Real Estate Information Archive

If you are selling your home this fall, it is important to keep its exterior well-maintained and create a welcoming, cozy atmosphere indoors. Here are a few ways to ensure your home appeals to as many prospective buyers as possible.

Landscaping
Mow your lawn and remove leaves and debris. Weed, get rid of dead flowers and trim back all branches and foliage so that everything looks neat, clipped and in keeping with the season. Give your flower beds a splash of color by adding some plants that flower in the fall, such as chrysanthemums, coneflowers, and salvias.

A Perfect Porch
Place seasonal flowers in large pots on both sides of your front door. Give your front door a fresh coat of paint and hang up a wreath made from seasonal flowers and foliage. This will provide the perfect finishing touch for your entrance area.

Simple Exteriors 
Is your home exterior clean and free from paint chips or does it need to be pressure-washed and re-painted? Make sure the windows are clean. Do not forget to remove leaves, foliage and other wind-blown material from your gutters on a regular basis.

Inviting Interior
Remove clutter from all surfaces each day and keep as many personal items as possible out of sight. This can be a challenge now that the children have gone back to school, so ensure that they put away their school work, backpacks, and other school-related items each evening.

Holiday Decor
Don't let Holiday decorations overpower your home. Prospective buyers may find it hard to look beyond the decorations and see your home's true features and advantages. 

Keep It Cozy
Create a warm, cozy atmosphere that will encourage people to fall in love with your home. Adjust the temperature on your thermostat before each viewing to ensure that your home is comfortable and welcoming. Have a fireplace? It may set the perfect stage for your cozy interior. 

Add Some Warmth
Another way to create an inviting atmosphere is to add touches of warmth to each room. Place a colorful fleecy throw on the arm of a comfortable chair, pile sumptuous pillows on your bed, and display soft fluffy towels in the bathroom.

Seasonal Decorations
Add some well-chosen seasonal decorations, such as a small basket of pine cones, long twigs in a vase, or a bowl of cinnamon-spiced potpourri.

Smells Like Fall
Do not neglect the scent of your home. You don't have to bake cookies or fresh bread, but air fresheners and scented candles in such fragrances as apple, cinnamon, and vanilla will give your home an appealing atmosphere.

Small touches allow buyers to see your house as their future home. Decorating for the season can allow prospective buyers a chance to see your home as a warm and welcoming place.

GET OUT! This weekends weather looks to be about perfect to get outside and enjoy the late fall landscape. Whether you run, hike, walk, pedal, or paddle, there is something for everyone! (Then the snow flies, creating a winter wonderland of fun. But that is for another post.)

Looking to get out an engage your inner competitor? Hoping for a trail run? Vermont Sports Magazine has a calendar that direct you to fun events, festivals, and opportunities to spend some quality time in the "pain cave." 

If you venture out solo, or with a group of friends, there are numerous hiking opportunities in the greater Burlington area. RootsRated has a very accessible guide to some of the more popular hikes. Realistically, everyone has their favorites. Stop and ask at any outdoor retailer and you will get a number of "the best place to hike is" answers. Want to run, not hike? Load up your hydration system and head out to any of a number of trail running hotspots.

Maybe you want to see the Fall landscape my favorite way- from the seat of a bicycle. There are some world class routes to explore in Burlington and beyond. You can gravel grind by yourself, or with your own personal peloton on dirt roads with landscape that will take your breath away. Here are six routes that depart from the Greater Burlington area. Cruise the 14 miles of the Burlington Bike path/ Island Rail Trail, or challenge yourself to any of the six mountain gap rides. Find grades of 24%, mixtures of dirt road and pavement and get ready to let the legs and lungs burn. The benefit? Some incredible mountain views, and stops at some of the best general stores to refuel. Staff pick- we are partial to the home-crafted baked goods at the Lincoln General Store. 

Rather get muddy? Break out the fat bikes, full suspension, or rigid single speed (you know who you are!) and hit the trails. Again, we always recommend asking a local rider for the most prime riding, but this guide should head you in the right direction. 

Regardless of what you want to do outside, the greater Burlington area offers something for families of all ages. We hope to see you out there!

www.MattHurlburtGroup.com  Expect More.

