Betty Bondi — Page 6 — Bondi Realty Group

The Truth about the Art of Home Staging!

Want to know a dirty little secret in the Real Estate industry on how to get more money for your home?

It’s all about staging your home for sale. The best staging, results in the best sold prices. Birgit Anich owner of a successful home staging company has great tips for sellers. Follow these guidelines and happy selling.

The Truth about the Art of Home Staging that Nobody Tells You

Staging has become one of the most common marketing tools used by today’s home sellers and Realtors to increase the speed of selling a property as well as selling it at the top market value.

There are many blogs and articles out there that give advice on staging your house or apartment. They all tell you the same thing: de-clutter, de-personalize, neutralizing, clean, do home repairs, fresh coat of paint, curb appeal, etc. So you have done all that and now you think you have staged your home.

Sadly, NO! There is one thing that all these articles don’t tell you: These things are only the precursors to staging! The most important step when staging is THE SHOWCASING!!

Every market area has a distinct target buyer and every property has unique features which need to be highlighted and showcased to capture the sophisticated eye of today’s buyers. A great staging, besides highlighting the desired features of your property, connects with target buyers on an emotional level. It presents buyers with a lifestyle experience they are dreaming of. After all, purchasing a house is typically the buyer’s single largest investment and they need to be able to see themselves living there. Only about 10% of buyers are visual. If the décor does not appeal to them, the home does not FEEL right and they will move on to the next property. This means also vacant houses and new constructions need to be showcased. Contrary to believes, vacant rooms appear smaller than those with furnishings and décor. A vacant property does not feel like a home. Buyers have nothing else to focus on other than negative details of the property. Buying a house is an emotional purchase, so bring the emotions in!!

Since every detail counts, the showcasing may involve adding or replacing décor, artwork, lighting, and sometimes also furniture in a strategic way, always keeping the target buyer in mind.

Birgit Anich, the president and principal designer of Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors, a numerous awards winning Norwalk based professional staging company, says “I have seen many stagings gone wrong as they were not emotionally connecting with the buyers and just did not FEEL right. Our company specializes in the most advanced staging techniques. We create a property specific staging design, instead of using “cookie cutter staging”. Once your home is on the market it becomes a product and needs to be marketed as such. Our properties never look the same as we believe that in order to stand out from the competition it needs to be different and showcasing it as being unique.”

Did you know that professionally staged homes sell on average 73% faster than unstaged properties as per a study conducted by the Real Estate Staging Association. The National Association of Realtors has conducted a study showing that 71% of realtors estimate that staged properties sell for a higher price, some for up to 20% more.

About the author: Birgit Anich, president of Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors, has helped hundreds of home sellers successfully sell their properties. She won many most prestigious awards in the industry such as the HOBI Award 2014 for Outstanding Staging (Home Builders Association of CT), Professional Stager of the Year 2013 in North America (Real Estate Staging Association), HOBI Award for Best Interior Design 2012, Top 10 Re-Designer in North America 2013, Best of Houzz Awards 2015 & 2014, and more.

For questions call 203.807.4040 or visit www.BirgitAnich.com.

Betty Bondi
Bondi Realty Group LLC
203-899-9990

Local Real Estate News sales report for 2015

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Local Real Estate News forecast for 2015

Happy New Year! 2014 was a very good year for our local real estate market.

We are looking at another good year ahead if our economy stays on track! I expect more first time home buyers will be searching for their new home. Many sellers who have been waiting for values to increase may be ready to put their house on the market very soon. This will create a nice balance which will translate into a good market for all.

Low mortgage rates are currently in effect for 2015, with many small banks offering fantastic loan programs. Smart buyers should take advantage of this to purchase their new homes.

Here are the latest statistics from Consolidated Multiple Listing system.

As we enter 2015, Norwalk’s housing market activity is holding steady. The inventory is similar compared to last year at this time. We currently have 248 single family homes and 118 condos active in the market. As always, the nicest listings that are priced correctly sell the fastest and for the highest price.

Last quarter numbers (October to December) show 149 single family and 84 condos sold. This is wonderful news and hopefully it will continue.

Westport’s active housing inventory is also holding steady. Currently, active listings are 232 single family and 5 Condos for sale. Westport’s last quarter numbers are showing 97 single family and 8 condos sold.

Wilton single family and condo sales are similar numbers last year at this time. The current active inventory is holding tight at 99 single family and 9 condos. Last quarter numbers are showing 49 Single family homes and 3 condos sold.

This is great news for home sellers & buyers. Sales are moving in the right direction and the spring market should be very strong this year. Prices are holding steady with no huge increases on the horizon. We think the winter market will be strong this year if the weather cooperates as there are still a few deals to be had. Contact us today for all of your real estate needs! We are Norwalk’s number 1 real estate company!!

Betty Bondi
Bondi Realty Group LLC
203-899-9990

Bondi Realty Group loves giving back to the community!!

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It’s been 27 years since I decided to become a Realtor. There are many challenges that came with this decision, but I have learned to overcome them. Life’s lessons have helped me become the person I am today, which I apply every day in my business. You should treat others as you want to be treated. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Keep calm, helping everyone keep the line of communication open between all parties involved throughout the buying or selling process. Have a great team in place to help handle whatever comes up.

