Tim Tierney Realtor Blog

Get Off the Fence

Tim Tierney — Sun, 20 May 2012 11:05:44 +0000

Whether you are a buyer or a seller it is time to get off the fence. Despite years of bad news surrounding the real estate market, the time has come when it is both a good time to be a buyer and a seller.

Why Buy?

Here are just a few reasons why you should get off the fence and buy:

1. When investors start gobbling up real estate you know it’s a good deal. In 2011, investors upped their buying by 64%. While it is still not time to start flipping for a profit the clock is ticking down to an uptick in prices.

2. Interest rates are historically low. You have been hearing this for a while but they are hovering right around 4%.

3. First-time buyers are in a unique position. They didn’t lose money in the housing market.

4. It’s a great deal! Prices are at all-time lows. So you may be saving as much as 40% off a home if you buy now.

Why Sell?

Here are just a few reasons why you should get off the fence and sell:

1. Inventory is shrinking. Demand is up and in certain areas and price ranges there is limited inventory so putting your home on the market now will most likely result in a sale.

2. Mortgage availability has stabilized. Mortgage restrictions are loosening and especially first-time buyers are able to get mortgages as they were not affected as much by the financial crisis.

3. Unemployment is not as bad as you think. One is 30 Americans is unemployed as a result of the recent financial crisis. There are lots of able buyers out there.

4. Houses are selling and some are even going to bidding wars. Homes that are priced according to the market are selling and selling quickly.

5. Don’t wait for prices to increase. This could be a long wait.

Open house at Blackstone, MA 01504

Tim Tierney — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:12:59 +0000

View Photos
Starts: 5/20/2012 1:00:00 PM
Ends: 5/20/2012 3:00:00 PM
For Directions: click on the map image or feel free to contact me.
For more information: click here for the full details

This 6 year old home has all the sq.footage-space you may need without all the yard work.The small lot is ideal with its beautiful in-ground pool & private back yard. Nice finished lower level play room & family room, with a walk out to the pool which is gated for the kids safety.Also the kitchen opens to a large gated deck going down to the pool area. 5 bedrooms & 3 of them have huge walk in closets. 3.5 bathrooms.All on 4 Levels. Seller may consider negotiating money back to buyer at closing.

Single-Family – Blackstone, MA 01504 now has a new price!

Tim Tierney — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:02:49 +0000

This is a Colonial style home and features 9 total rooms, 3 full baths, 1 half bath, 5 bedrooms, 0.11 Acres, and is currently available for $280.

For complete details click here.

Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Tim Tierney — Sun, 13 May 2012 11:07:39 +0000

Did you know that sealing and insulating your home is one of the most cost-effective ways to make a home more comfortable and energy efficient? It is a project that is also easily done yourself. The heating and cooling of your home accounts for about 50 percent to 70 percent of the energy used. So unless your home was built as an energy-efficient home, adding insulation will probably reduce your utility bills. Even a small amount of insulation-if properly installed-can reduce energy costs dramatically.

Energy Star has created a comprehensive do-it-yourself guide to sealing and insulating your home. The guide provides step by step instructions and photos to:

1.Learn how to find and seal hidden attic and basement air leaks

2.Determine if your attic insulation is adequate, and learn how to add more

3.Make sure your improvements are done safely

4.Reduce energy bills and help protect the environment

Click here to download the guide.

Make sure to check your state and local codes before starting any project and follow all safety precautions.

Home Sweet Office

Tim Tierney — Sun, 06 May 2012 11:06:12 +0000

With the recent growth in telecommuting, home offices are also becoming a necessity rather than a luxury. Home buyers are looking for a place where they can work, a place to pay bills or simply surf the net. Investing in a home office will help you now and may pay off later.

Have you always dreamed of a home office? Do you have an office that is overrun with papers? A home office is usually the place where junk finds its home. Getting that room into a place where organization is king can be easier than you think. Implementing an organizational system that has you working in peace with everything at your fingertips is easy if you follow these simple tips.

1. Choose the space. Think of all the things that you’ll need to work comfortably in your home office. You want to make sure the space will allow for your desk and chair and anything else you will need in your office.

2. Organize your space. Part of organizing means decluttering. If you have three staplers, six pairs of scissors you will need to get rid of anything extra. Clutter is very distracting and reduces efficiency. Identify a space for all the necessities. You need to identify a place for the printer, file cabinet, reference books and supplies.

