5 Safety Precautions for a Safe, Hassle-Free Home Sale




If you want to protect your home and yourself during the listing process, there are five safety precautions you need to take in your home.

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When preparing to list your home, there are five safety precautions you should take.

First, remove all prescription medications inside your medicine cabinet.

Second, put away any jewelry, family heirlooms, financial records, and other valuables and store them somewhere else.

Third, remove all family photos from your home. Not only will this help the buyer visualize themselves living inside the home, but it will also protect your privacy.

Fourth, install surveillance cameras.

Lastly, don’t let anyone view the home without their agent present.

Make sure your Realtor has some kind of screening process.


As a seller, preparing your home for the market can be a stressful time. You’re thinking about getting the best price and possibly needing to move quickly, and you’ll have potentially a lot of strangers into your home, so make sure your Realtor has some kind of screening process.

Our job is to make this process easy for you, so if you’re thinking about selling your home, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I will do a comparative market analysis to help you find the best price, give you tips on how to prepare your home for the market and maximize its value, and provide safety tips to ensure all these precautions are in place.

If you have any other questions or are thinking about buying a home, just give me a call or send me an email. I’d be happy to help you.
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Location: Saco, ME, USA

How Will the Fed's Recent Decision Influence the Market?




The Fed’s recent decision is going to have a big impact on our economy and real estate market. Here is everything you need to know.



The Fed just announced a move that will have a big impact on sellers and buyers.

At the recent meeting on September 20th, the Fed decided to cut back their balance sheet. While this might sound boring compared to the usual news of Fed rate hikes, it’s actually a big deal.

The financial crisis we saw a decade ago caused the Fed to take emergency measures. So, they injected a huge amount of money into the economy by buying up various financial assets in an enormous sum.

These financial assets amounted to a sum of about 25% of the United States economy at that time. But now, the economy has recovered to the point where the Fed feels comfortable taking some of this money back.

As you can imagine, this is going to have a huge impact on our economy and real estate market. This change is going to put upward pressure on consumer borrowing costs such as mortgage rates.
This change is going to put upward pressure on consumer borrowing costs such as mortgage rates.
In other words, if you are thinking of buying a home you should know that the Fed’s most recent move will eventually make it more expensive to do so.

Also, sellers must be aware that this change could result in fewer interested buyers. This might lead to a decrease in prices, making it harder to sell.

However, this is not an immediate change. The rollback will be gradual, with the Fed taking back just $10 billion per month. Compared to the $4.5 trillion total that was borrowed originally, this is not a significant amount.

While the Fed’s move will not take effect immediately, you should act quickly if you have been thinking of buying or selling. Now is the time to make your move before the process of this change starts to escalate.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Location: Saco, ME, USA

5 Ways to Invest in Real Estate



Real estate investing is on the rise. Here are five different ways you can get involved.

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 Investing in real estate is no longer restricted to the super wealthy. According to a recent survey, real estate investors now make up 15% of the population. That translates to almost 50 million individuals who invest in at least one property other than their primary residence.

In fact, 89% of U.S. investors are interested in putting their money in real estate because of benefits such as cash flow, tax incentives, leverage, and value appreciation that come with investing in multiple properties.

Are you curious about investing in real estate? If so, here are five different ways you can get started:

1. Buy and rent
This is probably the most traditional way to invest in real estate. It simply involves buying a property and renting it out. Now is a good time for this kind of investing because rental rates are on the rise (8% since last year) but the downside of this investing approach is the time and effort needed to manage and maintain your investment.

2. Buy and sell
Also known as home flipping, this involves buying a property and reselling it soon after for a profit. Home flipping has offered a record-breaking 49% return in 2016.

Home flipping offered a record-breaking 49% return in 2016.

3. Real estate investment groups
Real estate investment groups are organizations that buy a set of properties and then sell them to individual investors.The main benefit of this approach is that you typically do not need to act as the landlord because the investment group handles property management for you (for a fee of course).

4. Crowdfunding sites
Recently, there's been an explosion of sites such as Prosper and Lending Club, which allow individuals to invest in various real estate development projects. Through crowdfunding sites, you can be a part of a large-scale property investment while investing only a moderate amount of money. On the other hand, crowdfunding sites act as a middleman and charge fees which can eat into your profits.

