How To Make Buyers Love Your Jersey Shore Home

March 27, 2009

We don’t live in a house the way we sell a house. Buyers aren’t interested in seeing dirty socks lying around or dirty dishes in the sink. Below are a list inexpensive things, from Realtor Magazine, that you can do to make buyers fall in love with your Jersey Shore home.

home-buyer-grass1. Move it.

Simply rearranging the furniture can reenergize a room. Add and remove furniture, lamps, rugs, and accessories from other parts of the house to create a whole new look. Mirrors are particularly useful when it comes to updating a room. Try one out in different rooms to see where it fits best. Even just moving a mirror to a different wall can create a more welcoming feel.

 2. Plant it.

Houseplants are a generally undervalued design component that can add texture, warmth, and color to any room. Just drop plants in their store containers into decorative planters. Small plants can be moved easily and regrouped to change a room’s look, while larger ones make a statement on their own. 

Group plants together of differing heights, fullness, and color for the most dramatic effect. It’s important to have plants that are well maintained and in tip-top condition.

 3. Paint it.

Paint is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to make a substantial change. Use dramatic colors in powder rooms and dining rooms, and more neutral colors in living spaces. When selecting colors, “be sure to ask, ‘What am I trying to do? How do I want this to feel?’” And always, always do a test before you paint the whole room. 

 4. Organize it. 

Clutter just happens. So neaten up!  A variety of organizing tools can make a space feel polished while maintaining utility. Hooks and shelves inside the door give people a place to hang coats and keys, while canvas bins or natural baskets help contain magazines and mail. Just a row of hooks pre-attached on a board is so easy to install. And shelves are a great way to neatly display collectibles. 

5. Hide it.

Have a banged-up wall? It may be easy to camouflage. Paintable wallpaper will smooth out an uneven wall or hide minor dents and dings. Adventurous home owners can even try a simple two-step painting process for a more complex finish. A apply a solid base coat, then a glaze. 

Your intent should never be to mislead buyers; be sure to disclose flaws that would affect home value. 

6. Replace it.

Cabinet handles, switch plates, and other small pieces of housing hardware can update a home for just a few dollars a piece. Scan each room to see what looks worn or outdated and then replacing it. Inexpensive quick-connect faucets can make upgrading the look of your bathroom a snap. Just be sure to measure before you go to the hardware store. Some sinks are drilled for an eight-inch spread. Others require just four inches. 

And don’t forget the toilet seat. Fresh towels and a new toilet seat go a long way toward making a bathroom feel clean and new. 

7. Light it.

Lighting can have a major impact on a home’s look and feel. Whether a room seems dark or too bright and harsh, try “layering” the lighting by adding accent pendants and lamps. Make sure they have independent controls, so that you can turn them on and off at will. 

Light is such a mood setter. You can create a cozy feel just by turning down the lights. Add dimmers in the dining room, bathrooms, kitchen, and even the hallways for less than $4 each. Then adjust the lighting to create the mood you want.

 8. Clean it.

Turn a critical eye to the flooring to make sure it’s up to snuff. Scrub grout and seal natural stone. Rub out scratches and nicks on wood floors with scratch cover. Get down on your hands and knees and detail the floors. It takes a little elbow grease, but the results are well worth it. Vinyl flooring is a bit harder to spruce up but usually can be replaced easily and inexpensively.

Interested in selling your Jersey Shore home? Give me a call, I’m glad to help!

What’s my Jersey Shore home worth?


Why Buy Bradley Beach NJ Home In 2009?

March 19, 2009

One man’s loss is another man’s gain and right now buyer’s have everything to gain. It was only a few short years ago that sellers controlled the market and were calling the shots. In order to buy a home, buyers were paying over the asking price, foregoing home inspections and paying all their own closing costs. Bradley Beach NJ home buyers were jumping through any and all hoops.  

gift-houseNow the market has shifted. The strong sellers’ market is a thing of the past and it is the sellers who are jumping through hoops. Buyers are calling the shots with offers that include home inspections; requests that closing costs, homeowner association fees and inspection fees be paid by the seller; decorating allowances; home improvement; and prices far below the asking price. 

So why are buyers hesitating? Fear of a tanking economy, falling home prices and job instability are concerns for many potential home buyers. But if you are financially stable and plan to stay in a home for at least five years, there are 5 top reasons to buy a Bradley Beach NJ home in 2009: 

1. Homes are affordable.

According to the National Association of Realtors‘ housing affordability index, homes were more affordable in December than at any other point since the group started the index in 1970. The affordability index is a measure of the relationship between home prices, mortgage interest rates and family income. A recent report from Moody’s Economy.com predicted that house prices will stabilize by the end of this year. The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight’s Web site has a house price calculator that can help. Visit the calculator. 

