Should I Stay For Showings at my McKinney TX Home For Sale?

Here in McKinney, we're a friendly bunch -- helpful, too.  Often my real estate clients are especially nice, so, when it comes to showing their home for sale, I recommend that the best way to be the most helpful during a showing appointment is to have a sparkling clean home, turn the lights on, and leave the house during the showing time! 

That's no problem for most Sellers -- they understand that's what Buyers prefer.  But on a rare occasion, a Seller will ask about staying during a showing.

 Q:  Shouldn't I stay for showings?  I want to make sure the Buyers don't miss the upgrades we've made to the home.

As a Seller, remaining in the house during showings isn't recommended.    Buyers feel uncomfortable touring a home when the Seller is there. 

But, I know my house better than anyone  . . .  there might be questions.

During a showing, buyers like to take their time.  They walk from room to room getting a feel for the home.  They'll usually look in the closets, they'll slide open a drawer or two in the kitchen and check-out the pantry space.  Not to be nosy -- but to imagine what it would be like living that home!  They're mentally placing their furniture in the family room and checking to see if there is enough cabinet space for all their stuff.  The Buyer needs to feel comfortable inside the home -- and that takes a little time. 

When Sellers are present in the next room, (or even worse, leading the home tour) none of that wonderful bonding happens.  Instead of studying the house, Buyers are distracted by the Seller's presence.   Buyers move from a buying mind-set to that of a visitor in the home of a stranger they've only just met.  Not a comfortable feeling if you're a Buyer.

When the Seller is there, Buyers tend to tour the house as quickly as possible wanting to get out fast so they won't inconvenience the Seller by being in his home.   

What if I just stay in the kitchen (or office, or backyard)?

As illogical as it may sound, when the Seller is comfortably at home, and the dogs are running around the backyard, the Buyer's first concern seems to be that of not inconveniencing the Seller with a lengthy visit!  A Buyer seems to feel much more comfortable with having the Seller pack up his pets and stay out of his home for a scheduled two-hour block of time.  Buyers aren't thinking about inconvenience then -- they're thinking about the house.  And that's what the Seller wants, right?   

Showings are not left up to chance.  The best professional real estate agents know what works and it's their job to take care of their client's best interests! 

What questions do you have about buying a McKinney TX home for sale, or, getting one sold? 

 I'm happy to help you anytime -- just call or email! 

Some things are just funny to me.  Sometimes, things I think are funny are also funny to other people.  Sometimes . . . not so much.

For example, on my wedding day, when I was standing at the alter next to my husband-to-be, our backs to the crowded church, I noticed my maid of honor -- my sister -- standing to my left looking very proper.  My mind wandered from the solemn words the minister was saying, back to the times I spent next to my sister with our heads bowed at the dinner table -- each of us trying not to let the giggles make us burst out laughing during the prayer.  Then I got an inspiration!

Hey, wouldn't it be funny to try to get my sister to laugh right now?  You know, while she's standing in front of everyone at the church?   

Since none of the wedding guests could see my face, I gave it my best shot.  I tried the crazy grin, then the raised eyebrows, then the crazy grin/raised eyebrow combination.   

Oooh, I think I've almost got her -- I'll try a little harder. 

Oh, she could see me alright!  She tried to act like she didn't notice, but she had to try hard to keep a straight face -- yeah, I thought that was pretty funny.  Uh, the minister standing in front of me witnessing all of my facial contortions . . . not so much.

Seems like almost every day I'll come across something funny -- so much so, that I've even started a file of photos I've snapped of funny things seen around town.  Like the one of the Hamburgler jungle gym I saw in the backyard of a country property I was showing.  Or the one of the Skittles car I see driving around McKinney.

So, I was looking through some photos and found one that I've always liked, but no one else seems to appreciate its humor as much as I do. 

One summer in Montana, the kids and I had spent the morning riding up a mountain trail on horseback.  It was a crystal clear day and you could see for miles.  We reached the hill's summit and stopped to rest the horses and take in the majestic view.  As we gazed out at the splendor of God's creation, I said to my son, Hey, hold your arms out and it will look like the horse is eating you for a snack. 

What do you think?  Funny? 

Maybe it's just me.

The Skittles Car in McKinney, TX

This car has fascinated me over the years.  I see it parked around town, but have never had the opportunity to meet its owner.  The other day while at a traffic light I caught a glimpse of it and was able to snap a pic before the light changed. 

