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!
