During the Holidays Buy a Home!

From the Cary Real Estate Home Source:

The holidays are a great time to find real estate deals!

Here are some reasons why the holiday season promises better-than-usual home bargains:


Low Interest Rates:

Interest rates and home prices are at all-time lows.


Serious Sellers:

Many home sellers are extremely motivated to sell immediately and are more willing to negotiate a lower home price. Many owners are anxious to get the home sold before the end of the year because it helps on their taxes.  A serious seller means more negotiating power for the buyer, especially if the home has been on the market for several months.


Slower Market:

With many people busy gift shopping, traveling and entertaining, November and December are traditionally slow for real estate. Alert buyers can take advantage of this and find less competition for the most desirable homes.

Faster Closings:

Fewer transactions mean faster closings. November and December are historically slower months in the mortgage business, so things get done faster.

Also, financial institutions and lenders that are looking to close the books on 2009 may be more willing to act quickly to get a transaction closed by year end. That means it may take less time to get an offer accepted.

Tax Reductions:

Most settlement costs paid to the mortgage company, lender or broker are tax-deductible in the year in which you pay them. If you close on or before Dec. 31, you may be able to deduct the interest on your first monthly mortgage payment from your taxable income. And, you may be able to deduct points paid to reduce your interest rate as well.

You may also be eligible for the tax credit for first-time homebuyers of $8,000 or $6,000 for existing home owners.

For more details.

Kwik Quote : "Reputation is for time, character is for eternity". --J.B. Gough

Know Your Real Estate:   "ASSUMABLE MORTGAGE"... a mortgage that can be assumed by the buyer when a home is sold. Usually, the borrower must "qualify" in order to assume the loan.

To SEARCH FOR HOMES, visit the Triangle Estates Realty website. Or, email me at tim@timhaag.com. Or, for a no pressure chat, call me at 919-389-7135.

The Home Buyer Tax Credit is Back...and Better!

From the Cary Real Estate Home Source:

Good News!

The home buyer tax credit has been extended...and expanded. Here's what it looks like:

1. The first-time home buyer tax credit of up to $8,000 is extended to April 30th of next year.

2. Up to a $6,500 tax credit has been added for current home owners who purchase a new or existing home by April 30th of next year.

So...Who Qualifies?

-- To qualify as a first-time home buyer you or your spouse may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.

-- Current home owners must purchase a home before April 30, 2010...and have used the home being sold or vacated as a principal residence for 5 consecutive years within the last eight.

Okay...Which Properties Are Eligible?

The extended home buyer tax credit may be applied to primary residences, including: single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops.

And...How is a Buyer's Credit Amount Determined?

1. Price:

Credit may only be awarded on homes purchased for $800,000 or less.

2. Buyer's Income:

Single buyers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 may receive the maximum tax credit.

What's the Catch...Do I Have to Repay the Tax Credit?

Only if you occupy the home less than 3 years or more.

So...if you have thought about purchasing a home, this might just be the time to make the move!

Here is more information from the National Association of Realtors. If you have specific questions or need additional information, you should contact a tax professional or the Internal Revenue Service at 800-829-1040.

Kwik Kwote: "Nothing great can be accomplished without enthusiasm". --Ralph Waldo Emerson

Know Your Real Estate: "ARREARS"...at the end of a term. For example: Interest on a mortgage loan is usually paid in arrears, i.e. at the end of the month, rather than at the beginning.  

To SEARCH FOR HOMES, visit the Triangle Estates Realty website. Or, email me at tim@timhaag.com. Or, for a no pressure chat, call me at 919-389-7135.

Should You Get Pre-qualified Before House Hunting?

From the Cary Real Estate Home Page:

Should you talk to a mortgage professional before looking for a home?

Absolutely!

You say you haven't even picked out your new home yet? Why should you talk to a home lender before you even start looking?

Here's why:

1. You need to know how much home you can afford.
2. You'll be a step ahead of those who haven't been to a lender.
3. You have to do it at some point anyway...why not now?
4. It will increase your negotiating strength.
5. It will help you and the lender know which loan best meets you needs.

So...what will you have to show for it? You'll get a pre-qualification letter from the home lender. You can show it to the owners of the home you are interested in. That may well give you the advantage you need to compete successfully for the home of your choice. 

