Sometimes it is difficult to sell a home with pets on the premises. Putting your much loved dog or cat in the garage or back yard or locked in the laundry room will not work and it is not fair to the animals. Also, some shy pets may panic when confronted with strangers and might bolt out of the house.
(I am an animal lover and have always had pets so this would be a non-issue to me as a potential buyer.) However, some people are not comfortable around animals due to lack of proximity while growing up and/or never having a cute and cuddly or large and lovable pet.
Some people fear animals and see them as being likely to bite, scratch, claw or jump on them. They may view large dogs as intimidating. (Until I got married and had my own home and pets, I was afraid of dogs and cats due to lack of experience with them - so although I see these fears as irrational on the one hand, I can understand them on the other hand.)
If possible, let a family member or friend keep your pet for a short time. If this is not possible, consider boarding them at a kennel.
If neither of these suggestions are an option, be sure to keep litter boxes scrupulously clean and out of sight. Pet odors are a big turn-off to potential buyers. However, do not spray with air fresheners which only serve to mask odors and may trigger allergies in some visitors. I suggest you try an enzyme cleaner.
Another important issue – be sure to remove any pet stains on your carpets. If you cannot get them out with store-bought products, hire a professional to remove the stains and clean the carpets.
Vacuum every day and twice a day if necessary. Do not have photos around showing your cat or dog sleeping on the bed or couch – or eating food from the table or countertop.
Composed by Trey Christian. Trey is the Houston real estate marketing manager for VIP ClientSide. Our team specializes in Houston Condos and Houston Office space rentals.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Kentville Home Show
My office took part in the Kentville Home Show April 16th-18th, at the Kentville Centennial Arena. It was a great weekend, and thanks to the cold/rainy weather, we had a great turn out on all three days. There were over 70 booths this year, the most to-date I've been told.
For me it was a great experience to chat with folks walking by the booth, and have them associate me with Royal LePage Atlantic.
Even if you're not in the market for a home, there were booths for everything - University Painters, Home Depot, Scotian Gold, Oulton's Fuels, Apple Auto Glass.. and nearly every booth had a giveaway, so not only could you qualify for the Backyard Giveaway valued around $4000, but you could also win gift baskets, gift certificates, or free products.
If you didn't make it in this year, be sure to put it on your list for next year, it's a great way to spend an afternoon, and can put you in-touch with an enormous number of people... all under one roof!
A huge thank you to Video World in New Minas for donating the 52" flat screen tv for the weekend!
For me it was a great experience to chat with folks walking by the booth, and have them associate me with Royal LePage Atlantic.
Even if you're not in the market for a home, there were booths for everything - University Painters, Home Depot, Scotian Gold, Oulton's Fuels, Apple Auto Glass.. and nearly every booth had a giveaway, so not only could you qualify for the Backyard Giveaway valued around $4000, but you could also win gift baskets, gift certificates, or free products.
If you didn't make it in this year, be sure to put it on your list for next year, it's a great way to spend an afternoon, and can put you in-touch with an enormous number of people... all under one roof!
A huge thank you to Video World in New Minas for donating the 52" flat screen tv for the weekend!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Mortage Talk
The two major types of home loans are fixed rate and adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs). The benefit of a fixed rate loan is that your monthly payment does not change over the life of the mortgage – whether it is 10, 15, 20 or 30 years. The state of the economy has no impact on your payment, which will never go up. The interest on a fixed rate is typically higher than on an ARM but you are paying for loan security. If you plan to remain in the home for at least five years, this type of loan is appropriate for you.
ARMs are popular with buyers who prefer a lower interest rate for the first three, five or seven years of the loan. Depending on the state of the economy, the interest rate can and usually does go up after the initial fixed rate period. (It can also go down but that is not likely to happen.) Buyers who opt for this type of loan are gambling that their income will rise high enough to cover the rate increase or that they will either be able to refinance or sell their home before the rate adjustment goes into effect. The amount of rate increase is uncertain and cannot be predicted.
ARMs have been one of the major causes of home foreclosures due to homeowner’s loss of income or a dramatic rise in the interest rate causing a situation whereby he or she can no longer afford the cost of staying in the home.
Second mortgages are another type of loan which typically are granted for five to seven years and carry a “balloon” payment as the final obligation to clear the mortgage. The borrower pays the same rate of interest for the first five or seven years and the monthly payment remains the same. However, at the end of this period, the entire balance of the mortgage is due and payable. The homeowner must obtain financing or sell the home at this time to avoid coming up with a very large amount of money. There is no way of knowing what the interest rates or what the borrower’s financial situation will be at that time.
Author Bio:
Trey is the Houston real estate marketing manager for VIP ClientSide. Our team specializes in Houston Condos and Houston Office space rentals.
ARMs are popular with buyers who prefer a lower interest rate for the first three, five or seven years of the loan. Depending on the state of the economy, the interest rate can and usually does go up after the initial fixed rate period. (It can also go down but that is not likely to happen.) Buyers who opt for this type of loan are gambling that their income will rise high enough to cover the rate increase or that they will either be able to refinance or sell their home before the rate adjustment goes into effect. The amount of rate increase is uncertain and cannot be predicted.
ARMs have been one of the major causes of home foreclosures due to homeowner’s loss of income or a dramatic rise in the interest rate causing a situation whereby he or she can no longer afford the cost of staying in the home.
Second mortgages are another type of loan which typically are granted for five to seven years and carry a “balloon” payment as the final obligation to clear the mortgage. The borrower pays the same rate of interest for the first five or seven years and the monthly payment remains the same. However, at the end of this period, the entire balance of the mortgage is due and payable. The homeowner must obtain financing or sell the home at this time to avoid coming up with a very large amount of money. There is no way of knowing what the interest rates or what the borrower’s financial situation will be at that time.
Author Bio:
Trey is the Houston real estate marketing manager for VIP ClientSide. Our team specializes in Houston Condos and Houston Office space rentals.
Guest Blogging
I would like to welcome Trey Christian and all his associates of the Internet Marketing Team, who have joined forces with me and will be composing blog posts to be published on my blog periodically.
Feel free to let me know what you think as my blog's main purpose is to get useful real estate information into the minds of consumers, and most importantly, my clients.
Happy Reading!
Leah
Feel free to let me know what you think as my blog's main purpose is to get useful real estate information into the minds of consumers, and most importantly, my clients.
Happy Reading!
Leah
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