JOE AND CHRIS BALESTRIERE - FAIRFIELD COUNTY REAL ESTATE EXPERTS
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TurboScan - Tool of the Year, 2015

12/18/2015

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TurboScan Icon
I have heard stories about how exciting it was to use the first fax machines that started appearing in offices in the 1970s and 1980s. This technology became ubiquitous in offices around the world, and in real estate offices, likely in the 80s. Fax machines were reliant on a phone line to send documents anywhere in the world.
Then technology stepped further, with the advent of image scanners - something reliant on the prosperity of the personal computer. Scanners really found their footing in the 90's, and then took hold in the new millennium. As quickly as fax machines came and went, scanners did as well with smartphones cropping up.
It amazes me how quickly technology is progressing. Less than half a century later, these fax machines are completely obsolete in a modern real estate market. This does not mean that this equipment is completely missing from the workplace, but it is likely that those agents still using it are FAR behind the times. Scanners are still relevant, though they require a physical machine, limiting their capabilities.
This brings me to the tool of the year for 2015, TurboScan (by Piksoft Inc.). In this case, I specifically mention this app that costs between $2 and $4 on an iPhone, likely the best investment for a Realtor or his/her client going through a transaction.
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This app is a scanner, plain and simple, without those physical restrictions I first mentioned fax machines, because they began a wave of new technology used to send documents, which evolved into the proliferation of scanners, skipping quickly to apps that allow you to scan documentation, quickly, and easily, from anywhere.
How does the App work?
All you have to do is to take a picture of the file, and then it automatically crops the document to white space, and you can immediately add pages, if necessary.
What is amazing about this tool is the ability to send files directly to your email, or an email. But, if used correctly with your Dropbox (Tool of the Year in 2010-2014 for me), the impact is greater. Read about Dropbox so you can understand my next point.
This app completely eliminates the need for physical storage of any paper documentation. You can scan anything directly from your hand into your Dropbox making it immediately accessible to you on any computer or device in the world (with Internet connectivity), or to those that are connected to your Dropbox...again...IMMEDIATELY.
You can also instantly send these documents (as JPEG OR PDF) in a text message to someone else. Or immediately open these files in any app that supports PDF files, on your device, such as Evernote, Google Drive, iBooks, or Notes App (iPhone).
I have had buyers use this app to scan documents quickly and effectively to their mortgage broker, in a timely fashion. The testimonial from my mortgage broker was incredibly positive, and he immediately adopted this technology into his business, advising clients to utilize its powerful and quick interface.
So, whether you are working with a mortgage broker on obtaining financing, are a Realtor trying to modernize your business, or really anyone that has too much physical paper, check this App out. If you don't have an iPhone, there are certainly going to be alternatives on the market, for your purposes - just look for something that had some of these features, and you are in good shape.

Here is a basic Tutorial:

#1

Open Your App, and hit the camera button on the bottom left;

The screenshot on the right is the main screen when you open the app, showing your most recent scans;

The other features (not circled) allow you to have the app automatically take 3 photos, and pick the best, which then automatically assigns it to a category - with the same following functionality;

The other button allows you to take a picture from your phone and work with it as well.
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#2

Once you have taken a scan, this is what you see (--->);

The bottom left icon is what you use to immediately send the scan (move on to #3 if this is your purpose);

The middle icon allows you to change the properties and the name of the scan;

The icon on the right is what you hit to add a page, continuing from #1 if you choose this.
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#3

Once you hit the share button on the previous screen, you get these options;

As you can see, you can do a whole lot with this app; For now, you would either choose to email the document as a PDF (or a JPEG), if you choose;

You can also open the PDF in something, which continues on to #4;

The other options include saving to your camera roll, messaging it directly in a text, copying for use somewhere else on your phone, and printing the document directly - so powerful.
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#4

Once you have chosen to open the PDF in something, this is what you see;

Depending on the apps on your phone, you can do multiple things here, in my case, I would immediately save this to my Dropbox (on to #5);

The possibilities are endless, just make sure to download the 'open in' app before you expect to save to it.
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#5

When you click to 'Copy to Dropbox', you get a screen like this;

Here, you can change the name (in this case it is called 'Test.pdf');

