Realty Insights for Home Buying, Home Selling, and Indy Info

Okay, you have received the call--a showing of your home in less than 30 minutes, and your home is not ready. What do you do? And in what order? Here is a quick to do list of things that you can do in just a few quick moments--and that will have maximum impact! 1. Put the dishes in the dishwasher (or quickly wash them) 2. Make the beds 3. Wipe the counters 4. Empty the garbage 5. Hide dirty clothes in the washer 6. Take a deep breath 7. Run a quick vacumn 8. Put toilet seats down 9. Turn on the lights 10. Leave the house before the showing 11. Smile! You did it!

Sometimes it happens, and sometimes it doesn't---that golden moment when a Buyer walks through the door of a home and immediately knows this is it--this is my home. Deep down in their core, they feel intuitively, "I don't need to look any further I am home." It happened today with some clients. I could see "that look" on their faces. It is such a joy for me to know that our hunt was successful. They found the home of their dreams. I share in their excitement and am thrilled to be a part of that search. For others, they don't have the emotional reaction to one particular home. Instead, they must make a final decision based on the pros and cons of each home and how well it matches their mental wishlist. Here are several questions that I have found to be particularly helpful when this decision is not coming easily: "How would I feel if this home is sold tomorrow to someone else? Would I feel regret? Would I be sad or would it not matter?...

On Friday, we celebrated adding a new member to our family. For years we have waited to adopt a dog. We have gradually moved up through the different levels of responsibility--first a goldfish, then a beta, two guinea pigs, an aquatic frog, a cat and finally a dog. Romeo is a schnoodle, a cross between a schnauzer and a poodle. Already we are in love, and the feeling is mutual. He is adorable, but more importantly, he has a huge heart. Many of my homesellers have pets as well. I am frequently asked, "What do I need to do with my pets so that my home will sell?" The answer comes from my observation of buyers as they walk through homes. Even if they have pets of their own, they don't want their presence to be apparent in the homes that they tour. If they are not friendly towards pets, even more so. Here is my counsel: Even though it will take a few more minutes to prepare for a showing or Open House, it pays to remove the pet bowls, bed, toys and the pet before...