We get that question a lot, as well as… “is that the toxic black mold?” or “is that the dangerous mold”. Here is a common sense response to this often asked question.
After much research and literally thousands of mold inspections, ultimately the answer depends on your own personal susceptibility:
Generally when mold of any kind is actively growing in small surface area (less than a few sq. ft.) it does not cause a significant health issue (Air Quality issue) to most of us.
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by Donna Evers, Broker and President, Evers & Co. Real Estate
The residential real estate market is challenging, but buyers can often get a lower price and better terms if they are a skillful negotiators.
1) Arm Yourself. This means hiring the best real estate agent you can get to represent you in your purchase. This person should know what you want and how much you can afford. He or she should be a person with whom you can communicate, who inspires your trust, knows the area where you want to buy, is ready to do research for you and can help you plan your strategy when you make the offer. An added bonus to using an agent is that your offer will be much better received when it comes through a third party, so let your agent do the talking.
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It may sound hard to believe today, but the concept of buyer’s agency in residential real estate was revolutionary when it came into practice in the 1980’s. The District of Columbia was one of the first jurisdictions in the country to institute buyer’s agency, and Maryland and Virginia quickly followed suit.
The real estate profession needed this change in agency practice because most homebuyers mistakenly believed the agent who was showing them properties was working for them. Instead, all agents were working for the seller- the party who was paying the agents’ sales commissions. So the advent of buyer’s agency meant that buyers now had the option of hiring an agent to represent them.
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1 ) “We can always come down in price.” This rationale for putting a high price on a house suggests that it has no risks or negative consequences. However, the most likely buyers for your property lose interest immediately when they see the high price tag. Then the house sits on the market over time and keeps losing value. When these overly ambitious sellers decide to reduce the price, it is usually too little too late. Almost always, they end up getting less for the house than if they had started with the correct price and attracted the premium buyers who would have bought the house when it first came on the market.
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Historically, real estate agents represented sellers. Buyers, although they had an agent showing them properties, had no one involved in the transaction who could advise them on price points and negotiating techniques. Most home buyers had no idea that when working with a real estate professional, that agent was a sub-agent of the seller, and was required to do everything possible to achieve the best outcome for his/her client, the seller. Buyers now have the option of working with a buyer’s agent, whose fiduciary responsibility and loyalty is to them. The real estate agent you select is your real estate agent, who represents your best interests and only your interests during the process of buying a home. Your buyer’s agent works solely on your side of the transaction and will advise you on both pricing and strategies, the positives and the negatives. This avoids the potential conflicts of interest that can occur when agency and client relationships are not clearly defined. A buyer’s agent has your best interests and successful outcome as the primary goal.
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You’re putting your home on the market and want it to sell quickly for the optimal price. You can do small things both aesthetically and economically that will spruce up and prepare your home for sale, so that it stands out from the crowd and brings you a buyer in record time.
Get Rid of Clutter
It is important to de-clutter. It’s always amazing how much “stuff” one acquires that’s never used or just stored away in closets or basements. Your home needs to look large, open, and inviting, with usable rooms and surfaces. So, if you haven’t used it or don’t need it, throw it out or give it away. Straighten bookshelves and desks, pack up knickknacks, clean off kitchen counters, and organize closets, pantries, drawers, and cabinets.
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