Articles to Share – Page 19 – The Real Estate Beat

Is the ‘Tidy-Up’ KonMari Craze Dampening the Self-Storage Sector?

Marie Kondo, the Japanese organizational guru whose tidying-up trend is sweeping the country, may be prompting one commercial real estate sector to lose its joy, suggests Stephen Gandel, an opinion writer for Bloomberg. Shares of self-storage investment trusts—one of the hottest REITS last year—are seeing a significant slowdown this year.

Self-storage units popped up across the country as consumers showed high demand for storing all of their extra belongings. Storage prices rose and profits soared for investors. But supply may be catching up, along with the “KonMari-method mania and its minimalist appeal,” writes Gandel.

Gandel notes that donation stores nationwide have reported significant increases in donated goods since late last year, which coincides with Netflix’s airing of “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo.” Kondo’s main organization principle is to keep only what brings you joy, and not to accumulate items at home or stash belongings away in storage facilities.

As Marie Kondo has been teaching the public to downsize their belongings, developers have been rapidly expanding storage spaces across the country. Developers spent about $4 billion when they added around 100 million square feet of storage facilities last year—double what they spent in 2016, according to Green Street Advisors, a real estate consulting firm. Green Street estimates that this year will likely continue to be near peak levels too.

On a conference call with analysts last week, Public Storage CEO Joe Russell cautioned that the storage facility market is likely to be headed for a cooling down. “I think there is an element of both disappointment and potentially and ultimately some level of distress that could come,” Russell said.

I read this article at: Realtor Magazine

Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral or some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!

The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the utmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true.

A mother and daughter-in-law team with over 35 years of combined, local Real Estate experience and knowledge – would’t you like The Caton Team to represent you? Let us know how we can be of service. Contact us any time.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654

Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App: Mobile Real Estate by The Caton Team

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

DRE # |Sabrina 01413526 | Susan 01238225 | Team 70000218 |Office 01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third party information not verified.

12 Things to Do to Keep Your Home in Tip-Top Shape

Whether you just bought your first house (and spend your weekends ripping up the heinous shag carpeting) or you’ve been living under the same roof for the past 15 years, there are certain things every homeowner should do. Since that list can feel daunting fast, we’ve put together a run down of just the essentials. Here, 12 things to do to keep your home in check.

Annually:
Schedule pest control maintenance. This one’s nonnegotiable. Get your house inspected once a year for termites, even if you don’t spot them outright. (There’s a reason termites are called the hidden invader.) We recommend hiring a Certified Sentricon Specialist who can install and service the Sentricon system, a trusted and proven termite baiting system. The system effectively eliminates those pesky colonies and protects your home from future colonies moving into the neighborhood. The cost and headache of termite damage is not something anyone wants to deal with.
Inspect the roof. Thanks to good ole Mother Nature, your roof takes a hefty beating while protecting you and your family from the elements. That’s why it’s critical to inspect for holes and cracks. To check for water damage, look at the walls and ceilings for signs such as moisture marks, brown stains or peeling paint. Also, if you notice missing or damaged shingles, have them replaced immediately.
Check the foundation. This sounds more intense than it really is. All you need to do is walk around the outside of the house and look for overgrown vegetation around the exterior of the foundation. Plus, take notice of any evidence of pests, mold or mildew that might need your attention. What’s more, if windows and doors that once operated smoothly aren’t working anymore, you most likely have a major structural issue.

Monthly:
Clean your washing machine. File this one under housekeeping tasks you had zero clue you needed to do: Wash your washing machine. Yep. Apparently, all those sudsy cycles can cause mold and mildew, which in turn causes your “clean” clothes to—ew—smell. Here’s an easy fix for both top- and front-loading machines.
Disinfect your range hood and oven. These heavily used appliances can become caked with grease and grime. To make the hood shine like new, remove the filters, soak them in a solution of hot water and dish soap, and then brush clean. For the oven, coat the interior with a mixture of baking soda and water and let it sit overnight. Spritz it with vinegar in the morning and wipe down.
Clean faucet aerators. In order to produce a consistent flow of water, every faucet in your home is fitted with an aerator. Over time, aerators can become clogged with mineral deposits, causing low water pressure (and we all know that’s a big no-no). To prevent this, clean the aerator once a month to remove blockage-causing debris. It’s not difficult, we promise.

Weekly:
Wash your bedding. This should go without saying, but you’d be surprised how many people neglect this simple chore. Even if you shower before hopping into bed, your sheets and pillowcases still collect dirt, debris and dead skin cells. Yuck. Toss your bedding into the washer once a week on a hot or warm cycle to kill any germs.
Wipe down ceiling fans. They might be out of sight, out of mind—until you give that baby a whirl and start an indoor allergen tornado. Give your sinuses a break and save yourself a vacuuming session with this clever trick. All you need is a pillowcase and a sturdy stepladder.
Clean the garbage disposal. Sure, these guys are great for devouring our leftovers, but if they don’t get a little TLC, you’re asking for trouble. Well, more like smell. Here’s our favorite five-second trick for banishing odors from the garbage disposal: Simply use a knife to strip off a lemon rind and drop it down the disposal followed by tap water. Run the disposal for a few seconds and revel in the fresh scent of lemony goodness.

Daily:
Reset the room. Nightly TV binges, scattered toys and misplaced items can take a toll on some rooms in your home, especially the living room. Before going to sleep, take a moment to reset. Fold the blankets, straighten the couch pillows and put away all the toys. This way, everything will be nice and neat when you wake up. Plus, your house will look put together if you have unexpected company.
Wipe down surfaces. Kitchen, bathroom, side tables, dressers…you get the picture. Between grimy fingerprints, drink stains and general use, you’d be surprised how dirty these surfaces can be. Put on some music, grab a bottle of disinfectant and start wiping.
Check your fridge before you take out the trash. If anything smells funky or is clearly past its prime, chuck it now while you have the trash bag in hand. Once this becomes part of your garbage routine, you’ll be amazed how much cleaner (and less moldy) you’ll be able to keep your refrigerator.

I read this article at: purewow.com

Got Questions – The Caton Team is here to help.