3. Schedule the date and time for your office organization. Set aside a specific time and date to plan your space. If you have lots of files and file cabinets, make a decision on how much you want to get done in the initial session. You may need to plan several dates to complete the whole task.

4. Reorganize. Clean and organize your office at the end of each day. It will only take a few minutes and keep you on track to staying organized. Plan on reorganizing your office every three months or so.

By planning your home office space and getting it organized you’ll enjoy it more. Your work will be better, you’ll appreciate being at home, and you’ll have the perfect place to work–your home. Now focus on success!

Multi-Family – Blackstone, MA 01504 is now new to the market!

Tim Tierney — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:02:23 +0000

Unit 1 is rented, Unit 2 is now rented. Unit 3 in under renovation in this well cared for 3 Family home in a nice residential neighborhood on Bellingham & R.I. Line,walk to great shopping and schools & churches. All units have been recently rented for at least 900 per month,some for 1,100 per month. Great positive rental income for owner occupied family or for the 1st time or seasoned investor. More storage space in full basement. Individual electric,gas and gas hot water heaters & unit heaters

This property features 15 total rooms, 3 full baths, 9 bedrooms, 0.11 Acres, and is currently available for $224,900.

For complete details click here.

Home Sweet Condo

Tim Tierney — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 11:05:01 +0000

When it comes to searching for a home, there are a lot of factors that you have to consider. This is especially the case if you are shopping for condos, as you will be sharing a lot of common space with your neighbors as well. The first thing to look into is the overall interactivity that goes on within the block of condos you are considering to make your home. In most cases, it is always better to find a condo that has an interactive community, because this in turn means that you never have to worry that someone might not be doing their part in keeping the block of properties maintained and in good condition.

One thing to be careful of is that some communities do not allow pets, and so if you are looking for a condo for you and your pets, then you need to make sure that the community has no problem with this. In the end, you have to find a condo that is able to be comfortable to live in, and where there is the least amount of stress. While it can be very beneficial to live in a community, it can at times be stressful if you are not one to go by strenuous rules. For some people, the idea of owning a home means that they have the freedom of choice to do what they want in their property.

One of the most important things to look into when buying a condo is the condo fees. What are they and what will they be down the road? Are they set condo fees, or could they become too costly to pay down the road? Some condos fees go up to the point that makes the great price you got on the condo not look so great because of what you are paying in taxes and condo fees. One of pluses of a condo is no maintenance and a lot of people really like that especially in your later years when you don’t want to mow the lawn or shovel the sidewalks. A condo is a great option for many buyers and you can generally get into a condo for a fair price.

Clean Your House in No Time

Tim Tierney — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 11:05:01 +0000

Keeping the house clean is a real pain. It is a job that often becomes overwhelming. Doing just a little bit every day will help will help keep your home neat and clean in no time. Tips from this article from Real Simple is a basic plan to keep your home clean in just 30 minutes a day.

Kitchen

Clear out and wipe down the sink (5 minutes).
No piles of dirty dishes! Move them into the dishwasher, and wipe the sink with a sponge. .
Wipe down countertops and stove (1 minute). Clean splatters and spills with a damp cloth or sponge and an all-purpose cleanser.
Wipe problem spots on the floor (2 minutes). You can save a full-floor mop for the weekend, but use the same cloth (once you’ve finished with the countertops) to quickly clean any spills or sticky spots, which will attract dirt and get more noticeable if left alone.
Fold or hang dish towels (30 seconds). Even if they’re clean, a jumble of dish towels on the counter can look messy. Take a few moments to fold or hang them.

Bathroom

Wipe out the sink (30 seconds). If you use a premoistened cloth to wipe your face, swipe the sink bowl and faucet handles with it, too. Or use a washcloth, paper towel, or a product like Windex Glass and Surface Wipes, which don’t leave streaks on chrome or mirror.
Clean splatters off the mirror (15 seconds). Got foamy toothpaste spray on the mirror? Do a quick swipe with the same cloth you used on the sink.
Wipe the toilet seat and rim (15 seconds). Same cloth! Just do the toilet last.
Swoosh the toilet bowl with a brush (15 seconds). If you see a ring, give it a quick scrub.
Squeegee the shower door (30 seconds). Wipe down glass doors to remove water droplets that can cause spotting. No squeegee? Use a dry towel.
Spray the shower and curtain liner with a shower mist (15 seconds). A quick spray with a daily cleanser will reduce buildup of mildew and soap scum.

