Factors that cannot be changed when buying a home

January 23, 2012 - Hudson WI
When shopping for and buying a home, one way to narrow down a search is to consider what aspects of a given property can or cannot be changed. For example, if a family wants yard space for children to play in, that may limit their prospects.


If money is unlimited, then the only thing that truly cannot be changed is the property's location so this is the best place to start in narrowing down homes for sale.


Prospective buyers may want to consider what they will see when they look out the windows, how far away various shopping and other destinations are and similar facts. Because the homeowner generally has no direct control over such factors, they can serve to narrow down possibilities.


Exterior factors


Practically speaking, there are other potential limitations, such as the presence or absence of a garage or other parking accommodations. If a home has a front or back yard, a porch a garden or other outdoor amenities, that is worth considering. If not, buyers should consider whether there is enough room to add such features after purchase, and weigh their importance.


One example of a practical limitation is a swimming pool. Considered desirable by some, they take up a certain amount of space. If prospective buyers are willing and able to pay for installation themselves, they need not find a home that already has one, but they do have to select a property with enough space for one.


The home itself is also important. The roof, siding, windows, exterior paint and doors can be altered, but there is a price for doing so. If the current exterior is unattractive, then the cost of changing it may be prohibitively high or the process more inconvenience than it is worth.


Interior factors


Bankrate.com notes that prospective home buyers may wish to focus their attention on a home's floor plan when walking through. This can be difficult, since colors and other factors may be more immediately obvious, especially in an occupied home filled with furniture and other items belonging to the current owners.


Such items will not be there permanently, however. New carpets, floors and colors on the walls are all relatively convenient changes to make to a home. The floor plan, on the other hand, cannot be altered without major reconstruction.

Information Courtesy of coldwellbanker.com

Winter weather hazards and Insurance

December 5, 2011 - Hudson WI
Homeowners concerned about the damage winter conditions can cause may wish to review their insurance policies to clarify what their coverage applies to and what it does not. Most homeowners' insurance policies, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III), cover water damage caused by melting ice or snow, although if water backs up through the sewers and drains or a genuine flood occurs standard policies may not apply.


Timing and damage


One expert told U.S. News and World Report the worst winter damage often occurs when pipes freeze and burst while the homeowners are away. When that happens, water from the pipes can flow throughout the house and continue to damage it and the households' possessions until their return. Walls, floors and ceilings may all be damaged.


This is particularly problematic because, while that sort of damage is covered by most insurance policies, delaying repairs could invalidate an otherwise solid claim filing, leading to its denial. This is one reason for prompt action, but there is another as well. Water damage can grow worse over time, weakening the structure of the home behind walls and in places that cannot be seen easily, as well as leading to mold. If water damage has occurred, an expert may be needed just to determine how extensive it is.


It is also possible that ice will form on the roof or elsewhere, but the damage caused by freezing may not become apparent until the weather turns warmer and that ice melts.


Repairs and results


If the home suffers a power failure or will be left unattended for some time, it may be wise to turn off the main water source and minimize the amount of water in the pipes. If there is less water, frozen pipes may be less likely to burst. Ideally, pipes would have no water in them and the issue would be avoided entirely.


If the home is being lived in, the III recommends keeping the home's temperature at a minimum of 65 degrees to prevent freezing inside the walls. Homeowners who have not drained the pipes and do not keep the heat on may not have insurance claims approved under some policies.


When pipes freeze, water should be deactivated as soon as possible to stop the flow. This will minimize water damage and stunt mold growth, and drying the home may be necessary to file a claim with certain insurers.

Information Courtesy of coldwellbanker.com

Top 10 tips for selling your home in Hudson WI during the holidays!

