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HOMEFIT Exercise the Best Ins and Outs of Home OwnershipWhat NOT to Do 5 Home Improvementas a New Projects That ShouldHomeowner Add Value, BUT DON’TQuick Ideas for How to Craft aOrganizing the Successful OfferToys10 Reasons to Hire Me 10 SIMPLE HOME STAGING TIPS EVERY SELLER SHOULD KNOW

Letter from the Editors Are you in the mood to spruce up your home? If you are preparing to put your house on the market, you should think ahead so you spend Letter from the Editorsyour time and money wisely. You may have some great ideas for home improvement projects that sound perfectly legitimate if you are thinking about selling your houAsree. Wyoeuwinillthgeivme yoooudtthoesfparcutcse. Yuopuymouigrhhtowmaen?t tIfoyroeucoanresipdreerpsaormineg to exppeuntdyitouurershboeucsaeuosne tohfetemn athrkoeste, yliottulesnhiocueltdietshminakyanhoeat dadsdo vyaoluuesptoend youyropurrotpimeretyainndthmeoennedy. wisely. Troy Laur HowYoeuvemr,awyehhaavevesoanmoethgerer agtreidaetaasrtfiocrlehtohmatewimillpgriovveeymoeunstopmroejeecatssy Realtor DIYthhoatmseoustnadgipnegrfteipcstlythlaetgyitoimu actaenifeycoounoamreicthailnlykiinncgoarbpoourat tseelilnintog yyoouurr Office 410.312.0000 homheouosnec. eWyeowu iallregirveeaydoyutothliestfaitcftos.rYsoaulem. Aingohtthwearnptietocereincothnissideedritsioonme Cell 443.878.8332 thatexcpoeinncdiditeusrewsibthecsataugsiengofbteunt athnoyspealriettnlet cnaicneutisees, misaaybnooutt aadlldthvoasluee to [email protected] toysy.oEuvrepryrocpheilrdtyhianstthheeemn,db.ut parents are better off organizing the www.SimplyReferable.com kids’ playthings so just maybe they will stay that way. However, we have another great article that will give you some easy If yoDuIYarheobmueyisntgagainhgotmipes, twheatsyhoaurecsaonmeecotinposmoniccarlleyaitnincgorapsouractceesinstfoulyour offehrotmhaet ownilclemyaokue athreerseealdleyrstohalipstpiyt afonrdsyaoleu. Atonoo!thWeer apliseocehainvethsiosmedeition tipsthreagtacrodiinncgidwehsawt iytohustsahgoinugldbnuottadnoy wpahreenntycoaunfiursstem, isoavbeoinuttoayllotuhrose newtohyosm. Eev.eYroyuchwilidll hwaasntthteomg,ebtutot pkanroewntsyoaurer nbeewttehroomffeosrgoaynoizuindgotnhoet makkeidasn’ pylcaoytshtliyngmsisstoakjuesst. maybe they will stay that way. Steven McKenzie LastIflyy,owueahreavbeusyeinvgeraalhroemaseo,nwsewshhyayreousoamreebteipttseornofcfrheairtiinnggaarseuacl cessful Senior Mortgage Banker estaotfefeargtehnattwwhilel tmheakr eyothueasreelalebrsuhyeapr poyr aansdellyeoru. Ytoouo’!llWseeeahlsoowhiatvjuesstome NMLS 920559 maktiepsssrmegaartrdsienngsew.hat you should not do when you first move into your Cell 410.497.2008 new home. You will want to get to know your new home so you do not Wemhoapkee aynoyuceonsjotlyy emxipstloakriensg. our pages meant to assist home owners, buyers and sellers in today’s housing market. Please feel free to contact us iLf awsetlyc,awnebheaovfesseervviecrealtoreyaosounins wanhyywyoauy.are better off hiring a real estate agent whether you are a buyer or a seller. You’ll see how it just makes smart sense.Member FDIC We hope you enjoy exploring our pages meant to assist home owners, buyers and sellers in today’s housing market. Please feel free to contact us if we can be of service to you in any way.2

