Shawna O’Brien
shawna.obrien@talktotucker.com
F.C. Tucker Geist Fishers
The Tumbarello Group
Blog
How Sellers Can Help Buyers Understand the Area
There’s a famous saying in the real estate business: “Location, location, location”. It simply means that where your home is located – your neighborhood – is just as important to potential buyers as the features of the property itself.
Sellers often make the mistake of creating a long list of home features while ignoring neighborhood features. They tout the spacious kitchen, and the newly renovated bathrooms, but say little about the area.
So, when you’re ready to sell your home, sit down and create two lists: home features and neighborhood features. Buyers want to know both.
On the neighborhood features list, include:
- Locations of schools and daycare centers.
- Major retailers and shopping centers.
- Proximity to major commuting routes.
- Theaters, night clubs and other entertainment.
- Rinks, gyms and other sporting facilities.
- Green space, walking trails, and ponds.
When buyers have their eyes on two properties which are comparable in features, the neighborhood is often the deciding factor.
Shawna O’Brien
shawna.obrien@talktotucker.com
F.C. Tucker Geist Fishers
The Tumbarello Group
SOLD! My Patient First Time Homebuyer Closed on this Wonderful Broad Ripple Home!
Congratulations to my first time home buyer who closed on this adorable Broad Ripple home! 👊🏠🎉😷😀
Real estate is an essential business and I am safely working hard for my clients to help them buy and sell during this unique time in our culture.
Are you thinking of making a move but are unsure of the market and how to navigate during #covid?
I’d be thrilled to share how I am assisting buyers and sellers with no contact, limited contact with masks and gloves, and VIRTUALLY.
#staysafe #stayhome #IndyRealEstate #Remote #Virtualshowings #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #HomeForSale
Shawna O’Brien
shawna.obrien@talktotucker.com
F.C. Tucker Geist Fishers
The Tumbarello Group
A Quick Household Check Helps Conserve Resources
This is a good time to visually check of all your utilities, fixtures and appliances to make sure they are not using expensive energy and resources inefficiently.
Start with the faucets. Ensure they don’t drip when closed. If they do, replace the washers (or in the case of washerless units, the valve cartridges).
Next, check that your toilets don’t leak. To check for leaks, pour colored liquid bowl cleaner into the tank, then wait several hours to see if it appears in the bowl without flushing. If it does, you likely have a leak, and may need to replace the stopper in the bottom of the tank.
Then, make sure your hot water tank and/or pipes are not sweating. While you’re at it, consider turning down the tank thermostat by a couple of degrees – chances are you won’t notice a difference, except hopefully on your energy bill.
Finally, check that windows and doors are not drafty. If they are, consider caulking, repairing or replacing them.
Shawna O’Brien
shawna.obrien@talktotucker.com
F.C. Tucker Geist Fishers
The Tumbarello Group
Not-So-Obvious Home Staging Tips
When it comes to “staging” your home for sale – which basically means ensuring it looks clean and uncluttered – you probably already know the basics: clean the counters, vacuum the floors, mow the lawn, etc.
But there are also some less obvious home staging tips that can help to sell your property faster and for a higher price. Here are a few examples.
The Kitchen
Obvious: The stove, sinks and countertops should be spotless.
Not-so-obvious: The contents of your cabinets and refrigerator should be facing forward.
The Bathrooms
Obvious: They should be clean and uncluttered. Have fresh towels hanging neatly on the rack. (Create the “hotel bathroom” look.)
Not-so-obvious: All towels should match. Ensure toilet lids are closed.
Your Bedroom
Obvious: Make the bed neatly. Check that the closet is organized and uncluttered. (If your closet is bulging with clothes, put some in storage.)
Not-so-obvious: Don’t leave any clothes out. Even clean clothes neatly folded in a hamper can seem untidy to some people.
The Kids’ Bedrooms
Obvious: They need to be clean and uncluttered. (Good luck!)
Not-so-obvious: Arrange stuffed animals, games and other toys like an attractive display in a toy store. It’s okay to have a toy, like a racetrack, out of the box. Just make sure it’s completely put together.
Shawna O’Brien
shawna.obrien@talktotucker.com
F.C. Tucker Geist
The Tumbarello Group
APRIL 2020 NEWSLETTER
With the COVID-19 outbreak, chances are you’re dealing with many new challenges, both personally and professionally. I’m wishing you and your family well.
You might have immediate concerns about the real estate market. Our industry is an essential business and Tucker has acted quickly to set guidelines for Tucker Agents as we conduct business in this climate.
It is the Sellers discretion to allow private showings and if so, they are encouraged to turn on all lights & open closet doors so Buyers and their Agent will not need to touch anything. Many Sellers may ask that you put on gloves & shoe covers and it’s highly encouraged. We’re asking Sellers to inform us if anyone residing at the home shows symptoms of illness and if so, we will show the home virtually to interested Buyers.
I’m asking Buyers’ Agents to call me prior to viewing my listings to further explain the features and benefits of the home and qualify the intent of the Buyer. We want to limit unnecessary traffic and exposure and I’ll require the Buyer is pre-approved and has serious interest & ability in purchasing the home prior to approving showings.
Tucker agents will not hold open houses on our properties but my plan is to live feed “virtual” open houses of my listings in April. Stay tuned!
I’m always available to show homes to Buyers but I’m asking that anyone showing symptoms of potential illness, to not tour homes. We’re also asking that only decision makers in the transaction tour homes (no extended family, children, etc.).
Our title company is ensuring closing rooms are wiped down with sanitizing wipes before and after each closing,
including tables, doorknobs, etc. Participants will not share pens and only the Buyer and Seller will attend closing with safe distance to each other.
If you have any questions or concerns about the timing of listing your home or buying a home this spring, I have the latest market information, insights and tools – and can give you sound advice.
Good information and advice are often the antidote to stress, especially during challenging times. So, please, don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
On a personal note, Happy 50th Birthday to my Husband of 18 years, Pat!
Yes, he’s an April Fools baby. 🙂
Please take care and stay well!
Shawna O’Brien
shawna.obrien@talktotucker.com
F.C. Tucker Geist Fishers
The Tumbarello Group
March 2020 Market Update
Shawna O’Brien
shawna.obrien@talktotucker.com
F.C. Tucker Geist Fishers
The Tumbarello Group
Home Shopping and the Four-Legged Stool
What kind of stool is most likely to keep you from toppling over when you sit on it? Of course, two-legged stools won’t even stand on their own. Three-legged stools are okay, but still unstable. Four-legged stools are rock solid.
What does this have to do with shopping for a new home?
Well, if you want to find the right home quickly and for the best price, you need to have four things in place – the four legs of the stool. They will help ensure the experience goes smoothly.
The first leg is your wish list. You need to have a clear picture of the type of home you want. How many bedrooms? A large deck? Don’t forget about the neighborhood. Do you need to be close to major highways for ease of commuting?
The second leg is a pre-approved mortgage. Getting the financing handled upfront takes the guesswork out of what you can afford. And, sellers are more likely to take any offers you make more seriously.
The third leg is realistic expectations. Of homes that sell, 99% sell at or near their current market values. That doesn’t mean you can’t find a good deal. It does mean you’re unlikely to find a “steal”. Fortunately, there are likely several wonderful properties available within your price range.
The final leg of the stool is a great real estate professional. Choosing the right real estate professional is crucial to making your home shopping experience less stressful and more productive.
So, when you’re hunting for a new home, make sure you start with a stable “four-legged stool”. It will dramatically increase your chances of finding a home that fits your needs and budget.
Need help with that? Call today.
Shawna O’Brien
shawna.obrien@talktotucker.com
F.C. Tucker Geist Fishers
The Tumbarello Group
Moisture on Windows
You’re standing by your window admiring the view. Then you notice it. Moisture has built up around the edges of the glass. Should you worry?
It all depends on the reason for the build up.
Assuming you have traditional double-pane glass in your windows, there are a few things to look for if you notice moisture.
Often, moisture at the bottom of your windows is simply caused by too much humidity in your indoor air. If that’s the case, simply adjust your humidifier.
If the moisture is on the outside of the window, typically there’s also no problem with the window itself. It may have rained recently, or the outside humidity may have spiked causing the accumulation. Generally, there’s no reason for concern.
However, if the moisture is in between the two panes of glass, the seal has broken and surrounding air – along with its water content – has made its way in. This disrupts the thermal barrier of the window, reducing its energy efficiency. In fact, the glass might feel noticeably colder than your other windows on chilly days. In that case, you’ll need to replace the pane.
Similarly, if the moisture is coming in through only one spot – the bottom right corner for example – then you might have a leak. If you have a wood frame or sill, you may also notice a growing water stain. It’s important to get leaks fixed quickly. There may be water damage occurring within the frame that you cannot see.
Shawna O’Brien
shawna.obrien@talktotucker.com
F.C. Tucker Geist Fishers
The Tumbarello Group
Indianapolis Area Homes for Sale 