Real Estate Report, February 2015

Appen Media Group

Real Estate Report February Special Section

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North Atlanta’s

Sponsored Section • real estate report

February 2015

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News and advertising for new homes, realtors, developers, commercial properties and more.

What you don’t know can hurt you By: Eve Jones Harry Norman Realtors So, you are ready to list your home for sale and you start by consulting with an agent or two.

You may be tempted to use an agent that offers a discount commission structure, but careful, you may be shooting yourself in the proverbial foot.

Whomever you decide to use, there are some details you should be tracking closely.

First, your agent, who has so generously decided to take a cut in his or her commission, may be cutting the other agent’s commission without your knowledge.

For instance, your agent has contracted to sell your home at 5%, but are they still offering the selling (buyer’s) agent a full 3%?

Or, are they offering a 2.5% commission and discounting the buyer’s agent’s commission

as well?

Why would you care about what that other agent makes?

You should care, because your home listing is competing against other listings who are likely offering a fee of 3%.

How motivated will that buyer’s agent be to sell your home at 2.5% to their buyer with whom they have been driving around and showing homes for three solid months?

This is the first, but not the only, way to shoot yourself in the foot.

So, get that “co-op fee or commission agreement” in writing.

Another important listing step often overlooked by sellers and agents is staging and preparing the home for the market.

Not taking the time to make needed repairs, neutralizing paint colors, and arranging furniture for the optimal flow is going to cost you.

Your agent should be the primary resource for the most effective prepping of your home for market.

He or she jones is not doing his or her job if they are not walking through your home and spending time to honestly talk about improvements that will maximize your price.

All of this takes planning, time and money, but can add lots of cash to your bottomline.

Another detail for listing your home concerns the marketing plan.

The listing agent’s primary job is to market your property by presenting your home in the most positive light.

Have you ever browsed

home listings on-line and had a good laugh when looking at the photos?

It never ceases to amaze me how agents get away with really bad photography (and typos for that matter).

It is as if they are trying their best to “not sell” the home.

Make sure your agent emails your listing once it is entered into the multiple listing service so you can see for yourself how your home looks and then, every once in a while, go out and check on your listing to make sure you remain satisfied.

Of course, good (preferably professional) photography is critical, but make sure your agent provides you with a written plan for marketing your home as well.

That plan should include pricing strategies, professionallooking collateral materials (brochures, upgrades, etc.),

agent open houses, e-flyers, advertising, showing feedback follow-up and networking with agents active in the area.

The last way to avoid shooting yourself in the foot is to confirm that your listing agent is a full-time Realtor with the right kind of experience to sell your home.

Asking for his or her sales production and references is a good way to sift through those less qualified agents.

Since the home is most individual’s largest investment, you don’t want to experience the frustration of working with an agent who sells homes “on the side”.

Your agent needs to be available full-time throughout the transaction to best represent you and your best interests.

To protect your investment, remember to take special care when choosing your real estate agent.

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In the Atlanta division, on accepted purchase agreements on homes that are signed between January 1, 2015 and January 31, 2015 are eligible to receive $15,000 in Flex Cash; can be used towards MyStyle® Design Center Options and/or closing costs when using RMC Mortgage® and/or lot premiums, finished basement, etc. Incentive offer does not apply to contracts written prior to January 1, 2015. The following communities are excluded from the $15,000 incentive, Bethany Crossing, Bridleton, ManorView and Marketplace Commons. Individual promotions may vary by community. Certain included features may not be available on all plans. Value of package, and products, may vary by community and plan. Homes already under contract prior to this offer are not eligible. Plus for New to-be built homes, buyer eligible to receive up to $5,000 toward closing costs. Individual incentives may vary by community. Closing cost assistance available from Ryland Homes to those financing through RMC Mortgage® Corporation and closing with a closing attorney selected by Ryland. Amount of closing cost assistance may vary by product and community, and is subject to applicable contribution limitations. For all financing promotions, see a RMC Mortgage® Corporation Loan Officer for details. RMC Mortgage® Corporation is located at 1000 Mansell Exchange West, Suite 200, Alpharetta, GA 30022 and is a Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee, license number 24225 and NMLS number 203897. Buyers also eligible to receive Waived 1% Origination Fee through RMC Mortgage®; average value of $4,000 which is based on a $400,000 loan amount. The waived origination fee through RMC Mortgage® Corporation is subject to cancellation or change without notice. Buyers must make a loan application by January 31, 2014 with RMC Mortgage® Corporation (NMLS# 203897) a Georgia Residential Mortgage Lender Licensee #24225. *Buyers must also close with RMC Mortgage® Corporation. Please contact your RMC Mortgage® Corporation Representative for exact quotes. Prices, plans and specifications are subject to change without notice. Ryland reserves the right to modify or cancel these offers at any time. Photographs are for illustrative purposes only. Offer may not be combined with any other promotion or incentives. Information shown believed to be accurate but not warranted. See a Sales Counselor for details on available promotions, restrictions and offer limitations. © 2015 The Ryland Group, Inc.

