David & Charlotte Greganti’s Blog

When you put your home on the market to sell, be prepared! First impressions stick with the buyers and all to often are the major factor in swaying their decisions. A small investment in time and money can give your home a competitve edge over the other homes on the market.

The very first visual of your home to the buyer is the curb appeal. Be sure to cut the lawn, trim shrubs and lawns, weed and edge the gardens, pick up any trash, clear the walk and driveway of leaves, repair gutters and eaves, and touch up the exterior paint. Next you’ll want to set the “buying atmosphere”. Always leave for showings, turn on all lights, open drapes during the day, keep pets outdoors, light the fireplace, play quiet soothing background music, and fill the house with a pleasent fragrance. Give the buyers an exceptional greeting; polish the door hardware, make sure the doorbell is working properly, and keep the entry way clean and tidy. Make sure your home has a spacious look. Clear off the counters and stove, make all closets neat and tidy, clear the stairs and hallways, store excess furniture, and get rid of all the clutter. Keep your home spic and span by cleaning the fridge, stove, furnace, washer, dryer, and tubs. Also shampoo the carpets and freshen up the bathrooms. Finally be sure to keep up on the general maintenance of the home. Oil squeaky doors, tighten doorknobs, clean and repair windows, replace burned out lightbulbs, touch up chipped paint, repair cracked plaster, and repair leaking taps and toilets.

You will definitely make an excellent first impression on buyers if you follow these guidelines. Get creative; there are always more ways to make a great first impression.

One of the things people want to know about title insurance is what does my premium really pay for? An important part of title insurance is its emphasis on risk elimination before insuring. As the policy holder this gives you the best possible chance for avoiding title claim and loss.

Title insurance begins with a search of the public land records affection the real estate concerned. Next an examination is conducted by the title agent or an attorney on behalf of its underwriter to determine if the property is insurable. This examination is intended to fully report all “material objections” to the title. Many times documents that don’t clearly transfer title are found in the history that is assembled from the records in a search, often referred to as the chain. Some examples of documents that can present concerns are:

• Incorrect notary acknowledgements
• Outstanding mortgages and judgements, or a lien against the property because the seller has not paid his/her taxes
• Easements that allow construction of a road or utility line
• Trusts, wills, and deeds that contain improper wording or incorrect names
• Pending legal action against the property that could affect a purchaser

Title problems are disclosed, through the search and examination, so they can be corrected whenever possible. However, even the most careful preventative work cannot always locate all the hidden title hazards. Hidden hazards can come to light after closing, resulting in unpleasant and costly surprises. A few examples of these are:

• Mistakes in the public records
• Forged signature(s) on the deed, which would mean no transfer of ownership to you
• Instruments executed under a fabricated or expired power of attorney
• An unknown heir of a previous owner who claims ownership of the property

Title insurance offers you financial protection against these and other covered title hazards. The title insurer pays for defending against an attack on the title as insured, and will either perfect the title or pay valid claims at an all for one time charge at closing. Your home is your most important and valuable investment. Before you go to the closing table ask about your title insurance coverage and be sure to protect your home with an owner’s title insurance policy. 

Buying a home is almost always the largest single investment that any of us ever makes. When you buy a home there are several different types of insurance coverage that you purchase to protect your personal property and home. Flood insurance protects you from rising water; hazard or homeowner’s insurance protects you against loss from wind damage, fire, or theft. There is another unique type of insurance that protect you against hidden title hazards that may threaten your financial investment in your home. This is called title insurance.

Title insurance is just as important as flood or homeowners insurance, however it is not understood as well. When you buy your home you are actually purchasing the title to the property, the right to occupy and use the space, not the actual land or building. The title may be limited by claims and rights asserted by others which may limit your enjoyment and use of the property and can even bring financial loss.  Title insurance will protect you against these types of hazards.

Instead of insurance coverage that focuses on possible future events and charge an annual premium title insurance protects you from loss against hazards and defects that already exist in the title and is purchased with a one-time premium.

