In This Issue

Walk The Walk On The Market Revised Resolution

We are pleased to present you with the latest issue of Life@Home.  Delivered to home buyers, sellers and owners on a monthly basis, this electronic newsletter is designed to give you the real estate information that is important to you.  In each issue, you will find practical tips and articles related to buying, selling or owning a home, as well as the latest news on real estate trends.  We hope that you enjoy this issue of Life@Home.  If we can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Walk The Walk

One of the final steps before the closing is called the final walk-through. This is an opportunity for you, the buyer, to see the property one last time bfore the money is exchanged and the purchase paperwork completed and filed. It is important to note that this is not a home inspection. That should have been done weeks ago so there was adequate time to negotiate and address concerns. This is also not a time to nit-pick or back-track on agreed upon items. However, it is the right time for you to look at the property and make sure it is in the condition you agreed to buy it. If repairs or upgrades were part of the deal, now is the time to make sure they were completed to your satisfaction. Your real estate professional may or may not accompany you to be the final walk-through. In either case, you will want to do the following:

• Open and close all windows, doors and garage doors
• Run all faucets and check for leaks
• Flush toilets
• Test outlets
• Check the basement, attic and crawl spaces
• Make sure that certain items as stipulated in the contract are left behind - i.e., light fixtures,, window treatments, appliances, etc.
• Testing the heating and air conditioning sytems

In short, you want to me sure the home systems are operational and the seller has met the obligations laid out in the purchase contract. If you do have a concern, bring it to the attention of your real estate professional and attorney. They can advise you about different courses of action. For instance, if it a significant expense, you may withhold money until a repair is made.

A final piece of advice: don't skip the final walk-through. Because this is a busy time filled with packing and moving, some buyers are tempted to neglect this step. After all, you are so close to actually buying the home. In reality, the final walk-through is there to safeguard your investment.

On the Market

What makes one home sell in a few weeks while another may linger on the market for what seems like seasons? Well, each case is different, but it alost always boils down to one of these four factors.

Price - A home that is priced right will attract buyer attention. A fair and reasonable asking price is in keping with market demands will pique consumer interest and ultimately make the property more appealing.

Revised Resolution Try a new approach to your New Year's resolution. Choose one specific goal for each area of your life. For example, under the heading of family - one family activity each month. Under home - landscape the front yard. Health - walk three days a week. Achieving one goal in each area can really make a difference.

Condition - Unless they are searching for an investment property, most buyers are looking for a structurally sound home that has been well-maintained. In addition, a home that "shows well" is likely to sell quicker. This means the home is clean, well-kept, updated and appealing to today's buyer.

Location - The better the location, the more likely the property will demand buyer attention. This could mean a single-fammily home in a charming town with an exemplary school system. Or it could mean a wonderful apartment in a great section of the city.

Market - Whether it is a "buyer" or "seller's" also influences how long a property is up for sale. When the advantage is with the buyers, you may need to make allowances, such as a lower asking price or favorable terms to help your property attract a bid. Your seller agent is your greatest resource during your home sale. He or she can further explain how these factors will influence your particular listing.