February 2015

real estate report • Sponsored Section

The Spring Market Is...

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Now is the time to get your home ready for sale!

If you are thinking of selling, The Ash-Jones Team will work with you every step of the way to help you prepare your home for sale and make your home picture perfect. We have a proven track record of over $30 million in sales for 2013-14 and the expertise to sell your home for top dollar!

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NORTH FULTON OFFICE | 678-461-8700 | 7855 North Point Parkway, Suite 100 | Alpharetta, GA 30022 | www.harrynorman.com

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February 2015

Quick ways to enhance your property value By: Jennifer Pino Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty Many sellers ask me the same question, “What is the best thing I can do to improve my home’s value?� It is important to consider that many home renovations will not bring you a return on investment which will cover the cost of the project. However, the following suggestions can bring you a higher return and should be on your checklist if you are thinking of listing your home for sale.

Clean and Declutter.

You have heard this one before, but this improvement relies only on the effort of the home owner, and can pay dividends. Box up clutter and have a garage sale, sell it on ebay, deliver to your local charity as a tax deductible donation, or simply box it up and store it elsewhere. Show some empty space on shelves, counters and closet floors, which gives the illusion of an abundance of space and storage. Deep clean the home including carpet and upholstery cleaning. Don’t forget the windows!

Repair and Paint.

You are likely aware of maintenance items on your home that need attention. Deferred maintenance which is visible to the naked eye is a sure way to turn off a buyer. They will wonder what else you have not done. In regards to painting, if your walls are neutral, touch up with the same color, and if

you have any crazy colors in the main areas, consider buying a $40 gallon of paint and repainting it yourself. This is money in your pocket!

Quick Kitchen Fix. Kitchens are one pino of the most important rooms considered by buyers when purchasing a home. Consider some simple updating that can be done to bring your kitchen into the 21st century. Stone countertops, new hardware/fixtures and appliance updates to preferable stainless steel are great ways to enhance value.

Bathroom Mini-Makeover.

Bathrooms are right behind the kitchen in importance to buyers, with the master bath being of utmost importance. Consider updating plain tile floors and basic counters with stone.

The smaller quantities needed in a bathroom area mean you will get a lot of bang for your buck. The hardware, fixtures and lighting are also important in creating a look that feels fresh and new. If replacing an existing shower door, choose a frameless, clear option to enhance the feeling of spaciousness.

Enhance Curb Appeal.

Curb appeal is important to buyers, and will set the stage for what they can expect in the interior of the home.

Many buyers do a “drive by� before they decide whether or not they want

to schedule a showing appointment.

Checking your exterior for needed repairs and touch ups, then create a welcoming entryway. Freshen mulch, trim landscaping, lay a fresh coir doormat and plant seasonal flowers along the front walkway. The addition of elegant and simple pots of color flanking your

front door is the perfect final touch to make your home appear loved and cared for.

For any of your real estate needs, please contact Jennifer Pino at Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, 305-310-6114, jenniferpino@ atlantafinehomes.com.

“The overall experience stands heads and shoulders above the rest.

