Future Business Entrepreneur

In the course of my business career, I have been given many opportunities to make a difference.  One of my passions is our youth.  I firmly believe that our youth are truly our future and we should invest in that future at every opportunity.  Early this year I was approached by the Vice Principal of Beech Grove High School and asked if I would consider mentoring a student in the School to Career program they have.

I immediately said yes, and offered some other business contacts that might be able to have a student work with them in this program.  What I had been told, is because of privacy laws, and HIPPA it was becoming increasingly more difficult to find sites for students to "intern".  This program is only available to those at the very top of their class.

I feel I've been very lucky to have Zachary Capps, as my intern this semester.  This young man is incredible.  Very intelligent, and has a strong sense of community, and an even stronger desire and commitment to exceed in all that he does, including becoming a business owner in our city of Beech Grove. I am amazed by his business ideas, the fact that he has a business plan, for each of his different business ideas and he sees opportunities that many older adults don't.  I will be honest and say when I started out as an entrepreneur, I did not have a business plan, and I was 30!!  Zac, just turned 18 this past August and has business plans.

When Zac told me about an opportunity that several students in his school have, I immediately donated to their cause.  I'm asking friends, family and colleagues to read Zac's story below and if you are able to please contact me to donate to this opportunity.  Zachary as well as his fellow business students have done a phenomenal job, raising the money they have raised up to this point on such short notice. They need to raise an additional $2000.00 by Tuesday 11/25/14.  They just found this out on 11/20/14.

My name is Zachary Capps and I am a 18 year old senior at Beech Grove High School about 5 miles south of downtown Indianapolis. I have been given a very great opportunity in getting to spend my entire first semester working with Dawn on a student based internship. I have been lucky enough to have known Dawn due to her daughter and my sister being such close friends growing up through their child hoods. I was kind of excited to get to work with her. Lets just say the last weeks have been very interesting.

I have been very interested in pursuing a career in business for most of my life. Going into the semester I worked with my teachers at the high school to find the perfect fit for my interests. The closest opportunity I could find was real estate. I was a little skeptical about this at first honestly. My step-father is a Realtor and I have seen all the hours you must put in to be successful. It is a commission based job, forcing you to put in the work in order for you to be successful. I have always been a hard worker and top in my class so I knew that this job should not cause any harm to me. I ended up choosing this opportunity expecting to just get by with the work and maybe meet some new people. I have sure done that.

At the beginning of my internship, I was introduced to a lot of new people and new technology. I had to learn real estate diction and new laws and regulations the state has placed upon real estate agents. Surprisingly, I caught on to this information very quickly and have been able to use it to my benefits. It took a couple of weeks for me to get the hang of all the requirements, but after those weeks I have been very confident in my work. I have been able to travel to houses, attend closings, and learn how to list houses. I have also been able to schedule showings, smoke detector checks, and work with clients on an individual basis. This experience has been much more than just real estate.

Dawn has given me the opportunity to meet a lot of new people, make new business connections, and socialize with professionals in the business fields that one day I hope to be at. Over the last semester, I have met a lot of new people and learned the real life of a Realtor. Being a Realtor is definitely not an easy job. It requires a lot of patience and constant contact with several clients at once. This field of work, has only reinforced my mission of being an entrepreneur.

Through the school system I have been very involved in building a brand new business academy. At the beginning of this year, I received my wish and we established a business academy. I have a mission that before I graduate for high school that I leave a lasting legacy for the business academy. Beech Grove High School has recently established enrollment in the nationally recognized business association named, DECA. The goal of DECA is to create leaders and entrepreneurs from teenagers to build the future of our nation. I want Beech Grove DECA to help create a greater Beech Grove city.

Beech Grove DECA was recently given the opportunity to attend a business conference in Orlando, Florida. Us students were very stoked about the opportunity. However, we were given very little time to act if we wanted to realistically attend this event.

