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| Central Oregon and Bend Oregon Real Estate |
Get ready for your new home! |
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Through the Ages |
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Sell It! |
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Let the Light Shine In |
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I am 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. I hope that you enjoy this issue of Life@Home. If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. |
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Visit Century21.com and view more than 250,000 property listings! |
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Through the Ages
 When a family moves, how the children will react to the news is always a concern. You can help the situation by involving your kids from the start. Let them find out directly from you. An overheard conversation or a misplaced document should not be the tell-tale sign that such a big change is underway.
That said, the ages of your children will greatly impact their re actions. Young children will be concerned about leaving their familiar surroundings. They may be worried about being left behind or forgotten about during the sale preparations. Take time to reassure preschool children that their favorite toys, belongings and pets will also make the move. A good way to assuage their fears is to involve them. Let them pack some boxes or dust your home before the open house. Show them through your own words and actions that this is a positive change.
Children in grade school are more worried about how a move will impact their day to day life. Where will they go to school? Will they have to give up their position on the soccer team? How will they stay in touch with their friends? Answer each question honestly. It is important to really listen to their concerns and feelings. Glossing over their doubts can set the stage for a difficult move. Instead, listen to their th oughts and brainstorm solutions together.
Fitting in with a group is a big concern for most adolescents and moving may require them to give up their circle of friends. For some teens, this could seem devastating. Again, approach the topic with an open and honest attitude. In addition to offering your sympathy, explain the reasons that precipitated the move. It is also helpful to share information about the new community.
And remember, no matter what the ages of your children, it is imperative that you encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings. Remind them that you are in this together.
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Sell It!
One of the advantages to selling a home in the spring or in a region where there is pleasant weather for a good part of the year is the chance to have a yard sale before you show the home and move. 
A yard sale lets you declutter the home, making it appear neater and more spacious. It also allows you to reduce the number of items you wi ll need to pack and move.
Here are four tips that will help you have a successful sale:
1. Start your preparations early. You should begin getting ready weeks before the event. Set aside a half hour every day to go through your belongings and put aside the things you want to sell. Keep these things in one room. Then you can spend one afternoon pricing. There are online resources that will give you the going rates.
2. Advertising is key. Run an announcement in your newspaper. Post signs in the local market and use signs in the neighborhood to increase traffic.
3. Remember your goal. Ultimately you want to purge your unwanted items. Any money you make is just an added benefit. To that end, be willing to negotiate or drop prices as the day goes on.
4. 4. Have a plan for the items that don't sell. If you've already gone through the trouble of identifying and cleani ng up items for sale, make arrangements to find them a new home. Don't let them make the move! Thrift stores, charities, online auction sites and schools are just some of the ways you can lighten your load.
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Let the Light Shine In
 Nothing says spring is here like spotless windows. For a streak free shine fill a spray bottle with three (3) tablespoons ammonia, one (1) tablespoon vinegar and fill to the top with water. And instead of paper towels, which can leave behind lint, use sheets of crumpled newspaper to wipe your panes clean. | | |
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Copyright © 2005. CENTURY 21 Real Estate LLC. To unsubscribe, click here. | |
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Real Estate Relationship 101 |
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A Helping Hand |
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Think Ahead |
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I am 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. I hope that you enjoy this issue of Life@Home. If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. | 
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Visit Century21.com and view more than 250,000 property listings! |
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Real Estate Relationship 101
 There is no denying it. Real estate is an emotionally charged transaction. You are dealing with a lot of money, demanding timelines and, typically, a home you care about. During this critical time your real estate professional will be your trusted advisor. So it is especially important that you have a good rapport with your agent.
Here are some guidelines that will help you establish a good working relationship.
- Choose a real estate professional who has a proven track record of successful sales and one who is preceded by a good reputation. Recommendations and industry accolades are good indicators.
- Discuss in detail what tasks your agent will perform to facilitate the sale of the home. Make sure you both understand what his or her representation will entail. Having the right expectations from the start sets the stage for a successful sale.
- Get it in writing. The listing agreement should outline all the agreed upon tasks. Then, in the event of a disagreement, you have a written record to reference. The agreement will also include the length of the contract. Should the home not sell, you can re-evaluate the relationship when the contract expires.
- Talk about communication. When the offers start coming in, you must be able to reach each other. Exchange all contact information and discuss when and how will be the best way to get in touch. Sometimes an assistant, on either or both sides, can make communication easier.
- Be candid. If something regarding the sale is bothering you, talk about it. Letting problems go undiscussed is never productive.
- Look for that "it" factor. When you are interviewing real estate professionals, look for someone you have a connection with. In addition to real estate know-how, you will want someone you can turn lean on should the transaction get tricky and emotionally tiring. | |
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A Helping Hand
Saving for a downpayment can take a long time. When you are pinching your pennies but don't see the results it can be very frustrating. Even the most patient first-time buyer might start thinking about taking on more debt in order to move out of their apartment and into a home. 
But there is another option. Some first-time buyers are borrowing from their parents. Of course this option is not feasible for everyone, but for those in a position to do so, it can be the key to making home ownership a reality.
Here are three ways parents can help.
1. Parents can gift the money to their child. The bank or mortgage company will require a gift letter that explains that the money will not need to be repaid.
2. Parents can loan the extra funds. Again, you will need to provide your lender with a letter explaining the terms of the agreement. The amount and length of the loan will be important factors. The bank will not want you to take on significant additional debt.
3. For parents who want to help but don't have the money to loan, there are other options. For instance, they can partner with their children to buy the property. In this case, both parties are named in the title and share responsibility for the home.
Although the benefits can be great in these three scenarios, it is important to consult your real estate professional, attorney and accountant when considering any of these options.
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Think Ahead
 Before you toss that battery into the garbage or put your old PC out for clean up week, think about recycling. Many communities offer special programs or one-day events for recycling electronics, computer components and hazardous household materials. You make a difference when you choose to recycle. | |
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Copyright © 2005. CENTURY 21 Real Estate LLC. To unsubscribe, click here. | |
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