According to several real estate professionals in the Rochester area, pricing your home right is what it will take to get it sold. The current market is more in favor of buyers than sellers, which is why they are not rushing to buy and are instead looking for the best deal. Now that all of the tax credits have been over for nearly a year, the panic to buy is not as strong, but there are definitely still buyers looking.
When listing your home, take into consideration the competition and don't concentrate on your assessed value. Chances are, your home will sell slightly under what it is assessed for, but the Rochester market is still strong compared to other areas in the country.
Other important factors to pay attention to are that buyers not only want a great deal, they want something that is move in ready with updates. Small cosmetic things like fresh paint, new cabinet hardware and fixtures can make a big difference to buyers, although it is relatively inexpensive and easy to do.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Buying is Cheaper than Renting in Most Areas
In most large U.S. cities it is cheaper to buy a two bedroom home than is it to rent one. According to Trulia, buying was cheaper than renting in 74% of the country's 50 largest cities. In just 12% of the cities, which include New York, San Francisco and Seattle, renting is cheaper. In the remaining 14%, rent and the cost of buying were almost on par.
Another factor that makes owning more affordable are mortgage interest rates being at records lows. Of course, your mortgage stipulations depend on your credit history and cash put down at closing, but lower rates help tremendously with monthly payments.
It makes sense to own if you plan on being in an area for more than a minimum of five to seven years. You do not get anything in return for your rent payments, but are putting money back into a home that you purchase.
Factors to take into consideration when deciding to rent or buy are:
How long you plan to stay. If you won't be staying in an area for long or have the potential not to keep a property for under five years, rent is probably a better option. Closing costs, commissions and initial homeowners costs would be cost prohibitive.
Do you have cash for closing? Nowadays buyers must usually have 20% for closing because of stringent loan restrictions. If a house is $150,000, you must have $30,000 cash available at closing.
The appeal of renting to many is that the landlord fixes any problems/issues that come along. If your dishwasher breaks, the landlord takes care of it. When considering a home purchase ask yourself if you have money for anything unforeseen. Other costs that come in addition to the home's sale price are property taxes, heating/cooling, utility bills, etc.
Another factor that makes owning more affordable are mortgage interest rates being at records lows. Of course, your mortgage stipulations depend on your credit history and cash put down at closing, but lower rates help tremendously with monthly payments.
It makes sense to own if you plan on being in an area for more than a minimum of five to seven years. You do not get anything in return for your rent payments, but are putting money back into a home that you purchase.
Factors to take into consideration when deciding to rent or buy are:
How long you plan to stay. If you won't be staying in an area for long or have the potential not to keep a property for under five years, rent is probably a better option. Closing costs, commissions and initial homeowners costs would be cost prohibitive.
Do you have cash for closing? Nowadays buyers must usually have 20% for closing because of stringent loan restrictions. If a house is $150,000, you must have $30,000 cash available at closing.
The appeal of renting to many is that the landlord fixes any problems/issues that come along. If your dishwasher breaks, the landlord takes care of it. When considering a home purchase ask yourself if you have money for anything unforeseen. Other costs that come in addition to the home's sale price are property taxes, heating/cooling, utility bills, etc.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Mortgage Rates Hit Record Low!
Last week mortgage rates were as low as 3.25%! That probably explains the surge in mortgage applications, which are up 4.1% since last week. Now is a great time to refinance, proved by applications being up 78.8% from 75.6% a week earlier. Here are today's rates:
30-Year Fixed 4.125%
15-Year Fixed 3.375%
FHA 30 Year 4.000%
SONYMA Low Interest Rate Prog 30 Yr. 4.875%
VA 30-Yr. Fixed 4.000%
Jumbo Fixed Rate 30 Yr 5.250%
Jumbo Fixed Rate 15 Yr 3.625%
If you are thinking about purchasing a home, now is the time to get pre-approved and locked into an amazing rate. Call your mortgage professionals today to get started.
30-Year Fixed 4.125%
15-Year Fixed 3.375%
FHA 30 Year 4.000%
SONYMA Low Interest Rate Prog 30 Yr. 4.875%
VA 30-Yr. Fixed 4.000%
Jumbo Fixed Rate 30 Yr 5.250%
Jumbo Fixed Rate 15 Yr 3.625%
If you are thinking about purchasing a home, now is the time to get pre-approved and locked into an amazing rate. Call your mortgage professionals today to get started.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Fairport Branch Sponsors Music & Food Festival August 27th
The Fairport branch is sponsoring the Fairport Music & Food Festival, Saturday August 27th from noon until dark.
Stop by the Fairport office for tickets Monday - Friday 8:00AM-5:00PM.
