The Kasey Group's Blog

Looking for the perfect home can be a time consuming and challenging process but it can also be a great learning experience.  We all know that kitchen and baths sell homes and of course Location, Location, Location but don't forget the BASEMENT!

Ask your agent about the furnace/boiler, the hot water heater, the electric panel, and if applicable any central air or well equipment.  While agents aren't experts in heating, cooling, etc... The good ones have sold enough homes to learn what to look for.

Ask them-you can always remodel the kitchen later.

By Stacy Pfannkuch on July 30, 2010

The Kasey Groups Sells...

Job Offering: House Sitting Services Sunday afternoon 12-3:00  

I know no Realtor would offer this because they are probably booked at an open houses on Sunday at that time.  However, if all you are doing is marketing the open house in the local paper, isn't this really what is being offered?  Haven't we all had open houses where only 1 or 2 people showed? 

If I am going to take my Sunday afternoon and hold an open house, I want them to be efficient, so I do the following:  

• Knock on at least 50 of the neighbor's houses to invite them (we know that if one house lists, usually two or more in the area do as well).
• Contact any agent who has a comparably priced or comparably listed home.
• Advertise as a featured listing on Listingbook.com (where over 60K buyers search for homes that are suited to their criteria).
• Put up an Open House rider on my sign for anyone who is driving by.
• Put up ample signage leading to the house on the day it is open with balloons (the open houses with balloons seem to get a better turn out...I think that it is a Pavlov-response from when we were kids, whereas balloons=cake).
• Staging ideas for the seller to make sure the house is in the best condition.
• Notify the agents who visited the house on tour the following Thursday or Friday.

And, of course the obvious: Ad in the local paper and on various real estate websites.

I'm always looking for ideas, anything I missed?

By Karin Stocknoff on July 29, 2010

The Kasey Group Sells...

When selling your home you might think you're already there when the offer comes in --But that's just the start of the journey.

You still need to get through inspections, appraisal, and the mortgage process before you get the the closing.

A couple tips... leave out some cookies and a note for your buyers at the time of the inspections.  It's a stressful time and knowing what you've enjoyed about the home and a snack can help.

Leave any receipts for repairs too.  It's great for the inspector to reference.

And don't forget, while packing designate a kitchen drawer for all the appliance manuals, extra keys, and garage door openers then Happy Moving Day!!

By Stacy Pfannkuch on July 22, 2010

The Kasey Group Sells...

Timing is everything!  Have you ever heard that one?  Well in real estate no truer words have ever been spoken.   You know this can apply to the up market, the down market, the interest rates. 

How about this.. getting through the door to that really great new listing!  Timing is everything.  Are you working with an agent who is actively looking for your next home?  

If you are really ready to move you need to see the homes first, as soon as they hit the market.   Great homes come..but they also go...if your agents timing is off, you will miss out.

By Megan O'Connell Albright on July 21, 2010

The Kasey Group Sells...

New Mill Rates went into effect as of July 1, 2010.  

•  Bridgeport- 39.64
• Fairfield- 19.27
• Milford- 28.44
• Monroe- 28.26
• Newtown- 24.00
• Shelton- 18.61
• Stratford- 33.32
• Trumbull- 24.54  

Multiple your assessment by the mill rate and you will have you new tax amount.  

ex:  250,000(assessment) x 33.32(Stratford mill rate)= 8,330,000 new tax amount- $8,330  

Due to the market fluctuation some towns have done a blanket reassessment while others have reassessed properties on a case-to-case basis. Contact your town hall for more information.  

By Heather Rebb on July 14, 2010

The Kasey Group Sells...

Everything Comes Back Into Vogue...Even the good stuff like Interest Rates.

50 Years Ago...

• Johnny Cash plays 1st of many free concerts behind bars.
• US Army promotes Elvis Presley to Sergeant and ends his 2 year hitch in the Army a few months later.
• Jimi Hendrix plays his 1st gig.
• Wilt Chamberlain sets NBA playoff record of 53 points.
• Chubby Checker releases The Twist and it becomes #1 on the charts.
• The Beatles give their 1st Public Performance  

You know what else happened 50 years ago?  Interest rates were as low as they are today!  

Now you tell me... is now a great time to buy or sell??? 

By Karin Stocknoff on July 12, 2010

The Kasey Group Sells...

You've heard the saying ‘what goes up must come down' but what about ‘what goes down must come up'?

Over and over again you hear people discuss how the ‘market is bad', ‘homes aren't selling', ‘people can't get mortgages', etc... STOP BUYING INTO THE HYPE!

My team and I are living proof that homes are selling, people can get mortgages, and it isn't a bad market, it's just different.

Want to get your home sold?  Price it aggressively and work with an agent that knows your market and has a marketing strategy.

Want to buy a home?  Get educated on the mortgage process, different market means different mortgage guidelines, speak with a reputable mortgage broker, and find a professional real estate agent (we know some great ones in Fairfield County,CT).

Take advantage of the record low interest rates and housing prices because like I said in the beginning what goes down must come up!

By Heather Rebb on July 9, 2010

The Kasey Group Sells...

So often we call short sales "long sales".  The process, which you would think would be very straight forward, often takes at least 3 months for a bank to respond!  And many times, an already patient buyer has decided to pursue a house that does not have a "third party" or "bank" contingency, setting the seller back to marketing their home for sale. 

So what can you do?  You've heard that the best defense is a good offense, so coming to the table before an offer is even received with the following can ensure that you have done your best in moving the file through the system. 

SHORT SALE REQUIREMENTS

•  Hardship Letter  
• Last 2 months' pay stubs or an explanation of why you are not working  
• Last 2 months' bank statements  
• 2009 Tax Returns  
• A financial breakdown of your income, assets and expenses  
• Hire an attorney experienced in the short sale process and is ready and willing to work on your behalf 

One last piece of advice, whether buying or selling make sure you work with an agent who is educated/experienced with the short sale process.

By Karin Stocknoff on July 8, 2010

The Kasey Group Sells...

So June 30th came and went.  Surprisingly, the earth did not stop spinning with the end of the tax credit.   But what to do now?   It was easy talking to buyers about capturing this once in a lifetime opportunity...it was all the buzz and everyone wanted a part of it.  

So where will the excitement come from now?   The excitement needs to come from you!  Call all those lucky ones, your new past clients...remind them how smart they were to get into their new home and ask them for referrals.    They are excited!   They have been telling everyone about their house, now you need them to tell everyone about you.   You did a great job finding them their home and navigating them to a timely, tax credit worthy closing.  Be sure to specifically ask, do you know anyone looking for a home?   This is a great source of new business. 

You worked hard for your client, let them work hard for you!

By Megan O'Connell Albright on July 7, 2010

The Kasey Group Sells...

FSBO... What does it stand for?

HAFA... potentially the trickiest acronym of all in the Real Estate field, but not if you know the process.

In order to reduce the number of foreclosures in the US, the Treasury Department introduced a new federal program that makes it easier to process a short sale for people unable to keep their homes.

Check out www.makinghomeaffordable.com for more information.

And by the way, Home Afforable Foreclosure Alternative (HAFA).

By Karin Stocknoff on July 6, 2010

The Kasey Group Sells...