Archive for November, 2008
Moving Checklist
Well, I certainly am thankful to be having a couple of closings coming up in the next week. In one of our closings we’re representing the Buyer and in the other one we’re representing the Seller. But either way, both have a lot to be doing to get ready for the big move.
If you’re anticpating a move, these are some helpful suggestions that might make the transition a little smoother:
Before You Leave
Address Change
- Post Office: Give forwarding address
- Charge Accounts, Credit Cards
- Subscription: Notice requires several weeks
Insurance
- Notify company of new location for coverages:
- Life, Health, Fire and Auto
Utility Companies
- Gas, electric, water, sewer, cable, telephone, fuel, garbage
- Refunds on any deposits made
Bank
- Transfer funds, arrange check-cashing in new city
- Arrange credit reference
Pets
- Ask about regulations for licenses, vaccinations, tags, etc.
Delivery Companies
- Laundry, newspaper, change over of services
Medical, Dental, Prescription Histories
- Ask doctor or dentist for referrals; transfer prescriptions, eyeglasses, X-rays. Obtain birth records, medical records, etc.
And Don’t Forget…
- Empty freezer; plan use of foods
- Defrost freezer and clean refrigerator
- Place charcoal to dispel odors
- Have appliances serviced for moving
- Clean rugs or clothing before moving; have them moving-wrapped
- Check with your Moving Counselor; insurance coverage, packing and unpacking labor, arrival day, various shipping papers, method and time of expected payment
- Plan for special care needs of infants and pets
On Moving Day
- Carry enough cash or traveler’s checks to cover the cost of moving services and expenses until you make banking connections in your new city
- Carry jewelry and documents yourself; or use registered mail
- Plan for transporting of pets; they are poor traveling companions if unhappy
- Let close friends or relatives know the route and schedule you will travel including overnight stops; use them as message headquarters
- Double check closets, drawers, shelves to be sure they are empty
- Leave old keys needed by new tenant or owner with Realtor or owner
At Your New Address
- Obtain certified check or cashier’s check necessary for closing on your new home
- Check on service of telephone, gas, electricity, water and garbage
- Check pilot light on stove, hot water heater and furnace
- Have appliances checked
- Ask letter carrier for mail he may be holding for your arrival
- Have new address recorded on driver’s license
- Visit city offices and register for voting
- Register car within 5 days after arrival in state or a penalty may have to be paid when getting new license plates
- Obtain car inspection sticker (where applicable) and transfer motor club membership
- Apply for state driver’s license
- Register children in school
- Arrange for medical services; Doctor, Dentist, Veterinarian, etc.
Hope these help…Good Luck!
Discussion: 2 Comments »
Shawna’s Do’s & Don’ts When Selling Your Home
THE DO’S:
1. Most buyers have a hard time imagining how a home will look with their belongings in it. Your goal is to give them a blank canvas. To that end, you should:
- Remove any excess clutter.
- Keep the home well-lit and bright-leave on a few lights in key areas throughout the home and pull the curtains open.
- Leave your home every day with it ready to show.
2. Your goal should be to make a positive first impression. That impression starts from the second the buyer pulls up to your home.
- Keep your yard clean. It should be cut and watered regularly.
- Trim your hedges and pull any excess weeds. If you have a flowerbed, make sure it looks well maintained.
3. Make any necessary repairs upfront. If you make the kinds of repairs upfront that you’re going repairs upfront that you’re going to have to make anyway, your house will look more attractive to potential buyers.
- Repair loose or damaged shingles, walkway tiles, siding and caulking.
- Repair any cracks, leaks, or water damage.
THE DON’TS
1. It’s best not to be present during showings. We recommend that you leave 15 minutes before the scheduled showing time is suppose to begin and arrive back at the home 15 minutes after the showing is suppose to have ended.
2. For your own security, don’t leave valuables in plain site.
3. The showing feedback is our way of finding out what the market has to say about your home. Don’t ignore this feedback. We will discuss all feedback with you and make suggestions. Please be prepared to listen to this informed advice. If we have a buyer that is asking a lot of questions and seems really interested, you will hear from us right away. Otherwise, you will receive all feedback each Friday.
Discussion: No Comments »
Buyer Agency vs. Limited Agency
OK, so you’re a Buyer getting ready to purchase a new home and the Realtor you’re working with presents you with an Exclusive Buyer Agency Agreement. What is it and should you sign it?
Well, I think there has been a lot of confusion over the years (even among Realtors) about exactly what an Exclusive Buyer Agency Agreement and why it is important.
Essentially, if you’re working with a Realtor that you like and that you feel comfortable with, and you want them to represent you in your real estate transaction then yes, by all means, you need to enter into an Exclusive Buyer Agency Agreement with that Realtor.
It seems to be common knowledge that if you’re a Seller wanting to list your home, you sign a Listing Contract with your Realtor. When you do this, it means that you (the Seller) and the Realtor have entered into an Exclusive relationship in which you have agreed to hire the Realtor to represent you in the transaction and the Realtor has agreed to represent you (the Seller) and your best interests in the transaction.
