Okay, this is seriously one of my crazy, persistent fears! I am forever imagining my dryer catching fire and take all the precautions I can. I never leave the dryer on when gone, clean the vent often and clean the lint trap several times during one cycle! This article from Houzz tells ways to avoid these fires, though it does mention snow blocking the vent which is not likely in the Bay Area!!! Still, join me in all my paranoia and check it out. And, feel free to share… Contact me for more local information. How to Avoid Dryer Fires During the Holidays
I don’t share my home with extended family and my children live on their own at this stage. However, I do have a fairly fluffy dog, overnight guests often and a mildly messy and oblivious husband. I try to dust and vacuum every other day, but that is more a dream than a reality. This means that I may walk into my kitchen to see puffy clouds of blond dog fur roll across the floor in front of me. I feel I’ve made some smart decorating decisions based on the color of my dog, Gracie, which helps hide the results of constant shedding. If, however, I ever have a pet who is not a nice neutral beige, I’m in deep trouble!
15 Year Old Gracie
I saw this article in HOUZZ and thought I would share it. This is for anyone sharing their living space with furry and/or hairy creatures! Contact me for more local information!
I LOVE thatblues are back! Whether you use dark or light blue, as accents or entire walls, blue is such an easy color to live with. Take a look at the examples in this Houzz article. Not only are there true blues, but also subtle variations in wedgwood, aqua, ect. What do you think about blues coming back in style? Contact Me for more information on community and real estate.
I know I will not use all of these tips, but it does remind me to watch for ways to save money.I remember my depression-era parents doing things I thought silly in order to save. Visit my site for more like this.
Bacon grease was saved in a coffee can to use for frying other foods.
Aluminum foil and plastic bags were washed for reuse
Clothing was often homemade and handed down
We didn’t leave a room without turning off the light
Doors were not left open because “we weren’t raised in a barn”!
There were “clean out the refrigerator” meals to not waste food
We fixed or mended whatever we could before considering paying someone else to do the job
I am no longer feeling the love for my cucumbers. I have made more jars of dill and bread & butter pickles than I care to remember! My zucchini has spread across my driveway and my tomato plants are long and leggy. It may be time to call their time of death and send them to the compost heap. Here are some examples of what I saw in my yard this morning. Perhaps you can relate…
Pickling Cucumbers
Drooping Sunflower
Sad Old Zucchini
Then, I came across the article below as if the gardening gods heard me! Pretty good tips and got me excited about moving on to the next season.
This is an article I received from a lender, based on a new study by Collateral Analytics. The actual study goes into great detail, with graphs and more analytics, but this is an excellent recap.
One of the main reasons why For Sale By Owners (FSBOs) don’t use a real estate agent is because they believe they will save the commission an agent charges for getting their house on the market and selling it. A new study by Collateral Analytics, however, reveals that FSBOs don’t actually save anything, and in some cases may be costing themselves more, by not listing with an agent.
In the study, they analyzed home sales in a variety of markets in 2016 and the first half of 2017. The data showed that:
“FSBOs tend to sell for lower prices than comparable home sales, and in many cases below the average differential represented by the prevailing commission rate.” (emphasis added)
Why would FSBOs net less money than if they used an agent?
The study makes several suggestions:
“There could be systematic bias on the buyer side as well. FSBO sales might attract more strategic buyers than MLS sales, particularly buyers who rationalize lower-priced bids on with the logic that the seller is “saving” a traditional commission. Such buyers might specifically search for and target sellers who are not getting representational assistance from agents.” In other words, ‘bargain lookers’ might shop FSBOs more often.
“Experienced agents are experts at ‘staging’ homes for sale” which could bring more money for the home.
“Properties listed with a broker that is a member of the local MLS will be listed online with all other participating broker websites, marketing the home to a much larger buyer population. And those MLS properties generally offer compensation to agents who represent buyers, incentivizing them to show and sell the property and again potentially enlarging the buyer pool.” If more buyers see a home, the greater the chances are that there could be a bidding war for the property.
Three conclusions from the study:
FSBOs achieve prices significantly lower than those from similar properties sold by Realtors using the MLS.
The differential in selling prices for FSBOs when compared to MLS sales of similar properties is about 5.5%.
The sales in 2017 suggest the average price was near 6% lower for FSBO sales of similar properties.
Bottom Line
If you are thinking of selling, FSBOing may end up costing you money instead of saving you money.
If that is not enough to convince you, think about all of the services you get from hiring me as your Realtor.
I bring my marketing experience with me, providing professional photos, marketing materials and huge network
Detailed market analysis on your home and pricing strategy
Stage the house for maximum appeal
Bring in professional inspectors as needed
Suggest needed fixes or improvements to justify a higher price
Include all information, photos and videos to all online real estate search engines
Provide a lockbox as easy access for agents
Use all California Association of Realtor contracts to safeguard the transaction
Get as much exposure as possible with open houses and broker tours
Sell your home for the best and highest possible price
For more information, please Contact Me
Please feel free to leave opinions, questions or suggestions.
This may surprise many people, since the thought has historically been that open houses benefit the agent only. Yes, it does give us a great opportunity to get our names out there, as well as the possibility of meeting potential clients. However, and this is my personal however, it is one more necessary tool in the residential real estate marketing plan.
For one thing, today’s tech savvy buyers are online first. They see the properties come up almost as soon as they go on the MLS. While I still love to get my clients in my car and drive them to view properties, they often prefer to go out on weekends and look on their own. I preview as many of the listed homes as possible for them to narrow the list of those to see, but they still drive around with their phone app and look at active listings. Several of my recent listings have SOLD to the first people through without their agents. They have been online, know about the open house, have read the details and have researched the neighborhood. Soon after the viewing, I get a call from their agent letting me know of their interest.
Another reason that an open house can truly benefit the seller is when they are still occupying their home, or have a tenant. With the announcement of an open house, I can limit the individual appointments for agents to bring their clients and ask that people come to the open house instead. Much more convenient, especially for elderly sellers, those with young children, animals, or working from home. Tenants appreciate that I am there for the open house and can keep an eye on the property while agents and buyers are coming through. I can ease the worry during what is often a stressful time.
Bottom line is that the more exposure I can give any property, the better the chance to get BEST and HIGHEST for my client.
Any thoughts or feedback is always appreciated! Contact Me for more information.
I just read this article on houzz and I’m pretty excited. I’m about to head to Chicago, Illinois and plan to tour a few of the existing Wright homes while I’m there. What a great opportunity for this couple who lived in one for 50 years!
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