Janice Roosevelt\’s Blog – Keller William Real Estate

jroosevelt@kw.com

What exactly does a listing agent do? I can only answer for myself and the Matt Fetick Real Estate Team, Keller Williams. We streamline the process saving you time and stress and bringing you top dollar – in any market. To list with me call 610-764-3062 to schedule an appointment

Here’s quick break down of the steps that can be involved:

Prepare for Sale

Conduct comparative market analysis to establish a fair market value of your home – include the current competition and schedule tours of those properties

Prepare and complete the listing agreement

Recommend improvements to maximize your home’s value – using a certified professional stager

Place a lock box on your property, if needed

Market your Home

Enter listing information into the MLS & 18 other top real estate sites

Create a video tour

Create and distribute marketing materials including eflyers.

Place a For Sale sign on your property with an automated call system that captures each caller and transforms them into a buyer

Schedule your home for brokers and /or public open houses

Distribute Just Listed flyers to your neighborhood and call the neigibhros

otify all potential buyers with details of listing

Arrange showings for other agents

Communicating with You

Contact you regularly with feedback

Prepare and deliver regular progress reports to you

Discuss all marketing activities with you

Coordinating the Sale

Pre-qualify potential buyers

Present and discuss all offers with you

Negotiate your transaction with the other agent

Prepare and finalize the closing

So spacious with NEW hardwood floors and a gas fireplace, this awesome 3-bedroom twin is move in ready -First floor Master with great views of open space.  Newer kitchen, mainfloor laundry. Best is huge Great Room with Dining Room – pass through to kitchen. New Awning on oversized deck – 2-car garage. Walk or bike to White   Clay Creek State Park. Close to all the amenities of Newakr with great eateries, and tax-free shopping! This is a dynamite buy at $289,000 – more than $25,000 less than the seller paid – PLUS upgrades of hardwoods, fireplace, – full unfinished kitchen.FIND OUT WHY DELAWARE TODAY RATED THIS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE!

I  love REALTOR MAGAZINE’s articles on things like the top Home Features Buyers Want.  The latest list was compiled after the recent Internaitonal Builders Show in Las Vegas – so remember this is a national or international ” must have” list your region could be different, as in if you are in Florida, we all know a pool may be on the list.  

 No surprise that the list includes things that speak to family times and casual lifestyles, and things that last and are cost effective. Gone is the “disposable” stuff.

It is not surprising that kitchens rank a the top – ISLANDS are big. And, energy-efficient everything, from appliances to insulation to windows to ceiling fans. Home offices are a must have and  a  Main-floor master suite is now front and center. It used to be around PA and DE, it was only the 55+ communities that featured first floor masters, but that is changing. One thing we’re seeing requested in the 55+ communites are the oversized showing with a seating area, as well as a soaking tub.

One of the surprises for me is a preference for  stone and brick exteriors rather than stucco or vinyl.

Also in the top ten are  community walking paths and playgrounds, along with  Two-car garages, but three-car garages   even more desirable.

jroosevelt@kw.com

 If prices aren’t  sweet enough, check out the new Chadwick model at the Arbours at West Goshen, West Chester’s premier 55 and better community! Plus, enjoy champagne and chocolate form 1-3   p.m Saturday, February 12th to take the chill off the snowy weather.It’s a Valentines Special event, including terrific pricing on a quick delivery – a two story Watkins model on lot #30.

http://www.westrumhomes.com/westgoshen/             jroosevelt@kw.com

You have equity in your home and you know NOW is the time to sell because the first-time home buyers and move-up buyers want the tax credit.

Are you ready? Now is the time to DE-liver the best product possible

Have you DEtached from the emotional bond you have with your home?

See your house through the eyes of a buyer, and let go of the money you™ve invested in your œhome and the emotions you have towards it. Your visualization is turning the keys and warranties on the appliances over to a new owner.

Have you DEpersonalized your décor?

Remove those family photos and personal items “ you want to remove questions from the buyer™s mind about œwho lives here? You want the buyer to imagine themselves in the home with their photos and things.

Have you DEcluttered?

I cannot say this enough “ remember that there needs to be space for the realtor and the buyers to move through the house easily. Less is more. You will need to pack up things anyway “ so get a head start. Rent a storage unit if possible.

If this idea overwhelms you “ start with a drawer or a closet. Buyers will look inside these spaces and get an impression about whether the seller is organized, and takes care of the house.

 Finally, to make your house stand out from the rest use a professional stager  who can suggest additional ways to make your home sell quickly  

jroosevelt@kw.comI admit it. The annual Cost Vs. Value Remodeling Report is something I look forward to and this year is no disappointment.