The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the upmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true.

Email Sabrina & Susan at: Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Call us at: 650-568-5522 Office: 650-365-9200

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

The Caton Team Testimonials

The Caton Team Blog – The Real Estate Beat

The Caton Team Website

The Caton Team Advantage

How to Buy While Selling Real Estate

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App: Mobile Real Estate by The Caton Team

Visit us at: Our Blog * TheCatonTeam.com * Facebook * Instagram * HomeSnap* Pintrest * LinkedIN Sabrina * LinkedIN Susan

Thanks for reading – Sabrina

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

Sabrina DRE# 01413526 / Susan DRE #01238225 / Team DRE# 70000218/ Office DRE #01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third party information not verified.

Study: Delayed Homeownership to Hamper Millennials’ Retirement

Financial experts are growing concerned by how millennials’ lack of homeownership will impact them financially when they retire.

“Homeownership is one of the touchstones of being prepared for retirement,” Tamera Sims, research scientist at the Stanford Center on Longevity, told CNBC. “Buying a home at age 50 or 60 isn’t going to do you much good in funding a 30-year retirement.”
But young adults are “not able to hit the [housing] market at the same age as their parents,” Sims says. Researchers found homeownership is falling the most among people under the age of 30 compared to previous generations.
The homeownership rate among early millennials (those born between 1980 and 1984) at age 30 is 35.8 percent, according to the Stanford Center on Longevity. The rate of nonowners, however, is 64.2 percent. For comparison, the rate of homeownership among baby boomers at age 30 was 48.3 percent, and nonowners were 51.7 percent.
Young adults are delaying marriage and having children and loaded with student debt, all factors for their slow start at homeownership compared to previous generations. In 1960, the average age for men and women to get married was in their early 20s. The median age nowadays has slid closer to 30.
Young adults when they graduate face an average of about $30,000 in student debt, up from an inflation-adjusted $16,000 in the early 1990s. Young adults who are still repaying their student loans at age 30 are 32 percentage points less likely to own a home than those who never borrowed for their education, according to research from the Stanford Center on Longevity.
A study in 2013 from the Urban Institute found that if a person delays buying a home to age 40 instead of age 30, that alone could result in a $42,000 loss in home equity by the time that person reaches age 60.

I read this article at: magazine.realtor

Got Questions – The Caton Team is here to help.

The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the upmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true.

Email Sabrina & Susan at: Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Call us at: 650-568-5522 Office: 650-365-9200

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

The Caton Team Testimonials

The Caton Team Blog – The Real Estate Beat

The Caton Team Website

The Caton Team Advantage

How to Buy While Selling Real Estate

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App: Mobile Real Estate by The Caton Team

Visit us at: Our Blog * TheCatonTeam.com * Facebook * Instagram * HomeSnap* Pintrest * LinkedIN Sabrina * LinkedIN Susan

Thanks for reading – Sabrina

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

Sabrina DRE# 01413526 / Susan DRE #01238225 / Team DRE# 70000218/ Office DRE #01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third party information not verified.

Co-living has Become a Hot Real Estate Trend

By Lee Nelson

Properties offering a communal lifestyle with luxury amenities are attracting residents from around the world. Learn how to break into this growing residential niche.
Jonathan Restivo travels the world as a consultant in telecom development for Empire Blue Real Estate, and because of that, he no longer pays for a permanent home. He found an ad on Instagram for Roam, a co-living residential concept expanding in many parts of the globe. So far, he’s enjoyed stays in Roam’s London, Tokyo, San Francisco, and Bali properties. “I felt I needed to open myself up to meeting new, similarly-situated people, or else the whole experience would get pretty lonely,” says Restivo, 32.

People who choose co-living buildings pay rent for a private bedroom (sometimes with an en-suite bathroom) but share common spaces, such as kitchens, living rooms, or lounge-type spaces. These types of residences are mostly in big cities—where relocating renters may not know anyone—so the benefit of this living arrangement is an instant community and planned social activities for the building. Most co-living properties offer temporary leases. “With the right blend of people, the community aspect is really cool, and I’ve met some incredible people who are now friends,” Restivo says.

Co-living is getting noticed as one of the biggest trends in real estate throughout the world. It’s a new way of living in the 21st century, even though it’s a lifestyle that existed for generations. Now a surge of real estate developers and companies are seeing more opportunity in this growing movement.

Co-living in Action

In Chicago, one property making a splash is QUARTERS, located in the Fulton Market district of the busy West Loop neighborhood, right across from McDonald’s international headquarters and Google. The building offers 175 beds, which were already 80 percent occupied by the June 2018 grand opening. “It’s not Airbnb. It’s a place to live. It brings people together,” says Steve Caton, broker and co-owner of Caton Commercial Real Estate Group in Naperville, Ill., which operates QUARTERS.

Caton joined forces with Medici Living Group, the world’s largest co-living provider—which has had great success in Europe and New York—to open QUARTERS. “My father, Bill Caton, had been pushing for years to get into global business,” says Caton. “It’s growing worldwide, and it disrupts the residential marketplace by allowing shorter-term leases and being flexible. It’s a whole new class of residential real estate.”

