Open House for Weekending 3/18/2012

113 Roncroff Dr. North Tonawanda, N.Y.
Open House- 3/18 (1-3)
Great Opportunity to purchase a well cared for home in great location**Hdwd under recent carpets in orig house (2 of the 3 bdrms)**New roof (patio also) ’08 plus new chimney**New furnace/AC/HWT ’02**New elec service ’05 to inc new elec lines, hard wired smoke detector in bsmt, ground faults & dedicated line to sump**Windows replaced**Walk to canal/park & Sweeney**close to Degraff hospital**easy Ranch living on quiet street.

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Does Staging Work?

I have my Accredited Staging Professional certification with Barb Schwartz and thought I would share some of her success stories. Staging is one of the most cost effective ways to get your home ready for showings. I would be happy to help you prepare your home for an open house or showing.

One of the greatest rewards of my career has always been to hear from stagers and real estate agents on their staging success stories. Over the years the stories are many, and I thought I would take this opportunity to share a few of these stories on the difference home staging can make for real estate agents and their sellers.

The following are some stories we collected from graduates of the Accredited Staging Professional® program.

A Quick Sale
“A vacant house sold three days after I staged it. The new buyers even wanted to purchase all of my furniture with the house! The house had been on the market 210 days prior to staging.”

Home Owner’s Homework
“A home owner had a staging consultation. He listened very carefully, asked lots of questions, and then went to work on the undecorating, decluttering, and a little furniture rearranging. He laughed when I told him that opening up the living room curtains would earn him at least $500. He finished his list of ‘homework’ and then had the open house on June 16. Eleven couples showed up for the open house. One offer came in that night and two more in the next two days. It sold in three days. The owner worked hard, but it paid off. Staging consultation on June 4 – moved out and closed by July 6th.” –Tracy Susick of Room Works, Meadville, Pa.

‘Stage to Live’
“The home owner was very aware of how the market had slowed down. She knew that she had to do everything in her power to stand out against the competition and to price the home right. She called me to preview the property and an appointment was set up. She had a few pieces of furniture, but had basically moved out most of her personal belongings. After looking at what I had to work with, I was confident that I could make this home look great! With a few accessories, table settings, plants, artwork, toss pillows, bedding and lamps, I was able to turn the interior into something that any potential buyer would be proud to call home. I asked the home owner if I could leave my fliers and cards out to promote my business and she was receptive. After the staging, she called and left me such a great message. She said this house has never looked so good and would like me to ‘stage to live’ her new home. For me the best part of the job is getting the wonderful comments and appreciation from the clients. It makes it all worthwhile.” –Kelly Holland of Staged with Style

Excerpt from: Barb Schwartz
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Barb Schwarz, ASP, ASPM, AB, IAHSP, is the creator of Home Staging® and the CEO of www.Stagedhomes.com. She is the IAHSP founder and chairwoman of The Board of The International Association of Home Staging Professionals® and Foundation.

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Open Houses for weekending 3/11/12

Call Kathleen for details about these open houses or any properties you would like to see. I can schedule showings with all Realty USA properties or any properties on the market in the greater Western New York Real Estate Area.

March 11 from 1-3 PM
9400 Pinyon Ct, Clarence NY
34 Ironwood Ct, Amherst NY 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Buffalo Home & Garden Show

 

The 2012 Buffalo Home and Garden Show is back and better than ever for two weekends only! March 9-11 and 16-18 at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. Visitors will get a chance to visit hundreds of exhibitors, hear from celebrity guests, participate in interactive seminars and enter their pets in a fur studded pet fashion show. Exhibitors include areas of; home design and planning, construction, remodeling, gardening, kitchen and bath, recreation, health and fitness and many others! Many contests and giveaways too!  Special appearances by mark Brunetz of Style Network’s Clean House and Jarod Miller of 97 Rock.

This year’s theme is loft living and two Interior Design Association (IDA) of Buffalo design teams have worked independently to put their own spin on loft life for the main floor demonstration and exhibit. Glass walls will open to a roof-top garden overlooking a nighttime city skyline. The show exhibit will feature high-tech bathroom elements, stream-lined high-function kitchens and multi-tasking furniture.  The designs were created by Nest Interiors, led by Brooke Pelc, and White Orchard Home Furnishings, led by Pamela Whitte.

Adults: $10.00
Children Ages 6-12: $3.00
Children (5 and under): FREE

For more information visit: Buffalo Home & Garden Show
Hope to see you there!

 

 

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Crafty Ideas for Winter Curb Appeal

During summer months when gardens are in bloom and the sun is shining bright, curb appeal comes naturally to many homes. But when the autumn chill turns to winter cold and the sun sets earlier in the day, it becomes more difficult to create that inviting exterior look that grabs buyers from the curb.

Fortunately, it is possible to create striking winter curb appeal without expensive or complicated exterior changes, says Charlene Storozuk, a home stager and designer with Dezigner Digz in Burlington, Ontario—a city that averages 51 inches of snow per year. It just requires a little creativity.