We were told on November 10th that we would have to come up with nearly $5000 by December 19th, but would have to have nearly half of that by November 25th for a down payment. The club came within $700 of making that goal a reality with such short time. We put so much time and effort into making this happen, that we were literally shocked to hear that plans had changed. The school system has decided that we are unable to take a bus to the event and we must fly. That adds $2000 to our cost that we have to come up with in such short time. Beech Grove DECA has a mission to attend this event and bring back different marketing techniques that corporations like Disney use on a daily basis to help build up local businesses. We are asking for everyone's help to donate money for our cause. We are accepting donations to the club in general and also donations for the trip only. The students have put in so much time and effort that not attending this trip would be very disappointing. Hopefully one day, Beech Grove DECA can team up with you or your company to help greater your business!

If you are interested in donating, please contact me dawn@dawnwhalen.com, or at 317-459-5182 and I will provide you the information needed to donate.

Fight the Good Fight Against Mosquitoes

As long as there have been people in North America, there have been mosquitoes. So the annoying and potentially dangerous pests probably aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. But we can protect ourselves from them by following “3 D’s of Protection” recommended by the American Mosquito Control Association.

Dress: Try to wear long pants and long sleeves outdoors when practical, especially at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most prevalent. Also wear light colors and avoid tight clothes with a loose weave, which mosquitoes can bite through.

Drain: Mosquito larvae float atop still water to grow and hatch, so the key to prevention is eliminating standing water around your house and in your yard. Items that encourage water collection include roof gutters, pet water dishes, children’s toys, bird baths, pool covers, and tarps.

Defend: Three mosquito repellents approved by the Environmental Protection Agency are generally safe and effective – DEET, Picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus. Keep the following tips in mind when using repellents:

• Spray on exposed skin, not clothing.
• Apply sparingly and reapply as needed. (Saturation doesn’t increase effectiveness.)
• Keep away from eyes, nostrils and lips.
• Minimize use if pregnant or nursing.

7 Crazy Tricks for Food Storage

Use these storage tricks to get the most out of your food and make your life easier:

1. Check the edibility of your eggs by placing them in a bowl of cold water. Eggs that sink are fresh. Floating signifies that they are older, as moisture is lost through the porous shell over time.

2. Ripen fruit by placing it in a paper bag to trap the ethylene gas that helps it ripen.

3. Extend the life of tomatoes by storing them at room temperature instead of in the fridge, and place them stem-end down, to block air from entering and water from evaporating from the cut stem.

4. Include an orange peel or apple slice with your brown sugar to keep it from hardening. If it is already hardened, microwave it next to a small glass of water.

5. To make bananas last longer, separate them and wrap the stem in plastic wrap, which will block the release of ethylene and keep them from ripening too quickly.

6. Store plastic wrap in the refrigerator – chilled wrap is easier to handle.

7. Plastic wrap driving you nuts anyway? Instead, use a disposable shower cap to cover bowls of food.

Garage Security Tips

You may lock up your house like Fort Knox to keep you and your valuables safe. But the garage door is often overlooked in the process, and burglars use this knowledge to their advantage to gain access to your house. So consider these garage do’s and don’ts in your home security plan.

Don’t leave your garage door remote in your vehicle. Do purchase a keychain remote opener and carry it with you.

Don’t leave your garage door open. Do consider installing a device that automatically closes the doors after a predetermined amount of time.

Don’t leave the door leading from the garage into the house unlocked. Do make sure it is as secure as your front door, if not more so.

Don’t give burglars places to hide. Do install low-cost outdoor motion-sensor lighting around the garage.

Do frost or cover any garage windows so thieves can’t see what is inside or that your vehicle is gone.

Do put a padlock on the inside of your garage door when going out of town to ensure that the door cannot be opened.

Also keep in mind that most home invasions occur during the day in the middle of the week when no one is home. So always be sure to secure your house before leaving for the day,

Selling a Home “With Children in It”

Selling a home “with children in it” is a trying situation.  Children come with so many accessories! Here are some ideas to help lessen the stress.

