Cedar Valley Real Estate Podcast with Amy Wienands

We Are Thankful For You!

Amy@Amywienands.com (Amy Wienands) — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 13:44:00 -0800

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We love to "Give Thanks" every Thanksgiving!

This year, and every year, we are thankful for YOU, our awesome clients and friends.

Let us share a pie with you! Call us at (319) 269-2477 to reserve your pumpkin pie! Pick up your pie by 5PM on Wednesday (11/22) at our office (1730 W. Ridgeway Avenue, Waterloo).

Where You Can Find Our New Office

Amy@Amywienands.com (Amy Wienands) — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 08:22:00 -0700

Amy Wienands Real Estate is moving to a new location, and we’re excited to see the chances that being in a new space will bring.

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As of Monday, July 24th, my team and I at Amy Wienands Real Estate will be in a new location.

We’re excited to have found this new home for our office, which will be located at 1730 West Ridgeway Avenue—right across from the Medical Park.

This new space is phenomenal, and the whole team is looking forward to seeing what we can create here for our clients.

As we transition from our old location to the new location, we will be closing the office on Friday, July 21st at noon, in order to make the big move. If you need assistance during this time we are closed, you will still be able to reach your designated realtor on their cell phone.

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The whole team is looking forward to seeing what we can create here for our clients.

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We’re always obsessively working for you, so we hope you’ll come see us at our new location soon.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Tips to Sell Your Home Quickly & for Top Dollar

Amy@Amywienands.com (Amy Wienands) — Mon, 1 May 2017 09:20:00 -0700

With these tips, you can sell your home quickly and for top dollar.

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Buying a Cedar Valley home? Search all homes for sale

Every home seller wants to sell their home for top dollar and get the quickest deal possible, right? It’s pain-free and hassle-free, but does that deal really exist in the real estate world? Actually, yes it does. Here are three quick tips you can use to sell your home for the most money possible in the shortest amount of time:

Utilize our Coming Soon program. This is an awesome way to attract as many buyers to your home as possible before it has an active live date.
Use the right kind of photography. A lot of people start out with the intention to hire a professional photographer to photograph their home, but does that person specialize in real estate photography? Real estate photographers know how to shoot the best angles and get the right views.
Use video. Did you know if your listing doesn’t have a video attached to it, 29% of the market won’t even look at it online? Remember, it has to be the right kind of video.

If you have any questions about this topic or any other real estate topics, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We would be happy to work with you.

How Sellers Can Win the Open House Game

Amy@Amywienands.com (Amy Wienands) — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 11:36:00 -0700

Open houses are making a comeback in the real estate world, and buyers are making offers almost on the spot. I’ve put together a seller’s guide to open houses to help you seal the deal.

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Open houses are making a huge comeback in terms of success rates. Buyers are walking into homes and making offers practically on the spot. So how can you make sure you’re prepared for an open house as a seller?

First, make your home as inviting as possible. Make sure the outside areas have been spruced up and make sure it smells amazing when buyers first walk inside.

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It needs to smell fresh and crisp when a buyer first walks inside.

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Next, countertops need to be clear. This means no clutter!

You can even play a little music. It’s all about creating an inviting energy. Buyers want to fall in love with a home, so you might as well help them fall in love with yours! After all, they came to look at your house for a reason, so seal the deal!

If you have any questions or would like so more tips, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We’re always happy to help!

Buying a Home? Don't Wait for Another Rate Hike

Amy@Amywienands.com (Amy Wienands) — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 12:55:00 -0800

Interest rates have gone up recently, and today, I'll discuss why that's actually a good thing. It also means that if you're thinking about buying a home, the time to act is now.

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How will rising interest rates impact you as a home buyer, home seller, or homeowner in the Waterloo market?

Rising rates can strike a bit of fear into us. However, rates are just over 4% right now, which is still a phenomenally low rate. It means that we have a stronger economy, and that's a good thing. A bump in interest rates means that there is confidence in the marketplace.

Not only are interest rates higher, our stock market is at some of its highest levels ever. This means that there are strong economic indicators that things are looking really good for the future. Higher rates are actually a positive thing.