This time of the year compels you to reflect on what is important in your life. Family, friends, good health and giving back to the community, not only does it connect you to like-minded people, it’s just vital to our lives.

Betty & Peter Bondi of Bondi Realty Group created a non-profit called Reggie’s Pet Project Inc. This 501C3 organization is named after our beloved Dachshund Reggie, who was a member of our family for 20 years. Reggie was an energetic happy little dog who had a huge personality in a tiny body. He was such an inspiration to us as he aged and just never wanted to give up. We still miss him every day and want to help others keep their pets in their lives as long as possible.

Reggie’s Pet Project Inc. provides financial assistance to pet owners who are unable to cover the full cost of their pet’s critical or emergency veterinary care. Our mission is to enhance and preserve the quality of life of animals by providing access to necessary medical care and education. Based on established criteria, Reggie’s Pet Project provides financial grants to animal owners who are unable to partially or fully cover the cost of their pet’s emergency or critical care. As many people today experience increasing economic challenges, their pets are suffering too. The number of people who cannot afford critical medical care for their sick or injured pet is growing at an alarming rate.

In what is being labeled as ‘economic euthanasia,’ these beloved companions are being euthanized because their owners cannot afford the often unexpected cost of treatment needed to save their lives. Reggie’s Pet Project Inc. was created to address this tragedy. What started out as a beautiful vision to stop the surrender and euthanasia of beloved family pets, has become a supportive center where families in crisis can get a helping hand to save their pets’ lives.

While there are wonderful charitable groups focused on finding homes for pets without families, Reggie’s Pet Project Inc. will work in conjunction with local veterinarians dedicated to saving the lives of pets that are already in loving homes, but whose families cannot pay for all or part of the emergency or critical care they need to survive.

Reggie’s Pet Project Inc. relies solely on donations to continue its mission of providing access to life saving veterinary care and to enhance and preserve the quality of life for these loving pets.

This is something that is very near and dear to our hearts. We work hard to make our business a success. When a sales transaction is completed successfully, we take part of the commission funds and donate them to our cause. We have saved the lives of several dogs and cats. These family members are forever grateful that we could help. It puts a smile on our face to know we can do this. However, we can’t do this alone. I love writing the real estate articles to help guide the consumer through the real estate process and have appreciated all the great feedback along the way. We are now asking for your help so we can continue to help others. Please consider donating to a wonderful cause. You can either contact us or donate directly though the website www.reggiespetproject.org.

Wishing you a wonderful Holiday Season and a Fabulous New Year!

Betty Bondi
Bondi Realty Group LLC
www.Bondirealtygroup.com

Understanding Buyer Agency CT

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Understanding Buyer Agency CT

Are you ready to purchase your new home? What is the best way to find a good realtor? Most buyers find one through a friend or family member. Or perhaps you will find an agent on Zillow, Trulia or Realtor.com. No matter how you meet, just be sure you want to work with that agent before you commit to a long term buyers agency agreement. You want to be sure you can work together and are on the same page when it comes to making one of the biggest and most important purchases in your life. When you first meet with the agent, they will usually ask you to sign a buyer’s agency agreement for a long period of time. Before you sign know that you have options. If you want to test drive your agent you can sign an agreement only for the properties they show to you. You can also sign for a week, month or longer period of time. Every contract is negotiable. In the state of Connecticut there are buyer agency laws. There are many ways to work with an agent and hopefully this article will explain the issues before you sign.

This information is from the Real Estate Division – Department of Consumer Protection.

General Information

A Buyer’s agent represents the interests of the buyer in a real estate transaction. The Buyer’s agent’s responsibilities to the buyer are: undivided loyalty, obedience, diligence, disclosure, confidentiality, accounting, and reasonable skill and care. All duties are fiduciary — they are owed exclusively to the buyer – NOT to the seller.

The Buyer’s Agent Role

During the search process, the Buyer’s agent:

Arranges property showings that meet the buyer’s needs
Provides information that the buyer requests about the home or property, community, taxes, utilities and zoning, or refers the buyer to appropriate information sources
Discloses any material facts about the property of which the agent has knowledge.

During the offering process, the Buyer’s agent:

Prepares a competitive market analysis of the property for the buyer
Counsels the buyer on what price to offer to the seller
Shows what other buyers are paying for property in the area.
Assists in writing an offer with the buyer’s interest in mind
Negotiates the best price and terms for the buyer
Keeps the price capabilities and objectives of the buyer confidential, and maintains anonymity if desired.

During the closing process, the Buyer’s agent:

Assists with the loan application process
Monitors all dates, events and requirements for the buyer
Should attend the closing with the buyer.

Important Things to Know While Working with a Buyer’s Agent

When you hire an agent to help you buy a home, the agent must be working for you — and only for you.

The duration of your agreement with the agent is negotiable.

Before signing, get answers to all your questions. Be sure you’re comfortable with the agent and that you understand and agree with all the terms of your contract agreement.

The contract must have a beginning date, an ending date, and be signed by all parties to the contract.