The FAIRPORT MUSIC AND FOOD FESTIVAL is SATURDAY, AUGUST 27. Plenty of great live music, good food, children's activities and tons of fun. It's all for great cause!!! BE THERE OR BE SQUARE!
NORTH STAGE - RAILROAD
• 12:00 - Clearly from Negligence
• 1:00 - Goodness
• 2:15 - The Deep Blue Dream
• 3:45 - Uncle Plum (featuring Camp Roc Star)
• 5:15 - Brass Taxi
• 6:45 - The Buzzards
• 8:30 - Northside Johnny
SOUTH STAGE - CANAL
• 12:00 - Violet Mary
• 1:30 - The John Payton Project
• 3:00 - The Campbell Brothers
• 4:45 - Ryan Montbleau Band
• 6:45 - Tommy Brunett
• 8:30 - Big Eyed Phish
EAST STAGE - POWER
• 12:00 - 2 Left Feet
• 1:00 - Attitude Joe
• 2:15 - Demand
• 3:45 - Jumbo Shrimp
• 5:15 - Geoff Harder and the Moonlighters
• 6:45 - Wild Horses
• 8:30 - The Root Beer Beaver
COLONIAL BELL -
• Rodger Chennelly (Colonial Belle 2:30 PM)
• Mojo Mike and friends (Colonial Belle 4:00 PM)
Stop by the Fairport office for tickets Monday - Friday 8:00AM-5:00PM.
The FAIRPORT MUSIC AND FOOD FESTIVAL is SATURDAY, AUGUST 27. Plenty of great live music, good food, children's activities and tons of fun. It's all for great cause!!! BE THERE OR BE SQUARE!
NORTH STAGE - RAILROAD
• 12:00 - Clearly from Negligence
• 1:00 - Goodness
• 2:15 - The Deep Blue Dream
• 3:45 - Uncle Plum (featuring Camp Roc Star)
• 5:15 - Brass Taxi
• 6:45 - The Buzzards
• 8:30 - Northside Johnny
SOUTH STAGE - CANAL
• 12:00 - Violet Mary
• 1:30 - The John Payton Project
• 3:00 - The Campbell Brothers
• 4:45 - Ryan Montbleau Band
• 6:45 - Tommy Brunett
• 8:30 - Big Eyed Phish
EAST STAGE - POWER
• 12:00 - 2 Left Feet
• 1:00 - Attitude Joe
• 2:15 - Demand
• 3:45 - Jumbo Shrimp
• 5:15 - Geoff Harder and the Moonlighters
• 6:45 - Wild Horses
• 8:30 - The Root Beer Beaver
COLONIAL BELL -
• Rodger Chennelly (Colonial Belle 2:30 PM)
• Mojo Mike and friends (Colonial Belle 4:00 PM)
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Join our Team to Walk for Breast Cancer!
On October 2nd at 10:00AM, Nothnagle Realtors will be walking together to "Make Strides Against Breast Cancer". Together we are aiming to raise $5,000 to donate to the American Cancer Society. If you would like to join our team, please click here and follow the steps. There is no minimum amount of money to raise, but any amount you can get as a donation to support our cause is appreciated.
The walk begins at Frontier Field. It is a great time and over 10,000 people participate, if you haven't walked before or would like to walk with us, we would love to have you join us!
The walk begins at Frontier Field. It is a great time and over 10,000 people participate, if you haven't walked before or would like to walk with us, we would love to have you join us!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
2nd Quarter National Housing Survey Results
Earlier this week Fannie Mae released their 2nd quarter National Housing Survey results. You may remember from the 1st quarter that the results were very much in favor of homeownership. The survey results are based on a vast range of Americans and their responses regarding the current housing market.
When asked if right now is a good time to buy, 69% of the respondents answered "yes". This number has increased during the last two quarter's surveys. An almost equal amount of 65% said that they believe homeownership is a safe investment (67% for current homeowners).
While buying a home is absolutely in part a financial decision, there is also a lot more to it. The top four reasons, according to the survey, that people buy homes aren't actually financial ones. Here is what people said:
"It means having a good place to raise children and provide them with a good education"
"You have a physical structure where you and your family feel safe"
"It allows you to have more space for your family"
"It gives you control of what you do with your living space (renovations and updates)"
Despite the current economic times, this quarterly survey has proved since the beginning of 2011 that homeownership is about more than affordability. Owning a home means having a space of your own to do what you want with and having the feeling of safety. Owning a home can also be more inexpensive than renting in some cases. A 1,000 square foot apartment can rent for $950, meanwhile homes of similar size can have a mortgage payment equal or less to that.