The costs of co-living are typically 20 percent to 25 percent less per month than standard rentals, Caton explains. The bedroom is fully furnished and includes all utilities. Renters even receive sheets, towels, maid service, and free internet. Some companies entice new residents with chef-grade kitchens, swimming pools, pool tables, gyms, maker’s workshops, recording studios, and movie screening rooms.
But the flexibility that co-living properties offer is usually what wins over tenants. Once they are part of the co-living community, renters can change locations. For instance, QUARTERS requires a three-month commitment, then you can jet off to New York and other destinations where their facilities are located.
“Building a large footprint in Chicago and throughout the nation is a priority,” says QUARTERS CEO Gunder Schmidt. “In Chicago, we want to grow to 10,000 beds. Across the country, we are looking at key cities like Denver, San Francisco, L.A., Miami, and Detroit for expansion in the next 12 to 24 months.”
Meeting Market Demand
Many real estate companies are realizing that the self-employed, roaming entrepreneurs of today want to live a fulfilling life without paying astronomical prices. They want to be part of something bigger than themselves and feel a community presence.
Daisy Onubogu, Roam’s global head of community, advises real estate company leaders who are considering getting into the co-living industry to first figure out the target market in their area. “Co-living is filling a gap in the rental market because young people are becoming more mobile and want to live in the urban areas,” says Onubogu. But it’s a misconception that all co-living residents are single freelancers in their twenties. Roam assists artists, corporate professionals, consultants, retirees, bakers, lawyers, and even race car drivers.
Once you understand your target market, you need to build the experience that the market demands. Make sure you have a diverse and representative product team so that when they are making decisions on what your space and living experience will look like, they don’t end up missing the mark, Onubogu says.
Roam is committed to building a space so ideally calibrated that even the pickiest of people will enjoy it. This means thinking about how every aspect of the design impacts the user experience—from ensuring privacy in en-suite bathrooms to the building’s lightbulbs and the copywriting for the events newsletter. “It’s hard work, but seeing it pay off makes us so glad we chose to do it this way,” Onubogu says.
Is Your Market Ready for Co-Living?
Become the local expert and learn everything you can about co-living if you want to be competitive in this real estate niche, Caton says. “Co-living is so new in the United States that it gives any broker a chance to get in and be an expert. Developers and cities are looking for solutions,” he explains.
Don’t try to put the project together on your own. Visit co-living facilities already operating in the United States and afar, Caton recommends. “If you know the story behind it and talk with those living there, then you’ll know how to sell it,” he says. Co-living companies are popping up all over the world with names such as Common, Ollie, WeLive by WeWork, Nomad House, Unsettled, and Outside. You can find them now or coming soon to cities such as Washington, D.C.; Cincinnati; Austin, Texas; Miami; Portland, Ore.; Pittsburgh; Jersey City, N.J.; Boston; Brooklyn, N.Y.; Sacramento, Calif.; Nashville, Tenn.; and San Diego.
Every co-living development and company offers something different. Some properties are creating spaces just for female renters, while others are offering co-working spaces along with co-living areas. Most of the time, everything from toilet paper to weekly maid service are included in the price. But some places go way beyond, with amenities such as language schools, surf camps, yoga decks, hammocks, photography classes, and fitness centers.
The Gallery on Wells in Chicago just began the first chef-in-residence program to enhance its co-living offerings. The chef, Tyler Houston, is a sous chef at a restaurant next door, and he shares his expertise with residents in return for a free year of rent. In a survey, the residents had interest in grilling classes, outings to a farmers market, wine pairings, and seasoning lessons. Magellan Development Group and Mac Management began the artist-in-residence program at its Chicago and Nashville properties.
Finding the Right Location
Build and retain good relationships with developers who can help you find the right neighborhoods for co-living buildings. Caton strives to position QUARTERS in desirable neighborhoods with restaurants and other amenities nearby. Many co-living developers also are finding unique buildings for co-living purposes. For instance, Roam renovated the former arch bishop mansion for its San Francisco location.
Starcity, another player in the co-living market, identifies underutilized multifamily properties, hotels, and office or commercial buildings to develop into co-living homes, says company spokesperson Erin First. This strategy helps add to a city’s housing stock without displacing a community’s longtime residents. “On average, Starcity is able to deliver three times more housing than a typical apartment development,” First says.
Starcity is a full-stack real estate development, meaning the company identifies, acquires, develops, and manages their communities, First says. The company, which launched in 2016, locates its co-living communities near major transit hubs so that tenants can live in the city center and get around easily.
“Large urban centers are often very isolating environments,” Onubogu says. “People move only to discover an environment so vast and fast-paced that it can be difficult to find a tribe and that sense of belonging.”
By virtue of being a shared living space, a co-living property will help your brand build a tightknit community—even in the business of cities.
I read this here: Realtor Magazine

Got Questions – The Caton Team is here to help.

The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the upmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true.

Email Sabrina & Susan at: Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Call us at: 650-568-5522 Office: 650-365-9200

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

The Caton Team Testimonials

The Caton Team Blog – The Real Estate Beat

The Caton Team Website

The Caton Team Advantage

How to Buy While Selling Real Estate

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App: Mobile Real Estate by The Caton Team

Visit us at: Our Blog * TheCatonTeam.com * Facebook *Yelp Us * My Yelp * Instagram * HomeSnap* Pintrest * LinkedIN Sabrina * LinkedIN Susan

Thanks for reading – Sabrina

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

Sabrina DRE# 01413526 / Susan DRE #01238225 / Team DRE# 70000218/ Office DRE #01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third party information not verified.

How Smart are Your Sprinklers?

Being a born and raised California – water conservation and landscaping is an important topic for homeowners. Enjoy this article I found.

