Posts in category 'Buyers'
5
Navigating New Roads
Real Estate Corner - VIBE MAGAZINE Summer/Fall 2020
By Bernadette Donohue, Contributing Author or REALTOR®
Being a passenger with a teenage driver, I am constantly aware that I have absolutely no control, at least over the brake and wheel. This has become a good reminder to me lately of the trust that we must place in others. Our society is built on trusting others, otherwise we would never get into a car (much less with a teenager driver). What keeps the traffic flowing and the oncoming cars from crossing the line, however, are not just the rules that our society has agreed upon, but also a human desire most have to survive, thrive, and not cause ha...
29
Buyers are Back
It would seem that we're not out of the woods yet. The re-opening phases seem to coincide with increased cases and positive tests. Let's all put our patience hats on (along with our masks!) and continue being careful. We'll get through this. Support your friends, family and neighbors. Check in on your extroverted friends (we introverts are in heaven!). And keep focus on the welfare of others, not just yourself. Go team!
Sorry. I've been reading more news than normal lately (which is typically none!). Tends to get me all fired up and want to spread good news instead of all the ick. Last week we talked about the market beginning to heat up and this week we're going to stay on that wave. There's lots of good news for sellers this week so let's get rolling.
First and foremost, and indirectly beneficial to sellers, is the...
21
The Pain of Unemployment: It Will Be Deep, But Not for Long
There are two crises in this country right now: a health crisis that has forced everyone into their homes and a financial crisis caused by our inability to move around as we normally would. Over 20 million people in the U.S. became instantly unemployed when it was determined that the only way to defeat this horrific virus was to shut down businesses across the nation. One second a person was gainfully employed, a switch was turned, and then the room went dark on their livelihood.
The financial pain so many families are facing right now is deep.
How deep will the pain cut?
Major institutions are forecasting unemployment rates last seen during the Great Depression. Here are a few projections:
- Goldman Sachs – 15%
- Merrill Lynch – 10.6%
- Wells Fargo â...
10
Fabulous First Impressions
There's a handful of things that universally turn us off from another human. Being rude and disrespectful likely tops the list. Those are followed closely by bad breath (or hygiene in general) and maybe even someone who is "dark" or scary looking. Interestingly enough, those are some of the same traits that turn us off from a potential listing. We have talked a bunch about how to make your home shine for those listing appointments. Today, I'd like to explore a few areas that you can and should avoid (or fix) when you've got a showing on the books. Let's dive in.
One of the more obvious trouble-spots (though not the easiest to remedy) are your old tired fixtures. Replacing lighting and faucets is a quick and easy fix, but if your kitchen is super-outdated it will be a bit of an investment to update that. In my current home, we were fortunate that the cabinets and flooring were in good shape and not terribly outdated. Replacing the sink, oven and fridge was a quick (albeit pri...
24
Sparce Space Solutions
I've been thinking a lot about space lately. Not the Elon Musk kind of space, but the general space that we occupy. I've been ruminating on both personal space (Are you a close talker?) as well as the space in our homes and workplaces. How much space do you need or want? Does lots of space make you uncomfortable? Do confined spaces make you squirm? Today I want to talk a bit about space both in our homes as well as our own personal space. I think you'll see how they sync up pretty well.
I'm a bit of an introvert. While I love spending time with my friends, in general I prefer to not be in a large crowd and truly detest being in a room full of people I don't know. Stick me at a poker table with 6 or 7 of my good friends and I'm the happiest guy in the room. My roommate and I frequently land in our living room (sans TV)...