She and other home-design experts offer these eight tips:

1. Add splashes of green and purple. Plants, grasses, and evergreens can liven up a home’s winter landscape. Experiment with tall grasses, such as fountain grasses, that survive harsh winters. And in late fall and early winter, plants from the cabbage family add a vibrant purple color. Make the front door the focal point with a large wreath adorned with a colorful ribbon. To finish the look, place large, colorful planters filled with evergreens beside the front door, suggests Elizabeth Lord, broker with Carolina Farms & Estates LLC in Rock Hill, S.C.

2. Give it seasonal sparkle. Transform an unused bird bath or fountain into a seasonal display by adding twigs with red berries. Or fill frost-resistant urns with twigs, winter greenery, and sparkly baubles (sold at most craft stores), Storozuk says. For extra sparkle, roll twigs in glitter and incorporate a gazing ball—a mirrored glass ball available in various colors—into the display.

3. Make the garden statuesque. Roman- or Greek-themed outdoor sculptures can add class and elegance to a garden in winter. Be sure to use frost-resistant statues so they don’t crack, Storozuk says. Place the statues strategically throughout the garden to draw buyers’ eyes around the outdoor space.

4. Light it bright. During the winter, it’s more likely that buyers will be viewing home after sunset. Use clear flood spotlights to focus on the home’s architectural features, Storozuk says. Keep exterior lighting fixtures at maximum wattage and clean them regularly. When snow covers the ground, Michele Thompson, broker-owner of White Fence Real Estate in Vevay, Ind., takes photos of listings at night with all of the interior lights on—the light bounces off the white snow to create a warm, inviting glow. For the best results, turn off the flash, and use a tripod to avoid blurring, she says.

5. Show off the lifestyle. Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you can’t use the deck. Shovel your backyard sitting area and leave your grill uncovered so buyers can envision themselves using the space, Storozuk says. If the home has a hot tub, leave that open and running during showings as well.

6. Make the deck an extension of the house. Set up your outdoor tables and chairs just as you would in warmer months. “Home owners often cover their furniture and place lawn objects haphazardly on the deck,” says Kitty Schwartz, president and owner of Classic Home Staging in Katonah, N.Y. For added appeal, she adds a weatherproof cafe set with pillows that play off of interior accent colors. “Glancing out onto this type of vignette can make the indoor space feel larger and more interesting,” she says.

7. Create a photo display of sunnier days. Show buyers what the outside of the home looks like during other seasons by displaying some landscape photos in frames or using a digital photo frame with a slide show of images. “This will give a sense of what the property looks like at other times of year,” Storozuk says. If the home has a garden, make a list of what’s planted where. “Perennials can be expensive,” she says, “so treat them as a selling feature.”

8. Don’t forget to clear a path. If the ground is covered in snow, the simplest and most important thing you can do is shovel the driveway and sidewalks and keep the home’s patios and decks as clear as possible so buyers can get a sense of their true size.

Article taken from www.realtor.org/realtormag

 

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Cool New Painting Tool

Winter is the perfect time to complete many indoor home improvement projects. Painting returns the biggest return on your effort and expense. You can change the whole look of a room just by painting even one wall. But isn’t it frustrating when you paint and the color isn’t at all want you wanted or thought it looked liked?
Sherwin Williams has just introduced a new tool to help choose the perfect paint color. It is called Chip-it!
Simply add their widget into your tool bar, then when you see a picture you like (even on your own computer), just click the tab and it will create a color palette based on the colors in the picture. They have over 1,500 hundred paint selections so you are sure to match your colors perfectly. No more wasting time and money with paint colors that “don’t look like you thought”.  You really can get that designer look in your own Western New York Home!

It will give you the 5 main colors from the picture but you can also click the “more colors” button and get accent colors.Take a moment to watch the video and add the widget. SHERWIN WILLIAMS CHIP IT!

*Image used was from Pinetrest

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Mardi Gras is Coming to Buffalo

Let the good times roll!  Fat Tuesday is just around the corner and Buffalo is going to be celebrating New Orleans style as Artvoice presents the 17th Annual Mardi Gras Parade and Festival.  On Fat Tuesday (February 21st), the Elmwood Strip, Chippewa District and Historic Allentown will become Buffalo’s own French Quarter.  Start partying at 5:00 p.m. when the parade makes its way through town and keep partying until we get kicked out!  Guests will receive entry to all Mardi Gras venues by purchasing a 2012 bracelet.  All funds raised by $5.00 bracelet sales benefit Give for Greatness, a campaign to restore funding to dozens of cultural groups.  It’s Buffalo’s biggest party night of the year… so come out and party for a great cultural cause!

Registration is now also open to join the 2012 Mardi Gras parade!  Round up a Krewe and put together a float to join in on our 2012 parade.  It’s a great way to promote your business or organization and a whole lot of fun.  After the parade is over, revelers can vote on-line and select their favorite float. The winner takes home $500.00!  For complete Mardi Gras details, visithttp://artvoice.com/mardigras.

 

Excerpt from BuffaloPlace

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Is Remodeling Cost Effective?