You’re all alone at home when you hear it. Sh-sh-sh-sh-sh-sh-shhhhhhhh… and it seems to be coming from outside. You look around, very puzzled and a little afraid, then it comes again sh-sh-sh-sh-sh-sh-shhhhhhhh.
Oh! It dawns on you suddenly. “Alexa, turn the sprinklers off.”
Smart devices are popping up everywhere, even on your front lawn. And while many seem kind of silly, like voice controlled outlets, others, like smart sprinklers are very likely the smart device you never realized you needed.
The Basics of Smart Sprinklers
Sprinklers have been becoming increasingly smarter over the years, but those standard sprinkler systems still can’t hold a candle to a smart sprinkler. These babies are so efficient that in research studies, they’ve been able to save up to 70 percent of the water a traditional sprinkler will use. That’s not just good for the environment, your driveway and your neighbor’s cat, it’s great for your pocketbook.
Smart and Not As Smart Sprinklers
There are two different types of smart sprinklers on the market right now. The main difference is in how they determine when they need to be running (if you let them do their thing instead of programming them directly). Those are:
Sensor-based. This type of sprinkler relies on one of several types of soil moisture sensors to figure out just how wet the soil is. When it’s wet enough, the sprinkler stops. They can either check the sensor on a schedule, watering or not watering depending on the moisture, or they run automatically when the moisture in the soil is out of a programmed range.
The down side to sensor-based sprinklers is that they can literally only measure the moisture around the sensor. If your lot is uneven or unusual, these may not really do much for you and could end up wasting a lot of water.
Weather-based. Also known as a signal-based or evapotranspiration controller, these controllers are actively scanning for weather reports so they can adjust the amount of water they let loose on your lawn. Some systems also consider historical data for your region, others collect on-site weather information to make the most accurate calculations.
Weather-based smart sprinklers are amazing, there are no two ways about it. But they can also get very expensive very quickly. That being said, over the long term, they’ll save you more money because of the increased precision, but if you’re not willing or able to let the computer take control, these are not for you.
For Extra Bang, Add a Flow Meter
Some smart sprinkler systems can be fitted with an optional flow meter, which can prove to be a huge help down the road. You can use a flow meter to measure the amount of water that your sprinklers are putting out, but generally, your smart sprinkler can also do that. What they can’t do is tell you if the pressure is too high or too low, indicating a problem in the system.
For a lot of systems, the optional flow meter is a less than $50 upgrade. When compared to the water bill a broken sprinkler line could cost you, it’s not much in the way of an investment.
Smart Sprinklers May Be Covered By Utility Rebates
Although they can be a pricey initial purchase, the cost of a smart sprinkler system will often be rebated to you by your water utility. Because of the amount of water saved and the run-off that’s eliminated, more and more utilities and municipalities are issuing rebates for these smart devices.
Check with your utility company and the EPA’s WaterSense site to determine which devices are covered in your area.
I found this article here: HomeKeeper

Got Questions – The Caton Team is here to help.

The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the upmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true.

Email Sabrina & Susan at: Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Call us at: 650-568-5522 Office: 650-365-9200

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

The Caton Team Testimonials

The Caton Team Blog – The Real Estate Beat

The Caton Team Website

The Caton Team Advantage

How to Buy While Selling Real Estate

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App: Mobile Real Estate by The Caton Team

Visit us at: Our Blog * TheCatonTeam.com * Facebook *Yelp Us * My Yelp * Instagram * HomeSnap* Pintrest * LinkedIN Sabrina * LinkedIN Susan

Thanks for reading – Sabrina

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

Sabrina DRE# 01413526 / Susan DRE #01238225 / Team DRE# 70000218/ Office DRE #01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third party information not verified.

Homeowners Say They’re Finally Ready to Sell

Seventy-seven percent of consumers say they believe now is a good time to sell a house—a record high. That’s according to new findings from the National Association of REALTORS®’ second quarter Housing Opportunities and Market Experience survey.

Fifty-three percent of survey respondents say they believe home prices will continue to increase in their communities over the next six months. Survey respondents in the West were the most upbeat about the prospects of selling.

“Though the vast majority of consumers believe home prices will continue to increase or hold steady, they understand the days of easy, fast gains could be coming to an end,” says Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. “Therefore, more are indicating that it is a good time to sell, which is a healthy shift in the market.”

Consumers are also upbeat about the direction of the economy, which may be making them feel wealthier and more willing to sell. But optimism seems in higher supply for Americans who are already relatively well-off. Households with incomes of more than $100,000 are more likely to view the economy as improving (67 percent) than those with an income of $50,000 to $100,000 (64 percent) and under $50,000 (49 percent), the survey showed.

After several consecutive years of home price growth, some homeowners may finally be ready to cash out. A separate report from CoreLogic released last week showed that the average homeowner has gained $16,200 in home equity between the second quarter of 2017 and the second quarter of 2018.

I read this article here: Realtor Magazine

Got Questions – The Caton Team is here to help.

The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the upmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true.

Email Sabrina & Susan at: Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Call us at: 650-568-5522 Office: 650-365-9200

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

The Caton Team Testimonials

The Caton Team Blog – The Real Estate Beat

The Caton Team Website

The Caton Team Advantage

How to Buy While Selling Real Estate

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App: Mobile Real Estate by The Caton Team

Visit us at: Our Blog * TheCatonTeam.com * Facebook *Yelp Us * My Yelp * Instagram * HomeSnap* Pintrest * LinkedIN Sabrina * LinkedIN Susan

Thanks for reading – Sabrina

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

Sabrina DRE# 01413526 / Susan DRE #01238225 / Team DRE# 70000218/ Office DRE #01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third party information not verified.

7 Things Buyers Do That Real Estate Agents Hate

7 Things Buyers Do That Real Estate Agents Hate

By Angela Colley

Buying a house is a process. One where you’ll spend a lot of quality time with your Realtor®. One where you might even drive him or her a little … nuts.

No, we’re not talking about that time you called after 10 p.m. because you saw a house online and had to see it immediately (though, hey, you might want to ease up on that, too). We’re talking about the stuff you do that actually sabotages your chances of getting the right house, at the right price—or getting a house at all.

If you’re guilty of any of the following, we’re here to tell you to stop and get on your Realtor’s level, lest you risk losing the home of your dreams.

1. Caring too much about aesthetics

Your real estate agent is happy to show you as many houses as you want—she just wishes you’d see beauty is only skin-deep (and very often totally fixable!) when it comes to real estate.

Many buyers get caught up in how a house looks right now. And if it looks dirty, outdated, or in need of small repairs, you might be tempted to run. After all, how much is all that going to cost anyway?

Not much, sometimes.

“I’ve had clients see some marks on a wall and a stain on the carpet and say, ‘This home needs $50,000 worth of work.’ That’s not anywhere close to the renovations needed,” says Joshua Jarvis, owner of Jarvis Team Reality in Brookhaven, GA.

Plus, you may not end up paying anything at all.

“The cost to make the home like new is often easy to negotiate” in the deal, he says.

2. Tipping your hand

You know how it goes. You’ve seen a billion places. You’re totally comfortable with your agent. Your feelings just start to slip out. You’re getting a bit loose-lipped. Like, why is there shag carpet in the bathroom, anyway?

But voicing your criticism could spell disaster.

“There’s been instances where the seller has been home and overheard the buyer, and it’s hurt them in negotiations,” Jarvis says.

