1. The elaborate clubhouse that is a fixture in many subdivisions has lost its appeal, as have community association-run swimming pools, health clubs and golf courses, said Cardis, who reports that consumers think of these things as “tradable” items — they’re basically indifferent to whether these amenities come with the deal.

“I think that’s all economically driven,” he said. “If you were to do a survey of homeowner-association fee increases in the past 24 months, there would be a high percentage that have shortfalls and are raising their fees by significant amounts, sometimes doubling them.”

One neighborhood amenity, though, that scored high desirability in the study: walking paths.

2.  Green is good — and getting better.

“I was very surprised,” Cardis said. “I had been hearing that green (home features) aren’t quite here yet, that people aren’t willing to pay for them. But frankly, I was stunned by the increase in demand. This is our fourth year (of this particular study), and we’re seeing an increase every year.

“The magnitude of desire (for environmentally friendly home features) is high, considered a must in some categories,” he said.

Among the consumer-described environmental “must haves”: energy-efficient windows, appliances and insulation. “Desirable” features included recycled building materials, “green” flooring, and tankless water heaters that consume less energy by heating water on demand.

3.  Kitchens haven’t lost an iota of importance to buyers, Cardis said. In particular, consumers voiced a preference for “big” kitchens, though it’s not clear how big is “big.”

“I think that’s the biggest limitation of the study, that the perception of what is large or energy-efficient isn’t defined, and we’re planning to do more on that,” he said. “But they do want a sizeable kitchen, relative to the house, and that’s the important takeaway, rather than (consumers saying), ‘Not really, I don’t need that.’ ”

But within that kitchen, it had better have a freestanding island — 41 percent called it a “must” and 38 percent said they really wanted one.

4.  Consumer tastes are changing on how they’d prefer to bathe, Cardis said.

“Whirlpool baths are something they’re definitely ready to let go of,” he said. “They put them in and (the tubs just) sit. People use them once every two years.”

Instead, plain old soaker tubs in the master bath got a warm response in the survey, though the greater preference now is for oversized showers with seating, he said.

5.  Other “outs” or borderline interests: home theaters, traditional living rooms and dining rooms, mud rooms, hobby/game rooms.

“Musts” or at least, objects of strong desirability: granite countertops, home-office space, fireplace, two-car garage.

Article written by Dian Hymer of Inman News.

Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com.  Our $299 “List Until Sold” marketing program reaches 10 million home buyers a month.   Serious homesellers should visit our website to learn more about this unique marketing opportunity.

To get the highest return on your landscape dollar, utilize the principles found in Landscape Design Psychology.  Landscape Psychology is based upon scientific research into the effects that the landscape has on home buyers.   These proven idea’s will help your home sell faster, and for more money, by working on buyer emotions and senses.

The Power of Color

Coordinate the colors of your flowering foliage.  Consider your selling season and plant flowers that perform well during that period.  Use plants that support your atmosphere and climate.   Also, use no more than 3 colors to give continuity and form to your landscape.

Colors also have psychological power.  Green suggests freshness, coolness and vitality.   White shows up at night and conjures feelings of cleanliness.   Yellow is the first color our eye processes, so a spot of yellow by the front door will draw the eye to your entrance.   Red, yellow and Orange are all Hot colors, which excite and pick up the mood of any weary house hunter.

About.com: Landscape is a great website for the average homeowner.   The site provides idea’s and advice from professionals including a plant selector, great photographs, color scheme screener, DIY tutorials and helpful tips about hedges, fences, sidewalks, lawns and more.

Another great resource for help in creating an outdoor paradise can be found at HGTV.   

The Power of Smell

Realtors advise sellers to bake cookies or burn vanilla candles before showings or Open Houses because a comforting and pleasant aroma has the power to influence minds and moods.

In addition to color psychology, smart home owners give thought to the use of scents when planting a landscape.  They take advantage of the power of smell, especially near pathways and entry doors, that provoke a desired emotional response.  

A few inexpensive and easy to grow suggestions that add a touch of scent to any landscape include lemon scented geraniums, jasmine, rosemary, lavender, basil, roses, hostas, honeysuckle, gardenia or heliotrope.   In addition to providing months of enjoyment, many of these plants perform in a vareity of places such window boxes, planters, planting beds, hanging baskets or pathways.

When it comes to selling homes, a smart psychology landscape design can give you a huge advantage over your competition.   If buyers feel good while they look at your home, it is more likely to sell quickly and for top dollar.

Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com.   Our clients are receiving more buyer traffic and higher offers than we have seen in the last 2 years.  If you aren’t listed on the MLS, Realtor.com and major real estate sites, you are missing 10 MILLION buyers who are searching for a home every month.  Call us at 1-800-381-9496 for help in marketing your home!

The appearance of nearby and neighboring homes absolutely affects a homeowners’ abililty to sell their property.   Even if your home is the gem and pride of the neighborhood,  buyers will be turned off if you live next door to an eyesore.

Problems with neglected, abandoned property and homes that have fallen into disrepair has escalated since the economic meltdown. 

