Scammers want your money. Plain and simple.

Let’s face it… whether you’re a seller or seller’s agent, you want to sell, sell, sell. When an offer (any offer!) comes along you perk up and take notice. But beware. There are scammers out there eager to get you in a pinch and where’s how they try and do it…

If you watch any of the popular million dollar real estate shows you know that big money can potentially come from overseas. It’s important to know that these big cash buyers have numerous people working on their behalf and there are a lot of playing pieces involved in what will eventually be a sale. The scam to watch out for is the foreigner who emails you wanting to buy sight unseen. When a cash offer seems too good to be true it probably is.

Why is this a scam? Buyers (9.9 times out of 10) want to see a property before buying. Let’s say that they are a real live buyer and do in fact want to buy sight unseen. They’ll at least have a long list of questions. Generally these scammers claim to want to send you money and close on the deal ASAP… no questions asked.

Because these “buyers” are “generally out of reach” there are then the scammers who go above and beyond to provide you with loads of information. They’ll send financial information, contact information and so on (all fake). But again, they rarely ask about the property.

Being unavailable is the best way for scammers to keep their distance. There’s a reason they’re emailing you and not talking on the phone with you or wanting to meet with you in person. It’s a scam! They don’t want to be traced let alone have to have a real conversation.

As you know, real estate deals take time. And scammers- they don’t have patience. They want to go, go, go! They’ll blame mistakes on this false eagerness. They may write a check for the wrong amount and then ask you to send them the extra cash back. Days later you’ll realize that the check was forged and they’ll have successfully scammed you out of thousands.

And there’s one word that many scammers frequently use… INVESTOR. Sounds important doesn’t it?

Beware of these signs. They don’t always point to scam, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Ask questions!

In a world full of tire-kickers being a true-blue buyer is a breath of fresh air for sellers. So when you, the ready-to-by buyer, comes along sellers are generally willing to give a little here and there to guarantee the sale.

Do you want to make an even grander impression? Here are some surefire ways to put a seller at ease and prompt an enjoyable closing.

1. Courteously Follow The Given Steps
Tire-kickers throw out verbal offers. Serious buyers turn in a contract. Verbal contracts mean nothing. They are not legally binding and hold no one fully accountable. To a seller a verbal contract is worth nothing and is essentially meaningless. Follow the steps necessary to show how seriously you are considering a purchase and you’ll be off to a great start.

2. Be Respectful Of The Owner’s Own Investment
Who doesn’t want a good deal? It’s in our nature to want to get a lot of bang for our buck, but it’s important to consider what a seller has invested into their property. There are certainly sellers who sell high, but a large majority of homeowners are just looking to come out on top. In other words, they don’t want to be in the hole when it’s all over. They’ve invested in and cared for their home and they’re looking to move on with a little profit in the bank to secure their foreseeable future.

3. Treat Counteroffers Like A Conversation
It’s customary for realtors to keep buyers and sellers on their own end of the negotiations. Rarely do buyers and sellers gather together to come to a contractual agreement as this can make things heated. When offers and counteroffers are presented it’s much like a conversation. One is telling the other what they can pay, when they’d like to move in and what stipulations (if any) would make them happy to finalize the sale. Keeping this conversation flowing is very important. When one over-asks something of the other, people are less likely to keep “talking”.

Put a seller at ease by following these tips and it will make both of your experiences more enjoyable.

flooding in luxurious interior. 3d creative concept

It’s common for homeowners to assume that their insurance policy is hole free and that they’re 110% covered for everything under the sun. It’s time to take those blinders off. More likely than not, your policy isn’t as fully loaded as you’ve always thought. Sinkholes, flooding and earthquakes are rarely on the list of covered disasters. And don’t think you’re in the clear of water damage just because your home sits hillside.

Floods, earthquakes and sinkholes aren’t the only three things that could be missing from your policy. Termites and mold are likely left uncovered as well. Let’s talk about some of the most frequently uncovered costs of home ownership.

Mold
As we mentioned above, mold is a hidden problem that generally isn’t covered by insurance. “But it’s listed on my policy.” You say? Here’s the catch… it’s all about how and when you discover the mold. If you have a leak that you fix immediately along with any mold you discover as a result of that leak, you’re likely covered. If however, you find mold while knocking out a wall for a new addition, chances are you’ll be covering all mold related costs yourself.

Termites
Run across these critters and you better act fast! Because of the overwhelming damage termites do to home across the US, insurance companies have wiped their hands clean of the hassle of covering such an expensive liability. You can however obtain coverage through pest control service companies.

Sinkholes
As we stated above, sinkholes fall under the no-can-do category. These deadly natural disasters are known to swallow up entire homes. Because they are so unpredictable, insurance companies don’t offer coverage.

