January 2013 Newsletter Here’s What’s Happening in our Neighborhood

Our Promise to You:

We Promise to never give you a price for your home that is unrealistic and will only help you to sell your competitions home and be on the market longer and sell for less than it could have, just because we want your listing.

We Promise to never tell you that “I have a great buyer coming into town in a few weeks who will love this house” just to get your listing.

We Promise to never tell you that our listings sell close to 8% higher on average than other homes when it is factually far from the truth.

We Promise to always put your best interests before ours.

We Promise that you will NEVER be lied to and that you will have access to us by phone from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. 7 days a week and you will receive a return phone call within hours.

Our neighborhood is using a private online network called Nextdoor Cold Spring Hunt, and we think you'll benefit from joining us. On our Nextdoor site, neighbors can share community events, recommendations, items for sale/free, crime/safety concerns, ideas about how to make our neighborhood better, and more. Please join us to build a better neighborhood. Go to http://coldspringhunt.nextdoor.com and sign up.

The Best Time to Find Out Your Home’s Value Is When It’s . . . NOT FOR SALE!

     If you’re contemplating a move, now or in the next year or so, this is the perfect time to learn what your home is really worth and what you can do to improve its selling price for the near future.  Why find out what your home is worth when you’re not ready to sell?  Lots of reasons!  You may decide now is not the time to sell based on your equity.  You may want to be sure Insurance coverage is adequate.  You might be looking to re-finance and before you start through the process of paying for a formal appraisal, etc., you may want to see the value.  You might be wondering if it’s the right time to invest in  remodels or upgrades.  Some homeowners discover that making the improvements would be more expensive (and stressful) than buying a different home!  Sudden career changes require that you know your value so you can make smart decisions.  You may want to get a home equity loan and need to know if you have enough equity.  You may just want to start “prepping” your home to relieve some of the stress down the road. 

     When your home isn’t for sale yet, it’s a great time to find out what it’s worth.  We’ll answer all your real estate questions and provide you with a price opinion or comparative market analysis to show you how it compares to other recently sold homes.

Question:  A Realtor told me I should be prepared to sell by having my home pre-inspected.  How do you feel about this?

Answer:  When we have someone who has an older home that could turn up several problems it’s better to pre-inspect.  There could be a problem that turns up in the inspections that the buyer simply doesn’t want to deal with or the seller cannot afford to address.  This way we can sell as-is and the buyer knows what they’re getting into.

      The problem with pre-inspections is that, now, you have that information and you must disclose it.  If you make the repairs then there’s no problem but if you don’t, you have to let the buyer know what you now know.  In our experience one home inspector will find something that another one will not.  In homes of our age we don’t really recommend a pre-inspection.  We feel our homes are new  enough that there shouldn’t be a major (deal-killing) problem.  That being said, you should always account for $1,000 to $2,000 for repairs that your buyer will ask for such as radon remediation; cracked fireplace inserts;  windows that don’t function properly; missing shingles; unprotected GFCI’s in baths and kitchens, etc.  More on inspections in our next newsletter!

Housing Market on the Move to “Normal”

All indicators are in place for a robust spring market with increasing prices!

The 5 main measures that tell us this are:

1. Construction starts are UP.

2. Existing-home sales recovered all fall.

3. The delinquency and foreclosure rate is at post-crisis lows.

4. Interest rates are historically low.

5. Inventory is lowering and decreasing time on market.

Sump Pump failure fix—for those of you who were good little boys and girls and sent us your email, you received this information and discount information.  For those of you have not yet sent us your email, you’ll have to find this great article at www.gutner.com on our blog.  If you would like to be included in special info and neighborhood discounts and have not done so, send your email to jeri@gutner.com.

No room this month for what’s for sale and what has sold in your neighborhood this past month but we have made that easily accessible to you at www.gutner.com.  Click on links and then “what’s selling in your neighborhood”.  You can see an entire history of the neighborhood and everything that sold, is under agreement and is for sale!  You’ll love this wonderful tool that keeps you abreast of sales with lots of information on time on market, average prices in a neighborhood, etc!

Relocating thru a Relocation Company????

They’ll send you 2 of THEIR Realtors (many relocation companies own Real Estate firms!) BUT you can select your own Realtor.  Many people have told their Relocation Specialist they want to see and interview us.  YOU always have that choice!!!

EVERYBODY’S  DOING  IT!

Remodelers report that kitchen and bathroom projects remain the most popular remodeling jobs with  home owners increasingly upgrading both rooms and making major repairs as they decide to stay in their current homes longer. Nearly 50 percent of remodelers report seeing an increase in the number of home owners who undertake remodels to avoid moving compared to the 2010 findings.  Both  kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects were up 17 percent from two years ago, with bathroom remodels cited as a common job by 78 percent of remodelers and kitchen remodels at 69 percent. Since 2009, bathrooms and kitchens have switched places in popularity, with bathroom remodels moving into the top spot as the most common type of remodeling project.