CONTENTS4. 5 Home ImprovementProjects That Should AddValue, But Don’t6. How to Craft a SuccessfulOffer8. What NOT to Do as aNew Homeowner10. 10 Simple Home StagingTips Every Seller Should Know12. 10 Reasons to Hire Me14. Quick Ideas for Organizingthe ToysThis magazine is published monthly. Entire contents are copyright protected under law where applicable. All RightsReserved. Reproduction or use of content in any manner without permission is strictly prohibited. All images arecopyright protection of 123RF.com and its photographers. 3

5 Home Improvement Projects ThatShould Add Value, But Don’tLots of homeowners believe Here are five home improvement Swimming pools require a lot ofthat if they put a lot of time and projects that should add value, upkeep. The water has to be keptmoney renovating the house and but usually don’t. This doesn’t sparkling clean, which meansthe property, it will make it easier mean that you shouldn’t do increased energy costs fromto sell when the time comes. It them. Just don’t expect them pumps and filters. The tile has towill also increase the value of the to make your home irresistible be scrubbed clean of algae andproperty. This is not necessarily when it finally goes on the cracks have to be repaired.true. market: More than anything else, theTo be blunt, many real estate 1. A Swimming Pool pool needs to be made safeexperts claim that the only by surrounding it with a sturdyrenovations that have a good A lot of people would rather visit fence. But for some families withchance of increasing the value of a house that has a swimming very young children, nothingthe house are the kitchen and the pool than have one. can make a swimming poolbathrooms. safe enough. This might cause4

them to pass on a house that’s On top of this, the colors and off and replace them withotherwise just right for them. patterns just might be absolutely simpler stuff that’s more to their wrong for the decor the buyer taste, but it’s a pain in the neck.One thing that may be worth has envisioned for his or her new Potential buyers might go for athe thousands of dollars it home. Rather than tearing the home whose old furnishings theycosts to install a swimming carpeting up and renovating the can live with, at least for a while.pool is if everyone else in the floor beneath it, a buyer will lookneighborhood has one. Some at another place. 5. Upgrades That Are Invisiblehomeowners can’t stand to bethought of as the odd man out. Skip wall-to-wall carpeting and It’s certainly nice that you’ve buy area rugs, runners and mats replaced your old, inefficient2. A Gorgeous Landscape instead because they’re portable. HVAC system with one that’s zoned, computerized, can beThe money and sweat equity 4. Crazy Expensive Upgrades controlled over the internet andthat you’ve put into making your whose warranties can be rolledlandscape the talk of the town You personally went to Italy and over to the new owner.might have limited appeal. picked the slab of carrara marble that you wanted for your kitchen It’s absolutely swell that youIt’s simple. People want their countertops, had all of your repiped your old plumbinglandscape the way they want cabinets carved out of bubinga system with its limescaled andtheir landscape. You may be in wood with satinwood veneers rusted pipes with those versatilelove with hostas and put them and splurged on a couple of PEX lines. But is brand neweverywhere where there’s even Maria Teresa chandeliers. Believe plumbing and HVAC, which thea bit of shade. A potential buyer it or not, this might not increase new owner won’t even see all themight not like them. Rather than the value of your home. time, a selling point? Probablyspending the time and effort to not as much as you’d like it to be.dig all of those plants out, they’ll Also, some potential buyersmove on. may find such pricey upgrades Remember, some home offputting. It’s true that they renovations will add to theNot only that, even if the can take all of your expensive home’s resale value, but mostprospective buyer does think furnishings out, auction them won’t!your landscaping is beautiful, heor she might simply not have thetime or inclination to keep it asbeautiful as you have.3. Wall-to-Wall CarpetingFor some potential buyers, justthe sight of acres of wall-to-wallcarpeting is a deal breaker. Theydon’t even care what else is inthe house that they might covet.Wall-to-wall carpeting needsmore care than hardwood orstone floors. The fibers harbordust mites, dirt, grime andallergens. 5

