PET SAFETY IN YOUR HOME

While there is a lot of focus on how to childproof a home, it's important to be aware that there are also pet safety issues in any home. Not only should you be concerned for the well being of your pet, but look also for problems that could result in your pet getting out or accidentally hurting someone.

Watch For Poisons

If you have a cat or dog, it's important to familiarize yourself with the plants and foods that could be detrimental to their health.  Certain plants can be poisonous to cats, who often chew on the leaves of houseplants.  Both azaleas and Easter lilies are toxic to cats.  Around the Christmas season, be aware that mistletoe and poinsettias are both poisonous as well.

There are also many foods that are bad for both cats and dogs.  Avocados, raisins, grapes, and chocolate are among the most common and can make an animal very sick.  Keep such foods well out of reach of animals, as well as of kids who might feed them to your pets.

Unexpected Dangers

Remember that dogs can get into things that we as humans would never think to eat.  They have been known to chew on dirty diapers, and the gel inside disposable diapers is very detrimental to their digestive system.  Keep them in a closed container.  They will also drink from toilet bowls, so keep the lid closed if you use cleaners that remain in the tank.  Keep garbage locked away as well; dogs will get into it and any number of things could make them sick.

If you have dogs or cats in the house, be cautious with things like irons or other corded heated items.  A dog or cat could knock it over and cause burns to themselves or someone nearby.  Dogs with long tails can also knock things on a coffee table over!

Secure Your Yard

Make sure that your yard is secure or you keep your dog leashed at all times.  If your dog escapes, it could be involved in an altercation with another animal or a person, resulting in injuries for which you will be held responsible.  And of course the dog could easily be struck by a passing vehicle and injured or worse.

Pet safety is an important consideration around the house, especially if your pets are members of the family.  And it's not just their safety to consider but others in the house and neighborhood, so keep an eye out for danger around the house.

REDUCING YOUR GAS CONSUMPTION

I am always on the lookout for information that allows me to be more efficient at my job, and I recently came across a great set of tips that I thought would also be useful to you.

If you are like me, high gas prices are certainly making a dent in your budget, and trying to juggle saving money and being more environmentally-friendly can be difficult.  

I hope that you find these tips useful, and I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for continuing to read my blog.

With gas prices still high and the economy slow to recover, tips on how to reduce the amount of gas we need for our vehicles is always helpful.  These tips can also help you do your part to make our planet a greener place!

Walk and bike whenever possible.  Most of us use the car to make trips that are within a mile or two of home.  By walking or riding a bike you'll use less gas, and get more active at the same time.

Combine trips that require the car.  We all have dry cleaning to pick up and groceries to buy, but by planning ahead and doing all your weekly errands in one trip can you can save both gas and time.

Clean out your car.  By reducing the clutter in your backseat and trunk you eliminate the extra gas needed to haul them around wherever you go.

Be sure your tires are properly inflated.  This simple measure can make a big difference in the amount of unnecessary gas you consume.

Follow your vehicle's maintenance schedule.  Not only is this good for your car, it will keep it running at its maximum efficiency and reduce the air pollution it produces.

If you are in the market for a new vehicle, consider a hybrid model.  Most automakers now offer a hybrid model, and this option is getting more affordable as well.

Follow these simple tips and save money for something far more important, your family!

valerie@valeriemcconville.com

UNDERSTANDING POCKET LISTINGS IN REAL ESTATE

Have you ever noticed new owners moving into a home you didn’t even realize was for sale? 

Have you ever wondered why some homes only appear on the market for “one day” in MLS databases? 

It’s time you understood what a “pocket listing” is in real estate.

Not every home sold gets a shiny new for sale sign out front. Some change hands quickly and quietly without any public advertising whatsoever. In the industry, these are known as “pocket listings.” Pocket listings are sometimes referred to as “coming soon” listings or “whisper” listings.

Pocket listings used to be the domain of the very famous or the very wealthy. People who liked to protect their privacy would typically work with an agent who could find a buyer among word-of-mouth networks of agents representing high-end buyers. Often this happened only in urban areas or in the luxury segment, but now in markets where inventory is tight and bidding wars are not uncommon, pocket listings are becoming somewhat more mainstream.