“As the priorities of home owners shift, remodelers have to adjust to the needs of their clients,” says NAHB Remodelers Chairman George “Geep” Moore Jr., GMB, CAPS, GMR and owner/president of Moore-Built Construction & Restoration Inc. in Elm Grove, La. “And while the motivation behind a home owner’s decision to remodel may have changed, their desire for quality, professional results have not. Professional remodelers remain committed to the highest industry standards.”

Repairs and replacements of old components and the desire for upgraded amenities were cited as the top reasons for customers to hire a remodeler. More than 60 percent of remodelers reported increased demand for repairs and replacements of old components in the past two years, while more than half of remodelers said that the desire for upgraded amenities increased. In contrast, more than 20 percent of remodelers said there was a decrease in customers remodeling to increase home values as an investment.

In addition to kitchens and baths, other popular remodeling categories included window/door replacements (44 percent), whole house remodels (35 percent), room additions (33 percent) and handyman services (31 percent).

 

 

NOVEMBER 2012 Newsletter Here’s What’s Happening in Our Neighborhood

NOVEMBER 2012 Newsletter Here’s What’s Happening in Our Neighborhood:

ACTIVE: 4943 Mead Dr. - A Belmont model with 4 bdr., 3.5 baths and fin. Bsmt. Listed for $480,000. Reduced to $465,000. On market for 47 days.

4330 Michener Rd. - An Astor, 4 bdr. 2.5 bath with unfin. basement, listed for $499,900. 120 days on market

This was under agreement but came back on the market.

PENDING: 5044 Grundy Way - A Belmont model with finished basement. Listed for $505,000. On market for 5 days. GUTNER TEAM BUYER

SETTLED:

4964 Grundy Way - An Eaton model with finished basement. Listed and sold for $525,000. and sold in 6 days.

IN DALTON GLEN:

ACTIVE: 3781 Newbolt Ct. - On the corner of Newbolt and Long Lane. You can’t miss it! A 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath contemporary home with 3 car garage and unfinished basement. Listed for $750,000. Reduced to $675,000. On market 65 days.

IN HEARTHSTONE

ACTIVE: 3974 Amberton Ct. - An Aquetong model with 3 bdrms., unfin. Bsmt., $419,900. On market 76 days.

4844 Green Heather Ct. - Ferndale model with fin. Bsmt and kitchen with ss appliances. $519,900. Reduced to $469,900. On market for 379 days.

4916 Crosspoint Dr. - A Creamery model with granite countertops and ss appliances, fin. Bsmt. $490,000. for 49 days.

5011 Sundance Ct. - A Durham model with granite and fin. Bsmt. $510,000. On market for 47 days

I need your email address!!! And here’s why ...

When the recent storm was forecasted I wanted to send an email to remind you to call your insurance company and add sump coverage. When my painter called and said he wasn’t busy and he was willing to work at a steep discount I wanted to email you but I couldn’t. When I get quotes on sealing/repairing my driveway and ask the guy what kind of discount he’ll give everyone if I get multiple jobs for him, I need to email you. When I find a fabulous contractor (like chimney cleaning) that will offer my readers a discount for using their services, I need your email. There’s a new way to never worry about your sump pump when the power goes out (not a battery back-up that will only pump 50% of the water for a few hours) I need your email to explain the details. I promise NOT to torture you with emails . . . Just important information related to your home and savings I am able to get for you.



Please email me at jeri@gutner.com with your name, address and phone (optional) so that I can get to you when I want to save you time/heartache and money!!

 

INSURANCE

Time to Review Your Policy

     Many people never really take a look at their homeowners policies.  While insurance rates have been climbing, coverage has been declining.  For example, does your policy cover that trampoline in your back yard?  Or the kind of dog your kids just brought home?  How about sump pump failure?  You may think your basement is safe, but chances are, your insurance coverage won’t be there for you.  Swimming pool?  Read your policy.  And the new hot button—Mold.  Probably not covered. 

     Most policies today insure the contents of your house for actual cash value rather than replacement cost.  What’s the difference?  Actual cash value means you’ll only get what your 20 year old sofa is worth today.  With replacement-cost coverage, your policy will pay to replace it with a new one of like kind and quality.  Replacement cost on contents is not really that expensive.

     Another thing to examine is what is really the replacement cost of your home.  It isn’t what your home is worth now because your land has a certain value and it’s not included in your policy coverage.  Your agent has the tools to estimate what it’s going to cost to rebuild your house stick by stick in your area.

     Don’t get caught in the nightmare of thinking something is covered and it’s not.  Find an insurer you can talk to and trust.  Review your policy at every renewal time for dropped coverage.

