Appleton, WI

While moving into a home of any size can be a large undertaking, for buyers looking to downsize, the transition is often more challenging. But whether they are empty nesters requiring less space, young professionals moving to a new city for job opportunities or families looking to save, more and more buyers in today’s real estate market are opting to downsize.

Though moving to a smaller space may involve making a few sacrifices, having less room does not mean having to scale back on style. In fact, a homeowner with minimal square footage to work with can maximize their home’s overall charm just by using a bit of creativity.

Below are eight effective tips from Bob Edwards at Coldwell Banker The Real Estte Group for how to downsize with style:

1. Keep, sell, donate, and trash. Although it is difficult to part with possessions, doing so is often a must for anyone planning to move into a smaller home. Begin by dividing belongings into keep, sell, donate, and trash categories. Post items for sale online, or hold a garage sale; offer unwanted furniture and clothes to a friend or family member or donate it to local charities. Knowing that others will appreciate these things might make parting with the items a bit easier.
2. Scale it back. Unless a homeowner is trying to make a dramatic statement with an extra-large couch or coffee table, a small space will likely look and feel better with moderately-sized or even slightly smaller furnishings. In fact, a room with furniture that appropriately fits the space will actually seem larger. It is all about scale.
3. Look for multipurpose living room furniture. A piece of furniture with more than one purpose is a downsizer’s dream. Coffee tables and ottomans that double as storage cubbies allow guests a place to rest their drinks and feet while the host’s belongings remain hidden underneath. And who needs a guest room when the couch has a pull-out bed?
4. Don’t just dream of storage, dream on it. Platform and storage beds are ideal for storing items that are used infrequently such as seasonal clothing, spare bedding and linens. Plus, they free up valuable space in bedroom closets, especially those that are shared!
5. “Build” a wall with a simple screen. The smaller the home, the more purposes each room serves. But this does not mean a homeowner must eat where they sleep. Buyers opting to downsize should consider putting up a screen to divide a room with more than one use into sections. The room will still feel open but the screen will provide some much needed privacy and separation.
6. Consider hanging curtains. Just because the new home has fewer windows does not mean its owner has to settle for boring window treatments. Hanging curtains on the side of the window pane can make it appear larger, and curtains that run from floor to ceiling can create the illusion of height.
7. Maximize wall space. Homeowners who have run out of floor space and need additional room should look to the walls. Shelves that are hung on walls or above doorways will provide more space and serve as stylish room accents. Furthermore, while it sounds simple, the addition of a mirror on any wall will add depth and light to a room, making even the smallest space seem larger. Mirrors also add elegance and charm to a home’s décor, often at a reasonable price.
8. Utilize new technology. New technology, such as flat screen televisions and laptop computers, allows for more space in the living or office areas while adding a modern touch to the home.

For more tips with all of your Real Estate needs in Appleton and through-out the Fox Cities Valley, call or text Bob Edwards today at (920) 202-2431 or email at bedwards@coldwellhomes.com.

For many people, the New Year represents a chance at a new beginning. This often involves making a few changes in life including, for some, moving to a new home. Whether upgrading to a larger property in a neighboring town or relocating to a new city or state altogether, moving can be a complicated process.

Beyond finding a home, there are many factors to consider - employment opportunities, the general feel of the community and, of course, the physical aspects of a move such as packing and changing one’s address. Bob Edwards of Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group recommends the below simple steps for relocating with ease:

1.) Begin The Search Online. Finding a home is probably the biggest decision one will make when it comes to relocating. But, thanks to the advancement of the Internet, searching for properties has become more accessible than ever. Utilize free online tools such as those found at the Coldwell Banker Web site (www.ColdwellHomes.com) which offers consumers a unique portfolio of search options, including custom searches, muliple photos and information on each property.

2.) Conduct Due Diligence. When relocating to an unfamiliar place, it’s best to get an advance feel for the lifestyle and personality of the new town. Contact the local municipality or local library, or log on to the city guide’s Web site. Also check out free online tools such as Coldwell Banker On Location (www.youtube.com/coldwellbanker), which offers behind-the-scenes looks at towns and neighborhoods, tips and timely news on real estate topics, and video listings of homes for sale.

3.) Line Up an “All-Star” Team of Professionals. Now that you’ve done your homework and have an idea of where you’ll be moving, it’s time to identify a team of experienced professionals. This will play a key role in making the relocation process as simple and seamless as possible.

4.) Start by interviewing and selecting a real estate agent who understands what you’re looking for and is familiar with the area in which you are looking to move. Your local agent might also assist in referring an agent in your new community. A real estate professional will arrange showings when travel is possible and keep track of the properties viewed. He/she should also be able to help indentify suitable lawyers, mortgage lenders, home inspectors, movers and others who play a role in the process. To find the right agent for you, visit www.ColdwellHomes.com where you can select from more than 450 sales associates spanning 18 northeast Wisconsin locations.

5.) Safeguard valued items and documents. It's a good idea to keep valuable possessions, such as jewelry or antiques, and important papers such as birth certificates, closing papers and new job contacts, with you throughout the move. Speak with your local real estate agent about homeowner’s insurance and whether or not to consider additional insurance from the mover. Also, find out what paperwork (receipts, appraisals, and photos) you might need to file a claim in case of loss.

6.) Free Yourself of Excess. An experienced real estate agent can recommend a number of local services to make your move easier. For instance, Goodwill (http://www.goodwill.org) can collect any items that the seller no longer wants in their next home. Relax and Enjoy Your New Home. Remember, relocating to a new area can be an emotional experience. Expect some stress and find productive ways to work it out – participate in community activities, visit the gym, keep a journal, etc. Stay in regular contact with friends and family back home - having a support network to talk to will help make the transition a bit easier on everyone.