Even if they aren’t home, Jarvis has had clients get busted on video, and in open houses the listing agent might be there. It’s best to save your jokes about the seller’s vast “Frozen” figurine collection until you’re back in the car.

3. Waiting too long

Found a house you want to buy? Don’t wait. Taking too long to make an offer in a competitive real estate market can drive your agent crazy, and for good reason.

“If too much time passes between a buyer viewing a home and making an offer, the seller might not take you as seriously as another party who quickly expressed interest and maintained communication,” says Dan Hicks, a Realtor with Equity Colorado Real Estate in Denver.

4. Thinking it’s all about the money

Don’t get us wrong—how much you’re willing to offer for a house is a huge part of your offer. But it isn’t the only thing you should worry about.

“It’s not necessarily the highest offer that the seller will accept, but rather the best structured offer,” Hicks says.

Your agent knows a good offer is a mix of timing, the right price, and reasonable contingencies (those clauses that give you the option to bail out of the deal if something isn’t met). If you decide on a price, but refuse to cave on 10 contingencies, you’re probably frustrating your agent—and the seller—more than a bit.

5. Ignoring what the seller wants

When you’re shopping for real estate, it’s hard not to see a house as a product you’re buying.

But real estate isn’t like other business deals. You’re buying from another person who has to choose you as the buyer.

Sellers are motivated for different reasons. Some are entirely driven by money, for example, while others want to see their first home go to someone who will love it as much as they did.

“When you hire a Realtor to represent you in the purchase of a property, [they’re] gathering information about the seller’s motivation,” Hicks says.

They’ll use that information to help you build the best offer, and if you’re ignoring it, you could be hurting your chances.

6. Talking to the other team

OK, let’s get this out of the way: The listing agent is not the enemy. But talking to him without your own agent present is never a good idea, even if you think you’re just being friendly to help seal the deal.

“I’ve had clients talk to the seller or agent and divulge information that would harm them,” Jarvis says. “Stuff like ‘Oh, don’t worry about inspections, my company is paying a huge relocation bonus’ doesn’t exactly set the stage for a tough negotiation with the seller.”

Even if you don’t think you’re saying anything that could hurt, you never really know. Remember, “the listing agent’s job is to get the most money for the seller,” Jarvis says. Just don’t do it.

7. Lowballing the counteroffer

So the sellers didn’t accept your offer, but they’re willing to consider a counter. If your next offer isn’t reasonable, at best, your agent will spend a lot of time going back and forth between you and the sellers’ agent. At worst, you’ll frustrate the sellers and lose the house for good.

We get it. You don’t want to overspend or give in on too many parts of the deal, but don’t be a Scrooge. Listen to your Realtor. By now, he knows what the seller will and won’t accept.

After all, you hired him for a reason. Realtors are pretty good at what they do.

We want and need our clients to be open and honest with us – so let’s talk in private! We’ve seen it all!

I read this article at: https://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/seven-things-buyers-do-that-real-estate-agents-hate/

Got Questions – The Caton Team is here to help.

The Caton Team strives to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral or some guidance – we are here. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!

Email Sabrina & Susan at: Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Call us at: 650-568-5522 Office: 650-365-9200

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

The Caton Team Testimonials

The Caton Team Blog – The Real Estate Beat

The Caton Team Website

The Caton Team Advantage

How to Buy While Selling Real Estate

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App: Mobile Real Estate by The Caton Team

Visit us at: Our Blog * TheCatonTeam.com * Facebook *Yelp Us * My Yelp * Instagram * HomeSnap* Pintrest * LinkedIN Sabrina * LinkedIN Susan

Thanks for reading – Sabrina

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

Sabrina BRE# 01413526 / Susan BRE #01238225 / Team BRE# 70000218/ Office BRE #01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third party information not verified.

Find Out What Really Happens When You Waive Contingencies to Score a Home

Find Out What Really Happens When You Waive Contingencies to Score a Home

By Rachel Stults

In a white-hot market, you may feel pressure to make some concessions to win over a seller—and, no, we’re not talking about sending a basket of banana-nut muffins.

When you make an offer on a home, it’s standard to throw in some contingencies—telling the seller that if the home isn’t up to snuff for a variety of reasons, you have the right to walk away from the deal—with all of your cash in hand.

That’s all hunky-dory in a buyer’s market. But as the housing market has rebounded, buyers are getting competitive—more and more are waiving those contingencies, or protections, in order to speed the deal through to closing.

You want the house, and the seller doesn’t want any hiccups. So getting those pesky contingencies out of the way is a win-win, right?

Of course not!

It’s riskier to waive some contingencies than others. We set out to discover which are the most innocuous of the bunch—and which are the most terrifying. We asked an expert to discuss the pros and cons of each common contingency, and then we ranked the risk factor of waiving it on a 1-to-5 scale, with 5 being the highest.

Remember—these aren’t hard rules. Everything depends on your local market, your personal situation, and, above all else, your tolerance for risk.

Contingency: Early move-in

Fear factor: 2

Closings can be delayed, so many buyers ask for the right to move in their possessions (or themselves) early. But it isn’t something sellers or seller’s agents love.

“I would never allow my sellers to agree to it,” says Katie Wethman, a Realtor® with The Wethman Group at Keller Williams Realty in McLean, VA. “There are just too many unknowns if the deal doesn’t close.”

And those unknowns go both ways.

If you move in early, you’ll lose some of your negotiating power. After all, it’ll be much harder for the seller to believe you’ll walk on the deal if you’ve already moved all your stuff in. And if the deal falls through, you’ll face eviction from the seller and scramble to find a short-term living arrangement.

Bottom line: Moving in early could potentially do more harm than good, so waiving this contingency has minimal risk.

Contingency: Homeowners association rules

Fear factor: 1

The homeowners association rules contingency lets you get out of the deal if you discover the restrictions don’t jibe with your lifestyle (say, they won’t allow you to have three Rottweilers or paint your front door eggplant).

Let us be clear: We do not recommend getting to this point on your path to homeownership without asking about the basics of the home you’re trying to buy—including HOA rules. Ask for a copy and read it before making an offer.

