The Chicken or The Egg or When You Have a House To Sell

The Chicken or The Egg or When You Have a House To Sell

We all remember the old saying, what comes first the Chicken or the Egg?     What about when you have a home to Sell and you need to find a new abode?    What comes first, Selling or Buying?

The answer all depends upon the current market.   What are the conditions in your area?

When the question is asked of me today in this market, I have to answer that unless you are willing and able to purchase without selling, you should be selling your home first. 

Why?   It makes you a stronger purchaser.    The Seller can consider your offer and know that when you agree upon price and after all normal (home inspection, mortgage) contingencies are met, their home will be sold.    If they consider your offer with a home sale contingency, they are effectively putting their sale on hold until you sell yours.   How do they know you are going to price it and market it correctly.   They don't.    That is why most Sellers will not consider this unless they are highly compensated for the risk.     

Okay, So you have to sell in order to buy?     But you need a place to live after you sell.   What do you do?   It's tricky.   Much easier when it was your first home purchase, right?    Sure it was.  Likely you didn't have all this stuff, your down payment was in the bank, you didn't have kids, pets and a buyer that you had to wait for.

My recommendation is get your home on the market.    Do it right.  See previous posts.    While your home is on the market start actively looking for homes that meet your criteria.     Having something in mind that you could go to at all times would be ideal.   Knowing what your trade offs are will make you feel more comfortable that you will be able to find  your new place when that offer comes in.     Let's face it.   It doesn't matter if you are looking for a $100,000 home or a 1.5 million dollar home.   We all have trade offs.

What happens when you are following the recommendation and you find the perfect home and yours isn't sold.    Reevaluate your position in the market.    Here comes those trade offs again.    Do you love that home so much, that you am willing to change your position?    Just maybe that will be the answer.    Do you put an offer in and risk losing your deposit or do you put in an offer with contingencies and see if the Seller will engage?     The answer to that is individual.    You will consult with your agent about the pros and cons of doing any of those things.     Regardless, if your home is already on the market, you have a heartbeat on the direction that is taking.

So, What does come first?   The Chicken or the Egg?       

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.AlandCal.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061

Where to Kayak MetroWest Boston part 1

Where to Kayak MetroWest Boston part 1

Looking for places to kayak in MetroWest?    This is part of a hopefully never ending series, so check back often!

I recently wrote a post about a home I sold at 12 Norcross Road in Hopkinton MA.   The previous owner was an avid Kayaker like myself and when I met her she shared with me her experiences.   I learned that she purchased the home in part because of the access to the beautiful lake Whitehall where she could access the lake through the neighborhood.

Not having that luxury, I had to check out the public launch site for my self and try it out.    The day of my investigation, I got to the lake and there were some plein air painters set up so it even peeked my interst even more.    Meaning that there is more to do at Lake Whitehall than Kayak, although, that was my main focus for the day.

Saturday morning early, my kayaking bud and sister Nancy Carroll, (check out this blog)  (Kayakers' Chronicles) packed up the Mariner and headed out for Whitehall State Park in Hopkinton.

Even though it was early when we arrived, the parking lot already had a bunch of pick up trucks with trailers attached.   I thought, oh great, this is going to be a bust.   As much as I love seeing and talking with people, the reason I love kayaking so much is to take in the peace and quiet and to enjoy the wildlife, birds and scenery.

The access we used was right off route 135 (Wood St).   There  is a ramp and it was simple getting in and out.   Parking is free.

What a surprise it was once out on the lake.    It was so large (600 acres)  and with many twists and turns, we didn't really bump into all those boats that we thought would be in there.   We traveled the length and investigated the many little coves and islands.    Lake Whitehall was once a water source for the area.  There are really no homes that can be seen from it.    It is a pristine with nothing to break the scenery.   There is a walking trail that goes around the entire place too.  

We saw ducks, a heron low in flight, varieties of plants and a few friendly fisherman.     It was a bit windy and the lake is wide so it provided a decent work out.


 Stay tuned for part 2 of our kayaking adventure throughout Metro West of Boston!
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Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.AlandCal.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061

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View Larger Map

Is It Better To Include the Extras When Selling Your Home or Use Them To Negotiate?

Is It Better To Include the Extras When Selling Your Home or Use Them To Negotiate?


