Grab Bars in Bath that Even a Millennial will Love!

No one wants to think they are old, even when we started to fit the description. Age is just a number after all. Last year I was showing homes to a baby boomer that had just turned 60. We arrived at a one very well appointed and updated townhome with a walk-in bathtub and she literally cringed. “I am not THAT old.” Like it or not, our bodies sometimes need a bit more help here and there regardless of age. 

However, installing safety rails or grab bars in the bathroom can kill a potential sale.  A recently remodeled bathroom to accommodate an aging homeowner does nothing for the millennial generation or Gen-X  or Gen Y. Honestly, if a boomer doesn’t currently need a hand rail, they don’t really want to see it in the bathroom either.  

So what does a homeowner do that requires a little bit of leverage to get out of the tub if they don't want to scare off a future home buyer? Consider a luxury grab bar. I was surprised at how sleek and stylish these really are. I have assembled a few of my favorite bath ideas on Pinterest for you to check out. These definitely are an upgrade to the ugly handles in grandma’s house and most are ADA compliant too. 

READY to Make YOUR Move? If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me, Teri Eckholm of BOARDMAN Realty, a call or visit my website for a FREE Home Buyer Success Guide or FREE Home Value Report. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2017 terieckholm.com

Why Staging is Essential Even when Housing Inventory is Low

 
This adorable little St. Paul home sold in less than three weeks at over list price this fall. In order for this kind of success, my clients started working on their property several weeks prior. They cleaned, decluttered and repaired prior to listing their home. See, it’s a whole new ballgame for home sellers right now. 

True, there is less housing inventory in the greater Minneapolis/St Paul area, which is very good news. But in many communities, sellers can find themselves competing with new construction for buyers. But even cute starter homes like this need to "sparkle" in order to sell fast. A home seller must not only have their home priced properly, which is key to getting a home sold, they also must have their home showing ready.
 
Step one is getting back to basics: unclutter, fix and clean! But what is the second step and third?

Paint Properly
If adjoining rooms are painted in the same color palette, your home will appear more spacious. Don’t take short cuts. If you don’t have time or patience to properly tape trim and ceilings, have a professional painter do the job. Painted woodwork and ceilings are noticed by buyers and in most cases this is worse than had the room not been painted at all.

Go Luxurious
Invest in accessories to accent your home. Big, fluffy coordinating towels and mats warm up the bathroom. Fresh flowers on a beautifully set dining room table look inviting. A color-coordinated rug in the foyer will make a wonderful first impression.

Cush-up the Carpet
Don’t replace the carpet on the cheap. Invest in the BEST padding you can find. Buyers will in most cases have to remove their shoes when walking through your home. In their stocking-feet, they will feel the difference!

Make it Match
Slipcovers are a quick and inexpensive way to update and coordinate mismatched furniture. Put away the old blankets and cozy up the room with a beautiful accent throw and a few pillows.

Empty the Closets
Make certain the closets are neat and organized. Replace and paint any shelves and organizers that appear dingy.

Pay Attention to Details
Handles, knobs and switch plates are inexpensive but often overlooked. Handles that are outdated or missing and switch plates that are dirty give a negative impression.

Pack Personal Items
Collections and knick knacks need to be packed! Likewise, take down the plethora of family photos. Use the “3 in any direction” rule. No more than three accent pieces should be able to be seen in any direction. Any more than three is a distraction.

The Sun Shines in when Windows Sparkle
 Feng shui teaches that windows are considered the “eyes of the home” Make sure your windows are sparkling clean inside and out. Avoid the use of vinegar as a cleaner, as the smell may linger.

Hire a Professional
An expert consultation costs less than many people expect. Having a stager visit your home and guide you in what to pack and what to display takes the guess work out of getting your home picture perfect.

Before scoffing at the idea of spending money on a home being put on the market, remember this...It is still your home until it sells. For many people, this is the biggest financial asset they have. Home staging is an investment for a better pay off on closing day.

READY to Make YOUR Move? If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me, Teri Eckholm of BOARDMAN Realty, a call or visit my website for a FREE Home Buyer Success Guide or FREE Home Value Report. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.
 
Copyright 2016 terieckholm.com

Crockpot cooking is easy—Real Estate Should be too!

I don’t like to cook and I especially don’t like to clean up a bunch of pans or dishes after making a meal. So recently, almost all of my cooking has been in a slow cooker. I put ingredients in the morning and 6-8 hours later we are eating chili, chicken with carrots or even homemade soup.  And cleaning up is a breeze too with only one pot to wash. I like making my life simple. 

Buying or Selling a home is simple too

I know there are dozens of websites out there that help the average person to do-it-themselves. You can be a FSBO seller (For Sale By Owner) or a BUBBA (Buyer unrepresented by a Buyer’s Agent) but why? As an experienced REALTOR®, it is my job to make my client’s life easier. I scrutinize comparables, I obtain information from other agents and city/county administrators on properties, I set up closings, I market properties, I recommend stagers, inspectors and loan officers. I wear many hats to help make my clients' lives easier. 

I have time to do this…because I don’t spend a lot of time cooking!

Need to know more about buying or selling a Twin Cities home? Let me be your professional guide. If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me, Teri Eckholm of Boardman Realty, a call or visit my website for a FREE Home Buyer Success Guide or FREE Home Value Report. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District. Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2015 www.terieckholm.com

Pre-Inspection, Truth-In-Housing, Point-of Sale--What's The Diffence?

 

During a pre-listing visit with home sellers I am often asked whether there is a state or county requirement for pre-inspecting a home.  On occasion a seller will mention a friend or relative that had their home inspected prior to the first potential buyer walking in the door. 

Having a home inspection before the sale can be beneficial and optional but can also be required in some Twin Cities communities. The benefit comes at the time of  the offer, when some buyers will actually opt to forgo the inspection, choosing to just read the report. Buyers can also contact the inspector of the initial report for a private walk-though at a discounted rate. I am often asked if this is a common practice in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.

In Minnesota, there is no Truth-In-Housing inspection requirement to sell your home at the state or county level. There is however several communities in the Twin Cities metropolitan area that do require a pre-inspection report. These go by many names: Truth-in-Sale of Housing Disclosure, Time-of Sale, Time-of-Sale Code Compliance, Dwelling Maintenance and Occupancy Code Compliance, Housing Code Compliance Inspection or Housing Maintenance Code Inspection. Some of these inspections are done by inspectors that are city employees while other communities have licensed, private inspectors to perform the inspection of the home to meet the city requirements. In this instance it would be the homeowner’s responsibility to select a private inspector to perform the inspection prior to listing the home for sale.

The Twin Cities communities that currently require a home inspection are:
 

Private Inspectors (Selected by Homeowner)

• Bloomington
• Hopkins
• Maplewood
• Minneapolis
• Robbinsdale
• St. Paul
• South St. Paul

City Inspectors

• Crystal
• New Hope
• Osseo
• Richfield
• St Louis Park

Can a home seller have a home pre-inspected even if the city does not have a point of sale requirement?
Absolutely! Having your property pre-inspected with a written inspection report available to potential buyers can speed along the negotiations for many buyers. Some buyers will choose to review the report and not have another inspection completed making the offer not-contingent on an inspection. Other buyers will choose to have the inspector who did the pre-inspection come out to the home to explain the details in the report. This is often completed for a reduced fee to the buyer since the work has been completed and it is not as time consuming to the inspector. However a pre-inspection does not guarantee that the buyer will not opt to hire their own independent inspector of the home.

If I give an Inspection or Truth-In-Housing Report, do I have to complete a seller’s disclosure?
That depends.  State law requires that you disclose what you know about the condition of the home so in most cases, a full seller’s property disclosure would be completed by the home owner even if an inspection report is available. However, in the case of an estate or rental property where the owner did not live in the home and has limited information regarding the property to disclose, an inspector’s report can be provided along with an alternative, minimized disclosure that meets all state requirements.

Another note on wells and septic systems: 
Many communities and some counties have point of sale inspection requirements for the septic system and/or private well serving the property in addition to disclosures required as part of a purchase agreement.  Contact me for additional details

Ready to list your Minneapolis/St Paul Home?  Let me be your professional guide. If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me, Teri Eckholm of Boardman Realty, a call or visit my website for a FREE Home Buyer Success Guide or FREE Home Value Report. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District. Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2015 www.terieckholm.com 

Mr. and Mrs. Clean Live Here!