How to Craft a Successful OfferWhen crafting an offer to buy a Market Research likely to accept an offer that ishome, the buyer should be aware below their asking price. Buyersof several important factors. They This is important for all large may also not have as muchshould note that these factors purchases, especially the largest leverage to request concessions.are among the main reasons purchase most people ever Learning the differences can helpthat buyers need the help of make. A buyer’s market may with making an offer that will bereal estate agents as they will mean less competition for the accepted as opposed to one thatbe familiar with the nuances of home. Less competition means is rejected instantly.home-sale negotiations. that the seller may be more welcoming to an offer below When doing market research,The important factors include asking price, fewer potential one of the first things a buyerknowing how to make an offer buyers also means that they may should find out is the averagein a seller’s market versus a be more willing to entertain the time that similar homes in thebuyer’s market and looking for buyer’s concessions. area spend on the market. This isconcessions. With those things an important part of determiningin mind, here are a few tips that A seller’s market may mean that whether they are in a seller’s or acan help homebuyers to craft the seller is entertaining offers buyer’s market.successful offers. from other buyers and is less6

Looking at comparable For example, sellers who already Setting an Upper Limitproperties is a crucial part of have another home and whomarket research. Buyers should are paying on two mortgages This limit should be one thatlook closely at similar homes may be extra motivated to sell will not be overstepped nowithin a half-mile radius of the as soon as possible. A seller with matter what. The concept of ahome they want. The goal here a low mortgage balance may be dream home is a powerful one.is to find homes as close in size, willing to wait for better offers. Once a buyer finds a home thatage and neighborhood to the Homes that are part of estate they really want, it is easy to gotarget house as possible. sales or that are being sold in overboard by offering more than as-is condition may indicate that they can really afford. BeingThe sale price of these homes the seller wants to make the sale “house poor” is not fun andcan be a good indicator of what quickly; that seller may accept homeowners will need disciplinethe asking price of the target a lower offer in exchange for a and the willpower to adhere to ahome should be. The sales of the quick closing. strict spending limit.comparable homes should berelatively recent, from no further Buyers should not assume that The offer should be an amountback than six months. sellers are willing to take a with which the buyer is dramatically reduced price just completely comfortable. TheySeller Research because they want a fast sale; should be okay with their offer however, they can feel confident no matter what the outcome.All sellers are different, therefore offering a little less or asking forthere is no one tip that will help reasonable concessions. Above all, buyers shouldbuyers to deal with every single remember this: they are inone; however, finding out how charge of the offer. They decidemotivated they are to sell can how much to spend. Their offerhelp with most negotiations. The is an indication of how badly theybuyer’s real estate agent should want the home and the higherbe able to get this information the offer, the more likely it is tofrom the listing agent. be accepted. The fear of offering too much when the seller would have accepted a lower amount is a common one; however, this is a risk with all real estate purchases since sellers are not going to state how little they would have accepted. A buyer should feel comfortable with their offer as long as it is within a reasonable range based on their market research. Buyers should also note that a small overpayment can often be offset by the appreciation of the home. 7

What NOT to Do as aNew HomeownerMoving into a new house is one questionable shower faucet Make sure everyone knowsof the most exciting moments in your new master bathroom where it is, knows which way toin any homeowner’s life. There’s breaks off in mid-wash, you’re turn it and can make it happenso much potential and promise. going to have a bigger problem should the need arise.And there are so many things than getting the soap off yourthat need to be done as you turn birthday suit. 2. Assume You Have an Attica house with a sold sign into your and It’s Properly Insulatedhome. But before you go crazy Before you turn the water on,hanging curtains and running find the main water shut-off You probably do have an attic,conduit, there are some very valve for your house. It’s usually but make sure you know where itimportant tips on what not to do in a utility or laundry room or is and how to get in it. Look for awhen you move in. possibly the garage. door in the ceiling with molding or trim around it. It’s usually in a1. Turn On the Water Without In case a pipe ruptures and starts hallway or closet. Push it straightKnowing How to Turn it Off spewing hundreds of gallons of up and over, or you might be water into your living room, you lucky enough to have pull-downAh, running water. A wonderful can stop the water flowing in steps. Grab a flashlight and rulerinvention, to be sure. But if that from the street by shutting off and check out the insulation. It the main.8

