Gene's Bit of Blogging
Maintenance and Upkeep of Your Home
|
Guest Blogger - LaNita Cates, Re/Max Realty of Joliet, IL: Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2012 10:52 AM
Buyers Decide Within 8 Seconds Whether They Are
Interested In a Home
I am a huge fan of Real Estate Agent and Mogul Barbara Corcoran. Barbara is a Real Estate Contributor on NBC's Today show and the wonderful addition to ABC's Shark Tank.
 Per Barbara:
"BUYERS DECIDE WITHIN 8 SECONDS WHETHER THEY ARE INTERESTED IN YOUR HOME."
I'm not surprised by this at all. It's the first impression when
walking in and hearing, "Wow, this is cute" - or - "Ugh, what is that smell?" Pretty much sums of the next few minutes of the tour of that home.
I always tell my buyers that they will know when they walk in if this
is their home or not. If they aren't feeling it within the first 10
seconds, let's move on. They never believe me... AT FIRST. But usually
by the 4th house, they agree that they know pretty much immediately if
they are interested or not when walking in the door.
So buyers pretty much know. Sellers - remember that! That first
impression (or at least the first 8 seconds) can decide whether the
buyer is interested in your home!
* LaNita
Cates of REMAX Realty of Joliet has been serving the Joliet,
Plainfield, Naperville, Crest Hill, Bolingbrook, Shorewood and
surrounding areas, helping buyers and sellers with all their real estate
needs.
Call or Contact: LaNita Cates REMAX Realty of Joliet today ...
Office: 221 Springfield Ave., Joliet, IL 60435 Office Phone: 815-609-0887
Office Fax: 815-364-1267 Cell: 630-341-1545 |
Buying a Home, Real Estate, Real Estate Advice, Will County, Agents and Brokers, Home Improvements and Curb Appeal, Maintenance and Upkeep of Your Home, Selling Your Home, Staging your Home, Remodeling, Real Estate Professionals, Home Maintenance & Repair, Home Buyers, home buying, Deciding Which Home is Best to Buy, Home Staging, Realtors, Preparing your home for sale
|
|
|
|
Gene Mundt, Mortgage Lender: Posted on Friday, March 09, 2012 5:37 PM
Is that the smell of sweet success in your home ... Or ???
I'm an advocate of staging services when selling homes. I think, especially in the present challenging housing market, that sellers often-times need every advantage possible to gain the sale they seek.
I'm also the husband to a chronic migraine sufferer. And to anyone that knows and loves someone that deals with this horrendous affliction ... you know that many things can prove to be a "trigger" for a headache. And that includes smells.
 It has been said that nothing is more memorable than a smell. And that can be good ... or bad ...
It only stands to reason, that if a home smells like animals, litter box, stale, musty, or of cigarettes ... many potential buyers are going to balk at buying. If those odors are bad enough, carpeting, window treatments, and even drywall may have to be replaced. And that means extra expenditures for buyers.
Uh-oh. Can you say "peeeee-uuuuuuu"?? Compare that home with odors to a similarily-priced home without ... and there's not much of a guess as to which home is going to sell more quickly.
That's a simple comparison. But it's been my experience as someone that has lived with a migraine sufferer for 35 years, that smells that are typically thought of as pleasant to most ... can be unpleasant or toxic to someone that gets severe headaches.
ANY smell can be someone's "trigger". The reaction can be immediate, with the mere whiff of the "trigger" smell enough to start a long and painful migraine episode requiring medications ... or a retreat to bed or a bathroom. (Be aware, that this can also be the reaction for someone with respiratory problems, as well.)
So as strongly as I advocate finding the "sweet smell of success" through the talents of staging professionals and the use of their staging techniques during the sale of properties ... I also advocate and urge all professional Stagers, real estate agents/brokers, and home sellers themselves ... to NOT place scents, perfumes, candles, potporri, air fresheners, herbs, flowers, i.e. ANY odor-producing items in properties while they are actively being shown for sale.
Should they be utilized,you may be innocently and inadvertently placing a potential buyer at health risk ... and the view/sale of the home in jeopardy.
Remember, a potential buyer will neverbuy a home that they cannot enter or view ...
