real estate – DoingItLocal

Soooold!

Buyer Beware; that goes for renters too.

SCAM ALERT!!!!

This is just another in a long list of reasons to ONLY work with a licensed Real Estate Agent.

I have been getting emails from people about this, articles from other parts of the country and lately a few calls at the office. Tonight it hit home. I listed a lovely home in a beach area of Milford this week. The owner just called me and said that someone drove by after I left the open house and asked the neighbor if the house was for rent. The neighbor said no it’s for sale why? “We saw it for rent on Craigs List”.

Now, I know some agents put their listings on Craigs List; I do not and I don’t see any reason to. We have so many avenues to advertise a listing and quite frankly there are far too many scammers out there. It’s a hit and run type of thing. They list it for a couple days if they get a bite they take it and then delete it. I just looked and it is no longer there. I have a bad feeling someone is out some money. Does it happen on some other sites too? Of course; that’s why I always say, use a licensed real estate agent.

Here is how it works. Ad says “Lovely 3BR home for rent with views of beach; within walking distance. Available weeks _________ and ___________. Call (out of state owner) at 555-555-5555 to reserve.” When you talk to them they tell you to send them a bank check for the week, month, whatever. I mean, they don’t know who you are, how do they know your check will be good. They then tell you, after they receive, they will call you to let you know where to pick up the keys. I bet their brother or other family member lives on the same street; you’re out cash and a place to hang your hat.

This doesn’t just happen with vacation rentals. Long term rentals too and I can understand how you can be rooked into these things. Some people, in this economy especially, are having a hard time getting a landlord to give them a chance, especially if you have lost a home, are unemployed or just building your life back up. It’s very tempting to fall for someone that sounds so understanding over the phone. DON’T DO IT!! Oh, and don’t fall for, “I’m renting it for my mother, my cousin who is serving in Iraq, blah blah blah.” It needs to be done in person, see the place, proof of ownership and/or power of attorney for the owner.

There is a very easy way to check out and see if someone is legit too. Go to the town hall and look up the tax record, see who owns the property. It takes about a minute and could save you a lot of money, time and disappointment. But, the best way to do this……..USE A LICENSED REALTOR. If we have done our job, we already know all this. You can rest assured that the rental you are paying for will be the place you lay your head at night.

Gorgeous new home–Open House Today 12-3pm

Come by the open house at 529 Davis Road in Fairfield today between 12-3pm. This gorgeous new home, built by a premier Fairfield county builder, just hit the market this week. Come meet Basil and check it out for yourself. Take a look at the details in the link here.

New construction open house in the Lake Mohegan area

Please stop by and join Basil Sunday between 12 and 3 PM for the open house on their latest new construction. Come check out this beautiful Lake Mohegan area home built by a premier Fairfield County builder. Call Basil @ 203 209-3818 for more info. See you there!

Young Professionals – Buy or Rent

This was a topic suggested by a friend who I keep up with on Facebook. The reason I keep up with him on Facebook is he is always traveling. His job has him all over the place and quite honestIy I love living vicariously through him; he seems to be having a great time. My suggestion to him was “I think you need a motor home.”

In all seriousness though, owning a home is not for everyone. We now live in a very small world. Think about it. 50 years ago you found a job and a community, settled down, raised a family and you moved (maybe) when you retired. Today that is not the case for many people. I have recently helped to relocated 4 households to Connecticut. Each of those have lived in no less than 4 places; 3 are between 25 and 40. The other, well we won’t go into age but he has literally lived all over the world.

If you’re on the move every few months, short term rentals are definitely the way to go. I would also hook up with a company that has a presences in your travel areas. This way you can deal with a company you know, they can refer you in network and if possible, share paperwork. Different states have different requirements but hey, any head start on the process helps.

Does this mean you don’t buy? Not necessarily. If you go out for a few weeks at a time or even a couple months at a time and return to a “home base”, owning may not be a bad idea. It gives you the security of knowing you will always have a place to lay your head. A place that is familiar, solid, secure and home. It also is a good investment and in the long run with this kind of life, a money saver. Although I would suggest a condo vs a single family home.

For the young professional that has a “stationary” job my advice would be the same every time; yes. If you qualify for a mortgage and can find a place that you want to live, go for it. It will be a great investment. Make sure you get pre-qualified. This will let you and your agent know what your financial position is and your price range. There is nothing worse than finding a place that you love and then finding out you can’t afford it. At that point the choice becomes about lifestyle; single family, multi-family or condo. It’s all about your comfort level.

Whether you live in something for 5 months or 50 years, the fact of the matter is, it’s home. Like I said, we live in a small world, why not own your little piece of it?

Author: Cindy Penkoff http://www.facebook.com/CindyPenkoffRealtor http://www.linkedin.com/in/cindypenkoffrealtor

Great house coming to market this week

Here is a picture of the newest project from Basil and Fox Contractors. This two family house is completely remodeled from top to bottom In Bridgeport’s North end. it will be coming on the market this week. Please call Basil at 203 209-3818 for more information.