The buyers who have been sitting around thinking about buying a home should know that every time your interest rate rises by 0.5%, you lose about $25,000 in buying power. Now is the time buy! Rates have been predicted to rise every year, but they've been dropping lower and lower until this year. In fact, rates are up about 0.5% over the last six weeks.

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Higher interest rates are actually a positive thing.

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If you're thinking about buying a home, there isn't time to wait—I would do it now. The energy in the Cedar Valley is awesome and the market is really hot. January is an active month, and part of it is due to the consumer confidence in our market. Time to jump off the fence and buy a home!

If you're ready to buy a home, give me a call or send me an email today. I hope to hear from you soon!

Don’t Wait to Put Your Home on the Market

Amy@Amywienands.com (Amy Wienands) — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 11:02:00 -0800

Should you put your home on the market during the winter? Isn’t winter a bad time to sell? Actually, winter may be the ideal time to sell your home for a couple of reasons.

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This time of year, a lot of people are saying, “I want to put my house on the market, but isn’t winter a really bad time to sell?”

Depending on your home, winter may be the ideal time for you to be on the market.

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You will face less competition and your home will be more appealing to buyers.

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The best part is that homes look incredible right now because they are decorated for the holidays. Buyers make their decision based on how warm, inviting, and cozy a home feels, so now is a great time to be on the market.

By listing during the winter, you will also face less competition. Most people wait to list their homes in the spring and summer. However, we still have active buyers out there. In this market, buyers are extremely motivated to get into a home. Since there is less inventory and fewer options for buyers to choose from, your home is a perfect candidate to become their home.

If you have any questions about preparing your home for the winter market or about real estate in general, just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

Happy Holidays From Amy Wienands

Amy@Amywienands.com (Amy Wienands) — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 08:18:00 -0800

A holiday greeting from Amy Wienands!

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I just wanted to take a moment to wish our clients and our community Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We have had a wonderful, blessed, and awesome year.

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

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We are excited to do what we do, and it’s a joy to come to work because of you, the clients. So, to all of our clients, I hope you have a wonderful holiday season. Remember, the gift is in giving, and we are always working for you.

Why Is Fall Such a Great Time to Sell Your Home?

Amy@Amywienands.com (Amy Wienands) — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 11:07:00 -0700

Don’t wait until spring to put your home on the market just because everyone else is doing it. I think that fall is actually the best time of year to sell your home.

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Is fall a good time to put your home on the market, or should you wait until spring? People constantly ask me that question, and I’m here to tell you that fall is a great time to put your house on the market. In fact, fall could be the best time to put your house on the market.

I think it is good sometimes to be a contrarian. Right now, everyone puts their house on the market in the spring and summer. Homes that didn’t sell over the summer are expiring now, so if you put your home on the market, you will have a lot less competition.

You should also know that there are still serious buyers out there. A lot of these buyers have been looking throughout the spring and summer but haven’t found that perfect home yet. Still, they want to be in their new home before the holidays.

When you list in the fall, your home will spend fewer days on the market, which will bring your home price up. Statistics show that homes listed in the fall sell quicker than homes listed in the spring or summer, and they also sell for 1% more.

I’ve always thought that fall was a good time to sell. In fact, I put my own home on the market right before Thanksgiving. If I had listed in the summer, I would have been competing with new construction and I knew that I would be competing with them again if I listed in the spring.

That said, there are a few things you will have to do differently if you sell in the fall. For example, your house has to be warm. There is nothing worse than walking into a cold house in the fall. Remember to replace your furnace filters before you turn the heat on.

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Make sure your home is clean, warm, and cozy.

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You should also keep your yard well-maintained. Even though leaves are dropping everywhere, your yard still needs to look great. Get the rakes out and clean everything up. You may have to do that every week for a few weeks, but keeping your yard clean will boost your curb appeal.

There is nothing like walking into a warm home on a fall day and being greeted by the smell of pumpkin spice or an apple pie. You need to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. If your home is vacant, we can add some Scentsy candles or aromatherapy to create that atmosphere for you.