Simply put – Jennifer is the best.â€? “My wife and I have bought and sold six homes in the past 15 years. Jennifer Pino is the best REALTORÂŽ we have ever worked with. Her professionalism, experience and attention to every detail are second to none. Jennifer qualiďŹ ed our needs on the front end which allowed us to become quickly educated on a new area, hone our search and operate with efficiency throughout the process ... The overall experience stands heads and shoulders above the rest. Simply put – Jennifer is the best.â€?

- CORY CHAMBERS, MILTON, GA

JENNIFER PINO REAL ESTATE ADVISOR, NORTH ATLANTA c. 305.310.6114 o. 770.442.7300 jenniferpino@atlantaďŹ nehomes.com ŠMMXV Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. A Realogy Company. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International RealtyÂŽ is a registered trademark licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

February 2015

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NORTH FULTON OFFICE | 7855 North Point Parkway, Suite 100 | Alpharetta, GA 30022 | www.HarryNorman.com

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February 2015

Big Canoe This mountain community, only 1 hour north of Atlanta, is the recipient of many awards including the “Nationals� silver award for Master planned Community of the Year 2014.

With the increased demand for new home construction, the Big Canoe Building Group is actively building in several Big Canoe neighborhoods. The group just completed 4 homes in the “Bluffs� neighborhood. One has just sold and the three others are open and ready for immediate sale.

The Bluffs neighborhood has wonderful views and is the location of many previous show homes such as the Atlanta Magazine Dream Home, Southern Living Show Home and the recent Art Show Home.

Just announced by the Developer of Big Canoe, from now until the end of March 2015, all customer who purchase an existing newly constructed home by the Big Canoe Building Group will receive a full, couples one-year membership in the following Big Canoe amenities, Golf, Tennis, Swimming, Fishing and Fitness- thousands of dollars in value, free! The offer of this free amenity package extends to anyone, between February 1 and March 31, 2015, who purchases a new home to be built by the Big Canoe Building Group. And there is even more good news! Big Canoe Company also announced a third offer; the company is making available to qualified purchasers, construction loans on new homes built by the Big Canoe Building Group.

Big Canoe Company does have additional new construction homes to show you in other Big Canoe neighborhoods. If you already own a lot here, you will want to investigate how easy it is to have your home built by the Group. Vice President Matt Barnes will be glad to meet with you and explain all of the advantages of working with his group, from design and site selection, financing, all the way through to final

color and finishing specifications and appliances.

The Big Canoe Building Group works with Big Canoe Realty to stay current with what the marketplace wants in new construction. That list includes open floor plans (vaulted ceilings, lots of natural light,) energy efficiency, plenty of convenient storage space, roomy kitchens with the latest appliances, master bedroom on

the main floor with walk-in closets and roomy baths.

If you’ve been thinking about purchasing either a primary or second home in the North Georgia Mountains, now would be a great time to come up and see these new homes and talk about all the possibilities. Just contact Big Canoe Realty at 770-893-2733 for more information and to set up an appointment for your personal tour.

TO OUR COMPANY

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LEE COLLINS

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510 Willow Oak Way Under Contract - $495,000

106 Townsend Pass Sold - $825,000

804 Newcastle Drive Active - $250,000

653 Channing Drive Sold - $379,900

3325 Piedmont Road, No. 2506 Sold - $330,000

1610 Reddstone Close Sold - $540,000

10985 Kimball Crest Drive Sold - $350,000

4975 Cameron Forest Parkway Sold - $329,900

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February 2015

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February 2015

Schools, real estate, and the community By: Carroll J Cunningham Excellent schools raise home values; this increases tax revenues; and the economy in the community thrives. Why then, do so many of us who don’t have children in our schools pay so little attention to what is being taught in our schools. Have you heard about the effects of the Core Curriculum and how it is impacting our children? Tax dollars again are being wasted and children are suffering the results of bandwagon politicians and greedy “so-called” educational experts pushing their agendas on our school systems.

A national curriculum has been the dream of would-be educational reformers since the time of Dewey, but our country is set up so states are in charge of the schools. We have numerous laws forbidding the federal government from mandating any sort of national curriculum. But, the government uses the “Old Money Hammer” to demand states sign up for their ideas or all federal grants are revoked.