You then can choose the location within Dropbox to save the document (from one you have saved in the past, or 'Choose a Different Folder...').
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Enjoy this App, and hopefully it is as powerful and useful in 2016 as it was in 2015 for me!
As always, feel free to contact me with additional questions, comments, or testimonials (or just comment below).
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Dropbox - Best Tool Ever (2010-2014)

12/18/2015

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In a digital age, the prevalence of new technology makes it difficult to keep up unless you are dedicating yourself to it full time. If you are a real estate salesperson; your time is better spent prospecting and meeting with clients. (If you are in any business, this tool is essential)
My main focus when I entered the real estate business was to enable my business to be run from anywhere that I might be at any given time, with the exception of the valuable face-to-face time with clients. Otherwise, I wanted to be able to do everything and anything I needed on the run.
With that said, let’s talk about Dropbox , the most useful tool I have used in this business.

What is Dropbox?

In the past few years, the ‘Cloud’ has become a common term in the world of technology. This ‘Cloud’ may seem like an overwhelming concept, but all it really is, is a bunch of computers that are connected in a warehouse somewhere, that allow you to store your files as you would on your computer. The key is that you can access it from any computer or device. Dropbox was the first ‘Cloud’ system I came into contact with, and my favorite.

How do I make the most of Dropbox?

Dropbox offers a free level of service, where you are given 2GB of data, or hundreds of thousands of files depending on their size. You are also given multiple methods to increase this space significantly. For the more advanced, those that use this product regularly as I do, for $99 a year, you get 1TB, which is all the space you will need.
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Directly from the Dropbox site, these are the pricing plans you can use.
I use this tool to store all of my files, those from all of my clients, so I have everything I need at any given time:
My Dropbox Folder
A view of my Real Estate folder for Dropbox.
For example, I am on the road and get a phone call that a possible seller client would like to meet, I can pop into my office and print everything I have organized for a listing presentation (‘Listing Presentation Material’ in the example above). No need to go back home and collect yourself, it is already all organized in one place.
A step beyond that, are the sharing capabilities of this program. For a team of real estate salespeople, you might want to share a folder, or a file, or your whole Dropbox, and doing so is as easy as inviting your colleagues on the Dropbox website. This powerful aspect of Dropbox can turn an office of real estate agents into a cohesive salesforce, with access to all the same files in order to compete with those other offices in town.
The most useful aspect of this tool for me is for contracts and paperwork. I am able to directly input files into the Dropbox through email, from any device, from anywhere. As more and more aspects of business go online, we find that saving paper and having clients scan and fax documents (or use something like TurboScan), leads to a comprehensive folder of all clients and their important documents.

Why Dropbox and not some other Cloud service?

There are many new services that are trying to enter this Cloud space including Internet behemoths such as Amazon, Apple, IBM, and Google. However, Dropbox is still the best, for my use. The price is competitive, and the usability and flexibility make it a worthwhile product. Their goal was to make Dropbox as non-intrusive as possible, and it surely feels that way.
Sometimes I don’t even recognize that I am saving my files in Dropbox. I use it ten times daily and much more, because it has become ubiquitous for me.

How accessible is Dropbox?

Dropbox can be used in multiple ways:
  • You can access your files directly from the website, where you can download folders and files, or revert any changes you made to the folder directly from there, and share the folder with friends, family, or colleagues;
  • You can install a dropbox application directly on your PC or Laptop with sharing capabilities;
  • You can download a free app for Dropbox on your iPhone, iPad or other cellular/tablet devices; their app is simple and gorgeous.
The bottom line: Dropbox can be used anywhere from any device at any time.
This application is incredibly easy to use - think of it as the same usability for the folders that you have directly on your computer. There is a hierarchy, or folder structure, so you can create personal and work-related folders, and share them independently; you then avoid mixing and mingling these folders.
If I were to rate every tool I use as a real estate professional with 1 to 5 stars, this product would get a 5 star rating every time. I have never had any qualms with the software, and find that it is the most updated and perfect piece of software I have used.
For what it is worth, this blog post was created in Word, then saved in my Dropbox folder under Real Estate (private) > ~BLOG Content
It is the way I keep myself organized. Test the free version of this, and let me know what you think through Facebook.
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The Game-Plan: Home Staging Advice

