Why It Always Pays to Hire a Pro

You need to make a call and your cell phone crashed!!

Has this ever happened to you?  Last week I upgraded my iphone to the 12.  To set up my new phone I had to pair it with my old one.  Both phones locked up and were unusable for several hours.  I did not have a working landline.  I asked myself what would happen if I had a real emergency.?  

Have you recently moved or tried to set up land line service? Do you know that most major phone carriers do not offer simple phone service.  Particularly on Cape Cod the phone carriers try to upsell you a package that combines internet, cable and phone service.  Sometimes you only need the phone.

This past summer we opted out of an expensive bundling package with Comcast because we had duplicate service at both a primary and second home.  We learned that we could reduce our expenses at the second home by simply installing high speed internet service to stream from our primary home.  With this efficiency, however, came the cost of discontinuing our landline.  As I tried to set up my new phone a few days ago, I realized I was unable to call Apple support since I did not have a landline.

I now recognize the importance of having a dedicated landline for emergencies such as cell service not working.  There are times when the internet can be down and although I recently added a Google voice line on my laptop this would not be useful in such a situation. I am in the process and ordering service from a company called Community Phone.   

This company was started by the founder whose own grandmother needed a landline and instead was sold an expensive bundled package that she could not afford.  This is a common occurrence for many individuals.  

As an SRES Realtor I often work with seniors who are rightsizing to a new home or apartment.  Often they do not have a need for high speed internet or a cable package.  These are expensive and may not be practical particularly for those on a limited budget.   Now that I have become familiar with Community Phone I will now advise them about this service.  I honestly believe all home residents should have a dedicated installed landline for emergency call use.  I am looking forward to the installation of my new phone and will share an update once it is installed.  

Wendy is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham.  She enjoys coffee, walking her dog, theater/arts, reading, writing, travel and meeting new people.  She always welcomes the opportunity to have a virtual coffee now that we are amidst the “new normal”.  Check out her website at www.wendybcb.com or her FB page @wendybcb as she posts up to date content to meet the ever changing marketplace.  

Real or Staged- Fake or Famous?

Last night I watched the new HBO MAX movie titled "Fake Famous".  The premise of the movie was to highlight the role of influencers on our social media and the steps taken to achieve this status.  Those who desire to become influencers generally want to grandularize their own fame and recognition.  This is achieved by getting an increased number of likes and followers.  

As I watched the development of the documentary it became clearly apparent how significant image is in adding value to what we perceive as superiority. Many of the influencers highlighted were selected to represent the face of a physical product or tangible idea.  These individuals were shown in carefully procured photos to convey the actual location or setting mode when in fact, often this is a total snow job. 

(spoiler alert- watch the film to see what a coach seat on an airplane and a toilet seat have in common)

As a Realtor we are taught the importance of Curb Appeal when we prepare a new property listing.  The ideal photos will portray a home that looks picture perfect both when seen online and in person to potential buyers in the marketplace.  Increasingly there are Real Estate sights that promote no-show online listing abilities.  In addition there are companies that do virtual staging.  Virtual staging allows a buyer to visualize how a space may look but should not be allowed to create a false reality of the in-person viewing.  How would a consumer know if the property actually has the same physical presence as the online image?  Although the convenience of doing the entire process virtually may sound appealing I encourage all buyers to find the proper professionals including a Realtor and Legal Counsel to guide one through the process.  

As I watched the documentary I became more skeptical about what I see online in media posts. I believe we can observe images online but if one is a serious consumer it is important to make an informed decision based on true due diligence.  Don't just look at the pretty pictures.  Do your research.  

As a Realtor part of my job is to help and educate my clients.  I have been working virtually since the start of the pandemic.  During this time I recently earned the NAR e-Pro Designation. I took courses to develop my skills for the latest technologies and security tools. I have learned that what you see isn't always what you get.  In real estate, in particular one cannot rely on online images alone. I am always encouraging my clients to learn as much as they can about their intended purchase.   

Wendy is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham.  She enjoys coffee, walking her dog, theater/arts, reading, writing, travel and meeting new people.  She always welcomes the opportunity to have a virtual coffee now that we are amidst the “new normal”.  Check out her website at www.wendybcb.com or her FB page @wendybcb as she posts up to date content to meet the ever changing marketplace.  

