5 Christmas Decoration Tips for Your Point Breeze Home for Sale

5 Christmas Decoration Tips for Your Point Breeze Home for Sale

With Thanksgiving done, homes for sale in Point Breeze are now starting to be filled with festive, fun, and colorful decorations for the Christmas season. From a gorgeous mantel display to a majestic tree to glowing outdoor lights, some homes go all out. They do say that Thanksgiving is the kickstart to the holiday season so why not spruce up your home today?

Check out these 5 Christmas decoration tips for the savvy homeowner:

1. Pick a theme and stick to it.

Are you going for a winter wonderland? How about a modern and minimalistic theme? Did you ever think of having chic boho decorations? How about charming rustic decorations? Having a theme interpreted all over your home shows visitors and potential buyers how well-thought-out and properly maintained the home is. It gives them a positive feeling when they step inside the home and get transported to a winter wonderland or a rustic cabin in the woods or a million dollar home.

2. Plan before you buy.

Once you’ve decided on your theme, it’s time to plan the specific pieces of decor that you want for your Point Breeze home for sale in Pittsburgh. What part of your home should be filled with garlands or ribbons or flowers? Will you have a themed wreath on your front door? Where will the Christmas tree be placed? Make a list of everything you envision and all the things you need to purchase before going to the store to shop. Having a concrete plan laid out on a piece of paper helps you to lessen the chances of changing themes mid-shopping because of a beautiful decor you found in a store that you want to buy but doesn’t fit your theme.

3. Check your inventory.

Part of planning is checking your inventory. What decorations did you use for last year’s holiday season and this recent Thanksgiving that you can reuse for Christmas? How about from Halloween? If you have leftover pumpkins or candles or apples? You can use those to create a beautiful mantelpiece, provided they fit your holiday decor theme. If you have extra throw pillows with solid color covers such as whites or reds or greens, you can use those to make your living room a lot cozier. Always check what you have lying around at home so you can minimize the holiday shopping costs. This way, you can focus on more important things such maximizing holiday cheers.

4. Expensive doesn’t always mean festive.

Just because you want to make the house look as festive and holiday cozy as possible, it doesn’t mean that you have to spend as frivolously. Luxury Realtors® in Point Breeze Pittsburgh PA advise homeowners to shop around for affordable but quality decors that they can use and reuse for different occasions.

5. Involve the entire family.

Spread the holiday cheer by letting the entire family help in decorating your home. Don’t monopolize the decision-making and instead make holiday decorating a family affair. It’s all about making fun memories. Plus, sharing the responsibilities mean getting rid of unnecessary holiday stress off your back.

Enjoy the holidays. Fill your home with fanciful and festive decors to spread the holiday cheer. Find even more helpful holiday tips by visiting http://www.SoldByConnie.net.

Call me, Connie Wolff at 724-779-1427 for all your real estate needs. As a trusted luxury REALTOR® in Point Breeze Pittsburgh PA, I provide all my clients expert solutions, one yard at a time.

Features to Avoid When Renovating Your Point Breeze Home for Sale

Features to Avoid When Renovating Your Point Breeze Home for Sale

So you’re finally ready to renovate your Point Breeze home for sale in Pittsburgh. When you first started house hunting before landing on your current home, do you remember what were the features in a home that made you turn your back on it? Was it the above-ground swimming pool? Was it the wide backyard? Was it the renovated garage? Was it the over-the-top lighting fixture in the dining room?

Nowadays, buyers are more cautious when it comes to house hunting. Before starting a tour of all the open houses in the area, they start their search online and in the few seconds that they look at the details and photos of your home, they can instantly know whether or not they should visit your open house or simply close the tab, leave your listing web page, and search for something else.

Much like when you were first starting to buy your home, buyers’ decisions are affected by one major factor: best value for their money. So if you’re doing home renovations, make sure that these address the needs of the ever-changing market. Don’t take on these renovation projects that make your home harder to sell:

Swimming pool

You might find it nice to take a dip every once in awhile as you enjoy the hot summer sun but a backyard swimming pool can actually hurt the price of your home for sale in Point Breeze. Potential buyers see swimming pools as money down the drain. Apart from installation expenses, pools cost a lot to maintain and some potential buyers find it a time-consuming luxury that they’re not willing to take on.

