December 2013 Real Estate Update!

December 2013

DeLena Ciamacco

Included in this blog post is a link to my Real Estate Update Newsletter. Please click on the link below to get the latest Real Estate Update for December! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email my office.

http://realtytimes.com/181/DeLenaCiamacco

The Holiday Season is here!!

 

I want to wish you a Happy Holiday Season and safe New Year’s celebration!  I realize the Holidays can be an extremely stressful time for many people and twice as difficult when you are attempting to sell your home or other Real estate investments.  With that being said, remaining informed and educated about the “Real Estate Market”, in general, is paramount.  Part of my job is to keep you informed and to let you know what to expect this “Winter/Holiday selling season.”

Historically October through February/early March are the slowest months of the year for real estate sales.  As expected, showings will noticeably decrease during this time of year, and they already have dropped by at least 30% over the last month.  However, this by no means indicates your property will not sell!!  In fact, November through February (although they are reportedly the slowest closing months of the year) is not far behind the “prime selling season”.  We tend to have less “lookers” and more serious Buyers during the fall/winter months.  We are looking for Quality of Buyers and not Quantity of Buyers. 

In addition, November through February tend to be strong relocation months. Many major companies fiscal year-ends tend to occur through the months of December and January (and, of course, June).  The people relocating usually HAVE to buy.  It will be important for us to make your listing as available as possible during this time of year. 

Rest assured my entire Team and I plan to do everything possible to put/keep your listing at the forefront.  Fortunately, these trends tend to be cyclical.  I expect it will pick up again in the very near future!

Overall, this year has been as steady as we could hope for real estate sales and it appears it will continue to appreciate into 2014. 

As always, I welcome your call (or email) if you would like to discuss any issue in detail.  Please remember, I would be happy to provide a market analysis (or current comparable sales) for your review, at your request.  I continuously monitor local, state and national market conditions (as they pertain to Real Estate) and will advise if any changes are necessary.

SHOULD YOU LIST YOUR HOME DURING THE HOLIDAYS?

 Getting cold feet about having your home on the market during the holidays? Check out this article by Brendon DeSimone from Zillow of reasons why you SHOULD be on the market and/or STAY there!

Should You List Your Home During The Holidays? 

Also, just a word of advice, if you are thinking of selling or are already on the market be sure to keep the holiday decor  as neutral as possible and at a minimum. 

Holiday shopping online? 3 tips to avoid common scams

Sometimes the best way to find that perfect holiday gift is to search and shop online; it's quick, easy and convenient. And more and more people are doing it: It's anticipated that sales for November and December will grow to $54.5 billion this year, according to eMarketer.



As you venture into unknown online territory in your quest for that perfect gift, it's important to shop with a heightened sense of security. There are undoubtedly countless honest and hardworking sellers who peddle goods over the Internet, but there are also scammers looking to take advantage of unwitting victims.



Help protect yourself from scammers by following three simple rules:



1. Never use a money transfer service to pay for something online.



'Money transfer services are convenient and simple ways to send cash to people you personally know, but you're better off paying by credit card or using an escrow service when you're buying goods online from someone you don't know or you haven't met in-person,' says Shelley Bernhardt, director of consumer protection at Western Union.



Western Union is not an escrow service provider and does not guarantee the delivery or suitability of goods or services. Once you send a money transfer, it can be paid out to the receiver within a short time. After the money is paid, it's gone and the odds of getting it back if the gift you thought you purchased never finds your doorstep are slim.



If an individual seller or online retail website only accepts money transfers as payment, be wary and look elsewhere. And don't be fooled, even if the seller appears friendly and offers a reasonable explanation as to why he or she only accepts money transfers - fraudsters are well-trained in gaining your trust.



2. Never email any financial information.



It's a red flag if a seller asks you to email a credit card number or checking account number. If you're paying for something online, use a secure money exchange service like Paypal or use the secure payment portal on the seller's website.



3. Read product descriptions carefully, including the fine print, and determine exchange and return policies before you purchase.