You might ask yourself: Why not advertise a home in a market where multiple offers are the norm? It can depend. In some cases, the seller may want a quick and painless sale, and would prefer not to go through the traditional process of cleaning, curb appeal sprucing, and open houses. When the seller’s agent happens to know the buyers directly, often a simple walk-through with prospective buyers is enough to secure one acceptable offer.

Sellers should understand that it’s possible for a pocket listing to generate a slightly lower price. While it’s not always the case, the trade-off for a quick, quiet sale may be worth it. If you’re considering a pocket listing, you’ll be asked to sign something which indicates your consent to avoid a wide-scale advertising effort. An agent has a responsibility to try and secure a seller the best possible price, and will want to make sure there’s a clear understanding.

One slight marketing advantage the pocket listing retains is the idea that buyers are getting special access to a property others will never know hit the market. For the seller, a pocket listing can also prevent the unfortunate experience of having a home’s value decrease because it sat on the market too long.

On the whole, casting the widest possible net for a buyer is the best strategy for securing the highest closing price, but if you’re more comfortable with a quick and quiet approach, you might want to talk to an agent about the prospect of a pocket listing.

Thinking of selling, but would like to have a conversation before you commit? Get in touch with me today: valerie@valeriemcconville.com

VIRTUAL HOME STAGING: PROS & CONS

Staging a home can be a great way to help buyers visualize the potential of every room and help sell your home faster. But if you’ve ever had concerns over staging costs, you may be interested to learn about a new trend in staging: Virtual staging.

When it comes to marketing and selling a home, staging can be a powerful tool. Some may argue that home staging isn't worth the cost, but there are many good arguments for making the investment in a professional home stager.  Staging not only helps a home sell faster in many cases, but it can also boost buyer desire for a home, resulting in a potentially higher closing price. What’s more, a commitment to staging can prevent you from procrastinating when it comes to decluttering. (After all, you need to have a nice clean canvas for a staging expert to work with.)

Now, though, some agents are turning towards virtual staging. Virtual staging, broadly defined, is the use of computer imaging technology to create realistic listing photos which display a staged home, even though the property itself is not actually staged. Photos of empty rooms are transformed through 3D modeling and photo editing. The results can be quite impressive.

Proponents of virtual home staging say the benefits are obvious. Not only is it less expensive than traditional home staging, but it can also be completed in less time. Stagers, on the other hand, feel the practice is somewhat deceptive. The main argument seems to be that buyers will be disappointed when they arrive at the empty home after seeing staged photos online.

Clearly, stagers don't want to see their business undermined by virtual competitors, but do they have a point? Are buyers put off by empty rooms after seeing virtually staged properties online? Is this disparity between staged online and empty in real life a deal breaker?

It might depend on your philosophy when it comes to staging. If your primary motivation is generating interest in the home online, you might want to go with virtual staging to create appealing photographs to drive more leads. If you want buyers to viscerally experience a home’s potential when they visit at an open house or walk-through with their agent, you’ll probably want to go for a traditional home staging.

In either case, it’s a good idea to view staging not as an expense but an investment, much like minor renovations you hope to recoup when the home sells for a better price. If you’re thinking of selling soon and would like to work with a stager, get in touch with me today. 

I can connect you to trusted professionals who will make your home look its best: valerie@valeriemcconville.com

FIVE QUICK TIPS TO GET YOUR HOME READY FOR WINTER

The winter months are quickly approaching, and it's time to prepare your home for the coming months. 

In fact, I'm including some quick tips for making sure that you and your new home are ready for the winter months ahead!  I hope that you find these tips to be helpful and useful.

Roof repairs: If you can safely get onto your roof to inspect for missing shingles or other factors that may lead to a leaky roof, now's the time to do it!  If not, call in a professional organization and have them take care of the rooftop work for you.

Seal it off: Inspect doors and windows to ensure that the weather-stripping is in good condition.  This will keep your house warmer and cozier in the winter months.

Hot stuff: Make sure that your heater and ventilation systems are in good working order!  Clean out accessible ducts and replace filters where necessary.