* Smell the "sweet success" of selling your home ... or buying a new one. With over 35 years of successful mortgage business behind me, I can offer you referrals to real estate's finest home staging and agent/broker professionals ... besides my own mortgage services. Should you need answers to your questions or assistance, please contact me. I'll be happy to hear from you and put my experience and expertise to work for you. Direct: 815.277.4036 Cell/Text: 708.921.6331 Skype: 630.219.1316
|
|
|
Linda Kemp, Keller Williams Infinity - Naperville, IL: Posted on Wednesday, March 07, 2012 6:51 PM
Kitchens--The Heart of the Home! Part Two
Welcome to part two in my kitchen series. The kitchen is one of
my favorite rooms in my home. I cook great meals there, we laugh
through our family dinners, and we indulge the many desserts that come
out of my oven. One thing is certain--it has to feel good.
If you have
been struggling with different ideas on how to remodel your space with a
shoestring budget take a read through the following article. Do your
homework on all building materials and your options and you will be
quite pleased with the results. And then mangia!
Linda
Budget Kitchen Remodeling: 5 Money-Saving Steps
Can't afford an entire kitchen remodel in one fell swoop? You can
complete the work in 5 budget-saving stages (and still cook dinner
during the down time).
Stage one: Start with a complete design plan
Your plan should be comprehensive and detailed — everything from the
location of the refrigerator to which direction the cabinet doors will
open to whether you need a spice drawer. To save time (and money) during tear-out and construction, plan on
using your existing walls and kitchen configuration. That’ll keep
plumbing and electrical systems mostly intact, and you won’t have the
added expense — and mess — of tearing out walls. Joseph Feinberg, vice president of Allied Kitchen and Bath in Fort
Lauderdale, Fla., recommends hiring a professional designer, such as an
architect or a certified kitchen designer, who can make sure the details
of your plans are complete. You’ll pay about 10% of the total project
for a pro designer, but you’ll save a whole bunch of headaches that
would likely cost as much — or more — to fix. Plus, a pro is likely to
offer smart solutions you hadn’t thought of. For a nominal fee, you also can get design help from a major home
improvement store. However, you’ll be expected to purchase some of your
cabinets and appliances from that store.
- Cost: professional designer: $5,800 (10% of total)
- Key strategies: Once your plans are set, you can hold onto them until you’re ready to remodel.
Stage two: Order the cabinets, appliances,
and lighting fixtures
Cabinets and appliances are the biggest investments in your kitchen
remodeling project. If you're remodeling in stages, you can order them
any time after the plans are complete and store them in a garage (away
from moisture) or in a spare room until you're ready to pull the trigger
on the installation. Remember that it may take 4-6 weeks from the day you order them for your cabinets to be delivered.
If you can't afford all new appliances, keep your old ones for now --
but plan to buy either the same sizes, or choose larger sizes and
design your cabinets around those larger measurements. You can replace
appliances as budget permits later on. The same goes for your lighting fixtures: If you can live with your old ones for now, you’ll save money by reusing them. You’ll have to decide about flooring, too — one of the trickier
decisions to make because it also affects how and when you install
cabinets. You’ll need to know if your old flooring runs underneath your
cabinets, or if the flooring butts up against the cabinet sides and toe
kicks. If the flooring runs underneath, you’ll have some leeway for new
cabinet configurations — just be sure the old flooring will cover any
newly exposed floor areas. Here are points to remember: Keep old flooring for cost savings. This works if your new cabinets
match your old layout, so that the new cabinets fit exactly into the old
flooring configuration. If the existing flooring runs underneath your
cabinets and covers all flooring area, then any new cabinet
configuration will be fine. Keep your old flooring for now and cover it or replace it later.
Again, this works if your cabinet configuration is identical to the old
layout. However, if you plan to cover your old flooring or tear it out and
replace it at some point in the future, remember that your new flooring
might raise the height of your floor, effectively lowering your cabinet
height. For thin new floor coverings, such as vinyl and linoleum, the change
is imperceptible. For thicker floorings, such as wood and tile, you
might want to take into account the change in floor height by installing
your new cabinets on shims.
- Cost: cabinets: $16,000 (27% of total); appliances and lighting
fixtures: $8,500 (15% of total); vinyl flooring: $1,000 (2% of total)
- Key strategy: Keep old appliances, lighting fixtures, and flooring and use them until you can afford new ones.