Bottom line: Since we think you should do your homework, waiving the HOA contingency seems pretty low-risk.

Contingency: Financing

Fear factor: 4

This contingency gives you the right to back out of the deal if your home financing falls through. And waiving it can go very, very wrong.

That’s because any number of things could happen before your loan’s been sent through underwriting. The lender could decide to lower the total loan amount, spike the interest rate, disqualify you from a certain loan, or a myriad of other “oh crap” situations. If you’re locked into a home offer and can’t hold up your end of the bargain, you could lose your earnest money.

But not every buyer needs to worry as much about financing. Say, for example, you’re paying in cash. You won’t need the lender, so you won’t need this contingency. And if your credit is spotless, you’re making a solid (at least 20%) down payment, and you’ve had the same good job for a while, you’re also in a better position to take this risk.

Bottom line: Talk it over with your Realtor and mortgage broker and find out just how confident you should be in your financing. But keep in mind: Even with a pre-approval letter, things can still go awry in the final lending stages (including the appraisal—see the next item). That’s why we’re rating this one high on the risk radar.

Contingency: Appraisal

Fear factor: 3

An appraisal is required by most lenders, and it can be useful to buyers trying to negotiate a price. But appraisals can be tricky.

That’s because a number of factors can affect the outcome of an appraisal: the appraiser might rely heavily on the value of comparable homes that sold for mysteriously low prices, or perhaps he saw the house in less-than-ideal conditions.

And especially in a hot market where homes are selling for inflated prices, the appraisal value might not match your expectations—but you still won’t get a discount.

“Sometimes the market—that is, the price a buyer and seller agree to—isn’t the same number as what an appraiser thinks it’s worth,” Wethman says.

Bottom line: If you’re looking to woo a seller, you might want to skip the appraisal contingency, especially if you think it won’t change the asking price of the house. But be careful—your lender may not agree to a loan over the appraisal price, leaving you to foot the remaining cost of the home.

Because it could go either way, we’re placing the risk level squarely in the middle.

Contingency: Home inspection

Fear factor: 4

The right to get a full, professional home inspection—and flee into the night if new and horrifying info comes to light—is a crucial contingency.

Without a licensed inspector viewing the property, you can only guess what might be potentially wrong with the home, now or 10 years down the line.

By waiving this contingency, you lose the right to make any requests for additional repairs—or to run away—before the deal closes. This is scary stuff, people. Nobody wants to be stuck in a money pit.

If you’re still convinced waiving this contingency is the only way to win the seller’s heart, try finding some neutral ground, Wethman says. Like a general inspection contingency, which gives you the right to void the contract, but not to ask for repairs.

Bottom line: Unless you know you’re getting a fixer-upper and will have to make repairs anyway, you’re gambling big time by waiving this one.

Contingency: Clear title

Fear factor: 5

If the opportunity arises to waive this one, it’s time to run for the hills. Abort mission. Just say no.

You may not be able to waive a clear title search in your area—in some parts of the country, it isn’t even legal. But if you discover you can, don’t.

A title search will churn up all kinds of important info—like who actually owns the home and if there are any liens on the property. It might seem far-fetched, but title problems happen all the time. Waive your right to it, and you might find that along with your new home, you’ve acquired thousands of dollars’ in liens.

“Personally, I would never waive this even if it was an option,” Wethman says.

Bottom line: Seriously, the risk is high.

———

Don’t forget to ask your Realtor’s advice before you waive any contingency. All deals are unique, and only a pro who knows you and the market can tell you how to strike the best deals to score your dream home.

Each client and each home is unique – The Caton Team is happy to come up with a personal and tailored offer plan with you for each home your pursue. Contact us anytime!

Got Questions – The Caton Team is here to help. We are but a call or click away!

The Caton Team is comprised of Susan and Sabrina Caton – a mother/daughter in law team. We are full time, local Realtors with over 35 years of combined Real Estate experience. How can The Caton Team help you?

I read this article at:

Remember to follow our Blog for the local real estate beat, a pulse on the San Francisco Peninsula at: https://therealestatebeat.wordpress.com

Got Questions? – The Caton Team is here to help.

Email Sabrina & Susan at: Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Call us at: 650-568-5522 Office: 650-365-9200

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App: http://thecatonteam.com/mobileapp

HomeSnap: http://www.homesnap.com/Sabrina-Caton

Visit our Website at: http://thecatonteam.com/

Visit our INSTAGRAM page: http://instagram.com/thecatonteam

PINTREST: https://www.pinterest.com/thecatonteam/

Visit us on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sabrina-Susan-The-Caton-Team-Realtors/294970377834

YELP us at: http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-caton-team-realtors-sabrina-caton-and-susan-caton-redwood-city

Or YELP me: http://www.yelp.com/user_details_thanx?userid=gpbsls-_RLpPiE9bv3Zygw

Connect with us professionally at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinawendtcaton

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susancatonrealtor

Please enjoy my personal journey through homeownership at:

http://ajourneythroughhomeownership.wordpress.com

Thanks for reading – Sabrina

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina – A Family of Realtors

Effective. Efficient. Responsive. What Can The Caton Team Do For You?

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

Sabrina BRE# 01413526 / Susan BRE #01238225 / Team BRE# 70000218/ Office BRE #01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts and the information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

How to Make an Offer That Can’t Be Refused

How to Make an Offer That Can’t Be Refused

By Angela Colley

Really excited to share this article as finding the motivation is a huge name of the game when The Caton Team represents Buyers in the Silicon Valley Real Estate Market. I’ll add my 2 cents as we go.

You’ve found the perfect house. You can already see yourself unpacking your books, pulling all the glassware out of crates, setting up the PlayStation 4. You’re ready to make an offer. Nothing could go wrong now. Except, wait a minute. What if there are other offers? What if the seller doesn’t like your offer? What if the seller doesn’t like you?

Don’t panic. There’s a way to make an offer that can’t be refused—and the answer is better than “cough up more money.” Way better. Use the science of human behavior!

Find their motivations

To seal the deal, you have to know the seller’s motivations. Yes, we know that sounds like a self-help book gimmick, but it’s true. We’re all motivated by something, and seeing things from the seller’s point of view can help you write a killer offer.