When asked if right now is a good time to buy, 69% of the respondents answered "yes". This number has increased during the last two quarter's surveys. An almost equal amount of 65% said that they believe homeownership is a safe investment (67% for current homeowners).
While buying a home is absolutely in part a financial decision, there is also a lot more to it. The top four reasons, according to the survey, that people buy homes aren't actually financial ones. Here is what people said:
"It means having a good place to raise children and provide them with a good education"
"You have a physical structure where you and your family feel safe"
"It allows you to have more space for your family"
"It gives you control of what you do with your living space (renovations and updates)"
Despite the current economic times, this quarterly survey has proved since the beginning of 2011 that homeownership is about more than affordability. Owning a home means having a space of your own to do what you want with and having the feeling of safety. Owning a home can also be more inexpensive than renting in some cases. A 1,000 square foot apartment can rent for $950, meanwhile homes of similar size can have a mortgage payment equal or less to that.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Nothnagle's Fairport Branch Sponsors Music & Food Festival
The Fairport branch is sponsoring the Fairport Music & Food Festival, Saturday August 27th from noon until dark.
Stop by the Fairport office for tickets Monday - Friday 8:00AM-5:00PM.
The FAIRPORT MUSIC AND FOOD FESTIVAL is SATURDAY, AUGUST 27. Plenty of great live music, good food, children's activities and tons of fun. It's all for great cause!!! BE THERE OR BE SQUARE!
NORTH STAGE - RAILROAD
• 12:00 - Clearly from Negligence
• 1:00 - Goodness
• 2:15 - The Deep Blue Dream
• 3:45 - Uncle Plum (featuring Camp Roc Star)
• 5:15 - Brass Taxi
• 6:45 - The Buzzards
• 8:30 - Northside Johnny
SOUTH STAGE - CANAL
• 12:00 - Violet Mary
• 1:30 - The John Payton Project
• 3:00 - The Campbell Brothers
• 4:45 - Ryan Montbleau Band
• 6:45 - Tommy Brunett
• 8:30 - Big Eyed Phish
EAST STAGE - POWER
• 12:00 - 2 Left Feet
• 1:00 - Attitude Joe
• 2:15 - Demand
• 3:45 - Jumbo Shrimp
• 5:15 - Geoff Harder and the Moonlighters
• 6:45 - Wild Horses
• 8:30 - The Root Beer Beaver
COLONIAL BELL -
• Rodger Chennelly (Colonial Belle 2:30 PM)
• Mojo Mike and friends (Colonial Belle 4:00 PM)
Stop by the Fairport office for tickets Monday - Friday 8:00AM-5:00PM.
The FAIRPORT MUSIC AND FOOD FESTIVAL is SATURDAY, AUGUST 27. Plenty of great live music, good food, children's activities and tons of fun. It's all for great cause!!! BE THERE OR BE SQUARE!
NORTH STAGE - RAILROAD
• 12:00 - Clearly from Negligence
• 1:00 - Goodness
• 2:15 - The Deep Blue Dream
• 3:45 - Uncle Plum (featuring Camp Roc Star)
• 5:15 - Brass Taxi
• 6:45 - The Buzzards
• 8:30 - Northside Johnny
SOUTH STAGE - CANAL
• 12:00 - Violet Mary
• 1:30 - The John Payton Project
• 3:00 - The Campbell Brothers
• 4:45 - Ryan Montbleau Band
• 6:45 - Tommy Brunett
• 8:30 - Big Eyed Phish
EAST STAGE - POWER
• 12:00 - 2 Left Feet
• 1:00 - Attitude Joe
• 2:15 - Demand
• 3:45 - Jumbo Shrimp
• 5:15 - Geoff Harder and the Moonlighters
• 6:45 - Wild Horses
• 8:30 - The Root Beer Beaver
COLONIAL BELL -
• Rodger Chennelly (Colonial Belle 2:30 PM)
• Mojo Mike and friends (Colonial Belle 4:00 PM)
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Don't Forget the Inspection!
For the seller, a visit from the home inpsector can be a nerve-wrecking time, especially in a market like this. It is not uncommon for the potential buyer to demand that a long list of problems be addressed before the sale is finalized.
No matter how well you prepare, realize the inspector is always going to find something wrong. Often, the problems are minor and inexpensive enough for the seller to either fix or allow a credit for in the home price. It is the discovery of major deficiencies, or an unwillingness to negotiate, that can kill a deal completely.
Still, it is in the sellers best interest to prepare the home as much as possible before the inspection. The best way to prepare is to do your own inspection before you list the home on the market. A pre-listing inspection will tell you exactly what needs to be fixed before you begin your search for a buyer.
