Smart Moves for Seniors

2006-12-13T22:30:00.000-05:00

The market is in transition, its clear. Its a challenge to price a house in a transitional market. Its also a challenge to make an offer on one when change is so much the order of the day. Shifting sands don't hold still. There are still plenty of buyers interest and plenty of sellers posting signs in their yards. Some sell quickly and others last longer. We may see the return of the old "rent with an option to buy" before long if sellers become more eager to move their house along. We do see a number of "for rent or sale" signs popping up. What to do during a transitional market? Make yourself aware of the movement and sale of houses in your neighborhood and be realistic about how your house compares with those which have sold. Be as realistic as you can about what your property is actually worth in a transitional market. Price the house at a reasonable level to encourage buyers to take a closer look. You want to leave the door open for as many buyers as possible, then they can determine the market value of your house through multiple offers, if you are fortunate. We can help give you the lowdown on your street and neighborhood. Give us a call. We'll work for you!

Have a great day!

2006-11-28T16:03:00.000-05:00

Astonishing results can be obtained with a can of paint. If you do nothing else to prepare your house for showing and sale, apply fresh paint to brighten and improve everything from the outside to the inside of your house. Fresh paint generally makes a good impression on prospective buyers as they compare one house to another. They'll appreciate and recognize that you have made an effort to maintain and "spruce up" your house. Recognizing that an owner has taken some extra time and effort to make it more appealing will generally do just that. Stay away from loud or distinctive colors. More neutral colors provide more opportunity for a 0rospective new owner to decorate and plan the decor to their own interest and liking. A realtor can give you some suggestions. Give us a call or drop us an email. We'll work for you.

Have a great day!

2006-11-27T14:49:00.000-05:00

Wonder what if you waited til Spring to buy or to sell? That seems to be the conventional thinking in the housing market. The notion that you can attract more desireable buyers and/or homes by waiting seems to put many into hibernation until the Spring Thaw. By Spring other externals which impact the market, such as the Stock Market,Mortgage Rates, regional market changes and/or shifts will also have taken place which may/and could impact the selling and buying environment, so there's no guarantee that you will "do better" by waiting. The season for selling and buying is whenever interest or need dictates. You determine the best time for either activity. As realtors, we are ready and able to work in your best interest at any time of year. Give us a call and ask us any other questions you may have. We'll work for you.

Have a great day!

2006-11-21T16:29:00.000-05:00

While checking realtors'websites and the newspaper's classified advertising for new listings is helpful for staying in touch with the housing market, the most up-to-date and thorough listing of houses on the market and available is the MLS (multiple listing service), which is available by working with a licensed realtor. A realtor can alert you to houses on the market which may not be advertised or included on websites, but that are,perhaps, "just what you are looking for." He or she can let you know more details about the house and arrange a showing, if you are interested in seeing it. A realtor can seek out answers to additional questions you may have, and let you know of changes and conditions or concerns with the listing as well. Do all the research you can, but check with a realtor to know the most current developments and situations in the housing market in your area.

Give us a call. We'll work for you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2006-11-20T13:46:00.000-05:00

Making a shift to a new style of home (condo, apartment, townhouse or RV) or location (in the same neighborhood, across town, or out of state) takes some gumption. You have to give yourself some credit for making a change and allow some transition time to adjust to the change. Moving from a house filled with memories and memorabilia can be daunting enough, not to mention costly, but locating a new and "fresh" location can bring in some good energy and enthusiasm as well. Its a trade-off, as are most things in life. You have to open one door and close another in order to move ahead. We'd be glad to help you sort through the possibilties. Give us a call or drop us an email. We'll work with you.

Have a great day!

2006-11-13T12:37:00.000-05:00

Watch your step! The front steps of your porch or house contribute to the first impression buyers receive as they enter your front door. Steps in poor and bad repair create the sense that the house is not well-cared for and the immediate impression may contribute to scepticism about the house regardless of how well you have landscaped and manicured the inside and outside of the property. Are the railings in good repair and adequate for easy and comfortable use? The front porch and the front steps of your house are the prelude to what could be a successful sale or a longer listing period. You can make a contribution to the outcome by making certain your front steps and porch are in great shape.

We can give you other suggestions on presenting your property. Give us a call or drop us a note. We'll work for you!

Have a great day!

2006-11-06T17:07:00.000-05:00

Brr! The chill is in the air and the heat had better be on. When you are having an Open House, you may want to crank the heat up to a comfortable level so that visitors to the Open House will feel comfortable and so notice how well the heating system is working. Making prospective buyers physically comfortable and appealing to their senses is an indirect but powerful appeal to their potential interest in your house. More important than baking bread, or boiling spices on your stove, creature comfort dictates that buyers will take more time to look over and consider a house if they are not chilly or uncomfortable in it. If you have a fireplace, you might also consider having your agent or a friend stoke and maintain a fire in the fireplace while your Open House is going on. There are resources your house may have which you may be overlooking. Ask us what other suggestions might be worth your consideration to improve your houses's appeal. We'll work for you! Stay warm.

Have a great day!

2006-11-03T17:49:00.002-05:00

The seasons bring changes to the temperatures as well as to the housing market. But don't be discouraged about "missing" what conventional wisdom dictates as the best time for the market. Buyers are as individual and unique in their needs and wishes as are the situations and conditions which may encourage sellers to list their homes. There is just no "right" or "wrong" time to put a house on the market or to go looking for one. Some may wait until the Spring, which traditionally has been seen as the best time to market a house, but sales are made year-round, including Christmas and even New Year's Eve. There are even some advantages at these times when less buyers are looking and fewer sellers are listing. Just the right buyer may come along when fewer folks are looking. Checking out houses in the colder Winter seasons gives buyers a chance to consider systems which may go unnoticed in warmer seasons...do the windows leak? How much is heat costing? How is the insulation? Does the street get plowed regularly? Both sellers and buyers can more easily address these issues when the temperatures fall. Keep the needs of each season in mind as you look at houses, regardless of the time of year.

We can give you other suggestions to keep in mind. We'll work for you. Give us a call.

Have a great day!

2006-11-01T13:47:00.000-05:00

Wuthering Heights? Feeling like the neighborhood where you live has changed and isn't the desireable location it once was? Sometimes that old saying, "Location, Location, Location" has even more meaning when a neighborhood shifts and property values are affected to the downside. Making a commitment to your neighborhood and encouraging your neighbors to care about their property and their neighborhood is a smart move for everyone. Perhaps neighbors could spend less time noticing the little things (like not raking the leaves or sweeping the driveway) and more time noticing the big items which buyers take note of when they come by to preview a property. Take a look at the "big picture" in your neighborhood and get things heading in a better direction. Organize a neighborhood cleanup and recruit the neighbors to get to know one another better as well as build some "pride of ownership" in their house, their neighborhood and their market values. In a buyer's market the quality of the houses in a neighborhood matters more than ever.

Looking for suggestions about what you might keep an eye on? We can help. Give us a call. We'll work for you. Have a great day!

