You've decided to Sell your Metrowest home this summer....BRAVO!  That's a fantastic decision! As you go through the many different tasks to get your home ready to be put on the market, don't forget one of the most important, it's face. Well, not literally, but truly it's first impression it's going to make to your potential home buyers when they drive-by your home, come to a showing or open house, or even the first photo they usually see as a 'Listing Photo'...the front of your home.  We call it 'CURB APPEAL'!

In the summer we have so many fantastic choices to create award winning curb appeal, but the basics are always the same...so we'll start there:

1) Pride of Ownership- Nothing puts a potential home buyer more at ease than driving up to a home that shows an owners 'pride of ownership' from the moment you see the home, and it all starts with the state of the exterior of the home.

2) Homes Exterior- Choose your upgrades carefully. Siding is largest visible surface on your home. Make sure to power wash the entire surface and make any necessary repairs before putting your home on the market. Windows & Screens should also be perfectly cleaned and windows should sparkle (yes I did say sparkle!). If your siding is a hideous color, painting then becomes a serious consideration! 

3) Front Door & Porch- This is an area where you can introduce some pops of color and have a little bit of fun! First make sure you have thoroughly cleaned all surface areas. Once you've accomplished this, then evaluate your front door. A New Front Door has one of the greatest ROI's. If your's is looking a little rough, then this is a great area to invest....and you may want to look for a fantastic complementary color. Again, don't get wild and crazy, we're talking complimentary, not outrageous. Once that's chosen take a look at the porch and decide if you need to repaint any railings or decking. Then you can choose whether a chair, table, rug or other fun, small, uncluttered choices would be a nice touch for your "Welcome" area.

4) Lighting- Do you have adequate lighting on your front porch? How about Landscape Lighting? Have you enhanced any area of the yard that you'd like to highlight? Get rid of dated fixtures and take advantage of outdoor living! Home Buyers rate the yard as 25% of their decision in the summer months! If your yard is a big selling point, don't let it go to waste! Illuminate your walkways as well.

5) Landscaping- Todays homeowners and home buyers love outdoor living and take pride in having their yards landscaped. Take time to give your yard extra attention. If you don't have a lot of extra money to spend, concentrate on the front yard first. Consult a landscaper or even a local garden center and ask for lower cost alternatives that can be implemented for a great look and flow. Add a few solar lights for a walk-way and you'll have a beautiful front yard before you know it....without having to spend a fortune.

For more Home Selling Tips give Team Lynch a call or visit our website at www.teamlynchrealestate.com.

If we cannot help you ourselves, let us find you

an agent like us....

Our clients may have real estate needs outside of our home area.  Through our company's resources, we can find an agent in your target area with the right skills and geographic expertise.

The introduction process benefits you in two ways:

•  It let's us share our understanding of you a a client so you're not starting over from scratch with a new agent.  
•  It ensures that you'll receive quality representation from a specially trained agent.

The next time you, a friend or family member have a real estate need, contact us to take advantage of this valuable agent introduction service.

Whether it's across the state or across the globe,

let us help you find agent like us.

1. To help you with investment properties
2. To help you find the perfect vacation home
3. To help your children find their first home
4. To help you find the right home for your life's next stage

Hosting a successful Open House isn't  rocket science...but there are some tips I can share that will make it a success!

1  Advertise....a lot!  You want everyone to know, so newspapers, flyers and definitely online!

2. Put out LOTS of signage.  This may sound like a given, but it's so important.  Signs should go all over, and not just in your own neighborhood.

3. Invite your neighbors. Yes, you heard that right..and they want to come anyway!

4. Sign-in Sheet. This will allow you to follow up with anyone that came through, and follow-up is key!

5. Give a Take-away.  Make sure you have a flyer with photos and all the pertinent information.

6. Set the time for the Open.  Since most people expect open houses to be on Sunday afternoon, take advantage of that fact and maximize your success.

7. Food & Water.  Although these are not necessary, the smell of fresh baked cookies always make people feel like they're at "home".  Water is necessary because many people will have been out all afternoon.

8. Lighting. You need to make sure your home looks light and bright. Open blinds, turn on lights in darker rooms and play up the special points of your home.