Why does this car have Skittles on it? 

How did this man come to own this car? 

These are questions I just want to learn the answers to!

I have a "Funny Things I've Seen Around Town" page on my website and have been wanting to add this car to my photo menagerie for a while.  I love collecting the unusual sites I see here in McKinney and around town. 

If you've seen something funny while you've been out and about, send me a pic.  I'd love to feature your photo here on my blog!

Often times people ask me, "Do I need to update my house to sell it?"

It's a good question to ask.  You want to sell your home -- and you don't want to spend a lot of time with your house on the market.  Updating your house will make your home more desirable.  It will motivate buyers to move from the shopping stage into the action of making an offer.  Homes that are updated and in pristine condition generate excitement from buyers.  There is a feeling of urgency to act quickly before anyone else finds this great home.  Additionally, it's no surprise that homes that are updated and move-in ready command a higher sales price than an average home that may need some fixing up.

Of course, there is always the option to sell your home as is, without investing any money into updates.  In that scenario, a seller will need to take a very hard look at his competition and price his home accordingly.  It can be incredibly difficult for a seller to see his unimproved home in a realistic light.  When buyers see homes that need work, they start deducting dollars from the offering price and they usually round down by thousands!  Stains on the carpet?  That's not $300 for steam cleaning, that's a thousand or two off the offer.  Funky colors in the kids bedrooms?  Two gallons of paint cost under $100, but a buyer sees another $1000 off the offer price.  You get the idea.

I am very protective where my client's money is concerned.  When it comes to spending money on home improvements to sell your house there are specific improvements that give you the most bang for the buck without draining your bank account. 

Give me a call or email me if you'd like some advice on how to make your home stand out from the rest -- I will be happy to help you in any way.

Last week I finished reading a book suggested to me by my mother-in-law, Three Cups of Tea.  It is the account of American Greg Mortenson's struggle to build schools for children in Afghanistan starting a few years before the 9/11 attacks.  This probably would not have been a book I would have pursued if it were not for the recommendation of someone I admire and respect (I'm more of a Jane Austen kind of girl) and the story did not disappoint. 

Mortenson is a 20-something nurse working the night shift in a California hospital who's real passion is mountain climbing.  As the story goes, during a failed attempt at K2, Mortenson is lost, suffering from exposure and near death when he stumbles upon a remote village.  The villagers nurse him back to health, he gets to know and love them, and that ignites his passion to build them a school for their children.  Of course, Mortenson has no money, but inspite of that minor detail he makes good on his promise to build the village a school and 50 more for other small villages in Afghanistan.  How does this single guy, with no money, and an average paying job do such a feat? 

Through the account of Mortenson's experiences, mistakes and successes, I was able to learn bits of Afghanistan's culture in a way that was more meaningful to me than the news accounts on TV or in the papers.  His story is completely non-political -- it's about building schools for kids who have none.  But Mortenson did happen to be in Afghanistan working on a school when the towers were attacked on 9/11 and I found his account of his experiences during that time fascinating and his ability to reach his goals against all odds inspiring. 

It's a quick read -- if you get a chance, I think you'll enjoy Three Cups of Tea.

Summer is approaching and for Stonebridge Ranch residents that means it's time to update their photo ID cards for access to the Beach Club and Swimming Pool areas.

You can update your ID cards from April 28th - August 13th on Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. or Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Remember:

1.  Each resident must have a Stonebridge Ranch photo ID or other form of ID that includes a current photo and Stonebridge Ranch address, such as a valid Texas Drivers License card as proof of residency.  ID cards for growing children are replaced with new photos on an "as needed" basis.

2.  Lost or Replacement cards are availabe at a cost of $5.00 each.

3.  Temporary cards can be issued for $2.00 each.

4.  Renewal stickers are no longer required.

According to several sources passed on to me by a perpetually peppy friend of mine, being a positive person improves your health and wealth!  Here's a summary of facts compiled by Jon Gordon from numerous sources:

1. Positive People Live Longer!  According to The Nun Study, nuns who regularly (you might even say "religiously") expressed positive emotions, lived an average of 10 years longer.

