Last Updated
Wednesday, March 07, 2001 11:57 PM

The Mason Town Council wants to become more sensitive and interactive to the needs of the community. In order that we may better serve you please feel free to drop us an email or contact the Mayor or a Council Member at the links to the left.

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Trying to save money by buying a home in a less attractive neighborhood, or buying one with detriments, is a very poor economy. You may spend less going in, but the rate of appreciation will be less and you won’t get as much when you sell. Much better to buy a more modest home in a good neighborhood, than a larger one in a less desirable area.

Residential property value is determined not just by what a home is, but by where it is. Two identical homes can easily vary by thousands of dollars in value because of the community or section of town it is located in.

Be particularly careful about buying near conditions that can adversely affect value:

• proximity to business establishments, railroad tracks, and factories
• heavily traveled streets or those with fast-moving traffic (Some might say “I don’t mind living on a busy street.” Just remember that most buyers who are looking when you get ready to sell probably won’t share that view, particularly if they have younger children, and you’ll suffer financially for it.)
• nearness to police, fire stations and schools (Having a school nearby is a plus. Being next to one or across the street from it isn’t.)
• – proximity to anything that produces noise or unpleasant odors

An experienced real estate agent can also point out detriments to a property’s location which would not be immediately observable to a home buyer, particularly if the buyer is not familiar with the area. For example, a peaceful little town with a cozy main street may become a major shortcut for getting to a resort area in the summer months.

Ask any agent you work with directly if there are any detriments to the value or enjoyment of the property in the immediate area. All real estate agents have an affirmative duty to deal fairly with any prospective buyers they interact with, and to always tell you the truth, irrespective of whom they represent, If you want to sell your house or buy a new house of your dreams, contact Becky Bauer The Realtor, she is a professional in the field and will guide you to the best possible offer and help you with pointing out detriments in the neighborhood.

Irrespective of the opinions of some, the mixed composition of a neighborhood is not a property “detriment”. Real estate agents are forbidden by law to provide any information on the racial, religious, or ethnic composition of a neighborhood. As President Kennedy noted: “Everyone doesn’t have to agree with the law, but everyone has to obey it.”

Any real estate broker or agent who provides information on the racial, ethnic or religious composition of a neighborhood is either ignorant of the law, which would be virtually impossible to imagine or dismissive of the law’s requirements. In either case, she/he is someone you shouldn’t be working with. Any licensee who is that dumb can only cause you harm as well.

It is perfectly legitimate however for a buyer to inquire where the nearest Catholic high school is located or to ask how far the home is located from a Baptist church or a synagogue, although property advertisements may not contain such specific information.

School systems are very important to many buyers. I would buy only in communities where the school system has an excellent reputation. It will also provide the obvious added benefit of providing your children with a quality education. Even if you don’t have school-age children now, trying to sell a home and getting a premium price in a community where the school system is not well regarded can be an uphill effort.

An added bonus with a better neighborhood is a more pleasant living environment and better living in the form of better schools, recreational facilities, and shopping, as well as the benefit of getting more when you sell. Always buy as if you have to sell. Someday you’ll have to — often sooner than you think, as a result of unforeseen job relocation, realization that a larger or smaller home is needed, divorce, death, and other causes.

If you are one of the unfortunate people that have been laid off and the only available jobs require significant pay cuts, then you will probably have to get rid of your house and downgrade. You don’t want to be burdened by the payments, but you don’t want to give it away either. Following these simple tips that cost nothing can help you sell your house fast and get back on track with your life.

Clearing Clutter in the Home

Just because you love your home the way it is, doesn’t mean it is appealing to everyone. The first thing you need to do is de-clutter everything. Below are some specific areas that tend to get cluttered:

• Kitchen: The countertops should be clear of anything except a decorative bowl of fruit or a plate of cookies for people going through your house. Simplicity is important in the kitchen. Remove open storage unless it is part of the design. Industrial metal shelving is not a selling point in a French colonial house.
• Bathrooms: Make sure that all doilies, soaps, and extra toilet paper rolls are neatly stowed away in cabinets. Remember, people will look in the cabinets. The more organized and clean the cabinets, the more spacious the home feels.
• Living Areas: Televisions should not take up an entire wall of a living room. If you have a 60 inch TV in space, chances are it is too large for the space and will make the room look significantly smaller. Remove the TV entirely from the space for the duration of you showing the home. This gives you a chance to accent other portions of the living room.
• Bedrooms: Define a bedroom as a bedroom, not an office. People will always be able to picture an office space but have a harder time seeing rooms as bedrooms without bedroom furniture.

Cleaning

Your home should be spotless. There should be no sign of pets, odors, or stains that will keep people from looking at the rest of the house. If your carpet is beaten up, ask some friend to loan you some area rugs that compliment your décor. This will hide much of the condition of the carpeting if it is in bad shape and cannot be cleaned with a carpet cleaner.

De-Personalize

If you have a lot of pictures of your family and friends, pack them up and replace them with artwork. Chances are your friends will have old artwork that they do not have on the walls anymore that you can use. Even an old mirror can work well on walls and create more light and the illusion of a larger space.

Professional Representation

If you truly need to sell your house in a hurry, hire a real estate agent like Becky Bauer. They will price it to sell and get you out of the house faster than you could do it yourself. You may be giving up some profit, but it is worth it to escape the financial burden and credit troubles that can occur from holding onto a property you can’t afford.

Using these tips will give you a better chance at selling your home quickly and getting your life back on track. Remember to keep it simple. Borrow what you can from friends and work with what you have. You will be amazed at the transformation that occurs from a little bit of ingenuity and a lot of elbow grease.

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