Debbi Jacob, Associate Broker with Nothnagle Realtors, has been named Top Individual Agent for the second year in a row at Nothnagle’s Annual “Celebration of Excellence,” held January 27, 2012. In 2011, Debbi closed $15.5 million in sales volume and 73 transaction sides.
Debbi has more than 29 years of sales experience and obtained her real estate license in June 2006. A short five years in the real estate business, with the first year part time, she has built up a following of solid referrals from her clients. Debbi previously won Nothnagle’s “Rookie of the Year” award and in 2008 was named by Real Estate Magazine’s (an RIS Media publication) one of the nation’s “Top 50 Realtors on the Rise.” In addition, she has achieved numerous sales awards including Gold Club, Top 30 and Sales Master Platinum. At this year’s awards event, she was also presented with the Nothnagle Platinum Sales award, the highest sales award level at the Company.
Robert J. Maves, Senior Sales Manager of Nothnagle Realtor’s Pittsford branch, stated, “Debbi is just unbelievable with her clients. From staging, pricing, and understanding the market, Debbi has the ability to communicate the honest truth to her clients every time. She gets more business then I have ever seen in my career. Extraordinary, amazing, caring, fabulous, honest, outstanding and fantastic are some of the words her clients have used to describe her. Always positive and willing to go the extra mile for her clients whether it’s helping to stage a home, cleaning out a garage, de-cluttering a room, or delivering a home cooked meal, she never lets them down. She has risen to the top of her profession and is a role model for our industry. Debbi is always gracious and always finding time for clients, family, friends, colleagues and now her grandchildren.”
Armand D’Alfonso, President and CEO of Nothnagle Realtors stated, “Debbi has truly been a rising star ever since joining Nothnagle in 2006. Debbi has such a positive energy and caring demeanor that makes her so successful at what she does. We are thrilled to have Debbi as part of our Nothnagle family of agents and couldn’t be happier for her ongoing success.”
Debbi is married with three grown children, two grandchildren and another on the way. In addition to selling real estate, Debbi enjoys skiing, boating, antiques, gardening and is an active volunteer with Breast Cancer awareness.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Nothnagle Realtors Congratulates 2011 Award Recipients
Earlier this afternoon Nothnagle REALTORS® recognized and congratulated sales achievements for 2011 at their annual “Celebration of Excellence” awards event. Nothnagle awarded their sales associates based on sales volume in four categories; Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. In addition to sales volume, Nothnagle recognized the following awards:
· Top Residential Listing: Carol Ann Williams (Canandaigua Branch) $2.35 million
· Top Residential Sale: Jim Bilotta (Fairport Branch) $989,000
· Highest Number of Units Sold: Holly Creek (Brighton Branch) with 274 total units
sold in 2011; 195 since joining Nothnagle in March 2011.
Nothnagle’s “Circle of Excellence” is a career achievement award that recognizes agent longevity and significant sales achievement over their career. To qualify for the award, an agent must be an active sales agent; have been with Nothnagle for at least 10 years; and must have been awarded Top 30 or Platinum-level status at least 3 times over their career. Last year, the inaugural group of 36 agents was inducted into the Circle of Excellence. This year's inductees are: Janet Campbell (Spencerport); Brian Donovan (Pittsford); Bob Malone (Chili-Ogden); and, Dan Patterson (Ontario).
“At today’s annual “Celebration of Excellence”, I was extremely pleased to have awarded 291 agents for a variety of accomplishments ranging from sales production to milestone anniversaries with Nothnagle. The company’s success is made possible by all of these outstanding agents,” said President & CEO Armand D’Alfonso.
· Top Residential Listing: Carol Ann Williams (Canandaigua Branch) $2.35 million
· Top Residential Sale: Jim Bilotta (Fairport Branch) $989,000
· Highest Number of Units Sold: Holly Creek (Brighton Branch) with 274 total units
sold in 2011; 195 since joining Nothnagle in March 2011.