Well, if you’re a Buyer out running around calling the phone numbers listed on every For Sale sign you see, and you have not signed an Exclusive Buyer Agency Agreement with any one particular Realtor, then at the end of the day, who is really obligated to help you and represent your best interests in the real estate transaction?
No One! The only people being properly represented in that real estate transaction are the Sellers!
So regardless of who you choose to work with, be sure you ask about getting an Exclusive Buyer Agency Agreement signed. And Realtors, don’t be afraid to ask the Buyer to sign one. It is in your Buyers best interest and gives them the assurance that you are going to be loyal to them and not jump ship mid way through the process!
PS – Want to take a sneak peak at what the Exclusive Buyer Agency Agreement looks like before signing one? By all means, please let us know, we’ll be happy to send you a copy!
Discussion: 5 Comments »
What Are The Dark Streaks On My Roof?
Is this a question you’ve wondered about from time to time? Whether it was happening on your roof or 
someone else’s? Well, ask no more. Here’s what our friendly neighborhood home inspector, Jim Schwarz of Center Grove Real Estate Inspections had to say:
Dark streaks on your roof are algae growth. This typically shows on the North or East exposures of the roof surface that stay cooler and more damp than the sun exposed surfaces.
These streaks are also an indication that the roof is beginning to approach its latter stages of useful life. As the algae grows, it begins to harden the shingle, making it brittle and more susceptible to damage.
This damage will show up as granule loss, which will then expose the mat of the shingle to more heat and weather. Over time, the degradation of the roof will accelerate.
Roofs like this should be monitored bi-annually to find necessary repairs and to best determine the point of eventual replacement.
Great insight…thanks Jim!
Discussion: 2 Comments »
What’s Selling In Greenwood Indiana?
So, what’s been selling in Greenwood? Well, let’s take a look at the last month and what is currently available.
From what we can see, there are 201 homes currently available within Greenwood Schools. Their average Days on the Market is 108 and their average List Price is $140,609.
In addition to that, there are also 23 homes Pending with accepted offers. These homes have been on the market an average of 67 days and are listed for an average List Price of $92,982.
And last but not least, there have been 29 homes that have closed within the Greenwood School System during the month of October. These homes were on the market an average of 95 days and were listed for an average of$111,081.
During the month of October, homes in Greenwood Schools have sold for an average of $69.30 per square foot which translates to about 94% of their list price.
| Search Statistics: | |||||||||
| 253 Listings | |||||||||
| 201 Active Listings | Beds | Baths | Sq Ft | LP | LP/Sq Ft | SP | SP/Sq Ft | SP/LP | DOM |
| High | 6 | 5 | 4,520 | $472,300 | $229.00 | 739 | |||
| Low | 2 | 1 | 617 | $0 | $0.00 | 3 | |||
| Average | 3 | 2 | 1,684 | $140,609 | $81.88 | 108 | |||
| Median | 3 | 2 | 1,552 | $119,900 | $81.83 | 90 | |||
| 29 Sold Listings | |||||||||
| Beds | Baths | Sq Ft | LP | LP/Sq Ft | SP | SP/Sq Ft | SP/LP | DOM | |
| High | 5 | 3 | 3,988 | $179,900 | $124.33 | $176,900 | $122.25 | 106% | 384 |
| Low | 2 | 1 | 942 | $27,900 | $25.64 | $24,000 | $23.90 | 79% | 0 |
| Average | 2 | 2 | 1,569 | $111,081 | $72.57 | $106,200 | $69.30 | 94% | 95 |
| Median | 3 | 2 | 1,420 | $107,900 | $70.84 | $106,000 | $67.41 | 95% | 68 |
| 23 Pending Listings | |||||||||
| Beds | Baths | Sq Ft | LP | LP/Sq Ft | SP | SP/Sq Ft | SP/LP | DOM | |
| High | 4 | 4 | 2,329 | $222,900 | $110.05 | 234 | |||
| Low | 2 | 1 | 1,066 | $29,900 | $22.32 | 1 | |||
| Average | 2 | 2 | 1,447 | $92,982 | $62.58 | 67 | |||
| Median | 3 | 2 | 1,362 | $87,000 | $56.99 | 45 | |||
| 253 Listings | |||||||||
| Beds | Baths | Sq Ft | LP | LP/Sq Ft | SP | SP/Sq Ft | SP/LP | DOM | |
| High | 6 | 5 | 4,520 | $472,300 | $229.00 | $176,900 | $122.25 | 106% | 739 |
| Low | 2 | 1 | 617 | $0 | $0.00 | $24,000 | $23.90 | 79% | 0 |
| Average | 3 | 2 | 1,649 | $132,895 | $79.06 | $106,200 | $69.30 | 94% | 102 |
| Median | 3 | 2 | 1,473 | $113,900 | $79.14 | $106,000 | $67.41 | 95% | 83 |
Discussion: No Comments »
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