Okay...what is a pre-qualification? The lender will take a look at your income and debts. Your employment. Your current residence situation. Your available funds for a down payment and required reserves. And some other things.

The pre-qualification will help you know how much of a monthly mortgage payment you can afford...and how much your loan can be. The pre-qualification requires a minimum of effort on your part but provides you with a valuable tool for your home search.

The pre-qualification or "pre-qual" letter assures the sellers of the home you want that you are serious. It shows that you have taken the initiative to prepare to pay for the home. It gives the home sellers confidence that you'll be able to get a loan and are not just wasting their time.

When you find a house that catches your eye, and you decide to make an offer, being pre-qualified for a mortgage will do a couple of things:

1. It lets you know how much you can offer. Your real estate agent can help you decide what to offer.

2. Being pre-qualified gives you the confidence to know you can "put your money where your mouth is". You'll have the clout of a buyer who is ready to make the deal right now!

Sooo...what are you waiting for? Get off the couch and take the first step in your search for that new home of your dreams! Go see a home loan professional.

For more details see the article by Mark Pendergast at Maker Capital Group


Kwik Kwote: "The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem".
--Theodore Rubin

Know Your Real Estate: "ASSUMABLE MORTGAGE"...a mortgage that can be assumed by the buyer when a home is sold. Usually, the buyer must "qualify" for a loan in order to assume the loan.


To SEARCH FOR HOMES in the Cary-Raleigh area of North Carolina, visit the Triangle Estates Realty website. Or, email me at tim@timhaag.com. Or, for a no pressure chat, call me at 919-389-7135.

Do Not Go Furniture Shopping for Your New Home!

From the Cary Home Page:

Sorry! That new recliner for your new home will just have to wait.

Sure...you're excited to know you'll soon be moving into your new home!

Of course, one of the first things you want to do is hit the stores for new furniture, appliances or curtains for your new home.

Don't even think about it!

Wait until the closing is over before you start buying stuff.

Why? Because lenders sometimes run credit reports as late as the day of closing. If there is new credit card debt or indications that debt may soon increase, it could delay or even prevent your home purchase.

Okay...so I can't buy...but I can do some serious looking. Right?

Wrong! If you plan to charge it, you're credit report may be pulled. An inquiry on a credit report might well raise red flags with your lender. Don’t even look until you’ve closed.

Sometimes what may seem to be the smallest thing can create a serious setback. It's just not worth taking the chance.

Be patient!

For the rest of the story, check out this article by Dawn Wotapka, Associated Press.


Kwik Kwote:  "The thing that really sets successful people apart from the dreamers is action." --Mark Joyner

Know Your Real Estate:  "ASSESSED VALUE"...the valuation placed on your property by the tax assessor. The tax rate is applied to the assessed value to calculate the taxes you owe. Sometimes assessed value reflects the property's market value and sometimes it doesn't.

To SEARCH FOR HOMES in the Cary-Raleigh area of North Carolina, visit the Wake County Real Estate Center. Or, email me at tim@timhaag.com. Or, for a no pressure chat, call me at 919-389-7135.

Guess What? It's Time to Winterize Your Home!

From the Cary Home Page:

As the cold air moves in, you may be looking for ways to keep heating costs down and protecting your home from the icy temperatures.

Fortunately, you can follow a few simple steps to guard against cold-weather damage and keep those energy bills from skyrocketing during the upcoming winter months.

Stop Those Air Leaks

Even a small draft can make a big impact on the comfort of your home and your monthly heating bill. To check for leaks, try lighting a stick of incense and holding it near possible draft areas. If the smoke gets sucked in or blown out, you have an air leak.

Be sure to check your windows, door frames and points where materials meet (e.g. wood and brick or foundation and wall). Most drafts can be fixed with caulking. Drafts around or under your door can be fixed with weather stripping, which is available at most hardware stores.

Prevent Icy Pipes and Gutters

Ice can form in outdoor pipes and gutters. This can cause them to crack or burst, resulting in serious damage to your home once they warm up. And...don't forget to shut off the water valve for all outdoor pipes.

