January 26th, 2012
Thinking about buying a new home can be exciting, exhilarating and bit scary all at the same time. The investment in a home is a large one — perhaps even the largest single purchase expenditure of your entire life! But rather than fretting about that fact, think instead about the possibilities that lie ahead. Whether you are purchasing your first home or are a seasoned real estate wheeler-and-dealer, let the excitement win you over and have fun thinking about and planning your new home.
Evaluating your options means more than simply picking out the best white house in the neighborhood and snatching it up — unless that particular white house is exactly what you’ve always dreamed of — then buy it! Plan for the future when buying your home in the present; that sounds like something I just made up, but in reality — it is true. That doesn’t mean you should buy “more house” than you can afford, rather it means think about how long you plan to be in the home, the size requirements you need and how your life may change while in the home.
For example, if you think your living arrangements may change (marriage, divorce, family moving in, etc.) then work that factor into your home purchase. Instead of buying a home that is two bedrooms and one bath, perhaps you should go for an extra of each to accommodate the upcoming changes.
Always consider more than the immediate circumstances when making the all-important decision of buying a home. You may find a “good deal” on a home in a less desirable neighborhood with a less than average school district. While you don’t mind the neighborhood and you don’t have any school-aged children, what will you face when trying to sell the home in the future? Just because it is a “good deal” doesn’t mean you have to have it. Again, this is not to say you should walk away immediately, but if you think you plan to sell the home within three to five years, then you should at least consider the resale value before buying it.
If you’d like to discuss your options further, or just bounce a few ideas off of me, give me a call. I’m happy to talk it through and show you properties throughout the area.
~ Michelle
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Tags: Capital Hill, Capitol Hill, Chevy Chase, Houses For Sale Washington DC, Washington DC real estate
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January 20th, 2012
Winter is in full swing here in the Chevy Chase area, and my clients often ask about whether it is even possible to sell a home this time of year. While I won’t mislead you and say it is sure to be easy, I will offer you these tips to make selling your home in the winter that much easier.
- Shovel, plow and salt as frequently as necessary. Nothing turns a potential home buyer away like an impassable driveway or sidewalk. Not only are these slippery and cold conditions dangerous, they also make potential buyers think about having to do this themselves. If your home has many steps, a steep incline or rough terrain near the entrance, someone who would otherwise be interested in your home may turn and walk away if faced with the reminder these chores would be their own.
- Keep it cozy. When showing your home in the Chevy Chase area during the winter months, you should never underestimate the power of warmth. Even though you may be tempted to turn the thermostat down to save money, the money saved may be the potential buyers rather than your own. When a potential buyer enters the home, if they are not warm — they are not tempted to stay. Keeping them warm and comfortable may be just the thing you need to offer to tip the scales in your favor.
- Brighten their spirits with natural light. One of the biggest complaints people have about the winter months is the dark, dreary feeling of sunshine-free days. Opening the window treatments to let as much natural light in as possible will do wonders for the appearance of your home. Have you ever heard anyone say “oh, I love this dark, depressing room. It feels just like a basement!” — the answer is probably no. Making your home as open and light as possible is essential for enticing potential buyers.
For more information on how best to prepare your home for a winter sale, give me a call. Or stay tuned for my next blog post, I’ll have more tips to share!
Stay warm!
~ Michelle
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Tags: Capitol Hill, Chevy Chase, Home Selling Tips, Houses For Sale Washington DC, tips for winter sales, winter selling tips
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December 30th, 2011
Happy New Year everyone! With just a few days before we say goodbye to 2011 and welcome 2012 with open arms, I thought we would spend a few minutes talking about what you can do to prepare to buy or sell a home next year. Buying and selling real estate often takes many months of preparation and getting started now can make the process that much easier.
Start with evaluating your credit score. You have certainly seen commercials on television, heard others talking about it and read numerous articles about the importance of your credit score when buying a home. This remains true. It is always a good idea to review your credit report from all three credit reporting bureaus annually, which makes the beginning of a new year the perfect time — it’s an annual reminder that will not change.