Whether you're relocating across town in Appleton and the Fox Cities or across the country, I'm there to help take the stress away. Just call or text Bob Edwards at (920) 202-2431 or send me an email at bedwards@coldwellhomes.com.

I'm very proud to be a part of Coldwell Banker- The Real Estate Group, Inc. who is now celebrating 50 years in business. This is such a huge accomplishment and not one that's achieved by very many companies.

Here's an article written by our own Tricia Voskuil.

Congratulations go out to Joyce and Otto Bytof!

	Celebrating 50 Years in Business Tricia Voskuil 2/4/2010
Coldwell Banker evolves into regional real estate giant. Celebrates 50 years in business. When Otto Bytof decided to open his own real estate office in 1959, he never realized the company he founded would grow into the regional giant it is today. "I was satisfied where things were (when I retired)," said Otto Bytof, who opened his first location in Appleton 50 years ago. Now, what operates as Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group has 18 offices, with about 500 employees, covering the greater Fox Valley area from Door County to Berlin and west to Waupaca and Stevens Point. Much of the company's growth is credited to Otto's wife, Joyce, who took the company over after he retired in 1988. "I really had an interest in running the company at that time," she said. Otto Bytof said he hoped Joyce would join him in retirement. "It was something she really wanted to do; she was always ambitious," he said of Joyce's interest in running the business. "When I initially retired, I would come into the office, but to really know what's going on and to do the job effectively, you have to be in the mix every day." The early days Joyce Bytof said the foundation of the company was built by Otto. "I don't think the company would be around today if it weren't for the principles Otto followed," she said. "It made for a solid base, which still holds true today. If it feels right, it's right, even if you're on the losing side and it still feels right, then it still was the right thing to do." These days, residential housing listings are readily available, particularly on the internet, which can include video descriptions of homes and virtual tours that walk a viewer through a house. Applications also are available for smart phones that can provide an assortment of details about a residential listing. The Bytofs recall a time when Realtors were reluctant to share residential listings. "If you didn't have the listings, you couldn't be successful," Otto Bytof said. Eventually, multiple listing services were created and Realtors saw the benefits of pooling resources. Smart growth Joyce Bytof said when she took over the business, her initial goal wasn't to become the largest residential real estate company in the region. "I wanted to build a company that would be selling homes to future generations," she said. "I'd like to know that my great-grandchildren would one day be able to buy a house though this company because it was a sound business that was successfully passed from one generation to the next." Coldwell Banker's first major acquisition came in 1992 when it purchased Temmer Realty. Between 1992 and 2009, the company acquired 17 other real estate offices. The most recent office being Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group in Stevens Point. To further enhance the company's services, a title business was added, New Title Services, Inc. in 2003 and a mortgage business, New Mortgage Advisors in 2005. "It was a way for us to bring all the services for a buyer under one roof," Joyce Bytof said. Today's buyers The Bytofs said they've seen buyer trends and buyers themselves change through the years. Otto Bytof said homes he would typically sell were in the 1,100- to 1,200-square-foot range, with no garages. "Buyers also are interested in homes with two-, three- and four-car garages," Joyce Bytof said. There's interest in storage as well as places to park second and third cars, as well as recreational vehicles like motorcycles and snowmobiles. Though Joyce Bytof has no plans to step down anytime soon, the company is preparing for its leadership transition. Chuck Peeters is the president of the company's real estate division and Guy Bytof, Otto's son and Joyce's stepson, serves as the corporate president. Along with their team of professionals, Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group is set to prosper for decades to come. "Growing the business was what I set out to do," she said. "I wanted to be in the markets where it made sense for us."

I just received this update from Realtor Magazine Online with some great facts about the tax credit that you might not be aware of.

Daily Real Estate News | January 22, 2010 | Share

6 Surprising Facts About the Buyer Tax Credit

The homebuyer tax credit is not as simple or straightforward as you might think. Here are some nuances that will affect homebuyers who plan to use it.

• To qualify for the move-up tax credit, a home owner must have occupied the same principal residence for five of the last eight years consecutively.
• Buyers can elect to claim the credit on either their 2009 or their 2010 tax return, whichever is best for them.
• Buyers who claim the credit in 2009 can't file electronically because the Internal Revenue Service hasn't put the required forms on line. The wait for a refund is three or four months.
• The home can be a mobile home or travel trailer that is fixed to land owned or leased by the home owner. A mobile home or travel trailer that is actually mobile doesn't qualify.
• The home can't be purchased from a close relative, including a parent, spouse, child, grandparent or grandchild.
• A buyer who earns no taxable income or doesn't owe any federal income tax can qualify for the tax credit and file a tax return just to claim it.

Source: Bankrate.com, Marcie Geffner (01/21/2010)

How does that go, 60 is the new 40? In terms of Real Estate this year, it seems that January is the new March. With the Extended and Expanded Tax Credit we're seeing both buyers and sellers becoming very active and someone didn't tell them it's still January. Historically business tends to slow around the holidays, it's to be expected and then slowly we build up to full throttle from March to May. The Tax Credit, which if you haven't heard by now, is up to $8,000 for first time home buyer and up to $6,500 for existing homeowners that have owned their home for 5 out of the last 8 years (for lots more information on the topic just click here.) This surge of buyers and sellers makes a lot of sense to me considering that, number one- the tax credit ends April 30, 2010 and number two- interest rates are at an incredible low.

If you were a fence-sitter last year, waiting to see what the real estate market will do, well...it paid off. Now is the time to take advantage of the market and take advantage of the tax credit. Call me today, Bob Edwards at (920) 202-2431 and I'll help you with your real estate needs in the Fox Cities Valley, including Outagamie County and Appleton.

PS- Don't forget, the clock is ticking. Don't Wait & Lose...Call Today!