Stage three: Gut the kitchen and do the electrical
and plumbing work
Here's where the remodel gets messy. Old cabinetry and appliances are
removed, and walls may have to be opened up for new electrical
circuits. Keep in close contact with your contractor during this stage
so you can answer questions and clear up any problems quickly. A major
kitchen remodel can take 6 to 10 weeks, depending on how extensive the
project is. During this stage, haul your refrigerator, microwave, and toaster
oven to another room — near the laundry or the garage, for example — so
you've got the means to cook meals. Feinberg suggests tackling this
stage in the summer, when you can easily grill and eat outside. That’ll
reduce the temptation to eat at restaurants, and will help keep your
day-to-day costs under control.
- Cost: $14,500 for tear-out and installation of new plumbing and electrical (25% of total)
- Key strategies: Encourage your contractor to expedite the tear-out
and installation of new systems. Plan a makeshift kitchen while the work
is progressing. Schedule this work for summer when you can grill and
eat outside.
Stage four: Install cabinets, countertop, appliances, flooring, and fixtures
If
you’ve done your homework and bought key components in advance, you
should roll through this phase. You've now got a (mostly) finished
kitchen.
A high-end countertop and backsplash can be a sizable sum of money.
If you can't quite swing it, put down a temporary top, such as painted
marine plywood or inexpensive laminate. Later, you can upgrade to
granite, tile, solid surface, or marble.
- Cost: $12,000 (21% of total)
- Key strategy: Install an inexpensive countertop; upgrade when you’re able.
Stage five—Final phases: Upgrade if necessary
Replace the inexpensive countertop, pull up the laminate flooring,
and put in tile or hardwood, or buy that new refrigerator you wanted but
couldn't afford during the remodel. (Just make sure it fits in the
space!).
By: Gretchen Roberts Published: January 19, 2012 Reprinted from House Logic with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
Are you looking to get your home on the market in time for the Spring
market? This is it! Don't know where to begin? Let me help you
navigate through the process of getting your home ready for sale. Not
interested in selling but just need some design help? No problem!
Call Linda Kemp at 630.688.5121 for help and advice. It's always my pleasure to assist you!
Buyers you can search for properties from the comfort of your living room right here! You will find the most up-to date listings direct from our multiple listing service. Have fun and happy house hunting!
|
|
|
Margaret Goss, Baird & Warner Winnetka, IL - Guest Blogger: Posted on Wednesday, November 09, 2011 11:57 AM
The Rat That Stole the Show
Home Sellers - this is a cautionary tale told at time when
buyers are skittish and homes for Squirrelsale are aplenty. If your home does not meet their standard
they will bolt and head to the next home or the next one after that. Your domino tiles have to be lined up
perfectly.
This week a colleague had an inspection of a home in the
North Shore - she was representing the buyers.
Their biggest worry was that the house had a dryvit exterior (also known
as a synthetic stucco) and that was what they wanted their inspector to focus
on. He never got that far.
 He headed to the attic first and came back down with some
stunning news. The attic was infested
with creatures - maybe they were rats, squirrels, possums, raccoons, who
knows? It didn't matter - the insulation
was shot - completely burrowed through with animal feces and fur, and animals
quickly scurrying away. Suddenly, the buyers didn't care about the dryvit -
they canceled the inspection and they canceled the contract. They have already moved on to several other
homes they like. End of story.
Ruined attic insulation. But is it? Does it have to end this way?
Are you thinking about selling your home? Is your home currently for sale? You will have the best shot at selling it if
it priced right - that is the NUMBER 1 consideration you have. This is not the time to test the market or
not be fully motivated in your desire to sell.
 But at the same time, even a very compelling price can't
undo the negative perception that an attic full of woodland animals will
create. Years ago, a buyer would have
asked the seller to remove the animals, clean the space, and replace the
insulation. The sale would have probably
been consummated. Not so today. The tipping point is much lower than it used
to be and the only way to prevent a lost sale is make sure your house has no
surprises.
Consider getting your house pre-inspected by a certified
Illinois inspector. The cost of the
inspection varies depending on the size of your house and the inspector you
use, but generally they range from $400 to $800. It is money well spent compared to the cost
of not being able to sell your house. If
you find a problem you can mitigate it for much less than a buyer would
demand.
