FRAUD ALERT: PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THIS EMAIL SCAM

Real estate transactions are often the target of sophisticated fraud schemes. Recently the National Association of Realtors released an alert concerning a wire fraud scam involving real estate professionals and their clients. 

Protect yourself!

Real estate transactions routinely involve the transfer of large sums of money, typically through wire transfers. Given the electronic nature of these transactions, they are somewhat susceptible to fraud. The loss of funds and the dream of homeownership for a buyer or seller can be absolutely devastating.

Recently the National Association of Realtors(R) issued a warning about a sophisticated wire fraud scam. According to this article on the NAR website: http://www.realtor.org/articles/urgent-alert-sophisticated-email-scams-targeting-the-real-estate-industry: 

“Criminals are hacking into the email accounts of real estate agents or other persons involved in a real estate transaction and using information gained from the hack to dupe a party into a fraudulent wire transfer. The hackers often send an email that appears to be from an individual legitimately involved in the transaction, informing the recipient, often the buyer, that there has been a last minute change to the wiring instructions.  Following the new instructions, the recipient will wire funds directly to the hacker’s account, which will be cleared out in a matter of minutes. The money is almost always lost forever.”

First and foremost: Exercise extreme caution when sharing transaction information with anyone. Email is not necessarily the best way to communicate wire information, for example. Doing so by phone, to a verified, trusted number is a far better strategy.

Second: Confirm any “last minute” changes with parties involved, preferably on phone or in person. 

Third: Never, ever click on links in email messages without absolute confidence the sender is valid and the destination is clear. Often scams will attempt users to “click here to review the document” or “click here for a private message.” Remember: No context = no click!

If you suspect you may have inadvertently fallen victim to this scam, contact all banks involved immediately, as well as anyone directly involved in the transaction.

Security is everyone’s responsibility. While we may rely every day on the conveniences electronic communication affords us, don’t hesitate to slow things down and protect yourself with a little extra human interaction.

Have questions about real estate transactions? I am happy to help guide you through the process. Contact me today: valeriemcconville@gmail.com

LOW-COST STORAGE HACKS FOR CREATING MORE SPACE

Comedian George Carlin’s most memorable routine was, “A place for my stuff.” In it, he talked about dealing with the increasing quantity of items we accumulate throughout life.

George was funny. The problem is not. Here are some low-cost ideas for quickly creating storage space for your stuff.

• Attach a cloth pouch or thin plastic basket to the inside of cupboard doors. This is a great way to store Tupperware lids, cosmetics, etc. 

• Install hooks inside the foyer closet for loose items such as hats and scarfs. 

• Use egg cartons to make effective storage inserts in drawers. 

• Fashion stores often put purchases in stiff, high-quality boxes. Placed on their sides, these make effective storage compartments. (Especially shoeboxes.) 

• Consider using suitcases for out-of-season clothing. In addition to storage, they also provide protection. 

• Never throw out an old wine rack. There are numerous ways these can be used for storage. (Example: for tools.)

By thinking creatively, you can probably come up with many other simple ideas for creating more storage. The reward is a home that looks neater and more spacious.

HOW TO GATHER RENOVATION IDEAS ONLINE

Are you thinking about renovating a room in your home? Visualizing what you really want can be a challenge, but fortunately there are online resources to make the process fun and organized.

Home renovation projects are a great way to fall in love again with a home you own, or make upgrades buyers will pay top dollar for when the time comes to sell. Redoing a kitchen or bathroom can make a huge difference in how much you enjoy a space. But how do you know what you really want? Are you aware of how much is out there in terms of modern home design?

Searching for inspiration online is a good place to start. While you can haphazardly click from blog to blog, there are some easy-to-use tools to help introduce you to design options and help you organize your project.

First and foremost, if you’re not on pinterest.com, go sign up for a free account. (You can even use your Facebook login to create an account in under a minute.) Pinterest isn’t specifically about home design, but it is the best online scrapbook out there. With Pinterest, you can “pin” images you like and organize them into collections. This is especially handy if you want to separate bathroom elements, living room designs, or even individual elements such as “lighting” or “color schemes.” You can also search on Pinterest and browse other users’ public collections.

