Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Selling Your Home? Attack Issues Head-on



You’ve finally made the decision to put your home on the market - now comes the tough part: making sure it’s ready for prospective buyers.

According to Buddy Stark, director of operations for HomeTeam Inspection Service, there are several steps home sellers should take before beginning the selling process and having a home inspection. Here’s what he recommends:

Clean the house. This may seem like an obvious one, but you must keep your home at a heightened level of clean on an ongoing basis in anticipation of a showing. An ultra-clean home will convey that it's been well cared for and that the house is less susceptible to any issues caused by neglect.

Check all windows. Take a quick inventory of your windows to make sure they're in good working order. Replace windows that are cracked or broken before the inspection to save time during the selling process.

Finish the “honey-do” list. You might not think that certain areas of your home have anything to do with your home’s appeal, but they will come up as safety concerns on a home inspection report. Replace burnt-out lightbulbs, test smoke detectors, replace air filters and unclog drains. These little things are easy to forget in day-to-day life, but taking care of them is a relatively easy task that will help potential buyers focus on the important systems of the home.

Check all outlets. A sampling of electrical outlets will be tested as part of the home inspection to make sure they're in good working order. Take note of which outlets are not functioning in the home and replace them. Or consider hiring an electrician to make sure both outlets and the electrical box are updated and in proper working condition.

Clear areas for easy access. Home inspectors will be looking at the major parts of the home, including the foundation, HVAC systems, electrical systems, plumbing and even the water heater. Making sure home inspectors can easily access these areas, including the basement and attic, will save time during the inspection process.

Consider a pre-listing inspection. Having an inspection conducted before the selling process, will allow you to take care of issues that may arise later, clearing the way for a smooth - and speedy - sale.

Source: HomeTeam Inspection 
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Thursday, August 2, 2018

Summer Safety for Your Kids



Every year about this time, summer safety tips are in the news. But sadly, more than 200,000 kids are treated in emergency rooms each year, and of the 3,500 accidental drowning deaths, more than half are children.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a practical guide to keeping kids safe and happy during the hot, action-packed summer months:

Teach kids to swim – Some experts say kids should learn to swim by the age of four. But aquatics programs for infants and toddlers are widely available. No matter when you begin formal swimming lessons for your child:
- Be sure your pool is fenced
- Learn CPR
- Never leave a child of any age unsupervised at the pool

Beat the heat – Children are at greatest risk for heat-related illness. Cover them up, apply sunscreen, and be wary of sunburn, which increases the risk of skin cancer in later life. Also:
- Never leave children in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked
- Schedule strenuous outdoor activities in morning and evening hours
- Keep kids cool with showers or baths on very hot days
- Seek immediate medical care if a child has symptoms of heat-related illness, such as  headache, nausea, high body temperature or hot, damp skin

Keep insects at bay - Insects are more than a nuisance. They can also carry disease. Mind the following:
- Use insect repellent when playing outdoors
- Make your yard a tick-free zone by keeping lawns mowed and free of tall grasses, brush, and litter
-  Apply pesticides outdoors as necessary

Prevent injuries – Play-related falls and other injuries can double in the summer months.
- Make sure playground equipment is safe and well maintained
- Supervise young children at all times in playgrounds and around other fall-hazard areas
- Be wary of concussion or serious head injury after a bad fall or blow to the head. Seek medical attention right away if your child seems confused or has suffered unconsciousness. Seek medical attention within a day if your child exhibits signs of imbalance, persistent headache, vomiting, confusion or memory loss. 
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Monday, July 30, 2018







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Tuesday, July 3, 2018

International investors are the uptrend in US commercial real estate.