Nothnagle’s “Circle of Excellence” is a career achievement award that recognizes agent longevity and significant sales achievement over their career. To qualify for the award, an agent must be an active sales agent; have been with Nothnagle for at least 10 years; and must have been awarded Top 30 or Platinum-level status at least 3 times over their career. Last year, the inaugural group of 36 agents was inducted into the Circle of Excellence. This year's inductees are: Janet Campbell (Spencerport); Brian Donovan (Pittsford); Bob Malone (Chili-Ogden); and, Dan Patterson (Ontario).
“At today’s annual “Celebration of Excellence”, I was extremely pleased to have awarded 291 agents for a variety of accomplishments ranging from sales production to milestone anniversaries with Nothnagle. The company’s success is made possible by all of these outstanding agents,” said President & CEO Armand D’Alfonso.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Holly Creek Wins Platinum Award, Named Nothnagle's Top Producer for 2011
Holly Creek, Associate Broker with Nothnagle Realtors, has been named Top Producer for 2011 at Nothnagle’s Annual “Celebration of Excellence,” held January 27, 2012. Holly Creek joined Nothnagle in March of 2011 and her first sale with Nothnagle closed in May 2011.
During her time at Nothnagle, Holly closed $50 million in sales volume, but had a total of $75 million including sales with her previous broker. She had a total of 274 transactions in 2011. Holly's career spans 24 successful years and she has the highest production out of all agents in the Greater Rochester market. Today, Holly was awarded with the Platinum Sales Award, which is the highest award level attainable with Nothnagle. Other awards she has received in her market include the Women's Council of Realtors Zenith Award for 13 consecutive years, Sales Master Platinum/Sales Master Gold/Sales Master for 15 consecutive years, and the Pinnacle Sales Award.
On a national level, Holly has been recognized as the number 4 Selling Broker for Agent Gross Commissions earned and was ranked in the Top 25 by ERA. In 2008, Holly was ranked in The Wall Street Journal’s “Top 100 Agents by Transaction Sides”.
Armand D’Alfonso, President and CEO of Nothnagle Realtors stated, “Holly has been a terrific addition to this company over the past ten months. She is extremely driven with an upbeat, determined personality. Holly makes her clients’ needs a priority and has a passion for meeting those needs, which is what has made her so successful in this business”.
Holly is a Rochester native and currently resides with her husband in Webster.
During her time at Nothnagle, Holly closed $50 million in sales volume, but had a total of $75 million including sales with her previous broker. She had a total of 274 transactions in 2011. Holly's career spans 24 successful years and she has the highest production out of all agents in the Greater Rochester market. Today, Holly was awarded with the Platinum Sales Award, which is the highest award level attainable with Nothnagle. Other awards she has received in her market include the Women's Council of Realtors Zenith Award for 13 consecutive years, Sales Master Platinum/Sales Master Gold/Sales Master for 15 consecutive years, and the Pinnacle Sales Award.
On a national level, Holly has been recognized as the number 4 Selling Broker for Agent Gross Commissions earned and was ranked in the Top 25 by ERA. In 2008, Holly was ranked in The Wall Street Journal’s “Top 100 Agents by Transaction Sides”.
Armand D’Alfonso, President and CEO of Nothnagle Realtors stated, “Holly has been a terrific addition to this company over the past ten months. She is extremely driven with an upbeat, determined personality. Holly makes her clients’ needs a priority and has a passion for meeting those needs, which is what has made her so successful in this business”.
Holly is a Rochester native and currently resides with her husband in Webster.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Avoid Rental Scams on Craigslist
Craigslist rental scams are nothing new, but they are still happening to sellers and agents everyday. If you are using Craigslist to find rental property, please make sure that you are in contact with a real person in real life.
Craigslist posts a warning on all of the real estate pages:
Many of the postings on Craigslist are "hijacked" listings taken from other local and national real estate websites and the Seller has no idea there home is being used to advertise the fake rental. The postings use a photo and provides basic info about the house so it looks legitimate. Often the monthly rent is way below market prices - remember, if it seems too good to be true, it usually is!
