What is that smell?

7 Tips for Pet Owners Selling a Home

Lingering animal smells and fur can be a turn-off for would-be buyers. Be sure to remove all signs of your furry friends before showings. Here are some tips.

1. Holey backyard, Batman!
Does your dog bury more bones than they munch on? Start at the perimeter of your yard and circle inward to find your pup’s landscaping efforts and fill them in.

2. Scoop the ####
One misstep can ruin a buyer’s impression of your yard (and possibly home). Make sure your property is clear of any pet-related landmines.

3. Mend fences
Check your fencing, deck and porch for any marks from scratching or chewing. Most can be erased with elbow grease and a bit of sandpaper.

4. Stash the evidence
Collect your pet’s toys, bowls, beds and litter boxes and keep them out of sight. Hide pet photos for now, too.

5. De-scents-itize
Have a friend or Realtor come by to sniff out any animal scents you may have become accustomed to. Light candles, open windows or hire a professional carpet cleaning crew to deodorize your home.

6. Need a buffer?
Have claws scratched up your lovely hardwood floors? Ask your Realtor if professional resurfacing might be a good idea.

7. Don’t leave pets home during showings
Not only is there a chance they may bolt through an open door when strangers stroll around, there’s also a liability issue. It may be a good idea to temporarily relocate exotic critters, such as snakes or tarantulas.

Looking for a home with a bigger yard for Fido, or more naturally-lit lounging space for Fluffy? Your Realtor can help you find properties with features all members of your family will love. Start here.

RE/MAX, The Staging

Selling your Home in the Winter

5 Things to expect when selling your home in winter

Winter is traditionally a slower time for home sales, but don’t despair. Here are a few ways the timing might play in your favor.

1. Buyers tend to be more motivated
Buyers looking for homes are doing so because they really must relocate due to job, family or other unavoidable circumstances. You’ll probably waste less time dealing with real estate tire-kickers.

2. Things move faster
Because there are fewer transactions during the winter, mortgage companies, home inspectors and appraisers have less on their plates. You should be able to schedule appointments sooner and expect faster turnaround for reports and approvals than in the busy warmer seasons.

3. You can leverage the smaller inventory
With fewer homes on the market, it can be easier to promote your property’s comparative advantages. Highlight your home’s unique features. Are you the only townhome within walking distance of downtown? The only split-level with a pool in your school district? Be sure to mention it in your listing.

4. Summer buyers are looking now
Not everyone looking in the winter must move immediately. Your Realtor may have ideas about how to market your home among local businesses and organizations with fluid populations, such as universities, or via school district websites that might attract families moving to the area.

5. You can remind buyers of warmer weather
Be sure to include images of your home during greener summer months, including lifestyle shots of your deck, patio, porch and/or yard. Feature these photos in a frame during showings to remind buyers how the home can come alive in the spring.

An experienced agent who knows your unique market and the current inventory can paint a more specific picture of what listing your property in the winter will be like. Find one here:www.wisconsinhoushunt.com

Stage for the selling season.....

Fall, Spring, Summer or Winter - Homes sell all season long.

Give your home some added seasonal curb appeal by decorating!

If you’re selling your home in today’s real estate market, you probably know that curb appeal is your first chance to make an impression on a prospective buyer. In the first few seconds a potential buyer sees your home, they decide if they want to drive on by or come on in. You can’t change the basic structure of the house or change the location, but you can make your home worthy of a deeper look.

Maintaining curb appeal is a year round job, with different challenges each season. For winter, decorate with wreaths and pine cone centerpieces. In spring, adding fresh-cut flowers and pops of color go along way. If selling in the summer, highlight decks and patios. For fall, display pumpkins and gourds by your entryway.

The impression your home creates is the magnet that first attracts viewers and turns them into buyers. Maintaining curb appeal is a year-round job, but it’s a vital part of selling your home.

Any season is the best season to call Lisa Bear of RE/MAX Realty Center to help sell your home!

262-893-5555

Donna Lexa Art Center Fund Raiser - Gotta Have Art

Have you ever heard of the Donna Lexa Art Centers or the GOTTA have Art Auction Celebration? 

To be honest, I didn't either until about a month ago.  As it turns out it is a great community charity that a friend of ours, Greg Randa's Aunt started 31 years ago. Donna Lexa Art Centers, is a nonprofit that serves those with brain injuries, special needs and other  traumas.  It also has a new program to serve wounded veterans. Its mission is to promote creativity, dignity and community for people with special needs through art. 

The Donna Lexa Art Centers currently serve adults and teens with cognitive and physical disabilities, as well as individuals with mental health concerns. In addition, they provide art classes for senior citizens dealing with the challenges of aging.

Involvement in the art programming strengthens self-esteem, fosters independence, and provides new ways to express feelings. Art develops creative and critical thinking, which not only teaches  student artists new skills, but also provides a sense of well-being and enjoyment.   

On Thursday, April 21, 2016 the Golden Mast in in Okauchee will be hosting it's 31st Annual "Gotta HAVE ART" Celebration and Auction.  This event has helped support thousand of students over the years. 


If you would like additional information on this event or would be interested in donating or participating with the Auction. Please contact me and I will put you in touch with Kelly Randa, co-chair of this years event.

Click here to watch this video

Are you a Veteran Looking to Buy a HOME?

NO DOWNPAYMENT with VA Mortgage Loans

United States’ veterans have access to the Veterans Home Loan Program which offers guaranteed home loans to all eligible service members. While you may be aware of this benefit, are you clear on how to qualify for the program?

In Guaranteed Rate’s continued effort to offer easy-to-understand mortgage information, we present details on how to qualify for a VA home loan.

Eligibility

All circumstances require eligible veterans to be honorably discharged.

Wartime

• Service of 90 days or more; or
• Service of 90 days or less with an honorable discharged due to a service-related disability.

Peacetime

• Service of 181 days or more; or
• Service of 181 days or less with an honorable discharged due to a service-related disability.

Reservist or National Guard

Service of at least 6 years. While this is a lending guideline, the VA can be flexible and you should speak with your seasoned VA mortgage professional about your options.

Spousal Benefits

The spouse of a deceased service member is eligible for the VA benefit provided the spouse has not remarried. Additionally, the deceased service member must have passed while in the line of duty.

Children of deceased veterans are not eligible for VA mortgage loan benefits.

Credit

While the VA has no credit requirement, lenders typically require a minimum of a 620 credit score. While VA is a benefits program that allows for some lending flexibility, you must show adequate income.

Want to know more? Contact me at lisabear@remax.net or call 262-893-5555

Buying a house on emotion

You’re Buying a House – Not Dating It
 
Buying a house based on emotions is just going to break your heart. If you fall in love with something, you might end up making some pretty bad financial decisions. There’s a big difference between your emotions and your instincts. Going with your instincts means that you recognize that you’re getting a great house for a good value. Going with your emotions is being obsessed with the paint color or the backyard. It’s an investment, so stay calm and be wise.