More and more people are staying put and remodeling their homes rather than upgrading or downsizing. This might not be the best option for you. A recent report by Remodeling Magazine just published the most common remodel projects and their return on investment when selling. The numbers may surprise you.

Stats reveal that recoup costs have generally gone down from 2010 to 2011. You can view the information and even download the full report  in PDF for the greater Buffalo area.

So if you are about to start a remodeling project in your Western New York home you may want to give me a call first to discuss your options. Buying a new home could be a financially better choice.

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My Promise To You

Fundamental-I will provide excellent service at every step and every stage from today until you are happily moved into your new home and even beyond.

I Promise to
Take the worry out of the home search/ home purchase process
Provide the full range of fiduciary benefits
Care
Confidentiality
Loyalty Obedience
Accounting Disclosure
Honesty and Fairness

Process
Thoroughly review all aspects of the home buying process
Discuss your needs and wants.
Financial
Timing
Legal
Structural
Location
Explore all the areas about which you are or should be concerned. This ensures that there are no unexpected costly or disappointing occurrences.
Provide a comprehensive home purchase financial consultation
Guide you to obtain pre-approval letter from the lender to strengthen your position.
Counsel you through writing a personal letter to accompany offer (if applicable)
Counsel you on your choice among the best loan program available to achieve the most affordable payment, down payment and cash requirements
Arrange an appointment with a qualified and competent loan office if you don’t already have one.
Provide of List of Professional who specialize in Real Estate
Attorneys
Inspectors
Lenders
Ensure time frames are kept for all professionals.
Explain the closing and title process
Provide you with a comprehensive package of information that is valuable to you during the upcoming home purchase process, including all the pertinent forms.

Home Search
Accompany you on tours of select areas, and homes of interest.
Indentify and locate every property that may be suitable for you
MLS which I will check several times a day and keep you updated.
FSBO
Expireds
Insider Information
Calls to desirable homes not on the market
My extensive connections within the Western New York Real Estate community
Provide you with information on the amenities, benefits and drawbacks for you chosen area and properties.
Taxes
Heat and utilities
Water and well facilities
Sewer and septic facilities
Schools
Medial facilities
Shopping
Entertainment
Any other areas of interest or need that you may have
Explore any town/city building, zoning and improvement questions, as needed
Preview area and homes based on your criteria
Accompany you through properties pointing out advantages and potential red flags.
Provide you with school information
Check Homeowners Association rules and restrictions, if applicable.
Inform you on how to get the most from open houses.
Monitor mortgage rates and market changes that may affect your position.

Offer and Negotiation
Review contracts and all contingencies and what they mean to you.
Provide all the information necessary to determine market value.
Counsel with you to determine the best offering price.
Write a legal offer, including all the forms that protect your interest and peace of mind.
Advise you on appropriate deposit and escrow funds necessary
Negotiate directly with the owner and or agent on your behalf.
Obtain the best possible price and terms for you.
Guide you through the counter offer process, if necessary.

Post Offer
Recommend inspectors for structure, pests, radon, lead paint, sewage etc.
Work with you and inspectors to protect your interests.
Explain all aspects of the inspection processes.
Attend the inspections with you and./or on your behalf
Follow up on all dates to be met and contingencies to be satisfied to ensure your purchase is secure.
Attorney
Sale Contingency
Inspections
Mortgage loan
Pre-closing and closing
Negotiate troublesome last minute issues.
Coordinate and/or communicate closing arrangements as necessary.
Troubleshoot unexpected pre-closing situations that may arise.
Attend closing if necessary

Service and Communication
Contact you regularly with new and updated information.
During Home Search
During Negotiations
From the time the offer is accepted until you are comfortably in your new home
Occasionally after closing for your convenience
Stay in constant contact with professionals to eliminate possible problems
Communicate with the listing agent in order to anticipate last minute difficulties.
Ensure that my fee is paid out of seller proceeds.
Be personally available to you.
Remind and facilitate utility changes

Contact me today or visit my facebook page for more Western New York Real Estate Information.

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Are Home Inspections Necessary?

Yes! They are an absolute necessity in today’s market. A thorough home inspection will give all parties involved piece of mind with the sales transaction. It could potentially save a buyer from purchasing a money pit or worse, purchase a home with major issues. Laws differ state-by-state so make sure to check in your area. Here are a few of the items home inspectors will look at, this is not a complete list just a general overview.

Structural: The American Society of Home Inspectors have set standards on certain areas of the home that inspectors look at to determine the integrity of the essential internal and external structural components. They are not structural engineers but they can identify visual defects in areas requiring immediate repairs and will recommend a structural engineer should they feel it is warranted.

Electrical: Verifies all systems are safe and within code.

Plumbing: Looks for issues, code violations, drainage issues, water pressure etc.

Built-In Appliances: All appliances are tested.

Safety: Verify all systems are working properly including ventilation, furnace, leaks etc.

Miscellaneous: Other items such as wells, septic, roofs, windows, garages and insulation should all be reviewed at this time.

If you are considering buying a home in the Western New York area, please give me a call and I will happy to put you in touch with a home inspector that specializes in this area of the state.

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