12/17/2015

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​Staging is essential. I don’t mean hiring a professional stager and spending thousands on new furniture from said stager (though this might be more effective in getting the home sold at a higher price). But sellers don’t want to, or might not have that much money to spend, in addition to the cosmetic work they might do. Also, frankly, sellers are skeptical to spend ANY money at this stage of the transaction. I would rather spend that money on the cosmetic updates that are necessary. 
What do I mean by staging advice? I have taken classes, and listened to many staging consultations, giving advice for what to do prior to listing. This includes helping choose what colors to paint with, where to move things, and ultimately, the de-cluttering and cleaning necessary to get it sold. 
Here are some great tips for staging:
  • Read about cosmetic fixes for a good deal of staging advice that would be necessary in lieu of these tips;
  • Remove all personal photos from walls, and replace with inexpensive art;
  • Living/family room should have an area rug if floors are hardwood; this rug should be on the light side (preferably white if you have no kids). If necessary, clean the existing rug. It should be located halfway under the sofa, with a living room table in the middle, unless the room is exceptionally small;
  • No beds should be against a wall, unless absolutely necessary, or if the room is exceptionally small. Beds should ALWAYS be presented ideally, so get new comforter, sheets, and pillows if necessary;
  • Fireplace should be the center of the room, if there is one; all furniture should face it, unless some unexpected circumstance would prevent it;
  • Odors can make or break a sale; This is the number one cause of dissatisfaction with a home. If it smells, what else could be wrong with the home? Have a family member, your Realtor, or someone that is unbiased give a smell test, especially if you smoke or have pets. Immediately figure a solution to this, by putting kitty litter outside, replacing big dog beds with new ones, replacing carpets or rugs, replacing curtains that attract odors, or ceasing to smoke inside the home. Get air fresheners in every room, air out the home on a mildly cool day (or multiple days). If it is serious, hire a professional cleaning company to wash walls, floors, and anything else that might contribute;
  • Remove all religion-specific items. I know you might be religious, and against something like this, but it is important that there are no specific items of any kind in the home. This could apply to sports teams, and specific affiliations, such as Boston Red Sox posters in the NYC area, or other major rivalries. These both may seem silly, but if someone is passionate, there is no reason to give them a bad association with the home;
  • Make sure all lights and light-bulbs work. If the home is vacant, there should be a lamp placed in each room, at a minimum;
This list is concise, including the most important aspects of staging, but not all-inclusive. There are hundreds of tips for listing a home optimally, so if you would like a full staging list, leave a comment or go to the contact form and ask!
​Note: Consultation with a stager is a service offered by my go-to stager in CT. She charges $275, and sometimes I use this as a tool to get a listing. In other words, I offer to pay to have her come give a written consultation prior to listing, for things that can be done to improve value. This gives the stager the opportunity to come in and meet the client, and establish expertise, but also to give the best suggestions to improve sales price. 
It is amazing what a seller (or Realtor) can do to a home without spending much money. Put on your buyer hat and get started on these immediately!
This article is one of several about Listing Real Estate - The Game-Plan.
The next topic in our Game-Plan is De-Clutter and Clean.
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8 Things to Expect From Your Realtor

12/11/2015

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Whether you find your Realtor at a cocktail party, or use a friend or family member, the same expectations must be met across the board. 
To most people, real estate transactions are the largest and most stressful of their lifetime, so it’s important to select a Realtor the same way you’d select a brain surgeon or a financial adviser: you do some research and you insist they meet your expectations. The expectations I would expect from another Realtor are below:

Rule #1:
Know my neighborhood
Real estate is local. It is essential that your Realtor lives within 10 miles of where you are looking.
Here in Fairfield County, CT, I have turned down buyers and sellers in Hamden, and New Haven, because they are just too far. I don't know those areas well enough. I live here in Norwalk. I've been in this neighborhood for over 25 years. I know the nuances of living in these local towns, something that a NY agent might not know.

Rule #2:
Know my home's value
Our team has a reputation of pricing homes realistically. Our thoroughness in pricing is starkly contrasted to other agents. That's why our team ranks is #1 in transactions out of over 175 Realtors in Norwalk. We get your house SOLD!

