Monday, February 29, 2016

Do Neighbors Affect Property Values?

One of the best things about a home can be wonderful neighbors. But sometimes, neighbors can also be an issue.

Loud noises, unkempt yards and barking dogs can have an impact on property value. When you tour a home, make note of more than just the house, be sure to consider your potential neighbors as well.

The discussion about neighbors and the community is an important conversation to have with your real estate agent, whether you are buying a house or selling. As a buyer, make sure your agent understands your wants and needs so your agent can help you find the home and the neighborhood of your dreams. As a seller, enlist your agent's help to identify potential neighborhood challenges to address before your home goes on the market.


What Buyers Can Do

If you're thinking of buying in a certain area, your agent can do  research on the neighborhood. It also is beneficial for you to visit the neighborhood at different times of the day on your own or with your agent so you can see what kind of atmosphere exists at night, in the early morning and other times of the day. Walk around the neighborhood and if neighbors are outside, talk to them. This will help you gain some first hand knowledge of the neighbors themselves and how they enjoy living in the area.

What Sellers Can Do

If you're planning to sell your home, talk with the owners of neighboring properties. Let them know you are selling your home and want to present the neighborhood in the best possible light.

Don't conceal real problems or create a facade during showings. But working with your neighbors to help get the neighborhood ready to show along with your home is perfectly acceptable.

As you're packing up your  belongings and trashing collected junk, offer neighbors the use of your collection bin for free to dispose of their unwanted items, especially those items in front yards or driveways that are unsightly.

As you're working on your own landscaping, consider buying a nice outdoor potted plant for the neighbors to place on their doorstep. Or go a step further and offer to help them tend their yard.

General Neighbor Relationship Tips

Have you already moved in and then discover a problem?  Here are a few tips that can help diffuse and resolve issues with your new neighbors.

1. Let the neighbors know about the situation and how it is causing a disturbance. Be courteous in your approach. It could very well be that your neighbors don’t realize the issue. By giving them the benefit of the doubt, you will be kinder in your approach, as well as received on a good note.

2. If your neighbors are hard to contact by phone or won't answer their door, leave them a short, polite note.

3. Addressing the issue is the first step. As a priority, offer to compromise and also offer solutions. This shows that you have thought this through and understand that to peacefully co-exist, both parties must be willing to do some work.

4. Be informed. Know the ordinances and regulations on noise, trash and curfews that govern your homeowner's association, municipality, county and/or state. Often times, if a home is in an HOA managed community, the association can handle the issue.

5. Don't forget the golden rule. If you want good neighbors, you should be one as well. By approaching the issues with empathy and understanding, you are most likely to have a successful dialogue and solution.

If you have a need for a real estate professional, please contact me. I would also appreciate your vote of confidence by passing my name to anyone you may know who would benefit from my services.



                      408.687.2026 |  Julie@JulieWyss.com | www.JulieWyss.com 

Ranked #21 out of over 16,000 real estate agents in Santa Clara County.

Monday, February 15, 2016

5 Tips from Real Estate Photographers

Contrary to what you might have heard, a buyer’s first impression is no longer the moment when they drive up to check out your curb appeal. In fact, more often than not, they’ve already seen your home inside and out online.

Most buyers spend weeks perusing online listings, texting must-see homes to their agent, and making judgements about homes purely based on images they've seen on the Internet.

Photos are the curb appeal of the digital age, and those shots have to be good.

Here are 5 tips from real estate photographers to ensure your home has online curb appeal.

1. Don't take your own photos

To get a good photo, you need the right equipment, including a high-end camera and some full-featured editing software  results in richer, more flattering photographs.

2.   Go for a simple and decluttered look

Your home will appeal to more people if it is depersonalized and has a 'model home' feel. Pack away family photos, knicknacks, counter clutter and small appliances. Go for a sleek, simplified look.

3. Dirt does show

A missed stain on the kitchen floor, dust on the mantel, slight discoloration in the carpet—it’s all going to show in the photos. The good news is, a pro can edit most of those things out, but your house should be as clean as possible before the shoot.

4. Check the weather

If a big storm is due to hit on the day of your photos, it may be wise to reschedule, especially if your newly tidied yards take a hit. A good photographer can turn a cloudy sky blue with editing software but can't easily remove leaves, branches and other debris littered across your lawns, or enhance a photo to remove a downpour. Having your yards in perfect condition for the photographer is definitely key.

5. Do a final sweep

Now that you've packed those extra items away and had your house and yards tidied, it's wise to do a final sweep. Pay extra attention to blinds, curtains, bedspreads, and shower curtains, making sure they are in place and smooth. Make sure the toilet lids are closed. Refresh the toilet paper rolls. All those little touches make a big difference.

Article excerpt from realtor.com

If you have a need for a real estate professional, please contact me. I would also appreciate your vote of confidence by passing my name to anyone you may know who would benefit from my services.


                      408.687.2026 |  Julie@JulieWyss.com | www.JulieWyss.com

Ranked #21 out of over 16,000 real estate agents in Santa Clara County.

Monday, February 1, 2016

7 Things Your Realtor Does Behind Your Back

For every hour an agent spends in your presence, he or she will spend an average of nine hours out of eyesight working on your behalf. Why? Because agents don’t get paid if they don’t close the deal!

So if you’re wondering what their commission is actually going toward, we’ve compiled a list of things agents do when you’re not watching.

They shop property online

Your agent's real estate research includes looking up flood zones, gathering property-specific data, researching schools and much more.

Plus, listings come and go fast in the real estate world, so agents need to check their multiple listing service database constantly. Sometimes the process of matching up properties with clients can take a lot of time.

They go prospecting

Many Realtors spend time driving around checking out new listings. This is a great way to preview properties, and network with other agents about your listings.


They spend their own money on marketing

In addition to not getting paid until a deal is done, selling agents also spend their own money on marketing: email marketing campaigns, newspaper ads, fliers & brochures, staging, photography, and placements on listing sites.

They write up offers and counteroffers

Offers and counteroffers are an extremely important part of the transaction, as they can save or net you thousands of dollars on a sale. Yet getting to the right price requires written offers and counteroffers every step of the way.

They stick around for inspections

You might not be present when it’s inspection time, but often your agent will be. This gives the agent an immediate knowledge of what issues a home may have. They will then make recommendations to their sellers on what to repair or to the buyer's on how to negotiate.

They smooth bumps in the road

Not every sale goes smoothly but good agents try to shield their clients from the high drama unless there’s a reason to fill them in. Agents put out fires, fixing issues that buyers and sellers don't need to be bothered with.

They keep you calm when the pressure’s on

Good agents don’t just hand you a house. They can also act as a therapist, making your sale much less stressful. Your agent  problem-solves and keeps a positive approach, coming up with positive solutions. 

If you have a need for a real estate professional, please contact me. I would also appreciate your vote of confidence by passing my name to anyone you may know who would benefit from my services.




            408.687.2026 |  Julie@JulieWyss.com | www.JulieWyss.com