Sellers should also inspect their home with a critical eye. Look at walls from floor to ceiling, under sinks, on the floor near the base of appliances --everywhere-- to check for signs of water damage, for example. Also check faucets, door handles and other details of the home as you are walking through it.
An inspector will be looking for problems with the home's heating and cooling systems, electrical problems, signs of water damage, mold or leaks, termites, and strucural or plumbing problems. They will also take a look at do-it-yourself projects, making sure ceiling fans are installed correctly and backyard decks are safe, for example.
As much as you can, get your house ready by fixing the problems or have a plan for how you will address them when the buyer inquires about the issues. Pay attention to the little things, too. Make sure everything is clean and the gutters are clear, take care of flaking paint and make sure windows open and close. Replace cracked caulking and fix leaky faucets and broken windows. You might also want to have the furnace and air-conditioning systems service by a professional to make sure they're in good shape.
Even after you prep your home for the inspection, expect some problems to surface and for the prospective buyer to present you with a to-do list. Some buyer requests will be reasonable; in other cases, especially when its cosmetic in nature, a seller would be justified in declining a request. But even when negotiations get tough, remember the buyer still wants to buy your home. They kept your home in mind over all the others.
Whether you are looking for a home inspector, someone to clean the gutters, paint a room, or fix a leak, Nothnagle Home Services will be an invaluable resource. Learn more about it here.
No matter how well you prepare, realize the inspector is always going to find something wrong. Often, the problems are minor and inexpensive enough for the seller to either fix or allow a credit for in the home price. It is the discovery of major deficiencies, or an unwillingness to negotiate, that can kill a deal completely.
Still, it is in the sellers best interest to prepare the home as much as possible before the inspection. The best way to prepare is to do your own inspection before you list the home on the market. A pre-listing inspection will tell you exactly what needs to be fixed before you begin your search for a buyer.
Sellers should also inspect their home with a critical eye. Look at walls from floor to ceiling, under sinks, on the floor near the base of appliances --everywhere-- to check for signs of water damage, for example. Also check faucets, door handles and other details of the home as you are walking through it.
An inspector will be looking for problems with the home's heating and cooling systems, electrical problems, signs of water damage, mold or leaks, termites, and strucural or plumbing problems. They will also take a look at do-it-yourself projects, making sure ceiling fans are installed correctly and backyard decks are safe, for example.
As much as you can, get your house ready by fixing the problems or have a plan for how you will address them when the buyer inquires about the issues. Pay attention to the little things, too. Make sure everything is clean and the gutters are clear, take care of flaking paint and make sure windows open and close. Replace cracked caulking and fix leaky faucets and broken windows. You might also want to have the furnace and air-conditioning systems service by a professional to make sure they're in good shape.
Even after you prep your home for the inspection, expect some problems to surface and for the prospective buyer to present you with a to-do list. Some buyer requests will be reasonable; in other cases, especially when its cosmetic in nature, a seller would be justified in declining a request. But even when negotiations get tough, remember the buyer still wants to buy your home. They kept your home in mind over all the others.
Whether you are looking for a home inspector, someone to clean the gutters, paint a room, or fix a leak, Nothnagle Home Services will be an invaluable resource. Learn more about it here.
Friday, August 12, 2011
6 Reasons to Use a Real Estate Agent
Once you have made the decision to sell your home, the first step you should take is to find an agent. While some sellers may be tempted by the thought to sell the home on their own, study after study shows that sellers will net more for their house using an agent versus selling it on their own.
Here are 6 reasons to take into consideration when buying or selling a home:
1. Pricing is Difficult
A few years ago, you didn’t have to worry about overpricing your home. The situation is quite different today. In this market, time costs you money. A professional real estate agent will discuss how increasing inventory could dramatically impact the value of your property in the months to come. They will help you set the right price in today’s market.
2. Having a Professional to Negotiate
Buyers today have an almost unlimited supply of homes from which to choose. They realize that puts them in a great negotiating position. Most buyers are now being represented by an agent. Sellers need to also be represented by a professional expert trained to negotiate real estate contracts.
3. Financing is Key for Buyers
The biggest impact of the housing market collapse is that lending standards are much stricter today than they were a few short years ago. Rules are constantly changing. Even FHA has gone through a guidelines overhaul in the last several months. You need a real estate expert who has teamed up with a knowledgeable mortgage professional to make sure that the buyer in the deal is in fact capable of obtaining a mortgage. Losing time with an unqualified buyer costs you money in a market where prices are falling.
4. Your Safety
Real estate agents are trained to take steps to protect themselves and their clients. Take advantage of putting a person between you and the person calling on an ad or yard sign. Your agent will also be able to check-in on your vacant home if you have not sold it before moving to a new location.