There are two basic types of title insurance:

·         Lender or mortgagee Protection

·         Owner’s Coverage

Most lenders require mortgagee title insurance as security for their investment in real estate just as they may call for fire insurance and other types of coverage as investor protection. Lenders are willing to make mortgage money available in distant locales where they know very little about the market when title insurance is purchased.

Owner’s title insurance lasts as long as you the policyholder or your heirs have an interest in the insured property. This may even extend to after you have sold the property.

Depending on state law and local practices in the area where the property is located you may pay a simultaneous issue charge, usually a smaller amount, or you may pay an additional premium for an owner’s policy for the separate lender coverage. You may even be able to split the settlement costs with the seller for the lender or owner’s policy. Check with your real estate professional or a title company for options.

We know that moving and settling into a new home can be a stressful time. All too often buyers and sellers become overwhelmed with all of the details and activities that go hand-in-hand with moving such as packing, moving everything, unpacking and so forth that some of the smaller details are forgotten. For instance changing your address, it’s not always at the top of the list to do but there are many places and people that need to be notified when you move. Below are several places that we recommend to our clients:

• Post office
• Friends and Relatives
• Work
• Schools
• Utilities
• Doctor
• Dentist
• Bank
• Lawyer
• Church
• Insurance Company
• Newspaper/Magazine Subscriptions
• Organizations and Clubs
• Accountant
• Finance Companies
• Investment Firms
• Car Dealership
• Telephone Service Provider
• Cable Company
• Internet Service Provider

Notifying those places and people of your new address will help to avoid confusion and lost mail. There may be more people and places that you should notify, these are just the basics. Be sure to write these down to help you remember in the future for either you or people you know.

Have you ever forgotten to do a task that you really needed to get done? Well you’re not the only one, everybody forgets something every now and then. Over the years we have found that the eaisest and best way to make sure everything that needs to be completed gets done is by using checklists. We compiled a Home Service Checklist that not only we use, but our clients also use to help them remember the home maintenance tasks that require regular attention but are most often forgotten about.  Below are just a few of the activities on our list.

• Immediate Attention
• Fix dripping faucets and toilet tanks
• Inspect roof for damage after high winds, thunderstorms, etc.

• Annually
• Replace batteries in all smoke detectors.
• Check roof for holes, cracks, and rotting.
• Check fireplace flue for blockages. Clean if necessary.
• Inspect foundation for holes, cracks, improper drainage, or any other damage. Repair if necessary.
• Be sure fireplace damper handle and hinges work smoothly.

 We have found that using this list has not only helped to preserve the value of homes, but also saves money on utilities and servicing. We hope that you will find it as useful as we have. For the complete list and other home tips, contact us.

Even though they are supposed to be joyful, spiritual, and festive, the holidays are often anything but that for many people. Decreased hours of daylight, combined with an increase in stress levels, can contribute to feelings of sadness and letdown on January 2nd. Set reasonable goals this holiday season, and experience the festivities in a more relaxed and peaceful manner. Most important get plenty of rest! Don’t overdo anything – including spending, drinking, eating, or attending holiday parties. I know that not eating too much is hard with all the delicious foods; so just spread it out, eat one plate wait a little while and then go back for more. Keep up a regular exercise routine; this will lift your spirits naturally. Don’t strive for perfection! It’s not a very reasonable goal the rest of the year, let alone during the holidays. Communicate to everyone that you will be practicing moderation in all areas of life this holiday season. This will enable you to state (sometimes repeatedly) that you can only do so much – and then do no more. Just say no. If it is not going to bring you and your loved ones more joy, gently decline invitations and offers to do more. Get creative. If past traditions are not working, use your imagination to create some new, simple and inexpensive ones that you and your family can enjoy and remember that the holidays are the time for laughter and warmth.

With the huge cost of utility bills keeping your home energy efficient is not only economically smart but will also add years to the performance of some of your mechanical features. Here are some simple ways to reduce the amount of energy you use to heat and cool your home.