Replacing a bedroom

No matter how much you want a bigger walk-in closet, tearing down a bedroom and using it as such can become a major turnoff for buyers. Never limit the number of rooms just to accommodate an oversized luxury bathroom or a walk-in closet. A three bedroom home will always sell a lot better than a two bedroom one with a large master bedroom.

Sunroom

While it might be nice to enjoy hanging out with family and friends in a sunroom at the backyard, not all buyers will appreciate this. For homes with a small backyard, adding a sunroom basically takes away a space that the family can use for a kid’s play area or a mini herb garden. If you want to update your backyard, opt for adding more plants with colorful flowers and tending to these instead.

Modern kitchen with high-end materials

While it can be tempting to renovate your kitchen to rival Rachel Ray or Nigella Lawson’s kitchens, using high-end materials and updating all appliances can cause too much dent in your pocket. Luxury Realtors® in Point Breeze Pittsburgh PA suggest simple remodeling, basic repainting, and replacing only the appliances that need to be replaced. Stainless steel appliances can add value to your home but that doesn’t mean you should purchase the most expensive ones. Buyers are always looking for practical and functional spaces in the home. Expensive furniture and appliances are simply an extravagance that will cost them even more on maintenance and upkeep.

Don’t turn off your buyers with renovation and upgrade mistakes. According to the best Realtor® in Point Breeze Pittsburgh PA, home sellers should always keep in mind the costs of these add ons to the home before embarking on the task. Learn more about the real estate market and tips for sellers and buyers by visiting http://www.SoldByConnie.net.

Call me, Connie Wolff at 724-779-1427 for all your real estate needs. As a trusted luxury REALTOR® in Point Breeze Pittsburgh PA, I provide all my clients expert solutions, one yard at a time.

Amazing Features That Make a Point Breeze Home Harder to Sell

Amazing Features That Make a Point Breeze Home Harder to Sell

A lot of home buyers easily make judgments on Point Breeze homes for sale in Pittsburgh within seconds of viewing a listing online. From the details of the house to photos and more, they can easily make snap decisions on whether they want to read more or even attend an open house. Nowadays, buyers are more cautious and scrutinous when looking for their homes. Just because a home fits their dream home doesn’t mean that they’ll grab the opportunity to own that home right away. They look for the best bang for their buck, knowing that any home is an investment. This means that as a seller, you want to give the buyers what they want for in a home.

If you’re looking to sell your home sometime in the near future, consider the following list before making any major renovations or upgrades. You might think these amazing features can easily attract buyers but contrary to that belief, these are actually some of the things that cut your buyer’s market in half:

Swimming pool

An in-ground outdoor swimming pool can be a necessity for some buyers looking to live in a city with a warmer climate. However, while it’s tempting to add a pool to your home, consider the costs of renovation and maintenance compared to how much value it can actually add to your list price. While it may seem like a fun addition, the costs might hurt your pocket too much for you to even enjoy it.

Over-the-top lighting fixtures

While it feels great living in a home with delicately-designed chandeliers, some buyers might not find this charming at all. You can enjoy the chandelier while you still live at home but when it’s time for you to sell, opt to replace these with a more practical but also beautiful lighting fixture.

Garage turned into a gym or hobby room

If you’ve turned your garage into a home gym or a hobby room or anything other than a space for parking your vehicle, then this might be a turnoff for potential buyers of your home for sale in Point Breeze. When a room is turned into something else, more often than not, buyers are unable to picture themselves living in the room in a way that fits their needs best. Some buyers need space to park their cars or store their lawnmowers or they might need the extra room for a kid’s room or nursery. Make sure that when you convert a room into something else, try to remove all the remnants of what the space has become and turn it into what it once was.

Middle of the city location

Some people love living in the middle of it all, beside a busy street with shops and restaurants just a few steps away from their front door. However, while you’re intrigued by the activity, some buyers might not be as fascinated living in the middle of a busy city. While they might be looking for a home in a convenient location, buyers don’t necessarily want to be surrounded by a thriving and loud city scene.

Don’t turn off your buyers with renovation and upgrade mistakes. According to the best Realtor® in Point Breeze Pittsburgh PA, home sellers should always keep in mind the costs of these add ons to the home before deciding on doing one. Learn more about the real estate market and tips for sellers and buyers by visiting http://www.SoldByConnie.net.