Put pumpkins on your front steps and plant some mums. People are compelled to buy your home when the curb appeal pops. When they walk in and your home looks great, feels great, and smells great, they will think, “I can be in this home before the holidays? Great!”

If you have any other questions about selling in the fall or getting your home ready for the fall market, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

Decluttering Is a Home Selling Key

Amy@Amywienands.com (Amy Wienands) — Thu, 8 Sep 2016 11:22:00 -0700

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Decluttering your home is an easy thing to do, but could cost you thousands if you fail to do it properly. It’s the number one mistake home sellers make when listing their home.

In today’s market, 97% of buyers start their home search online. That’s where your first showing is. If your home is cluttered when it’s photographed, buyers will quickly pass by it.

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Decluttering your home makes it more appealing to buyers.

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The first thing we do when we walk into a seller’s house is have them declutter. Start with clearing off the counters, fridge, and other furniture. Take the knick knacks, books, and all other personal items out of the room to give it a more neutral feel.

You’ll be amazed at how your home looks after a bit of elbow grease and decluttering. It won’t look like your home anymore, but you’re moving anyway, right? Preparing your home in this way will help you fetch the highest offer possible.

If you have any other questions about getting your home ready for the market or real estate in general, give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to help you!

Frustrated with the Summer Selling Season?

Amy@Amywienands.com (Amy Wienands) — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 11:48:00 -0700

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If you’re a seller, you might be frustrated if you’re not seeing the activity you were expecting to get from the summer selling season. There are a few things to keep in mind:

The summer is spotty. People take vacations, get ready for the upcoming school year, play in sports tournaments, and travel all over the place. To put it simply, it’s easy for potential buyers to become distracted.

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We’ve got a strong season ahead of us.

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The good news is that school is starting soon. At this point in the season, the market will begin to pick up and continue to remain strong throughout the remainder of the fall season.

So if your house is struggling a bit on the market right now, take heart because we’ve got a strong season ahead of us.

For more information about your real estate needs, give us a call or send us an email today. We’re always obsessively working for you.

How Landscaping Can Impact Your Home Sale

Amy@Amywienands.com (Amy Wienands) — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 12:53:00 -0700

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When you go to sell your home, you will likely spend a lot of time cleaning and organizing the inside. However, you have to remember that it’s the exterior of your home that draws buyers inside.

I like to compare your home’s landscaping to the frosting on a cake. It’s a very important feature! You should mow your lawn, trim your hedges, plant some flowers, powerwash your walkways, and possibly even hire some landscapers for assistance.

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Your landscaping is like the frosting on a cake.

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Your curb appeal is what will attract buyers to your home initially. It’s your chance to make a good first impression, so it’s important that you leave no leaf unturned. Don’t forget to observe your home in the evening to make sure that your lighting is adequate and that your home still looks attractive to buyers that might drive by after the sun has set.

If you need more tips on how to improve your curb appeal and attract more buyers to your property, please don’t hesitate to contact me!

The Importance of Professional Photography when Selling

Amy@Amywienands.com (Amy Wienands) — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 09:37:00 -0700

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Professional photography is one of the most critical pieces to your home’s marketing and ultimately, its sale. In today’s market, 90% to 95% of home buyers begin their searches online. If they don’t like what they see, you will never be able to get them in the door. They will move on to the next home and you’ll be off their radar.

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Today’s buyers want to see a home in its most perfect format.

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If your home pictures are grainy, small, or show cluttered spaces, that’s a major deterrent to a buyer. Today’s buyers want to see a home in its most perfect format. That’s why we have both an on-staff photographer and videographer. We have started to implement drone photography on everything, and buyers love it. If buyers love what they see online, they will knock on your door and want to see your home in person.

If you have any questions for us or if you’re looking to buy or sell a home, don’t hesitate to reach out. We would love to get a call or email from you!

Turning a 30-Year Mortgage into a 22-Year Mortgage

Amy@Amywienands.com (Amy Wienands) — Fri, 13 May 2016 14:03:00 -0700

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Right now is a phenomenal time to secure a mortgage loan. Interest rates are incredibly low and you have the opportunity to save thousands of dollars over the lifetime of the loan. There are a plethora of good loan products out there, you just have to find the right one for yourself.

