AOL Real Estate - Blog http://realestate.aol.com/blog AOL Real Estate - Blog http://realestate.aol.com/blog/media/feedlogo.gif AOL Real Estate - Blog http://realestate.aol.com/blog en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Maine Real Estate Bargains Abound During 'Clearance Event'http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/04/04/maine-real-estate-bargains-abound-during-clearance-event/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/04/04/maine-real-estate-bargains-abound-during-clearance-event/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/04/04/maine-real-estate-bargains-abound-during-clearance-event/#commentsThe Maine real estate market tried to jump-start sales last week, by staging a week-long "Clearance Event." Inspiration or desperation?

"We got over a foot of snow today, it doesn't feel like spring around here," according to Mike LePage, President of the Maine Association of Realtors. "We hoped this would jump start the spring market."

To be included in the event, properties had to drop their prices at least $10,000. And with many hundreds of properties involved, Maine Realtors are hoping this new campaign will bring sales and movement to their market.
Mike LePage is also a Realtor at RE/MAX Heritage in Yarmouth, Me., and his office has six properties involved in the Clearance Event.

"I don't think anybody's ever done this before," says LePage. "Some properties made small
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adjustments of $10,000, but we have over five that reduced by $100,000 or more. And there's also land that was $34,000 that reduced to $24,000 so there is the full range."

Marc Chadbourne is a broker/owner of Century 21 Mason Realty in Winslow, Me., and has three properties in the sale. He says he considered who to ask to participate with great result. "The people I chose to ask were quite willing, and some were also about to lower their prices so it was good for them to take advantage of the event. The really positive thing about this event was to have a venue for brokers to talk to sellers about a sensitive subject: pricing their properties."

Pat Friedman is one of Chadbourne's clients taking place in the event, although when he first approached her she wasn't so keen to include her property, a 3 bedroom, 1½ bath home located in Waterville, Me.

"I was taken aback at first, because it sounds more like jargon that belongs in another industry and that is in fact what makes it effective. It's a creative approach to meeting the needs of the new market."

Friedman loves the Waterville area, but will be moving to nearby Mid-Coast. She has a time line she hopes to meet, but is working backward from that date. "Everyone needs a Plan B and Plan C. You have to in this volatile, teetering market."

And who knows, maybe this will be the start of a new trend in real estate?

As Chadbourne explains, "I haven't heard from anyone outside our state yet, but news travels fast. I suspect when we go to D.C. for our meetings in May, we may get asked a few questions about it."

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]]>clearance eventclearance salehome selling tipsmaine real estatenew england real estateselling your houseLeah Gillis2011-04-04T12:01:00 00:00Home Value: What the Web Can and Can't Tell Youhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/11/24/home-value-what-the-web-can-and-cant-tell-you/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/11/24/home-value-what-the-web-can-and-cant-tell-you/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/11/24/home-value-what-the-web-can-and-cant-tell-you/#comments When it comes to researching home value, there's no shortage of information. The Web brims with home value tools. And people use them. In a typical month during house-hunting season, real-estate websites -- including this one -- get more than 50 million unique visitors.

So-called "automated value tools" can tell you a lot about a property, including its sales history, estimated market value and what comparable homes have sold for. But to get the most from online home value sites, it helps to understand the limitations of home value estimators and calculators.
The first thing that's important to know, says Steve Crossland, a Texas real estate agent with 20 years' experience, is whether the home value estimator's information is "coming from real sales data or a guess."

"You can go online and get a general approximation," he says. "But to get a real price, you have to go inside a house."

If you're playing around with online home value tools, here are other things to be aware of, say real estate professionals who use them every day.


1. Automated home value tools are great for getting started

Where home value websites come in really handy is in the early stages of a search. Most offer general information about neighborhood income and home prices, which is especially useful if you are moving out of the area or to another state. "These sites are part of the initial search," says Tony Yollin, a Realtor in Venice, Calif. "It's helpful because it starts to help you think values."

Like most professionals we spoke to, Yollin cautions that there's no substitute for a hands-on examination of a property to get a feel for its true value. "The computer programs do it based on square feet and lot size and public record, but nothing else," he says. "You've got to be careful."


2. Home value data isn't the same everywhere

Automated home value tools rely on public records for their data, and some places have more available than others. Texas, for example, is a "non-disclosure" state. "None of our home sale prices are reported to the taxing authorities," explains Crossland. That means automated value sites can be more or less reliable, depending on the state and even the neighborhood where properties are located.

In places where home value data is limited, Realtors like Crossland rely on other methods. "We use MLS (multiple listing service) data, and do a market analysis, and try and narrow it down. We know the neighborhoods and have been in a lot of them, so we have a good feel for how things compare," he says.


3. Neighborhoods affect home value data

OK, so we can all agree that automated home value sites can't do certain things. They can't, for instance, assess the age and condition of individual building components -- or, for that matter, the condition of neighboring homes.

That's why valuations for "homogenous" neighborhoods, with a high proportion of very similar homes, tend to be more accurate, says Crossland. "The houses were built at the same time and in the same style, so they are going to be easier to peg. A neighborhood that has gone through a few neighborhood cycles -- growth, stability, decline and rejuvenation -- will be harder to peg."

The more mixed the homes are in age and condition, the more variable the results a home value site will spit back. "If houses are 50 to 100 years old, and you have a mix of properties from original condition and some with new lots, there's so much variation that a valuation tool is going to have a hard time giving a prediction of any home," Crossland says.


4. Automated home values are just part of the picture

Automated value websites are just one tool in the homebuyer's toolbox. "For finding value it's really great that these sites exist, but they're not exact," says Yollin. "You learn a lot by walking in the door, the orientation, the traffic zooming by."

And, of course, there's one thing a home value site will never tell you: the exact price someone is willing to pay for a home. "The true value comes the day someone says, 'I will pay this much for it,' " says Yollin. "Then you really have a value."

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]]>Leah Gillis2010-11-24T10:36:00 00:00Jane Seymour's L.A. Home: For Sale or Renthttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/10/21/jane-seymours-l-a-home-for-sale-or-rent/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/10/21/jane-seymours-l-a-home-for-sale-or-rent/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/10/21/jane-seymours-l-a-home-for-sale-or-rent/#commentsFiled under: ,

Many people put their property on the market for sale or for lease in an effort to maximize their chance of having money come in. Actress Jane Seymour and her husband, actor/producer James Keach, have put their Sherman Oaks property on the market for $2,195,000 or for lease at $5,900, adding their names to those who are open to money coming in either way. It's the second time they've tried this increasingly common strategy.

"In this case they prefer to lease than to sell because it's got family history," says their real estate agent, Keith Fisher of Prudential California's Sherman Oaks office. "Plus, it's a great property in a great location so it's value will stay strong."
The home was built in 1960 by the actor/producer father of James Keach, Stacy Keach Sr. and his
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wife, both deceased. The home (pictured below) has been in the acting family since that time and has four bedrooms, four bathrooms and over 3,300 square feet of space. In 2005 the property was also listed for sale or lease, but at considerably more -- $2,600,000 to purchase and $7,900 to lease.

Fisher says that he hasn't seen an increase in the number of sale and/or lease offerings -- it just depends on the owner and their financial situation.

"Some people -- because of where the market is -- prefer to lease," he says, "to hold onto a property til the market comes back, since they know it will go for more.

"If someone needs the cash, that is their reason to lease or sell, it just depends."

