Today is Monday
Oct 13, 2008
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Putting your best house forward |
| | Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2007 | | | By Setarreh Massihzadegan THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE
For many, wintertime conjures images of frigid weather and, for those looking to sell their homes, a cooling real estate market. But if you’ve decided the time is right for your move, there’s no reason to wait until spring.
“If your house is priced right and you have a good broker, it’s going to sell— regardless of the season,” says Brooksby Retirement Counselor Marisa Tazzini.
Winter perks
Selling in winter has its perks, says Bernie Horowitz, who co-owns RE/MAX Advantage in Peabody, Mass. “There are lots of folks out there searching for homes, even in winter,” he says. In fact, he says, last year his company had its busiest December ever.
Holiday showcasing
Making your house attractive to buyers is a must, so Horowitz offers these tips on sprucing it up for the winter:
1Since it gets dark earlier in winter, make sure your light bulbs are bright and working. This gives the home a warm feeling and makes it seem cared for.
2 Outside, keep all walkways and driveways safe by clearing away snow and ice. Inside, keep doorways and walkways clear of furniture and clutter.
3 Make your home warm by lighting a small fire (if you have a fireplace) or adjusting the heat to a comfortable temperature.
4 Tidy up the house, both on readily visible countertops and inside closets. Nobody wants to see a big pile on the floor,” he says. If you have carpets, you may want to offer visitors disposable booties to put over their shoes. | |
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5 Put up holiday decorations. “The holiday décor really shows a sense of family and warmth,” he says. But when the holidays are over, remove decorations in a timely manner.
The right time
Lois Anderson, who moved to Brooksby last winter, sold her Newbury, Mass., house in December 2006. She had been on Brooksby’s priority list for more than three years. (The priority list enables future residents who aren’t ready to move yet to reserve the type of apartment home they want.)
“To me there were a lot of advantages to being on the priority list,” she says. “When you tell them, ‘I’m really ready,’ you’re right up there on the top of the list.” Having her name there kept Anderson in line for an apartment, even after her original move-in date passed.
She moved from her house of almost 25 years to Brooksby in January. “I’m very happy,” Anderson says. “I know I made the right decision for myself and at the right time in my life.”
Reaching out
While she readied herself for the move, Anderson had the help of Brooksby’s move-in coordinator. “I can’t say enough good things about Diane Rose and the way she reacted and the help and support she gave me,” Anderson recalls. “It was the moral support she gave me that encouraged me it would happen.”
Beating the winter chill
There are plenty of reasons to make the move to Brooksby before spending another winter at a home you own, Tazzini says.
“Would you rather be home shoveling snow, or here going out to lunch with your friends and swimming?” Tazzini asks.
Lois Anderson appreciates winters at Brooksby, where the shoveling is done for her.
“I couldn’t get over it [during] the first snowstorm,” Anderson says. “It was like an army on the ground cleaning up; they don’t leave a flake of snow. I couldn’t get over it and I still can’t.”
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| Ann's Choice - Warminster, PA | | Brooksby Village - Peabody, MA | | Cedar Crest - Pompton Plains, NJ | | Charlestown - Catonsville, MD | | Eagle's Trace - Houston, TX | | Fox Run - Novi, MI | | Greenspring - Springfield, VA | | Henry Ford Village - Dearborn, MI | | Hickory Chase - Hilliard, OH | | Highland Springs - Dallas, TX | | Linden Ponds - Hingham, MA | | Maris Grove - Concord, PA | | Monarch Landing - Naperville, IL | | Oak Crest - Parkville, MD | | Riderwood - Silver Spring, MD | | Seabrook - Tinton Falls, NJ | | Sedgebrook - Lincolnshire, IL | | Tallgrass Creek - Overland Park, KS | | Wind Crest - Denver, CO |
| Windsor Run - Charlotte, NC |
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| Ann's Choice - Warminster, PA | | Brooksby Village - Peabody, MA | | Cedar Crest - Pompton Plains, NJ | | Charlestown - Catonsville, MD | | Eagle's Trace - Houston, TX | | Fox Run - Novi, MI | | Greenspring - Springfield, VA | | Henry Ford Village - Dearborn, MI | | Hickory Chase - Hilliard, OH | | Highland Springs - Dallas, TX | | Linden Ponds - Hingham, MA | | Maris Grove - Concord, PA | | Monarch Landing - Naperville, IL | | Oak Crest - Parkville, MD | | Riderwood - Silver Spring, MD | | Seabrook - Tinton Falls, NJ | | Sedgebrook - Lincolnshire, IL | | Tallgrass Creek - Overland Park, KS | | Wind Crest - Denver, CO |
| Windsor Run - Charlotte, NC |
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