April home - maintenance starts with first impressions

Spiff up the front entry

Few things say "spring" like freshening up the front entrance of your home. Try any or all of these improvements:

1. Remove the doormat and sweep and dust the entry and all the way around the door. Clean the threshold with soapy water and a rag and gently wipe down the door.
2. Take a hard look at the flower pots, furniture, plant hangers, toys, boots, shovels, brooms and tools cluttering the entrance; remove and store or throw away all but the most essential items. Wipe down porch and patio furniture.
3. Stand back from the entry and decide what simple steps will most improve its appearance. A fresh coat of paint for the front door? Installing new house numbers? Adding two tall pots to flank the entrance (in colors that match or contrast nicely with the door)? Also consider painting the porch ceiling — a traditional color is blue, for the sky — or floor.
4.  Replace the doormat with a new one. Use mats inside and outside each door. They’re not just decorative; they protect your floors from damaging grit.
5. Replace rusted or ugly exterior light fixtures. Get inspiration from this slide show: "Fix up yourfront entry in one weekend."
6. As soon as the weather permits and the wood has dried, repaint front steps with deck paint or other surfacing made for heavy traffic. Ask paint store professionals for recommendations. Take care to choose a color for the steps that works well with the house color and front door.
7. Wipe down railings; sand, prime and repaint flaked, chipped or bubbled paint.
8. Add another note of color by planting spring annuals in pots at the door, at the top of the steps or marching down the steps.

Holly Hurd is a REALTOR with Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel in Northville, Michigan 48167
hollyhurd@hotmail.com
 www.Northvillehomes4sale.net
Holly Hurd ~Living in the Northville, Michigan area for 40+ years , Holly Hurd is graduate of Northville High School, Schoolcraft College, Michigan State then raising her own family here Holly Hurd has first hand knowledge and knows the area quite well Please feel free to contact her for all your real estate needs

A Shortage boosts prices of houses in metro Detroit

A shortage of move-in-ready houses and condos continues to drive up metro Detroit home prices.
Newly released figures show the median February home sales price was $80,000 in the four-county region of Wayne, Oakland, Livingston and Macomb.
That price was the same as January, but a 38% increase from the median sales price of a year ago, according to data compiled by Realcomp, a Farmington Hills-based multiple listing service.
The highest year-over-year jump was in Oakland County, where prices rocketed 47% to $139,770. Washtenaw County was not included in the data.
HOLLY HURD attributes most of the price rise to the small supply of for-sale homes.
The inventory of available homes in the metro area last month was 14,544, or 25% fewer properties than a year ago, according to Realcomp.
There are fewer short sales and foreclosure sales these days.  We have not seen them hitting the streets like we used to.
Yet despite the increases in home prices because well mainly of a lack of inventory, prices have a long way to go before all owners who are underwater on their mortgages can sell without taking a loss. If you have a home or condo HOLLY HURD will sell it, I will get top dollar for you  in today's marketplace, although not what it was at in 2005.  Indeed, home prices in metro Detroit remain 37% below their December 2005 peak and 20% below 2000 levels.


Holly Hurd ~Living in the Northville, Michigan area for 40+ years , Holly Hurd is graduate of Northville High School, Schoolcraft College, Michigan State then raising her own family here Holly Hurd has first hand knowledge and knows the area quite well Please feel free to contact her for all your real estate needs.

www.Northvillehomes4sale.net 

NORTHVILLE MICHIGAN MY HOMETOWN

NORTHVILLE, MICHIGAN~ Northville is an affluent city located in and divided by Oakland and Wayne counties in the U.S. state of Michigan. The area is a suburb of Metropolitan Detroit. The population was 5,970 at the 2010 census. Most of the city is in Oakland County, and is surrounded by the city of Novi. The Wayne County portion is surrounded by Northville Township. Northville is served by Northville Public Schools. The city is located 21 miles northeast of Ann Arbor and 29 miles northwest of Detroit. Growing up in Northville, Michigan for over 40+ years I know first hand Northville was once a very small town most know for the race track (northville downs) with a wonderful downtown area. I have watch this once small town flourish into a great community but still maintain is small town Victorian charm, you could say it is "a town where everybody knows your name"