Here are three tips for a successful sale:

1. Selling your home is going to be stressful.

Although we do as much as we possibly can to lessen the stress and guide you through each step of the sales process, you are still going to feel like that aliens have invaded your life.

Selling your home is simply not a fun process and it will be stressful. Remember that there is a goal to achieve and you are going through the inconvenience of selling so you can achieve your goal. Downsizing? Upsizing? Decide what those goals are first.

Acknowledging your objectives up front will help you make better decisions down the road.

2. Make sure you’re truly ready to sell.

Take the time to ensure you’re emotionally prepared for the sale. Talk to us and listen to our suggestions. Follow our recommendations. They are based on over 20 years of experience as to what works in the sales process and what does not. If we represent you, yet find yourself resisting our recommendations, it’s probably a sign that you’re not ready to sell. If that’s the case, wait until you’re ready. You should be as dedicated to your goals as we are.

Maybe you have no choice but to sell – which can be even more difficult emotionally. Believe me when I tell you we’ve been in your position and understand what you are going through. Whether you need to sell for financial reasons, can’t manage the property on your own, or have seen your last child move out and are faced with a property you no longer need, we have helped others go through the same process.

The more information you give us, the better we can represent your interests, and we have a responsibility to do just that. Let us help you through the process. Trust in the fact that you have hired experienced professionals to properly represent you.

3. Start thinking of your home as a product to be marketed.

When you haven’t separated yourself from your home, it’s difficult to see it as a product. But that’s what it is now – a house that will go on the open market to attract a buyer. Buyers don’t view it as your house. They view it as a potential home for them and what you think about it has little impact on its value or its appeal to the prospective buyer.

I know that is difficult to hear, but it’s the truth.

If you think of selling your home as a business transaction, and are able to emotionally distance yourself from the sales process, it will be less stressful, you will make more rational decisions and you will achieve the best possible price for it.

We are here to help. Expect More.

With the kids back in school, and with the holidays right around the corner, you might not think that now is the best time to sell your house. But with demand still strong, you could be missing out on a great opportunity for your family.

Here are five reasons why you should consider selling your house this fall: 

1. Demand Is Strong

The latest Realtors’ Confidence Index from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that buyer demand remains very strong throughout the vast majority of the country.There are buyers in the market right now that are ready, willing, and able to purchase a new house.

Take advantage of the buyer activity currently in the market.

2. There Is Less Competition Now

According to NAR’s latest Existing Home Sales Report, the supply of homes for sale is still under the 6-month supply that is needed for a normal housing market at 4.7-months.

This means, in most areas, there are not enough homes for sale to satisfy the number of buyers in that market. This is good news for home prices. However, additional inventory is about to come to market.

There is a desire for many homeowners to move, as they were unable to sell over the last few years because of a negative equity situation. Homeowners are now seeing a return to positive equity as real estate values have increased over the last two years. This means many of these home may come to the market this Fall.. Being ahead of the curve may provide an advantage in the market.

As builders regain confidence in the market, new construction of single-family homes is projected to continue to increase over the next two years, reaching historic levels by 2017. Last month’s new home sales numbers show that many buyers who have not been able to find their dream home within the existing inventory have turned to new construction to fulfill their needs. You may be living in exactly what a prospective buyer is searching for in the market!

The choices buyers have will continue to increase. Don’t wait until all this other inventory of homes comes to market before you decide to sell.

3. The Process Will Be Quicker

Fannie Mae announced that they anticipate an acceleration in home sales that will surpass 2007's pace. As the market heats up, banks will be floodedwith loan inquiries causing closing-time lines to lengthen. Selling now will make the process quicker & simpler. 

4. The Best Time to Move Up

If you are moving up to a larger, more expensive home, now is the best time to consider a move. Prices are projected to appreciate by 5.3% over the next year, according to CoreLogic. If you are moving to a higher-priced home, it will wind up costing you more (both in down payment and mortgage payment) if you wait.

According to Freddie Mac’s latest report, you can also lock-in your 30-year housing expense with an interest rate around 3.46% right now. Interest rates are projected to increase moderately over the next 12 months. Even a small increase in rate will have a big impact on your housing cost.

