There’s nothing more Texan than burgers and barbecue on a summer day. Follow these tips to make sure your cookout is a safe one.
1 Grill in a safe location Propane and charcoal grills should be used only outdoors. The grill should be placed well away from the home and deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches. Don’t grill or barbecue in a windy area.
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 So what makes a perfect flip or renovation investment property and how do you market the qualities that will attract these buyers?
Desirable locationA desirable neighbourhood is the most critical box to tick when buying a house to flip or renovate to invest. A desirable location could be a hot spot with rising or steady real estate sales, or simply somewhere people want to live – a nice street, close to good schools, within easy access to public transport, or situated in a safe family-friendly environment. Here are some phrase examples for a listing that ticks the ‘desirable location’ box (extracted from The Copy Cat Real Estate Phrase Finder): STREET:
Here are some phrase examples for a listing that ticks the ‘structurally sound’ box:
Here are some non-specific phrase examples that relate to a listing’s potential:
Here are some phrase examples for a listing that ticks the ‘suitable block’ box: ASPECT:
Here are some phrase examples for a listing that ticks the ‘versatile layout’ box:
Here are some phrase examples for a listing that ticks the ‘good value’ box:
 Would you like to see higher levels of engagement and better enquiries from your commercial property listings? In a competitive market the quality of your copy can be the difference between sealing a deal and missing out on a potential opportunity.
When it comes to residential properties, purchasing and leasing decisions tend to be more emotionally driven than for commercial properties. This is because the decision is more personal. For commercial properties, raised capital or the company’s money is often used to make the purchase, and there may be a level of accountability to investors and other stakeholders to consider. Although it’s important to keep this in mind, emotional motivators will still be influencing factors. So how do you tailor your approach to the commercial market and speak to a prospect’s emotions in your marketing message? The key is to weave benefits into the features that prospects take into consideration when purchasing or leasing a commercial property. There are three main types of commercial property. These are OFFICE, RETAIL and INDUSTRIAL. Each have their own features and benefits that will play a role in a potential buyer’s purchasing or leasing decision. Office:
HEADING A snappy headline will attract interest. It can make or break your content and should communicate a key benefit or feature. Here are a few examples:
Illustrating the benefits of a commercial listing’s position gets prospects thinking about the positive impact the property will have on their success. Here are some examples of phrases relating to the position of a commercial property:
Every commercial property has specific features with benefits that can be woven into your property listing. The aim is to paint a picture of what prospects can achieve when they are in the premises. Here are some examples:
 How to create an emotional connection with buyers through storytellingOverwhelming research suggests that purchasing decisions are made with both logic and emotions in play. Therefore, your representation of a listing should not only consist of its key features and attributes, but the emotional triggers that will influence a buyer’s connection to a property.
The property needs to ‘feel right’ before a buyer will use logic to justify their decision to commit. The more proficient you are at establishing an emotional connection between the prospective buyer and the property, the more likely it will be that you will close the sale. So, what sort of marketing messages will create experiences that speak to your buyers on an emotional level? The age-old practice of storytelling is a powerful method when marketing listings. When home buyers are considering a purchase, they’re buying into a lifestyle. Living in a coastal location may mean early surfs, afternoon walks along the beach, and a stroll to the village café on the weekend. A city location may mean a short commute to work using an easy transport network, a large choice of dining and entertainment options within easy reach, a low maintenance apartment that offers safety and security, and opportunities to immerse yourself in a socially diverse environment. Here are some examples of phrases aimed at putting a prospective buyer in the picture to create an emotional connection:
Ways to get to know your area could include:
These questions may include:
Examples include:
 I you're a homeowner, you already know that keeping your property in tiptop shape requires dedication and patience for ongoing maintenance. But what if you've put your home on the market, or even accepted an offer? Perhaps you're thinking: Not my problem anymore.