People have lost money in this scam! If you have been a victim or if you know of someone who has, please direct them to the section Craigslist has set up that includes links to the FTC and Fraud Complaint Center.
Craigslist posts a warning on all of the real estate pages:
Avoid scams and fraud by dealing locally! Beware any arrangement involving Western Union, Moneygram, wire transfer, or a landlord/owner who is out of the country or cannot meet you in person.Typically the scam artist will only communicate via email and uses a story that they are currrently doing missionary work in Africa and therefore can't meet in person. They will request that you fill out an application and send a deposit and/or first and last month's rent via Western Union. They then indicate if you are approved, they will mail you the key. The key never arrives and the money is gone.
Many of the postings on Craigslist are "hijacked" listings taken from other local and national real estate websites and the Seller has no idea there home is being used to advertise the fake rental. The postings use a photo and provides basic info about the house so it looks legitimate. Often the monthly rent is way below market prices - remember, if it seems too good to be true, it usually is!
People have lost money in this scam! If you have been a victim or if you know of someone who has, please direct them to the section Craigslist has set up that includes links to the FTC and Fraud Complaint Center.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Nothnagle Realtors Expands to Orchard Park
Nothnagle is proud to announce the expansion of Nothnagle Realtors Property Centre to Orchard Park. The new branch will be located at 3229 Southwestern Boulevard in Crossroads Centre. Maryjane Herdic has been appointed branch manager of the Orchard Park location and brings over 17 years of real estate sales, management and training experience.
Nothnagle Realtors Property Centre first opened in January 2010 in the City of Buffalo. Owned and operated by industry veteran Mark Pagano, it was the first franchised location for Nothnagle since it re-entered the franchising business. Nothnagle previously operated the Gallery of Homes franchise system prior to selling it in the 1980’s.
“With the addition of the Orchard Park office we now offer three convenient locations within Erie County to effectively serve the entire Buffalo market,” said Mark Pagano, Broker/Owner of Nothnagle Realtors Property Centre. Other locations include 499 Franklin Street and 6789 Main Street in Amherst.
Maryjane Herdic, Associate Broker and Orchard Park branch manager, said she is excited to be a partner in this endeavor as Nothnagle has a proven track record of delivering an exceptional experience to its agents and customers. “In today’s market, it is imperative that both consumers and agents have access to the best technology and tools available. With the technology, tools and services Nothnagle has to offer, combined with the addition of the Orchard Park location, I feel this is a 'win win' for everyone,” added Herdic.
The Orchard Park office is centrally located in Erie County and is conveniently positioned to serve the Southtowns of Buffalo, including West Seneca, Orchard Park, Elma, Lancaster, East Aurora, Blasdell, Eden, Boston, Colden and Hamburg.
About Nothnagle REALTORS®
Nothnagle Realtors was established in 1948 by the late John T. Nothnagle who launched the company in Rochester with $400 saved from his job at Eastman Kodak. Using photography as the principal sales medium, Nothnagle took the unique concept of displaying photos of homes for sale, saving buyers time and gaining tremendous exposure for sellers. The Gallery of Homes was the first real estate franchise system in the country and at its peak offered over 1,000 locations throughout the United States, Canada and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Nothnagle re-entered the franchise business in 2010. Today, Nothnagle offers 30 company-owned and franchised locations throughout Central and Western New York and boasts over $1 billion in annual sales. For more information, visit www.Nothnagle.com.
About Maryjane Herdic
Licensed since 1994, Marjane Herdic has been an award-winning sales agent and is an experienced office manager. She has earned the National Association of REALTORS® e-PRO certification and is a Certified Real Estate Coach and Leadership Development Graduate. Herdic has been a Southtowns Business woman since 1976.