5. Less Time and Stress
Selling a home could turn into a full time job. Learning the necessary disclosures, coordinating the dates of your closings, dealing with a challenge regarding your appraisal and re-negotiating the offer after an engineer’s report are just a few of the concerns you may face. Your time is more valuable and better spent on the items important to you and your family, while leaving the challenges to your agent.
6. Spreading the Word
Once you list your property with a member of the local MLS, every other member of the system is alerted that your house is now available for purchase. In a matter of hours, thousands of real estate professionals have the ability to easily share the specifics of your home with each of their buyers. There is nothing an individual seller can do to come close to this immediate exposure to thousands of potential buyers. Additionally, your realtor will keep up to date on the most recent ways to advertise your home. Not only do they rely on traditional means of advertising, such as newspaper and television, they will also advertise your home on YouTube, Facebook, and Trulia to name a few. It would be impossible for a seller to get the width of exposure the real estate agent has at his/her fingertips.
In the long run, having a real estate agent represent you on either side of a transaction will give you the best advice, get you the most money or the best price, they will also save you time and unnecessary stress!
And remember, not all real estate agents are equal. A Nothnagle agent can give you additional benefits, tools and resources not available anywhere else.
Here are 6 reasons to take into consideration when buying or selling a home:
1. Pricing is Difficult
A few years ago, you didn’t have to worry about overpricing your home. The situation is quite different today. In this market, time costs you money. A professional real estate agent will discuss how increasing inventory could dramatically impact the value of your property in the months to come. They will help you set the right price in today’s market.
2. Having a Professional to Negotiate
Buyers today have an almost unlimited supply of homes from which to choose. They realize that puts them in a great negotiating position. Most buyers are now being represented by an agent. Sellers need to also be represented by a professional expert trained to negotiate real estate contracts.
3. Financing is Key for Buyers
The biggest impact of the housing market collapse is that lending standards are much stricter today than they were a few short years ago. Rules are constantly changing. Even FHA has gone through a guidelines overhaul in the last several months. You need a real estate expert who has teamed up with a knowledgeable mortgage professional to make sure that the buyer in the deal is in fact capable of obtaining a mortgage. Losing time with an unqualified buyer costs you money in a market where prices are falling.
4. Your Safety
Real estate agents are trained to take steps to protect themselves and their clients. Take advantage of putting a person between you and the person calling on an ad or yard sign. Your agent will also be able to check-in on your vacant home if you have not sold it before moving to a new location.
5. Less Time and Stress
Selling a home could turn into a full time job. Learning the necessary disclosures, coordinating the dates of your closings, dealing with a challenge regarding your appraisal and re-negotiating the offer after an engineer’s report are just a few of the concerns you may face. Your time is more valuable and better spent on the items important to you and your family, while leaving the challenges to your agent.
6. Spreading the Word
Once you list your property with a member of the local MLS, every other member of the system is alerted that your house is now available for purchase. In a matter of hours, thousands of real estate professionals have the ability to easily share the specifics of your home with each of their buyers. There is nothing an individual seller can do to come close to this immediate exposure to thousands of potential buyers. Additionally, your realtor will keep up to date on the most recent ways to advertise your home. Not only do they rely on traditional means of advertising, such as newspaper and television, they will also advertise your home on YouTube, Facebook, and Trulia to name a few. It would be impossible for a seller to get the width of exposure the real estate agent has at his/her fingertips.
In the long run, having a real estate agent represent you on either side of a transaction will give you the best advice, get you the most money or the best price, they will also save you time and unnecessary stress!
And remember, not all real estate agents are equal. A Nothnagle agent can give you additional benefits, tools and resources not available anywhere else.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Finding the Perfect Home for You
If you're in the market to find a home, like most buyers you start out with a price, style and features in mind. And like most buyers, you're in search of the perfect home. But does the perfect home always exist? Sometimes, but more often than not as you start looking you will have to make some compromises.
So where should you start?
1. It's very important to not compromise on the features you MUST have. So before you begin, make a list. What will fit your needs? Your family's needs? As an example, if you have three teenage girls, settling on a 1-bath house may not work for your family. In this example, having at least two bathrooms and four bedrooms may be a priority as well as a necessity.
2. What area do you want to live in? What fits your lifestyle? If you are an urban dweller by nature, looking for homes in rural areas is probably a waste of time. If the thought of having neighbors close by makes you cringe, then you need to look outside of the suburbs and in more rural towns. Try to narrow your search down to 2-3 areas.
3. Next, make a second list of features that you would like but are not critical. A powder room off of the kitchen may be convenient if you entertain, appliances included, a walk out basement, master suite, pool....these may be features you would prefer but if one is missing you may be willing to compromise without it being a major inconvenience.