Yes, the buyers will still conduct their own inspection -
but you can rest easy that the rats won't steal your show.
If you are thinking about selling your Winnetka or North
Shore home, please call me. I'd be happy to discuss and recommend good
certified inspectors.
I sell homes in the following areas:
Margaret Goss GRI, CRS Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL 847-977-6024 |
Buying a Home, Real Estate, Real Estate Advice, Chicagoland, Localism Posts, Home Services, Home Improvements and Curb Appeal, Maintenance and Upkeep of Your Home, Selling Your Home, First-Time HomeBuyers, Education, Working with a Real Estate Professional, Real Estate Professionals, Helpful Hints, Home Maintenance & Repair, home buying, Home Ownership, Deciding Which Home is Best to Buy, Home Inspections, Winnetka and North Shore
|
|
|
|
Gene Mundt, Sr. Vice President - Chicago Bancorp: Posted on Friday, September 09, 2011 3:37 PM
With a name like Mundt, you gotta guess that I'm going to like a good German beer once in awhile. Well, okay ... any good beer once in awhile ...
I immediately contacted Cecilia to ask if I could pass the link and list on to my blog readers. Who wouldn't want to try pancakes made with BEER???
Below you will find the 10 amazing things found on this list. Give them a try ... and then let me know how they worked out for you. Especially those beer pancakes ...
And oh ... if in need of staging service in the Chicago and North Shore region, contact Cecilia @ Home Staging Chicago. She'll be able to assist you with all your staging and decorating needs.
Enjoy ... and have fun with the list below!
10 Uses For BEER!
1. Banish Brown spots on the lawn: that's right,
pour less than half a cup on the problem areas and abra-ka-dabra. The
fermented sugars kill any fungus and feed the grass, allowing it to come
back green . (Jess Lebow-author of The Beer Devotional.
2.
Cast-iron Clean-up Time: Pour little beer into the still warm pan. It
will keep the mess from sticking and even season the pan. Ooh, la la.
3.
Fluffier pancakes and waffles: if you like fluffy pancakes-sub your
beef for any liquid called for in the recipe. they will be light and
airy. also, try using beer for making matzo ball an bread!! yummo!!
4.
Loosen Rusty Bolts and Screws - WHO KNEW!!: Pour a few gulps of beer on
the frozen hardware, wait a few seconds, then give it a turn.
carbonation helps break down the rust.
5.
Cook Juicy Chicken: Prop a whole chicken over a half-full can of beer
(the can goes into the cavity). Season with salt, pepper, spices. Beer
evaporates into chicken as it cooks, creating a super moist chicken.
delish!!
6.
Prevent Garden Pest: and by pest I mean bugs, not your kids. Fill small
jars with beer and place them in the garden. Insects attract to the
sugars-they slip in for a sip and never come out--ha! Keep those wasps
and bees away at parties. you can also place a bowl several feet away
from the main area and bugs will buzz away from guests.
7.
Make Jewelry Sparkle: Use a light ale and a clean towel you can polish
gold jewelry to remove dirt. you can also try this on tarnished copper
pots.
8.
Give Your Hair Shine: Put life back into your flat hair, yes you, by
mixing 1 cup lager with 1 egg yolk and massage into strands. leave in
for a few minutes and wash with shampoo (provided by Julia March)
9.
Get a Better Nights Sleep: Wash your pillowcases in water spiked with a
little beer. What?!? you say. The chemical compound dimethylvinyl
carbinol, has a calming and slightly sedative effect which is an herbal
remedy for insomnia. WHO KNEW! :)
10. Soothe Your Soles: the beer enzymes soften callused feet. Mix room temperature beer and warm peppermint tea (half and half). Dunk those toes for 20 minutes. Who needs a spa!
* Should you have questions or be in need of Credit or Mortgage Assistance or Service to Buy a Home in Chicago, the North Shore, or any of Chicagoland ... please do not hesitate to Contact Me. I can be reached at: Direct: 815.277.4036 Cell/Text: 708.921.6331 Email: gene@chicagobancorp.com
Website: www.genemundt.com
Click here 4 a: NO Cost NO Obligation Mortgage Consultation
|
|
|