Chimney sweep: Creosote, a black substance that builds up in the chimney when wood is burned, can cause chimney fires.  Inspect your chimney for creosote and call a chimney sweep to keep your fireplace safe and functional.

Gutter check: Now's the time to clean out those rain gutters again!  If you want to do it yourself, make sure that you can safely access the gutters and then scoop out any debris, blast the drains clean with a high-powered hose, and repair any leaks you may find along the way.

To learn what else you can do to prepare your home for winter, contact me today! email: valerie@valeriemcconville.com

APPLYING FOR A JOINT MORTGAGE LOAN WITH YOUR SPOUSE

When you are ready to buy a home, applying for a mortgage is one of the first and most important steps.  

For married couples, this usually involves applying for a mortgage loan jointly.  This means that the loan will be in both of your names and you will be co-owners of the house.  

While it may seem like the obvious thing to do, there are a few situations when applying with only one name might be wise.  Here are a few tips on joint mortgage applications.

Is Your Credit Looking Good?

If one of you has a poor credit rating, it could strongly affect your chances of qualifying for the loan and will definitely raise the interest rate even if you do qualify.  If the person with poor credit does not make a large sum of money and their income is not required to qualify for the loan, it might make more sense not to apply jointly.

Employment Doesn't Matter

If one of the partners is unemployed, a stay at home mom or dad or homemaker, or for any other reason, they won't have much impact on the amount of money you can qualify for.  That doesn't mean you shouldn't apply jointly.  First of all, marriage is a partnership, and having the home in both names gives a feeling of equality even if one person makes the income.  Secondly, the person with no income might still have a very good credit rating, making it easier to get the best interest rate!

A Financial Commitment

When you apply for a home loan together, you are connecting yourselves financially in a major way.  Joint mortgage loans aren't just for spouses; many life partners also purchase a home together.  Just be certain that you are committed to the relationship before you sign mortgage papers.  It can make things very complicated later if you don't.

A joint mortgage is usually a good choice for any couple, because you can combine your income to get approved for a larger mortgage or a better rate.  Just bear in mind that there are situations when you are better off keeping the loan in one name only, mainly for financial reasons.

USING YOUR FIREPLACE SAFELY

A fireplace is a great feature in any home, and can create that warm, homey feeling on a cold winter evening that every homeowner dreams of.  Whether you have a gas fireplace or a wood-burning fireplace, there are a few important precautions you should take and safety measures to follow every time you use your fireplace.

Keep The Fire Contained

Especially if you have an older home, you should verify that the fireplace and hearth are up to code.  The hearth is required to be a certain size to prevent sparks or embers from the fire hitting the carpet or wood floors and starting a fire.  You should also ensure that you have appropriate metal doors or a mesh curtain that will keep the fire and any sparks inside the fireplace itself.

Keep anything flammable away from the fireplace, including paper, blankets, furniture, or anything else that could easily catch fire.  If you have a wood-burning fireplace, keep the wood in a spot where a stray spark or ember won't reach it.  The same goes for kindling or anything you use to start the fire.

Maintaining The Fireplace And Chimney

In a wood-burning fireplace, a substance known as creosote can build up on the inside of the chimney, putting you at risk for a dangerous chimney fire.  Every year before the winter season begins, you should have a professional chimney sweep clean out your chimney.  They should also inspect everything to ensure your fireplace is functioning properly.  Be sure to clean out ashes and soot from the fireplace regularly; this is recommended every time you use it.

Even with a gas fireplace there is some maintenance to consider.  You should have a chimney sweep perform a yearly inspection and cleaning of the inside of your fireplace, especially in hard to reach places like the fan.  They should also make certain that the gas lines and ignition switch are working properly.

             

Fireplaces And Children

If you have children, use caution with your fireplace.  Never leave a child unattended in a room with a lit fireplace.  Be certain that lighters and matches are always kept well out of reach.  Before you start the fire burning season, sit down with your children and discuss the safety rules for the fireplace, making sure they understand the dangers.

Your fireplace can provide warmth and ambiance, and will serve you well for a long time as long as you take care of it.  Keep up on maintenance and ensure that everything is safe and up to code before you use your fireplace.