Monday, February 14, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Keeping Your Home Safe from Burglary
In the United States, a home is burglarized once every 12 seconds. For those affected, it's a very alarming and discomforting feeling knowing a stranger has violated your privacy and invaded your home. By taking some easy preventative measures, homeowners can do their best to make sure their home isn't vandalized, burglarized or entered without their consent.
By installing a good security system, you can protect your home from most robberies. Most burglaries are committed by amateur or semi-amateur burglars who don't know how to bypass a security system. By installing a reliable system, you can protect your home and family from a majority of invasions.
Joining a neighborhood watch is also a great idea for those who want extra protection. Getting to know your neighbors and being able to rely on them when you're out of town can be extremely effective. If your local neighborhood doesn't have an existing neighborhood watch program, consider creating one yourself. There's power in numbers and by supporting each other, you can keep the entire neighborhood safe from predators.
Installing a timer for your lights and TVs is also highly recommended. With lights that turn on when it gets dark outside, you provide the illusion that someone is always home. It's a simple and inexpensive addition you can make to offer further protection. While you're at it, add a pole in the track of any sliding door you may have in your home. Glass door locks can be finicky and unreliable -- a pole adds further protection in the case of a lock failure.
Of course, you can't prevent every incident, but a little bit of effort goes a long way when you want to protect your home from intruders, burglars, and vandals. By thinking outside the box and appropriately securing your home, you will be on your way to keeping your family and belongings safe from attack.
For more information on how you can keep your home safe, please contact Jim Bray at JBray@CutlerHomes.com, 330-491-2700 or Cutler Real Estate.
By installing a good security system, you can protect your home from most robberies. Most burglaries are committed by amateur or semi-amateur burglars who don't know how to bypass a security system. By installing a reliable system, you can protect your home and family from a majority of invasions.
Joining a neighborhood watch is also a great idea for those who want extra protection. Getting to know your neighbors and being able to rely on them when you're out of town can be extremely effective. If your local neighborhood doesn't have an existing neighborhood watch program, consider creating one yourself. There's power in numbers and by supporting each other, you can keep the entire neighborhood safe from predators.
Installing a timer for your lights and TVs is also highly recommended. With lights that turn on when it gets dark outside, you provide the illusion that someone is always home. It's a simple and inexpensive addition you can make to offer further protection. While you're at it, add a pole in the track of any sliding door you may have in your home. Glass door locks can be finicky and unreliable -- a pole adds further protection in the case of a lock failure.
Of course, you can't prevent every incident, but a little bit of effort goes a long way when you want to protect your home from intruders, burglars, and vandals. By thinking outside the box and appropriately securing your home, you will be on your way to keeping your family and belongings safe from attack.
For more information on how you can keep your home safe, please contact Jim Bray at JBray@CutlerHomes.com, 330-491-2700 or Cutler Real Estate.
Friday, February 4, 2011
How to Save Money on Your Homeowners' Insurance
In today's economy, homeowners are looking to save money wherever they can ... even on something as important as their homeowners' insurance. But buyers beware, lowering your coverage and/or raising your deductibles could result in higher bills if you become the victim of weather-related damage. These days, it's understandable that many homeowners would want to shift to higher deductibles and want to pay less for their homeowners' insurance. However, if disaster strikes, they could very well be in a worse position than if they'd been paying a higher premium all along. To prepare before a situation occurs, homeowners should really look at their options - from price to coverage - and see what is available to them.
We recommend looking into some additional money-saving ideas from the Federal Citizen Information Center (www.consumeraction.gov):
• Ask your insurance agent about discounts. You may be able to get a lower premium if your home has safety features, such as alarm systems, storm shutters or fire-retardant roofing material. Long-term customers and those over age 55 may also be offered discounts.
• Insure your house, not the land under it. After all, your land will still be there even if your home is damaged. If you don't subtract the value of the land when deciding how much homeowner's insurance to buy, you will pay more than you should.
