real estate – Page 2 – DoingItLocal

I Don’t Need An Agent

It’s amazing how many times you will hear this, especially before people find out you are an agent. I’m not sure how dealing with a Realtor ended up in the same category as going to the dentist. Since when did hiring someone trained and licensed to help you make the biggest purchase of your life become synonymous with someone who wants to put a drill in your mouth? People will hold off getting an agent until they no longer have a choice. No offence, but it’s a really bad strategy.

Explain to me exactly what it is that you are so adverse to. Expert advice, experienced insight, another set of eyes that can see your 3 year old about to grab the cats tail, the chauffeur? Are you adverse to having someone explain to you why getting pre-qualified is the first thing you should do BEFORE looking at that $700,000 house you have your heart set on? Or why buying the house right next door to the school is not a good idea if you have to be on your way to work no later than 7:15? Or, could it be that 3 page document they want you to sign before stepping inside one house? I mean, “why should you have to sign a document just to see houses?”.

First of all in the State of Connecticut it is REQUIRED. Selling a home is not like selling paint. There is a reason that licensing is a requirement, classes and mandatory continuing Ed classes. This IS the biggest purchase most people will ever make in their lives. It requires lawyers, legal town documents, sometimes town board approvals and variances. It’s a big deal. It requires each party to be legally represented by your own people. You do want people on your team to work for you and look out for your best interest right? That 3 page document does that.

If for some crazy reason a realtor chooses to take you to see houses without that document, he/she legally represents the SELLER as soon as they walk in the door. Not you, because you didn’t want them to and you will have to sign a waiver stating such.

Lastly, as a sales person we don’t get paid by the hour. We only get paid after a sale closes. How would you like to spend weeks showing properties to a client only to have that client turn around after finding the house they want and giving the sale to their cousin Fred? Do you think that would be fair? Of course not. We only have your best interest at heart and rely on you being a satisfied customer; satisfied customers make recommendations and remember us when they are ready to move up or down.

All that being said, when you hire someone to help you sell or buy a home, you are inviting them into your lives. Know who they are. Go to LinkedIn, their facebook business page and their website. Read their bio’s check out their recommendations and feel free to interview them. You are going to be spending time with this person, be fair to them, look out for yourself and always use a licensed agent.

http://www.coldwellbankermoves.com/Cynthia.Penkoff

http://www.facebook.com/CindyPenkoffRealtor

http://www.linkedin.com/in/cindypenkoffrealtor

Financing A Home Will Be a Pleasure With Nima

I’ve purchased two homes in my lifetime. I remember the realtors, even the lawyers but funny I just don’t remember the mortgage people in either transaction. I do remember the first call I received from Nima to advertise on DoingItLocal.com. Nima works with Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc. I felt like I was reconnecting with an old friend. I met with Nima the next day learned that Nima had the same passion for his work as I do bringing you the happenings in the area! If you are looking to purchase a home I strongly recommend giving him a call. It won’t cost you anything to call him but like me you might feel like having him for burgers Memorial Day Weekend. He’s a real down to earth kinda guy! Give him a call at 203-913-6016.

Open House Sunday

If you are in the market for a home, one of the best days of the week is Open House Sunday. Are you a seasoned pro or a newbie? Either way, you need to be prepared as you may just find your next home today.

First you must go to your favorite website and see if the houses on your list are having an Open House, may I suggest www.CindyPenkoff.com? (I know shameless plug.) You make your list for the day, grab your coffee and go. The hardest part of this adventure, strangely enough, is being in the house, especially if you don’t have your agent with you. (You do have an agent right?)

The reason I say it’s the hardest part is you walk a fine line of feeling comfortable and feeling like a snoop. So here is the rule. If you know, when you walk in the door that you are not going to like this house “But let’s look any way since we are here”, walk through and leave. Simple. If nothing else it could add to the list of things you don’t like in a house. But, if you walk into a house that has potential, well then let the snooping begin.

Now, you are not going to really snoop, but you are going to give the house a good once over, you know like walking the car lots on Sunday when they used to be closed. This means, you open closet doors and medicine cabinets. Look under the sink cabinets for any leaks. Go into the basement and look at the electrical box and the sump pump. Is it dry or is there some moisture? Try opening and closing some windows and look up and look down. How does the ceiling look and do the floors look like you can work with them? Make notes; whether it be on your smart phone or a good old fashioned pen and paper. Look in the garage if it has one and walk around the yard.

Things off limits; drawers and anything NOT a part of the house. An old cool looking trunk in the basement or storage bins, any mail left on the counter and do not open that roll top desk. It’s not staying with the house. If it’s a personal item leave it alone and please do not let your children play with the toys of the children living in the home.

As much fun as it can be for a buyer, if you are selling your home, Open House Sunday is almost never your favorite day of the week. It really doesn’t matter how badly you want to sell your home either. You will feel as if you are being pushed out of your house, even if you are never home on Sunday in the first place. You will feel like you are being judged and you will feel like someone has gone through your things. At the same time you will be anxious to hear a report from your realtor at the end of the day. “How many people came and did anyone seem interested?” Validation.

The best advice I can give you, if you really want to sell your home, is read what I said above to potential buyers. Did you throw all your stuff in the walk in closet, the coat closet, under the sink or dirty dishes in the stove? Bad call. This place needs some spit and shine. More than likely you have known about this open house for at least a week. Don’t wait until that morning to get it all done. Has the lawn been groomed; first impressions are everything. How does the house smell? Yes smell. You would be surprised how many houses I go into that smell like teenage boys bedrooms. Choose something fresh and clean like lemon or orange. I hate to break it to you, all those candles you put around the house aren’t helping and nothing replaces a good old fashioned cleaning.

Here is the reality of Open House Sunday. If you really want to sell your house, you have to do it, but if you are going to do it, do it right. If you want to buy a house, open house Sunday is one of the best ways to find out what you like and what you don’t, just understand, somebody still lives there. So be a courteous guest.

Welcome to HOUSING 101

Good Morning!!!!!

Would if I could, make it that easy; a 101 Course. Let’s face it, there is nothing easy about making the largest purchase of your life, or selling something you have put your heart and soul into and now people will be walking through critiquing it. As a Realtor, part of my job is to help you with that. I’m not saying I can take all the anxiety out of it, but I can give you the information you need to make good decisions. As they say, with knowledge comes power.

My name is Cindy Penkoff and I am a Real Estate agent with the Fairfield Coldwell Banker Office. I must admit, not many people can say this, I LOVE my job. It is many of the job things I love all rolled into one; sales, promotion, numbers, staging (decorating), helping people through an exciting and stressful decision and contracts. Yes I like contracts. Contracts are defined, clear, structured and specific. Dot the i’s and cross those t’s. Now if we could work in shoes and music, I would know perfection. J

All of that leads us to the here and now and why I am “talking” to you. It is now one of my jobs to help my readers navigate the world of Real Estate, which is much more than one might think. I want to help with everything from organizing and decorating the house to sell for the holidays to “how much can I afford to spend?”. For the record, I will be handing you off to a mortgage specialist for that one. Understanding why Connecticut State Laws requires “blah” and why a licensed home inspector can save you from the money pit.

But, today is about introductions. Tomorrow we will start to talk about the local markets, what is happening and what we can expect to see because of them.

For now, may I say, it’s been a pleasure and I look forward to this new adventure.