Saturday, October 20, 2012

Sellers Advice-Price Your Home Right

Price Your Home Right for whom?
 
People often think selling a home is free. In fact, successful sellers must have a budget for marketing their home.

This is the most asked question by clients: "How do I price my home?" The answer will be different and situational.
-What's your motivation? Newly divorced, widow/widower, downsizing, upsizing, job transfer, relocation or closer to family?
-This will vary if the home in a custom-built area or a master-planned community of non-custom homes.

  1. Play up what is special about your property.
  2. Determine who is your target audience?
  3. Once you discuss this with your agent, be sure there is targeted outreach.
The first reality check is having at least three comps (Homes that sold in a comparable price range) from your neighborhood within a mile or gated master-planned community. You are in direct competition with comparable properties.

People make judgments about furniture
Be sure your furniture is well placed and in good condition with accessories.

Items to consider:
-You may require professional staging—Ask me about staging tips. This process may actually remove items to open rooms to appear more spacious.
-Paint using calm, complimentary tones.
-Accessorize with plants and mirrors.
-Provide a fresh door mat.
-Keep kitchen sink clean and clear.
-Wash windows inside and out.
-Toilets flushed.
-Carpets cleaned. 
-Improve grout condition.
-Kitchen counters free of clutter.

Immaculately white-glove clean on all surfaces
-Light bulbs replaced
-Cooking and pet odors are a big turn off for prospects.
-Garage is part of the house: Must be neat and clean
-Put extraneous items in storage
-Give it away.
  
Have a pet strategy like animal daycare:
-Fragrance vs. odor—Avoid fragrances that may be offensive. 
-People have allergies to them.
-Use spray fresheners sparingly.

Great curb appeal makes you memorable and forms that hard-to-shake first impression.
It is PULL marketing attracting people who will put you on their top property list.
  • Landscaping well maintained, creative architectural plan
  • Lighting
  • Manicured yard
Buyers mentally score points for the following:
  • Exposure on the lot—north/south is the most popular. It depends on where people come from. Canadians have different preferences than Europeans, for example.
  • What can you mask on your lot if there are obstacles like traffic, proximity to other homes.
  • For example, fountains are a useful way to add ambiance while minimizing street noise. Trellises with rich vines can cover a bleak wall.
  • Clean garage entry door.
Consider what you see first when entering from the front door.
  • Clutter impairs ability to imagine their things in the space.
  • Colors, accent colors are personal preferences. However, busy designs and loud colors are off putting to some people.
  • Neutral tones are benign.
  • Put prescription medications and valuables in safe deposit box.
Tips for open houses:
  • Consider having hard wrapped candy, not messy chocolate!
  • Bottled water is courteous.
  • Use a guest book—if people don't have a business card
  • Fish bowl drawing for a report or download.
  • Provide an inexpensive away with a photo of your property on a book mark.This makes you memorable especially when prospects see many places.
Consider these Resources for inexpensive touches and accessories:
-Pier 1
-World Market

It's up to us to position your property as the best value and dealWe work as a team to accomplish that and sell your home.

Regards,
Ted



Tuesday, August 28, 2012

How to Make A Difference/Race for the Cure Team Trilogy

GO WITH TEAM TRILOGY TO KOMEN RACE FOR THE CURE
Sunday, October 14

Once again, our Trilogy neighborhood will have the opportunity to take part in Race for the Cure! What a great way to support an important cause, get some exercise, and enjoy an outing with neighbors! This year our goal is to have 100 people on TEAM TRILOGY.

BUS TRANSPORTATION  
Leave the driving and parking to us! Join the Trilogy team on the bus that will take us to the race in downtown Phoenix and home again. Sign up for the bus at the Kiva Club Guest Services desk by October 10.

Friends and family outside of Trilogy are welcome to join TEAM TRILOGY and take the bus, too! Cost for the bus is $10.00 per person, kept at a reduced rate for the eighth year, as Ted and Lana Friedman underwrite the cost difference for the bus.
-The bus departs promptly from Trilogy at 7:00 a.m. The 5K walk (3.1 mile) is at 8:40 a.m. -The bus will leave downtown promptly at 10:15 a.m. to return to Trilogy.


REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Register for the 5K WALK online (Adults: $30, Breast Cancer Survivors: $20, Youth, age 12 & under: $15) at  http://www.komenphoenix.org/komen-race-for-the-cure/teams. Click on “JOIN A TEAM”. Be sure to sign up on-line by September 28 by 5:00 p.m. to be a part of TEAM TRILOGY and to receive a FREE MAILING of your race bib and Komen t-shirt.  Team captain is Ted Friedman.  If you need help signing up online, stop by the Kiva Club Member Services desk.  Someone there will assist you in registering online.
TEAM TRILOGY T-SHIRTS   TEAM TRILOGY members will also receive a special complimentary team t-shirt to wear at the race.  Three years ago, for the first time, we had team t-shirts, thanks to several sponsors!  Our team was announced by the M.C. as we passed the start line.  The team members were very proud to represent our neighborhood!

