Torn Between Two Homes?

Searching for a new home can not only be stressful, but also time consuming. I work with several Hoosiers on the daily and a lot of the struggle seems to fall under determining what exactly it is that they’re looking for. Price range, TLC and size are all big factors when it comes to starting the home search. But what if finding the perfect home isn’t the issue? What happens when you find two homes that fit the bill perfectly? How do you choose?

Realtor.com posted an article to help make the decision a little easier, a pros and cons list if you will.  The list in the article may contain some options you’ve failed to consider, such as crime rate and appreciation.

Read the article here! In Love With Two Houses?

If you’re looking to buy or sell a home don’t hesitate to contact me.  You can contact me ( Anne  Henry) by phone at (260-413-8700) or by e-mail at annesellsrealestate@gmail.com.  Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook too!

How Much Can You Afford?

This blog will discuss a particularly important topic when venturing into the housing market-“How much can you afford?” Granted, more times than not people prefer a spacious home with an adequate number of bathrooms…but purchasing your ‘dream home’ right off that bat may not always be a good idea.

The real kicker comes when you’re discussing your price range with the bank. Can their ballpark number truthfully be our of your league? Please don’t be fooled into biting off more than you can chew.

I recently came across a video in the real estate section of Msn.com that helps give you some guidance when it comes to developing an affordable price range for home buying. Check out the video here:

http://realestate.msn.com/video/video.aspx?from=gallery_en-us&videoid=3b2625f2-5084-4d6e-a3d2-33ba9bfc20c6

If you’re looking to buy or sell a home don’t hesitate to contact me.  You can contact me ( Anne  Henry) by phone at (260-413-8700) or by e-mail at annesellsrealestate@gmail.com.  Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook too!

What You Should Know When Purchasing a New Home!

This week has been nothing short of crazy!  My oldest daughter was married this past Saturday and I’ve yet to find time to recuperate! In the midst of the craziness, I managed to sell a house in under a week being on the market.  This is a big deal to me!!  A big deal not only because the housing market still tends to teeter back and forth between good and bad, but because the house was sold to an adorable couple purchasing their first home together.

Currently the house is going through all the inspections and I’m anxiously waiting for the results.  I’m confident that this house doesn’t withhold much (if any) issues but there’s always the small pit in your stomach until it’s over.  To keep myself busy, I found an article online that happens to be a perfect article for first time home buyers. The article, 10 Things Buyers Should Know What Purchasing a New Home says it all.  If you’re contemplating purchasing a home, this article helps guide you through the process. There’s no denying that the home buying process can cause a little anxiety, let this article ease your nerves a bit.

Read 10 Things Buyers Should Know When Purchasing a New Home Here!

If you’re looking to buy or sell a home don’t hesitate to contact me.  You can contact me ( Anne  Henry) by phone at (260-413-8700) or by e-mail at annesellsrealestate@gmail.com.  Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook too!

Real Estate Terms You Need to Know

Few things are more frustrating than getting your house ready to put on the market.  Remodeling and renovations, the housing market hitting constant highs and lows and then there’s that crazy real estate lingo your agent throws at you that you don’t quite understand.

As a trusted real estate agent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, I want my clients to feel confident as well as at ease when it comes to the selling process. I recently came across an article that’s filled with several terms to help give you a quick lesson in real estate without having to pass the licensing exam!

Not only will these terms give you a better understanding of the buying and selling process, but you’ll also blow your agent out of the water when you ask questions containing these few words!

Check out the article here! 5 Real Estate Terms You’ve Never Heard But Need to Know.

If you’re looking to buy or sell a home don’t hesitate to contact me.  You can contact me ( Anne  Henry) by phone at (260-413-8700) or by e-mail at annesellsrealestate@gmail.com.  Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook too!

Real Estate on Social Media

Social media…friend or foe? I’m sure if you’re reading this blog you know the importance of social media for businesses today.  I didn’t think that social media was necessary for my real estate business until my daughter took over the social and digital media division at my husband’s advertising agency, Patterson Riegel.  My daughter stressed to me the benefits of using social media to help promote the properties I have for sale and the potential business I could bring in through this process.