1. Put laundry baskets in all the rooms where toys accumulate.  When you get notice of a showing, go into each of these rooms, fill up the basket, and put the basket in the car.  After all the baskets are in the car and the house is ready, either drive off or go for a walk.  Buyers are looking at your house, not your car.
2. Place high chairs, bouncy seats, and other baby furnishings in a neat line-up in the garage for showings.
3. If there is a bedskirt on the child’s bed or crib, scooting toys, clothes, school papers, and all the other kid’s stuff under the bed works.  Nobody checks under the bed.  They DO check closets, so don’t shove anything in there.
4. Keep a couple rags and spray cleaner handy for daily mishaps.  Treat them right away, before they dry up and are harder to remove.  WD40 takes care of crayon “art” on the walls and cupboards.
5. Don’t forget all the playthings outside.  Corral them into a box in the garage for showings also.
6. Straighten up/clean the house every night after the kids are in bed.  Then, when you get them up, make the beds first thing, get them dressed, then feed them.  That way, if you get a call for an immediate showing, you won’t have to refuse it.

If you arrange your life to go into “showing mode”, it will be much easier and less stressful while your home is on the market.

Technorati Tags: Selling your home,Selling your home with kids,Tips for selling with kids,Dawn Whalen Realtor,Indy Realtor

Getting Your Home in Top Selling Condition

Curb Appeal

• Drive up to your home and look at it from afar.  Look at it through the eyes of buyers.
• Check the shingles-repair or replace damaged shingles.
• Clean and repair the gutters.
• Clean and repair the HVAC units
• Repair broken windows and shutters.  Replace torn screens.  Make sure frames and seams have solid caulking.
• Repair or replace door knobs, doorbell and light fixtures if necessary.
• Remove all toys, equipment and litter.
• Remove cobwebs and nests.
• Remove mildew, moss and stains from the side of your home-use bleach.  Remove stains from the walkways and driveway-use concrete cleanser and/or kitty litter.
• Repair and clean patio furniture and deck area.  Remove anything that can’t be repaired.
• Make sure the spa and pool sparkle.
• Go around and touch up the exterior of your home and putty and paint.
• Clean or paint the front door and mailbox.
• Hose off the exterior of your home, especially around entrances.  Use siding cleanser.
• Wash the windows.
• Wash your garbage can and put it in a place where it’s not the first thing potential buyers see when they drive up.
• Stack the woodpile neatly.
• Mow the lawn
• Trim the trees and shrubs.
• Weed the gardens.
• Add colorful plants or foliage to fill in bare spots.
• Edge the gardens and walkways.
• Sweep the walkways and driveway.
• Replace doormats that are worn and torn.
• Shine brass hardware on the doors and light fixtures.  Polish stained wood doors and trim.
• Drive up to your home again and look at it from the eyes of a potential buyer.  Walk into your home as a potential buyer.  Determine what kind of impression the walkways and entrances now make.

Overall Interior:

• Walk through your home.  Store, give away, throw, or donate anything that you won’t need until after the move; e.g/ furniture, knick-knacks, clothing, toys, equipment, appliances, worn rugs, papers, books, cosmetics, jewelry, games, CDs, etc.
• Walk through your home again, this time with some tools.  Fix loose door knobs, cracked molding, leaky faucets. Remove cob webs.
• Replace worn or broken door knobs, cabinet fixtures, light fixtures, light switches, outlet plates, faucets and vent covers.
• Clean the fireplace.
• Clean the vents.
• Clean and organize your closets.  Add extra space by storing or giving away items.
• Add a fresh coat of paint in light neutral colors.
• Shampoo the carpet.  Replace if necessary.  Clean and wax the floors.
• Vacuum the window blinds, shades and drapes.  Wash or dry clean curtains.  Wash all the windows, frames and sills.
• Add dishes of potpourri.
• Remove all valuables, such as jewelry, artwork, knick-knacks, medications, cash, coin collections and so on.
• Open all the window shades to create a spacious and bright look.
• Put pet supplies and dishes in a place where they’re not the first thing potential buyers see or smell when they walk in a room.