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]]>celebrity homesjane seymourJane Seymour Stylerent versus buyselling vs. rentingStacy KeachLeah Gillis2010-10-21T16:28:00 00:00Property Taxes: Highest Rates Chill Northeasthttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/10/18/highest-property-taxes-chill-the-northeast/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/10/18/highest-property-taxes-chill-the-northeast/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/10/18/highest-property-taxes-chill-the-northeast/#commentsFiled under: ,,

Cities with highest property taxNew York and New Jersey are the states with the highest-taxed counties, but upstate New York has it the worst.

Counties in upstate New York put a proportionally higher tax burden on homeowners, despite lower home values there, so their tax rates are effectively higher, reports the nonpartisan tax research group The Tax Foundation.

For those of you who've wondered how taxes for owner-occupied homes in your county fare compared to others in the U.S., the Tax Foundation has recently supplied this information on the 792 counties with populations of 65,000 or more. The 2009 data compares counties and taxes, relative to owner-occupied home values -- information which should be useful to homeowners curious about whether their taxes rate low or high.

"We are putting it out there because we get so many questions about taxes," says Bill Ahern, Director of Policy and Communications for the Tax Foundation. And while many are eager to find out how their county ranks, residents of Westchester County may be taking the findings in stride: They paid the highest median real estate taxes in the country. "We believe the market value of the home is the proper base for levying the tax," says Ahern. "After all, if you lived in a much biggest house you'd pay more, a smaller house would mean less. That seems right for a property tax."
These findings cover more than just the property tax-dollar amount: They also show the median taxes paid as a percentage of income and as a percentage of a home's value.

The Census Bureau recently released housing numbers based on the 2009 American Community Survey and the Tax Foundation used that survey to come up with two
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charts. One compares the 792 high-population counties in the U.S., ranking them by taxes-as- percentage-of-home-value, another by property-taxes-paid.

"There's no established way of establishing tax burden," says Ahern. "We get calls saying, 'What percentage of a home's income goes to property taxes?' which is hard to find.

"We used to publish property tax collections, but if you want that info, you have to wait three years for collections data that involves other properties like strip malls and commercial properties. You can get more recent data from the survey from 2009, which is also focused on owner-occupied homes.

"We love the survey," he adds, "because it's more recent and focuses on exactly what people want most: residential, homeowner-occupied tax rates."

While some question the survey's veracity, since it only represents one year and anomalies can skew results (as Katrina did for Louisiana in 2005), Ahern says that the numbers are reliable.

"People do provide the information, so we count on them. But when we look back on previous years, the information is accurate. It's solid data. We think it's a great resource."

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]]>census bureaunortheastproperty taxestax foundationLeah Gillis2010-10-18T15:06:00 00:00Why Facebook's Billionaire Founder Rentshttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/10/15/why-facebooks-founder-rents/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/10/15/why-facebooks-founder-rents/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/10/15/why-facebooks-founder-rents/#commentsFiled under:

What kind of a billionaire tech genius rents? Apparently the Mark Zuckerberg kind. So when recent news hit that Facebook founder and "The Social Network" subject Zuckerberg rents a month-to-month apartment in Palo Alto, Calif. many observers were puzzled.

After all, Bill Gates paid over $1 million just in 2009 property taxes for his Washington State home valued at over $140 million. Oracle CEO Larry Ellison famously shoveled over a reported $65 million for five lots in Malibu's Carbon Beach in 2005 -- and that was on top of the $200-million Japanese-inspired home in Woodside, Calif. that he built. And then there's the recent news of movement in Steve Jobs' 10-year battle to build his dream home, also in Woodside, that will cost many, many millions.

So why does this young tech tycoon rent?
News of Zuckerberg's rental status hit the headlines as part of a legal battle with a man who claims that he is entitled to 84 percent of Facebook, Inc. At issue in the case is Zuckerberg's status as a renter in California, which lawyers are using to say that his true home is in New York State -- which means the case would be tried there.

"He was living the same sort of existence the evidence shows now, a sort of
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duffel bag, apartment-to-apartment, transient life," is how attorney James Grable argued for his client. Zuckerberg's attorneys are calling the lawsuit and claims a "fraud."

But it started the talk: a billionaire renting?! All of a sudden, the way millions of Americans live is being frowned upon in this case and used to show a careless, reckless lifestyle. I mean, a billionaire renting?!

A look back shows that Zuckerberg's status as a renter is hardly news. In a January 2008 interview with "60 Minutes," Zuckerberg told Lesley Stahl that he lived in a one-bedroom apartment that he rented and "didn't buy expensive clothes." He said that his company wasn't that big. These days, he reportedly drives a basic Infiniti sedan, so as not to draw attention to himself.

While most tech wizards might take their riches and buy homes, Zuckerberg's "normal" life (by standards for a 26-year-old) seems to baffle lawyers in this case and many observers. The simple answer for Zuckerberg's unencumbered lifestyle may be that he is not motivated by material possessions. And since much of his fortune is on paper, he could be playing things safe.

Still, some realty professionals remain surprised.

"It's unusual," says Bob Gerlach, vice president and manager of Alain Pinel Realtors in the Silicon Valley community of Palo Alto. "Most tech guys do well and buy a nice property. One of the first things someone does is buy real estate.

"I think everyone wants to be a homeowner," he says. "Sure, we have execs who move in and rent for a year and decide what to buy after getting to know the area. But most people invest in real estate, especially in high-end."

In Stahl's report, Zuckerberg's Facebook was said to offer employees free food and laundry -- not the normal company perks. And with his rental status, Zuckerberg is proving he is not the normal billionaire.

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]]>facebookMark Zuckerbergpalo alto real estaterent versus buyLeah Gillis2010-10-15T11:14:00 00:00'Deb of the Decade' Cornelia Guest Slashes Estate Pricehttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/09/30/deb-of-the-decade-cornelia-guest-slashes-estate-price-over-40/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/09/30/deb-of-the-decade-cornelia-guest-slashes-estate-price-over-40/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/09/30/deb-of-the-decade-cornelia-guest-slashes-estate-price-over-40/#commentsFiled under:

Socialite Cornelia Guest has been having real estate woes the past few years like many home sellers, even if her price point is higher than most -- in the eight figures. Having listed her Old Westbury, N.Y. home, dubbed Templeton, in 2008 for $20 million, the 11-bedroom home with 6 full bathrooms and 2.5 baths has been reduced to $11.9 million, Newsday reports.

In a town that has had many residents from families named Vanderbilt and Whitney, it seems real estate buyers in this neck of the woods are hard to come by.
The average price for a five-bedroom home in Old Westbury on Long Island's tony North Shore is $2.33M. But Guest's home has not only more than double the bedrooms, it has other buildings (see below) on the 15-plus acres.

The average price for a five-bedroom home in Old Westbury on Long Island's tony North Shore is $2.33M. But this home has not only more than double the bedrooms, it has other buildings on the 15-plus acres.

Along with housing family portraits by John Singer Sargent, Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol, the property has had some notable guests, the socialite told Hampton Style magazine in 2008, including the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Rudolf Nureyev, Halston, Truman Capote and members of the Kennedy family.

Currently listed with Kevin Daigh of Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate, the property has the 1924 main home as well as an equestrian center, stables, barn, two cottages and greenhouses. In addition to the buildings, the grounds features a tennis court, swimming pool and formal gardens.

Guest (pictured at left) is the daughter of writer C.Z. Guest and was dubbed the 1980s' "debutante of the decade" in by Warhol.