Let me give you a short list of failed governmental and educational theorists programs and

ideas from the 1950’s till now: Initial Teaching Alphabet(ITA), Programmed Learning, Open Classroom concunningham cept, Whole Language, Saxon Math, Fuzzy Math, Free at Last, LearnerCentered Education, Discovery-Centered Learning, New Math, New, New Math, Head Start, NDEA, NCTM, No Child Left Behind(NCLB), and now Common Core. (COST – Trillions of your tax dollars) For some reason education is the one profession where it is acceptable to throw out proven practices and replace these with new. Theories that have little or no evidence to support them are readily brought into our schools. Now we have the Common Core State Standards!

Diane Ravitch, an educational historian, is opposing the Common Core State Standards. She wants to know why The American National Standards Institute was not used to the write these CC standards.

This institute represents the

interest of over 1,000 companies, organizations, governmental agencies, institutional and international members.

Ms. Ravitch states that only 24 people wrote these standards.

A large number of these people were from the testing industry. No input was sought from experienced teachers or subject matter experts. Early

childhood and educators for children with disabilities were not consulted. In fact, there were no elementary teachers in this group.

No process for appeal or revision was established. States are not allowed to deviate from the set Common Core. They can add a small amount (15%).

This ends most local control

of public schools and may end alternative schools, such as Montessori. Georgia schools received the grade of “C” for overall achievement. Isn’t it time we (the taxpayers) get involved? Remember: The school system’s success or failure will affect our community, economy, and our overall well-being.

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Michael Stevens, Principal, The North Atlanta Real Estate Team, RE/MAX Around Atlanta • 770-905-7053 • mike@NorthAtlantaTeam.com

February 2015

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Essential tips for staging your home By: Michelle Pittman Buying a new home is so personal, yet, to sell yours, you need to remove so many of your homey, personal touches.

This is part of staging your home.

Buyers should be able to picture themselves living in your house — not picture you living in your house.

Successful staging will boost your home’s appeal — and your chances of selling.

Think like a buyer.

Staging lets you see your house with fresh perspective and helps you correct any eyesores you may have become used to over the years.

It helps you to view some of your beloved items as clutter and gives you the initiative to clear away the unneeded.

Create a comfortable bedroom.

A bedroom should be a place of serenity. Stage your bedroom to convey a tone of comfort and relaxation. You also want it to appear spacious.

Soft and neutral tones, new linens and pillows and clearing out your closet make the space more appealing to a buyer.

Bathrooms can be beautiful.

Purchasers don’t spend a lot of time in bathrooms, so your bathrooms have to make a great first impression.

Bathrooms should be impeccably clean and somewhat modern. Replacing old fixtures, hanging luxurious-looking towels and adding spa-like accessories

go a long way.

Cleanliness is a virtue.

Buyers have to imagine themselves living in your home, and they will have a hard time picturing themselves living in a dirty house. In fact, the top of your

to-do list when you list your home to sell should be a deep, thorough clean, like your house probably hasn’t seen since you moved in. Rid your house of mold and mildew, clean windows inside and out and steam carpets so buyers

step into a fresh home that they want to move into. If you smoke or have a pet, be especially vigilant about eradicating those odors—because a clean, well-staged home should bring you a quick and profitable sale.

R E A L E S TAT E S E R V I C E S IN JOHNS CREEK

MICHELLE PITTMAN, REALTOR® c. 404.402.7124 o. 770.442.7300 michellepittman@atlantafinehomes.com atlantafinehomes.com | sothebysrealty.com ©MMXV Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. A Realogy Company. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company.

Equal Housing Opportunity.

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February 2015

10 Apps you need to download before you tackle the next project in your home By: Jody White Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty Should that wall be black? Do I need another coffee table or one at all? I think I may want to do the entire kitchen over!

Well, there are apps that are ready, willing and able to help you get all those projects done quickly! Here is a list of my favorites and some of them are FREE. • HOUZZ – If you are looking for images to inspire a remodel, try Houzz. I describe it as a dictionary for interior and exterior design on steroids! Great for seeing how a paint color or rug will look in a room.