Rule #3: ​
Have proper accreditations
A salesperson license is just the beginning.
Our team maintains accreditations as CRS: Certified Residential Specialist; ABR: Accredited Buyer Representative; SRES: Senior Real Estate Specialist; ASP: Accredited Staging Professional and we assist you with all the services provided by William Raveis Real Estate and Home Services.

Rule #4: ​
Be there to the end of the deal!
We don't just stop at inking contracts. We help you with mortgages, relocation, senior assistance - we even hold tag sales to help clean out your home. ​This is a full-service industry. If you need it, your agent should be able to provide it, or find someone who will. 

Rule #5:
Promote my property
​(if selling)

Everyone will have your listings on MLS, do Open Houses, and take out newspaper ads. You Realtor should go several steps beyond that! We put you on our website, we do virtual tours, flyers, and mailings. We advertise on Trulia, Zillow, Craig's List, Facebook, Twitter and many more sites; all this to ensure that your home sells faster, and at a better price.

Rule #6: 
Deliver on your promises
Just as I have set expectations of your Realtor in this guide, your Realtor should set expectations for the transaction for you. If they do not meet those, then hold them accountable. If a promise is made, it should be a top priority to fulfill the promise. A good way to gauge this before hiring someone, is to read reviews. Pay attention to these reviews and look for words like 'accountable', 'honest', 'thorough', etc.

Rule #7: 
Care!
This is part of the intangibles that relieve stress from the largest financial transaction of one's life. It's called peace of mind, and it comes from the care and respect we have for you.

Rule #8: 
Follow these rules
​We wrote them, so expect us to follow them. 
That's how we earn your trust.
If you are out of town, or have another Realtor in mind, test them to see if they can give an answer for how they will address each rule listed in this post.

Needless to say, and not included in the 8 above, is this bonus tip: Don't hire a part-time Realtor. Imagine hiring a part-time surgeon - you wouldn't do it.
These requirements for your Realtor are not all-inclusive. There are many little things that put one Realtor above another. But this is a good start to understanding what you should expect. The responsiveness, thoroughness, and effort put forth by a Realtor will make your life easier as you try to sell or buy. 
Note: If you live anywhere in the world, feel free to email me to discuss issues surrounding choosing a Realtor. I'm not allowed (nor want) to discuss aspects of your transaction if you are in contract. Prior to listing/signing with a Realtor, feel free to run it by me!
Good luck in your search. For help in finding someone of quality to represent your interests, don't hesitate to call Joe, no matter where you are seeking a Realtor.
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Closed Homes in Norwalk, CT - November 2015

12/9/2015

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All sales in November for single family homes in Norwalk. 
​Total units: 48

25 Oxford Street  |  ​$157,000
18 Lubrano Place  |  $160,000
21 Willow Street  |  $190,000
22 Marlin Drive  |  $200,000
8 Mack Street  |  $260,000
145 Scribner Avenue  |  $261,000
29 Frances Avenue  |  $280,000
17 Midrocks Drive  |  $282,000
34 Ambler Drive  |  $300,000
8 Disesa Court  |  $318,000
8.5 Newtown Terrace  |  $328,000
1 Bartlett Avenue  |  $334,000
10 East Avenue  |  $335,000
5 Visconti Street  |  $348,800
5 Lark Lane  |  $360,000
40 Arnold Lane  |  $380,000
34 Saint Marys Lane  |  $382,250
75 Clinton Avenue  |  $385,000
7 Tracey Street  |  $390,000
81 George Avenue  |  $396,000
5 Scribner Avenue  |  $405,000
8 Gillies Lane  |  $405,500
147 Fillow Street  |  $420,000
48 Lockwood Lane  |  $420,000
19 Garner Street  |  $420,000
34 Phillips Street  |  $425,000
35 Orlando Road  |  $430,000
60 Noahs Lane Ext  |  $430,000
11 Broadview Terrace  |  $442,500
25 Fox Run Road  |  $480,000
4 Splitrock Road  |  $492,000
310 Flax Hill Road  |  $495,000
5 Blackberry Lane  |  $500,000
16 Burwell Street  |  $550,000
7 Burchard Lane  |  $639,000
118 W Norwalk Road  |  $656,000
179 W Norwalk Road  |  $665,000
2 Kristen Lane  |  $675,000
11 Richards Avenue  |  $710,000
40 Princes Pine Road  |  $749,000
29 Orchard Hill Road  |  $785,000
163 W Rocks Road  |  $785,000
17 Christopher Lane  |  $960,000
35 Pine Point Road  |  $1,075,000
27 Witch Lane  |  $1,340,000
9 Gregory Court  |  $1,450,000
4 Rowayton Avenue  |  $1,685,000
8 Nearwater Road  |  $2,925,000
Map of Norwalk Sold Properties in November 2015
All single family homes that were sold in Norwalk, CT in November of 2015
The addresses and closed prices are listed above, would you want to see any other information about the home?
Source: CMLS
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Buying Process - A Timeline