Sellers are usually primarily motivated by one of three things, according to Diana George, founder of Vault Realty Group in Oakland, CA.

The bottom line (aka money”)
A rush to move/dont want to drag the selling process out (terms)
Emotional attachment

Of course, all sellers are at least a little motivated by cash (after all, they’re not giving the house away), so that will usually overlap with the other motivations. Say, for example, the sellers are emotionally attached to their house. If you’re in love with the property, too, you might have an in, but that doesn’t mean you’ll get it for nothing.

“The buyer who thinks they can come [below] asking and honestly believe they have a shot at winning is making a mistake,” says George.

But money isn’t all that matters.

To find out what is motivating the sellers, have your Realtor® do some digging.

“I always call the real estate listing agent and speak to them directly to get a better understanding as to what is driving the seller,” George says. In some cases, she finds out the sellers have written a letter about the history of the home for potential buyers (showing they’re emotionally connected). In other cases, the buyers are in a hurry to move (and will be motivated by easy and fast closing terms). And sometimes they just want to get a lot of offers and pick the highest bid.

Calling your fellow agent is key. The Caton Team always calls the sellers Realtors to discuss the sale and the sellers needs. When I represent sellers – I can tell you first hand – VERY FEW agents call me – so picking a buyers Realtor is just as important as picking your listing Reatlor.

Your agent won’t always be able to learn everything. “It all depends on how much the listing agent is willing to disclose,” she says. But you can up your chances by asking your Realtor for something simple: Call the seller’s agent and talk to her in person. Having that spur-of-the moment conversation can make all the difference.

“The buyer’s agents who are communicative, persistent, and follow up by actually picking up a phone and calling the listing agent are most likely to discover the motivations of the seller,” George says.

George – said it all!

If they’re motivated by money

If the seller is all about the Benjamins, you’ll need to submit the highest offer to get the home—and in a competitive market, the listing price may just be a starting point.

“We tell our buying clients in this hot seller’s market to be prepared to bid over $100,000 depending on the area,” George says.

To get an idea of what to offer, you and your agent should compare recently sold homes in the area. And if you get in a bidding war, don’t expect the sellers to come back with their own offer.

“Nowadays, sellers send out offers asking for the buyer’s highest and best offer,” George says. “At this point the buyers have one or two chances to come in with their all.”

If they’re motivated by terms

If the sellers are motivated by terms, they want the deal over and done with—as painlessly as possible. You’ll probably have to give up some contingencies (the clauses that give you the option to back out of the deal if something doesn’t go through). Even though those contingencies might help you, they can slow down the sale—something the seller doesn’t want.

But what do you give up? Usually, it’ll come down to some peace of mind.

“Many sellers are disclosing the termite and home inspection reports in an attempt to persuade buyers to offer noncontingent,” George says.

And if those reports are clean, you might be safe to waive your own right to inspect and cross your fingers nothing goes sideways.

Don’t want to give up the inspection from the pro? Give in on another contingency to push things along.

“The other huge trend we are seeing is buyers waiving their appraisal contingency, meaning if the home comes in below the offer price the buyer has to come in with the difference,” George says.

If they’re motivated by emotions

If the sellers are attached to their house, they’re going to have a hard time letting it go to just anybody. You can prove you aren’t just anybody by writing a personal letter.

“Just be honest and be yourself,” George says. “Many of the letters we read are very genuine and emotional.”

But remember, you’re writing a personal letter, not a resume. The seller is more likely to be interested in why you want the house and what your personal plans are for the future, than in what you do for a living.

The faster the better

Once you know how to approach the offer, consider the timing. Generally, the faster you can submit an offer, the better.

“Being the first offer in on a deadline means you just became the leverage offer,” George says.

Even if the seller doesn’t accept your offer right away, your offer will become the yardstick against which other buyers are measured.

If you’re not first, make sure your offer is solid and submitted in a reasonable time frame. Many sellers have a deadline for accepting offers before they start considering candidates, and you don’t want to miss out because you sat on the fence.

Don’t get cocky

It’s tempting to submit a lowball offer just to see what the seller will do, but the seller may get irritated and just stop working with you altogether.

But on the flip side, don’t get excited and blow past your budget.

“You need to figure out how badly you want this house,” George says, “and how far you’re willing to go.”

There are many facets in Real Estate. The Caton Team how just about seen it all and we know how to make our clients and their offers – SHINE!

Got Questions – The Caton Team is here to help. We are but a call or click away!

I read this article at: https://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/in-it-to-win-it-the-science-behind-making-a-killer-offer/

Remember to follow our Blog for the local real estate beat, a pulse on the San Francisco Peninsula at: https://therealestatebeat.wordpress.com

Got Questions? – The Caton Team is here to help.

Email Sabrina & Susan at: Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Call us at: 650-568-5522 Office: 650-365-9200

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App: http://thecatonteam.com/mobileapp

HomeSnap: http://www.homesnap.com/Sabrina-Caton

Visit our Website at: http://thecatonteam.com/

Visit our INSTAGRAM page: http://instagram.com/thecatonteam

PINTREST: https://www.pinterest.com/thecatonteam/

Visit us on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sabrina-Susan-The-Caton-Team-Realtors/294970377834

YELP us at: http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-caton-team-realtors-sabrina-caton-and-susan-caton-redwood-city

Or YELP me: http://www.yelp.com/user_details_thanx?userid=gpbsls-_RLpPiE9bv3Zygw

Connect with us professionally at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinawendtcaton

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susancatonrealtor

Please enjoy my personal journey through homeownership at:

http://ajourneythroughhomeownership.wordpress.com

Thanks for reading – Sabrina

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina – A Family of Realtors

Effective. Efficient. Responsive. What Can The Caton Team Do For You?

