Realty Bytes
Visions Realty Newsletter Ma r ch 2 016
Fresh on the Market! + Most Common Pricing Mistakes
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Going Green for St. Patrick’s Day
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Out of Commission: The Lighter Side of Real Estate
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“Home is the nicest word there is.” Laura Ingalls Wilder
ON THE M ARKET!
Mls 09128201 09143063 09128091 09128298 09141455 09140418 09145831 09134881 09147351 09132907 19150160 19148775 09151302 09151084
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Jean Carlson Madelyn Anderson Christine Frank Michael Dougherty Barb Heinzel Michelle Wendell Tracy Sibley Michelle Dorfman Jean Carlson Christine Frank Mick Dougherty Madelyn Anderson Steve Kohuth P Nierman / B Crum
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Address
3813 Prairie Dr 901 Campbell Dr 305 S Rosedale Ct 413 Nelson Dr 12273 Donahue Dr 1040 Dearborn Ln 104 Oakmont Dr 48 Gentry 27 Brittany Drive 2232 Trailside Lan 800 N Bayside Dr #6 58 Vail Colony #3 2914 Virginia Ave 2208 S Crambourne Way
Spring Grove Gurnee Round Lake Geneva Huntley Vernon Hills Deerfield Hawthorn Woods Cary Wauconda Palatine Fox Lake McHenry Arlington Heights
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Realty Bytes
Price
$49,000 $118,000 $152,000 $309,900 $315,000 $430,000 $550,000 $630,000 $2850 $2400 $1200 $59,9000 $189,000 $275,000
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2/0 1/1 2/1 2/1 2/1 3/0 3/1 2/1 3/0 2/0 1/0 2/0 2/2
In the state of New York, a seller legally must disclose if a property is believed to be haunted by ghosts.
NOT BASING YOUR PRICE ON SOLD HOMES. Fix: Searching actual “SOLDS” is the only true pricing guide. A home can be listed for any amount—that doesn’t mean the home will ever sell for that amount.
PRICING TOO HIGH FROM THE START. Fix: Statistics show that homes priced correctly when they first hit the market sell closer to the asking price than homes that start too high, then have to adjust downward.
USING AN ODD LIST PRICE, LIKE $864,257 Fix: Always price in round numbers. Realtors search for homes using price categories—make sure your pricing makes sense when agents search a window of $250— $350, for example.
REFUSING TO NEGOTIATE Fix: While you don’t want to start too high, your asking price should have some flexibility. If you really can’t come down on price, try offering other incentives like closing costs or home repairs.
Realty Bytes
MARCH
SEPTEMBER Buy and use reusable bags. They’ll help cut down on harmful plastic sacks and will earn you cash back at most grocery stores.
Sign up for paperless billing for all your accounts and opt out of needless paper bills.
APRIL
OCTOBER
Plant a container garden with herbs like basil & dill. Use them fresh or freeze for later— it’s cheaper, healthier, & fun!
Change your furnace filter. A clean filter will increase your furnace’s efficiency and keep heating costs down.
MAY Vacuum the coils on the back of your fridge. It’s not just cleaner — your fridge will be more efficient and last longer.
NOVEMBER
by
JUNE Fill a 2L bottle with water and place it in your toilet tank. You’ll save up to 10 gallons of water per day.
JULY Get in the habit of closing all your blinds and curtains during the day to keep out the hot sun. You’ll stay cool and save big on A/C bills.
AUGUST As your light bulbs go out, replace them with new LED bulbs. They stay cool and last practically forever.
Turning down your hot water heater just a few degrees will make a big difference in your heating costs.
DECEMBER
10% of buyers under the age of 35 said energy efficiency is an important factor when considering which home to purchase, and 70% of buyers agreed it adds value. Not ready to make the big plunge toward making your home a green home? It doesn’t have to be scary! You can still make small, simple changes that will have a big impact.
Add new weather stripping around door and window frames. You’ll save on heating costs now, and A/C costs later.
JANUARY Unplug electronics & small appliances when they aren’t in use. Even when switched off, they still draw costly power.
FEBRUARY Wash clothes in cold water instead of hot, & let air dry whenever possible.
Realty Bytes
The Lighter Side of Real Estate
Include: Snacks, Phone chargers, changes of clothes, toilet paper, toiletries, paper/ plastic plates & utensils, cleaning wipes, garbage bags, shower curtain, & rings, towels, & paper towels.
MOVING TIP OF THE MONTH: Days before the move, pack a brightly colored bag as your “first night bag” so that essentials you’ll use right away are easily accessible. You’ll have the items you need even before you get a chance to unpack everything else.