2. There are lots of homes to choose from.

The slow down in the housing market has caused homes to stay on the market longer, creating a huge inventory. There was a 9.6-month supply of unsold existing homes in January given that month’s sales pace, according to NAR.  

A large inventory gives buyers more selection, driving down prices. As buyers start to jump back into the market, the inventory will shrink and cause prices to start going back up. The time to get the best deal is before most buyers buy. 

3. Builders are offering perks.

New home builders are offering price reductions, free upgrades and other perks such as free appliances, homeowners’ fees being paid, lower interest rates decorating allowances. Once their inventory shrinks, these perks will go away. 

4. Interest rates are at historical lows.

Lenders are not lending as freely, but if you have good credit and the needed down payment, mortgage interest rates are historically low and hovering around 5 percent.
 

5. There is an $8000 tax credit
If you are a first-time Bradley Beach NJ home buyer, you will qualify for an $8000 federal tax credit if you buy before December 1, 2009. Unlike the previous tax credit offered in 2008, this does not have to be repaid. Extra money comes in handy when buying a home. 

 

Trying to decide if buying a Bradley Beach NJ home in 2009 is right for you. Give me a call. I’m glad to review your situation with you.

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Bradley Beach Homeowners Save On Taxes

March 12, 2009

Bradley Beach home owners can get an income tax deduction on the mortgage interest they pay. But there are other tax deductions you can take on your principal residence or second home, such as property taxes, and in some cases, for Private Mortgage Insurance. Read 2008 guideline from Turbo Tax:

You can deduct:

  • Your property taxes. And if you bought the home in 2008, you may be able to deduct more than you think. Don’t forget to include real estate taxes you reimbursed the seller for – taxes the seller had already paid for the time you actually owned the place after your purchase. That amount will be shown on the settlement sheet.
  • Property taxes for taxpayers who don’t itemize. New for tax year 2008, if you do not itemize deductions for 2008, you can increase your standard deduction by up to $500 of real estate taxes paid in 2008 if you file as a single person, or by up to $1,000 of property taxes paid if you file jointly.
  • The mortgage interest on your primary residence, as well as any secondary residence you own. (There are limits, but relatively few taxpayers are affected.)
  • The interest on up to $100,000 borrowed on a home-equity loan or home-equity line of credit, regardless of the reason for the loan.
  • Points that you paid when you purchased the house (or those that you convinced the seller to pay for you).
  • The premiums paid for Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) in 2008, but only for policies issued after 2006. (The right to this deduction disappears as Adjusted Gross Income rises from $100,000 to $110,000 on a joint return, and from $50,000 to $55,000 on a single return.)
  • Home improvements required for medical care.

How much can I save? 

The actual amount of money you save on your annual income tax bill depends on a variety of factors:

  • Your filing status (single, head of household, married filing jointly, married filing separately)
  • Your standard deduction amount
  • Your other itemized deductions
  • Your taxable income

Your home-related deductions, plus your other itemized deductions must add up to more than the standard deduction (increased by the amount of property taxes noted earlier that are allowed to non-itemizers), or they won’t save you any money. 

What can’t I deduct? 

You can’t deduct the following payments for your primary residence:

  • Dues to a homeowners association
  • Insurance on your home
  • Appraisal fees for your home

The cost of improvements to your home. (But keep those receipts. They may help you reduce your taxes when you sell your home.)

Interested in buying a Bradley Beach home and saing money on your taxes? Visit PatrickParkerHomes.com.

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Which Bradley Beach Vacation Home Is Right For You?

March 7, 2009

Everyday life can get crazy at times, many people fantasize about running off to their own personal retreat right here at Bradley Beach. But how do you know which Bradley Beach vacation home is best for you?

Choosing a location

Do you want to be in the middle of all the activity, or enjoy the peace and quiet of a secluded location?  Is a condo right on the beach near all the hustle and bustle to your liking or a single family home a few blocks away on a quiet residential street more your cup of tea? Whichever environment you prefer, here are some things you should consider:

  • Popularity.  A house closer to the beach will usually cost more than a place off the beaten path.  At the same time, continued popularity may help you profit from appreciation.
  • Proximity to your home.  If you plan to visit regularly, look for a place that’s easy to get to. 
  • Rental possibilities.  If you’re hoping to offset some costs by renting the home for part of the year, find out about seasonal demand for rentals in the area.

Maintaining your getaway

Regular upkeep is more difficult with a Bradley Beach vacation home than with your primary residence, but no less important.  The value of the home, both as an investment and as a place you enjoy visiting, depends on good maintenance. 

If your primary residence is not far from Bradley Beach, you may want to make weekly visits to mow the lawn, water the garden, clean the gutters or shovel snow.  If doing it yourself is impractical, consider hiring a vacation property management company to provide maintenance services during the times when you’re not using the home. 

Visit PatrickParkerHomes.com to learn more about buying a Bradley Beach vacation home or give me a call for more personal service.

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