This information is brought to you by

Angela Yglesias

Levesque Realty

Commercial Drawing in Global Investors: NAR





Abroad and at home, the economy is firming up—and in the commercial market in the U.S., international investors are riding the uptrend, according to a National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) report.
In the last five years, 35 percent of commercial REALTORS® have had more commercial clients from outside the U.S., and, in 2017, 18 percent closed with a client from another country, and 19 percent completed a lease with a foreign homebuyer.
“Since 2016, world economies have regained their footing and have pressed toward higher ground,” says Lawrence Yun, chief economist at NAR. “Global economic output increased in 2017, and commercial real estate continues to be a healthy investment for global investors.
In 2017, commercial clients were generally homebuyers—of commercial transactions, 46 percent were buyer-side transactions and 13 percent were seller-side transactions, according to NAR. The average buyer lived outside of the U.S., while the majority of sellers were living temporarily in the U.S., on visas. Of all commercial transactions, the median price was $625,000 (buyer sides, $975,000, and seller sides, $1 million). Across both, 70 percent were cash purchases.
Both buyers and sellers hailed from China and Mexico, mostly, but buyers also came from Canada and the UK, and sellers from Brazil and Israel, the report shows. The commercial markets that were the most popular? Florida and Texas.
“REALTORS®’ international clients found U.S. commercial real estate markets to be a good value in 2017,” Yun says. “About seven in 10 respondents reported that international clients view U.S. prices to be about the same or less expensive than prices in their home country.”
The average commercial REALTOR® serves a smaller market, with deals under $2.5 million, according to the report.
“The profile of smaller commercial markets is continuing to rise as many foreign investors are attracted to smaller-sized properties in secondary and tertiary markets, bringing REALTORS® confidence that increased sales and leasing activity will continue to occur in 2018,” says Yun.
In large markets, commercial sales sank 5 percent year-over-year, NAR reported in September. Activity climbed 4 percent in farther-flung markets.
For more information, please visit www.nar.realtor.
DeVita_Suzanne_60x60Suzanne De Vita is RISMedia’s online news editor. Email her your real estate news ideas at sdevita@rismedia.com. For the latest real estate news and trends, bookmark RISMedia.com.

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Sunday, July 1, 2018

Has your family outgrown your current home?

This information is brought to you by

Angela Yglesias

Levesque Realty

How to Choose the Right House for Your Growing Family





Even in the best of circumstances, shopping for a house can be a daunting task. When you are unsure what the future holds, searching for a home is even harder. If you plan to have children, you need to consider many factors that might not seem important to you now, but will be vital in the future.
Size
If you plan to have children in the future, or if you already have kids and might want to expand your family later, you need to find a house that is the right size. It can be difficult to know how many bedrooms you need when you are unsure how many children you might have.
You need a home that is flexible enough to accommodate a growing family. Look for a house with an extra bedroom, just in case. If you do not have a child who occupies that room, you will at least have a guest room. Another option is to consider possible renovations. If you find a house that has a finished basement or porch that could be converted into a bedroom in the future, that will give you flexibility. You might also want to think about the possibility of building an addition. Look at the size of the yard and ask yourself if you could add another room or two.
Room to Play
Make sure your children will have plenty of space to play inside the house. If your kids like to run around and spread out their toys, an open floor plan can make it easier for them to entertain themselves and for you to keep an eye on them. Also make sure the yard is large enough for toys, games that involve running around, and pets.
Practicality
You need to consider practical day-to-day issues. For example, if your family eats meals together every day, look for a home with a large enough kitchen or dining room. Make sure the house has a laundry room or enough space for a washer and dryer. Look for a house with plenty of closet space for clothes, toys and sports equipment.
Safety
Look for any hazards in the house such as stairs, counters with sharp edges and wall outlets that could be dangerous to young children. Find out where the nearest hospital is located in case of an emergency. Visit the neighborhood on a typical day to look at things like traffic. Contact the police to learn about crime rates in the area.
Education
Your children will need to attend school. Research local schools and daycares and find out about programs offered and whether transportation is provided. Also look into extracurricular activities for kids.
Weigh Your Options
Finding the right house requires a lot of careful thought. If you are planning to expand your family in the future, you have to consider many possible scenarios and be flexible. Look for a house that offers things you need now, as well as the ability to adapt to your changing needs.

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