November 1, 2011 - Hudson WI
The holiday season from November through January is often considered the worst time to put a home on the market. While the thought of selling your home during the winter months may dampen your holiday spirit, the season does have its advantages: holiday buyers tend to be more serious, and competition is less fierce with fewer homes being actively marketed. First, decide if you really need to sell, really. Once you've committed to the challenge, don your gay apparel and follow these tips.
1. Deck the halls, but don't go overboard.
Homes often look their best during the holidays, but sellers should be careful not to overdo it on the decor. Adornments that are too large or too many can crowd your home and distract buyers. Also, avoid offending buyers by opting for general fall and winter decorations rather than items with religious themes.
2. Hire a reliable real estate agent.
That means someone who will work hard for you and won't disappear during Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's. Ask your friends and family if they can recommend a listing agent who will go above and beyond to get your home sold. This will ease your stress and give you more time to enjoy the season.
3. Seek out motivated buyers.
Anyone house hunting during the holidays must have a good reason for doing so. Work with your agent to target buyers on a deadline, including people relocating for jobs in your area, investors on tax deadlines, college students and staff, and military personnel, if you live near a military base.
4. Price it to sell.
No matter what time of year, a home that's priced low for the market will make buyers feel merry. Rather than gradually making small price reductions, many real estate agents advise sellers to slash their prices before putting a home on the market.
5. Make curb appeal a top priority.
When autumn rolls around and the trees start to lose their leaves, maintaining the exterior of your home becomes even more important. Bare trees equal a more exposed home, so touch up the paint, clean the gutters and spruce up the yard. Keep buyers' safety in mind as well by making sure stairs and walkways are free of snow, ice and leaves.
6. Take top-notch real estate photos.
When the weather outside is frightful, homebuyers are likely to start their house hunt from the comfort of their homes by browsing listings on the Internet. Make a good first impression by offering lots of flattering, high-quality photos of your home. If possible, have a summer or spring photo of your home available so buyers can see how it looks year-round.
7. Create a video tour for the Web.
You'll get less foot traffic during the holidays, thanks to inclement weather and vacation plans. But shooting a video tour and posting it on the Web may attract house hunters who don't have time to physically see your home or would rather not drive in a snowstorm.
8. Give house hunters a place to escape from the cold.
Make your home feel cozy and inviting during showings by cranking up the heat, playing soft classical music and offering homemade holiday treats. When you encourage buyers to spend more time in your home, you also give them more time to admire its best features.
9. Offer holiday cheer in the form of financing.
Bah, humbug! Lenders are scrooges these days, but if you've got the means, then why not offer a home loan to a serious buyer? You could get a good rate of return on your money.
10. Relax -- the New Year is just around the corner.
The holidays are stressful enough, with gifts to buy, dinners to prepare and relatives to entertain. Take a moment to remind yourself that if you don't sell now, there's always next year, which luckily is only a few days away.

Information Courtesy of HGTV.com

Did you know??

October 10, 2011 - Hudson, WI
Wayne Johnson and Sons is the Preferred Agent of the USAA. If you or anyone you know are a member of the USAA please contact us today about what we can do to help you buy or sell a home.

Did you know???

August 17th, 2011 - Western WI
Did you know that we work all over the U.S?

We can help you or someone you know buy or sell a home in any state! Call us today if you, family, or friends are moving ANYWHERE in the country.

For Sale By Owner : Why going solo may not be going smart

August 3rd, 2011 - Hudson, WI
Those that choose to sell their own homes often hope to avoid the commission paid to real estate agents. While those familiar with the housing market and process of selling a home may enjoy a successful sale, plenty of inexperienced home sellers have encountered nothing but headaches. Besides limiting the number of potential buyers, the decision to sell by owner has cost many homeowners incredible amounts of time, energy and money. Before you make your own decision, you may want to assess the factors discussed here in relation to your own knowledge and resources.

One of the most critical aspects of selling a home – setting the right price – often requires extensive market research and analysis of the property itself. While it is possible to gain an understanding of broad market trends, homeowners often don't have enough time to analyze the nuances of their local housing market. On the other hand, real estate agents are immersed in such local trends on a daily basis. Over time, the best real estate agents will gain an incredible understanding of everything from the most popular neighborhoods and styles of homes to the types of amenities local buyers are looking for. When it comes time to set a sale price on your home, a real estate professional will be able to utilize this knowledge to determine the most accurate market value for your home.

While the pricing of a home can be a difficult process, the most challenging work begins when your home is officially for sale. Even if your home is in the most attractive location within the local market, you probably won't find many interested buyers without marketing your property. This process begins with listings in real estate databases, newspapers and periodicals. After the listing has been marketed in such publications, the home is made available to prospective buyers through open houses and private viewings.

When a real estate agent is involved in the marketing process, many additional opportunities often develop. Utilizing their industry connections and relationships, real estate agents are often able to find prospective buyers that might not have noticed your home otherwise. While your home is for sale, you can expect your agent to work full time trying to find the right buyer for your home. By comparison, very few homeowners trying to sell their own homes have nearly as much time to devote to the marketing process.