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

Sabrina BRE# 01413526 / Susan BRE #01238225 / Team BRE# 70000218/ Office BRE #01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts and the information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

How to Win a Bidding War Without Coughing Up More Money

How to Win a Bidding War Without Coughing Up More Money

By Liz Alterman

Sabrina here – of the Caton Team. I loved this article and had to share it. The Caton Team goes above and beyond for each client ON EACH OFFER – no matter how many offers we write. It makes a huge difference. The Caton Team Advantage has helped several first time buyers, and move up buyers WIN the Silicon Valley Bidding War and not aways because of money – read on and call The Caton Team anytime – happy to share what works in our market….

When my husband and I were in the market for a home in the fall of 1999, a period in the real estate industry known for its notoriously low inventory, we fell in love with a property and were willing to do almost anything to make it ours. So when we learned another buyer had made an offer, we panicked. Were we prepared to compete in a bidding war? And if so, how high could we go?

Oddly enough, when we countered with a slightly higher bid, the seller came back with a unique proposition: Keep all the outdated appliances and close by the end of the year, and it’s yours, he said. Seeing our confusion, he explained that the other buyer wanted him to dispose of the old fridge and upgrade the stove. But the seller was busy with a cross-country work move, and didn’t want the hassle. He also wanted the deal done before year’s end.

So, we agreed to these terms—and won the house.

Because we’re once again in a seller’s market, buyers may find themselves scrambling for properties and looking for ways to one-up the competition. While many are ready and willing to go well above the asking price, others get creative. Below are some less expected ways prospective buyers have won over sellers to get not only their foot in the door, but the keys to castle as well.

Putting heart and ‘sole’ into it

What if you had access to something typically hard to get that you realized your seller would love? You should use it to your advantage.

“I had a buyer who, when we were touring, saw that the seller had an epic shoe collection. My buyer worked for a very well-known, high-end shoe designer at the time, and offered her five new pairs of shoes of her choice. Needless to say, we got the deal,” says Tyler Whitman, an agent at Triplemint.

Have a friend who can score orchestra seats to “Hamilton,” or tickets to a playoff baseball game? If you have a connection, this may be the right time to use it.

Making a ‘moving’ gesture

Anyone who’s ever left one home for another knows what an enormous hassle it can be to find a reputable mover—plus it can get awfully expensive rather quickly. What if someone else decided to handle all that?

Roh Habibi, at The Habibi Group, recently had a buyer who was competing for a Spanish Mediterranean–style home, priced at around $2.5 million. His client upped the ante by offering to pay for the moving crew and presenting gifts to the seller’s children: a basketball for the son, Peppa Pig toys for the daughter, and a small trampoline for the pair to share.

“The seller loved the gesture to pay for the mover, as that is a huge undertaking,” says Habibi. “The buyers also did their best to touch the hearts of the seller and succeeded winning in a very heated bidding war.”

Sweetening the deal

It isn’t always easy for a buyer to meet a seller face to face. But should the opportunity arise, make the most of it.

“My sellers were at home in the evening when the buyers were returning to the house for a second visit,” explains Suzanne “Suzy” Minken, an agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices based in Summit, NJ. “Simply meeting the homeowners can be very helpful, since it gives homeowners an opportunity to establish a bond or rapport with the potential buyers. And an in-person comment about how much the buyers love the house is very powerful.”

That’s nice, of course, but what about taking it a step further? Minken recalls a time when the sellers actually received homemade baked goods from prospective buyers.

“What really comes as a surprise and makes a very big impression on the homeowners is a small gift, much like what you would bring to someone’s home when invited for dinner,” adds Minken. “On this particular evening, knowing that the homeowners would be there, the buyers brought them a homemade apple pie. The gesture made a very big difference in accepting their offer to purchase the house.”

Waiving a mortgage contingency

Even if you can’t pony up an all-cash offer, if you’re fortunate enough to know that securing a mortgage won’t be a problem, you may want to waive the mortgage contingency. Julie Gans, an agent at Triplemint, notes that buyers who waive mortgage contingencies have been successful in beating the competition without needing to up their offer.

“This cannot compete with an all-cash offer, but it is better than having contingencies and a deal falling apart,” notes Gans.

So, while we usually hear that “cash is king,” sometimes alternatives to offering more money can be just as effective.

Adding cute photos with your offer letter

Along with a heartfelt offer letter, buyers should consider throwing in a photo of their family—and their pets.

“Sending in a family picture did help in one of the offer situations I was in, especially with adorable kids and a lovable-looking pet,” says Cara Ameer, an agent with Coldwell Banker. “It’s not always the magic pill because there are often many dynamics at play with these offers, but it helps to put a face with a name and number on a piece of paper.”

Let’s face it—cliché or not, it can be tough to say no to a photo of cute kids and pets.

Got Questions – The Caton Team is here to help. We are but a call or click away!

I read this article at: https://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/win-bidding-war-without-offering-more-money/?identityID=9851214&MID=&RID=353497822&cid=eml-2018-0629-WeeklyNL-blog_8_marketing_winbiddingwar-RDC

Remember to follow our Blog for the local real estate beat, a pulse on the San Francisco Peninsula at: https://therealestatebeat.wordpress.com

Got Questions? – The Caton Team is here to help.

Email Sabrina & Susan at: Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Call us at: 650-568-5522 Office: 650-365-9200

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App: http://thecatonteam.com/mobileapp

HomeSnap: http://www.homesnap.com/Sabrina-Caton

Visit our Website at: http://thecatonteam.com/

Visit our INSTAGRAM page: http://instagram.com/thecatonteam

PINTREST: https://www.pinterest.com/thecatonteam/

Visit us on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sabrina-Susan-The-Caton-Team-Realtors/294970377834

YELP us at: http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-caton-team-realtors-sabrina-caton-and-susan-caton-redwood-city

Or YELP me: http://www.yelp.com/user_details_thanx?userid=gpbsls-_RLpPiE9bv3Zygw

Connect with us professionally at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinawendtcaton

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susancatonrealtor

Please enjoy my personal journey through homeownership at:

http://ajourneythroughhomeownership.wordpress.com

Thanks for reading – Sabrina

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina – A Family of Realtors

Effective. Efficient. Responsive. What Can The Caton Team Do For You?

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

Sabrina BRE# 01413526 / Susan BRE #01238225 / Team BRE# 70000218/ Office BRE #01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts and the information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: