The Hard Reality of a Soft Market

If you're listing your home during a downswing, you'll need to follow a specific plan of action to ensure you receive the most amount of money possible.

Here are some strategies to assist you in selling your home during slower times:

• Buyer Incentives - Many sellers offer incentives such as appliances, furniture or help with closing costs to make their home more attractive during a competitive market. These little extras can really make a difference especially to first time buyers who don't have much left after their down payment.
• Price to Sell - Pricing your home correctly in a competitive market is absolutely critical. It's best to set the price a little less than comparable homes in order to acquire a competitive edge. Overpricing your home can be disastrous as not only will it quickly lose its 'just listed' appeal but the market could decline further causing you to 'chase the market' into a downward spiral of price reductions.
• Use an Agent - You may want to reconsider if you're thinking of selling your home yourself to save commission. A real estate agent exposes your property to a larger supply of potential prospects which creates more demand. Your chances of selling for a higher price are far better with an agent. It's tough times like these when you need an agent the most.
• Consider All Offers - You may have to be somewhat flexible with your price so it's important to seriously consider all offers no matter how low they are. Keep your emotions out of the negotiation process and remember that every offer has the potential to significantly increase despite your first impression.
• Get Ready, Get Set, Show - In a competitive market, you have to be ready to show your home on a moments notice so keep it ultra clean and clutter free. Walk through each room and pack away personal items like photos and sentimental knick knacks. Space is a huge selling feature so remove any unnecessary furniture to make your home appear larger.
• 1st Class Curb Appeal - First impressions are especially critical in a competitive market. With so many homes to choose from, buyers may not even bother seeing the inside based on the home's exterior. Stand outside your home with a friend who'll be honest so you can figure out different ways to make it more appealing to prospects.

For every dark cloud, there's a silver lining. Although the market may have slumped, try and stay positive throughout the entire process knowing that you'll likely negotiate a great deal on the purchase price of your next home! Just make sure your financing's arranged so that when you receive a suitable offer on your property, you'll be in a position to confidently move ahead.

How to Make the Super Bowl Fun for Toddlers

The Superbowl is one of the few nights a year that many people attend or hold a party. Parents of a toddler don't want to miss out on the fun just because they have a young child. Instead of staying home, there are some easy ways to make the toddler part of the action.

Things You'll Need:

• Superbowl clothing
• Football-related crafts and games

1. Dress the child in team gear. Make your toddler look like a true fan and outfit him with team gear or colors. He will get lots of compliments, enhance his mood and encourage interest in the Superbowl.
2. Let the toddler help in the kitchen. Toddlers love to be helpful. They can assist with the food preparation by mixing brownie batter, pouring chips into bowls and helping throw away trash.
3. Encourage the child to get involved in the Superbowl. This is one of few nights that your toddler can yell, jump and run all over the house to cheer the team. Since many party guests are likely to be behaving in the same fashion, it will not be a challenge to get your toddler to join in the fun.
4. Bring football-related crafts and games to do in the car or when the Superbowl action slows down. Since a toddler's span of attention is not extremely long, bring something to distract him when needed. Simple arts and crafts ideas include football coloring sheets or activity books.
5. Forget about bedtime. As difficult as it may be, don't stress over bedtime. One night off schedule will not cause irrevocable harm. In fact, it will probably encourage the toddler to sleep a little more the next day.

Warning About Shopping For Gift Cards This Holiday Season!

Gift Card Warning: Check Retailer's Health

Two-thirds of shoppers plan to give gift cards this holiday season, making those little plastic cards the second most popular gift after clothes, according to a national survey by Consumer Reports. But some experts warn that these gifts could be worthless if the current trend of retail bankruptcies continues.

Diane Turton wants to give you the heads up that if you tend to give gift cards around the holidays, you need to be careful that the cards will be honored afterward.

Stores that are planning to close after the holidays are still selling cards through the holidays even though the cards will be worthless January 1. There is no law preventing them from doing this. On the contrary, it is referred to as 'Bankrupcy Planning.'

Below is a partial list of stores that you need to be cautious about:

Circuit City filed Chapter 11
Ann Taylor 117 stores closing nationwide
Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug and Catherine's to close 150 stores nationwide
Eddie Bauer to close 27 stores; More to close after January
Cache will close all stores
Talbots closing down specialty stores
J. Jill closing all stores (owned by Talbots)
Pacific Sunwear closing all stores (owned by Talbots)
GAP closing 85 stores
Footlocker closing 140 stores; More to close after January
Wickes Furniture closing all stores
Levitz closing remaining stores
Bombay closing remaining stores
Zales closing 82 stores and 105 after January
Whitehall closing all stores
Piercing Pagoda closing all stores
Disney closing 98 stores; More to close after January
Home Depot closing 15 stores; 1 in NJ (New Brunswick)
Macys to close 9 stores after January
Linens 'N Things closing all stores
Movie Galley closing all stores
Pep Boys closing 33 stores
Sprint/Nextel closing 133 stores
JC Penney closing a many stores after January
Ethan Allen closing 12 stores
Wilson Leather closing all stores
Sharper Image closing down all stores
KB Toys closing 356 stores
Loews to close some stores
Dillard's to close some stores

It is estimated that consumers will lose about $100 million this year on gift cards due to bankruptcies. If you are still holding on to gift cards from last Christmas or birthday, now is the time to use them. If you are planning to purchase gifts cards as presents this year, check up on your retailer's health or opt for a "Mall Gift Card” instead.