ARE YOU BEING TRANSFERED??

When you get the big news that you are being transferred, your relocation company will give you the names of two companies who will come and give you a Comparable Market Analysis. In many cases, they will not be experts in your neighborhood.  YOU DO NOT HAVE to use their Realtors.  You can ask for the Realtors of your choice.  We have worked with dozens of Relocation Companies and would love to assist you!

5 Tips for Selling a Home in a Buyer’s Market

1. Prepare yourself mentally.  Accept the fact that the market will set the sale terms.  Don’t take it personally if you don’t get the price you expected.  Prepare to be flexible.

2. Get ready for picky buyers.  Worn or stained carpet—The buyer is moving on.  Cheap or dated fixtures?  They’ll buy the next house.  Didn’t get around to adding that deck or patio?  The house around the corner has it.

3. Pick a Real Estate Agent who knows all the inventory around so when faced with a buyer who’s looking at lots of homes, they can talk intelligently about the many features of your home and why your home is a better buy than the one on the next street.

4. Think about hiring an inspector before the house goes on the market and making the repairs the buyer will  find anyway when he inspects.

5. Offer a home warranty.  Buyers like the security of knowing that if the heater/air conditioner, disposal, dishwasher, hot water heater, plumbing, etc. goes bad in the first year, they’re protected.  Most policies protect the seller while their listed!

U.S. Energy Information Administration tracks energy usage and provides estimates of fuel costs over the winter.  They estimate that this winter heating will cost an average of 19% more than last year. National averages to heat home during the winter of 2010– 2011 were $724 with natural gas; $957 with electric heat and $2,298 with heating oil. 

Lower your bills!

1. Install programmable thermostats.

2. Change your filters.

3. Keep garage doors closed.

4. Install foam insulation gaskets behind electrical outlets and switch plates on outside walls.

5. Open south facing curtains during sunny days and close at night.

6. At night time, go outside with a flashlight and shine around the door.  Have someone inside note where you are losing heat.

Happy Holidays from our Family to Yours!

 

April Newsletter

April 2012 Newsletter                   Here’s What’s Happening in Our Neighborhood:

ACTIVE: 4970 Redfield Dr—An Eaton Williamsburg, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, granite & ss kitchen, unfinished basement. Listed at $499,900. On the market for 148 days.

PENDING: ANOTHER GUTNER TEAM SALE!!!  On the market with someone else last year for $493,000 for 391 days.  We listed and sold in 1 day!  Haverford model on corner lot.  Listed for $489,900.  See it at www.gutner.com!!.

5008 Davis Dr—An Eaton Federal with extended sitting room and two huge closets, backs to preserved wooded area, 2 zone heating. Originally $520, then $515, now $500,000. On the market for 153 days.

SETTLED:  4983 Mead Dr—An Eaton model with 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths, finished basement. Reduced to $509,900.  Settled at $485,000. On the market 259 days.

5065 Grundy Way—a Waterford w/1st floor master, 3-car garage, fin. basement w/media room. Originally $589,000. Last priced at $564,900 and sold for $557,500 in 263 days.

In Oakleigh Farms: (all on acre+, but older)

PENDING: 4690 Twinbrook Cir.— 5 bedrooms, 4 full and 2 half baths, gourmet kitchen, finished basement with media room, deck and large paver patio. Started at $812,900. Reduced to $769,900. On the market for 121 days.

3795 S Mallard Ln—on cul-de-sac, nearly 2 acres, private backyard with view of woods, stocked fishing pond, 1745 stone barn. $625,000. On the market for 24 days.

4630 Twinbrook Cir. - 5 bedrooms, 4 full baths, hardwoods, ceramic tile, hot tub, finished basement, fireplace, sprinklers, electronic fence.  Started at $799,900.  Reduced to $724,998 Last priced at $669,000.  On the market 880 days.

What buyers are looking for in 2012

You would think that buyers would be thrilled with lower prices AND GREAT rates but they want MORE.  Those great ingredients don’t necessarily translate into confidence that prices won’t continue to drop.  They want three things and three things only:

A good value.  Condition.  Location.

You can thank HGTV and House hunters for some of this.  Buyers are watching other buyers from around the world pick the house that is in great condition, at the lowest price and the best location.  MOST buyers do not want to deal with contractors so even if you price your home without granite and updated bathrooms, they’ll pass it up if they can, or they’ll kill you with price if they have to do the work.  Everyone is afraid they might lose their jobs.  They’re looking for a place to settle down where the mortgage, taxes, utilities and upkeep won’t kill them. They want something where the mortgage, taxes, utilities and upkeep won’t kill them.  They are looking for PRICE, CONDITION, LOCATION.  You can’t change your location—but you have total control over your price and your condition.