Before your home goes on the market your agent will ask you if there is any that is permanently attached to your home (ex. fixtures) or land (ex.plants) that you will want to exclude from the sale and take with you.  And for good reason.   Getting this out of the way up front leaves nothing to interpretation when you are well into the transaction or at the closing table.  

At first glance this question can seem a bit silly.   Do you want this light fixture or those speakers?   Generally, it is a simple decision one way or another and if you are going to take Aunt Sue's wedding present that lights up the dining room table, I would ask you to replace it before we start the showings as not to get into a tug of war over it.    This is the easy stuff.


But there are times that there might be something you just can't replace or someone might want them because they just couldn't see the home without them.

Say for example, you have a drop dead man town complete with "move-able" bar, tucked in the wall refrigerator, huge screen TVs and of course a pool table.   To top that off you have an outdoor area that is just as inviting and a play land for young and old alike.    These living spaces are so appealing because of the toys that are in them.  Much of this could be  personal property.  But in this case, maybe your home could be more sale-able and could possibly command a higher price because of perceived value if you include them.

Or say you have a landscape that is the envy of the town, but you have a sentimental attachment to some of these plants.

What do you do? 

Excluding up front and using for negotiation.   In my experience people see the property like it is presented.  In most  cases that is what they want.    Using  items that really belong with a property as negotiation is a very tricky situation.    There is not likely going to be a meeting of the minds as to value of each item.    Not only that, it is emotional enough negotiating your home with out the added stress of taking in or out "stuff".    The process becomes more demanding and emotional and generally over something fairly small.    Those Bose speakers come to mind!

Including the Extra's.   What you see is what you get.  A fabulous landscape is just that.  Or, a Buyer can see himself with his bud's on any given Sunday passing beers out from behind that beautiful bar!       Under promise and over deliver.   In my opinion that is the better way to go.

But, clearly there are times when Aunt Susie's light fixture can't be replaced prior to listing or there is a tree in the yard that represents more than just leaves.    In those cases, you exclude and you don't really want to negotiate anyway. 

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.AlandCal.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061

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About the author

Carol-Ann Palmieri, a full time Real Estate professional in Massachusetts for the past 24 years along with Al Mussi have helped hundreds of families find, sell or purchase new places to live.

A former US Marine, she grew up in Walpole, MA...  is committed to the serving the community through various volunteer opportunities.   She attended MA Bay Community and Suffolk University and is committed to constantly updating her Real Estate education. 

Licensed in MA and RI...

Al and Cal's primary areas of service Franklin, Bellingham, Medway, Millis, Medfield, Norfolk, Wrentham, Plainville, Blackstone, Walpole, Milford, Holliston, Hopkinton, Mansfield, and Foxboro, North Attleboro, Hopedale, Mendon, Millville but have resourses to help anyone, anywhere....

Her mission....  To exceed your expectations!

En Plein Air Art Classes offered Walpole MA area Residents

En Plein Air Art Classes offered Walpole MA area Residents

In addition to her summer camps for kids and adult art lessons in studio, Artist and Teacher Rosemarie Morelli Crocker of Walpole MA is teaching en plein air to all students with all skill levels, beginner to advanced.


En plein air is french and means the act of painting outdoors.  

I've been painting in studio with Rosemarie for almost a year now.   It is an enjoyable way to let your creative juices flow.  She is an excellent teacher and I was more than excited at the chance to get outside and give an real time landscape a whirl! 

She began with a list of what to bring.   It reminded me of those "what to bring to camp" lists.    Easel, paint, bug spray, sun screen, umbrella, water, etc.  

The class met at Clark's Pond in Walpole, MA.    The location was chosen for the ease of the first time outdoor students.   There will be other places in the Dover, Medfield, Walpole, South Natick area that students will travel to.

She started with showing  how to choose a composition.     After that how to set up, and begin.  It sounds kind of elementary, but it was really necessary.

You would think that everyone would be painting the same scene, but no!   Everyone  picked something different to paint, so it will be interesting  to see how they all come out over time.     These lessons are designed to help the beginner and advanced student create by learning how to see and correct color, shapes, edges and values.    

If you have ever thought that you wanted to learn to paint or draw or if you are experienced and want some additional instruction or just want to get together with other like minded individuals, 

I highly recommend that you check out
Rosemarie Crocker Morelli's studio's and lessons.

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.AlandCal.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061

 

And, they're Off - Women's Air Race Classic Begins

And They're Off -  Women's Air Race Classic  Begins

The 2012 Women's Air Race Classic has begun.