5. REITs
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are like mutual funds for real estate.They typically pay high dividends. However, they also do not offer all of the typical benefits of investing in real estate, such as increased leverage and tax benefits.

Each of these investing approaches offers a tradeoff between possible profits, risks, and costs.
The one constant is that you can minimize your risks with due diligence and by consulting with an experienced real estate professional.

If you have any questions for us or you’re interested in investing in real estate yourself, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you.
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Location: Saco, ME, USA

Busting 3 Common Home Buying Myths



Today I’m busting three common home buying myths that can sometimes deter people from buying.

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 There are a few common myths that exist around the subject of buying a home.

First of all, many people falsely assume that mortgage payments are unaffordable.

In fact, the tax savings you gain from a mortgage actually makes up a large portion of the difference between a rent payment and a mortgage. Mortgages are a lot more affordable than many people think.

The second myth I’d like to bust is that buying a home is too complicated. Though the process does involve some fine details, working with a quality Realtor will alleviate any confusion. The job of a Realtor is to walk you through the transaction from start to finish.

From helping with the pre-approval, talking about your goals, all the way into guiding you to the best home, Realtors are here to help.

Third, there is a common misconception that buying a new home requires a substantial down payment. This is simply not the case. Many programs exist, such as the VA program for veterans, that require zero money down.

There’s also the FHA program, which allows first-time homebuyers to put as little as 3.5% down. Conventional loans can also be as low as 5%.

It’s a great time to buy a home.

Rates are still low right now, so it’s a great time to buy a home.

If you’d like to hear how I can help you buy a home, have any other questions, or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Location: Saco, ME, USA

Things to Do to Get Ready to List Your Home



Today I’ve got a list of five inexpensive things that you can do to get your home ready to sell.

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I’m often asked what homeowners can do to get their homes ready for listing. Today I’ve got a list of five things you can do to your home without breaking the bank:

  1. A tile backsplash in the kitchen. This is a relatively inexpensive thing to do and Home Depot offers classes on how to create the look if you’re a DIY’er like myself. This simple project can completely update the look and feel of your kitchen without having to spend the money on an entire remodel.
  2. Painting rooms. Fresh paint really goes a long way without costing too much money. Be sure to choose neutral colors that will help the buyer visualize themselves in the room and give them a fresh canvas on which to work if they want to personalize the home once they’ve moved in.
  3. Replace kitchen and bathroom faucets. Updating these items throughout the home gives everything a fresh look without having to replace the cabinets in a larger remodel. You can find new fixtures for a great price at Home Depot.
  4. Spruce up your entryway. Adding a few simple decorations inside, as well as some potted plants outside your front door will go a long way towards adding positive curb appeal to your home.
  5. Add a fresh layer of mulch to your gardens. Doing this simple thing will give your yard a cleaner, more put-together look and do great things for your curb appeal.

These simple things will go a long way to adding value to your home, and you don’t have to break the bank to do it.

If you have any other questions or you’re looking to buy or sell a home in our area, give me a call. I would be happy to help!
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Location: Saco, ME, USA

What to Ask Yourself Before Listing



Before you put your home on the market, there are four key questions that will help you make the most out of your listing.

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Before you sell your home, there are four key questions you should ask.

1. How does your home size and layout compare to other homes on the market? One of the first steps you can take in answering this question is going online to look at properties in your area. When you examine your home using other comparable homes as a point of reference, you’ll get a better idea of how to value your property. In addition, you might also find that this will help you decide on which upgrades, if any, might help your listing.

2. What are the key selling points of your home? Your property is unique. Along with looking at other properties to see what sets them apart, you should also be considering what is special about your own home. Do you have a security system, a fenced in yard, or other unique amenities? Determining these items will help you to better market your home.


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 Consider what is special about your home.

”


3. What are small upgrades and improvements you can do prior to putting your home on the market? Before you list, your home should be in the best condition possible. Small improvements like painting can make a big difference. But also don’t forget to take care of any repairs, as well. The front entrance is going to be especially important. Make sure it looks attractive in terms of curb appeal.

4. What type of buyer should you be looking for? Having a target demographic for your listing will make the process of marketing much easier. If you have a multi-family home you’ll most likely seek investors or an owner-occupied person looking to supplement their income. If your property is on the water, you might be looking for buyers who are seeking out a second home.