Evaluate your credit history with each company to ensure accurate information is being reported by current and former creditors. If you do find an error that could negatively impact your ability to obtain a mortgage, you will have plenty of notice and time to fix the problem. Nothing would hurt your chances of buying your dream home faster than the inability to secure a mortgage for your dream home — especially when other offers may be on the table.
Consolidate expenses where possible, and save the money. Many companies offer “bundle” packages for their services that will allow you to receive the same services at a lower price. Saving the extra money for a down payment on a home allows many first time home buyers to secure a lower interest rate and may even eliminate the requirement for private mortgage insurance, or PMI.
Research the areas you think you want to buy a home in before you begin house shopping. Even though it can be fun to browse through homes until you find the perfect one for your family, imagine the frustration when it turns out your dream home comes with a tax bill you cannot afford, or that you are unhappy with the school choices in the area. Knowing what to expect from the area and community before you choose a property is the easiest approach.
For more tips or if you have questions, just give me a call and I’d be happy to help!
Have a safe New Year’s Eve and a happy new year. I look forward to working with you soon!
~ Michelle
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Tags: Houses For Sale Washington DC, The Palisades, Washigton DC SE, Washington DC, Washington DC real estate, Washington DC realty
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December 19th, 2011
When you are trying to sell your Palisades or Georgetown home you think about all of the obvious things you should address. The dirty or stained carpet, the dusty shelves and maybe even the spotty mirror in the bathroom; but you may be surprised with potential home buyers spot when they walk in your home and see it with new eyes. Put these tips in place and you may sell your home faster and at the very least you will confidently know you home is ready for a showing.
- Spend some extra time in your bathroom prepping for a showing. Think about the bathroom as if you have never seen it before, and pay attention to the details you notice first when you enter someone else’s bathroom. Whether it is a private home or a public restroom, you know you pay more attention to how clean it is than your own. It’s ok to admit it to yourself, we won’t judge you. The germs associated with a bathroom are gross to many, and somehow they seem worse when they don’t belong to you or your family. Scour the walls, floors, fixtures, tile, grout, ceiling and even behind the faucet on the sink. Get out that old toothbrush and go to work. If you need to, a fresh coat of paint can make a world of difference to potential home buyers.
- If the tile in your bathroom is dated, don’t dismiss the idea of sprucing it up simply because of the expense. Re-tiling your bathroom will indeed be expensive, but a couple of coats of paint are not. Coat the tiles with a high-adhesion primer and then brush on a special ceramic epoxy to cover the existing surface of the tile. Your new look is likely to grab the eye of home shoppers, without a major investment.
- When a small bathroom seems like an obstacle you simply cannot avoid, consider switching the sink and vanity combination to a pedestal sink. The new look will be a hit with your customers and you will make the bathroom feel much larger. Since bathrooms often are a breaking point in many home-buying decisions, do what you can to make yours as nice as possible.
- The master bedroom is typically decorated to match the tastes of one occupant. But when it comes time to sell you Trinidad neighborhood home, it should appeal to both genders. Pink walls may be fine with the current man-of-the-house, but chances are, they won’t be with the next owner. Painting the walls a neutral color provides a blank canvas of sorts for the new owners to work with, and envision the master bedroom as it would be theirs rather than yours. Choose accessories for the room that complement the entire room, in a gender-neutral approach of course.
For more information and tips on preparing your Chevy Chase, MD home to sell, contact me today!
~ Michelle
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November 11th, 2011
Hi everyone!
I’m excited to spread the word now that the cat is out of the bag! I’m excited to announce I have joined the fantastic team of professionals at Coldwell Banker Chevy Chase. My dedication to customer service through matching clients with homes is shared by the staff at Coldwell Banker Chevy Chase, and I am so looking forward to what lies ahead.
You can count on the same level of commitment that I have always held so dear, just enhanced by the resources and talents of the Coldwell Banker staff.
If you would like to know more about the new office watch this YouTube video. I look forward to serving you, your friends, coworkers and family in the very near future!
Here’s to a great future working together with Coldwell Banker Chevy Chase!
~ Michelle
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