• ROOMSCAN –This is an ingenious app that can draw up a room’s floor plan quickly. No tape measures.

• ROOMHINTS – After you enter what you are looking for (sofa, pain color, etc..), upload a photo of your room then design pros will send you recommendations.

• SNAPSHOT – Can’t visualize how a piece of furniture will look in a room?

Snapshot to the rescue! Just upload a pic of your space and overlay images of furniture, moving and rotating the piece to see how it will look.

• MARK ON CALL – This app is really helpful for plotting out all the details if you are tackling your own remodel. This is from interior designer, Mark Lewison. You can snap a photo

of what you like and drop it into your space to see how it will look. It works with fabrics and architectural features as well. Cost $5.00 • MYPANTONE – You can plan general color schemes white for rooms and entire homes. Pantone has extensive colors, shades of colors, etc.

Save your favorites so you have a head start on finding the shades you really want when you shop for paint. Cost $7.99 - $9.99 • nousDECOR – This app streamlines the process of quickly finding where to get that item you just spotted in the flea market or department store and gives you similar items at different price points from more than 100 retailers. It even has mood boards!

• HOMESTYLER – This app helps you conceptualize a room from start to finish BEFORE you know down the walls! You get to “try on” lighting, mirrors, furniture, artwork, etc.

• ISCAPE – This is a Mark on Call for outdoor spaces. You can upload a shot of your garden and see how more or less trees will work or see how that fountain you have your eye on will jive in your garden.

• PAINT MY SPACE – Choosing paint colors can be an overwhelming, exhausting process. Paint my place makes it a little bit easier.

Education Answer Book The best source to reach current and new residents making decisions on day care, private schools, tutoring, coaching, child development and related services.

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Call your account executive TODAY - 770.442.3278 319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, Ga. 30009 770-442-3278

February 2015

real estate report • Sponsored Section

Spring Market By: Babs Price, Broker Associate Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty If you are anticipating moving this Spring now is the time to get your home ready to go on the market.

While the temperatures are still cold, utilize this time to complete a checklist to make you current home look its best.

Organizing and cleaning your home from inside out will ensure that you receive top dollar for your home and get the property sold quickly, so that you may move on with the next adventure of your life.

Organize the “dreaded” storage area. Many times this is the most difficult area to clean and organize, but the most rewarding to you when the movers arrive to take your possessions to their next destination.

Purchase a label maker and bins. Group like things together in each bin. Put a label on each bin which lists the contents.

Stack the bins. Your storage space will look much larger this way. Buyers will be impressed with the space.

Buyers will be peering in your cabinets, cabinet drawers, and closets. Clean cabinets

and drawers and put new liners in each.

You may want to purchase more bins to organize your closets.

Next make the rest of price your home sparkle. Clean windows inside and outside. Clean ceiling fan blades and chandeliers.

Replace burned out bulbs in light fixtures. Wipe down all woodwork and cabinets.

If you live in an older home you may need to have some updating. For example, having the interior of the home painted an updated neutral color, replace carpet, replace kitchen appliances, and replace counter tops.

All though the year 2015 is still very young we are seeing brisk sales. The home inventory is still a bit low. There will be a huge influx of homes for sale in the Spring. Get your home ready to sell now and list it for sale now and be “ahead of the curve.”

For all your real estate needs, please contact Babs Price at Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty.

404-697-2008, babsprice@ atlantafinehomes.com

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February 2015

When is the right time to sell your home?

By: Bill Rawlings Vice President/Managing Broker Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty The decision to sell your home is both a financial and emotional one. While you should definitely pay high attention to market conditions as part of your thought process — conditions which will absolutely impact your home sale — you should always remember that the choice to buy or sell a home is completely individual.

Reasons to Sell. Whether

you have an expanding or shrinking family, a job change or a desire to move to a particular school district — your reason for selling ultimately impacts when you should put your home on the market.