I consider NORTHVILLE, Michigan an excellent place to reside and would love to share with you my enthusiasm for the many neighborhoods that encompass it. I pride myself As a Real Estate Professional, I am dedicated to giving exceptional service to all sellers and buyers. I really enjoy seeing peoples dreams fulfilled. The process of buying a home should be a positive one, and I do my best to make that dream a reality. I will do everything I can to earn your trust and friendship..I WILL GIVE YOU 110% because you are the customer....
warmest regards,

Holly Hurd

www.Northvillehomes4sale.net 

Top 10 Worst Home-Showing Offenses

Here are the 10 most common responses from buyer’s agents when asked about the worst mistakes they see when presenting for-sale homes to clients:

1. Leftover home owners

By far, one of the top offenses cited by buyer’s agents was home owners still lingering around when agents arrived with clients to preview the home. Awkward encounters ranged from buyers finding sellers taking a shower, asleep in the bed, to even the “stalker sellers” who liked to follow buyers and the agent all over the home to see what they thought.

With the exception of the “stalker seller,” many of the home owners who were still at home blamed their listing agent for not giving them enough advance notice about the appointment prior.

2. Pets and their messes

 The not-so-friendly dog and kitty encounters as a top offense. Even pets left in a crate can pose a distraction since they might make noise the entire time others are in the house. Plus, if they seem mean, the buyer might not even step in the room. My suggestion is if you have a pet take out of the property for all showings.

Vicki Robinson, ABR, CRS, broker with Fonville Morisey Realty in Raleigh, N.C., says she recently was given showing instructions from a listing agent who told her the family’s “friendly dog” would be at home. But when Robinson unlocked the front door with her client for the showing, a pit bull was staring down at them from the top of the staircase, growling. “We closed the door and left!” she says.

3. Bad smells

A displeasing smell can really turn buyers off. Common offenses include cooking smells lingering around the home, such as garlic, fried bacon, or fish. Also, watch for cigarette smoke and animal smells.

4. Critters running wild

Wild animals and pests roaming around is a surefire way to send buyers running. I remember one home had worms crawling on the floor and bats and raccoons lounging in the attic. 

5. Odd home makeovers

Do-it-yourself disasters were also prevalent, like doors opening the wrong way or unprofessional paint jobs. Also, rooms not being used for their intended purposes can confuse buyers, such as an office being used as a bedroom even though it has no closet.

6. Dirt and clutter

There were a number of offenses cited when it came to cleanliness: Dirty laundry piles, unflushed toilets, dishes on the counter or in the sink, unmade beds, clothes scattered about, soiled carpets, dirty air conditioner filters, and overflowing trash cans.

“One of the worst things I have seen is piles and piles of clothes in every room,” It was like an obstacle trying to walk around the mess. It is very important to keep it clean.

7. Personal information left in plain sight

Sellers should be careful not to leave in plain sight important documents that may pique buyers’ curiosity. Some agents say they’ve seen personal information like bank and credit card statements—even mortgage payoff notices—left on the kitchen counter.

“Buyers are nosey,”  sometimes  “I’ve even seen the contract for the sellers’ next purchase sitting on the kitchen countertop or ‘final notice’ bills.”

8. Too dark

Dark or dimly lit houses aren’t showing the home in the best light.

“Particularly [homes lit with] CFL bulbs," By the time [the bulbs] light up, the buyer is gone. Energy efficient bulbs need time to warm up before they are at their brightest, so staging professionals usually recommend agents arrive early to a showing to turn on any light fixtures with CFL bulbs at least 10 minutes prior.

9. Keys missing from lockboxes

All too often, agents arrive at a listing appointment with their client only to find there’s no key to get in. “I actually had a [seller’s] agent who wanted me to open the door for my clients by going through the dog run as a large dog barked like crazy.” 

10. Distracting photos

Watch the photos displayed on the walls too as I am recalling showing a family a home that had life-sized, nude photos hanging, which left my clients racing for the door covering their eyes.