Whether you are selling your own home or working with an agent, there is still plenty of work to be done after a buyer has agreed to purchase your home. A real estate agent may be able to help you work through legal documents such as the Purchase and Sale Agreement. However, those that sell their own homes need to negotiate these documents themselves or hire an attorney for assistance. Unlike most home sellers, real estate agents have experience with the closing process that may help both parties complete the sale as efficiently as possible.

Before deciding how to sell your home, try to consider that there are many factors that influence the real estate market and can make selling your own home very challenging. Understanding the unique risks and difficulties you may face during the selling process will not only help you make an informed decision about hiring a real estate agent – it may help you sell your home.

Information Courtesy of Coldwell Banker.com

Tips for Buying a Home with a Family

June 29th, 2011 - Hudson, WI
For many people, finding a new home is more than a matter of personal taste and individual finance – it's a family affair. Buying a new home to accommodate a growing family is an exciting step in one’s life, but it can also be a balancing act.
Communication and planning are key to any successful home-buying experience. Moving to a new home while expecting a child or preparing for a family down the road makes anticipating your future needs all the more important. What may make a perfect starter home for a couple might not work as well when children come into the picture.

A recent survey released by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC found that 65 percent of homeowners who are also parents purchased their first home before becoming pregnant or within one year of their child’s birth. For those consumers who are in a similar position, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC offers the following five factors to consider when buying a home with family in mind:

Proximity to family.-- Nearly half of the homeowner respondents in a recent survey from Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC reported that they live less than 10 minutes from extended family members, with 72 percent choosing to live within 30 minutes. Buying a home that is close to family members can provide support, help and guidance that can be a great benefit both emotionally and financially. With extended family nearby, families have the opportunity to spend more time together and even save money on occasion. The cost of babysitters and long distance travel to visit relatives can really add up!

Existing floor plan. --Each family has its own unique dynamic and should take its distinctive needs into consideration when exploring different floor plans. While having a master bedroom upstairs and the other rooms downstairs may work for some families, others may prefer to have all of the bedrooms on the same level.

Surrounding neighborhood. --The neighborhood looks different from the eyes of a parent. It’s wise to get an idea of what the neighborhood offers for children, such as local recreational centers, parks or playgrounds as well as the school system, before deciding on an area to live. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC recommends home buyers utilize online tools such as Coldwell Banker On Location that can offer consumers a wealth of local market information.

Future lifestyle needs. --They say children grow up in the blink of an eye. Make sure the home you purchase leaves growing room and will still fit your family’s needs a few years down the road, especially if there are plans for more children.

Budget. --One of the most important things for all potential homeowners to consider is their personal budget. Growing a family and having children usually means a growing list of expenses as well. Estimate monthly expenses along with a mortgage payment to ensure all financial commitments can be reasonably met.


Information Courtesy of Coldwell Banker.com

Reducing the stress of downsizing

June 5th, 2011 - Hudson, WI
For many homeowners whose children have grown up and moved away, it may be a good idea to buy a smaller home with fewer maintenance needs.

But the process of downsizing may sometimes be very stressful, since it can be easy for homeowners to become attached to a home and other possessions they may not have room for in their new place. However, there are a number of strategies to reduce that burden.

Start early in the process

One of the most important steps downsizing homeowners can take is to allow plenty of time for the move. It's generally not necessary to wait until they have closed on a new home to start packing.

Many people, according to the Wall Street Journal, become overwhelmed by waiting too long, and end up just throwing everything into boxes haphazardly. Allowing three to six weeks for packing before the current home goes on the market should be enough time to get everything sorted out.

Decide on large items first

To make homeowners feel better as they go about the packing and sorting process, it may be helpful to start by thinking about larger items, such as furniture. That way, as they move through the house, it will feel like they are making quicker progress.

By making decisions on those items first, people can also determine whether they need to buy any furniture for their new residence.

Move in circles

The Wall Street Journal also says it can be helpful for homeowners to move in concentric circles as they work to cut down on their possessions. In general, many objects which have emotional value are found near the center of the home, such as in the family room or kitchen, so it might be best to pack these items first.

After that, starting in the farthest reaches of the house should reveal items which aren't used as frequently, and which may no longer be as emotionally important as they once were. By moving in smaller circles throughout the house, homeowners can see what they may not actually need.

Involve others

It's also important for one member of the household not to attempt to take on the entire project themselves, the Wall Street Journal says. Not only is it a very large task for one person to do, one family member may not know how each of them feels about each particular item. What appears to be junk to one person may actually hold a great deal of sentimental value to another person.


Information Curtesy of Coldwell Banker.com