Nothnagle Realtors Property Centre first opened in January 2010 in the City of Buffalo. Owned and operated by industry veteran Mark Pagano, it was the first franchised location for Nothnagle since it re-entered the franchising business. Nothnagle previously operated the Gallery of Homes franchise system prior to selling it in the 1980’s.
“With the addition of the Orchard Park office we now offer three convenient locations within Erie County to effectively serve the entire Buffalo market,” said Mark Pagano, Broker/Owner of Nothnagle Realtors Property Centre. Other locations include 499 Franklin Street and 6789 Main Street in Amherst.
Maryjane Herdic, Associate Broker and Orchard Park branch manager, said she is excited to be a partner in this endeavor as Nothnagle has a proven track record of delivering an exceptional experience to its agents and customers. “In today’s market, it is imperative that both consumers and agents have access to the best technology and tools available. With the technology, tools and services Nothnagle has to offer, combined with the addition of the Orchard Park location, I feel this is a 'win win' for everyone,” added Herdic.
The Orchard Park office is centrally located in Erie County and is conveniently positioned to serve the Southtowns of Buffalo, including West Seneca, Orchard Park, Elma, Lancaster, East Aurora, Blasdell, Eden, Boston, Colden and Hamburg.
About Nothnagle REALTORS®
Nothnagle Realtors was established in 1948 by the late John T. Nothnagle who launched the company in Rochester with $400 saved from his job at Eastman Kodak. Using photography as the principal sales medium, Nothnagle took the unique concept of displaying photos of homes for sale, saving buyers time and gaining tremendous exposure for sellers. The Gallery of Homes was the first real estate franchise system in the country and at its peak offered over 1,000 locations throughout the United States, Canada and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Nothnagle re-entered the franchise business in 2010. Today, Nothnagle offers 30 company-owned and franchised locations throughout Central and Western New York and boasts over $1 billion in annual sales. For more information, visit www.Nothnagle.com.
About Maryjane Herdic
Licensed since 1994, Marjane Herdic has been an award-winning sales agent and is an experienced office manager. She has earned the National Association of REALTORS® e-PRO certification and is a Certified Real Estate Coach and Leadership Development Graduate. Herdic has been a Southtowns Business woman since 1976.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Why You Should Use a Realtor
Many people wonder whether they should hire an agent to sell their home or whether they should first try as a For Sale by Owner (FSBO). In today’s market, we believe this is an easy decision: you need an experienced professional!
Finding a buyer willing to pay fair market value for your home at a time when there are growing inventories of foreclosures and short sales will take a true real estate professional. A estate professional will be able to give you expert advice on what price to list your home at, improvements to get the most money and potential buyers though, as well as offer honest advice. Along with those reasons, an expert will be there to market your home, hold open houses, spread the word and get it sold!Another thing to consider is that finding reasonable financing can also be tricky in today’s lending environment as mortgage approvals get more stringent. A real estate professional will be able to tell you if you are getting a fair term and interest rate.
In today’s market, hiring a real estate professional as a talented negotiator could save you thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of dollars. Each step of the way – from the original offer, to the possible re-negotiation of that off after a home inspection, to the possible cancellation of the deal based on a negative appraisal – you need someone who can keep the deal together until it closes.
Unless you are willing to commit yourself to a full-time job of listing your own home, it pays to go through an agent who will be there every step of the way!
Finding a buyer willing to pay fair market value for your home at a time when there are growing inventories of foreclosures and short sales will take a true real estate professional. A estate professional will be able to give you expert advice on what price to list your home at, improvements to get the most money and potential buyers though, as well as offer honest advice. Along with those reasons, an expert will be there to market your home, hold open houses, spread the word and get it sold!Another thing to consider is that finding reasonable financing can also be tricky in today’s lending environment as mortgage approvals get more stringent. A real estate professional will be able to tell you if you are getting a fair term and interest rate.
In today’s market, hiring a real estate professional as a talented negotiator could save you thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of dollars. Each step of the way – from the original offer, to the possible re-negotiation of that off after a home inspection, to the possible cancellation of the deal based on a negative appraisal – you need someone who can keep the deal together until it closes.