12/8/2015

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The buying process, for someone with traditional financing from a bank (not a short sale or bank owned property), would look something like this:
1 Day...........................................................
Accepted offer on Property
After the buyer has found the home of their dreams, buyer/seller will have a fully-executed binder (in Connecticut), or would go straight to a contract in another state. This document (binder) details the dates that are explained in the rest of this timeline. In this state, a 1% good-faith deposit is held in escrow by the buyer's agent.
 
$$: Good Faith Check - 1% of purchase price
7-10 Days................................................
Complete Inspection/Negotiations
The buyers will be required to finish their inspection(s) within 7-10 days of an accepted offer on the property. This includes all building, termite, septic, and other inspections as stipulated in the binder.
 
$$: Cost of Inspection - $500-$1000 for building inspection, and varies based on need for radon, termite, or other alternate inspections;
$$: 
Septic Inspection - $500
Schedule and Arrange Appraisal
After negotiations are complete for inspections, the buyers will push their mortgage company for the appraisal to be completed within two weeks. This should happen quickly so the bank can complete the approval process.
 
$$: Appraisal Cost - <$500
14 Days......................................................
Signing of Contracts
Contracts should be written by the attorneys, then reviewed and signed by buyers (within 14 days of accepted offer), and then sellers. At this stage, the buyer is required to give a portion of the down payment, depending on how much they will give in total, between 5 and 10%. This contract also stipulates the mortgage commitment date, and the closing date, and is set in stone.
 
$$: Partial Down Payment - 5-10% of purchase price
45 Days.....................................................
Mortgage Commitment waived
The bank and mortgage broker have 45 days after the accepted offer to generate an approval letter, and then a clear to close. This is the final document required to confirm a closing. The buyer should have been communicating thoroughly with the mortgage broker to ensure this process goes smoothly.
60 Days....................................................
Walk-through and Closing
Closing should happen about 60 days after an accepted offer, usually with paperwork signed AFTER the buyer has walked-through the home. The walk-through happens the day of, or before. Though this might change with new law that was implemented in October of 2015, but generally stays the same. 
 
$$: Closing Costs - (Varies greatly, read more about closing costs)
$$: ​Additional Down Payment - 5-10% of purchase price
A disclaimer: This is a rough timeline of the process of purchase and obtaining financing for a home. The dates, dollar amounts, process changes greatly on a case-by-case basis, and is highly dependent on the local real estate market and process. This is intended for Fairfield County, Connecticut buyers.
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The Game-Plan: Home Condition Audit