4. Your final list should include features that don't matter one way or another to you. Septic vs. sewer, well vs. public water, air conditioning, pool, walk out basement...the items that will have no bearing on your decision whether or not to buy that particular house.
This is in no way meant to pursued you to buy before you are ready but if you set yourself up to find the "perfect" house, you may be setting yourself up to be searching for an unattainable goal. Even if you are building a new house, you will likely find yourself having to compromise on certain things. Often it's related to cost or sometimes having a 4th bedroom means you can't have a 2-story family room....then you have to decide which is more important?
Before you go out in the market, do research online and ask your agent for some guidance. In today's market, there are many choices for buyers to be selective but if you're serious, you will find the home that is best for you!
So where should you start?
1. It's very important to not compromise on the features you MUST have. So before you begin, make a list. What will fit your needs? Your family's needs? As an example, if you have three teenage girls, settling on a 1-bath house may not work for your family. In this example, having at least two bathrooms and four bedrooms may be a priority as well as a necessity.
2. What area do you want to live in? What fits your lifestyle? If you are an urban dweller by nature, looking for homes in rural areas is probably a waste of time. If the thought of having neighbors close by makes you cringe, then you need to look outside of the suburbs and in more rural towns. Try to narrow your search down to 2-3 areas.
3. Next, make a second list of features that you would like but are not critical. A powder room off of the kitchen may be convenient if you entertain, appliances included, a walk out basement, master suite, pool....these may be features you would prefer but if one is missing you may be willing to compromise without it being a major inconvenience.
4. Your final list should include features that don't matter one way or another to you. Septic vs. sewer, well vs. public water, air conditioning, pool, walk out basement...the items that will have no bearing on your decision whether or not to buy that particular house.
This is in no way meant to pursued you to buy before you are ready but if you set yourself up to find the "perfect" house, you may be setting yourself up to be searching for an unattainable goal. Even if you are building a new house, you will likely find yourself having to compromise on certain things. Often it's related to cost or sometimes having a 4th bedroom means you can't have a 2-story family room....then you have to decide which is more important?
Before you go out in the market, do research online and ask your agent for some guidance. In today's market, there are many choices for buyers to be selective but if you're serious, you will find the home that is best for you!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Nothnagle Expands to Cortland County
Nothnagle Realtors is pleased to announce the launch of a franchised office under the ownership and management of industry veteran Steve Cinquanti. The firm will operate with co-branding as Cinquanti Real Estate “powered by Nothnagle REALTORS®.”
Cinquanti Real Estate has a very long and proud history in Homer and Cortland County. In 1968, Bill Cinquanti opened the firm and was soon joined by his wife Laura, who 14 years later would take over the company. They played very active roles with the Cortland County Board of REALTORS® where they were each honored as “REALTOR® of the Year” recipients and both served as past Presidents, with Laura having the distinction of serving as the first female President in the Board’s history.
In 1980, their son Steve Cinquanti joined the company. Steve took over the business in 1995 and continued to build upon the foundation laid by his parents of integrity, exceptional service and hard work while bringing innovation to the marketplace. The name Cinquanti is synonymous with real estate in Cortland and its surrounding counties and now with the addition of the Nothnagle tools and systems, real estate consumers and agents will have a world-class experience like no other.
“Cinquanti Real Estate has a proven track record of delivering top-quality service to our clients for over 43 years. Now through our partnership with Nothnagle REALTORS®, we will be able to offer the benefits of tools and systems never before available in our market,” said Steve Cinquanti, President.
“What appeals to the brokers we partner with is the fact that they can maintain their independence while tapping into our successful infrastructure.” said Armand D’Alfonso, President and CEO of Nothnagle Realtors. “When you combine the wealth of knowledge and experience the Cinquanti group brings to the table, combined with Nothnagle’s award-winning systems, it is a win-win for everyone – the broker, agents and their customers and clients. We are thrilled to have them on board.”
Cinquanti Real Estate is the newest addition to the Nothnagle franchise system which currently offers locations in Amherst, Buffalo, Hornell, Penn Yan and Skaneateles.
Cinquanti Real Estate has a very long and proud history in Homer and Cortland County. In 1968, Bill Cinquanti opened the firm and was soon joined by his wife Laura, who 14 years later would take over the company. They played very active roles with the Cortland County Board of REALTORS® where they were each honored as “REALTOR® of the Year” recipients and both served as past Presidents, with Laura having the distinction of serving as the first female President in the Board’s history.
In 1980, their son Steve Cinquanti joined the company. Steve took over the business in 1995 and continued to build upon the foundation laid by his parents of integrity, exceptional service and hard work while bringing innovation to the marketplace. The name Cinquanti is synonymous with real estate in Cortland and its surrounding counties and now with the addition of the Nothnagle tools and systems, real estate consumers and agents will have a world-class experience like no other.