A few weeks ago, my daughter showed me an article she found on the website, Hootsuite.com  The article, 5 Social Media Management Tips for the Real Estate Industry, really helped to ensure me that social media for my business was the way to go.  Thankfully, the use of this form of media means that I can stop worrying about posting my face on a bus hut!

Check out the article here: 5 Social Media Management Tips for the Real Estate Industry

Basically, the article has five tips for real estate agents taking the social media plunge including being consistent, having a strategy, staying local, using several social media outlets, and measuring your success. ..See, I told you this article would be helpful!  I suppose that you don’t even have to be in real estate to appreciate this article, it works for several different occupations.

If you’re looking to buy or sell a home don’t hesitate to contact me.  You can contact me ( Anne  Henry) by phone at (260-413-8700) or by e-mail at annesellsrealestate@gmail.com.  Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook too!

Hurricane Sandy, How You Can Help Fort Wayne, Indiana

Being a real estate agent, it’s apparent that most of my blogs consist of real estate related information. (Insert ‘Duh’ here) With all the weather related chaos, I have to admit that my job is pretty much the furthest thing from my mind today.  Like a great majority of the United States, I’ve been completely consumed in Hurricane Sandy coverage. Even though Fort Wayne, Indiana doesn’t fall in directly in Sandy’s path, I still feel a great deal of concern and sadness for those that it does.

With that said, I wanted to do my part to help those effected by the hurricane’s wrath.  I looked online to find some organizations that are collecting donations to help those involved in the devastation.  Believe me, every little bit can help!  Listening to the news today, they’re already up to over 20 billion dollars needed to help put the East Coast back together. That’s billion with a “B!”

Take a look at these organizations and see if there’s anything you can put forth towards the relief effort. Even if you can’t give a cash donation, there’s always local areas collecting bottle water and perishable food items.  Remember, you’d be eternally grateful if you were in their situation as well.

This information was provided directly from: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/hurricane-sandy–how-to-help.html

Superstorm Sandy: How to help

By Lilli Anne Ladaga, Yahoo! News

The ‘superstorm’ hit the East Coast late Monday and the record storm surge flooded towns up and down the coast; millions are without power and at least a dozen people have been killed

Below are organizations that are mobilizing relief efforts in the region:

AMERICAN RED CROSS: The humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement will provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Mobilizing disaster workers, emergency vehicles, shelters and relief supplies to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states. Designate your gift to ‘Disaster Relief.’ DONATE HERE.

AMERICARES: The nonprofit global health and disaster relief organization delivers medicines, medical supplies and aid to people in need around the world and across the United States. AmeriCares provides immediate response to emergency and ongoing medical needs and supports long-term humanitarian assistance programs for people around the world, irrespective of race, creed or political persuasion. The group is prepared to send emergency kits to families in the hurricane’s path. Designate your gift to the ‘U.S. Disaster Relief Fund.’ DONATE HERE. 

SALVATION ARMY NATIONAL CORPS: The international movement is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Mobile feeding kitchens are stocked and Salvation Army officers and volunteers are ready to deploy as needed and requested by Emergency Management personnel. Designate your gift to ‘2012 Hurricane Relief Efforts.’ DONATE HERE.

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (ASPCA): ASPCA founder Henry Bergh says its mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the U.S. DONATE HERE.

Home For Sale on Vance Avenue Fort Wayne, Indiana

If you’re in the market for a starter home, I’ve come across a real gem! This one bedroom, one bathroom home is centrally located in Fort Wayne, Indiana and is most certainly move-in ready! When the current owner bought this home it was in fairly rough shape, but it has since been taken down to the studs (so to speak) and rebuilt into a perfect home for one or two occupants.

Quoted directly from the listing page:

This bungalow on a corner double-lot has “charm” written all over it! New throughout, plumbing, electrical, windows, GFA/CA and flooring, this home is

ready for you to make it your own. From the sunny sleeping/sun porch to the eat-in kitchen this home is one you’ll have to see to believe. 6 panel doors,

dry basement, deck and detached 2 car garage only add to the amenities this home has to offer. Put this charmer on your list of must-sees!

If you’re interested in this home on Vance Avenue, or are looking to buy or sell a home don’t hesitate to contact me.  You can contact me ( Anne  Henry) by phone at (260-413-8700) or by e-mail at annesellsrealestate@gmail.com.  Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook too!