12/3/2015

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The first step to bringing a home to Showing Quality (SQ) is to address the minor (and major) cosmetic issues that need addressing with the home. Every seller has a budget, and there is a level of experience required to determine which changes/fixes make the most sense given that budget. Make sure to realize that this is not a one-size-fits-all approach because each scenario is different.
To the benefit of my sellers, I have managed to keep the cost of cosmetic updates below $5000 for homes up to 3000 square feet. I achieve this with the assistance of a handyman that does high-quality work, at prices that are severely lower than the regular competition in your location. Doug and his team have been invaluable to my business; it is advisable to find your own ‘Doug’, as a seller OR a Realtor in your particular market.
With that said, what is the order of operations to get to SQ by way of cosmetic updates? Here is how I rank the important issues in ROI for a seller (in Fairfield County CT, and Norwalk specifically):
1
Fresh coat of paint
For a few thousand dollars, a fresh coat of paint has so many benefits. Newly painted interior instantly adds a fresh, clean look to any room. While dark colors may be stylish, using lighter colors brightens the room and makes smaller spaces look much larger. Local paint companies might be able to assist with choosing colors, but for most rooms, a light gray is currently in style. The contrast between the wall color and ultra-white (glossy) trim is what makes the most impact here. For perspective, a normal room, with painted trim, should cost around $200-$400, and no more. A 2000 square foot home can be fully painted for under a couple of thousand dollars. I have also used my handyman to paint the whole exterior of a home, still within the $5000 budget.
NOTE: Homes with problematic odors will benefit greatly from this change.​
2
Refinished Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors are in. This step might include removing old carpet from a home, but has arguably one of the biggest impacts on making a home sell quicker and at a higher price. Refinishing and re-staining hardwood has similar impact on a home as painting – it freshens and revitalizes the space. The cost of a refinish for around 600 square feet should not exceed $1000. Again, for a 2000 square foot home, this should be a couple of thousand dollars, max.
NOTE: Homes with problematic odors will benefit greatly from this change.​
3
Kitchen Hardware and Floors
The kitchen is the most expensive room to address when renovating a home. For our purposes, it is one of the least expensive, depending on the scope. The easiest, and cheapest quick-fix to a kitchen is replacing the hardware, or the handles, and if necessary, the hinges on the cabinets. If the cabinets are older wood, you can also opt to paint them, which instantly revitalizes the space. The other thing that I have used successfully the past for a few homes, is a ceramic tile for the floors that adheres without thin-set (the material used to place tile). You can then grout the gaps after they have set, making this inexpensive alternative look like real tile. If you have linoleum or vinyl down, this can be laid right on top. The cost for 100 square feet should be no more than $750, and the tiles can be bought at Home Depot.
4
Bathroom Finishes
To the same effect of kitchen updates, the bathroom updates make a major impact, at a low cost. Floors and hardware should be replaced. You can also purchase inexpensive light fixtures, towel holders, toilet seats, etc, that instantly give the bathroom a fresh look. If you don’t want to shell the $300 (for materials) for a new vanity, you can always repaint the older wood vanity. The color black has been recommended for this job (by my stager). Recaulking the tub, and deep cleaning can go a long way in the bathroom. The handyman can spend under $200 per bathroom, to great effect (hardware, light fixtures, tower holders). 
5
Curb Appeal
The first impression for a buyer is always the exterior of a home, especially for single family homes. The most impact in this department goes to painting of trim, and cleaning of windows, easily done by a contractor for less than a couple hundred dollars. When chipping paint is visible at the front door and around the windows, it gives the impression of lack of updates and care on the part of the homeowner. In the fall, it is essential to clean the yard of leaves; for spring, make sure the grass is cut, and fresh mulch is placed in the flower beds, especially in the front. It is also helpful to cut away the bushes from in front of the windows, and make sure no bush or planting is overgrown (especially if it eliminates light inside the home). Much of these can be done yourself, but in the scope of a handyman’s work, they might be able to throw this in the mix.
6
Misc Fixes
Throughout the home, any trim, corners, or visible items that can be addressed, should be. Fixing trim along with other small detailed cosmetic fixes gives the future buyer one less thing that they need to take care of, and this leads to higher dollars for the home. This work can vary greatly, so take it on a case-by-case basis. 
For all six items above, my handyman does a great job of itemizing the list, line-by-line so my seller clients know exactly where their dollars are being spent. This also enables the seller to know the total scope of what I might recommend (thus giving them full transparency on what to do), but can pick and choose despite your advice, based on their budget. 
Disclaimer: These lists of ROI are intended for homes under $1,500,000 in Fairfield County. Local real estate is different, so consult a Realtor if you are reading this and are not located in Connecticut. 
There are issues such as termite treatment, non-functioning mechanicals, and other blatantly obvious items that may need addressing. If your roof is leaking, fix it! If the roof is 30 years old, manage your expectations by knowing the buyer might ask for a credit. The key here is to know what is coming, and to not be surprised by it.
If your heating system, cooling system, hot water heater, or any other major mechanical is not working, it must be fixed or the buyers will look for a steep discount in price.
A special note here: if the heating system doesn’t work, the buyer may not be able to get financing for the property. If the electric panel is fuse-based (instead of breakers), it is possible the buyer won’t be able to get insurance, and therefore won’t finish qualifying for a mortgage. 
So, if you are a seller or a Realtor with a listing, these tips should have been useful. Unless the budget is actually $0, don't be complacent in this category. A little goes a long way.
This article is one of several about Listing Real Estate - The Game-Plan.
The next topic in our Game-Plan is Home Staging Advice.
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6 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