9. Be Prepared.  Make sure you are organized in all aspects and you start on time! You should also check that you have toilet paper on the rolls just in case someone needs to use your bathroom.

10. Have a bright and cheery disposition. If you love your home it shows...so be genuinely enthusiastic so each person who visits feels the same.

This week I'm going to tackle the age old question.....should I rent my home out, if it doesn't sell?  A recent study did show that 39% of sellers prefer to rent out their last residence than sell it when purchasing a new home. With many homeowners refinancing at a low rate, and the housing market struggling with low inventory, the amount you could charge for rentals has gone up. 

If you are a residential real estate investor, than this tactic makes sense.  However, if you really don't want to become a landlord and are only looking at it as a way to purchase your new home, while covering the mortgage on the original home...then you need to ask yourself these questions:

 1.)  How will you respond if your tenant says they can't afford to pay the rent this month because of more pressing obligations? (This happens most often during holiday season and back-to-school time when families with children have extra expenses).

2.) Because of the economy, many homeowners can no longer make their mortgage payment. What percent of tenants do you think can no longer afford to pay their rent?

3.) Have you interviewed a few experienced eviction attorneys in case a challenge does arise?

4.) Have you talked to your insurance company about a possible increase in premiums as liability is greater in a non-owner occupied home?

5.) Will you allow pets? Cats? Dogs? How big a dog?

6.) How will you actually collect the rent? By mail? In person?

7.) Repairs are part of being a landlord. Who will take tenant calls when necessary repairs arise?

8.) Do you have a list of crafts people readily available to handle these repairs?

9.) How often will you do a physical inspection of the property?

10.) Will you alert your current neighbors that you are renting the house?

Once you have answered these questions, you will be in a good position to decide what is best for you and your family.  

(Information courtesy of KCMBLOG)

No doubt about it.....we're having a white Christmas!! It is so beautiful to look outside and see all the sparkling snow tipped trees and children playing outside.  Christmas is such a magical, joyous and blessed time, and we cherish the moments we can spend with all our family, friends, coworkers and neighbors.  After all, that's what Christmas is about....it's the people, not the presents, that make life worth living.

As 2014 comes to an end, We want to thank all of you for your faith and trust in Team Lynch Real Estate to handle all your Wellesley & Metrowest Real Estate Needs!

We've lived here all our lives and cherish the lives we lead in Wellesley and the local area.  We are blessed to have an incredible town to call home;  the natural beauty and all the wonderful people we live and work with everyday.  Building our families and businesses in Wellesley and the Metrowest area  strengthens our town, and local economy....and continues to bring new families to join our fantastic area.

We are  looking forward to 2014 and all the possibilities it will bring for everyone, and wish you and your families an abundance of Christmas Blessings and a Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year!

Team Lynch

"Your 200% Solution for Wellesley & Metrowest Real Estate"

Any homebuyer or seller who peruses news outlets for information can become quickly confused by the news headlines regarding real estate.  There is no doubt that conflicting information about the industry is reported on a daily basis.

The reality is real estate is a very local business. What is happening in regards to sales, pricing, and inventory nationally or even state-wide, may not be happening in your local community.

Understanding how the information you read impacts you directly can also be difficult to navigate.  Do interest rates impact the buyers looking to purchase in your neighborhood? Do inventory levels impact housing prices in the community you want to move to? Can you qualify for a mortgage? What is the optimal price that your home will sell? 

Working with Team Lynch real estate professionals can provide you with the solid facts that are relevant to you in your local area, and can guide you through the glut of information. 

Team Lynch sales professionals not only have the professional experience and knowledge to assist, but they deal in their local marketplaces every day and have access to pertinent local data that can help you make sound home buying and selling decisions.

Your Team Lynch agent can help you analyze the market data and explain explicitly what it means to you. They can provide you with a competitive market analysis and give expert guidance on current market conditions that impact you and your neighborhood directly. 

Whether you are home seller who needs professional guidance to price a property appropriately, or a home buyer who needs a responsible representative who will lead you through the process, your Team Lynch Realtor expert can advise you, dissect those national headlines, and give you the right kind of information to help you make the decisions that are right for you.