Archive for the ‘style’ Category

Acrophobics Beware…If you fancy a dip in this pool, you’ll need a head for heights – it’s 55 stories up. But swimming to the edge won’t be quite as risky as it looks. While the water in the infinity pool seems to end in a sheer drop, it actually spills into a catchment area where it is pumped back into the main pool.

For More Amazing Pictures…CLICK HERE

Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com.   Our marketing program boosts real estate sales to new heights.  Check out the website for details.

A great new product from Fulcrum Products that provides security lighting where you need it, without hardwiring.  The attractive security light installs in minutes using only a screwdriver and the included hardware.  Anyone can do it…even me.

Product Description:

Brighten a dim porch, carport, childrens play area, stairwell or garage without needing to flip a light switch with this unobtrusive motion sensor LED porch light from Fulcrum Products. Upon detecting movement within a 100-degree angle and a 25-foot range, the 6-volt light switches on and stays illuminated until the sensor detects no motion for a solid 30 seconds. The six LED panel rotates to enable its cool blue light to illuminate the darkest areas. During the daytime, the sensor light’s photo cells prevent the light activation. The porch light is weather-proof for inclement weather. Easy to install, the light requires no hardwiring and comes with necessary mounting hardware. Four separately purchased C batteries are needed to power the light. The porch light measures 5-1/2 by 5-1/2 by 5-1/2 inches and weighs 1 pound.

The LED light bulbs will last for 100,000 hours and the 4 “C” type batteries last up to a year.  The product retails for around $25.  Brighten up your world today.

Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com.  Our flat fee MLS packages and Realtor.com List Until Sold packages reach millions of buyers each day for very little cash.  If you need to sell a home, you can’t find a better value or better company to assist you!

What Fickle Home Buyers Want…Today

Thursday, May 27, 2010 posted by tommi

 Homebuyers are a fickle bunch.   Thousands recently weighed in on everything from the macro (such as access to nearby parks) to the micro (walk-in closets).  Five things to know about what real estate consumers want — or want less than they used to:

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.

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.

Home Sellers – Up Your Odds

Tuesday, April 27, 2010 posted by tommi

    April has been a very strong month for home sales across all area’s and price ranges.  Congratulations to dozens of our MLS and Realtor.com customers , who have received strong offers on their houses this month.  Great job and good luck to each of you,  as you move on to your new lives.  

   

In order to help other customers, we looked into why some sellers were successful and some were not.  We found that successful home sellers had 2 things in common.  Thankfully, we were thrilled to find that the common denominator was not being the cheapest priced home in the neighborhood.   This year, the homes that sold for near or at the asking price were  properties that were in excellant condition and staged to sell.   Every single one of them!!!

“Up the Odds” of selling your home by accepting two truths about this market… and then take action.

  •      First Truth:  The market for homes that are in poor condition or need repairs is DEAD.   The huge demand is for the homes that are immaculate and  ”move in” ready.
  •       Second Truth:   The homes that were sold this spring Showed Well.   Many had lingered on the market for months on end.   The owners recently neutralized, depersonalized, cleaned, decluttered and staged them.   Not surprisingly, every single one of  these homes Sold.    There is no need for debating this issue…depersonalizing and decluttering sells homes. 

Why6Percent.com recommends that home seller’s chant “this is no longer my home”  at least 3 times a day.   Neutralize, clean, declutter and pack up.  Look at the property through the eye’s of the buyer.    It’s the only way to Tip the Odds in Your Favor…We Promise!

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!

Neighbor’s Eyesore Home Stops a Sale

Monday, April 19, 2010 posted by tommi

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????  

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!

10 Tips for Open House Weekend!

Thursday, April 8, 2010 posted by tommi

Open House Strategies for Success 

  1. Set the Stage.  Mow, clean, store and pack.  Open the windows and pull back the drapes.  Turn on the lights and light a few candles. 
  2. Consider taking your pet to a neighbor or pet sitter during your Open House.
  3. Use a sign-in notebook to record contact information and invite comments and feedback.
  4. Ask a mortgage company to assist you in holding an open house.  Many local companies provide an on-site lending officer to assist buyers in calculating payments and exploring financing options.
  5. Consider calling your local title company to see if they offer assistance to sellers holding open houses.  Most of these companies offer a variety of free, helpful assistance, often including food, signage, advertising, etc…
  6. It is best to keep your Open House an adult only event.  Consider arranging for your children to be away during your Open House.
  7. Don’t crowd the attendee’s or become their tour guide.  Greet each visitor at the door and be available to answer any questions they might have, but stay in the background.  Encourage the buyers to tour on their own and at their own pace.  Make every effort to insure that each person is at ease.  Allow them the privacy and time they need to discover all features of your home that interest them.  
  8. Place small items, such as jewelry and medications, in a safe place during your Open House.  Theft and stealing are very rare, but do occur occasionally in some areas.  Safekeeping a few items will give you peace of mind and will assist you in your effort to Stage and Show your home.
  9. Be prepared for comments that you may not appreciate and try to not go on the defensive.  You are selling, but remember buyers are buying.  Remain composed when hurtful comments are made about your décor, price, neighbors, floorplan or location.  Bite your tongue, smile, remain professional and courteous.  Showing your own home is a most difficult task.  To do it successfully, it is necessary to remain objective and most of us are not, especially about our home.  Be polite and helpful to the buyer at all costs, no matter how hard.
  10. Smile, relax and enjoy meeting new people.  Your Open House is your time to stand in the spot light, so greet your visitors as you would like to be greeted. 

In conclusion, remember that holding an Open House is not mandatory for selling a home.  It is a valuable marketing tool because it allows home shoppers easy access to your home.    They are also very cost effective in terms of exposure, if you get the buyers to attend.   On the other hand, you may not want the public touring your home or open houses may not be popular in your area.  The decision to host or not is up to you… 

Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com.  National Open House Weekend is this Saturday and Sunday.  Buyers will be looking for Royal Blue balloons flying at Open Houses held by Realtors.  Make the most of this opportunity and make sure blue balloons are flying at your house, too.   Best of luck and let us know how you did! 

Uncle Sam Pays the Tab for New Windows

Wednesday, March 3, 2010 posted by tommi

Does a cold draft blow around your head while you relax in your easy chair?   Does the sound of actual street noise drown out the sound of the NASCAR race on TV?   If you answered “Yes” to either question…it might be time to replace those old, drafty, ugly, noisy, single paned, aluminum frame windows with some good looking, energy efficient ones.

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!!!