Sorry, folks, we've got news for you: Just because you’re selling doesn't mean you're off the hook from routine maintenance tasks—and that's especially true if you’ve already vacated the house. Sure, a well-cared-for house shows better: Small things like broken doorbells and leaky faucets make buyers wonder if your property also has bigger issues elsewhere. But more important, a little routine maintenance can help you avoid a catastrophic problem down the line (e.g., burst pipes, roof leaks, critters moving into your attic) that could devalue your property and derail that sale To prevent minor issues from escalating into full-blown, money-sucking, sale-killing problems, focus on these six important areas you can’t afford to neglect. 1. Keep up the yard and walkways Whether you're still living at the home or not, you'll want to make sure to keep your landscaping tidy—remove dead tree limbs, rake leaves, and clean out flowerbeds. If your home is already vacant, have someone tend to the yard regularly so that grass and weeds don’t detract from your home’s appearance, suggests Kyle Hiscock, a Realtor® with Re/Max Reality Group in Rochester, NY. “If your home does not have a well-maintained exterior, (potential buyers) will keep driving,” he cautions. “Plus, this kind of neglect can be a bull's-eye for vandals to break into your property.” Consider having lights on timers so the house doesn’t look dark all the time, and arrange for driveways and walkways to be plowed weekly in the winter months. And don't let mail pile up in the mailbox. 2. Clean the gutters and check the roof This one's easy to forget about, even when you don't plan on going anywhere. But when it comes to gutter and roof issues, neglect can cause a dangerous domino effect. Overflowing gutters can damage your foundation, and also lead to drainage issues. And, of course, you don’t want buyers seeing puddling water as they approach your house. Just ask Alise Roberts, owner/broker at Alise Roberts & Company in Bellevue, WA. In the rainy Pacific Northwest climate, she frequently has to remind her clients to keep sidewalks clear of moss and clean gutters of pine needles and leaves. "Buyers, seeing the house when it’s raining, will also see your gutters overflowing," she says. "That’s a terrible first impression.” And then there's the roof. Of course, it'll be examined during the home inspection, but it would behoove you to do it before putting your home on the market. Small roof cracks can remain undetected for years, causing water to slowly infiltrate your home and damage ceilings and walls. “If water starts to penetrate a property, it can be a very difficult sale," Hiscock notes. "Water in basements or in homes is one of the top three things buyers are scared of.” 3. Service your heating systems It’s not sexy, but the hidden guts of your home need regular attention, whether you’re still living there or not. That means having your HVAC systems professionally serviced. First up, your furnace: If you get it addressed before you list your home, it won't smell like dust when you crank up the heat during an open house on a chilly day. While you're at it, have the duct work and filters cleaned as well. And if you have baseboard heaters, vacuum those out, too. (Speaking of heat, Roberts suggests keeping the thermostat at 66 degrees Fahrenheit when agents are showing your house so buyers can visit your place comfortably. This will also avoid any issues with pipes freezing or bursting.) Have a chimney? Be sure to have it inspected and cleaned as well. “You want to make sure there are no cracked flue tiles, and that from the exterior, there are no gaps in the mortar between the bricks,” Hiscock explains. “Otherwise, you could potentially have the chimney fall over onto the house, and that’s a very expensive fix.” 4. Keep the critters out If you don’t want to add "family of raccoons included" to your listing (and pay the hefty tab for getting them out), inspect the inside and outside of your home for any areas that need to plugged up. Take care of holes from damaged siding or fascia under the roofline—and do it promptly. “In a colder climate, squirrels look for somewhere warm to go, and they’ll find their way into your property,” Hiscock says. Stove and dryer vents, for example, should be covered with wire mesh to deter pests. 5. Wash your windows Most people associate sparkling windows with spring-cleaning, Roberts says. But if your house is on the market, it doesn't matter what time of year it is—you need to get those babies squeaky clean. “If buyers walk through your home and all they see is dirty windows, that’ll really mar the showing process," she says. Make sure to wipe them down after a bad storm, when they're especially likely to show muck and grime buildup. 6. Check the calendar Depending on what time of year you bring your house to market, pay attention to any details that scream, "We don’t live here or care anymore," Roberts says. That means tackling seasonal tasks such as clearing away lawn mowers in the fall and storing shovels in the spring. “Too often, I see a seller’s patio furniture still outside during the winter time. To me, that's not a good reflection on the property,” Hiscock says. “It shows deferred maintenance and lack of caring, and can really turn off a potential buyer. "If a seller can’t put away their patio furniture and lawn mower, what makes you believe that they've actually maintained the property all the years they've been there?” he adds. Staying on top of these regular tasks will make it easier to sell your home with fewer headaches. Plus, it'll preserve the value of your property, and potentially, the thickness of your wallet, too.  During the busy rental season you may find that you're being pulled in multiple directions. If you want to stay on top of things, you will need to have your process and policies set before you jump in the middle of it. This includes how you will handle a variety of fees. Before things get too crazy, take a few minutes to consider the following about rental fees and deposits:
7 Steps to Take Before You Buy a HomeBy: G. M. Filisko Published: February 10, 2010 By doing your homework before you buy, you’ll feel more content about your new home. Most potential home buyers are a smidge daunted by the fact that they’re about to agree to a hefty mortgage that they’ll be paying for the next few decades. The best way to relieve that anxiety is to be confident you’re purchasing the best home at a price you can afford with the most favorable financing. These seven steps will help you make smart decisions about your biggest purchase. 1. Decide How Much Home You Can Afford Generally, you can afford a home priced two to three times your gross income. Remember to consider costs every homeowner must cover: property taxes, insurance, maintenance, utilities, and community association fees, if applicable, as well as costs specific to your family, such as day care if you plan to have children. 2. Develop Your Home Wish List Be honest about which features you must have and which you’d like to have. Handicap accessibility for an aging parent or special needs child is a must. Granite countertops and stainless steel appliances are in the bonus category. Come up with your top five must-haves and top five wants to help you focus your search and make a logical, rather than emotional, choice when home shopping. 