12/2/2015

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With winter around the corner, there are many alterations you can do that will significantly reduce your winter utility bills. Here are my top six things that you can do:

​1 - Make sure your walls and attic are well insulated
Effective insulation slows the rate that heat flows out of the house in winter or into the house in summer, so less energy is required to heat or cool the house. If your house has no wall insulation, and it has more-or-less continuous wall cavities (such as conventional stud walls), blown-in insulation can greatly improve your comfort and save enough energy to be very cost-effective. (It rarely pays to blow additional insulation into already insulated walls.) If your attic is unfinished, it often pays to upgrade its insulation.

2 - Replace incandescent lightbulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)
These lightbulbs use less energy, give off less heat, and last longer than traditional light bulbs.
​
CFLs can save three-quarters of the electricity used by incandescents. Most people don’t think about the fact that the electricity to run a lightbulb costs much more than the bulb itself. One of the new CFLs costs about two or three dollars, but it lasts 10,000 hours and uses only about 27 watts to generate as much light as a 100-watt incandescent bulb. During its life, it uses about $22 in electricity, so the total cost is about $25. A 100-watt incandescent bulb costs 50 cents, but lasts 1,000 hours so you need 10 of them ($5 to buy) to last 10,000 hours. In those 10,000 hours you will use 1,000 kilowatts of electricity, which will cost more than $80 at a national average price. So the lighting cost of the CFL is less than one-third of the cost for the incandescent. The best targets for replacement are 60- to 100-watt bulbs used several hours a day, because usage affects how long it takes to recover the investment.

3 -  Plant shade trees and shrubs around your house
If your house is older, with relatively poor insulation and windows, good landscaping (particularly deciduous trees) can save energy, especially if planted on the house’s west side. In summer, the foliage blocks infrared radiation that would warm the house, while in winter the bare branches let this radiation come through. Of course, if your house has very good insulation and Energy Star or better windows, the effect is much, much smaller because the building shell itself is already blocking almost all the heat gain.
This one might have to wait for next year!

4 - When you replace your appliances, look for Energy STAR appliances
If you live in a typical U.S. home, your appliances and home electronics are responsible for about 20% of your energy bills. These appliances and electronics include the following:
  • Clothes washers and dryers
  • Computers
  • Dishwashers
  • Home audio equipment
  • Refrigerator and freezers
  • Room air conditioners
  • Televisions, DVD players, and VCRs
  • Water heaters
It might be worth looking into rebates for items like refrigerators. In fact, if you call a local company that does free energy audits (for low-income, otherwise it would costs $99), you can knock off items 2 and 4 from your list, and possibly get valuable insight into whether #1 can be addressed at the same time. For those in Fairfield County, Connecticut, I used Mr. Handyman for a client's energy audit. They were professional, and kind, and did a great job to seal up the home, and get us some savings.

5 - Unplugg and turn off unused electronics while out of the home
Did you know that anything plugged in will consume electricity, whether the device is powered on or not? There are special plugs you can purchase from Amazon that allow you to set a timer for a device that cuts power when not home, or after a certain duration. Anything you can do to shut off needlessly wasted sockets during the work day, or when on vacation, will reduce your bills marginally (but it all adds up!). 

6 - Replace your garage door
Although this is something that needs to be done prior to winter to get maximum effect, replacing the garage door can have a great impact. If your home has a wooden garage door, with R-value (insulating efficacy value) around 2, the effects are doubled. A traditional, and even low-grade garage door replacement has R-value around 10-13, depending on the brand and quality. The additional insulation around gaps also contributes to the efficacy here. One garage bay in this area might cost $900-$1300 for all installation and removal of old door (not including new motor).
​Note: Windows on a garage door adds light, but reduces the R-value average for the whole door.