2006-09-21T16:14:00.000-04:00

When you are considering applying for a mortgage, ask friends or coworkers to recommend companies with whom they have worked and with whom are they satisfied. You may feel that when you are applying for a mortgage, you are the one being investigated, but you should also investigate the companies you are considering doing business with at this time. There is a tremendous amount of competition for your business, and you really do want to find someone you have aa good deal of confidence and comfort in working with. Take your time to get a good sense of your mortgage broker's style and experience, and ask if they can provide references of those with whom they have worked and those whom you can contact for information. So as you provide financial information in your own application, be sure to do your own research on your own prospective broker. You owe it to yourself, and a good professional broker will appreciate your thoroughness and consideration.

We can help with suggestions and names of brokers you may want to consider. Give us a call!

Have a great day!

2006-09-20T10:54:00.000-04:00

In a recent presentation to real estate professionals, the chief accountant for the National Association of Realtors suggested and said that he believes that the current shift from a Seller's to a Buyer's market will "shake out" as sellers adjust to the new reality of the real estate market. In time, and as this shift becomes clear to sellers who have listings which are not moving, sellers will adjust their prices to more realistic levels. This adjustment will, he believes, bring buyers now "sitting on the sidelines" back into the market. This man has met with the "Fed" and they, he believes, will keep interest levels where they are at this point and to the end of the year, which will also encourage buyers to purchase. The media has, he maintains, over-played the so-called "housing bubble" . The vibrancy of the real estate market is critical to the U.S. economy and any number of related industries. There is a national investment in keeping it vital and "robust."

What is going on in your neighborhood, as well as your city and state? It is more likely that factors which are local will have a greater impact on housing sales in your area. Give us a call. We can help to fill you in. Have a great day!

2006-09-15T15:46:00.000-04:00

Even when there is a "Pending" or "Sold" sign out in front of a house you are interested in, you can and still should express your interest in it to the listing agent. There are a number of contingencies and points in a sale where a contract may not "go through", so it is always good to let a listing broker and agent know you would like to pursue it if the house goes back on the market. Ask them to call you in the event the contract is cancelled and the house becomes available again. The agent will be glad to know of your interest and the seller, no doubt, will as well. You'll be the first to know when the house is available in that case, and you will have the "inside track" on making the next offer on it, should you want to move ahead with it.

Give us a call. We can help with any related or other questions you may have. Have a great day!

2006-09-14T15:41:00.000-04:00

Everyone hopes that your offer on a house or property will "hold firm." When you make an offer on a house by signing a contract and providing a monetary deposit to demonstrate your serious intent to purchase a house, however, read the fine print of the contract carefully to make certain that if the terms of the contract are not fulfilled or met, you're deposit (in full) will be returned to you. A contract often provides for specific issues and concerns which must be addressed and met by a given date (attorney's approval of the agreement, mortgage approval and inspection) or/and it provides (among other things) for your receipt of an acceptable inspection result for the property. Your lawyer may advise you of other concerns and issues or particulars which you should be aware of when he or she reviews the agreement shortly after your offer has been accepted and the contract has been countersigned by the seller.

Working with professionals who know real estate will give you a "heads up" on details that matter. Give us a call or drop us a note at your convenience.

Have a great day!

2006-09-13T16:30:00.000-04:00

Hoping to make room for something new in your life? Sometimes getting rid of "extra duffle," and cutting back on things you don't need makes room for something you've always wanted. Consider a condominium or a town house if you don't need as much room as you now have. Plan a garage sale and let go of all that accumulated and unused stuff that only weighs you down when you look at it. Perhaps you can give up mowing the lawn and shoveling snow if you find a townhouse or condominium association whose monthly fees cover these services. Rather than worrying about the weather, you can spend more time enjoying a cozy night by the fireplace or taking a cruise or deciding what to take with you to the beach while you're on vacation. Do an inventory of your needs and wishes and consider the possibilities.

Call us or drop us a line. We would love to help make your possibilities a reality. Have a great day!

2006-09-12T14:41:00.000-04:00

When you have an Open House scheduled, and it rains or snows, don't be discouraged. You can never tell what kind of weather encourages or motivates buyers to come to an Open House. One snowy, cold day, a friend visited an Open House and was the only buyer present. She and the realtor talked about the place and she had plenty of time to look around and begin to feel comfortable in it. She submitted an offer the next day. It was accepted.

It only takes one buyer, and sometimes just the "right" one comes along. Sunny days when more people may seem to be out looking can also be "slim" from the standpoint of prospective buyers. Often those who might otherwise be looking may be out enjoying the good weather rather than looking at houses. You can never tell. Either way, stay open to having an "Open House", rain or shine. It only takes one buyer who is qualified,motivated,and has had a chance to see and want to buy your house.

A realtor can answer any questions you may have. Give us a call! Have a great day!

2006-09-08T16:07:00.000-04:00

What is exceptional service? What are you looking for? Make certain you are clear on what you want out of your Broker or Sales agent before you sign an agreement with them. Know what their resources are: Do they know you and what you need/want? Do they know your neighborhood or region? Do they have access to the MLS (multiple listing service) and give you as much information as you need and/or want to know? Do they talk more about themselves than they listen to you? Communication is often challenging, and sometimes confusing, so make sure you hire someone who is a good listener. Once you hire an agent, be sure to, as a friend said, "check assumptions." If you find yourself assuming something will be done, make sure your assumption is correct. Check and double-check your assumptions. That's a smart move in all communication, but it is particularly important in real estate transactions.

We're here to help when you have questions. Give us a call or send us a note. Have a great day!

2006-09-04T11:18:00.000-04:00

Wondering how to pick an agent? Perhaps you have a relative who is in real estate, or a friend you've known for years. This person may seem the natural choice for you and you may actually feel a bit obligated to give them your business. Ultimately, though, you must live with your choices and decisions, as in everything else in life. You might make a list of the goals you have for selling your house and more thoughtfully base your decision on the person you finally conclude can best help you to reach those goals. You may want to interview several agents and brokers in the process, and you might want to let all those you interview know what you are looking for as well as how you will be going about your selection. There is really nothing to keep you from making as informed a decision as possible. Remember that you perhaps will live with the consequences of your decision for years to come. You want to make the right decision. Tell those you do not select why you have decided on another agent, whether for personal or professional reasons. Tell the person you select what made you select them. Being "upfront" about your goals, your reasoning and your decision treats everyone in a professional manner. Everyone wins in that case.

Give us a call if we can help. We're here to work for you. Have a great day!

2006-08-31T11:25:00.000-04:00

Making a decision about landscaping your yard? The advice from Money Magazine about raising your property's value is to plant trees rather than shrubs or flowering plants. Experts Money consulted indicated that trees do historically increase the value of a property. The best trees to plant for future value according to these folks are hardwoods like Oaks and Elms. They suggest that you diversify your selections, so that if disease or blight strikes, you will have other varieties which are not impacted. While hardwood trees take many years to grow to maturity, they are solid additions to the beauty and, potentially, saleability of your house. Flowering trees take less time to develop, and mature to heights of 20+ feet, while the hardwoods grow to 40-50+ feet.

Planning your landscaping with your property value in mind is a Smart Move! Looking for other insights about improving your property's value? Give us a call. We're here to help.

Have a great day!

2006-08-28T16:57:00.000-04:00

Start planning for your sale by letting your friends and family as well as your neighbors know that you are going to be selling your house. Your advance notice to people who know you and your neighborhood will bring advance information to those your contacts know who may be the most likely potential buyers for your property. If you are a member of an association, or club or religious community, you may also let those people know of your plans in advance.The more exposure and interest you yourself are able to generate in your place, the more activity will develop once the house is available for sale. Your realtor can help with other suggestions and ideas about how to do some advance advertising on your house. We're here to help. Let us know how we can.