3. Select Where You Want to Live Make a list of your top five community priorities, such as commute time, schools, and recreational facilities. Ask a REALTOR® to help you identify three to four target neighborhoods based on your priorities. 4. Start Saving Have you saved enough money to qualify for a mortgage and cover your down payment? Ideally, you should have 20% of the purchase price set aside for a down payment, but some lenders allow as little as 5% down. A small down payment preserves your savings for emergencies. However, the lower your down payment, the higher the loan amount you’ll need to qualify for, and if you still qualify, the higher your monthly payment. Your down payment size can also influence your interest rate and the type of loan you can get. Finally, if your down payment is less than 20%, you’ll be required to purchase private mortgage insurance. Depending on the size of your loan, PMI can add hundreds to your monthly payment. Check with your state and local government for mortgage and down payment assistance programs for first-time buyers. 5. Ask About All the Costs Before You Sign A down payment is just one home buying cost. A REALTOR® can tell you what other costs buyers commonly pay in your area -- including home inspections, attorneys’ fees, and transfer fees of 2% to 7% of the home price. Tally up the extras you’ll also want to buy after you move-in, such as window coverings and patio furniture for your new yard. 6. Get Your Credit in Order A credit report details your borrowing history, including any late payments and bad debts, and typically includes a credit score. Lenders lean heavily on your credit report and credit score in determining whether, how much, and at what interest rate to lend for a home. The minimum credit score you can have to qualify for a loan depends on many factors, including the size of your down payment. Talk to a REALTOR® or lender about your particular circumstance. You’re entitled to free copies of your credit reports annually from the major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Order and then pore over them to ensure the information is accurate, and try to correct any errors before you buy. If your credit score isn’t up to snuff, the easiest ways to improve it are to pay every bill on time and pay down high credit card debt. 7. Get Prequalified Meet with a lender to get a prequalification letter that says how much house you’re qualified to buy. Start gathering the paperwork your lender says it needs. Most want to see W-2 forms verifying your employment and income, copies of pay stubs, and two to four months of banking statements. If you’re self-employed, you’ll need your current profit and loss statement, a current balance sheet, and personal and business income tax returns for the previous two years. Consider your financing options. The longer the loan, the smaller your monthly payment. Fixed-rate mortgages offer payment certainty; an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) offers a lower monthly payment. However, an adjustable-rate mortgage may adjust dramatically. Be sure to calculate your affordability at both the lowest and highest possible ARM rate. Seven Deadly Seller Sins
Several seller mistakes or misconceptions occur rather predictably in residential real estate, in particular: Pricing higher than the competition. Refusing reasonable offers early on. Not putting the property in the best possible condition for sale. Making showing the property difficult. Not recognizing that a seller’s home is a buyer’s house (a commodity with no emotional attachment). Blaming the agent for the market. Not reducing the price in a timely manner, causing market aging. Advantage accrues to agents who anticipate these “sins” and help their clients overcome them. Five Buyer Bloopers Buyers, also, are prone to certain transgressions: Believing AVMs have the right value. Listening to people who bought houses years ago—the market has changed. Believing people who insist that every house is overpriced by X%.  When you're house hunting, the allure of new construction is undeniable. You get to be the first to live in the pristine home - one untouched by grimy hands or muddy shoes. It's full of brand-new appliances and the finishes and treatments that you picked to fit your tastes. And you won't have to worry about making any cosmetic or structural upgrades for years.
If you are interested in buying a new construction, the builder's agent will be ready to help you with the process. But make no mistake: You need your own real estate agent from the get-go. Even if it seems like plug and play to sign up with the builder's on-site agent, you're going to want someone representing your side of the deal. What is a builder's agent? When you buy a new construction, the home's builder is considered the seller, and the agent representing the builder is called the builder's agent. That agent's job is to always have the builder's best interest in mind. After all, the job of the builder's agent is to get the highest price for the homes the builder is selling so the agent is not going to be as eager to negotiate down. Why you should hire your own real estate agent It's a good idea to have your real estate agent accompany you on your first visit to the new construction. Why? Because the builder (aka the seller) will be responsible for paying the commission, and needs to know if you'll have a real estate agent representing you. So bringing your agent to the first visit will make it clear that the builder's agent will be on the hook for paying commission. Some builders might even refuse to pay your agent a commission if you don’t register the agent the first time you visit the home on a new construction site. It will be the job of your agent to get the most value for your money, and to help the process run smoothly. When buying new construction, here’s what your real estate agent will help you with that you might miss out on if you stick with the builder’s agent:
All that said, the builder's agent can be a valuable resource for learning about your potential new home. Since they likely have represented the builder since construction of the housing development began, they are knowledgeable about the selection of homes being built, optional amenities, and the visions for the community. You can rely on the builder's agent for background information—just don’t make this individual your sole point of contact on the buying and selling process. Pax Real Estate Agents Are Here to Help Everyone wants to walk away from buying a home with peace of mind - whether it be a new construction or not. Having a real estate agent in your corner will help facilitate that. If you are considering building your own home, we've compiled a list of new construction properties available now (several of which are Pax listings). The list consists of newly-constructed homes, homes to be built, and vacant land in Calvert County. Looking in other areas and/or other types of property? Give us a call. Pax agents are here to help you find your dream home! |
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