Buyer & Seller Confidence

PENNSYLVANIA 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Event

Denise Fleitman (REMAX of the Poconos) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:45:35 -0700

PENNSYLVANIA 500
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Event

The PENNSYLVANIA 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Event roars into Pocono International Raceway in Long Pond, the POCONOS, from Friday, July 31st to Sunday, August 2nd!

Parking lots open at 6:00am on Friday, and gates open at 8:00am for Weis Markets Pole Day. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice begins at 12:00pm, and qualifying starts at 3:40pm.

On Saturday, the parking lots open at 6:00am and the grandstand gates open at 8:00am; NASCAR practice begins at 10:00am. Sunday is race day! Parking lots will open at 5:00am and the grandstand gates open at 9:00am. Pre-race festivities begin at 1:00pm. The PENNSYLVANIA 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race will start at exactly 2:00pm. For tickets or information, call 1-800-RACEWAY or log on to www.poconoraceway.com.

If you need a rental in the Poconos, contact Denise Fleitman at RE/MAX of the Poconos.

Why hire a tech savvy REALTOR?

Denise Fleitman (REMAX of the Poconos) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:30:00 -0700

Have you wondered what it would take to sell your home in the Poconos for the highest price, in the shortest amount of time, and with a minimum of inconvenience?

Note: Especialy in the POCONOS, STROUDSBURG, PA. Most buyers are relocating from NY, NJ & CT for a better life style, lower taxes and better school system. You don't think these buyers are looking at paper magazines you find at local diners.....NO! They are online!

Besides accurate pricing and an effective marketing campaign, posting your home on the Internet can make a huge difference. The Internet has largely replaced newspapers as the advertising medium of choice for Pocono real estate listings.

Why? Posting listings online costs almost nothing, information can be changed or updated almost instantly, listings can be screened by price or area, and the information is available to prospective buyers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

According to a recent survey, almost 80% of all buyers use the Internet to search for a new home. They like the ability to see pictures and obtain additional information. Plus, buyers who search on the Web spend an average of $22,600 more for their new home than other buyers. To accomplish our goal of selling your home for the best price in the least amount of time, let's use one of the most effective marketing techniques--the Internet.

Please don't hesitate to call or email if you would like additional information.

First Impressions! SELLING your HOME in the Poconos!

Denise Fleitman (REMAX of the Poconos) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:17:32 -0700

Preparing your HOUSE FOR SALE!

As you prepare your house (not home) for the market, one thing to keep in mind is that you have only one chance to make a first impression! You know how important it was that your house was clean for your company, friends and family! It is absolutely vital that prospective buyers form a good impression of your home--beginning the moment they drive up. Yes, that means curb appeal, too!

You can help create that good first impression by presenting potential buyers with a well-cared-for yard including a mowed lawn. Your front door and porch should be clean and neat, preferably freshly painted. Wreath on the front door. It doesn't mean thousands of dollars or work but it does take time and effort!

These first important encounters create a positive impression that carries through to the rest of your home. An inviting atmosphere implies that your house has been well maintained and taken care of. Houses that convey pride of ownership frequently receive the best offers. Yes, this is the result your want but are you willing to do the work?!!!

If your home appears disheveled or uncared for, prospective buyers may quickly conclude it's been neglected and is in need of repairs. Such a negative impression can result in a less-than-generous offer--or possibly no offer at all.

Try viewing your home through a potential buyer's eyes. Would YOU buy your home? Take some photos of your house from different angles. What do they look like? Show them to friends! Do you past the test?

I offer additional suggestions and tips from time to time. Please contact me by email or phone if I can be of further assistance.

Note: Your HOME is now a house for sale. Take the emotion out owning the house and you will SELL much faster!

Creating confidence in Buying and Selling a Home in Stroudsburg, PA

Denise Fleitman (REMAX of the Poconos) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:42:14 -0700

Three RE/MAX Approved Suppliers - First American, HMS and American Home Shield - provide a variety of home warranties that RE/MAX Associates can suggest to their clients when selling or buying a home.

Home warranties not only protect the buyers and sellers in a transaction; they also assist everyone in getting to the closing table more quickly and smoothly. Here's a look at some tips and advice these Approved Suppliers provide to help you explain the benefits and convey the value of purchasing a home warranty:

Give buyers peace of mind

"When agents offer their buyers a warranty, the value goes beyond protecting systems and appliances; it helps manage unexpected expenses in today's difficult economy," says Douglas Stein, General Manager of HMS Home Warranty.

Most warranties, Stein says, provide coverage against mechanical failures for many major systems and appliances in a newly purchased home. Oftentimes, the coverage extends to items that most homeowners' insurance policies won't cover, leaving buyers in a sticky spot.

Buying a home with a warranty helps avoid closing delays when an appliance or water heater, for example, breaks down. Plus, buyers can opt to renew the warranty after the first year and extend the coverage - and their peace of mind - on one of their biggest investments.

HMS Home Warranty, like other companies, requires only a standard deductible per service call on covered components. Plus, customers can reach someone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure that an appliance or system breakdown doesn't become a major catastrophe.

Help sellers list with confidence

Many sellers are facing negative equity, declining home values and fierce competition from distressed properties. Offering a home warranty on their listing helps set it apart from the competition and make it a more attractive option to homebuyers, says Lelia Chapman, vice president of real estate sales for American Home Shield.

"Real estate agents have known for years that warranties can help homes sell faster and for more money than those on the market without this protection," Chapman says. "According to a study we conducted recently, homes with an American Home Shield home warranty sold an average of 23 days faster and closer to the list price - an average of 4 percent higher at closing."

By helping sellers protect their investment and their budget during a transaction, your foresight will be appreciated - and remembered - by clients who might otherwise face unexpected repair costs if an appliance or system breaks down before the final walk-through. If you're ahead of the game and watch out for the unknown, everyone walks away happy from the transaction.

Home warranties crucial for distressed properties

Nearly half of the listings on the market today are distressed properties. That means many homes are left in less than presentable condition, scaring away potential buyers and creating a headache for you as the listing agent.

Whether you're representing a bank-owned listing, a seller who's upside down in a short sale, or a buyer looking at REO properties, a home warranty protects everyone if an appliance or system in a vacant home fails.

"We've addressed the growing concerns about home conditions in today's market," says Maggi Havas, vice president of national sales and marketing for First American Home Buyers Protection. "In a majority of the areas throughout the U.S., our basic plans cover unknown pre-existing conditions, lack of maintenance, sediment, rust and corrosion, and many other critical mechanicals that homeowners find themselves dishing out cash for these days."

Without this type of fundamental coverage, Havas says, everyone involved could be burdened with repair costs and delays during the transaction, and buyers might move on to the next home - or the next agent.

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