July 2017 RE/MAX National Housing Report

#selling your home - #paint colors that's good

Shades of white and off-white are the top colors for a quick home sale. This is absolutely what is most requested when I’m working with home buyers. We’re seeing a lot of requests for lighter, brighter colors. When working with a white backdrop, the trick is to add in color through the furnishings and accessories. Selecting the right shade of white paint isn’t easy. A white kitchen can mean 40 different colors. You should still bring home paint swatches. Whites can have a more blueish hue or more of a brown or even pinkish hue depending on the exact lighting. Don't be afraid that white is too boring because your decor can add colors to any room.

Selling your home - ways to help you #stage your home #staging#home

Getting ready to list your house for sale? Putting some effort into staging it well can impact how quickly it moves off the market. The tenets of staging are pretty basic: declutter, depersonalize and deep clean. But there are some little-known tactics that experts swear by. Here are a few home staging tips to help you prepare: Draw eyes to a room's best attribute, whether that's a beautiful fireplace or a window with a great view, by strategically placing a decorative accent like a vase or large plant nearby. Clean out and organize closets, cabinets and pantries, leaving more space than you normally might. This can give potential buyers the impression that your home has storage to spare. Want to make a room seem larger? Remove rugs to give the appearance of unbroken floor space. Add fluffy white towels to your bathrooms. The neutral hue implies cleanliness and can give the room a spa-like feel. Turn on interior lights during an open house, even if it's daytime. If your home is outfitted with compact fluorescent bulbs, be sure they have enough time to warm up to full capacity before the event begins. Widen the walking area around major pieces of furniture, such as beds and sofas. A few extra inches can make all the difference. Leaving a room un-staged and free of furniture can encourage buyers to imagine how they could use your space. By being thoughtful with your staging efforts, you can help potential buyers see themselves living a happy life in your home, and that may be all it takes to seal the deal.

Spring Real Estate Market

“The Home Purchase Sentiment Index returned to its longer-term trend line after reclaiming ground last month,” says Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae’s chief economist. “This is aligned with our market forecast of about 3 percent sales growth in 2017. Historically strong inflation-adjusted house price gains are tempering consumer sentiment, whereas consumer optimism regarding the ease of getting a mortgage reached a survey high. On balance, housing continues on a gradual growth track.” Here are more findings from Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index reading from April, which is based on a survey of about 1,000 consumers. 35%: the net share of Americans who say it’s a good time to buy a home, up 5 percentage points from March. 26%: the net percentage of consumers who say it’s a good time to sell, dropping 5 percentage points from last month’s all-time survey high. 45%: the net share of Americans who believe home prices will rise by 1 percentage point. 77%: the net share of consumers who say they’re not concerned about losing their job, up 7 percentage points from March. 13%: the net share of consumers who say their household income is significantly higher than it was 12 months ago, up 2 percentage points from March. Source: Fannie Mae

#Babyboomers#retire#realestate#montgomerycounty#maryland

An average of 10,000 baby boomers retire each day, and while some may decide to downsize or relocate, others choose to adapt their homes for enjoyment into their golden years. A large part of aging in place is ensuring that everything is within reach and easy to use. Here are some ideas that can help you prepare to age well in your home. Add Small, Important Features Think convenience and accessibility when selecting new appliances, like a front-load washer and dryer, and adding fixtures, such as adjustable showerheads, lever-style door handles and handrails on both sides of a staircase. Even small adjustments like lower light switches and higher electrical outlets can have an impact on the functionality of your home later in life. Make Thoughtful Renovations If you're budgeting for a larger remodel, consider some of the more common aging-in-place improvements: Increase the width of doorways to at least 36 inches. Add a step-free exterior entrance or ramp. Install a bathroom on the ground floor, complete with a walk-in shower and low-rise tub. Opt for pocket doors where possible. Outfit the kitchen with shallow sinks, multilevel countertops and a bottom-freezer fridge. Consider Technology Smart technology in the home has practical uses for those looking to age in place. Smart bath monitors can turn the water off before a tub overflows, and detection alarms on stoves can now alert homeowners to a potentially dangerous situation before toxic gases are even present. Motion-activated lights, smart doorbells with a video monitor and smart home security systems give seniors who live independently more peace of mind. Even if you're nowhere near retiring, it's important to make a plan. When it comes to aging in place, it makes sense to have the fixes complete before you need them. Should you decide to down-size, I'm here to help. Pamela DuBois

TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR HOME

Maximize Curb Appeal Cut grass, pull weeds, trim hedges, sweep leaves and debris from your front walkway and porch. Paint your front door if needed. Declutter Clean closets, basement and garage, and clear kitchen counters. Rent a storage unit for off-season clothes and bulky furniture. Dust and clean ceiling fan blades, fireplace mantle, appliances, faucets, moldings, baseboards and windows. Consider getting your carpets professionally cleaned. Repair Fix or replace anything that is broken. De-personalize Remove family photos, kid’s artwork on the refrigerator and knickknacks. Brighten up Open all shades and blinds. Add floor or table lamps to dim areas; turn all lights on for evening showings. Appeal to the Senses Bake cookies or bread, or light a scented candle for a homey smell. Microwave vanilla extract for a 10 seconds to get the same smell of baking cookies. Create a Spa-like Bathroom Add a luxurious look with plants, scented candles, colorful coordinating towels, washcloths and rugs.

#Pamela DuBois! “Wow” is what comes to mind when I think of her. I have never interacted with anyone who gives so much importance to the needs, likes and preferences of the customer. She makes sure every small detail is taken care of. She does not rush you or force you to accept deals just to close it and be done with a deal. She in fact recommends not to go after something if she sees that it is not good for you in the long run. She was extremely patient with us, continuously sending us details of several properties, waiting for us patiently during the pre-approval process. She went out of her way to help us out with several things with the house. She is an extremely professional, knowledgeable, dedicated, super-friendly and resourceful realtor who can deliver anything for you. I’m so glad I stumbled upon her name while searching for a property when we moved to the DC( DMV) area. She always has the time for you and is honest to the core. No matter how high your expectations are, she always delivers! To make it better she has a heart of Gold and is a pleasure to interact with. In the process of finding a beautiful house, I not only found an absolutely awesome and the BEST realtor in this region, but also found a friend for life. She is and has been a true blessing. Wishing her nothing but the very best.