Unless you are willing to commit yourself to a full-time job of listing your own home, it pays to go through an agent who will be there every step of the way!
Monday, January 16, 2012
The Facts About Credit Scores
If you are thinking of a home and applying for a loan, there are many misconceptions about how scores are calculated and how factors such as having multiple credit cards play in. Below are some common things to know so you can be prepared when getting a loan.
Ownership of several credit cards can hurt your credit score:
Mostly false. Having many credit lines is not necessarily a bad thing, says credit expert Liz Weston, author of Your Credit Score. Multiple lines give you a favorable debt-to-available-credit ratio. But use them correctly: It’s best to keep any balances below 10% or 20% of the total credit line, she says. Anything more will affect the ratio of debt-to-available-credit, which can decrease your credit score.
Opening and closing credit lines can hurt your credit score:
True. New credit applications can decrease your credit score, so be careful about applying for new credit cards or personal loans before applying for a HELOC, second mortgage, automobile loan, or other large line of credit. Surprise: Closing existing credit lines may also hurt your credit score, since it’ll damage your debt-to-available-credit ratio. A good rule is not to make any credit changes in the months leading up to a major credit request, such as for a HELOC.
Consolidating credit lines will help your credit score:
Mostly false. Although it may seem like a good idea to move all your balances to one card, that can actually hurt your credit score, since your debt-to-available-credit ratio will spike on that card, says Weston. However, credit expert Harrine Freeman says such a slight decline is not necessarily a deal-breaker for a loan, especially if the card has a lower interest rate and will allow you to pay off the balance sooner. Your score will increase as soon as that ratio goes down.
Changing jobs can hurt your credit score:
Partly true. Taking a new job or losing your job does not affect your credit score. However, if you have a spotty employment history, lenders may hold that against you in making a loan. Dips in income may signal that it could be difficult to pay bills in a timely manner.
Co-signing for others can hurt your credit score:
Partly true. Simply co-signing on a loan for someone else may not affect your score, but if that person is late on paying the loan, it’s likely to show up on your report, says Freeman. And that’s a nasty surprise if you did not know the person was late.
Judgments and liens are not considered in your credit score:
False. If you have had a judgment or lien filed against you, it’s considered in your payment history, which represents 35% of your score. Similarly, while most utility companies don’t report payment history to credit bureaus, your account will likely be reported if it is seriously delinquent and referred to a collection
Ownership of several credit cards can hurt your credit score:
Mostly false. Having many credit lines is not necessarily a bad thing, says credit expert Liz Weston, author of Your Credit Score. Multiple lines give you a favorable debt-to-available-credit ratio. But use them correctly: It’s best to keep any balances below 10% or 20% of the total credit line, she says. Anything more will affect the ratio of debt-to-available-credit, which can decrease your credit score.
Opening and closing credit lines can hurt your credit score:
True. New credit applications can decrease your credit score, so be careful about applying for new credit cards or personal loans before applying for a HELOC, second mortgage, automobile loan, or other large line of credit. Surprise: Closing existing credit lines may also hurt your credit score, since it’ll damage your debt-to-available-credit ratio. A good rule is not to make any credit changes in the months leading up to a major credit request, such as for a HELOC.
Consolidating credit lines will help your credit score:
Mostly false. Although it may seem like a good idea to move all your balances to one card, that can actually hurt your credit score, since your debt-to-available-credit ratio will spike on that card, says Weston. However, credit expert Harrine Freeman says such a slight decline is not necessarily a deal-breaker for a loan, especially if the card has a lower interest rate and will allow you to pay off the balance sooner. Your score will increase as soon as that ratio goes down.
Changing jobs can hurt your credit score:
Partly true. Taking a new job or losing your job does not affect your credit score. However, if you have a spotty employment history, lenders may hold that against you in making a loan. Dips in income may signal that it could be difficult to pay bills in a timely manner.