Realtors may smile smugly to note that   — among the top ten projects with the best return on expenditure –a mid-range entrance door replacement.  

(okay this is a photo of #10 Downing St so maybe it’s not mid-range)

 First impressions count when standing on the threshhold and the realtor fumbles  with the lockbox. The new door replacement is the one project where a full return can be seen on the cost of purchase and installation.

Practical maintenance projects, including siding and window replacements, also head the list. One surprise is that converting an attic into an additional bedroom came into third place.

Home buyers want the most living space for the buck, even if the average price is around $50,000 for the remodeling job.

Kitchen and bath upgrades again rank high, and not all of the things a seller can do cost a lot. Clean up and delutter those counters, recondition the cabinet fronts for under $1,000, or really spiff up the cabinets   taking out scratches and adding new hardware.

No matter what the price point, buyers want granite counters in the kitchen, but I loved the suggestion of using granite tile instead of slab. A colleague and I had this discussion and she mentioned a counter she’d seen done with a deep matte charcoal granite tile and deep brown grout. just make sure the counter is well sealed so if there is grout showing, it can be easily cleaned.

Changing light fixtures to keep the house au courrant is another inexpensive way to give hallways and foyers a new look. Pendant lights are the rage right now over kitchen counters and I have had them installed, but I am wondering how long before they look dated.

Finally, I can’t wait to try (in my spare time) the suggestion for old bathroom tile to make it look new. The technique is to lightly scrape then regrout, which leaves a haze that can be buffed into something Wowee-zowee brand new.

For those unfinished basements, I’ve just recommended  that seller paint the floor and the   cinder block walls. It makes a huge difference.

jroosevelt@kw.com

Shakespeare  was right that a rose smells as sweet called by another name, but not everyone likes the smell of roses  , or pets, or smoke, or certain cooking odors, especially wen buying a home   In fact, they might be allergic.

Houses can be sold or dismissed  within the first 30 seconds a buyer enters a door – not just from what they see but what they smell.  

it’s key to get top dollar that a house be clean before going on the market. I love my dog and cat, but I would check with friends not frequently here to see if they detect an odor. And last night’s fish with garlic or curried lamb vendala might have smelled good then, but lingering spices can be a major turn off. Open the windows, let the fresh air in. Oh, did I mention clean?

Use baking soda – not just in the firdge but as a cleaning agent. Vinegar mixed with water is another option.

Stay away from strong commercial cleaners with odors or faux fragrances. Use natural alternatives such as water, vanilla and brown sugar warmed in the oven. If you wabnt to go all out, bake an apple pie prior to showings and have it ready with small plates and forks with a sign offering it to buyers.

jroosevelt@kw.com

• Do you know that you can get up to $6500 from the IRS  when you buy another home and it doesn’t have to be more expensive?
• Did you know more money is made in the real estate market when home prices are low?

Make the smartest move of 2010! Move to the house of your dreams, whether big or small – and get money back!

If you own a home and want  to down-size or move-up to a new home NOW is the time to buy. The expanded Federal housing tax credit  means that qualified move-up and repeat home buyers are eligible for a tax credit of up to $6,500.

  Homes must be a principal residence and need to be purchased after November 6, 2009 and before April 30, 2010.   The credit equals up to 10 percent of the home™s purchase price  -  to a maximum of $6,500.   Homes priced above $800,000 are not eligible for the tax credit.   Buyers don™t have to purchase a  home more expensive than their previous home to qualify; however, they need to have lived in their previous home for at least five consecutive years of the eight years prior to the purchase of the new home. Both married taxpayers, must qualify.

 Income limits apply.  A single taxpayers less than $125,000; and the limit is $225,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return.

The tax credit amount is reduced for buyers with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) above those limits. Ask your accountant if you have specific questions!

For  more specific answers to  your questions, we suggest visiting the  the Federal Housing Tax Credit site.

CALL: 800-816-6079 x 5002   or EMAIL: JRoosevelt@kw.com    Look at this incredible home for $460,000!
(And we have many more to chose from!)

117 Millbrook Drive Chadds Ford, PA 19317  Click here to view the virtual tour of this beautiful house:

Beautiful 4-bedroom home with NEW kitchen and TWO Family rooms, Cul de sac location – in quiet Millrook convenient to Delaware and Pennsylvania major commuting corridors. Hardwood floors, lots of natural light – surroudned by open space and multi-million dollar homes Offered at $460,000

Beautiful 4-bedroom home with NEW kitchen and TWO Family rooms, Cul de sac location – in quiet Millrook convenient to Delaware and Pennsylvania major commuting corridors. Hardwood floors, lots of natural light – surroudned by open space and multi-million dollar homes Offered at $460,000