Flooding
Flooding can happen anywhere. Even in the drought-stricken deserts of So Cal. This risk to your home doesn’t fall under the majority of insurance plans. But, just like termite coverage, you can spend a little extra for a separate plan that will have you covered in the event of a flood.

Sewer Backups
Why aren’t sewer backups covered under most insurance plans? This is due to the fact that your system needs yearly maintenance and it’s common for homeowners to ignore their system’s needs until it starts to act up. There are too many loose strings in this equation for insurance companies to cover.

Garden gnome in an autumn garden in the grass

Ready to sell your home? First impressions are always important and we’re going to help you make a good one.

Here is a quick list of does and don’ts that will put you on the right track to finding your home a new owner.

Do decorate your yard with zone friendly foliage. If you’re located further north than Florida (it’s very likely that you are) then you know how important it is to plant plants that can recover from harsh winters.

Don’t fill your front yard with flowers that will only last through the warm seasons and have to be replaced every spring. This is an added yearly cost that most buyers don’t want.

Do keep it simple. Simplicity appeals to nearly everyone. Those who want a low maintenance yard won’t feel overwhelmed and avid gardeners will see the potential for more.

Don’t over-plant. There’s a happy medium to gardening. Filling your yard with an over-abundance of greenery is overwhelming to buyers who don’t enjoy spending endless hours getting their hands dirty.

Do paint your home a classic, neutral color. Buyers are drawn to homes whose color choices don’t deviate from the norm.

Don’t paint the outside of your home a darker or brighter than usual color. If your home is a standout color consider repainting before you list your property. It will save you time and money in the long run as your home will likely sell faster.

Do add character with finishing touches. New shutters, a beautiful iron mailbox and stone walkway can make a world of difference.

Don’t over-adorn your lawn with statues, gnomes and knickknacks. One or two little garden gnomes aren’t going to make a difference one way or the other, but over embellishing can cost you a buyer.

Do clean, rake, declutter, wash, weed and trim. The cleaner the outside of your home is, the more likely a buyer will want to see the inside.

Don’t make big improvements that limit a potential buyer’s own ideas. Imagine a couple who have their heat set on a big, roomy yard for their kids to run around in, only to find that yours is full of lovely (but cluttered) clusters of shrubbery. More is not always better.

Are you thinking about buying a fixer-upper, but don’t want to get in over your head? Fixer-uppers are generally sold “as-is” and require lots of TLC. It’s a completely different ball-game because you really don’t know exactly what you’re getting.

If a property is in bad shape it’s safe to say that it wasn’t very well cared for by the last residents or it’s been left to disintegrate for far too long. This isn’t always the case as there are also plenty of properties that fall into the “fixer-upper” category and have been very well cared for. They just simply look dated- as if they’re stuck in the 1980s.

There is a great deal of accomplishment that goes into reviving a home. It’s very rewarding to see a house go from shambles to looking brand new, but you need to be ready for the road ahead before you commit.

For those who are taking on their first project property, there are a few things you need to know and with the help of your realtor and contractor you’ll be able to get a clear picture of what needs to be done to renovate the home.

Your realtor is the first person you need to confide in. They are responsible for helping you get a fair deal on a property so that the renovations don’t posh you over the edge, leaving you with a home that’s worth less than you’ve invested. Sit down with your realtor and look at comparables. Together you can figure out how much wiggle-room you have.

Next meet with your contractor. They will be able to give you the clearest breakdown of what the home needs as far as repairs go. Ask your contractor these three very important questions: “What are the hidden costs?”, “What repairs need to be made to the home’s major systems (electrical, plumbing, etc.)?” and “What will be my total investment?”

Let’s say for instance that your contractor estimates the renovations will cost $65,000. Remember that this is an estimate. There will likely be hidden expenses along the way. If the home is listed at $115,000 and the comparables range from high 100s to low 200s you know how much wiggle-room you have. Ideally you’ll want to add the cost of the home with the renovation costs and come in below the area’s comparables. This will give you a return on your investment if and when you decide to sell.

Now, before you jump into the world of fixer-uppers ask yourself this… “I’m I willing to invest time, money and energy into a project that will require a whole lot of each?”

Did you know that brand-new hardwood floors can give you double the return on your investment? The same goes for new appliances, an updated kitchen, modernized bathrooms and fresh paint jobs. But the same can’t be said for every home upgrade. It may sound like a good idea, but in the end it’s just money down the drain. Then there are home improvements that are in fact good ideas, but they don’t measure up to other upgrades. Let’s cover both.