Living Room and Family Room

• Make these rooms spacious and inviting.
• Discard or repair chipped furniture.  Replace worn rugs and pillows.
• Remove magazines, games, toys and so on.
• Make sure the entertainment center sparkles.
• Vacuum upholstery, drapes, pillows, etc.

Dining Room

• Clean out your china cabinet.  Polish and visible silver.
• Put a lovely centerpiece on the table - treat yourself to fresh flowers.  Set the table for a formal dinner to help potential buyers imagine entertaining there.

Bedrooms

• Arrange furniture to create a spacious look.
• Remove games, toys, magazines, cosmetics, jewelry – especially on the nightstands.
• Replace bedspreads, quilts and pillow shams if they are worn or faded.

Bathrooms

• Remove rust and mildew stains.
• Wash or replace shower curtains.
• Make sure everything sparkles-including grout.
• Replace worn rugs and towels.

Kitchen

• Make sure all appliances work.
• Throw or eat the foods that you’ve been storing for so long.
• Clean the inside of the refrigerator, stove and cabinets.  Make sure everything is organized to create a spacious look.
• If your stove has electric burners, purchase new drip pans for each burner.  Wash removable knobs in your dishwasher.
• Polish the cabinets with furniture oil.
• Make sure appliances, countertops and sink sparkle.  Install new faucets if necessary.

Attic, Basement and Garage

• Get rid of unnecessary items.  Store or pack items you won’t need until after the move.
• Organize everything to create more floor space and make inspections easy.  Put things on shelves or in matching boxes.
• Provide bright lighting.
• Clean all equipment and vents.  Replace filters.  Fix any insulation that might be showing.
• Take care of stale or musty odors.  Open the windows, dust and wash the walls and floors, purchase room deodorizers.

When It’s Time to Show

• Make sure your property folder is out in the open. It should contain utility bills, an MLS profile, your Seller’s Disclosure, extra property flyers and extra business cards.
• Do a quick clean and vacuum.  Air out your house. Dispose all trash.
• Put pets outside if it’s safe to do so.
• Turn on a radio with peaceful music.

Technorati Tags: Top Selling Condition,Preparing Home to Sell,Showing your House,Curb Appeal,Home Interior Tips,Dawn Whalen Realtor,Indy Realtor

Staging Your Home Checklist

 

• Remove all clutter from the house.
  • Are countertops free and clear?
  • Have you removed unnecessary furniture throughout the house?
  • Remove the art gallery and coupon collection from the refrigerator.
• Check the bathrooms.
  • Are the surfaces clean and clear?
  • Are shower curtains and doors hung properly?
  • Is the flooring clean and fresh?
  • Are towels neatly hung?
• Check the walls.
  • Is paint and wallpaper fresh and clean?
  • Are the walls free from holes?
  • Are there any colors or objects on the walls that need to be removed?
• Check the floors.
  • Is the carpet clean and free from stains?
  • Are surface floors clean and free from stains?
• Check windows and window coverings.
  • Are all the windows clean?
  • Are draperies and blinds clean?
• Pet check.
  • Are there any sings that this is a pet’s home? Be sure to clean and remove kitty litter, pet toys and bedding.
• How’s the aroma?
  • Try to air out the home prior to showings.
  • If air freshener is necessary, use well before showings as a consideration to those with allergies.
• Set the mood prior to showings.
• Open draperies and blinds.
• Turn on the radio to a classical music station, set the volume low.
• If you have time, cook a batch of cookies to be warm and welcoming.

Technorati Tags: Staging your home,selling your home,home checklist,Dawn Whalen Realtor,Indy Realtor

6519 Gray Rd Indianapolis, IN 46237

New listing just posted: http://tour.remax-indiana.com/home/EZ9EC3

Great opportunity in Perry Twp. Situated on 1.22 acres, this #BR, 2.5 BA home with full basement is located close to everything. Owner will consider pets. Fantastic location. 2 car attached Garage.

