This is my yard at 2:00am Sept 12, 2003 This is my yard at 10:00 am Sept 12, 2003
OK, this looks a little funny. I didn't think so when I drove down my street late that night and saw my front yard TP'd...WOW! My neighbor called one of his friends on the local police force to stop by and assess the situation. The first thing the officer asked was..."do you have any teenagers in the Lakota Band?"
Well, yes we had two daughters and this was an act of LOVE so they say. It was my youngest daughter Stephanie's 16th birthday and boy did we get it. This was four years ago. She is now 20 years old and a sophomore at UC. Actually she is in Florida on spring break this week and today she called me to wish me a happy birthday. My second daughter Jennifer who is 21 years old and a Junior at Ohio College of Art and Design called me and said Happy Birthday also. My oldest daughter Aimee (mother of my two grandchildren Brianna 8 and Andrew 6) was with us on Sunday for Easter and My Birthday.
The point of this post is "Does all this toilet paper change the value of my home?" Well...
I had a client email me today. Megan was concerned about the market value of their home. She was worried that with the feds lowering the rates would decrease the value of her home. She continued to explain how they have replaced the blown water heater, replaced a bad window, repaired some leaking plumbing and gutted and water proofed their family room. Her question was how much would these repairs increase her market values to allow her to refinance from her ARM heading to 12% interest rate to a fixed rate loan.
Many people don't understand the difference in needed repairs and enhancements to your home and the effects to its value. First of all lets look at what determines market value. The definition of market value I was taught was what buyers were willing to pay and the sellers were willing to sell for. That is Market Value. I continued to explain that replacing the water heater didn't increase the market value any more than a new furnace, roof or an air conditioner would. These are all mechanics that make a home worth market value when working properly. I did give her a few pointers of what they could do to increase the market value. Remodeling an existing kitchen to more updated, modern fixtures and appliances, solid surface counter tops, upgraded cabinets and hardwood flooring. Updating the older bath with new fixtures and cabinets and tile flooring. Adding an additional room or finishing a walk out basement into a comfortable living space. Landscaping the yard with new plantings, flowers and Rock gardens, enhancing the walkways and flower beds and pruning existing trees. Not with toilet paper...LOL. Then I really worked my magic. I said call me tomorrow and I will refer you to a couple mortgage lenders that will help you refinance while the rates are at or below 6%. She has a "broken ARM" that is ready to jump to 12%. All I can do is offer solutions.
Our job as Realtors are to solve problems. I can lead people to a nice home of their dreams. They can choose to buy or not. If they do that is their choice. I cannot convince anyone to buy a home they do not like. We really don't sell anyone anything except our services. And that is what I continually try to instill in my clients. Call me. I have or will help find a solution to your problem.
Fortunately, I have many clients like Megan that do rely on my services as a problem solver and they continue to call me and refer others to call me. Thank you all for your continued trust in my services. Call me, always first.
You can contact Gary at 513-777-2402 or email at Gary@GaryRossignol.com.
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