• Don't wait until you have a loss to find out if you have the right type and amount of insurance. Discuss with your insurance agent exactly what types of damage are covered, including natural "acts of God." Many homeowners are caught off-guard by this loophole.
• Purchase enough coverage to replace what is insured. "Replacement" coverage gives you the money to rebuild your home and replace its contents. An "Actual Cash Value" policy is cheaper but pays only what your property is worth at the time of loss - your cost, minus depreciation for age and wear.
• Consider any special coverage you may need for valuable and/or unique items, such as computers, cameras, jewelry, art, antiques, musical instruments, stamp collections, etc.
• Remember that flood damage is not covered by a standard homeowners' policy. If you live in an area prone to flooding, take advantage of the National Flood Insurance Program.
Regardless of what coverage you decide on, be sure it's what's right for you and your family. Remember to always work with an insurance agent who is experienced and trustworthy - he or she will be able to help you make the right decision.
For more information, please contact Justin Truex at JTruex@CutlerHomes.com, 330-705-1976 or the Cutler Real Estate office of Maconachy-Stradley Insurance Agency, Inc.
We recommend looking into some additional money-saving ideas from the Federal Citizen Information Center (www.consumeraction.gov):
• Ask your insurance agent about discounts. You may be able to get a lower premium if your home has safety features, such as alarm systems, storm shutters or fire-retardant roofing material. Long-term customers and those over age 55 may also be offered discounts.
• Insure your house, not the land under it. After all, your land will still be there even if your home is damaged. If you don't subtract the value of the land when deciding how much homeowner's insurance to buy, you will pay more than you should.
• Don't wait until you have a loss to find out if you have the right type and amount of insurance. Discuss with your insurance agent exactly what types of damage are covered, including natural "acts of God." Many homeowners are caught off-guard by this loophole.
• Purchase enough coverage to replace what is insured. "Replacement" coverage gives you the money to rebuild your home and replace its contents. An "Actual Cash Value" policy is cheaper but pays only what your property is worth at the time of loss - your cost, minus depreciation for age and wear.
• Consider any special coverage you may need for valuable and/or unique items, such as computers, cameras, jewelry, art, antiques, musical instruments, stamp collections, etc.
• Remember that flood damage is not covered by a standard homeowners' policy. If you live in an area prone to flooding, take advantage of the National Flood Insurance Program.
Regardless of what coverage you decide on, be sure it's what's right for you and your family. Remember to always work with an insurance agent who is experienced and trustworthy - he or she will be able to help you make the right decision.
For more information, please contact Justin Truex at JTruex@CutlerHomes.com, 330-705-1976 or the Cutler Real Estate office of Maconachy-Stradley Insurance Agency, Inc.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
How to Price Your Home to Sell
Naturally, like most homeowners, you have a strong emotional connection to your home and, understandably, feel it deserves top dollar when placed on the market. After all, no one knows your home better than you, including all the investments you've made in it over the years. But even though all sellers want to get the most money for their homes, especially in today's challenging economic times, decisions made regarding the listing price cannot be made in haste advises Cutler Real Estate.
"Listing your home at a price that is too high can cause it to languish on the market," explains Jim Bray, Cutler President. "This can result in the home selling at an even lower price than would have been realized had it been priced properly from the beginning."
To avoid this scenario and generate optimal profits from the sale of your home, we suggest taking into consideration all of the following factors in order to establish a fair, competitive and marketable sale price:
• Square footage - Total square footage is an important consideration when establishing a home's listing price, but this is usually just a starting point for buyers. Buyers will look at square footage to narrow their selections, but will make an actual purchase decision based on many other factors.
• Location within the community - Quiet cul-de sacs, golf or water frontage, lots that offer privacy, etc. are value-adds that can justify a higher sale price over other homes in a community ... or be leveraged as an advantage against competing listings.
• Views ... or lack thereof - Whether it is the ocean, a downtown skyline, the mountains, water or some other desirable landscape, buyers are willing to pay a premium for views and a home should be priced accordingly.
