The real estate market has improved, and it is a great time to purchase
a home, whether you are a first time homebuyer or you are thinking about a
home to fit your present needs. You¹ve been to the bank, you have a
pre-approval letter and a great real estate agent. Ready, Get Set, Let¹s
Go!!! You have chosen three homes to preview, and you are meeting your real
estate agent at the first home soon. Home #1 is so cute from the outside,
perfect for us and you just can¹t wait to see the inside. Your agent takes
the key out of the lock box, opens the door and ...........oh your eyes
immediately go to the deep gold shag carpet that covers the floors. Glancing
around the room, you notice the old cigar scented drapes that grace the
windows. Now we move into the kitchen....harvest gold appliances, vinyl
flooring and wonderful wallpaper with large brightly colored fruit printed
on it. Rose and cinnamon air freshener mixed with the scents of cigar smoke
and cat litter travels throughout the rooms. As you make your way room to
room, there is more wallpaper and gold shag carpet. Your agent is mentioning
the highlights, great location, new heating system, new siding, windows and
roof. Central air, fireplace, hardwood floors, large airy rooms, plenty of
closet space, etc., but you cannot hear a word that they are saying. Your
mind is caught up in a 60 's time warp. You are thinking was it my
grandmother that had this carpet? My mother had this wallpaper! Aunt Ethel
had these appliances and I think she still does. Oh, it smells in here.
 
    Next, we are moving on to house #2. The location is not quite as good,
no fireplace or central air. This home has some updates, but is in need of
many more. As you move through the rooms your mind begins to redecorate; you
can remove walls, maybe add an addition to meet your needs. The mechanical
systems are older, but functional. Your mind races to Thanksgiving; Could I
squeeze a large table in the living room? Or, should we still have
Thanksgiving at mom¹s!
 
     You move on to house #3, quietly and with not much hope. It¹s not in a
good location, but then your agent opens the door. You step inside and
.....oh...you are in complete disbelief! Hardwood floors! Beautiful color
paints adorn the walls, new lighting fixtures, this is it! Please write the
offer! You move to the kitchen...oh, oh stainless appliances, granite-like
counters, beautiful chrome lighting fixtures, tile floor. Oh, I have to have
this house! The furniture is perfect, just my taste! The palm tree in the
corner, the window treatments, the Pottery Barn accessoriesSI have to have
them, all of themSit¹s all just perfect. Your agent goes over the listing
print-out with you; older roof, furnace twenty years old, electrical and
plumbing need updating, no central air, windows and siding need to be
replaced, as well as the driveway. Once again you cannot hear your agent
speaking as your eyes and mind are too busy taking in every detail of this
beautiful home. Please just write my offer!
 
    Thank goodness you have selected an honest, caring real estate agent to
assist you. As reality takes over your mind, and you settle back down to
earth, your agent goes over a market analysis of comparable properties. They
also suggest and assist you in obtaining estimates for updating,  repairs
and replacements that the homes are in need of. Well, it was quite a day!

    Which home do you think should be purchased?
 
    When you are thinking about getting pre-approved and began looking for a
home, please call me. We will have funSI promise!
 
Sincerely,
Betty

413-263-3943

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