No More Wall Paper Woes

No More Wall Paper Woes

If you've finally had enough of the brown floral wallpaper in your hallway then take some action! Removing wallpaper may seem like an overwhelming job but the end result's well worth the effort. You can of course rent a steamer or purchase chemically based wallpaper removal paste but we have two solutions below that are much less expensive and just as effective:

• Mix equal parts of white vinegar and hot water. Use a paint roller or large brush to apply the solution onto your wallpaper. Once it has throughly soaked through, the paper should peel off easily.
• Use a spray bottle filled with a half-and-half mixture of fabric conditioner and hot water and apply to the wallpaper. Leave on for about 30 seconds and then scrape and peel away.

Removing wallpaper can be a messy job so make sure you prepare the room first by laying drop cloths over your furniture and the floor and have a garbage can handy for cleanup. Once all the wallpaper has been removed, wash the walls with warm water and let them dry throughly before prepping the walls to be painted. Wallpaper's not as hard to remove as most people think so don't let it deter you from buying your next home.

Today's Tip For A Greener Life

Which Organic Foods Matter Most?

Research clearly shows that pesticides and chemicals in food adversely affect our health. The more we avoid exposure to these pesticides the better. Even if you wash your produce throughly, pesticide residue still remains and although peeling fruit will eliminate some of the pesticides, you'll also peel away nutrients and fiber.

Research clearly shows that pesticides and chemicals in food adversely affect our health. The more we avoid exposure to these pesticides the better. Even if you wash your produce throughly, pesticide residue still remains and although peeling fruit will eliminate some of the pesticides, you'll also peel away nutrients and fiber.

All certified organic foods must be produced according to strict rules and regulations without chemical pesticides. Buying organic food can be expensive so we've provided a list of fruits and vegetables that usually contain the highest and lowest levels of pesticides:

The Most Chemicals
peaches
apples
bell peppers
celery
nectarines

strawberries
tomatoes
green beans
raspberries
spinach

The Least Chemicals
onions
bananas
frozen sweet corn
pineapples
avocados
mangoes
frozen sweet peas
watermelon
cauliflower
kiwi fruit

We've only discussed fruits and vegetables in this article but other foods such as grains and rice also contain pesticides. Some dairy and meat products contain levels of antibiotics and growth hormones so it's important to educate yourself on the benefits of eating organically. Even if you're on a budget, using the above list will help you make wise, healthy choices that incorporate at least some organic foods.

Reaping Returns on Your Repairs

Before you put your home on the market, you'll need to take care of the various repairs you've been putting off as buyers factor these fix-ups into the purchase price and often overestimate the costs involved. They may also believe that other areas of the home have been neglected which can raise unnecessary red flags.

Here are some repair jobs that are well worth doing:

Flooring - Buyers almost always prefer hardwood floors so it pays to remove carpet and refinish them. If this isn't in your budget, consider painting them instead.

Kitchens & Bathrooms - Updating kitchens and bathrooms is one of the best ways to add value to a home. Buyers are put off by dirty grout so apply new caulking to freshen up the entire room. Lights and fixtures are also inexpensive and fairly easy to replace.

A Fresh Coat of Paint - Painting is one of the easiest ways to update your home. Choose a neutral shade and fill in cracks before repainting. Don't forget about the ceilings and make sure you also repair and paint your baseboards as they'll look dirty and beaten up when compared to your freshly painted walls.

Dripping Faucets - It may seem like a minor annoyance to you but to a potential buyer, a dripping tap can signal expensive plumbing repairs! Chances are, it'll only need a new rubber washer that costs less than a dollar so get down to your local hardware store and get it fixed.

Kitchen Cabinets - Many buyers decide whether your home is for them based on the feel of the kitchen. Repainting cabinets and adding new hardware can make a world of difference. If your counter has seen better days, a new counter top will update the entire kitchen without costing an arm and a leg. The Roof - “It needs a new roof” is a phrase that'll send shivers down a buyer's spine. If your roof needs replacing, it's better to do it now as buyers can get so turned off by the cost and hassle of getting a new roof that it can often be a deal breaker.