Home information

Bathrooms: 3.00

Square feet: 2,920

MLS #21315408

7416 OAKLAND HILLS DR INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46236

New listing just posted: http://tour.remax-indiana.com/home/RV2BXA

This great brick ranch home with basement is located on a corner, wooded lot. You will not be disappointed with all this home has to offer. Updated gourmet Kitchen, fireplace with built in cabinetry. Master Suite with spa bath, deck & patio area with a hot tub off of the Great Room. Basement features an additional 1158 sq. ft of living space that includes a 1/2 bath, office & Family Room, as well as extra storage. This move in ready home has been lovingly maintained by the current owners & has had many updates since they took possession in 2012.

Home information

Bathrooms: 4.00

Square feet: 2,272

MLS #21315099

Facts About Expired Listings

Nearly 15% to 25% of all listings do not sell.

The market rejects them.

In other words, the market did not accept the Marketing Effort, the Price, the Condition, the Location, or a combination of these areas-perhaps all four of them!

The good thing is that you control two of these areas: Price and Condition.  We control one: Marketing Efforts.

Marketing Effort

• Staging and Pricing Strategies
• For Sale Sings, Rider Signs, Directional Signs, Tube or Box with Flyers and Distribution of Flyers in Neighborhood
• Flyers in House/Comment Cards
• Multiple Listing Service, Web Listings with Virtual Tour
• Open House Program
• Track Showings/Collect Feedback
• Weekly Seller Updates
• Property Caravans
• And more!

Condition

A hundred dollar bill is a great metaphor: they all look good, but people will always choose the nice, clean crisp one over a dirty wrinkled one. How does your house look to others? This is the crucial important difference between showing  condition and Living condition.

Price

Being overpriced is usually the reason a home did not sell, but condition will help determine what the market is willing to pay.  Remember that YOU control the price and condition.  The wrong price attracts the wrong buyers.  It creates a bad reputation for the house in the market place and makes properly priced homes look even better.  Would anyone intentionally put their home on the market to help sell the competition?

Location

Nobody can do a thing about their location except to accent the positives and minimize the negatives.

Technorati Tags: Expired Listings,Marketing Effort,Pricing Homes,Location of Home,Condition of Home,Dawn Whalen Realtor. Indy Realtor

ABC’s of “Why Work with a Realtor?”

Advertising- Your agent pays for all advertising.

Bargain- Research shows 77% of all sellers felt that their commission was well spent.

Contracts- Your agent can supply standard forms to expedite your transaction.

Details- Your agent frees you from handling many details of selling your home.

Experience and Expertise- In marketing, financing, negotiations, and more…

Financial “Know-how”- Your agent is aware of many financing options.

Glossary- A real estate professional understands, and can explain, real estate lingo.

Homework- Your agent will do the homework to determine your ideal marketing plan.

Information- Your agent has the resources to answer all of your real estate questions.

Juggle showings- Your agent will coordinate all of your showings.

Keeping your best interest in mind- It’s your agent’s job!

Laws & regulations- Your agent is “up-to-date” on real estate laws that affect you.

Multiple Listings Service- The most effective way of bringing sellers and buyers together.

Negotiation- Your agent will assist you in negotiating your offers.

Open Houses- A great way to enhance your home’s exposure in the marketplace.

Prospecting- Your agent has a network of contacts that assist in producing a buyer.

Qualifying- Avoid opening your home to “looky-loos”.

Realtor- An agent who belongs to the National Association of Realtors under a strict Code of Ethics.

Suggested Price- Your agent will perform a market analysis to establish fair market price.

Time- Your agent will save you tremendous amounts of valuable time.

Unbiased Opinion- A homeowner’s emotions can affect his/her objectiveness.

VIP- Your agent will treat you as their one and only customer.

Wisdom- A knowledgeable agent offers wisdom that comes from years of experience.

X marks the spot- Your agent is with you all the way, even through the signing of your final paperwork.

Yard Signs- Your agent provides professional signage, which encourages serious buyers.

Zero Stress- Selling your home is an emotional experience.  Your agent can help!

