What better gift to give to yourself and your loved ones than a successful home sale!

Selling a property at any time of year can prove to be a challenge, and many find the winter months to be downright daunting. Yet, this need not be the case. 

Note these helpful tips to keep your property competitive during winter months:

How To Sell a Home in the Winter

 

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With the holiday season fast approaching clients often wonder if this is a good time to list a home.  The answer is yes!  At Barry Berg Group we have had some of our most successful months during the holidays. 

It comes down to this:  While there may be fewer buyers out there looking, the buyers that are out there are more motivated to buy.  After all, why would you tromp through the cold and snow unless you were really eager to find a new home.  Because so many think it is a bad time to market a property, the listings are fewer…thus the competition is also diminished. 

Finally, holiday decorations often give homes that special warm glow that will draw in offers.  A new home for the holidays…on more Santa’s wish lists than you would imagine!

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We have all read recent stories about the increase in numbers of people looking for rentals.  It raises a question.  Does it still make sense to buy?  The answer requires a potential buyer/renter to do some soul searching.

If you are looking for a short term place to live…..renting may make sense.  However, I continue to firmly believe that home ownership is the foundation of a strong personal financial plan.  Over the long hall, I believe a person will be better off owning property in terms of capturing future appreciation and taking advantage of tax benefits.  In many ways the current trend towards renting reminds of the human tendency with stock purchasing:  buy high and sell low.  Of course that is the opposite of what you should do.  So too…

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Are you starting to get that feeling that it’s time to “fall back” and you can’t remember when? Afraid you’ll show up to work one Monday and realize you’re an hour early?  Dying to know when you get that extra hour of sleep? Daylight Savings 2011 ends on November 6th at 2 am, and we all are reminded to fall back not spring forward.

The end of Daylight Savings signifies that fall has arrived and winter will soon be here. When the fall season hits, it is time to start preparing your home for the winter season. Fall maintenance will help maintain your home for the coming months, making it a more comfortable and safe environment for you and your family. Among these are:

Check Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

- Check to see that all…

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Is your mind playing tricks on you, or did you really just see something out of the corner of your eye?

Attached is a link to a Citypages article on a few of Minnesota's most famous haunted sites.

Wishing you a safe and Happy Halloween from The Barry Berg Group!

http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2010/10/minnesotas_most.php

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Even seasoned leaders in the Real Estate Industry such as Barry Berg are not ‘one man bands’!

In today’s competitive marketplace wherein presentation is key to garnering the right buyer for your property, it is more crucial than ever to have the value of a professional team working on your behalf. As we all know, the first impression is the lasting impression. Furthermore, studies on the subject repeatedly show that these first impressions are gathered within the first few minutes while in a home. For this reason, Barry along with his business partner Chad have gathered together a team of professionals, and have honed a process that is employed with each of our listings to ensure that your property is represented distinctively and competitively.

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Addressing the property features that cater to seasonal activities is crucial when presenting your home to prospective buyers. To not do so creates the appearance of neglect, and worse for the home seller, the sense that a property has languished or become stagnant on the market.

Just as sellers have the swimming pool cleaned and opened in Spring, and landscaping issues addressed and maintained throughout Summer, it is equally important that sellers ready the amenities that cater to the various seasonal activities that take place during cooler months of the year. As seasons change, anticipate what fresh new perspective that your prospective homebuyer considers. For example, just a few months ago homebuyers were still looking for summertime retreats…

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Buyer inspections.  City inspections.  Radon tests.  Moisture tests.  Whether you’re buying or selling, it’s important to be familiar with the inspections associated with the process so that you are well informed and comfortable with the transaction.

Some cities require a city inspection prior to the home being listed for sale.  You may hear them called different things, such as the “TISH Inspection,” or the “Truth in Housing Inspection.”  Cities that require this inspection include Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Louis Park, and more.  If a city inspection is required, our team will help you find an inspector and get the appointment set.  Sellers pay for this inspection and once completed you’ll receive a report to read through and share with…

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Have you found yourself struggling with the decision whether to rent or to buy? Attached is the link to a recent article as published in The New York Times.

www.nytimes.com/interactive/business/buy-rent-calculator.html

 Whether you are looking to buy or to sell, contact us for your real estate needs.

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When selling your home, your garage can be an attractive part of the overall package you offer buyers. Too often, however, the space is not marketed to its fullest potential. As kitchen, laundry and mudrooms become the new activity centers, homebuyers making their list of "must haves" are searching for more space for storage and hobbies. Now is the time to add a bit of sparkle to that garage.

"While the garage usually is not a deal-breaking element in a home-buying decision, it can be a tipping point for the buyer who is vacillating between a few different homes," said Robin Peterson, president of Coldwell Banker Burnet. "When organized correctly, the garage can add to your home’s ‘wow’ factor."

Gloss over the gritty. Certain household…

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