Have a great day!

2006-08-25T12:56:00.000-04:00

When you are in competition for the purchase of a house, you might want to provide a letter to the seller sharing the reasons for your interest in and apprecation for the house. Beyond the monetary offer you have made, a seller is sometimes moved to reconsider an offer based on a letter in which a buyer provides some compelling personal reasons for their desire to buy their house. Ownership of a house is often an emotional issue, and so owners sometimes really do appreciate knowing that a prospective owner will care for and value their house as much as they have valued it in the past. Give it some consideration when you learn that other bids are being placed on the same house you are interested in. Your realtor can give you other suggestions which may help to make your bid more competitive.

As realtors, we're here to help. Give us a call.

Have a great day!

2006-08-24T17:01:00.000-04:00

The national news often proclaims the state of real estate sales with comments about a "bubble bursting" or the market being, for example, down, stable or up. Really, you should not pay much attention to the national proclamations about the real estate market, but you should focus more attention on the market in your particular location and area. The specific information on your area is more relevant to your interests than is the broad, national commentary.

If you would like to know how your local market is doing, you should not hesitate to contact a realtor and ask how sales and the market are going in your region and, additionally, your own neighborhood. Don't be hesitant to utilize the resources a realtor can provide. We're here to work for you. Give us a call or drop us a line.

Have a great day!

2006-08-23T14:17:00.000-04:00

When you sign any agreement or contract, whether it is a listing or buying agreement or a mortgage contract, you really should take the time to read it carefully and thoroughly so that you know and fully understand what it says. Highlight areas which are unclear to you and ask your agent or,preferably, your lawyer to help explain or clarify the meanings and potential implications of the portions of the contract you are uncertain about. Too many sellers and buyers discover those meanings after they have signed an agreement, when it is too late to amend or alter them. You cannot be too careful when it comes to putting your name on a legal agreement. In this hurried society we tend to feel rushed through and sign things before we really know what they say. Take the time you need. Ask questions. Make sure you are comfortable with what you are agreeing to.

Your realtor can give you some guidance on who to contact about any other questions you may have. Give us a call or drop us an email.

We're here to work for you. Have a great day!

2006-08-21T13:45:00.000-04:00

Make certain when you begin the search for a new house that you have a prequalification letter or notice from your bank or lender. That way, when you find a place that you would like to make an offer on, you have a back-up letter and reference from a credible source endorsing your ability to finance or purchase it. A prequalification letter can be the deciding factor in a seller's decision as to whether to accept a given offer on their house. Likewise, if you are selling your house, make certain that you receive a prequalification letter from buyers who express interest or make an offer on your house. A realtor can help you obtain a prequalification letter.

We're here to work for you. Give us a call.

Have a great day!

2006-08-18T13:37:00.000-04:00

Making an addition to your house? Remember to keep all of the receipts and guarantees in a safe place, so that when you get ready to sell the house you can complete the property disclosure with the most thorough and complete information possible. The more detail you can provide, the better. Buyers will appreciate the information but will also recognize that you have done your best to keep your house in good repair and in a timely fashion. They'll also know who to contact about the work that was done if they buy the property and need to follow up on those improvements, additions or repairs at some future time. Don't underestimate the investments you have made in your house. They should pay off when you get ready to sell. A realtor can give you some other tips for preparing your house for listing and sale. Give us a call or drop us an email. We'll work for you!

Have a great day!

2006-08-17T14:16:00.000-04:00

When an Open House is held, many of those who come to the event may be your present neighbors. While this may seem to be nothing more than "nosiness" it may actually be highly beneficial for your neighbors to take a look at your house. Your neighbors may have friends or relatives who they would like to see move closer to them, and they may help to "spread the word" about your house's location and benefits. Who knows the neighborhood better than those who already live there? You can ask your realtor to create a "sign in" sheet for those attending the Open House, and this way you can see exactly who came by to take a look during the Open House hours. As Martha Stewart would say, "its a good thing" to let your neighbors know your house is about to be or listed as on the market. A realtor can give you other key insights about why Open Houses are "a good thing." Give us a call. We're here to work for you.

Have a great day!

2006-08-16T13:50:00.000-04:00

Are you thinking about a reverse mortgage? If so, you need to thoroughly inform yourself about the pros and cons of a reverse mortgage before signing up for one. You should really consult your financial advisor or talk with several knowledgeable professionals about the advantages and/or disadvantages for you and your particular situation before you decide a reverse mortgage is right for you. While there are some true advantages, particularly in certain situations, there are also some real issues which may give you pause and invite some further consideration and evaluation. Don't rush into this decision based on "hearsay." A realtor who works with a professional financial advisor can put you in touch with someone who can give you perspective in order to make your decision.

We'll work for you. Give us a call or send us an email.

Have a great day!

2006-08-15T15:22:00.000-04:00

When you are getting ready to list your house you might want to consider having a Pre-listing inspection done by a certified and licensed inspector. Doing this in advance and on your own initiative may give you a "heads up" professional opinion on certain details of your house which could present problems or issues once a buyer's inspection takes place. Doing an inspection prior to listing will give you the time to know about and address or improve/remedy any "defects" or "shortcomings"your house may have in advance of showing it to buyers. If you can or decide to provide the your own inspector's report to serious prospective buyers that is another great benefit and advantage to the buyer as well. The buyer may or may not then decide to conduct their own independent inspection, but you will have given the buyer the option and opportunity to save some of their own time and money by having provided a professional inspection report to them. A realtor can give you some assistance on this. Give us a call and let us know how we can help.

Have a great day!

2006-08-14T18:10:00.000-04:00

Dateline NBC just aired a program (August 13, 2006) about scams perpetrated by unlicensed home contractors in California. You might want to check the Dateline website at www.nbc.com/dateline for more detailed information about some of the concerns the program raised. If you need work done on your house, make sure that any contractors you may hire (for everything from tree trimming to home renovations) come with excellent references. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau and/or your local Chamber of Commerce to find out if the contracter you are considering hiring is listed with these organizations. If someone comes to your door suggesting you need to have something repaired or fixed, don't accept what they say or them at their word. Check them out! Make sure you are going to be getting professional and reputable work from them if you do decide to give them a try. Ask for references and follow up with your own research in order to make a smart decision.

A realtor can be a good resource for information. Give us a call. We'll work for you!

Have a great day!

2006-08-10T10:08:00.000-04:00

If you have had an appraisal done on your house some time ago, remember that the figure you were given at that time was based on sales in your area and assessments of your home's value at the given point in time in which it was done. Given this, you should not believe that the figure you were given at that earlier time represents the value of your house in the present market. The market is "time-bound" and determined by the recent and current sales of houses in your neighborhood. The market value of houses is always in a state of flux, just as are the financial markets, so nothing is firm or settled when it comes to housing values. A real estate agent can provide you with ways in which to help determine what the current value of your house may be. Give us a call or send us an email. We'll work for you!

Have a great day!

