Archive for April, 2007
Investment Property Search, Part II
I mentioned recently that my spouse and I are looking into buying an investment property. Specifically, a condo. Well, this week 2 other condos with the same square footage and layout, only 2 doors down from the one we’re considering, came on the market. The asking price on each of these condos is 25% more. Hmmm. The descriptions don’t make either sound like they have a fabulous gourmet kitchen or spa bath. So what gives. They are in the same types of buildings, monthly Association fees are the same, location is the same, parking situation is the same. We’re looking at both of them tomorrow, so I’ll know conclusively then what specifically is different. But something just seems fishy. Did the new sellers get bad advice from their agents on pricing? Are the new sellers just too optimistic about their property market values? The condo we looked at has been sitting for 6 months and actually shows very nicely. And still hasn’t sold, even with a significantly lower listing price. Now I’m ticked that these two other condos may make it difficult for me to negotiate a better price on the one that has been sitting.
Stay tuned for more info tomorrow.
Fluffy and Benji Live Here Too…
Did you know that in 2006, 73% of all US households owned a dog or cat? We sure do love our four legged companions.
But how do you minimize the impact of your beloved fluffball when you’re trying to sell your home?
First, you want to make sure that you either remove your pets from the home for all showings, or have them crated with a “Do Not Disturb” sign. You never know how your pet will react with strangers in the home, and I’ve seen more than one agent running after an indoor cat that escaped during a showing. Always try to minimize your pet’s presence so the buyer can focus on the home and not your cute Labrador.
Next, get rid of the smelly stuff. This means constantly cleaning litter boxes, removing stains from carpets, and using natural cleansers to remove odors. Nothing is worse than walking into a potpurri-filled home that’s trying to mask pet odor. It immediately raises a concern with the buyer and they wonder what else you’re trying to cover up.
Finally, get rid of the toys. No one wants to look at slimy tennis balls, cat towers, and half-chewed fake mice. Gather up the sources of amusement and put them in a covered basket. You’ll still have easy access to them, but buyers won’t have to look at your pet’s dirty laundry, so to speak.
If you follow these simple steps, you’ll minimize the impact your pets may have on your home sale and keep them in a secure state of mind during this time of transition. Woof!
Hartford Area Heat Map
It’s getting hot in here…well, for some pockets in town. If you’ve never used Trulia’s heat map functionality, check it out. You can search for Average Listing Price (by week) by state, town, or county. Additionally, it provides historical Average and Median Sales Price data and average Price per Square Foot. It’s a great snapshot tool to understand how your neighborhood is trending.