Technorati Tags: Working with Realtor,Realtors,Selling your Home,Dawn Whalen Realtor,Indy Realtor

Renting vs. Owning

Although some renters believe that renting is “maintenance free”, they are actually paying for maintenance in their rent –whether they need it or not.  Renting offers you no equity , no tax benefit, and no protection against regular rent increases.  If you’re paying rent, you’re really just paying someone else’s mortgage.  Let’s compare.

 

                                                       Rent      vs.       Own

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Monthly Payment               $1,000               Monthly Payment               $855

Insurance                               $30                       Insurance                                $50

Taxes                                       $0                          Taxes                                         $260

                                                                                   MIP Insurance                      $45      

Total Payment           $1, 030               Total Payment                $1,210

Savings

---

Interest Deduction                      $0                Interest Deduction             $175

Tax Deduction                              $0                Tax Deduction                      $75

                                                                                   After Tax                        

Net Monthly Payment    $1,030     Net Monthly                $960

                                                               Payment

 

Technorati Tags: Renting vs. Owning,Renting a House,Owning a House,Compare Savings,Dawn Whalen Realtor. Indy Realtor

Fall Seasonal Maintenance Guide

                               

                                   

                                                                           
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  Fall & Winter Seasonal Maintenance Guide -- Midwest

  
                                             
  If you live in the Midwest, here are maintenance jobs you should complete every fall and winter to prevent costly repairs and keep your home in peak condition. Read
  
                                             
  
                                         
                                                                       

                                   

                                       

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

                                       

Copyright 2014 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

                                   

                               

                            If you or anyone you know is looking to buy, build or sell feel free to contact me at 317-807-1568, or by email at dawnwhalen@remax.net Dawn Whalen, Realtor RE/MAX Select Serving Your Family Needs First

Ten Steps to Selling Your Home For-Sale-By-Owner

1. Define your goals, wants, needs and expectations.  A good place to begin is by exploring your short and long term goals in life and how selling your home fits in.
2. Determine the best price for what’s going on in the market right now.  Assess the current state of the market and what comparable homes are actually selling for by reviewing a Comparative Market Analysis  (CMA) on your home.  That way, you can objectively determine its fair market value and price it right.
3. Prepare your property so that it is in top-selling condition.  Most of us don’t keep our homes in top-selling condition.  Think about your home from a buyer’s point of view.  Repair, replace or remove items in your home so that it makes a GREAT first impression.
4. Implement time-proven, research-based marketing strategies.  Market your home to as many people as possible using for sale signs, flyer boxes, open houses, feedback tracking and web listings.
5. Show your property.  Ensure that your home is always in top-selling condition.  When you leave for work, make sure that your home remains in top-selling condition.  You know what they say about first impressions!
6. Receive an offer.  When a buyer decides to buy your home, an offer will be presented.  Consult with legal counsel.
7. Negotiate to sell.  Most offers require some level of negotiation.  Decide your parameters and be prepared to negotiate towards a win-win situation.
8. Have your home appraised and inspected.  Once you have accepted an offer, work with they buyer or buyer’s agent to coordinate an appraisal, inspections and a survey (if required).  If the buyer requires that certain repairs be made on your home, negotiate or make them to move successfully from contract to closing.
9. Prepare for closing.  A few days before closing (also known as settlement), contact the title company and the buyer or buyer’s agent to ensure that all necessary forms and documents have been prepared.  Consult with legal counsel.
10. Close! At the closing meeting, ownership of your property is legally transferred to the buyer.

Technorati Tags: For Sale By Owner,Selling your home,Steps to Selling,Dawn Whalen Realtor,Indy realtor

Ten Signs It’s Time to Sell Your Home

1. The kids have all graduated from college.  You and your husband finally have time to yourselves…then they move back home!
2. You have three spare rooms in a four bedroom house.
3. You have to shuffle your cars each morning to leave for work.
4. You spend more time driving to work than you do with your family.
5. You spend more money each month for storage than you do for your mortgage.
6. Your neighbor found a loophole in the homeowner’s association rules and is raising donkeys.
7. You keep hearing faint voices telling you to “get out” and they’re getting louder.
8. Grandpa Jed just struck oil while hunting in your back yard.
9. The dog’s house doubles as a guest room.
10. You have to take a number to use the bathroom

Technorati Tags: Time to sell,Sell your Home,Dawn Whalen Realtor,Indy realtor

Six Selling Myths Uncovered

Myth #1: You should always price your home high and negotiate down.