Here's an extra precaution. You can also purchase pipe insulation and slip it over outdoor piping. Oh...be sure to clean out all of your gutters. Any debris could cause a water blockage that may result in ice damage to your gutters or roof.

Insulate, Insulate, Insulate

The biggest money and energy-saver for your home this winter is good insulation. Older homes tend to have significantly less insulation than newer ones. It pays to check it out.

The U.S. Department of Energy says that adding new insulation will pay for itself within a few years through lower energy bills. Areas that need the most insulation are attics, cathedral ceilings, exterior walls and foundations.

Be Smart About Carbon Monoxide

Winter is the most dangerous time for carbon monoxide poisoning. Protect your home by purchasing a carbon monoxide detector. Or...if you already own one, be sure to test the batteries. It is also important to have a professional check your furnace for carbon monoxide production.


Kwik Kwote: "Problems are the price of progress. Don't bring me anything but trouble. Good news weakens me." --Charles F. Kettering

Know Your Real Estate: "APPURTENANCE"...something that is outside of the property, but is considered a part of the property and adds to its enjoyment. For example, a right-of-way over someone else's property.

To SEARCH FOR HOMES in the Cary-Raleigh area of North Carolina, visit the Wake County Real Estate Center. Or, email me at tim@timhaag.com . Or, for a no pressure chat, call me at 919.389.7135

10 Affordable Home Makeovers!

From the Cary Home Page:

Many home buyers are finding it hard to get a home loan these days.

Some have decided to just stay in their present home and do some updating and upgrading.

Here are 10 affordable "redos" you might want to think about for your home:

 1. Make Rooms Gender Neutral

 2. Paint Neutral, Healthy Colors

 3. Camouflauge Dated Paneling
 4. Modernize the Kitchen

 5. Create a Spa-like Bathroom

 6. Hang the Right Window Properly
 7. Lighten Up
 8. Anchor Furnishings with a Great Floor
 9. Hang Inexpensive but Appealing Art
10. Improve Curb Appeal

To see a slide show from "Realtor Magazine" and descriptions of each of these projects, check out this presentation.


Kwik Kwote: "The essential thing is not knowledge, but character." --Joseph Le Conte

Know Your Real Estate: "LIVING AREA"...space in a home that is intended for human occupancy and is heated, finished and directly accessible from other living areas in the home.

To SEARCH FOR HOMES in the Cary-Raleigh area of North Carolina, visit the Wake County Real Estate Center. Or, email me at tim@timhaag.com. Or, for a no pressure chat, call me at 919.389.7135

Home Mortgage Fraud...Alive and Well in North Carolina

From The Cary Home Page:

Whoa!

Forty-one people...in 4 states...have been charged in a home mortgage fraud operation!

One of the states is our own home...North Carolina, along with New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Among those arrested are 6 lawyers, 7 loan officers, 3 mortgage brokers, an accountant and an appraiser.

A huge amount of money was involved...lenders were defrauded of $64 million in home mortgage loans.

The crackdown was called "Operation Bad Deeds" by federal agents.

Sadly, uncaught scams like this allow a few people to make millions of dollars at the rest of our expense.  I say, let them grow old paying for their greed in prison!

Thankfully, federal, state and local authorities were on top of this massive scheme and "stopped it in its tracks".

Want more details? Check out this article at NewsGeni.us. by Larry Neumeister, Associated Press.


Kwik Kwote: "Impossibilities are merely things which we have not yet learned." --Charles W. Chesnutt

Know Your Real Estate: "DEPRECIATION"...a decrease in the value of property. Some reasons are aging, decreased demand for the property, wear and tear and introduction of factors on or off of the property that pull the value down.

To SEARCH FOR HOMES in the Cary-Raleigh area of North Carolina, visit the Wake County Real Estate Center. Or, email me at tim@timhaag.com. Or, for a no pressure chat, call me at 919.389.7135

Home Buyers are Moving Up...Really!

From the Cary Home Page:

What is the number 1 reason home buyers are moving?

This might surprise you...given the recession we are experiencing. The main reason home buyers are moving is to live in a bigger or better home!

Why? Lower home prices and rents as well as the federal income tax credit for first-time home buyers have both influenced decisions to "move up". 

