6 Inexpensive Ways to Add Instant Curb Appeal!

Many individuals interested in selling their homes are already aware that curb appeal is crucial. Making a good impression on potential buyers before they even step inside will assure that your property is memorable, but more importantly, making a bad impression will hinder your chances of selling your home—regardless of how charming it is inside. The following tips will allow you to amp up your curb appeal without breaking the bank.

“Many homeowners who are trying to sell think that increasing their curb appeal has to be a pricey affair involving landscapers or a new front porch,” says Connie Ray, President/Owner of Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners. “But there are a great deal of small, inexpensive things you can do for the outside of your home that will make the overall appearance much more appealing.” Ray suggests these simple do-it-yourself projects, all of which will take less than one afternoon, and cost you 100 dollars—or less!

Flower Boxes. “Putting flower boxes under your windows will give your home a pop of color and increase the overall charm factor of your property,” says Ray. All it takes is the boxes themselves—which are usually under $35—some soil, and plants. Not interested in flower boxes? A few potted plants lining your porch, steps or walkway will do the trick as well.

Repaint Your Accents. Repainting the accents of your home—including the front door, trim and shutters—will give your house a fresh, clean look. “Choosing a bold color will make your house stick out, but even playing it safe with a neutral tone will make your property appear clean and well cared for,” says Ray.

Replace Your Numbers. “Many houses have old, faded or rusted numbers. Buying new, modern numbers—or even customized numeral plaques—can really help the look of the front of your house,” says Ray. “This is a small detail that is often overlooked but can have a really nice effect.”

Plant a Garden. Planting a small flower garden in the front of your house will give your home a warm, inviting look. “Foliage adds instant curb appeal,” states Ray. “If you don’t want to tend to flowers, consider planting a tree.”

Detailing. Adding interesting details, such as a bird feeder or birdbath, will improve the appeal of your front yard. “Inexpensive stepping stones trailed throughout a garden or up to the front door are also attractive touches,” suggests Ray.

Mailbox Makeover. “Getting an upgraded or customized mailbox adds great detailing to the front of your house,” says Ray. “Whether you opt for a mounted box on the side of your home or a curbside container, having a mailbox that stands out is a nice touch.”

“There are many different low-budget options for bolstering your curb appeal,” says Ray. “Doing so will immediately make your home more inviting, assure a great first impression and enable a faster selling time.”

St Simons Island Office Earns Premier Office Award

The St Simons Island of Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners, has been named a Coldwell Banker® Premier Office, the highest honor given to Coldwell Banker offices.

“The Premier Office award is the most prestigious designation that can be given to an individual Coldwell Banker office, representing the highest level of teamwork and achievement,” said Connie Farmer Ray, President and CEO of Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners. “The sales associates at the St Simons Island Office of Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners exemplify excellence for offices throughout the Coldwell Banker system.”

“It is an honor to present Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners with the Premier Office Award,” says Jim Gillespie, chief executive officer of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. “Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners has proven to be a leader in 2010 by excelling during challenging times and providing customers with the high standard of service and expertise representative of the most professional sales agents in the business.”

While this is still a challenging time for the real estate industry, millions of people continue to buy and sell homes based on their lifestyles and needs. “For those who have good credit, a secure job and financial viability, there is no denying that now is one of the smartest times in my 35 years in real estate to purchase a home,” notes Gillespie.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate Survey Finds Spike in Gas Prices is Impacting Where Home Buyers Choose to Live