Easy Home Improvements Fort Wayne, Indiana

It seems as though I’ve written countless blogs stressing the importance of making sure your house is up to date and ready to sell before plunging it into the market. But as a pretty successful real estate agent with RE Max Results, there are reasons as to why I choose to post about this particular topic.  The reason being because I’m often attending meetings as well as I’m constantly reading new articles about simple/cost effective ways to spruce up your home before putting it up for sale. It’s simpleeeee! This not only makes your home more “sale-able” (yes, I may have just made up a new word) but it also helps with your return on investment.  It’s common sense that people are willing to spend more on a home with nicer features. So pull up those sleeves and get to work…or I suppose you can hire someone. Whichever route you choose you won’t be sorry.

The Real Estate section on Aol.com recently posted an article with several effective home improvements that will pay you back (and then some) once the house is sold. The first home improvement they suggest is simply switching out the front door… Are you shocked? Well truthfully, I was too! I think about my own front door…the red paint has faded and it’s covered in scratches from my two Boston Terriers.  As much as I love my dogs, the front door has definitely seen it’s wear from them.  But when I’m ready to sell, this could potentially be an easy fix.

Read through the article for other home improvement tips.  Even if you’re not anticipating selling your home any time soon, this is still a great article for some home improvement ideas. Perhaps you’re getting a little tired of the same wall paper you’ve had for the past 15 years? Feel comfortable and confident with your new changes.

Top 10 Home Improvements That Pay You Back

If you’re interested in starting a career in real estate, or are looking to buy or sell a home contact Anne Henry.  Contact Anne by phone at (260-413-8700) or by e-mail at annesellsrealestate@gmail.com.  Don’t forget to follow her on Facebook too!

Your Dream Home- Fort Wayne Indiana

Like a bad dating website, nobody likes to admire a photo only to be disappointed by the real deal in the long run.  The same goes for house searching.  Anne Henry, realtor for RE Max Results in Fort Wayne, Indiana can understand the feeling of disappointment when the viewing a home in person fails to measure up to its photo.

Do you think this form of ‘advertisement’ is flat out lying? I suppose in a way it very well could be.  Imagine searching for homes in a different state via the web…it would make for one wasteful trip if the home isn’t what it appeared to be.

If you’re curious about the truthfulness of the photos you’ve been eyeing of your ‘dream’ home, or you yourself are wanting to take a few photos of your home before placing it on the market, check out this article from Msn.com. (If you’re curious, I do happen to post several articles from Msn.com…Their Real Estate section is awesome! I find the articles very informative and very relatable to those searching for or selling their homes.)

Does the picture tell the whole story?

If you’re interested in starting a career in real estate, or are looking to buy or sell a home contact Anne Henry.  Contact Anne by phone at (260-413-8700) or by e-mail at annesellsrealestate@gmail.com.  Don’t forget to follow her on Facebook too!

Appliances Fort Wayne, Indiana

If you’re contemplating a move in the somewhat near future, it’s important to know that when selling your home the appliances can be a possible deal breaker when it comes to making a sale.  Anne Henry, real estate agent for RE Max Results definitely knows what house hunters are on the prowl for.

Now what happens when a move is in the works and there’s an incredibly unlucky mishap with an expensive appliance?  (Let’s face it, nobody wants to purchase a new appliance when they’re anticipating buying new once they’re moved into a new place. *We Know!*) But when you’re forced to make a decision, do you spend money on the newest high-end appliance or do you pay to have the original repaired?  Msn.com recently posted a video in the Real Estate section to help home owners decide which appliances to splurge on and which ones are worth saving.

Watch the video here: Howdini Green Living: How to Decide Whether to Repair or Replace Appliances

Bottom line is, if the repairs are more than half the value of the appliance it’s time to purchase a new model.  This may be fairly frustrating, but try to remember the benefits of new appliances.  Several models are expensive to buy but end up saving you on energy in the long run.  Anne also tries to explain to clients that new appliances, although expensive can end up raising the value of your home.  Stainless steel appliances are a major bonus! You can end up making your money back (and then some!) in no time!