It's all about the first impressions...a sale can be made or lost as a direct result of your home's curb appeal. When it comes to selling your home, the first impression is probably the most important impression. If the outside of the property doesn't create interest or appear well-maintained, a buyer may choose to not even come inside the home. Here are five ways to create curb appeal.
Paint and polish. A fresh coat of paint breathes new life into a tired-looking home. If your home looks dull or suffers from peeling, cracked or chipped surfaces, a paint job is a great investment. Polish the doorknocker and mail slot on the front door, as well as any light fixtures by the entry. Re-condition your deck. Consider renting a power washer to clean dirt and mildew from the wood, and then apply an all-weather sealer or stain.
Manicure the grounds. Mow and edge the grass, and trim the trees and bushes. Also, clear away dead leaves and flowers, and mulch and weed the beds. Check to see that tree branches are not touching the home's roof or outer walls. Add some color to your landscape by planting annuals and placing planters of flowers in strategic spots. You can even spruce up the property by hanging flowering baskets. Add flowering plants in the back yard, too.
Make needed repairs. See if anything is unhinged, loose or just an eyesore. Fix everything including broken fencing, windows and screens. Make sure winter's cold weather didn't leave any gutters sagging or loose. Replace any missing shingles from the roof. Try the doorbell. Check stairs and railings. Test doors for squeaks and rusted hinges. Don't forget to take a critical look at the property at night. Make sure the lights work, and replace dim and burned-out bulbs.
Unclutter. Tidy up the deck, patio and back yard. Rearrange the outdoor furniture to look inviting. Put away gardening tools and toys. Clean up the barbecue area. Eliminate any "evidence" of pets, and restrict them to the back yard when showing the home. Move extra vehicles from the view of passersby.
Clean. Clean the windows, inside and out, wash down the walks and driveway, and hose down the siding. Clean outdoor furniture and cushions. Check for oil spots on cement surfaces, especially the garage floor.
The old saying about making a good first impression couldn't be truer than when you are selling your home. Even the smallest enhancements can make a big difference in creating love at first sight for buyers. Come up to your home and look at it through buyers eyes. What do you notice that could be brushed up?
I'm not out to make you work all night long - just present your home in the best possible shape for your buyers to bring you a sale as quickly as possible!
Here to help...
- Tristan
Tristan Emond
Prudential Kahler REALTORS
www.rapidhomesonline.com
OK. So I am a REALTOR. Managing things is alot of what I do. Arrange the showings, inspections, closing dates, walk-throughs, making sure everything is moving along as it should on the other side of the transaction, etc. etc. etc.
But I guess I was not prepared for my daughter to require my services as well.
After kindergarten ended in the Spring, she found one of her friends lived just down the street. Too far for her to walk or bike by herself (well - for our comfort zone, anyway) but close enough to connect with at least once a day...and sometimes even for half an hour before bedtime. Then she pulled out the yearbook and I got on the county website and searched for where her other friends lived. (bruhahahaha...) Since one of those lived across the highway, we had to schedule a play date for them. Since then, she has also befriended a number of other kids in the neighborhood.
A couple days ago, she wanted to go over to Katie's house (not actual name - real names have not been disclosed to protect the innocent......OK, they aren't used because I can't remember them. Guess I should make an Emily folder on my Blackberry...) so I walked down the street with her. Well, Katie wasn't home, so then she said, "let's go to Jenny's house!". We walk a bit further down to her house to find out she was in the midst of supper. And since the girl across the street was gone as well, we had to walk home, destined to play at home wihtout a friend...
I guess I can be glad that we're not worrying about which boys house she is visiting...but the way Miss Social Butterfly is starting, it could be an interesting teenage experience. Especially since she's the youngest and only girl...
The joys of family.
Have a great weekend, everyone.
- Tristan
Tristan Emond
Prudential Kahler REALTORS(r)
www.rapidhomesonline.com
Everyone you know asked for this right? We all enjoy longer waits while thinking about where the couch is going to go and how great the bigger kitchen is going to be and how awesome that flat screen is going to look in the family room. Unfortunately, that is what is happening.