Co-signing for others can hurt your credit score:
Partly true. Simply co-signing on a loan for someone else may not affect your score, but if that person is late on paying the loan, it’s likely to show up on your report, says Freeman. And that’s a nasty surprise if you did not know the person was late.
Judgments and liens are not considered in your credit score:
False. If you have had a judgment or lien filed against you, it’s considered in your payment history, which represents 35% of your score. Similarly, while most utility companies don’t report payment history to credit bureaus, your account will likely be reported if it is seriously delinquent and referred to a collection
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Rochester Included in Top Cities Poised for Greatness!
In an article by "The Street", author Jason Notte listed Rochester, NY in a grouping of the "10 Cities Poised for Greatness in 2012". Since stepping into 2012, Rochester has been mentioned numerous times in publications forecasting a positive economy and growing housing market.
Rochester is ranked amongst other well known metropolitan areas such New Orleans, Chicago, Tampa, and Houston. Despite depressing occurrences in Rochester such as the decline of Kodak and recent Paetec project, Rochester's housing and job markets have and will continue to remain stable.
Rochester's unemployment rate has been hovering around 7% for the last two years and home prices are up 1.4% since 2010. A city with stability and improvement around the corner is more than one could ask for in today's economy. More and more businesses are reentering Downtown Rochester and people are moving back into downtown dwellings from the suburbs.
Trulia's Chief Economist Jed Kolko, who is originally from Rochester said in an article "That's my hometown, and knowing what's happened to Kodak and other pillars of the local economy, I was surprised when Rochester scored on the Top 5 list. I applied the same formula to all cities and did not have my thumb on the scale. Prices--which fell little during the boom--are stable, and the economy has weathered blow and blow and is expanding."
Rochester is ranked amongst other well known metropolitan areas such New Orleans, Chicago, Tampa, and Houston. Despite depressing occurrences in Rochester such as the decline of Kodak and recent Paetec project, Rochester's housing and job markets have and will continue to remain stable.
Rochester's unemployment rate has been hovering around 7% for the last two years and home prices are up 1.4% since 2010. A city with stability and improvement around the corner is more than one could ask for in today's economy. More and more businesses are reentering Downtown Rochester and people are moving back into downtown dwellings from the suburbs.
Trulia's Chief Economist Jed Kolko, who is originally from Rochester said in an article "That's my hometown, and knowing what's happened to Kodak and other pillars of the local economy, I was surprised when Rochester scored on the Top 5 list. I applied the same formula to all cities and did not have my thumb on the scale. Prices--which fell little during the boom--are stable, and the economy has weathered blow and blow and is expanding."
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Home Data Index Report is Positive for Rochester in 2012!
According to the Rochester Business Journal, last month, ClearCapital.com Inc., a California-based provider of real estate data, released their final Home Data Index Report for 2011 with a forecast for 2012. The report listed Rochester as one of the top major real estate markets to experience growth in home prices in 2011, but in their most recent update, the report forecasts that the market will remain stable in 2012.
The report takes the country's overall real estate market in terms of stability and home prices as well local economic conditions and real estate owned saturation meaning foreclosure and forfeiture. Rochester ranked fourth among major metro markets with an overall increase of 4.7% in 2011. Ahead of Rochester is Dayton, Ohio; Orlando, Florida; and the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Miami Beach markets.
The 2012 forecast predicts a very slight national increase in home prices of 0.2 percent. One year from now, ClearCapitol.com, Inc. also predicts that the Rochester market will be ranked 26th among major metro markets, the highest ranking market in New York.
The report takes the country's overall real estate market in terms of stability and home prices as well local economic conditions and real estate owned saturation meaning foreclosure and forfeiture. Rochester ranked fourth among major metro markets with an overall increase of 4.7% in 2011. Ahead of Rochester is Dayton, Ohio; Orlando, Florida; and the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Miami Beach markets.