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]]>cornelia guestlong island real estateold westburyprice dropsreal estate discountsLeah Gillis2010-09-30T17:28:00 00:00Home Insurance: 6 Discounts to Ask Forhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/09/28/home-insurance-discounts/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/09/28/home-insurance-discounts/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/09/28/home-insurance-discounts/#comments"When you buy a house for $500,000," says Realtor Tony Yollin, "paying a few thousand a year for home insurance doesn't seem like that big of a deal." Indeed, compared to the price of a home at the time of purchase, home insurance might not seem expensive. But if you know what home insurance discounts to ask for, you can shave a lot off you bills.

"I've sold houses for 30 years, but I'm also a homeowner," says Yollin, of Venice, Calif. "In the course of talking to someone one day they told me I was paying way too much for my homeowner's insurance. So I looked around and switched companies when I found I could save hundreds a year."

Here are six ways to get home insurance discounts:


1. Discounts for home renovations

"One thing people don't think to ask is if they can get a reduction for home renovations," says Christina Pulciani, an insurance agent with Allstate in Wheat Ridge, Colo. "Many times new roofs or certain renovations in the past years can get you a reduction."


2. Discounts for bundling home and auto policies

Both Pulciani and Bob Dean, founder and President of Dean and Draper Insurance Agency in Houston, agree that when you bundle your home insurance and auto policies, you can become eligible for a big discount. "Think about asking to put your home and auto together because they can reduce the homeowner's premium," offers Puliciani. "If you are going to have two lines of insurance already, you will end up reducing your rates."

Dean agrees, saying it can also have the added benefit of reducing not one line of insurance, but two. "When you bundle homeowner and auto insurance, credits can apply to both: sometimes 15 percent on auto and 10 percent on homeowner's."


3. Discounts for new home construction

Don't forget when your house was built. "If your house was built in the past 30 years you can save on your insurance," offers Pulciani. "Over 30 years and there's a surcharge, so that's something to look for when you buy your house." Your age can get you a home insurance discount too. "People over the age of 55 can get a credit," according to Dean, "so inquire about that."


4. Discounts for paying up front

"A common thing people don't know about is that you can get a 5 percent credit for paying your premium in full at the start of the year," says Dean. "It's worth asking. Remember this also saves you on the installment charges during the year as well, so that's on top of the 5 percent discount."


5. Discounts for home security systems

You are eligible for a premium reduction if you have a home security system, so be sure to ask.


6. Discounts for a claim-free record

 "If you don't have any claim in the past five years, you get a claim-free discount," according to Allstate's Pulciani.

Yollin offers an unusual suggestion: "Don't get referrals from your real estate agent on your homeowner's policy. Usually you're best off going to your company and seeing what they'll do for you," He says. "Since you have had a relationship with them, they are the best bet to get you a deal and be able to do something more for you."

But Dean of the Dean and Draper agency also cautions not to necessarily go with the lowest rate. "Be careful, sometimes the bottom price isn't the best product."

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]]>home insuranceHome insurance comparisonhome insurance coverhome insurance dealshome insurance discountshome insurance quoteshome insurance ratesHomeInsuranceHomeInsuranceComparisonHomeInsuranceCoverHomeInsuranceDealsHomeInsuranceDiscountsHomeInsuranceQuotesHomeInsuranceRatesLeah Gillis2010-09-28T20:47:00 00:00Larry the Cable Guy Lists Florida Home for $1.55Mhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/09/28/larry-the-cable-guy-lists-florida-home-for-1-55m/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/09/28/larry-the-cable-guy-lists-florida-home-for-1-55m/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/09/28/larry-the-cable-guy-lists-florida-home-for-1-55m/#commentsFiled under:

Larry the Cable Guy puts his 20-acre man cave on the marketIf you are looking for a guy's guy place to call home, and you want to live in the Orlando area, redneck comedian Larry the Cable Guy's 20-acre home could be the perfect place for you.

Dan Whitney, better known as Larry the Cable Guy. bought the Sanford, Fla., home in 2001 and rebuilt it as a bachelor, as reported by the Orlando Sentinel. The home still has some family touches, like hand-painted murals in the children's rooms, but Whitney and his brood have outgrown the house and have put it on the market.
The man known for his trademark "Git-R-Done" certainly got this house (pictured below) done with great detail and effort. The rustic home has four bedrooms in the main house, but it's really the additions that make the home so unique: The property features three buildings, including one resembling an old service station.,

One feature to the home that many men will envy is the "man cave" with a pool table, bar and video machine. The pool area has a waterfall and an outdoor spa, as well as a television -- which emerges from a rock! The home also has an outdoor movie theater, fire pit, stocked fishing pond and detached gym.

Not only is it a home to relax in, but there's also plenty to keep you busy.

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]]>florida real estatelarry the cable guyman caveredneck comedianLeah Gillis2010-09-28T13:45:00 00:00Meg Ryan Rents NYC Apartment in New Glass Building for $25Ghttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/09/28/meg-ryan-rents-nyc-apartment-in-new-glass-building-for-25g/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/09/28/meg-ryan-rents-nyc-apartment-in-new-glass-building-for-25g/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/09/28/meg-ryan-rents-nyc-apartment-in-new-glass-building-for-25g/#commentsFiled under: ,

Meg Ryan rents New York Soho apartment for $25,000 a monthThe website for 40 Mercer Residences in New York City's Soho neighborhood claims to be "Soho's Ultimate Residence," and apparently Meg Ryan agrees. The movie star is reported to have signed a lease for a three-bedroom, 3 1/2-bathroom unit for $25,000 a month. With over 2,500 square feet of living space in the apartment, the new glass building designed by architect Jean Nouvel and developer Andre Balazs features a 50-foot lap pool, sauna and 24-hour concierge service.

Why is Ryan renting?
Perhaps for a little flexibility. Ryan has been in the news a lot over the past summer for her real estate, however it's mostly been for her properties in California and Massachusetts. As we reported here, Ryan was in the news for her 6,900-square-foot Bel Air, Calif. home, which she listed at $19.5 million in 2008 and reduced to 14.2 million in 2009. The property was pulled from the market and listed as a rental for $40,000 a month this past August.

Elle Decor profiled the actress' remodeled Martha's Vineyard home earlier this summer.

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It seems Ms. Ryan is settling into the East Coast, and with this SoHo rental Ryan will have a famous neighbor -- Marc Jacobs reportedly has the unit above her.

While Ryan and other 40 Mercer residents live in one of the world's best neighborhoods for nightlife, it doesn't mean they will necessarily venture into it: The building has a private bar and lounge.

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]]>Andre Balazsmeg ryannew york city real estatesohoLeah Gillis2010-09-28T12:19:00 00:00Moving Tips for Every Seasonhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/09/01/moving-tips-for-every-season/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/09/01/moving-tips-for-every-season/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/09/01/moving-tips-for-every-season/#commentsmoving tips for all seasonsMoving is one of life's most stressful occurrences, even on a sunny day. Add snow, sleet, rain, extreme temperatures or even poor timing and moving can become unbearable. But a little bad weather shouldn't gum up the works -- you just need to be prepared. "The show goes on, no matter rain or sun," says Paul at One Big Man and One Big Truck moving company in San Francisco.

Errol, a sales manager at Boston-based Gentle Movers, sees good moves go bad in different seasons for different reasons. "Right now we are watching a hurricane that's coming towards us for next week," he says. "Happens all the time. That can affect moves for the days, during and after the storm."

When moving, you want to deal with problems before they happen, so here are eight moving tips to consider for your next move, no matter what time of year it takes place:


Moving Tip 1. Plan ahead

Errol and Paul agree on one all-season piece of moving advice: Plan ahead. "Don't pack last minute," is something Errol tells all his clients. "And most importantly make your reservation early to guarantee your booking," he says. "Like everything else, last minute bookings mean you might not get it or you have to pay more." Also think about the timing of your move. "Now, during the end of summer, is the busiest time of year for us with all the back to school moving," Errol says. "I had an executive call me this morning saying he has to move his apartment tomorrow, with all his work he forgot his lease was up. I told him we could fit him in, but last minute moves this time of year cost a lot more."