should measure about 10 to 14 underground stuff. Your pipes, pays to keep in mind that wiringinches deep. Good insulation will cables and wires are happier travels from outlet to outletkeep the outside temperature out when not punctured by a around the 2ft. and under spaceand the inside temperature in. pitchfork. along your walls. Elvis doesn’tYour thermostat and your wallet belong there.will thank you. 4. Hang Your Velvet Elvis on That Bare Wall 5. Level the Annoying Slope3. Plant a New Tree to Mark Leading Up to Your HouseYour Territory Just like your yard, your walls are full of wires, pipes and What is the deal with the hill?Actually, if you want to plant a cables. Ductwork can also lurk That slope leading up to yourtree, shrub, cactus or even a flag, behind that chartreuse beauty front door, and hopefully thego for it. However, make sure of a bedroom. Before you get rest of your house, is designed toyou don’t do it straight through busy with a hammer, get a stud send rainwater and snowmelt outthe gas line. finder to tell you where it’s ok to the curb instead of straight to hammer. Nails and electrical down into your basement,Before you even think about wiring do not mix. And just in crawlspace or foundation. Waterpicking up a shovel, call 811, case your stud finder is fickle, is great for that new tree you justthe federally mandated “Call don’t nail too deep. planted after you called 811, butBefore You Dig” hotline. Your it’s not so good for drywall.local utilities will be alerted to You’ll miss most wiring if youcome out, often within a day or don’t go deeper than 1 ¼” 6. Cut Down Treestwo, and mark all that sneaky through your drywall. And it Trees can be a tricky business. Root structure, branch strength and wood density are all factors to consider when cutting down a tree. And when you add really dangerous power tools to the mix, only one thing can go right, while a whole lot of things can go wrong. It’s best to leave this one task to professionals. They will know if a permit is required and will bring the right equipment. Your roof, your neighbor’s roof and your back will thank you. Moving into your new home should be memorable for all the right reasons. Follow these tips and hopefully the worst crisis you’ll face is when your mother- in-law figures out you gave her the right address – in the wrong town! 9

10 Simple Home Staging Tips EverySeller Should KnowJust as a well-staged Broadway count for much if your front yard buyers from the start. Thinkshow is a bigger box office draw is so unappealing that buyers about the views that thethan a shabby production, home simply drive past your door. Mow entryway offers of the reststaging can help you sell your the lawn, rake the leaves and of your home too. A fewhome faster at a higher price edge the walkways. Landscaping strategically placed focal pointsthan just about any other home- tricks like placing pots of bright will help draw buyers into theselling tactic. It’s one of the most flowers near the entryway space.cost-effective practices too. help ensure that potential homebuyers make it inside. 3. Depersonalize the SpaceThe hours of sweat equity thatyou invest in staging your home 2. Make a Great First Buyers want to picturewill be rewarded with dividends Impression themselves at home whenwhen that “Sold!” sign goes up hunting for the ideal property.on your front lawn. These ten You want buyers to find Rid your home of anythingproven home-staging strategies your home appealing from that will pull them out of thatcan help make it happen. the moment they cross the fantasy. This not only includes threshold, so make sure that your family photos but things like1. Check Your Curb Appeal front hall or foyer makes a strong collectibles, personal mementos first impression. and the children’s artworkThe hours you spend staging too. Your goal is to make youryour home’s interiors won’t An eye-catching painting or home look like as beautifully striking light fixture engages impersonal as a luxury hotel.10