A home buyer should impressed by the cleanliness of your home from the moment they step over the threshold.  PERIOD!

While the first step in home staging is decluttering, the second is to be cleaning. Not just “surface clean” either.   A seller must DEEP clean the home!  Potential home buyers will be assessing your property to determine if it is THEIR dream home.  Whose dream includes a half-eaten peanut butter sandwich on the kitchen counter and a dirty cat box in the utility room?  

Sadly, there are places sellers will overlook when too eager to get their home on the market. Here a few spots to have clean and shining so your listing will be known as where Mr & Mrs Clean reside:

Refrigerators—Clean inside and out! Yes buyers will look INSIDE the refrigerator.  Throw out half-eaten food or store in sealed storage containers. Get rid of that moldy bag of cheese that is lodged back behind the drawer. Remove all drawers and shelves and clean until all grime is removed. Take down all notes, photos and drawings from the front door if you have been using as a magnetic bulletin board. If they a If your white refrigerator has discolored, try car wax works to remove the yellowing. Open the doors and check along the inside edge—especially note the rubber molding around the edge where dirt can collect and cause mold.

re not essential, don’t put them back on.

Range/Ovens—Clean your stove from top to bottom, inside and out. Use non-abrasive cleaners to remove all of the stuck on food from the range top. If it is stained and/or damaged, consider replacing the appliance. Clean the microwave and oven. Just like with the fridge,  potential buyers will look inside. Don’t use your ovens as extra storage.  Buyers will think the oven/microwave doesn’t work!

Bathrooms—Take an honest look at your shower and the flooring around it. If it looks grimy and covered with mildew, it will literally gross out a potential buyer. Remove discolored, cracking caulk and put replace with new, matching silicone. Open the toilet lid and make sure that it is clean inside. Clean out every cabinet and drawer….make sure there is no “DNA” with leftover hair, nail clippings etc. at the bottom.

Walls—Wipe down walls by often used light fixtures--Especially if you have little ones. Also, move that trash bin in the kitchen and towel in the bathroom and check behind. It may require some scrubbing. If the stains cannot be removed, consider repainting.

Basements and Garages—These just cannot be a dumping area for all of the things you don’t know what to do with! Clean them out so that potential buyers can open the doors, walk around and see all the way to the corners. If you have to store some items in your garage or basement, they need to be boxed and stacked neatly with plenty of room for a buyer to see what the foundation looks like.

Litter Boxes and Kennels—Pet areas must be cleaned every day and before every showing. Beautiful homes are not considered if it appears that the pets have destroyed the home. If there is an odor, potential buyers assume that the smells have permeated the floors and walls. If possible, let your pet stay with a trusted friend during the duration of the sale of your home.

Light fixtures and Vents—Look up! Sellers will spend hours on their hands and knees scrubbing the corners and sweeping the floors but forget to look up toward the ceilings. Dirty ceiling fans and light fixtures are commonly overlooked in the frenzy of preparing a home for sale. But home buyers often turn on a fan and several months’ worth of dust bunnies are suddenly airborne. Remove the glass from every light fixture and clean off the grime. Wipe down every blade on every ceiling fan. Vacuum the top of every curtain and drape. Check every corner for cobwebs. Remove every vent whether bathroom or air return and wash in mild soapy water to remove the dust.

So before you have your first showing, take another look around your home from a buyer’s point of view and clean it until it shines!

READY TO MAKE A MOVE? Let me be your professional guide. If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me, Teri Eckholm of Boardman Realty, a call or visit my website for a FREE Home Buyer Success Guide or FREE Home Value Report. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District. Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.
Copyright 2015 www.terieckholm.com

Overcoming REALTOR Phobia--12 Tips for Interviewing a Real Estate Agent

 
I’ll admit it. From time to time I have had trust issues when I first meet a salesperson. Perhaps I have been burned one too many times when an overzealous salesman makes a promise and doesn't deliver.  Maybe it is because I have read too many “scripts” in my own sales career that I am have become cynical to the process. Of course there are good products and sometimes the sales pitch is as genuine as is the person delivering it. But it's tiresome weeding out the good from the bad.  I don’t think I am alone feeling this way. As a REALTOR® I have discovered home buyers and sellers can be afraid of real estate salespeople.
 