– The high cost of gasoline is not just emptying wallets; it is also impacting where consumers choose to buy a home. According to a new Coldwell Banker survey among its network of real estate professionals, 75 percent said that the recent spike in gas prices has influenced their clients’ decisions on where to live, and 93 percent said if gas prices continue to rise, more home buyers will choose to live somewhere that allows for a closer commute to their work.
The Desire to Be Close to Work, or Work from Home
Out of those who said gas prices affect where consumers want to live, being closer to work was the leading consideration.
• Drive time and racking up miles en-route to the office caused 89 percent to say buyers look for homes closer to work. Forty-five (45) percent are seeing buyers choose homes closer to shops and services as a result of increasing gas prices.*
Some buyers are skipping the commute altogether.
• More than three quarters of the real estate professionals surveyed (77 percent) said more buyers today are interested in having a home office compared to five years ago, and 68 percent of those respondents said that they believe the high cost of gas contributes to this new work from home trend.
• Currently, there are more than 25,000 homes available on coldwellbanker.com that include “office” as part of the listing description.
“The decision to buy a home has always been tailored around the personal, multi-faceted lifestyle needs of each buyer,” said Jim Gillespie, CEO of Coldwell Banker Real Estate. “Today, rising fuel costs and a person’s decision to commute or perhaps work remotely are additional factors of the decision home buyers must consider.”
An Increased Interest in Urban Living
One trend continuing to rise in popularity, partly because of the gas price phenomenon, is the interest in urban living.
• Fifty-six (56) percent of the real estate professionals surveyed said that they are seeing more home buyers interested in urban living compared to five years ago.
• Of the subset that recognized this trend, 93 percent strongly agreed or agreed that one reason is an increased interest in shorter commutes.
• Eighty-one (81) percent of these respondents also strongly agreed or agreed that the desire to reduce spending on gas is a factor.
According to those who have seen an increased interest in urban living, other reasons behind this trend are:
• Having everything at your fingertips (91 percent strongly agreed or agreed)
• Being able to walk to places (76 percent strongly agreed or agreed)
• Being near public transportation (52 percent strongly agreed or agreed)
Methodology: Coldwell Banker Real Estate conducted an online survey among 1,188 Coldwell Banker real estate professionals across the United States about the impact of gas prices on home buying decisions and trends surrounding urban living. The survey was fielded between April 28, 2011 and May 3, 2011.
*Some answer percentages in the above may not total 100 percent, if only the most popular responses are listed. In other cases, respondents had the option to check all that apply, which may mean that percentages total more than 100 percent.

Platinum Partners Hosts Education Event with Rick DeLuca

Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners gathered for a very special educational event with guest speaker, Rick DeLuca, at the Savannah Technical College, Crossroads Campus on May 11, 2011.
Rick DeLuca is a renowned speaker holding many accreditations including the owner of an independent real estate company of 193 agents that led the nation in production, averaging 48.6 closed transactions per year per agent. “Rick has been a speaker at the Coldwell Banker Business Conference many times and it was very exciting to be able to open this opportunity to our agents on a personal level,” said Connie Farmer Ray, President and CEO of Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners. “From experienced to newly licensed agents, Rick shared systems that allow REALTORS to compete in today’s real estate market.”
The response from the day has been great from all of our agents. Dori Marcovechio raved, “Outstanding! Great ideas from successful Realtor.” “Connie, Thank you for sponsoring the seminar. I had not heard Rick Deluca speak but can tell you I was so glad I went. He kept my attention and I certainly picked up several ideas to try. I am looking forward to putting his ideas to work,” said Judy Ballard. “I really did enjoy the seminar. I received more ideas than anything I’ve attended. It was great,” continued Nancy Avery. James Vivenzio said, “I just wanted to say thank you for bringing Rick Deluca and encouraging us to attend. Like many of us, I have attended a lot of these programs but Rick's style and message really had an impact on me. I have all intentions of applying a number of the activities he spoke about. I'm so glad I attended. Thanks again for all you do.” “Rick DeLuca was extremely informative. He provided a buffet of practical advice that we can use to generate business in today's challenging market. I hung on to his every word. Many thanks to Connie for bring Rick to us,” said Charles Gilyard. “I attended the Rick DeLuca seminar for the second time this week. One major thing that sets him apart from other instructors is his ability to tie everything together so neatly. When he is finished, you have a lot of great information without feeling overwhelmed. His plan is simple and encouraging; a plan that absolutely could work for anyone,” said Rosie Litchfield.

“At Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners it's our mission to create an environment where your business excels through integrity, innovation and being your ‘Platinum Partner’ and it’s through events like this we share our value in education and continuous improvement for our customers and our agents,” said Connie Ray.

A Guide for First-Time Homebuyers

Today’s market is ripe with opportunities for first-time homebuyers. Shopping for and purchasing your first home is an exciting time, but before you begin looking, make sure you’re completely prepared and know what to expect. The following steps will help get you ready to make that big purchase.

Step 1: Freshen up your Finances. Before you dive into the exciting part of home-buying—the search!—make sure you have all your ducks in a row. “Figuring out your finances and crunching some numbers will allow you to set a realistic budget,” says Connie Ray, President/Owner of Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners.

Step 2: Secure a loan. “After you get your finances in order, talk to lenders and mortgage brokers,” says Ray. It’s important to shop around to get the lowest interest and overall best deal possible. “Make sure you understand all of the fees involved before diving into anything,” Ray warns.

Step 3: Map out your criteria. Now that you have your finances figured out and a loan set up, it’s time to begin your search—from home! With a plethora of online home-buying tools at your fingertips, it’s relatively easy to map out different types of homes and neighborhoods and find what is right for you. “Make big decisions—like urban versus suburban settings, an estimated property size and neighborhood requirements—before you start to physically look at properties,“ says Ray. This will save time and energy for both you and your agent.

