Location? Condition? Price? What do you think makes a home sell?

When I started my Real Estate journey way back when, I took a course in marketing from an old real estate professional. (everything is relative right?    he was probably 40 at the time.... lol.... )

 
We were all  young, energetic students; new licensees just waiting to get out there and make our mark on the real estate scene.  

He posed the question,  "What makes a home sell?"      (today, the question may be, "Why isn't my home selling?")

Blogs and news media everywhere seem to have the answer..... it maybe the recession, or the foreclosure situation; a lousy location; maybe poor condition......could be people just can't get financing..... ask around, it's interesting the answers you get.... I'll bet similar to the answers in that class 24 long years ago.

Our class was quick to answer...   We knew it was Location or Condition of the home!    

The old seasoned pro must of had a chuckle listening to us all as he shot us down!   ..... "Those aren't the answers", he said...."pure and simply put, it's price!"

"Consider this....   If you had a house smack in the middle of Route 495, would you find someone to pay you a dollar for it?"

Sure, all those other things matter.... and those are the things to take into consideration when pricing your home.... but even in this tight economic situation...  homes are still selling....  if priced right! 

Selling or Buying or just have a real estate related question.... call me....  508-494-9061

Let me put my 24 years of experience to work for you!   

Nov. 10, 1775 .... Semper Fi.......

Ask any Marine.....  

here for the most moving song I have ever heard!     Marine Corps Hymn

When I saw that Snow on the Ground this morning, I thought, "I'm Not Ready!"

It hit me by surprise.... I woke up, looked out the window and there it was....
 yes, SNOW on the ground...    I am so not ready for this!   and, I'm guessing that I am not the only one.

Here are a few check list items to get your home ready for the season....

Outdoors


Inspect roof, siding, and shutters for damage
Clean out gutters
Properly grade your yard to move water away from your home
Remove hoses and store indoors
Protect faucets from freezing (if needed)
Caulk exterior window & door joints
Store outside furniture, lawn ornaments, etc.
Inspect your chimney and have cleaned if needed

Indoors

Have heating system serviced
Change heating system filters
Insulate pipes that are in crawl spaces or attics
Apply weather stripping to windows
Replace smoke detector batteries & test
Remove window screens & repair as needed
Install storm windows (if needed)
Switch ceiling fan to blow up
Check your fireplace

OMG!  I am so not ready!  
But, on the advice of my BF....   I am going to embrace the season!    

p.s.      I'll let you know how that goes..... 

                                         FOR SALE   51 Lawrence Street, Norfolk, MA    $599,900

Real Estate Questions? Contact me at cal@alandcal.com

508-494-9061

LARRY LOVES IT!

                                     *****     Click here for Movie!     *****

Do you know of anyone that would be interested in living here?  
Contact me  cal@alandcal.com    or   508-494-9061

Radon.... The Emperor's New Clothes? Or something more?

Radon Gas.... you can't see it.... you can't smell it....you can't taste it....  

But is it problem in your home?  The experts say the only way to tell is to test!

According to the Surgeon General...  radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US today!   Only smoking, he says, causes more lung cancer deaths.

So what is Radon?

Radon is a radioactive gas.  It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in the ground.   Found all over....It can move up through the ground and seep into your home through cracks and holes in the foundation.   Then your home can trap the gas inside where it can build up.   It can happen in any building, but the greatest concern for exposure is in your home where  you spend the most time.

Testing.

Because it is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, the only way to know if you have excessive levels of radon in your home is to test.     Testing is inexpensive and easy.   There are different methods, some as simple as placing a charcoal canister in your home for a couple of days.

What if you have a problem?

Virtually every home has some degree of Radon. The EPA has acceptable levels, and action levels... If your home tests above the acceptable levels, you may be able to bring the level down by sealing the cracks and or holes in the foundation..but, more than likely you will want to install a mitigation system.   Simple enough and inexpensive (relatively speaking).....There are many companies around that will do just that and will guarantee to get that count down to acceptable levels.

follow this link to find out more.....       http://www.epa.gov/radon/

Please contact me if I can help you with your Real Estate needs!   cal@alandcal.com

Franklin....$319,900..... 5 Bedrooms....2 Baths.... Great Neighborhood!

3.8% Sales Tax on the Sale of Your Home.... Is that true????

Have you received this?   This past week, with a definite political slant, emails again are circulating pertaining to the Health Care Bill and the  3.8% federal sales tax on Real Estate Transactions which appears to be buried in it...
   
Is there any truth to the email?    or is it just political spin?

It certainly bears looking into...  and according to Snopes and Factcheck.org and a slew of other articles, there is some truth that there will be a tax on Real Estate Transactions, but it appears the tax is aimed at income earned on investments or earned over the real estate tax exemption.

Not every transaction as the email wants you to believe.

"Medicare Tax" in the Obama Health Care Reform Bill....  is confusing to say the least....

another tax .... strategically dubbed the "Medicare Tax" takes the sting out of what it is and being aimed at the "wealthy" also makes it easier for the general public to take...

Knowing the facts, however confusing, gives us piece of mind... and knowledge gives us the power to not fall prey to those that want to sway our opinions by using fear and misinformation....

That to me is worth the time it takes to learn for ourselves... 

The National Association of Realtors has a decent FAQ on the subject.... here is the link  http://www.realtor.org/small_business_health_coverage.nsf/pages/health_ref_faq_med_tax?opendocument

For the record.... I am in no way defending any Tax, this Tax or the entire Bill....

I am just sick of people trying to influence my thinking by using fear and scare tactics......