Several years ago my teenagers were into reading the melodramatic and very snarky books, A Series of Unfortunate Events.  One of the characters, Aunt Josephine was deathly afraid of nearly everything in her house but she was particularly terrified of the huge picture window with a panoramic view of a cliff, rocks and lake below. Petrified as she was, Aunt Josephine couldn’t bring herself to sell her home as she feared REALTORS® even more.

I found this funny but also very eye-opening. If someone could actually write a humorous novel about a person with “real estate agent phobia”, there probably is more than one person who feels this way. And this could be a clue as to why so many home buyers and sellers trying to go it alone when moving.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Not all REALTORS® work the same way. Being conscious of what potential clients might feel, I try to be open, honest and treat everyone as I would like to be treated. I don’t sell houses; I assist people in the process of finding a home or a buyer for their home. 

Trust is a huge obstacle for many people when choosing someone to work with on a home purchase or sale. The best way to decide whether or not you can work with someone is to spend some time talking with them.  INTERVIEW potential agents prior to signing a contract for buyer or seller representation. If in the interview, you don’t develop a good rapport or "click" with this particular person, move on to the next. The home buying/selling process takes time and it is a more pleasant experience if you like and trust the person you have representing your interests.  But don’t avoid signing a contract and try to go it alone without any representation. Your best protection against a hard-sell sale pitch is having a REALTOR® working with you every through every step of the transaction.  Home buyers are especially vulnerable but once you commit to working with a single trusted agent, the process of buying a home is truly simplified.

12 Questions Interview for a Potential REALTOR®
 
1.     How long have you been selling residential real estate?

2.      Is this your full-time job? Do you have another part-time job or business in addition to real estate sales?

3.      Do you represent buyers or sellers exclusively or will the transaction be a dual agency?

4.      Tell me more about how you work and your business philosophy.

5.     Can you help recommend service providers who can help with financing, inspections, repairs, etc.?

6.     How will you communicate with me? Via text, email, phone or a combination? How frequently can I call you? Do you answer your own phone?

7.     Will I work with you directly or an assistant/team member?

8.     Can I speak with some of the home buyers (or sellers) you worked with most recently?

Additional questions to ask when selling a home: 

9.     How many homes did you sell last year?

10.    On average, how many days does it take you to sell an average home?

11.    How did the final sales prices compare to the initial asking prices of the homes you sold most recently?

12.   How do you plan to market my home? 

 
Copyright 2014 www.terieckholm.com

Waiting Until Spring to Sell Your Home? This Could be a Mistake.

There was a big improvement in the real estate market in 2013 across the nation. And, while all real estate is local, the Minneapolis/St Paul market was no exception. We also saw prices rebound quite a bit in communities on both sides of the Mississippi. But when where sellers able to score the best deals? Let me give you a hint. It wasn't in the spring.

Many people do think that spring is the best time to sell a home. And yes, it is a good time to buy and sell a home. More home buyers are out looking to make a move when the weather warms up. But surprisingly buyers also move in the winter. And because most sellers are waiting for spring, there are less options for them. 

Early in 2013 is when most home sellers were seeing multiple offers in the Twin Cities. There were few good homes on the market in January and tons of home buyers, pre-approved and hoping to take advantage of the low interest rates. This created a seller's market, where the seller had the upper hand in the negotiations. Home sellers scrambled to get their homes listed and by April, inventory was abundant in most price points. Great news for home buyers, but not for home sellers hoping for a quick sale at asking price.

Not Just a 2013 Phenomena

Low housing inventory after the holidays has been a trend I have noticed over the last several years. Homes that were overlooked by buyers in the fall market, suddenly had offers in January/February. And sellers didn't have to "give away" their homes either. It was just simple supply and demand. The lower housing supply combined with a strong buyer demand as soon as the holidays are over, makes it an ideal situation for a home seller listed at the beginning of the year. But the scales almost always are balanced again by late March. So a savvy home seller  might think twice about waiting until spring. If you are ready to sell, now might be the best time to put your home on the market to make the best deal.



Copyright 2013 www.terieckholm.com

Quick Tips for Home Sellers--Show and SELL during the Holidays!