5. It’s a Perfect Time to Downsize and Simplify

Look at the reason you decided to sell in the first place and determine whether it is worth waiting. Is money more important than being with family? Is money more important than your health? Is money more important than having the freedom to go on with your life the way you think you should? Are your surrounded with a house that is too big now that the kids have moved out? Tired of the upkeep necessary for that over sized house?

Only you know the answers to the questions above. You have the power to take control of the situation by putting your home on the market. Perhaps the time has come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire. 

What is truly important for you and your family? 

Lead and the Buying/ Selling Process. Protecting You and Your Family.

There are a number of Vermont homes that were built or remodeled prior to 1978. Why 1978? In 1978, the federal government banned consumer uses of lead-containing paint, but some states banned it even earlier. Lead from paint, including lead-contaminated dust, is one of the most common causes of lead poisoning.

The exposure pathways for lead that is most concerning are ingestion and inhalation. Lead can effect anyone in a family, but children are at the greatest risk, due to developing nervous systems and smaller body mass. Small children also tend put everything in their mouths, which could include paint chips or chewing on windowsills. Lead actually has a sweet taste, which can encourage little ones to seek out places to chew when teething. 

Physical Effects: Lead can cause damage to the brain and nervous system, behavior problems, slowed growth, headaches, difficulties during pregnancy, high blood pressure, digestive problems and muscle and joint pain.

Lead can exist in many forms, but home buyers and sellers are most concerned with paint. Flaking or deteriorating paint means that there is a possibility of lead in the air, in the home's dust, and in places accessible by children. 

Source - US. EPA

     As a Buyer/ Seller, what are your responsibilities? 

• Sellers must disclose in writing any information about known lead paint in the home. If sellers have performed lead tests, they must share the test results.
• Sales contracts must give buyers up to 10 days to check for lead hazards. Home buyers aren't required to test for lead--but they must be given the opportunity to do so. You might see this information on a special addendum attached to a purchase contract. 

  Your realtor will provide your with federal and state information about protecting yourself and your family from lead exposure. 

• As a buyer, if you are buying a home that has deteriorating lead paint, you may negotiate with the seller to hire an EPA licensed contractor to safely remediate the deteriorating spots. There are numerous do-it-yourself options, but we always recommend consulting an expert.

We hope that this clears up some of the confusion about the hazards of lead, and why it will be part of the buying and selling process. As always, we are here to help.     

    The Matt Hurlburt Group. Expect More. 

Home Sale Preparation 

Getting your house ready to sell does not have to be an arduous process, and can go a long way towards a good selling experience. View these helpful tips to make it easy to get your home ready for sale. These simple ideas will help your home be more appealing to home buyers, easier to pass inspection, and put more money on your bottom line.

Home Sellers: Avoid a nightmare inspection and losing your buyer with these simple tips.

In order to present your property in its best possible light, it is important to make sure that every part of your property looks its absolute best. In a market where there are a lot of properties to choose from, the one that shows the best is the one that will stand out. Remember that first impressions matter! 

Please check the following items in your home against this checklist.

LANDSCAPING:

__ Trees and shrubs trimmed
__ Gardens edged
__ Planting beds edged and weeded
__ Lawn mowed, fertilized, and treated for weeds, if necessary
__ Gravel driveway edged and weeded with no bare spots or ruts
__ Dead limbs removed from trees
__ Flower beds planted/cleaned as appropriate for season and mulched

BUILDING EXTERIOR:

__ Check for peeling paint on house & decks
__ Functional light bulbs in all exterior lights
__ Remove items no longer used (i.e. doghouse, swing set, bikes, etc.)

INTERIOR:

__ Windows washed
__ Trim washed and/or painted as necessary
__ Floors polished, carpets cleaned
__ Kitchen cabinets cleaned
__ Closets organized and as empty as possible
__ Excess/unused furniture removed
__ Smoke and/or pet odors removed
__ Put family photo’s away to depersonalize the house
__ Arrange furniture to promote spaciousness
__ Match paint & touch up wall nicks
__ Bright brilliant colors may need to go
__ Clean out closets for a neat presentation
__ Remove seldom used appliances to another location
__ Wipe down woodwork with a light lemon furniture polish. It will make the room smell very clean.
__ If there too many toys, put away the ones not often played with.
__ Keep bathroom clean and toilet seats down
__ Dust and clean all the light fixtures

STORAGE/BASEMENT:

__ Lights operable and as bright as possible
__ Remove any unused excess items
__ Rearrange and neatly store items
__ Vacuum and/or dust water heater/furnace/boiler & surrounding pipes
__ Sweep or clean bulkhead/stairway area
__ Paint floor (if appropriate)
__ Dehumidifier working (if being used); no visible standing water

GARAGE:

__ Make sure lights are operable
__ Floor swept (use a leaf blower to clean garage)
__ Window sills & windows vacuumed and/or dusted
__ Degrease floor if necessary
__ Vacuum and/or dust inside garage door
__ Remove any excess/unused items

These relatively simple items will showcase your home in the best light, allowing potential buyers to view themselves in their new house! 

Best,

The Matt Hurlburt Group. Expect More.

One of the great mysteries of home buying, at least to those who have never been through the process, is closing costs. While nearly everyone has heard of them, few who haven’t had to pay them really understand them. Some people who have paid them aren’t sure what they spent all that money on. Knowing what these terms mean and what fees they consist of can help you be more prepared for them when the time comes.

Closing costs are the various fees that a home buyer must pay before the mortgage lender will finalize the mortgage. More generally speaking, these costs are about 3 to 6 percent of the amount borrowed. That is in addition to your down payment. This purpose of this blog entry is to identify and explain some of the components of your total closing costs.

The lender will charge an application fee to cover the costs of completing your mortgage application. This may or may not include the fee for your credit report. They will also charge a loan origination fee, also known as points. This covers the administrative costs of processing your mortgage. One point is equal to 1% of the total amount loaned.

Many lenders offer the option to purchase without points, but keep in mind that this will result in a higher interest rate. There are also lenders who will let you pay additional points to lower the interest rate on your loan.

Title insurance will be required by your lender. This protects you and the mortgage company in case the seller does not have the legal right to sell it. There could be unknown co-owners of the property, or it could have an unpaid lien (debt) against it that would prevent the seller from legally selling it.

An appraisal is also required by lenders. This is to ensure that the home is worth the amount loaned to you to purchase it. A home inspection is not usually required, but we recommend that you have one. The cost of the inspection could also be considered part of closing costs.

Homeowners insurance is a standard requirement of mortgage lenders. They will require proof of it and may require you to pay the first year’s premium before closing. Private mortgage insurance may also be required depending on the amount of your down payment, typically if your down payment is less than 20% of the loan amount, and part of the fee will be included in your closing costs.

Taxes associated with the transfer are usually the buyer’s responsibility, unless other arrangements are agreed upon. You may also have to pay for a survey of the property. You will likely be required to pay the interest accrued between the time your mortgage was originated and the due date of your first payment. Attorney and notary fees may also be a part of your closing costs.

Hopefully this begins to clear up some of the mysteries surrounding closing costs. Still confused? Contact us at the Matt Hurlburt Group to get your questions answered.

What to Expect When Inspecting

Once an offer is accepted and the transaction is in the “contingency” phase – one of the buyer’s objectives is to ensure their understanding of the condition of the property they are about to acquire.  Inspections are a critical activity in this “due diligence” period.

While many different inspections can be performed for a residential home, the most common inspections are:

• Structural Inspection

• Water Test (if private well)

• Radon test

• Chimney

The following is some general information regarding common issues that may arise during these inspections.  Note that you are free to hire any inspection company with whom you feel comfortable.   We can refer inspection companies who have served us and our clients for years, if you desire.  In any case, we highly recommended that you attend the inspections in person.  This is a great opportunity to you to learn about the house through the eyes of the inspector, and to ask questions about any of the findings and recommendations.

STRUCTURAL/BUILDING INSPECTIONS

Structural/Building Inspections are a general inspection covering the various systems of the home.  They will typically inspect the structural components of the home (foundation, crawl space, attic, exterior, doors and windows, and interior walls and surfaces), roof, electrical, plumbing, appliances, heating & air conditioning, smoke detectors, garage door, drainage, and water heater.  They will look for conditions that are not up to code, or are not in compliance with current health and safety standards and codes.  They will typically comment on maintenance and other repairs that you may expect over time.

Home inspections include an overview of the roof and chimney, and may raise concerns that would warrant a roofing or chimney expert to advise and provide estimates, if necessary.  They also do not check for building permits.