Moving Tip 2. Organize

Errol also recommends that you tag everything. "Get color coded tags, blue for kitchen, green for living room, it simplifies the move so everything is order. It's especially important on days with rainy weather when you want to get items in from the rain and don't want to lose more time figuring out which box goes where."


Moving Tip 3. Seal in plastic

On moving days that may see rain or snow, Errol suggests the following: Before you pack your boxes, line them with plastic garbage bags, then put in items like sheets and pillows and close. That way, if the box has to sit on the ground longer, your items aren't damaged.


Moving Tip 4. De-clutter

Moving in the summer has its share of problems and Errol says the most common is clutter. "Remove clutter from archways and keep walkways clear of overgrowth, flower pots, kids, and bikes! You want movers to have a free pathway of movement, he says. Errol also points out that while it's an important rule of thumb for homeowners it's also something to consider if you live in an apartment. "Many other people can leave things lying around," he says. "After all, for them it's a regular day. Leave them a note beforehand asking if they could remove their kids, bikes or flower pots for the day."


Moving Tip 5. Clear a path

"For moving in the wintertime, the biggest issue is your walkways," according to Errol. "Make sure they are clear. The morning of your move, get up early and shovel and throw some rock salt down. And if you live in an apartment building, tell the landlord the day before you are moving so he can shovel and put down salt." Not doing that is asking for problems -- someone could get injured or it could seriously slow down the moving process.


Moving Tip 6. Keep towels handy

Rain can be an issue anywhere at any time, but even more so in places like San Francisco. Paul suggests his clients have towels ready to wipe off furniture when the pieces are moved in. "Most of the time the furniture is exposed to weather for a minute or two, so dry it off as soon as it gets in and the furniture is fine. If we have to wrap items in plastic it takes way more time, costing you more money. If you can just towel things off when it gets in, and we can avoid plastic wrap, that saves time, money and your items."


Moving Tip 7. Cover floors

You need floor protection on moving days that are rainy, so Paul recommends laying down particle board in the main entryway. Things get slippery and carrying heavy furniture can be a problem. You don't want injuries and damaged furniture and this helps keep that from happening. Also, you want to keep your hardwood floors or carpet as clean as possible. This, of course, also applies to snow days in the wintertime.


Moving Tip 8. Have moving insurance

Moving insurance is important when bad weather comes into play. If you use a moving company, make sure they have insurance, liability and are bonded, as damage to furniture and people can occur more easily in foul weather.

"We've started the day with clear skies, then 15 minutes into the move a nor'easter blows in," says Errol of the Northeast's unpredictable weather. But with proper planning and these tips, you should have a smooth move no matter what the season.


Still need tips on moving? Here are more AOL Real Estate Moving Guides to help:
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]]>fallmoversmovingseasonsspringsummerwinterLeah Gillis2010-09-01T15:31:00 00:00Moving Cost: Ways to Budget Your Movehttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/08/27/moving-cost-ways-to-budget-your-move/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/08/27/moving-cost-ways-to-budget-your-move/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/08/27/moving-cost-ways-to-budget-your-move/#commentsSharmaine R. has moved three times within Los Angeles in the past year and a half. In the three years before that, she moved five times -- including to and from another city. "I've learned that planning is key to keeping your moving costs where you want it to be," she says.

Sharmaine has completed all types of moves and has learned that you can move easily, no matter what your budget -- you just need to know what the moving costs are and where you can save. Good planning and doing as much as you can ahead of moving day will save you hundreds, even thousands on your move. "I've wasted hundreds on stupid things, from last minute box-buying to not getting day van-rental referrals from friends," says our perpetual mover.

Moving is the time to ask people to share their resources and do your research: The difference can mean thousands of dollars saved.
You can rent a van and use your friends, but that means you might need to pay to rent blankets to cover big items and for dollies to move items -- that can add up hundreds more in your budget. Similarly, you might only need two instead of three guys, if you hire a moving company, and that can mean hundreds off your bill. It pays to budget and that means knowing what you need to consider when moving.

Cesar R. is the manager at the Los Angeles-based moving company Load Rock N' Roll Movers. Over the years he has seen these types of small mistakes cost people big money "First of all, you have to have an idea of what you're planning to do," says Cesar. "Especially with the times we are in, every penny counts. If I can save my customers, I will."


1. Assess your needs

Plan out your mode of transportation. Do you need a moving company or a rental? If you're planning a DIY move and the move is small, without a lot of big pieces of furniture -- maybe you can forgo the costs of renting and borrow a friend's car, van or (even better) truck. But again, plan ahead! This means giving your friend plenty of advance warning as the last-minute rental of a moving truck or van will cost you more.


2. Know what to budget for
Sharmaine suggests that if you go the rental truck route that you "budget for your truck, gas and mileage, and food for people that help you." Know how much the truck costs for the day and include gas -- which can add up in those big trucks -- and mileage. Unlike rental cars, many van rentals charge you per mile driven, which can add up. As for food, it might not be something you think of ahead of time, but it can add up. If you have five people helping you, that can mean two or three meals for a long moving day.


3. Attend to details
If you're going the the DIY route to moving, Sharmaine says that you need to think about all the little details that are often overlooked. "Dollies, ropes, pads, packing tape, insurance, they are all important to your move and they all add up," she warns. "When you don't have a moving company, you have to pay for these, so budget for these items and see where you can find the cheapest prices."

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4. Weigh costs and benefits

The cost benefit of a moving company is that everything is included in the price of the move. "Renting a company means you don't have to pick up the truck, fuel it up, have enough gas and hire guys to do it yourself, " says Cesar. "You call a company like us, we show up and we leave you at your new location where you want things to be. You don't have to stress and struggle and hurt yourself. Plus, we have dollies and pads to cover items in the move -- and that's also included in the price."

5. Be packed and ready

Cesar suggests being prepared with your packing -- it saves you time with the movers and in the end that saves you money. "The best thing would be to have everything packed and ready to go on move day," he says. "A common mistake people make is to have miscellaneous items out that take more time for the move. We won't charge you for packing these, but it will add time to your move since we charge by the hour. Packing everything beforehand saves you money." Sharmaine agrees: "If you have everything all packed and you are ready to go, you have movers in and out really fast."


6. Get boxes, and more boxes

While you might be able to get boxes from friends and businesses to save money, if you have last-minute items and no boxes, a lot of money will be spent buying boxes from the moving company. "Moving boxes through the company get marked up 50 percent or 80 percent," explains Cesar. "So make sure you have extra boxes ahead of time. I've seen people spend hundreds just on this."


7. Insure the move

Cesar stresses the importance of moving insurance and making sure that you hire a licensed and bonded moving company. "A moving company is responsible and has bonding insurance, so we are covered if something breaks. And if someone ends up getting hurt on your property they are liable to sue for injuries, but a moving company has insurance and workmans comp."

Sharmaine is set to move again around the end of the year. She is moving in with her boyfriend to a new place, which means they will have two apartments moving at the same time. "With all the moves I have done," she promises, "I will have it to military precision and costs will be limited."