The 2012 forecast predicts a very slight national increase in home prices of 0.2 percent. One year from now, ClearCapitol.com, Inc. also predicts that the Rochester market will be ranked 26th among major metro markets, the highest ranking market in New York.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Winter is finally here! Do you need snow plowing or shoveling sercices? If so, Nothnagle Home Services can do it all.
Through their partnership with trusted Rochester area contractors, service partners, and retailers, Home Services provides Nothnagle clients with home-related products and services before, during, and after their move.
Home Services does so much more than just providing moving services. There are service partners that specialize in whatever you may need. From paint, cleaning, interior decorating, roof repairs, mowing, pest removal, remodeling, trash/garbage pickup, home security, or heating/air conditioning, Home Services will help get the job done. A full list of our service categories can be found here.
Each one of our service partners provides some special benefit exclusively to Nothnagle clients who go through Home Services. Every partner is required to maintain a 95% satisfaction rate with our clients, so you can be sure you are getting the highest quality service. Take comfort in knowing the job will get done right. A full list of our service partners can be found here.
Take advantage of what Home Services can offer! Register now and get started.
Visit our Facebook page to stay up-to-date with our newest partners and special promotions!
Through their partnership with trusted Rochester area contractors, service partners, and retailers, Home Services provides Nothnagle clients with home-related products and services before, during, and after their move.
Home Services does so much more than just providing moving services. There are service partners that specialize in whatever you may need. From paint, cleaning, interior decorating, roof repairs, mowing, pest removal, remodeling, trash/garbage pickup, home security, or heating/air conditioning, Home Services will help get the job done. A full list of our service categories can be found here.
Each one of our service partners provides some special benefit exclusively to Nothnagle clients who go through Home Services. Every partner is required to maintain a 95% satisfaction rate with our clients, so you can be sure you are getting the highest quality service. Take comfort in knowing the job will get done right. A full list of our service partners can be found here.
Take advantage of what Home Services can offer! Register now and get started.
Visit our Facebook page to stay up-to-date with our newest partners and special promotions!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Rochester Housing Market Looks Great for 2012!
Rochester has been known to have a relatively stable housing market. No major highs or lows, but in 2012, realtors are hoping for a great year.
Last week, the chief economist for Trulia, a real estate industry blog predicted that Rochester would be a “hot” market in 2012 due to tech jobs in the area. Rochester ranked 5th after Austin, Houston, San Jose and Boston.
Local realtors say they are already seeing signs that this may be the case. “We had the best November and December we ever had,” says Josh Bartolotta of Nothnagle Realtors. “For a while, people weren't making moves unless they really had to. It seems as though there was a pent up demand on the buyer side.”
Bartolotta says consumer confidence is up and mortgage rates are at all time lows. He believes this may have accounted for the great sales numbers in the past two months. Bartolotta also points out that a specific group of homebuyers have helped the market.
“We're seeing an influx of people coming in from out of town,” he says. “Whether they are coming in for a technology-related industry or to work in financial services. Just in the last half of 2011, we saw a significant jump in the number of people who were coming into the Rochester area.”
Last week, the chief economist for Trulia, a real estate industry blog predicted that Rochester would be a “hot” market in 2012 due to tech jobs in the area. Rochester ranked 5th after Austin, Houston, San Jose and Boston.
Local realtors say they are already seeing signs that this may be the case. “We had the best November and December we ever had,” says Josh Bartolotta of Nothnagle Realtors. “For a while, people weren't making moves unless they really had to. It seems as though there was a pent up demand on the buyer side.”
Bartolotta says consumer confidence is up and mortgage rates are at all time lows. He believes this may have accounted for the great sales numbers in the past two months. Bartolotta also points out that a specific group of homebuyers have helped the market.
“We're seeing an influx of people coming in from out of town,” he says. “Whether they are coming in for a technology-related industry or to work in financial services. Just in the last half of 2011, we saw a significant jump in the number of people who were coming into the Rochester area.”