Home Inspections and How to Avoid Becoming an Bad IG Rap

I read a great article in last Friday's Boston Globe about Home Inspector, James Brock who captures and shares the absurd oddities he uncovers during the home inspection process.  If you are somewhat socially aware or have family members who may be, chances are you may not feel proud to have your home featured on his Instagram "IG" posts.  

To avoid such public shaming you may be asking what can one do to prepare their home prior to photos, a sale and an eventual home inspection?

First let me share a bit about the Home Inspection process.  

A home inspection is a visual exam of the structure and systems of a house. It details problems with the property and if serious enough may prevent the sale. The three main points of an inspection are physical condition, items in need of repair or replacement, and the remaining useful life of major systems.

James Brock, of Boston Home Inspections had been known to take photos of unique items he uncovers during this process.  He does this for fun and not to point out defects.  I just learned of his services and reached out to connect with him.  We had a Zoom chat last Friday night to meet and learn about each others business.  My MO is to be able to provide my clients with the best resources to make their transactions in the buying and selling process as seamless as possible.  We are hoping to join in some fun informative Home Buying conversation on Club House in the near future so look my room up @wendybcb.

Typically an inspection is a part of the due diligence of purchasing a property. It is used a negotiation tool for the buyer for any visible defects.  The inspection typically takes  2-5 hours (old homes may take longer), and prices vary depending on size and scope of the inspection (ie: radon). The information disclosed during the inspection is for the buyers purposes and is not typically shared with anyone other than the parties involved in the transaction. 

The point of the Globe article was to highlight visible unusual items that may be discovered outside the box.  The article and this blogpost were written to introduce one to the inspection process in the vien of purposeful awareness.

If you are easily embarrassed or want to have your inspection go as smoothly and minimally intrusive as possible I recommend assessing your property and repairing any potential defects ahead of time.  In addition, if you have any items such as a hanging TRX you may want to store it away.  Likewise if an IG legacy moment of your sold property is your thing, here is a link to Boston Home Inspectors.  Perhaps you have an oddity that will be a featured as Jame's daily post.

To hire an inspector, get recommendations from a trusted Realtor or from others who have used a particular referral. I also suggest looking at the Mass.Gov website for reputable licensed professional home inspectors.  I once had a buyer of my own home, pick ABC Inspectors, the first one in the phone.  They were awful and their report basically said they were unable to examine any of the items per the report because they were obstructed.  First of all this wasn't true and they basically charged the buyer $300 not to do anything but get them out of the sale.  It appeared the buyer wanted an excuse to get out of the sale and buy another property.  We reported them to the BBB and there had been other similar complaints.  Lastly, you may also check online reviews on Angies List or Yelp.  Be sure to ask about references, memberships in professional associations, professional training, and experience.

Wendy is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham.  She enjoys coffee, walking her dog, theater/arts, reading, writing, travel and meeting new people.  She always welcomes the opportunity to have a virtual coffee now that we are amidst the “new normal”.  Check out her website at www.wendybcb.com or her FB page @wendybcb as she posts up to date content to meet the ever changing marketplace.  

Tools to virtually prepare to rightsize your home

Don't be up Schitt's Creek-Have A Maintenance and Emergency Plan

                                             

Do you or each of your home's occupants know what to do if there is a plumbing emergency in your home?  Do you know where the water shut-off value is?  I had a recent issue with a faulty toilet valve and if we didn't know how to shut off the water main we may have literally been headed down "Schitt's Creek". 

Homeownership can be wonderful but it also comes with many responsibilities.  It is important to be aware of the maintenance procedures necessary to keep the property in good condition and working order.  It is also vital to understand the mechanisms in place should an emergency occur.  Property needs to be maintained on a regular basis to prevent future damage.

If you are a new homeowner or plan to buy a home it is always recommended to have a professional home inspection before finalizing the purchase.  Please see my prior blogpost explaining the Home Inspection here.  In addition to the inspection, as part of due diligence in negotiating an offer, this is the buyers opportunity to learn about the inside operations of the home.  

When we purchased our home, my husband who is an engineer type followed the inspector around the house with a notebook and took meticulous notes on each operating system. He learned about areas that could need future attention.  This became a good reference tool for our home maintenance.  