2006-08-03T13:43:00.000-04:00

Thinking about becoming a For Sale By Owner? There's a lot to consider. The promise of retaining more of your money by doing it all yourself does come at a price of more involvement and investment of your own time, energy and effort. You can get a number of books at your local library or bookstore on what generally is involved so you can become more informed about the range of investments you may have to make in order to make this work for you. While the promised benefits for selling on your own are intriguing, you do really need to know what kind of responsibility you will need to take on by yourself if you decide to go this route. A professional salesperson in the field of real estate can tell you the number responsibilities you will have to handle as well as the number of advantages you may have by using a realtor. In fact, homes sold by realtors often sell for more than those listed as For Sale By Owners. Inform yourself by asking us some questions at no cost to you. You will then make a more informed decision either way you go, so why not give us a call and let us know
how we can help. We'll work for you.

Have a great day!

2006-08-02T15:15:00.000-04:00

Looking for buyers and wondering where to find them? Your local realtor has a number of them they are working with. One may be looking for a house just like yours. Listing your house with a realtor gives it the greatest possible exposure to the greatest number of buyers in your area. Agents are always reviewing the inventory of available properties on the multiple listing service in order to find and select those which they believe most fit the needs of their buyers. With a number of houses on the market now, you need the exposure you can get through a realtor. Other questions or comments? We'd love to hear from you. We'd love to help. Give us a call or drop us a note.

Have a great day!

2006-08-01T13:36:00.000-04:00

Make certain to have the deed to your house available before you contact an agent. You will want to familarize yourself with the specfics of the deed and be clear on the parameters and boundaries of your property. You will also need to give the deed or a copy of it to your agent and to your lawyer so that they can review it prior to transfer and sale of the property to a buyer. If you cannot locate your deed you will have to contact your local government office far enough in advance to receive a duplicate copy of it. There is sometimes a backlog of work that piles up in these offices, so allowing plenty of time to receive what you need in a timely manner is important. If you need more specific information or guidelines give your realtor a call. We're here to help. Give us a call.

Have a great day!

2006-07-27T20:55:00.000-04:00

Interested in learning more about real estate? Many buyers as well as sellers become interested in a career change at some point, and often express interest in the real estate profession. It is an interesting and often stimulating line of work, and we would encourage you to give it some consideration if you have any interest. We would be glad to answer any questions you may have as you sift through the possibilities for your next career. Albany Realty Group can provide you with the insights and answers you want and need in order to make some decisions. Give me a call or drop me a note. We're here to help. We'll work for you.

Have a great day!

2006-07-26T22:17:00.000-04:00

In a "Buyers Market" you have to do all you can to make your house as appealing as possible. What makes your house "special" or "unique" and more saleable than others? Point out these features to your realtor so that he or she can give plenty of visability to their value. You might also want to ask others--friends or neighbors--what they see as most unique or special about your house. Bringing in the perspectives of others may be enlightening for you and their insights and comments may help you to sell your house more quickly when many others are being listed alongside your own. Talk with others and listen to their thoughts and comments.

Talk with us! We're here to work for you.

Have a great day!

2006-07-25T22:19:00.000-04:00

By the time some listed homes are shown on those TV channels and programs which air, they have often already been sold. The shows really generate interest in listings with a given agency, and so they are helpful in attracting viewers and prospective buyers to other listings which may be held by the agency. The shows are a marketing tool for the agencies more than a venue to show certain houses, though some may in fact be on the market and sell as a result of this exposure.

Often sellers want their homes broadcast and shown on these programs, but placing a house on the multiple listing service in the region is probably much more effective in obtaining buyer interest. On the MLS agents representing buyers can search and identify the houses which are mostly likely to be of interest to them and often they can email those listings for buyers review and consideration.

Working with a qualified realtor can put you ahead in the process. We'd love to help you achieve your goals. Give us a call.

Have a great day!

2006-07-24T22:11:00.000-04:00

You may have a signed contract for a bid placed on your house and believe the deal is done, but there are often some general conditions incorporated in a contract which permit a buyer to cancel and pull out of your deal. For example, if an inspection is part of the agreement, you should note what terms or developments (according to the contract) will allow a buyer to terminate the contract. If repairs noted by an inspecter (contracts usually incorporate an inspection as an essential component of the terms of the sale) are estimated to exceed a given amount, the seller may have to cover those expenses or the buyer may also perhaps opt out of the contract. In some instances your buyer may not qualify for the mortgage the deal was based on, given subsequent developments or issues in his or her financial history and which were not earlier disclosed to or discussed with a broker. Each situation is different and there are no circumstances which apply generally.

Read the terms of your contract carefully and closely to make certain that you are well aware of the possibilities. Hopefully, nothing will interfere with the sale, but its good not to be caught off guard when and if something does.

A realtor can help with a "heads up" about the issues you should be aware of and need to know about. Give us a call. We'll work for you.

Have a great day!

2006-07-21T15:46:00.000-04:00

I was once in a bidding war with another buyer for a house I really wanted. I had the sense that the other buyer wanted the house as much as I did, so when we both turned in sealed bids I made mine an odd number (actually, ending in "6s" above what I thought the other buyer would bid. As I recall, my bid was $176,666 (I believed the other buyer's bid was $175,000) and I got the house. My agent at the time asked how "in the world" I came up with that bid. If you really want a house, and you have to bid against other buyers for it, it sometimes makes all the difference to turn in a bid that is not in round numbers or obvious price breaks. Keep that in mind when you put in your next bid.

An agent can give you other suggestions which you may want to include as part of your bid. Ask a realtor. We're here for you. Send us a note and we'll get back to you asap.

Have a great day!

2006-07-20T19:46:00.000-04:00

2006-07-20T19:02:00.000-04:00

Qualified buyers are those who are preapproved for a mortgage up to a certain limit. These are the buyers you seek to interest in your property. You may receive offers from buyers who are not prequalified but tell you that they are able to obtain a loan for the required amount or that they will be approved for it, but, in fact, you run a great risk by engaging in conversations and dealings with buyers who are not prequalified. You may, for example, sign a purchase agreement with a buyer who is not prequalified, and subsequently your deal may "fall through" because they cannot deliver on their claim of ability to purchase. In the meantime, you have had your property off the market for a period of time and in that time you may have lost an opportunity of selling to those who would have been able to purchase and "make good" on the deal.

A licensed real estate professional can make certain that only prequalified buyers review and present offers on your home. That alone can save you time and money in the process. Give us a call. We have buyers who are prequalified and looking to buy.

Have a great day!

2006-07-19T18:25:00.000-04:00

For awhile when houses were shown at "open houses" realtors would encourage sellers to bake bread or light candles to give buyers an appealing sensual experience that hopefully would linger and entice offers. Then, for awhile this trend faded and agents would occasionally just drop some spices into a pan of boiling water to do the same. Regardless, our sense of smell goes "right to the gut" when it comes to buyers considering/previewing your home.

You may not realize it, but your house may have a particularly strong odor that may be unappealing to prospective buyers. The strong smell of smoke which has built up over the years can curtail interest nearly immediately when a buyer who is sensitive walks through your door. Likewise, the smell of pets, whether cats or dogs, can immediately discourage interest in buyers. Before we look or hear what the advantages and benefits of a house are, we sensually experience it through our sense of smell.

Give it some thought. You might want to buy some charcoal to put around the house to absorb odors, or try some of those Wallflowers sold at Bed, Bath and Beyond for a more uplifting, fragrant touch.