Step 4: Take notes. On your own or with the help of an agent, you’ve found some houses you’re interested in looking at. Don’t venture out without a pen, paper and camera. “Often when searching for a home you are shown many at once. Keeping track of important details by taking notes and pictures will help you differentiate between the properties later, and help you weed out the homes you were not interested in,” says Ray. It is also a good idea to come with a list of questions ready, and be sure to scope out the neighborhood by driving around for a bit. “There’s nothing worse than purchasing a house only to find it’s down the block from an extremely noisy restaurant or industrial plant,” Ray notes.

Step 5: Close that deal! So you’ve found a home you love? Don’t wait around. “I’ve seen many first-time buyers miss out on a home because they got cold feet and continued shopping around. By the time they realized they weren’t going to find a better fit, someone else had already made an offer!” says Ray. Like the perfect pair of shoes, you will know when you’ve found the right match. “Make an offer, and be ready to negotiate,” says Ray. Once a deal has been made, thoroughly read the contract and make sure you understand everything before you sign. Next, it’s time to begin with the appraisal and home inspection process.

Spring Renovations You Can't Afford Not to Make

Spring is widely known as the busiest real estate season for both buyers and sellers, as the weather brightens and more houses pop up on the market. Spring is also the ideal time for any last minute renovations that could increase your home’s value. “In this market, buyers are pickier than ever, so embarking on a few renovation projects before putting your house up for sale will speed up its selling process and allow you to ask for a higher price,” explains Connie Ray, President/Owner of Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners. The following renovations are ideal for spring-time completion and are likely to give your property a competitive edge.

The average home loses 30 percent of its energy through its windows. “Installing energy efficient windows is a great way to improve your home’s value, because they lower your energy bills, provide quality insulation and are a much greener choice than your old, outdated single pane windows,” says Ray. Do the proper research before installing your new windows. Ray suggests choosing windows that have earned an Energy Star.

“Curb appeal is crucial, especially in the springtime when local flora is in full bloom,” states Ray. Installing a fence around your yard makes your home appear to have more privacy, and is appealing to buyers with children or animals. Additionally, planting a small garden and trimming trees and shrubs will increase the charm of your property. Try and declutter your lawn as well, removing that old swing set, rusted patio furniture or dog house that’s seen better days. It’s also important to pay attention to your front door—if the paint is chipped or peeling, give it a fresh coat. “The front door is one of the first things buyers see upon arrival,” comments Ray. If it looks neglected, buyers will be headed in the other direction before you can say “home maintenance.”

Spring is also the perfect season to give your old, cracked driveway a face-lift. “Pulling into a freshly paved driveway gives buyers the sense that you take great care of your property, both inside and out,” says Ray. And, because asphalt needs the perfect combination of temperature and moisture to properly set, breezy spring weather makes it an ideal time to pave. Extend your attention from the drive to the garage, making sure it is freshly painted, decluttered and free of cracks or holes, suggests Ray.

“Spring is the perfect season to make renovations before placing your house on the market,” states Ray. “The weather is beautiful, making it less likely any contractors or builders will have to postpone a project, and as the market is stronger in the spring, your chances of a speedy sale are improved.”

Welcome Crystal Mixon to our St Simons Island Office!

Crystal Mixon has joined Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners as an Associate Broker at the St. Simons Island Office located at 507 Ocean Blvd., Suite 102. Crystal specializes in loss mitigation, relocation, referral, retail property asset and portfolio management. She joins Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners because she looks forward to, “…putting my, “Go get it attitude” to work for you! I want to be YOUR Realtor.”

Crystal has 8 years experience with the Tift area board of REALTORS. She is a Lifetime Quality Service Award Winner and a Million Dollar Club Recipient. She is an advocate for volunteerism and making her community the best it can be for her family as well as yours. She believes education and training are vital to the quality and transactions. Crystal Mixon may be reached at 229.392.4666 or via email at crystal.mixon@coldwellbanker.com.

Welcome Janice Morgan to our SSI Office!

Janice Morgan has joined Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners as a Sales Associate at the St. Simons Island Office located at 507 Ocean Blvd., Suite 102. Janice specializes in residential properties, short sales and foreclosures. She joins Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners because, “…it is a full-service global real estate company that allows me to provide consumers with abundant resources for buying or selling a home. Coldwell Banker is the industry leader and I like that it sets high standards, is innovative and professional.” Her goal is, “Striving to Exceed Expectations.”

Janice has been Florida Licensed in real estate for 8 years and prior had been working in Virginia in new home sales since 1993. She is an Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR) and is also Short Sale / Foreclosure Resource Certified (SFR). Janice also enjoys volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and the Leukemia Foundation. Janice Morgan may be reached at 912.580.1833 or via email at Janice@janicemorgan.com.