To put this in laymen's terms, think of your annual medical examination. A good doctor will discuss areas of potential concern and give the patient techniques for preventative care as well as wellness follow up.

Sometimes a household emergency may arise and it is very important to know how to address the situation.   Before moving into a property, I suggest learning where all the shut-off emergency valves are.  It is important to have a plan for anticipated home maintenance issues with a list of appropriate service vendors.  As mentioned, I was inspired to write this blog after a plumbing leak occurred at my house. When an emergency occurs you may otherwise panic and scramble to find the contacts needed.  A recent article in Growing Magazine  cites the most common household emergencies and how to address them. 

In anticipation of home maintenance issues that can occur, I put together a Home Maintenance checklist by season for my clients some time ago.  If any interested reader is interested in a copy feel free to email me at wendy@wendybcb.com and put "Home Maintenance List" in the subject line.  

With proper maintenance and a well formulated emergency plan you will be ready to ease into the New Year with peace of mind and not have to travel down "Schitt's Creek".  Wishing you a great start to 2021.

Wendy is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham.  She enjoys coffee, walking her dog, theater/arts, reading, writing, travel and meeting new people.  She always welcomes the opportunity to have a virtual coffee now that we are amidst the “new normal”.  Check out her website at www.wendybcb.com or her fb page @wendybcb as she posts up to date content to meet the ever changing marketplace.  

 

Resources for Renting Out Property

With the current pandemic and every changing real estate landscape maybe 2021 will be your opportune time to invest in real property.  My guest blogger Patrick Young wrote this very informative blog post with many great links explaining and detailing the steps to consider before making this large investment.  

If you are a serious investor I recommend speaking to a real estate agent as well as financial professionals including a tax advisor and financial planner before jumping in to the market.  I am always available to work with you to start this journey.  

I thank Patrick for this post.  Enjoy!!

 

Owning rental property can be very lucrative, but it can also be a big job. If you’re thinking of buying a property to rent out or have just gotten started, you’ll need a few resources to make the process a smooth one. Preparing a property for tenants or maintaining a vacation rental can entail various tasks, but you can make it a bit easier by getting organized with these tips. 

Finances 

Should You Create an LLC For Your Rental Property? 

Create an LLC Using a Formation Service 

Tax Deductions for Rental Property Owners 

5 IRS Rules for Renting Out Your Vacation Home 

How to Stage and Prep a Rental 

Getting the Property Ready for Viewings

Clean the Floors/Carpets 

Store Items You Don’t Need 

Upgrades 

Add a Garage or Carport 

Update the Driveway 

Landscaping 

Repairs You May Need to Make 

Getting your rental property ready to roll will take some time and effort. However, when you officially have everything squared away, you’ll attract renters to your home in no time! 

Connect with experienced and talented realtor Wendy Bornstein of Coldwell Banker is available to find your next home! Click here or call 781-444-7400. 

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It is important to have the right professionals in place for each step of the home buying process.  I am always happy to introduce my clients to both reputable lenders, tax and financial advisors and legal counsel.  If you would like more information please feel free to contact me.

Wendy is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham. She is available to help sellers prepare for the prospect of selling a home either virtually or in person.  For more information please email her at wendy.bornstein@nemoves.com or check her website at www.wendybcb.com.

Title Insurance- what is it and why is it needed?

 Property Deeds

When one sells or buys real property it must have a clean and clear title.  After reading an article in today's Boston Globe I thought I would blog about what this means.  The heading on the article in the business section was "Can you help me get my $20,000 back".  The subject of discussion was about a couple who learned the hard way that there was a cloud on the title of a condo they were in process of selling.  The mortgage on the condo had transferred to a few different financial institutions since issuance and although paid off the record of discharge had not been properly assigned.  Due to numerous changing of hands between the final lending institutions the paper trail got lost and was not realized.  This made the sale process extremely difficult until resolution several stressful months later. For more details click here.  

For those new to the housing market you may be asking what is Title?:

Title is the legal document that identifies the owner of given property.  It establishes legal ownership of real or personal property. Title Insurance protects the owner from anyone who may try to take the property.  When there is a transfer of ownership from one owner to another or when an owner finances a property the lender will have a lien on the title until the mortgage is paid in full.  The Massachusetts Government website provides very useful information on title insurance recommendations and requirements here.  In the situation mentioned the mortgage was paid in full but the documentation did not reflect this discharge.