A survey commissioned by Relocation.com found home buyers moved for the following reasons (in order from most important to least important):

1. Live in a bigger/better home

2. Live in a better neighborhood or area

3. Be closer to family or friends

4. Live in an area with a lower cost of living

5. Change in marital status

6. Because of school, job loss, retirement or foreclosure

In the Raleigh-Cary area, move-up home buyers relocating to the Triangle has slowed down considerably. This is partially due to fewer employment opportunites. It is also greatly affected by the fact that many potential out-of-town homebuyers cannot buy here because they cannot sell their current homes.

Kwik Kwote: "Failure is an event, never a person." --William D. Brown

Know Your Real Estate: "APPRECIATION"...an increase in the value of property. Some reasons are inflation, increased demand for the property, remodeling and removal of factors pulling the value down.

To SEARCH FOR HOMES in the Cary-Raleigh area of North Carolina, visit the Wake County Real Estate Center. Or, email me at tim@timhaag.com. Or, for a no pressure chat, call me at 919-389-7135

Cary in Top 5 Places People are Making Their Home!

From the Home Page

Wow...Cary makes the news again! The Raleigh-Cary Metropolitan Statistical Area is among the top 5 places in America that became homes to the most newcomers in 2008.

According to an October 1st article at Forbes.com, several of the top 10 most attractive areas include college and university towns where students and education professionals help welcome outsiders to make their homes there. The Raleigh-Cary area is among them.

William Frey, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution says "If there are lots of newcomers, it's easy to make friends; there's a sense of vibrancy there". Places that don't have a lot of new migrants tend to be older and more stagnant".

The ratings are based on the number of newcomers as a percentage of the area's population.

Here are the top 10:

 1. Colorado Springs, Colorado
 2. Provo, Utah
 3. Bakersfield, California
 4. Austin, Texas
 5. RALEIGH-CARY, NORTH CAROLINA
 6. Columbia South Carolina
 7. Cape Coral, Florida
 8. Lakeland, Florida
 9. Palm Bay, Florida
10. Bradenton, Florida

For more details, see the entire article, which also names the 10 locations where the fewest newcomers are making their home.


Kwik Kwote:  "The sound body is the product of a sound mind." --George Bernard Shaw

Know Your Real Estate: "APPRAISAL"...the professional opinion or estimate of the value of property. For example, "The appraisal indicates that the market value of your home is $250,000".

To search for homes in the Cary-Apex-Holly Springs, NC area, take a look at Triangle Estates Realty. Or, email me at Tim@TimHaag.com . Or, for a no pressure chat, call me at 919-389-7135

Get Your Home Ready to Sell...Fast! Showing Dos and Don'ts.

From the Cary Home Page

This is the final installment in the series of posts about how to give your home the competitive edge when you are ready to sell.

So get going!

1. Getting Geared Up

2. Do the Easy Stuff First
3. Sharpen up Your Home's Curb Appeal
4. Home Staging Basics
5. Home Showing Do's and Don'ts

It's been a long time since it was harder to sell a home!

In fact you will be competing with a slew of other home sellers in the same boat. You'd better pay attention to EVERY detail that will give your home the competitive edge you absolutely need in this market.

One of the very best ways to compete is to make your home "drop-dead" gorgeous and ready to move into without the buyers having to "lift a finger" to make it move-in ready.

Knowing how to show your home can also give you the edge over your competition while your home is on the market.

SHOWING DO’S:

- Clean the home from top to bottom

- Mow your lawn

- Send pets to the neighbors

- Keep things organized and clutter free


SHOWING DON’TS:

- Leave valuables out and on display

- Leave pictures or personal effects out

- Clutter the closets (you can count on buyers to open them)

- Allow pet's fur or smell to permeate the house and turn off buyers (always vacuum up fur and neutralize any pet odors)

- Don't let just anyone into your home (it can be dangerous and non-productive)

Take a look at http://www.realtor.com/ to find the "Home Sellers Guide to Success" under the “Advice and Ideas” section.


Kwik Kwote: "Much of the work of the world has been done against seeming impossibilities. The thing is to get the work done."  --Dale Carnegie

Know Your Real Estate: "ANCHOR TENANT"...the main tenant in a shopping center, e.g. Wal-Mart.