4. Banish Clutter clean and spotless that every If cabinets look the worse for room would pass a white-glove wear and repainting or refacingClutter doesn’t just make inspection. them isn’t in the budget, newyour home look messy and hardware may give them theunorganized. It makes it feel 7. Stage the Furniture fresh look you need to seal thesmaller as well. Remember deal.that each square foot of space Rearrange your furnishings withmatters to homebuyers. A an eye on how the furniture 10. Add Finishing Touchesstreamlined space will make your looks when you walk into thehome feel larger than it is. room. You’ve cleared away the clutter, rearranged the furniture andMake your home look spacious Create conversation areas cleaned every item until it’sand expansive by keeping that make it easy for buyers to polished and gleaming. Now’ssurfaces clear, traffic patterns imagine sharing the space with the time to add a few finalunobstructed and personal items friends and family. touches to help ensure that yourout of sight. home is warm and welcoming. Spruce up faded sofas and5. Organize Your Closets chairs with slipcovers or colorful Place a vase of flowers or a throws and pillows. Cover worn blooming plant in every room toWhen staging your home, never tables with simple yet elegant give it a bit of life. Open windowsforget that homebuyers will feel tablecloths. to let the fresh air inside. A platefree to examine every square of fresh-baked cookies invitesinch of your property, including 8. Light It Up! homebuyers to linger and fillsyour closets. In a way, that’s your home with a scent that says,a good thing because it gives Nothing is as unappealing as “Welcome home!”you the chance to show how a dark and dreary room. Usecarefully you maintain your windows and lighting fixtureshome. to your advantage. Strip down window treatments to the bareWell-organized closets are sure minimum or remove themto impress. If you can’t find entirely to fill your home withroom to stash everything, rent natural light. Dark corners makea storage unit or hide them in a rooms seem smaller, so makelocked storage shed. sure that every crook and cranny has adequate lighting.6. Keep It Clean 9. Kitchen ConsiderationsFrom cleaning the cabinet underthe kitchen sink to scrubbing No other room in your hometile grout in the shower, no will receive more attentionhousekeeping chore should be from buyers than your kitchen.overlooked when preparing your Ensuring that every inch of thehome for sale. space is scrupulously clean is essential. Keep countertops clear,Wash the garage floor, clean clean behind the refrigerator andthe curtains and clear away the scrub down the inside of yourcobwebs around your basement microwave oven.heater. Your home should be so 11

10 Reasons to Hire MeBuying a home is a big decision, you rather go with a professional Your real estate agent knows thewhether it’s your first home or who does this for a living? houses and can tell you the realyour 50th. Sure, you can go out story behind them that carefully-on a limb and do it all yourself, 3. Save Time honed Internet pictures can’t.but there might be more to This will help you narrow yourconsider than you realize. Yes, you can read all kinds of search. research online and take notesHere are some reasons why it and do calculations, but do you 4. Neighborhood Know-Howmight be smart to hire a real really want to take the time to doestate agent: that, along with all your normal Along with knowing information duties of work, family and now about homes, agents also know1. Experience packing? the neighborhoods. This is crucial.Real estate agents buy and sell Buying a house is already ahomes for a living, so they have stressful time, so don’t overload Which areas are designated forthe experience and know the your plate and risk missing which schools for your kids?trends, ins and outs of buying something important. Sure, that information is online asand selling, and what not to do. well, but your agent can tell you 3. Filter Out the Fluff about reputation of schools and2. Education neighborhoods that the Internet So you have a list of houses you may gloss over.REALTORS® have to complete found online that you want to goschooling and licensing in order see, but open houses take time How close is too close to theto practice their craft. Wouldn’t and you can’t fit them all in one freeway? Is that nice new day. neighborhood accessible only12

by going through a trailer park? 7. REALTOR® Associations More often than not, the averageWhat are the other homes in the Joe is either unaware or can’tarea really selling for and how The real estate agent network keep up with all the changes.long did it take? What are the is a tight-knit group, with many That is what your real estatecrime rates and demographics? having relationships over years. agent is for. Your agent knowsThese are important behind-the- the rules and the necessaryscene tidbits you and your family They are in the know on things paperwork, as well as possibleneed to know. like which lender to choose and loopholes, and will keep your which vendors are reliable and transaction legal and can explain5. Realistic Offer Advice affordable. to you in layman’s terms what it all means. This will save you aA real estate agent will help you They work daily with a wide headache.with your offer. They know the variety of people and will be ableother real estate agents in the to steer you in the right direction. 10. Post Sale Helparea and will be able to havefrank conversations about price. 8. Negotiations So you bought your dream home, signed all the paperworkYour agent can tell you whether How are your negotiation and are moving in. Think that’syour offer is so low it will be an skills? Even if you believe you the end of it? Not so fast.insult, or be able to determine are a good negotiator, realif you actually have a bit more estate agents not only have the A good real estate agent willwiggle room. advantage of experience, but make sure you know about the the emotional aspect of buying a best landscape company and6. Market Trends house is also removed. even answer any property tax questions.Market conditions change month They present your case in theto month and not everyone has best light to the seller and tell Just because the paperwork isthe inside scoop, so your real them why you are the best buyer signed doesn’t mean their job isestate agent will be a valuable out of all other interested parties. over. Be sure to return the favorresource in this arena. by referring them to your family 9. Legalese and friends. That’s the biggestThey can look at the average thank you that you can give.per square foot price for homes Although we live in an age ofsimilar to what you are looking computers, paperwork is not Buying a home doesn’t havefor, the average of how many totally obsolete, at least when to be a stressful experience. Itdays homes are in the market it comes to buying a home. The should be an exciting, rewardingand median pricing. They look at real estate process changes year time. I can help you with it. Let’sboth long-term and short-term by year, and there are always get this process rolling and findtrends and will be able to give new disclosures and mandates the home that fits you!you a good forecast on what to for both federal and state,expect. depending on the area you are considering. 13