“Cinquanti Real Estate has a proven track record of delivering top-quality service to our clients for over 43 years. Now through our partnership with Nothnagle REALTORS®, we will be able to offer the benefits of tools and systems never before available in our market,” said Steve Cinquanti, President.
“What appeals to the brokers we partner with is the fact that they can maintain their independence while tapping into our successful infrastructure.” said Armand D’Alfonso, President and CEO of Nothnagle Realtors. “When you combine the wealth of knowledge and experience the Cinquanti group brings to the table, combined with Nothnagle’s award-winning systems, it is a win-win for everyone – the broker, agents and their customers and clients. We are thrilled to have them on board.”
Cinquanti Real Estate is the newest addition to the Nothnagle franchise system which currently offers locations in Amherst, Buffalo, Hornell, Penn Yan and Skaneateles.
Friday, August 5, 2011
The Importance of Staging
Many sellers do not realize the importance of staging and de-cluttering when putting their home on the market. Although many potential buyers might like how you have decorated your home and admire your collectables, they can not envision the space as their own. This is especially important for higher priced homes because the standards are set higher to earn the asking price. Serious buyers do not want to worry about doing any fixing up or repairing upon moving in to a new home.
Very often sellers work full time, have children or other priorities and that do not allow the time to put into repainting, decluttering and doing cosmetic fixes. Or maybe they think their house looks fine the way it is with plenty of family pictures, their children's school projects on the fridge or knick knacks. That's OK because there are professionals that can help with either scenario.
By hiring a home stager to visit and evaluate your home, they will suggest ways that you would never have thought of to transform your space. Sometimes even a change in paint color or rearranging of furniture can transform a room. An important factor is to show off the house, not hide great features like molding with bulky furniture, too much art work or loud paint colors. Even removing small appliances and soap dispensers from counter tops can make a huge difference when showing off granite or marble.
This process also helps people prepare for emotionally letting go of their former home. It is a difficult thing to remove family portraits that have been on the walls for years, but if a seller is serious about getting their house sold, these are important things to buyers.
Very often sellers work full time, have children or other priorities and that do not allow the time to put into repainting, decluttering and doing cosmetic fixes. Or maybe they think their house looks fine the way it is with plenty of family pictures, their children's school projects on the fridge or knick knacks. That's OK because there are professionals that can help with either scenario.
By hiring a home stager to visit and evaluate your home, they will suggest ways that you would never have thought of to transform your space. Sometimes even a change in paint color or rearranging of furniture can transform a room. An important factor is to show off the house, not hide great features like molding with bulky furniture, too much art work or loud paint colors. Even removing small appliances and soap dispensers from counter tops can make a huge difference when showing off granite or marble.
This process also helps people prepare for emotionally letting go of their former home. It is a difficult thing to remove family portraits that have been on the walls for years, but if a seller is serious about getting their house sold, these are important things to buyers.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Preserving Your Home's Value
Proactive maintenance is essential to preserving the value of your home—without it, your home could lose 10% of its value. Regular, routine maintenance enhances curb appeal, ensures safety, and prevents neglected upkeep from turning into costly major repairs.
Outright damage to your house is just one of the consequences of neglected maintenance. Without regular upkeep, the property could easily lose 10% of its appraised value. That could translate into a $10,000 or $15,000 adjustment.
In addition, a house with chipped, fading paint, sagging gutters, and worn carpeting faces an uphill battle when it comes time to sell. Not only is it at a disadvantage in comparison with other similar homes that might be for sale in the neighborhood, but a shaggy appearance is bound to turn off prospective buyers and depress the selling price. Remember, first impressions mean a lot to potential buyers.
A study by researchers at the University of Connecticut and Syracuse University suggests that maintenance actually increases the value of a house by about 1% each year. However, maintenance costs money. How much money is required for annual maintenance varies. Some years, routine tasks, such as cleaning gutters and changing furnace filters, are all that’s needed, and your total expenditures may be a few hundred dollars. Other years may include major replacements, such as a new roof, at a cost of $10,000 or more.
Setting aside a cash reserve that’s used strictly for home repair and maintenance can be helpful. That way, routine upkeep is a snap and any significant replacements won’t blindside the family budget.
Some other strategies include:
Play offense, not defense: Proactive maintenance is key to preventing small problems from becoming big issues. Take the initiative with regular inspections. Create and faithfully follow a maintenance schedule. If you’re unsure of what needs to be done, a $200 to $300 visit from a professional inspector can be invaluable in pointing out quick fixes and potential problems.