Still need tips on moving? Here are more AOL Real Estate Moving Guides to help:
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]]>aol originalAolOriginaldiydiy movingDiyMovingmoversmovingmoving companiesmoving daymoving outmoving truckmoving trucksmoving vanmoving vansMovingCompaniesMovingDayMovingInMovingOutMovingTruckMovingTrucksMovingVanMovingVansprofessional moversProfessionalMoversrental trucksrental vansRentalTrucksRentalVansLeah Gillis2010-08-27T22:32:00 00:00Nicole Kidman Gets Amazing Deal on New NYC Padhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/08/13/nicole-kidman-gets-amazing-deal-on-new-nyc-pad/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/08/13/nicole-kidman-gets-amazing-deal-on-new-nyc-pad/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/08/13/nicole-kidman-gets-amazing-deal-on-new-nyc-pad/#commentsFiled under: ,

Nicole Kidman gets a great deal on New York homeEveryone wants a deal and to get money off the listing price and Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban sure did that with their recent New York City penthouse purchase. They saved $2.5 million on their Chelsea apartment, paying $10 million for a $12.5 million listed property.

And that's not the only bragging right this married duo got with their new home. There is a suite component with these digs, giving it something no other New York building offers.
The three-bedroom, three-and-a half-bathroom penthouse apartment that the Aussie duo purchased has private outdoor areas, amazing views and over 3,200 square feet of space.

Some fancy neighbors also come with the building as Domenico Dolce of fashion giant Dolce and Gabbana reportedly bought not uno but due penthouse apartments for $29 million last year.

It seems that Dolce's purchase of two penthouse units for $29 million means that he did not get the deal that Kidman and Urban did. (They paid 20 percent off listing price).

Although Dolce's two units (at a combined 7,337 square feet) have roughly 800 square feet more, after doubling Kidman and Urban's unit, that still means Dolce spent $9 million for the additional 800 square feet. Ouch.

Located at 11th Avenue and 24th Street, the Anabelle Selldorf-designed building takes "keeping up with the Joneses" to the sky, as it adds a unique feature to New York City real estate. An apartment at 200 Eleventh St. means that 14 of the 16 units will live a more Jetson-like life, with an "En-Suite Car Garage." Residents pull into a car elevator, go up to their parking spot on their apartment floor and are home. Sadly, no robot greets you at the door.


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]]>Keith UrbanNicole KidmanNicoleKidmanLeah Gillis2010-08-13T12:06:00 00:00How to Rent an Apartment for Cheaphttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/08/12/how-to-find-the-best-deals-on-rent/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/08/12/how-to-find-the-best-deals-on-rent/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/08/12/how-to-find-the-best-deals-on-rent/#commentsFiled under:

find deals on rentAllison G. wanted to move to a nice one-bedroom apartment in Beverly Hills for as little rent per month as possible. Though the median for a one bedroom in the area is $1,850 a month, Allison found her dream apartment--with outdoor space, hardwood floors and parking -- for under $1,400.

When you're in the market to rent a new apartment, it's important to be equipped with the right tools to find yourself the best deal. From being informed about the area to which you want to move to simply being nice to your potential landlord, there are a variety of ways to get the deal you need on the apartment you want.

Our experts share tips on getting the best rent deal.

It's still a renter's market out there and many experts agree that now's the time to get the best deal possible on a rental. Bill Deegan is the executive director of the American Tenants Association, a grassroots organization aimed at enhancing the quality of life for renters through legislative action. "Renters have been second-class citizens," he says. "With the rush for everyone to be a homeowner, it was lost. Tenants are the great unleveraged class."

Mark Verge, owner of Los Angeles' rental website, Westside Rentals, and owner of several rental properties, says, "There are so many things you can do to make renting to your advantage. And they are totally simple, basic things."


1. Do your research

"Don't jump at the first thing," Deegan suggests. "Do comparison shopping, it's a major purchase. Folks will go out and price television sets to save $50 on a one-shot purchase, whereas saving $50 on monthly rent, times 12, makes a lot of sense and a big difference."

Verge echoes this sentiment, "You have got to look at 10 places at least. Shop! Shop! Shop!"


2. Check out vacancy rates

Deegan thinks research is especially important in regards to deals on rent. "Right now many landlords have vacancy rates in the double digits, meaning they have many empty units, so the tenants are in the drivers seat. In these cases it's a supply and demand issue and this is for multi family and single family housing. Check the vacancy rate in your community and negotiate from strength."


3. Bargain and negotiate

Don't accept prices of rent as quoted -- there's still time to bargain! An empty apartment does an owner no good, so they might be willing to rent to you for less rent per month if they get you in immediately. Also ask for additional months to be rent-free if you sign a longer lease. See if you can move in without a deposit or inquire if utilities can be included. Incentives are often part of the process to lure renters -- remember, you won't get a good deal if you don't ask for it.


4. Bad credit isn't a deal-breaker

 "If you have bad credit, explain right up front what the problems are and what happened," suggests Verge. "The issues are: Do I trust them? Do I like them? If so, you understand things happen and will rent to them - and even for less than the rent I initially intended." He says being upfront helps for any other problems you think you may have. "I had a nice guy with three kids and he was scared. I told him to show up with the kids and let the owner meet them. Your weaknesses can be your strength if you are up front from the beginning.


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5. Show up in person

Verge says that you have to show up in person so landlords know who you are. Verge explains that this is your biggest chance to make a difference in your rent, "If you are nice, pleasant and honest, you have the best shot at getting a deal."

Deegan also thinks this is important, for other reasons. "Many landlords don't quote prices over the phone, so you do it in person. And you should want to go anyway; you want to visit the community you will be living in."


7. Overwhelm them with nice

For Verge it's very simple, "I will lower rents if I like them, so be nice and pleasant. If I ask a question and the person won't answer it, or is defensive or rude, then I don't like them. Not only will I not give them a deal, but I won't rent to them at all."

8. Present yourself in the best light

Verge thinks you are your best asset. "Bottom line is: It's a business deal. You want to show up looking nice and you should compliment the place. Say you want to pay $1,600; you can go to places that are $1,800 or $2,000 and negotiate down if you do these things."


9. Be prepared

If you have a good credit history, bring a copy, as well as proof that you paid rent at your last apartment on time. Knowing they are getting a solid tenant is a great way to make the case for why they want you, and why they should drop the price to get you.


Allison found out firsthand that in the apartment-hunting process you are your own best asset. Not having great credit, she was nervous that no one would rent to her. But by being up-front and forthright about her finances and explaining why she would make a great tenant, within a few days she signed a lease on her dream apartment for a great price.

Verge likens the process to dating. "I can't date you over the phone. I want to meet you in person, like you, ask you some questions, and if that goes well, we are on our way." And you get your great deal on rent.


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]]>apartmentdealsleaserentrentalrentalsLeah Gillis2010-08-12T19:52:00 00:00Appraisals: New Rules to an Old Real Estate Gamehttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/08/10/appraisals-new-rules-to-an-old-real-estate-game/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/08/10/appraisals-new-rules-to-an-old-real-estate-game/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/08/10/appraisals-new-rules-to-an-old-real-estate-game/#commentsFiled under: ,

When President Obama signed the Dodd-Frank Act in late July, he ended the controversial Home Valuation Code of Conduct or HVCC, now set to expire in 90 days. HVCC was implemented in May 2009 by the Federal Housing Financing Agency "as an attempt to improve the independence of appraisers by prohibiting lenders and third parties from influencing appraisals, " according to HousingWire.

Understanding the effects of the Dodd-Frank Act is a key component of making sure you get your home, or the home you want to buy, appraised at a fair market price.