2. Working in a positive work environment generates more productivity than working in negative environments, duh. (Daniel Goleman)

3.  Positive sales people sell more than cranky sales people.  Who knew! (Martin Seligman)

4.  Marriages are much more likely to succeed when the couple experiences a 5 to 1 ratio of positive to negative interactions. On the other hand, when the ratio approaches 1 to 1, marriages are more likely to end in divorce. So avoid that eye-for-an-eye mentality when it comes to your spouse.  (John Gottman)

5.  According to several studies, positive people who express their positive emotions regularly are more resilient when handling adversity or stressful challenges.

6.  Positive people tend to focus on the big picture, which helps them see solutions.  Negative people with a narrower perspective tend to focus on problems rather than solutions. (Barbara Fredrickson)

7.  Positive thoughts actually help counter the negative effects of stress according to several studies.  So try counting your blessings the next time you feel stress and see if that brings some relief. 

8.  Positive emotions such as thankfulness and appreciation even help athletes perform better. (Heartmath.org)

9.  Friends are a key factor of happiness and longevity -- Positive people have more friends!

10.  Studies show that positive (and therefore popular) people are more likely to receive pay raises, promotions, support from others and be higher achievers at work.

So there you have it -- 10 reasons to be a positive person.  If you don't care about being positive for your health and the general enjoyment of others around you -- do it for your bank account!  You can't lose!

Editors note: When it comes to real estate transactions, I've always found that being armed with a positive attitude, along with steady supplies of skill, stamina and education produces the best results for my clients every time.  A successful transaction is the goal for buyers and sellers.  As an advocate for my real estate clients, staying focused on the big picture -- seeing solutions, working well with others, being a resilient high achiever --  makes success possible!

There has always been great interest in the Wellington Point neighborhood.  This was the original luxury neighborhood built in Stonebridge Ranch just about 20 years ago now.  Being a truly custom-built neighborhood, the homes in Wellington Point were carefully designed and crafted by some of the areas finest custom home builders.  The neighborhood developed slowly over the years as each beautiful home was completed.  Only a lot or two are even available now for new construction. 

Homes currently available for sale in Wellington Point: 

1103 S. Wellington Point Road

The neighborhood is exceptional -- view a brief video driving tour around the parks and lakes of Wellington Point. 

There are two additional homes that will be available for sale in the next few weeks.  For more information about these, or any other home in Wellington Point, contact me at 972-816-7205 or email Melanie@MelanieHedrick.com.

I Brake For Rodeo! 

That's right!  Here in Texas, cowboys have been traveling to the stock show far longer than commuters have been driving down our concrete highways!

My cousin from Houston was running errands last week when she was stopped at a traffic light and just had to snap this photo.  Trail riders were heading into town for the big Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.  

The event starts with a big barbeque cook-off the last weekend of February, then the rodeo begins on Monday and lasts for about three weeks. 

Let's Rodeo!

So, my husband and I are working back-to-back on our respective computers one evening, he -- answering emails, me -- blogging, when this innocent question is posed.

ME:  "Do you want to take a quick quiz?"

HE:  "No."

(Of course, I proceed to ask him, oh, I don't know . . . 21 questions!   Three minutes later . . .)

HE:  "So . . . what animal am I?"

ME:  "A wildebeest."

HE:  "Oh, that's great! . . . the freakiest one!"

Me:  "Noooo, it's good! -- The wildebeest is the most enduring of the animals!  The quiz says that the wildebeest has resiliency and the ability to bounce back from adversity.  The wildebeest is adept to changing conditions and responds to set-backs and pressures.  Endurance gives us the ability to apply ourselves for long periods of time and to keep going even when our bodies want to quit!"

(Silence.  And typing.)

He:  "So, what are you?"

Me:  "A crocodile."

(Howls of laughter from him and many, many wise cracks . . . )

Me:  "Hey, that's quite a bit of trash talk coming from a -- WILLLDEBEEST!  The Crocodile happens to be the most desirable of ALL the animals!"

He:  "Really?  Is that what the quiz said?"

Me:  "No."

 (More ribbing and verbal sparring from both sides.)

He:  (blah, blah, blah!)   ". . .  and the only thing wrong with the wildebeest is when he bends down to drink from the watering hole the Crocodile leaps up and bites his head off!"

 (Sounds of crickets chirping.) 

Me:   "Hmmph . . . time to get the little hyenas tucked into bed."

Who are you living with? 

Want to know?  Read the early release of the first two chapters of Stefan Swanepoel's Surviving Your Serengeti then give them the Surviving Your Serengeti Quiz and let me know what you find out! 

If you're living with a wildebeest -- I'm here for you.