Many home buyers enter and leave the real estate market several times before making a purchase, according to Brendon Desimone from Zillow.com. Life happens, priorities change and buyers aren’t necessarily tired to any time frame, unless it’s sell-imposed. With the start of a new year, many on-and-off home shoppers resolve to intensify their search and finally purchase a home. Whatever the reason may be, Desimone suggests the following New Years Resolutions for buyers who want to make 2015 the year of their new home!

First resolution: enlist an ally. Many buyers start their home search online, but once you are serious about owning your home, connecting with a local agent is the sure way to make it happen in 2015.

Next on the resolution list is learning to balance feelings and all the data available. Falling in love with a home or neighborhood while analyzing potentially conflicting statistics and online data can be a challenge. Working with a reliable local agent, understanding the market and trusting your instincts can help you feel confident when purchasing in 2015.

Click on the link for the rest of article by Brendon Desimone http://www.zillow.com/blog/resolutions-buying-a-home-in-2015-167616/

Happy New Year. Just a reminder, our office will be closed on New Years day.

Data has been showing that selling your home in the winter might actually pay off! According to Christen Camacho from Redfin Research Center, winter listings are 9% more likely to sell, sell for 1.2% more and sell 1 week faster! So if you are waiting till spring to list your home, consider the following: many home buyers hibernate during the winter but serious shopper stick around.

There are many reasons buyers stop looking in the winter, they don’t to go on home tours when weather conditions are not ideal, they want to wait until more homes come on the market in the spring, they don’t want to move their children mid-school year. Redfin Research Center goes on to report that those who need a home during the winter season are the most serious, often having to make a move because they need to, not because they want to. This can put a seller in an advantageous position. Paul Stone, a Redfin Agent based in Denver states ” There are plenty of people who need to buy a home in the winter, whether it’s because of a job relocation or a major family change like a new baby. These buyers want to get into a home quickly, and sometimes are willing to pay top dollar”.

If you are thinking about selling your home in the near future, consider listing this winter. I am more than happy to provide you with a FREE Comparative Market Analysis

Fall checklist:

Roof: Remove moss from roof. Check condition of flashing and repair any loose or damaged shingles. clean gutters and remove even the smallest amount of debris can clog downspouts. Make sure trees and branches are trimmed 6 feet away from the roof and power lines.

Exterior: Trim all vegetation 12 inches away from siding. Store firewood 10 feet away from the house to prevent pests. Keep all gaps and joints in siding caulked and sealed to prevent water damage.

Crawl space: Insulate plumbing lines. Make sure to measure and purchase foundation vent plugs and use them only in freezing weather.

Fireplace: Have chimneys and flues professionally cleaned before use. Soot build-up can lead to flue fires which often cause home fires.

Furnace: Gas furnaces should be serviced annually. Clean or replace filters. Vacuum heat registers to remove dust.

Interior: Check weather stripping around windows and doors. Replace smoke alarm batteries. Install carbon monoxide detectors.

Making these small and simple changes to your home for the cold months will help prevent major and costly repairs in the future! Checklist brought to you in part by Pillar to Post Home Inspectors.

The Blanker’s family and The Muljat Group North invite you to celebrate Pete Blanker’s Retirement today at the Mt. Baker Rotary Building located at 1775 Front Street, Lynden from 4-6pm. Appetizers & Refreshments will be served and a slide show featuring Pete and his family and carrer will be shown. No RSVP is required. Pete has been in the real estate industry for 40 years and has been a remarkable member of our community. Please join us in celebrating him!

8885 Line Road, Lynden WA 98264 | $575,000 | MLS 703015

Corner commercial city lot in Lynden city limits on the rapidly growing east side of town! Fully serviced level lot with good soil. Excellent exposure from the Badger Road that connects Lynden to the Canadian border

For more information and pictures click on link: https://jerryblankers.com/703051