If the seller or website you bought from doesn't have an exchange policy and the product you buy ends up being something different than what you expected, you're likely out of luck if you try to return it.



You can shop online safely and securely during the holidays or anytime of the year. But make sure you're a savvy shopper and protect yourself from scammers by approaching your purchases with the required amount of scrutiny.



For more information on avoiding common scams, visit www.westernunion.com/stopfraud or www.ftc.gov/moneymatters and click on 'Scam Watch.'



Courtesy of BPT

Family fun that is quick and delicious, easy and nutritious

Making your own version of your favorite take-out meals at home means you can control the amount of sodium and fat your family is consuming without compromising on flavor. If you stock your freezer with whole-wheat pita and your pantry with healthy pasta sauce, you will always have the base for a perfect Pitazza at a moment's notice.



Healthy cooking tip: To add protein to your Pitazza without the extra sodium, roast a whole chicken. Remove the meat and store in your fridge. Freeze the bones for when you have spare time to make your own, low-sodium chicken broth.



Prep time: 8 minutes



Bake time: 15 minutes



Serves: 2



Serving Size: ½ pita



Calories per serving: 202



Ingredients:



• ½ cup (125 mL) Healthy Choice Garlic and Fine Herb pasta sauce



• 1 90g whole wheat pita, split in half to make 2 circles



• ½ cup (125 mL) finely sliced peppers (red, orange and/or yellow)



• ½ cup (125 mL) sliced mushrooms



• ¼ cup (50 mL) minced red onion



• 2 tbsp. low-fat feta cheese crumbled or your favorite low-fat cheese



Directions:



• Preheat oven to 400F/205C.



• On large baking sheet arrange pita bread



• Spread ¼ cup (75 mL) Healthy Choice Garlic and Fine Herb tomato sauce evenly on each pita half



• Top with ¼ cup (50 mL) each: peppers, mushroom and 2 tbsp.(25 mL) red onion.



• Evenly sprinkle crumbled feta cheese; bake for 12 minutes or until the pita crust is golden.



• Slice Pitazza into two pieces, serve with garden salad.



Tip: Top with diced chicken for an extra protein punch



Tip: Make it Naanzza using low fat, low sodium naan bread



Courtesy of Newscanada

Have a spare room in your new home?

Wondering how best to use a spare room?

Some people are lucky enough to have a spare room in their home, but no idea how to use it. Often, it becomes a junk room, filled up with boxes of unwanted stuff, but there are plenty of ways in which better use can be made of a spare room.

One for the kids

A spare room can make an excellent playroom for children, helping to keep the rest of the home free from toys and games. Kids love bright colors, so use strong primary colors such as blues and reds side by side, while one or more walls can be painted to display a mural, a fairy tale kingdom for girls, for example, or a dinosaur scene for boys. A playroom will need plenty of storage, so use bookcases to hold different sized storage boxes for toys and books.

One for the big kids

Another use for a spare room could be to turn it into a games room. An obvious choice for a large spare room would be a pool table for the center, with perhaps a bar or a comfortable seating area around the walls or to one end. If cue games are not a favorite, then perhaps a smaller room could accommodate a football table or arcade games. For those who love ball games, a spare room could be turned into a mini-basketball or tennis court. Decoration in this type of room can be fun, with perhaps large, wall-sized prints of casino scenes or sports game crowds.

One for relaxing

With home cinema equipment becoming ever more sophisticated, a spare room provides an excellent opportunity to create a movie theatre at home. Install either a drop down screen with projector or a large 80” television mounted on the wall for a truly cinematic experience. Make the spare room look like a real movie theatre with rows of seating or keep it intimate with just a sofa and a couple of armchair recliners. Keep wall décor dark and sophisticated, and use up-lights on the walls.

One for culture

Think like a stately home and turn the spare room into either a library or a music room. Piano lovers could have a grand or baby grand piano occupy the center of the room as a focal point, with a good sound system to play their CDs and vinyl records. Consideration should be given to the other members of the home, so a thick carpet or wall insulation may be necessary to contain the sound. Good wall colors for a music room include red, which helps to stimulate the senses, or blue that promotes creativity.