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You can shave off 8 years from your 30-year loan by making just one extra payment per year.

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A lot of people would love to get a 15-year loan, but you can shave off 8 years from your 30-year loan by making just one extra payment per year. Just by adding 1/12th of your payment every month to the principle will also allow you to shave off a few years from your loan.

If you’d like to talk more about how this is possible, please don’t hesitate to contact me. There are many ways to pay off your mortgage earlier. Even if your finances are tight, we can help you to formulate a plan to pay off your home earlier.

We look forward to continuing this conversation!

Millennials in the Cedar Valley Market

Amy@Amywienands.com (Amy Wienands) — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 11:25:00 -0700

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Does the millennial buyer pool affect you? If so, what can you to do to cater to it? You might think that because your home is worth $200,000, anyone between 18 and 34 won’t be interested in it. Maybe it’s your second or third home. However, the economy has changed and college graduates earn more than in the past. Additionally, interest rates are historically low at 3.5%. Check out these tips on how to cater to millennials.

Millennials hate maintenance. Get it taken care of ahead of time, before you even list!
Millennials love grey! It’s the most popular neutral color out there. They love darker floors and white trims.
Millennials make decisions quickly! Within the first thirty seconds of walking into your home, they most likely have already made their decision.
Millennials want to see quality content on the online listing. Add engaging photos and detailed information to spark interest in buyers.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in the area this year, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We would love to hear from you!

Why Should You Be Cautious About Hiring a Friend to Sell Your Home?

Amy@Amywienands.com (Amy Wienands) — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 09:43:00 -0800

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Today we are going to talk about the pitfalls of hiring a friend or family member as your Realtor. Most people’s homes are one of their biggest assets, and one that must be protected.

We recently had a situation where a home had been sitting on the market for the past 6 months without selling. We took a look at the listing online and the first thing we saw were some truly awful photographs of the home. When I met with the sellers, I told them their pictures and marketing materials weren’t up to par, and it was no wonder their home hadn’t sold.

The big mistake they made was feeling like they owed it to their friend to hire them to sell their home. The lack of knowledge and experience demonstrated by that friend ended up costing them about $20,000 on the value of their home because it sat on the market for so long.

After we got this listing, we had to spend a lot of time repositioning the home at a time of year when homes don’t sell as easily as they do in the spring and summer. Homes still sell, but the colder temperatures bring fewer buyers to the market.

If they had to start over, they told me they wouldn’t have made the decision to hire their friend. When you hire a friend, you can’t have those honest conversations about how you want them to sell your home because you don’t want to ruin that relationship, and that’s understandable.

So do yourself a favor and hire a full-time Realtor with a full-time team. You owe it to yourself to hire someone who is going to do the best possible job selling your home. If you have any questions, or are looking to sell your home quickly and for top dollar, give us a call. We would love to help you out!

Double Check Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy!

Amy@Amywienands.com (Amy Wienands) — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 13:20:00 -0800

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Today we are going to talk about something that your homeowner’s insurance policy may not cover that could greatly affect you, especially here in Cedar Valley.

Just last week, we had a situation where we found bat droppings in an attic during an inspection. This has happened about 20-25 times over the past year, even though most of the homeowners have no idea they have bats.

Brown house bats are becoming an epidemic in our area. The ridge vents that are on our houses to keep ventilation flowing are the perfect housing space for brown house bats. Most insurance policies cover bats, however, not all of them cover the bat droppings.

Bat droppings are considered pollutants on certain policies, and they are an expensive fix. This particular seller had about $5,000 worth of expenses that they had no idea about.

Double check your homeowner’s policy that it covers things like this, because it can be an expensive fix, up to $20,000 in some cases. You never know what’s happening in the places you don’t see every day, and it's better to be safe than sorry.

If you have any questions for us, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!

