a liability into an asset by turning an underused space into a reading nook, a craft room, a yoga studio or a home gym. Just clean it up, add a coat of paint, some furniture and the right accessories.

Lighten up: Light, airy rooms look bigger and more welcoming. You can create a pleasing effect by using the right wattage bulbs and multiple light sources. The right window treatments can also have a big impact. Choose fabrics that are light and gauzy, rather than dark and heavy.

Try a little color: Paint is the cheapest, easiest way to update your home. Stick with warm, natural hues, but try darker colors for accent walls and to highlight special features. You can give old furniture new life with a coat of shiny black paint—and freshen up the front door with a bold, cheerful color.

Add some decorative touches: Art, accessories, plants and flowers breathe life into a home. Make rooms more inviting with accessories that are carefully grouped, especially in threes. Pay attention to scale, texture and color. Bring the outdoors in with plants and flowers.

Picture-Perfect Staging:

When it comes to looking for a home most people start on the internet. The photos in your property listing can make a powerful first impression. According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, professional photos can increase home views up to 61%. Make sure your home is “ready for its close-up” by following these simple guidelines before the photographer shows up.

For exterior photography:

·         Make sure no cars are parked in front of your house or in your driveway.

·         Sidewalks and streets should be cropped out

·         There should be up-close and angled shots, as well as long shorts that emphasize space.

·         Clear away or trim vegetation blocking the front door or path to the door.

·         Make sure lawns are mowed, hedges clipped, etc.

·         Remove evidence of pets.

·         Put away children’s toys.

·         If you are selling a condo or townhome, such amenities as tennis courts, a gym, a garden patio or clubhouse should be photographed.

For interior photography:

·         Make sure your house is spotless, windows are clean and rooms are decluttered.

·         Repair all visible damage, e.g., bad water stains, gouges, chipped paing.

·         Drapes and blinds should be open and lights on.

·         Remove trash cans, close toilet seats.

·         Use floral arrangements in kitchens and dining rooms.

·         Make sure that interesting details and attractive features—e.g., wood floors, a carved mantel, marble countertops and ornamental tile backslashes, etc. – are photographed.

Moving on up!

Posted August 29 2012, 10:52 AM PDT by Tara Sharp

Moving is stressful, whether it is across town or cross-country.  Once you have closed on your house, the reality of packing, moving, and setting up a new home can become overwhelming. While no list can make a move “stress-free”, planning ahead and staying organized can help make your move a little smoother.  Here is our list of tips:

Getting started:

· Once you know your prospective move date set up a quick timeline to make sure you can get all the important tasks done and ready in time for your move.

· Consider how much stuff you have by doing a home inventory. This can help you decide whether you need to hire movers to help you or if you will be managing your move on your own. Many moving companies supply inventory lists to help you assess the size of truck you will need.  You can use your list as double duty for insurance purposes later.

· As soon as you decide how you will be moving, make your reservations. In general, moving companies and truck rental services are over-booked at the beginning and very end of the month.  If you are planning on hiring a moving company, contact a few in your area for a price quote. To find companies ask your real estate agent, family, or friends, and consult online reviews.  It is also a good idea to request a quote and compare companies.

Preparing for your move:

· Moving is a great opportunity to get rid of clutter, junk, or outdated items. Set aside some time to sort through your closets, storage spaces, files, drawers, and more.  Go through cluttered areas and organize items by “keepers”, “give-aways” and “garbage”. You will have less to pack and an opportunity to update after you move. Contact a local nonprofit organization for your donations; some will arrange to pick up larger donations like furniture. If you have items of value, eBay or craigslist are good options.

· Changing your address is one of the more tedious tasks in the moving process. You will need to change your address with the United States Post Office. You can find the online form here: https://moversguide.usps.com/icoa/icoa-main-flow.do?execution=e1s1.

· You will also need to change your address with each account you have. Here is a list to get your started:

· Employers

· Bank(s)

· Utilities (Electric, Water/Sewage, Oil/Gas)

· Cable/ Telephone

· Cell phone service

· Credit Cards

· Magazine subscriptions

· Insurance companies (auto, home/renters, health, dental, vision, etc.)

· Pharmacy

· Other personal services

Let the packing begin:

· Before you start packing, it may help to visualize where everything you have will go. Perhaps furniture will fit better in a different room? Consider the floor plan of your new home and figure out what will go where. This will aid in packing and labeling as you box everything up.

· Use a tool like floorplanner.com to plan where furniture and items will go.

· When it comes to packing you have some options. You can work with a service that provides reusable boxes for moving or you can reuse or purchase cardboard boxes.  Make sure you have enough boxes, packing tape, dark markers, and packing paper.

· Pack rooms according to your floor plan. Label boxes with contents and room. This will make it easier to unpack your home, knowing where everything is going.  

· Real Simple magazine has some great tips on packing for your move.

· If you have to disassemble any of your furniture, make sure you keep all the parts and directions together.

· Make sure you set aside your necessities for the day you move. Being tired and unable to take a shower or make your bed can be hard at the end of a long moving day. Here are some ideas of what you may like to pack in your “day-of-move” boxes.

· Clean linens for the beds, pillows and blankets

· Clean towels

· Shower curtain, liner and hooks

· Toiletries, hand soap, tooth brush, etc.

· Disposable utensils, cups, napkins, etc

· Rolls of toilet paper

· Snacks and water

· Change of clothes

· Tools for reassembling furniture, installing hardware, and hanging photos

Making your move

· Come up with a game plan with your family, so everyone has a role and a part to play

· Once the house is empty, do a once over on your old place to make sure it is clean for the next owners/occupants. Here is a useful checklist for cleaning.

Warming your new home

· Once you have settled into your new home, warm it up by inviting friends and family over to celebrate. Here is a great infographic about housewarming traditions and symbolism.

· Announce your move to far-away friends and family through moving announcements to make sure you stay on the holiday card mailing list.

Do you have any other tips or advice for achieving a smooth move?