New York

The Ups and Downs of Buying a Long Island NY Home.....This isn't for NYC Feng Shui Consultants!

After being on the fence so long about whether or not to purchase a different home on Long Island NY, it was a huge relief in itself to have made the decision to go ahead with it. I'm thrilled and now I actually can't wait!

THIS is why my buyer's are calling for some Feng Shui to help get their home sold. I'm probably feeling every emotion a homeowner who has been looking to buy (and sell) has felt at one time or another.

It's been 30 years since I moved last; while searching for a new home last time my ex and I decided to look at a home that didn't meet our qualifications. It didn't even come close except it was in a neighborhood we both loved.

It had only 3 bedrooms and one bathroom while we were looking to move up and expand. And I fell in love with it the minute I walked in the door. Long before I became a Feng Shui Consultant on Long Island & New York I had decided that quite often, "your" home finds YOU.

Looking back, I realized that home had good Feng Shui. There's no mistaking the feeling anymore. It felt loved and it HAD been. The previous owners did not want to leave but had recently had a "new addition" and they'd outgrown the space.

I'm SURE I was a pain to my realtor back then. One particular disagreement was that we were having a Party in the house just after we'd put it on the market. My realtor was very understanding and said she wouldn't show the house that day.

Prior to working with Feng Shui I remember thinking "What BETTER time to show a home?" When people are there, energized and laughing and having a wonderful time. We batted this back and forth but she finally agreed to bring her BEST prospects during the party.

It goes against Real Estate "Laws" from what I've read here on Activerain. Don't have the homeowner present (goodness knows some pretty stupid things can come out of someone who is selling). Our realtor and the prospects walked into a warm feeling, the smell of the bar be que going and many "good energy" vibes from people. It was one Happy House!

We got two offers the following morning. One was a qualifying offer, not much lower then our asking price! And now, knowing what I know as I prepare my home for the market I am still wondering what to do. Vacate-or throw one FUN party....

If I go with the Party, you're all invited!

http://www.LongIslandFengShui.com Carole Provenzale

http://www.FengShuiManhattan.com Laura Cerrano

Certified Feng Shui Consultants for Long Island, Queens County and New York City - Manhattan by Carole Provenzale and Laura Cerrano,

NYC Feng Shui consultations available on site for Homes, Restaurants, Condos and Apartments, Businesses, Corporations and New Construction.

When you've been in the real estate business a while, you get used to the issues that come up in home inspections. There are about a handful of problems I've heard mentioned over and over again. I've gotten so that I can predict them before the inspector even opens his or her mouth.

If you're planning to put your home on the market, knowing about common inspection issues can be a huge advantage. If you fix them before listing your home, it makes the home inspection process go more smoothly and lessens the probability that the buyer will get nervous and try to back out. It also sets you apart from other sellers who haven't done their homework and prepared in advance.

Here are six easy-to-fix potential problems:

Lack of GFCI outlets in the kitchen and baths. You know those outlets that have the reset button? Those are GFCIs, or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters. They're designed to trip if the current flowing through the circuit differs by a small amount from the current that's returning. GFCIs are inexpensive devices that can prevent electrical shock. Inspectors expect to see functioning GFCI outlets in places where there is running water, such as a kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room.

Missing or non-functional gutters and downspouts. Many people see a damp basements and panic, but they can often be fixed with some simple changes. First, make sure your home has gutters that are in good working order and free of debris. Second, make sure the downspouts from those gutters are directed far enough away from your home that the water isn't just flowing right back toward the foundation!

Negative grading. Another simple fix to keep your basement dry is to make sure the soil is graded away from your foundation rather than toward it. It's known as a positive rather than negative grade. If the ground slopes downward toward your house, that's not good; that means water is flowing that way, too. Simply adding more soil so that it slopes upward toward your home will go a long way. Just make sure the soil isn't so high that it's touching the siding.

Touchy-feely shrubs. Don't let your bushes and shrubs sit against your home. They retain water and hold it right against your foundation. Keeping shrubbery at least 18 inches away is best. And anyway, out-of-control bushes just aren't appealing to buyers.

No handrails! This one seems simple, but I see a surprisingly large number of homes that have stairs without handrails, both inside and out. They're often leading to the basement or a deck. Adding them is an easy fix that can save you and your future buyer from liability issues. Safety first!

Bathroom fan that's not vented to the outside. If you have a fan that vents into your attic, all that moisture is building up there with nowhere to go. And, as we know, moisture leads to mold. Some may say this setup is worse than not having a fan at all! Having your fan vented up through the roof can save you from future moisture problems.

Keeping an eye on these simple issues can save you from inspection woes. Obviously, these are just explained in my layman's terms. If you have any questions, always consult a professional!

Now, let's get that home...

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I am proud to help buyers and sellers in the Greater Rochester, New York area find the homes of their dreams. If you are considering purchasing or selling a home in the Rochester area, don't hesitate to contact me. I pride myself in providing the best possible service for my clients!

When you work with me...

Visit my website at www.YourNYDreamHome.com to learn more about the services I offer!