Bedroom

Make your bed (2 minutes). Even a fluffy down comforter pulled up over messy sheets will look polished.
Fold or hang clothes and put away jewelry (4 minutes). Even better: Resist the urge to toss them somewhere in the first place! Put them away as you take them off.
Straighten out the night-table surface (30 seconds). Take last night’s water glass to the kitchen, stow your reading glasses in a drawer, and straighten books or magazines.

Living Room

Tidy the sofa (2 minutes). It’s likely the focus of the room, so neaten it. Fluff the pillows and fold the throws.
Pick up crumbs with a handheld vacuum (1 minute). Concentrate on surfaces in plain sight: sofa cushions, coffee table, and rugs in the middle of the room. Look for dust bunnies, too.
Wipe tables and spot-clean cabinets where you see fingerprints (1 minute). Use a microfiber cloth or a Swiffer cloth to pick up dust. If the surfaces are streaked or sticky, use a moist cloth.
Straighten coffee table books and magazines (2 minutes). Toss old newspapers and corral the remote controls into one place (a drawer, if possible).
Clear major clutter (5 minutes). Stash video games, toys, and anything else you might trip over.

Single-Family – Blackstone, MA 01504 is now new to the market!

Tim Tierney — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 03:01:40 +0000

This 6 year old home has all the sq.footage-space you may need without all the yard work.The small lot is ideal with its beautiful in-ground pool and private back yard. Nice finished lower level play room & family room, with a walk out to the pool which is gated for the kids safety. Also the kitchen opens to a large gated deck going down to the pool area. 3 main living levels with 5 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. Priced to sell.

This is a Colonial style home and features 9 total rooms, 3 full baths, 1 half bath, 5 bedrooms, 0.11 Acres, and is currently available for $299,900.

For complete details click here.

How to Prepare for an Open House

Tim Tierney — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 11:05:27 +0000

Although not all homes are candidates for an open house due to location, condition or competition in the marketplace, you won’t know how much buyer traffic you will draw until you try. Exposure to potential buyers and to individuals who will talk about your home to others is almost always worthwhile.

Here are some tips from About.com on how to have the perfect Open House.

Best Time for an Open House

In many communities, Sunday afternoon is best.
Two hours is typical, but some are held open four hours, for example, from 1 to 5 PM.
Schedule your open house to avoid conflicts with holidays, community celebrations or special events such as the Super Bowl.
Check the weather forecast, too, because cold or rainy days tend to make people stay home.

At Least 7 Days Before Your First Open House

Host a broker preview. Invite agents and brokers to preview your home. Agents can give you valuable feedback about how your home shows and whether your home pricing will meet buyer expectations.
Move some furniture into storage. Sometimes sellers don’t want to cooperate with home staging. Smart sellers prepare a home for sale and move at least one piece of furniture out of every room. It makes the space look larger and more inviting to buyers — to the people whose opinion matters.
Remove items not included in the sale. Telling a buyer she cannot have your dishwasher because it’s too expensive to leave behind or that the ceiling fan does not stay with the house because your father gave it to you serves only to make the buyer demand it. If buyers don’t see it, they won’t want it.
Make arrangements for your pets to leave the house. Selling a home where pets live is difficult enough without advertising the fact that pets live there. Call a family member or friend and ask if they could take care of your pets for a few hours. Pets are also a distraction during an open house, and you want buyers to admire your home, not your pets.

48 to 72 Hours Before Your First Open House

Clean and scour the house top to bottom. Vacuum cobwebs from corners, wipe windowsills and wash the windows, inside and out. Forget preconceived notions about cleanliness — pay attention to small details and concentrate on making the home appear sterile.

Buff surfaces, appliances and floors to a gleaming shine.
Launder and fluff bedding, towels and rugs.
Touch up spots on the walls.
Sweep out the garage.
Prune bushes, deadhead flowers, clean the sidewalks and mow the lawn.

24 Hours Before Your First Open House

Most of your work should be completed by now, and any anxiety that is sometimes caused by last-minute chores should dissipate. At this point, your home sparkles and glitters. In fact, you may be thinking to yourself that the house looks too nice to sell! Consider if you are truly committed to selling, because if you’re going to experience seller’s remorse, you may as well work through that process before your first open.

Open all the windows to air out the house.
Bake or pick-up treats for your open house guests.
Give every room the “once over,” by standing in the doorways and scrutinizing the view.
Arrange flowers in attractive vases and place in appropriate places throughout your home to add color and floral fragrance.