Drainage is one area that is often a concern in this area, especially with older homes.  It is not uncommon to get some dampness in the basement or around the home, especially in the spring.  Large accumulation of water in a basement is not a desirable situation.  If you buy an older home, pay particular attention to the drainage, and what improvements you might want to consider over time.  Your building inspector can advise.

Cracking and settlement may be another area of concern.  This is normally a matter of degree, as some cracking in the sheetrock and concrete surfaces is to be expected as the property settles, lumber shrinks, earthquakes occur, and so on.  Extensive cracking, sticking doors and windows, and floors that are out of level can be a symptom of more serious settlement and/or foundation issues, so again care should be taken to understand and address these issues.

You should also determine the age of the major components of the home, such as water heaters, the furnace, and air conditioning units.  Pay close attention to the age, and ask the home inspector what is a reasonable expectation for the remaining life of these components.

ROOF INSPECTIONS

Unless the roof is brand new – a roof inspection by a licensed roofer is higher recommended for most transactions.  They will usually issue a report detailing the condition of the roof, and any repairs that are recommended to keep the roof in good condition.  It is important to ask the inspector how much life is left on the roof.

In general, wood shake roofs can normally be expected to last 20 to 25 years with periodic maintenance.  Composition shingle roofs can be expected to last 20 to 30 years depending on the materials used.  Coated metal roofs, tile roofs, and slate roofs can be expected to last well over 40 or 50 years.  Once the recommended repairs are completed, the roofer will guarantee the roof against leaks for a period of one year.

CHIMNEY INSPECTIONS

If the property has a fireplace,  a chimney inspection by a licensed chimney sweep is recommended, especially on masonry or brick fireplace.  The biggest threat is broken flue tiles, which present a fire hazard and will require a $2000 to $3000 repair.  On newer non-masonry fireplaces, the most common issues are related to separation of the panels or pre-mature aging of the refractory panels.

OTHER INSPECTIONS

Depending on the situation, other inspections may be appropriate.   Usually we start with the property, roof, and chimney inspections.   Depending on the results of these inspections additional investigation or a more detailed inspection by a specialist may be warranted.  Some other inspections might include:

• Mold Inspection

• Furnace inspections by your electric utility provider

• Foundation inspections

• Drainage inspections

• Lead Paint

What makes Risk Free Listing so attractive?

Matt Hurlburt’s exclusive RISK FREE LISTING system offers clients the peace of mind to cancel the listing at any time.  If we do not follow through with our responsibilities? You are not tied to a 12 month contract. A flexible fee structure further enhances the property owner's ability to retain more money through their sale.

Sell your property to a named exception and pay 3% or 5% commission.

The 3% or 5% commission does not apply to a buyer exposed to the property by an agent other than a member of the Matt Hurlburt Group while your property is listed with RE/MAX North Professionals.  At the time of the listing, any named exceptions who might be interested in purchasing are listed in the listing contract, and may purchase within 30 calendar days of the listing date for seller to pay only 3%.

Cancel the listing at any time.

Either you or RE/MAX North Professionals can cancel just by calling and saying: “I want to cancel the listing.”  It’s that simple.  The cancellation becomes effective officially once a mutual release has been signed.  However, please allow two (2) business days to have the sign and lockbox removed, and the listing withdrawn from the MLS.  LISTING CONTRACTS MAY NOT BE BROKEN BY THE SELLER TO AVOID PAYING COMMISSION FOR PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS THAT HAVE ALREADY VIEWED THE PROPERTY DURING THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT.

No advanced fees of any kind

You only pay if RE/MAX North Professionals procures an offer that is acceptable to you.

“No Pressure” presentation

We will never allow you to be “pressured” by the buyer’s agent.  All offers will be faxed, e-mailed, or delivered to our office, and will be presented to you by phone, so you can make your decisions privately.

Contact The Matt Hurlburt Group to find out more about Risk Free Listings and our Flexible Fee Listing Structure.

Fall in Vermont means crisp nights, dazzling foliage, apple and pumpkin picking, fresh cider, and a great time for real estate? Read on to see the seven reasons that Fall may be the best time to think about hunting for that perfect property. Let the Matt Hurlburt Group be your best resource as you begin your Fall adventure!