Market Conditions. Find out your loan payoff amount so you have an accurate idea of what your sales proceeds will be after you have paid off all home loans and closing costs. Research recent sales prices of comparable homes in your community. Consult with REALTORS® about cur-

rent market conditions to estimate a listing price and how long it may take for your home to sell.

Selling for the Seawhite son. Many sellers opt to put their homes on the market in the spring because that is when more buyers are looking, but you can choose to sell at any time of year. If your home

attracts families and is in a sought-after school district, you are just as likely to get offers in the summer as in the spring because buyers want to settle in before school starts.

Is your home ready to sell? An important element in determining when to list your home is its condition. You will need time to make repairs and improvements, deep-clean your home and clear away many of your possessions. If you have a large, disorganized home

with overflowing closets and a garage with no space for a car, you may need weeks or months before you are ready to put your home on the market. Today’s buyers have high expectations of your home’s condition, so do not expect to be able to work on your home after it is listed.

Your home should be priced correctly and in prime condition on day one in order to sell quickly and for the best price possible.

February 2015

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Understanding escheatment and how to keep your property safe By: Cynthia Nisley (NAPSI)—If you have a bank account, are holding uncashed checks, own stock, are heir to an insurance policy or have property in a safe-deposit box, there are steps you can take to help protect your property from escheatment.

“Escheatment” is the term that describes how “abandoned,” “unclaimed” or “lost” property is turned over to the state. If the property owner cannot be found or hasn’t demonstrated an interest in the asset, the U.S. state where the holder lives can take custody of those belongings.

If the owner or heir comes forward, he or she can claim it back from the state but early withdrawal penalties or market losses may significantly affect the asset’s value and the funds may not be immediately available.

You may say, “But I haven’t abandoned my property. I don’t have anything to worry about.”

That’s not necessarily so.

Consider the case of an employee of a fast-growing technology company who held stock certificates with a face value of nearly $500,000. He kept the certificates in a safe and intended to use the funds for his kids’ college education.

Unknown to him, his stock had been escheated due to returned mail and lack of contact. His nest egg was ruined and he was able to claim just under $20,000, the amount the state sold his stock for at the time of escheatment.

Here are a few similar scenarios that can happen to anyone: • If you don’t cash dividend checks, those checks and associated stock may be escheated unless you have made contact with the transfer agent. Since most states sell shares immediately, you will lose out on any market gains, dividends or stock splits that occur after the shares are sold.

• If you move and do not update your address with your financial institution (such as a bank), it will mark your account as “lost” once it receives two pieces of undeliverable

mail from the post office. After three to five years, depending on the state, your assets will be escheated unless you make contact with the institution.

• If you have a safe-deposit box and never access it or make contact with your bank, the contents of the box may be turned over to the state and sold at auction. You could claim back the cash value—but not the valuables themselves.

So how can you protect your assets? Staying in contact with your financial institutions is the key to protecting your property. To actively show interest in all your assets: 1. Keep a list of all the financial institutions you deal with, such as a bank or transfer agent, and contact them at least once per year. This can be as simple as accessing your account online, calling in to the customer service center, cashing a check, updating your address, changing a beneficiary or voting a proxy.

2. Keep your address updated with all your financial institutions if you move.

3. Consolidate accounts, to make it easier to maintain contact and keep track of your assets.

4. If you receive a notice alerting you to the fact that your account is considered “inactive” or “abandoned,” respond immediately. Note that service providers such as Georgeson may contact you, offering to provide assistance in helping prevent escheatment of an inactive or abandoned account. You have the option to use the service or handle it yourself directly with your financial institution—the service provider should disclose all options.

5. Make sure that your heirs know which stocks you own and where you have financial accounts.

To find out if any of your property has been escheated, visit www.missingmoney. com and search participating states’ records by the property owner’s name, or for contact information for nonparticipating states.

Ms. Nisley is Senior Vice President, Georgeson Inc.

SOLD. Alpharetta. 3950 Grey Abbey

2014 SUCCESS STORIES by MARY JANE EGAN

Milton. 990 York Cove

Atlanta. 23202 Plantation Drive

Milton. 775 Brickwood Lane*

Alpharetta. 920 Turlough Trail

Roswell. 400 Hamilton Trace

Cumming. 4425 Cold Springs Court

Sample of properties sold in 2014 MARY JANE EGAN c. 678.521.1501 o. 770.442.7300 maryjaneegan@atlantafinehomes.com maryjaneegan.atlantafinehomes.com © MMXV Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. *Agent represented buyer.