1. Specialty Driveways: You’ve seen them; driveways of beautifully laid stone or brick making elegant curves up to a house. They’re stunning -no argument there- but they aren’t the best use of your money. A specialty driveway is a big cost and likely won’t give you a return when you’re ready to sell.
2. The Super Cool Garage: We know who the super cool garage appeals to… the men! But here’s the reality- buyers don’t want to pay extra for shelving from floor to ceiling, a shalaqued floor and a wall designated to displaying tools.
3. A Finished Basement: Nine times out of ten finishing your musty old basement is a great home improvement to make before listing your house, but when your kitchen, bathrooms and front yard are also in need of TLC, the basement needs to be taken off the list of must dos.
4. A Pool: Carefully consider adding a pool before you take the leap. Think about where you live. Are you in Florida or Colorado? Can a homeowner use it year-round or one month a year? Does your ideal buyer have the extra cash to lend to upkeep? Do you have more than enough yard space to allocate to a pool?
5. Over The Top Landscape: Yes, it’s true that your yard needs to be in tip-top-shape before you list your property on the market because first impressions are very important. However, don’t put too much of your cash into a landscaping project. Trim the trees, plant some color and get rid of needless brush, but don’t feel like you need to plant large trees, add an overflowing flower garden and redesign the yard’s layout.

Disclaimer: You never know who your home’s new owner will be. There’s always the unexpected possibility that someone will see a stone driveway and think “I have to have that house!” The true selling points are complete unknowns, but to appeal to the broad market these are the tips to follow.

Where does your city rank? Realtor.com has put together information that ranks the top ten cities for best and worst air quality. Florida takes top honors on the good air quality list while the opposite coast makes the opposing list. Where does your home town rank?

http://www.realtor.com/news/trends/big-cities-with-best-and-worst-air-quality/

With wildfires raging out west and along the west coast homeowners can find some comfort in knowing there are steps you can take to protect your home from becoming a target.

The past few years have seen record-breaking wildfire destruction. Most homeowners would never imagine their home ending up in the path of an out of control fire and because it seems so far-fetched, they likely won’t take the cautionary steps they can to protect their home.

The first step homeowners can take to protect their property is clearing it of combustible debris. This includes dead brush, fallen leaves and firewood. Swap your bushes out for low-growing flowers and instead of using combustible mulches like bark and wood, use gravel and rocks.

Second, keep your yard free of combustible clutter, old dilapidated wooden sheds and trash. All of these can catch fire and spread it closer to your home.

In addition to choosing non-combustible landscaping, keep your trees trimmed and free of dead limbs. Create a 10-15 foot distance between your trees. This keeps fire from quickly spreading from one tree to another. Also, keeping their lowest branches pruned will make it harder for flames to reach up the tree to its branches.

If you’re looking to remodel your home consider using fireproof materials for your exterior. For example: replace your existing roof with fire-rated roofing. In addition to adding a fire resistant roof you can also keep it clean of debris. Keep your gutters clean and don’t let leaves and pine needles build up anywhere on your roof. A small ember landing on the top of your roof is enough to start a fire if it has something to ignite.

Start your fireproofing by taking a walk around your property. Anything that can catch fire and help it spread should be removed or replaced with a fire-resistant alternative. Nothing is truly fire-proof, but fire-resistant can make a big difference.

Iceberg and roman lettuce coriander in vegetable garden. Organic green vegetables and herbs in organic garden. Summer.
** Note: Shallow depth of field

To appeal to the newest group of homebuyers, millennials, your home needs to meet their generation specific needs. If your renovation budget doesn’t allow for all of the below additions, adding one or two to your house’s perks can make a big difference when you’re ready to sell.

1. Open Floorplan: Realtors are hearing this more and more. Open floorplans are more often than not, a deal breaker for millennials. They want their homes to be open air and inviting instead of overly divided. Open floorplan homes are ideal for socializing and entertaining, and this is on the top of many of millennial’s lists.
2. Backyard Decks: Millennials want to make the most of every square inch of their dream homes. This includes their backyards- making backyard decks a must have for many homebuyers in their 20s and 30s. This is a less expensive addition that you can add before listing your property that will be a big plus to potential buyers- of all ages in fact.
3. Gourmet Kitchen: A newly updated kitchen will by far give you the most return on your investment. What qualifies as a gourmet kitchen? Anything above and beyond the ordinary. Consider adding state-of-the-art appliances, a high-end surface such as granite or siletstone, and loads of smart storage.
4. Vegetable Garden: Are we actually suggesting a vegetable garden as an upgrade? Yes, we are! Millennials are returning to their roots- literally. They want the farm fresh produce their grandmothers grew without the jarring prices you have to pay at the supermarket. Taking matters into their own hands and growing produce themselves is becoming more and more popular among this age group.
5. Self-sufficiency: Millennials are drawn to impressively self-sufficient houses. The more self-sufficient a home is, the more energy it will save. An alarm system, HVAC system and lighting that works off the touch of a mobile device is all the rage among this generation.