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Archive for the ‘Fun Stuff’ Category

Source:  LA Times:

In a move that critics may cite as his own inconvenient truth, former Vice President Al Gore and his wife, Tipper, have added a house in secluded Montecito to their real estate holdings.

The couple spent $8,875,000 on a gated ocean-view villa on 1 1/2 acres with a swimming pool, spa and fountains, according to real estate sources familiar with the deal. The Italian-style house has high ceilings with beams in the public rooms, a family room, a wine cellar, terraces, six fireplaces, five bedrooms and nine bathrooms in more than 6,500 square feet of living space.

Montecito has long been a haven for Southern California’s rich and famous, a spot where celebrity faces can blend into the crowd. Among the community’s notable residents have been talk show giant Oprah Winfrey, actors Michael Douglas and Christopher Lloyd, and golfer Fred Couples. The 93108 ZIP Code, which includes the coastal hamlet, was ranked as America’s seventh most expensive area last year by Forbes.

Word of the purchase was reported in late April in the Montecito Journal. Gore, 62, did not respond to The Times’ requests for comment.

Why6Percent.com home sellers have reported a huge upward trend in buyer traffic, contract pendings and closings over the past 6 weeks.  We have helped hundreds of sellers market their homes and save thousands of dollars in commissions and fee’s.   We can help You, too.

Landscape Affects Buyer’s Moods and Home Sales

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 posted by tommi

    Most home buyers believe they should focus on the interior features of houses more than the landscape, but the truth is, that buyers will not get out of the car if the front landscape lacks interest and upkeep.  The landscape  and curb appeal should arouse the buyer’s interest and lure them inside to view the interior.

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!

Old Church is Converted into a Heavenly Home!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 posted by tommi

We stumbled across a beautiful, unique home that was a church in its former life.  Kudo’s to these lucky homeowners on the job they did converting this structure into a glorious residence.    If you would like to see all 7 of the photographs of this incredible home…CLICK HERE!

Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com  We are here to assist you with all your home sales and marketing options.  Call us today…more buyers are searching for a home now, than they have in the past 2 years.  Don’t miss the boat!

NEWS ALERT…   Realtors across the U.S. are organizing a National Open House Weekend on
April 10-11 and they will be advertising it heavily.
 
Home sellers should definitely take advantage of the national advertising, buyer traffic and momentum that will accompany this nationwide event.
Why6Percent.com will be posting Tips for Hosting a Successful Open House all Week.   Don’t miss this opportunity!!!

InfoBox for Real Estate. Mystery Solved.

Friday, March 12, 2010 posted by tommi

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!

Find Out a Home’s History of Property Damage

Thursday, February 25, 2010 posted by tommi

If you want to learn about a homes of property damage, ask the Seller to provide a copy of their C.L.U.E. (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) report.  The report lists claims for property loss and damage over the last 5 years, including any claims for theft, fire, flood, hail damage, etc. for any given property address.  The report  does not include personal information like the owners name, social security number, etc. 

Why would you want one?  The report could disclose property condition information or problems that may not have been disclosed.   And, the report can tell you about problems that might affect the availablility or cost of insuring the property.

Home buyers can purchase a report about for the last 5 years of insurance claim against any address in the nation by at Choice Trust, a division of Lexus Nexis.  Homeowners, you can obtain a FREE annual property loss report that covers the last 7 years.   A similar loss report called A-Plus, can be requested from the Insurance Services Office by phoning 1-800-627-3487.

Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com.  Advertise your property on the MLS, Realtor.com and major real estate websites for one flat fee and keep the commission.

Staging Tip to Make Your Bathroom Appear Bigger

Tuesday, February 23, 2010 posted by tommi

We have a totally free, staging tip that everyone can do to make their bathroom appear more spacious and inviting. 

Open your shower curtain a little bit…  It draws the eye onward and makes the space appear larger.

Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com   The home buying season is heating up across the country.  If you don’t have your home listed on MLS, Realtor.com and all the major real estate property websites…you are missing buyers.  It’s that simple.  Contact us to list on the MLS for $399 and you keep the commission.

10 Towns for Real Estate Steals and Deals

Friday, February 19, 2010 posted by tommi

It’s our job at Why6Percent.com to have our finger on the pulse of real estate from coast-to-coast.  Recently, we have been telling you to get ready for a big home selling season this spring.

Why?  Interest rates are rising.  Job losses have slowed to a trickle.  Factory and Industrial output is up for the first time in years.   And, we feel that the Fed is holding back information, for now, on the job creation that is happening as we speak.

So, where are the best real estate deals in the country??  We have identified 10 cities that are offering up Trump-type deals of a lifetime.   CLICK HERE to see where the action will start first.

If you haven’t placed your property listing on the MLS, Realtor.com, Zillow, Google, MSN, Military.com and all the other major real estate websites…you are missing buyers.  Go to the Why6Percent.com website and sign up NOW!!Don’t wait a minute longer.  Tax Credits, Rising Rates and Gutted Home Prices are creating a stir among buyers early this spring.  You snooze…you lose…  And, we certainly don’t want that.

Share Your Property Information and Idea’s

Friday, February 12, 2010 posted by tommi

InfoTube.net announced some recent updates to it’s website that make it easier for homeowners to share information and property details on the internet.

Share Your Property Information with One Click

InfoTube.net has provided a direct “Share” link on every home listing.  The “Share” link automatically feeds your property listing to all major sharing websites such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc.  If you use social networking or RSS feed websites, simply select where you want your property listing posted and click.  It’s that easy.  (The Share Link can be located under the “Email Seller” link on every home listing.)

Sellers and Buyers Communicate, Learn and Get Advise

InfoTube.net for Real Estate has an Offical Facebook and Twitter page where you can post pictures, questions, idea’s or funny real estate stuff you want to share.  Become a Fan and Contributor Today. 

Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com!!  If you haven’t placed a FREE property listing on InfoTube.net, please do so Today.  Without InfoTube.net you miss buyers, exposure and the free assistance that is available to you.  InfoTube.net, combined with the MLS, provides a one-two punch for a knock out home sale!!!

Free Cash & Reduced Costs for Home Improvements

Monday, February 8, 2010 posted by tommi

Now is a great time to make home improvements, repairs or take care of past due maintenance.  If you are selling your home, improvements will certainly make your home sell faster and for more money.  If you’re not selling a home, rebates, lower material and labor costs, and cheap financing provide perfect timing for sprucing up your residence.

Through 2010, homeowners who install energy efficient windows, insulation, roofs, doors or heating and air systems can apply for a 30 percent (up to $1500) tax credit for each product they purchase. 

Even better….homeowners can receive a 30 percent tax credit through 2016 (with no spending limits) when they purchase green, energy saving products such as solar systems, geothermal heating pumps, small wind systems, residential fuel cells or micro turbines.  For complete details, visit the Energy Stars Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency website.

Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com.   Advertise your home on the MLS, Realtor.com, Google, MSN, Zillow and most major search engines for real estate for 6 months for only $399.  Why Pay 6 Percent??????