Quick Ideas for Organizing the ToysOne of the most out-of-control and whatever else you find into One way to solve that problem isareas in your house may be manageable piles. to use storage containers to helpyour child’s toy box. It often organize those toys. Your choicesserves as a kind of “catch-all” for This might be a good time to do for containers are virtuallyeverything that does not have a a little weeding out, so have your limitless, and here are somedesignated storage space. child join you in this process. excellent ideas: If you find two or three similarA look inside is likely to reveal items, suggest that one might go • Trash canstoy cars, stuffed animals, dolls, to a child in need and ask yourballs, books and every other item child to pick his or her favorite. • Wooden crateswhich was on the floor when you This may take a little time, butasked your child to pick up the once all your child’s toys have • Bucketsroom. been sorted, the rest is easy. • Plastic containersInstead of stuffing everything Storage Containersinside the toy box, consider some • Industrial containers with alternative methods to organize One big box might seem like the linersyour child’s toys. best choice for all your child’s toys because they all fit - or • Storage cubesStart by Sorting barely fit. • Sturdy boxesRather than tossing everything The problem is that in order tointo one big box, start by sorting find one specific toy, your child • Wastebasketseverything into categories. Put probably has to empty the box toall the games, books, dolls, cars find it. • Large canisters Each of these containers can be designated for one type of toy, such as cars, dolls or balls.14

They are also versatile enough You can also string a kind of Walls: Any kind of shelf or basketthat you can decorate or vertical clothesline from floor can be hung on a wall. Theseembellish them to match any to ceiling in the corner. Use help to get things like games,room décor. clothespins to attach stuffed books and stuffed animals off the animals or other items to the line. floor and keep them organized.Once the toys are sorted, you’llhave a pretty good idea of the Bookshelves: Stuffed animals Label Everythingsize and number of containers often take up a lot of space inyou’ll need. a toy box, so think about other If you want your child to know ways to keep them organized and remember which toys goUtilize Your Space and make them accessible to where, put labels on any storage your child. containers, especially at first.Doors: If there is a door in theplayroom, consider using a A small bookshelf is ideal for If your child is old enough toshoe organizer with pockets to keeping them organized. To read, your labels can be writtenkeep some toys organized. This make it fun, drill a few holes in in words. If your child is toois a great idea for dolls, larger the top and bottom and string young to read, pictures are greattoy cars or even arts and crafts some elastic between them to alternatives and will clearly letsupplies. create a kind of cage for the your child know what to put in animals. The storage resembles each container.It is essential that your child can a zoo cage, which is a fun wayreach the pockets. If a door is to store them. The animals are A toy box is a great idea, buttoo tall, think about other places easy to remove when it’s time to often it ends up overflowing withwhere a shoe rack can hang so play and easy to put away when all of your child’s toys. Sortingyour child can easily remove and it’s time to pick up. Games and things into more accessiblereplace the items in it. books are also easily stored on containers should help control shelves. the constant toy clutter.Under the Bed: If the toy boxis in your child’s room, use thespace under the bed for easy andaccessible storage. Find storagecontainers that suit the height ofthe bed and will slide out for easyaccess. If it’s a difficult space toaccess, you might want to keepthe toys that don’t get used asoften here.Corners: The corners of aroom are often under-utilized.A hanging net is the perfectstorage idea to use this spacemore effectively. Stuffed animals,balls, or any other larger butlightweight toys will fit perfectlyin this net. 15

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