We'd be glad to come and give you our sense of your house's advantages and potential disadvantages (and smells!). Give us a call!

Have a great day!

2006-07-18T22:19:00.000-04:00

A pest inspection is an important option to include when you purchase a new home. Some inspectors cover this in their basic inspection charges, but for others it is an additional charge. Regardless, you need to know before you reach the closing whether there are infestations of termites, or other pests which could impact your new property and cause additional expenses. You can keep a lookout for wood shavings, sawdust, and dead insects along the edges of walls, porches and in basements, but an experienced and qualified inspector can also recognize signs of infestations that the layperson may easily miss. A realtor can give you the names and numbers for qualified pest inspectors in your area. We're glad to help put you in contact with the professionals who know their business. Give us a call.

Have a great day!

2006-07-17T22:25:00.000-04:00

When you list your house and contract to work with a realtor, you can be a great help by either letting your friends and contacts know you are selling or by asking your realtor to contact them for you. Your own circle of friends and acquaintances as well as your neighbors most likely know your neighborhood well and can help to guide other potentially interested buyers to it. Listing a house on the Multiple Listing Service does give a house maximal exposure, but there are often so many houses included there that it may be even more effiencient to follow up with your own network of colleagues. It certainly can "drive" more people to the listing on the MLS if you give them the listing number and tell them who your broker and agent are. Do what you can to support the process and ask questions about other ways in which you can help gain more visibility and exposure for your listing.

Let us know how we can help. We'll work for you. Have a great day!

2006-07-14T22:11:00.000-04:00

Negotiating a price with a seller returns when a market turns to favor buyers. While a seller lists a desired price for his or her house, when there are more properties available in a given area and/or price range, buyers have more leverage to bargain with sellers. Its a calculated guess as to what buyers should be offering for a specific property and what a seller of that property may actually accept. Essentially, a buyer's offer must be attractive enough to engage the interest of a seller, or it may be rejected outright if it is too far below what a seller has listed the house at. Buyers often ask a realtor if a seller will take less than what the list price of a house is. A realtor may or may not know if this is the case, but if the agent is working for the seller, and not the buyer, the realtor has a responsibility to protect the best interests of the seller and not reveal this information to the buyer. This is an example of the legal requirements of "agency" law and it is another reason why a buyer should at the outset clarify who an agent is representing in a real estate transaction.

Give us a call and ask us about agency law if you have other questions. We'll work for you!

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2006-07-13T22:25:00.000-04:00

Signing an agent to work for you as a "buyer agent" means that by New York State Law that agent owes you loyalty,confidentiality,honesty and representation as your agent. Your buyer agent is, as a result of that agreement, legally bound to work for you and for your best interests as you direct him or her with regard to your interest in and purchase of a house. Without an agency agreement an agent is legally a representative of the seller, and she or he must, as a result,represent the best interests of a seller. Buyers sometimes wonder why they are asked to sign an acknowledgement that an agent showing them a house is representing a seller unless the buyer opts to sign that agent as a buyer agent. It can be confusing and give one pause to be asked to sign a legal document early in the initial search process. But in fact, New York State requires that an agent disclose their representation to a prospective buyer so that a buyer is clear from the beginning and outset of their search that an agent is working for the seller unless a buyer agency agreement is signed.

Some years ago while living out of state I made an offer on a house through the agent I had been working with. She had not disclosed to me that she was the listing agent for the house I was putting a bid on, and I didn't realize that she therefore had the best interests of the seller, not my own, in the transaction.

Make sure you know how agency law works in your next purchase. We can help clarify it for you further if you would like to give us a call or send us a note.

Have a great day!

2006-07-12T22:31:00.000-04:00

Have you decided what you are looking for in your next move? Less work and responsibility? More freedom? A different location? Why not take the time to get down on paper the ten most important factors you would like to have as priorities in your next move or location. Once you have listed these, write a few words on why each item is important to you. Next make three categories: A-most important; B-fairly important and C-less important. Take the most and fairly important items and place numbers indicating your top to bottom prioritized items. Being clear on exactly what matters the most to you will clarify your needs so that you can focus on them with a clear intention to obtain them. Once you are clear on your list of priorities you will be in a better position to begin your research for your new situation. Its a simple task but it yields big rewards in terms of your focus and energy. Give it a try.

Certainly your next step is up to you. Once you are clear on what you are looking for, an experienced realtor can help you to move forward toward your goal. Give us a call. Send us a note. We're here to help. We'll work for you!

Have a great day!

2006-07-11T22:14:00.000-04:00

I once noticed a book entitled, Nothing Never Happens. Really, though it may seem that nothing is happening, below the surface there is something happening. This reminds me of another book entitled, Joy: Expanding Human Awareness, which, as the title suggests, shows that by looking beyond our usual vision to a broader perspective, we can more accurately see something we are missing or overlooking. Its a matter of perspective and what we bring to the way we look at things. Another friend used to say, "check assumptions." She often felt that many mistakes in judgement occur because she incorrectly assumed something that others did not take as a "given."

When it comes to listing or selling your house, its a good idea to check your assumptions. Would a prospective buyer really like to have all the bushes trimmed or removed from the front of the house? Would that drip under the kitchen sink not really matter? Does that noise the air conditioning makes when it comes on so routine that you don't notice it but a new buyer might? Check you assumptions and ask your realtor or an objective friend to give you their assessment of the situation.

We are here to give our perspective at your request. Give us a call or send a note.

Have a great day!

2006-07-10T23:15:00.000-04:00

A real estate company now advertises in a commercial on TV that their agents are "agents of change", and it is true that an agent can certainly help in times of transition with listings as well as purchases, but real change takes place before you hire an agent. You are the change agent when you make the decision to move ahead with your life by deciding "what's next" in your life. You initiate the discussion and the questions and the actions which put change into effect. You can change your life and living situation by beginning to investigate the possibilities which you would most like to explore. Invite possibility into your life and broaden your expectations for yourself and your next move. That's a smart move. Give yourself credit and authority to make your next move.

We'd be glad to be your "sounding board" in the process. We can assist in many ways with insights and experience, but we know that you are the real "change agent" in your life. Give us a call. We're here for you.

Have a great day!

2006-07-07T22:16:00.000-04:00

Make connections with helpful resources and tools which provide information on your interests and locale as you plan your moves. The Albany Realty Group website includes links to some of the best and most complete resources for local and professional sites which may help you as you make your plans. Click on the site, www.albanyrealtygroup.com, or copy and paste this link into your browser and follow the link which interests you. If you have specific questions or concerns you would like to discuss I'll be pleased to hear from you and will guide you to the resources which may be most helpful. Give me a call. Send me an email note. I'll look forward to hearing from you.

Have a great day!

2006-07-06T22:33:00.000-04:00

The Chinese character for crisis also stands for opportunity. Another way of putting it is, "when life gives you lemons make lemondade." Yet another is "when one door closes another opens." Change is inevitable. Each life stage and change brings new challenges, but also opportunities. The glass is truly half full or half empty, depending on how we look at it. Change is the only constant. Making a move is a complex process.

Considering a move requires a good amount of energy. It is sometimes easier to just keep things the way they are. We are comfortable with what is familiar. Why change? Because life is change. Sometimes the most difficult part of a change is just accepting that, and moving ahead. Making a change is also about flexibility and the willingness and ability to open a new door and consider some new possibilities.