• Sellers: Find out how much your home is worth by requesting a FREE Home Evaluation!
• Buyers: Become a savvy consumer by requesting FREE Home Buying Tips!

Contact:
Kristen Wahl
Realtor Associate
(585) 455-5524
KWahl@RealtyUSA.com

Massachusetts Avenue Buffalo NY

Extreme Home Makeover - Buffalo NY

Home owners on Massachusetts Avenue on the West Side of Buffalo will be putting up with a lot of noise, additional traffic and a lot of attention on their neighborhood. this week. Local companies will be featured included Buffalo ReUse and David Homes. Buffalo once again proves it is a City of Good Neighbors with over 4,000 volunteers working on this project!

Read Also: Alumnus' Company Selected As Builder For Extreme Makeover: Home Edition - Buffalo

Current Market Conditions on Massachusetts Avenue

So I thought it might be interesting to see what has happened in Real Estate on this street in Buffalo NY.

• Currently there are 3 homes for sale on Massachusetts Avenue, one single and two doubles with an average list price of $33,433 ranging from a low of $22,500 to a high of $39,900.
• There is currently 1 pending sale, which was listed for $6,900.
• According to the MLS this year there has been two closed sales with an average closed price of $12,875 ranging from $4,500 (8 days on the market) to $21,250 (373 days on the market).

More about this Home Makeover

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" arrived in Buffalo, New York Saturday November 7, 2009 to meet Delores Powell, a Jamaican immigrant and community activist whose home is barely livable despite the work and repairs she has poured into it over the past five and a half years. In just seven days, team leader Ty Pennington, the design team, and hundreds of local volunteers lead by David Homes, will rebuild the crumbling home of Delores and her four children - providing them with the solid foundation with which to build and support their dreams.

Well the good news is that the new home being built for this family will bring up the values as long as the rest of the neighborhood improves along side this home. There are almost 4,000 volunteers working on this project, so hopefully the love will spread throughout the neighborhood.

Read Also: Family Announced on Massachusetts Avenue

Massachusetts Avenue Homes for Sale

	288 Massachusetts Buffalo, 14213 NY $ 22,500 Built in 1900 1750 sq. feet 4 Bedrooms, 2 Full Bath(s) , 0 Half Bath(s) MLS Number: B339401 (IDX)
	155 Massachusetts Buffalo, 14213 NY $ 37,900 2 Unit(s) Built in 1877 1654 sq. feet MLS Number: B341004 (IDX)
	209 Massachusetts Buffalo, 14213 NY $ 39,900 2 Unit(s) Built in 1900 3208 sq. feet MLS Number: B347285 (IDX)

Additional Stories about this Extreme Home Makeover:

• Extreme Home Makeover in the City of Buffalo

• Lights, Camera Action!

• Congratulations Powell Family!
  

Latest Information on this project »

ASKING PRICE- Depending upon market conditions. It is the starting point from which to negotiate the actual price of a home. The actual market value is determined by what a buyer is willing to pay.

PROPERTY LOCATION- The second most important factor in the buyer's mind is location. The proximity to area amenities and schools is typically a concern. In addition, street, traffic, access to expressways and public transportation are considerations.

PROPERTY CONDITION-The structural and mechanical integrity, as well as the up keep and cosmetic appeal of a property affect a home price. Neutral decor, including floor and wall coverings, appliances and fixture offer the broadest appeal to buyers.

MARKET CONDITIONS- Interest rates, competition, the economy and consumer confidence all influence the sale of a home. Each factor plays and important role in the ultimate sale price of a home. An offer to purchase must be tailored in response to market conditions.

CONTRACT TERMS- The terms of a purchase cam make or break the contract. House Sale Contingencies. closing dates and inclusion of accessories or fixtures should be handled clearly and up front in order to avoid any conclusion that could affect the purchase.

MARKETING- The right marketing plan will get your home sold more quickly and at a higher price. Strategic use of Marketing resources including the internet , the broker network, advertising, direct mail, and relocation are essential in achieving a Successful Sale.

As I was perusing my local MLS online last night trying to find condos and co-ops so I can knock on doors and say hello, I came across a two-family home in the midst of all these condos and coops. I had to look at the listing three times because I was in such disbelief that a HOUSE listing was in the middle of all these condos and co-ops. It was obviously misplaced which shouldn't happen. He listed his home in July!

So, by MLS rules, I cannot, as a Realtor, try to get him to list his home with me when it's listed with another Broker which was not my intention in the first place.

I called the homeowner and introduced myself. When I told him his two-family home was listed with condos and co-ops he was livid as well he should be. I told him to call his discount brokerage and have them change it. He told me now he knows the reason why no one has called him. I could tell by his tone of voice he was angry, bewildered and disappointed. He said, thank you so much!" and we hung up.

Now, when he told me now he knows the reason why he hasn't received any phone calls, that is not the only reason. A discount agency will not give you open houses, and keep in total communication with you. They won't even have all of your best interests at heart. The Buyer Agency fee is so low, there is NO incentive for other real estate agents to show the home.

You know the saying, "you get what you pay for" and sometimes it's worse than that.