There are countless more ways to help reduce the utility bills in the winter, such as adjusting the hot water heater temp, the refrigerator temp, and replacing filters, so pay attention to the mechanicals this winter!
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Content 103: Social Media Feeds for Realtors

12/1/2015

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There are literally thousands of different sources for news, content, and real estate-related content. Here are some noteworthy options:

Major News

Most major news networks have a real estate-specific section, like the NYT, CNN, MSN, FOX, or CNBC. There is huge variety on these sites, and all are news that tends to be macro, or on a large scale, discussing national real estate news.

Business Insider

Sometimes, news around the world or in the United States is worth reposting, for example content from Business Insider tends to be interesting. This business-geared news site delivers interesting, relevant content that might stray from specifically real estate news. For example, posting an article about mortgage rates, or the stock market might lend some variety.

Inman News

Inman News tends to be a great source for news about real estate. This website is a great source for content geared towards Realtors and as content generator for them.

RisMedia

Here is another real estate specific website: Rismedia.

Realtor.com

Of course, realtor.com has plenty of great information about the market. We all know Realtor.com as the major player in the real estate world on the Internet.

Zillow and Trulia Blogs

Didn't I mention that blogging is essential: Zillow Blog and Trulia Blog. Trulia and Zillow Blogs tend to have great content written by Realtors out there working the market. Content written by your peers helps give perspective for clients that might not understand the industry well.

You can also follow many of these news sources on Twitter for useful, re-postable content. A small time commitment up front will create lasting value as you look for content that is fun, interesting, and varied. The same goes for most major social networks. This is the age of content, and I am sure you will find plenty!
PROTIP: Most of these news sites should have an RSS feed to provide syndication directly to you. An RSS feed is a tool that allows content creators to publish their material to interested readers. There are tools you can download, such as the Chrome Extension that will enable all of your favorite content to be fed into one central location. This will make your life a whole lot easier.

Get Started!

Let's remember that becoming a real estate content champion requires reading. it is essential you continue to learn and keep up-to-date with the market. With all of these working together, plus so many more websites out there, creating content will be easy.
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Content 102: 8 Posting Tips and Tricks for Realtors

12/1/2015

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There are plenty of avenues that can be used in real estate to get your name out there. Each of those networks has a place and a purpose. Some will be around for many years, others might be just a blip on the radar. In any case, it is important to understand each of their purposes and uses, but also to understand the big picture and how to keep users coming back for you. Here are some general tips that will help you manage all this social content:

Tricks:

  • For any social network, you will likely have a different variety of followers, so posting the same content across multiple platforms is not only okay, but encouraged;
  • Accounts for LinkedIn and Twitter can be connected so if you post to Twitter, it automatically posts to Linkedin. Here's how;
  • A handy program called Hootsuite can make your social network updating a two hour process once a week; 
  • If you choose Twitter as your main social network, keep in mind that it requires the most attention out of any of the major networks. Read more about how to get started with Twitter and then how to get organic growth;
  • The real power in these networks is leveraging most of them together; in other words, when you post about your listings, try posting the YouTube video link directly to Facebook, or placing the Trulia link to that property on Google+. I will repeat this: as you post content about your listings to your networks, use variety; that is, if you post your Zillow link today, next time you talk about your listing post the Trulia link instead;
  • There is a variety of content to post to these social networks. It is suggested you follow national news as well as local news to get content to post. Following the appropriate users on Twitter or Facebook might be enough to have content on a daily basis for all of your networks;
  • Blogging. Need I say more? Using social networks is all about finding useful content for your followers. What better way to deliver content than to write it yourself in a blog? Try analyzing data from your local area, write posts about local businesses or restaurants and post them to your blog, or write about the newest mortgage news. Whatever you write will be unique unless you copy from elsewhere;
  • Not only is variety of sources important, but variety in the types of posts is as well. For example, one day you might find a useful article about real estate, and maybe want to post a second time that day. Maybe post a video, a picture, or some different type of media.
Read on, Content 103 gives further, useful information about social networks and content!
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    We (Joe and Chris Balestriere) are Realtors in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Our blog is meant to educate buyers and sellers and equip them with tools to get the most out of their Realtor, whether it is us or someone else. We focus on technology and how it enhances the work we do for our clients--we are not top CT Realtors by accident.

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