When you are ready to talk about the possibilities and new options for your next move we are ready to listen and talk with you. We recognize that its a complicated process with many ramifications. We respect and appreciate the opportunity to work with you toward your best outcomes. Give us a call or send us an email. We're here for you. Open to some possibilities.

Have a great day!

2006-07-05T22:39:00.000-04:00

Neighborhoods are constantly in flux. Last Summer the neighbors behind our house removed some of the largest most beautiful trees on the block and they put up the largest garage on the block. It looks like a barn, in fact, and "See Rock City" might easily be displayed on it.The view from our backyard was once serene and private until these changes occurred. Now the question is how many trees or shrubs will it take to soften the view from our yard.

The new folks, having lived there for about a year, now have the house on the market. They are advertising their "improvements" and have set the list price 25% higher from the price they paid last Summer. We don't know them, but we will live with the consequences of their brief time here for years.

How do changes affect your house's value? A realtor can give you a good sense of what buyers are generally looking for. What's happened on your street and in your backyard? Let us hear from you. We'd love to hear from you.

Have a great day!

2006-07-03T22:51:00.000-04:00

I had never seen "The Money Pit" until last night...if you have seen it you'll know that its about a young couple which impulsively buys a beautiful mansion in the New York suburbs for "a steal." Unfortunately, the house has serious problems and everything from the staircase to the stove fall apart and blow up. The mansion becomes a "money pit" with each passing moment and there are some very entertaining sequences with Tom Hanks and Shelly Long as they keep trying to see the best and the good in the house regardless of its structural problems.

Perhaps the writers of the story or the screenplay for "The Money Pit" had a bad experience with the purchase of a house. Clearly, the characters in the movie failed themselves miserably by not securing the services of a good home inspector. The old saying "penny wise and pound foolish" could apply if a buyer is resisting paying for the services of a professional to take a good look at a house before buying it. I once was under contract for a house I thought was in great shape, but an inspector pointed out problems with the plumbing, the roof and he asked some important questions about the next door owner (this was a two family unit in Philadelphia). There were enough questions and issues with the place that it would have cost a good amount to fix it up and I cancelled the contract. A realtor can put you in touch with the services of qualified home inspectors (some states now require that inspectors be licensed, and New York is one of them). Give us a call and let us know how we can help you to stay up to date with the issues in the real estate market.

Have a great day!

2006-06-30T22:21:00.000-04:00

A licensed realtor is required to maintain a schedule of classes which keep her or him up to date on current developments, law and practices in the field. Realtors must take a set number of hours of these classes every year or two. Ask your realtor what classes they have found most useful/helpful/important to know about. Just knowing the focus and theme of these classes can give you a sense of what the professionals in the field believe are the crucial issues in order to stay up to date with developments in the business.

A licensed realtor sometimes chooses to specialize in a type of sale, whether buyers or sellers or on a given area or a specific population, such as seniors, first time home buyers or professionals of a given type or kind. Ask your prospective realtor what he or she specializes in and why. Knowing more about the agent you are working with will give you a better sense of what they "bring to the table" in working for you.
I'd be glad to discuss my interest in focussing on Smart Moves for Seniors with you. Give me a call or drop a line.

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2006-06-29T22:22:00.000-04:00

Would you be interested in receiving a report including a comparative listing of houses in your neiborhood as well as listing/selling prices, square footage, dates of sale and a comparison of other amenities? It may be helpful to you as you consider whether and what to list your house for. We would be glad to meet with you and discuss this service and others we can provide as you prepare to make your next move. We can put you in touch with qualified buyers and help you to locate your next house, apartment, condo, or townhouse, whether in or out of state. We can do more than you think we can. Let us know how we can help you! Give us a call or send us a note.

Have a great day!

2006-06-28T23:15:00.000-04:00

Once you list your house you may be concerned that you haven't found a place to move to if it sells. You can make a condition of the purchase and sale of the house that the buyer's possession of the house is based on your finding a new house of your choosing. This way you do not have to have everything all "laid out" from the outset and you retain the right and ability to retain ownership of the house until you have established a new and acceptable situation. An agent can help you with this by making certain that this is a condition incorporated in the listing agreement and any information posted to the Multiple Listing Service, accessible to licensed sales agents. Discuss this with an agent if you need or want more details. You can retain control of your situation and an experienced realtor can help you to obtain and meet your housing requirements and needs.

We'd love to give you more insights. Give us a call or send us a note by email.

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2006-06-27T22:04:00.000-04:00

When you finally decide to list your house for sale you may decide you do not want a sign posted in front. While signs are great advertising for those in the neighborhood or driving by who may be looking for a house, and they provide good information for how to find out more about the house, you may decide you do not want a sign. It really is up to you. By not having a sign you may miss out on buyers who are looking in your neighborhood, including neighbors who may have friends or relatives who may be interested. Folks have different reasons for not wanting to post signs. The reasons are as individual as the people involved.

A sign with the name, company and phone number of a real estate salesperson says that a state licensed agent is helping to offer and provide information on a house so that there doesn't need to be any direct contact or communication between seller and buyer. A salesperson should only show prequalified buyers to a house. Otherwise, you run the risk of having a sale fall through or a contract being voided and broken because a buyer cannot obtain a loan or mortgage for it. That's a real waste of time on the part of everyone and is much to be avoided.

An agent can provide other services which can be important and helpful in marketing your house. We would be pleased to tell you about them. Give us a call or send us an email. We're here to help.

Have a great day!

2006-06-26T22:30:00.000-04:00

I have a 12 year old nephew who talks a good deal about being a millionaire some day. He has a great interest in owning property and discussing the options one has as a property owner/buyer who leases space. You may be surprised that your grandchildren or young children of friends are perhaps a great deal more "savvy" than children once were when it comes to financial interests. Children can also be great repositories of good ideas when it comes to getting a property ready to list or sell. You might consider asking a grandchild or young adult for their ideas as to what makes a house desireable. High-speed internet? An intercom system? You may be surprised that you can learn a great deal about the the interests and needs of the coming generations if you ask some serious questions and listen well to the answers. Give it a shot. Ask a child what they would like to see in a home they would want to live in.

Have a great day! Give us a call or send us a comment or email with your questions. We'd love to hear from you!

2006-06-23T22:15:00.000-04:00

In order to draw attention to the advantages of buying and owning your house a realtor may suggest a "Brokers Open House" and invite agents in your area to come and do a "walk through" of your house. Generally these are held during the work week and agents working with buyers or prospective buyers take advantage of "brokers opens" to see what is on the market in order to be able to make suggestions to their buyers. A brokers open also allows a realtor to obtain feedback from other professional agents about the list price, condition of the house, location, and other issues or concerns which s/he may have not taken into full consideration. The conversation is informal but a good amount of information is shared at these meetings, so if your agent suggests a Brokers Open House it will be to your advantage to agree to it.

Have a great day! Let us know if you have questions you would like for us to address in future notes.

