Buyer Bonus Event Works!

The Coldwell Banker Buyer Bonus Event can work for you, whether you're buying or selling a home!

Buyers:
Receive up to an $8,000* credit at signing Open to all potential homebuyers — Where the home seller has agreed to participate
Sign on your terms — with flexible closing deadlines

Sellers:
Add prominence to your listing with an $8,000* incentive, applied at closing, for interested buyers
Increase exposure on coldwellbanker.com searches
Keep the momentum of the government tax credit going

Whether you are considering a home purchase, sale, or both. Please call me! My direct office number is 972-733-2204.

What Do Buyers Look For?

Studies show that buyers look at four main characteristics in a home.
(The percentage is the percentage of buyers who rate that characteristic as their "most important." )

1. Location - 69%


2. Curb Appeal - 12%


3. "Homey" feel - 10%


4. Size - 9%

So, if you are a seller, it's important to realize that 78% of what a buyer is looking for is out of your control. Obviously you cannot easily change the location or size of your home. You do, however, have complete control your home's interior appearance curb appeal. It is your job as a seller to make the best first impression possible.

What factors influence the buyer's first impression of your home's interior?

• Cleanliness, Clutter, Odors - 35%


• Decor - 21%


• Condition, Lighting - 16%


• Floor Plan - 15%


• Room Size - 13%

You can't easily change your home's floor plan or room size, but you do have control over 72% of the elements that most influence a buyer's impression of your home! If you want top dollar for your property, you simply cannot expect buyers to "see past" clutter, the lingering aroma of last night's dinner, or mountains of laundry.

The good news is that ALL of these things are easily and inexpensively remedied! Contact me for a free booklet on how to prepare your home for sale. Coldwell Banker even has a "Concierge" service with numerous resources to help with everything from carpet cleaning to moving company discounts.

Va-Va-Va Vinegar!

Vinegar is a miraculous liquid. What else could transform nasty cucumbers into delicious pickles? I use vinegar for various household tasks. Although the odor doesn't appeal to me, it's nothing a good squirt of lemon or lavender essential oil can't remedy in a flash!

Here are two websites detailing the use of vinegar for just about everything:

http://www.vinegartips.com/

http://www.versatilevinegar.org/

KERA: Flower Mound Voters Weighing In On Gas Drilling (2010-05-06)

Early voting in Flower Mound sets record turnout for city council elections due to a heated debate over natural gas drilling. Whoever wins Saturday will steer Flower Mound through the next round of drilling decisions, as the city tries to balance quality of life and natural gas revenue.

Full text/video available here:
KERA: Flower Mound Voters Weighing In On Gas Drilling (2010-05-06)

10 Warning Signs of Foundation Problems from Ricky Ellis

It doesn’t take a Rocket Scientist to figure out your home needs foundation repair.There are several overt signs that make it apparent there is a issue, or that the house is sinking. Look for these signs and call a home foundation professional to doublecheck. Take these with a grain of salt. Only a certified foundation inspection agent can tell you for sure. Fortunately many companies offer free inspections.

10 Warning Signs You Property Could Need Foundation Repair

Cracks in walls on the inside of the house- Corners of windows will crack horizontallyand doors will pull away and not shut properly.

Cracks in your fireplace bricks- When bricks start cracking, you know you have a problem,since they are more stable than drywall.

Previously fixed Nail heads protruding out backwards- This means the gypsum board is being compromised, or bending based on the house leaning, or sinking one way another.

Windows and doors aren’t fitting squarely- Try raising and closing all doors and windows. Are they uneven?That’s a big sign.

Windows on the outside of the house have cracks that run diagonally - This is a slightly different crack that you will see from windows within the house because the caulk joints could be pulling apart too.

Cracks in the exposed concrete at the base of the house - If they are small it could be a non-structural problem, or it could be the first sign of trouble. Check with an inspector to be sure.

Standing water around the house after a rainfall - This could also have something to do with having improper drainage which should also be addressed.

Leaky roof- This could have to do with foundation, or poor roofing. If the roof is in good shape and is relatively new, then it is a foundation problem.

Trees too close to the house- This can cause roots to sidewind under and around the house, cut through concrete, and cause problems.

Roof runoff from gutters not draining away from the house- If once it drains into the yard, the water stays and doesn’t diffuse to a lower place such as a ditch, there could be a problem.

Are you seeing any of these signs? I hope not. Depending on what part of the country you are in, your home may be more susceptible to these issues.

Also, the price of fixing the foundation could depend on the age of your home, weather conditions, the size of your home, and several other variables.

Source: Ricky Ellis, Safety First Home Inspection www.safetyfirsthome.com

Here to Help.

When you, a friend, or family member need assistance with finding or selling (or leasing) a home, please remember that I can help in just about any location in the U.S. and abroad.