To search for homes in the Cary-Apex-Holly Springs, NC area, take a look at Triangle Estates Realty. Or, email me at Tim@TimHaag.com. Or, for a no pressure chat, call me at 919-389-7135

SOCIAL MEDIA...The Latest Fad?

From the Real Estate Home Page

I thought maybe you could use another little diversion from the "Get Your Home Sold..." series.

Do you think social media has found a home?

Is it just a fad? Or, a fundamental shift in the way we communicate?

Check out this video from Russell Shaw in the October 1, 2009 Agent Genius Blog.

This is one of the most effective and succinct presentations about the exponential growth of social media that I've seen. The video is pretty fast and busy, so get ready for the ride! 

You might also want to share it on your blog or through your social media outlets to increase your presence on the Web!

The Social Media Revolution

Kwik Kwote:  "Even a mistake may turn out to be the one thing necessary to a worthwhile achievement" --Henry Ford 

Know Your Real Estate:  AMENITY: Something that adds extrinsic value to a property.  Some examples are a location overlooking a lake or in a prestigious neighborhood, a neighborhood clubhouse, pool and tennis courts, and being surrounded by higher priced homes than your own. 

If you'd like to search for homes in the NC Triangle, go to Triangle Estates Realty. Or, email me at Tim@TimHaag.com . Or, for a no pressure chat, call me at 919-389-7135

Get Your Home Ready to Sell! Staging Basics.

From the Real Estate Home Page

This is the fourth installment of a series of posts about how to give your home the competitive edge when you are ready to sell.

So get geared up!

1. Getting Geared Up (today's post is the 1st of 6)
2. Do the Easy Stuff First (next post)
3. Sharpen up Your Home's Curb Appeal
4. Home Staging Basics
5. Home Showing Do's and Don'ts

It's been a long time since it was harder to sell a home!

In fact you will be competing with a slew of other home sellers in the same boat. You'd better pay attention to EVERY detail that will give your home the competitive edge you absolutely need in this market.

One of the very best ways to compete is to make your home "drop-dead" gorgeous and ready to move into without the buyers having to "lift a finger" to make it move-in ready.

In the next, and final, installment, we'll share some Do's and Don'ts for showing Your Home.

So...log back in and see what's in the next post!

Now...let's talk about staging.  What is it?  Why should you care anything about it?  Here's why...

Staging allows you to make your home look like a model and "WOW" prospective buyers.  Remember, these are the buyers who were sufficiently impressed by the curb appeal to come inside for a further look.  Don't disappoint them, now!

What is staging, anyway? Staging is the process of enhancing the impression a prospective buyer has about your home.  It is all about removing things from your home that make it look smaller, drab or dated.

The key to staging is to get prospective buyers to picture themselves in the home.

You can begin by focusing on these staging basics:

DECLUTTER – Remove “you” from the home (meaning pictures and personal items). Replace personal photos with scenery or postcards. A good rule to follow is to have no more than 3 items on any surface.

Kitchen counters should have only items that "dress-up" the kitchen. And... whatever you do...take all of the magnets, photos, calendars, etc. off of the refrigerator!

NEUTRALIZE – Neutralize the rooms with light-colored paint, like creams, tans and white. Be careful with white...it can look sterile unless it is complimented by carpeting, furniture, drapery and artwork.

Keep bright colors to a minimum. Use neutral and natural colors that can work with buyers' different tastes, styles and furnishings.

KEEP IT CLEAN – Nothing sells better than a clean and well-maintained home. Always keep the home feeling and smelling clean for showings.

Here are some inexpensive updates that can make a big difference to buyers:

— New bed treatment (especially for the master bedroom)
— New towels
— Fresh paint
— Replacing old lamps or lighting fixtures

Decorating compliments Staging. The focus of decorating is to bring things into the home to make it look gorgeous. Staging involves taking things out to make it look gorgeous.

Start with these staging suggestions and talk to a real estate professional about what will give your home the "biggest bang for your buck".

Also, log in to http://www.realtor.org/. Enter "staging" in the search box and you’ll find the "Field Guide to Preparing and Staging a House For Sale". It will give you in-depth staging and curb appeal suggestions.