If you are thinking of selling, even if you aren’t planning to do so in the immediate future, I would love to help. I’d be more than happy to visit your property and help you answer each of these questions about your property.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you, soon.
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Location: Maine, USA

You Don’t Need a Down Payment




What's the biggest obstacle to homeownership?

According to a recent survey, "saving enough for a down payment" comes at the top of the list. A whopping 55% of prospective homebuyers cited this as their main stumbling block.

And with the continuing growth of home prices, things aren't getting any easier. In fact, homeownership rates reached a 20-year low last November.
It wasn't always like this.

A decade ago, many lenders were offering easy, no-money-down mortgages.

However, after the financial crisis, mortgage standards have become more restrictive. A typical mortgage now requires a 20% down payment.

Here's the good news.

If you have decent credit and a steady income, you might be qualified for a number of specialized programs that require no or very little down payment. Here are a few of the top options.

First, there's the USDA loan, which is valid for homes in certain regions, such as rural and suburban areas. 

With zero money down and lenient credit requirements, the USDA loan can be a great choice for many homeowners.

Second, there’s the VA loan, which you can apply for if you or your spouse served in a branch of the military.

It's possibly the most generous zero-money-down mortgage because of low interest rates and low closing costs.

55% CITED THE LACK OF A DOWN PAYMENT AS THEIR MAIN STUMBLING BLOCK.

Third, there's the FHA loan. It does require a 3.5% down payment — still drastically more achievable than the 20% required for a conventional mortgage.

Finally, there are a number credit unions and first-time homebuyer programs that might apply to your particular situation.

There’s one important thing you should know.

If you get one of these no-money-down mortgages, chances are good you will be required to pay private mortgage insurance, which can drive up your monthly payments.

Fortunately, private mortgage insurance will disappear after your mortgage balance is under 80%. Also, the money you do pay will be tax deductible in most cases.

In short, there are lots of options to make owning a home a reality for you, even if you haven't saved up tens of thousands of dollars.

If you need any advice on getting a no-money-down loan, give me a call. I can put in touch with some experienced lenders who can answer your questions and get you started. I look forward to hearing from you soon. 
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Location: Saco, ME, USA

Why Zillow's Zestimates Are Usually Inaccurate



Many homeowners are disappointed to find out that their home isn't actually worth as much as Zillow says it's worth. So why are home value calculators like Zillow incorrect so often?

Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation

 If you're selling your home, you may have looked to Zillow.com to see what your home is worth. Many times, Zillow will say your home is worth more than what your Realtor says it's worth. Why is that?

For starters, Zillow's home value calculators rely on a formula that only considers things like square footage and recent home sales in the area. As you know, however, most homes aren't perfect after years of wear and tear. Realtors dislike Zillow's Zestimates because they involve no human interaction. Zillow can't physically come see your home. Instead, it relies on an algorithm and statistics.

Secondly, these online estimates miss the details of a home. Your home might have wallpaper from the 1950s or a kitchen that hasn't been upgraded in 20 years. If your neighbor's home has those upgrades, the Zestimate can give you false hope because it doesn't know that your home needs the updates. On the other hand, if your home actually has all these updates and renovations, Zillow still doesn't know that. It could miss value that your home has.

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Zillow can't come see your home in
person like a local Realtor will.
”


Third, these Zestimates are strictly guidelines. They give homeowners a lot of false hope, and even though it's easy to tell ourselves that the values they provide aren't always accurate, it's not always easy to remember. When you think your home is worth more than it actually is, you will be disappointed when you find out that it might be different.

You can do some homework on the Internet to look at recent sales in your area to get a better idea. To get the best idea of your home's value, you should consult a local Realtor who sells a lot of homes in that area. They can show you what has sold recently and compare the benefits and features of those homes to yours to help you come up with an accurate value for your home.

The southern Maine market is a very attractive seller's market right now, so if you'd like to know what your home is truly worth or you're ready to sell now, give me a call or send me an email soon. I'd be happy to help you!
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Location: Saco, ME, USA

You Don’t Want to Miss Two Brothers Pizzeria and Deli



Today I’m excited to shine a spotlight on a great local restaurant called Two Brothers Pizzeria and Deli.