Truth:  Pricing too high can be as bad as pricing too low.  If you list too high, you’ll miss out on buyers looking in the price range where your home should be.  Offers may not even come in, because buyers who are interested in your home are scared off by the price and won't even take the time to look at it.  By the time you correct the price and list your home at its fair market value, you will have lost that window of opportunity when your home draws the most attention from the public and real estate agents; i.e. the first 30 days that it is on the market.  A well-trained real estate agent who looks out for your best interests will consult with you on your home’s fair market value and different pricing strategies for the current market.

Myth #2: Minor repairs can wait until later.  There are more important things to be done.

Truth: Minor repairs make your house more marketable, allowing you to maximize your return (or minimize loss) on the sale.  Most buyers are looking for homes that are ready for them to move into.  If your home happens to attract a buyer who is willing to make repairs, he/she will begin asking for repair allowances that come out of your asking price.  The amount of an allowance that you have to offer a buyer is usually more than what it would cost for you to make the repair (or hire someone to make the repair).  Remember, buyers are comparing your home to other homes that are currently on the market.  Your home should be inviting so that everyone who looks at it can see themselves living there.

Myth #3: Once a potential buyer sees the inside of your home, curb appeal won’t mater.

Truth: Buyers probably won’t make it to the inside of the home if the outside of your home does not appeal to them.  Buyers and their agents often do drive-by’s before deciding whether a home is worth their time to look inside.  your home’s exterior must make a good first impression so that buyers are compelled to stop and come inside.  All it takes is keeping the lawn mowed, shrubs and trees trimmed, gardens weeded and edged, and clutter put away.

Myth #4: Your home must be ever home buyer’s dream home.

Truth: If your get carried away with repairs and replacements to your home, you may end up over improving the house.  There is a point where improving your home doesn’t pay off.  The key is to consider what competing properties feature and look like.  A highly-motivated real estate agent will consult with you on what competing properties feature and look like.  A highly-motivated real estate agent will consult with you on what competing properties have to offer-he/she can even show you competing properties so that you can make sound home improvement decisions.

Myth #5: You are better off selling your home on your own and saving money on the commission you would have paid to a real estate agent.

Truth: Statistically, many sellers who attempt to sell their homes on their own cannot consummate the sale without the service of a real estate agent.  Homeowners who succeed in selling their home by themselves usually net less than if they had a real estate agent working for them.  The National Association of REALTORS surveys consumers every year, including homeowners who succeeded in selling their home without a real estate agent.  Over 70% of these homeowners say that they would never do it again.

Myth #6: When you receive an offer, you should make the buyer wait.  This gives you a better negotiating position. 

Truth:  You should reply immediately to an offer!  When a buyer makes an offer, that buyer is, at that moment in time, ready to buy your home.  Moods can change, and you don’t want to lose the sale because you have stalled in replying.

Technorati Tags: Selling your home,Selling myths,Pricing your house,Dawn Whalen Realtor,Indy realtor

Spruce up Your Home’s Exterior

Whether you’re preparing to sell or just want your home to look nice, these are some easy and inexpensive ideas to give your home a face lift.

• Trim bushes so they don’t block windows and upgrade your outside lighting. (This will also improve security at your home.)
• Put a container of bright flowers near the front door.  In winter, use a small evergreen instead.
• Clean your windows and the front door.
• Replace the doorknob and welcome mat at your front door.
• Clean or replace your house numbers.
• Edge the grass around your driveway and sidewalks.
• Repair any cracks in the driveway.
• Store garden tools, hoses and children’s toys out of sight.
• Buy a new mailbox.

Technorati Tags: Home exterior,Landscaping,Dawn Whalen Realtor,Indy realtor

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