Sell Your Home Or List Your Home

One of the most difficult things to come to grips with when selling your home is the selling price. I am not talking about what you think your house is worth or what you owe on your home, but the actual selling price or what someone is willing to pay for a property. For many people this can be a shock to their system.

My favorite thing to tell people is “Anyone can list your home, but, I don’t want to list your home, I want to sell your home which is a completely different concept.”. Does that make sense?

I was just researching properties for a CMA. When doing so I wanted to see what was on the market in their area as well. 3 of the highest priced properties caught my eye. Upon looking further I noted these 3 properties were anywhere from $80,000 to $100,000 over priced. Why would anyone do that? To test the water? Did they buy at the height of the market and they need that to get out? Did they demand that be the price or they would not list the house at all? There are a number of possible reasons for this. But, one of those reasons should NEVER be because the agent didn’t do their homework.

The rumors you have all heard are correct, to a certain extent; the market is coming back. Unfortunately not in every town and not at the same pace. This does NOT mean that you can jack up the price of your house. Comparative values still matter, appraisals still matter and what a bank is willing to expend still matters, so it’s no free for all. The past is still indicative of the future. What has sold and what has not and why.

A Comparative Market Analysis is the foundation for an honest and open conversation about your property. It is facts and figures that no matter how much you would like to ignore them, exist and never lie. They are where every good Realtor/Client relationship begins, because it’s honest and like any good relationship honesty is a must.

Now let’s assume you have decided you want to sell your home. Congratulations! It’s a big step, but only the first of many……remember, honesty.

Now, assuming you have done all the paperwork, yes I know there is a lot but it’s for everyone’s protection I promise, you and your Realtor should do a complete walk through of your home. When I walk through a house I open closets, look under sinks, go in the attic and down into the cellar to look at the mechanicals. There will be things they think you should be prepared to do in order to give your property the best possible chance of selling; remember first impressions are everything and curb appeal can mean the difference of someone walking in your door for an open house and someone that does a “drive-by”.

So if you are looking for that top dollar be prepared to organize and purge. Use this as an opportunity to not only get your house ready to sell, but get you ready to move to a new home. Having your home ready to show within an hour or so of a call is important. Before you leave the house in the morning make sure the beds are made, the sink is empty, the bathrooms are clear and the garbage has been taken out. A funky smell can sour a showing in no time flat.

Moral of the story; listen to your Realtor if you really want to sell your home, especially when it comes to price.

Your Holiday Kitchen

Every holiday centers around 2 things; family and food. The 2 things that make us all equal and we can all relate to. We talk about what we will make for weeks ahead of time, making sure to stick to those traditions and recipes that have been in the family forever while throwing in an occasional new one, probably found on Pinterest.

No matter where you decide to gather for your celebrations, the kitchen is where most of the magic will happen. This is the place we cook, create, communicate and we reconnect. More importantly we remember the ones who can’t be with us but how important they still are.

People crave that kind of interaction, especially in this busy world we now find ourselves. They need that place, that feeling of “real”, that center. The kitchen can be that place in most homes.

Whether you are buying or renting, the kitchen is a deciding factor for most people. If it isn’t what you want does it have the potential to be? An easier question to answer if you are buying vs renting granted. But people will give up other “wish list” items for their kitchen. I have yet to hear from anyone, “If I can boil water in it, I’m fine”. It doesn’t matter if it is the first time home buyer, dreaming about that first Thanksgiving dinner they will prepare or the college students I just found a rental for to finish their last year in. The kitchen is HOME.

As you look for that place to call home, what is your kitchen going to be like? Will it be all that you want and still fit into that budget or will it be a vision of the potential you see in an already existing space? Do you need a double oven and/or sink? Do you prefer stainless or color? What will your counter space look like and do you have enough lighting? Because the reality is, our dream home may not have the kitchen we want or can afford……yet.

Don’t close yourself out to a house that you saw on line that is a great price and looks nice except the kitchen. Take a look, get a feel and see what the potential is. I know the idea of doing work on a house before moving in is a lot for many people but, you could be passing up on your dream home and kitchen all for a lack of a little imagination.

I worked inside my home for 3 months before moving in. Taking down wall paper, painting walls and getting the floors taken care of. This was my house and I knew it. The kitchen was huge but in need of major updating. I did what I could afford at the time. You may have that same kitchen. A nice space that has made a lot of meals, desserts and dog biscuits, with a Pinterest board and Houzz.com scrapbook of wish list items of what you want it to be? I’m ok with that.

Whatever your kitchen turns out to be, I know that what comes out of it will be filled with love, warmth and friendship. It will be as much a part of the holiday and get togethers as the stories you will tell and the memories you will make.

Happy Easter and Happy Passover to all.