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Top 10 Reasons We Buy Homes
In many of our recent blogs, we have discussed finance being a key factor in buying a home and it still is. However, finance more so dictates which home and where you buy, not the reason that you want to buy. Home ownership has never strayed far from being part of the American dream, but in recent economic times, purchasing a home may have been put on hold for some people. 72% of renters still say that owning a home is a top priority.
According to two recent surveys; The National Housing Survey & The Myers Research & Strategic Services survey, each came back with the top five reasons why people purchase homes, here is the consensus:
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)
Paying rent is not a good investment
Owning a home makes people feel stable & secure. Although people may not have the economic means to buy when they would like to, the desire to own a home is still evident.
Top 10 Reasons People Buy Homes
In many of our recent blogs, we have discussed finance being a key factor in buying a home and it still is. However, finance more so dictates which home and where you buy, not the reason that you want to buy. Home ownership has never strayed far from being part of the American dream, but in recent economic times, purchasing a home may have been put on hold for some people. 72% of renters still say that owning a home is a top priority.
According to two recent surveys; The National Housing Survey & The Myers Research & Strategic Services survey, each came back with the top five reasons why people purchase homes, here is the consensus:
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)
Paying rent is not a good investment
Owning a home makes people feel stable & secure. Although people may not have the economic means to buy when they would like to, the desire to own a home is still evident.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Pre-listing Steps to Follow
A recurring trend in today's market is that buyers are looking for a move-in ready home with nothing to do except turn the key. The homes that poses these qualities are the ones selling for premium prices. For some sellers, preparing their house for sale in this condition may be a financial stretch. A real estate agent will be able to assist by prioritizing what potential buyers will be looking for and where money should be spent. A house can be located in an attractive, desirable neighborhood, but if it has been lived in for decades with minimal upgrades, there will be problems selling it.
It is amazing what a fresh coat of paint, new kitchen hardware and carpet removal (if there is hardwood underneath) can do in a potential buyer's mind. However, some homes may not need a lot of work to get it updated. There might be other issues at hand, such as too many personal possessions that block a buyer from seeing themselves in that house. The point is to make them focus on the house, not the people who live there currently. How families live in their home now is not how it should look when it is listed for sale. Less possessions also makes the space look bigger and buyers want more for their money. By decluttering personal items, it also helps the seller to mentally remove themselves from the home.
Consider hiring someone to help you sort, pack, donate and recycle items that you no longer want. You may be able to take a tax deduction for things you donate. Make sure to get a receipt. Your real estate agent should be able to recommend someone who can help you clear your house of clutter if you are overwhelmed by the project.
Your agent, or stager, may ask you to put away art hanging on the walls, personal photos, any displayed collections etc. This can be difficult for most sellers because, for them, it's part of the emotional appeal of their home. Your house won't look like your home after you've removed personal possessions and moved what's left around to display the house to its best advantage.
It is amazing what a fresh coat of paint, new kitchen hardware and carpet removal (if there is hardwood underneath) can do in a potential buyer's mind. However, some homes may not need a lot of work to get it updated. There might be other issues at hand, such as too many personal possessions that block a buyer from seeing themselves in that house. The point is to make them focus on the house, not the people who live there currently. How families live in their home now is not how it should look when it is listed for sale. Less possessions also makes the space look bigger and buyers want more for their money. By decluttering personal items, it also helps the seller to mentally remove themselves from the home.
Consider hiring someone to help you sort, pack, donate and recycle items that you no longer want. You may be able to take a tax deduction for things you donate. Make sure to get a receipt. Your real estate agent should be able to recommend someone who can help you clear your house of clutter if you are overwhelmed by the project.
Your agent, or stager, may ask you to put away art hanging on the walls, personal photos, any displayed collections etc. This can be difficult for most sellers because, for them, it's part of the emotional appeal of their home. Your house won't look like your home after you've removed personal possessions and moved what's left around to display the house to its best advantage.
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