IMPORTANT! A contract signed between you and the agent is legal and binding on all parties. You must receive a copy at the time that you sign.

Don’t sign any blank documents or papers that you don’t understand. Contact an attorney for assistance.

Once your contract is signed, your real estate agency may show you some homes of sellers that they represent. If you choose to buy a home from a seller who also happens to be a client of your agency, the agency is obligated to provide both you and the seller with a “Dual Agency Consent Agreement” form for you to sign.
Real estate agents and brokers are prohibited from engaging in the practice of law and must not give legal advice.

Have a professional home inspection done on any property that you are seriously considering. The home inspector should be someone you choose yourself, not someone chosen by an agent.

There is no rule that the seller must accept your offer, nor are there requirements as to which offer or counter-offer the seller must accept. Sellers have the right not to sell if they choose, as long as their intent is not to promote discriminatory practices.

Remember, you have the final word on any decision. Don’t let an agent pressure or hurry you into making a choice that you’re not sure about.

Good Luck and Happy home hunting!

Betty Bondi
Bondi Realty Group LLC
203-899-9990

2014 Fall Real Estate Market News Norwalk, Westport, Wilton

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The lovely fall weather and low interest rates are keeping buyers motivated at this time of the year! Inventory is down again, which is limiting choices and helping to get rid of some of the older inventory. Sales numbers are holding steady and pending sales are looking good. Our summer market was stable, but as of now the buyers and sellers are ready for action before the winter hits.

Here are the latest statistics from Consolidated Multiple Listing system for the third quarter.

Inventory in Norwalk is down a bit compared to last quarter with 363 single family and 170 condos on the market right now. Home sales are holding steady with the third quarter showing similar numbers with181 single family homes and 66 condos sold. Next quarters numbers are off to a good start at with 93 pending sales.

Westport inventory is down from last quarter showing 330 single family homes and 16 condos for sale right now. Single family sales are up from the second quarter. The numbers show a total of 113 sales last quarter compared to131homes and 9 condos sold in the last three months. The next quarter numbers are looking good with a total of 33 properties which are under contract at this time.

Wilton single family inventory is also down from the first quarter showing 182 single family homes for sale as of October 1^st. Condo inventory is holding steady, showing 7 units for sale. Wilton sales are down a bit from the second quarter. The numbers show a total of 84 sales in the second quarter compared to 75 homes and 9 condos sold within the last three months. Home sales under contract are down for the next quarter showing a total number of 12 at this time.

Our local real estate market is still on the move, despite the fact home prices are still in the adjustment phase. Experience shows, homes in great condition with current updates are more desirable to buyers and receive the highest prices. It is very important to listen to your experienced real estate agent when they present the Market Analysis report on your property. Careful research using recently sold properties are the best way to find the right price for your home. We are entering the last quarter of the year and the buyer momentum is there. Many of the families we are working with want to be in their new home for the Holidays. Let the sales continue!!!

Betty Bondi
Bondi Realty Group LLC
203-899-9990

Norwalk Fall Real Estate Market Preview

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The summer weather has been glorious this year! There was a short burst of activity from mid-April to the beginning of July. The beautiful weather sent all of the buyers and sellers on vacation and thoughts and visions of new home purchases went with them, which has resulted in a very slow local real estate market.

Buyers should use this slow time to get all of their financing in order. I cannot stress enough, how important it is to have this done ahead of time. You may be very disappointed if your homework is not complete. Mortgage brokers have time to work with you right now and can give you a loan approval based on your financial criteria. All lenders are not equal, so shop around to find one with low interest rates and a good track record with successful closings.

It looks as though most of the buyers are searching for that perfect home online although we have met buyers out there winging it on their own at open houses. This is a good way to start, but talking with a professional experienced Realtor is the way to go. They will educate and inform you, help negotiate the deal and guide you through the process when you are ready to purchase a home. You will be more successful working with an agent who understands your target area, wish list and budget.

Sellers have noticed the slowdown in activity and there has been quite a bit of drastic price reductions everywhere, especially in the over $500,000 price point. I don’t think there will be much if any further increase in property values this year as the market is constantly adjusting itself. Because the market got off to a slow start, we are hoping that Inventory will increase in the upcoming months which will result in a having more homes to choose from and increasing competition among listings. Sellers should use this time to paint, de clutter and make improvements and repairs so their home will shine far and above the other listings. Don’t forget to clean both inside and outside. This has a huge impact on how your home looks to potential buyers.

Buyers are enjoying the price reductions and are on the lookout for good values. Most buyers don’t have that extra money for improvements and are looking for homes already updated. Sellers need to take note of this. Buyers will pay market value for your home, but not more than that. If the home needs updating they will add that cost to the bottom line and want to make sure they are not over extended. There is so much information on the internet these days; they already have a pretty good idea of what your home is worth before they come through the door. Keep in mind the bank will consider recent sales in your neighborhood when completing an appraisal for anyone applying for a mortgage.

We are approaching the third quarter of the year and will have the closing sales numbers at the end of the month. Follow our suggestions and both buyers and sellers will be successful and happy with their housing transaction this fall.

Betty Bondi Bondi
Realty Group LLC
203-899-9990