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Today I’m excited to tell you about Two Brothers Pizzeria and Deli, a great spot located at 213 North St. in Saco, Maine. I’m joined by Brady and Justin, the two brothers who are the inspiration for Two Brothers and the reason it’s here.

They use a hand-tossed pizza dough and make their own sauce in-house. Check out the video above for a live demonstration of how they make their handmade dough for their brick oven pizza.

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Both their hand-tossed dough and
pizza sauce are made in-house.
”


Some special items here include their marinated steak tips and chicken breasts as well. They also hope to be doing deliveries by the middle of next summer. For more info, you can check out their Facebook page.

If you come, mention Deja Lett and you’ll get $1 off your next pizza!

 In the meantime, give me a call if you have any questions about the real estate market here in southern Maine or you’re looking to buy or sell a home. I’d be happy to help you!
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Location: Saco, ME, USA

Biddeford Business Spotlight on Dirigo Brewing Company



Have you visited Dirigo Brewing Company yet? If you haven’t, here’s why you should.
Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation

 We’re excited to spotlight a great local business today. Mark Paulin is with us from Dirigo Brewing Company and we’re here to talk to Mark a little bit about how the business got started and share some exciting news about what’s coming next.

Many of you know Mark from the car repair business. How did he get into the brewing industry? Well, for starters, he wanted to make people happy. While he was able to give great auto repair service to his clients, nobody is ever happy when they get a $1,000 bill. Mark noticed that people were never unhappy when drinking beer, so why not try something like this? The craft beer industry is exploding and Mark believes they’ve got something pretty special here with Dirigo.

Dirigo Brewing Company makes old-world style German lagers and ales. They primarily focus on lagers because there aren’t a lot of them in the craft brewing world. They are difficult to make and can cost a lot if you don’t have the right equipment. You can make an ale in 14 days and hide a lot of the imperfections. With lagers, everything has to be just perfect for things to come out right. Mark embraces that challenge.

They do a lot of cool special events here at DBC. They’ll have live entertainment here on the weekends, as well as other special events. The best place to get the latest information about the events is through their Facebook page. One big piece of news to note is that they have recently partnered up with Richie’s Jerk and Barbecue to serve food. You’ll be able to come down to the brewery, order some food, and enjoy the atmosphere while drinking some delicious suds.

One more thing we wanted to mention is that we are actually holding a class here for homebuyers soon. Our “Hoppy Homebuyers” event is March 15th from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., so keep an eye out for that.

If you are a buyer, keep in mind that inventory is still low. However, interest rates have gone up. If you were pre-approved in the past few months, you should check in with your lender to see what your current rate is and how that increase has affected your purchasing power.

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Our home buying class will be
at Dirigo on March 15th.
”


Thanks so much to Mark for joining us today. If you have any questions for us in the meantime, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Location: Saco, ME, USA

What to Expect From Real Estate in 2017



Welcome to the 2017 real estate market. I have a few tips for buyers and sellers this year, as well as a small favor to ask.

Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation
Happy New Year and welcome to 2017!

First, I want to thank you all for an amazing 2016. We were able to help 145 people achieve their real estate goals. We are so grateful to our clients, friends, and family members and all of the support you gave our business in 2016.

As we look ahead to the 2017 real estate market, I have a few tips for buyers and sellers.

If you are a buyer, keep in mind that inventory is still low. However, interest rates have gone up. If you were pre-approved in the past few months, you should check in with your lender to see what your current rate is and how that increase has affected your purchasing power.

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Rising interest rates will affect buyers 
and sellers alike.
”


If you are a seller, it’s important that you get competitive. I recommend speaking with a knowledgeable, local real estate agent who sells a lot of homes in your area. Keep in mind that rising interest rates will affect you, too. Rising interest rates may push some buyers out of the market, which means there will be a smaller buyer pool out there for your home.

Finally, I have a quick favor to ask. If you have any questions about the real estate market or if there are other real estate topics you would like to learn more about, please send me an email. Ask me a question and I will answer it in my next blog post!

In the meantime, if you have any questions about buying or selling a home, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I would be happy to help you!
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Location: Saco, ME, USA
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