The importance of appraisals and their oversight and regulation have seen many changes in the past few years as the housing industry struggled to get accurate information on a home's value and ensure proper valuation. With big money involved, ensuring an appraisal is accurate and not tampered with is in the housing industry's best interest.
Under HVCC, banks could no longer chose the exact appraiser it wanted to use for a home. It created a system where a middleman was used as a liaison, and from a pool of bank approved appraisers the liaison assigned the work. This process added more time to the process and took money from the appraisers. The idea behind this was to create space between the lender and the appraiser thus enabling an accurate home value clear of fraud, but instead of helping, it created many problems.

Replacing HVCC will be a set of "appraisal independence standards." While many appraisers and lenders are awaiting the new standards, some things are already known: The bill will include a requirement that lenders and their agents pay appraisers fair market rates and, unlike HVCC, it will allow Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac to accept any appraisal report completed by an appraiser selected or paid by a mortgage loan originator.


Some important aspects will remain. As Housingwire notes, "The new standards will still subject loan originators to any state or federal laws that prohibit it from making payments, threats or promises to an appraiser to influence the work. But nothing in the standards will prohibit a person with an interest in the transaction from asking the appraiser to consider other information, provide further detail or correct errors in the appraisal."

While appraisals are an in-depth way to determine a home's market value, there are some other methods lenders and brokers use to determine a homes value -- often with little bearing on what the actual market value will be. Below are some of the most popular methods of getting a price for a home.

--CMA or Comparative Market Analysis. When a Realtor wants to calculate your homes value or to determine an offer they use this computer generated calculation. Some agents use sold property with similar features in your area and/or similarly listed properties to determine a figure. You can get CMAs free from an agent, however, as one blog notes: remember they are done by the agent and they want to get your business so the numbers could be skewed to your liking.
--AVM or Automated Valuation Model. Lenders use this computer generated program with an automated process to arrive at a number. At the end of the data analysis, the report has a value range and a value for a home (a la Zillow.) One thing to note: AVM's don't take into account renovations or other things that would increase or decrease the value of a home.
--BPO or Brokers Price Opinion. BPOs are used by lenders in situations where they don't want to get a full appraisal as they cost more and take more time (i.e.: pending foreclosure.) However, BPOs are not appraisals, they are merely used to get a property's value.
--Appraisals. Appraisals are done by licensed professionals to determine the market value of a home.

Who is doing your appraisal and how they do it matters because you want a number that has not been tampered with by the interests of another party. But you also want it in a reasonable amount of time. These new standards are eagerly awaited by appraisers, lenders and homeowners as they will provide the framework for this important part of the home-buying process.

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]]>appraisalsComparativeMarketAnalysisconsumer protectionDodd-Frank Acthome appraisalshome valuationhome valuesHVCCLeah Gillis2010-08-10T17:13:00 00:00The Hidden Costs in Home Buyinghttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/08/09/the-hidden-costs-in-home-buying/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/08/09/the-hidden-costs-in-home-buying/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/08/09/the-hidden-costs-in-home-buying/#commentsSan Francisco resident Mike S. thought he had a handle on the costs associated with home buying. Down payment -- check. Mortgage -- check. HOA dues -- huh? "The dreaded homeowner association dues," as he calls them, would add hundreds of dollars to his monthly nut, an outlay he hadn't figured when he calculated his home buying expenses.

Whether you're buying a house, a condo or a co-op, there are plenty of hidden costs that are easy for first-time buyers to overlook. Ingrid Hess, a real estate agent for more than 20 years, has seen these home buying costs turn into pitfalls for new homeowners. She advises first-time buyers to hook up with a seasoned professional who can act as their guide through the process. "When you buy, you have to ask the right questions," says Hess, with William Pitt Sotheby's International Real Estate in Darien, CT.

Hess has prepared a list for new homebuyers of potential hidden costs in home buying that can bust a buyer's budget. Understand them, and you'll be able to enjoy your new home free of unanticipated financial burdens.

  • Closing costs. Each bank has different fees, so ask your attorney or mortgage broker about obtaining a form that discloses all the items included in the closing costs for buying a home. "Banks and mortgage companies call things by different names, so make sure you know what each item is about," says Hess. "For example, one bank might call something an 'application fee' while another calls it a 'doc fee.' You have to know what it is so you can know what the costs include."

  • Attorney's fees. Attorneys often charge a fixed fee for real-estate closings, but sometimes the fee is negotiable. Find out up front so that you can compare attorneys' costs. "They shouldn't charge by the hour, because it is relatively simple work," Hess advises.

  • Appraisals. In most markets, an appraisal usually runs $300 to $400. While the costs are straightforward, it's important for you to do your homework and find a well-regarded appraiser. Remember, their opinion determines property value.

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  • Inspections. It's essential to have the house thoroughly inspected by a professional. "You could end up spending thousands if the inspection isn't correctly done," says Hess. An inspection typically costs $300 to $500. When it's completed, you and the present homeowners can negotiate which repairs they'll pick up the tab for, and which ones you'll have to cover.

  • Condo association charges/HOA fees/maintenance. If you live in a condo, you'll be responsible for paying homeowner association dues and sometimes an additional maintenance charge. Budget for these fees before you purchase. They usually have to be paid every month, and they're not negotiable.

  • Utility charges. If you're an apartment dweller, you may not be accustomed to paying for utility charges like gas, water, and trash collection. As a homeowner, you're on the line for these bills, which can add up to hundreds of dollars or more every month. A little research into your new municipality, as well as asking the previous homeowners about their bills, will help prepare you for the extra expenditures.


Mike is still looking to buy, but he has adjusted his budget--and his thinking--to take these hidden costs of home buying into account -- "I'm glad I know what to expect. I will be able to enjoy my new place and not worry about how I'm going to pay for everything."

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]]>appraisalsbuying a homeBuyingAHomeclosing costsClosingCostshome buyingHome InspectionsHomeBuyingHomeInspectionsinspectionLeah Gillis2010-08-09T16:17:00 00:00California Home Builders Rent Out Finished Units to Finance Completionhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/07/26/california-home-builders-rent-out-finished-units-to-finance-comp/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/07/26/california-home-builders-rent-out-finished-units-to-finance-comp/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/07/26/california-home-builders-rent-out-finished-units-to-finance-comp/#commentsFiled under: ,,

The housing crisis has proved problematic for many builders who are running out of financing before completing new subdivisions, but one Bakersfield, Calif., developer has taken a novel approach: renting out finished homes to finance the rest of the construction.

Now business is booming at the Silverado Ranch -- the rental business, that is. The subdivision is currently 100 percent rentals.

HousingWatch has written many stories on buying versus renting, but this time it's the sellers that have changed their game.
Silverado Ranch in Bakersfield is an 11-acre tract of land that was initially to be 53 homes for sale, from 1,200 to 1,600 square feet. When the market collapsed some investors walked away. But Steve Lantz, owner of Commercial Real Estate Co. and an investor in the project), joined others in deciding to wait out the market. Though unable to get construction financing, they rent out finished units and are finishing up construction.

And they have a problem that few can relate to in this market: Due to popular demand they have a wait list "two or three deep" for their units. With rents coming in on time and building going forward, their foray into being landlords is turning out well -- for them and for the residents who are in need of housing due to the rising foreclosures in the area.

Ranging in price from $1150 to $1350, the units come with granite countertops, landscaping and a nice neighborhood. Nice enough to buy in, except now you don't need to.