We’re Sponsoring a Great Holiday Concert in Cedar Valley with the Brazilian 2wins

Amy@Amywienands.com (Amy Wienands) — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 09:13:00 -0800

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It’s an exciting time to be alive, and an exciting time to be in the Cedar Valley. It’s holiday time, people are cheery, and all the holiday hoopla is starting up.

Today we just wanted to take a moment to tell you about a special event that we are sponsoring this holiday season. The Brazilian 2wins is a great band, and we are hosting a concert series with them this holiday season.

The first show is Friday, December 18 at Independence High School. The shows on Saturday, December 19 and Sunday, December 20 will be at the Oster Regent Theatre right here in Cedar Valley.

To get more info on the event, head on over to our Facebook page. If you have any other questions for us, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We can’t wait for you to see the shows!

How Should You Handle an Early Offer on Your Home?

Amy@Amywienands.com (Amy Wienands) — Mon, 7 Dec 2015 13:32:00 -0800

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Getting an offer on your home right after listing it is a great problem to have. Should you accept it? Or is it a sign that there are better offers to come?

I've been in the business 22 years, and the old adage that says the first offer is the best is true 99% of the time! I recently had a client who listed their home and received an offer within $9,000 of their list price. They ended up countering the offer for $2,000 and ended up losing the buyer. Nine months later, they sold their home for $60,000 less. You don't want this to happen to you!

The longer your home sits on the market, the less negotiating power you have; if your home has been sitting on the market for a long time, many buyers have seen it and there isn't a sense of urgency about it. When your home has been on the market for only a few days or a few weeks, on the other hand, there is a lot more urgency because buyers aren't sure how long it will be available for.

For more real estate advice and assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We would love to hear from you!

Prepare to List in the Winter in Cedar Valley

Amy@Amywienands.com (Amy Wienands) — Wed, 2 Dec 2015 13:21:00 -0800

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If you list your home in the winter, you need to prepare adequately. Living in a snowy area during the colder months means all landscapes are hidden beneath blankets of snow.

During the holidays, put a wreath on your door. Make it warm. Add lights. Play up your front door. When a prospective buyer pulls into your driveway before touring, they should feel welcome. They should be able to picture themselves in your home. Decorations add pizzazz to attract potential buyers through curb appeal.

When a house is vacant, it needs to feel warm. It shouldn’t feel empty or abandoned, even though no one is currently living inside of it. It needs to feel like a home more than just a house. Keep your heat up and warm the property up, even when you are not there. Additionally, you’ll need to stage your home minimally if it’s vacant.

The biggest piece of advice I can offer is to keep your sidewalk, driveway, and other paths plowed of snow. Walkways should be clear and easily accessible. Plus, do some decorating inside and outside of your home. These strategies pay off when bids start flowing in!

If you have any questions about this topic or more, give us an email or call today. We’d be happy to hear from you.

Should You Have an Open House when You Sell?

Amy@Amywienands.com (Amy Wienands) — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 14:13:00 -0700

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To open house, or not to open house? This is a question we’ve been getting a lot lately, and today we’re going to give you our answer. We are huge believers in open houses and always have been because we have found great success with them.

Here’s the reality of it: Today’s buyers are getting very detailed with their online searches. The problem this leaves you with as a seller is a lot of buyers missing out on your home due to one or two small details being off. Having an open house creates energy, opportunity, and it may be the only way that certain buyers see your home.

Our team has had 23 sales alone this year from open houses, which is amazing. You owe it to yourself to have an open house when it comes time for you to sell. It only will increase the chances of your home selling for top dollar.

If you have any questions for us, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!

How Can You Give Your Cedar Valley Home that WOW Factor?

Amy@Amywienands.com (Amy Wienands) — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 13:48:00 -0700

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Today I just want to talk for a moment about a few simple ways you can tweak your home, take it to another level, and add that wow factor for potential buyers. Kitchens and bathrooms are always a hot topic, which makes sense, because we spend a lot of our time in these places.

For kitchens, glass tile backsplash is the greatest value out on the market today. It’s inexpensive, and it’s easy to install if you are even remotely handy. It adds huge value to your home, and is a wow factor for buyers.