 
We just had the first measurable Minnesota snowfall so that means the winter holidays are just around the corner. But if what if the house hasn’t sold yet? What should a seller do?

At first inclination many sellers opt to cancel their listing and withdraw their home from the multiple listing service believing that the preoccupation with the holiday season puts the brakes on most home purchases. While many home buyers will be distracted, sellers can be ignoring a real opportunity: ANY buyer looking at houses during the holidays is VERY serious about buying a home. There are not many tire-kickers running around with a REALTOR® when there are presents to buy, cookies to bake and gifts to wrap. November, December and January showings are a seller’s opportunity as most homes that buyers visit at this time of the year are vacant. Quite often, a buyer’s choices are down to model homes, vacated relocation properties and foreclosures. Providing the opportunity for a buyer to visit a home filled with the colorful sights, delightful sounds and wonderful aromas of the season is a great option for those wanting to sell.

Tips for Showing and  Selling During the Holidays

1. Decorate! But don't go overboard with the lights and decor! This is not the time for a Griswold inspired display of lights as in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, but a decorated tree, candles and wreaths can add a special touch.
2. Bake Christmas Cookies. Share a few with the buyers and agents viewing your home. Why should Santa have all of the extra calories?
3. Make sure the fireplace is burning bright, warm and welcoming!
4. Play holiday music. Leave out the nerve-grating "Santa got Run Over by a Reindeer" type carols and go for instrumentals or uniquely Minnesota regional artists like The Blenders.
5. Shovel and salt the driveway as necessary. No one wants to spend the holidays in the emergency room with a twisted ankle and bruised tailbone.
6. Turn the heat up for showings…Show visitors how well the furnace works. Warmth is such a treat after visiting vacant homes with the thermostat turned way down!
7. Leave the front light on! Don’t forget it is dark out during those early evening showings. Make certain buyers and their agents are able to see their way to your front door and open the lockbox.

Copyright 2013 www.terieckholm.com

Selling a Home AS-IS can Cost Thousands

Most home sellers today do their homework. There is a vast array of information on how to prep a home to sell for top dollar on the internet and cable TV. Most savvy sellers have watched an occasional HGTV program or YouTube video showing how to stage a home and flip a house. They know that to get the highest price possible for their home, it will take a bit of elbow grease and organization. Sellers expecting optimal dollars need to understand that buyers want optimal condition.

Sometimes I still run into someone who balks at making repairs to their home. They say, “Let the buyer tackle that project. I want the home sold AS-IS.” 

Sometimes it does make sense to hold off on an expensive repair that would be nice but not necessary. These are more expensive cosmetic repairs like new siding or windows. However anything that would prevent a buyer from getting financing or insurance is a must like a new roof if the shingles are showing extensive wear or septic system if it is not compliant. These issues will not be overlooked by any buyer. 

Cosmetic and minor repairs will definitely reflect in what a home buyer offers on a property. Replacing doors with holes, broken glass in windows and settling cracks in a ceiling make a huge difference in a buyer’s perception of a home. Damage like this is always noticed by the buyers 

4 Reasons to Make Home Repairs Before Listing

1. Less Buyer Distraction. Buyers will be able to focus on the positive attributes of your home rather than needed repairs.
2. Homebuyers Inflate Repair Costs. My rule of thumb is: If it will cost a seller $100 to fix an issue, the buyer will ask for a $1000!
3. Easier Negotiations. When a purchase agreement comes in, it doesn’t come with a “laundry list” of things the buyer will have to repair to justify the low offer.
4. Faster to SOLD! Homes that are in optimal condition do sell quickly. Homes that need repairs often can sit on the mark for weeks or months longer waiting for a buyer willing to accept the home in its current condition. Longer market time can mean having to reduce the price significantly to keep buyers interested.

Copyright 2013 www.terieckholm.com

Speechless Sunday (Almost)--It's Hard to Hide an Elephant

You know the old saying about ignoring the elephant in the room, right? It goes to say, that an elephant can be hard to hide too.

This translates to real estate when selling your home. If you need to make a repair, don't just gloss over it. A buyer (or buyer's inspector) will find it. I have shown homes where substandard repairs were made by unskilled homeowners. It doesn't help. You have to make the repair correctly or "the elephant" will be easy to spot!

Copyright 2013 www.terieckholm.com