A library or reading room should have subtler colors, such as soft fawn and creams, teamed with warmer, earthier colors of green, red and brown. Floor to ceiling bookcases are the best way to store books, while other essentials include a comfortable chair for reading, and a desk for working at. Good strong reading lamps, either free standing or desk, are also a necessity.

A perfect, sophisticated window dressing for a music or reading room are wooden shutters. These are ideal as they can regulate and angle the daylight, as well as offering privacy whilst still providing adequate ventilation.

If you are planning on selling your home in the near future, however, you should try to neutralize all rooms in your home. A fresh coat of neutral-tone paint, removal of clutter, and simplification of décor are key to emphasizing size of the spaces and allows the potential buyers to envision their own future retreats. 

Contributed by: Charlotte Stafford. Charlotte Stafford is a well-educated, enthusiastic freelance writer with a passion for interior design.

 

DeLena Ciamacco and Re/Max do not personally or professionally endorse the people, companies and/or content of the articles displayed in this post.

Protect your deck this winter

As the leaves start to change color, you may find yourself reminiscing about the hours of enjoyment spent outside on your deck. While warm weather gatherings and summer barbecues are a favorite pastime of the season, the combination of foot traffic, food spills and weather can take its toll on any deck.



Before the chill in the air turns into harsh winter weather, clean and protect your deck to prepare it for the long winter months ahead.



"Smart homeowners recognize that seasonal changes can wreak havoc on decks unless properly maintained," says Fiona Seal, Rust-Oleum Wood Care brand manager. "But with a few simple steps, you can winterize your deck so it survives the onslaught of ice, snow, sleet and moisture that can cause damage during the months ahead."



Here are a few deck survival tips that can keep your deck looking beautiful longer.



* Clean thoroughly: Ground-in dirt and barbecue stains can ruin your deck's appearance and ultimately cause degrading of the wood. Exposure to sun can cause wood to gray and weather and exposure to moisture can create the perfect conditions for the growth of mold, mildew, moss and algae. So it's important to clean your deck thoroughly to remove the remnants of summer and get it ready for winter.



Use a bleach-free cleaner specifically formulated for wood to restore your deck to its natural beauty without the bleaching or yellowing that chlorine bleach can cause. Cleaners like JOMAX Deck Wash loosen and lift dirt, and remove gray weathered wood and stains from mold and mildew to prepare the deck for a new protective coating. And the convenient hose mount applicators make these cleaners easy to use. Just attach to an ordinary garden hose and spray. It's that simple.



If your stained or painted deck has seen better days, consider stripping any faded or deteriorating finish prior to applying a water repellent sealer or stain.



* Apply a protective finish: After cleaning, it's important to apply a water repellent finish to protect your deck against the damaging effects of winter. Moisture such as ice, snow, sleet and rain can penetrate the surface if not protected, which can cause splitting, cracking and warping. Fortunately, there's a wide variety of premium exterior wood finishes that offer protection against the elements, while giving you the opportunity to achieve any look you desire.



For example, if you're looking for a clear water repellent to protect against water damage without changing the color of the wood, choose a product like Rust-Oleum Premium Water Sealer. It will protect your deck against the elements for three years.



Or for maximum protection against water absorption and maximum durability, choose a product like Rust-Oleum Premium Deck and Fence Stain. It's available in both solid and semi-transparent formulas in 22 different colors so you can choose any look you desire. What's more, it's backed by a 10-Year Satisfaction Guarantee so it will keep your deck protected and looking beautiful for years.



Rust-Oleum Premium Deck and Fence Stain also features breakthrough Cool Touch technology, which reflects solar rays to keep surfaces cooler to the touch. It's the perfect preparation for next season's warm summer weather.



For product information or more helpful wood care tips, visit www.rustoleum.com.



Courtesy of BPT

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