Do you have pipes like these?

If so, replace them! Pipes that look like these will definitely be a red flag for a buyer and an inspector! Get them replaced before going on the market!

Thinking of cutting down a tree on your property?

Watch this first! You may want to hire a professional to do the job, you might in the end actually save money! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpJTJ5OA4HU

Do you have look like this?

If so, cut them back, trim the tree back or remove them! When they are overgrown like these, it makes it very hard or not possible to take an appealing photo of the front of your home and when they get overgrown, they can possibly even cause damage to your home!

Do you have a look like these?

Do you have a look like this? If so, repair it! First of all, it gives a potential buyer the feeling the home has been neglected, not just in the peeling/chipping/flaking paint area, but possibly neglected in other areas of the home the buyer may or may not be able to see! Then there is the FHA appraisal process, and for all properties built prior to 1/1/1978, the FHA appraiser must inspect all interior surfaces for defective paint surfaces, i.e. chipping, peeling, or flaking paint and must be remedied prior to closing.

Always best to get it done prior to putting home on market!

If the paint is cracking/peeling/chipping or flaking on any interior or exterior surface, the affected area must be scraped, sanded and washed so all defective paint is removed. You should not use a blow torch in case the paint is lead based. A ground cloth should also be used and chips should be properly disposed of. The treated surface should then be primed and painted with 2 coats of matching paint and FHA in most case will require this to be done prior to closing.  

FHA will allow escrow for exterior paint issues from November 30 to May 1^st. (Subject to weather and lender requirements)  

Do you have anything like these?

If so, update it now! If a home has 1000 or more square feet of living space, most new financing will require it be updated to 100 amps, and buyers these days want nothing less than 100 amp electrical service, an electrical mess and or fuses!

Also, you can only have 1 major appliance like A/C or electric range or electric dryer at a time with less than 100 amp service.  With buyers having many electrical items these days, buyers will demand 100 amp service and their inspector will strongly suggest it be updated!

Best to get it done before the home goes on the market, buyer can see more value in the property and it will not become a negotiating issue or deal killer!

Do you have one of these?

If so, get rid of it! Buyers have no clue what the heck it is and they won’t buy something they don’t know what it is! Sometimes the home gets dismissed just from seeing “Gravity Heat” in the RMLS remarks! It may still work just fine, but they are old, past their life expectancy, take up a lot of room, possibly has asbestos wrapped duct work and can make it difficult  for a buyer to get financing!    

Redraw title for proper inheritance | Inman News

Redraw title for proper inheritance | Inman News

Home Staging

In my opinion, it has been blown way out of proportion! Staging may make a home look good in pictures and feel good when you view it. But, if you are buying a home, the best way to view the home is vacant! You want to see what you are spending your money on. You want to see every nook and cranny, crack and slope! Staging blocks and distracts you from what you really should be looking at, the features and construction of the home! 

If you have a good buyer's agent helping you, your agent can help determine if your couch or bed will fit the space or how they will look in a certain room. Take notes of what you own and bring a tape measure with you when viewing a home. When a home is vacant, the seller is not able to hide anything. You see the real home, the whole home and nothing but the home and that is the best way to buy a home!

Hiring an agent, 20%, 80% or 100%?

Why hire 20% or 80% when you can have 100%?

Did you know 80% of Real Estate agents are part-time?!  They either have another job or are practicing Real Estate in the interim while attending school or between jobs to supplement their income.  Typically, these agents drop out of the business in 2 years or less!

Do you want to be in the middle of your home purchase process and discover you are that agent's last client? What happens after the sale closes if you have some issues with the home you just purchased?

If you are a seller, do you want your home on the market and the agent drops out of the business while your home is for sale? Will the agent spend any time or money marketing your home?

20% of the agents are usually full-time seasoned agents with years of experience. Virtually, no 2 home sales are alike; having experience on your side is a good thing! I am in the 80% group, but I like to think I am 100% Real Estate! I have years of experience, many hundreds of sales under my belt and I am continuing to evolve with the latest marketing trends. 

Why put your biggest investment or purchase with a part-timer?

Read this article! http://www.startribune.com/business/116962468.html