I also recall showing a home to a client, who was staring at a painting in the master bedroom of a woman in lingerie. “Isn’t that the owner?” the client asked. “She was also the real estate agent!” 

www.Northvillehomes4sale.net

HELP YOUR PET ADJUST TO YOUR NEW HOME

Moving to a new home can be a difficult transition for everyone in the family, including the furry, four-legged members.

Dogs and cats develop a strong bond with their environment so when they are relocated from their territory it can cause them stress.

Here are some tips to ease your pets’ transition to a new home :

Keep Your Mood Calm 
Pets are very tuned-in to your emotions and will sense your mood. If you are stressed throughout the moving process, your cat or dog will pick up on this and it will make him anxious. Try to remain calm and give your pet plenty of attention and reassurance during the process of moving.

Transporting Your Pet 
A few weeks before the move, introduce your pet to his pet carrier so that he becomes familiar with it. It will be much less scary for him to be transported in a carrier, which already has recognizable smells and perhaps a favorite chew toy or blanket inside. When you are moving your pets to your new home, it is a good idea not to feed them for about three hours before setting off, as this can help to prevent accidents while in transit.

Upon Arrival 
When you get to your new residence, place your pets in one room of the house and provide them with water, food, and a few familiar possessions. Keep them in a closed room while you move things in, as the process of moving boxes and furniture can be chaotic and doors can be left open. Once everything has been moved in, you can take the time to give your pet some one-on-one attention.

Dogs find routines comforting, so try to stick to the same schedule of feeding and walking in your new home. Cats will want to explore and rub their scent all over the house to claim it as their territory. A cat might attempt to return to its old home after a move, so keep it indoors for a few weeks at first.

These are just a few ways that you can make moving to a new home a better experience for your beloved pets. If you’d like more suggestions for helping your pets and family adjust to a move, call or email me with your questions.

HOLLY HURD

hollyhurd@hotmail.com

www.Northvillehomes4sale.net

THE TOP TEN HOME IMPROVEMENT MYTHS

1. Any remodeling project will add value to your home.

While many remodeling projects will add value to a home, some can be seen as a negative by future buyers. For instance, combining two smaller bedrooms to create one larger bedroom may better fit one homeowner’s lifestyle today, but it may cause the home to lose value in the eyes of a future buyer who needs the two separate rooms.

2. Buying the highest-quality materials attracts more buyers.

Installing high-end materials may seem like a wise decision, but it can backfire. For instance, using the most expensive tile in a bathroom may create an impressive appearance, but value-conscious buyers may opt for a more affordable home if the seller has over-improved compared to others in the neighborhood.

3. Adding square footage always adds value.

A better way to think about this statement is to insert the word useable into the sentence. Finished attics and basements – even if considered liveable by local standards – may not be attractive to a buyer if they are not finished to the same standards as the rest of the home.

4. Colors and textures – safe and simple is better.

Keeping a home “vanilla” so buyers can choose their own style and décor might be a safe bet, but it ignores the fact that most buyers just don’t have the ability to visualize the home differently. Without splashes of color and mixtures of texture, sellers can lose value to others that have taken the time to consult with an interior designer.

5. Inside improvements are better than outside improvements.

Not necessarily. If a home’s exterior has been neglected or doesn’t offer a good curb appeal, a buyer might stop there – and then the seller’s efforts on on the inside may not net them any more dollars. To get the biggest bang for their remodeling buck, sellers should start from the outside and work their way in.

6. Adding a bedroom is better than adding a bathroom.

It depends on the starting point. If a seller only has one or two bedrooms to start with, adding a bedroom before adding a second bath is probably a wise choice since most buyers are more attracted to three-bedroom homes. On the other hand, if the home already has three bedrooms and only one bath, the sellers’s next investment should probably be in a new bathroom.

7. Paint hides a multitude of sins.

Dry rot? Fungus damage? Mold problems? Carpenter ants? Termite issues? Nothing a can of paint can’t fix, right? Wrong! Not only does this practice violate disclosure laws in most states, it can set sellers up for liability after the sale, as most buyers will want the sellers to foot the bill for these hidden issues.

8. Converting a garage to living space is a great trade-off.

Nope. A garage conversion is almost always viewed negatively by future home buyers unless the sellers replace the lost garage with another parking and storage space of equal size.