2006-06-22T23:04:00.000-04:00

2006-06-22T22:25:00.000-04:00

Market value of a house is determined by what buyers will actually pay for a house at the present time. You may have had a bank appraisal of your house and believe that is the actual price you can expect to receive, but the appraised price is a good faith estimate by the bank of what your home may be worth at a given point in time and it is based on the then current values of other houses in your area. There are so many variables involved in determining market value of a house, from square footage to style of the house, amenities and basics such as heating and plumbing sources that a set or projected price by a bank is not what you can count on as the price your house will sell for. Actual market value of a house is determined once a house sells in the current market and purchase by a qualified buyer is secured. Only then do you know the actual market value of your house.

A qualified and experienced real estate agent who knows your area can suggest the best understanding of the potential value and most competitive price range you might list your house for. With professional insight and guidance from an experienced agent you can determine the most appropriate list price for your house. An agent can answer questions and concerns which may come up in the process. We're here to help. Let us know how we can help you.

Have a great day!

2006-06-21T22:42:00.001-04:00

Today the builder who lives across the street said he planned to put his house on the market once he had finished the Brazilian Cherry staircase. He noted the increasing number of For Sale signs in the neighborhood and said it was making him a bit nervous, but added that a house a block away had sold in two weeks. Over the past year this fellow has had his front yard resodded and landscaped and he has added a brick two car garage. He's put his time and money into improving the appearance of his house over the long haul rather than just before he gets ready to list it.

If you are thinking about putting your house on the market, begin as soon as possible in making improvements which will attract a buyer's attention. Something beyond planting a few new shrubs will be necessary in a more competitive market. Buyers can recognize substantial additions to a house and so appreciate that sellers have taken good care of their properties and kept them as fresh and up to date as possible. When you do this you can also take some satisfaction that you have done as much as you could to maintain an attractive property which will bring the best market value and price. Begin as soon as you can and get your house in shape.

Looking to find someone to work with you in the process? We're ready to work with you to get your house in the best shape possible with comments and advice. We'd be delighted to hear from you. Give me a call at 518-459-4564.

Have a great day!

2006-06-20T22:32:00.000-04:00

Life moves on and so do we. Your needs change and so do your wishes. Its true--Nothing stays the same over the course of a life. Look at the size of new houses now compared with houses 30 years ago. Based on mounting fuel and electricity costs, forecasts are now that the sizes of houses will be shrinking again before long. It is more of an investment just to maintain and manage upkeep on a house than it was a year or two ago. Where will it be a year from now? The economy responds-- and so does the real estate market-- to demands and constraints upon it by the fluctuations of supply and demand. Hard to predict where things will be next year. You've learned a lot about that over the years.

A professional real estate agent also knows that change is inevitable when it comes to buying and selling. A buyer's market shifts to a seller's market and back again. Nothing stays the same. An agent keeps abreast the trends and turns in order to maintain his or her professional and competitive edge for sellers and buyers. Find an agent that is doing his or her research about current issues and tendencies in your area. Ask about the situation you are contemplating. You can learn a lot by listening and asking an agent important questions about the current market!

Have a great day!

2006-06-16T22:24:00.000-04:00

The time is right for listing your home and making a move. Summer brings a wealth of new buyers to realtors. Often these people are moving into the area and beginning a new job. If they have children they are hoping to be settled in their new home to allow for some adjustment time before school begins. Companies move employees often as their needs change and these folks are eager and ready to look for and locate a new place for their families. By listing now you optimize the prospects for selling and obtaining the best price for your home. If you delay you will possibly have a smaller pool of buyers interested in your house. Give it some thought and give me a call at your convenience. I'll be glad to give you a comparative market analysis and an introduction, no cost summary of the kinds of things that can be done to optimize the sale of your house. I can also help you to locate a new place, whether in the same or another area within or out of state. Lets talk. I'll look forward to hearing from you.

Have a great day!

2006-06-15T22:33:00.000-04:00

What can a realtor do for you? A great deal! Finding a realtor who appreciates and understands your needs and who will work for your best interests is important. When you have someone who listens well to what your concerns and wishes are and who will work to help you obtain your goals, you have found a professional who is committed to giving you the best service you could obtain. When interviewing a realtor ask the important questions which matter to you. Ask if the agent knows the type of housing you are looking for and the area/region in which you are looking. Ask why they have gone into real estate. Get to know this person who may be someone you hire to work as your agent in helping you to move on with your life. Don't be shy! Be open and forthright about your concerns and listen carefully to the agent's responses.

Agents obtain a great deal of training in the process of becoming a real estate salesperson. Ask your prospective agent about it. A stringent set of classes and exams must be attended and passed. You have a great deal to gain by working with an agent who is a committed professional who knows his or her business and commits to make certain you get the best service possible. We'd love to hear from you about your concerns and questions.

Have a great day!

2006-06-14T22:43:00.000-04:00

Are you looking to downsize and make your life simpler? If you are tired of mowing the lawn and handling all of the maintenance on your home yourself you may want to consider buying a condominium or townhouse. Townhouses or condominiums often come as part of a homeowner's cooperative where, for a monthly fee, an amount of maintenance or other services are taken care of and included in the purchase price of the home. There are advantages and disadvantages to these units, but often the advantages outweigh the disadvantages for those seeking to reduce the responsibility for managing your property solely by yourself.

Friends moved to a townhouse about a year ago and they are pleased with the reduced level of responsibility and work but they also must comply with the regulations of the governing board with regard to types of plants or lawn and yard decor they are permitted to have. So, before you get too serious about this kind of housing make sure you read the fine print which delineates what the monthly owner's fees cover and what an owner's restrictions on the property will be.

A realtor can provide a good amount of guidance and insight when it comes to various housing options,including townhouses and condominiums. Give me a call (518-859-5759)and let me know what your questions and concerns are. No obligation for the conversation or call. I would love to help you clarify your goals, needs and wishes and provide some insight in this regard. Alternatively, drop me a line here and let me know your concerns.

Have a great day!

2006-06-13T21:37:00.000-04:00

Know someone struggling with a decision about his or her next move? Sometimes we dig ourselves in so deeply with a decision that we tie ourselves in knots and don't take any action. Its always easier to give others advice than it is for us to make a difficult decision, of course. We have a better perspective when we have less personal investment in a situation.

Why not tell this person to take a look at our blog and send us a question or a comment? Others struggling with similar situations will benefit from knowing that they are not alone in the situation and they will have an opportunity to comment and give some advice which may be helpful. This is a forum for sharing concerns and questions and it is open and available for you to use. You are welcome to join us in the journey. Have a great day!

2006-06-12T23:04:00.000-04:00

The other day I spoke with an elderly woman who lives alone in her own home. Her washer and dryer are currently in her basement, and her adult children who live out of town are concerned about her going up and down the stairs. She has a first floor bedroom with a large closet outside the bedroom and next to a bathroom. A friend told her it would be easy to convert that closet to a laundry room with a stackable washer and dryer. She wouldn't, though, she feared, if that were done, have a place to hang her clothes. Looking at the bedroom it became clear that just moving a few pieces of furniture would allow space for a new closet to be constructed inside the bedroom. Later that day, she talked with the friend who said he could arrange for the renovations--which would not be that difficult to accomplish-- and she told me with delight that she was going to have the work done. In this case the pressure from her children didn't make any difference, but solving a practical problem--where to put her clothes--did. Once she saw that she could have a space for a closet she was ready to make a change in her space which would allow her present home to serve her and her needs for the foreseeable future.

Is there an easy solution to your situation that you are overlooking? Just having a different perspective on it can give you the key to solving the puzzle you are working on, whether its a change in your present home or a move to a new one. Let us know if we can help! Have a great day!

