Top Ten Listing Mistakes

As an agent who scours listings for potential clients there are features and descriptions that draw one in. There are very effective marketing tools, pictures and descriptions that help potential buyers notice a house or property.  There are also features in listings that make one question why they are there. This is a list of the top 10 mistakes seen in listings.

1. Blurry pictures taken with a cellphone. Not only are these disappointing, they are unprofessional.

2. Personal items appearing in pictures like medicine bottles, dirty dishes, open toilet lids and piles of what appears to be dirty laundry. Not only can this make a poor impression on a buyer, it could be dangerous for the homeowner.

3. Green/brown or only slightly filled pools. If the first thought that enters one's mind after seeing a picture of a pool is an opossum on an inflatable ring enjoying the pool, it is not listing worthy.

 

4. Misspellings. If an agent doesn't take the time to spell check a listing are they going to take the time to comb through a purchase and sales agreement for simple mistakes? 

5. Words and phrases the average person is unfamiliar with. For example lavette, I had to look this one up! It means small bathroom, a derivative from the French word lavatory or what most people call a small bathroom without a tub or shower.

6. Shorthand that appears in the comments section. EIK, eat-in-kitchen or FP, for fireplace, they make sense once you are familiar with them but they can confuse and frustrate buyers.

7. Pictures only featuring flowers. I have nothing against flowers, but generally they do not belong in a listing.

 

8. Random pets. Pets are great, but unless they photobomb the picture they too do not belong in a listing. They are a very cute and cuddly distraction from design features (I got distracted just thinking about them).

9. Cars in the driveway. They can block the view of the house.

10. Mislabeling outbuildings. Sheds, barns, running sheds, potting sheds, chicken coops and garages are not interchangeable words. Each has a unique design feature that while can be changed, for example a barn can be converted into a garage, but until that change happens it is still a barn.

Ready to Buy, Now What? 3 Things Every Buyer Should Know

This past week I have twice answered the question, "I think I am ready to buy, now what?"  At some point every homeowner has been at this point. They may have done some research, or think they now where they would like to buy a home, but don't know where to begin.

1. Find an agent. A good agent will be able to point you in the right direction and counsel you through the steps. An agent will help build the team of professionals it may take to get a buyer into a home.

2. Pre-Approval. The first question most agents ask is "are  you pre-approved?" In the age of internet  listings and online mortgage applications first time homebuyers come to agents at different times in the process. If you haven't been pre-approved the agent should recommend a mortgage broker who MEETS YOUR NEEDS. Mortgages are not one size fits all, neither are mortgage brokers and loan officers. If the agent recommends someone and they can't tell you why that person is right for you, run away. Applying for a mortgage can seem scary and you want a professional that is going to work well with you and try to get you the best loan.

3.House Hunting. Now that you have an agent a mortgage professional and a pre-approval letter you can begin searching. The agent should put a buyer on an automatic search that feeds listings to their email.

For more information contact Rebecca Crosby.
rebecca@browngrouprealty.com

What Every Buyer/Seller Should Know About Fuse Panels and Amps

As a real estate agent I am the coach or team leader protecting, advocating and educating my clients through the largest purchase they may ever make. Part of that duty includes gathering information and pointing my clients towards experts in varying fields. Whether it is an electrician, plumber, roofer, heating and cooling system expert, mortgage broker or attorney my responsibility is to find, build and work with the best team of professionals.

A question that arises frequently from clients and one that I had to ask for myself concerned the amount of amps in a circuit breaker and what does it mean for a homeowner. Southern RI is full of diverse homes. From center chimney homes built in the 1700’s, to postwar neighborhoods, and cul-de-sac development homes, Rhode Island has a wide array of structures.

Many pre and postwar houses have 100 amp breakers. What does this mean in reality for the homeowner? Firstly, there are 2 different “types” of panels, breakers and fuses. If the panel has fuses it may have to be replaced. Replacing the panel may cost approximately $1200 depending on if the wires to the home also need replacement.

Are 100 amps adequate for modern living? For those of us who run a television, computer wireless network, laptop, tower computer all while cooking dinner; 100 amps according to licensed electricians will be adequate. How the system is wired and how the circuits are laid out will impact functionality.

For example in many postwar homes the upstairs bedrooms are all on one circuit. The kitchen will have a circuit and the stove will be separate. If the circuit does become overloaded it will flip the breaker.