Kwik Kwote:  "If you believe in what you are doing, then let nothing hold you up in your work."  --Dale Carnegie

Know Your Real Estate:  "AD VALOREM TAX"...a tax based on the value of your home.  For example: If the county ad valorem tax rate is 1%, your tax will be $1.00 for every $100 dollars of your home's assessed value.

If you'd like to search for homes in the Cary-Apex-Holly Springs, NC area, take a look at Triangle Estates Realty. Or, email me at Tim@TimHaag.com. Or, for a no pressure chat, call me at 919-389-7135

Get Your Home Ready to Sell...Fast! Curb Appeal.

From the Real Estate Home Page
This is the 3rd installment of a series of posts about how to give your home the competitive edge when you are ready to sell.

So here we go!

1. Getting Geared Up
2. Do the Easy Stuff First
3. Sharpen up Your Home's Curb Appeal
4. Home Staging Basics (next post)
5. Home Showing Do's and Don'ts

It's been a long time since it's been harder to sell a home!

In fact, you will be competing with a slew of other home sellers in the same boat. You'd better pay attention to EVERY detail that will give your home the competitive edge you absolutely need in this marketplace.

One of the very best ways to compete is to make your home "drop-dead" gorgeous and ready to move into without the buyers having to "lift a finger" to make it move-in ready.

Over the next few articles, we'll continue to explore fun and necessary things that will give you the edge over your competition when you put your home on the market.

So...what is "Curb Appeal"?

Curb appeal...is how your home looks from the street.  Does it leave a good impression...one that attracts and welcomes buyers?  Or, does it leave a bad impression...one that leaves buyers wondering if they even want to come inside?

Curb appeal is one of the key things that will sell...or not sell...your home.

If buyers are turned off by the outside of your home, it will be
very difficult for you to get them inside where their negative first impression can be changed to a positive one.

You can only make a first impressions once.  Curb appeal is that opportunity!

Okay...here are examples of some things you can do to improve your home’s curb appeal:

- Declutter the yard by removing toys, lawn furniture and debris
- Cut and edge your lawn
- Rake the leaves and trim the shrubs
- Plant fresh flowers to add some color to the scenery
- Freshen up and update the paint on your doors, windows, trim and shutters
- Patch and seal cracks or holes in the driveway, walkway and garage floor
- Wash the windows and screens
- Remove screens from the front windows and door for a sharper appearance
- Paint up and straighten up your mailbox
- Place some flower arrangements on the front steps and porch
- Turn the porch light on
- I'm sure you can think of some more!

In the next post, we'll look at some things you can do to "wow" your prospective buyers as they walk through your home.  Log in for some
"Home Staging Basics"!


Kwik Kwote:  "It is okay to fail. If you are not failing, you are not growing." --H. Stanley Judd

Know Your Real Estate:  "ADJACENT LOTS"...lots that are near to each other, but not abutting, e.g. two lots across a street or right-of-way from each other.

To create your own search for homes in the Cary-Apex-Holly Springs, NC area, take a look at Triangle Estates Realty. Or email me at Tim@TimHaag.com. Or for a no pressure chat, call me at 919-389-7135.

Pinehurst...4th Best Place to Retire in the U.S...See Why!

From the Real Estate Home Page

I thought you might like to take a little break from the "Get Your Home Ready to Sell" series.

Have you given any thought about where you might want to live when you retire?  Well...I'm about to make it easy for you.

I want you to know that a town in our very own State of North Carolina is in the Top 4...and it's just down the road from Cary.

Pinehurst, North Carolina was recently ranked by Money Magazine as the fourth best place in the country to retire.  The magazine cited a great "bang for your buck" quality of living.  Oh, and there were several other perks, including one of the country's oldest and most prestigious golf courses.

Yet...with a population of around 12,000, it's also a coveted year-round community with a bustling downtown, a first-rate regional hospital, and mild weather.

Most Americans know this town as the home of Pinehurst Resort.  All residents are eligible for membership in the resort, which boasts eight golf courses, 24 tennis courts, 3 pools, and a 200-acre lake with a beach.

The average price of a home is $300,000.  And, if you buy the home from someone who already has a membership in the resort, you can become a member for $12,000.  Otherwise, it will cost you $40,000.

Now that I have your attention, why don't you go ahead and see more about Pinehurst and its competition.