Now lets explain what a Deed is: A Property deed is the written document used to transfer real estate from a seller (grantor) to a buyer (grantee).  This document is prepared as part of the closing process when a home is sold and will be initiated by the lender.  The deed for the above transfer could not be completed without the bank discharge.  Realtor.com explains the process of this in more detail. There are five primary types of deeds.

Lastly Title Insurance is important to protect the owner against any financial challenge to the rights to a Title.  A home owner can buy a title insurance policy for a few hundred dollars to guarentee they are buying a title that is free and clear from another parties claims. In the situation above I am not sure if title insurance would have made a difference for a clerical error. In other instances where this is a true defect or falsification on the title the insurance would mitigate financial risk.  A defect on the title is called a cloud. Claims may include a tax or mechanics lien against a property. In rare instances someone may forge a deed to falsely transfer the property to another owner without the owners awareness. Attached is a link to learn more about the necessary steps to protect ones property assets  click here. 

It is important to have the right professionals in place for each step of the home buying process.  I am always happy to introduce my clients to both reputable lenders and legal counsel.    If you would like more information please feel free to contact me.

Wendy is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham. She is available to help sellers prepare for the prospect of selling a home either virtually or in person.  For more information please email her at wendy.bornstein@nemoves.com or check her website at www.wendybcb.com.

Wendy’s Weekend Adventure Falmouth Center

Thinking of moving? Now is a great time to repurpose Covid Fatigue to Prepare Your Home.

The real estate market is HOT in suburban and non-urban areas particularly since the onset of the covid-19 pandemic. This is a great time to sell or at least prepare your property if you are thinking of a near future move.  Since most of us are homebound over the next few months I thought I would share some steps you can take to get started.  Instead of succumbing to Covid fatigue perhaps this project will re-energize you.  

Take this opportunity to declutter, organize and fix up your space if needed. The goal will be to present the property as being well maintained. While it may be tempting to do a renovation or remodel, a renovation should only be done if the seller plans to stay in the home longer term to enjoy it. In general this cost will not be recuperated from the buyer. 

I always recommend minimal spending on home renovations unless there is a repair that will become a potential issue during an inspection.   Spend money wisely on cosmetic items that will give the home a fresh feel. 

If you have structural repairs that are of concern these should always be addressed as they will need to be disclosed by a seller.  While most of us are at home this is a great time to get estimates on needed repairs. You may be able to schedule these while working from home.  (Of note, Coldwell Banker offers a unique program called RealVitalize that allows sellers the opportunity to make needed repairs without upfronting the payment.  The settlement of the cost will be taken out of the proceeds of the sale.)  

More often than not there are many simple things a seller can do to prepare the property for sale on his or her own. Keep in mind that there is only one opportunity for a first impression, so you want to make it a good one. Why not take advantage of the time you have now to get started?

Curb appeal is key.  A seller should spruce up landscaping as well as exterior home features.  Touch up paint on home trim, door, outside lighting and the mail box will signal that the outside is well maintained.  Also it may be a good idea to buy a new welcome mat and check the foundation, steps, walkways, walls and patios for cracks and crumbling, and reseal if possible as well. .

Depending on the season or where you live you may want to trim hedges, clean the yard and plant bright flowers during spring time, keep lawn well watered in the summer, rake leaves in fall and keep outside walks clear during winter months.   

Inside the most important first step will be to declutter.  I recommend going through each room and determine which items you no longer need. The key is to show the property in the best possible light without distractions. Once decluttered go through each room and look for cosmetic items you can easier fix up to make the home feel fresh and clean.  

Some easy ideas may include cleaning all appliances, replacing any old worn or broken cabinet knobs and door fixtures. Also you may want to buy new guest towels and a a shower curtain to spruce up the bath.  Remember first impressions count and you want to do what you can to make a best first look.  Need more suggestions?  Feel free to reach out.

Wendy is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham. She is available to help sellers prepare for the prospect of selling a home either virtually or in person.  For more information please email her at wendy.bornstein@nemoves.com or check her website at www.wendybcb.com.