Why 6 recommends that sellers take action by placing a friendly call to the homeowner, explain they are trying to sell their home and ask them clean up their property.  Or, if it’s appropriate, a seller can offer to clean up unsightly messes themselves.   If a phone call fails to resolve the concern, contact local code enforcement officials or homeowners associations to find out if there is a code violation.  If so, file a compliant.

A shabby run down home devalues every home near it.  It’s your neighborhood.  Step Up!!

Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com.  Place a Property listing on your local MLS, Realtor.com and all major real estate sites for $399…why pay 6 percent????  

InfoBox delivers  information that homebuyers want in one sexy, smart, easy to use product.

Buy an InfoBox or InfoTube and remove the mystery about what is behind your front door.

Instant, wireless seller to buyer communication.  No software, squinting at tiny screens,  internet modems or waiting forever for downloads is required… 

Why6Percent.com  is changing real estate.    Reach millions of homebuyers and buyer agents for a few bucks and save thousands in fee’s and commissions.   Why Pay 6 Percent??

PS Check out InfoTube.net for Real Estate Facebook Page.  It’s fun, it’s cutting edge and it’s interactive.  If you like real estate, you’re going to love this!

Why Replacing Your Windows Pays Off…

1. New windows improve the curb appeal and increase the value of any home.  
2. Buyers pay up for new windows.  Numerous studies show that home sellers recoop 90+ percent of the costs for window replacement at the time of sale.
3. Homeowners realize the energy savings immediately, while increasing comfort.
4. Energy efficient windows are a Green home selling feature. 
5. New models of windows are easy to clean and maintain. 
6. Improve your view.  New glass is so clear it’s just like looking through… nothing at all. 
7. Maybe Best of All…Uncle Sam Pays for It.   The government will pay 30 percent of the cost (up to $1500) to replace the windows in your home through December 31, 2010.  And, don’t forget to check out the additional rebates and savings on windows that are being offered in most states, cities and townships.

Tip for a Tight Budget

1. Just replace some of the windows.  Choose the ones on the front of the home, because they improve the curb appeal.  Or, replace the windows that get hammered by the most weather, be it sun, rain, snow or wind. 
2. Or, Roll the Dice…and, maximize the tax credit by replacing half of the windows in 2010.  Then, gamble on an extension of the credit into 2011 and replace the other half.
3. Uncle Sam picks up a Third of your bill and smile (:

Practical Advice About Window Replacement

1. Use a company that carries a wide range of window brands.  Make sure they use their own employee’s (not subcontractors) to do the installation.
2. Profit from the Housing Crash.  Be a hard negotiator and get at least 3 quotes.  You can save Big on labor and materials because the housing market is slow.
3. Replacing windows is a big, messy job.  Cover up anything important such as electronics and furniture.  Sawing and Ripping out windows is dirty business, no matter how good the installer.

Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com.   We have a program for home sellers that offers the MLS, Realtor.com and advertisement on dozens of real estate listing posts for one cheap price…and the seller keeps the commission.  Call 1-800-381-9496 or visit http://www.why6percent.com today for the details.  You will be happy that you did!!!

Making your home attractive and memorable to home buyers is critical if you want to sell your home.  There are a number of proven methods to attract buyer’s through your door, but the Top 3 offer the biggest payoff.

Top 3 Ways to Attract Buyers to Your Home

1. The Internet.  The internet is the single most powerful tool available for home sales.  If you want the maximum exposure, get your home listed in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) database.   Secondly, take full advantage of all social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.
2. Professional Fliers.  Make a nice flyer or brochure that you can place inside an InfoTube or InfoBox that is attached to your For Sale sign.  In addition, you can pass them out to prospective buyers and open houses.  InfoTube.net offers a Free online service that can help you create and print professional, full colored flyers about your home.
3. Giveaways and Incentives.  Everyone loves FREE.  Adding an incentive to your offer can generate interest and make your home stand out from your competition.  Some of the most popular incentive  items are home theatre’s, new appliances, club memberships, pool table, hot tub, free travel vouchers, seller paid closing costs.

Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com.  We have helped thousands of home sellers find the perfect buyer.  We can help you, too. 

Health Alert:  Number of Stagnant Swimming Pools Increase. 

If you live near a dangerous, smelly, abandoned pool, you may want to try a natural, green method to remove the stench, algae and scum.  In addition, this method is FREE and Bonus…it eats the insects and small rodents that may reside in the swamp next door to you.

What is this Miracle Solution for Pool Cleaning??

Enter the common, humble, pre-historic Pleco Fish.  Throw a few of these into the abandoned swimming pool or spa next door, and let them do the job nature intended for them to do.   To Read More About Using Pleco Fish to Clean Up Stagnant Water, CLICK HERE!! 

Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com.  If you have a property to sell, we have a turnkey marketing program that reaches 10 million home buyers each month for 6 months.  The price, a little more than a one-time classified ad in a newspaper that no one reads.  Call us today at 1-800-381-9496.  We have helped thousands of sellers and we can help you, too!!