Kwik Kwote:   "There are no limitations in what you can do except the limitations of your own mind." --Darwin P. Kingsley

Know Your Real Estate: "EFFECTIVE AGE"...the age a property appears to be, based on the amount of wear and tear it has sustained. "Effective age" is different than "actual age", which is the chronological age.

To create your own search for homes in the Cary-Apex-Holly Springs, NC area, take a look at Triangle Estates Realty. Or email me at Tim@TimHaag.com. Or for a no pressure chat, call me at 919-389-7135.

Get Your Home Ready to Sell...Fast! Do the Easy Stuff First.

From the Real Estate Home Page

This is the second installment of a series of posts about how to give your home the competitive edge when you are ready to sell.

So here we go!

1.Getting Geared Up
2. Do the Easy Stuff First

3. Sharpen up Your Home's Curb Appeal
4. Home Staging Basics
5. Inexpensive Upgrades for Your Home
6. Home Showing Do's and Don'ts

It's been a long time since it's been harder to sell a home!

In fact, you will be competing with a slew of other home sellers in the same boat. You'd better pay attention to EVERY detail that will give your home the competitive edge you absolutely need in this market.

One of the very best ways to compete is to make your home "drop-dead" gorgeous and ready to move into without the buyers having to "lift a finger" to make it move-in ready.

Over the next few articles, we'll continue to explore fun but necessary things that will give you the edge over your competition when you put your home on the market.

The National Association of Realtors article "Getting it Sold" offers valuable and doable advice for maximizing the selling potential of your home.

If this all seems too overwhelming, go ahead and get started by tackling the “easy” things first.

Make a list of things that need to be repaired and fix them:

– leaky faucets
- chipped paint
- loose hinges
- worn weatherstripping

In addition to the easy stuff, you might want to consider doing a remodeling project before putting your home on the market?

For great information, go to the REALTOR® Magazine of the National Association of Realtors.  Just enter "remodeling" in the search box and you’ll see helpful guides like, the "Field Guide to Remodeling” and the latest "Cost vs.Value" report.

These publications will help you estimate remodeling costs.  They will also give you an idea of how much value the projects will add to your home compared to the cost of doing them.

Stay logged in for the next post..."Sharpen up Your Home's Curb Appeal".


Kwik Kwote:  "You cannot tailor-make the situations in life, but you can tailor-make the attitudes to fit those situations" --Zig Ziglar

Know Your Real Estate:  "EFFECTIVE AGE"...the age a property appears to be, based on the amount of wear and tear it has sustained.  "Effective age" is different than "actual age", which is the chronological age.

To search for homes in the Cary-Apex-Holly Springs, NC area, take a look at Triangle Estates Realty. Or, email me at Tim@TimHaag.com. Or, for a no pressure chat, call me at 919-389-7135.

Get Your Home Ready to Sell...Fast! Getting Geared Up.

From the Real Estate Home Page

This is the first installment of a series of posts about how to give your home the competitive edge when you are ready to sell.

So here we go!

1. Getting Geared Up (1st of 6 posts)

2. Do the Easy Stuff First (next post)
3. Sharpen up Your Home's Curb Appeal
4. Home Staging Basics
5. Home Showing Do's and Don'ts

It's been a long time since it's been harder to sell a home!

You will be competing with a slew of other home sellers in the same boat.  You'd better pay attention to EVERY detail that will give your home the competitive edge you absolutely need in this challenging market.

One of the very best ways to compete is to make your home "drop-dead" gorgeous.  The home should be ready to move into without the buyers having to "lift a finger" to make it move-in ready. 

Over the next few articles, we'll explore fun but necessary things that will give you the edge over your competition when you put your home on the market.

Stay logged in!  In the next post, we'll look at "Do the Easy Stuff First". 


Kwik Kwote:  "Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results." --Willie Nelson

Know Your Real Estate:  "ACT OF GOD"...Contracts usually allow buyers to walk if the property is damaged by an act of God...e.g. an earthquake, flood, hurricane, lightning or tornado.

To search for homes in the Cary-Apex-Holly Springs, NC area, take a look at Triangle Estates Realty. Or, email me at Tim@TimHaag.com. Or, for a no pressure chat, call me at 919-389-7135