12 Fire Safety Tips for the Winter

Posted on December 24, 2012 by Tari Torch Sweeney

Winter is here whether we like it or not! But there is something about getting cozy by the fireplace with hot chocolate, right? With all the perks of a fire burning in the winter, you need to keep a few safety tips in mind. Here are 12 Fire Safety Tips for the Winter…

1. Extension Cords: With all the holiday lights and decorations, you need to be careful where you place them, if the outlet is grounded, and not to overcrowd the outlets.

2. Candles: The holiday scents are a regular in my house every year. Be aware of how many you have lit so you remember to blow them out when you leave or go to sleep. Keep them away from papers, bookshelves, and other flammable items. Burn candles on a holder, not directly onto a flammable surface.

3. Holiday Decorations: Have a real tree? Make sure you water it regularly. A dry tree with hot lights wrapped around it is not a good mix.

4. Hot Ashes: Did you know you are not supposed to put ashes from the fireplace into a plastic bag or other flammable bag? Ashes can stay hot long after the fire has burnt out, make sure you use a metal container to put your ashes in when cleaning out the fireplace.

5. Space Heaters: Never point a space heater directly at anything flammable. Make sure your space heater has safety features such as if it tips over, does it have an automatic shut off?

6. Combustible Materials: Don’t store newspapers next to the fire. Even though you use them to light a fire and want them near, it is an accident waiting to happen. Same goes with clothing, pillows, dog bed, etc.

7. Leaves and Needles: Don’t let these things build up on your roof.

These might seem like easy, common sense tips but q quick reminder of what to look out for this winter never hurts! If you want more info on preventing fire tragedies, read the original article by Inman News here.

Strategies for Buying a Short Sale

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Tari Torch Sweeney

Many buyers are interested in buying a short sale property because they often are sold at a cheaper than average price. However, an obstacle that buyers face when trying to secure a short sale property is being denied by a lender. According to Inman news, “About one in three short-sale listings never sell” because many interested buyers are denied lender approval. However, we expect to see a change in this trend now that the government is offering incentives for lenders who approve short sales.

So, now that that obstacle is being reduced, what can you do to up your chances of buying a short sale property?

Pick the right real estate agent

You should try to work with an agent who has a successful track record in buying short sale properties, and who can tell you whether or not it is likely that a certain property will sell.
If your agent doesn’t want to do short sales, find someone else to work with, otherwise you may be steered away from the property that you want.
Ask family, friends, and coworkers for recommendations on real estate agent who is willing to work with short sale buyers

Work with your agent, the buyer, and the lender

Ask your agent to get background information on short sale properties in your area and price range.
Ask your agent to try to work with listing agents who are also comfortable with short sales to ensure a successful sale for both ends.
You should also ask your agent to find out how many loans are secured against the property and if the sellers are in default (If there are more than two loans secured against the property, it is likely that the home won’t sell).
Figure out whether or not the seller is mentally prepared for a short sale; if s/he is not, it may be best to keep looking.

For more information on successful short sale strategies, click here.

Open Areas and Walkable Spaces are Worth Higher Home Prices for Many Buyers

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Tari Torch Sweeney

According to REALTOR® Magazine, “More home shoppers say they want to live where there is walkable space, and they’re willing to pay extra for it”. That is, houses that come with more open spaces and more walkable areas are more valuable. Researchers have even boiled this down to a science, saying that the price (per square foot) is raised by $300+ for “every step up the walkability ladder” in apartments. It is raised $82 per square foot in houses. If the neighborhood and area surrounding your home is also “walkable” and open, your home may be worth even more. These spaces offer great opportunities for potential buyers to become physically active in their area, and thus, are more valuable than homes that cannot offer such amenities. Talk to your realtor about the “walkability” and openness of your home and area; this could lead to a great marketing strategy for you!

Read the original article from Realtor.com here.

Selling Your Home This Fall

Posted on September 10, 2012 by Tari Torch Sweeney

Autumn is just around the corner, and it’s not as easy to maintain your beautiful-flower-lined walkways as it was in the summer. The weather is becoming cooler, the amount of daylight is shortening, and leaves are falling. So, how can you use the season change to your advantage when selling your home?

Keep your landscape in order. Don’t allow leaves to pile up and kill your grass-dead grass is not a good selling point. Also, keep your grass cut and uniform. While it shouldn’t be growing as rapidly as it did in the summer and spring, you should still be sure to cut it at least once a week in the fall. There is also a range of flowers and plants that you can keep outside during the fall (such as mums) just to beautify your property a little more; this will make your property appeal to buyers before they even step inside your home.
Create a warm, inviting atmosphere inside your home. Definitely utilize fireplaces if you have any, and don’t be stingy with the furnace. Don’t go overboard either though. Real estate professionals recommend setting your thermostat somewhere around 68 degrees for a showing in the fall.
Let there be light. Many of your showings will probably be during the day time. If this is the case, open all of your blinds, pull back the curtains and the drapes, and let there be light! If your showing isn’t during the day, or it’s cloudy and dark outside, turn on all of the lights in the house and place some spotlights behind furniture.

To read the full article from RisMedia, click here.