In principal, it's good stuff. In execution, it is making the 30 day close be history. The government is trying to crack down on predatory lending practices. So they are requiring the lending statements be delivered to the client - by mail, not email, mind you - before they can proceed with the appraisal and other parts of the loan. Long story short, lenders are having to jump through more hoops and go through more red tape to get the loan financed and done. There may be a few more documents to sign, more documentation to provide, etc.
But at least we know. Knowledge is power.
So when your sit down to write an offer, plan on a 45 day time frame from offer to close. The verbiage on the purchase agreement says "on or before", so if things move right along and the closing happens early (provided the seller is OK with that as well), then that's just gravy. But pushing for a 30 day close may not be the wisest thing. (well, unless you have cash. Then things move along a bit easier! 
Which brings up the point to those first time homebuyers wanting to cash in on the $8,000 tax credit - don't wait too long! My advice would be to get a purchase agreement in place by October 15 at the latest. I would hate for you to miss the Dec 1 deadline! I am expecting things to get kinda busy in November as well - causing a backup of services and lots of demand for things getting done.
If you need help finding a lender to help you, please give me a call.
Never a dull moment!
- Tristan
Tristan Emond
Prudential Kahler REALTORS
www.rapidhomesonline.com
July was a great month for me, anyway. I was top sales agent for my company for the month. I was quite surprised at the honor since it takes 2 sales of mine to equal one of some of the more seasoned agents in my office. It's pretty exciting.
The market continues to move right along. Sales are still down from last year, but they are down 17% this month versus 32% last month year to date. (referring to the "total residential" graph) The average sold prices on preowned homes remain stable, and new construction prices are down 8%. All in all, I see things remaining fairly stable, with good signs showing. What will happen when the tax credit no longer is an option will be interesting to see.
The first time homebuyers continue to drive the market forward. Here are the number of homes sold in the month of July:
| $ - | $100,000.00 | 17 | |
| $ 101,000.00 | $125,000.00 | 16 | |
| $ 126,000.00 | $150,000.00 | 28 | |
| $ 151,000.00 | $175,000.00 | 31 | |
| $ 176,000.00 | $200,000.00 | 19 | |
| $ 201,000.00 | $225,000.00 | 7 | |
| $ 226,000.00 | $250,000.00 | 4 | |
| $ 251,000.00 | $275,000.00 | 8 | |
| $ 276,000.00 | $300,000.00 | 4 | |
| $ 300,000.00 | and above | 6 |
Date range for active stats: as of 8/1/08 and 8/1/09
Date range for sold stats: 1/1/08 to 8/1/08 and 1/1/08 to 8/1/09
And of course, the disclaimer:
This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplies by the Black Hills Association of REALTORS or its Multiple Listing Service for the periods as shown. Neither the Association not its MLS guarantee or is in anyway responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Association of its MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.
Here's to what's left of the summer!!
- Tristan
Tristan Emond
Prudential Kahler REALTORS(r)
www.rapidhomesonline.com
Another great place to visit and enjoy in the Black Hills is Pactola Reservoir. Now, I have lived in the area since 1990, but since we didn't have a boat, I never got to really explore the lake. My father-in-law bought a boat recently, so we took it out last weekend. There are all sorts of inlets and parts of the lake that you'd never see without the boat.
Pactola is not only a beautiful lake, it's got some history attached to it. At the bottom of the lake is the submerged town of Pactola - an old mining camp. The clear water makes the lake a favorite for scuba divers to visit some of the artifacts. Visibility on most days is 20 to 25 feet.
The picture above was taken after we loaded the boat in the evening. The wind had calmed. It was cool and clear. I did not want to go home!
Certainly a place to at least stop by and take some pictures of. If you can get a boat, go for a cruise. You will enjoy it!
Trying to make the most out of the summer before it's gone...
- Tristan
Tristan Emond
Prudential Kaher REALTORS
www.rapidhomesonline.com
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