9. Sellers can save money by doing improvements themselves.

For some homeowners, wiring a new lighting fixture or plumbing a new dishwasher is a no-brainer, but for others it may end up costing more later if they have to have the work redone by a professional. Another consideration is local and state laws regarding remodeling work: In many states if a buyer has purchased a home to remodel and resell, they must either hold a contractor’s license or hire a contractor to do the work for them.

10. Pools add value to your home.

This is only true in areas where pools are must-have amenities. In most areas of the country, pools have more limited appeal – and the idea of maintaining a pool for ten months out of the year when it can’t be enjoyed won’t appeal to most buyers.

Knowing these top home-improvement myths will allow you to choose the right remodeling projects. You can always contact me directly with any questions or concerns 

warmest regards,

Holly Hurd

5 TOP THINGS HOME SELLERS HATE

Sure, it is in the home seller’s best interest to impress their home buyers, but there is definitely a "protocol " if you will that home buyers themselves must adhere to as well.

That said, here are some things that home sellers hate. Take note, as it may save you from losing a home you so desperately want.

Things home sellers hate #1

Treating the home like public property
Walking in without removing your muddy boots and gallivanting through the home like it’s a museum will leave home sellers with a bitter taste in their mouth. Avoid behaving as though the home is nothing more than a vessel, especially if the homeowners still live there.

Things home sellers hate #2

Using the bathroom, I mean really using it
Considering you likely won’t be spending more than an hour in the home, there really is no reason why you should be using the washroom, unless it’s to wash your hands. If you absolutely must use the washroom (hopefully not for number two), then make it your mission to leave the washroom exactly the way you found it.

Things home sellers hate #3

Criticizing the home in an effort to get a better deal
Let’s face it; if you like a home, you are going to make an offer. If you want to negotiate the price, then be on the up and up about it. There is nothing more irritating for sellers than home buyers who bash the house up and down and then make an offer in the next breath.

You can comment on certain things in the home and you ask plenty of questions about why they put the toilet next to the tub or why they didn’t fix the crack in the ceiling, but if you have décor comments, keep them to yourself because when you buy the home you can do as you please with the place.

Things home sellers hate #4

Giving an insane low-ball amount
Of course you want a bargain – everyone and their mother does – but hitting home sellers up with an offer so low that it’s almost laughable is really not the way to go. A seller can’t afford to hand you the keys without getting some kind of deal out of it, so low-balling them in an effort to just “see what happens” is insulting to the seller and will result in no deal.

Instead, review recent sale prices of like home in the area and then comes up with a reasonable dollar amount. Low-balling may only serve to kibosh the entire deal.

Things home sellers hate #5

Offering to buy without mortgage approval
Home sellers want to unload their homes and they would like to know that the person making an offer can afford the home and has already planned ahead by getting pre approved for a mortgage.

It’s not uncommon for home buyers to start working with a mortgage broker or their bank six months to a year in advance of beginning the house hunt. Remember: qualify, then shop around. That way you know how much you can afford

Avoid the things home sellers hate and find your home today contact me HOLLY HURD 

Housing snapshot what 200k,500k and 1million buys in Northville,Michigan

It is finally spring time which means the home buying season is under way. Are you wondering if you should make the move to a new home? Here is a glimpse at how much home your dollars buy you in Northville Mi. 48167 and Northville Township, Mi. 48168

373 Linden st. Northville,Mi.48167
3 bedroom 1 1/2 bath
year built 1956
price225,000




15396 Bayhill dr Northville Township, Mi. 48168
4 bedroom 2 1/2 bath
year built 2002
price 500,000

18614 Fox Hollow Ct. Northville Township, Mi. 48168
5 bedroom 4. 2 bath
year built 2003
price 1,000,000.00









Sales are up here in Northville and Northville Township and inventory is low
versus a year ago, making for an extremely competitive market. My phone has not stopped ringing
The market has really picked up if you would like more information about any of the properties you see here contact me at hollyhurd@hotmail.com  or visit my we site at www.Northvillehomes4sale.net
or call me direct at (734) 718-5736