2006-06-09T22:19:00.000-04:00

Finding yourself using the word "should" a lot these days? You hear people talking about the great deals they have made in selling or buying a home and you think "I should do something about that myself." Should you? You hear the market is "hot" or that interest rates will be raised soon and you think about your own prospects. So does everyone. Reacting to developments based on heresay or even the experience of colleagues, family or friends may be impetuous. Better to take some time to consider the situation you are in and the one you would like to improve and then set about laying out an achieveable plan for moving toward your goals rather than reacting to what you have heard from others. A better word and way of moving forward is "responding" rather than "reacting." In responding you bring more thoughtful planning and processing of your own needs into the circumstances. You maintain more control when you respond rather than when you react. You think things through more carefully and as a result you make a better set of decisions.

If we can help by discussing your situation with you we would be glad to help. Give us a call. Respond to our email address if you like, or give us a call at 518-459-4564. Have a great day!

2006-06-08T22:23:00.000-04:00

Reading the news about the real estate market you can be persuaded that it is "falling" or "gaining", depending on where you live and who you want to believe. You have to do a good amount of research to discove who you can place your confidence in when it comes to the current market. Who really can predict the market? Like Bears and Bulls there are those who are optimistic and others who are pessimistic about the future of real estate values. Regardless, a home is, for many, still the most important and substantial investment to be made, and there always is a need for housing whether the market is "up" or "down." A realtor who specializes in residential sales in your region and perhaps neighborhood can give you the best sense and appreciation for how sales are in your area. There is no charge or cost for inquiring about the current market in your area or in an area where you are considering moving. There is no obligation in asking for information from a professional salesperson, so if you find yourself puzzled about how sales are "holding up" in your area, call a realtor and ask some important questions.
We're here to help. Have a great day!

2006-06-07T23:03:00.000-04:00

Hesitant to begin thinking about the possibilities regarding your next move? You are not alone. Its a big decision and deserves a commitment of time and energy. Still, putting the process off doesn't move you ahead in any way. The old saying that "no decision is a decision" still holds true. At least be aware that as you put the decision-making process off you are making a decision not to decide for whatever reason. There is a lot to be gained by just taking a good hard look at where you are at this point with regard to your present and future needs. No time like the present to begin. They often say that the first step is the hardest. Once you make a decision to move ahead with your thinking, you have opened the door to resolving your situation and creating a better life for yourself and your family.

Envision your future. Take five minutes each day and envision yourself one, five, or ten years from now. Where are you living? What are the best parts of that situation? How can you move toward that situation? You are not alone in the decision-making process. We'd love to hear from you and would be glad to help you clarify your goals, needs and desires. Make a smart move forward in your thinking. Let us know how we can help.

Have a great day!

2006-06-06T22:51:00.000-04:00

Sometimes the decision about making a move is between remodeling and improving your current home so that it is more liveable and to your liking, or opting for something entirely different and beginning to search for a place you would rather be. How do you decide which makes more sense? There are many aspects to that issue and question including financial, personal, social, and even spiritual areas which all need attention and consideration before you become clear on what best suits you. Why not talk to a number of friends or colleagues who have opted for remodeling or moving and find out how they made their decision. Ask them if they are happy about their decision, and how time-consuming, expensive and demanding it was to enact it. Looking for something to talk about at parties, or other social events? You may gather a good amount of insight and appreciation for the complexities of your question and issue just by asking others about their experience. In the process, you may find some new friends or even business partners. Ask questions and listen carefully, thoughtfully and well. You have no doubt done so in many areas of your work and life already, so just take this as a friendly reminder to use this skill and resource in order to gather and gain important insight about your decision and issue.

Have a great day!

2006-06-05T22:13:00.000-04:00

Possibility thinking can take you further toward where you want to go than so-called realistic thinking. Is this pie in the sky thinking? No, not if you want to develop a new plan or vision of what you want. Realistic thinking can actually be negative thinking or self-defeating thinking at times. Spending a brief period of time every day and devoting yourself to possibility thinking can be an opportunity to really get in touch with your true self and your authentic needs and desires. So many of us become "realistic" too soon in life and some of us never regain the ability to imagine our lives in a different way. Give it a try. Entertain some new possibilities.

Don't let it stop there. Check out your possibilities with professionals who know something about the kinds of issues and concerns which will be necessary to make your possibilities realities. Financial consultants and real estate agents can give you a good understanding of the issues you may face if and when you begin to put your plan into motion. Smart moves involve internal and external conversations. Don't neglect either! Have a great day!

2006-06-02T15:54:00.000-04:00

What are your needs vs. your wants? Your needs are the "must haves" and the things you cannot do without, whereas your wants are the optional things you would like to have, but which you do not really have to have, or perhaps you could delay in getting them. For example, you may know that you "must have" a Ranch style house, and that it must have a large or small yard, depending on your interests. You may want a pool or a deck, but you really could do without either or could delay having one or the other. Its important to sort each of your concerns out so that you are clear on whether they are real needs or just wishes which you do not absolutely have to have at the moment.

It takes a bit of thought to really sort out the needs from the wants. Give youself some space and time to think each area through so that you become clear on which is which. Once you are clear on your needs and your wishes or wants, you will be in a much better position to move ahead with your thinking. Sometimes it helps to talk with a trusted friend about this, and they can give you some good insights and perspectives as well. We here also can help by asking key questions that may help to clarify your needs or wants and we would be glad to hear from you with any questions you may have.

Have a good day!

2006-06-01T16:46:00.000-04:00

The Summer Market has arrived, and you may be thinking that now is the time, if you are going to list and try to sell your house. Real estate is a major investment in your life, and you don't want to rush into anything, but you also have the sense that you had better make a decision soon if you want to "catch the wave" of housing sales. Too much to think about? Regardless of the sense of urgency you may be feeling, you have to give yourself the time and space to make some more important considerations and decisions about what your plans and options are. It sounds easy, but just beginning to think through the process and taking some basic steps in terms of your priorities can be a challenge. Writing some of those priorities down and listing your needs and wants is a beginning. Give it a shot! Just something as basic as taking time to clarify your own desires and constraints can move your on down the road. Go for it! We're here to help whenever and in whatever way we can. Have a great day!

2006-05-30T14:32:00.000-04:00

2006-05-30T14:15:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the Smart Moves for Seniors Blog! This site is for you if you consider yourself a "senior" and are considering your options for moving/selling/relocating at this stage of your life. Perhaps you are thinking about reverse mortgages, or relocating to a sunnier/warmer climate. Perhaps you are thinking about buying an RV and touring the country. This is your opportunity to discuss all of the possibilities--the benefits and drawbacks of each potential move and change in your living situation.

I am a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson with the Certified Buyer Representative designation in Albany, New York at Albany Realty Group and together with a representative from a Brokerage House I develop and present seminars aimed at bringing together seniors who want to think through their options and clarify their own needs and wishes for the next stage of life.

We are delighted to make this location a place for you to "clear your head" about what you would like to have come next and we heartily invite you to raise questions, make suggestions about what we should include in our discussion and contribute in any way you would like. You have a lot to contribute and we recognize and appreciate that. Together, we can sort through the issues, so join us and bookmark this location so you can stay in touch.

All aboard!