When you’re competing with a strong new construction market, any leg you can get up on the competition is worth it. Glass backsplash tile really enhances your home and makes it more interesting to buyers.

If you have any questions for us, or want more tips on adding value to your home before you sell, give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!

Sell Your Cedar Valley Home Now

Amy@Amywienands.com (Amy Wienands) — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 09:42:00 -0700

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A lot of people have been asking me, "Is now a good time to come onto the market, or should I wait until spring?" I'm here to tell you that it is a great time to be on the market.

Contrary to popular belief, the market doesn't stop when school starts. Some people subscribe to that line of thought and take their homes off the market. What this means for you is there is less competition in the fall.

Serious buyers are still looking for homes in the fall and winter. If you wait until spring to sell, you will have a lot more competition. Also, interest rates are low right now, making it a great time for buyers to purchase a home. You may be surprised, but in the last three years, December has been the second biggest month for homes sales.

As you can see, you can absolutely sell your home in the fall or winter. There is no bad time to be on the market. If you have any questions for me, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

Why You Need to Be Careful with Zillow

Amy@Amywienands.com (Amy Wienands) — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 14:54:00 -0700

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Zillow is a giant in the real estate industry. They aggregate tons and tons of data, and a lot of it is actually quite useful to the average consumer, but you need to take some of it with a grain of salt.

One thing in particular that you need to watch out for is the Zestimate, which is Zillow's valuation of your home. How accurate is that value that Zillow places on your home?

On average, these Zestimates are off by 5-15%. A 15% difference on a $300,000 home is a matter of $45,000! It has also been stated that nearly every home value on the website is off by at least 5% or more. This is a huge margin of error.

These estimates work well with communities that have similar homes, but with mixed communities like we have here in Cedar Valley, it's hard for Zillow's algorithms to place accurate values on homes. Some homes may sit next to a highway and they'll be valued the same as a home next to a cornfield with a great view.

I don't recommend anyone to use the Zillow Zestimate as a true market value. Always talk to a Realtor when you're pricing a home or putting an offer on a home.

If you truly want to know the value of your Cedar Valley home, please don't hesitate to contact me. I would be very happy to assist you!

No Credit vs Bad Credit

Amy@Amywienands.com (Amy Wienands) — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 08:28:00 -0700

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I occasionally get people in my office who want to buy a home, but they have no credit history whatsoever. This leads me to a good question: is it better to have bad credit or no credit?

From the perspective of a lender, it is riskier to lend to someone with no credit history at all than someone with bad credit. They have no way of telling if you are good at making payments or not. When you have bad credit, we can fix it. But if you have no credit at all, there is no way of telling what kind of borrower you might be.

A lot of the time, no credit ends up getting you no mortgage. This is why it's not a terrible idea to start building credit now. You can buy a credit card and put a very small balance on it, and pay it off month to month to build a little bit of consistent credit history.

It's surprising to most people, but it is better to have bad credit than no credit at all. If you want to buy a home in the future, I highly suggest that you begin to build credit now.

If you need help buying or selling in Cedar Valley, please don't hesitate to contact me!

The Secret to Making Your Home Attractive to Millennial Buyers!

Amy@Amywienands.com (Amy Wienands) — Wed, 1 Apr 2015 11:45:00 -0700

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Today, I want to discuss a few Cedar Valley buying trends that I've noticed lately. All over the country, millennials are entering the market - but "what are they buying?" and "how are they buying?" are questions on everyone's mind.

It's a fact: the millennial buyer thinks and acts differently than all other buyers. If you're selling, the key is to eliminate maintenance, as this is the biggest objection millennial buyers will have. If you don't understand that, it could cost you thousands!

Millennials subscribe to the "less is more" philosophy. They prefer white woodwork, high ceilings, gray tones, and other neutral features. Millennials, generally, would rather have more quality and less space. A big house that needs a lot of work is something they simply aren't interested in.

If you would like more tips about how to sell your home to millennial buyers, we would love to help. We have some younger agents on our team who help keep us current with the latest trends, so we know exactly what you have to do to get your home sold! Give us a call or shoot us an email for the service you deserve!

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