57 Teams of two (or in s couple cases, three) Women pilots are off and flying.   This years air race classic is underway and the pilots have departed today from HII, Lake Havasu City Airport, Lake Havasu City, AZ.


These women will navigate and fly their planes for  2681.54 statute miles, stopping at 9 scheduled airports, zig zagging from south to north and west to east, across the county until they arrive at their final destination, 169 Clermont County airport in Batavia, OH.   It will be quite the journey.

Novice racers will compete against the Veterans of this race.   There will be college aviators and senior citizens.   These women racers come from all walks of life and live all over the US.

Not only will they be competing against each other, they will dealing with mother nature taking into consideration winds and weather, their own personal skills and capabilities of their aircraft.   To be sure they will tonight be plotting out their next leg, calculating fuel, weight, winds, weather to formulate a strategic plan.

They do this for fun, they do this to raise awareness for women in aviation, some to highlight a cause, but also because they CAN!

While I am not able to attend or see any of these gals in action,
I was able to see the gals of the 2008 Air Race and welcome them back at the finish at 1B9 Mansfield, MA.    It was exciting, no.. thrilling.    Not only did I get to see the finish, my sister in law and mentor, Pam Palmieri co-owner of Promotions-etc, flew for the first time in that race.   I was there as she landed, welcome poster board sign in hand.  I met some astonishing women, young and old.   They were an inspiration to me.

In 2010 Women accounted for approximately only 7% of the pilot population.   This number is  dramatically increasing due in part to events such as the ARC.  

If you ever thought of flying, go down to your local flight school.   It is less expensive than you think and the best thing you can do for yourself!     If you are in Eastern or Southern MA or Rhode Island, give King Aviation at Mansfield MA airport a try.   They have plenty of great instructors, great planes, and on top of that, a nice friendly staff to help you along your flight path. 

The 2012 Women's Air Race finishes up this year on June 22.   I wish all the teams tail winds and the mechanical Gods smiling on them.

It doesn't matter who finishes first.. All these gals are winners in my book!

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.AlandCal.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061

House for Rent Cumberland RI

Single Family Rental

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$1,500 Residential Rental Main Features 2 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms Interior: 1,400 sqft Lot: 5,000 sqft Location 51 Hewes Street Cumberland, RI 02864 USA To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below:

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Carol Ann Palmieri (508) 494-9061 cal@alandcal.com http://alandcal.com Listed by: Al and Cal Realty Group ReMax Executive Realty

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A Fathers Advice to New Homeowners

A Fathers Advice to New Homeowners 

Dad's are always dispensing advice.     I have heard a lot of it over the years, not just from my own Dad, but from the Dad's of my Buyers, especially the first time ones.       Here are some of the Real Estate related thoughts that I have remembered hearing from Dad's. 

1.   About Making Changes.   I have heard many a Dad say, "Live in the house for a year before you go making any changes to it.   Good advice I feel as living in the home day to day will might change your mind about those walls you want to move.

2.  Regarding Buyers Remorse.    Most Buyers get the jitters at some point during a transaction.   One of my clients fears were put to ease when their Dad said, "Don't worry about it.   If you really don't like it you can sell it."     Keeping that thought can keep those jitters away until the buyers remorse passes.

3.  About Non Decision Makers.    My Dads advice to my brother who was purchasing a more than handy man special.   "I don't think I would show your Mother the house until after you buy it."   Wise advice as she would have freaked out by the looks of that mess prior to his renovation.  

4.  Regarding location.     I do forget what Dad said this, or maybe I wouldn't want to reveal who, but this one wise guy told his children to move close enough to visit, but not close enough that family would be just dropping by!

5.  Regarding repairs.       "If you are buying a home, you should own a hammer."    This guy was spot on!  There are always things to do around a home.   Don't think you are going to move into even a new home and have to do nothing.    There will always be something to fix or stay on top of.    

6.  Where to put things.     Keep a flashlight by the electrical box.   Good advice that I have heeded myself. When the breaker needs to be reset, it is nice to see what you are doing. 


Those are just a few of the tidbits of fatherly advice that I have heard given to my Buyers.   There have been tons more.   I hope when reading this, you will remember with a smile a piece of advice that was given to you!

Happy Father's Day to all those Dads out there.     We appreciate and thank you for your expert advice!

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.AlandCal.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061