Buying a home is an emotional experience, so it's very important to create an incredible first impression that'll make buyers want to own your home the moment they set foot in it. You want your home to appear well looked after so take care of the jobs that seem minor like a small rip or stain on your carpet. Taking the time to do repairs to a home you'll soon be moving out of may seem like a hassle now, but it'll be well worth it in the end.

The Principles of Pricing

Pricing your home correctly is critical to a successful sale as it will help your home sell faster and for top dollar. Determining a home's asking price involves comparing similar homes that have recently sold while also investigating local market trends. In the end, the market will determine your selling price so it's critical you do your research upfront.

Start by evaluating the recent sales in your area that are similar in square footage and age. You'll also want to examine the number of bedrooms & bathrooms, the home's condition and other issues like surrounding houses (ie. is it the biggest house on the street). Don't forget to consider homes which have recently expired as well as those that are currently for sale.

Some people believe it's okay to list a home at a higher price because they can always reduce it later on; however, this often backfires as the home will develop a stigma if it sits on the market too long. A huge buzz is created when a new property hits the market but if it sits there, it will quickly lose its appeal and become stale. "How long has it been on the market?" is one of the first questions buyers ask. If it's been a while, they won't feel the need to make an offer right away. If on the other hand it's just been listed, there's a sense of urgency!

It's a common belief that sellers don't have anything to lose by overpricing their home as they won't lose out on any offers as they feel buyers will just offer what they feel is fair. This however isn't always the case since many buyers are hesitant to attach their name to a low offer as they don't want to insult the seller. Many buyers are intimidated by the negotiating process and feel they'll be wasting everyone's time with an offer that's so far off the asking price.

Timing is also a key issue. The Spring and Fall are traditionally the best times of year to sell so overpricing your home and having it sit on the market may mean you miss out on the peak time of year. Furthermore, carrying costs such as insurance, taxes and utilities will quickly build up if you get stuck carrying two homes at once.

Having your property sit on the market is also inconvenient as you'll need to keep it ultra clean for potential buyers who will want to come and see it on a moment's notice. Overpricing your property may also mean you unintentionally help your competition as buyers will see other homes in your area as better deals since they're less expensive. If you price your home at market value, those same buyers will consider your home more seriously.

Setting an asking price isn't an exact science and market factors (buyer or seller markets) make a huge difference so make sure you do your research ahead of time so you're able to best estimate a competitive asking price. The best case scenario when listing your home is that it sells quickly and for top dollar. To achieve this ideal scenario, make sure you don't overprice your home.

Fall 'Fix-Ups' For Your Home

Regularly maintaining your property helps to protect your most important investment. It's also much more cost effective to pro-actively fix problems before they occur rather once they're past the point of no return. Regular maintenance should be part of your routine so this year be organized with a Fall home maintenance checklist that includes the following:

• Oil door hinges to stop them from squeaking.
• Inspect your locks to make sure they're operating properly.
• Test and clean your carbon monoxide and smoke alarms.
• Remove any birds nests from electrical areas as they present fire hazards.
• Replace your furnace filter. They need to be replaced regularly and the Fall's a great time to do it.
• Check the weatherstripping on your windows and doors so warm air doesn't escape.
• Have your furnace serviced as it will increase its efficiency which will save you money.
• Clean leaves from gutters and test the downspout with a hose.
• Ensure water doesn't pool around your home as it can damage your foundation.
• Check your home's exterior for any holes that rodents could use to gain entry.

Performing these preventative maintenance tasks will help ensure small problems don't turn into big headaches that need to be professionally attended to on short notice. Just a little bit of time and planning will help you maintain your home's value. You'll also keep your monthly costs down as your home will be more efficient.

Today's Tip For Greener Living

The cost of gas is soaring at an out of control rate like we've never seen before but there are many simple tricks that will help you maximize your car's fuel efficiency. Follow this advice and you'll not only save money but you'll also be doing your bit for the environment. Here are a few great tips that will help you guzzle less gas and pocket more cash at the pump:

• Don't idle as it unnecessarily wastes fuel.
• Keep your tires inflated to the proper pressure.
• Don't constantly jam on your brakes and then rapidly accelerate.
• Regular tune-ups save gas by making your car more efficient.
• Carpooling every so often will make a huge difference to your fuel costs.
• Slow down - speeding increases fuel consumption by as much as 50%.
• Aside from being great for your car, regular tune-ups save gas by making your car more efficient.
• Remove unnecessary items from your car as the extra weight will reduce fuel efficiency.

The best way to cut back on fuel is to reduce the amount of time you drive so next time you're about to climb into the car and start the engine, ask yourself if you can just walk there instead. You'll save a lot of money by cutting out unnecessary trips and even better, your heart will thank you for the extra exercise!