Meadow Vista Community Center Update

The 5 Biggest Turn-Offs for Homebuyers

Written by Blanche Evans - Provided by Fred Eichenhofer, Sierra Pacific Real Estate

“Your agent can't get you the price you want unless your home is in pristine move-in condition.  That means no sticking drawers in the kitchen.  No leaning fences.  No rust-stained plumbing fixtures.  We could go on, but maybe we need to make it clear.  If you have even one of the following “turn-offs,” your home won't sell”.  (Fred's comment; every home will sell, but it may not be at the highest price possible because of the condition of the home, and the location.) Buyer's can get instantly turned off.  Here are their five biggest turn-offs:

1 - Over pricing your home

Overpricing your home is like trying to crash the country club without a membership.  You'll be found out and escorted out.
If you ignored your agent's advice and listed at a higher price than recommended, you're going to get some negative feedback, of course, is silence.  That could include no showings and no offers.
The problem with overpricing your home is that the buyers who are qualified to buy your home won't see it because they're shopping in a lower price range.  The buyers who do it will quickly realize that there are other homes in the same price range that offer more value.

2 - Smells

Smells can come from a number of sources-pets, lack of cleanliness, stale air, water damage, and much more.  You may not even notice it, but your real estate agent may have hinted to you that something needs to be done.
There's not a buyer in the world that will buy a home that smells unless they're investors looking for a bargain.  Even so, they'll get a forensic inspection to find out the source of the smells.  If they find anything like undisclosed water damage, or pet urine under the “new” carpet, then they will either severely discount their offer or walk away.

3 - Clutter

If your tables are full to the edges with photos, figurines, mail, and drinking glasses, buyers' attention is going to more focused on running the gauntlet of your living room without breaking any Hummel's than in considering your home for purchase.
Too much furniture confuses the eye-it makes it real difficult for buyers to see the proportions of rooms.  If they can't see what they need to know, they move on to the next home.

4 - Deferred Maintenance

Deferred maintenance is a polite euphemism for letting your home fall apart.  Just like people age due to the effects of the sun wind and gravity, so do structures like your home.  Things wear out, break and weather, and it's your job as a homeowner to keep your home repaired.
Your buyers really want a home that's been well-maintained. They don't want to wonder what needs to be fixed next or how much it will cost.

5 - Dated Décor

The reason people are looking at your home instead of buying brand new is because of cost and location.  They want your neighborhood, but that doesn't mean they want a dated-looking home.  Just like they want a home in good repair, they want a home that looks updated, even if it's from a different era.
Harvest gold and avocado green from the seventies; soft blues and mauves from the eighties, jewel tones from the nineties, and onyx and pewter from the oughts are all colorways that can date your home.  Textures like popcorn ceilings, shag or berber carpet, and flocked wallpaper can also date your home. When you're behind the times, buyers don't want to join you.  They want to be perceived as a savvy and cool.

In conclusion, the market is a brutal mirror.  If you're guilty of not putting money into your home because you believe it's an investment that others should pay you to profit, you're in for a rude awakening.  You'll be stuck with an asset that isn't selling. (Fred's comment; all homes will sell, the sales price will be dependent on the condition of the home, and location.  The less the buyer has to do to update the home and a good location, a seller should receive a higher sale price everything else being equal.)

Recipes: Gnocci & Black Bean Corn Salad

Meadow Vista Community Center Update June 2014

Recipe: Crunchy Baked Chicken Tenders

Prepare Your HCAC Unit for Winter

By Jeff Spoor, Spoor's Heating & AC

As winter approaches and temperatures drop, you’ll find that your utility bills will increase, mostly because of heating costs. However, if you prepare your HVAC system in advance and maintain it properly, you can cut your electricity usage and add to the life of your HVAC system.

1. Examine Your HVAC Unit

Many HVAC systems can last as long as 20 years before they need to be replaced. Examine your unit to see if it is still functioning efficiently and properly. If not, contact a professional HVAC contractor to replace it and provide you with an HVAC system fit for your home’s needs. While this may be a large initial cost, it will save you money in the long run and make your house warmer and safer. Be sure to check your HVAC system long before the onset of winter. If you only discover that you need to install a new unit during the winter, you may be stuck for a number of days in freezing weather, especially if you live in an area like Minneapolis.

2. Change Your Filter

Sometime the only repair that needs to be done is to replace an old filter. When purchasing a new one, consider a reusable filter. These can be rinsed and reused like new. Be sure to replace or clean your filter every month for optimal efficiency.

3. Update Your Thermostat

Older thermostats that use mercury can be very inaccurate. This means that you can set the temperature to what you think is adequate, but in reality the heat will exceed your desired temperature, causing you unnecessary usage of electricity. Consider updating your thermostat to a digital one to ensure accurate temperature levels. In addition, digital thermostats can be programmed so you can set your heating to go on before you wake up or return home, and automatically turned off when you leave to work so you don’t forget to turn it off.

4. Clean Your Heating Ducts

Your HVAC system’s heating ducts should be cleaned periodically to allow efficient heating and provide fresh, clean air. Be sure to routinely inspect your heating ducts to make sure there are no punctures, dents or disconnected parts. Damaged ducts can raise your heating bills by blowing wasted warm air. In addition, check to make sure the ducts are properly insulated so air won’t seep out of them. While you may be able to inspect your ducts on your own, if it’s difficult or you don’t know what to look for, consider contacting an HVAC contractor. In addition to your ducts, a professional can also inspect your heating system’s belts, motors and electrical switches, as well as thermostats and gas pressure.

Other Tips

One of the easiest ways to cut electricity costs is to make sure your home has proper insulation. In addition, ventilation is important as well. During the winter, if your home is not properly ventilated, moisture can build up. If it doesn’t have a way to escape, your roof can rot, and you’ll need to hire a roofing contractor to repair the damage.

Proper maintenance and inspection is the best way to keep your HVAC system operating as its best.

Recipe: Christine's Honey Glazed Ham

From Christine Schlittenhart's Kitchen

INGREDIENTS:
5 to 8 pounds of
Ready-to-eat ham
(I prefer a spiraled ham)
¼ tsp. ground cloves
¼ cup brown sugar
1 cup of honey
2/3 cup butter
Disposable pan or foil lined pan (I use a dutch oven)
DIRECTIONS
* Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
* Score ham. Place ham in foil lined pan or disposable pan.
* In the top half of a double boiler, heat the cloves, brown sugar, honey and butter.
Keep glaze warm while baking ham.
* Brush glaze over ham and bake 1 hour and 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Baste
ham every 10 to 15 minutes with the honey glaze. (Make sure you have a newer
basting brush). During the last 4 to 5 minutes of baking, turn on broiler to caramelize
the glaze. Remove from oven and let sit a few minutes before serving.
You'll never need to pay the high prices of a Honey Baked Ham again. I prefer this recipe!