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]]>bakersfield real estatecalifornia real estaterent versus buysilverado ranchLeah Gillis2010-07-26T17:09:00 00:00$49.5M Hamptons Estate Does Double Duty as Marriage Magnethttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/07/26/49-5m-hamptons-estate-does-double-duty-as-marriage-magnet/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/07/26/49-5m-hamptons-estate-does-double-duty-as-marriage-magnet/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/07/26/49-5m-hamptons-estate-does-double-duty-as-marriage-magnet/#commentsFiled under:

Months ago, posh Hamptons habitues wondered who could have rented the gargantuan Sandscastle estate, listed to sell at $49.5 million, for a record $500,000 -- and for just two precious summer weeks.

Last week, the New York Post revealed the answer: divorced, self-made millionaire and Tampa, Fla.-resident Cheryl Mercuris. And she wasn't just wanting to live the East End life for two weeks, she's hoping for something in particular: Love.

Wonder if skeptical New Yorkers can believe it?
Her record-breaking rental means that she is paying $1,488 per hour for the 14-bedroom, 19-bathroom home, 31,000-square-foot home that she will share with her son, nephew and parents. They will have plenty to keep them occupied while Mercuris pops out around town, as the estate has a bowling alley, squash court, rock-climbing wall and professional spa

Mercuris started her company, Quality Resources, in 1992 and decided to come to the summer haunt of the rich and famous to find a better mix of single men and experiences. "There are so many career-oriented people here, unlike the west coast of Florida, which is very quiet and laid-back --- not great for someone who is single and raising a child," she said.

She said that she could imagine moving to New York City, and a major reason is the cultural experiences for her son.

And although she is looking for love, she claims she's not not desperate: "I'm not on a mission. If it's meant to be, it will happen."

Cynicism runs rampant around New York, so probably no one dared imagine that the most basic thing in the world was the motivation behind this historic rental: love.


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]]>cheryl mercurishamptons real estatehamptons recordluxury real estatesandcastleLeah Gillis2010-07-26T15:17:00 00:00Nantucket Residents Sink as Wealthy Trim Sailshttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/07/22/nantucket-residents-sink-as-wealthy-trim-sails/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/07/22/nantucket-residents-sink-as-wealthy-trim-sails/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/07/22/nantucket-residents-sink-as-wealthy-trim-sails/#commentsFiled under: ,,

The median list price for a home in Nantucket at the beginning of July was $1.695 million, a number most year-round residents on the popular vacation island off the coast of Massachusetts can't afford. It has often been said that their are two economies in Nantucket, and the full-time residents of Nantucket are likely feeling this stronger than ever now.

A playground for prosperous visitors from Boston, New York and around the country, Nantucket possesses charm and beauty that has attracted vacationers with money for centuries. As an island, there is an obvious limit on space, but it also has a man-made limit on construction, since roughly 50 percent of the island won't ever be built upon due to environmental preservation efforts.

All this means that land is at a premium, which is particularly hard on the island's roughly 12,000 year-round residents -- who don't earn big Wall Street bonuses that allow for $5 million to $15 million summer homes. The median annual household income for year-rounders on Nantucket is around $55,500.

With vacationers pulling back on discretionary spending this year, however, an increase in foreclosures on Nantucket has created an even tougher housing market for Nantucket natives, many of whom have family connections stretching back generations.
CNN recently painted the housing picture for Nantucket residents: Nearly two-thirds of distressed properties on the island are listed for less than $1 million. In the first half of 2010, foreclosures accounted for 20 of 163 sales (twice the 2009 rate), and banks have turned their backs on small borrowers.

According to Nantucket's Green Point Properties, the average sold property was on the market for 290 days.

Part of the problem for island residents is that Wall Streeters have pulled back from vacationing, which means less income for them. Last year, new building permits stalled at 43, the lowest number since the town started recording them in 1972. A recent story from the island's newspaper describes a slow June for the island, but bustling Memorial Day and July Fourth weekends. When the number of vacationers declines, the island's residents suffer, so the busy holiday weekends offer a ray of hope.

Green Point Properties says that year-to-date sales through June were up 60 percent over last year and transaction volume is up 79 percent over last year. And although 64 of the 89 houses sold went for below $1.5 million, it's the uptick in activity this summer that is the good news.


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]]>green point propertieshome affordabilityNantucketNantucket real estateLeah Gillis2010-07-22T10:58:00 00:00Home Staging Tips for Every Seasonhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/07/20/home-staging-for-every-season/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/07/20/home-staging-for-every-season/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/07/20/home-staging-for-every-season/#commentssesonal home stagingThere is a lot to know about selling a home. And we've covered the topic of home staging as an important factor in attracting buyers. But did you know there are specific home staging tips for winter, spring, summer and fall? It's true -- seasonal home staging can better your chances of attracting buyers throughout the year.

Home staging during cold winter months is different than staging in the summer, and with some staging tips you can make the most of your home no matter what the season. For instance, make a patio into a dining area in the summer and don't be afraid to use flower pots in the winter.

Barb Schwarz, inventor of the phrase "home staging," shares her seasonal tips for staging your home in every season to make sure your home stands out on the market.


"The number one thing is that your home becomes a house and the house becomes a product," says Schwarz. "That's the underlying principle in this process, so sellers have to cut the strings of attachment.

"The bottom line: This is about getting you money, Mister Seller. It's 'Jerry Maguire' time: 'Show me the money!'"


Home Staging Tips for Summer

The photos show the before and after difference of a patio area with home staging: Which one could you see your friends and family sitting around for years to come?
  • "If you can't see it, you can't sell it," Schwarz says. "We can't get them into your house if you don't stage the outside of your house." To that end Schwarz recommends that you look at your house as a product, so go across the street. That's where potential buyers pull up, so from there you can see it from their viewpoint. "The front gets cluttered with plants and trees, with the humidity and growth of summer, so how much of your house can you really see? If you can only see the front door and garage doors, it looks like you are selling doors. You can cut the bottom branches so people can see it. Trees trim from the bottom up, plants from the top down. In the summer it gets buried with limbs -- and also check the front and back of the house."
  • All the excessive plant growth keeps light from coming into the house, and no one wants a dark house. Trim plants just below the level of the window so they aren't protruding above. Rounding plants off softens the look of any house and makes a home look more valuable. If it looks like chaos outside, they wont even get out of the car.
  • No hanging plants all over the front porch. Schwarz warns, "You want the eye to go to the features of the house and not the plants."
  • Stage the backyard as an outdoor living room for the summer months -- it's like adding more living space. "Thing is, in creating this living room most people add too much. You want a nice table, chairs and umbrella, and set the table with place mats and dishes -- but only a few," Schwarz advises. "Also, take pictures of this scene in the summer, so if you decide to sell in the snow of winter you can show the pictures to buyers and let them know what a great space it is in the summer. You can also take photos in winter and fall if you have great foliage or something. Make a nice photo album. People can't imagine things, so show them!"
  • You might also want to consider doing a little home staging on your lawn. "In the summer, when a dog's made a brown spot on your lawn, you can just buy Sherwin-Williams paint called Emerald Green and it's green again! It will stay green for about 6 to 8 weeks."
  • Keep your home cool, so people won't want to leave since it's too hot outside. "Spend the money on AC -- if they don't look around, they wont buy."
  • Keep outdoor toys organized in one area.


