AboutJessica Bryan Expertise buying and selling process such as: General questions from first time buyers How to market a home Why choose a REALTOR How do I find a REALTOR Should I consider buying or selling without a REALTOR--how much can I save Should I remodel or move How much can I expect to gain by fixing up my home before selling Helpful tips when selling Helpful tips when buying finding a good mortgage loan what is the difference between banks, mortgage bankers, and mortgage brokers Questions from the general public, people thinking about getting their real estate license, newly licensed. Fellow professionals who have interests in networking and how to get started What is a market evaluation and how does it differ from an appraisal what are the different loan programs services a REALTOR can perform when to use a lawyer when to use escrow what are the regional differences in the buying and selling process what is the MLS and how does it work how can the layman access information on the web--listings and other information These are just a few of the questions. I can suggest that if I am unable to answer a question I will refer the inquiry to a source that can.
Experience Anyone who is in this business and who dedicates oneself to professionalism has continued to take classes and along with it,additional credentials, awards and honors. I can list a host of them, but my greatest accomplishments happen to be those of getting first time buyers (who didn't think they could afford to buy a home)into a home of their dreams. The look on their faces when I hand over the keys is worth all of the hard work.
Question Hi Kathy,
I wanted to get your advice on selling my Townhome. I bought it brand new 8/08/08 for $150,000. It's M/I. It was my first and last home buying experience. It has been a HORRIBLE experience. I thought that if I bought a TH for that price, I'd get something better than regular apartment walls between my place and my neighbors. I'm between two other TH's. I have not had a good nights sleep since I bought it. My bedroom is attached to one of my neighbors BATHROOM! I hear the shower door opening and closing, the cabinet doors opening and closing, and I can hear him slamming his toilet seat down. I want OUT! It's a new development and to my dismay, they are building brand new units up the street for $9k to $12k LESS. What can I do to make mine stand out? There are things you have to do after moving in like stainning your deck, sealing your driveway and garage floor and sealing the grout in the bathrooms ... all which I have done, but that's not enough. I was seriously contemplating having that wall in my bedroom soundproofed. It's pricey, but it might be what I need to get a good deal. I didn't put any money down as I was a first time homebuyer and got "deals", so I'm not looking for anything but to pay it off for what I owe. Do you think that's a good idea?
Answer I would suggest that you try some other fixes that you can live with for a couple of years if possible until the rest of the development is sold. Have you priced what the new homes will go for? If they are higher than yours then you might recoup your costs but until they are higher, you will have difficulty selling and may lose money.
The fixes do not have to be expensive. You might try a do-it-yourself soundproofing by going to Home Depot or Lowes and getting the materials, installing on your wall and then covering with a fabric or textured paper so it doesn't show. You should ask around in the home improvement stores about other ideas.
If this doesn't sit well with you and you really just want to sell and get out then I suggest that you decorate to make it look like a model home (buy some magazines and copy what they do in their rooms).