RACE FOR THE CURE PASTA NIGHT
Race for the Cure Pasta Night is at the Kiva Club, Thursday night, October 11. The Cost will be announced. If you would like an email update, please contact Lana directly.
ALL Trilogy residents and guests are invited to attend! Come out and support the team!  Team members will receive their TEAM TRILOGY t-shirts at the dinner and breast cancer survivors will be recognized and honored.

For additional information, please contact Ted & Lana Friedman, Contact Lana directly
RSVP—623-476-2491 call or text
More information at Race for the Cure Komen.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Tips from Ted—East Valley Eatery

People always ask me about where to go around town. Whether you're visiting from out of state, enjoying special events with family or just love a great deal, enjoy a meal at Buster's on the Lake in the east valley.

Buster’s on the Lake, Scottsdale, Arizona (Via de Ventura & Hayden)
480-951-5850
8320 N. Hayden Road

This is a great spot for client meetings overlooking the lake on McCormick Ranch.
Enjoy a range of deductibles from sliders ($4.95) to baby back ribs (half slab $10.95 with coleslaw), don’t miss these happy hour specials. Treat yourself when over in Scottsdale.
Daily 3-7pm.
Cosmo Martinis $5
Domestic drafts $2.50

I'd enjoy hearing from you on your experience. Call (623) 824-9016, text to that number or email your feedback. Thanks. TF

PS—Team Trilogy now forming-Race for the Cure. We could use your help even if you're not in the race. Sign up now. TF

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Tips from Ted -- Great Food, Great Fun!

Great Food, Great Fun . . . at great prices!

Johnny Fox's Authentic Irish Pub
Fantastic Happy Hour Monday through Friday, 3-6 p.m.
All menu items are 50% off.
$3 well drinks, $1 draft drinks, $3 house wines.
Enjoy yourself in this authentic setting of authentic Irish pub. Check out the entertainment as well.
Arrowhead Entertainment District (101 Freeway & Bell Rd. area)____________________________

The novelty never wears off the Grand Canyon Railway adventures. Youngsters especially love riding the train. Throughout the year, there are themes played out on board. The most notable is The Polar Express around the winter holidays. Children are mesmerized by the sights and sounds of the decorated train. Delighted children come in their P.J.s and enjoy the story telling, hot chocolate and decorated train cars. It is a lovely memory maker. It's delightful and not to be missed.

More information is online at www.thetrain.com


Enjoy our close-to-home fun and life in Arizona TF

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Do You Like Movies? Ted's Tips . . .

Ted's Tips . . .

Harkin's Theatres have great deals for movie goers:

1. Any age, loyalty cup & T-shirt program—What do you get? 
  • 1 shirt—you receive a medium popcorn good through the calendar year. Cost: $25.00 (while supplies last)
  • 1 loyalty drink cup—you receive refills for $1 through the year—Cost: $4.75 (while supplies last)

2. Kids "Summer Movie Fun" program through the summer—10 movies, 10 weeks per child=less than $1.00 per show.

3. Senior citizens (60+) enjoy $6.50 tickets any time except road shows.

Have fun and keep cool! TF

Monday, July 30, 2012

Tips from Ted July 30, 2012

Cromford Report: Demand for single-family homes is very strong . . . 

Ted's Tip: Buy NOW before prices rise excessively and quickly. 

Why?
Multiple offers are back, especially in the $100,000-$300,000 price range. Investors are here with cash in hand. See something you like? Grab it. One property had 95 offers–51 of them were investors. 

Active adult communities have increased realty activity, but, not currently at the same pace as non-age qualified.

Be sure to call, text or email your requests to call (623) 476-2491 or ted@BirdieGolfHomes.com.

Complimentary Buyer's Guides are now available by emailing lana@BirdieGolfHomes.com and writing "Guides" in the subject field. TF

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Introducing Ted's Picks . . . Restaurants this post

Coming to the Valley of the Sun—for fun, investment or buying a home?
Check out my first restaurant pick—Don & Charlie's Steakhouse.
Enjoy this sports memorabilia heaven and perhaps seeing sports' celebrities while enjoying one of the best food places in the Valley.

What most people don't know is about the "Six by Six" Menu.

Six by Six Big Deal—Available Monday through Friday
From 5:00 TO 6:00 P.M. ONLY.
NOT AVAILABLE FOR PARTIES MORE THAN 10Don & Charlie's policy—separate checks divided equally.

Location: Less than five minutes from Scottsdale Fashion Square (Civic Center Dr. & Camelback Rd.)
Don & Charlie's Steakhouse
7501 E. Camelback Rd.
Scottsdale Arizona 85251
(480) 990-0900
Reservations recommended up to 20 people.
Call ahead same day.

Regular Hours: Closed on Mondays
5:00 - 9:30 Tuesday - Saturday
5:00 - 9:00 on Sunday

/TF