Call me, Connie Wolff at 724-779-1427 for all your real estate needs. As a trusted luxury REALTOR® in Point Breeze Pittsburgh PA, I provide all my clients expert solutions, one yard at a time.

5 Things to Keep in Mind for an Amazing Thanksgiving Dinner

5 Things to Keep in Mind for an Amazing Thanksgiving Dinner

Ahh, Thanksgiving in Point Breeze homes for sale in Pittsburgh. As one of the most anticipated holidays, this day can also be one of the most stressful days of any homeowner who has decided to host a Thanksgiving dinner at his or her home. As a host, you are the official event organizer, one who will continuously feel the stress and pressure of hosting a successful dinner. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a host that got so stressed she was unable to actually attend the dinner she’s hosting. To keep sane during this holiday, here are some top tips to help you out:

Plan everything. From the dinner menu to the dining table decoration to the number of guests you’re inviting to each guests’ allergies and more, take a pen and a paper and write it all down. Before you can even begin to picture out grocery shopping, dicing, chopping, and baking, you need to layout your plans for the dinner so you won’t run out of time and cut people or recipes off the menu.

Get organized. Once you’ve had everything planned out, it’s time to start organizing your resources and creating a time frame. Schedule accordingly and make sure that you don’t spend so much time on one place instead of doing one chore and vice versa. Learn how to maximize your time. Also, don’t forget to add “sleep” to your schedule. Apart from time, you should also organize your guest list - keep track of how many have already RSVP’d and where each guest will sit at the table. You wouldn’t want all extroverts on one side of the table and leaving the other side all silent and awkward now, would you?

Don’t try to do it all alone.  Remember the saying “No man is an island?” Well, when it comes to preparing a successful Thanksgiving dinner, luxury Realtors® in Point Breeze Pittsburgh PA say the same. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Learn which tasks you can delegate to other helping hands. Allot certain tasks to different people so you wouldn’t end up so stressed you would actually miss the whole amazing dinner you’ve planned just so you can take a break.

Give away leftovers. Chances are, you’ll get stuck with plenty of leftovers. If you don’t want to be eating the same food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for weeks on end, ask guests to bring plastic containers so you can all share the leftovers. Prepare saran wraps and ziploc bags, too.

Have fun. The best Realtors® in Point Breeze Pittsburgh PA always advise their clients and share that one of the reasons Thanksgiving Day is being celebrated is so that we can give thanks and celebrate with our loved ones. Enjoy the time off from work that you get to spend with your family and friends. Enjoy the dinner that you’ve worked so hard for and simply have fun.

Hosting a successful Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t have to be a stressful event. Simply follow these really easy tips and you’ll soon be enjoying the night with your family and friends. Find even more helpful tips for savvy homeowners by visiting http://www.SoldByConnie.net.

Call me, Connie Wolff at 724-779-1427 for all your real estate needs. As a trusted luxury REALTOR® in Point Breeze Pittsburgh PA, I provide all my clients expert solutions, one yard at a time.

5 Top Tips for Hosting a Successful Thanksgiving Dinner

5 Top Tips for Hosting a Successful Thanksgiving Dinner

Once a year, homeowners spend countless hours in the kitchens of their Point Breeze homes for sale in Pittsburgh making the perfect Thanksgiving dinner. This holiday is one of the most important days in an American household and hosting an amazing Thanksgiving dinner is always a feat. To help avoid the stress of all the preparations, here are some tips to help you out:

1. PLAN. The key to any successful event is the amount of time, effort, and resources spent on planning. From the food to the wine to the table setting, everything needs to be set accordingly. These kinds of dinner parties are not something you can host at the last minute. Even when it’s a potluck dinner, planning the food that each guest brings is important so that you won’t end up with five different kinds of cranberry sauce, 3 wines, and no turkey.

2. ORGANIZE. Make sure everything is in proper order before you start shopping for your ingredients. Before you take a trip to the store, organize just how much of one item you’re getting, where you’re getting it from, and how much budget you’re allowed to use up. Keeping organized is another way to avoid the stress that comes with hosting an elaborate dinner with lots of people involved.