Another spectacular resource focused on home design is houzz.com. House bills itself as “a platform for home remodeling and design, bringing homeowners and home professionals together in a uniquely visual community.” Houzz, much like Pinterest, allows you to create idea books which you can then share and collaborate on with others. With each photo you save you can make notes, highlighting what you like or don’t like about a particular image. Houzz also goes beyond design inspiration to connect you with professionals who can actually help turn your dream project into a reality. As you’re meeting with architects of design/build firms, having a Houzz account can be very helpful for guiding in-person conversations about your tastes and preferences.

When you’re in the dreaming phase of a project, it can be fun to allow yourself free reign to select anything and everything your might want in a renovation project. Projects, however, do come down to compromises. Sometimes the compromises are related to building conditions and existing systems, while other times the restrictions are simply budgetary. Keep this in mind as you “go wild” creating inspiration books online. Don’t forget this as you go along… it’ll make the project easier and more satisfying along the way.

Of course you might also decide that renovation isn’t the right move. Sometimes moving is the right move. If you ultimately decide to relocate, I’d be happy to help you find a home which has exactly what you’re looking for (or can be upgraded to meet your needs.) Get in touch!

Email me at: valeriemcconville@gmail.com

MAKING "NEIGHBORHOOD TARGETING" WORK FOR YOU

Imagine if you dreamed of owning a special limited edition vehicle. What would you do to ensure that your dream vehicle would someday be parked in your driveway — with your name on the ownership papers? 

You would probably start by doing some research. You’d find out how much that vehicle would cost, what features are available, and so forth. You would likely visit a local dealership and take a test drive if a model is available on site. You would keep an eye on the market for any that come up and let the dealer know you’re looking for just that car. 

If you did, then, some day, you’d probably be the proud owner of the limited edition car of your dreams. 

What does this have to do with real estate? 

Well, you can take the same approach when there’s a neighbourhood you’d love to live in someday. You can target it, learn what homes typically cost in that area, and keep your eye on that market in case a property becomes available that meets your criteria. 

By focusing on a specific neighbourhood, you increase your chances of someday living there, simply because you’re focusing on it. 

Of course, neighbourhood targeting isn’t as simple as aiming to own a specific car someday. That’s why you need a great REALTOR® who can keep an eye on that neighbourhood on your behalf and alert you to opportunities that become available. 

Then, when there is a listing that’s a good fit, you can decide whether or not to make a move. 

Is there a dream neighbourhood you’d like to live in some day? Contact me today to start making it happen. valeriemcconville@gmail.com

GET THE REAL STORY BEHIND YOUR NEXT PROSPECTIVE HOME

When you’re about to put your hard-earned money into a home, you want to know everything you can about that home’s history. These questions can help you get to the bottom of potential pitfalls.

When you’re about to put your hard-earned money into a home, you want to know everything you can about that home’s history. While there are common questions to ask about a home’s condition, history, and location, there are some questions buyers often overlook. 

Don’t rely on sellers to volunteer this information. In some cases, they may not even know the answers for themselves. Protect your potential investment. These questions can help you get to the bottom of potential pitfalls:

1. Have you ever had asbestos removed from the home? Old heating ducts, ceilings, and even certain types of flooring can contain asbestos. If they’ve had asbestos removed, follow-up with how it was removed. Was it their uncle Joe hacking away at it, or did they have professional help? 

2. Has there ever been mold remediation in the home? Mold can be a serious issue. Much like asbestos, find out how it was removed if it’s ever been a problem.

3. Has the home been tested for lead? Homes built before 1978 may be at elevated risk for lead contamination. 

4. Were renovations properly permitted and inspected? If there’s been work done on the home, find out if those renovations are legal and up to code

5. Is there now or has there ever been an underground oil tank on premises? Heating oil tanks are common in some areas, even if old heating systems have been upgraded. You want to know if a tank is still underground, and if one has been removed.

6. Is the home in a flood zone? Yes, you can research this yourself, but it can be a litmus test question. Do they know? If they know, do they have flood insurance? Who provided it?

7. Have radon levels been tested in the home recently? Indoor air quality is very important, and radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can contribute to lung cancer. 

If a seller or their agent can’t answer these questions, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re hiding something. But asking these questions can save you time, money, or even your life down the line. Due diligence is vital!

Let me help advise you on your next home purchase: valeriemcconville@gmail.com