• Upgrades and features - For a home to sell quickly at the desired price, it must be "finished" with as many structural and interior design upgrades as possible. Any functional or beautification enhancement to a home are key considerations in establishing a home's true value and strategic sale price.
• Community amenities - Guard-gated communities or those with amenities such as a clubhouse, swimming pool or fitness center are elements that raise a home's price per square foot. When pricing a home without these benefits, know whether you are competing against other homes that do offer such value-adds so that you can price your home as aggressively and competitively as possible.
• Comparable sales - Don't price your home based on price per square footage of other home sales in your community six or more months ago, as these don't offer a realistic portrayal of current market conditions. We advise sellers to focus on prices of active listings to hone a competitive pricing strategy.
• Professional appraisal – If you need to sell your home quickly, we suggest listing it at or below the appraised value as buyers are educated, are shopping deals, and will recognize your fair price and be more apt to pay it with less haggling.
• Current mortgage conditions - Lenders now require higher credit scores and higher down payments, which can cash-strap buyers holding out for the best deal possible. Savvy sellers will understand the mortgage industry's impact on the buyer and will price accordingly.
"Anyone considering selling their home should work with a professional real estate agent who can guide them through all of the above steps," says Bray. "A seasoned agent will be armed with current, local statistics and know how to sell your home at the best possible price."
"Listing your home at a price that is too high can cause it to languish on the market," explains Jim Bray, Cutler President. "This can result in the home selling at an even lower price than would have been realized had it been priced properly from the beginning."
To avoid this scenario and generate optimal profits from the sale of your home, we suggest taking into consideration all of the following factors in order to establish a fair, competitive and marketable sale price:
• Square footage - Total square footage is an important consideration when establishing a home's listing price, but this is usually just a starting point for buyers. Buyers will look at square footage to narrow their selections, but will make an actual purchase decision based on many other factors.
• Location within the community - Quiet cul-de sacs, golf or water frontage, lots that offer privacy, etc. are value-adds that can justify a higher sale price over other homes in a community ... or be leveraged as an advantage against competing listings.
• Views ... or lack thereof - Whether it is the ocean, a downtown skyline, the mountains, water or some other desirable landscape, buyers are willing to pay a premium for views and a home should be priced accordingly.
• Upgrades and features - For a home to sell quickly at the desired price, it must be "finished" with as many structural and interior design upgrades as possible. Any functional or beautification enhancement to a home are key considerations in establishing a home's true value and strategic sale price.
• Community amenities - Guard-gated communities or those with amenities such as a clubhouse, swimming pool or fitness center are elements that raise a home's price per square foot. When pricing a home without these benefits, know whether you are competing against other homes that do offer such value-adds so that you can price your home as aggressively and competitively as possible.
• Comparable sales - Don't price your home based on price per square footage of other home sales in your community six or more months ago, as these don't offer a realistic portrayal of current market conditions. We advise sellers to focus on prices of active listings to hone a competitive pricing strategy.
• Professional appraisal – If you need to sell your home quickly, we suggest listing it at or below the appraised value as buyers are educated, are shopping deals, and will recognize your fair price and be more apt to pay it with less haggling.
• Current mortgage conditions - Lenders now require higher credit scores and higher down payments, which can cash-strap buyers holding out for the best deal possible. Savvy sellers will understand the mortgage industry's impact on the buyer and will price accordingly.
"Anyone considering selling their home should work with a professional real estate agent who can guide them through all of the above steps," says Bray. "A seasoned agent will be armed with current, local statistics and know how to sell your home at the best possible price."
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Forget the Boom
As we start 2011 we would all be best served if we would clear or minds of the past and focus on what is and what is likely to be. This is best said by Matthew Ferrara in his recent blog post. http://www.matthewferrara.com/rssfeed/forget_the_boom/ .
Happy New Year to all. May 2011 be the bring good health, happiness and a solid rebound in the housing market.
Happy New Year to all. May 2011 be the bring good health, happiness and a solid rebound in the housing market.
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