3. DELEGATE. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Luxury Realtors® in Point Breeze Pittsburgh PA always advise their clients that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Rather, it is an open invitation to collaborate and get creative with the menu and the set up so that everyone is assured of a fun time before, during, and after the dinner.

4. MAKE A SCHEDULE. Create a schedule that you and your family or friends can work on. Estimate the amount of time one recipe should be cooked, which recipe should be prepared first, what recipe can be done the night before, and more. Stick to this schedule and before you know it, you’ll be celebrating Thanksgiving with everything all set up and food is ready to be served.

5. GIVE. No matter how much planning you put into it, chances are you’ll still have a ton of leftovers. As such, encourage guests to bring plastic containers so you can give them some of the leftovers. Unless of course you’re planning to run on zero refrigerator space and a week’s worth of leftovers for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Hosting a successful Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t have to be a stressful event. Simply follow these really easy tips and you’ll soon be enjoying the night with your family and friends. Find even more helpful tips for savvy homeowners by visiting http://www.SoldByConnie.net.

Call me, Connie Wolff at 724-779-1427 for all your real estate needs. As a trusted luxury REALTOR® in Point Breeze Pittsburgh PA, I provide all my clients expert solutions, one yard at a time.

List of Items to Include in a Purchase Offer for Point Breeze Homes for Sale

List of Items to Include in a Purchase Offer for Point Breeze Homes for Sale

One of the last parts of the entire process of buying Point Breeze homes for sale in Pittsburgh is when the home buyer finally decides to make a purchase offer. Some clauses may vary depending on the state you’re in. You can ask your Realtor® if they have a pre-printed form you can simply fill out which they can, in turn, hand to the seller’s agent.

If you don’t have a pre-printed government approved form, together with your real estate agent and real estate lawyer, you will be preparing a purchase offer that contains the following information:

Buyer and Seller information - From full names to addresses to phone numbers, and email, identification of both parties are included in the offer. All owners appearing on the title of the property should be listed down.

Object of the Contract - This part specifies the details of the property. You indicate the complete address of the Point Breeze Pittsburgh home for sale, the legal description which can be found on the tax bill, the lot measurement, and more.

Price and Deposit - This section specifies the amount the buyer wishes to purchase the house for and the amount of the deposit or earnest money. While it’s not mandatory, the deposit is given together with the purchase offer to show the seller that the buyers are serious about the home.

Declarations and Obligations of the Buyer - In some forms, it’s in this part of the offer that buyer states when he or she visited the property and states that they are satisfied with the condition of the home. It also states that buyers assume fees and taxes, and undertakes the execution of the deed of sale. It can also include leasing contracts and a non-assignability clause which states that buyer may not sell or assign the property to another without prior written consent of the owner.

Declarations and Obligations of the Seller - This part of the offer states the deliverables of the seller such as providing the buyer with a valid title of ownership and other ownership documents. This is also where the best Realtor® in Point Breeze Pittsburgh PA will note of the the seller’s declarations of defects or irregularity of the house being sold.

Optional Conditions of the Purchase - This section of the document lists down all the conditions that may be applied with the purchase such as financing conditions, inspections, and more.

Conditions of Acceptance - The purchase offer has an expiration date and this is where the buyer will place the deadline of the seller’s acceptance of the offer. Once the seller accepts and signs it, this document becomes a legally binding contract between both parties. Otherwise, the offer becomes null and void.

Home buying can really be a long and challenging process. Fortunately, Realtors® can help lighten the stress off your back. Learn more about the process of becoming a homeowner by visiting http://www.SoldByConnie.net.

Call me, Connie Wolff at 724-779-1427 for all your real estate needs. As a trusted luxury REALTOR® in Point Breeze Pittsburgh PA, I provide all my clients expert solutions, one yard at a time.

What to Include in a Purchase Offer for Point Breeze Homes for Sale

What to Include in a Purchase Offer for Point Breeze Homes for Sale

You’ve gone through almost the entire home buying process - you’ve worked with a trusted Realtor® in your search for Point Breeze homes for sale in Pittsburgh, you’ve attended a number of open houses, you’ve picked the one home that you feel fits your family’s needs the most and you’ve already had the home inspected. All that’s left now is to make the purchase offer.