Many newly constructed homes are being built with 200 amp breakers. An option for older homes is a system upgrade to a 200 amp system.

Homeowners with 100 amp fused panels who are listing their homes should note that buyers may want to negotiate panel upgrades as a part of the purchase and sales agreement.

Please note that licensed electricians should be consulted concerning all electrical questions. This post is intended to give homeowners and future homeowners some idea of what a panel is and what living with 100 amps will entail.

Special thanks to Victor of V&G Electric (1-866-794-5455) for answering my questions and explaining electrical systems to me.  

*Please note I am not a licensed electrician.

Mountain Bike Report: "Playground" Trail Big River

Big River, located in West Greenwich and Coventry has some of the best mountain biking trails in Rhode Island. The trails are challenging, fast and numerous. It has single lane trails winding through the woods with banked corners and old dirt roads. The area can be bisected into 2 sections. The route 3 to New London Turnpike section and New London Turnpike to Carrs Pond.

The route 3 section has a parking area directly on Route 3 or Nooseneck Hill Road. It is before Division Road and the on/off ramps to 95 at exit 6.

This post is concentrated on 1 small trail in Big River. I am putting it first because it took a few months of riding and exploring trails in Big River before I decided to take it and since then it has been one of my favorites.

I call it the "playground" trail, and since there are no trail names in Big River it has stuck. The trail is located directly to the right of the parking lot. It is important to make sure the bike is in good working condition before going to Big River because the trail begins immediately and it can make an improperly working bike frustrating to the rider.

Trailhead for "Playground" Trail in Big River

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

 

The trail winds through mostly pine woods and has a hard packed footing that is fast to ride. There are lots of roots and one root-stepped downhill. It is a very short trail and should be just an introduction to Big River. The trail ends at Capwell Mill Pond on Burnt Sawmill Road. There is a small parking area there. 

Ramp Obstacle

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

 

There are 2 obstacles that have been built on the trail, a plank and see-saw. The obstacles are why this trail has been dubbed "Playground" Trail.

See-Saw Obstacle

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All rights Reserved

 

From here head right and explore the amazing roller-coaster trails Big River has to offer.

Southern Rhode Island Real Estate Buzz

Can you feel it? It is a low and underlying buzz. If you work in real estate full-time the buzz is almost deafening. Real estate is making an exciting comeback.

Buyers are getting loan approval and getting into a market that is offering a variety of housing choices. Desirable properties are getting multiple offers and some are selling for higher than the listed price. For more information on those properties see my blog post entitled, “Richmond Market Analysis Report.”

Overall the market has seen an increase in home prices with a month-to-month slight uptick. It has seen the most sales activity in 3 years. According to the National Association of REALTORS, home sales are at the highest they have been in 3 years.

For the consumer this means now is an advantageous time to get into the market. Lower home prices are great for buyers. Home prices are still below what they were at the height of the housing market, but homes that are priced properly are selling relatively quickly and may even have multiple offers.

If you would like more information about the southern Rhode Island real estate market contact me at Rebecca@browngrouprealty.com

Richmond Market Analysis Report

To quote real estate broker Wendy Brown of The Brown Group Realty, “the (real estate) market is honest.” The real estate market in Richmond, Rhode Island is not only honest it is showing signs of reparation.

The fall of home values in 2008 as a result of a poor economy, high unemployment and increased number of distressed properties led to an unhealthy real estate market. As a result, real estate agents and homeowners were used to seeing homes stay on the market for longer periods of time.

 

The town of Richmond is seeing the beginning of a healthier market. The results of a Richmond Market Analysis starting on January 1, 2013 and ending May 22, 2013 verify that market is showing signs of improvement.

 

Inventory is decreasing as less distressed sales are hitting the market.

Houses that are priced closer to market value are being sold within months and in some cases days of being listed. The good news for current homeowners is that home prices have begun to level.

Richmond has also seen homes sell higher than listed with no closing costs paid to the buyer; which is a prime example of the market acting honestly. Desirable properties and houses that are priced correctly are being sold and selling rather quickly.

Another sign of a healthier market has been properties getting multiple offers, something relatively uncommon since 2008. Even backup offers have increased on sought-after properties.

The market is acting “honestly” and showing signs of improvement. The increased sense ofurgency around desirable properties and leveling of home prices is good news for both homebuyers and sellers.