• Annually: Check your heat and A/C systems to make sure they are still working properly. Check your windows and outside doors for drafts.
• Seasonally: Check the furnace switch, fuse, and breakers. Check furnace blowers, oiling the motor and changing belt if necessary. Check thermostat accuracy by taping a thermometer to the wall next to it. If there is a discrepancy, have a serviceman re-calibrate unit. Check central A/C condensing unit for obstructing leaves and debris, and hose out if needed. Keep shrubs pruned back to maximize air flow. Check room A/C condensate drain outlet for plugging.
• Monthly: Check and clean/change room A/C filters. Check room A/C condenser coils and intake vents for obstructions. Check furnace filter and change if clogged.
• General: Check insulation for type/thickness, beginning in attic/top floor. Upgrade if inadequate. During humid weather, check central A/C condensate drain to ensure it’s carrying off excessive moisture.

If you are interested in building an energy efficient home or have any questions about how to make your home more energy efficient please contact us and we will be happy to help you.

Sellers want to get top-dollar for their home and sell as quickly as possible.One of the best ways to achieve both goals is through “home staging” - displaying your home to look it’s best. You want to create an atmosphere that helps prospective buyers visualize themselves living in the home. Below are a few home staging tips: Less is more! That means no mess, clutter or personal items. Keep kitchen counters as bare as possible. Remove everything from the exterior of the refrigerator such as magnets, pictures, etc. Keep cupboards and cabinets organized and neat. Clean rooms so they are spotless. Keep floors vacuumed, swept, mopped and waxed. Steam clean or replace carpets. Remove excess furniture. Using only a few key pieces in each room makes the room appear larger and helps the buyers imagine their own furniture in the room. Open all curtains and blinds and ensure that windows and sills are clean. Remove fixtures that you will be taking with you, for example, a ceiling fan or chandelier, and install inexpensive replacements. Make repairs to cracks in tiles and sinks, flooring, walls, and ceilings; re-caulk bathroom tubs and showers. Paint the walls neutral colors; white is always a safe bet. Darker color walls often scare away potential buyers. Make sure the yard is well kept. Mow lawns, trim bushes and plant some yellow (a color that inspires buying) flowers.

Even as technology zooms ahead at lightning speed, there is still no cure for the common cold or flu, which hits one in three Americans at least once during the winter season. Here are a few of nature’s remedies that can boost your immune system naturally. Citrus fruits – are high in vitamin C, which is essential for white blood cells, the cells that fight off viruses. You need about 75 mg a day, which is equivalent to an 8-oz glass of orange juice. Beef, dark meat poultry, and pork – have high levels of zinc, which increases the number and efficacy of infection-fighting T-cells. You need about 8 mg a day of the mineral – but don’t overdo, because too much zinc can actually suppress your immunity. Orange veggies and dark leafy veggies – are great sources of carotene, which is converted by your body into vitamin A and used to maintain mucous membranes, which act as germ barriers. Almonds and sunflower seeds – contain vitamin E, which improves your immunity to germs and protects cell membranes from damage. Two ounces will give you the daily recommendation of 15 mg. Tea – contains a high level of L-theanine, an amino acid believed to cause T-cells to produce interferon, a protein that fights viruses. Your grandmother was right: drink three to four mugs of black, green, or oolong tea each day.

Try these easy holiday ideas that are simple and inexpensive to decorate and liven up your home during the holiday season. Decorate with a pretty Poinsettia plant. Poinsettias come in blazing reds and crimsons, speckled-red-and-white, peach, pink and cream, and will add a festive touch to any room. To make them last, remove them from their plastic containers and place in a clay pot with soil. Soak with water, and place in bright, indirect light. Water again when the top inch becomes dry, and enjoy!  When you clean this holiday season, use the new holiday-scented household cleaners. You can find them in the specialty cleaner section in stores or online; try them in scents such as fresh-baked gingerbread cookies, peppermint candy, pumpkin pie, spice, and evergreen. Light up your home using candles that give off holiday aromas. Candles are an easy and inexpensive way to decorate your home, and come in a variety of yummy holiday scents.