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February 2015

How to purchase your first home in 2015 (NAPSI)—The American dream of homeownership may not be as hard to attain as many people seem to fear. A few intriguing facts and hints can help.

The Facts While existing home sales have risen recently, the National Association of Realtors’ annual Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers found that the share of first-time buyers recently fell to its lowest level (33 percent) in nearly three decades.

Many first-time buyers experience obstacles on the path to homeownership, including difficulty saving for a down payment and tight credit conditions.

The Hints Consider these tips: • Find and work with an expert Realtor who knows the neighborhood. Nothing can replace the local knowledge and real insight that professional Realtors can provide to first-time buyers as they navigate the complex home buying process.

According to the Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, while most home buyers in the past year began their home search online, 90 percent ended up purchasing their home through an agent. Realtors are not only the source of online real estate data, they also use their unparalleled local market knowledge and resources to help

close the deal for buyers and sellers.

• Meet with a lender to determine how much you can afford. Last year, the median price a first-time buyer spent on a home was $169,000.

Chances are, you don’t have that amount of cash lying around. That’s why 95 percent of first-time buyers who bought a home in the past year financed their purchase.

Find out what you can afford with a preapproval from a lender. A lender will check your credit history, current debt obligations and other expenses to determine the amount of money you’re qualified to borrow at a specific interest rate. Don’t forget to consider the other costs of homeownership, such as taxes, insurance and utilities.

• Identify your housing wish list. Although 46 percent of first-time buyers got a singlefamily home in the suburbs, you may prefer a condo in an urban environment near public transportation.

Regardless of your preferences, identifying and sharing your wish list can help your Realtor focus on the right home for you, scan listings and connect with those who represent sellers to zero in on homes for sale that meet your budget and criteria. Keep this advice in mind and you may soon find yourself waking up in the home of your dreams.

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February 2015

real estate report • Sponsored Section

appenmediagroup.com 15

Five quick ways to upgrade your home for resale (NAPSI)—Whether you’re considering cashing in on your equity, downsizing, trading up, moving for a change of scenery or relocating for better prospects, a few smart investments and improvements can help your home stand out from the competition so you get top dollar. Even if you’re not planning on moving anytime soon, these strategies can maximize your home’s value and increase its marketability: • Sprucing up the exterior.

If you think you’ll have a few years before you move, work on your landscaping now to give plants time to mature.

Look for easy-care perennials such as hostas, which multiply on their own. If you have less time, you can still achieve a quick makeover by power washing paths and siding, painting or upgrading your front door and keeping the lawn watered and weeded.

• Removing eyesores inside.

Some minor adjustments can help buyers recognize what’s great about your home. Swap outdated fixtures, remove wallpaper and give everything a deep clean. Replacements don’t have to be top of the line; they just need to eliminate hangups for potential buyers.

• Improving the kitchen—to a point. You probably won’t re-

coup the cost of a full kitchen renovation but smaller projects such as upgrading appliances and painting or refinishing cabinets can modernize the space.

• Refreshing rooms with neutral paint. This is a timehonored tip for a reason. While seeing your favorite bold hues on the walls makes you happy, potential buyers may not agree. A fresh coat of neutral paint can help them envision their own belongings in the space.

• Focusing on energy efficiency. The right energy-smart upgrades can assure buyers they’re seeing an efficient home where utility bills can be minimized. Adding insulation to the attic and walls can make a dramatic improvement in many homes. Consider the windows as well. Adding a heatrejecting window film such as 3M Sun Control Window Film can reduce cooling costs and typically does not change the windows’ appearance. Since the window film can reject up to 99 percent of UV rays, it can protect the investment you made in your hardwood floors, rugs, window treatments, furniture and artwork.

Learn More For further facts, visit www.3M.com/homeimprovement.

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February 2015