Debbie Brand Corvallis OR Real Estate Agent

5 Seller Safety Tips

zupprtz — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 10:17:27 +0000

1. Hire a REALTOR. Selling your home is stressful enough without worrying about who is inside your home when you’re away. A REALTOR will assess prospects and schedule viewings for you. Most agents these days use the Centralized Showing Service, which not only makes scheduling appointments much easier but also logs who is visiting your home and when.

2. Put away valuables. While some items are obvious, like jewelry, there are some items valuable to thieves that you may not consider. Things such as gaming systems, electronics and even expensive alcohol can sometimes be overlooked by sellers. However, one of the most dangerous things to overlook is information. Mail, left forgotten on your kitchen counter, can gives thieves access to sensitive information, like bank statements. Internet password books, financial documents… etc. can be very dangerous in the wrong hands. Make sure not to forget the value of these kinds of items.

3. Remove prescription drugs. This is another item of value that is often overlooked. Real estate professionals are reporting more and more that sellers’ prescription drugs are being taken during open houses

4. Remove family photos. This is something that is recommended for staging however it can be a matter of safety as well. You don’t know who will be walking through your home. Though the likelihood is small, pictures of your wife, children and loved ones could be a possible trigger for a predator. Be safe rather than sorry and hide your pictures.

5. Be wary of unexpected visitors. Though most people will schedule a visit through an agent sometimes people might stop by unannounced. When this happens it’s best not to let them past the front door. An agent has not vetted them most likely and their visit is not being recorded. Ask them to call your agent and schedule a visit. Going through the official channels can give you peace of mind and an extra safety net.

The post 5 Seller Safety Tips appeared first on Debbie Brand Corvallis OR Real Estate Agent.

What to Check Before Buying a Home

zupprtz — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 10:15:14 +0000

What is the roof like? Before you even step into the house, take a good look at the roof. Does it look old or new? Are there any visible issues? The typical roof will last between 15 and 20 years and costs an average of $6,600 to replace.

Is it structurally sound? Some of the most expensive problems you can run into with homes are structure and foundation issues. Keep your eye out for cracks. Small cracks are okay and not uncommon; big cracks are a huge warning sign. If you see major cracks it’s a good idea to get a surveyor out to take a look. If there is serious bowing consider talking to a structural engineer.

Is there enough storage space? When you’re on the hunt for granite, stainless steel and a gas fireplace things like storage can get overlooked. Take a careful look at all the closets and cabinets and try to image what you will be putting in them. Is there enough space for all your clothes? What about mops, brooms and vacuums? Is there a pantry and will it be able to handle Costco runs?

What’s going on under the sink? Take the time to examine the pipes. Check for leaks, water damage and mold. Don’t just use your eyes. What does is smell like under the sink and in the bathrooms? If it smells like mildew there may be an issue.

How’s the water pressure? While you’re checking out the plumbing you might as well check the pressure. Turn on the taps and check the pressure, performance and drainage. If the pressure isn’t very good, check to see if there is a water flow restrictor in place. These can be removed for better pressure. This may seem like a small thing but you’ll be taking a lot of showers in your new home so it’s good to know what kind of pressure you’ll be getting.

What’s the temperature? Does the house feel hot or cold? Is one room hotter or colder than the others? If there’s a problem with the heating or cooling system in the house it could cost you a lot of money to replace. Or if the home is poorly insulated it could mean a huge electricity bill each month.

Which way does the house face? Consider the home’s position in relationship with the sun. Will the home be bright and warm or frustratingly dark? Will the sun be jolting you awake in the morning? Consider the outside of the home as well. Will your flowerbeds be in the sun or in shadow?

How’s the drainage? Check the external drains. Are they in the right places? Are they accessible? Functional? Think about heavy rain as well as sprinkler and hose runoff. Where will the water go? Improper drainage can cause sever structural problems and can affect your ability to add improvements like patios and landscaping.

The post What to Check Before Buying a Home appeared first on Debbie Brand Corvallis OR Real Estate Agent.

Why You Should Work Exclusively with a Buyer’s Agent

zupprtz — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 10:13:35 +0000

We frequently get asked this question. So why should you work exclusively with a Buyer’s Agent?

Buying a home is one of the biggest investment decisions many people make. Unless you are experienced in the process and have access to detailed information on available properties, interest rates, market comparable sales, construction or renovation costs, taxes, school districts etc. why would you handicap your ability to make the best informed decision for you and your family? Here is where an experienced buyer’s agent is critical to the process. A buyer’s agent, unlike the listing agent, works for you. They have a fiduciary obligation to look out for your best interest in the transaction, not the interest of the Seller. They can arm you with market information that is essential to accurate bidding, negotiating and contracting. This information may include comparable sales in the area; the mortgage and sales history of the home you are interested in; community and school information and their impact on property values; potential renovation costs; resources for home inspections; as well as provide links to other professionals that may be essential to your home purchase. In many markets, buyer’s agents are paid out of a commission offered by the listing agent, not by you. Where else can you get the dedicated services of a professional with a fiduciary obligation to look out for your interest, without having to pay for the service!

With respect to working exclusively with an agent, it is important to understand that real estate agents may be exchanging their time and services exclusively for commissions. Good agents are in high demand. Showing homes on a non-exclusive basis is a poor use of their time with a much lower probability for compensation. It takes a lot of work to find the right home for a client and successfully execute the purchase process. There is a lot more to this business than just showing homes. An exclusive agent expends considerable effort to understand and service the needs of their client. We train our agents to give the highest level of service to committed clients. An agent is more inclined to go that extra mile for a client that stays with them thru the entire home search process.

The post Why You Should Work Exclusively with a Buyer’s Agent appeared first on Debbie Brand Corvallis OR Real Estate Agent.

Post With Threaded Comments

Timeless — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 02:01:18 +0000

This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about your site so readers know where you are coming from. Create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind.

This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind. This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind. This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about your site.

The post Post With Threaded Comments appeared first on Debbie Brand Corvallis OR Real Estate Agent.

Post With No Sidebar

Timeless — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 02:00:58 +0000

The post Post With No Sidebar appeared first on Debbie Brand Corvallis OR Real Estate Agent.

Post With Sidebar Left

Timeless — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 01:59:29 +0000

This is an example of a WordPress page, you could edit this to put information about your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many pages as you like and manage all of your content inside of WordPress. This is an example of a WordPress page, you could edit this to put information about your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many pages as you like and manage all of your content inside of WordPress.

The post Post With Sidebar Left appeared first on Debbie Brand Corvallis OR Real Estate Agent.

Post With Sidebar Right

Timeless — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 01:58:59 +0000

The post Post With Sidebar Right appeared first on Debbie Brand Corvallis OR Real Estate Agent.

Post With Image Aligned Left

Timeless — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 01:57:05 +0000

Here’s a caption with an image aligned left.

This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like.

The post Post With Image Aligned Left appeared first on Debbie Brand Corvallis OR Real Estate Agent.

Post With Image Aligned Right

Timeless — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 01:56:30 +0000

Here’s a caption with an image aligned right.

This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like.

The post Post With Image Aligned Right appeared first on Debbie Brand Corvallis OR Real Estate Agent.

Post With Image Centered

Timeless — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 01:55:21 +0000

Here’s a caption with an image centered.

to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind. This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind.

The post Post With Image Centered appeared first on Debbie Brand Corvallis OR Real Estate Agent.