This is the best advice I’ve heard in awhile:
“Update your home every 5 years.”
I hear ya’–
“It’s expensive.”But if your refrigerator is 15 years old, now might be a good time. Or in my case, a hot water heater that rusted out while we were at my in-laws Labor Day weekend… Thank god for insurance, but we still had the deductible to worry about.
“It’s annoying.” Yes, moving furniture, toys, lamps and clothes out of a bedroom is a process I’ll never look forward to either. We’ve redone all 3 bedrooms in my home the past 1+ years. But it’s now over.
“It’s time consuming.” If installing laminate floors only took as long as a 30 minute television show on HGTV… I have to thank my parents for their help the 2 different times I’ve done it… But they were all-day projects, and the first was an entire weekend.
But here’s the good thing: Everything we’ve done would have needed to be done when we sell our home in the next 2 years. Purple paint. Stained off-white carpet. A green refrigerator. None of it could have stayed. Or, shouldn’t have stayed.
Everything that buyers in today’s market are not interested in.
By slowly, meticulously updating my home I’m saving myself from having to make NUMEROUS EXPENSIVE repairs in the near future.
Plus, by making these upgrades I’m also increasing my home’s value at the same time. And because they’ve been done early, I get to reap the benefits of adding a patio door and deck off my dining room when I’m grilling (OK, when my wife is grilling) in the summer.
And hopefully eliminating some stress when it comes time for the for sale sign to go in the ground too.
In the end by being proactive while I’m living here it will make it easier when the pull of a new home becomes too much.
A couple weeks ago I presented to you the absorption rates for homes listed in Wisconsin Rapids. I’d like to go one step further and discuss with you the number of homes that sold during each month in 2009.
The following chart includes all single-family homes and condos sold in the tri-city area.
Realtors talk about the ‘buying season’ and the ‘slow season’ in pretty much the same way you’d use ‘dry season’ and ‘wet season’ if you were talking about the African plains.
Each bringing their own set of problems and solutions. Summer *can* be the better time for sellers. More buyers means more opportunities to sell. Of course it also means more competition… Accurate pricing, a well-written listing description, and high-quality photographs generally do an excellent job tipping the scales in your favor though.
Winter means fewer buyers. And more time between meaningful showings and offers. But buyers that are out there are definitely serious. We’re now finishing the ‘slow season’ and heading quickly to the ‘buying season.’ Note: the average home that sells is on the market for 200+ days. That puts the average home that goes on the market today getting a sold sign in August, right in the middle of the ‘buying season.’
At least that’s what the chart and data are telling us.
As you can see January and February were the 2 slowest months. Which is expected. But we’re off to the races once the calendar gets flipped to March. Remember a home that sells in June received it’s accepted offer in May.
Yes October had the most sales, but what it’s really saying is that September had the most accepted offers.
Now the tax credits are quickly coming to an end. You have less than 3 months to get your home ready for sale, on the market, advertised, shown, receive an offer, negotiate and finally accept the offer. That’s a lot that has to happen. I’ve had numerous sellers contact me in the past month, 3 new listings plus one more in a couple weeks. There’s still time, but now is the time to be proactive.
First, the home owners and I thank you for taking the time to stop by. My name is Adam Holberg and I’ll be your guide today. Sit back, relax and enjoy the tour…
You’ll quickly notice that you’ll see and read much more information here than you’d receive on the MLS. Which is exactly what you wanted? Right? So without further ado, on with the show…
How should I begin to describe this home, besides saying that this home IS Wisconsin Rapids history.
This home was built around the turn of the century and has proudly stood the test of time. As we head into a new decade, you’ll be only the third owner of this beautiful Colonial Revival style home.
The current homeowners have called this home for the past 48 years and you’ll have the opportunity to call this home for the majority of the 21st century.
New construction obviously appeals to many buyers in 2010. But what do you do if you prefer character and charm to cookie-cutter? It’s becoming more and more difficult to find a home that sticks to its heritage, while still possessing the comforts that you come to expect.
Here are a few ways that this home can offer you character and charm:
- original hardwood floors
- original woodwork
- original french doors (3)
- 9 1/2 foot tall ceilings
- formal dining room
- large foyer
- professionally landscaped yard
- two walkout landings on the second floor
- deck off master bedroom
- deck off kitchen
- leaded glass windows
The list goes on. It would be easier if you saw it for yourself…
By now you’re asking yourself, “So, how much is this home listed for?” Your 
price is $249,900.
If you peruse the links below, you’ll find everything you need to know about this home. Or, better yet, see it for yourself. Call Adam Holberg at 715.572.8372 to set up a showing. Or if you’d like, email me at holberga [at] firstweber [dot] com to get started.
I’m going to give you more information than you thought possible. Below are links where you can better get to know this home.
Other links worth taking a look at:
Where the heart is…
A home is so much more than just a house. It’s not just a place to live… a place to come to after work… It’s love and family and marriage and roots. It becomes a part of us.
I believe a home is a book, composed of many chapters. The current homeowners are putting the finishing touches on their chapters… But, this home has much more to say…
Are you ready? Get in touch today!
Have a home to sell before you could purchase this one? Not a problem… We understand that you may currently own a home and be looking for a home that better meets your current needs. You should still get in touch… We’ll get started making your dreams a reality! And much sooner than later…
PHONE: (608) 542-0178
My name is Adam Holberg and I’m a Realtor with First Weber of Wisconsin Rapids. This website is designed to inform and help bring conversation to a topic I love, real estate.