A purchase offer is a signed contract that indicates the amount you’re willing to pay for the house. Also known as a purchase agreement, deposit receipt, or offer to purchase and contract, the corresponding documents vary in accordance to the state requirements and local jurisdictions. Your Realtor® can provide you with a standard purchase offer form which you can simply sign and send to the seller. In some states, only attorneys are allowed to prepare these real estate contracts. However, some states allow Realtors® to prepare these by using pre-printed and state-approved forms. It’s best to be diligent when working on these forms and to scrutinize every detail on every clause of the form. Some home buyers and luxury Realtors® in Point Breeze Pittsburgh PA work with an attorney who can review the forms.

Apart from the amount of your offer, the document also includes a date and time when the offer expires. Typically, the offer expires after a couple of days. In addition, the document also contains the terms of the offer - how you’ll finance the purchase, target date to close, what to do with home inspection results, and other clauses deemed necessary by the seller, your attorney, or the state. Earnest money is also sometimes included with the purchase offer to show the seller that you’re serious about buying his or her property. This money can cost you anywhere from $500 up to 5% of the selling price.

Once all the documents are ready, your agent presents it to the seller’s agent. If they accept the offer, the seller signs it and returns it to you within the specified time limit. However, if they do not agree with the offer, the seller’s agent will either request to modify a few clauses or send you and your best Realtor® in Point Breeze Pittsburgh PA a counteroffer. You go back and forth until you reach an agreement.

Home buying can really be a long and challenging process. Fortunately, Realtors® can help lighten the stress off your back. Learn more about the process of becoming a homeowner by visiting http://www.SoldByConnie.net.

Call me, Connie Wolff at 724-779-1427 for all your real estate needs. As a trusted luxury REALTOR® in Point Breeze Pittsburgh PA, I provide all my clients expert solutions, one yard at a time.

Most Common Emotional Mistakes Home Buyers of Point Breeze Homes Make

Most Common Emotional Mistakes Home Buyers of Point Breeze Homes Make

Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or not, purchasing Point Breeze homes for sale in Pittsburgh is an emotional experience. Home buyers are prone to experiencing a lot of feelings- from sadness over leaving their old homes to excitement finding a new one and more. However, buyers must realize that homes are investments and when it comes to investing your hard-earned money, emotions should not get a big share of the deciding power.  

Keep your emotions in check and avoid these emotional mistakes that home buyers make:

Not taking off the rose-colored glasses.

When people are asked to describe their “dream homes,” rarely do you get the same answer from two homebuyers. Some believe that an outdoor pool with a covered deck is important in their dream homes while others insist on having a landscaped lush backyard as part of their dream homes. Oftentimes, when these factors are in the homes for sale that they’ve visited, these buyers tend to romanticize the home and overlook other pertinent details. What becomes important to them are the features they’re specifically looking for and not the overall structure of the home. Take the emotion out and those rose-colored glasses off. Look at the home as an investment and study the home and the market carefully.

Falling in love with the first home they view.

Luxury Realtors® in Point Breeze Pittsburgh PA have experienced having clients who won’t take a look at other homes because they have fallen in love with the first home they viewed. While it’s easy to fall in love with the feel that a new home can bring you, it’s best to always shop around before making a decision. Review the market reports from your trusted agent and compare the other properties in the area. Chances are, in these viewings, you’ll realize what kind of home fits you and your family best.

Overpaying for the home.

In connection to falling in love with the first home you see, some buyers who are in a seller’s market tend to overpay for the home they fell in love with. A seller’s market means that the house is getting a lot of offers and a bidding war ensues between all the buyers interested in the home. As such, a buyer’s emotional mistake is paying the highest amount just so they could get the house. The best Realtor® in Point Breeze Pittsburgh PA advises home buyers to compare all the homes that are up for sale before making an impulsive decision. Who knows, the perfect home that fits your budget just right might be listed a couple of days from now?

Buying a home doesn’t have to be an emotional battle. Be open to the ups and downs of the market and study it carefully before you make an offer. Learn more about buying homes in Point Breeze by visiting http://www.SoldByConnie.net.

Call me, Connie Wolff at (724) 779-1427 for all your real estate needs. As a trusted luxury REALTOR® in Point Breeze Pittsburgh PA, I provide all my clients expert solutions, one yard at a time.