Home Staging Tips for Fall

  • "Again, If you can't see it you can't sell it: Make sure you rake up those leaves and keep the outdoor greenery looking fresh." For autumn, Schwarz boils down the outdoor staging to these simple tips: "Trim and shape."
  • "Inside a home with a fireplace sometimes an owner wants to light a fire, which can be OK. However, candles should not be lit." Schwarz warns that it's an accident waiting to happen. "By all means put candles out, they can make a nice feel for cool fall days, but don't light them. You can get oil rings and put vanilla on them and put them on your lights. It was made for the light, but it wont burn. You can also set the scene in the fireplace, and of course use a gas fireplace." You want the home to set a scene and this will do it -- safely."
  • "Fall means Halloween and Thanksgiving, so we are getting into the holiday season now," the professional home stager says. "And know this: Less is more." Reconsider decorating with too much holiday spirit: If people are looking at your Halloween decor they aren't looking what you want them to -- the house. Have the party at the neighbors' this year and the kids can live it up at school, but at home keep your celebrating to a minimum.
  • It's also back-to-school season and your kids will bring home artwork they want to display. "You also want to keep this to a minimum," says Schwarz. "Narrow it down -- have them pick one and put it on the side of the door."


Home Staging Tips for Winter

  • Keep your place warm. "Again, you want the house looked at! If you aren't living there or even if you are, spend the money to keep it warm. They will walk out if it's too cold," says Schwarz. "And that means no sale."
  • Keep lighting in mind during the winter months. "Winter means it gets dark earlier, so put lighting on timers inside and outside the house. Every room in the house can be on timers, as it welcomes buyers into a room and you want them to keep walking and checking out the house."
  • Just because it's winter doesn't mean you shouldn't have flower boxes and greenery at your front door, in pots. On the contrary, it's really warm and welcoming. Just make sure they are seasonally appropriate.
  • Keep snow off the back patio and front porch. "You want people to go out and see the back and front of the house and the patio and yard, too. Go back to your back fence and see what does the back of your house looks like, does it look boring? You can keep flower pots by the slider doors, as it softens the look of the house in the gray winter."
  • Again it's holiday time, so you can have a wreath on the door and a nice centerpiece on the table, and perhaps a Christmas tree, but that's enough. "You want to honor your faith, but you don't want it in people's faces," Schwarz says. "You don't want home staging to be about faith. Again, you want people looking at the home and not your stuff."
  • Don't forget to put out the summer photos of your great outdoor deck, so people know what it will be like in warmer months.


Home Staging Tips for Spring

  • When you're home staging for spring, you want to bring color to your front door as soon as possible. "Seasonal flowers are great and you want to have them out in pots on porches, as it can be a gray and rainy season, and you want some color," says Schwarz. "Even as early as February you can have cuttings from your yard or winter pansies."
  • Make sure you have Christmas lights and holiday decor down. "It's amazing how many people don't do this."
  • Keep weeds at bay. Over the long winter weeds have grown and mold formed, so get rid of dead plants and cut back. You want your home to look spring fresh, and having dead plants and weeds is not what buyers want to see.
  • Take care of driveway cracks. "Women can hurt themselves with heels walking on and you want the house as polished as possible. During the winter, cracks can form, so you want to take care of it. Also, the oil has to be gone off the driveway."
Staging your home for the seasons will get you results fast. And Schwarz even has a few last tips for home staging that you can use all year round: "Keep the drapes open, the music on timers, and keep the light going inside in every single room."

Did home staging help you sell your house? Got tips and advice to share? We want to hear from you! Add your comments in the box below.

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]]>backyardfallhome salesHomeSalesseasonsselling your homeSellingYourHomespringsummerwinterLeah Gillis2010-07-20T17:18:00 00:00Home Staging: Hire a Pro or Do It Yourself?http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/07/20/how-to-stage-a-home-yourself/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/07/20/how-to-stage-a-home-yourself/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/07/20/how-to-stage-a-home-yourself/#commentsRealtors will tell you that two things are essential to selling your home: pricing and home staging.

The price of your home is dictated by the area in which you live and the amenities your home provides. Your real estate agent can help guide you on this essential part of selling your home. But you can have full control over home staging. And if you are equipped with a few core ideas, you can stage your home yourself and save on the cost of professional home staging.

And why stage your home? You will see a return on your investment. According to Staged Homes, survey results show an 872 percent return on investment when you spend the time to stage your home. The $100 to $200 you spend to declutter and stage your home to attract buyers ends up in a $1,500 to $2,000 increase in the sale price of your home.


Los Angeles real estate agent Victoria Massengale estimates that professional home staging for a three-bedroom house in L.A. would cost upward of $10,000, plus $1,000 a month. However, you can do plenty of things yourself to get your home staged and sold. "Bottom line, homes that are staged sell for more money."

Massengale tells her clients one thing: "Staging sells homes. When you walk into an empty room it's hard for people to imagine a TV over there, or a bed on an angle. It sells homes every time."

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Barb Schwarz founded Home Staging -- she coined the phrase back in the '70s -- and she recently published the book, "Staging to Sell: The Secret to Selling Homes in a Down Market." Having staged all kinds of homes and trained thousands of people in the art of home staging, Schwarz has tons of tips. You don't need to spend a lot of money, but you do need to be open to making some changes. "It's all temporary. We are trying to get you the money. Focus on that," she says. "We don't want to sell your furniture, but we want to sell your space."

Massengale suggests you work with what you've got when you're staging your home for sale. "Move things around, take down kids' pictures -- otherwise, it's hard for people to imagine their kids living there," she says. "If you've got your wedding pictures up, you need to take them down. You can do a lot with what you have, you just need to re-think it."

Schwarz has a 3-key system to home staging for do-it-yourselfers:

  • Her first rule is all about color. "First, they gotta have the right color -- inside and out. Paint the front door if it needs it, and get those paints that people are using. Inside color rules are: We want the walls and floors neutral. Also we want to have 'movable color', that's colors sellers can take with them. 'Moveable colors' are bedspreads and towels, and area rugs and artwork. It adds pop to every room. But on the outside of the house there is a 3-color limit. That's my magic staging number and it's for color, too. If the house is Cape Cod gray you can add white shutters and then a burgundy front door but stop there. That's three colors." For the interior, remember that dark colors bring the walls in, making it seem smaller, while light colors make a room larger.

  • Schwarz's second key to home staging is all about clutter. "Clutter eats equity. It's the worst thing I see in America. Most people have too much stuff, and it's not just the family photos that need to be put away, it's also having too many accessories and paintings. Less is more." Go through and edit and then edit some more -- pare down to the bare minimum. Divide your stuff into three piles: items that will make the move with you, items you can give away, or items to discard.

  • And Schwarz's final step in home staging is cleaning. She stresses, "It's gotta be Q-tip clean. This includes the smell. If we can smell it, we can't sell it. Clean inside and outside."

You want people to come into the rooms, and not just walk down the hallway and out the house -- on to the next. And staging your home correctly will help. Schwarz suggests that you stand in the hallway and see what makes you want to come into the room. Are you not highlighting a great fireplace or area? You want to pull people in, so look into your old rooms with new eyes.

Once you take things out, rearrange and fine-tune. Move the chairs around, change the location of the couch, and check around for the details. You want the rooms to clearly define space, while still allowing people to imagine the space as their own.

According to Staged Homes the average number of days a home stays on the market without staging is 196. With the added benefit of home staging, a home sells in an average of 33 days.

Did home staging help you sell your house? Got tips and advice to share? We want to hear from you! Add your comments in the box below.

Want more home staging tips and techniques? These AOL Real Estate guides can help:



More on AOL Real Estate:
Find out how to calculate mortgage payments.
Find homes for sale in your area.
Find foreclosures in your area.
Get property tax help from our experts.


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Want to learn more about home buying and home finance? If so, you won't want to miss
our online discussion with industry experts,
"What Works Now: Smart Moves When Buying a Home,"
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]]>Clutter FreeClutterFreecolorshome salesHomeSalesselling your homeSellingYourHomestagingLeah Gillis2010-07-20T13:46:00 00:00