Plan a room-per-year redo: Pick a different room every year and go through it, fixing and improving as you go. That helps keep maintenance fun and interesting.
Keep track: Having a notebook of all your maintenance and upgrades, along with receipts, is a powerful tool when it comes to sell your home. It gets rid of any doubts for the buyer, and it says you are a meticulous, caring homeowner. A maintenance record also proves repairs and replacements for systems, such as wiring and plumbing, which might not be readily apparent.
Not familiar with Nothnagle Home services?
Learn about it here.
Outright damage to your house is just one of the consequences of neglected maintenance. Without regular upkeep, the property could easily lose 10% of its appraised value. That could translate into a $10,000 or $15,000 adjustment.
In addition, a house with chipped, fading paint, sagging gutters, and worn carpeting faces an uphill battle when it comes time to sell. Not only is it at a disadvantage in comparison with other similar homes that might be for sale in the neighborhood, but a shaggy appearance is bound to turn off prospective buyers and depress the selling price. Remember, first impressions mean a lot to potential buyers.
A study by researchers at the University of Connecticut and Syracuse University suggests that maintenance actually increases the value of a house by about 1% each year. However, maintenance costs money. How much money is required for annual maintenance varies. Some years, routine tasks, such as cleaning gutters and changing furnace filters, are all that’s needed, and your total expenditures may be a few hundred dollars. Other years may include major replacements, such as a new roof, at a cost of $10,000 or more.
Setting aside a cash reserve that’s used strictly for home repair and maintenance can be helpful. That way, routine upkeep is a snap and any significant replacements won’t blindside the family budget.
Some other strategies include:
Play offense, not defense: Proactive maintenance is key to preventing small problems from becoming big issues. Take the initiative with regular inspections. Create and faithfully follow a maintenance schedule. If you’re unsure of what needs to be done, a $200 to $300 visit from a professional inspector can be invaluable in pointing out quick fixes and potential problems.
Plan a room-per-year redo: Pick a different room every year and go through it, fixing and improving as you go. That helps keep maintenance fun and interesting.
Keep track: Having a notebook of all your maintenance and upgrades, along with receipts, is a powerful tool when it comes to sell your home. It gets rid of any doubts for the buyer, and it says you are a meticulous, caring homeowner. A maintenance record also proves repairs and replacements for systems, such as wiring and plumbing, which might not be readily apparent.
Not familiar with Nothnagle Home services?
Learn about it here.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Relocating to the Rochester area?
If you have ever relocated for a job, family, school or any other reason, it is hard to know what you are looking for without ever living in that area or maybe even visiting. Your first step should be to come up with "wish list" that includes things you like about your current living situation along with things you want for your new situation. There may be things such as: three bedrooms, a deck, granite counter tops and an inground pool. Then seek out a real estate professional to get you acclimated to the move and go over your "wish list". It is encouraged with a move like this to be in touch with your Realtor as much as you need to to ensure that your wants and needs are met.
If you will be coming to the area prior to the move this will allow your Realtor to gather a group of properties to look at within your criteria and not waste any time by looking at houses that do not meet your expectations. Meanwhile, virtual tours online will be able to give you a good idea of a home's interior features. If you see any houses online that interest you, tell your Realtor. If you can not visit the area a few times prior to moving, you might want to consider temporary housing for a few months to ensure a perfect fit with a home purchase.
As well as letting your Realtor know what you are looking for in a home, research the area as much as possible for things like schools, taxes and living expenses. In doing this, it will make the overall search much easier for both you and your Realtor. Just because you don't live in an area, it doesn't mean you can't find out as much as possible about it online, word of mouth or by coming up with a list of questions to ask your Realtor.
Make sure to be as specific as possible with what you are looking for. The more they know, the better they will be able to help you in your search.
If you are relocating to the Rochester area, you can find a Realtor here.
If you will be coming to the area prior to the move this will allow your Realtor to gather a group of properties to look at within your criteria and not waste any time by looking at houses that do not meet your expectations. Meanwhile, virtual tours online will be able to give you a good idea of a home's interior features. If you see any houses online that interest you, tell your Realtor. If you can not visit the area a few times prior to moving, you might want to consider temporary housing for a few months to ensure a perfect fit with a home purchase.
As well as letting your Realtor know what you are looking for in a home, research the area as much as possible for things like schools, taxes and living expenses. In doing this, it will make the overall search much easier for both you and your Realtor. Just because you don't live in an area, it doesn't mean you can't find out as much as possible about it online, word of mouth or by coming up with a list of questions to ask your Realtor.
Make sure to be as specific as possible with what you are looking for. The more they know, the better they will be able to help you in your search.
If you are relocating to the Rochester area, you can find a Realtor here.
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