1. For most carpet stains: Mix Equal Parts of white vinegar and water.  Spray mixture onto the stain and blot up with a sponge.
2. For Tough Stubborn Stains:  Mix Equal Parts of  Borax, white vinegar and salt.  Rub paste into the carpet fibers and let set overnight.  Vaccum the next morning, and presto, your stain will be gone.

These carpet stain cleaning recipes are green, cheap and they work.   One thing that never works…placing a throw rug over a stain in a carpeted room.  Everyone knows that rugs over carpeting mean bad stain.  And, believe me buyer’s always lift up the rug to verify!  Then, they wonder what else you’re hiding….

Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com.  We offer MLS and Realtor.com marketing exposure for owners, builders and investors.  Reach 10 millions home shoppers each month and save thousands in commissions and fee’s.  Why Pay 6 Percent???  Buy the MLS for only $399.

I’m thinking Turkey.  The leaves have fallen, lawn mowers are stored and furnaces are in use.   It’s at this time of year that many of our customer’s ask…  “Should We Take Our Home Off the Market During the Holidays?”

The answer is definitely ”NO”.  There are a lot of reasons to keep your home listed right through the New Year.  And, there’s an especially, timely reason this holiday season!!

1. The First Time Buyers Tax Credit has been extended until April 30, 2010 AND it’s been expanded.  Step Up Home Buyers, who make a lot of money, can also receive $6500 in Tax Credits until April.   Big tax incentives mean that smart buyers will be house shopping vs mall shopping this holiday season.  
2. Interest Rates are at Record Lows.  30 year fixed rate mortgages are below 5 percent.  But, with the dollar weak and falling, low rates may not be around for long.   Serious home buyers are aware of the difference that even a small interest rate increase would make in their house payment.  The combo of Tax Credits and Low Interest Rates create strong urgency among buyer’s.  Smart seller’s spruce up their homes and play into the pressure.
3. Holiday Shoppers are Serious Buyers.  Trust me.  Everyone of us loves the holidays. The people who are looking for homes in November, December and January are SERIOUS Buyers.  Do you really want to pull your house off the market when the most serious people are shopping??
4. Less Competition.  Many sellers don’t read our blog.  They foolishly pull their homes from the market during the holidays, and this year will be no exception.  Less competition could make the difference between For Sale and Sold, this Christmas. 
5. Houses are Pretty during the Holidays.  Staging your home is easy during the holidays.  The mood is festive.  Holiday colors are warm and inviting.  Candles, centerpieces and decorations touch the heart and convey a peaceful lifestyle.  Light the candles, make a roaring fire, bake some goodies and turn on some relaxing holiday music.  Buyer’s love to see a home decorated and looking special.  Don’t let this once a year opportunity pass you by.
6. Curb Appeal.  If your landscape and lawn isn’t that great, breathe a sigh of relief that no one else’s is this time of year, either.   Add seasonal color, a wreath, perhaps some decorations.  Just keep it subtle and classy.  No mowing, no weeding and trimming, and best of all snow covers all…

Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com  Our MLS and Realtor.com advertising packages reach 10 million serious home shoppers each month.  If your home isn’t listed on the dozens of websites in our program, then you’re home isn’t really on the market.  Get serious about selling and call us at 1-800-381-9496 today.

A Big Thank You to All our Veterans and Active Military Personnel!!!  Please accept our $50 Gift and start marketing your property Today!!

Try to ignore the strawberries hanging from the fan (although this is clearly an item of specific taste), this seller clearly isn’t getting the point.   What is this room?  Is it an office, dining room or breakfast nook?  If you can’t figure it out, neither will the buyer.  The seller of this home should pack up the clutter and the home office, then showcase this room as the spacious dining room area it is.

  Oh boy.  I get clastrophobic just looking at this room.  Vaccum cleaner sitting out, stuff crammed in every available cranny, desk, computer, library and dining room all rolled into one.  Not.  Any normal buyer would turn and run, not walk, out the door.  The only thing I know is that obviously this seller isn’t serious and the product has no storage.  This seller should get real and get to packing.  This is a formal dining room with a real fireplace.  If this homeowner can’t make this room look natural and inviting  for entertaining, then hire a pro or take it off the market.  No one is buying this house at any price.

This room is a living room, not a playground.  I don’t think the seller’s could have made this large family room any less appealing, if they tried.  Even though this seller may love to watch the children play in their playhouse while they watch TV, chances are this isn’t impressing any home buyers.  Seller, please pack the playhouse or move it outdoors where it belongs.  Warm this living room up with a rug, some window treatments and move the furniture off the wall into a conversation grouping. 

Conclusiong:  If your home has been on the market for 60 days or more and you haven’t received any serious buyer’s interest, stand back and look at your product from the buyer’s point of view.  If your rooms aren’t being shown for the purpose they were intended, correct it today.  If not, you can’t blame the market for your home not selling. 

Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com.  Please visit the website for helpful information and marketing tools to help you sell in this market.